Is anyone else here tired of the "I'm disappointed in Obama" narrative that's playing out..

[rainlillie]

I posted the response below to a fellow blogger the other day. He was complaining about Obama not being like FDR among other things. I do feel like a lot of people on the left are buying into that narrative. The only thing it does IMO is add fuel to the fire for the GOP.


Response:

You do understand that Obama isn't a liberal and never claimed to be one. It would be suicidal for anyone running for president in this day and age not to be a moderate. Obama isn't a dictator, it is up to the House, Senate and executive branch to pass legislation. The political game has changed a lot since FDR was President. FDR didn't have a right-wing media conglomerate attacking him 24/7 telling lies and distortions about his agenda.

Liberal's have to be realistic and stop acting like children who want candy for dinner and money to fall from the sky. As long as the majority of people in this country are moderates, we will always have moderates winning presidential elections.

I support anyone's right to speak up , even If I don't agree with them. If libs/ Dems don't want to support the President, that's on them. I'm mindful of just how disastrous a President Romney will be.

He already has Bush's foreign policy teams as his advisers, and he already said he would bomb Iran and put judges that are like Thomas and Scalia on the courts. If liberals can sleep at night knowing they helped get Romney elected, more power to them

[limpyhobbler]

1. If all the energy spent criticizing the president

If all the energy spent criticizing the president was used to elect progressive congresspeople instead, I think that would be more effective.

The President shouldn't be immune from criticism though.

If we are afraid to criticize the president from the left just because people will accuse us of helping Republicans, then the only ones criticizing him will be the Republicans, and so he will drift right. He's just a guy, not a superman. He can only know his base is upset if they tell him so.

[rainlillie]

2. I don't mind criticism if it's fair and honest..

Considering what Obama has been up against, I'd say he has had more successes than failures.

[grantcart]

3. there are bloggers who are disappointed about Obama's performance?

It is hard to imagine.

When did this all start?

Why didn't someone tell me?

It can't be much of a problem we should be able to straighten out a few misguided bloggers in a few days time.

[rainlillie]

9. "When did this all start?" The day he won.

"Why didn't someone tell me?" Not sure.

"It can't be much of a problem we should be able to straighten out a few misguided bloggers in a few days time."

Na, I think his reasonable ,thoughtful approach to fixing the problems we're facing, will show them that he was on the right path. I do think there are some people that will be disappointed regardless.

[great white snark]

4. Yes.

Not at the reasonable disappointment, though. Hell, I'm disappointed with some things too but some of the prevailing angst towards President Obama is totally unwarranted. He simply cannot do what some here expect him to do. We fought so hard against the unitary executive theory under Bush but now it seems some here would want Obama to adopt it. Fuck that.

[dennis4868]

5. I think Obama is definitely a liberal...

but he's also a realist and believes it's better to take tiny steps in making progress rather than no progress at all.

But he's DEFINITELTY A LIBERAL. Only a liberal does all of this ---> www.whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com

[ncteechur]

6. He's a liberal but not a hard leftie. He is pragmatic and plays the long game. IMO, that is the

primary reason people are disappointed--they don't understand the long game.

[FrenchieCat]

7. FDR interned the Japanese and kept Domestics and Farmers (read Black Maids & Sharecroppers)...

from being able to pay and earn social security....

So being Liberal ain't all that impressive.....
Just sayin'!

[Cha]

8. I know..people can be so

simple. They read something and think it sounds good without doing one freaking iota of investigation for themselves and thus..voila! Whiners Are Born.

Hey, Frenchie!

[FrenchieCat]

11. Hey baby-child! How are ya?

[treestar]

10. Yes, but especially the FDR and LBJ business

Why does President Obama have to be like either of those. I believe someone coined the term "presidential nostalgia." They are remembering these Presidents with Rose colored glasses - those Presidents had some of the same problems - and some greater faults. I don't remember people going on like this about Bill Clinton - I suggest an issue of racism here - FDR, LBJ and Bill Clinton did have white male privilege. And more Democrats, and rational Republicans who did not filibuster everything. I don't recall people saying Bill Clinton was not acting enough like LBJ or FDR - that was not a major theme. Each President is his own history and self - no prior ones have been expected to be like others.

[ladym55]

12. The hope is that liberals will all stay home and the Rethugs will regain control

It was an effective strategy in 2010, and the Rethugs managed to con the people into giving them power. We really need to think long game.

I keep remembering the Ted Kennedy approach. Take what you can get at the time, and then go back and fight for more. We want it all yesterday and then threaten to take our marbles home if we don't get exactly what we want. I wanted (and still want) single payer health care. However, I'm excited about we have gained with the Affordable Health Care Act. My son, who is a substitute teacher, has two years to get a full-time job because he is 24. We just need to keep pushing for single-payer and pull us closer.

Have I been disappointed in Obama? Yep. Have I been happy with Obama? Also, yep. My frustration has been with the obstructionism in Congress (Hi, John and Eric!) and the corporate media's complicity. A filibuster is now a "super majority" and the debt ceiling that was never a big whoop under W was the end of the world.

[bigwillq]

13. No (nt)

[DevonRex]

14. Absolutely. I think all BOG members are. With damn good reason. Nt

[mikekohr]

15. Mortified actually

[Union Scribe]

16. You wrote that?

"Liberal's [sic] have to be realistic and stop acting like children who want candy for dinner and money to fall from the sky."

Those are your words? I ask because it sounds like every conservative who has ever run for election or called in to Rush's show