Obama may be the only person who could cut entitlements. If a Republican tried it and the Democrats could keep at least 40 senate votes, I assume (hope?) they would block any such thing.

So if Obama indeed believes that cutting entitlements is essential for preserving the nation’s economy, in his mind he really is the only one who can get the job done and his re-election really is critical. In that case, he’s not trying to get progressives to dislike him but simply advancing his own horrifying idea of nobility. Most people do believe they are virtuous (despite all evidence) and Obama certainly seems no exception.

The Obama crowd knows progressives will vote for the lesser evil when push comes to shove. They will vote for Obama — if, that is, they actually vote — because they fear GOP SCOTUS appointments and believe a GOP President will be worse otherwise.

In the short team, active movement-building activities should prove to be more effective than a primary challenge to Obama. Naturally, the movement needs to be large enough that it puts both parties on notice.

Anyone with a calculator can figure out that cutting entitlements is not “essential for preserving the nation’s economy”. But we’ve heard several administration officials talk about how people don’t “deserve” their help, both with their mortgages and with welfare. In his autobiography, Obama echoed Reagan’s words about the “bloated welfare state”.

These people want to cut entitlements because it makes more money available for the rich. A vote against Obama is a vote for The People and a vote for democracy.

I would really like to know who specifically these ‘Administration officials’ are. This lesser of two evils talk isn’t going to sway me anymore. At this point I think our democratic policies are safer if democrats didn’t hold the WH.

Would it be so bad to have to endure Romney in office for 4 years rather than Obama? At least if Romney defeated Obama progressives would have the satisfaction of having punished the administration for their atrocious governance. I’m not concern trolling here. I actually see some upside to voting for Romney if he gets the nomination. There is a real hunger in me to punish the Obama administration. Please, somebody talk me down.

VMT,

I completely agree with you that Romney would be no worse than Obama for Four years. He might even be better because the democrats might even fight for something if there was a Republican president.

Although voting for Romney is the wrong strategy. Write in your own name if you need to, but definitley don’t vote for Romney. Voting for Romney will just be seen as validating Romney’s policies by the two parties. Voting for someone else will be seen as a rejection of the two parties and their policies.

Obama clearly has gone ’round the bend. Even the leader of the watered-down “New” Labour Party in the UK has more balls than Obama these days.

Here’s Ed Miliband, shadow PM, in the UK Guardian today:

“People who talk about the sick behaviour of those without power should talk equally about the sick behaviour of those with power.

“Let’s not pretend that the crisis of values in our society is confined to a minority only at the bottom when we see the morality of millions of hardworking, decent people under siege from the top as well.”

He was accusing the Tory PM of having “knee jerk” and simplistic reactions to the rioting in London, but he used that opportunity to make a broader point. I will eat my brand-new Ecuadorian straw hat if Obama even once utters the phrase “sick behaviour of those with power.”

There is a real hunger in me to punish the Obama administration. Please, somebody talk me down.

No. No, I’m not going to talk you down. He needs to be punished. They need to be punished. We need to un-elect them to have any shred of credibility left as a progressive organizing force.

I do think we can do it without actually voting for a Repub. No need to give the details out here in the open.

Yes, the Democrats were too stupid to learn the lesson from 2000. They need it pounded home again. It will only take a few percent to defeat Obama. I refuse to vote for putting Medicare eligibility on the table or means testing Socia Security.

We need a place for our “NO” vote, if nothing else a common write-in strategy.

There is a real hunger in me to punish the Obama administration. Please, somebody talk me down.

I can’t talk you off the ledge VMT, but I will hold your hand as we jump together. At this point, no Republican can damage the Safety Net or the New Deal as much as Obama can. Not even Michelle (I Hear Voices) Bachmann, or Rick (Head and Shoulders) Perry. Remember that only Nixon could go to China -same principle. As for the Supreme Court, there are currently two sitting justices that could easily be impeached – provided that Congress and the White House have the stones to bring charges.

Well hell, I’m in good company around here. :-) Anyway, I think you guys had some good advice on simply writing in a candidate. I seriously find it hard to punch a hole next to Romney or Obama.

Well, he’s succeeded. I wouldn’t piss on him if he was on fire.

>>He needs to be punished. They need to be punished. We need to un-elect them to have any shred of credibility left as a progressive organizing force.<<

A profound and refreshing statement, Fractal. I utterly agree. A robust movement of a united write-in campaign (rather than primary challenge), starting ASAP. Major obstacle to overcome: the lingering ga-ga over Obama by his original supporters and those who have fallen for him since. "Move aside Barack. We're sending in a new pitcher." Put FDL in the lead and make FDL and its allies BIGGER, much bigger. Send people into high schools and colleges to educate young voters on the progressive principles Obama is betraying and introduce a new leader. They are growing up fast with this disillusionment. Give them and the rest of Dem voters a new alternative for 2012. This is a Churchillian moment and the scourge is at our door (as it were). Make Jane Hamsher campaign director. Seriously.

Recently Jane put out the question: "What could Obama do now?" She should ask, "What could WE do now INSTEAD of Obama in a new administration team led by a new president — a REAL Democratic president?" That would be an interesting and exciting frame: Who's a REAL DEMOCRAT who will fight for progressive principles? Think of Howard Dean squared and he/she has to be a proven entity with name recognition. Elizabeth Warren for VP candidate (one idea). I would commit right here and now.

Well, I don’t care if Obama gets punished or not; he is of no interest to me. What I do care about is our country and I believe it will be the end of this country if he is re-elected. He is no friend to us or the earth.

This should strengthen the movement to field a strong and credible Third-Party candidate. It’s only when there’s a Republican in the White House that Democrats seem to fight for Social Security and Medicare.

VMT@5
There is a real hunger in me to punish the Obama administration. Please, somebody talk me down.

I can’t talk you off the ledge VMT, but I will hold your hand as we jump together.

Is there room on that ledge for three people?

This would make history, greenbell. I am all for it and I believe it can happen. The PTB will be already stragegizing against it, you may be sure but if they make it impossible (never doubt they will try) that could be the straw that broke you know what.

I think it makes sense, because first of all, Romney wouldn’t be all that much worse than Obama. Second, what you’d have then is an ability for Democrats in Congress to oppose a Romney, just because of party differences.

excellent point

I don’t think they are trying to get the progressives to not vote for them. What they are trying to do is get the independents. They think the progressives have no where to go. You make a good point in that running on reducing the deficit by cutting social security and medicare is not popular and is going to drive progressives (and probably independents and mainstream conservatives) away. They are in the thrall of getting independents thinking they are some sort of moderates when that does not explain them at all. They neglect their base. For what are reported to be smart political players, the Obama administration seems to have huge political blind spots. They won’t get the independents and they will lose their base.