An Argument I'm Sick of Hearing!

[sheshe2]

**************Barack Obama Group***************

Bernie Sanders is hardly the first person to make this argument. But he's the one that is running for president and should know better. So let's take a look at what he said and break it down.

I think the evidence is overwhelming that the Republicans, the John Boehners, Mitch McConnells and others had zero intention of negotiating with the President on any serious compromising. Their function and their goal was to obstruct, obstruct, obstruct, and to quite frankly it took the President too many years to figure that out and I think in the last couple years he has been a stronger President and a better President because he understands there is nothing to negotiate with these guys.

snip

The whole idea of a candidate for president suggesting that our Chief Executive shouldn't negotiate with the opposition frankly sounds like something Sen. Ted Cruz would propose. And given the make-up of Congress, it would lead to the result Cruz got in 2013 - perpetual government shut-downs. If a Democratic president were to follow such a path, voters would be right to blame her/him for that. That is NOT the way to advance a progressive agenda.

When it comes to his own presidential aspirations, perhaps Sanders assumes that he'll be swept into office with a Democratic majority in the House and a super-majority in the Senate. That would allow him to only have to negotiate with Democrats (good luck with that, Bernie!) But short of that, at some point someone needs to ask him whether or not he envisions four years of government shut-downs amidst zero legislative accomplishments as he refuses to negotiate with Republicans.

Read More http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2015/08/an-argument-im-sick-of-hearing.html

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. It's a ridiculous argument, but I consider the source. BS wanted to primary Obama in '12.

For me personally, anything else out of his mouth, at this point, is just gibberish.

[sheshe2]

2. I so agree with you Tarheel.

[freshwest]

3. Until I saw that factoid posted here, I didn't know that. It would have changed my mind about him.

We did not need to break up the party when we had a successful, progressive and liberal advocate for all of America's people - and the world's people.

But PBO wasn't enough of 'a socialist in name only' as BS is, so he wasn't good enough for the crowd. Obama is first and foremost, a realist. He said he would only take on battles he could win and he has won.

Those that he cannot win, he does not take on to use up his valuable, short time as POTUS. He changed the conversation in this country yet few will dare to acknowledge it.

Such as the ACA with the no pre-existing condition clause, that actually took place in 2010 as the law passed, at great cost to himself and Democrats across the country. Now people have greater expectations the health care industry is forced to respect. Because now it's 'the new norm.'

Too many fell for the billionaire line that it was not good enough - they have enough money to buy both sides of the aisle in political punditry. And so they didn't give PBO the majority he needed to reverse the effects of the Bush tax cuts. The GOP immediately tried to shut down the government and have done so since, until the point was made to the American public they'd 'better learn how to shift for themselves.'

I've seen good people in public service, especially in the federal government, who left after the shut down when the drunken GOP insane clown posse wanted the USA to go into default so they could pocket the pieces during the chaos they knew would ensue.

They are still threatening the same, with either the sacrifice of the disabled with a 20% permanent cut in benefits or a 60% cut for everyone on SS. This is their dream.

At times I think Sanders is for real, at other times I think he's sold out like the Democrat who gave the state legislature a GOP majority by resigning in Virginia, IIRC.

The same thing has been done in my 'purple' state with those who used the Democratic money and name, then immediately switched parties. They see 'the writing on the wall' and the best way for the billionaires to get away with that is to divide the Democrats as is being done for decades now. Or get them to not vote or to vote third party.

Sigh...

[Cha]

10. Exactly, Tarheel.. he said "millions were deeply disappointed in him because..

"Social Security..blah blah blah..". Wrong. Millions Supported him because he's a great President. Too bad BS you lose.

"deeply" I tell ya!

"Let me just suggest this. I think there are millions of Americans who are deeply disappointed in the president; who believe that, with regard to Social Security and a number of other issues.. " blah blah blah..

bravenak MOre.. http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/07/22/277124/bernie-sanders-primary-obama/

[William769]

4. Look at the bright side, if he keeps saying shit like that

There's no way in Hell he will even come close to getting the Democratic nomination.

Mark my words he will end up running third party and that's fine with me. I'll be damned if I am going to kiss his ass or anybody else's who decides to finally join the Democratic party to be a shit stirrer. He can take his economic policy that does not include the vast majority of minorities and stick it where the sun don't shine.

And don't even get me fucking started on his speaking at Liberty BIGOT University! Like any damned minds are going to get changed there.

[brer cat]

5. Righteous rant, William.

[sheshe2]

6. Bernie seems to be his own worst enemy.

Who the hell is his campaign manager that thought it would be a good idea to talk to conservative Christian bigots?

He blows off BLM, he is for women when it suits him. LGBT, he must stand for you. He let you have a parade once.

As for the rest of your statement. I applaud you, William.

[George II]

12. "he is for women when it suits him"

Don't forget that he is for Democrats when it suits him, and benefits him, too. He never wanted to be a Democrat until he decided to run for President and he realized he needed their soap box, resources, and party infrastructure (IF, big IF, he gets the nomination)

[demilib]

35. no

Some of his supporters are. I am rapidly losing respect for his campaign.

[Cha]

13. Yeah, he's using the Democratic party's platform to run against the Successful and Popular

President of our Party. No luck to you, BS.

I hear BS is popular with "conservatives".. maybe he's just trying to expand on that by speaking at Liberty Bigot U?

[yallerdawg]

7. President Obama has been very successful.

What has been most disconcerting is how willing Republicans have been to hurt us - to oppose healthcare, economic recovery, job creation, infrastructure, peace - for some kind of political gain?

I cut my teeth on "Impeach Nixon," suffered Reagan in bafflement and fear, watched the Bush's turn America into a Banana Republic and then do evil around the world - but what they have done in response to the election of President Obama has revealed the utter soullessness of Republican conservatism.

Finding a way to elect Democrats must be our number one goal.

[freshwest]

19. 1,000% with you on that. Same experience, too. n/t

[sheshe2]

25. +10000~

[Cha]

8. Yeah, I know what smartypants means, she.. As if the President didn't know the gop

would obstruct.

And, they would obstruct BS, too.. if he ever got into office. He can whine about what President Obama did and didn't do but he talks like he has no idea what it actually means to be POTUS.

I like the comments.. but, I'll just post the 1st one..

King BeauregardAugust 6, 2015 at 11:20 AM

"The more I look at Bernie, the more I think he's just pulling a big Donald Trump: bluster, legislative goals that he couldn't possibly achieve, and a lot of feel-good campaigning to a certain demographic. But actual awareness of, and interest in, the president's powers and limitations ... ? I'm just not seeing it."

Mahalo for this, she!

BOG

[bvf]

9. Wrong sandbox, but nice try. n/t

[sheshe2]

11. You are so right!

Wrong sandbox and you are in it. I already posted that this was a group which you ignored.

You chose to crap on a group. I usually give warnings, yet you ignored the one I gave.

Bye!

[Cha]

14. No, you didn't make a good "try" at all. Better luck next time.

[Cleita]

15. Looked to me like a defense of Obama against the obstructions he got in Congress.

[jalan48]

16. Bernie's statement makes perfect sense to me.

Obama did try to work with the Republicans when he was first elected, and at the time had a majority of Democrats in both Houses. He wanted to reach across party lines and build a consensus which seemed reasonable at the time. In retrospect and from what we know now, the Republicans had adopted a strategy from the beginning to obstruct any and every effort of the Obama Administration to achieve his policy goals. Republicans had no interest in helping Obama deal with the serious problems he had inherited from the Bush Administration. Some have called the Republican actions 'treasonous' and I would have to agree. Given what we know now, why would a new Democratic President assume they would want to work with him/her?

[Cleita]

17. The Caucus Room conspiracy.

On the night of the first inaugural balls after President Obama was sworn into office for his first term, well here it is:

http://www.thomhartmann.com/blog/2014/06/caucus-room-conspiracy-alive-and-well

On January 20, 2009, the night when the Obama's were attending inaugural balls and most Americans were out celebrating the end of the Bush years, a group of powerful Republicans was planning the end of Obama presidency before it even got going.

At the Caucus Room restaurant right here in Washington, DC - GOP leaders drew up a plan to intentionally sabotage Obama at every point possible. The whole thing was orchestrated by Republican propaganda mastermind Frank Luntz and over the course of four hours, a group of the most powerful conservative lawmakers in the country committed to a plan of action.

They promised each other that they would filibuster and obstruct any and all legislation supported by the new President, Barack Obama. They would do everything possible, for as long as it took, to make his a "failed presidency." On the guest list for this “invitation only” meeting were Republican Senators like Jim DeMint, Jon Kyl, Tom Coburn, John Ensign and Bob Corker. Also in attendance were Congressmen Paul Ryan, Pete Sessions, Jeb Hensarling, Pete Hoekstra, Dan Lungren and - you guessed it - Eric Cantor and Kevin McCarthy.

- See more at: http://www.thomhartmann.com/blog/2014/06/caucus-room-conspiracy-alive-and-well#sthash.jPLTiC4c.dpuf

[jalan48]

18. Exactly. These Republicans are some fucked up people.

They could care less about the good of the country.

[Cha]

22. No, BS is condescending as hell.. telling it took President Obama too long to figure it out..

He can sit from his perch and complain while President Obama has done all the work.. he acts like he has no idea what it takes to be President.

And, this is the Barack Obama Group which is stated in the OP.

[jalan48]

23. Sorry-my bad. I didn't realize I wasn't supposed to comment here.

[sheshe2]

33. Groups have SOPS.

I stated this was a group.

Here...OUR SOP

The mission of the Barack Obama Group is to discuss information and news about the life, career, accomplishments, and presidency of Barack Obama; to provide a haven for those members of Democratic Underground who support the president and his policies; to discuss President Obama's policy positions, speeches, interviews, and other public appearances; to discuss President Obama's political campaigns; and to discuss the causes which President Obama has championed, including health care reform and ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Those who have a generally negative view of President Obama and his administration, support his defeat in the 2012 presidential election (in primaries or the general election), or who are generally supportive of those who do, are not welcome in the Barack Obama Group.

It would be appreciated if you deleted.

[stevenleser]

20. FYI, this was alerted as an SOP violation of the Barack Obama group. Needless to say, I do not agree

[Cha]

21. Oh yeah.. the alerter can't stand to have us talking about President Obama in the BOG

if BS's name is mentioned.

Too damn bad.

[sheshe2]

26. Lol~

So relieved you will leave my post about our great President Cha!!!!

[Cha]

27. Yeah, the consensus in the BOG is.. Your POST Did Not Violate Statement of Purpose, she.

Sorry, alerter.. We take care of our own Group here. Really don't need any intrusion.. take care of your own business.

she BOG

[sheshe2]

24. I know Steve, thanks!

Scootaloo is on vaca as of a few hours ago and bored. Lol. I am not blocking myself. Only one other active host, I doubt she will block me either.

Lol~ no SOP violation here! We are talking about the coolest President ever. Does not matter what the GOP, Independents and sadly some Dems toss his way, he's good.

[Cha]

28. Yeah, she.. does not matter that a non Democrat is using our Democratic Platform

to run for President and diss our successful and popular President.. he's good.

[yallerdawg]

29. Given that Senator Sanders (I-VT) has run as a Democrat before...

and after winning the nomination as a Democrat, rejected the nomination and then ran as 3rd party independent, it will be interesting to see if he will pass "The Trump Pledge" at the upcoming debates.

He says he will not run as independent.

Trump is scaring the bejesus out of the RNC!

Is that political leverage BS will pass on?

[sheshe2]

30. Yep, he's good.

Gotta run to work~

Later...

[Tarheel_Dem]

32. You just made me so happy!

[greatauntoftriplets]

31. I'm not locking it either.

[davidpdx]

34. Some of it I think is pure frustration that more could have gotten done if it had not been for

the Republicans. The Republicans have plotted from Day 1 to undermine him. Post #17 talks about the Republicans trying from the very beginning to do this and I personally believe it is true. Time and time again they have prove this whether it be on the budget shutdown or inviting Nutinyahoo to speak before Congress. I think we all agree on this.

I agree whomever is president should negotiate, but at the same time that person has to be ready to say no and I think President Obama has done that many times.

Much like Obama when he was a candidate, it is possible that Sanders is being a bit naive as an outsider (someone who has never been president) looking in.