The Seminal Watercooler: Obama at the Staff Ball |
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| By: Jason Rosenbaum Saturday September 5, 2009 7:51 pm | |
The day after his inauguration, Barack Obama addressed his staff at the Staff Ball. I was there, though I wasn’t staff. This is what he said:
Just thought it’s worth remembering…
What’s on your mind?
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7 Comments
Watching this video reminds of what an absolutely brilliant campaign Obama ran. He played the chess game several steps ahead of each of his opponents.
Certainly the man who pulled off that victory knows better than to give the Republicans a victory on health care. Certainly he knows better than to drive away his progressive base. Certainly he is unfolding a master plan to get the legislation passed that he promised he would. Certainly he won’t take the public option off the table.
Is this reasonable logic or wishful thinking?
“I’ll make some mistakes, but you’ll set me right.”
Yes. Yes, we will.
I sure hope so!
Yes! What a great campaign it was. He used all the Progressives talking points and the promise of change. What a beautiful thing! He presented himself to the left of Hillary (big cojones) Clinton and got himself elected. Now the left is threatening to leave and he will try to soothe them on the next conference call. He’ll try to tell us that co-ops and triggers, and partial reforms such as banning pre-existing conditions WILL be good enough for the next 4(8) years. Until the next President gets into office and decides to (a)do nothing (b) make more partial reforms with big giveaways to the Health Industry. I still stand my own belief that its NOW OR NEVER! The Left need to find someone to the Left of Obama for 2012. Because currently if this is what being Liberal is, I don’t know WHAT I AM!! You know maybe I’m too much of a hard-a$$ but I’m tired of the sell-outs of corporate Dems and the spinelessness. I’m playing hardball and for keeps. I have drawn my line in the sand. People are saying their tired of the Libs whining and threatening to dump Obama. But really, what has he given us? He’s thrown us a couple of carrots buts thats it.
“The Left needs to find someone to the Left of Obama for 2012.”
That might be the answer, but only in that it would begin building momentum for 2016. If the economy is good in 2012, Obama is easily reelecetd. If it’s still in the tank, it’ll be a Republican.
If Obama bungles health care, he still might learn from the process and do better on energy, immigration, and other issues. 2016 might be the time for a true progressive if Obama can win some progressive-type victories.
“Active Citizens like You”, “Cling On”, “Set me right”
Is that not what we have been doing?
I’ll keep on keeping on, but I do expect him to take notice!