Originally Posted By skinnerbox Excellent speech today. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt that he will back up his words with actions. I'm hopeful that we can stop this ongoing assault on the middle class and turn our country around. Paul Ryan's "take from the needy and give to the greedy" budget is a sham. He should take his patently transparent hatred for average Americans and that stupid Howdy Doody haircut and just go.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 I was also really impressed with Obama today. I am glad that he called out the Republicans ideas put forth in the Ryan plan as wrong.
Originally Posted By pecos bill Politician or not, he left me with the impression that he really does care for the working class. It felt so good hearing him badmouth those venomous Republicans.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder Right away talk radio started calling him Marxist and Communist because they had nothing else.
Originally Posted By Tony C Because with the Republicans it's just <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXG0q0qesRw" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...0q0qesRw</a>
Originally Posted By hopemax I didn't watch the speech, but I did read the excerpts. And it sounds nice. But I am feeling very much in a "fool me once" kind of way. The critique on Obama during the election was, "He can give a good speech, but...." I've been very disappointed in the actual follow-thru. Not so much with the budget and health care compromises, because I get that the GOP was going to be insane about it all. I am disappointed with that, but the bigger disappointments hhave been with the things the White House has the power to do things about without Congress - Gitmo, don't ask don't tell, many justice department directions, etc. So now that the 2012 election cycle has officially started, re-elect Obama website and all,... Obama gives another good speech, I'm supposed to be all rah rah, and take him at his word? And I'm one of those lean Republican until they went all crazy, that was crucial to winning election in the purple states, like mine of Colorado. I know he doesn't read here, obviously. But if I had a chance to speak to him, I would say, "I don't believe you. Actions speak louder than words, and your actions are consistently to back away, when faced with insanity (or just the threat of insanity). That is the opposite of the 'audacity of hope.'" I would have liked to see him fight hard, and all-in, on one thing. Just one thing. The GOP has learned that they can get all sorts of things they want, because the administration comes off as "so desperate to make a deal." With the debt ceiling fight looming, I just can't get excited about a speech.
Originally Posted By Longhorn12 >I would have liked to see him fight hard, and all-in, on one thing. Just one thing.< So like most things he's done?
Originally Posted By ecdc >>So like most things he's done?<< Exactly. My comment about being disappointed shortly wasn't a reflection on Obama; it was a reflection on we, the liberals, who pitch a fit every time something isn't perfect. Obama's been able to accomplish a tremendous amount for a normal administration. For one with the problems he faces in such a polarized time? For one facing the last--and vicious--grasp of power by white racists? I'd like to hear an actual plan from people who think Obama hasn't done enough. What did you want with the budget negotiations? To shut the government down? You'd rather be right than be grown-up? Case in point: Libya. He couldn't have been more perfect. He stopped the slaughter of who-knows-how-many thousands of people, then he got out. Instead of reacting to that reality, we got "We're in a third war! Chicken Little, can I stay with you?"
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 "I am disappointed with that, but the bigger disappointments hhave been with the things the White House has the power to do things about without Congress - Gitmo, don't ask don't tell, many justice department directions, etc." Umm...he did repeal Don't Ask, Don't tell and he needed congress to do it because congress passed the law in the first place. He met all kinds of push back for trying to close Gitmo from both Dems and Repubs and, again, he needs congress to approve the funding it would take to move forward on that. I also think he has quite admirably stayed out of DOJ decisions-the Bush administration pretty much directed everything the DOJ did, for political instead of legal reasons too. Obama has refrained from that and I think that is a good thing. As far as him getting nothing done, he has actually accomplished more than most presidents do at this point in their administrations, and he has done it with the GOP trying to block everything, even the stuff they traditionally would go for.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***and he has done it with the GOP trying to block everything, even the stuff they traditionally would go for*** That is the issue in a nutshell.
Originally Posted By Kevin Flynn ""I'm supposed to be all rah rah, and take him at his word?"" Yes? If you don't think for yourself and you toe the party line, then yes. But really, what is the alternative? Anyone the GOP puts forth will be "too far Right" so zillions will press the Obama button on election day once again. Meanwhile, Gitmo is open for business and Obama has a Nobel Peace prize to show off.
Originally Posted By Kevin Flynn I'll vote for old Barry. I mean who could possibly be a GOP alternative?
Originally Posted By Kevin Flynn ecdc Serious question. Do you think there is ANY hope that there will ever be a legitimate 3rd party?
Originally Posted By Tony C Obama could kill his wife and I would still vote for him over the GOP candidate.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Kevin Flynn... who are you? I asked this question in another thread. Your voice is very familiar. We've read this all before. You claim you're a Dem but you come off like previous Republicans who've graced these boards before they were banned. You're trying to blend in by using key buzz words. But the true nature of your beliefs slips through the thin veneer of your facade: <<Meanwhile, Gitmo is open for business and Obama has a Nobel Peace prize to show off.>> Whoop there it is.
