Obama May Jump Into Fray as Democrats Counter Trump

[applegrove]

Obama May Jump Into Fray as Democrats Counter Trump

By MICHAEL D. SHEAR and THOMAS KAPLAN at the NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/us/politics/obama-may-jump-into-fray-as-democrats-counter-trump.html?_r=0

"SNIP............


WASHINGTON — President Obama is rethinking his plans to withdraw from the political arena after he leaves office next year, hinting to friends and supporters that he wants to add his voice to the shellshocked Democratic activists and elected officials who are now angrily vowing to oppose Donald J. Trump’s presidency.

White House aides say they expect the president to try to refrain from criticism during the transition because of his belief in the importance of a courteous and dignified transfer of power. But while the president holds out hope that he might influence Mr. Trump, he has made it clear that once out of office he will not remain silent if Mr. Trump goes too far in undoing his legacy.

“I’m going to be constrained in what I do with all of you until I am again a private citizen,” Mr. Obama, who will be living a few miles from the White House next year, told a meeting this past week of Organizing for Action, the group that maintains his political movement. “But that’s not so far off.”

Dozens of liberal advocacy groups, which have received a flood of donations and new members in the chaotic days since Mr. Trump’s defeat of Hillary Clinton, are gearing up for years of clashes with Mr. Trump. After eight years of advocacy on behalf of the Obama agenda, they are racing to recast themselves as bulwarks against Mr. Trump’s expected assault on an array of Democratic policies.


..............SNIP"

[Lucinda]

1. KNR Thank you!

[flamingdem]

2. We really need his voice

Thank god he's not leaving us to paint doggy pictures

[montana_hazeleyes]

20. lol

[MADem]

26. I am grateful that the wee cowboy took up a brush and paints.

It kept him out of trouble. He had fans that would encourage him if he tried to shit-stir.

He was a stupid leader, but compared to Trump, he looks like Eisenhower.

[flamingdem]

33. Oh that is sure true, never thought I'd

appreciate shrub, yeech things ARE bad!! yikes

[pbmus]

45. Lol, agreed...really bad

[Maynar]

39. Toe-portraits?

[flamingdem]

47. Please to explain

zee toe portraits - did I miss something?

[Maynar]

49. I might be mistaken but

isn't Dubya painting self-portraits of his feet (among other things)?

[flamingdem]

50. Help us all

but I do remember something to do with a shower or bathtub and feet.. afraid to google

[sheshe2]

3. He will not leave us alone and stranded.

That is not the man he is.

[Sunny05]

4. Thanks!

[gordianot]

5. Trump's anger will explode he may be unique in all American history.

Obama is the direct opposite of Donald Trump.

[DURHAM D]

6. He needs a television gig called -

Civics 101


Our public education system has failed so time to find a new way to educate voters.

[moonscape]

19. Yes, and the lack of civics education is the

thing Souter expressed several years ago concerned him most.

[bdamomma]

7. He will not go gently into the night

also he won't be obstructed!!!!!!!

[BeyondGeography]

8. He's going to be the Organizer-in-Chief

At least that's the term he used on the Party conference call the other day. He's going to focus on getting us back in the game in states and counties where we're weak right now, which is basically 2/3 of the country. Grunt work. I was so grateful to hear him say that. Not too proud to say that I cried.

[Equinox Moon]

23. Good news to hear

[Raine1967]

24. I know he won't but DAMN would I love him as the DNC chair.

I girl can dream, right?

[SouthLouisianaWoman]

42. I have the same dream...

It was one of the first thoughts I had after the election shock wore off.

I even considered sending the suggestion to the White House. But then remembered he's smart enough to know all his options. 😸

[LT TX]

9. Best news I've heard all week!

I think everyone will need to be reminded of the stark differences in his administration and the new one. We need to hear his voice of reason.

[deminks]

10. Did he find his walkin' shoes?

I hope so.

[brer cat]

11. He will be with us.

He and Michelle deserve a long vacation, but they will not stay away.

[sheshe2]

13. He will not abandon us...

[democrattotheend]

12. For some reason I find this comforting

Knowing that he will still be around and involved, even if he can't protect us anymore from their awful agenda.

[ailsagirl]

14. He will do whatever he can

It's a great feeling to have such trust in one's president-- let's enjoy it whilst we still can

[Politicub]

15. My president!

[nolabels]

46. Another insider?

He is OUR president

[liberal N proud]

16. His voice would go far.

[NastyRiffraff]

17. EXCELLENT news!

The country needs him. For the next four years, he'll still be my president.

[Afromania]

18. this

I don't know how to post videos, but

edit: looks like I do

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

21. I'm so glad he's going to stay in D.C. for a while

The whole family deserves a life of peace after what they've been through, but I wish he would hang around D.C. for a few years. I think he will have more influence than Hillary, since he has such high approval ratings.

[applegrove]

22. And he has had to play a role as president. He can really tell it like it is when

he is out of office so he will be even more compelling.

[MADem]

27. He's renting Terry McAulilffe's house.

They're staying so their youngest can finish school--that is the whole/only reason for staying in DC.

Terry's DC house is totally badass--it is a MUCH nicer and more spacious home than the White House--modern and rather luxurious. They'll enjoy it, I suspect.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

36. I've seen photos of the house

but I didn't realize that it belonged to Terry McAulilffe. It also seems to be a good choice for Security, and I would imagine that the Obamas consulted the Secret Service before leasing.

[MADem]

37. Ooopsie doopsie! nt

Last edited Sun Nov 20, 2016, 10:07 AM - Edit history (1)

[MADem]

38. If I could live there, I would! It's a fantastic house!

It helps to be friends with your landlord, too, no doubt!

[LAS14]

25. Could he run for a third non-consecutive term?

[MADem]

29. Nope. He could "Lurleen" it and run Michelle.

Of course--she might not want to be the mouthpiece--she's smart and has her OWN ideas!

[OnDoutside]

51. Trump has shown experience is not a requirement. I think

Michelle is an option that should at least be looked at. The thought out there was that she would have to have Senate experience first, but Trump has now made that unnecessary. IF she was willing, I would have her doing lots of public appearances for good causes, interspersed with a major speech every 6 months or so over the next two years. And any speech would be free, or donated. What worked for the Republicans is over 20 years of taking down of Hillary's character, will be virtually zero against Michelle. Michelle has always been protective of her husband's record and legacy, and in the absence of an obvious Democratic candidate, I believe her candidature is a live possibility.

The only negative is the racism exerted on BO by McConnell and the Republicans might be done again on Michelle. However I believe there is now an opportunity, if the Dems get their shit together, to win the Senate in 2018 , and placed better in Congress to have a clean sweep in 2020.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

32. Unfortunately no... but President Obama could work hand-in-hand with Bernie to fight tRump & improve on what Obama started...

Last edited Sun Nov 20, 2016, 12:39 PM - Edit history (1)

They would make a great tag team!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!

[cilla4progress]

28. Hooray!

I read this same thing in Remnicks New Yorker article today! It's the only way!

[cilla4progress]

30. And with a 57%

Popularity rating!

[Portland_Anni]

31. No surprise really.

We already know his word is his bond and that he has an ethical nature Trump could never ever match.

[mopinko]

34. he should go back to civil rights law. bring voting rights cases

all over the country. the people's prosecutor.

[ehrnst]

35. He could raise a lot of money and support for 2018 candidates.

[MADem]

40. He could really help Howard Dean with a Fifty State Strategy

Howard Dean knows many of the party leaders, down to the precinct level--that is HIS strength.

Obama has a background in community organizing....together they could be quite formidable.

[tomp]

41. ah, the great conciliator at the helm of opposition to trump!

have no fear, my fellow americans.

in all seriousness, if he remains to the right of sanders and warren he will only be in the way. the democratic party needs to move hard left NOW, or we need a third party, period. this should have been obvious for many years. the dems have seen my last nose-holding vote.

[applegrove]

48. When the centre party and the left party split the democratic vote, the Republicans

will be in power forever. I live in Canada and that is why we had Harper for 10 years. Thanks for doing the Republicans dirty work for them.

[Skinner]

43. I love Obama and I welcome some involvement from him.

But we have a real problem with a weak bench and we need to make room for a new generation of leaders in our party.

[red dog 1]

44. K&R...Thanks for posting