Steve Benen: ‘Chumps’

Posted with permission. I couldn't agree more.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_08/chumps031457.php

August 11, 2011 9:20 AM
‘Chumps’

By Steve Benen


The relentlessly independent-minded Matt Miller argues today that he’s aware “who the real villains are at this volatile moment.” His piece notes that he realizes it’s “Tea Party Republicans” who’ve been reckless, who’ve undermined confidence in the United States, and whose actions have weakened the country.

But, Miller adds, he’s mad at President Obama anyway. Kevin Drum’s reaction resonated with me.



A couple of weeks ago, the day after the debt-ceiling agreement was announced — a deal I repeatedly condemned, by the way — I asked, “Am I supposed to be angrier with the radicals who held a gun to our heads, or those who prevented them from pulling the trigger?”

Even among those who know “who the real villains are,” there’s apparently still some ambiguity about the answer.

Based on nothing but my own perceptions and recent experiences, I’m often surprised at how common this is. I’m on a number of email lists, for example, with fellow lefties in various circles, and I’d say the criticisms of Obama on a daily basis, particularly over the last month or so, outnumber criticisms of Republicans by at least 50 to 1. These are folks who know full well who’s chiefly responsible for the nation’s self-inflicted wounds, but like Miller, emphasize the fact they’re “mad at Barack Obama” anyway.

The unstated message seems to be, “Sure, Republicans have become an American nightmare. That’s obvious. In fact, it’s such a given, it’s not worth talking about. Instead, let’s denounce the White House….”

But as Kevin noted, if we all know who’s actually responsible for what’s going on, maybe it is worth talking about, rather than playing the game the way the right prefers?

that's being a chump.

best efforts.

don't we keep hearing how well Obama is doing in the polls, even among lefties? So what would the GOP be cackling about?

and who's really the chumps?

...trying to make nice with the Speaker of the House that he is at heavy political odds with. You expect some kind of point to be proven by posting a picture of said event. And you are wrong. You proved no point.

In reality, anyone with half a brain is not stupid enough to think there is anything wrong with that. Because there isn't anything wrong with that. Boehner, right or wrong on policy (and most definately wrong) is a legitimate figurehead and its legitimate to say that the President has to deal with the Speaker in order to get anything done. Your picture invokes no anger from me. Because I'm not stupid enough for it too. I can't stand Boehner but I don't have such a large ideological foot stuck up my ass that I can't see the sense in Obama trying to break the ice with him in hopes that an improved personal relationship might be helpful. Of course it probably wasn't that helpful because Boehner is a dickhead. But he is still the Speaker and Obama is still the President and if any bill are going to get passed before 2013, he has to be dealt with, period.

where it's us and Obama against the Republicans.

It's really us against the Republicans and some Democrats and some rich people, and some pundits who cover for the whole gang.

If they aren't sticking it to the President, they are not happy.

Not worth the typing to refute it

I already know why, the truth fucking hurts.

Ironically, it may be the Independents who see through this more easily.

Speaking for myself only, I share every bit of anger, frustration etc. at the GOP and their Teabagger Cult expressed in that article. They are the problem.

But I am also angry at Obama and SOME congressional Democrats (not all) for not challenging these bastids directly, and calling them out for the awful and destructive morons they are, and how awful their destructive ideology is.

Every time Obama has talked about good-faith "bipartisan compromise" -- and echoing and legitimizing their manufactured "deficit crisis" -- I've wanted to throw my shoe at the TV. And when Dem lawmakers fail to call them out too.

THAT is one reason I am as angry at Obama as the Teabaggers. Bi-partisanship and negotiations with people who are obviously so rigid they will not compromise back only makes the problem worse.

They should not be elevated by the President to the position of a legitimate negotiating partner who must be appeased rather than exposed and defeated.

it here?

And haters who can never wait for a chance to dump on their own party. They do it with every fucking Democratic President.

The City Council prevented Mayor Washington, the first black mayor of the city, from doing anything. Some aldermen even voted against initiatives that they themselves had proposed months earlier, just so they could show Mayor Washington as being "ineffectual," which was always - as it is in the current deployment of this strategy by the GOP - a code for a a racial judgment.

It's utterly shocking that American progressives are so thoroughly and so cravenly falling for this bullshit AGAIN, without the slightest hint of self-awareness or critical acumen. I'll tell you this: if by some miracle this strategy succeeds in getting a Republican elected President in 2012, the American Left will well and truly deserve everything it gets, and I will spend the time not spent on survival probably shaking my head and laughing at the so-called "progressives" so voluble today. I will certainly never support any of their candidates or initiatives ever again (and I don't believe I'm alone here), since it's not worthwhile entering into alliances with self-destructive fanatics, dunces, and dupes for outright racism.

I remember Washington only vaguely. I must have been very young when he was mayor.

you didn't see Mayor Washington golfing with Ed Vrdolyak.