Dear God... Our President needs us Now.

[sheshe2]

He carries far more weight upon his shoulders than any one man can carry alone!

[url=http://postimage.org/][img][/img][/url]

President Obama returns from his Christmas visit in Hawaii to the White House in Washington, December 27

http://theobamadiary.com/2012/12/27/chat-away-83/

[loyalkydem]

1. and as I learned tonight

not everyone on this site has his best interest in mind.

[SunSeeker]

3. Yup. But we need you here, so stick around.

[elleng]

4. Didn't read your thread, too much aggravation, but

Last edited Fri Dec 28, 2012, 12:27 AM - Edit history (1)

agreed with your post, and agree we must stay at his back.

[sheshe2]

5. loyalkydem...thank you.

I couldn't agree with you more! It is not just this night tho...it has been ongoing.

I cry at the pain in our Presidents face. I feel he has aged considerably in just a few days.

[xxxsdesdexxx]

10. I supported everything you said in that locked post.

I was actually typing a longer response, in support of your argument, and when I finally finished and hit submit, the thread was locked and all that I had typed was gone with it. Anyways, I was suggesting that too many on here are quick in throwing the president overboard when there is some anonymous source or leak reporting that the president is "considering" a particular policy. Consideration of something does not imply that one is in favor of it, it just means they are considering it. To take this a little deeper, we all know that the president likes to hear all sides of the debate so that he can make the most informed decision. If you are wary of anything that the president or congress are "considering," I would suggest courteously contacting them and letting them know your views. If the president or your members of congress are in favor of and supporting something you disagree with, then let all hell break lose and you're free to do as you please.

[freshwest]

26. Well said.

[Demo_Chris]

68. Respectfully, the distrust is earned.

[patrice]

75. I wonder, do you consider it possible that at least some of what we are seeing is not meant for us?

It's done for effect, say upon the 47%, i.e. the REPUBLICAN base, some of whom really do belong with us.

Some of it is also meant to rally responses from constituents on all sides, to get people actively involved and to paying attention for what happens next.

Negotiations are not as straight forward as the media and many people on this board want us to think they are. EVERYTHING is on the table and CPI is not everything. It's one thing, the first bit in this most current round. Think of poker with many players and an enormous deck of cards.

Yes, we have good reasons to distrust government, but those reasons will not be served by blinding ourselves to reality, in fact, what took advantage of us before can and will do it again if we don't stop pretending that we know everything we NEED to know and quit coming to pre-mature INFERENTIAL conclusions.

[freshwest]

105. Well, this used to be a safe haven for Obama supporters, but the GD bashers have taken over.

[Number23]

76. You need to read this.

http://poy.time.com/2012/12/19/person-of-the-year-barack-obama/

Only an idiot living in an echo chamber would believe that people don't trust this man. Even the Repubs had to acknowledge that his likability and trust factors were through the roof. And the reason people trust him is very simple -- they believe that he is working for them.

Now, I know that the good folks in GD read stuff like this and toss it in the trash because it goes against their already preconceived (and incredibly ill-informed) notions, but that is simply the truth of the matter.

[Demo_Chris]

81. You are free to trust anyone you like. I will do the same

I started to type out what would have been a long list of all things he has done to earn our distrust, starting with his epic betrayal on healthcare reform, all the way through to his decision not to prosecute HSBC for money laundering or proposal to cut social security so the wealthy can enjoy lower taxes.

It would be a bloody long list, I am tired, and you already know it. You simply don't care. So why should I?

[BanzaiBonnie]

87. If you expect perfection in anyone...

you will always be disappointed.

There's also a long list of things that aren't under his control. Just means "we the people" have to work harder.

[Number23]

94. You're absolutely right. You are free to trust whoever you like

and do whatever you want. And you are even more correct about the "don't care" bit as I have seen the braying and gnashing from the "left" regarding this president and every other Democratic president. The motives may be good, but the methods stink to high Heaven which is why the "left" has so little clout in this country.

But please realize that in your desperate need to distrust this president and his every action, you are in a tremendous minority. And as the article I pointed to notes repeatedly, this was a lesson that the Republicans were loathe to learn as well -- to their detriment.

And as to the specific points in your post, for every "leftist" I see screaming about the betrayal of health care, I see several hundred Americans (including members of my own family) who are thankful for the changes to healthcare and are hopeful for more. Your comment about SS cuts is mindless speculation that has been bandied about by the "left" for YEARS. Yes, YEARS. As for not prosecuting HSBC, I too would have liked to see them prosecuted, but dismissing a more than $1 billion fine is idiocy. Both would have been great but neither can be dismissed.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

99. sometimes the raging cynics get to me but

that's when I forget that massive social change CANNOT happen quickly.

Anyway...thank you for the several excellent posts. Well said.

[Cha]

106. Our Nation got ObamaCare which is what was Possible

at the time. It's a strong foundation for our future. So, no, there was no magic wand waved to get single payer.

I have a long list of what was Accomplished by our President and why he has earned our trust.

"Obama Ends ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy"
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/us/23military.html

"Obama Endorses Same-Sex Marriage Initiatives In 3 States"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/26/obama-same-sex-marriage_n_2020733.html
.
"Obama Says Same-Sex Marriage Should Be Legal"
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/us/politics/obama-says-same-sex-marriage-should-be-legal.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

"We'll Keep This List Going. Here are 206 Obama Accomplishments, With Citations! He's Done Plenty!"
http://pleasecutthecrap.typepad.com/main/what-has-obama-done-since-january-20-2009.html

"ObamaCare Facts: Facts on the Obama Health Care Plan
ObamaCare Facts 2012 - We Tell you the Facts, Not The Talking Points"
http://obamacarefacts.com/obamacare-facts.php

[OKNancy]

107. he's blocked but other readers might like to know a little about the HSBC business

read this blog on Reuters for a short but good explanation.
http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2012/12/13/why-the-us-didnt-prosecute-hsbc/

[Cha]

108. thanks for the link, OKNancy..

Putting it in Context..

The question isn’t whether to use that power, it’s why. To do so would be bullying, and capricious, and would punish thousands of innocent individuals, and would destroy hundreds of billions of dollars of value, all for the purpose of nothing much in particular. Just because the US can prosecute HSBC doesn’t mean that it should prosecute HSBC. And sometimes, forbearance isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of maturity.

[ReRe]

31. I just replied to you on that thread and it was locked!

...Boo!.. But what I said was basically "please don't go away."

[mfcorey1]

59. +1

[patrice]

62. God! I'm glad to see people admitting this is true! Thank you! A commitment to TRUTH neeeeeeeds

a dynamic balance between perspectives. I don't idolize BO, I like him, but I don't blind myself to reality FOR him and it's scarey to see so many people who blind themselves to reality AGAINST him, because even when we might agree on motives & outcomes, that kind of extremeness (from the right or from what calls itself "the Left&quot DAMAGES where we are headed and how we will get there. I agree with some of these Obama haters if they really are (???) motivated by a Liberal agenda, but their passions and negativity have taken precedence over success on the issues. It's sad.

The great labor leader poet Eric Hoffer mentioned this problem:" Social improvement is attained more readily by a concern for the quality of results than by a purity of motives." And Hoffer was NO wishy washy indeterminate whatever. He was strong and passionate.

Hoffer also said, "It's the around-the-corner brand of hope that prompts people to action, while the distant hope acts as an opiate."

around-the-corner is what is doable and opiates paralyze people and give them excuses for no action and no results, other than frustration and hostility. I think some intense learned helplessness is at work in lots of places.

Glad to see you here, loyalkydem!, we have been needing some POLITE but strong help!!!

[loyalkydem]

82. I am so touched by your post. You guys are going to make me cry

[Doctor_J]

86. Some of us think "his best interest" is fighting the Repukes,

not negotiating with/pandering to them

[DevonRex]

92. Hi

You know you're in the Obama Group, right?

[choie]

101. with respect

he doesn't always have our best interest in mind...

[SunSeeker]

2. Wow, his hair is almost all gray!

And the lines on his face are so much deeper. This job has aged him tremendously. He really is giving us all he's got. I wish more people saw that.

[sheshe2]

6. I know, and thank you SunSeeker!

[loyalkydem]

7. Can you imagine

the stress he must be under day in and day out? I could not do his job.

[Skittles]

8. it would seem like running for re-election was the easy part

[BlueCaliDem]

61. And considering how brutal campaigning is . . . eom

[tavalon]

37. Nope,

I would cry on a daily basis.

[sheshe2]

14. Thanks NYC_SKP for your response!

I was just about to send an alert on that one...someone beat me to it!

[Cha]

19. Yes, thanks to NYC SKP.. for

putting stupid in his place.

[elleng]

29. No,

and No.
You are wrong.

[DevonRex]

43. Are you lost?

[sheshe2]

13. You are disgusting!

Go the hell away!

[Scootaloo]

33. Now I'm wondering who the one jurist was that voted to keep that drek

Really?!

[sheshe2]

44. Someone voted to keep it? Wow amazing!

Thank Scootaloo!

[freshwest]

47. Lotsa trolls and Obama haters. At least 5 did the right thing.

[LTR]

48. Perhaps to keep proof of those wacky freeper trolls

and their freaky sex practices.

I think our dearly departed troll should have that very statement engraved on his gravestone.

[freshwest]

52. This ones for him and all the rest of the trolls...

[madamesilverspurs]

12. It's still "Yes WE can!"

-

[sheshe2]

15. Thank you madamesilverspurs...

You are right! We are not nearly done!

She

[Cha]

18. Thanks for that Vivid Reminder,

madamesilverspurs!

[Kath1]

95. Thank you so much, madamesilverspurs

for that inspiration!

I, for one, am proud to support this President who believes in little things like fairness, equality, health care and women's rights.

[Timbuk3]

16. I've got his back

What he's doing right now is hard. The country is likely to go over the fiscal bluff. But he's right to stand by his pledge to not raise taxes on 100% of the income below $250K, as in everybody, as in "including rich fuckers".

I think the offer of $400K and below was politics.

I'm gainfully employed, but the scariest thing (to me) is cutting UI to people who have no savings. The economic impact would be devastating to the entire country, but just think about how hard it would be to go from "just barely able to eat and have a warm place to sleep" to "homeless and starving".

The GOP, and especially the teabaggers, oppose government in any form. Is it any wonder that, when so many vote for the failure of government, the government fails?

You're looking at the face of a man who cares about this country, in the face of a GOP-led house who doesn't.

[young_at_heart]

21. Your last sentence says it all---I don't know how he does it!

I'm 73 years old and NO president of my lifetime (that I am able to remember) has moved me more than this man. Last night we watched the Kennedy Center Honors and seeing his reactions to the ceremony and his arm around Michelle and grooving to the music made it so clear that this man cares about people and can empathize.

[Timbuk3]

23. Thanks

Why in the world would we expect people who's GOAL is to prove that government doesn't work, to work to make government work?

The GOP wants us, all of us, to fail.

That's what OUR POTUS is fighting.

It's got to be exhausting to fight such lunacy.

[freshwest]

28. Thanks so much for both your posts here.

[sheshe2]

30. Thanks Timbuk3

You have his back! Excellent! That's what I have said in past posts...

However (LOL) I was asked if I was legal to vote in this country. That it was not a common phrase.Was I foreign? WOW. I have seen "I will take your back" many times since that poster ridiculed me.

Thanks
She

[Cha]

17. Oh thanks for posting that pic of the President

returning from Hawai'i, she. That certainly qualilfies as a pic being worth a thousand words.

Words that describe how awful it is to leave his fam in Hawai'i while he comes back to put up with the Koch party Plutocrats whose aim it is to Destroy America with them on the top of the heap.

[jillan]

22. Perfect description of what I see in that pic too, Cha.

He deserved this vacation.

[sheshe2]

41. He looks so very tired. My heart goes out to him!

[sheshe2]

73. Cha...

Thank you...It makes me cry to see his face this way.
He has endured so much in four years. No President has ever had a bigger burden to carry.

I am not just talking of the central issues of our Nation.I am not just addressing the international issues that are at hand. I am talking about the irrational hate that our President has had to endure. The ridicule, the disrespect of the Office of the President.

It comes from the crazies, sure. However it is coming from congressmen and women. It comes from senators and govenors alike. All the GO haters! They all have put their hate and the need to see this President fail before our countries needs. They are traitors to this Nation.

The attacks on his person. The attacks on his wife. He has had to endure this and at the same time lead this Nation Forward.

I thank you Mr. President.

[Cha]

77. So very true, she.. and, I'm thinking

all those precious little kids massacred is weighing heavily on our President's mind. How could it not be? We must all keep going back to that day when the incomprehensible happened.

[Kath1]

96. So very true!

He has aged tremendously over the past four years. Dealing with the national and international issues have to be hard enough, but dealing with the blind hatred of he and his family is another issue. I really don't know how he manages to keep it together with the class, good humor and intelligence he exhibits.

[politicasista]

100. +1 n/t

[Chorophyll]

24. Oh man, he looks exhausted.

And those rethugs can't drag their sorry asses back to Washington to do anything for the people they're supposed to represent.

Goddammit.

Hugs for everyone here.

[freshwest]

25. I wish he could have stayed longer, he deserves a rest. But for most of us, work comes first.

Not the Hawaii he just left, but I see it this way:

...The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

~Robert Frost

[Cha]

32. That's a beautiful Robert Frost

poem that goes with this pic, freshwest.. Thank you!

[sheshe2]

38. Oh do not start me crying with a Robert Frost Poem...So back at you!

The Road Not Taken



Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.


Robert Frost

He takes the lesser traveled path. Thank you Mr President. Thank you!

[freshwest]

50. That one... But the weariness and keeping faith made me cry... He'll do the right thing, always.

[sheshe2]

63. He will keep his promises before he sleeps!

[hopemountain]

71. he has chosen the high road

of integrity, dignity, and truth. it is damn lonely.

i am so glad to read here some of us willing to have his back (yes, this is a common phrase amongst my neighborhood and family).

he's wanting to do what is just for those who elected him. it's damn hard when he has a circus of clowns and coyotes and bigoted & insolent 3 year olds in the congress.

there are some of us who pray for our leaders every day.

thank you, sheshe2 for posting the pic. even though it is heart wrenching. those of us who have faced troubles know what it feels like. but to face such trouble for the entire country and alone?

p.s. and appreciation to those calling out the ugly haters.

[freshwest]

88. Thanks for expressing this so well.

[Fearless]

27. So long as he does the right thing I will support him.

[ReRe]

34. K&R

Yip, he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. And that isn't snow in his hair. Even though he had to come back early, he did have a wonderful time with family and friends for a few days.

[gateley]

35. We can't even begin to imagine the incredible pressure and responsibility he must feel.

It hurts me to see what this country has done to him,

[sheshe2]

65. It pains me too.

A major portion of this country are throwing away the best thing that has ever happened to them.

Sad that they are to blind to see!

[Kath1]

97. Same here.

"... what this country has done to him." How true and so sad that we have so many haters in this country who want to destroy this man. What a sad but true commentary.

[tavalon]

36. They almost all do

I doubt Dumbya did, but Cheney aged considerably and four years ago, Obama and I were neck and neck in the gray hair category. He has pulled ahead massively.

[Brigid]

39. I would look that exhausted too . . .

If I had to deal with the likes of Boehner, Cantor, and McConnell all the time. Bunch of oversized two-year-olds.

[freshwest]

54. And he knows they are lying crooks, as well. They have more money than Obama, because they're crooks

and they are arrogant and dishonest, don't care about who gets hurt. It must turn his stomach to have to talk with such foul people.

Yet they were elected and he has to deal with them as if they had any integrity, which they don't have, but he must do it for the people that voted for them... and the ones that didn't.

It's a hell of a job to have to face daily.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

40. The strain of te job is getting to him already

He looked much older than his years.

[Cha]

57. He'll bounce back..

We all have our peaks and valleys. It has been a rough month for our country.

[freshwest]

89. By summertime, I hope to see more like this from 2009:

From The Obama Diary...

[Cha]

93. Or even this.. taken a few days ago in Hawai'i.. :)

http://theobamadiary.com/

[DevonRex]

45. And this is the Obama Group. You want General Discussion.

[Cha]

49. That's not true.

[sheshe2]

56. Trickle all Over you economics and war first???

What the hell do you mean by that statement?

I can't respond to the trickle bit because I have no clue what you are referring to.

However the war first diplomacy shit? What has that got to do with this President? Enlighten me on how many wars this President waged...I am clueless here. I must have been asleep for the past four years. Again enlighten me.

Were you asleep when GWB waged two wars on credit cards? Do you remember Afganistan...Irag? Do you. What the hell were they all about...do you know?

War first diplomacy...un fucking believable!

[freshwest]

66. Going for the 'reaganomics' theme and then slamming PBO for the Peace Prize.

Last edited Fri Dec 28, 2012, 02:47 AM - Edit history (1)

Playing on the uber left and then going with the tea bag complaints about Obama getting the Peace Prize as he came into office. Does not belong in the BOG...

[elleng]

58. You are mistaken,

AND you are in the wrong Group.

[patrice]

60. Presidents are not kings, no matter how much you might want one to read your mind and do precisely

what you and yours alone want.

And before you go off on me, know that it's likely that we agree about the outcomes, though you appear to have no idea precisely how the whole situation is supposed to actually evolve, that is, unless you'd like to demonstrate your perspicacity in that regard right now: pray tell, who/what/when/why/where/how do we "get there" from here, come on now, you're apparently gifted with greater insight and understanding than the guy who has been doing nothing else with his life 24/7 for the last four years, why don't you just pony up right here and now and justify your critique by going BO one better and showing him up with the WHOLE enchilada? And while you're at it, you know of course, if you don't admit whom you're going to hurt and how up front, you're disqualified on grounds of lying.

[freshwest]

46. sheshe, I love the comments on that blog... How can we join it?

Things that some at DU are missing:

'ARGH: Sr. WH official tells me that, contrary to reports from Repubs, president will NOT be sending a fiscal cliff proposal to Capitol Hill...The GOP media plays the far left like a fiddle. Everytime! Worthless press.'

'Yet there were people on here as well as on Twitter lambasting PBO based on “GOP sources” (Scott Brown FB page) and their GOP-friendly media stenographers.'

'The GOP media plays the far left like a fiddle. Everytime!'

'I truly don’t understand the people lambasting Pres. Obama. He’s the one person who’s been working his ass off and fighting for them. On days like this, I’m glad I’m not the president because even though I’m a very patient person by nature, I would have flipped them the birdie by now.'

[Cha]

55. That's a good question, freshwest..

I belong but I don't exactly remember.. I don't see a place to register per se. I think maybe you go to the comments section and down at the bottom is a "Enter your comment here" and you fill out your email, name, and comment and it goes through moderation.

There's one Admin.. Chips, who started the theobamadiary in 2009 because of all the negativity on DU. Best thing that ever Happened!

Let me know if that works?

[AverageJoe90]

51. The title had me worried for a minute.

But yeah, let's do it. Solidarity for the President!

[patrice]

53. Help him out by calling your "representation" in D.C. nt

[sheshe2]

78. Already done Patrice. Already done.

Peace. Please!
She

[BlueCaliDem]

64. As you know, I supported everything you wrote in that post

and I was just able to post a response before it got locked. It really frustrates me when some so-called Progressives are such self-defeatists and as hateful and antagonistic as TeaBaggers. Then again, they're FiredogBaggers so . . .

It just pains me to read how President Obama is getting such criticism while working so hard to improve this country for all of us. It frustrates me to see how some Emo-Progs are always taking what he considers or offers as blasphemy against their purist ideals because he doesn't wave his magic wand and make all their unrealistic dreams come true. With Progressives like that, who needs TeaBaggers?

Over time, even these so-called enlightened and self-thinking (delusional) Emo-Progs will finally have to come around and say that President Obama is the most progressive president this country has ever seen, just like the way they swoon by the mere mention of Franklin D "Internment Camp" Roosevelt who can do no wrong - or is just conveniently used as another hammer to use against President Obama.

[patrice]

69. You know, a person CAN understand critique, but that stuff is so far out that it's hard not to think

something other than truth is the motivator, something possibly wrong.

Again I say, whatever validity that perspective has to bring to the table is damaged by the hate and vitriol that drives them. Emotions are legit, strong emotions are legit, but this externalized boogeyman who takes precedence over all or most forms of the self awareness about the qualities of one's own actions big and small, NONE of which matters because BO ___________________ (whatever).

I'm struggling with this, as you may have noticed, I WANT to credit at least some of the values expressed by that perspective, but I CAN'T and somehow emo progs take that as a badge of honor.

Fuck 'em, Chris Hedges and Glenn Greenwald have turned into Ralph Nader II & III and that makes me suspect a level of self righteousness that is driven by the vindictive hope that anyone who disagrees suffers and yes, even dies, if "necessary", to establish their exclusive and rather selective versions of the truth.

If I'm wrong about this, I'd like someone to SHOW me differently. They could defend themselves by proving that they aren't as hateful and fascistic and biased as they appear to be, but I don't expect that to happen because it doesn't really matter to emo progs if you would like to agree with them, but have problems with ________________, no one matters except those who do agree with them and THAT's Fascism.

Still struggling here . . .

[freshwest]

91. I've run into this same crowd in local politics. Your analysis is correct.

There are many things that are New Deal-ish that have saved lives that they long to destroy for ideological purity. The call it the cost of change, as people suffer and die.

Those affected are just collateral damage to meet their simplistic ideal which claim a faux individualism that never happened except in the mind of Ayn Rand. Yes, they are like that.

The right have the same technique. Those of us who are protecting the living in the middle, those who support unions and public workers and school teachers and other services, are beset from both sides. We're sneered at and called centists and sell-outs from the left, and statist and nanny staters from the right. But we don't care what it's called if it saves people.

Flesh and blood people, not theoretical ones that they don't know or care about, and whose lives or death doesn't really affect their lives. On the left they used to be called radical chic, pushing to the extreme the politics of the day to elicit a violent response for a thrill. And on the right, they play fundamentalist mental masturbation games. Same game, though.

It's tough to be abused from both sides. This is what Obama is dealing with, so I love him.

[polynomial]

67. Americans realize

Likely what has been embedded in the system is far worse than most Americans realize. The Republican Party which is constitutionally antithetical has been flushed out. The definition of conservative does not fit at this time for those of the Republican Party. They are the party of hate.

When I listen to WIND radio or ABC radio talk show about politics, and, of course Fox News cable, yes I do listen for their lies, Limbaugh, Hannity, Ingram, Medved, O'reilly, up and down it is hate, after hate after hate spewed out, and on relentlessly. In the Congress, the Senate, Baynor, Mitch McConnell, Cantor, Lindsey Graham, Jim DeMint and more.

Sometimes I reflect about their constituents those people who elect these types into office. There is a very, very weirdness connected to all of them. From my view I cannot think that part of the country is so screwed up mentally. But I can think those Republicans are very corrupted; many in our system know it, especially our Judicial branch which turns their back to it. That is the hard part; the justice system lets the President hang out to exhaustion on his own.

President Obama needed his first four years to see who he can trust. The moment of change is painted very fearful, and likely is. But in the final hour if, and he can, Obama issues an executive order that would resolve issues in the interim to prevent any national security situation the Republicans will surely explode, foul. In one signature President Obama gave the government workers the Monday as a holiday. Imagine the power he has for the country, it is a unique power, he could commandeer whole business or industries. Banking, securities exchange, military, transportation, airlines railroads, trucking, the steel industries in the name of national security.

In a sense, saving General Motors which builds our transportation machines for the military was just such an issue totally not addressed by our mainstream media. National security was paramount at that time. President Obama secured our nation in doing so. President Obama is grayer, but he is proud, and so are we.

[patrice]

72. I'm curious; what happens AFTER. If PO did something like you suggest, what happens afterward? Where

do all of those who either dispute the purpose or the method of what was just done? How many people would that be? How can we calculate the strength of their emotional/motivational drive? What would critical mass be as to the size of that cohort?

In short, DON'T THEY NEED SOMEKIND OF BUY-IN? Or at least as much buy-in as possible, so as to reduce the size and impetus of that cohort to something that is actually manageable. How does one calculate such a thing when strategizing executive action?

[calimary]

70. Shit - just imagine how it'd feel if we were looking ahead to a president wrongney.

Sweet God in Heaven!

Dayum - look how President Obama has aged. You really can see some of the weight on his shoulders - reflected in his face. Dear Mr. President - WE HAVE YOUR BACK. DO NOT FEEL AS THOUGH YOU'RE CARRYING THIS LOAD ALONE!!!!

[Kath1]

98. How I dreaded the thought of Romney as President!

I think it is very important for us to be very visible in our support for Obama. Things could have been soooooooo much worse had the election gone the other way. My OBAMA 2012 magnet will stay on my car for a looooooong time.

[calimary]

104. Oh MAN, I think about that EVERY DAY!!!

What a bullet we dodged! What a bullet we dodged!!!!!

For example, do you think for one instant we would have had a president-elect wrongney making a speech, or taking a position, like the one President Obama did in Newtown Connecticut? Do you think the conversation would have been steered anywhere near taking a second look at the 2nd Amendment? HARDLY!!!! I still remember how then-president-elect reagan ( ) was asked for his reaction to the shooting death of John Lennon. And he puked out a bunch of pablum about what an unfortunate thing that was - BUT WE CAN'T GIVE UP OUR GUNS! I damn near cried.

And it's just gotten better and better, as I watch President Obama stand SO firm against the assholes in the House and Senate who keep wanting to worship the rich and screw the poor and middle class. He's NOT caving, NOT capitulating, NOT giving in before the negotiations even start. I can't believe it's the same President! I am SO pleased!!! NO buyer's remorse here, WHATSOEVER!!!!!!!

I'm just so proud and pleased and impressed and utterly THRILLED with my President!!! Even gladder now, that he was reelected, than on the night he actually was reelected!

THIS man makes me feel proud to be an American all over again.

GOBAMA!!!!!!!!

[dkf]

74. Wow...all that white hair.

I feel for the guy. Toughest job on earth.

[Hekate]

79. I wish he could have had another week of sun and sand to nourish his soul

He looks so tired.

[Cha]

80. I know, huh? Even a few more

days to get some of that Hawai'ian Sunshine and sand between his toes would be so helpful for his body and soul.

[loyalkydem]

83. He cut his vacation short

just to come back and deal with a do nothing congress.GWB would have stayed at the ranch

[greatauntoftriplets]

84. What gets to me is that President Obama cut short his well-deserved family vacation...

and the Repukes are letting this go until the bitter end. He looks so tired....

[Zen Democrat]

85. He's my hero. The best president of my lifetime - and Truman was President when i was born.

My son is also a dedicated liberal but he frequently complains about President Obama caving or negotiating or playing nice. I write that off as the passion of youth. I've lived long enough and heard enough political rhetoric to know the goodness in this man and the struggle he wages on behalf of the common good. I love him and his beautiful family and am grateful every day that he's the most powerful man in the world. It's in the best interest of all humanity.

[freshwest]

90. Best POTUS of my lifetime, too.

[hopemountain]

102. especially proud of our president tonight.

he's strong, courageous, and more a decent human being than i could ever be.
also grateful for this group because the regular du forums are full of negativity and trolls. blech.

[sheshe2]

103. Welcome to DU Hopemountain!

...and to the BOG!