How Clueless Is The Democratic Leadership?
13 January 2010 12:32 pm by Taylor Marsh
updated
The headline here is from Talking Points Memo, to which I reply DUH. Though I’m not picking on TPM, but instead utilizing the headline to make a larger point.
Democrats remain clueless as to what they’re facing in 2010.
This includes Pres. Obama, who obviously doesn’t get it either. You’d think what happened on health care, especially that ugly part about getting beat on message by none other than Sarah Palin’s “death panels” squeal, would have been the last wake up call that was needed.
Evidently not, because we now find out that Democrats have been caught flat footed by the “frightening” ramming speed of Martha Coakley’s challenger State Sen. Scott Brown. After all, Republicans couldn’t possible take away “Teddy’s seat,” now could they?
They missed what happened in NY-23. Democrats were too busy gloating back when the seat was won by a Dem for the first time in 100 years, as the PR went, to take away the other lesson, which I wrote about incessantly. That the Tea Partier who came within a hair of winning was a very late entry, untalented rube that couldn’t string two sentences together on camera.
Commenters chimed in after I wrote about the Coakley-Brown battle going on, all of whom seem more aware of what’s going on and the foreshadowing for 2010 than Pres. Obama and the Democratic leadership.
nzanh commented, in part: “…Is this such a shocker that this looks increasingly like a horserace? For months the writing has been on the wall. Independents have moved away from Obama and his programs. Many Democrats have expressed reservations about the Obama agenda. …. I don’t expect Coakley to lose but if she does, I won’t be heartbroken. If that is what it takes to shake the Democrats out their arrogance, so be it.”
guyski commented, in part: Complacency, arrogance and perhaps out of touch? A day after the final debate Coakley zips off to Washington for a fundraiser at a wine bar. … It would seem that a week before a election, that someone in a close race would be staying in her state and doing retail politics; shaking hands, kissing babies, trying to get on every single TV and radio station. I hope that she wins, but if politicians can’t understand the current political environment, then well…. And I won’t mention (too much, since I mentioned it several times) the use of Bush/Cheney in the debate, let alone her Bush/Cheney/Limbaugh political ad. It is no longer effective, if Democrats can’t understands this either, then well…
Noogan commented, in part: “Coakley just thought she was going to coast to a quiet victory; she was so out of touch with the mood of the country and even her state, that she, and the Democrats have been blindsided. It’s a very sad statement about this administration. The mood is decidedly anti-Democrat right now around the country–Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are almost universally derided on both sides in comments sections. …”
Imhotep comments, in part: Does anyone sense Party fatigue setting in? If you elect a Democrat and he follows the same war plan and foreign policy as his Republican predecessor what difference does it make who you vote for? When you vote for the Democrat who promises to “reform” the health care system and what you end up with is a bill written by big Pharma and the insurance industry, who cares who you vote for? When you vote for a Democrat who promises to close the Guantanamo military prison and signs an executive order to that effect and then reneges on that promise, who cares who you vote for? Does it really matter who you vote for if the same policies and plans are carried out by whomever, Democrat or Republican, is elected to office?
Reader “Imhotep’s” last comment repeats a theme I’ve been writing about for months.
It just might be that the fallen promises of Barack Obama’s first year could be the tipping point making loyalty to party extinct, including among Democrats, who are not being given any good reason to support the current politicians, who are not exactly delivering what we want. It also illustrates how important the first year is to a president, especially when people are hurting so badly.
There is another angle not being talked about. The tenuous support Obama had after the primaries from Hillary supporters was solidified further when he picked her for secretary of state. However, that was a long time ago and many Clinton Democrats and activists who jumped on board have now soured on Obama’s presidency, with the compromises on health care, especially on women’s reproductive health issues, but also on DADT, making loyal Clinton Democrats think again, some even registering as an independent or saying to me they won’t vote for him again. They’ll simply leave the presidential option blank the next time they vote, which is said out of anger, no doubt, but illustrates how dangerous health care compromises could be to Obama going forward. (I am not talking about myself, as there is no other choice beyond Obama when it comes to foreign policy.)
Unfortunately for Obama, he’s also losing original supporters that worked hard for him, who are also disillusioned, including unions. A potential 2010 strike isn’t out of the question.
So imagine how independents and non-partisans feel, with Republicans now gone from Obama’s wing for good.
Danger signs for 2010 abound. Democrats missing them all illustrates just how clueless they are.
Absolutely right Taylor. And, for Clinton Democrats there is a bilious taste.
This is it:
“It just might be that the fallen promises of Barack Obama’s first year could be the tipping point making loyalty to party extinct, including among Democrats, who are not being given any good reason to support the current politicians, who are not exactly delivering what we want. It also illustrates how important the first year is to a president, especially when people are hurting so badly.”
This President does not seem to have any leadership inclinations. What a spectacular and miserable waste.
Critical mass. People who refuse to understand just how critically important a president’s first year is haven’t paid attention to history. It can go in all directions, too, like 9/11 becoming a tool Bush used to get re-elected.
I understand the inclination of pleading for time, believe me. It just doesn’t work that way and never has.
You, djjl, and many others, including lurkers I hear from, are examples of how incredible it is that the Dems are just now catching on.
I’m not ready to panic yet, and I’m not sure what the leaders could be doing. I feel like this is the people saying they should be doing something about “jobs”. Well, there isn’t a whole lot more he could do without a second stimulus, and that isn’t going to happen. What I think we need to do is get the health care bill behind us as quickly as possible and move on to other things.
On foreign policy, I just don’t see the broken promises. Obama basically promised an escalation in Afghanistan during the campaign. And he promised a draw-down in Iraq that we have already signed a treated to start doing. He is behind on closing Gitmo, but he is moving in that direction. I can see unfulfilled promises, but broken promises?
So who tells Obama? Yesterday I read that Labor had problems with the health care bill and they met at the WH to discuss it. Then we heard it was a friendly meeting. Then Trunka makes a speech at the Press Club I believe and it is there he lets loose with his threats about what will happen to Dems if they continue on their current path? Why, I ask, did he not say all these things to BO? Or did he?
I agree that any Republican alternative to Obama on Foreign Policy is unthinkable but what I am experiencing is the fatigue that Imhotep describes. I am just not feeling anything like the passion I have for working for the party.My passion is to re register as an independant to make a point.
We have a Senatorial coming with Bond’s retirement. The alternatives are Carnahan who is a good Dem and comes from a good Dem family. Her brother has voted my way in almost all of his congressional votes even though he can speak in weasel words that are disturbing.Her father was a Senatorial(former Governor) candidate who won his election after he had died in a plane crash.
Her opponant is a poster boy for corruption and was Tom Delay’s bagman during the hayday of Repub contol of K Street. His son was a miserable failure as a self chosen one term Governor who probably decided not to run for a second term becuase he risked criminal charges.
I hear from her campaign all the time and you would think I would be ready to work for her. In the end I just might. But right now I don’t feel like putting the blood ,sweat and tears and my own money into someone who will leave MO talking the right talk and come back saying she is doing the best she can while the Senate continues to move right.
You know the thing about unemployment is that no one has even approached honesty about the structural problems that will continue to make it a problem for years to come. We need to dramatically rethink our response to globalization. We have a large number of people who at this time are probably unemployable for the forseeable future.We need out of the box creative solutions and I don’t see a glimmer.
It’s certainly not from lack of trying to get their attention. I just can’t imagine how Obama could have played the hand he was dealt much worse.
He’s so distant from the real people. He is showing to be the elitist many thought he was. His Taurus Tax (as named by Drew Weston from Noogin’s post) reminds me of Michelle in Zanesville, OH
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_556214.html
and
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MmEyN2RkNzcwYzgyZDY2MDBiY2U5MjJlZGMwNDM2ODg=#more
‘And not everyone can afford to keep it all together, especially here in Muskingum County, where, according to the census, the median household income in 2004 was $37,192, below both the Ohio and national average. Out of that, there’s the mortgage. And child care. Health care. Education. Lessons. “I know we’re spending — I added it up for the first time — we spend between the two kids, on extracurriculars outside the classroom, we’re spending about $10,000 a year on piano and dance and sports supplements and so on and so forth,” Mrs. Obama tells the women. “And summer programs. That’s the other huge cost. Barack is saying, ‘Whyyyyyy are we spending that?’ And I’m saying, ‘Do you know what summer camp costs?’”
With all those concerns, one might wonder whether the women should be comforting Mrs. Obama, but she assures them that she’s really O.K. “We don’t complain because we’ve got resources because of our education. We’ve got family structure,” she says. “So I tell people don’t cry for me.”’
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/drew-westen/why-president-obamas-taur_b_421181.html
Well things are a melting outside and I need to get some outdoor tasks done. BBL
Clueless? Triangulation has a good track record. It’s worked in the past. But of course it takes two to triangulate. The Repubs smell blood and won’t play that game anymore. Good for them. At least they have principles, even if they’re wrong and evil.
The idea that politics is only some kind of taxpayer-funded waltz through time, with the guys bonding over the “common good” (for them), is receiving a wake-up call. The Repubs have turned up the heat in the kitchen.
Fallen promises? Obama said back in 2005 that he wouldn’t “enforce a more clearly progressive agenda,” but Dem voters refused to believe their lyin’ ears and instead concocted a fictitious Obama. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/30/102745/165/500/153069
Obama never did have principles, evil or otherwise. Just ask the people in Gaza, the ones still alive.
HRC? She’s been politically neutered at State, where she can’t possibly accomplish much, which was Obama’s intention.
A “bow” and “hats off” to Don Bacon.
psychodrew says:
13 January 2010 at 1:32 pm
Psychodrew, your avatar admirably reflects your stalwart loyalty, stability, and patience I might add.
If you removed the sunshades for a second you might see that in addition to the series of unfulfilled promises, he is for the most part pursuing the same FP as Bush. The major difference is tone and style.
The bottom line though is this: We are still in Iraq, and it does not look as if we are getting out any time soon. We are occupying Afghanistan and it does not look like we are getting out anytime soon. We have not caught Osama and he no longer talks about him. As for Guantanamo, it’s still open, and will be for a while.
Obama promised to kill more people in a poor, mountainous country on the other side of the earth, a country which has never threatened nor attacked the US, and he did. So that’s something he can be proud of?
Oh, pardon me, it’s not killing more people, it’s “escalation.” How silly of me.
Coakley was also wrong when she claimed there are no terrorists in Afghanistan. Of course there are! Obama’s boys just killed some.
news report:
Villagers in southern Afghanistan have claimed that Afghan and Nato forces killed 13 demonstrators after a group of people took to the streets to protest the alleged desecration of the Quran.
http://tinyurl.com/ygsbynm
I have a feeling that there are a few good people in Massachusetts that aren’t comfortable with these types of promises, kept or otherwise. They’re called Progressives these days, something which Obama has promised not to be.
poltical wire says new dem internals show narrowing to 5 pts now in ma- last week was 14. yikes. and new polls comming out on reid. one pollster says his chances are about nil. he is very very damaged. his negro remark appears to have now cost him more latino votes.
i wonder if chances for non est. dems have gone up in primaries? we need more. chereyle jackson in il. comes to mind who is getting buzz from her debate last night. she opposes obama in the war and criticized him onabortion rights in hcr bill. the nevironment is ripe to me for progressives to challeneg est dems. no?
lady lake-carnahan is awesome. my mom is from mo and we admire the carnahans. and u know robyn is no claire either.
t4h and everyone, if you’ve got an IPhone, this is for you, for all the battles ahead:
http://www.realtimecongress.org/
Taylor Marsh says:
13 January 2010 at 2:47 pm
Thank you.
you are right texan..Robyn is no Claire.
Taylor, you are wise. Who was it (Cassandra maybe?) who was cursed at seeing how things would be and couldn’t get anyone to believe her? That’s rather how I feel. Or maybe the DC Democratic “leadership” are just morons. I hate saying that. But frustration does that to you, doncha know?