Rachel Maddow just said something about Obama that made me tear up. . .

[wndycty]

She mentioned the anti-war speech President Obama gave prior to the Iraq war in Chicago. I was at that speech, it was the first time I ever met him, I shook his hand and told him he was going to be our next US Senator from Illinois. I remember that moment like it was yesterday. He was there by himself, no handlers, walked up the stage and gave that speech. Rev. Jesse Jackson was there on stage watching him and I was struck by his reaction, he was blown away by State Senator Obama. That was the beginning of this all for me. He was my state senator and I always liked him, but it was on that day that I became a fan and have been one ever since.

Our paths have crossed many times since then, I even had a few conversations with (pre-2005), but for me that will always be my favorite and most cherished encounter.

Today in announcing the withdrawl from Iraq he kept a campaign promise, but more importantly he reminded me why I became a fan, a die hard one now, in the first place. Job well done sir.

[jenmito]

1. K&R. I envy you. Nice, touching story.

I'm sure I'd feel the same way. Even without your experiences with him, I DO feel the same way as much as is possible for someone who never met him. I can only imagine. :hi:

[Empowerer]

2. Nice.

That's a beautiful story.

[ClarkUSA]

3. Barack Obama was courageous to speak out, given 90% of the public favored war.

He had big odds against him (this was before the frontrunner imploded). Most Congresscritters voted for IWR the next day out of political expedience, ignoring the words of their colleague Senator Bob Graham and others.

Thanks for your personal memory. I've come to see that Barack Obama is the president I dreamed of as a kid. He's the Real Deal I didn't know existed after 2004 but now do.

[ChadwickHenryWard]

44. 90%? Where are you getting that number from?

[Kurovski]

47. There is none, even when BushCo. convinced folks to enter Iraq.

Before Cheney/bush bamboozled Americans 70% were against invading Iraq.

Also, we've known for some time that Iraq wanted us to leave, we had an agreement. Apparently Obama tried to stay longer in Iraq.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/10/us-troops-are-leaving-because-iraq-doesnt-want-them-there/247174/

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ClarkUSA]

56. Check polling from that time. I did once but am not interested in finding the data now.

[Kurovski]

58. 90 % of REPUBLICANS supported the war at one point.

Which not only telling, but is worth noting.

Quoting right-wing stats for support of a war is not a particularly progressive value.

[ChadwickHenryWard]

59. So, you are completely unable to back up that claim.

Noted.

[ClarkUSA]

61. So you are completely unable to check polling data for yourself.

Noted.

[ChadwickHenryWard]

62. You made the claim.

You back it up. The burden of proof is not on me.

[ClarkUSA]

64. I'm not wasting a minute on you.

[ChadwickHenryWard]

67. Well, I guess that pretty much confirms

that you were making those numbers up. You could have just provided evidence for your claims, but instead you got defensive and not a little nasty. That settles that.

[Hutzpa]

4. I can also say this

I remember the day you made that first thread about Obama, back in 2004,
correct me if I'm wrong, it was the first time you brought him to DU and made
it known that the democrats have someone that will one day become the president
of these United states, the only difference is most at the time on DU did not
know when, but there was this enormous feeling of him being the one to turn
things around. Will never forget that experience.

So kudos to him and then to you.

:toast: Cheers!

[wndycty]

5. Wow that means a lot to me. . .

. . .thanks.

[Hutzpa]

7. You are very welcome

:hi:

[CakeGrrl]

6. K/R

[frazzled]

8. I hadn't moved here yet ...

so I wasn't present for that speech. (I was still in Boston, and mad as hell at my then senator, Kerry, for words he'd used just prior to the war.) But I read it later and was deeply impressed by its rationality. I always knew that in his calm, steady, patient (and sometimes frustratingly un-flamboyant) way, he would make good on getting us out of this thing.

I never met Obama personally (though I was up close when he gave a short speech on immigration at a big May Day immigration march starting in Union Park in maybe 2005), but I remember writing him once when he was a new US senator. It was just some routine shit--an email I'd gotten from Wes Clark, I think, asking to write to support some veterans' legislation. Well, three weeks or so later I got an email response. I started to skim though it, knowing it would just be some form response like I've always gotten from senate offices. But this didn't sound like a "form" letter. Damn, I must have read it three or four times, thinking, I think he is actually responding personally to specific things I said. Can this be true? I believe it was, and it impressed me to no end. That's when I became a real fan.

At any rate ... that anti-"dumb"-war speech was the start of it all. And you are so correct. Job well done, sir.

[jaxx]

9. Wonderful story.

I met PBO the summer of 2004 at a small gathering at a park. His group came in one car, and he was dynamite. I went to work and told people I'd just met a man who would be president. I became a supporter that day and I've never looked back, it was the right decision.

Job well done indeed!

[wndycty]

13. Your story is pretty good as well

:kick:

[LiberalFighter]

10. One more promise kept.

How many promises did he try to keep but prevented from doing so?
How many promises did he need to compromise in order to get something out of it?
How many promises did he need to reevaluate?

How many promises did he keep?

How many promises were kept but others weren't happy with the way it was done?

How many promises were kept but others complain that they weren't kept because they didn't really know what was happening?

[opihimoimoi]

11. We will yet see his Face on a Mountain for ALL to SEE....

[BlancheSplanchnik]

53. that would make me SO happy!

There are people who would eat their hateful words, and I would be so happy for that!

My ex would be one of them.......
the damn M$M would be another

[Whisp]

12. what a nice post!

:hug:

I didn't know Obama until the primaries. At first I didn't really see him, he seemed to be in the background while Hillary and the rest slugged it out on opening gate. Then he got to speak more and more, and more and more I liked him.

Who is this guy!? wow.

I think it was the NH speech that did it for me. He is The One! I jumped up and down when hubby came home. Just listen to this guy!
Most of my women family and friends went on autopilot for Hillary, but I convinced each and every one that Obama was the one. And they all turned, and no regrets to this day from any of them.

[apocalypsehow]

14. Kick & Rec.

:thumbsup:

[AtomicKitten]

15. What a lovely vignette. Thank you.

I was fortunate to see then candidate Obama in 2007 right here in SF at the beginning of the campaign. I was on crutches at the time but wouldn't have missed it for anything. After the rally, I was the first person he came over to. I shook his hand and told him I believe in him. And I still do.

Cheers.
:fistbump:

[wndycty]

16. I am proud of our President. . .I really am

:kick:

[Remember Me]

17. Yep. Charisma is a valuable thing

Don't mean to minimize your experience, but a good bit of his appeal -- and Bill Clinton's and probably most people who become President -- is charisma. It's inborn; not something you can develop.

[wndycty]

18. Especially when its backed up by sincerity. . .

And yes he is sincere.

[Remember Me]

19. Yes, he is quite sincere, though I'm not at all sure that's appropriate

when he's lying -- like when he told us the Oil Spill was over and it was okay to go in the water. And other things.

Sorry. I REALLY don't mean to be raining on your parade. No one's perfect, and Obama most certainly isn't either. I'll just leave it at that if you promise not to provide any more unintnential invitations for me to express my unhappiness with the man.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BklnDem75]

26. Some people just suck at sincerity...

I'll just leave it at that.

[Hanks]

35. Thanks

Remember Me
for expressing in much more eloquent words what I would have done. These cheer leaders for the corporatist make me want to barf. Yes, he kept his promise regarding Iraq but it's about 3 years too late. I believe he said he was going to remove them the first year in office. And now he's campaigning on behalf of the unemployed, pushing for jobs. Yeah, another 3 years after getting into office. I guess Goldman Sachs gave him permission to do so.

[Remember Me]

71. Thank YOU and Welcome to DU

I'm wondering, after reading your post, if you're not actually more cynical than I. ?? :D

[polmaven]

40. Yeah...

posting positive things on a Democratic site about our Democratic president should really be discouraged. .... Give me a break!

[wndycty]

42. I agree with you, however I think many here are so use to complaining about. . .

. . .the administration, whether it be Democratic or Republican, that they do not know how to celebrate good news.

[chknltl]

21. KnR+

Our democracy, imo, is in needs of careful review and upgrade by We The People, otoh, the emotions that prompted me to attach to my posts the photo below has not wavered.

[woo me with science]

22. Has he announced he'll reject the plan the Super Committee is now said to reach "consensus" on?

The plan that largely preserves massive war spending in favor of deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid?....the Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid cuts HE put on the table in the first place?

Is he at long last ready to prioritize the poor and the elderly, and all Americans, over the military industrial complex?

Is he?

__________________________________________________________

No, it does not appear so.

The growing "consensus" on the Super Committee is for just 100 billion in "defense" cuts out of a 1.2 trillion dollar deficit reduction package.

And that 100 billion is even more shameful when compared to what appears to be the "consensus" for cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid ALONE: 200 to 550 BILLION DOLLARS.

That does not even begin to address the other 200 billion in "noncontroversial" (cough cough) spending cuts on the way, which will affect programs that have not yet even been disclosed:




http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/10/pentagon-looking-safe-super-committees-cuts/43974

Pentagon Looking Safe from the Super Committee's Cuts
Reuters
By John Hudson 11:56 AM ET

The growing consensus on how the 12-member panel plans to cut $1.2 trillion from the federal deficit is starting to look like a big win for the Defense Department, which could see its budget slashed by hundreds of billions of dollars if there is no deal. In an email obtained by Politico's Mike Allen, Chris Krueger of the investment-research firm Washington Research Group tells clients the deal would likely see $100 billion in defense cuts. That figure squares with a National Security Insiders Poll conducted by National Journal last month in which a majority of experts with "budget-cutting or policy experience" said defense cuts wouldn't exceed $100 billion.

That would be a huge relief to Pentagon officials who last week went on a media blitz warning that if the Super Committee doesn't reach a deal by Nov. 23, a trigger would automatically slash $600 billion from the defense budget, a move that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said would cause "catastrophic damage" to the military. “It would double the number of cuts we confront, and it would damage our interests not only here, but around the world.” That warning has been echoed by John McHugh, the Army secretary, and Gen. Ray Odierno, the new chief of staff who warned of a dramatic downsizing of force levels last week and former Air Force Maj. Gen. Bentley Rayburn who penned a foreboding column in National Review last Monday.

So if it's looking like the military will be spared, what is the Super Committee planning to cut instead? Krueger lays out some cuts with some awfully wide margins that add up to $1.2 trillion:


$300B revenue raisers (the likely framework would be a 3-1 spending to revenue ratio) …

$216B interest savings …

$134B-$300B in Medicare/Medicaid …

$60-255B Chained CPI for inflation-adjusted programs …

$200B relatively non-controversial spending cuts …

$100B defense

Of course, for those who think the Pentagon could use a major haircut, a gridlocked Super Committee could be a welcome development. What are the chances the 12-member committee won't strike a deal? It will likely depend on Republicans agreeing to government revenue increases and Democrats agreeing to significant cuts to entitlements. Trouble is, the committee has been extremely secretive about whether they can forge a deal. For what it's worth, the Washington Research Group sees a 25 percent chance of a grand deal being enacted. Meanwhile, Mike Allen pegs the chances at 40 percent.



The military industrial complex is safe and protected under this administration. We cannot say the same for our poor and elderly.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

28. Well... has he. Will he?

[ellisonz]

23. It's a powerful speech - that I think many of us can relate to.

I would not be here if it were not for men like Stanley Dunham, men who stood up for what was right and were willing to give their life for this nation's soul...I suspect that is true of many of us here in America.

My grandfather signed up for a war the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, fought in Patton's army. He saw the dead and dying across the fields of Europe; he heard the stories of fellow troops who first entered Auschwitz and Treblinka. He fought in the name of a larger freedom, part of that arsenal of democracy that triumphed over evil, and he did not fight in vain. I don't oppose all wars.

After Sept. 11, after witnessing the carnage and destruction, the dust and the tears, I supported this administration's pledge to hunt down and root out those who would slaughter innocents in the name of intolerance, and I would willingly take up arms myself to prevent such tragedy from happening again. I don't oppose all wars. And I know that in this crowd today, there is no shortage of patriots, or of patriotism.

What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war. What I am opposed to is the cynical attempt by Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz and other armchair, weekend warriors in this administration to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99591469

"A man does what he must — in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers, and pressures — and that is the basis of all human morality." - President John F. Kennedy, Profiles in Courage (1956)

[Roci]

24. Job done

three years to late

[dddem]

31. emphasis on job done

more than the previous administration can say.

[Roci]

68. And in ten years time

when kids who are without their dads and moms, and other family members lost in Iraq and Waziristan (Where UBL was not), I'm sure we can look them in their faces and explain it all away with "Job Done" after they ask "Why?"
Iraq was a useless war from the start. A war based on a lie, and compounded by more lies left unquestioned by a people unwilling to ask and demand concrete answers to the most profound questions. It ought to have ended January 21. 2009, if not a whole lot sooner. It's over now, or everyone sez.. I wonder what we as a people will tell the families and children of everyone killed or wounded (G-d forbid) between now and the end of the year, and into next year for Afghanistan?

The day that the last American is out of rifle or IED range in Iraq and Afghanistan is the day I'll toast, but today is not that day. Today is just another day of danger and useless war without reason. Will Tomorrow be the same?

That is the question we ought to be asking, and it's answer is the history we write for these survivors each and every day that we do not end these useless wars.

[dddem]

75. I get it

I remember arguing with people that being in Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11 and that we were there to protect the corporate interests of Bush Cheney and the gang, and nobody listened to me because I was a Socialist liberal(actually I'm a democrat, but I'm beginning to think I have socialist leanings)commie (among other things).

But stepping back now has made me realize that, although we shouldn't have been there, we needed this whole process to happen the way it did. I know it ssounds crazy, but I don't think there would be an OWS now if not for people like you and me (and frankly, people much braver than me)being simply fed up with not being listened to, and not being acknowleded and not having control over decisions made with our money, while we just want to get by. For 10 years I've been asking people to look around and pay attention. I was in banking in the early 90's (before I lost my job) and I saw what deregulation did. I lost a lot of money when I purchased my first home and I couldn't believe we were doing it again, but nobody listened, I lost a lot of friends when I criticized the Bush administration over this war. I realize now I wasn't the only one. Many people were angry, and stewing, but like me thought they were in the minority. Well, the minority turned out to be the majority (of 99%) and now FINALLY we're being listened to. I honestly don't think this could have happened if not for this war. So, although I agree that we never should have been there, if we hadn't been, we wouldn't be here, you know what I mean? People need to rise up and participate in the process, but sometimes, they need a reason to rise. The war was the beginning, and when the 1% saw how easily they could manipulate things, they went a little deeper, they controlled the media, the national sentiment, the government, but not the American people.

I'm a believer that nothing is a waste, and that things happen they way the are meant to happen. I would never tell the parent or child or spouse of a fallen soldier that they died for nothing. Any soldier who dies in battle dies for their country. Whether or not the leaders of that country are right or wrong doesn't minimize the importance or the impact of that soldier's sacrifice.

And sadly, in answer to your question, history tells us that yes, tomorrow will be the same. As long as there are humans, there will be greed. and as long as there is greed, there will be a reason to fight. You can be on the side of fighting to take something you want, or fighting to keep something from being taken. Either way, the rich don't actually do the fighting, they get the poor to do it for them. But it needs to be understood that we need the balance in order to feel. You can't appreciate being healthy if you've never been sick. And you could never celebrate peace and harmony without war and strife. It doesn't work that way. The best you can do is keep promoting peace, while continuing to honor those who will fight for us. And partici
Peace.

[disndat]

36. It's easy to criticize

Being President of the world's no.1 power is like navigating an ocean liner in a narrow shallow channel, and don't forget some very powerful people in his own Party were gung-ho for IWR, a mess left to him by his predecessor. I can't help but tnink that OWR added impetus to his better instincts.

[Firebrand Gary]

25. One class act complements another.

[deacon]

27. k/r

[DesertFlower]

29. the first time i heard of barack obama was

when he gave that wonderful speech at the '04 convention. i remember thinking this man is going to be president one day.

thank you for posting your wonderful story.

[kestrel91316]

55. Same here. I had never heard of him before that speech, but I KNEW he would

he would be president some day. I just had no idea how soon that would be, lol.

[DesertFlower]

65. i didn't think it would be that soon either.

when he decided to run my friend said "i've got a feeling in my gut that's he's going all the way". he was right.

[scubadude]

30. I have never met or spoke to President Obama

but I have followed him intensely, buoyed by the hope that he would make a difference. I gave him my vote, and it seemed like I finally had a winner, forget the Cubs, I am an Obama fan. I watched with curiosity as he he got along richly with his Senatorial Mentor, Joe Lieberman. Surely he must respect Lieberman, but to bask in Lieberman's attentions as he did put a real strain on things in my mind. As Obama's votes began rolling in I began to lose hope. It was about 3 or 4 votes and in that he voted against an important bill which would have reigned in the credit card companies ability to charge outrageous interest. He claimed that "This was not the right bill." As I watched and waited, he continued to spiral downwards, once in a while throwing the common man a bone, yet mostly siding with power. When he began his run for the Presidency, his oratory power and message once again gave me hope. I thought perhaps his performance thus far was hampered by political realities beyond his control, and as President he will live up to his words and message and make a difference. I waited for hours on election night, in the crowd, pushing and shoving to get closer to the podium, to see and hear him as he won the Presidency.

The rest is history. His failures, are many. Chief among them is the that he let Bush go, didn't even attempt to do anything to correct the great injustices put upon us by a man who was selected by a Supreme Court and not the people. When he dad the opportunity to drive a steak into the heart of the Republican party, he didn't.

As time went on, time after time he used my position, the liberal one, as a throw away.

I won't go on. Sure, I support him, but my delusions that he was going to save the Democratic party and our nation are long gone.

Call me what you will, I had high hopes, and now they are gone, for that I'll shed a tear. I'll shed a tear for the thousands of dead Americans, and the countless tens of thousands dead in a war that had no reason. The injustice I see in not even attempting to turn over the real reasons for that unjust war, yeah, for that I'll shed a tear.

[polichick]

32. "I'll shed a tear for the thousands of dead Americans,...

...and the countless tens of thousands dead in a war that had no reason. The injustice I see in not even attempting to turn over the real reasons for that unjust war, yeah, for that I'll shed a tear."

Me too.

[scubadude]

34. And for all those folks who doubt my sincerity

there is this:

http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii174/scubaduderon/?action=view¤t=Baracksacceptancespeech11_04_2008.mp4

[frazzled]

72. Oh, cry me a river

Really? The guy you call Obama's mentor actually endorsed and campaigned vigorously for his opponent, John McCain. So let's not pull that old shit out of the rabbit hole. Total and utter crap, and attempt at guilt by association. (Who started this "mentor" business anyway, and are mentors in the Senate assigned or chosen? And do they mentor in ideology or are they sent to teach new members the rules and ins-and-outs of Senate behavior and negotiations?).

"His failures are many." Yeah, your post is full of them, too. "He let Bush go." Are you kidding me? When was the last time a new (or any) president in the past 200+ years had their predecessor arrested? This is your measuring stick? (One of many, I'm sure: each time a goal is met or an accomplishment is made you probably are one of the ones who moves the goalpost, wringing your hands over some future transgression).

Funny how you pushed and shoved to get to the podium on election night. There was no podium in Grant Park. It was a giant stage. I was there: I wanted to see the people, and was happy to be near one of the video screens in the park. No star-struck idol worshipper here. So maybe the fact that you claimed to push and shove says more about your delusions than the president.

Saturday nights at this joint make me laugh. And I didn't have anything stronger than Pellegrino water tonight.

[scubadude]

73. Did you see my vid? Yeah, I was there too.

There would have been many many ways for Obama to expose Bush. He could have gone for the minutes of the energy task force. That would have been a nice way. The thing here is that there were many unique opportunities, there was so much lawbreaking it would have been very easy to pick something out to push, and it could have been done with finesse. That would have done what was needed by the whole world to reaffirm the thought that no-one is above the law, especially in the USA.

As far at the Mentor goes, that is history. Look it up. It doesn't matter if Lieberman was selected for Obama, what mattered was how Obama responded.

On edit, there is also the fact that Obama supported Lieberman who ran as an Independent! He supported Independent Lieberman over Democrat Ned Lamont!

Take a look at my video. I took that from my camera. I was there too. As a matter of fact I waited hours and was within the first 10 feet of the line. If you carefully look at the vid, you will see the podium that you claim did not exist.

I won't call you names, you have said enough in your post and your moniker to expose your character, I need do no more.

[BeGoodDoGood]

33. The Iraqis Want Us Out

Isn't it the case that we couldn't reach a deal with the Iraqis?

Walt

[tblue]

39. Way to rain on the parade. (kidding, sorta)

They're celebrating the speech. Dang, gotta celebrate something.

Welcome to DU! :hi: Be stong. You'll need it

ps: I heard we're being kicked out too.

[DFW]

37. I first met him at Emily's List in 2006, in D.C.

My younger daughter was interning there, and he used to come around a lot. I heard him give his
"I've had enough" speech, and was blown away. Although I was a Hillary supporter in 2008, I wasn't
dismayed to see him get the nomination (and thus the presidency--no way was ANY Republican going
to win the White House after 8 years of Cheneybush). When we met again in Denver at the Convention,
I told him he was headed for the White House, and although he didn't make a direct comment on that,
he acted like he knew it, too.

The one thing that really dismayed me was the way the Republicans decided that they would try from
day one to destroy his presidency, even if it meant bringing the country down with him. They haven't
managed yet, but they aren't letting up, either.

He hasn't done everything to my satisfaction, that's for sure. He said he'd be imperfect from the start,
as if he knew that ANY new president, in today's world of fractured bitter partisanship, would appear
imperfect to a lot of people with uncomfortable frequency.

But, he is intelligent, and seems to be aware enough to know he has a dozen factors to weigh in every
decision he makes. That was sorely lacking from January 2001 through January 2009. I'll continue to
go nuts and scream when he does things I disagree with, but I'm not crazy enough to think I'm doing
myself or the country any good if I vote for anyone else next year.

[JustAnotherGen]

38. Beautfiful

I know a lot if folks at DU have little regard for him - but his statements on the Iraq Illegal War and Prolonged Stupid Occupation were a critical reason why I voted for him. I didn't get Paycheck Fairness Act. Gitmo is still open. And the Affordable health care Act was nit my Medicare Access For All - But this? This is perfect.

I am from a military family. Two family members won't have to go now. That had already been there. My dad was a Korean / Vietnam Era officer that brought our whole family down to the DC Protest years ago. He died in August. I think he's smiling fro the other side now knowing that one less human being dies for absolutely no reason. One less child is deformed for life. One less mother in Iraq or the US gets the information that her son or daughter won't be coming home tonight.

Thank you President Obama for keeping a life positive promise!

[bobmorr1]

41. Labor Day Rally

I had seen him when he was running for the Senate. It was at Navy Pier in Chicago. Very inspiring speech. Took many pictures. Had him sign an Obama for Senate placard. Shook his hand, mentioned to him he should run for President. He just smiled, shook my hand and I wished him good luck in his future elections. I was up front next to the podium and ended up getting my picture with him in the Chicago Tribune.

[wndycty]

43. That is awesome.

:kick:

[tea and oranges]

45. Bush Brokered this Deal

with the Iraqi's before he left office, BO is following through. Good for him. However I'm not jumping up & down until I see how many of "our" contractors will still be there after the troops leave.

[ejbr]

46. Rumor has it that he was trying to break that promise

http://www.salon.com/2011/10/21/about_that_iraq_withdrawal/

[AtomicKitten]

48. Glenn and the howlers seem verklempt that Pres O might get some credit for ending the war in Iraq.

Obama offered to leave a 3K training force but without immunity said we're outta there. Done.

[ejbr]

63. Considering he surged in Afghanistan, I still don't see why

he should be praised...that promise was broken.

[AtomicKitten]

66. During the campaign, Obama said that's exactly what he was going to do.

He said many, many times he would end the war in Iraq, focus on the war in Afghanistan, and finish the war with al Queda. It's perfectly understandable if you don't agree with that policy but to suggest he's lying about it is simply not factual. I think people are just glad the remaining 39K troops will be out of Iraq and home for the holidays. I hope we leave the Middle East altogether, the sooner the better.

[ejbr]

69. Good luck with that

http://www.openleft.com/diary/16306/um-about-obamas-afghanistan-campaign-promise

[AtomicKitten]

70. Both Sirota and Greenwald are attempting to restate what Obama said very clearly.

Their opinion pieces are duly noted and both seem to be trying to reframe, recalibrate, and regurgitate what they think he said. I've got no problem with people weighing in against the policy but, again, insisting he was lying is simply not factual.

[Name removed]

74. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[defendandprotect]

49. 50 MILLION Americans with health care makes me "tear up" -- and as Speaker Pelosi

made clear years ago ...

"Obama was for a lot of things when he was campaigning that he is no longer for" -- !!



Meanwhile, we're leaving Iraq because we our troops no longer have immunity.

[mehrrh]

50. obama

I have never been sorry I voted for Obama, and I will vote for him again. My concern, however, is that regardless of the extraordinary accomplishments in foreign policy and developments during his term, the voting public will remain focused on the domestic economy,
(with the aid of the press which tends to focus on Republicans rather than anything positive for Obama. Notice how anything positive about the president is followed by a caveat: "but...", or the headline is framed so that failed legislation is a Democratic failure, rather than Republican obstruction. Even the end of bin Laden, the elimination of a number of high-level Al qaeda have been short-lived in the media, and much of that coverage was focused on Republican criticism.)
Obama has a long hard slog to re-election, but he must have the added four years so that the domestic goals he has for us can be addressed -- he will need to retain Senate control and regain the House -- these are worrisome also to me because of the amount of money that will flow into the coffers of those who want to defeat this good man.

[Abonides]

52. obama

I believed in him in '08 to, a disenfranchised youth voter in a red state.

Since then the Administration has engaged in immoral attacks on innocent Montanans. I am personally being victimized by Obama's pandering to the pharmaceutical industry, not only is my health, wealth and happiness at risk, but so is my family's. I will not support Democrats until they change the laws regarding Cannabis.

I wasn't a single issue voter before, but I sure am now.

[tcaudilllg]

54. I think the Democratic Party, long term, is dead.

I think too much of the party has gone military interventionist for its coalition to hold. As it is right now, the only thing holding the party together is determined bids to destroy the government by Republicans.

Seems rather convenient, don't you think?

[ColesCountyDem]

57. I was one of only 3 committeemen in my county to back him in that awful primary.

He impressed me then, and he still does today!

[peacetalksforall]

60. I now believe that no one becomes President of the U.S. unless they are Bildergberg vetted.

There are two Obama's. Many are clinging to the former one.

The man is now their partner who wants to do a few good things independently that will also be vetted, of course.

I don't think Dems are doing well recognizing what has been seriously pursued for a little under 100 years. Forming as growing.

No one gets to be President without being vetted and agreement on their role.

I never thought I would succeed in believing what I wrote, but the signs are all over, still blurry enough to acknowledge what they seem to be saying. They will out themselves one day.