It is not right for Obama to appear with Jeb at a Florida school as teachers fight for their rights.

[madfloridian]

By doing so he is seemingly continuing to endorse Jeb Bush's education policies. He has pushed the education agenda of George Bush as we know, but this is the worst of times for him to openly appear at a Miami school with his brother.

Teachers in many states are rallying to protect their right to collective bargaining. They are being treated like second-class citizens.

I am with Valerie Strauss on this issue. It is a poorly timed, poorly thought out thing to do. It sends a message to teachers who are fighting for the continued existence of public education...that the president is not really that concerned about them.

Yes, it is a tag team.

Obama's mistimed Miami school visit -- with Jeb Bush

At a time when Wisconsin teachers are protesting to keep their collective bargaining rights, President Obama is traveling to Florida to share a stage with former governor Jeb Bush, the king of corporate-driven, standardized test-obsessed school reform that devalues teachers and their unions.

What a tag team.

Obama is scheduled to speak to the students and faculty of Miami Central Senior High about the importance of out-educating the competition to secure America’s future. (That’s highly unlikely, with states cutting billions of dollars out of school budgets and with a reform agenda that is focused on expanding charter schools, assessing teachers based on students’ standardized test scores and the like, but never mind.)

The new education bill is moving through both houses quickly in Florida, and this time there is no Governor Crist to veto it.

Obama is appearing in Florida as state legislators move toward passing legislation (Senate Bill 736, HB 7019) that:

* Ties at least half of a teacher’s salary to how well his/her students perform on standardized tests

* Prevents consideration of many advanced degrees and special training to be considered in determining a teacher’s salary

* Eliminates tenure for teachers hired after the summer of 2014

* Requires the creation of new standardized assessments for all courses, though it doesn’t suggest where the money will come from to pay.

Pushing Rope blog reminds us of just a few of Jeb Bush's education fiascos.

Pushing Rope

Bush said last week he did not think Darwin's theory of evolution needed to be part of the state's public school science standards, according to an account in the Miami Herald.

"I think people have different points of view and they can be discussed in school," Bush said. "They don't need to be in the curriculum."

That's amazing.

Bush was the first governor to use school vouchers. The voucher program was a scam. Instead of parents getting a tax-paid public school education, the politically connected Dyslexia Research Institute lobbied for legislation that made parents pay $5,000 fees. The Dyslexia Research Institute was getting $5,100 of state voucher money and $5,000 from parents for every disabled pupil. The school's director at that time was Patricia Hardman. A court case found that Hardman had no education background or training.

Bush tried to defeat the already passed years ago class size amendment.

Bush attempted to defeat the class size amendment. After the amendment was approved, Bush attempted to have voters remove it from the Florida constitution. Reducing class size isn't a cure all for education. It will make classes less unruly and give teachers more one-one-one time with students. Bush is against it is because he isn't committed to making public schools better.

I am finding that this visit on Friday is giving me a hopeless feeling. Teachers in Florida are busy planning a March 8 protest to stand up against the very policies that are being pushed through the legislature with Jeb's foundation firmly behind them. It angers me.

One more quote from the WP's Strauss.

So, at this point in time, when teachers in Wisconsin and elsewhere feel besieged, I’m wondering why Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan are flying to Florida to be with Republicans who have been part of the attack force. Why, when teachers are fighting for union rights, does the president decide to spend time with anti-teachers union school reformers?

While Wisconsin and Ohio teachers and firefighters and police are having to plead to save their rights, the president should not be appearing with Jeb.

There is such a thing as too much bipartisanship.

This is a bad decision.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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

[polichick]

2. He probably thinks he'll get a political boost if liberals are upset. nt

[Buzz Clik]

167. More likely, he has come to recognize the certain liberals are never pleased.

Why try when they complain about every move he makes, even those consistent with progressive ideals?

I, too, have come to the point where I don't care what the hard left has to say.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

173. You wouldn't mind pointing to a few examples would you?

Complaints about consistently progressive legislation/policy, I mean.

[Buzz Clik]

177. the health care bill (flawed, but more than we had)

- Getting rid of DADT (not soon enough)
- Not defending DOMA ("an empty gesture")
- supporting teachers and education (in Florida -- this is bouncing around today)

If you have not seen this kind of insanity posted here, then I envy you.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

178. I've seen it.

I guess we have a different definition of "complaining" and "legitimate criticism."

[Buzz Clik]

179. there's lots of room for legitimate criticism, and I respect it.

The other, not so much.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

212. The "other" is nebulous.

DADT
DOMA
Teachers
(Your examples)

Which one is the "other?"

[liberalmike27]

194. Health care bill

Buy insurance, damn it!! Great bill, um....NO. Even that, as well as other things, isn't what I'm pissed off about. IF we'd ended up there after a fight, so be it. It's the lack of fight that keeps on bothering me, the non-negotiation compromises that get no votes, nothing in exchange that bothers me.

Obama, like Bill Clinton is liable to end up being an honorary son of Georgh Herbert Walker Bush.

[lark]

202. Clinton raised taxes on the rich

Obama cut them - need I say more about who really supports the rich and who didn't as much?

[polichick]

189. Ya know, I really wish that was the case...

But the record shows the prez often agrees with Republican/corporate policies and enables them.

If the party is ever to be relevant again, Dem voters will have to do a better job at primary time and choose a populist instead of a corporate Dem.

[chervilant]

207. hmm...

Let's look at both the validity and the relevance of your comment, shall we?

First, on the validity of your post:

Per your assertion, at one extreme are those on the 'hard left' who complain about everything Mr. Obama does (or doesn't do). This strawman "they" is glaringly absent from this post, as most of Mr. Obama's detractors herein are focused on his ill-advised and inappropriate policy re: public education, and not on "every move he makes, even those consistent with progressive ideals."

I would adjure you to recall the words of Teddy Roosevelt regarding criticizing the president, which has long been our constitutional right AND responsibility as members of the electorate.

Second, on the relevance of your comment:

Your title bar -- which, I presume, was meant to read "he has come to realize THAT certain liberals are never pleased" seems a rather obsequious paean to a man who has proven to be far less than what he promised at a time when our nation needs far MORE. You contribute nothing to the discussion about the corporatists' continued assault on public education.

In short, snarks or any form of sarcasm or personal assault are not helping our nation at this, our time of direst need.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Rec #7 here

:hi:

[Newest Reality]

4. What does this tell us?

Their is a level of association that transcends the lines drawn in the sand of Simulation.

I think the reason behind not wanting to teach Darwin is that it is useful to push the distortion of survival of the strongest and fittest when it is actually the most adaptable species that have the greatest survival ability and that's more complex and multifaceted.

Why would you want to teach students about their inherent adaptability? Push the social Darwinism of the Right-wing, instead! They might get ideas and question conformity and uniformity in thinking and behavior. That would be a disaster when you are building a corporate regime that is intended to supplant current forms of government.

[callous taoboy]

56. !

[adnelson60087]

227. Very astute reasoning.

[OwnedByFerrets]

5. +1

[librechik]

6. hooboy.

every time I think he's just about killed my last nerve, there he goes fellating anopther vile republican. Is there any principle he's not willing to compromise on? And don't flame me, I like Obama and most of what he does, but jesus...

[tblue]

7. Wish I could say I'm surprised.

:< This is Obama.

[haikugal]

8. Obama Is a Corporatist...

He is a 'new' Democrat...what do his words and actions tell you now? We don't have a real two party system anymore, it has been purchased. Jeb is heavy into charter schools and making a killing...it looks to me as though Obama is too.

[Bluebear]

211. He is.

[Vidar]

9. Obama dresses like a Democrat, but acts like a Republican.

Nixon was further left than Obama on domestic policy.

[polichick]

11. And sometimes like a desperate Republican wannabe. nt

[Vidar]

38. Thanks. I normally get yelled at for comments like that.

[amandabeech]

86. Republicans and many Democrats would call Nixon a Communist now

for his domestic policies. Negative income tax? Off with his head!

I think that every President from FDR through Ford is rolling over in his grave.

I cannot imagine what Jimmy Carter says to his lovely wife Roslyn when something like this comes out.

[madmax]

141. Lately I've been hearing a lot about Nixon and his

views at the time regarding health care and other issues. He would be persona non grata in today's 'Pug party.

[amandabeech]

149. He couldn't get nominated for dog catcher. n/t

[bread_and_roses]

168. Maybe reminiscing about the good old days of slaughtering the East Timorese?

Whatever Carter's actions since leaving the WH, when in it he was a good servant of imperialism and the profiteer Oligarchs. Nor was E.Timor the only example - I think Haiti and Nicaragua, but it's a long time ago and endless list of US support for torturing, slaughtering tyrants around the globe has continued apace all that time - they all jumble together after a while, but Carter was no exception.

[Jefferson23]

10. But he isn't concerned about them, is he? I think everyone who is

concerned needs to understand Obama on this issue..sooner than later.

Did you ever see the Frontline piece on College Inc.? They played it again the other night, Duncan
is so complicit..makes one ill.

[madfloridian]

17. I forgot to watch that. I got the email, and forgot to watch.

I assume it is available on line there?

[Jefferson23]

83. Here ya go mads:

College Inc.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/collegeinc/?utm_campaign=homepage&utm_medium=proglist&utm_source=proglist


Record numbers of Americans are turning to higher education to give them a stronger edge in the job market. One of the fastest growing—and most controversial—sectors of the higher-education industry is for-profit colleges and universities. In this video clip from College, Inc., students will learn about the aggressive marketing of for-profit colleges, concerns about their enrollment practices, and how the debt load for students at for-profit schools is often more than twice that of those at traditional schools.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/collegeinc/

[madfloridian]

118. Thanks so much for the link.

[xxqqqzme]

187. I saw that program.

Duncan was disgusting. He is a real cheerleader for the privatization of schools. He creeps me out.

[Jefferson23]

191. Obama hired a man who has terrible ideas, how that can change I have little hope for. n/t

[sabrina 1]

12. What's interesting about all this is how, when Bush's

NCLB disaster developed by businessmen was first proposed, Democrats everywhere were outraged and rightly so. And when Bush's Sec. of Ed called teachers 'terrorists' he had to apologize and airc, resign. That is when Dems were in the minority.

But ever since Dems won Congress and the WH, there has been a total shift to the right by the Dem Party on education. Not only did this president continue Bush's failed education policies, he enhanced them and is totally complicit in the war on teachers and far more successful than Bush was.

Sometimes I wonder is there someone threatening him if he doesn't go along? Because I can't think of any other reason why a Democratic president would take some of the awful, rightwing positions he has taken, nor one who would be seen with someone like the corrupt Jeb Bush who has profited as have his family friends, hugely, from his brother's failed education policies.

Sorry, but there is simply no excuse for this, NONE!

[lark]

203. He's got to be a plant

No Democrat would do the Republican's job for them as Obama has.

[tigereye]

13. yeah, that's not good- hard to not stand up for labor

rights when the teachers and other unions helped to elect you, eh?

I really don't get his stand on education here. Seems inconsistent with everything he ran on...

[madfloridian]

14. Well, he did campaign by supporting charter schools.

He did run on the platform of "reform".

I did not like his education platform during the campaign, but honestly I never expected someone like Arne to be picked. I never expected the all out assault on public education. :shrug:

[tigereye]

16. true- it's so tiresome to have folks blaming the teachers-

not at all what the research indicates.. really annoying.

[YvonneCa]

22. Neither did I. I wouldn't have knocked on all those doors...

...in a swing state if I had expected anything like this.

This education reform campaign was launched with Duncan, Gingrich and Sharpton all on the same page. Sharpton is now speaking out for unions, but mum on ed reform...Gingrich is running for President as a Republican...and now Obama has decided to hang out with Jeb BUSH?

Unbelievable...

[amandabeech]

93. The teachers' unions, both AFT and NEA, are always extremely important on the ground

and they give money, too.

How much time and money will the teachers invest in Obama this time around? Not nearly as much at the local level as before, I'll wager.

I think that he's in hot water with the Teamsters and their retirees with the Mexican truck issue that came out today.

Hollywood may not be as friendly to him as it was if Matt Damon is any indication.

So who's left?

Mozilo? Blankfein? Dimon?

It really didn't have to be this way.

[lark]

205. Unfortunately, he is 100% inconsistent with his platform

No single payer
No tax increase for rich
cutting heating subsidies for the poor
BP's actions are just fine
There is no oil in the Gulf
Unions? what are those? He doesn't seem to know or care, despite the fact he loses without them
Retribution for treasonous acts of former president & justice dept.? Nope
etc
etc
etc

[we can do it]

15. WTF Does He TRY To Disappoint Us?

or do we truly not matter to him until its fund raising/election time.

[QC]

21. Who else do you have to vote for?

This triangulation crap is all about appealing to "moderates," as he assumes liberals have no choice but to vote for him.

[YvonneCa]

23. Well, in 2010...

...they stayed home in most states. Not in California...we went heavily Democratic, both for candidates and policy. In 2012, Dems in California may stay home, too.

[we can do it]

33. I Can Honestly Say They Won't Get a Dime From Me

and I won't take any time off work for his campaign either.

[MasonJar]

110. Why does he think moderates are anti- teacher? Moderates are just that MODERATE.

He is screwing us all, himself included. Moderates are not anti-union either. They are not right wing whack jobs. He is going down because the people who worked so hard for him will not this time. He doesn't deserve it.

[Enthusiast]

158. How does he do it?

His role is to pretend that MODERATES are anti-teacher and anti-labor. We are supposed to believe that it is entirely reasonable to be anti-labor and anti-teacher. Hell, it's better than reasonable it's downright patriotic. If you noticed that is kind of the way the media is framing the Wisconsin and Ohio discussion. Obama is just towing the official corporate line.

[LoisB]

75. WTF

Yes and yes.

[Enthusiast]

157. I think he is 'one of them'.

Ideologically I mean. He only acted in a role as left leaning candidate to get elected. 'The powers' have no intention that Obama receive a second term. He doesn't care about alienating his 'base' because they aren't really his base anyway.

[haikugal]

219. I think this could easily be true.

During his campaign when he said he didn't care if he was re-elected it rang true and I wondered about it. Now I'm beginning to think like you...we were scammed because we wanted to believe and they knew it.

[DrDan]

18. my wife - a Florida teacher - is PISSED over this

and I don't blame here one bit.

[madfloridian]

19. I hear a lot of teachers here feel the same.

It's really a poor decision.

[YvonneCa]

24. It says...

either...

...he's listening to the wrong people, or

...he's not as intelligent as we thought, or

...he's as committed to the education reform agenda (including the anti-teacher crap) as the Republicans are, or

...other?

[madfloridian]

26. Or maybe a little of all. It's a thoughtless move.

[YvonneCa]

32. We've probably both known people/students...

...who forget to think before acting on something. Very impulsive. As a teacher, I regularly taught students to include the 'think' step before making choices. I find it hard to believe that President Obama did not think...long and hard...about the ramifications of this choice.

And he is doing it anyway. :hi:

[pscot]

199. The President is not an impulsive man

I'm sure this was carefully considered beforehand. That's what makes it so chilling.

[totodeinhere]

42. I hope you are not suggesting that we don't need education reform.

Our schools are among the worst in the industrialized world even though on a per capita basis we spend more money per pupil than many other countries do. Yet most of those countries have better test scores than we do. Something has got to change.

[madfloridian]

43. A lot of talking points there.

Very little true understanding.

[zalinda]

48. It wasn't like that in the past

In the 60's, I got a very good education, with a public school. As any one over 50 can attest, schools were pretty good back then. We certainly turned out a lot of very bright people. I don't know when or how schools have changed, but I do know one thing, the Bush years didn't help.

Now, they are talking about tying salary to student's performance? Who will teach those who have problems learning? Who will teach at inner city schools? Any one who wants a survivable income will only teach those who have all the advantages, and the money to go to college. The less fortunate will suffer, as they always do, because they did not win the birth lottery.

zalinda

[QC]

71. You ask some excellent questions there,

and I'm not so sure that the "reformers" consider it an undesirable outcome if quality teachers avoid working with the poor and disadvantaged.

I don't think they particularly care about such people.

[lunasun]

113. actually it guarantees most quality teachers will avoid working with the poor and disadvantaged!!!

[QC]

114. Exactly. And I think that's not an accident.

We are not dealing here with people who love those on the margins.

The ultimate goal is to asset-strip the schools. That's what this so-called "reform" is all about.

[Enthusiast]

161. Why should we waste

quality teachers on the poor and disadvantaged? :sarcasm:

[pscot]

200. That is the desired outcome

The inner city schools will sink further and be turned over to contractors to manage. This is all about raiding the public treasury so Marvin and Neal Bush can have a piece of the action.

[Enthusiast]

160. You are so right. NCLB did not improve

education. The early criticisms of NCLB were exactly on point. It is akin to acting as if trickle down economics was a viable economic strategy, oh wait.

Republicans voiced their goal of dismantling the teachers union years ago.

Republicans also spoke of "starving the beast' in regard to 'entitlements'. That is exactly what they did with two unpaid for wars.

Another right wing goal is getting rid of the USPS. Yet some super ignorant postal workers continue to vote Republican.

They also have a goal of war with Iran. Notice how they aren't talking much about bomb bomb bomb Iran lately? They know people are fed up with the wars so the GOP strategy is to play it down -for now. When they gain the presidency in 2012 it will be full speed ahead plans for war with Iran.

[YvonneCa]

57. For the goal...

...questioning the tactics and methods.

[Hannah Bell]

59. bullshit.

[Tansy_Gold]

64. The perfect response

[totodeinhere]

104. I wish that you could elaborate a bit more. Do you deny that we have some of the worst test scores

in the industrialized world? President Obama made that point in his last SOTU message, and he was right. And until we move to fix some of these problems the right wing is going to have the perfect talking point to justify breaking teachers' unions.

[YvonneCa]

124. Poverty. n/t

[Hannah Bell]

132. bullshit.

[totodeinhere]

136. LOL. Are there any other words in your vocabulary? n/t

[Hannah Bell]

143. to explain the depth & breadth of the bullshit you're spewing is too much trouble.

i learned a while back that people who repeat that crap are immune to facts.

they don't even know what "tests" they're talking about or under what conditions & to what populations those "tests" are given.

they just parrot things they heard on tv.

[bread_and_roses]

169. ++++++++++++++++++...... (n/t)

[Nevernose]

68. We're the only ones in the industrialized world...

...who even attempt to educate all of our children to the same high level. Those tests are comapring apples and oranges, since other countries funnel the bottom half or more of their kids into vocational programs and aren't tested.

And, for the record, teachers in those other countries have it way better in general. They spend less time in front of students and more time planning and in office hours. They're unionized, treated with respect, and have better working conditions. They don't put up with discipline problems.

If you really want to improve American education, start listening to the unions' suggestions, which are from dedicated experts in the field, and stop listening to Republicans and well-meaning but staggeringly ignorant billionaires. American students are, overall, doing just fine, and our education system is the envy of the world.

[liberation]

80. We're the only ones, in the industrialized world? Really?

That is a bit of a stretch. Most of the EU, for example, have free cradle to grave educational systems. Yes, that is from Kindergarten to College free for all their citizens. And they are very much part of the "idustrialized world."

I don't disagree with the gist of your message, but this whole American exceptionalism business is is getting bothersome due to its implicit ignorance. Yes, we're not the best at some stuff (a lot of stuff actually), and yes our shit also stinks. Deal with it people.

[Nevernose]

150. It's available to them, but many or even most students

Are not forced into it like in American schools. We've been using this one-size-fits-all model and pretending as if every child is the same. One might call it extreme egalitarianism. This renders the comparison of test scores between nations useless, because we're essentially comparing all of our students to the equivalent of Europe's honors classes. When our top ten percent are compared to their top ten percent, American students do quite well.

Perhaps in my original reply I was unclear: its not that all of Europe's students don't get free education, it's that they don't all receive the same education.

I happen to admire their educational system, or at least many aspects of it, and was, in fact, advocating for a system more similar to theirs; the ideas I posted were from my friends who teach in Italy and Germany, and from the exchange student we hosted last year.

They also don't waste time with troublemakers at the secondary level. Don't want to behave? Fine, here's. Your crappy job with a living wage.

I do know for a fact that both the Europeans and the Chinese find equal things of value in our educational system, as I've spent quite a bit of time demonstrating classroom techniques for foreign educational fact-finders.

I don't believe that saying the educational "crisis" is laregly hyperbole and overall the US has a good school system qualifies me as an "American exceptionalist."

[liberation]

192. No dice, again.

Actually a lot of EU countries have far more standarized and consistent educational systems, since the financing of schools is not dependent as heavily on local taxes as they do in the USA. I.e. there is no equivalent to the massive inequalities between poor and rich school districts that exists in the USA.

It is not about you admiring or not their system, it is about you making grossly uneducated generalizations about other countries' educational systems which you know little to nothing about. Which is what happened when you made the absolute statement about "every other industrialized country." That is what I referred as American exceptionalism BTW.

[totodeinhere]

106. I agree with most of your points. When I said that changes need to be made I did not suggest any

anti teacher measures. In fact, most teachers I know are the first ones to say that reforms are necessary. I do disagree about your point about the bottom half of students in other countries not getting tested. I would like to see some documentation about that.

[Enthusiast]

163. nt

[Tatiana]

76. Give me a break.

Other industrialized countries also have a highly unionized teaching staff, provide professional pay to their workforce, have a reasonable class size, decent facilities, and provide social and economic supports to struggling students (and their families) who attend their public schools.

We don't even compare to the safety net other industrialized nations provide their citizens. Believe it or not, it makes a difference if you are sick and have health care to be able to get treated for an illness and return to school versus a poor student here in America... a student that may have a lingering illness like strep or a mouth abscess and either comes to school in pain without being able to focus or is out for a long period of time due to being sent home for an illness that they wait to get over.

[totodeinhere]

108. Again, what you are saying is correct, and I did not suggest otherwise.

I called for reforms of our educational system. Based upon what you said, I would think that you would agree with me. Dealing with the problems that you mentioned should be at the forefront of any reform efforts. So I don't understand your "give me a break" comment.

[Tatiana]

117. That's not a reform to our educational system, that's a reform to our social safety net.

Our educational system is not as bad as the "reformists" make it out to be. In fact, this so-called educational reform movement has probably hurt educational improvement more than it's helped it by overemphasizing rote, standardized testing instead of emphasizing broad critical thinking and truly innovative methods.

I've toured public schools in California, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts and I have seen some of the best, most advanced, truly challenging teachers producing excellent student achievement. What those schools had in common was well-paid, experienced teachers, outstanding administration, small class size (no more than 26 per classroom) and high parent participation. When you are missing any of those things, you are going to have a tough time educating students.

21% of all children in the United States live in poverty (meaning they live in households with income belong the federal poverty level). More testing and computer software isn't going to help these kids learn better. Increasing their standard of living, providing them with regular hot meals, and the tools they need to be prepared to learn when they walk through the school doors will do a lot more to help student achievement than anything.

[totodeinhere]

121. I'm all for fighting poverty, and we need to do more of it.

But I don't necessarily accept that students from poor families cannot succeed. I think there are plenty of examples of it. Just look at Asian immigrants who work at two or three menial jobs at the same time trying to get their families ahead and yet many of their children in spite of coming from a poor family do very well in school, often outperforming other students from more affluent backgrounds.

[YvonneCa]

126. Of course they can succeed, and we have...

...to make that happen. But blaming the very teachers who have been working to do that is both counter-productive and wrong.

[Dappleganger]

137. Well as a FL resident I can assure you that what Jeb Bush has up his sleeve

sure didn't "fix" things. What we have here in this state are teachers who are enslaved to teaching to a test instead of being able to freely do their job which is TEACH, and students who are being inadequately and inconsistently tested instead of actually learning material or how to learn for the sake of learning.

[Enthusiast]

162. The choice is right wing strategies

and teacher strategies. Democrats traditionally side with teachers and the union. If we sell our soul and subscribe to Bush family values there will be no improvement, only more privatization.

[roguevalley]

119. he doesn't give a damn what people who don't agree with him

believe, stand for or want. He doesn't give a flying fuck. He's a complete sham.

[DrDan]

36. I doubt there is a group anywhere that provided Obama more support during the last election

than teachers.

And then to have this insult thrust in their face.

[hapkidogal]

204. I agree with your wife.

This makes me angry. All Floridians need to stand on March 8 for AwakeFlorida. It is a protest. It is on twitter @AwakeFlorida and there is a website but I don't have the link.

[DrDan]

213. I will look for it and let her know. Thanks!!!

[thereismore]

20. The Obamas are too cozy with the Bushes. I guess once you make it that far... nt

[Golden Raisin]

154. Bill Clinton and Bush The Elder

are a mutual admiration society and road show. So why shouldn't President Obama and Jeb snuggle up? :sarcasm: The Bushes are a multi-generational cancer on this country and I am disgusted that Obama would literally go out of his way to appear with Jeb. This is not what I voted for.

[L0oniX]

25. Sick and disgusting ...I think I threw up a bit.

Oh well ...I am getting used to the shit.

[Ignis]

27. K&R. Bipartisanship doesn't mean allowing the Pugs to frame the debate.

:banghead:

[JDPriestly]

28. We need a good candidate who can challenge Obama. He is just hopeless.

[swilton]

61. +++

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/swilton

[JDPriestly]

153. Thanks for the link. You raise a number of interesting questions.

[Blue_In_AK]

29. I couldn't agree with you more, MadFlo

The messaging sucks.

[Uncle Joe]

30. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, madfloridian.

[Starry Messenger]

31. No one is on our side but us.

He's not coming around. He isn't going to. They've made it clear that we are not considered the base anymore.

[bvar22]

34. While Teachers & The Working CLass are fighting for their lives,

Obama Hob Nobs with the Perps.
I wonder if they will be able to get in a round of golf,
or maybe he'll wait until after.

They'll make a great Foursome:
President Jeb, George the Lesser, The Old Dog, and Obama.

"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans.
I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans."
---Paul Wellstone


"By their works you will know them."

[polichick]

72. Great images and quotes!!

[DirkGently]

35. Yuck. Jeb & Co. are the problem. Everyone knows this. Not the President?

[KG]

37. i'm sure we'll soon be informed there's some Nth dimensional chess involved

:eyes:

[Better Believe It]

39. K & R

[totodeinhere]

40. Appearing with Jeb is not the same thing as endorsing Jeb's policies.

Obama is the president of all of the people including Jeb Bush and his supporters. Obama is trying to find common ground in order to move this country forward. I think that your complaint is much adieu about nothing.

If the president can't appear with anyone he ever disagrees with, pretty soon he won't have many people that he can appear with.

[madfloridian]

44. Yes, right now in this charged atmosphere, it certainly is an endorsement.

Especially since he has been openly and publicly pushing the same policies that Bush endorsed.

[Hannah Bell]

62. +100

[Name removed]

92. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Missy Vixen]

112. I'll rec for telling the truth

President Obama HAD to know the message he sent by appearing with Jeb Bush, who has undermined the public education system in Florida. What exactly do you believe they were discussing during the visit - Obama's March Madness bracket strategies?

I'm standing with the teachers.

[robdogbucky]

55. "much adieu about nothing." Freudian slip?

National Prayer Breakfast, AIPAC.

[YvonneCa]

58. I'm been for unity and civility...

...forever. THIS, however, is lousy timing.

[swilton]

63. Appearances in elite power politics have a lot of substantive

meaning....I think the symbolism here is giving a middle finger to the left wing of the DP and what had been Obama's base but certainly those who got him elected.

[truedelphi]

155. Or as the old adage once exclaimed:

"Birds of a feather, flock together."

[howmad1]

65. Finding common ground is bullshit.

If Obama really wants to find common ground, he's got several million progressives hoping and praying that he will support their progessive efforts. Now that's common ground. This guy is nothing more than an empty suit trying to get "independants" in his corner. If he had any fuking brains, he'd figure out that these independants get their news from Fucks news and couldn't care less about democrats or Mr. Obama. What a schmuck he's turning out to be.

[totodeinhere]

101. Well, his poll numbers sure shot up when he started working with the GOP after the last election.

n/t

[Jakes Progress]

129. So you're saying Obama has no moral center?

That all he cares about is votes and that he only does what will get him votes and not what is right? Pretty harsh. Accurate, but harsh.

[totodeinhere]

135. Well, he is a politician after all. But given the alternative I do want him to do what it takes to

get reelected within reason. I hope that he doesn't have to violate basic progressive principles too much. But let's face it, Obama is a better choice than anything the GOP has to offer so I won't blame him for being at least somewhat political if that's what it takes.

[Jakes Progress]

184. Ah, there's the rub.

The phrase "within reason" means so much to so many. And I am growing weary of the "Well, at least our guy doesn't eat babies and kill puppies" defense for indefensible actions.

[liberation]

81. LOL, nothing to see... move along...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDAmPIq29ro

[ElsewheresDaughter]

102. It most certainly IS!

[Dappleganger]

138. Yes it is, I disagree with your statement.

Appearing with Jeb is most definitely seen as an endorsement of his policies in this state (FL). If you choose to pretend otherwise that is your choice to believe the reality that Obama and Arne Duncan's policies are nearly identical in nature and implementation. Jeb's educational policies have not moved this state's education system forward by any means. The ones who are a success in this state are those who did so DESPITE Jeb's policies and continuous undermining of teachers and the learning process.

[fishwax]

196. he's not merely "appearing" with Jeb, he's promoting policy with him

[Riley18]

214. Obama is wrong to appear with Jeb Bush.

It is really very clear that we were all fooled into voting for change. The only change we got was that our jobs were sold out from under us. There is nothing good about Jeb's "devious plans" for education (his words, not mine). Anyone that agrees with Jeb does not have the the children's best interests in mind. Clearly, the only kids they want to educate are their own, and the hell with ours. I disagree with their elitist views on education. I believe that the working people of this country built it and now we need to get it back.

[chervilant]

226. My goodness!

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt.

[Dappleganger]

41. Who's side is he on anyway???

Definitely not MY side. Definitely not OUR side.

He's on the corpoRATS side!

[Shining Jack]

89. +1

I totally agree with you! :(

[autorank]

45. It's right for Obama and consistent with his performance since appointing Geithner n/t

[Marr]

46. I wonder if he's wearing his Comfortable Shoes©?

[sulphurdunn]

47. Why shouldn't Obama and Bush

stroke each other? Their attitudes on public education are virtually indistinguishable. I wonder what other friends they have in common? Sucking up to the Bush family seems almost an act of homage for current and former Democratic presidents, kind of like genuflecting at the National Prayer Breakfast and kowtowing to AIPAC. :puke:

[Raksha]

51. Good analogy.

There are no words for how much this sickens me.

[cachukis]

49. I don't comment much, but still read. Keep up the good work.

[madfloridian]

52. Your comment is appreciated. Haven't seen you around the board lately.

Hope things are going okay with you. :hi:

[Riley18]

50. Obama is not a Democrat. I cannot stand to see him kissing

Jeb's ass in Florida. What an insult to all of the people who voted for Obama. As a teacher who voted for him, it is the ultimate betrayal.

[polichick]

74. Oh, but he's a "New" Democrat, don't ya know?!

[QC]

77. New Democrat = Old Republican

[Scottybeamer70]

53. It's all about

destroying the public schools so the rich can make even more money on charter schools.
If that's not pretty obvious by now, then I'm not sure what it would take to make it so.
.....and Jeb........really?.......he has to show up with him??? What an insult! Why
doesn't he just declare himself a repub and be done with it? I'm not seeing much diff.
these days. Disgust is a mild word!!

[Octafish]

54. BFEE makes big bucks off edukashun.

Don't have a COW. Make your district purchase them.

[Autumn]

60. Would be nice if he appeared with the people

fighting for their rights. That would probably be too much to ask for.

[NICO9000]

66. Ya got that right, Autumn!

:yourock:

[grahamhgreen]

67. When he shows you who he is - believe him.

[polichick]

73. He's shown who he is for a very long time - people don't want to believe it...

But we'd all better believe it if we want to save what's left of our democracy.

[senseandsensibility]

69. I agree

eom

[somone]

70. Disgusting

But the guy doesn't give a shit - never did, and never will. All he cares about is his true base in the GOP.

[babsbunny]

79. I am done

brain cannot handle anymore............

[Whisp]

97. what hilarious claptrap, but do carry on, it's amusing

and entertaining.

hope you are enjoying the results of last November.

if you think Obama and the dems are so terriblly awful, I'm sure you are much happier now, and may be even happier in 2012!

[davidthegnome]

122. When you have nothing better than....

"he's better than the alternative" you really aren't offering much. Come 2012, I'll vote as I always do - and chances are I'll vote for Obama for lack of a decent alternative.

Obama IS awful - perhaps not as a person. However, as a politician, leader and President he has demonstrated a lack of courage, a lack of strength and a very obvious contempt for progressives. Overall - I do not think the dems in general are great. I think we have a few great ones, but generally speaking, the right and the left in politics have a lot in common, I don't find either "great". It is their differences - which are becoming smaller all the time, that keep me a democrat. The support for the middle class which I have always believed strongly in, the development and support for social programs - the idea of National health care that won't drive us into bankruptcy. The idea that - hey, we made a mistake in Iraq... (I could rant on, but I'm sure you get it).

If my choices are to vote between getting smacked and the face and shot in the leg, I suppose I'll take a smack in the face. Doesn't mean I have to like it. By the way - I did vote in November and I doubt I'll be happy in 2012 unless the President grows a spine or is replaced by someone who has a spine and more progressive ideals which they will hopefully be willing to fight for.

Your contempt for the posters here strikes me as similar to the President's contempt for large numbers of the Progressives who helped elect him. It may be that he can count of most of their votes in 2012, but certainly not with the same energy or passion. Most likely, not in the same numbers either. If anything - he has helped convince those of us who believe the system is broken that indeed it is broken.

[Loge23]

127. Thank you!

Your post really says it all for me - and for many, many other progressives.
It's no sin to be a liberal. Our very nature makes it unlikely to pound our chests as if our way is best.
Actually, the can do what they want. We just vote.
We voted for Obama because he represented out interests. He clearly wasn't the best of the litter for progressives - indeed, he was my third choice. But he talked a good game - talked.
I'm afraid he's alienating what may prove to be the deciding factor in 2012.
This is surely shaping up as the ultimate "hold your nose" election.

[KoKo]

78. To this Dem Voting DU'er...it's a Kiss of Death...but if he wants Bush Voters then it's Good for Him

What's sad about this "Trade Off" is that he seems to be throwing his Democratic Supporters Under a BUS and RUNNING OVER THEM with TIRE TRACKS RIGHT in their TRACKS.

I don't see this as a "good thing" ...but if he want's to be Re-Elected then it's what he has to do to mover farther RIGHTWARD to counteract the "Tea Party Movement."

I assume the Democratic Strategists that we PAY by DONATING to our DEM PARTY feel this is the WINNING STRATEGY going forward.

I suppose we should respect our Democratic Party's STRATEGY....so we CAN WIN IN 2012.

(Of course you know, MadFloridian, that I am HORRIFIED BY THIS "STRATEGY." All these years we worked to build a BETTER & BOLDER DEM PARTY are GONE!)

The NEW STRATEGY by the DEM PARTY is the REALITY. It makes me SAD...It MAKES ME SICK! :puke: it makes me :cry: when I'm not PUKING OVER IT ALL! :puke: ...AND THAT's my HONEST TRUTH FROM MY HEART AND GUT....:cry:

[libmom74]

84. we all know how that

strategy worked out in the 2010 elections, do they want a repeat in 2012?

[KoKo]

85. I think Obama will WIN BIG in 2012...because he Moved just far Enought Right that he sounds "SANE"

compared to the TEA BAGGERS on the RIGHT...

He's a SHOE IN because we all on the Left FEAR about the RIGHT that we will elect Obama EVEN IF...he SELLS what we "Old Style Dems Believe" DOWN THE RIVER and give the Democratic Party over to the "Moderate" (HA!) REPUGS to ACHIEVE WHAT HE WANTS!

This, I believe, is the Democratic Plan going forward. They already threw their LEFT under the bus...so we don't matter to them. The REPUG RIGHT is what MATTERS MOST TO OUR DEM PARTY!

Are any of you still giving the DEMOCRATIC PARTY those BIG DONATIONS when they send you the Many Mailings which ALWAYS includes a SURVEY ASKING YOUR OPINION...and then the "BOX" that CLICKS..."YOUR DONATION."

I gave up awhile ago with that stuff. Give to Local Candidates.....and fill out the Survey...but DEM PARTY NEVER LISTENS TO WHAT I REPLY!

[eilen]

88. I can't read when you are yelling so loud.

Bur if you are saying we aren't represented by Democratic leadership (Obama) than I agree. There is a real possibility of transforming this building populist energy to bear pressure on the Democratic Party by either pushing a primary or third party. Grassroots however, can only go so far and at some point we will need leadership and a candidate. If Obama continues his star-crossed romance with the Republicans and moneyed corporate interests, which I think he will as I do not believe he has the stones to stand up to them and fight (he is concilator) -- We need a champion, a gladiator not a freaking mediation officer. Someone scrappy and not afraid to get dirty, break the rules and rattle the cages.

[KoKo]

96. we will not get that "champion/gladiator." It doesn't exist, at this time, on the left of the dem

party. and, why is that? because we elected the "champion/gladiator" and it was Barack Obama.

And, the guy sold us down the river and doesn't want to know anyone on the "left" because "WE" are not Democrats to those who made him President.

i hope i didn't shout too much at you.. sometimes "passion" can be an overwhelming factor if you believe you are defending your core beliefs and feel you have been "trashed" for what you believe in ...along with... betrayed.

[eilen]

201. Well, we have to elect "Somebody"

therefore, there must be a person of integrity somewhere that is willing to take up the sword.

The president pisses me off too. I'm pretty sure I know who's side he is one and it ain't those that brung'im.

A tool. Another suit. Another empty wagging jaw.

[2Design]

82. He studied Reagan on vacation it appears we have a Reagan democrat

or a Republican

[KoKo]

98. It's SOMETHING else that what we thought we elected, for sure...

:eyes:

[FailureToCommunicate]

87. The President can't be bothered to support Wisconsin, but can fit in a

visit with Jebba-the-Hutt?!?

This smells worse every day...

[Canuckistanian]

90. He does seem to be rubbing union member's noses in it

Sometimes I think he PLANNED to be a one-term president.

[Marr]

95. I think what he wants to do is shift the party rightward.

Well-- really, I think he just wants to get as much campaign cash as possible, and doesn't give much of a shit about actual policy. But he seem to go about it by tweaking the party's traditional constituencies, and courting big corporate interests. I think all these gestures are really more targeted at Wall Street than unions, or teachers, or "professional leftists", or whatever. It's like he's saying, "see? I hate them, too-- may I have a cookie?".

[KoKo]

103. yes...the "pundits" like Chris Matthews keep telling us this. Obama is shifting Rightward to Win

over the "Crazies" that the Repugs are pushing forward.

I didn't vote for Obama to be a toady for those scared of RW who REALLY ARE....Crazzzzzy! I voted for him because I was a Democrat and after 8 Years of Bush and seeing what happened to Clinton and Bush vs. Gore Stolent Election, and before that Poppy Bush before and Reagan...I wanted a TRUE DEM to be President.

Obama seemed to have "ALL THE GOOD STUFF"...or so some of us were told by the OFA Group. Turns out they left much out about Obama that might have changed some of us "older Dem's Minds" about voting for him. But, many of us wanted so much for the "Young to Win" and to get Gay Rights, Female Rights and End to the Two Wars and Prosecutions for Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld Crimes....that we lost our minds and voted for him!

We thought we were back to the 60's or something! :eyes: We were totally out of our minds under some kind of "fog of Obama Brand." I can't believe how badly we were hoodwinked. And, sadly, I still LIKE the Obama Guy...! How can that be??? :shrug:

[Canuckistanian]

107. It's the audacity of NOPE

Obama has changed very little outside of social changes that were inevitable anyway.

He led NOTHING.

[Canuckistanian]

105. Yup

And he'll GET that cookie. And live happily ever after.

[Shining Jack]

91. When you tink of what could have been...

What a heartbreaking disappointment. :(

[boomerbust]

94. WTF? Jeb?

Maybe Obama should come over and hang with a few Wisconsin teachers. Nah, He might get a few scuff marks on those comfy shoes. Remember Mr. Obama, you lose Wi. you lose.

[Doctor_J]

99. Cancel the comfortable walking shoes - get me some Guccis

The prez is on the same side of the ED debate as Bush. He wants to destroy public education too - look at Duncan and Rhee. He's also sized up the Repuke competition for next year and decided that triangulation gives him the best chance at re-election. I don't think I am going to bother to vote.

[erodriguez]

111. Vote Green!

[haikugal]

218. I plan to...

[ElsewheresDaughter]

100. If he does it will be the last straw and I will be compelled to say, "FUCK YOU Mr. Pres........

[MasonJar]

109. Does anyone know why he is doing this?

[QC]

115. To show sensible, pragmatic centrist moderates

that he does not take orders from the evil unionized welfare queen teacher parasites.

Triangulation, in other words.

And besides, who else do teachers have to vote for?

[jberryhill]

195. Perhaps because the President of the United States and the governor of a state...

...are not normally considered enemies.

Honestly, this is the candidate who was raked over the coals for indicating he would be willing to talk to Ahmedinejad, and DU can't tolerate him getting together with the ex-governor of a state.

[KaryninMiami]

116. Agreed- the idea of them sharing a stage or doing anything "chummy" makes me gag.

But there is one other thing to consider. Remember those photos of Charlie Crist and Obama? The tea baggers and right wing of the GOP here used them to defeat Christ- that's how Scott won. Imagine the impact of photos of Jeb and Obama in 2012 (in case Bush is thinking of running) and for 2016. And Obama comes off as reaching out to both parties and gets the independent vote (and possibly some pissed off Repugs who are on the left side of the tea baggers- including young people like Meghan McCain who are Republican with progressive social values.

Again- not loving or even liking the decision. But maybe there's another motive or a back story that we don't know about? Am I being too naive or hopeful?

[YvonneCa]

130. Interesting take...

...on it. :)

[madfloridian]

134. The motive is that their goals for education are the same.

[Citizen Worker]

120. Remember that Obama proudly proclaimed to be a "new democrat." That meant DLC at the time and now

means Third Way and No Labels. Same brand just different packaging.

[Taverner]

123. You guys criticized my support for Crist

He NEVER would have signed a bill like this

[madfloridian]

131. Not me.

Crist had some common sense.

[Dappleganger]

139. No, he wouldn't have...

he was the one true "check" on the far-right wingers in this state and now the crazies have carte blanche.

[Taverner]

185. Sometimes it really doesn't matter what capital letter follows their name

Charlie Crist, Mark Hatfield, Lincoln Chafee, Joe Lieberman, etc...

[Jakes Progress]

125. Jeb is his new hero.

He went after teachers before Obama did. Showing up with Jeb is his way of reassuring beck and oreilly that all that crap he said about supporting workers and unions was just a lot of hooey for the doofus liberals.

He won't put on comfortable shoes for the unions, but he can put on the patent pumps and march with Jeb.

As a teacher, I've been spit at before. Usually it was an out of control kid with a lousy home and a penchant for making bad decisions. This time the one spitting on teachers is the president. We will remember.

[Bluebear]

128. Like he cares.

:(

[Divine Discontent]

133. 1st I see the Ray LaHood Mexican Trucker fiasco goes through, and now I read about Pres. Obama

appearing with one of the criminal BFEE... This day sucks....

[Uta]

140. We need to remember

Obama is EVERYONE's president now.

[madfloridian]

142. Then there is no one defending teachers and other public employees.

And we are the ones who worked and got him elected. That's a shame.

[defendandprotect]

145. You mean the way that Bush was?

[lutefisk]

148. Exactly that way.

The only thing is that I understood who Bush was from the first time I heard him speak.

Obama kind of fooled me. But not any more.

[fishwax]

197. and?

What's that got to do with the issue in question?

[defendandprotect]

144. OMG ... !!!

How about Bernie Sanders in 2012 -- he can run on a Dem ticket --

Let's get someone really anti-war to run as VP --

Not someone active in Congress now -- someone from outside --

Sanders would bring back all the Dems who have stopped voting -- even those who

stopped in 2010!! Bernie would also bring in all liberals from third parties!!



This is simply furthering the BFEE destruction -- and it will take many many decades

to repair it if these public schools are dismantled and funds taken by private interests!!

[saras]

146. He's as right as he can get away with

My own sense of Obama is that, in general, he stays as far to the right as possible, and only moves to the left enough to create a perceived difference between him and the corporations on the left and the tea party on the right.

And he chooses 'left' issues strategically. He never seems to chose 'left' issues that are central to a broader progressive agenda (like single payer), but prefers implementations that can be used outside their original context and/or limited in scope.

[avaistheone1]

152. +1

[Norrin Radd]

147. kr

[suffragette]

151. Changing teaching into an entry-level service job

and keeping it there.

The more I hear, the more it seems to me to be the direction planned.

Put together - from this posting:
Prevents consideration of many advanced degrees and special training to be considered in determining a teacher’s salary

Eliminates tenure for teachers hired after the summer of 2014

Add Gates' statements from your earlier thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8767512
"Once somebody has taught for three years, their teaching quality does not improve thereafter.
"Undermining public education, he said, is a system that channels too much money to pensions for retired teachers.

Add TFA with only 2 year commitments.

Add the teach-by-rote/learn-by-rote standardized teaching to a standardized test with design and grading outsourced to some degree to corporations.

This creates an environment where learning more is not only not valued, it is discouraged.
It replaces long-term training and time spent considering better and innovative solutions into a short-term push to get it done before the next cycle starts, then get out or be pushed out.
It replaces stability with insecurity (and the eradication of pensions and unions is part and parcel of this onerous package).
It replaces a profession with a Mcjob.

Terrible prospect for anyone thinking of becoming a teacher and purposefully so, since a young, malleable, insecure work force likely wont demand as much for themselves or the students they serve.

And a pretty rotten model and environment for students.


And Obama chooses to travel to stand by someone pushing this, especially at a critical turning point for so many in so many states in which teacher and other unions' basic existence is being fought for and will soon be decided.

It's unacceptable.

[madfloridian]

215. Yes, your comment about making teaching an entry level position....

is a good one. Because it sure in hell is not about good education anymore.

[suffragette]

224. Agree. None of these changes take education into a better

direction. Just the opposite.

Another factor here is the role model teachers and educational institutions provide.

And as much as the new direction tries to narrow the parameters of that to test results, the reality is that there is a much broader scope and impact.

The manner in which teaching takes place and the environment also provide students with lessons and learning.

Part of what impresses me so much about Finland's system is the collaborative and empowering approach they take at all levels, from the relationship between administrators and teachers, to that of teacher and student and even guided and assigned student peer-to-peer assistance. This acknowledges and reinforces that a collaborative approach in education, in work, in life leads to success for all. To pull out the old cliche, the proof is in the pudding and Finland's education system continues to provide the results other nations, including ours, state they want.

Yet the current "reforms" Bush, Gates, Duncan and, yes, Obama are all pushing take us in the opposite direction by imposing a model of corporate competition at every level of the system from competition for funding (rather than need-based allocations) to adversarial relations between administration and teachers/staff to extreme focus on testing and ranking for teachers and students.

Yet another area why we see the emphasis on pushing unions out. Unions, by their nature, represent collaborative structure and purpose, both in terms of direct results for members and in terms of a model for children to see in terms of expectations for their future careers and lives.

[Enthusiast]

156. It goes beyond a bad decision.

While Obama could ride a wave of populist sentiment into the white house in 2012 he choses to side with a Republican governor when they are the scourge of union workers. Looks like another act of betrayal by Obama.

[Hubert Flottz]

164. Obama is "paling around" with a corporate shit-head.

a BushCo neocon, PNAC thug, war criminal and election thief. Why would that piss any democratic voters off?

[tomp]

165. obama is a trojan horse for the right.

a wolf in sheep's clothing.

until a critical mass gets that, the outlook is bleak.

[madrchsod]

166. some choice----- the other side is worse than he is

[blindpig]

170. Believe your eyes.

It ain't no mistake, it is a message, stop making excuses, accept reality.

[Buzz Clik]

171. Um. A little quick on the trigger, are we?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x555063


:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

The hate at DU is so thick, that people don't hesitate to puke it up. This is wonderful irony.

[msanthrope]

183. Don't bring facts into anti-Obama rants. They aren't wanted in the fact-free

'edumacation' threads.

[liberation]

193. Glad to see you applying your own advice

and not bringing any facts...

[Vinnie From Indy]

172. WTF?

I want the "candidate Obama" I voted for and not this guy.

[Justpat]

159. If Obama gets any more to the right

he'll be to the right of some pretty ugly repubs.


His policy of appeasement in order to find common ground has left him in a sink hole of disdain from both sides.

[Buzz Clik]

186. How quickly we forget.

Do you recall that Bush was considered "not conservative enough" by the knuckledraggers?

I guarantee you that the next GOP president will make Bush look like Dennis Kucinich.

We get the politicians we deserve.

[Horse with no Name]

174. Bait and switch. n/t

[peace frog]

175. Wow, we can post that now and not be deleted?

Shucks, I want my past five or six "bait and switch" posts back!

[kath]

176. HUGH!1! bait and switch.

my disgust with the man just grows and grows and grows...

[INdemo]

180. He is going for the Republican vote..he is the best candidate

Republicns could offer... lets face it he has lost his base with all those broken promises and there are probably more great speeches and many more broken promises.

[INdemo]

181. Could having a Republican in the White House be any different

Really..half of his administration appointees are Republicans and he has not pushed one single bill through Congress that hasn't been watered down to satisfy Repukes..Really I see no difference between Obama and Bush and wonder why are Repukes complaining.
Bernie Sanders please run !!

[RufusTFirefly]

216. Why are the Repukes complaining, you ask?

Because each time they complain, no matter how outrageous the complaint, the Administration moves even further to the Right in order to appease them.

They know this. Which is why they keep doing it. It gets results.

[obxhead]

182. It's not bipartisanship when you only cater to the right. nt

[alfredo]

188. Well, there goes any chance of Jeb winning the GOP nomination

[ckimmy57]

190. Quite frankly

I REALLY wish Obama would grow a pair and stop trying to extend that damn olive branch to the fuck'n publicans.....the ONLY thing they extend to us is their middle finger :mad:

[alp227]

198. all this pandering STILL won't attract any Republican/Tea Party votes

sometimes you can't satisfy everyone at once. Seriously, the timing of this appearance with the pompous brother of a smirking pompous installed-by-the-court president who also committed war crimes...ick. :puke:

[Marnie]

206. It is beyond deeply disturbing for Obama to be repeatedly sucking

up to the Bushs and ignoring the people who voted him into office.

Mind boggling.

[VoteProgressive]

208. Kick!

[RufusTFirefly]

209. Cognitive Dissonance: You're soaking in it

As usual, the President's unconditional defenders are going to be tying themselves in rhetorical knots in an attempt to explain this one.

Actually, the explanation is relatively simple. The President is a Corporatist, as is the vast majority of Congress. And, as Wisconsin has proven, so are many of the State's Governors and legislators.

Step 1 is facing up to this inconvenient truth.
Step 2 is figuring out what we need to do to fix things.

But we can't get to Step 2 before going to Step 1. Those who insist on devising increasingly imaginative rationales for why a Democrat would do such a thing are only delaying the inevitable.

[pam4water]

217. Chortles :)

[Demeter]

210. My Dear MadFloridian--What do you mean "seemingly"?

We are fucked for generations to come.

[somone]

220. No Bush Family Member Left Behind

Because he's part of the family now

[Myrina]

221. ... I think it speaks volumes, acutally.

... the man ain't on our side. :(

[LWolf]

222. Of course it's not.

His education policies are closer to Jeb's than not, though, so it's not surprising.

[xchrom]

223. Bad decision indeed. Nt

[KoKo]

225. This needs more read.......