Time to Think the Unthinkable: A Democratic Primary Challenge To Obama's Reelection

[ORDagnabbit]

nice article by Clarence Jones.... you know the guy who co-wrote the i have a dream speech and a few other minor things like that. ;)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clarence-b-jones/time-to-think-to-unthinka_b_792237.html

Can't tell you how it happened. All I know, it just happened.

Been thinking and reading a lot about President Barack Obama. Lots of news commentaries about his alleged lack of leadership on this or that issue. About his disappointing the Gay and Lesbian and Transgender Community on his election pledge to end the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy in the armed services. And his disappointment by the anti-war coalition, who supported him because of his opposition to the war in Iraq, only to find that he has escalated the US's involvement in Afghanistan. Now, after the midterm election victories of the Republicans, he seems willing to compromise on his pledge to end tax breaks for the rich.

more at the link...well written..
a quick little blurb about him... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Benjamin_Jones

[AndrewP]

1. He must not be a true Democrat!

:sarcasm:

[williesgirl]

2. Wholeheartedly agree! Must be someone proud to be liberal/Progressive who will act like a true Dem.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Numero Cinco

[Individualist]

4. and siete.

:thumbsup:

[somone]

"Obama has abandoned much of the base that elected him.

He has done this because he no longer respects, fears or believes those persons who elected him have any alternative, but to accept what he does, whether they like it or not."

[leftstreet]

5. But IT'S ONLY BEEN TWO YEARS! We need to HOLD HIS FEET TO THE FIRE!

Where'd everybody go?

:shrug:

[BrklynLiberal]

8. Many simply cannot afford to sit and wait another two years to see how things turn out.

Mr Obama is now being judged by his actions, not by his campaign rhetoric.

Once you realize that the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train, it may be too late to do anything.

[somone]

6. Must-read article

[Still a Democrat]

7. It's almost two years before the next election

A tad early.

[BrklynLiberal]

12. Better than too late..............

[AllyCat]

32. The idea is that wind of a primary challenge from a solid challenger

would maybe scare Obama into doing something for those who elected him.

[Winterblues]

35. No this is exactly when the organizing for a Primary opponent should begin.

I am in favor of a Primary opponent but I know there won't be any. Democrats screwed the pooch and now they will have to live with the results.

[bigtree]

9. like that's 'unthinkable' among the critics here

'foregone conclusion' more describes the attitude of most posters.

The active campaign against our President is amazing. I've found myself, more than once, seriously thinking about closing down my screen name and banishing myself from posting here. I keep telling myself that there will be less of the active campaigning against President Obama when he eventually becomes our nominee for 2012, but I really don't believe that. The majority of the posting these days is far outside my own intention. I'm not sure how much longer I want to associate myself with what amounts to a similar campaign effort against the President from the right. The meme these days is that there's no difference between Pres. Obama and a republican. I don't agree with that, but I do see a sharp parallel between the right-wing criticisms and many of the insults from the left. That's not what I signed up here for.

[texshelters]

20. Really, the same as the right? You are kidding, aren't you?

Is the right criticizing Obama for extending the war? I think not.

Is the right criticizing Obama for not ending DADT? No!

Is the right criticizing Obama for keeping the detention centers open and for extending the rendition program? No, they are saluting him for it.

Are we criticizing Obama for "Obamacare" or do we wish it went further to address costs of health care?

Can you tell me ONE way the progressive criticism of Obama is like the right other than both hurt your feelings?

Peace,
Tex Shelters
http://texshelters.wordpress.com/2010/11/23/i-should-have-voted-for-mccain/

[bigtree]

29. I said 'many of the *insults*' and I meant it.

. . . you should know better than to believe I meant anything on your list there. Let's stop pretending that *many* of the insults haven't gone right over the top.

You took 'insults' and made that 'criticisms'. You can't deflect from what I actually said by changing the subject.

[Winterblues]

41. So the right criticizes while the left insults?

At least that is what you just said. I have not noticed that myself. I have not heard anyone here calling Obama a "socialist" or any name other than one that capitualtes and surrenders easily. He is being criticized for not fighting for what he told us he believes in..He is not being insulted for that..

[bigtree]

42. bullshit

that's not what I said or meant. You're arguing with your own words. The right's criticisms are just insults, or are you giving them legitimacy? Quit the fucking word games. Nothing in my life has given ANY favor to republicans so you can just shove all that.

[Winterblues]

48. Here are your exact words

I do see a sharp parallel between the right-wing criticisms and many of the insults from the left.

[texshelters]

51. So how is the left like the right in regards to Obama criticism?

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[texshelters]

50. Okay, but you still didn't list any right like insults coming form the left.

We are still waiting.

The left hasn't insulted Obama like the right. I haven't heard anyone call him a Muslim on the left, or a Nazi, or un-American, or a racist.

So, how is the left like the right here?

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[BrklynLiberal]

10. Whew! Took my breath away...

It is time for Progressives to stop "whining" and arguing among themselves about whether President Obama will or will not do this or that. Obama is no different than any other President, nominated by his national party. He was elected with the hard work and 24/7 commitment of persons who believed and enlisted in his campaign for "Hope" and "Change."

You don't have to be a rocket scientist nor have a PhD in political science and sociology to see clearly that Obama has abandoned much of the base that elected him. He has done this because he no longer respects, fears or believes those persons who elected him have any alternative, but to accept what he does, whether they like it or not.

It is time for those persons who constituted the "Movement" that enabled Senator Barack Obama to be elected to "break their silence"; to indicate that they no longer will sit on their hands, and only let off verbal steam and ineffective sound and fury, and "hope" for the best.

[yourout]

11. Paging Dr Dean...Dr Dean please report to the D-ER.

I would love for him to at least make the top dogs nervous by saying he is thinking about it.

Maybe that would get them to grow a spine.

[jaxx]

13. This was posted this morning.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=573983&mesg_id=573993

It seems the author has issues.

[Hawkowl]

14. Mr. Obama, You're FIRED!!!

Welcome to the new economy. You have failed to meet expectations and you are scheduled to be replaced in 2012. We require you to continue on and transition your replacement.

[jaxx]

17. LOL you made me laugh out loud.

Childish demands are always funny.

[Bluebear]

45. You say the author has issues. You have a few of your own.

Calling people childish, for example.

[dionysus]

46. do you practice saying that in a mirror?

:rofl:

[texshelters]

15. Alan Grayson

is my choice. Although I am more aligned with Dennis Kucinich, he doesn't have the fire, and he respects the institution too much.

At this point, I might write in Grayson anyway. I would also go for Grijalva, Lee, Boxer or Feingold. But I think Grayson would stir it up. But then I said something like that about Obama too.

At this point, I perceived that Obama thinks we are lucky to have him. Ugh!

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[brooklynite]

18. ...can't win

He couldn't win re-election as an outspoken liberal in a swing district. How do you imagine he'd win a national election?

[texshelters]

23. I didn't say he could win, but I choose him.

Grayson would shake things up, that would be refreshing.

If money was all equal and people won on ideas and not cash, he'd have a change. But the corporate donors won't let that happen, so you are correct.

Peace,
Tex Shelters
http://texshelters.wordpress.com/2010/11/23/i-should-have-voted-for-mccain/

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

37. By running countrywide instead of just in that district?

:shrug:


;)

[AllyCat]

36. Feingold!!

:loveya:

[BlueJac]

16. He is playing chess.......

:sarcasm:

[Catherina]

22. More like parcheesi n/t

[texshelters]

24. What, by sacrificing all his pieces?

Peace,
Tex Shelters
http://texshelters.wordpress.com/2010/11/23/i-should-have-voted-for-mccain/

[Dreamer Tatum]

49. His Knight and queen were sjewered and he moved the Knight. nt

[Deep13]

19. He was dealt a flush, but folded because it wasn't a royal flush.

The R.s beat him with a pair of sixes.

[texshelters]

26. That's on target...

Peace,
Tex Shelters
http://texshelters.wordpress.com/2010/11/23/i-should-have-voted-for-mccain/

[Little Star]

27. +1

[beforeyoureyes]

21. I was thinking the minute he apponted his cabinet

The writing was on the wall since he took office (and before)....

[AllyCat]

38. Actually, I knew it then, but suspected as candidate Obama

The man I worked with in my progressive community came by to pick up my yard signs and we both said "not sure how this is going to go, but it's a party for right now". We both knew he was a corporate man, but hoped something else would happen. Thought with a Dem majority in both houses, we'd be good as gold.

[Deep13]

25. I hear Russ Feingold is looking for a job. nt

[BzaDem]

28. Yawn.

Good luck with that.

[donco6]

33. Yeah we know -

We'll "all come crawling back" in time. Right BzaDem?

[BzaDem]

34. Yes, exactly. Just like the people who swore off the Democratic party in 2000 came back in 2004.

You're catching on.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

30. It's becoming more and more "thinkable" as the "compromises" roll on.

[AllyCat]

31. Thom Hartmann talking about this today.

I'd totally vote for the correct DEMOCRAT for this primary.

I've had it with Obama and all the Dems. I'm just sick of them all.

[ProSense]

39. Here's a little more

from Clarence Jones: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Glenn Beck's 'Restoration of Honor' Rally

<...>

The Lord works in mysterious ways, and he has wonders to perform. Accordingly, we extend the hand of fellowship to Beck, Palin and their followers this weekend, and ask them to symbolically join hands with us to recommit ourselves to Dr. King's "Dream."

Seriously, this is the person who thinks President Obama should be primaried, a guy who bought into Beck's hype?

Go for it.

[DeSwiss]

40. Not unthinkable.

It's a question of whether or not we as a nation have the courage to do what is right.

- That's always been the question.....

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." ~ John Quincy Adams

K&R

[WillyT]

43. And So It Begins...

:evilfrown:

[treestar]

44. This just shows your obsession with a single leader

Any Democratic President would have to deal with the same stuff, Congress, the current disasters of the day, the economy, etc., and would likely do the same things, and you'd be whining just as much.

It's so stupid. Let's find the real Messiah!

Makes right wingers look correct about us. We expect the President to do it all for us.

[BlueIris]

47. The unthinkable, eh? At this point, I think it's our only choice.

And I can't imagine the Party doesn't know it. We can either have a new nominee or die out.