President Obama spent the first two years of his administration practicing political unilateral disarmament. He laid down his arms to reach out to Republicans, and they ripped his arms off and clubbed him over the head with them.
This idea of playing patty-cakes with the Republicans is enormously naïve. When is this administration going to get it through their thick skulls that they will never work with you?!
Now, if attempts at bipartisanship had no downside, then of course I’d be in favor of it. As a theoretical matter, trying to reach out to the other side and reach consensus sounds lovely. But it does have a downside. You don’t get to make your own case as you’re playing nice with the other side. They’re hammering you day in and day out, and you keep your powder dry. You know what that ends up in — a massacre.
And that’s exactly where we are now as the Democrats are looking to get slaughtered in 2010. Gallup says the Republicans have a historically large 10-point lead in generic Congressional matchups. The president has gone from a 68% approval rating to the low 40′s. He’s lost nearly 25% of the country in his approval rating. That’s a disaster.
So, the president has fallen and he can’t get up. But more importantly, he can’t figure out why he fell. It’s because you let the Republicans push you down and you never even fought back. You only have two months left — take the f’in gloves off, Queensberry.
Here are how many people you will convince if you don’t argue your side of the argument — absolutely zero. Is the president aware that the Republicans are in the opposition party?
Now, it’s almost too late for this election. Partly because it’s hard to make that turn at this late juncture and because this is something you should have been doing all along so it’s already in people’s heads. But much more importantly, this isn’t about how you campaign; this is about how you govern. He needs to govern with an agenda of change — remember, that’s what he originally campaigned on? He needs to implement his agenda, whatever the hell it is.
Let me be specific. The CBO just came out with great numbers on the stimulus package. They said that it created up to 3.3 million jobs and added 1.7 to 4.5% to the GDP in the last quarter alone. How many Democrats have you heard talking about that? I haven’t heard any. Why?
Because they’re scared of their own shadow. Fox News beat them up on the stimulus package and a poll came out saying people are unsure whether it worked — and that was enough to send the Democrats scrambling. Hey, you know that you might win on that issue — if you actually fought!
I’m not convinced that a second stimulus is the way to go. It would depend on what they spent the money on. But if the president is convinced that we should try it, then he should convince us. If he doesn’t have the courage of his convictions, how the hell are we supposed to believe in them?
They should brag about what they got right, but it’s even more important to lead in the right direction from now on so we can have a reason to get excited about you. If I was the president, I’d nominate Elizabeth Warren, tell the big banks that there’s a new sheriff in town and if they don’t like it, they can eat dirt. Every poll in the country says the American people can’t stand Wall Street — and they’re right.
This isn’t about senseless populism. The big banks did rob us blind through the bailouts (AIG still owes us $178 billion that got funneled to the banks on Wall Street) and they continue to do so with nearly zero percent interest rates (and no lending to businesses in the meanwhile). Is the president going to do anything about it? Of course, not. Because that would make some people mad, and Obama hates that. This is the downside of No Drama Obama. A fight has drama, and a fight is what we need now. Punch them in the mouth. Leave a mark.
If the Democrats keep rolling over and being polite to Republicans because Obama wants to chase the myth of bipartisanship, his four years in office will be a colossal disaster. Here’s what happens when you lay down your arms in any competitive arena, you get your head removed. Pick your arms up, and throw a goddamned punch.
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43 Comments







Are you kidding me? Brag about what they got right? They tried that with recovery summer. Since Americans feel the economy sucks claims of how great the Democrats have done sound completely out of touch.
Obama never was the character he played as a candidate. Never will be either.
With all due respect, I think you’re the one who’s being naïve, not barry Obama and not the Democrats. They reach out to Republicans because they want Republican bills to pass — they want the excuse the GOP offers them for deliberately watering down legislation that might actually solve problems to the point of utter uselessness. Pretending they need the Republicans to pass anything and so MUST gut it completely before deliberations have even begun is part of their cover.
When are some progressives going to get it through their heads that Obama and the Democrats are as hard-right as the Republicans, and that they have wholeheartedly and enthusiastically embraced extreme right-wing ideology? There is no other rational explanation for Democrats’, and Obama’s, behavior. Once you accept that Obama and the Democrats are every bit as far right as the Republicans, everything will make so much more sense to you. And then you can begin the work of taking on the right-wing establishment in both major parties.
Oh, and Cenk? This statement:
I’ve got some unpleasant news for you. Barry Obama IS implementing his agenda, and that agenda is to continue the Bush-Cheney dictatorship with a different set of faces running it. The policies remain exactly the same.
I agree completely. This is Obama and the Democrats’ agenda we are seeing being put into action. There are three criteria with which we can evaluate what the Democrats are about. The first is what did they accomplish? Their big legislation was a healthcare sellout out to Big Insurance, Pharma, and Medical. FinReg is a lame joke. The second criterion is what did they fight for, even if they lost. The answer to that is nothing. Climate change and immigration both had weak and bad, respectively, proposals but never went anywhere. Actual help for the economy has been non-existent. Obama and the Democrats never fought for jobs or for homeowners. The only people they have been running interference for are the banksters and corps like BP. The third criterion is what could Obama have done on his own without going through Congress. He could have gotten us completely out of Iraq. He could have begun a withdrawal, not a surge, in Afghanistan. He could have closed Guantanamo. He could have re-established the rule of law and pursued Bush era lawbreaking, spying, torture, and profiteering. He could have nixed indefinite detention and military commissions. He could have shone a light on the privatization of intelligence. He could have recess appointed Dawn Johnsen.
If we only look at the first of these, the meme of Obama pre-compromising and Republican obstructionism appears plausible, but if we look at the other two we can see it for the talking point it is. Obama and the Democrats have been very consistent in what they have done legislatively, in what they could have done outside the legislature, and what they have chosen to fight for.
Bravo!
You and Michael K. are both right. The only thing I can add is that if Obama were even half as good at politics as his success makes him appear to be, he’d have learned from his mistakes by now, if they were mistakes, that is. They’re not. They’re what he wants to do.
Oh my, I am always in awe of your logic. I’m going to use this on my liberal friends who spend their energy railing on Republicans. What could Obama do without Congress? Lots.
Yep… I’m afraid he is too
I DO like this diary. Thanks, Cenk.
What Michael and Hugh said.
Cenk, I’m a big fan, but I gotta tell you. Obama is not weak and he is not timid and he is not naive. His appointments and policies demonstrate that he is not afraid to go after what he wants.
The bipartisanship shtick is designed to give him political cover.
Yep. Obama hasn’t pulled a punch in his life, just ask Kucinich, Sanders, Grijalva, et al. He clubs progressives like they’re baby seals. Conservatives, now those are his kinda folks. Why would he lay a hand on them?
Like baby seals = f*cking retarded, yeah I think you are right.
I agree with Cenk. This is what the guy we elected should do. Would do, and with the American people behind him like no president since Reagan, COULD do.
But that seems to be someone other than Obama.
I don’t even recognize the guy on teevee from the Oval Office. Don’t recognize the Oval Office anymore, either, for that matter.
Didn’t they redecorate it in taupe? Taupe, appropriately bland.
Let me try that again.
Teddy sez: “…I don’t even recognize the guy on teevee from the Oval Office…”
I sez: “I can’t watch or listen. I have to change the channel.”
Another perfect, concise analysis. But you left out one thing: Cenk was in the running for the 10 o’clock show slot that went to Lawrence “Corporate Sellout Shill” O’Donnell. And Cenk has been guest hosting. He’s now in that sweet spot where if he just plays along enough, he could bust into the big-time dollars. Thus he can’t really hammer Obama, because that would make him Unserious (i.e. a threat to the status quo elite).
I quit watching MSNBC when I realized that KO and RW were serious about giving O a free pass.
LO’D I never could stand.
” Is the president aware that the Republicans are in the opposition party?”
Are the republicans aware that the president ISN’T in the opposition party?
If it walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck. There’s really no mystery here. Obama is a complete fraud and he’s taking down the Democratic party.
AGENDA is the operative word.
The “AGENDA” is Fascism.
There are multiple parallel agendas, but the primary agenda is Fascism.
The utter myth of a “two party system” is for fools to argue over – to divide and conquer – Rockefeller’s goal. They all work for him, and they know it.
The medium that Cenk works for is totally controlled. He is not allowed to tell you who owns and controls the medium, or discuss the truth of 9/11 or the creation of Eretz Israel or mention the name of David Rockefeller on TV. Period. Everything else is fair game, but mention that 9/11 was an inside job, or the true “AGENDA” – our troops are in the Middle East to acquire territory and resources on Israel’s behalf – and you will disappear from the airwaves – career suicide.
David Rockefeller controls the AGENDA in the US – though Israel double-crossed him and is blackmailing even him.
There are no Democrats, and there are no Republicans. Only Traitors to the oath they swore to uphold – to defend the Constitution and fight against all enemies, foreign (Israeli) and domestic (Israeli).
Dual citizen = dual agenda.
There was a successful coup. This is what the aftermath of a coup looks, smells and feels like, when reality is stood on its head by operatives under Rove’s direction, employing the most powerful brainwashing medium ever devised.
A conspiracy so vast, none dare discuss it.
O/T: I really appreciate your direct straight up remarks on tv that short cuts through the smoke screen, that surrounds, issues. Some of the tv audience at least, wants that to happen, and it’s a good thing too, seems like there is a niche market for a little illumination, as when you or Dylan rear back and reject the bs, make em restate, see the way the lies are constructed.
On topic, This is a fine post, not naive in the least. Old Chineese proverb, ” don’t tell everything you know.” Best advise I ever heard.
My motto: ” It’s ok to seem naive, (we should think about what that may mean, in a given context… ) Or, “Yes I am naive… it is an honorable title…!” /S But that is just one of my mottoes. I think.
In other words, there is enough meat in the post, to start a wider discussion, let the reader/ viewer/ commenters supply some it, that ain’t naive.
Remember what television and news used to look like? Think about it. There was no need for a 24/7 channel featuring argument over diametrically opposing views by impolite zealots. Where do you see that behavior played out in the real world? It’s all just acting – drama – total bullshit.
Look around your world – the real one, not the one ginned up on the TeeVee. Do you see an equally divided populous arguing with each other? No.
How is it that this medium came to FEATURE right wing zealotry, and position it as representative of HALF of the argument/populous? It’s totally contrived bullshit. 80% of the people in the United States are nothing like the lunatic actors posing as politicians on the TeeVee.
Where is the news program that represents the 65% of Americans who think that getting along with others is the best way to live?
Television is NOT REALITY.
It is a manufactured disreality, posing as reality. It is done to brainwash, to evil ends – intentionally.
The Station For Politics? That’s just another way of saying:
“We’re brainwashing your ass to divide and conquer you!”
MSNBC is just the opposite flavor of the same rigged game.
Keith vs. O’Reilley serves the AGENDA.
We lose.
More importantly, what is the URL of the website where they talk to each other?
TheCallUp:
SSSHHHHHH!!! The official lib position is that the wonderful, fabulous plans of the Dems were ruined by forced compromise with the infamous foe!
Don’t blow the cover story!
Cenk is bad at critical analysis, always has been. Watch “The Young Turks.” If you don’t come away with a feeling that the commentary is about as sophisticated and incisive as a third-rate high school newspaper editorial; I’ll give you $10.
His popularity came from spouting conventional pieties if the anti-Bush variety, not through some record of rigorous investigation or insight.
Monday when Cenk at least didn’t let that McEwen guy get a complete free pass for spouting the deficit hawk anti social security mantra/ talking points, which is faux “high finance” jargonese, that I don’t like. I hear it everywhere, that there is no money in the trust fund, and blah bb.
Cenk stood up for paying back the money we paid in. HE made that point very plain, which is just a gem. To me that would be “job one”, the other descretionary spending can take hind seat.
If I want to understand international issues, or anything in depth, got to hit the books. High school journalists… not so bad, grammer school, even more honest.
IOW’s entertainement, the best of bad tv, get a little tired of NPR smug, sugar coated bs sometimes. /s
And a little tired of the experts brigades, of piled higher and deeper, bs artizans too. In all their venues, mainly the economists.
“As people do better, they start voting like Republicans – unless they have too much education and vote Democratic, which proves there can be too much of a good thing.”
Karl Rove.
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, THE TRUTH IS THE GREATEST ENEMY OF THE STATE.”
– Joseph Goebbels, German Minister of Propaganda, 1933-1945
Why is at that no high crimes by insiders ever get prosecuted?
The better to blackmail someone with:
Pentagon declined to investigate hundreds of purchases of child pornography
Yeah — I instantly thought of the Scott Ritter case.
THEY can make it appear that you or I have committed any type of crime they choose to set us up with.
Never thought I would see a Democratic president who would make Carter appear liberal by comparison. He talks more liberal than Carter ever did, but in practice, Carter was really progressive. He never bragged about his progressive initiatives, and Reagan dismantled them so fast when he took office (dismantling the solar setup on the White House roof is only symbolic of the systematic erasure of every progressive program Carter implemented) that had I not been subscribing to the Wall Street Journal (which crowed every time an initiative was dismantled) I’d have never been aware they existed. And I keep up, most of the time.
Obama has been careful to implement nothing that can’t be quickly undone with a few appointments and executive orders. Like Carter, he will leave no progressive footprints that won’t disappear with the next Republican tide.
Sentence two should read: …but by comparison, Carter was really progressive.
Obama is weak and timid, but let’s face it, his alleged pragmatism is a bit overblown. I don’t recall the Repubs forcing him to cut back door deals with Big Pharma. That was a cynical deal of his own making.
I think that candidate Obama misportrayed himself as a way of stealing the Left from Hillary during the Primaries. President Obama is just a conservative President. His staff appointments when elected was the first hint that his actions would not align with his promises. Rahm Emanuel, Hillary Clinton, Robert Gates, and Geithner? His latest Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kagan, was to the right of what all his early supporters were expecting.
He’s just not much of a progressive. Pragmatism/bipartisanship is just his way of explaining away all his broken promises, and unfulfilling legislative pushes.
In his remarks calling for passage of his small business agenda, Obama calls for bipartisanship. This guy doesn’t learn, and it just makes him look stupid.
He knows exactly what he’s doing. He just counts on all of us being stupid.
They all know America is bankrupt. They all know it’s Gameoverville for the US Dollar. They just can’t bring themselves to tell you the truth, because they are blackmailed.
I’m sorry, but this is retarded. How is it game over for the Dollar? Which currency is going to replace it as the global reserve currency? The Chinese refuse to break their mercantilist policies. The Eurozone is straddling the fence on riptide deflation. Japan is still in their financial crisis from 20 years ago.
Pretty much the only alternatives are the Canadian and Australian Dollars, but their economies are way, way too small to support that kind of position in the global marketplace.
[Modnote: please refrain from using retarded in this way, we have folks in the FDL community that have mentally challenged family members and find such usage hurtful - thanks]
As I understand it, the plan is to create a “breadbasket” of several currencies, including the Chinese, Russian, British, and Japanese. Naturally, this would further weaken the U.S. stranglehold over the larger world economy, but it would have the benefit of having the whole house rely on a single reserve.
duh. the democrats were taken away by aliens long ago. don’t know exactly when. these creatures running around with the letter D next to their names are pod people.
Loved the post Cenk.
Somehow, This Came To Mind.
I know the Dem’s are not even FIGHTING, only carrying out their marching orders from their corporate overlords, but still . . . there’s SOMEthing prophetic in that old Python skit that fits.
*G*
I’m pretty sure that Obama is getting almost exactly the policies enacted that he wants. If only we could get him to switch parties… wouldn’t that be something?!
Never happen.
He would be a liberal Republican – and they have gone the way of the dinosaurs. Of course, it isn’t that hard imagining him moving waaaay right – but the Teabaggers never forget.