…I don’t think there’s a single Democrat out there, who if they looked at where we started when I came into office and look at where we are now, would say that somehow we have not moved in the direction that I promised. Take a tally, look at what I promised during the campaign. There’s not a single thing that I said that I would do that I have not either done or tried to do. And if I have not gotten it done yet, I’m still trying to do it.
Barack Obama, perhaps being a bit testy on the reaction of the left to his strategy and overall leadership style thus far.
And, basically, he’s right. The key issue, though, is the pervasive perception that when the GOP is in charge, they get the policy they want to the letter, often with Democratic help. Alternatively, when the Democrats are in charge, they rarely achieve that standard, and more often slump across the finish line with badly compromised legislation that is, as a result, more difficult to talk about and more difficult to defend, all the while presented in a manner best described as: “shut up, you smelly hippies; why can’t you just be happy with whatever shit sandwich it is we’re giving you today.”
Take tax cuts: most of America (wrongly) believes their taxes went up under Obama. Likewise the widespread but utterly misplaced belief in the increasing size of government under Obama (it’s gotten smaller). These and other issues like them are the direct product of a messy, painful compromise and triangulation-prone legislative output that can’t easily be described, much less described in two word, rhyming catch-phrases and, in the case of healthcare reform, isn’t even really in effect yet, and won’t be until 2015…nearly the end of a theoretical second term.
So: you’re supposed to be a communicator, Obama. Get out there and communicate, passionately, about something. Anything. Forcefully explain what you’ve done. And, more importantly, what you would have seen done if not for rampant obstructionism and demonstrable lies. Call out, by name, lies and the liars propagating them, be that House, Senate, or most popular broadcast news network employees. Repeatedly. Every day. Every hour. Every time a microphone is switched on, we want to see you fight. That is all. We will then shut up and sit quietly in the corner with our drugs that we are all on. Thanks in advance.
And, basically, he’s right. The key issue, though, is the pervasive perception that when the GOP is in charge, they get the policy they want to the letter, often with Democratic help. Alternatively, when the Democrats are in charge, they rarely achieve that standard, and more often slump across the finish line with badly compromised legislation that is, as a result, more difficult to talk about and more difficult to defend, all the while presented in a manner best described as: “shut up, you smelly hippies; why can’t you just be happy with whatever shit sandwich it is we’re giving you today.”
Take tax cuts: most of America (wrongly) believes their taxes went up under Obama. Likewise the widespread but utterly misplaced belief in the increasing size of government under Obama (it’s gotten smaller). These and other issues like them are the direct product of a messy, painful compromise and triangulation-prone legislative output that can’t easily be described, much less described in two word, rhyming catch-phrases and, in the case of healthcare reform, isn’t even really in effect yet, and won’t be until 2015…nearly the end of a theoretical second term.
So: you’re supposed to be a communicator, Obama. Get out there and communicate, passionately, about something. Anything. Forcefully explain what you’ve done. And, more importantly, what you would have seen done if not for rampant obstructionism and demonstrable lies. Call out, by name, lies and the liars propagating them, be that House, Senate, or most popular broadcast news network employees. Repeatedly. Every day. Every hour. Every time a microphone is switched on, we want to see you fight. That is all. We will then shut up and sit quietly in the corner with our drugs that we are all on. Thanks in advance.
Lemkin 