Why I voted for Obama....grand bargain or not

[Honeycombe8]

There have been posts stating that they didn't vote for Obama for him to compromise or strike a Grand Bargain, or for him to do one thing or another, or for him to fail to do one thing or another.

We all have similar goals, needs, and wants, I think. But as for me, I didn't vote for Obama for any one particular thing for him to do. What I voted for was his judgment. I have watched him for four years. Been so angry I swore I wouldn't vote for re-election. But I got over that.

Through it all, I really do think he's done an excellent job, considering what he faced from Day One. I think the ACA was remarkable, though it's missing a lot. When I was unemployed for the first time in 35 years this years, I could afford COBRA, but it was a wake-up call as to what the ACA would mean to the average person who wasn't fortunate enough to have employer-provided health care.

Through it all, I really do think he has exercised excellent jugment (although there was a learning curve). Faced with TOTAL obstructionism, he's done an excellent job. A little too ready to compromise, but I wasn't in his shoes.

So I voted for his continuing judgment. I trust him to protect Social Security and Medicare, to the extent possible. To protect the middle class. To try his best to pass tax reform that is fairer to all of us.

This may mean taxes will go up in January. But when someone takes a hostage, if you pay them off, it only encourages more hostage taking. A stand has to be taken. It looks to me like I'm seeing a more resolved, firmer, and wiser Obama than ever before.

No worries from me regarding Obama. Now Congress is a different matter.

[BlueCaliDem]

1. I'm right there with you, Honeycombe8.

I'm not a single issue voter. I trust his judgment, and so does the majority of America who came out to vote for him. I wish we could've taken back the House, but the gerrymandered districts and LOTS of "provisional ballots" is making that almost impossible, but I hope we can do that in 2014 anyway, as more Latino_Americans are of voting age.

Anyhoo, I'm there with you 100%.

[teddy51]

2. You know what? I totally agree with your post! Thought I had some serious issues with

him not taking on George W and his criminal Administration, but have understood what the Pres. is facing.

[woo me with science]

3. Yeah, whatever happens won't be Obama's fault! That's one thing we can be sure of!

Last edited Thu Nov 15, 2012, 12:32 AM - Edit history (1)

We do expect that Congress may be a problem, though!: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021809132

I know he will protect people's SS and Medicare, "to the extent possible." Whatever that means.

Cat food is nutritious anyway! And working until you're nearly 70 keeps the muscles active and healthy!

It's all good either way!

[Honeycombe8]

4. I can't think of anyone else who was electable who would do better.

He's learned from the past. He's learned wht the Repubs are all about.

"To the extent possible" means that it takes a village. He's not a knight in shining armor. He's the President, and he needs Congress to pass bills (except those things he can do by Exec. Order).

This is the frame of mind I'm in now. Now, how I'll feel several months from now....we'll see.

But I voted for judgment. He's on the right side. I truly believe he'll do his best to protect the middle class in the face of almost half the country working against him. "In his shoes."

[argiel1234]

8. "To the extent possible" means that it takes a village

I have to hand it to you

an expert at linguistic projection




NO ONE IS BUYING THE BULLSHIT ANYMORE

[Honeycombe8]

13. Newbie, what are you upset about? What has Obama done in the week since the election

that makes you so angry.

You DID vote for him, right?

You WERE here on election night, being very excited as he won state after state after state....right?

So you WANTED him to be elected....right? (or do I hear crickets, Newbie?)

[argiel1234]

17. stop apologizing for republicans

you are humiliating yourself

also calling out new members is a TOS violation

[Honeycombe8]

18. I repeat the question: Who did you vote for, Mr. Newbie? Let's see it in print.

Let's see how happy and excited you are that Obama won.

[argiel1234]

23. I voted for Obama

Im sorry I didnt clap hard and loud enough for you

Now lets see if our safety net is cut to pieces

Oh and millions of us will NOT stand by and wait to see. Homeless veterans and people in poverty will NOT wait

[Honeycombe8]

19. I have done a search on your (few) posts, all recent.Most have been about food. NONE happy Obama won

or being excited election night, or happy election night...or on election night at all. No post about anything good at all about Obama.

This is very interesting.

This forum supports Democratic Party candidates and the Democratic President. Criticism is of course allowed. But not to support Dems at all?

Let's hear you proclaim to the heavens how HAPPY and EXCITED and THRILLED you are that Obama won. Like everyone else was here on election night. Let's hear that. You sure didn't post about that on election night. But now you've got your chance.

[argiel1234]

22. awwww so sorry

you support ideas that undermine the Democratic party and the Democratic President

I support Medicare and Medicaid. I also support Social Security and the Food Stamp Program


What in the fuck do you support?


You will NOT intimidate nor bully me.

You might try ignore as your arguments are bankrupt

[argiel1234]

9. stop apologizing

President Obama is weakened by your apologizing to cater to Republicans.

Everyone sees through the bullshit

[Honeycombe8]

14. Stop attacking me. I suggest looking inward at why you are so hostile toward Obama and his

supporters. This IS a Democratic forum. We are ALL (except you, I guess) supporters of Obama.

You are an Obama supporter, right?

[rainlillie]

12. Honeycombe8, I totally agree. Logic is a beautiful thing.

[union_maid]

5. Thank you for this

I totally agree. I think it's really not that hard to see where he's coming from. Where he has to wind up is not always going to be exactly where we'd like best, but I do trust that he gets the best deal possible for us.

[rainlillie]

6. Good post. Nice to read something positive

I'm so sick of all of the what if's and maybe he'll.. So far I like what I'm hearing form the President.

[argiel1234]

7. well this seems pragmatic

Trusting is always the best course of action.

Also if anybody complains we just need to look forward

Americans who are hungry or homeless tonight need to be pragmatic about their situation.

Same goes for the unemployed.

They need to count their blessings and pray harder

[xchrom]

10. +1

[rainlillie]

11. I doubt anyone here thinks the worlds problems were solved because the President has been reelected

No one knows what type of deal is going to be reached on the debt etc. From some of the talk around here you'd think he slashed SS, Medicare and Medicaid Damn! The election was only a week ago. Let's see what happens before we complain. There's been more speculation than an episode of Fox news.

[Honeycombe8]

16. Exactly. He's not a wizard with a magic wand. So far, I'm seeing a firmer Obama.

He has pledged not to accept cont'd tax cuts on the wealthy. I'm prepared to be hit with higher taxes come January. I'm afraid it might come to that. It will be painful. Boy, will it be painful. But if he/we don't take a stand, it will simply encourage more hostage taking.

Then they'll get thru Congress (I hope) tax cuts on the middle class. That seems to be the plan.

[Honeycombe8]

15. I was unemployed this year. And your point is...???? You ARE glad Obama won? Are you?

Let's see you put that in writing.

I'm getting suspicious of your repeated attacks on Obama supporters, Newbie. Are you here to try to start trouble?

[cthulu2016]

20. As the author of the most popular "I didn't vote for" OPs...

We all voted for Obama because it was better than not voting for Obama.

That's a given.

And he is more trustworthy than the alternative. Also a given.

But to say that one voted for him for the purpose of delegating one's own values makes little sense.

I often assume that what Obama is doing is right when I have no reason to think otherwise. And I give him the benefit of the doubt in a lot of close calls. (Particularly in foreign affairs)

But I don't trust Obama in preference to my own values, or what I know. I don't have a child/parent relationship with him.

Since we only have two parties I think people ought to say what they did vote for.

That doesn't mean Obama will listen... no more than ones' candidate is guaranteed to win. But voting is not the end of the citizen's involvement with the political life of the nation.

And, of course, a 'grand bargain' would not make we wish I had voted for someone else.

Obama was the best available choice and it is hard to imagine anything he could do that anyone would need to reconsider that calculation.

[Egalitarian Thug]

21. And here I thought it was that, despite the fact that you are wrong on, well, just about everything,

that you had at least a tenuous grip on sanity.