Can Obama salvage the rest of this failed second term

[jberryhill]

I was very pleased with the election last week, but after reading DU, I think we can safely conclude that the second term has been an abject failure.

The question remains whether, in the few remaining days of this second term, is there anything that can be salvaged, or have we hit the point of no return?

The second term was a heady several hours of optimism and hopes, which have now been dashed - kicked to the curb under the bus to slurp the final remains of vomit there.

I guess the only thing left to do is for him to order the invasion of Iran. Not once in the last five minutes has he clearly denied his obvious intention to do so.

[still_one]

1. You are sarcastic, right?

[jberryhill]

2. Hard to tell on DU, isn't it?

[satxdem]

7. yes.

People go completely manic, on the ledge, because Obama may or may not reform things. Nevermind the fact that we reformed medicare in the ACA without cutting benefits, actually improving on benefits, and expanded medicaid. That was all part of his secret plan to cut SS, medicare, and medicaid in his second term. Nice post by the way. Lol.

[jberryhill]

9. But wait until we find out who is praying at the second inaugural

The fun has only just started.

[JoeyT]

14. Actually that was kind of a big deal.

I'll admit people were a bit over the top with criticism in the first term, but that's one of the ones I don't think was. A guy that supports the death penalty for LGBT people isn't a good choice when so many of them worked so hard on your campaign. There are a whole bunch of Christian Democrats that would've positively jumped at the chance.

There's signal and there's noise in the criticism. Pretty much everyone can admit that. Kneejerk defense isn't any better than kneejerk attacks, is what I'm getting at.

[Cha]

18. I hope to hell that it's a

Wicken!

[defacto7]

25. I hope it's an atheist

[Ikonoklast]

76. I never knew croquet enthusiasts had their own religion.

Perhaps you meant "Wiccan"?

[JanetLovesObama]

78. Your kitty babies are

adorable. I have 7 myself. Kitties are so much sweeter than people.

[Ikonoklast]

81. I raised those two by hand, they were ferals abandoned by their mother.

Missy and her brother Mu, the Tux. I bottle fed them from one week and two weeks old.


Missy helping me post on DU.




As soon as I get home, Missy and Mu both dig out their rattley mouse toys, and drop them in my lap to throw. They fetch them, bring them back, drop them in my lap, jump down and wiggle their butts waiting for me to throw them again.

We have their Mom inside now, along with two older brothers from two other litters Momma Cat had under our deck.

We are the crazy cat people in the neighborhood.

[Cha]

95. Sure and I did! I should know

how to spell what I'm promoting at the Inauguration

[Ikonoklast]

102. Oh, you're one of *those* people.

Around here, we call them "Malletheads".

[Zorra]

84. Good one! Those "silly gays"! Rumor has it that Pastor Phelps of the Westboro Baptist

Church will get the honor this time.


Wouldn't that just be be totally awesome? Maybe that would get us some of the hard core RW bigot evangelical/KKK vote next election! Fuck those silly LGBT folks/LGBT allies if they get insulted over something so trivial, right?
Bitter

[msanthrope]

104. Welcome to DU!!! Stick around!! nt

[kentuck]

116. Excellent!

Very clever!

[Dems50State]

3. Obama is still in the first term

Technically he hasn't been sworn in yet for a second Term.

[jberryhill]

4. Well there you go - over before it even started

There's still time for us to demand he tell the Electors that he's changed his mind, and simply concede to Romney.

[ReRe]

43. Now that reply made me chuckle

K&R "Over before it even started"

[CakeGrrl]

5. It's like

this bizarre mirror image of RW spin: 'OK, he didn't actually do it in his first term - now he'll REALLY do the damage!"

[jberryhill]

6. Yeah that was the plan...

Obama ran the first time, absolutely determined to screw working people, the elderly, and the disadvantaged.

But instead he figured, "I'll see if I can get re-elected, and then just go wild!"

He'll probably re-instate DADT just for kicks. I haven't heard him say he won't.

[satxdem]

11. he may

Even start defending DOMA in court and start his secret plan to end the voter's rights act. . Since we have people on here who say Obama is a actually a Republican in democrat clothing, somebody even said Obama was to the right of Nixon today.

[Chunk]

24. haven't heard him say he won't

Well there you go!!!!

[Sekhmets Daughter]

79. Thanks for starting an hilarious thread!

[NYC Liberal]

31. I remember when people here INSISTED that DADT would not be repealed.

Then when it was, they insisted Obama wouldn't actually sign it.

Then when he signed it, they insisted it wouldn't actually be certified.

Then when it was certified, there was no acknowledgement. Just silence as we found something new to be outraged about.

It's like proving a negative. As long as he never cuts SS, people can continue to insist he's about to do it. Really and truly. Any day now. Just you wait. It's coming. Pinky swear! And when January 20, 2017 arrives and he hasn't done it, those people will take credit and claim he really did WANT to do it, but his hand was forced.

[Scootaloo]

48. I remember lots of stuff...

Remember how he was absolutely certainly going to sign SOPA into law?
Remember how he was absolutely certainly going to take us to war in Libya? Iran? Syria?
Remember how he was absolutely certainly going to omit contraception from the ACA?
Remember how he was absolutely certainly going to cut Social Security and Medicare... in 2010?
Remember how he was absolutely certainly going to lose the election because of the "enthusiasm gap?"
Remember how he was absolutely certainly going to approve the Keystone Pipeline?
Remember how he was absolutely certainly going to defend DOMA?


Ahhh... memories.

[SidDithers]

65. This is spot on accurate, my friend...

Obama is absolutely going to do all this bad stuff, and when he doesn't, it's only because all the complaining kept him from doing it.



Sid

[msanthrope]

105. Not just the complaining, Sid! The complaining HERE. I am sure the White House reads

us daily! So they KNOW how disgruntled we are!

[TheMadMonk]

109. Good odds we have a real Agent Smith or two kicking around...

...the place. Doubtful though that we're any where near as influential as we think we might be.

That said, we're our own little Facebook like gift to the TLA(gencies), and we're a fair distilation of the moderate left, so to that extent I'm sure we have influence.

[cui bono]

38. No, it's more like, we saw how he "negotiated" in his first term, he better not do that again.

Thankfully he seems to have changed his tune so far. Hope he means what he says and keeps it up. And he better pull back SS and Medicare and take them back off the table.

[stevenleser]

74. He better not do it again or what? You won't vote for him next time? nt

[obamanut2012]

82. lol

[cui bono]

87. That's exactly the problem. That's why the Dem party keeps moving right. Because they can.

I always have to vote for the lesser of two candidates. Would be nice if we could ever get a true progressive running as a Dem for POTUS in my lifetime.

[Tarheel_Dem]

89. He's plenty "progressive" enough for most of us. Which is why he cleaned Romney's clock.

[cui bono]

91. He's center. Look at who he appointed in his first term.

There's so much he never did, so many Bushco policies he continued and even expanded. He's done some progressive things that are high profile, DADT, came out in favor of marriage equality, etc... but there's so much that is business as usual and very corporate and bankster friendly and war mongery that one can hardly call him a progressive. Progressive enough for you perhaps, but not a progressive.

This slide show on HuffPo shows a lot of things that are prime examples of how he is not a progressive.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/14/obama-tax-cuts_n_2131256.html#slide=1467992

[Tarheel_Dem]

93. And yet we "RE"elected him by huge margins. Get over yourself. There were alternatives for you &

the "lesser of two evils" crowd. They sucked. Their parties sucked. And they were rewarded accordingly. Perhaps some self reflection is in order. Maybe it's not the party. Maybe it's you?

[cui bono]

97. I really shouldn't respond since I can see you are not replying in good faith...

however....

You really think there was an alternative? Who? Who could have won? PBO was relected by a huge margin because he was the best of TWO candidates. Did you really want progressives to vote for the most progressive candidate? Why? So you could complain when PBO didn't get elected due to too many people voting third party? We both know that's not an option at this point and with our system.

I don't need any self reflection that you are prescribing. And if you really think the Dem party is progressive and just fine as a centrist party then that's all the more reason for me to raise my voice. I want the Dem party to actually fight for the things that are in their platform.

So you are really fine with all the things brought up in that slide show? Really??? Honestly???

[Tarheel_Dem]

101. I'm sorry, but what's in the platform that we're not "fighting for" (God I hate that term)?

And before you start spouting talking points, or some wishlist you downloaded from wsws.com, please stick to what's actually in "the platform".

[Tarheel_Dem]

88. If he does, I won't vote for him again, either.

[flamingdem]

8. I want to see him kick McCain's ass

in his second term, oh that would be so great. He started today.

[SidDithers]

10. Brilliant...

Very well done JB.

Sid

[jberryhill]

15. No sir, I slurp

The "can't buy it in NYC" size.

[Tx4obama]

13. This morning on one of the cable stations on the bottom of the screen the scroll said ...

something like: President Obama at xx:xx pm to give the first press conference of his second term

I guess some folks do not know that he is still in his first term until January 20, 2013.

I wonder how many uninformed republicans are going to go nuts when they realize that there will be an inauguration in January and also a parade and several inauguration balls - LOL

I can imagine hearing them already hollering about Pres Obama having fun and costing the taxpayers money!

[jberryhill]

16. I wonder how many DUers will go nuts...

...when there is a prayer given at the inaugural. And likely by someone who believes in a religion of some kind or other.

[Scootaloo]

49. A SLAP IN THE FACE!

Seriously though, inaugural prayers make me wish for real-life TiVo abilities.

I keep hoping for a fellow atheist to take office and be all like "spare me"

Someday, lack of belief in Sky-Demons will become an acceptable position for an American politician. *wistful sigh*

[Cha]

19. Oooops!

[jberryhill]

22. Does the idea of massive inaugural balls disturb you?

TX is right.

Obama will probably have the largest inaugural balls of all time.

And people will beg him to suspend his huge inaugural balls.

[Cha]

23. We have something big to look forward to, lol!

I still remember the last Inaugural Ball on DU when this certain poster(who is no longer here) went absolutely Bonkers because of the Cost of the Inaugural.

That might have been my first taste of pure unadulterated Poutage at the President from those on DU not happy with him being elected.

[ReRe]

46. Oh God!

I just love it when I fall into these pockets of hilarity here on DU. ..."will beg him to suspend his huge inaugural balls."

[Skraxx]

64. I Like Big Balls, Dirty Big Balls

O's got the biggest balls of them all. His balls are always bouncing, his balls are always full...

[rzemanfl]

77. Be careful or your tongue will poke a hole in your cheek.

[theKed]

112. teehee...balls.

[Iggo]

29. Oh yeah, huh!

[Renew Deal]

33. And most folks don't know Obama is in his first term until 1/21/13

Yup, Obama has an extra day in his first term.

[treestar]

60. The ignorance is amazing, isn't it?

I have read comments on the internetz that R$, when they hoped he would win, would be President on Nov. 7. Now that's the Stupid talking.

[theKed]

113. I would have been terribly amused

with Mittens and Queen Ann showing up to the White House November 7th with their suitcases.

"What do you mean he's got till the 20th of January to move out? Evict him!"

[tblue]

17. What the hell

is this op about? Not cussing at you, and I realize you're being sarcastic, but . Are you looking for an argument? If so, why would you?

[jberryhill]

20. Am I looking for an argument?

Why, no. If I was looking for an argument, I'd simply say something outrageous like "I trust Obama to make good decisions and to work hard to advance the interests of ordinary Americans."

But that kind of thing would merely be inflammatory.

[cui bono]

36. There's been several of these types of posts and it's so childish imo.

Apparently if anyone expresses any concern about the future and what Obama may or may not do they are not supposed to do that or those who insist on making this an us vs. them message board will post something like this. Then all the others with the same mentality come along and rec it and cheer it on.

You'd think there was no reason for anyone to be nervous about any future negotiations that will occur between PBO and the Rs.

Geez. So juvenile

[ProfessorGAC]

54. Seems Like The Pot Calling The Kettle Black

Just saying.

[treestar]

61. With that, you've committed to being nervous about the future

For all time. So you don't know what it is to hope? What would it take? Probably a government you'll never see in your lifetime.

[cui bono]

70. I've not committed to being nervous, I've committed to fight for progressive policy.

That involves critical thinking, which involves seeing various possible outcomes to situations.

I believe we need to push PBO to go more progressive since there are so many areas where he did not, and that involves criticizing him and letting him know what we want, be it in letters to him or protests or opening up discussion with other like minded people. So if people want to bring up their concerns I think that's fine. If one feels the need to reply to those concerns the best place is probably in those threads, not by posting new threads ridiculing others.

I've seen in the past few days several posts that take me back to the days where it was the Obama supporters who couldn't stand to hear any criticism of PBO against those who felt the need for criticism. It was a bad scene with one group being called Obamabots and the other being called whiny children who want a pony. That is not good for our movement nor for any discourse that acutally addresses issues. This post and a lot of the replies in it do just that.

[treestar]

72. I believe we have to push Congress to be more progressive not PBO

Congress is the bigger problem. Who are your Senators and who is your representative? How are their votes on things? A President can only sign into law what Congress passes.

[leveymg]

80. Wars aren't declared by Congress, not since 1941, or haven't you noticed?

[treestar]

86. That's a different issue

And a serious problem. But Congress passed the WPA to help deal with it. It's not 1783 any more when it comes to military issues.

That doesn't mean other issues are handed over to the Executive Branch whole.

[msanthrope]

106. I hate to tell you this, but the war we know as Afghanistan was declared by Congress on 9/18/01,

pursuant to the War Powers Act. The War we know as Iraq, was declared by the same body in 2002.

It was in all the papers.

[leveymg]

114. AfUoF was not a Declaration of War.

It was more of a curse word.

[cui bono]

90. I'm from CA, Los Angeles area.

So I'm kind of set, but I do let Feinstein's aides get a piece of my mind from time to time. I just got a new representative - really going to miss Becerra - due to redistricting so I'll have to watch how he votes and check his past record. Definitely have to keep them pushing things along. I also contact those who don't represent me with praise or to express my feelings from time to time.

However, I think Obama can use the bully pulpit now, which he hasn't really done much in the past. That press conference he just had was good. He's speaking a lot more forcefully and I like it! Hope he keeps it up and follows through. POTUS sets the tone and I'm hopeful that he doesn't back down and keeps up the good fight.

[Tarheel_Dem]

92. You could "commit" to a Civics lesson, which would help you understand how a bill becomes law.

[cui bono]

96. As if the POTUS doesn't set the tone or have anything to do with it.

Or are you saying the PBO didn't have anything to do with ACA?

Or should I say something like "you could wake up and see how the real world works" to fit your way of communicating?

[Tarheel_Dem]

100. A small segment of the electorate shouldn't be able to set the agenda. That's exactly what's wrong

with today's Republican party. They've given over control to their extreme base, and they're imploding. I don't want that fate for the Democratic Party. You're free to voice your opinions, as loudly as you want, but this center left president has now been elected TWICE, even with all the noise from the extreme elements of both parties.

You guys had an opportunity to show up, in unprecedented numbers, to push Jill Stein to some sort of victory, but you didn't. Wonder why? You must realize that you're in the minority of the Democratic party, and you don't get to make the rules. It's as simple as that. You can wish all you want for some Uber Progressive to emerge, and win a primary, but you have to get by the rest of us, and good luck with that.

[cui bono]

103. Wow. Talk about divisive! Your us vs. them within the Dem party mentality

has no appeal to me so I will cease attempting to have any kind of discourse with you. You are clearly too closed minded and combative to reach any kind of common ground with (not to mention the fact that you don't seem to get how things work in the real world) so I bid you goodbye.

[Tarheel_Dem]

110. I absolutely know how things "work in the real world", which is why we'll never have to say....

President Jill Stein, Green Party. I think it's you who has a totally warped perception of reality. In the "real world" we elected a center left President to represent not only the Democratic Party, but the country as a whole. He is beloved by his party, and he's beloved abroad because he isn't an ideologue. The country has been offered your alternative reality, and we have soundly rejected it as evidenced by the elections of 2000, 2004, 2008 & again in 2012! So no, I have no delusions. How long before you join the rest of us in "the real world"?

Anyone who isn't dishonest, knows that this president ran as a center left moderate, and you trying to revise history is just well...dishonest. This party isn't going to deliver your idea of "progressive" to the national stage. Bill Clinton set the tone for this party in the 90's, and it has served us quite well, truth be told.

[treestar]

118. The FF did not mean for the POTUS to set a tone or anything

They meant for him not to have monarchical powers. Your Senators and congress are just as responsible for that tone as anyone else. The Bully Pulpit is not a substitute for dictatorial powers.

Just because the President is one man and easier to point out does not mean he runs everything and he is not supposed to.

We would have had a public option but for the Senate. Why don't you tell the people of Maine and CT that they didn't pressure their Senators enough?

The obsession with the presidency as capable of bringing about everything is almost sad. It is a betrayal of the Founder's gift to us.

[Baitball Blogger]

21. I never have met a president who has managed to rise from the ashes,

time and time again. Each time they kick him down, he keeps coming back stronger and stronger.

It is very obvious that they're trying to repeat the success they had with Clinton in 1998. Knock him down far enough and he'll came up with "triangulation." We were the idiots who were taken with that one.

[defacto7]

26. Oh.. I get it...

It's backwards day!

[outsideworld]

27. lol k&r

[Iggo]

28. Yep. Nine days and it's all over!

[InsultComicDog]

30. asdf

[Jamaal510]

32. We need to get Bush 2 back in the White House for a 3rd term.

[cui bono]

34. ANOTHER divisive post???

What is wrong with this place? So no one is allowed to express opinions anymore without these childish posts popping up and pitting those who adore Obama against those who dare criticize him or question what he may or may not do? We're supposed to be on the SAME side, fighting for progressive policy.

Grow up already.

[intaglio]

39. Errr, I take it you are ok with divisive

Given the broad brush slurs you have just indulged in.

[cui bono]

40. I saw it happen here after he got elected the first time.

This post is reminiscent of it as were a few others I've seen in the last few days. That's just a fact. If you were here at that time then you know what I mean. It's not broad brushing to state that there are those who think Obama is fantastic and have no issue with him and those who feel let down and criticize him for what they feel are his shortcomings or mistakes. That's a fact. What doesn't have to happen is for people to make these sorts of posts that are simply out to ridicule another set of DUers who don't share their opinion. Instead we should keep our eye on the prize and discuss policy and tactics and allow everyone to share their opinion without this sort of divisive ridicule.

[jberryhill]

68. Some people are still sort of happy about the election

One man's "divisive ridicule" is another man's insightful commentary.

I'm sorry you have been forced to read this thread like the guy in Clockwork Orange, but I will continue to express my opinions as I see fit.

[cui bono]

71. You should express your opinions.

You should also think about the consequences of how you choose to do so. If you think you are going bring anyone to your way of thinking with these sorts of threads, well, then you need to mature a bit.

I too am still extremely happy and relieved that PBO won. That doesn't stop me from seeing things as they are and knowing that electing him doesn't solve our problems. If anything it's the perfect time to let him know what we expect from him that we didn't get in the first term and what we won't accept from him.

[jberryhill]

57. Here, just use this..

[Summer Hathaway]

35. You're good

Damned good!

[argiel1234]

37. If President Obama agrees with repukes

to cut SS or Medicare/aid or food stamps

then yes, it will be a failure

unless you think giving in to repukes is a win

[ohheckyeah]

41. He has a full term to enact

Agenda 21. LOL

[quinnox]

42. if he starts out his second term cutting social security or

Medicare, etc. Then you bet, it will be an Epic Fail. Except, of course, to a certain devoted group who will applaud anything he does.

[Scootaloo]

51. Here we go with the "cheerleader" shit. Again.

Fuck it, you know what? I'll dress in a skirt and pom-poms for the guy. I guarantee nobody will be happy with the result, but you know, if you insist...

The "Dance of the Hours" segment of "Fantasia" comes to mind.

[jberryhill]

69. And ESPECIALLY if he bites the head off of a puppy on live TV

At that point, I may question my support of the president.

Some folks like to savor the moment a little longer than others. Let the candles on the cake burn a little longer before blowing them out - that sort of thing.

[msanthrope]

108. So says the poster who wants Susan Rice to resign. Gird your loins, my friend, it's going to be

a bumpy ride.

[satxdem]

117. and

Not only wants Susan Rice to resign but wants Jon Huntsman appointed SOS.

[Mothdust]

44. he's going to fly to seattle

To smoke weed, then grow out his fro, and marry a man - yeah! To prove it's a free country at last : )

[mykpart]

45. When I read your subject line,

I was sure you were quoting someone at Fox News!

[JNelson6563]

47. Love the OP & the fall-out!

Great stuff! I love how posts like this inspire the whiners and fatalists to out themselves.



Julie--who loves those who hate these threads kicking them repeatedly to voice their outrage~~lolz

[union_maid]

50. I think I love you

That is all.

[DetlefK]

52. Not kidding: 1 or 2 weeks after Obama's inauguration, Fox News said the same.

That memory is stuck in my mind:
A female, blond news-anchor of Fox News, then the camera cuts to footage of Obama leaving a plane (or maybe a house?) and the anchor's voice comes from the off:
"This presidency is over."

And that was less than a month after his inauguration.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

53. I can't believe he signed legislation gutting Social Security...

And he signed it with his feet because he was too busy ordering drone strikes on "innocent Americans" in the hills of Azabekilonistan with his other two hands.

Multitasker-in-chief.

[Hissyspit]

55. Wow.

Drone strikes killing innocents is funny to you?

[Fix The Stupid]

66. Hey, it's just poor brown kids.

Why get upset?

This is something to laugh about you know?

Isn't that the republican view? They're just poor brown people, who cares?

Joking about drone strikes...gawd bless the USA

[seabeyond]

56. you have got his second term a fail, before he has even gotten to 2nd term? are you on the right

board?

[wishlist]

58. In January '08 he already failed according to right wingers

Your post isn't very funny because it is sadly true of the Repub tactics of immediately attacking, obstructing and describing him as a failure when it was their own shortsighted dishonest campaign against him that was the failure.

[Puzzledtraveller]

59. But wait, if he caves on tax increases this place will be livid for his entire 2nd term

That's the reality.

[pampango]

62. It's been all downhill since about 11:15 PM November 6. Everyone here was happy then.

[gollygee]

63. ROFL

I don't know. It's late in the game. Maybe if he hires Paul Ryan as an advisor he'll be able to salvage things a bit?

[grantcart]

67. Well the real question is "Can a man with the middle name of Hussein even get the nomination".

It is doubtful but if he does he won't get elected.

[Dr Fate]

73. You have to wait at least 3 years b/f you can honestly disagree with a newly elected politician.

Especially one who has already been in office for 4 years.

Obama proved all the center-bashing malcontents wrong last time, and if we just keep quiet and let them do whatever it is that they want to do- things will be just as great this time too.

Obama did say we would have to "make him do it" (or not do it), but he meant for us to wait a long time ( 3 and 1/2 years PER TERM) first.

Better yet, best just to wait until he is done.

I agree- stop disagreeing with Obama on any given issue and let him do what his advisors say he needs to do- it's not like Romney will ever have the chance to beat him again.

[Skidmore]

75. The second term hasn't even started yet.

No government has been seated. I don't know whether you are serious or not but I've little tolerance for this type of crap right now.

[jberryhill]

85. A close read should help you determine the level of seriousness

This is DU! Why wait for the January rush to start complaining about things he hasn't done yet!

[WinkyDink]

83. Save it for January. ;-)

[Liberal_in_LA]

111. +1000

[backscatter712]

94. I don't know - he only has four years left... N/t

[Politicub]

98. Lolololol great satire!

[DCBob]

99. In fact he hasnt even started his second term and yet it already appears hopeless..

[Bucky]

107. Um, don't you think he's smart enough to delay the Iran invasion until October 2016?

Any more snark, buddy, and it's off to the FEMA camps with you.

[Chiquitita]

115. Wow.

If only we could go back to the very beginning of President Obama's second term!