Wow... 'Save Obama's Presidency By Challenging Him On The Left' - Micahel Lerner/WaPo

[WillyT]

Save Obama's presidency by challenging him on the left
By Michael Lerner - WaPo
Saturday, December 4, 2010

<snip>

People who used to say, "Give President Obama more time" when the president was criticized for capitulating to the right, or who argued that Obama must have a plan to turn things around, are now largely depressed and angry. To many liberals and progressives, the president's unwillingness to veto any measure that includes continued tax relief for billionaires is the last straw, building on a record of spinelessness that includes his escalation of the war in Afghanistan, abandonment of a public option for health-care reform, refusal to prosecute those who tortured in Iraq or lied us into that war, and unwillingness to tax carbon emissions.

With his base deeply disillusioned, many progressives are starting to believe that Obama has little chance of winning reelection unless he enthusiastically embraces a populist agenda and worldview - soon. Yet there is little chance that will happen without a massive public revolt by his constituency that goes beyond rallies, snide remarks from television personalities or indignant op-eds.

Those of us who worry that a full-scale Republican return to power in 2012 would be a disaster not just for those hurting from the Republican-policy-inspired economic meltdown but also for the environment, social justice and world peace believe it is critical to get Obama to become the candidate whom most Americans believed they elected in 2008. Despite the outcome of last month's election, it is unlikely that the level of his base's alienation will register with the president until late in the 2012 election cycle - far too late for society today and our future tomorrow.

But there is a real way to save the Obama presidency: by challenging him in the 2012 presidential primaries with a candidate who would unequivocally commit to a well-defined progressive agenda and contrast it with the Obama administration's policies. Such a candidacy would be pooh-poohed by the media, but if it gathered enough popular support - as is likely given the level of alienation among many who were the backbone of Obama's 2008 success - this campaign would pressure Obama toward much more progressive positions and make him a more viable 2012 candidate. Far from weakening his chances for reelection, this kind of progressive primary challenge could save Obama if he moves in the desired direction. And if he holds firm to his current track, he's a goner anyway.

<snip>

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/03/AR2010120304148.html

:wow:

:kick:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. We'll soon be hearing that Michael Lerner isn't a "real" progressive.

And, that he never loved Obama, anyway.

[Davis_X_Machina]

6. He's the Clinton family rabbi...

...with long, old ties to the Clinton circle, going back to Tikkun days.

Why would he bail out an enemy?

[TwilightGardener]

9. The Clintons have a rabbi?

[Davis_X_Machina]

12. Hell, yeah.

Lerner ran retreats for Clinton's incoming West Wing personnel in '92-93, so they would all get a grasp of where they were headed philosophically. Lerner's also got some interesting ties with Lieberman going back to that same period.

[Still a Democrat]

2. Wow - I haven't seen an article of outrage like this

since about three minutes ago.

[WillyT]

13. Well I'm Glad That We're Keeping You Up-To-Date Then

:evilgrin:

:hi:

[inna]

21. No kiddding. OT, but the entire blogospere is EXPLODING. I'm actually seriously

worried that we are experiencing the last months of net neutrality right now... Well, it sure was(is) good while it lasted.

[somone]

3. Candidates running on "Better Government Through Adoration" platform

are not on your side. Very simple.

[Taverner]

4. Problem with that is we'll start getting pillow talk all over again

[sendero]

5. So he campaigns to the left and wins..

... and goes right back to the right.

Obama is a one term president, I will bet money on that. Not because he isn't progressive, that's only a small part of it. Because the economy continues to falter under his leadership. The transformation of this economic morass from a Republican phenonema to a Democratic one will be complete by 2012 and Dems will pay dearly.

[Kaleva]

7. Is there any actual proof that his base is deeply disillusioned?

"With his base deeply disillusioned, many progressives are starting to believe that Obama has little chance of winning reelection unless he enthusiastically embraces a populist agenda and worldview - soon."

Or do a few people hope they can convince others that it to be true if they say it often enough?

[bobbolink]

10. I guess you'll find out in 2012. Then there will be gnashing of teeth and castigating of l

"leftists".

The conservaDems will be having a :party:

[hlthe2b]

14. Ahh, "De Nial"

not just a river in Africa.....

[Hawkowl]

15. It's called THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS!!!

Hello McFly? Anyone in there?

[Kaleva]

20. Obama didn't run in 2010.

Most of the Democrats who lost in 2010 were blue dogs. Candidates the 'base' weren't too excited about at any time.

[Hawkowl]

23. Good point, but...

I agree with what you say. The base is not interested in blue dogs. However, I think the point that is being made, is that Obama is the ultimate Blue Dog! The base is sending a clear message and Obama is completely tone deaf on this one.

[Kaleva]

29. I think there is debate as to what or whom constitutes President Obama's base

A recent poll I mentioned in another thread found that 85% of liberal Democrats give the President a favorable job rating. If one agrees that liberal Democrats are the base, then what kind of message are they sending if a super majority give him a positive grade?

[Hawkowl]

30. Meaningless poll

Polls like that are completely meaningless. To be accurate a poll must offer an alternative to Obama-- because that is what an election is. It isn't just a letter grade on his performance.

Considering we are still at war, I would expect any president to poll exceedingly well amongst his own party members. Whether those members vote for him, or even more importantly, turn out the vote for him on election day remains to be seen. In other words, it is exceedingly difficult to poll enthusiasm. All though the polling up to the midterm election seems to have definitely indicated the lack of enthusiasm of democrats in general.

[Kaleva]

35. Without President Obama actually in the race....

one can only guess as to how much of an impact his performance so far had on the results.

[Greyhound]

26. Pretending that the last election was not a referendum on his administration might make

you feel better, but even http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39987154/ns/politics-decision_2010/">he admits that it was.

In his zeal to appease our corporate overlords, he cut off his coattails and left Democrats swinging in the wind.

[Kaleva]

27. And here is what he said:

"He said the lesson of election was that he hasn't made enough progress in creating jobs. "

He continues by talking about not doing enough to change the way Washington operates and the need for greater bi-partisanship, not less.

""I've got to do a better job," he said, "like everybody else in Washington." And he took responsibility for not doing enough to alter the ways of the capital, whether its hyper-partisanship or back-room dealing. "We were in such a hurry to get things done that we didn't change how things were done.""

Rather interesting that he laments about attempting to get things done too fast.

[Arkana]

28. Those "Democrats" were cowards who ran from him at every opportunity

because they were frightened that the GOP might run ads comparing them to Hitler.

[obxhead]

16. The base is not what got Obama to the White house.

It was moderate and independent voters. He is losing ground rapidly with that demographic.

The 25% base will not be able to win 2012 alone.

[Kaleva]

22. Somewhat agree.

His overall job performance rating has been rather consistent for some time now so I'd say he lost ground with the moderates and independents initially but has been holding steady with that demographic.

[MrTriumph]

24. Say what!?! Next you'll tell me India is creating jobs in the USA!

x

[Hawkowl]

33. No, It was new voters.

Obama lost the white vote in every demographic over the age of 30. He won because of record breaking turnout of Black, Latino and youth votes. I doubt the vast majority of those voters are either independent or moderate. I would assert that they are way to the left of said moderate. I would assert that the minority and youth vote are his base, and he has done NOTHING for them.

According to the exit polls in last year's presidential election, the candidate preference of non-white voters was distinctly different from that of white voters. Nearly all (95%) black voters cast their ballot for Democrat Barack Obama. Among Latino voters, 67% voted for Obama while 31% voted for Republican John McCain. Among Asian voters, 62% supported Obama and 35% voted for McCain. In contrast, white voters supported McCain (55%) over Obama (43%). http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1209/racial-ethnic-voters-presidential-election

Obama also lost the protestant vote, the rural vote, those attending religious services at least once a week, the small town vote, and the male vote and the over 60 years of age demographic. http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/president/exit-polls.html

If he does not bolster his credentials with minorities, the poor, the unemployed, and seniors, he's fucking toast. Obviously these are core democratic constituencies, also know as, THE BASE.

[WillyT]

34. + 1,000,000,000... What You Said !!!

:applause::applause::applause:

:hi:

:kick:

[Kaleva]

40. LBJ in 1964 was the last Dem to win the white vote.

"It was also the last election, as of 2007, in which the Democrat won an absolute majority of the white vote, and the first in which a Democrat received over 80% of the black vote."

http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/U.S._presidential_election,_1964

President Obama currently has a positive job performance grade of 89% amongst blacks and that percentage has never fallen below 85% since he assumed office.

[eilen]

51. it may be independent and moderate votes that won him the election

but he would not have won without his base to do the hard work for him.

[obxhead]

55. I can agree with that,

The base was out there rallying and getting the word out. They were out there knocking on the doors of those moderates and independents. While those doors were held open in 08, many will likely be slammed in the face of those base motivators in 12.

[somone]

18. His true base is not disillusioned at all

The haves and have-mores are quite happy.

[Lorien]

36. Have you ventured outside lately?

I only know of two Democrats personally who aren't completely ticked off with him. And I know hundreds of Democrats.

[Kaleva]

39. When one considers his base is several million, then hundreds is a very tiny fraction.

[Hydra]

57. His base WAS millions

When you lose all but 25%, you've got a problem, Unless you're Bush and have Diebold on your side.

[Enthusiast]

50. I supported President Obama

in the primary and general election. I donated money. I am deeply disillusioned in him. I seriously doubt that he can now even win back my support, especially in light of his tax cut 'compromise'.

[NorthCarolina]

56. Get out much? nt

[ProSense]

8. Wow

Public officials who would make excellent candidates should they run on this platform include Sens. Russ Feingold, Bernie Sanders, Barbara Mikulski or Al Franken; Reps. Joe Sestak, Maxine Waters, Raul Grijalva, Alan Grayson, Barbara Lee, Dennis Kucinich, Lois Capps, Jim Moran and Lynn Woolsey. Others include Jim McGovern, Marcy Kaptur, Jim McDermott or John Conyers. We should also consider popular figures outside of government. How about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.? Why not Rachel Maddow, Bill Moyers, Susan Sarandon or the Rev. James Forbes? All suggestions need to be part of this critical conversation. What's clear is that we need such a candidate, and the finances to back her or him, very soon.

Joe Sestak? He supports the Afghanistan war and is not a progressive.

"Why not Rachel Maddow, Bill Moyers, Susan Sarandon or the Rev. James Forbes? "

Is this snark?

:rofl:

[karynnj]

44. Many of them might not be able to win a state against anyone but Palin.

Many could not win state wie in their own states.

[TomCADem]

11. Here Is The Tequila Party Challenging Democrats From The Left! Funded By Right Wingers

It is interesting that many of these "challenges from the left" often give Republicans a free pass, and concentrate only on incumbent Democrats. I would take them more seriously if they attacked Republicans with half the energy they attacked Democrats.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20101129/ts_yblog_thelookout/inspired-by-tea-party-success-latinos-float-tequila-party-grassroots-movement

Latino leaders in Nevada and around the country are floating the idea of breaking traditional ties with the Democratic Party and creating a grass-roots independent movement tentatively called the Tequila Party. According to Delen Goldberg at the Las Vegas Sun, the leaders want to pressure the Democratic Party to deliver on Latinos' priorities much in the same way the tea party has done with the GOP over the past few years.

Robert de Posada, the former GOP operative behind this fall's controversial "Don't Vote" ads aimed at Latinos in Nevada and California, tells The Lookout that he has heard "rumblings" of this movement among national Latino leaders.

"The Tequila Party is a great concept to basically say, 'You know what? This blind support for you is coming to an end,'" De Posada says. "If you are perceived as someone who will never vote for a Republican, then you're screwed," because Democrats will take you for granted, he says.

* * *
It's curious that Latino leaders are looking to the tea party for organizational inspiration, since many tea party groups supported Arizona's tough immigration law and other enforcement measures. More than 85 percent of Hispanics back comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to citizenship, according to a recent poll, and 80 percent disapprove of Arizona's immigration law.

[struggle4progress]

17. What we need is massive organizing in pursuit of specific objectives,

but the Washington Post certainly won't put that in print

[ProSense]

19. Frankly

these calls are suspect:

The basic platform for such a candidate is clear: ...immediate implementation of the parts of the Obama health-care plan that would benefit ordinary citizens and build support for a health plan for all citizens.

This is a challenge from the left?

[struggle4progress]

25. I agree the calls are suspect. I also think it would be worthwhile to drive

the country's politics in a more progressive direction, but I don't think attacking Obama will have that effect

[BzaDem]

31. Just another example of someone who thinks that they represent a non-negligable portion of the base.

[defendandprotect]

32. Of course, that's been obvious all along ... not only 2012 .... but all along ....

where the hell are the liberal Democrats -- !!

Only Sen. Bernie Sanders to challenge Obama????

Is that how bereft of liberal leadership we are in the Dem Party????

[BzaDem]

37. Bernie Sanders is not going to challenge Obama. He is going to enthusiastically endorse Obama. n/t

[defendandprotect]

58. Sen. Bernie Sanders IS challenging Obama and the administration and Dems every day!!!

You jumped the gun a bit there --

And, in fact, I think Bernie Sanders is a perfect example of what Democrats should be

and too often aren't!

As for 2012 -- we need a liberal Democratic candidate to run --

And, I agree with Thom Hartmann's question the other day ...

"Should Obama announce that he will stand down in 2012?"

[Lorien]

38. We'd have to come up with an unknown; an anti-Palin Palin

Someone new, fresh, but very sharp, charismatic and well spoken. are there any Governors who fit that description? The MSM has already labeled Grayson as a "nut", otherwise I'd say put him on the ballot.

[BlueCheese]

41. I think Obama will be re-elected in 2012.

He might not be very popular by then, but he should still be able to edge out whomever the Republicans nominate, unless the GOP suddenly produces someone halfway sane and competent. He might be like George W. Bush in that regard--re-elected though not enthusiastically.

[amborin]

42. this is what howard zinn and others had urged since

early on...

[Catherina]

43. Sorry Rabbi Lerner, I believe in accountability from our politicians

Obama has already shown his true colors, there's nothing there to save. Pretty speeches, especially last minute ones, aren't going to cut it anymore.

Obama already proved he'll say and promise anything to get elected and then turn around and do the opposite. Lerner needs to accept the fact that that Obama, as a New Dem, has no intention of moving even one millimeter to the left- on anything.

It's time we had more than a little window dressing in the White House.

[CakeGrrl]

45. Fine. Name the candidate!

That's the detail that all the chatter on the Left keeps leaving out.

Who's it gonna be?

[WillyT]

46. Um... That Guy In Your Avatar... He Was On The Left... So Were His Brothers...

Aren't you?

:shrug:

[CakeGrrl]

48. I'm not clamoring for a primary challenger. I believe it'll do more harm than good.

Therefore, I exclude myself as part of the talk that wants to see Obama primaried despite my being a Dem.

We know how the most recent challenges turned out. This current crop of Republicans is too unhinged to throw them any favors.

[ProSense]

47. Exactly.

"That's the detail that all the chatter on the Left keeps leaving out."

It's like some kind of game being played. Here's an idea: Let's save Obama's Presidency by beating him down to a pulp.

Here's another gem

[Proud Liberal Dem]

49. How can he be a certified "goner" in 2012

if most Democrats, including liberals, support him? Which Republican is he going to be "goner" to? I don't even honestly think that the Republicans think they're going to win in 2012.

If, after all of this supposed "caving" and "shellacking", he still maintains 80% support from Democrats, how is somebody going to credibly challenge him from anywhere- from the left or the right?

[whatchamacallit]

52. A zebra's stripes don't change

If this idea was even possible, it would only cause him to toss enough red meat to get reelected. Then it would be back to business as usual.

[treestar]

53. Is anyone ever going to challenge the Senate from the left?

Instead of pretending the President holds all Article II as well as Article I powers, because it is easier to rant on message boards that the Senate should be in name only rubber stamp to the President (a Republican idea if there ever was one) or continuing with the apparent pathetic ignorance that there is no such power as Congress, why doesn't the left do something useful and campaign for its ideas?

[old mark]

54. The next election will give us either 4 more years of Obama or a real republican,

and probably one of their worst available assholes...
We are not "regular" Democrats here - 85% of Democrats support Obama right now!

mark