SOTD, or, Punching Hippies

I'm not anti-Gibbs, (4.00 / 1)

But it wouldn't kill the White House to pay lip service to their friends; it is truly the least they could do.

That said, I give Obama a great deal of credit for what he's been able to accomplish in the legislative process, albeit somewhat less credit for things he could do without Congress and hasn't--like ending more of the civil liberties abuses of the Bush era.

--
Hope 2012

@DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 18:26:17 PM CDT

Adding: (0.00 / 0)

Don't call the President "Barry".  He doesn't call himself that, and his friends and family don't seem to call him that either, except in his youth.

There's plenty of room to criticize Obama, but I'm not on board with his knee-jerk opponents' efforts to infantilize him.  Teddy Roosevelt, JFK, and BIll Clinton all took the oath younger than he did, and he's way more mature than his predecessor.

--
Hope 2012

@DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 18:33:12 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Honestly, didn't know "Barry" was on the RW nickname list. (0.00 / 0)

I like the name he used in HS!

birch, finch, beech

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by: Dean Barker @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 18:41:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Some of my far right coworkers (0.00 / 0)

call him "Barry" derisively.  When I asked them why they do, they responded, "Because that's what Rush Limbaugh calls him."  I swear his listeners worship him like Catholics worship the Pope.

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by: Keene Observer @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 22:04:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm actually amazed at what's been accomplished so far. (4.00 / 3)

I think he's got some of the exactly wrong people advising him, and despite that, historic changes have been made.

My two lowest grades are with his economic team and his record on civil liberties.

Finally, it cannot be overestimated how important key people are in the functioning of government and the progress of change.

What would the past two years have been like if someone else was in Nancy Pelosi's position?  With someone else instead of Larry Summers?

birch, finch, beech

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by: Dean Barker @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 18:39:00 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Civil liberties sit big in my mind and he has done far too little to make that better. (4.00 / 2)

As for his economic team, I think the real problem is, like everything else that takes an act of Congress, the filibuster.  Policy people talking in the fall of '08 about a prospective "second" stimulus (in addition to the bipartisan package of pre-Lehman tax cuts earlier that year) talked about $1.5 trillion, not 800 billion.  Obviously, that would have been too much for Senators Snowe, Collins, Nelson, and Lieberman, who felt the need to trim the already more modest Recovery Act anyway.

I don't think Obama could accomplish more fiscal stimulus in this political climate if he tried, so I feel I have to give him a pass for not pushing harder on that.  As for Pelosi, she has been a force for a number of progressive things that haven't gotten past the Senate this Congress, not the least of which are the public option and the climate bill.

I have nothing against the name "Barry" in general, but it seems to me that Fox types like to call Obama that when they want to remind us how inexperienced our (already sitting) President is.

--
Hope 2012

@DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 19:00:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I like Speaker Pelosi (0.00 / 0)

She gets a lot of credit from me for health insurance reform.  A lot.  That one wasn't easy.

Don't agree with all her decisions (e.g., her Murtha blind spot), but Nancy Pelosi is a progressive fighter with a long list of legislative accomplishments.  

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 19:04:30 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Atrios on the stimulus (0.00 / 0)

Small by Design

birch, finch, beech

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by: Dean Barker @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 19:48:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Those are fair points, but: (0.00 / 0)

1. This White House's less-than-ambitious starting positions on myriad legislative negotiations are well documented
2. Obama isn't Bush; you can't assume he makes every decision based on which camp within his staff convinces him.

--
Hope 2012

@DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 19:55:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Unnoticed (4.00 / 1)

It's easy for those of us on the left to get down when we see things that have not been accomplished, or things that we think became too compromised.  There was a lot of hype, and a lot of hope that there might be a radical change with this election, but the more I read and the more I think about it, the more satisfied and excited I am about some of the monumental changes Barry (I like the nickname and I'm taking it back) and the Democratic Congress (since Republicans aren't even acting like legislators) have accomplished.

There are the big things like health care reform, which could have been better, but is still something we've been unable to do for half-a-century.  There are countless, under-reported things, too, though like the Livability initiative at DOT and that department working with HUD and the EPA to provide better mass transit and promote walkable communities.

There are so many great things like this that are going unnoticed and if we get too down on what hasn't been done or didn't go further, I'm afraid we'll see an end to what has been accomplished.  That's not to say we shouldn't be critical--we can leave the leader-worshipping to the Republicans, but I think too often Democrats let their aspirations be the enemy of their accomplishments.

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by: FrankLloydMike @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 06:18:42 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

perhaps (0.00 / 0)

his friends on the right will help him get re-elected.

Gibbs is a moron.  

sanctimonious purist/professional lefty

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by: susanthe @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 18:42:11 PM CDT

Does Rahm still work there ? n/t (0.00 / 0)

for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops

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by: JonnyBBad @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 20:51:25 PM CDT

That's Half The Problem (0.00 / 0)

or maybe all of it right there.  Rahm is famously "about" the political side, and he's not even all that good at that.  Just ask our Carol Shea-Porter how much help she got from the DCCC in 2006.  Rahm loves him them Blue Dogs, despite their constant sniping at their own party.  Earth to Rahm:  REPUBLICANS (even in Democrats'clothing) WILL NOT HELP YOU GET OBAMA RE-ELECTED.  The "dirty hippies" you keep slagging will, if they're motivated.

Sure, I voted for less government and less government spending...just NOT the parts that I benefit from!

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by: Ref @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 21:36:03 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

A gaffe wouldn't bother me (4.00 / 3)

But this is deliberate triangulation. It's depressing. I thought we were beyond this crap.

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by: JimC @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 22:02:50 PM CDT

Not even triangulation - (4.00 / 1)

which would mean, picking some middle spot between extremes.

This is just plain old, "I'm mad at my co-workers, but I can at least kick my dog." (Knowing that at least Rahm will cheer.)

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by: elwood @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 19:04:20 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Punching? (4.00 / 1)

Okay, am I being dumb and not getting something?  No one was actually physically punched, right?  It kinda looks to me like this is a euphemism for the way he talked about the "professional left" but I'm not sure.  I can see that the phrase was used on Kos and that there are a bunch of other posts on various sites with the same title as this post but I'm having difficulty determining the particular meaning of the punching reference.  No hits in Google Books so it doesn't look historical.

I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with using that euphemism, I'm just confused.  (As usual ;^)

Also, spox through me for a loop there for a brief moment.  Spocks?  Like, the guy from Star Trek and the 70s anti-Vietnam pediatrician, together?

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by: Vis Unita Fortior @ Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 23:04:32 PM CDT

"Punching Hipipes" (4.00 / 3)

Loosely: when someone in the Village patronizes those to the left of him as unrealistic, naive ideologues who clearly  don't know how the world works.  Usually done in an effort to make the speaker look Serious and Pragmatic, or to reach out to Republican voters who will never support him anyway.  

birch, finch, beech

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by: Dean Barker @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 05:41:41 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

to be fair.... (0.00 / 0)

Obama did win by attracting disgruntled some Republicans, and a whole lot of moderates and independents.  That is undisputable.  He did not win the electoral vote simply through legions of pure progressives.  And that is the nature of politics.  Just as the GOP gives lip service to criticizing xenophobes and racists but tries to appear 'middle America" to forge a grand coalition, so is Gibbs attempting to 'center' the White House message to maintain a governing majority...2010 is going to be messy (not as messy as the GOP keeps telling us - I think the GOP will be very disappointed in their 'gains.')

My Marketing students did a semester-long study on attitudes towards cap-and-trade and green energy in, of all places, western Massachusetts.

When the issue was presented as taking specific actions to combat climate change and global warming, it got less support then when it was presented as curtailing pollution and corporate welfare, and had economic benefits, those actions had broad support.

It's not unlike moving to Marriage Equality by taking a baby-step in the direction of Civil Unions and framing the issue as 'fairness' rather than 'marriage.'  Politics in a our system requires framing issues in the most productive manner possible.  The passage of the Health Care bill, while not perfect by anyone's standards, was ASTOUNDING...and sticking to pure ideals would have doomed it for sure.

And hey, I'm old enough to remember hippies :-)

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by: Thomas Simmons @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 05:59:44 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Remember?! (0.00 / 0)

If you think about it, the "hippies" values are hardly a thing of the past, instead they are thriving!

Community, freedom, earth-centered values. Respect for other cultures. Nondiscrimination.  On and on.

Tune in tomorrow, Thursday, for a talk with one of the very few true hippie leaders, Paul Krassner, on my radio show. On your very own computer at wscafm.org from noon to one.  

No'm Sayn?

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by: BurtCohen @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 06:45:36 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Gibbs! (0.00 / 0)

I had not read Gibbs' stupid comments before this thread. I now have.

Piss of the base that put you into power. Great political strategy!

As candidate, Obama urged us to call him out when he veers on the wrong course. Well we're living up to it, what about him?!

Is Gibbs and company so tired of being in the White House they will do whatever it takes to lose it?

For a bunch of smart guys, this is really really dumb.

No'm Sayn?

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by: BurtCohen @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 07:12:30 AM CDT

Two brief comments to add to the entertainment here. (4.00 / 1)

First, this is all a distraction.  We have more important things to worry about than what Robert Gibbs (wasn't he in the Bee Gees?) thinks or says.  In fact, this whole discussion allocates energy away from the Republicans who are waging economic warfare not on their usual targets of minorities, but on teachers, firefighters, and cops.  That's the story we're missing while raging about Gibbs' slight.

Second, David Frum puts it best; Republicans are scared sh&tless of their base, Democrats hate theirs.  It's just a fact of life.  Those of us on the left have a useful role in highlighting where our elected officials are falling short in delivering liberal public policy.  That's our job.  Electorally, we lag a little behind the right in terms of primary challenges to those that disappoint, but with a little practice, I think we can get there.

"Physical concepts are free creations of the human mind, and are not, however it may seem, uniquely determined by the external world." A. Einstein

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by: StraffordDem @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 07:29:37 AM CDT

we aren't missing the story (0.00 / 0)

of economic warfare - we're the ones who are telling it. The media sure as hell isn't telling it, and neither is the Obama administration, whose only concern seems to be for Wall St and Corporate Murrika.

Remember - they cut food stamps to save teachers at the suggestion of the White House.  

sanctimonious purist/professional lefty

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by: susanthe @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 07:41:33 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I believe (4.00 / 1)

they cut food stamps in the future, not now.
Undoubtedly McCain and Palin would have done better - at least better in running us into the Grand Canyon.
I know, Susan.  We just don't agree on tactics.  But I am the one running for office, and I know if elected there will be hard choices and most likely all too much of "the lesser of two evils.".
So you may now proceed to add me to the list of sell-outs.

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by: Lucy Edwards @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 07:59:40 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Bad week? (0.00 / 0)

I don't get the defensivenes.

I would, if elected, work with others to make sure the voice and the values of these communities would be heard, because we are a great deal of what makes New Hampshire New Hampshire.  There is more to this state than the "New Hampshire advantage" of our tax structure, and if we do not take care, the "New Hampshire advantage" may cause us to lose exactly what makes this state such a special place to live.  We must not let the short-sighted view rob us of a future that holds a great deal of promise for us, our children and our grandchildren, if we can only explore and create new ways of working together to meet our challenges today.

http://www.bluehampshire.com/d...
 

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by: JimC @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 08:34:03 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Rockingham 1 (0.00 / 0)

is not Portsmouth or Hanover.

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by: Lucy Edwards @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 12:12:35 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Noted (0.00 / 0)

Pesky enclaves and all that. But I'm still not clear how we went from this ...

We must not let the short-sighted view rob us of a future that holds a great deal of promise for us, our children and our grandchildren, if we can only explore and create new ways of working together to meet our challenges today.

to this ...

But I am the one running for office, and I know if elected there will be hard choices and most likely all too much of "the lesser of two evils.". So you may now proceed to add me to the list of sell-outs.

in a little over two months.

I feel like talking down to people might not be a new way of working together.

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by: JimC @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 13:47:44 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Lucy is not "talking down to you" (0.00 / 0)

She is acknowledging that Barack Obama has a difficult job, and he's done it well.  Not all choices are as cut-and-dried in the White House as they are outside of it.  I don't think this is especially controversial.  

And Lucy Edwards should be the last one on this blog to merit a lecture.

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 20:02:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Didn't say she was n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: JimC @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 21:30:00 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

our history is rife (0.00 / 0)

with voting for things now that were going to be fixed later. The Patriot Act springs immediately to mind. It's never been fixed.

The Health Insurance Giveaway Bill is another. People said, "pass it now and we'll fix it later." That's a recipe for disaster.

A week before the vote on saving teacher jobs, the Senate voted down a measure that would have cut taxpayer subsidies to oil companies. You can say that food stamps were cut in the future, and "we'll fix it," but for me, the bottom line is the symbolic nature of that cut. Hell no, we won't cut taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil, but we will take food from the mouths of hungry children. What that says about the Obama administration (it was their idea) and our elected officials makes me uncomfortable. It makes me uncomfortable that the administration seems to be ready to cut Social Security. Will you be defending Obama then?

There are millions of homeless people in this country right now, and over a million  of them are children. The real unemployment level is around 22%.  People are killing themselves because they're losing their jobs and their homes. The suicide numbers are highest right now for people between the ages of 45-54. Someone in their 50's who loses a job has almost no chance of finding work. A person out of work longer than 6 months has almost no chance of finding work. More families are on food stamps now than ever before. Food stamp participation jumped 32% in NH, between May 2009 and 2010. (According to Kaiser Family Foundation) As of  May of 2010, there were 108,118 families using food stamps in NH.

Over 40 MILLION families, nationwide are using food stamps.

So, please don't tell me that this has anything to do with the lesser of two evils. This decision was/is evil. This was all about sucking up to the right by cutting aid to those who are the neediest.

If you knew anyone whose life had been destroyed by this depression, I don't think you'd be quite so cavalier. I hope not, anyway. If Democrats aren't going to fight for those who are suffering the most - than they aren't worth a bucket of spit.  

sanctimonious purist/professional lefty

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by: susanthe @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 09:01:24 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

From "Evita" (0.00 / 0)

"There is Evil
Ever around, Fundamental
System of Government:
Quite Incidental

So what are my chances
of Honest advances?
They're Slim,
Say, better to win by
Admitting my sin
Than to Lose
With a Halo..."

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by: Thomas Simmons @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 12:42:35 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Gee, maybe the White House should assign someone (4.00 / 2)

to try to direct public attention to important matters where our attention could be effective.

We could call the position: "Press Secretary".

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by: elwood @ Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 19:06:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]