God, I miss Paul Wellstone! And Ted Kennedy!

You'd damn well KNOW who's side they would be on in the fight to preserve workers' rights! No mealy-mouth "seems to be an assault" statements coming from Paul or Ted!!

They may have been the last real Democrats. Just once, I'd like to see Pres. Obama get mad about something--not mad, perhaps, but PASSIONATE about something!

Sigh.

Bake

Debs would have been kicking Walker in the balls right about now.

I'd PAY to see that!

:rofl:

Bake

Yeah, I know Ted had some inconsistencies. And some character flaws. And he made some deals with Republicans -- anybody in the Senate as long as he was, makes some deals. And Chappaquiddick, blah blah blah.

But on this issue, you'd damn well know whose side he was on.

Bake

by Repubs. for TAKING that side.

Don't know how that happened!

Bake

cheering the Wisconsin workers. I miss him so much.

I can't believe it's been more than eight years.

“And I think it’s very important for us to understand that public employees, they’re our neighbors, they’re our friends. These are folks who are teachers and they’re firefighters and they’re social workers and they’re police officers. They make a lot of sacrifices and make a big contribution. And I think it’s important not to vilify them or to suggest that somehow all these budget problems are due to public employees.”

I'm saying it's time he stopped acting like a politician and acted like a LEADER. This is a MORAL ISSUE, and instead of saying "it's important not to vilify ..." he needs to come out swinging--hell, THUNDERING--against the ones who are doing just that -- VILIFYING.

Is that too much to ask? It must be. It would certainly upset the Chamber of Commerce, whose collective ass the President has been kissing lately.

How's that "listening tour" of business going? Why not go on a listening tour of AMERICANS????? WORKING PEOPLE, for Christ's sake!

Bake

...sorry asses than in leading the country or standing up for Democratic principles.

It's really crazy because those enemies would have much more respect for him if he did the opposite - and the country would be a lot better off.

THAT'S HORRIBLE. HE MIGHT AS WELL HAVE SENT THE NATIONAL GUARD IN TO KILL THE PROTESTERS, OR FIRED ALL THE STATE EMPLOYEES WHO WERE IN A UNION.!!!!111!!!!!!eleven!!!

He does't want to piss off his buddies at the Chamber ...

Bake

"Some of what I've heard coming out of Wisconsin, where they're just making it harder for public employees to collectively bargain generally, seems like more of an assault on unions. And I think it’s very important for us to understand that public employees, they’re our neighbors, they’re our friends. These are folks who are teachers and they’re firefighters and they’re social workers and they’re police officers. They make a lot of sacrifices and make a big contribution. And I think it’s important not to vilify them or to suggest that somehow all these budget problems are due to public employees.”

Like Howard Finemann said when Lawrence O'Donnell asked why Obama doesn't say more, when your opponent is destroying himself, just stay out of the way.

And words DO MATTER. Adding "seems" in there makes it watered-down, and you know it. It's like saying a forest fire "seems" warm.

And you also know that a wordsmith like Obama damn well knows the difference.

There's pussy-footing and there's leading. Guess which one this is.

Bake

very clear whose side he's on. Sorry you don't like his style of getting the message out, but he DID get it out and made it clear. You keep criticizing ONE word and ignoring everything else.

Why? Because I was naive enough, at the ripe old age of 55, to BELIEVE him during the campaign, when he gave me hope for real change.

He was a leader then. Now he's just another politician. Sorry you don't see that.

Bake

He was always talking about agreeing without being disagreeable, telling people not to "boo" when he mentioned McCain's name, etc. Seems like you have a short memory. Obama has accomplished more in his first two years than many accomplish in their entire presidencies.

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agree

BTW, we're the same age!

we learned by now that he's good with words but his actions tell an entirely different story!

Being that it's his birthday and all. And I do not feel it would have been the happiest for him, if you know what I mean.

Wellstone was taking way too soon. We need someone like him more in politics and less like Mike Hukeabee. At least we got Grayson, Kucinich, Feingold, and Sanders to clear up the shit in Washington. Well, not Grayson and Feingold as of right now... :-(

And I don't recall either of the individuals you mentioned as being so out of control, either.

This is a state matter.

Some people are so obsessed with Obama they forget he's not the governor of each state and the leader of each other nation.

This is fast becoming a NATIONAL ISSUE.

Time for some leadership.

Bake

When the federal government employees have an issue, then it's a federal matter.

He couldn't, because in each state it's a local matter, true. That's not what any of us are suggesting.

It's called the Bully Pulpit. He should use it, especially since the bully Rethugs are behind this attempted state by state takeover/denial of basic worker rights.

Bake

..

Wellstone, although I loved Wellstone as well.

And numerous Progressive Deomcrats in the House and Senate who are still fighting the Good Fight.

Alas they are outnumbered by the Weasal Wing of the Democratic Party, but they 're carrying on.

:rofl:

Oh, THAT Paul Simon! Yeah, real Dems miss him too! Seems like most of what are left are Blue Dogs ...

Bake

He'd be out there explaining what's really going on...no holes bared.

When people make comments like this, they are basically saying "PLEASE don't take me or anything I say seriously!"

Unrec

I actually corrected myself and used the word "passionate."

But the fact is, there are some things that a leader IS passionate about, if he/she truly has a vision for the nation. We saw some passion during the campaign. It was inspiring. It made us feel like Candidate Obama was on our side. Now, in the face of one of the great MORAL issues of our times, he's "keeping it cool."

Chill the *** out, I got this? I don't think so. Especially not after the things he's sold us out on ... like the Obama Tax Cuts for the Rich ... like no public option.

Unrec yourself.

Bake

who voted for DOMA. People remember what they want to.

"Chill the *** out, I got this? I don't think so. Especially not after the things he's sold us out on ... like the Obama Tax Cuts for the Rich ... like no public option."

You're obviously using Kennedy and Wellstone to support your belief that they were somehow better Democrats than the President.

Ted Kennedy was a strong support of President Obama, and would support him in all his efforts, including his education policy.

I don't see anyone referring to Feingold's statement ('Assault On Wisconsin's Traditions') as "mealy-mouth."


The President's full statement:

Ted Kennedy was a champion of NCLB.

adjustments, just as PO does. Furthermore, I don't think he'd be head over heels in agreement with the charter takeovers.

Just better than the DINO in Chief.

Bake

you have an opinion. You have no idea what Wellstone would be doing at this moment.

him that his vote had hurt people.

The Stonewall DFL endorsed him in 2002 and assisted in creating the Paul Wellstone Scholarship for Public Service.

At least Paul was willing to listen to and learn from his base.

The Presidency is not for our entertainment or emotional sustenance.

Like on that public option? Or the Obama Tax Cuts for the Rich?

Thanks but no thanks. I can think -- and see -- for myself.

Bake

If you have a problem with how stupid the sentiments expressed within are -- and I wouldn't blame you one bit if you did -- take it up with yourself.