Did you guys see this?

[gateley]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4218309

The reason I'm bringing this back to our cozy little enclave is that I'm shocked! I know this isn't campaign finance reform, per se, but I'm not encouraged by the Obama administration "hoping to reinstate restrictions" (I'm paraphrasing) before the mid-terms.

The first thing that came to my mind was that Joe was a strong proponent of election finance reform. Remember the YouTube clip outside a coffee shop when a group who were questioning all the candidates regarding this nabbed him?

So for the second time today I was thinking maybe it should be Joe as POTUS. Don Siegelman was on Thom Hartmann and he told a story about something the Obama justice department ruled on that was shocking. Something you would expect from Bushco. Then I finally read this and I'm not sure I have faith in this administration to really kick butt.

I thought things turned out for the best -- Obama's charisma charmed the world which we sorely needed. He's impressive. But Afghanistan, giving up more and more on health care, etc.

Just rambling. But what better venue? :7 :hi:

[PatSeg]

1. I had thought things had turned out for the best as well

until recently. Now I'm inclined to think Joe would have been a better choice for president, except I don't think he could have ever gotten the nomination. So guess we got the 2nd best choice. Joe is close enough to the Oval Office to be of some influence. Hopefully Obama's 2nd year will be less disappointing than the 1st.

[lyonn]

2. Good to see you and Pat again on here

I haven't been "expressing myself" lately on DU and today must be my day.

When I happened to see Biden speaking at his mother's funeral this a.m. I felt once again like we missed a good one for Pres. Thank goodness he picked Biden for VP. Loved it yesterday when some talking head was talking about Biden's gaff when he mentioned that Obama would be tested by the enemy within his first year and Biden reminded him (Obama) of his SF "Gun, God and gays comment. This came up in the new book that is making the rounds and bashing and trashing many.

They make such a big deal out of Biden's gaffs, oh right, hell, they are kinda cute and funny. People lack a sense of humor and reality. No. 1, he ain't rich! That tells me he hasn't been paid off. Go from there, he's smart, thinks logically, etc..

[PatSeg]

4. Good to see you too!

I saw that too and the Obama being tested remark is not construed as a gaffe NOW, but more as insight. The media has been so quick in the past to jump all over Joe and for a while Obama and his cohorts seemed to be encouraging it. In the beginning of this administration, Obama was coming across as a bit arrogant and condescending towards his VP, which was a real turnoff. I think Joe is finally starting to get some of the respect he deserves. I think this year will be an especially good one for him.

[gateley]

9. Hey -- hi! What drives me absolutely crazy about the gaffe thing, is that they're

not gaffes! Just political tsk tsks. But that's what first attracted me to Joe -- he told it like it was regardless if it was the "right thing to say" or not.

[jillan]

3. You know what?

Personally I'm not impressed by Obama's charisma.
I wouldn't DARE say that out there. But I, for one, would like to see a little passion coming from him.
I am tired of him reading all the time when he is at a podium. I think about Joe always talking from the heart.
You could Joe him anything and he would be able to respond. I don't remember seeing John Kerry on the campaign trail having to read.
And why doesn't Obama ever take questions from the media? It used to infuriate me when Bush wouldn't take questions. I don't understand why Obama can't take one or two questions - it makes me feel that he is not comfortable answering questions - and that makes me very uncomfortable.

But Pat is right - Joe didn't have a chance in winning the nomination....but I sure would've loved seeing him debate McCain.


That's my ramble for the day.

[PatSeg]

5. I agree with everything you said

I would especially like to see Obama show a little anger towards the republicans in Congress. It could be controlled anger of course, but he needs to remind them that HE is president and act more like a leader.

[jillan]

6. Joking around about Boner's orange skin or calling Limbo the leader of the Republican

party just doesn't cut it.

If he should take anything from the last administration it should be how to fight back against the opposition.
We were labeled unpatriotic for questioning our President during a time of war - yet this administration runs around with pictures of our President as Hitler, and there is no response?

[PatSeg]

7. Obama started to go there

when he said "its not about partisanship, its about citizenship", but he needs to do this more often and show that kind of strength and resolve. It will be interesting to see the State of the Union address.

[gateley]

10. He needs to get mad! I was thinking the other day about Truman firing

MacArthur because he was making political statements. I really wanted Obama to do that to McChrystal, What's he afraid of?

[PatSeg]

11. Yes he does

I think part of the problem is his youth and inexperience. I'm hopeful that will change, soon would be good.

[gateley]

12. I heard a Numerologist say he's a "2" which means he wants peace more than

anything -- wants everybody to get along, hates confrontations. Sounds about right. Although, I'm a "2" also, but sometimes I'm just itching for a fight, and I fly off the handle if I think there's been an injustice.

[gateley]

8. They're just two entirely different beings. Joe's got that passion, Obama is

so reserved. I've been relieved when I've seen flashes of irritation or anger expressed by Obama because at times it does seem like he doesn't care.

He doesn't do well giving a speech from a paper script (i watched one the other day) but has that teleprompter down pat. I had to laugh the other day when he was to make a statement and it kept being postponed -- I KNEW he was waiting until it was up on the teleprompter. When he answers questions at Town Halls he's more personable and less robotic.

I don't know if I've ever witnessed anyone, other than Kennedy and Dodd (I'm sure there are a few more) speak with as much feeling and sincerity as Joe.

[CrispyQ]

37. ~yawn. what charisma?

He lacks passion. Yeah, he gives a good speech, but not a passionate one. He's rehearsed. Even his 'passionate' parts sound rehearsed. He's actually at his best when he's answering questions. He should do that more.

I have to say I'm more disappointed in Obama than I thought I would be. I figured he was a corporatist & I didn't have much hope in him. But still, I thought we'd be headed on a slightly different trajectory by now. He's thrown us more crumbs than McCain/Palin would have, but the ship is still headed toward the falls.

[jillan]

13. I hope you guys watch(ed) Rachel tonite. One of her first segments was

on Obama's accomplishments during his first year, and I feel alot more positive :)

[PatSeg]

14. That was very impressive

She presented it so clearly.

[jillan]

17. She presents everything so clearly. She's like a breath of fresh air,

especially after KO who tends to be so negative.

[PatSeg]

18. We really love her

She can really tear someone to pieces and still look like such a nice person. Plus she is very informative. Her show isn't just a rerun of the same stories that have played all day, which is good because by the time Rachel comes on, I've heard those stories 3 or 4 times already. There isn't anyone quite like her on TV.

[jillan]

20. Haha - I'm the same way. Usually by the time Keith comes on

I'm not even listening. Keith has become background noise for the most part.
Then Rachel comes on and she grabs my attention once again. Her interviewing skills are probably the best I have witnessed in a long time.

[PatSeg]

22. I think part of her originality

comes from the fact that she's wasn't a TV personality and as such, brings a fresh approach to the news. I can't believe some of the people who agree to appear on her show. I still love Keith, but he is pretty predictable these days. I have to give him a lot of credit though. He started it all when he was the ONLY TV personality who dared to question the election results in Ohio back in 2004. If it weren't for Keith, we might not have Ed and Rachel. His work with the free health care clinics has been extraordinary. The guy has a lot of heart and he tends to wear it on his sleeve, but I can relate to that as I do the same.

[gateley]

15. Yes - put that way we can feel some sense of accomplishment - and relief. The media,

though, only brings ups the stuff that gets the headlines humming, and we get distracted.

[jillan]

16. I really think that Rachel is the best pundit we have.

You know she isn't thrilled with Obama, yet she is staying focused, keeping it positive because she knows that is what is needed to for the dems to be successful.

[PatSeg]

19. I'm still disappointed in health care reform,

but overall, Obama has had a good first year. A big thumbs up to Rachel for bucking the trend and giving viewers a positive take on the past year.

[jillan]

21. We fall into the group that will get a tax increase. Hubby worked

for the post office, so we have a federal plan. So much for not raising taxes on the middle class. We're a blue collar family that is going to get a tax increase while the top 2% doesn't. The figures that they are using to figure out which plans get taxed are not just what the employee pays - but what the employer + family pays.

Funny - during the election - I used to tell hubby that McCain wants to tax our healthcare, and how could he vote for someone who would do that. :silly:

[PatSeg]

23. Its not a done deal yet

An awful lot of people are raising hell over the proposed increase. With the mid-terms coming up, it sounds like political suicide to me.

So did your husband rub it in about the tax increase?

[gateley]

24. I'm all confused about the health care tax, but it shouldn't even be a concern

for the majority of citizens -- that's just wrong!

Pat says she's still disappointed in the health care, I'm still really really pissed. I'm hoping somehow, some way, the House can work some magic.

Has your husband reminded you of your statement? :7

[gateley]

25. I'm still pissed about health care. Just told P I'm hoping the House can do something.

Rachel always presents issues in a way I can understand, concise, simple, and very very informative. She's the best in my book.

[PatSeg]

26. The Senate bill is a joke

Just a big give-away to the insurance companies. I wasn't expecting miracles, but this is pathetic.

Besides being incredibly informative, Rachel is so darn likable. MSNBC did really well giving her a show.

[gateley]

29. I wasn't expecting miracles, but I didn't expect the insurance companies to

benefit far more than we will. :grr:

[PatSeg]

30. I picture insurance executives

laughing their asses off behind closed doors, especially after acting like they were opposed to a bill that primarily benefits them. How much money is enough for these assholes?

[gateley]

33. Kenneth Jay Lane used to say about his jewelry: Too much ain't enough. I think it applies here. nt

[PatSeg]

27. What the hell?

Healthcare Stock Index Breaks Record - Tops 6,500 Mark

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4223252

Of course, it isn't a surprise to anyone who is paying attention, but it is still disgusting.

[gateley]

28. That says it all, doesn't it? nt

[PatSeg]

31. Yep

How stupid do they think we are?

[gateley]

32. I think that's obvious. They think we're really really fucking stupid. nt

[PatSeg]

34. Just like the bankers with

their record bonuses! Did they think no one would notice? Basically, I think they don't care if we notice or not. They do whatever they want, everyone else be damned. What kind of world are we living in?

[gateley]

35. You know, I think you nailed it. They don't care if we notice. They say the

government should be afraid of its populace. In this country, that is so far from reality...

I posted about the Washington State Senate requesting a raise (this was years ago). We VOTED no. They held a session at midnight and gave themselves the raises anyway. We didn't do anything about it except bitch and express outrage.

We've been dumbed down and they've convinced us that they're the bosses.

I'm almost ready to just pull the plug on the whole 'experiment' and begin from scratch again. HOPEFULLY we would have learned our lessons, although I'm not so sure... Sigh.

[PatSeg]

36. I'm not sure either

If you look back through history, you see the same crap repeated over and over again. There is something seriously wrong with our species. I often think about starting from scratch again as well. With all the progress we've made, we still seem to regress in equal measure.

[jillan]

38. I heard that today too. What else needs to be said?

That mandate without a choice is unreal.

[PatSeg]

39. It truly is unreal

Doesn't matter whether people are left, right, or middle, they aren't going to accept this.