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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Democratic Primary Is A Fight Over Wall Street And Obama's Legacy
Last edited Sat Feb 13, 2016, 05:57 AM - Edit history (1)
Obama began his presidency by essentially telling movement progressives to shut up and quit making trouble for his corporate-friendly agenda. Former Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs derided and insulted "the professional left" in press conferences. When liberal organizations advocated for a public option during Obamacare talks, former White House Chief Of Staff Rahm Emanuel pressured them to stop by threatening their funding sources. Obama economic adviser Christina Romer was sidelined after demonstrating that the economic stimulus package needed to be much larger than what National Economic Council Chair Larry Summers would accept. Obama has deported more people than any other president -- nearly 25 percent more than even President George W. Bush. He supported Medicare and Social Security cuts for years.
While it's true that he faced scorched-earth opposition from Republicans, it was Obama who pressed for an entitlement-slashing "Grand Bargain" during the nearly catastrophic debt ceiling talks of 2011. This maneuvering on critical support for the elderly is what prompted Sanders in 2011 to advocate for a primary challenger to Obama -- a comment Clinton is now wielding against him as evidence of supposed liberal apostasy.
"I think there are millions of Americans who are deeply disappointed in the president, who believe that, with regard to Social Security and a number of other issues, he said one thing as a candidate and is doing something very much else as a president," Sanders said in 2011.
At the time, Sanders didn't come out and say Obama should be replaced -- only that the prospect of another candidate could hold his feet to the fire.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/democratic-primary-wall-street-obama_us_56be05eee4b0c3c55050f053
NanceGreggs
(27,815 posts)... another Obama-bashing, Democrat-bashing post here on good ol' DemocraticUnderground.
BigBearJohn
(11,410 posts)NanceGreggs
(27,815 posts)BigBearJohn
(11,410 posts)Obviously we don't want people deliberately and maliciously posting things that are false in order to smear any of our candidates. But on the other hand, I'm sure everyone agrees that we shouldn't be penalizing anyone for posting something true, if they do so in a relatively civil way.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/~Skinner
persuadable
(53 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)democratic values and ultraconservative plutocrats who have been working covertly for the past 30 years to take over our country. They operate behind innocent-sounding front organizations, and have control much of the wealth and media of our nation, and most of the GOP.
The lies and twists spread about Obama and how awful liberals are didn't originate with Bernie, they originated with this covert operation. By spreading not valid criticism but slurs designed to take down the Democratic Party -- in preference to the alternative of saying what is GOOD about Bernie -- you are actually carrying water for the enemies of everything you say you believe in.
oh08dem
(339 posts)Your ire shouldn't be directed at those that challenge the party and its leadership, but at the party and leadership itself for turning THEIR backs on OUR democratic values.
Lorien
(31,935 posts)the party was STOLEN FROM US by a bunch of pro-corporate right wing conservatives hellbent on destroying liberalism in America. http://trofire.com/2015/09/23/noam-chomsky-dems-are-now-moderate-repugs-republicans-are-now-off-the-spectrum-of-reality/
whathehell
(29,067 posts)Why this even need to be said, I don't know.
Lorien
(31,935 posts)and that the "clear skies initiative" lead to clearer skies. I've got news for you: Not all labels are honest or true, and political parties are NOT f-ing Sports Teams!
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/33869-hillary-clinton-s-ghosts-a-legacy-of-pushing-the-democratic-party-to-the-right
earthshine
(1,642 posts)Hillary supporters do not win when the truth comes out.
Lorien
(31,935 posts)can survive on this planet, vs. protecting the status quo that places the wealth of a few in the short term over all else.
http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/jul/07/research.waste
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)kydo
(2,679 posts)Attacks on dems is common place there.
Chemisse
(30,813 posts)Democratic primary discussions are not allowed in GD. Please post this in GD P.