President Obama does not take criticism from his base very well.

[JohnWxy]

The President was, again, pretty rough on those in the party who have voiced some criticism of his administrations performance to date. You know something, I thought when I voted for you Mr President, that you were a very intelligent guy. But, I'm beginning to wonder. Not being willing, or able, to admit you've made a mistake or two.... that's not what I would call ... very intelligent.

Rather than always reacting to criticism (from the people who are on the same side you are on) defensively, you might try actually giving these criticisms some thought. Rather than just rejecting them out of hand, you might consider having a real conversation with those in the party who are critical of some things you have done, instead of firing back at them in public venues (although I'm sure this is delightful for Republicans to listen to.).

What's odd to many of us, is how ingratiating you are to those who are doing their best to see that you (and the rest of us, by the way, in the Democratic party) FAIL. While you seem quick to anger at criticism from those who wish the best for the American people - uh, just as much as you do - try to remember, Mr. President, while you are the leader of our party, that does not mean you ARE the party.

I thought the woman who spoke up in this meeting had something to say worth noting:

" I have been told that I voted for a man who said he was going to change things in a meaningful way for the middle class. I'm one of those people. And I'm waiting, sir. I'm waiting.” ..(I know what she is talking about, Mr. President. There's a lot of us who have been waiting, and lately we've been wondering, too.)

You know, Mr. President, many of these people whose criticsm you take such umbrage to have been Democrats fighting for the 'average guy' a few years longer than you have been (which means they know a thing or two). And believe it or not, they may know a few things that even you (and Mr. Emanuel) would do well to listen to. ... I mean, it is a possibility. .... Or are you unwilling to entertain that possibility?

We of course, will keep on fighting for your programs and plans (I for one am pretty practical, and believe in setting realistic goals). But from here on out, you might give some thought to listening to the heart of the party. .. it's just a thought.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/09/president-obama-to-frustrated-liberals-wake-up-this-is-not-some-academic-exercise.html">President Obama admonishes Liberals (with a "My way or the Highway" speech.?_JW)'

[mediaman007]

1. As I recall, during the primary election process, the knock

on Obama was that he was too quick to compromise. Sadly, he's too quick to compromise his supporters.

[opihimoimoi]

2. I thought she was over the top in SELFISHNESS...She was a ME Person only worried about HERSELF

Listen to her comments....I did

Obama is doing the big picture thing..he cannot solve the whole enchalada over night...period

I also think she is an ATTENTION WHORE

[JohnWxy]

4. you could be right, about the person. But what i was noting was what she had to say.

.... I think she spoke for a number of Democrats.

[opihimoimoi]

8. Yes she did...but her demands of instant cure falls short of being Realistic

"I don't see it" because the recovery didn't reach ME

That was a major clue

[Jim Sagle]

5. Shorter opihimoimoi: Obama rawx, the base sux.

Fuck that bullshit.

[opihimoimoi]

7. LOL....its a set up to mock the Pres and for nefarious reasons too

[yurbud]

13. yep, she's not thinking of the hedge fund managers, insurance company execs, bankers,

and those who want to privatize public education so they can make a profit off it.

How selfish of her.

[opihimoimoi]

15. She is a ME Person....period...

[yurbud]

19. you're funny.

[xchrom]

3. Recommend

[Me.]

6. HealthCare Is A Good Current Case In Point

If we had a public option in play insurance companies wouldn't be able to pull the double cross they are putting into action. The dems in Congress are now shocked and outraged. We tried to tell them but got told to sit down and shut up/

[still_one]

9. He told them he got their message, and he gave his view why things are not straight forward or quick

as some would like it. Now some may agree or disagree with his answer, that is their right, and they can exercise that agreement or disagreement at the voting booth.

Would a public option or Medicare for all pass? Let's see:

1. How would he have gotten LIEberman, bayh, both nelsons, lincoln, and a significant amount of blue dogs to vote for it?
2. repukes were never going to vote for anything, so it was a waste of time for him to even attempt a compromise, however, there are enough conservative Democratics that he couldn't get the votes

For you statement "listening to the heart of the party", this is not the same party I grew up with, it has changed dramatically, along with the country. The party is made up of many views, some just the opposite of what the Democratic party was. The only way real change will occur, at least the change most our looking for here, is if more progressive Democrats are elected into Congress. That is much easier said then done, especially when you have the corporate media aligning itself with the repukes

[FrenchieCat]

10. I think that OP title is twisted around.......

The base does not take criticism from President Obama very well....


although they seem quite able and willing to dish it out constantly.

[obxhead]

11. That's right! Millions of people should know when to sit down,

shut up, and take it from our flawless leader.

keywords: pony, 3D chess, give him time, not enough votes, etc etc.

[FrenchieCat]

12. You said all of those things, talking about folks shutting up and using "Flawless".....

and the op basically ain't nothing more than criticizing Obama again,
some more.

No one is shutting up....not even remotely fucking close.

So how does it feel, twisting shit to suit you? Good?

Is this called helping win elections, or just criticizing some more
just cause you can. Should we be impressed? :shrug:

[obxhead]

14. Feel free to take it however you like.

[FrenchieCat]

16. Thanks.

:hi:

I'll take it that you like to put words in people's mouths,
and that you aren't interested in what to do to win these elections!

[JohnWxy]

23. "winning elections"?? Whose looking at winning an election? Have you noticed all the polls? I hope

they prove to be wrong and certainly the M$M's relentless repetition of GOP talking points and various other examples of disinforming the non-thinking public has played a BIG part in these numbers. But the Dems situation for November is not one of a landslide victory over-all. It's the Republicans who are looking at making significant gains.

A big reason being identified for Republilcan victories is a lack of enthusiasm among the Democratic electorate. Why the lack of enthusiasm? I contend Obama is the reason. He has left people confused and somewhat disheartened. THey wonder: "Where is he coming from?" i.e. is he really going all out for 'us' .. the 'average guy'.

Now this doubt and even disallusionment didn't happen over-night. It came about after a number of confusing and disappointing acts by the President. ONe was tossing the public option over the side, before he was forced to. It was a pre-emptive compromise. I know people were kind of stunned when he did that. (remember, he said the public option was not an absolutely necessary part of his HCR plan? Well, that finished the Public Option. (you don't have to tell the Republicans you give up, more than once) Many people wondered WTF was he doing, when he said that.). In general, his behavior of being rather more ingratiating than was necessary - with people who would as soon cut his throat (i.e. politically) as shake his hand (the Corporate lobbyist party members) while behaving rather dismissively towards members of his own party (!). THis has lead Democrats out there (here) to be kindof confused about him. THis is not how to lead your troops into battle. And I dealing with the Republicans is a battle, every inch of the way.


I contend he is missing a big point. To be a leader requires more than being a smart and thoughtful decision maker. Sometimes, being a leader means recognizing when it's necessary ... and being willing to ... Fight for what is right. There are times when rational discussion and conciliation just won't get you anywhere. This is one of those times.

Now I expect you will disagree with much of what I just said. Okay, that's cool. I'm satisfied with agreeing to disagree. And then we will watch the Dems lose seats in Congress and get nothing done over the next 2 years with a stronger Corporate Lobbyist party in Washington. We've already seen how interested they are in getting anything done in Congress.

___JW

[frylock]

17. i'm not counting on obama voting for me..

weak fucking sauce.

[FrenchieCat]

21. I don't either.......

That doesn't mean that folks can say whatever they want,
and he can't.

At the end of the day, I'd assume you'll be voting on who is best for you,
and so will I.......but my vote won't be based on my personal hurt feelings
that this President didn't praise me to high heaven....especially if I constantly went
out of my way in assuming that he only has nefarious motives when it comes
to my welfare, as a citizen.

[JohnWxy]

22. consider what Paul Krugman said...

I respect your opinion (really, not just saying that as a rhetorical flourish) but consider the following statement by Paul Krugman:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x561232

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/the-anti-dog-whistler/

"Obama, however, seems to go out of his way to convey the message that although he rode to office on a wave of progressive enthusiasm, he and his people don’t respect the people who got him where he is. There are the gratuitous jabs at the “professional left”, the “both sides are wrong” rhetoric even as the right goes all out to destroy him..."

[Recursion]

18. Axlerod warned him about that before the campaign

He always saw that as Obama's most troubling flaw.

For all the inspirational-ness of his biography, one place it left him in deficit is getting accustomed to people telling him he's done a bad job.

[JohnWxy]

24. didn't know that! good observation!

[Bluenorthwest]

20. He does not take criticism well at all.

And that is too bad, because criticism is the very life's blood of growth in any demanding high status occupation, just as praise is a poison to be avoided, criticism is to be embraced, sought after, asked for and listened to, if progress is to remain in play.