I Know Some of You Don't Like President Obama, and Ima Let You Finish, but

[MineralMan]

there's this election on November 4, and it's the best election this year.

GOTV 2014 and Beyond!

[Thinkingabout]

1. I appreciate your post. It is about much more than the Obama

Administration, it is the future years also. In 2020 another census will be taken, it may be a time to undo the GOP gerrymandering, to redraw the line so as not to favor the Republicans. Furthermore the elections in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020 will be important to have a Democrat president to appoint Supreme Court nominees and we need a majority in the Senate to get them confirmed. We have a greater number of Democrats and Democrat like thinkers so we should be winning elections. The GOP cries voter fraud because they are not winning, they need to loose.

[MineralMan]

2. Thanks. We really need to be looking to the future

and showing up for every election. Beyond that, we need to be bringing others to the polls with us. Unless we get serious about off-year and mid-term elections, we're not going to gain ground.

In 2017, we'll have a different President. Congress and state legislators are elected in the interim, and they're much more important in the aggregate than any individual President. They shape the nation by passing the laws that govern us. Presidents can only attempt to lead, and without support from Congress, they can only do so much.

[kelliekat44]

3. Of course, it's about more than President Obama. But you wouldn't know that from the

ads and the rest of the media.

[calimary]

29. THIS. ^^^^

Where DEBBIE and company dropped the ball in 2010. The "zero years" are the ALL IMPORTANT ONES - to make DAMN SURE that there are Democrats in as many governor's and secretaries of state jobs as possible. When you have the bad guys in there, you have THEM controlling the "voting mechanisms" as chris christie would say. Look what happened in Florida in 2000. republi-CON governor and republi-CON secretary of state. And look what happened! The "zero years" are when the national census is taken. That then leads directly to reapportionment - when they redraw Congressional districts according to the changes and adjustments in population. Which is where the gerrymandering happens. The gerrymandering - that allows too many Congressional districts to be drawn with enough twists and turns and dangling participles to look like a sample of the Ebola virus - and become "safe" districts for the GOP. That is voter nullification if ever I saw it. Making sure to defy and undo the will of the majority. A million more Democratic votes were cast. Wouldn't one be tempted to think that would be accurately reflected in the makeup of Congress? Well, it ISN'T. Gerrymandering is the problem. And whatever is implemented in any of those "zero years" applies to all election cycles for the rest of that DECADE.

And when our dear darling DEBBIE replaced Howard Dean as DNC Chair, she went back to the Beltway "wisdom" and summarily discarded Dr. Dean's "50-State Strategy" - and look what it got us? The results of 2010, that's what! The Year of the Teabagger, that's what.

GREAT job, DEBBIE. Yeah, YOU sure knew "better," didn't you?!

[Scootaloo]

4. Wan't aware Obama was on a 2014 ballot

Might want to contact your local election officials if that's the case.

[MineralMan]

5. He's not, which is at the core of my point.

See, there's this thing happening in 10 days that should pretty much be a high priority for all of us on DU. Obama will still be President after it's over. We can talk even more about him then.

[Scootaloo]

7. But it makes your point a straw man

Opinions of Obama have no bearing on 2014. Rather, it's opinions of the people who are actually on the ballot. You're concocting a false reality where people are disappointed with their Democratic reps because they "hate Obama" or something. Obama is not relevant. Your point is therefore utterly meaningless, and is just an attempt to mis-characterize people who have opinions you dislike as being irrational and hateful.

[Rex]

11. But but but...look at all the anti-Obama threads on page 1 of GD!

Er...okay not a single one, but still...something something!

[Autumn]

12. Voting is good. Yes, good.

I'm not going to the polls to vote because Obamas not on the ballot this year.




Kidding!!! I mailed mine out Thursday because here we vote by mail.

[Rex]

19. LOL!

I'm counting down the days until I can vote for Wendy Davis!

[emulatorloo]

37. Not sure what to make of DU'ers who trash GOTV threads

But whatever you like doing

[MineralMan]

44. Funny. It was a light-hearted GOTV post.

Your response is interesting. Truly.

[Thinkingabout]

9. This is an election of senate members, the votes are needed by Obama

To get accomplishments he desires, no his name isn't on the ballot but his potential team members are on the ballot.

[Scootaloo]

10. Then you should be more concerned with so many of them trying to distance themselves from the guy

Than with our disappointment in their stances and performances.

But hey. party loyalty over principle. if David Duke went back to the Democratic party I'm sure DU would be full of admonishments to "hold your nose and vote for him". hell, the way DU is these days maybe especially if Duke flipped parties again.

[Thinkingabout]

13. No, not concerned in the least.

[emulatorloo]

56. Yeah we can't wait to vote for David Duke. Biggest crock of bullshit I've read on DU

And I've read lots of bullshit here.

Turn down the hypotheticals hyperbole machine dude.

[Doctor_J]

17. He was unable to get things accomplished with 60 senators in 09-10

And regardless of what happens this year, next year's profile won't be that good. So it's good that you're thinking nice thoughts, but no Democratic initiatives will be accomplished anyway

[scarletwoman]

26. In the interest of accuracy, let's be clear that there were only two short periods in 2009-2010

in which Democrats, and the 2 Independents who caucused with them, held 60 seats:

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/did-the-democrats-ever-really-have-60-votes-in-the-senate-and-for-how-long/

Did The Democrats Ever Really Have 60 Votes In The Senate, And For How Long?

Doug Mataconis · Sunday, June 17, 2012

<snip>

Of course, as we all know too well, having majority control of both house of Congress doesn’t necessarily mean much if the opposition in the Senate decides to filibuster your legislation, and without a consistent caucus of 60 votes to overcome a cloture vote, legislation can be effectively blocked.

That leads to the question of how long the Democrats actually had a filibuster proof majority in the 111th Congress. As this chart from Wikipedia reveals, it wasn’t for a very long period of time at all: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/111th_United_States_Congress#Senate

What this shows is is that there were only two time periods during the 111th Congress when the Democrats had a 60 seat majority:

■From July 7. 2009 (when Al Franken was officially seated as the Senator from Minnesota after the last of Norm Coleman’s challenges came to an end) to August 25, 2009 (when Ted Kennedy died, although Kennedy’s illness had kept him from voting for several weeks before that date at least); and
■From September 25, 2009 (when Paul Kirk was appointed to replace Kennedy) to February 4, 2010 (when Scott Brown took office after defeating Martha Coakley);
■For one day in September 2009, Republicans lacked 40 votes due to the resignation of Mel Martinez, who was replaced the next day by George LeMieux

So, to the extent there was a filibuster proof majority in the Senate it lasted during two brief periods which lasted for a total of just over five months when counted altogether (and Congress was in its traditional summer recess for most of the July-August 2009 time frame).

Also remember that one of those two Independents who caucused with the Democrats was Joe Lieberman, who went his own way when it suited him and could not be relied on.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

39. pesky facts.

Thank you for this.

[emulatorloo]

40. Don't confuse him with the facts

Doesn't fit his narrative.

[Doctor_J]

46. ok, 58 or whatever. regardless, next year won't be as favorable.

If you think voting this year is going to ring in the dawn of FDR II, you're deluding yourself. For chrissakes, the president is bragging about budget cuts and corporate healthcare mandates. In the interest of accuracy, of course.

[scarletwoman]

48. Huh? Of course I don't "think voting this year is going to ring in the dawn of FDR II" - where

in the world did you get that idea?

I'll vote because I always vote - because I simply couldn't live with myself if I didn't exercise my franchise.

I'm well aware of how fucked up everything is, nor do I think that voting, by itself, will be any sort of cure. But I WILL vote because it's my right, and I will exercise that right.

[JoePhilly]

27. Might as well stay home ... yup.

[Doctor_J]

47. can you link to a post at du where someone

anyone, says that?

[JoePhilly]

57. You just said nothing's going to happen anyway.

So why vote at all?

[emulatorloo]

58. "But I did not literally say that!"

This one thinks he's clever.

That he is trashing a GOTV thread is a big tell. Why would a DU'er not want other DU'ers to get Democrats out to vote in 2014?

[JoePhilly]

59. He also "forgets" the CommonDreams article folks posted here ...

... which actually said "don't vote".

Plenty of folks agreed with that article.

As for why ... one of two reasons.

1) They want the GOP to win because they are part of the GOP.

2) They want the Dems to lose, so that the GOP can win, and destroy the country further, which will then cause the people to finally rise up and start a "revolution" that will usher in a new socialist utopia.

I can't think of any other goals for these folks.

[Andy823]

63. I can think of one more

Libertarians who want to try and convince democrats that the two parties are the same so in 2016 don't vote for either one, but instead…!

[JoePhilly]

66. could be.

[MineralMan]

45. Uh-huh. OK, then...

So no GOTV? Sorry. I'm doing it anyhow.

[maced666]

42. Obama - I'm not on ballot “But make no mistake, these policies are on the ballot"

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/obama-quote-republicans-stop-repeating/story?id=26086760

[Mister Nightowl]

6. K&R

[GummyBearz]

8. Imma...

gonna give you props for channelling kanye... but you forgot, it will be the BEST ELECTION OF ALL time, OF ALL TIME!!

(for those wondering);

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=oFSY4Mda_18#t=40

[mopinko]

64. wtf

wrong on so many levels. what a jerk.

[coldean]

14. Obama rocks

I love Obama but let's face it he wouldn't have been elected president if Bush wasn't such a terrible president!
So yes Obama has a lot to do with the coming elections. When the country is happy with the democrat president that's held office then they are apt to vote more democrats.
When the country is fed up and hates their president then the country goes another way.

I am very left and I am happy with president Obama but I was worried that his severely left socialist views would scare off even some of the staunchest liberals. I never expected him to win so easily that first term. I settled in for a long night of vote counting and was shocked that it was all over by 10pm.

But I give credit where credit is due, it's all because of Bush.

[blkmusclmachine]

15. "Obama's severely left socialist views"

[scarletwoman]

16. "...his severely left socialist views" Uh, sure...

[Doctor_J]

18. can you give us an example of one of his socialist views?

You miserable stain.

[Rex]

20. Let's face it, Obama won both times because he rocks.

With or without Bush.

[deurbano]

21. "democrat" president? Socialist?

Some of your colleagues have learned to be less obvious. Try again.

[movonne]

22. He got re-elected and bush was not running...Obama and is managers

ran a good campaign....

[rhett o rick]

25. If you intend to continue posting here you might learn to say "democratic" president. I know it can

be tough, but if you can say "I love Obama", you certainly can say democratic president.

[awoke_in_2003]

36. Thanks, I missed that one...

I will make the appropriate notation elsewhere

[lastlib]

28. (whatever you smoked in the '70s must've been REALLY GOOD..........)

"severely left socialist views".... . . . . . . .

[whathehell]

30. "Severely socialist views" -- Are you kidding?

He's one of, if not THE most conservative democrats we've ever had.

Ever heard of FDR or JFK?...They make him look like a right wing republican!

I suggest you check out the definition of "socialist" and/or "socialism

and learn what those terms actually mean.

[mountain grammy]

34. "severely left socialist views" Ha, ha, you've been sleeping in class.

[MineralMan]

43. Way to damn with faint praise!

Really. Impressive...Well...good try...Well...never mind.

[Skittles]

53. "democrat president"

I don't think I will need my xray glasses to see through you

I also will ask you what a previous DUer asked - please proved us just ONE example of Obama's "extreme socialism" - go on, just ONE

[coldean]

54. keep reading genuis

[Skittles]

67. WTF

if you cannot explain yourself plainly then USE THE EDIT FUNCTION

[spanone]

62. 'severely left socialist views'...posting drunk so early in the day? seek help

[Enthusiast]

65. President Obama has no severely left socialist views. None, zero.

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

Hell, President Obama doesn't even have moderate socialist views. Let alone severely left socialist views.

How did you get so woefully misinformed? Sounds like Fox "News" talking points to me.

[Docross]

23. Go to - pleasecuththecrap

President Barack Obama. the best President we'll ever have.
Here is a list of 269 great things he's done so far..
Well - I'll start with 14 of them..

http://pleasecutthecrap.com/obama-accomplishments/Within his first week,

He signed an Executive Order ordering an audit of government contracts, and combating waste and abuse
Created the post of Chief Performance Officer, whose job it is to make operations more efficient to
save the federal government money

On his first full day, he froze White House salaries
He appointed the first Federal Chief Information Officer to oversee federal IT spending
Sponsored Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act, to waste, fraud and abuse in the defense contracting system
Pushed through and signed the Democratic-sponsored American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as
“the stimulus package.

First year - created and sustained 2.1 million jobs and stimulated the economy by 3.5 %
He created the Making Home Affordable home refinancing plan. http://1.usa.gov/goy6zl
Oversaw the creation of more jobs in 2010 alone than Bush did in eight years. http://bit.ly/hrrnjY
Implemented an auto industry rescue plan, and saved as many as 1 million jobs.
Signed the Democratic-sponsored and passed Helping Families Save Their Homes Act,
Signed the Democratic-sponsored Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure
Implemented an auto industry rescue plan, and saved as many as 1 million jobs.
pPlayed a lead role in getting the G-20 Summit to commit to a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the
global financial crisis
Passed ..Helping Families Save Their Homes Act

Prevented a Bush Depression and Improved the Economy

TO BE CONTINUED

[mountain grammy]

35. Here's your link again, this one takes you to the page..

http://pleasecutthecrap.com/obama-accomplishments/

and here's another from Paul Krugman in Rolling Stone

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/in-defense-of-obama-20141008

He's very underrated, this President.

[Skidmore]

24. K&R because we need a working legislature and

we won't get one with a too close to call election or with a Republican majority.

[bowens43]

31. Voted today here in NC , straight Dem ticket as always.....

[coldean]

32. please accept my apology

I should have put "severely left socialist views" in quotations in my original comment.
I agree that Obama had been the best president of all times.
I was trying to explain how the media and republicans made Obama out to be during the first election, well they're still trying to make him out to be an evil commie Mormon who was not born in the U.S..
The republican party really worked over time dragging Obama's name through the mud.

During that time I spoke to fellow democrats about Obama and they where actually questioning all that crap the right was spewing on Fox.


When I say I "give credit to Bush" for Obama's first win I in know way meant that Obama wasnt qualified.
I meant that a very large portion of our country is still very racists and many are too scared to vote for a black man or a woman unless they practically had to.
Bush screwed our country up so severely that finally our country was ready for change no matter what that change looked like.

And you are absolutely correct that Obama didn't need Bush to win his second term because he more than proved himself during his first term!

I feel the same way about Hillary Clinton for president, I'd love to see it soon but I fear that our country once again has to be near complete ruins for that many minorities to get out there and vote again.
It is our party's biggest sin, so many refuse to get out there and vote!

So forgive me for offending any one here, I guess my post just didn't come across the way I had it in my head.

But in short, my point is still the same. President Obama and his accomplishments have a lot to do with this election.

[Stardust]

33. Welcome to DU. (We're a little sensitive around here sometimes, hence the sarcasm smiley...

You're new, so no worries...you'll learn. Also, remember to never, ever use the word "Democrat" as an adjective. We really bristle at that!)

[coldean]

38. I appreciate your understanding

And thanks for the tip

[awoke_in_2003]

41. A democrat would know that

without having to be told. The pukes have been doing that for years.

[Stardust]

49. I've been a Dem all my life, but it wasn't until DU that I became aware of the snide distinction.

Time will tell if your suspicions are warranted. I just know that if I were new here and unwittingly committed a faux pas, it would hurt to be labeled right out of the gate.

I'm not familiar with this poster and I don't want to spend a lovely Saturday evening researching something on DU. Have a nice night.

[coldean]

51. "I've been a Dem all my life, but it wasn't until DU that I became aware of the snide distinction."

Well that is a relief, I was hoping I wasn't the only one, perhaps you are from the south as well?
Thanks again for the benefit of the doubt!
Cheers

[Stardust]

52. Yup. I probably heard it used many times without realizing it was a slur. Here's a link for an

explanation:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/08/03/233098/--quot-Democrat-quot-vs-quot-Democratic-quot-A-quick-history-lesson-from-the-Propoganda-Machine

Have a nice night.

[coldean]

50. You caught me..

I'm a closet republican trying to infiltrate liberal conversations.
My job is to gather Intel that may be used against republicans in the coming election.
LMAO...
Well that does sound like something a republican would do though but no worries, your Intel is safe.

Okay joking aside, I really have never heard of the whole "Democrat is a noun only, never an adjective"
I googled after Stardust replied to my apology and hot damn there it was.

I read that it was considered a slur and why it's considered a slur, because republicans use it often to "taunt" democrats..talk about your paranoia and giving republicans way too much control. I'm pretty sure their excuse is the same as mine, simply laziness and a total disregard to proper grammar.
And well it could be that I'm from south Texas, that and most of my family are republicans. I'm sure I picked the term up a long the way.

And now that I see that others are offended by this I of course will refrain from using democrat as an adjective. Stardust, again I thank you for the tip. It is never my intention to visit a community and then insult that community.

awoke_in_2003, I assure you I'm no "puke" but I could be wrong because I don't know what a "puke" is. I'm going to hazard a guess that it is the polite term for republican because it makes more sense than it being an offensive term.

" Why can't those pukes stop saying democrat president?"
yea that loses a lot of credibility. Cheers

[awoke_in_2003]

55. Just to be clear...

I did not call you a puke, I said pukes have been doing that for years. Rush is the one who started it. Being where you are at, I will accept that that is the way you have been hearing it- this state is swimming in right wingers.

[IronLionZion]

60. They'll never finish

haters gonna hate, no matter what.

[WinkyDink]

61. Winner, Best DU Kanye Allusion!