What is Obama doing? Where is the push for jobs? Where are the big programs?

Where are the infrastructure programs? Where is the vision and the future for America?

Why isn't he pushing back on the rethug BS more?

Where is the work into going into setting the agenda, the big sell and pushing legislators?

I don't see any of this.

I almost feel like the Obama administration is just marking time, waiting for the next disaster.

might be a one termer.... With all the bipartisan building he might just get to be a one termer.... Because the Republicans don't like job creation, or working people... They like money and lots of it for their bank accounts... much of it trickles in from the banks, insurance co. and other corporations, but we don't really get to know that anymore....

I just don't even see the effort

about anything except his own re-election.

And if he doesn't care now, wait until after the 2012 election. He will be 100% focused on austerity. We'll be in the same position as the Greeks.

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accomplished? And no, Obama is not king and does need help. Seems you're directing your ire at the wrong person. The minute something is proposed, the rethugs knock it down, or hadn't you noticed?

President Obama doesn't need the Republicans to come up with his own plans, or fight, or push his own party.

Google; there's plenty more where that came from...

http://blog.aflcio.org/2010/09/06/obama-unveils-huge-infrastructurejobs-program-at-milwaukee%E2%80%99s-laborfest/
Obama Unveils Huge Infrastructure/Jobs Program at Milwaukee’s LaborFest

How about admitting nothing will happen unless there's cooperation instead of nixing everything proposed by Obama?

How much is he trying to sell it?

since the media controls politics and mind thought of the public (electorate)... obviously we haven't seen it in the headlines because they don't wnat us to see it.

What I don't get is, the guy is PRESIDENT-- the chance to do something bold, to make a difference, to have a vision. He's put out some stuff that sounds good, but I just don't see that his heart is in it. This is his *chance* and he's blowing it! Things are still so bad that even some totally freaky crazy rethug still has a chance of beating him in 2012!

Yes, he got a fucked up situation, and yes he has terrible enemies. But still, this was the chance of a lifetime to really change the country, and the best we've gotten is an extremely middle of the road health car reform law.

Furthermore, he's kept us involved in a bunch of fucking wasteful and pointless wars, started a new pointless and wasteful war, been as bad or worse as Bush on civil liberties and caved into rethugs at almost every chance.

I can only think the worst about him.

I mean really take them to task in a way every one can see.

But that would be awfully cynical. In any case, did he even really push this? He still had a dem majorityback then, I recall.

AFL's Trumka on Pols Selling Out Workers

http://www.thenation.com/blog/161208/afls-trumka-pols-selling-out-workers-ive-had-snootful-st

I hate it when they get blamed. They do however need to vote on programs and funding, that may get lost in the mix when you feel so bad for the blame they get.

back in '48, but he was warrior. He carried the fight to the Republicans. He criss-crossed the country pounding away at the do-nothing Congress. Obama is the most passive president since Eisenhower. Ike could get away with it. He was a national hero with a rapidly growing economy and full employment. The GOP is in disarray now, but2012 is going to be a close election. If Mr.Obama doesn't show some speed we could well be celebrating the innauguration of President Romney and vice-president Bachmann 16 months from now.

thanks

It's about Obama's lack of fight.

They have congress, thanks to the 2010 voters. The 2010 voters don't get any "programs." They knew they wouldn't when they chose Republicans.

The public are not idiots and understand how the government works.... It is bad politics for Democrats to think that they can just sit around and blame the House....

The winner will be the first one to show real Leadership.....

The purse strings. It's hilarious to claim people know how government work while pretending that having the House isn't enough to stall everything.

The reason that Pubs were awarded the House was to stall the Obama administration from implementing what the public perceived as a hard left shift to Socialism.

That is Obama's fault for not nipping it in the bud immediately.

His eloquence got him nowhere, tell me something.... How is that he spent so much political capital on HCR and we wound up with a version that looks like a Repukes wet dream and the Pubs voted against it en masse. So the Democratic controlled House, Senate and White House with no votes from their opposition passed this crap?

Personally, I think we are all being played, time will tell.

Even Sanders don't agree with your assessment concerning HCR. Simply because you hate it doesn't make it a bad bill.

President Obama deserves some as well.

I agree. They seem to pwn him.

He should discuss his proposals every single day at 8:00 EST in front of the nation. That's how serious this jobs crisis is.

Obama should speak in detail about every single one of his proposals before Congress and what they will do to help the jobless in America. He should also talk about Republican obstruction and why it's hurting the unemployed. In addition to daily prime time addresses, he should talk to and about the unemployed EVERY DAY FOR HOURS.

This jobs crisis has the ability to doom his Presidency and he doesn't seem desperate enough.

Hi was wondering where is Prosense? Gone from DU? ):

And how come we're supposed to buy that Obama is both a fierce fighter for the people AND completely impotent at the same time? It really seems like there's a coin toss w/r/t Obama defenders here: half the time, he's just short of a superhero and the other half it's "how's he supposed to get anything done with no cooperation?" Methinks the latter invalidates the former and methinks also that he and his administration had better get their shit togther and figure out how the GOP magically gets everything they want when they're in power.

On edit: then again, we're operating on the supposition that Obama really has working people and ordinary people's best interests at heart. After everything he and his administration has failed to do, I don't think he really gives a shit.

And Thank God or Goddess for that. Some people have fuzzy memories. And the things he did get were a direct result of 9-1-1. He couldn't be challenged on anything, or you'd find yourself on the receiving end of a slew of anti-patriotic cuss words by the rightwing echo chamber, and threatening letters from all their hatriot listeners around the country.

America awoke briefly in 2008 because they were sick to death of being scared to death. But there's a certain memory loss amongst the left that is simply breathtaking. The left has to decide whether Obama is "just like Bush", or if he "should be more like Bush". Both claims have been made here at DU, so which should it be?

"After everything he and his administration has failed to do, I don't think he really gives a shit."

I know some on the left are disappointed that the president didn't come into office and immediately nationalize everything, ala Hugo Chavez, but maybe the next president can turn us into Venezuela? :shrug:

Not repukes. Conservatives. Do you think blue dogs aren't conservatives?

And, some wonder why we're unhappy with Obama.

Ooops, that was last summer. This is the summer of "this will take some time"

:eyes:

WASHINGTON (AP) — The best cure for the economy now is time.

That's the overwhelming opinion of leading economists in a new Associated Press survey. They say the Federal Reserve shouldn't bother trying to stimulate the economy — and could actually do damage if it did.

SNIP

What the economy needs most, says John Silvia, chief economist at Wells Fargo, is time. Consumers must further shrink huge debts amassed in the mid-2000s. And the depressed housing market needs time to recover from a collapse in prices and sales.

"There are no magic bullets," Silvia says. "A lot of this stuff just really needs to be dealt with. It's not a question of stimulus."

http://moneywatch.bnet.com/economic-news/news/ap-survey-economists-warn-against-more-fed-action/6246360/

Of course, unrealistic dopes like Krugman and Stiglitz are calling for demand-side stimulus. At least I thought that's what I heard them say, it's a little tough to understand them as the bottom of the bus muffles their voices.

All they need is more time to continue foreclosures and to get judgments against debtors.

imagine telling your landlord/mortgage holder that instead of a check, they will be getting the gift of "time" from you for the next few months.....

BTW, yes, I did understand your sarcasm; good reply! :)

"shovel ready jobs were not so shovel ready"................

of Republicans that the New Deal is an old tired programs
that never worked.

Therefore they cannot come out and sharply distinguish
themselves from the Republicans. Think about the
last election. DLC and Blue Dogs lost. When you are
not able to draw a sharp distincion, the real thing
wins. We are activists who keep up with nuts and bolts.
we see the nuance and distinctions. Not the average
American.

Add this to Obama seem to be interested in only long
term fixes. He is affirming the Republican message.
Government cannot do much about unemployment. Avoiding
confrontation and going on the offense leaves the Republicans
room to walk in and take over.

to say Obama is wrong is hardly the same as agreeing with the rethugs, but Obama needs a challenge from the left.

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Obama can not legislate a program.

Specifically read Article I Section 8 of the Constitution, and contrast it with Article II, Sections 1-4.

Without Congress, the President can not create one single freeking job. He can not fund job creation program. He must even go to congress for funding for the exectuive branch.

And obvsly FDR created lots of programs.

I find it hard to believe Obama can't even get an infrastructure program through.

I feel like the Obama team isn't even trying and they are just caving into the rethugs

he can't get an infrastructure program through? Where have you been?

The fucking republicans won't allow him to put heads into positions that require confirmation. They block each and every Judicial appointment he's put forward. They even try to block aid to States needing it unless he "gives up something".

An infrastructure program is about as likely as me winning the damned Powerball tonight.

The bully pulpit is only good as a propaganda tool and that only works when there aren't congressidiots flashing their dicks at people online because the media prefers that and missing white girls to anything that requires them to actually do homework.

No amount of "taking it to the people" is going to change anything as far as the Republicans are concerned. America gave them the house back, THIS is what we get. Period. The only power the people have over them is to vote them back out of office. No amount of this "bully pulpit" fantasy bullshit is going to sway them one direction or the other. THEY. DON'T. CARE.

So none of that is Obama's fault?

The most eloquent speaker in our time, the one with the "Gift" and he couldn't convince the American people that his way was the right way?

His failure to effectively communicate to all of the American people is his downfall.

Don't blame anyone but him, he is surrounded with advisors who know exactly how the Repukes operate and yet for all that he can't effectively get the majority of the country on his side?

Republicans do not respond to public opinion. He doesn't have to convince a majority of Americans to pass legislation. He must convince Republicans in congress. Because they are not swayed by public opinion, no legislation that they do not approve of will be passed.

We are a representative democratic republican. In theory, the representatives are the peoples representatives once elected. In reality, they represent only their ideology.

All the American people do not pass legislation, the Congress passes legislation. For all the Republicans in Congress care, the all of the Americans who disagree with them can go hang.

If all people want are comforting words about fantasy programs that can never be enacted, they should ask their mothers for lullabies. If people want any program that is that is either centrist or even slightly liberal, they will have to return control to the Democrats. If they want fast hard progressive change, they will have to bring an entire new party to power with sufficient votes in the House, the Senate, and a President who will enact that legislation.

Obama should share blame, but he is not completely responsible.

I don't get this man. He is digging his own grave politically.

Show me evidence that Republicans in Congress are listening to public opinion.

that is where Obama is failing big time.

They are not totally immune from public pressure

that wants it and a group of rabbid voters who have a religous belief that ideology.

I think that the Republicans trying to destory medicare will work better than any bullypulpit.

If Republicans were swayed by Bully pulpits or public opinion, they would elect Kucinich Speaker of the House, Institute single payer national health care, and raise taxes to the levels seen in 1952.

The Bully Pulpit works only to sway national opinion, national opinion is in favor of the above policies, and Republicans don't give a shit. They only care about enacting their ideology and regaining control of the Senate and the White House.

The power of the purse stings and the power to legislate are in the Congress.

the powers of dictatorship.

When did FDR have a Republican congress?

they intentionally intend to NOT push any Jobs or Infrastructure bills so they can attempt to make the Democratic President fail.

Apparantly no one wants to admit the truth there are three branches of government, the president is not a King or a dictator...but oh well...apparantly some think otherwise.

it won't matter much what he says or does because the Repubs don't like him, attack him over everything, and will refuse to cooperate with him on anything- though some of his ideas might be on the table for these debt ceiling negotiations. Anybody paying attention could've predicted after last November that these next two years would very likely be a "wash" in terms of progressive legislation and there would likely be more time spent just trying to defend social programs and keep the damage caused by Republicans at the bare minimum (which so far President Obama and the Dems have been doing). The best thing that the rest of us can do in the meantime IMHO is to begin organizing for 2012 and work towards keeping President Obama in the WH and electing more Democrats to the House (maybe even recapturing it) and maintaining our hold on the Senate. We also need to be working on electing more Dems in States being run to ruin by Republican governors and Republican-controlled legislatures. Dems might not be perfect all of the time but we need as many of them as possible to thwart the Republican Tea Party and their awful *agenda*- while working to elect more progressive Dems in the process.

He seems to do the bare minimum to keep his base happy

Do you know what the President is doing every second of every day? Just sitting at his desk in the oval office twiddling his thumbs? He's got a government to run, trips to make, meetings, etc. Contrary to what Fox News says, he's not actually hit the campaign trail yet nor spending all of his time on vacation. Just because he isn't out there blasting the Republicans on the Republican-controlled airwaves every single day doesn't mean that he is doing absolutely nothing to achieve our goals.

or a major new vision

It hasn't happened unless you see it?

Infrastructure Bank...I like the idea & it has the potential to create jobs, increase tax revenue, end earmarks & repair our crumbling infrastructure. Here is a video of Fareed Zakaria talking about it...Obama has the support of a few Republicans but the GOP leadership of course claims it is just wasteful spending.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRjRC3kYgw0&feature=share

is on the order of one to four percent of what is needed to get our falling apart shit back to code, forget modernization.

The reality is we haven't funded maintenance properly for decades and if we don't at the very least revamp the water and sewage systems that we won't have a functioning civilization in twenty or thirty years.

The Romans had fucking water, if we can't be bothered with even that minimal step then people are going to be suffering and dying by the millions.

There is no excuse for the brain dead priorities and small bore thinking.

Fucking tax cuts and band aids for state houses along with enough money to rebuild this country shoveled to the dumpsterfires that already stole everything and set the ship's controls for the heart of the sun is not investing in our nation.

Obama could have gotten a huge start on infrastructure while creating jobs but instead went with a grab bag approach that mostly went fucking poof into the pockets of wealthy corporatist who then refuse to do anything but sit on it or fire up new operations in other countries.

The problem seems to be that Obama and company bought that this deal is part of a natural cycle and that the crisis presented an opportunity to get a wish list of cottage level efforts that would provide a lift until shit turned around and he'd get the credit.

Seems they were also deluded into thinking that the Reich Wing doesn't really want to scuttle the country and if he stuck to band aids and giving the corporations money that they'd stay within shouting distance of decent and at least grudgingly work with him.

All of that shit is plain stupid. If he bought any of those fairy tales then he isn't as much of a genius or strategist as many love to pretend.

Or the reliable 60-vote Democratic majority in the Senate?

it may make you feel emotionally satisfied, but it would not result in any positive action.

In fact, it would be a huge waste of time.

really?

See Wisconsin.

:shrug:

it does seem that way

All you had to do is a Google search of what he's done and what's being held up in congress. Instead you go the intellectually lazy route. Bravo.

What does it matter what he's proposed if it only shows up on google?

His PR is pathetic or he doesn't give a shit.

And who wants a president, any president, interrupting their primetime viewing every night? It's clear you don't know what the Administration's doing, you seem content to moan about "what you don't see". There's lots of important things we don't see in American media. They're the filter between us & "real news".

So, just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it didn't happen. Everytime someone posts one of these "what is Obama doing about x, y, or z", there's always someone to provide them with the information. Perhaps you could use google more, or tune into the president's weekly radio address? He's covered your concerns, but I guess you can't be bothered?

Jesus, I can't believe this pushback. He is woefully inadequate in fighting the rethugs but good thing you've got his back.

My point again is not that he is doing nothing but rather that he is not making enough appearance of doing these things. Goodness knows I follow politics WAY more than most people and I don't see his effort. What is the average news grazer seeing???

As far as getting more involved I'd love to but just have enough on my plate between work and family.

the beginning knew that he was no Dennis Kucinich or Bernie Sanders, and that played no small role in the reason we supported him. He doesn't do redmeat speeches, he doesn't issue unrealistic ultimatums. And by your own admission, you just want to see more theater. To what end?

Congress controls the purse strings, and that's the way the Founders planned it. And the "fighting" metaphor has been all worn out. Have you ever wondered why Bernie Sanders, a DU hero, never throws
his hat in the ring? What about Russ Feingold, another DU hero? I think I know, but I'd be interested in what you think about it.

DU "progressives" seem enthralled with those who feed red meat to the base. But how long before they got tired of the red meat speeches, because absolutely none of the progressive agenda was getting through Congress? I mean, if red meat & political theater is all you care about, then Bernie or Dennis certainly fit the bill.

The Repubs have dug in, and there are just certain things that aren't gonna happen no matter how much spittle Obama aims at them.

The political loss in 2010 was due to the perception that Obama was forcing a Socialist agenda on America. The Repukes didn't offer any alternatives they only offerred to put a road block in Obama's way. That is exactly why we got "Shellacked"

The problem was that Obama didn't actually solve any issues. He should concentrate on one thing and solve it then move on there would have been plenty of time but he tried to do so much and actually accomplished very little.

So much for his eloquence, when did he communicate a truly progressive viewpoint for the American people, its like he was hesitant as if he was afraid the dummed down masses wouldn't understand what he had to offer..... So he just didn't bother to communicate it properly.

His Signature program (HCR) in its current form is not supported by more then half of the country for one reason or another and it most likely will face serious legal challenges and be repealed or changed in some way.

He lost so much political capital on this single issue and it still resembles a repuke wet dream boom for the insurance industry not one single Repuke supported it and then we are told oh its the best we could get/????? 100 percent passed by Democrats, Democrats, Democrats and its the best we could get? That lie doesn't work with me.

Or rebuilding infrastructure -- and fighting for it?

I don't really know why Sanders or Feingold don't run, probably a lot of reasons.

In all honesty, I think Obama is a crony insider, a sell-out and a puppet to the powers that be.

What I don't understand at all is why so many people here defend him!!!

All he does is act sane compared to the Rethugs, and throw a bone to libs when he has to. Color me unimpressed.

It's difficult to be the only one fighting. That's why I asked how many marches on the Capitol you had organized to get your "infrastructure rebuilding". If enough people cop out, because of family, work, blah...blah...blah..., I can only conclude that they're all talk, which ironically is what they accuse the president of. :rofl:

How about you organize a march on Washington to help rally support for your agenda. You get the Repubs to stop blocking every attempt to create jobs, and stimulate the economy, then you have room to complain. Otherwise, you're part of the problem. Keyboard commandoes aren't activists, they're just in love with the sound of their own voices.

If speeches could solve the problems we face, then Bernie Sanders would have every Republican in the Senate, and Kucinich would have every Repub in the House signing on to your progressive wishlist. But, alas, those speeches fall on deaf ears in the face of obstructionist intransigence. I can't believe this has to be explained to you. Like I said, you're way too focused on theater, and that's just sad.

and that requires getting people's support.

I will support him if he shows something worth supporting.

So far, he has done little to excite me, and a lot to depress me.

I think it is far too easy to blame the rethugs for Obama's lack of accomplishments. There's a lot of things he's done that I don't like that have little to do with Congress.


If you think Obama has done a bang-up job so far, good for you. I disagree. This is just a place for people to express their opinions, after all.

:eyes:

I am all for activism-- I even canvassed for Obama in 08 despite some doubts about him. I'm more than happy to protest, be active if I have the opportunity. I give a decent amount of money to political causes.

What I do want you to understand is why there is not going to be much enthusiasm for Obama in 2012. Yeah, I'll probably end up voting for him, because I won't have a better option. But please spare me the line that he's great and he's doing the best he can on Democratic issues. I don't buy that for a second.

their base gives them more points the more they obstruct him.

All of the companies servicing these industries.

The Teabagger House has blocked every single damned initiative by this President and will continue to do so until voted out.

WTF do you think President Obama can do given this reality?

to the people. He can use his media time and power to speak directly to us. He can ask for us to be out on the streets for him to force congress to pass jobs. If he came out and did that I would go. If he actually said the words I need you all to help me because the republicans in congress are keeping all jobs bills out please join me in speaking out against this congress and he made a huge public speech in DC mall, then had similar support rallies across the states I would go to my largest city Seattle for it and thats 3 hrs away.

That is what he needs to do, use what he can. But like someone said he is so worried about offending the republicans and wall street that will give money to his re-election he won't do it. I am sad but nothing I can do. I am not going to rally if he is not there to lead.

Why do you need Obama to lead protest rallies? I'm sorry, but what did "activists" do before Obama? Everything, and I do mean everything is being laid at the White House doorstep as if the other two branches of government don't exist.

We have a DNC Chair to do the things you mentioned. We have a DSCC Chairman. We have the DCCC, but Obama is only one man, and he can't be expected to do all the heavy lifting. Hell, even after he captured & killed Bin Laden, all the networks invited only Republicans on for their reaction. I mean, WTF? How is he supposed to break through a media that clearly favors his opposition? How often can he legitimately commandeer the networks, just so you can hear him say what you think he ought to say? He does a weekly radio address, but he can't make people listen.

when all they talk about are cuts? I can't believe some people around here can't put two and two together and understand something as simple as that. AS far as big jobs program when he became president he passed a huge jobs program--the biggest in history.

The answers to these two prongs will probably explain it all.

Didn't Obama appoint him six months ago to lead the jobs commission? What has he found out? How many jobs has he created?

it died.

The only thing this President can do to make big programs less likely, is push republicans to create one. They would refuse simply because he asked, even if they thought it a good idea.

If you can't see this, then you haven't been paying attention.

If you want government that works, you have to get all of the tea party out of it. They do not believe in a government that works and will do anything to prevent it.

it would have to go to the House right? A jobs bill and an infrastructure bill will cost money and in a sane world we know that the spent money will eventually generate money for consumers.


Now my question is what are the probabilities of this bill getting passed by the House? I will provide the answer 0, Zero, Nada. I am guessing the House with Boehner won't even bring the bill to the floor to even discuss it.

What is your proposal to get the jobs and infrastructure bill through without Dems leading the House? This question is open to anyone..