Obama Liberals Aren’t Buying the Media’s False Equivalency to Bush

[Cha]

by Sarah Jones~ PolliticusUSA

Many liberals pointed out that Obama shares their values on the majority of issues.

NBC, salivating over Obama’s slipping poll numbers “amid controversies on government surveillance, the IRS targeting of the Tea Party, and attacks on the consulate in Benghazi” (note to NBC, the Tea Party wasn’t alone in being “targeted”) listed the policies they think make Obama Bush (drones, Gitmo, NSA). These are the “sore points” for liberals at Netroots, they tell us, and yet, liberals bristle at the idea that Obama is Bush.

“That’s for the fringe,” Kerry Jones, a construction manager from Medina, Ohio, told NBC. “No, there’s no comparison… How can you say ‘Bush Lite?’ No way in hell.”

Markos Moulitsas, the owner of Daily Kos who established Netroots, explained that the far left is just like the Tea Party, “There are those who think Obama can do no wrong and those who think he’s a sellout. It’s either – ‘I trust Obama’ or ‘I told you Obama is terrible.’ I don’t think it changed anybody’s opinion about it. … The notion that it’s one or the other is hyper simplistic. There are some people who won’t ever be happy. Dennis Kucinich could be elected, and they won’t be happy. Their perception of what should happen isn’t realistic. Those people are aligned with – have an ideological rigidity very similar to the Tea Party movement.”

Oops. Turns out, the liberals at Netroots were mostly “pragmatic” (code for not buying into this absurd narrative about Obama being Bush). We could also call them sane.

The media got the usual rage from those who have never been happy with one single thing Obama has done (the same people who ignore Congress’ role in refusing to close Gitmo, who often overlap with the people bought into the Libertarian lie that Obama asked for the language in the NDAA to detain American citizens). They spoke of their big disappointment in the President, or perhaps, more clearly, their naive belief that his words would automatically translate to policy as if there were no other branches of government.

http://www.politicususa.com/2013/06/22/obama-liberals-buying-medias-false-equivalency-bush.html

BOG



FYI THIS IS POSTED IN THE BARACK OBAMA GROUP.

[Andy823]

1. It's all a right wing smear campaign

Mad up scandal after scandal, all with the goal of making the president and his administration look bad, and to help the sorry lot of republicans running for office next year have something to try and win with! And lest we not forget the same tactics used in 2010 of right wing trolls, and now I expect tea party trolls, coming on boards like this to keep the pot stirred up, and the seem to be doing a pretty good job of that these days!

To me is just plain insane that so many on the far left want to pull this same crap all over again. Didn't they learn from what happened before when not only did republicans and tea party clowns win the House, but also took control of so many states, and we all know just how bad that has turned out!

Right now the goal is to keep the media tied up with all the BS scandals they can, and get the public to ignore the other things that are NOT getting done, or some of the total insanity that is being pushed by the tea publicans in the house as well as in many state governments. Passing insane laws, making insane comments, and just plain trying to destroy not only our nation, but many states.

People need to really stop and think about what is going on, and instead of jumping the "anti-Obama" bandwagon with the paid right wing trolls, they should be worrying about not losing the Senate, and taking back the house. I have seen the most obvious trolling here since I came here back in 2008. While some trolls do get called out because they go way, way to far, it seems like most time the anti-Obama crowd just joins in as long as it's against the president.

I love your picture, and I just wish people would wait for all the facts to come out before they jump the gun and go ballistic. The Snowdon issue is a prime example. It has a life all of it's own and so many really important issues are being pushed off the boards because there are so many new threads all about the NSA issue. People are already divided on this issue, and I really don't think they will change their minds on how they feel, well some may when the "facts" do come out, but for the most part it's the same thing day after day "he is a hero, he is a traitor, and on and on.

I just hope people start paying attention. I do think that things are not nearly as insane in the real world as they seem to be here lately, but if we don't keep the Senate next year, we are in deep trouble because nothing at all will get done the rest of the presidents term, and only getting the voters out will make a difference.

[jaysunb]

4. Excellent post !

I hope you'll post it in GD.

[Cha]

7. Good analysis, Andy. The goal is also to Ignore what

has been accomplished by this Admin.. in spite of all the obstructionists.

Here's an encouraging report on that "real world" you refered to..

"The remarkable consistency of President Obama’s job approval numbers"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1102&pid=11168

The pic is a rallying call for Obama supporters who like to sift through the disingenous propaganda to find out what's really going on.

[Andy823]

17. That bothers me also

President Obama has done so much, and yet so many seem to forget what he has accomplished, or jut don't care. Now I understand the trolls trying to tarnish him, but so many who claim to be democrats are doing the same thing. I think that many are mad because their own agenda has not be addressed by the president, so now they hate him. Sure I want a lot to be done, single payer health care, fix SS and medicare, good jobs for my kids along with a good education that is affordable, etc., but things are a lot better now that when Bush was in office, and with president Obama I feel there is a much better chance at seeing these things happen than with some republican, or God forbid some tea party nut in office.

The party needs to come together, not become dived like the republicans have done.

[DallasNE]

15. The Problem With Jim DeMint's Plan For Endless Scandal

Is that they use canned smoke and when that clears everything is still intact and no real smoke can be seen anywhere. Issa's overreach on the IRS investigation opened a lot of eyes. Not even 2 cans of smoke could be sustained, thanks to Congressman Cummings.

[hopemountain]

40. yes, props for Congressman Cummings

he has reached his threshold of issa bullshit shenanigans!

[DallasNE]

41. "Progressive" And "Occupy"

Among key words targeted. So why didn't Issa tell us about this little gem.

[freshwest]

31. K & R right here. Thanks, Andy.

[MrScorpio]

2. Damn Skippy! nt

[Iliyah]

3. Thank you and the some posters are doing their best

in destroying anything Pres O.

[sheshe2]

5. Damn! Well done Cha.

What an excellent article from Sarah Jones!

The media never seems to get who the Obama coalition are – they are not the far left. They never were. They are the people who care about the middle class, equal rights for all minorities, people who got turned by WMD, moderates and far left but pragmatic Democrats who understand that real change, lasting change, comes incrementally. They might not be as loud as the far left and no one is as loud as the far right, but they turned out to vote for this President and they are a reliable majority.

She is right, change does come in increments! We know this, we understand this.

Facts do matter Cha.
Thank you for this great OP~

[Cha]

8. The US media keeps hoping their viewers will

buy who they say is Pres Obama's base. They make sure they get shills from the fringe to spew their ignorant hate on the tv.

The Obama Admin is going right around the corpmedia to get their message out. They did it in 2008 and 2012. I think OFA learned their lesson in 2010 and will be spectaculary engaged in 2014.

And, we have seen what Pres Obama and the Dems have in 2013 with Markey, she!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251312251

You're Welcome, she BOG

[sheshe2]

12. One of our increments, Cha~

Will be Massachusetts electing Markey to the US Senate on Tuesday.

It will be one more building block in place. With more "blocks" the foundation will strengthen.

Your voices United can and will make the difference in 2014! Massachusetts will start it on Tuesday. Our combined voices will finish it in 2014!

BOG

for Markey~

[Cha]

13. What you said, she!

Markey

[sheshe2]

37. Only a few hours away~

BOG Cha

For progress!

[Cha]

39. So excited, she.. Super Tuesday!

Markey

&

BOG for Progress!

[Kath1]

36. Yes, she!

Start us off right on Tuesday! We'll do the rest.

"Our combined voices will finish it in 2014!" Yes. Just awesome. Peace.

[sheshe2]

38. Massachusetts!

Women for Markey!






Thanks Kath!

[IrishAyes]

24. In general, you're correct.

Just remember the Far Left is no more monolithic than the Democratic Party itself. I take a lot of heat from that side too, and my lefty credentials are often questioned - but I step aside for no one in my regard for President Obama. Kucinich could never BE elected president and Wellstone is dead, bless his soul. Barack Hussein Obama is the man for the hour, and he's second to no one in my book. How childish for people to pitch hissy fits when they can't have everything they want yesterday. No perception, no sense of history... hell, no sense at all.

[Parable Arable]

42. Agreed..

Although I have my fair share of gripes with this president, I don't think it's fair to presume that a more "liberal" politician would be elected or be able to govern without compromising on some issues. A number of liberals believe that Sanders, Warren, or Grayson need to run in 2016 and restore progressiveism. I respect all three of those congressional members immensely. However, out of those 3 names, I feel as if Warren is the only one that could really have a chance in a presidential election, and even then, I think some view her as being more liberal than she actually is.

[IrishAyes]

44. There's also the Hillary Factor

What good would it do for us to retain a slim majority in the Senate, gain one in the House, and then find ourselves unable to override certain vetoes from a Repug in the Oval Office? We need all three. Hillary has a much better chance to gain the WH than Warren does. Apart from that, objections are self defeating, therefore childish and petty. I'm a far lefty, flaming liberal - but not a pointy-headed one. All that counts is how far, how fast this country can be nudged forward. We have to WIN to do that.

I don't mean we should throw anyone (except R's and some blue dogs, maybe) under the bus. But let's not cut our own throat for the sake of ego either.

[Parable Arable]

45. If Hillary turns out to be the nominee so be it..

Even if she isn't my top choice (Russ Feingold probably is), she'd make a good president, and I'd much rather see her elected than anybody the GOP puts forth. That being said, unless the GOP has a clear favorite, then I'm fine with the Democratic primary being contentious and letting the best run campaign win out.

[IrishAyes]

46. Well, me too, so long as it doesn't become a bloodbath

But we seem to be pretty good at letting bygones be just that when the time comes. At least I am. Although the joke goes, I'll probably wind up with Irish Alzheimer's. Y'know, the kind where you forget everything but the grudges. Well, that only applies to the GOP and any turncoat blue dogs who help them. Other things I can get over. Look how Obama and Hillary went at each other.

I wouldn't put it past the GOP to run a red-hot teabagger team, though. Sort of like trying a Hail Mary pass. A lot will depend on the condition and mood of the country at that time. Some people will always be stupid enough to vote for them no matter what. If they put up Christie, his loud mouth will scuttle the boat for him. Hillary could slice and dice that bag of hot air. Unless rumors prove true and he moves across the aisle.

Honestly, a Jeb Bush/Cruz ticket wouldn't surprise me at all.

[Parable Arable]

47. I see Bush or Christie getting the nomination.

Rand Paul is too contra to the GOP establishment to secure the nomination... Unless he backtracks his stance on security.

Marco Rubio seems to be losing more and more credibility every time he makes headlines.

Not sure Paul Ryan still has that "new guy" sheen that he had in 2012, and they aren't going to pick the same guy for VP twice..

Not sure what other big names could turn heads.

Somehow I could see a guy like Bob McDonnell being on the VP side of the ticket.. The GOP base would figure: "He will help us out in VA", and shove him on there. But I'm just speculating...

[IrishAyes]

48. Speculate is all we can do at this point

If they pick Jeb, he'll have to have a teabagger VP candidate because their party's so fractured, at least for now. Without one they'll lose for sure. Look at the Orange Man's inability to control his own caucus. For the reasons you cite, I'm going to bet on Cruz for now. Jeb would be needed to reassure what remaining semi-brains they have left and at least give some semblance of 'dignity' to the ticket. It would all be a farce, of course, but they have to run somebody. Maybe another sacrificial lamb? considering the huge likelihood that they'll be facing Miss Hillary. Maybe the whuppin' they took from President Obama will make them think twice before wasting their paltry stack of ammo on an election they might already have lost even now.

Not to worry about complacency on my part. I'd work my heart out for her even if she was running 98% ahead of the competition. Might feel more confident of victory, but still determined to charge the GOP every single vote possible.

[DallasNE]

6. A Long Overdue Post

naive belief that his words would automatically translate to policy as if there were no other branches of government

Say it loud and say it often. That is not to say that Obama hasn't made some mistakes along the way but it seems to me he has been the cleanest President since Jimmy Carter and perhaps even before that. Yes, he got snookered on the sequester and should have known that nothing was too extreme for current Republicans. But he has learned and has now announced that any spending bill that reaches his desk that extends the sequester will be vetoed.

[Cha]

10. Thank you, DallasNE

Pres Obama is far from Perfect.. just like every other human being on the Planet.

And, he actually encourages criticizism..

...On the other hand, what I also believe is its useful to have a bunch of critics out there who are checking government power and who are making sure we are doing things right so that if we've triple-checked how we're operating any one of these programs, lets go quadruple-check it. I'm comfortable with that and I'm glad to see that we are starting to do that.

http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/06/president-obama-responds-to-bush-light.html

[DallasNE]

14. Thanks For The Link

President Obama is a Constitutional lawyer by training. That actually telegraphs much his thinking and doing. I think that is the foundation on why his administration has been so clean. He knows that the IRS is designed to be independent so he allows them to do their job without interference from above. And it is why every one of these "scandals" has petered out under scrutiny. The imbalance between critics and supporters makes it very difficult to get this message out. It used to be that Presidents could use the bully pulpit to present their agenda and get it approved. That media not longer exists. Now all they are after are the ratings and that means tearing things down, even if that means using a false narrative such as the doctored emails on Benghazi. (How does Jonathan Karl still have a job)?

[Cha]

16. You're Welcome and.. thanks for pointing out the US media's role in "tearing things down"

As for Jon Karl.. he didn't apologize and in fact doubled down. Abc likes that about him.

But, I'm hoping for karma to come back and bust the smirk off his face someday.

[IrishAyes]

29. Karma will, don't worry

She's my best friend, or at least closest acquaintance; we know every side of one another from long years of association, only I still maintain she's twice as tough as I ever think I am. Sic'ing her on somebody is absolutely the worst thing I can do to them. And to think - she'd kick ass even w/o being asked! Gotta love that about her.

[Cha]

30. Yes, IrishAyes.. I'm very well acquainted with

Ms Karma myself.

Touche'!

[IrishAyes]

25. President Obama thinks and speaks in paragraphs

While many if not most of his detractors have trouble handling one sentence at a time.

[Andy823]

20. I agree with you

Why so many people on DU seem to forget the "other" branches of government, the ones who pass the laws and the only ones who change them, even exist is beyond me. If I had a dollar for every time I have read someone post "don't blame it on congress, it's Obama's fault" I would be able to retire!

[raindaddy]

9. Must Be My Perception

"Their perception of what should happen isn’t realistic."

My perception was that I wasn't electing a president who would promote cuts to Social Security and would protect our civil liberties.
And I also thought we would see a more transparent administration and would not have to watch them negotiate corporate friendly trade agreements in secret.

Come to think of it my perception was based on what Obama promised us. I guess the point is don't believe a word he says.

[Cha]

11. You must have missed the part about this

being the Barack Obama Group, raindaddy. There's plenty of other Forums on this board to whine about him. This isn't one of them.

[IrishAyes]

26. Same to you, buddy

Why should we believe a single word YOU say?

[Major Hogwash]

18. When worlds collide.

The mainstream media is looking for cracks in President Obama's armor.
That's all it is, nothing more.

If some of the people at that netroots event would simply wake up to the fact that we just re-elected President Obama to be our President 8 months ago, and we dodged a huge bullet by keeping Mitt Romney out of the White House.

The President swore an oath to uphold the Constitution.
The Constitution was ratified on June 21st, 1788 -- just 225 years ago.
It went into effect on the first Wednesday in March, 1789, having been ratified by the state of New Hampshire, the 9th state to approve it.

If the Republicans think that they can keep Gitmo open for very much longer spending millions of dollars each year per prisoner to house prisoners without ever giving them the benefit of a trial -- while at the same time screaming at the top of their lungs about the federal deficit -- they are sadly mistaken.
Mitt Romney not only would have left Gitmo open, he would have greatly expanded the number of prisoners held there illegally.

President Obama required that the NSA programs use the existing legal standards of having to go before the FISA court to make their case to get a warrant, and he tightened up the procedures to make sure they did.
And he did that without having to rely on any of the Republicans in Congress.
They surely would have blocked him, if they had only had the chance.
Mitt Romney sure as hell would not have required those NSA programs to request warrants from the FISA court the way President Obama has done. You can bet your bottom dollar on that.

And while the use of drones may not have everyone's approval, President Obama is NOT going to commit more "boots on the ground", which has been McCain's favorite mantra for the last 20 or so years.
Mitt Romney was all fired up and ready to invade Iran as soon as possible when he was campaigning only 8 months ago, last year.
Yet, Iran just held an election, and guess what . . they elected a guy who is a lot more moderate than Mahmoud Ahmadinejad!!
Imagine that, more change and hope is on the way to Iran now than in the last couple of decades -- and not a single shot was fired!!!

But, you won't hear any of that in the mainstream media's 24-hour news cycle!!!

[Cha]

19. Thank you for your post, MH. The US media has been looking for "cracks in PBO's

armor" for about 6 years now.. and so far they haven't a toe hold but not for lack of trying.

Yet, Iran just held an election, and guess what . . they elected a guy who is a lot more moderate than Mahmoud Ahmadinejad!!

Imagine that, more change and hope is on the way to Iran now than in the last couple of decades -- and not a single shot was fired!!!

This is amazing and so encouraging. I just saw "Argo".. Good historical flick.

[Major Hogwash]

22. My pleasure, Cha.

I was very glad to hear that Iran voted for a more moderate leader.
We will start making progress in the Middle East and make more friends in that area to make sure peace has a fair chance to take hold in all of the countries around the world.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

21. You wouldn't know that from the experts here on DU who think they can do the president's job.

[Cha]

23. Yeah,

with their fantasies.

[IrishAyes]

28. Illusions of grandeur

To hide other inadequacies, perhaps?

[Ed Suspicious]

27. It's so frustrating watching the willfull ignorance

Of our point.

[SunSeeker]

32. Thank you. If it weren't for BOG I'd be outa here.

This place has gone tinfoil hat nuts in their support of Snowden and hatred of Obama. It makes me want to stop coming here, like so many of my favorite posters seem to have as of late. Glad you're still here, Cha.

[Cha]

33. Hey SunSeeker..

Yeah, the BOG is one place they can't spread their willful ignorance. No sneaky leaky Snowden crap here.

If you're into polititics(and I know you are).. there's a lot of real work to be done and it's satisfying working with people from across our country who feel the same. It's worth hanging in there. Over the years I've learned to shut a lot of the nonsense out. That's not to say I didn't leave for two years in 2010. But, I realized this time around.. they mean nothing in the grand scale of Progress in our Democracy.

[1StrongBlackMan]

34. Despite all the media noise ...

The reality keeps poking through ... liberals are nowhere near where internet "democrats" and "progressives" claim liberals to be.

[Kath1]

35. Sarah Jones nails it! Thank you!

This "Obama liberal" isn't buying it, either. I'm glad to stand with people who live in the real world and appreciate real change - lasting change - rather than pipe dreams. I'm proud of this president and his record. I'm glad he keeps pushing the agenda. BOG - the voice of sanity in crazy times.

[Cha]

43. Wonderful Accomplishments, Kath. And, I appreciate those

who live in the real world.