Vacation's Over: Obama Returns to Public Life Next Week

[bathroommonkey76]

Source: The New York Times

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama’s extended post-presidential vacation is about to end. After spending weeks in French Polynesia — including time on the yacht of the movie mogul David Geffen along with Bruce Springsteen, Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey — Mr. Obama will return to Chicago on Monday for his first public event as a former president.

His self-imposed silence since Inauguration Day will end with a series of events over the next four weeks. A Monday town hall-style meeting with students at the University of Chicago will be followed by an awards ceremony in Boston; a series of public remarks as well as private paid speeches in the United States and Europe; and an appearance at the Brandenburg Gate in Germany with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

And yet, Mr. Obama’s supporters, who have been waiting eagerly for the former president to respond to his successor’s accusations and policy reversals, are likely to be disappointed.

Even as he witnesses President Trump’s relentless and chaotic assault on his legacy, Mr. Obama remains stubbornly committed to the idea that there is only one president at a time. Those closest to him say the former president does not intend to confront Mr. Trump directly on immigration, health care, foreign policy or the environment during any of his events.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/21/us/politics/barack-obama-post-presidential-events.html

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. Our country, our world has gone from

a well oiled intelligent and respectful machine to a disaster bordering on complete and total destruction.

The madness of what is happening right now is actually the tparty and repubs idea of good government.

They LIKE what is happening, proving they are incapable of participating in a democracy.

[Hortensis]

9. I think you've been missing what's happened so far.

Sure, only 3 months in, but those are crucial months for any administration, and the wishes of the extremists trying to use this clueless boobie have been strongly frustrated, with much more expected to come. The Republican Party is in trouble.

Oh, sure, lots of corruption is going on off stage, dismantling of critical processes in government offices, removal of far too many very good, experienced people who will not choose to return some day, but nothing like what you're envisaging. The basic structure of our republic has been holding, so far much stronger than those who would destroy it. Thanks to people like Obama, who are fighting back in powerful ways that are too "complex" for the media to report.

What was simple enough to report is that just today a court upheld the Russia sanctions holding Exxon's half-billion investment on the liability side of the ledger. So what if right-wing propaganda claims Rump's administration upheld the sanctions? The reality is, they lost, and they lost because they were on the wrong side of the law.

What scares me is that last -- and the possibility of another hard-core conservative activist on SCOTUS. But if that happens, there will be huge reaction to oversetting the intentions of the Constitution to serve the people. Those in control of Congress are far more extreme than most conservatives, who are now just starting to see that.

[LisaM]

2. I wish he'd speak out on the election tampering.

Pretty sure that will be an unfulfilled wish, though.

[Skittles]

3. I wish he had told us about Trump colluding with Russia

[LisaM]

4. Me too.

Unfortunately, it could end up being a blot on his very decent Presidency, which is very, very unfortunate.

[Skittles]

5. he didn't hold BUSH INC accountable in any way either

that will reflect poorly too

[LisaM]

6. Yes, but that's more understandable on some level.

You can't change the past, just cope to your best abilities with the results. I often wished Obama had been more partisan, but that wasn't his style (remember his 2004 speech about a "purple" America). However, having information at hand and choosing not to share it, no matter how good the intentions, can carry real-life consequences that go far beyond the political.

[LompocDem]

21. Remember that McTurtle...

threatened Obama about exposing the intel that was presented to them.

According to several officials, McConnell raised doubts about the underlying intelligence and made clear to the administration that he would consider any effort by the White House to challenge the Russians publicly an act of partisan politics.

http://www.bluedotdaily.com/mcconnells-threat-to-obama-if-he-exposed-russia-before-election/

And for some comic relief about this face palm situation here's a wonkette's take on the situation.

https://wonkette.com/609322/mitch-mcconnell-back-pedaling-on-russia-hack-but-slowly-because-of-how-he-has-turtle-legs

We also learned that Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, had told that dastardly Barack HUSSEIN Obama that if he, Obama — who thought he was still president at the time, isn’t that adorable? — were to tell the American people about this, he, McConnell would consider it an act of “partisan politics.”

I was pissed that GWB and his cabal weren't prosecuted for all the lies that lead us into war in Iraq and the crimes they committed under the guise of keeping America safe. The incoming Obama administration took the same political posture that President Johnson did when he knew that Nixon sabotaged the Paris peace talks and decided not to make the info public.

Preserving the dignity of the Presidency by pardoning the perpetrators of crimes that caused the deaths of multiple thousands of not only our service members but also those of our allies shocked me to the core. I remember how I felt when Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon under the same guise of preserving the dignity of the office of the CIC.

Enough is enough. We can't let another criminal administration be held unaccountable for their crimes!

Faulting Obama for trying to preserve the dignity of the Presidency was a mistake and is my only...well maybe not only complaint about his tenure. Caving to the healthcare industry and their paid congressional minions to pass the ACA was a compromise that he and the democratic majority needed to do to help, albeit not as mush as Obama wanted, to get any healthcare bill passed for the good of the less fortunate among us.

I'm sure there are many other issues that DU members can cite criticizing the Obama and his administrations actions but for me, Obama elevated the worlds respect for the office he held that is now deteriorating at a historic level that this 64 year old white guy has never experienced.

Carter, Kennedy, Roosevelt (before my time) Clinton and Obama all had faults but never on the scale that Nixon, Reagan, the Bushes and now Trump had and now have.

(Rant mode off for now)

[onetexan]

7. me 2

[BumRushDaShow]

8. As I can see in this thread

whatever he did while in office was never "good enough". And now even in private life, it is still not "good enough". No other has been held to such a ridiculous standard.

I know at some point he will be fund-raising for his library and wish I had even 1/4 of his energy!

[Cha]

28. Right, BRDS.. the Whine continues.. Glad there are more

of us who appreciated the Obamas real time.. and were grateful for their service to our country.

And know they deserve every second of their 3 month vacation. It would be kind of weird after working so long and well for our country.. if they hadn't taken some time off for just themselves.

It's called RECHARGING!

[BumRushDaShow]

30. Mahalo Cha.

It's ironic that some of the ones who push and celebrate multi-generational 1%ers like the Roosevelts or Kennedys find time to denigrate a family who descended from working class parents and who worked their asses off to get where they are today.

There is a complete disconnect and lack of understanding that as a former first-family, they will be surrounded by Secret Service for the rest of their lives. I.e., they are forever chained to that detail and that will ultimately restrict how much they will be able to interact with the general public.

There was a thread here on DU with an article about a couple who had made reservations to celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary in a restaurant that the Obamas decided (at the last minute) to eat at around the same time as the couple, and the couple described (with photos) what all was involved in their attempts to get in and finally be seated.

[Cha]

31. Excelent point and one I'm going to remember!

"It's ironic that some of the ones who push and celebrate multi-generational 1%ers like the Roosevelts or Kennedys find time to denigrate a family who descended from working class parents and who worked their asses off to get where they are today".

Yes, it boggles my mind!

I missed that restaurant thread about the couple and the Obamas. I also forgot about the SS that will be with them for life.. wow. Those lucky ones.

[BumRushDaShow]

33. This was the thread

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028960989

and it had a link to this article from just before the election - http://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/restaurantsandnews/what-its-like-to-eat-dinner-at-the-same-restaurant-as-the-obamas/ar-BBA7Ldy?li=BBnb7Kw&ocid=mailsignout

(original article here - http://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-to-eat-dinner-at-the-same-restaurant-as-the-obamas-2016-9/#we-were-headed-to-cosme-in-new-yorks-flatiron-district-1)

They are no longer "normal people". They are the most extreme of public figures - notably so soon after leaving office. So it will take some time for their "celebrity" to reach some sort of lower level of equilibrium similar to that of the other 4 former Presidents (and their families).

[Cha]

35. Yes and after 8 years and more of being in the

spotlight.. and always ON.. 3 months is nothing to have to themselves.

Thank you for the links, BRDS! That was the most interesting story Emily Cohn wrote of their night out on their first anniversary!

Finally, around 9:30 p.m., the Obamas emerged from a door in the back of the restaurant. Everyone, including servers and diners, stood up to applaud.

"Thanks for the best anniversary gift ever, Obamas!" Good thing she persisted..

[YOHABLO]

10. There's just something that smacks about ultra-rich liberals yachting together.

There are too many people in need, too many people out there protesting doing what they can to resist this tyranny that's taking place before our eyes. I mean vacationing and yachting sounds very elitist. Sorry folks but that's how I feel. So circle your troops I'm ready for the heat.

[bathroommonkey76]

11. Should President Obama pretend to be middle class and hangout at your

Last edited Fri Apr 21, 2017, 10:36 PM - Edit history (1)

mancave for the weekend? All Presidents are this way- They aren't normal folks.


I see nothing wrong with him being around the people who helped get him elected.

[YOHABLO]

14. of course you don't see anything wrong. And by the way they take shit everyday just like me.

[bathroommonkey76]

18. No, I don't see anything wrong with rich people hanging around rich people

You should send him an invite to one of your protests against THE MAN!

[Doreen]

12. I am not going to give you heat but just remind you

that Obama worked for his money. Trump did not. Obama did not screw people over for his money. Trump did screw people over for the money he has. Obama does not flaunt it. Trump does.

[YOHABLO]

15. we all work for our money. so what? yes, he should be out in the streets with working folks

[bathroommonkey76]

17. He should be singing Woody Guthrie songs

and protesting against THE MAN! lol

You're lost.

[Cha]

27. Mahalo, bathroommonkey!

[bathroommonkey76]

41. Na'u ka hau'oli, Cha!

[Cha]

43. Aloha!

[Doreen]

19. Yes, we all work to earn our money. I am not saying we don't.

If you earn more than your neighbor who can not afford to go on vacation does that mean you will not go because they can not? I am sure that you go on the nicest vacation that you can afford and so should anyone be allowed to go on a vacation they can afford even if it's nicer than others vacations. I can not afford ANY vacation but nobody else stays home because I have to. My brother who has a lot of money ( also a Democrat ) does not stay home because I have to. He goes to other countries and really nice places in this country and I do not get to go but I am fine with that. Obama IS going to go out and work with us again.

[Cha]

26. Mahalo for being so patient, Doreen.. actually, though..

not everyone works for their money.. take trump for example.

Some people just scam their way through life.. but the Obamas have worked for their money.. and as you say.. IS going to be out there with us again.

Link to tweet

[Doreen]

37. Yeah, I know trump did not earn his.

There are some out there that did not but our precious Obama did. I wish I could meet him in person because I would give him a big hug and Michelle also. Of course after I cleared it with the body guards.

[Cha]

38. Have you seen this? It's really interesting.. I'm

glad I read it..

What it's like to eat dinner at the same restaurant as the Obamas

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8960989

[Cha]

25. No, Not everyone works for their money.. but the Obamas

did and they had a 3 month vacation after serving our Country for 8 years.. and with all the crap they put up with.. they did it with grace and dignity.

[Flaleftist]

13. I don't expect people like them to have much

rest and relaxation on a Carnival Cruise. When your fame reaches a certain level you need private vacations. They do other things to support good causes. I don't expect them to stand next to us at protests.

[YOHABLO]

16. who wants to go on a Carnival Cruise? Yes he should be standing next to "us" at protests.

Remember he was the one who said he'd be putting on his sneakers to join the protest .. Never did it. Oh hell I'll get wacked for saying that one.

[Cha]

22. President Obama has been on a much Deserved R&R..

So too bad he hasn't done it fast enough for you.

[BumRushDaShow]

36. ...

[NYC Liberal]

20. After 8 years of what he put up with, 3 months off is the least of what he deserves.

Taking a vacation is "elitist" now?

Hey, maybe Obama should eschew those elitist suits and ties and wear sackcloth and ashes. Perhaps he should rent out a room in an apartment in East New York or Brownsville and get a minimum wage job to really "feel" what people are going through.

[Cha]

23. Exactly, NYC Liberal.. President Obama deserves

every single day of their R&R.

[Cha]

24. OH WAH! President Obama and his wife are on a Much

deserved R&R and the RWingers are whining their damn heads off.

Tough.. "it sounds elitist" .. I'll show you "Elitist".. freaking ssarandon sitting on her cushiony $50 Million Bucks and Lying about Hillary while the rest of the country and Planet gets FUCKED.

3rd party.. suckering the LOW INFORMATION voters with LIES like these..

"The prominent Sanders backer also predicted that a Hillary Clinton indictment was "inevitable"

Susan Sarandon: Hillary Clinton more dangerous than Donald Trump

http://www.salon.com/2016/06/03/susan_sarandon_hillary_clinton_more_dangerous_than_donald_trump/

poor ssarandon "had to change her phone number.." while the rest of the country that isn't so well off have to worry about this among other trumpshite..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[CakeGrrl]

40. You underestimate the Community Organizer.

Do people really think he flew in to a 1-hour lunch with Warren Buffet, or spent 2 hours on David Geffen's yacht with Oprah/Springsteen/Hanks just to rub it in people's faces?

Then they never understood his long game, or the alliances he made throughout his presidency.

Golf outings with sports figures (Steph Curry, A-Rod, etc.) were not just for self-enrichment, which Trump is CLEARLY about. They were done to form partnerships and alliances.

He's building a network. The DNC still has MUCH to learn from him, instead of shooting its foot allowing bitter Ellison to continue whining about what President Obama shoulda/woulda/coulda done.

And it continues. Certain corners of the Left STILL don't get what he was trying to do for the Democratic Party. In some ways, he's been too forward-thinking for them to appreciate.

[duncang]

29. I vaguely something coming out

That he was looking at setting up something to help get Democrats elected up and down ticket in all states. Anyone else remember it or have a link?

[BumRushDaShow]

32. One of the organizations is this

https://democraticredistricting.com/

which will look at breaking the GOP hold on redistricting at both the state and federal levels and work to bolster the states - http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/obama-holder-redistricting-gerrymandering-229868

Interestingly, I just found a good article that seemed to very clearly clarify (at least to me) the past DNC mindset and then goes on to discuss what changes will need to happen to rectify the downsides of that strategy - https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/01/the-ideological-reasons-why-democrats-have-neglected-local-politics/512024/

The suggestion from the article is that Democrats tend to focus on over-arching "federal" control, which when successful, can implement policies very quickly, nationwide (in one fell swoop). Whereas focusing at the state level is apparently (although not explicitly mentioned) a slog and requires more work. Well duh! The obvious error in this thinking is that somehow a President can automatically bring in a same-party Congress just by shear will - neglecting to note that the congressional districts are drawn at the state level by the state representatives & governors, NOT any federal reps.

Maybe it's a historical aversion to the old "states rights" arguments where we saw liberal/progressive policies thwarted or taken away in state after state based on "states rights". However what we should keep in mind is that liberal/progressive policies like same-sex marriage, legalization of marijuana, and (most recently) free college tuition - these are things that ARE being done at the state level and are thus "states rights" features as well!

[Doreen]

39. Wow, I actually teared up.

[Portland_Anni]

42. I firmly believe Trump will go out of his way to bait Mr. Obama into a pissing contest.

He has to be careful about responding in a way that goes down to the level of our Fascist in Chief.

[spiderpig]

44. I wish he'd return to the White House.

Dang - I miss that man. And his family.