Dem Oregon Rep. DeFazio rips Pres. Obama

[Poll_Blind]

From KGW:

In his Eugene office Wednesday, Defazio accused the President of lacking the will to fight for the promises he made to get elected

“Fight? I don’t think it’s a word in his vocabulary,” said DeFazio. “ I mean come on he pledged as a candidate to make the Bush tax cuts for people making over $250,000. He repeatedly said that as president. Then the Republicans telegraphed to him they were going to use a fake crisis over the debt limit in order to muscle some major spending reductions or other things on to him. And that was in December. And what happens? Suddenly he flip flops and concedes everything to the Republicans.” DeFazio said.

Asked whether he thought the President had a shot at re-election, Defazio was skeptical.

--SNIP--

Asked if he was surprised, the congressman shrugged.

“Not at all. One guy asked me … give me 25 words what he's about and what he’s done for me. I’m like … 'it could have been worse?'” DeFazio said.

More at the link!

Oh...and Pete's right. Over the last 15 years I have come to expect two things from him: Plain speaking and Classic Democratic Ideology. He doesn't disappoint on either count.

PB

[Blecht]

1. He's always told the unvarnished truth

I moved out of his district five years ago, but I still consider him my Congressperson.

[TwilightGardener]

2. Obama doesn't like him, and basically told him so. He's been trying to

strike back ever since.

[jaxx]

4. How about that. Revenge against the President

is pretty juvenile. Thanks for the info.

[surforegon]

6. 'info' is not

a post on du.
Defazio is all mine here in Oregon and has always spoke the truth. You may well get used to it.
Many of us are telling it.
And Defazio would smoke Obama in a primary in Oregon, bet on it.

[jaxx]

9. People have never heard of him.

I wouldn't vote for him against the President.

[surforegon]

58. 'people' had never heard of

a certain Senator in 2004 yet there he is.
Defazio is core, Obama doesn't know what core is.
Oregon is a very progressive state with many independants.
Locally, I know a few 'people' who are disgusted with Obama and
would be happy to see him primaried (if only to hear him lie some more).
This ain't the heartland.

[Le Taz Hot]

65. This "people" from California is VERY familiar

with DeFazio. So is everyone having the slightest interest in politics. Now Obama, I'd only heard his name but knew nothing about him before the primaries. I know why now.

[LWolf]

73. surforegon is right.

DeFazio would smoke Obama here where people know him.

If he were to run in a primary, and people outside of Oregon heard about him, he'd get a lot of support from "old" Democrats.

That said, I'd rather see Grayson, or DK or Feingold primary Obama. I like DeFazio right where he is.

[sabrina 1]

108. Speak for yourself. As a NYer during the horrific reign of

George Bush, I and most democrats I know, knew DeFazio and found myself applauding him every time he spoke about actual Democratic principles at a time when to do so was considered a crime. He stood out among Democrats and is one of the most respected Liberals in Congress, (or was until he had the gall to disagree with this president). He never wavers on his principles, and is a real scrapper, someone who is willing to actually fight the Right.
'
He is also a Navy Vet, serving 4 years in the late '60s/'70s and never backs away from a fight.

He opposed the bailouts, not subscribing to the notion that the American people ought to be bailing out failed, corrupt gamblers on Wall St and most Americans agree with him, and still do. He was 'chided' by the President for voting for what he believed to be right which demonstrates that this President can put pressure on Congress when he wants to. Too bad he puts that pressure on Liberals more often than not.

DeFazio is one of three great Democrats who have had it with this President's refusal to stand up and fight for what he ran on. It IS rare for Dems to speak out this way when it is their Party occupying the WH, but it shows how frustrated they are by now, not that we didn't know that, and how they are no longer going to take the blame for this President's awful policies especially when they include bargaining away SS/Medicare and Medicaid to hand a decades long dream, to the worst people in this country.

Those of you who support this president are apparently unaware of and not even interested in why so many great Democrats and Liberals, from all walks of life, have finally had it with his policies. It would be better, for his sake, to stop enabling him before it's too late. But that is your choice ...

[Name removed]

110. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Sherman A1]

112. I would

a little bit of plain speaking and progressive.

Yeah, I would vote for him.

[in_cog_ni_to]

148. No one ever heard of the Governor of Arkansas either....turned out to be a 2-term Democratic Prez!

Recognition means shit. Defazio would smoke BO in a Primary...no doubt about it. Democrats tend to LIKE VOTING FOR DEMOCRATS, not Republicans running as Democrats, in a Presidential election.

[Divernan]

153. You wouldn't vote for Jesus Christ against Obama.

[sense]

28. This is Defazio:

NO TO PAY RAISES, YES TO SCHOLARSHIPS

DeFazio turns back Congressional pay raises. He uses the money to fund scholarships for dislocated workers at five Southwestern Oregon community colleges. By the end of this year, he’ll have turned down $320,000 in Congressional pay raises to fund 197 scholarships.


Name another of our legislators that would turn down pay raises. Juvenile? I think not.

[tblue]

47. "Revenge"? No. He just refuses to condone failure.

I have known of Pete deFazio for years and I'm not from Oregon. He's a good solid Democrat and an honest man and beloved in his state. So you're just wrong, and even you admit you don't know him.

[Poll_Blind]

66. "He just refuses to condone failure." +1

Very true.

PB

[sabrina 1]

56. DeFazio is one of the best & most respected Progressive Democrats ever. How truly sad

to see this knee-jerk reaction based on nothing but a comment on the Internet and what a perfect example of 'my team right or wrong' this is.

So, this week we have Matt Taibbi, Paul Krugman, Paul DeFazio and Maxine Waters joining all the other truly great Democrats and Independents UTB. This president doesn't need defending. His life will be blessed no matter what happens. It is the poor and the elderly, the sick, the disabled, the wounded troops, the children without parents, those are the people who need protection.

It is absolutely stunning to see the lengths people will go to to protect a politician, a very wealthy one as they all are, rather than worry about the millions of people whose lives are going to be so adversely affected by the fact that this president has refused to fight for them and is bargaining with the pittances they rely on to survive with some of the country's most despicable individuals from the Republican party.

Do you realize how ridiculous it is to keep blaming everyone else no matter how respected they are in an effort to try to defend the indefensible? There comes a point where even the most dedicated supporter of a politician has to acknowledge that if so many highly regarded people are all saying the same thing, that maybe it is not ALL OF THEM who are wrong!

[truebrit71]

104. Agreed...

...and added to my faves...I simply cannot get my head around the hive mentality of some here on DU...yes he's "our" President, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't hold him to account, or critize him when he does something that is contrary to what he said we would do/or agasint basic Democratic principles...

[PA Democrat]

113. +1000

As the parent of a child whose very life will depend upon Medicaid and Social Security after my husband and I are gone, I applaud Democrats like DeFazio who will defend our most vulnerable citizens. How sad that there are so few Democrats speaking out against cuts to an already inadequate social safety net.

[sabrina 1]

117. Maybe now that he has and Maxine Waters, expressed their

dissatisfaction with this president's policies, and also, John Conyers, others will get the courage to do so. I hope for your sake, (I have a nephew who will also need help all of his life so I know how you feel) and the sake of all those most in need in this country, that many more will now start putting pressure on this WH. It seems we are finding out, that this president CAN and DOES pressure Democrats when he really wants something. He did, eg, pressure DeFazio, or tried to, for his vote against one of the bills Obama was backing. Not the picture we get most of the time. I wish he would pressure the Blue Dogs the way he pressures Liberals.

[russspeakeasy]

114. +++++++++++++++++++ !

[hay rick]

119. +

[MissDeeds]

138. Excellent post

And I agree - it's amazing the people who have been vilified in an effort to excuse, condone, and explain away actions of this president. Three years ago DU would have been going crazy if GWB had done what has been done by this "Dem" president. The party is bigger than one person - bigger than ANY one person, regardless of his or her position. The Democratic Party stands for something good, fair, and equitable. It has years of history fighting for the rights of the common man, the union worker, the aged, the infirm, those who live paycheck to paycheck, those whose voices are drowned out by fat cats whose only goal is 'more'.

No one should be given a pass to erode those values and beliefs in any measure, large or small. The vision that has guided us is worth defending and worth fighting for. No surrender.

[joeybee12]

83. Actually, it's reverse...Obama is out to get him

Petty little man that he is.

[fishbulb703]

85. "Info"? Way to make yourself sound like a fool. nt

[Cali_Democrat]

99. LOL...some "info"

:rofl:

[DURHAM D]

7. Really? "doesn't like him?" Really?

Obama got his wittle wheelings hurt? How pathetic.

Well then he won't like this. I think Obama is a WUSS.

Will that make Obama cry? gheez

such brilliance - If "striking back" means articulating Democratic core values then I am all for more "striking back".

[TwilightGardener]

8. Really. I can't remember the reason why, it was at the very beginning

of his Presidency. DeFazio did something to piss him off. So I take DeFazio's constant carping with a grain of salt.

[DURHAM D]

11. Too bad for you.

DeFazio is just one grain in an ocean of democratic anger.

[TwilightGardener]

12. Sometimes it helps to know the backstory, in understanding people's motives.

[DURHAM D]

15. Its not a story. back or front

give it up

You just make the President seem really really childish.

On second thought maybe that is your goal - you want to make Obama small.

[TwilightGardener]

20. Actually, I think it's DeFazio who's made himself small, instead of

getting over it. Not good for the party for a Dem Congressman to constantly rip the President like a teabagger in public, to constituents. Obama hasn't said anything about Defazio that I know of.

[jaxx]

24. I agree. It seems petty.

[Quantess]

59. You just said,

"Obama doesn't like him, and basically told him so".
So which is it? Or maybe you're just making it all up out of thin air, for sake of conversation.

[GillesDeleuze]

101. Note: The above poster just referred to DeFazio as a teabagger.

Motives are clear.

[Quantess]

160. great!

[Bluenorthwest]

133. You just claimed "Obama does not like him and told him so"

Now you say 'Obama hasn't said anything about DeFazio that I know of". Which is it? Can not both be true, so one is a lie, which is which?

[sabrina 1]

94. The back story is that DeFazio has been fighting for progressive

ideals and against the Republicans for years. And like so many others who thought this was the job of Democrats, he's had it with a president who is undermining those efforts each time he appoints another Republican to a position of power, or adapts their rotten ideas because he thinks we have to continually 'compromise' rather than fight. And we the people get NOTHING when he does this.

DeFazio, Maxine Waters, John Conyers have all spoken out against these policies in the past week or so, and there will be more. Not to mention all the other great Democrats who have trying to get him to act like a Democrat. At this point it is getting hard to keep kicking people UTB when there are so many of them. They can't ALL be wrong and just one politician right.

You would be doing this president a favor if you stopped supporting him when he does things loses him support. Enabling him to constantly cave to Republicans is the worst thing anyone who cares about him, can do.

[Bluenorthwest]

131. What's your backstory? You come here to trash my Rep all day

but who did you elect in 2010? You come here claiming to speak for the President. That takes some sort of massive projection. You should speak for yourself, and allow the President to do the same thing.
And here is you on the backstory: " Really. I can't remember the reason why, it was at the very beginning of his Presidency."
So you have no idea what you are even referring to, yet you feel you can speak for Obama on his personal feelings toward a man who helped deliver him an entire State?
I bet you did not even vote in 2010. One of those 'whine but don't do types'. Too busy? What was the excuse?

[emilyg]

18. +1,00000

[jaxx]

14. I found this:

After Barack Obama was elected president in 2008, it was reported that DeFazio was under consideration for nomination as Obama's Secretary of Transportation.<22> However, fellow U.S. Representative Ray LaHood was named to the post in December 2008.

At a closed-door meeting of the House Democratic Caucus in late March 2009, President Obama reportedly upbraided DeFazio for his vote against the stimulus. "Don't think we're not keeping score, brother," Obama quipped, according to the Associated Press, while urging DeFazio to support his budget proposal.<13> DeFazio, speaking to press after the exchange, professed that he was honored that Obama recognized him and the issues of his constituents.<14>

DeFazio made headlines in mid-November 2009 when he suggested, in an interview with liberal MSNBC commentator Ed Schultz, that President Obama should fire Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers. "We may have to sacrifice just two more jobs to get back millions for Americans," said DeFazio.<15> The quote made top headlines at progressive news blog The Huffington Post.<16> DeFazio also suggested that a formal call by the Congressional Progressive Caucus for Geithner and Summers to be removed might be forthcoming.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_DeFazio

I can see Defazio and Ed trying to out shout each other. LOL

[TwilightGardener]

16. That's it--what an ass, voting against the stimulus.

[frylock]

26. defazio voted no because, as has been proven, he believed the stimulus to be too weak..

and obama once again proving what a bad ass he can be when fighting progressives.

[amborin]

41. You say of de Fazio "what an ass" ....but I think you're critizing the wrong guy

[TwilightGardener]

44. I'm sure you do.

[Poll_Blind]

86. LOL- that you would even make such a comment shows how little you know about him.

Really.

PB

[girl gone mad]

51. "Don't think we're not keeping score, brother"

Obama comes across like an ass in this exchange.

[Autumn]

62. Very Childish. I seem to remember Defazio was against

the tax cuts in the stimulus. And he was right.

[Bluenorthwest]

134. Same week, Obama called Chuck Grassely 'an honest broker

and my friend'. Just for some context.

[Dappleganger]

168. Yes, that makes him look small and petty.

I'm in DeFazio's corner as he is a REAL democrat, not this centrist wishy-washy tear down the middle class shit.

[GillesDeleuze]

102. Wow, DeFazio schooled Obama on both counts.

good to know

[frylock]

25. defazio probably made a stand in support of traditional democrat values or something stupid..

obama is not going to put up with that kind of shit.

[amborin]

35. De Fazio was against the bill's useless tax cuts, which Obama included to woo rethugs; O got 0 rethg

votes for capitulating to them, early on...

[Poll_Blind]

36. Yup. The President makes no bones about settling scores with the few Democrats he can't armtwist.

And, of course, that makes me love Pete all the more.

PB

[LooseWilly]

53. Progressive Democrats maybe- When Blanche Lincoln voted against him though...

he supported her over her primary opponent, as I recall.

Not to mention Specter ... Lieberman ... etc.

[truebrit71]

103. ROFL!!!

:rofl: That's a great post!

[pa28]

19. Are you referring to Obama saying "we're keeping score brother" to DeFazio?

Or something else.

Who's being petty there?

[TwilightGardener]

21. The President is within his right to expect fellow Dems to vote for

a crucial Dem bill to rescue the economy. DeFazio sounds like he's all about DeFazio.

[pa28]

22. That might be in bounds.

I got the impression you thought it was a personal matter.

[Hydra]

31. "Crucial Dem bill to rescue the economy"?

How did you manage to get every single word wrong in that sentence?

Obama admitted that the stimulus was simply to blunt the effect of the recession for a year. His advisers assured him in their most serious tones that the economy would magically recover all by itself, and all he needed to do was stabilize things for a year.

So, if he thought it was crucial, why did he give away all of those tax cuts? Almost everything in that bill that wasn't to keep states above water was tax cuts, not job creation.

That leads to word two: This was a tax cut "stimulus." What do we usually call that? Oh, yes, a REPUBLICAN bill.

[julian09]

121. Tax cuts in stimulus were for working class

Republican tax cuts are for the wealthy and wealthy corporations. His advisers didn't realize that repugs would impede everything he did, just say no and obstruct obstruct.
It is obvious Gop would rather see country fail, than give Obama and country a win on ANYTHING. The Bush tax cuts have been extended, just to let the middle class cuts and unemployment continue. Had he done otherwise they would be crying; he brought tax rates up and broke promise. That ransom worked and emboldened them to do same on debt ceiling.

[amborin]

34. de Fazio was correctly against it due to its huge, useless tax cuts; he also voted against TARP

good idea there, too....the "too big to fail" banks can still bring down the entire economy....they're wallowing in bonuses and profits, while main street suffers and has to pick up the bailout tab

re: the stimulus:

"But with rank-and-file Democrats deeply unhappy about continuing the tax policies of President George W. Bush, senior party leaders said the energy items would not be enough to calm House Democrats who earlier on Thursday took an extraordinary internal vote rejecting the White House tax deal.

“We have taken a position that this is not an acceptable package,” said Representative Peter A. DeFazio, the Oregon Democrat who urged the House Democratic Caucus to oppose the proposal. “It’s way too expensive to benefit a very few. We want something that is targeted to the people in need.”

The strongest opposition in the House was to the estate tax provision, which would set an exemption of $5 million per person and a top rate of 35 percent — a higher exemption and lower rate than many Democrats want.

The estate tax lapsed entirely this year, but is set to return on Jan. 1 with an exemption of $1 million per estate and a maximum rate of 55 percent. House Democrats said the deal between the White House and Congressional Republicans would result in $68 billion in lost tax revenue compared with letting the tax reset to pre-2001 levels.

“The most egregious provision is the bonanza for the wealthiest estates in the country, ” said Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who represented House Democrats in the formal negotiations on the tax issue even as the White House was working directly with Republican leaders behind the scenes.

The caucus vote is not binding on the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi. But after the vote she indicated she would not cross her rank-and-file. “We will continue discussions with the president and our Democratic and Republican colleagues in the days ahead to improve the proposal before it comes to the House floor for a vote,” she said.

House Democrats have little negotiating leverage. If they block the package, the White House could simply work with the incoming Republican majority to pass it in early January — though Republicans would presumably be in a position to extract further concessions. "

[TwilightGardener]

38. That doesn't sound like it's about the stimulus of 2009. It sounds like

something from this past December re the big tax/unemployment deal.

[amborin]

40. de Fazio was against wasting 35% of the stimulus on useless tax cuts:

"DeFazio is a stalwart liberal and member of the Progressive Caucus. Why would he vote against the bill his party and president backed so strongly?

As DeFazio explained following the vote, he believed in the bill's education and transportation goals -- though he has long decried the stimulus' shortchanging of infrastructure relative to highways. "I couldn't justify borrowing money for tax cuts," he said. Tax breaks make up more than 35% of the final stimulus bill.

"Come on, school construction?" he asked, visibly frustrated that money for that goal had been sliced from the bill. "Why did that have to come out for more tax cuts?"

When asked about the need to bridge the gap between the House and Senate bills in order to win over the three GOP votes needed to prevent a filibuster, DeFazio was as blunt as can be: "We all know that's a convenient artifice from the Senate ... do away with the filibuster or have a real filibuster. It's convenient for . It gives them clout to push around the House and the president."

[TwilightGardener]

43. Sorry, to me he's a self-promoting ass for not voting for the stimulus--

it was the brand-new Democratic President's first major act in a bid to turn the recession around, and it wasn't the time to pull out the Kucinich "this isn't good enough for meeee" whiny bullshit card.

[amborin]

45. early on, de Fazio saw how Obama was caving to rethugs; he voted against its 35% useless tax cuts

and they were useless

and Obama got zero rethug votes for capitulating to them

de Fazio was an astute judge of Obama's (now repeated) tendency to capitulate

[suffragette]

100. Actually that sounds like DeFazio standing up regarding policy decisions

affecting his constituents.

That would be the constituents who re-elected him in 2010.

[MessiahRp]

105. How DARE De Fazio not support Obama and his Third Way Corporatists.

THEY are the New Democratic party after all. All the rest of you who voted for Democrats because of FDR and stuff... piss off you liberal commies!

[Bluenorthwest]

135. He was righteously representing the people of his district who

agreed with him. I'm sure your Rep did the same. Who is your Rep again?
My recommendation to you is that you simply do not vote for DeFazio, which will be easy as you are not a resident of his State or his district. If you were, you'd know how well respected he is here. Here, where you do not live.
Peter represents me very well, his office is the best run Congressional office I have ever seen. He and his staff serve the community well.
How does YOUR Rep do?

[Dappleganger]

169. Something tells me...

you've drunk the DLC kool-aide for a looooooong time.

[tblue]

50. WHAT in that bill was "Democratic"?

Even Obama admitted he gave in way more than he wanted to. And stop the ad hominem attacks on Pete DeFazio. Shoot the messenger much?

[surforegon]

60. Lol, you don't know shit

about Defazio.
Not a fucking thing.
And you might want to read up as its making you
seem as petty as Obama.

[Poll_Blind]

68. LOL, as a Eugenian I have to agree with you there. It's funny for people who....

...don't know jack about DeFazio or his record to try to smear on him. It's just...laughable.

PB

[robdogbucky]

146. Why suprised PB, the same is done to Hamsher, Krugman, Huffington, etc. n/t

[Divernan]

151. If only O had the cojones to confront the Blue Dogs.

[Nostradammit]

162. Oh please just stop - you are embarassing yourself.

Peter DeFazio is one of the greatest public servants in the country.

A congress full of DeFazios would solve 99% of the country's problems
in a fortnight.

Seriously, you are making yourself look like a complete idiot.

[Hydra]

27. Obama told DeFazio he didn't like him acting like a Democrat

"I'm keeping score" I believe was the quote.

You think that's ok? That the President stoops to attempt to bully one of his formally best supporters for doing what's in our party platform?

Keep lowering the bar- Maybe Dick Cheney will run as a Third Way in 2016.

[tblue]

54. Did he really say that to defazio? He's not real good at politics.

Starting to believe Obama is not a very good politician. Has no clue how to lead, No clue how to keep his supporters united. No idea what to do with a coalition. Hurts the people most on his side at the expense of those who will never be on his side. No unyielding commitment to any policy. No idea how to appear in control. Always lets the Repiblicans define the debate, then he reacts. On their terms. That's not leadership. Tone deaf to people in need and hurting. And cold to the ones who have carried water for him for years now. Who would say such an ugly thing to Pete deFazio? Who would tell union workers they need to sacrifice more? Now? Is that his campaign theme? How exactly does that fire up that part of his base? He's out there now railing about "Congress" instead of the lockstep Republicans he should be pointing to. How is that supposed to make all the good Dems in Congress feel? And it's only now he's devising a jobs plan? Now that the election is on the horizon, now he's ready to talk jobs. And fight. Because he wants to keep his job. Oh my gosh! He's winging it! He's flying by the seat of his pants. And I feel I am witnessing a slow-motion train wreck. It's a joke! A sad and ridiculous joke.

[Bluenorthwest]

136. He said that not just to Peter, but to Oregon's 4th District

which had embraced him and celebrated him from the first day he came to speak. It was a very stupid remark. We were also keeping score, and Obama was the one who had not returned the many kindnesses we offered him here.

[amborin]

37. you're baselessly impugning de Fazio; De Fazio fights for solid democratic principles

[Bluebear]

42. He insulted Him, and lo that can not be forgiven.

[amborin]

46. didn't Nixon keep score like that, of people he had it in for?

[Bluebear]

57. Indeed.

[Divernan]

152. Separated at birth: Obama & McCarthy: "I have in my hands a list of names"

[LWolf]

71. That says volumes about Obama.

DeFazio is golden, and he's got my support. I can't vote for him, since I'm in the wrong district, but I'd love to clone him for mine.

[Maven]

87. Wow. Really can't deal with plain-spoken truth tellers, can you?

You and the other "centrists" are really scrambling here, because your death grip on our party is coming to an end. Sorry.

And on edit: Of course Obama doesn't like him. He's a real Democrat and not a conservative.

[trud]

115. Obama doesn't like him?

Maybe Obama called him an f-ing retard.

[Bluenorthwest]

127. That's odd, because in 08. Senator Unknown was taking all the

help DeFazio had to offer. Peter's very early endorsement of Obama and his many hours of personal work on Obama's behalf was vital to Obama's strong Primary victory here. If the President does not like him, that says much about the President, none of it good. Peter's district here goes all the way to the CA border. In CA's primary, Senator Obama lost handily to Clinton. He could have used a CA counterpart to DeFazio, but he did not have such a backer there.
I also have to wonder where you get your information and your warrant to speak on behalf of the President in terms of his personal feelings about other elected Democrats. Where do you get that shit?

[quakerboy]

132. So you are accusing the president of being extremely petty?

Do you know how unbelievable your claim is? Basically, you are stating that Mr Smooth and Inoffensive, President Barack Obama, the Negotiator, dropped all his charisma, all his speaking ability, all his poise to pick a fight with one congressman from the far side of the country? On its face its a ridiculous assertion.

If it was true, what would it mean that the president went out of his way tell a well respected congressman that he dislikes him. And in what world would that somehow make the congressman the bad guy?

Then think it a step further. If the president was going to chose a Congressperson to dislike, why not say, Boner or Cantor? King? Issa? Bachmann? Joe Wilson? With that rich a field, what does it say that the president would chose this one in particular? Nothing good about the presidents intentions or intelligence. And I think we can feel fairly safe saying that the former president of the Harvard law review is not unintelligent.

All of which says to me that either your assertion is complete bunk, constructed out of fairy dust to smear the good congressman, or there is far more to it than you are sharing.

[robdogbucky]

145. Link please n/t

[Bronco Bob]

3. I would love to see Peter DeFazio grow some cojones

and enter the Democratic primary, just to push Obama back to the left. We all know Obama is too far to the right for the Democratic Party's liking.

A primary doesn't always mean you want the President off, but an platform that needs to be established as a part of the people.

I just wonder if Obama left his notes at the Democratic National Convention in 2008 and forgot about it, after listening to some Third Way/DLC people and never looked back.

[jaxx]

5. Leave the kids out of the politics.

That is really low.

[Poll_Blind]

64. In a debate between the two, DeFazio would eat him alive.

PB

[Gregorian]

10. I lost a realtor in Oregon yesterday because I told her how much I admire DeFazio

Looking for a ranch in Oregon. It's her loss.

I find it strange that there are so many conservatives in a place with such a progressive representative.

[Poll_Blind]

17. Sounds like losing that realtor was probably a blessing in the long run!

She probably voted for Art Robinson- maybe you remember him? He was the freaky teabagger who was running against DeFazio and his freaky ideas and even freakier financial shadow-backers landed him and DeFazio on Rachel Maddow's show before the last election.

The political breakdown of Oregon is...actually kinda a lot like a microcosm of the nation: Rural folks who vote Republican and urbanites who vote Democratic. DeFazio does his best to serve everyone, though, and so he tends to pick up votes from all over- though I'd imagine some of them don't like to admit it. I think more than a few hardcore Republicans voted for DeFazio this last election simply out self-preservation: Art Robinson was that batshit crazy!

PB

[Gregorian]

30. Haha. That's actually pretty funny.

I have to say I'm very proud to have lived in Oregon for two years. Just long enough to have voted for DeFazio. Then back to California I slunk. I couldn't believe my eyes. Bush/Cheney bumper stickers in 2006, still.

California has more people and cars than all of Canada. I was born here. Everything I know is here. And I would like to have what I had back.

I guess I really need a time machine. All of the good property is taken. But I keep fighting on. Year after year. Property after property. I'm getting old and tired, and yet still haven't settled down. Ugh.

[senseandsensibility]

23. Her loss. Obviously.

How liberal is Eugene these days? I lived there briefly, many years ago.

[Gregorian]

29. I've only heard it is. But I live in California. Haven't been to Eugene.

I'm trying to find rural acreage. But that comes with a price, usually. If only I could find a place that has 1/10 the people of California, was liberal, and rural. And about ten other criteria. Like not hot. Not at 3000 feet in elevation. River frontage. No roads. No noise.

I'm probably going to die before I find it.

[lumberjack_jeff]

74. If you don't mind rain, try southwest washington. n/t

[Gregorian]

93. I almost bought a ranch near Pacific Beach once.

But I'm looking for something like Oakridge, with lots of great bike riding. I think Oakridge is too warm in the summer for me.

I've got a nearly impossible equation to solve. Marine influence, great biking, large acreage. ARGH. And I can overlook the politics. I just want a beautiful and magnificent place to live. I need a time machine. I'm really trying to find what was available in 1960. 1950.

[LWolf]

75. Which side of the Cascades is your realtor on?

East of the Cascades there are plenty of conservatives and teabaggers.

Most of the population is West of the mountains, though.

[Poll_Blind]

77. I'm betting East. There's plenty of cheap land West of the mountains and....

...if a person is willing to drive in from places like Veneta, Drain, etc. there are lots of very secluded places that aren't too expensive to set up a house. And I'm sure, probably buy a house too.

PB

[LWolf]

79. I love Veneta.

I'm east of the mountains because that's where my job is. It has it's charm, and I'm not the only Democrat or left-wing liberal here, but we're certainly a minority.

[Gregorian]

170. Hey, thanks for that comment. It does look like a nice area.

I'm going to start looking at it. West of the area looks quite remote and yet not too far from a metro area.

[Gregorian]

91. This is the Umpqua area

[LWolf]

167. I've got ex-in-laws in that area.

They are notoriously red; a minority west of the mountains, but they are there.

[Quantess]

78. Check out Ashland, OR

It's a fairly liberal bastion surrounded by conservative regions. Plenty of ranching capacity, and bonus if you like Shakespeare. In general, most of the sane Oregonians live in the NW part of the state.

Oh..try Bend, OR. I bet you can find something excellent for cheap, because they were dramatically hit by the housing bubble.

[Bluenorthwest]

137. Ashland is lovely, and it is not just Shakespeare, if you like

theater at all, move there. Next year a very good season, including a new play about the Black Panthers etc. Lots of new plays, lots of variety, about 12 a year, half or less is Shakespeare. I love Shakespeare myself, just saw their Measure For Measure set in 1970's urban California, and Julius Cesar with gasp, a woman as Cesar. She was the best I've ever seen.
Those withing driving distance can sign up for email alerts, half price tickets for the upcoming week. Love that place. Love it.

[Quantess]

166. Thank you! I did not know that about Ashland, OR

Sounds amazing! :hi:

Bend, Oregon. Don't forget that wonderful place!

[Shagbark Hickory]

81. Tell us more. How did you lose her? What did she say?

[Gregorian]

92. She was all over me for a property she wants to sell. Then disappeared the moment after my comments.

[pa28]

13. Peter DeFazio has spent his career speaking out for Democratic principles.

It must be frustrating for him as it has been for many of us watching historic victories ceded by the president in closed door sessions with Republicans.

I had to laugh at Peter's response on what Obama had done to make life better for his constituent "It could have been worse?"

[stevedeshazer]

32. Peter DeFazio speaks the TRUTH.

That guy is right every time.

There is no better congress critter than Peter DeFazio.

Don't believe it?

Check him out: http://www.defazio.house.gov/

Progressives could not have a better friend.

[amborin]

39. exactly, one of the best! and correctly voted against the bankster bailout

and against the stimulus b/c of its useless and huge tax cuts

[Poll_Blind]

67. It's true: He's the real deal. The REAL deal.

We need more representatives like that. We need more authentic Democrats in the Party.

PB

[DU GrovelBot]

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[grahamhgreen]

48. 'it could have been worse?' OBAMA 2012

[Lydia Leftcoast]

49. We need about 300 more like DeFazio

and that would send the Republicanites running.

Former Oregon resident here, and I attended his $35 beer and pizza fundraisers, even though I didn't live in his district.

Imagine, fundraisers that ordinary people can afford to attend!

[FLAprogressive]

52. I love Peter DeFazio and I think he ought to run for president.

[Safetykitten]

55. Oh my.

[piratefish08]

61. what? the President's feelings were hurt?!?! treason!

Leave the President aloooooone!

[Eyerish]

63. K&R for Rep Defazio

[Poll_Blind]

69. The Hill: House liberal says Obama’s chances of re-election ‘very tough’

From The Hill

DeFazio also warned that Obama might have lost Oregon, which the president carried with nearly 57 percent in 2008. “I've just done six town hall meetings, have seven to go but people are shaking their head and saying 'I don't know if I’d vote for him again.'” said DeFazio, who is traveling his district in August during the congressional recess. “I believe Oregon is very much in play.”

It is not the first time DeFazio has criticized Obama. In April, DeFazio slammed Obama for breaking a campaign promise by not allowing former President George W. Bush’s tax cuts on the wealthy to expire. DeFazio said at the time Obama needed to be pushed to “act like a Democrat.”

In this case, DeFazio’s comments echo another voice of recent criticism from the left. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) said Tuesday at a Congressional Black Caucus town hall in Detroit that the African-American community still wants to support the president, but feels voiceless in recent debates.

“The people want to fight,” Waters said Thursday night on MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews.” Waters said she hoped the outspokenness of the Congressional Black Caucus gave the president “strength.”

More at the link!

PB

[Zorra]

70. "It could have been worse"

I think that's gonna be my new signature line.

[myrna minx]

72. He's clearly a republican troll under the spell of Karl Rove.

:rofl:

[Poll_Blind]

76. LOL, tell me about it! You know, I'm ok with people who are still willing to....

...blindly support the President. That doesn't really inflame my sensibilities because DU's got a gazillion people on it and, you know, everybody comes from someplace different as far as how they see the world, politically. But when people whip out this "I support the president but those who are deeply dissatisfied with him are shadowy GOP operatives." claptrap, I just have to call bullshit.

In a normal world, that whole "Wait- this is really a trap by Karl Rove!" shit could probably fly, at least a little. But nobody expected for Candidate Obama to be abducted and replaced by Bizarro Obama. The guy hasn't trashed his reputation with Democratic voters, financiers (Soros, et al.), seniors, etc. overnight. No, it took a long time and a large number of absolutely awful choices to get where he is today.

I usually give the benefit of the doubt that people who make those accusations are well-meaning Dems who simply don't follow much of anything as far as the news goes and are grasping at straws in an attempt to explain the disparity between what they remember from Campaign '08 and what they see now.

PB

[0rganism]

97. Candidate Obama vs. Bizarro Obama

That's the answer -- Obama should primary himself!

It'd be like the epic Robot Chicken dance off between the "beat it" Michael Jackson and the pale alien replacement:
http://video.adultswim.com/robot-chicken/alien-v-mj.html

[QC]

80. He just wants President Perry!

:cry:

[kitschinsink]

82. president pArry!

[Zorra]

84. GOOD CATCH!!11!

It's hard to understand why everyone can't see this, it's sooo totally obvious.
;-)

[Maven]

88. Thanks for the info!!!!1111!

;)

[GillesDeleuze]

106. nice scoop! GREAT INFO

[slay]

89. “Fight? I don’t think it’s a word in his vocabulary,”

that pretty much sums it up right there. Obama will not fight for us. he either can't or won't - but the result is the same.

[Poll_Blind]

90. Yup, the bottom line is still the same.

Sam Seder nailed it back in November of last year:
It doesn't matter if Obama is on "our side" or not.

PB

[smokey nj]

96. Thanks for the link!

Have you heard Sam's internet show? It's fantastic and Senator Katherine Harris calls in occasionally. You can listen at the link below.

http://majority.fm/

[BlueIris]

95. Thanks, Mr. DeFazio.

I wish the rest of the Party felt capable of following in your footsteps.

[PufPuf23]

98. K&R for Oregon Rep. DeFazio

I lived/worked in Portland 87-92 and Corvallis 94-99.

DeFazio is a good man that stands for Democratic Party principals more than POTUS Obama.

[democrank]

107. Watch out, Mr. DeFazio.....

Next thing you know, you`ll have tread marks across your forehead and you`ll be gagging on bus fumes. Here`s the new Democratic Party rule....genuflect....OR ELSE!

[Proud Liberal Dem]

109. Thanks for manning the barricades, Pete!

:eyes:

What are YOU doing to fight the Republicans in Congress and help President Obama? Grab a mop, already!

[bertman]

111. Rep. DeFazio is a DEMOCRAT. President Obama is a DLC Corporatist. REC. nt

[a2liberal]

116. Recced. I wonder when he's going to get thrown under the bus? (n/t)

[FLAprogressive]

118. He already has.

[rury]

120. Defazio apparently does NOT know how count the votes in Congress

that were NOT there to do what President Obama wanted...
He's just sputtering empty bullshit...
OBAMA 2012!!!!!!!!

[julian09]

128. Just sit on sideline, throwing BS because of his next election

He knows "O" will have tough election. It is easy sitting on side, but having to actually weigh the possibilities of what can be accomplished and act accordingly, is different. Obama isn't president of just seniors and cradle to grave Govt dependency voters. There is another 70% of voters out there, including about 14 million union members. I see a lot of people bashing unions because of jobs moving offshore, instead of joining. Not too many complaints of $10 million plus CEOs.

[TheKentuckian]

156. Votes are about what can pass right now, pushing good policy and standing for

the people is how you change the debate and manufacture the votes to make the change.

You need a narrative that you stick to to and you have to really stand for some things that stick with people. Giving up the kitchen table conversation market, labor, and poverty as the backbone of our issues. We also can't stop agreeing with the TeaPubliKlans who are wrong about across the board and many miles deep in wrong at that.

We are up to a fuckload of fail. Believing the votes are just going to be there regardless of the train wreck levels as long as the other guys find new depths to fall to is no less nuts than thinking you can pound the podium and make magic on command.

[DeSwiss]

122. K&R n/t

[WillyT]

123. K & R !!!

:kick:

[Middle finga]

124. The debt deal may have been the straw that finally broke

the camels back. In other words, Obama may have taken the progressives for granted one too many times. A lot of progressive have lost faith in Obama, they no longer trust in him to do the right thing and each passing day, more and more progressives are starting to really dislike the man. All of Obama's economic advisors should be fired immediately.

[ProSense]

125. Obama solid in Oregon

Obama solid in Oregon

Barack Obama holds double digits over all of his potential opponents for reelection in Oregon: he's up 12 points on Mitt Romney at 50-38, 18 against Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann at 52-34 and 53-35 respectively, 21 against Herman Cain at 53-32, and 22 against Sarah Palin at 57-35.

<...>

I still think DeFazio is talking crap, now with this idle speculation about the election, to make up for the fact that he voted against the People's Budget. He can't blame that on the President.

Talk, especially baseless talk, is cheap.

[Bluebear]

126. Thats all that matters. Just a win.

[ProSense]

129. Damn right winning is important!

Do you think it's important to Republicans?

On edit: Isn't that what the OP is about winning the negotiations?

[Bluenorthwest]

141. You were ragging on Peter during the last election when he

was running against a total nutter. We who live here are very glad Peter won. As are other Democrats. You, I'm not sure, as you seemed to prefer Art Robinson at that time. I asked. Again and again. Because he was the Democratic candidate, and it was election season.
It is also interesting how at times you claim that the focus should not be on Obama, but on having more Democrats in Congress, then at other times you go after the Democrats in Congress that actually hold their seats. Can not have your cake and eat it too, you know.
DeFazio will be the Democratic candidate again. Again, you have no vote here. I assume that again, you will try to derail his efforts. That puts you on the Republican side around here. Peter is the Democratic Rep here. Nothing you can do about it.

[ProSense]

144. Bullshit! n/t

[Bluenorthwest]

154. HMMMMMM? In what way.

You would not even say you supported his election during the election. I live here, he is my Rep and I remember that you have been, from the other side of the country, going after Peter in many nasty ways for endless months now. That is just how it is. DU has search, and anyone can do it. I invite them to do so.
I mean, you do not live here, you claim to be a Democrat, yet you spend lots of time devoted to trashing a single House Member as distant from your district as can be. Why on Earth would anyone do that? Your own State lost Democrats in 2010. I wonder if effort in that direction might have changed things there in Jersey? I spent zero time on Jersey elections as I was busy here. We held all of our seats. Your State did not. Will you lose more this time, while you are trying to undermine the Reps in other States?
Peter represents us, not you. You have your Jersey guys, including more Republicans than in 09. And in politics, there is winning, losing, and also whining on the sidelines about races across the nation while your own State elects some Republicans. Odd priorities to hold.

[ProSense]

155. Hmmm?

"That is just how it is. DU has search, and anyone can do it. I invite them to do so. "

The claim is still bullshit!

[Major Hogwash]

143. That's all that counts.

The rest of the losers, like Palin, are just going to have to find something else to do for a living.

Hey, I wonder if that's why Obama used a bus this week?
Do ya think?

Could be, could be.

[OwnedByFerrets]

158. Yup, winning is all thats important....not how the fuck we get

treated AFTER we elect him.

[Poll_Blind]

130. You _would_ come in here and try to smear a good Dem using a 2 month old poll.

DeFazio just finished a circuit of smaller Oregon towns which were just over the line for Obama in the past. Those, not the metropolitan areas, are the real battleground for Oregon in 2012. Obama's failure to deliver is weakening the support in those areas and that means trouble. What is so difficult for you to get about that simple political concept?

Oh and, again, you're using a 2 month old poll to contradict what my House rep is saying after actually holding town hall meetings in those areas. That's what he's doing on his vacation. And he's still not done.

Your nastiness about DeFazio "talking crap" and "idle speculation", blah-blah "People's Budget"- those are just empty smears on a man who has been a good, strong Democratic Party member all his life.

What gives?

PB

[ProSense]

147. WTF?

DeFazio voted against the People's Budget and the final stimulus package. Whatever his reasons, he is not above criticism.

"You _would_ come in here and try to smear a good Dem using a 2 month old poll."

As opposed to the evidence cited in the OP?

"Your nastiness about DeFazio 'talking crap' and 'idle speculation', blah-blah 'People's Budget'- those are just empty smears on a man who has been a good, strong Democratic Party member all his life."

You can't be serious? Not only was there no smear, it was a criticism, but also you seem to be under the impression that only Democrats who you don't agree with are supposed to be subjected to name calling and smears.

[sabrina 1]

171. You miss the point completely. Dems who support

Republican ideas deserve to be criticized. Any Dem, like Fazio, who has consistently over a long time, fought for Democratic ideals. His vote on the stimulus was correct, from a truely Progressive standpoint. He has been a consistent voice for Democratic ideals and this president and anyone who wants to see him succeed, are not doing him any good by encouraging his consistent rejection of Democratic ideals in favor of Third Way (rightwing) policies.

[Bluebear]

163. There are no good dems to this ilk. Only Him.

[0rganism]

164. Poll is from June, doesn't include Perry, etc.

I'm not saying Perry's any more likely to carry Oregon than Bachmann, but the problem really is Obama losing cred across the board. If he's slipping here, he's slipping everywhere, and vice versa.

[cascadiance]

139. I'm hoping we can get HALF the congressman of Pete DeFazio here in district 1 to replace David Wu!

Would love to help improve Oregon's congressional delegation that has such a great example to follow!

[0rganism]

165. At this point, I'd be happy with anything more than half the congressman Wu was

Like him or not, Wu had a fairly solid voting record, and was willing to go out on a limb for us. A weird, Star Trekky limb at times, granted, but he wasn't afraid to stand up and be counted. And maybe that was his downfall.

Really, if he'd shown a bit more caution in his personal life, he'd probably be safe for another term.

But I digress.

Yeah, DeFazio rocks.

[SusanaMontana41]

140. Share him with Nebraska, will ya? We're stuck

with Jeff Fortenberry. He invited a war criminal to campaign for him in Lincoln, then expected the residents to pick up the tab.

[MissDeeds]

142. His concerns are well founded

Obama is not a fighter, and we need one.

K&R

[in_cog_ni_to]

149. Defazio for President!

:bounce::bounce::bounce:

[KlondikeAnnie]

150. I don't think Obama lacks the will to fight

It's just that his constituents are Wall Street, corporations and the military.
Not commoners.

[OwnedByFerrets]

157. The truth dayum sure hurts

[Kurovski]

159. I think what we got here is one of them Firebagger types causin' all that ruckus.

[raouldukelives]

161. k&r