Comments on: Obama and a Paucity of Progressives

By: greenvtster

greenvtster — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:47:11 +0000

He’s not “the most progressive person we could have possibly hoped to elect as President of the United States.” We could have gone a little further I think.

But, he may well be the person who can get the most progressive agenda passed.

By: KayInMaine

KayInMaine — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:00:44 +0000

Dennis Kucinich was the ONLY real progressive running for the presidency this year and last, but if I’m not mistaken, it was the “progressives/liberals” who couldn’t look past this man’s ears or his height. Yep! Apparently they were stuck on stupid and judge people by this and not about what the person stands for! But, I digress. When Kucinich said to his supporters to throw their support to Barack Obama, I did. I know Barack is no where near as progressive as Kucinich is, but if he’s happy with him then so am I.

By: Jane Hamsher

Jane Hamsher — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:15:27 +0000

Yeah I’m sure Scahill is feeling pretty duped right now. He went out on a limb as someone who thought Obama would achieve a Clintonian purge.

By: Youffraita

Youffraita — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 11:38:59 +0000

Guy I know, always claimed to be an independent voter, told me after the election that for the first time in his life, he voted a straight Democratic ticket. Wondered why I didn’t seem more enthusiastic about Obama winning the election.

Just didn’t know how to tell him: Obama was about my last choice from the entire Democratic field. I like the guy; O’s just too…conservative. I wanted a true populist & got…something slightly better than a Rethuglican.

How can I rejoice about that?

By: bobschacht

bobschacht — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:47:27 +0000

Ian,
Perhaps you’d like to update this song:

Still Ain’t Satisfied
BONNIE LOCKHART @1974 by Paredon Records

1. Well, they got women on TV, but I still ain’t satisfied,
‘Cause co-option’s all I see, and I still ain’t satisfied!
They call me “Ms.”, they sell me blue jeans
Call it Women’s lib, they make it sound obscene.

Chorus
And I still ain’t, woa they lied, (3x)
And I still ain’t satisfied!

2. Well, they got women prison guards, but I still ain’t satisfied-
With so many still behind bars, and I still ain’t satisfied.
I don’t plead guilty, I don’t want no bum deal.
I ain’t askin’ for crumbs, I want the whole meal.

3. They liberalized abortion, but I still ain’t satisfied.
‘Cause it still costs a fortune, and I still ain’t satisfied.
l’m singin’ about control of my own womb,
And no reform is gonna change my tune.

4. They give out pennies here and there. but I still ain’t satisfied.
To set up centers for child care, and I still ain’t satisfied.
And while we work at slave wages,
They brain-wash our kids at tender ages.

5. Well, they got unisex fashion shows, but I still ain’t satisfied.
For all the dykes that no one knows, I still ain’t satisfied.
They say, “All right, we’ll sell the Butch Look,”
But they won’t put queers in to the text book.

6. Well, this world sure don’t look my way, and I still ain’t satisfied.
‘Cause women get raped every day, and I still ain’t satisfied.
They say, “OK, we’ll give you a street light,”
But they get uptight when we learn how to street fight.

7. I’ve got some pride, and I won’t be lied to;
I did decide, that half-way won’t do
(Chorus)

Bob in HI

By: bobschacht

bobschacht — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:36:17 +0000

Jane,
Thanks for this post. I’m late to the party, as usual, but I’ve been busy all day out here in Hawaii. I agree with all of your points.

But I suspect we’ll still be peopling the barricades, cause we still won’t be satisfied!

Bob in HI

By: Mauimom

Mauimom — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:06:17 +0000

Granted, Collin Peterson could try to muscle himself into consideration, as could the other guy, but then again so could I.)

Well if you do, we are SO coming to your swearing in!

Oh, do you have to get confirmed by the Senate??? Oops.

By: Ian Welsh

Ian Welsh — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:04:01 +0000

But he has done things.

He has indicated who some of his appointees are.
He has acted on Lieberman.
He has pushed through the bailout bill.
He has voted on FISA.

By his actions he shall be known.

By: pluege

pluege — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 06:06:42 +0000

here are an awful lot of entrenched interests who will quickly line up to sabotage Obama if they think their privilege is threatened before he’s even out of the gate

its just stupid to think that it is possible to appease the punditocracy. Selesting republicans and center-right Democrats is a hude waste if the intent is to ward off non-stop criticism from the entrenched interests.

I’m less concerned with who he chooses to implement his policies than with his ability to ultimately do so.

the two are inseparable. This is pure delusional happy talk. Obama can not steer the ship clear of all the icebergs while his first mates are all grabbing the wheel to go in a different direction.

By: SomeGuy

SomeGuy — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 05:44:35 +0000

I think people need to cool down a little. Lots of people got very excited about Obama. They volunteered, donated money, and voted for him. I fear some of that passion could go in the opposite direction if people have unrealistic expectations. If he manages to undo the damage of the Bush years, that will be a monumental accomplishment. Maybe Obama will turn out to be as great a President as FDR, but it’s unreasonable to take that as a given. He will certainly be better than McCain and Palin would have been.