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RandySF

(58,899 posts)
Fri Jun 29, 2018, 11:47 PM Jun 2018

Former President Barack Obama tells Democrats "enough moping"

Beverly Hills, California (CNN) -- Former President Barack Obama, re-emerging into the political fray for a Democratic National Committee fundraiser here on Thursday, had a message for troubled Democrats: Do more than just mope.

Obama peppered his 45-minute appearance with subtle knocks for despondent Democrats, warning that it is not enough to lament Donald Trump's presidency or complain about the impact he is having on the country. Instead, a tie-less and visibly relaxed Obama urged Democrats to back up those concerns with action and avoid the belief that the party is bound to defeat Republicans in November.

"If what you are doing requires no sacrifice at all, then you can do more," Obama told the tony crowd at a sweeping multi-million-dollar Beverly Hills home. "If you are one of these folks who is watching cable news at your cocktail parties with your friends and you are saying 'civilization is collapsing' and you are nervous and worried, but that is not where you are putting all your time, energy and money, then either you don't actually think civilization is collapsing ... or you are not pushing yourself hard enough and I would push harder."

At one point, he turned to the crowd and declared, "Enough moping, this is a mope-free zone."

And the former President even suggested to the roughly 200 donors in attendance, who also enjoyed a performance from Christina Aguilera, that Democrats can't get fixated on the glitz and personality of politics.

"We shouldn't expect (politics) to be entertaining all the time -- and Christina Aguilera was wonderful -- but you don't need to have an amazing singer at every event," he said. "Sometimes you are just in a church basement making phone calls and eating cold pizza."

The fundraiser, the first Obama has done for the DNC this year, is a rare foray into electoral politics for a former president who has spent much of his time focused on two priorities: His forthcoming book, which he is writing by hand on a yellow legal pad, and The Obama Foundation, his non-profit that will eventually be housed in his Chicago library.

But Obama's message on Thursday, sitting in overstuffed armchairs across from DNC chair Tom Perez, was far more a call for Democratic self-reflection than the hope and change the launched him into the White House 10 years ago. At an event that included opening remarks from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Obama urged Democrats to not grow complacent and at times validated their fears about the last 18 months.

"This is a moment of great urgency and you are right to be concerned," he said.

At no point in the event did Obama actually say Trump's name. But he did sprinkle his remarks to ardent Democrats, some of whom spent thousands to see him, with plenty of knocks against the opposing party.

"They are mad even when they win," he exclaimed. "Have you noticed that? They don't look happy at all!"


https://www.kron4.com/news/national/former-president-barack-obama-tells-democrats-enough-moping-/1274770460

43 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Former President Barack Obama tells Democrats "enough moping" (Original Post) RandySF Jun 2018 OP
K & R Iliyah Jun 2018 #1
K&R, "They are mad even when they win," uponit7771 Jun 2018 #2
Thank you Randy saidsimplesimon Jun 2018 #3
Right now I'd trade ten Obamas for one DeNiro. Girard442 Jun 2018 #4
Really? BannonsLiver Jun 2018 #7
Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2018 #13
Because a swear word fixes everything. RandySF Jun 2018 #8
I say Fuck Donald Trump all the time. it's not a tough thing to do. DeNiro isn't running for office JI7 Jun 2018 #11
"..ten Obamas for one De Niro" That's Ridiculous. Cha Jun 2018 #24
He said that he told tRump that he could have Obamacare BigmanPigman Jun 2018 #5
Sounds logical, as 'ObamaCare' was a stupid name for it from the start ... mr_lebowski Jun 2018 #31
Bill Maher said this is how far we've fallen Rhiannon12866 Jun 2018 #6
How about the rest of what he said? You know, phone banking in a church basement ... Hekate Jun 2018 #15
I think the best message that he could send right now is "Get out and vote!" Rhiannon12866 Jun 2018 #17
I do believe that is a key component of the Obama message from his beginnings to NOW. nt Hekate Jun 2018 #18
"You know, phone banking in a church basement ...... eating cold pizza? Cha Jun 2018 #25
well, when so many ameriKans are struggling to put food on the table elmac Jun 2018 #9
You can look for a leader, or you can lead, yourself. RandySF Jun 2018 #14
To be fair, i think you're making a different point ... mr_lebowski Jun 2018 #32
Why is it hard? treestar Jun 2018 #42
Maybe the message should be "Are you mad, yet?" Or "Had enough?" Tatiana Jun 2018 #10
Be how you want.. I like President Obama's Message.. Cha Jun 2018 #26
I hope w/all my might that this is just 'the beginning' ... (nt) mr_lebowski Jun 2018 #33
It's a good point that his message was tailored to CA wealthy donors. Tatiana Jun 2018 #36
The Republicans are trying to outrage fatigue us treestar Jun 2018 #41
He never misses anything DFW Jun 2018 #12
Thanks for the post, Randy Hekate Jun 2018 #16
I don't think he's being entirely fair - we have been winning LisaM Jun 2018 #19
Hmmm I see it a bit differently BannonsLiver Jun 2018 #20
I meant it wasn't fair to accuse people of moping LisaM Jun 2018 #22
Yeah, I caught your message ... mr_lebowski Jun 2018 #34
Thanks, will do. N/T LisaM Jun 2018 #43
Maybe that is what he's seen treestar Jun 2018 #40
Maybe some of the People President Obama Cha Jun 2018 #28
"They are mad even when they win," he exclaimed. "Have you noticed that?" Dopers_Greed Jun 2018 #21
Why is that? They won and they are still bitter and angry. smirkymonkey Jun 2018 #27
Some people aren't happy unless they're unhappy. John Fante Jun 2018 #29
that's because they are all about hate. that's why when people say we should be like them it doesn't JI7 Jun 2018 #30
Thank you Mr. President blue-wave Jun 2018 #23
Standard stuff; if you want a rip job on Republicans he's not your guy BeyondGeography Jun 2018 #35
GOTV dalton99a Jun 2018 #37
My brother! EffieBlack Jun 2018 #38
Pitch perfect as usual treestar Jun 2018 #39

saidsimplesimon

(7,888 posts)
3. Thank you Randy
Fri Jun 29, 2018, 11:57 PM
Jun 2018

Did the media ever spend as much time covering President Obama before, during or after his elections as they do every day on these trash talking members of the rump cartel?

"They are mad even when they win," he exclaimed. "Have you noticed that? They don't look happy at all!"
President Obama

Girard442

(6,075 posts)
4. Right now I'd trade ten Obamas for one DeNiro.
Fri Jun 29, 2018, 11:59 PM
Jun 2018

DeNiro wasn’t too discreet to mention Trump’s name.

BannonsLiver

(16,396 posts)
7. Really?
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 12:25 AM
Jun 2018

Obama put his ass on the line for 8 years. Robert De Niro is an actor. Listen to yourself. It’s utterly fucking ridiculous.

Response to BannonsLiver (Reply #7)

JI7

(89,252 posts)
11. I say Fuck Donald Trump all the time. it's not a tough thing to do. DeNiro isn't running for office
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 01:23 AM
Jun 2018

just like i'm not running for office. i'm glad he said what he did but why compare him to Obama at all ?

Obama was President for 8 years . he put up with a lot of ugly bigoted shit from the right and the so called fuck up left which called him a piece of shit.

Cha

(297,295 posts)
24. "..ten Obamas for one De Niro" That's Ridiculous.
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 02:58 AM
Jun 2018

I'm betting De Niro would tell you the same thing.

BigmanPigman

(51,608 posts)
5. He said that he told tRump that he could have Obamacare
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 12:03 AM
Jun 2018

and change the name and take credit for its success as long as he didn't destroy it.
****
During a question and answer session at a fundraiser with Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez, Obama said he didn't have "pride of authorship" over the Affordable Care Act and would have been happy if Trump kept the program but called it something different.
"I said to the incoming president, 'Just change the name and claim that you made these wonderful changes and I would be like, "You go,"'" he said to laughs. "Because I didn't have pride of authorship, I just wanted people to have health care."

https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/29/politics/rename-obamacare-obama-trump/index.html

 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
31. Sounds logical, as 'ObamaCare' was a stupid name for it from the start ...
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 05:07 AM
Jun 2018

Really should've been 'Heritage Foundation Care' or 'Federal RomneyCare' ... aside from a few minor details, the whole fucking thing was a conservative idea, hatched up as a way to combat 'HillaryCare' in 1992, which would've been way more like Medicare for All ... regurgitated back up in 2009.

Not bagging on Obama ... he did what he could. I guess. Which was ... even with a Majority in both Houses ... get a Conservative idea passed as it was better than nothing.

Then ... NO REPUBS voted for it. Even though their conservative icons ... came up with the whole fucking plan. Pricks ...

Hekate

(90,714 posts)
15. How about the rest of what he said? You know, phone banking in a church basement ...
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 01:32 AM
Jun 2018

...eating cold pizza? Telling these megadonors (and the rest of us!) that anxiety attacks from watching cable news are not enough?

I can translate more, if you want, but his words seemed pretty plain to me. He came of age as a community organizer, and he seems to be organizing that donor community, or more like, telling them to get organized.

And us -- telling us all to pull ourselves up by our socks and get the hell out of the house.

In other words: Don't mope.

Rhiannon12866

(205,467 posts)
17. I think the best message that he could send right now is "Get out and vote!"
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 01:40 AM
Jun 2018

And I was quoting Bill Maher - who is a comedian.

Cha

(297,295 posts)
25. "You know, phone banking in a church basement ...... eating cold pizza?
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 03:01 AM
Jun 2018
Telling these megadonors (and the rest of us!) that anxiety attacks from watching cable news are not enough?"

YES! Mahalo, Hekate

I'm not moping I'm Pissed!
 

elmac

(4,642 posts)
9. well, when so many ameriKans are struggling to put food on the table
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 01:11 AM
Jun 2018

or pay medical or homeless, its hard not to give up, say fuck the system that got us here. We need more leadership then "stop moping". our party needs to stop acting like a war hasn't been declared on us and our fucking lives aren't in danger.

RandySF

(58,899 posts)
14. You can look for a leader, or you can lead, yourself.
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 01:27 AM
Jun 2018

Theses people chose to lead.

A new group called Lawyer Moms of America, formed to oppose separation of immigrant families, has quickly grown to 10,000 members, thanks to social media.

The group is planning a Day of Action on June 29, even though President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday to end family separations.
Lawyer Moms says the executive order is silent on the status of more than 2,345 immigrant children who are already separated from their families, and the group is urging they be reunited. And the group is concerned about families being held indefinitely in what could amount to internment camps.

Lawyer Moms also points to an “escape clause” in the executive order allowing separation of immigrant children if remaining with families would pose a risk to their welfare. If detention facilities are substandard, housing children with parents could meet the definition of a risk to welfare. And it is unclear whether families can remain together for more than 20 days if the courts refuse to modify a settlement agreement requiring the release of children or a transfer to licensed facilities after that time period, the group says.



http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/how_lawyer_moms_of_america_quickly_gained_10000_members_to_oppose_family_se
 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
32. To be fair, i think you're making a different point ...
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 05:32 AM
Jun 2018

I think it's not unjust to consider these comments from Obama on his long-awaited return to 'politics' ... a bit sadly underwhelming, and dare I say .... a little tone-deaf in a sense?

Lets just say ... many of us were hoping for something more ... inspirational? Something a little less ... measured?

Doesn't denigrate the need for people to do more on their own, as you suggest ... but these are two separate points.

Tatiana

(14,167 posts)
10. Maybe the message should be "Are you mad, yet?" Or "Had enough?"
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 01:18 AM
Jun 2018

"Ready to do something about it? Vote Democrat."

No, we don't need to mope. Yes, we need to act. But this shit is depressing and many are still in the grieving stage. Getting mad, angry, pissed off can help people move beyond the paralyzing feeling of being helpless to change things.

Cha

(297,295 posts)
26. Be how you want.. I like President Obama's Message..
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 03:10 AM
Jun 2018

and he's just getting started. He was talking to wealthy donors.. the people with the money that is necessary to fight the unending wealth of Fascists.

Thank Goodness we have people with lots of money who do care about our country and her people.

Tatiana

(14,167 posts)
36. It's a good point that his message was tailored to CA wealthy donors.
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 09:24 AM
Jun 2018

You're right -- that's a good message for them.

I don't think it's necessarily the best message to motivate our base to get out and vote.

treestar

(82,383 posts)
41. The Republicans are trying to outrage fatigue us
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 11:52 AM
Jun 2018

as being mad does in fact motivate you to do things. We can't let them! That's why Donald of Orange pulls one outrage after another.

DFW

(54,403 posts)
12. He never misses anything
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 01:23 AM
Jun 2018

He is so right--Republicans remain angry even when they win (see Mr. Scorpio's post for a few extreme examples).

And it's good to see he still has a bit of community organizer in him. We could use some of that right around now.

LisaM

(27,813 posts)
19. I don't think he's being entirely fair - we have been winning
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 02:24 AM
Jun 2018

Last edited Sat Jun 30, 2018, 06:46 PM - Edit history (1)

lots of special elections, while he's been writing his book by hand. The difficult part is keeping the momentum going.

I know it's not his style, but I wish he'd make more zingers like the "angry even when they win" remark. He's good at it, and that's a line people can actually use.

BannonsLiver

(16,396 posts)
20. Hmmm I see it a bit differently
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 02:43 AM
Jun 2018

I think he’s made the calculation that for the good of the party new leadership needs to emerge, and that can’t happen if he’s casting his shadow over it.

And I don’t care if he’s writing his book in squid ink with a hot dog bun, it’s his right to do what he wants.

 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
34. Yeah, I caught your message ...
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 05:36 AM
Jun 2018

Also it wasn't 'they lose' it was 'they win' ... check your post above

Cha

(297,295 posts)
28. Maybe some of the People President Obama
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 03:23 AM
Jun 2018

has talked to have been down. I know he didn't make that up out of thin air.. that's not his style.

I don't think he's talking about the elections we have won like Doug Jones, Conor Lamb and Judge Rebecca Dallet in Wisconsin.. I bet he's talking about the Kids(I can imagine that's the Highest Priority on his list) that have been taken from their parents by the Fascist Fraud and Anthony Kennedy retiring so the Fraud can appoint his own SCOTUS.. hoping that will give more votes to Reds in the Midterms.

The KIDS being taken has had everyone down who cares about humanity.. The Protests tomorrow should be brilliant!

Dopers_Greed

(2,640 posts)
21. "They are mad even when they win," he exclaimed. "Have you noticed that?"
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 02:44 AM
Jun 2018

+1000000000

Since the election, my Trump-humping acquaintances have DOUBLED down, and have become even more militant.

I think they know things aren't going well for the Repukes. But aren't willing to admit it yet.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
27. Why is that? They won and they are still bitter and angry.
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 03:20 AM
Jun 2018

What more do they want? I just think these people are eternally miserable and won't be happy until all their enemies are dead or imprisoned. They are a sadistic, hateful group of people.

JI7

(89,252 posts)
30. that's because they are all about hate. that's why when people say we should be like them it doesn't
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 04:06 AM
Jun 2018

work because most of us do not vote for the same reasons they do.

blue-wave

(4,356 posts)
23. Thank you Mr. President
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 02:51 AM
Jun 2018

Your words need to be said over and over at the moment. Too much despair out there from what I see. It is time to lift ourselves up and fight like we have never fought for each and every vote. There is no alternative.

BeyondGeography

(39,374 posts)
35. Standard stuff; if you want a rip job on Republicans he's not your guy
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 07:08 AM
Jun 2018

Never will be.

Personally, I think he needs to update the schtick. Democrats ARE motivated. They have blown away turnout numbers in many primaries, won special election after special election. Stop moping? We don’t need to be scolded. Keep it going and fuck the Republicans before they bury your future is more like it, fierce-urgency-of-now guy.

treestar

(82,383 posts)
39. Pitch perfect as usual
Sat Jun 30, 2018, 11:49 AM
Jun 2018

Now that he is not in office, he says what he really means! We can't sit around any more! The next two elections are critical!

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