On the surface, Obama presents himself as a uniter, but he's pledged to fight for us

[bigtree]

I think that he's extremely competitive and ambitious in the way pursues what he wants. But, on the surface, Obama is conciliatory and diplomatic.

Can this approach actually produce the clear change he promised in his campaign, or will that compromising approach water down or neuter whatever he hopes to affect - policy, justice, defense?

[stray cat]

1. The key is who is the US he is fighing for - liberals or all Americans

[RedCappedBandit]

2. By fighting for liberals, he is fighting for all americans

they just don't realize it

he's trying to help them see things clearly

[BrklynLiberal]

3. I think that is right...

I don't believe that there are too many benefits that "Liberals" have fought for that those that do not call themselves Liberal would reject....40 hour work week, paid sick days, paid vacation, Safety on the job, Free choice on whether to join a union, Social Security, Medicare, Child labor laws, Free public education, Clean water, almost clean air, auto/train/airplane safety, ....and the list goes on and on..

[kath]

8. Thank you, RCBandit & Brklyn Lib - those who doubt you need to read this:

http://dir.salon.com/story/opinion/feature/2003/08/18/conason_one/index.html

Liberal policies made America the freest, wealthiest, most successful and most powerful nation in human history. Conservatism in power always threatens to undo that national progress, and is almost always frustrated by the innate decency and democratic instincts of the American people.
If Americans have a common fault, however, it's our tendency to suffer from historical amnesia. Too many of us have forgotten, or never learned, what kind of country America was under the conservative rule that preceded the century of liberal reform. And too many of us have no idea whose ideas and energy brought about the reforms we now take for granted.

If your workplace is safe; if your children go to school rather than being forced into labor; if you are paid a living wage, including overtime; if you enjoy a 40-hour week and you are allowed to join a union to protect your rights -- you can thank liberals. If your food is not poisoned and your water is drinkable -- you can thank liberals. If your parents are eligible for Medicare and Social Security, so they can grow old in dignity without bankrupting your family -- you can thank liberals. If our rivers are getting cleaner and our air isn't black with pollution; if our wilderness is protected and our countryside is still green -- you can thank liberals. If people of all races can share the same public facilities; if everyone has the right to vote; if couples fall in love and marry regardless of race; if we have finally begun to transcend a segregated society -- you can thank liberals. Progressive innovations like those and so many others were achieved by long, difficult struggles against entrenched power. What defined conservatism, and conservatives, was their opposition to every one of those advances.{emphasis mine} The country we know and love today was built by those victories for liberalism -- with the support of the American people.

Whether they now describe themselves as liberal or not, most Americans remain strongly progressive in their views about taxation, healthcare, education spending, Social Security, environmental protection, and corporate regulation. In fact, despite conservative political advances in recent decades, survey evidence gathered by pollsters of all persuasions suggests that Americans are still more liberal than conservative.

From Joe Conason's "Big Lies: The right-wing propaganda machine and how it distorts the truth" A very excellent book!

Salon has 5 long excerpts from the book on their website. the above was from Part I (titled Big lies: How the right-wing propaganda machine demonizes liberals and distorts the common-sense politics of America: First in a week of excerpts from Joe Conason's new book.)

Here are links to the others:
part 2 Limousine liberals and corporate-jet conservatives
George W. Bush, Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter bash elitist lefties, but their faux populism masks a slavish devotion to the interests and indulgences of the wealthy.
http://dir.salon.com/story/opinion/feature/2003/08/19/conason_two/index.html


part 3 Male cheerleaders and chicken hawks
While Republicans smear Democrats as unpatriotic, a look at the war record of many GOP leaders -- including President Bush -- shows a remarkable aversion to the front lines.
http://dir.salon.com/story/opinion/feature/2003/08/20/conason_three/index.html


part 4 Bush Inc.
Understanding the political dynasty that's made crony capitalism a way of life.
http://dir.salon.com/story/opinion/feature/2003/08/21/conason_four/index.html


part 5 Who's tougher on terror?
Conservatives blame 9/11 on Clinton. But it was Bush Republicans who made deals with terrorists -- while Clinton's team took concrete steps to protect Americans.
http://dir.salon.com/story/opinion/feature/2003/08/22/conason_five/index.html

[bigtree]

4. labels can suffice in a campaign

. . . but, Obama has pledged to effect clear change from the past administration's policies.

Can he effect that clear change with his dual pledge to unite and compromise?

[Art_from_Ark]

9. There's an old saying that goes

"If you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one".

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. Edwards said, "I think if you give them a seat at the table, they'll eat all the food."

He was speaking about big corporations, still how would that not apply to the repugs that Obama wants to include in his administration?

[bigtree]

6. I can't think of a thing that they have to offer that's constructive

. . . or isn't designed as some obstruction or sleight of hand.

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. Yeah, same here.

:shrug: Guess we'll just have to wait and see how it turns out.