The definition of "progressive" must have been revised ...

[Scuba]

from my email ...

Today, we’re excited to tell you that President Obama announced his unwavering support for Debbie in her race for Congress.

The President praised Debbie’s fearless work for South Florida’s families, saying:

“Debbie has been a strong, progressive leader in Congress and a hardworking, committed Chair of our national Party since I proudly nominated her to the role in 2011.

She always stands up and fights for what is right for her district while passionately supporting middle class families.

Throughout my time as President I have seen Debbie bring an unwavering commitment to her family, her constituents, and our shared goals of protecting seniors, supporting working families, and expanding economic opportunity for more people.

I strongly endorse her reelection to Congress and look forward to her future service on behalf of the people of South Florida.” - President Barack Obama

Shameful, outright lies from POTUS. Expanding economic opportunity for loan sharks ain't quite the same thing as helping the people, Mr. President.

[onecaliberal]

1. Holy shit

[enlightenment]

2. Pathetic.

I suppose if his definition of "middle class" is $200,000 and up, his statement is true for that sentence - but the rest of it requires a large shovel, hip-waders, and a gas mask.

[riversedge]

3. Thank you Pres. Obama. Love that your favoribility continues upwards.

[tkmorris]

7. Big fan of payday loan companies then?

Seriously, I'm baffled by anyone's support of DWS. Could you maybe explain just what it is about her that you like?

[Scuba]

8. Maybe losing the Senate, House and half the states is "progressive" to some.

[Scuba]

26. I'm confused by your post. Did you mean to reply to another post?

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

36. Mispost.

[SCantiGOP]

52. "shameful, outright lies from the POTUS" ??

Don't know how I would vote on a jury for your language in the original post, but I will just add you to the Ignore list and move on.
Try to remember - it is the OTHER party we want to be irrevocably split going into the General Election, not ours.

[Scuba]

56. Lying should be exposed regardless of the party affiliation of the liar.

[SusanaMontana41]

132. Putting country before party is patriotism.

Keep speaking up.

[Scuba]

136. Thank you ...

[SusanaMontana41]

145. You are so welcome. nt

[840high]

169. Thank you.

[JackInGreen]

207. +1BILLION

love it.

[markpkessinger]

167. Amen! n/t

[Gman]

72. Here here

[rhett o rick]

157. Supporting Pay Dan Loan Sharks, the lowest of the low, is not something a real Democrat

does. They prey on those who need help the most. Out tent has gotten too big if it includes people that choose Pay Day Loan Sharks over the people they exploit.

[Gore1FL]

109. To that end, it's probably better if Obama doesn't start to wedge the party in half...

...by endorsing a party-harming GOP-supporting incompetent.

[kristopher]

171. DWS is a prolific fund raiser. That's her value and

...the cornerstone of power relationships in The Party.

[Gore1FL]

183. She loses despite that fundraising.

We need someone else who is both a Democrat and capable of winning elections. She has proven to be neither

[kristopher]

187. By the common definition of political power and success she is a disaster

But it keeps those donors happy and that's job #1.

[Gore1FL]

211. It shouldn't be. If that is her priority she should resign.

Obama should not endorse her.

[Volaris]

197. She hasn't raised any money from me,

at least not since Bernie announced his run for The Presidency.

Full disclosure, tho, I'm not a big-money doner...just a schmuck of an Average Citizen.


Now I'm going to look into sending her primary opponent 10 bucks from out of state (I don't live in FL). I want her out of Congress MORE than I want McConnell unelected because at least when Yertle starts in on the hippie-punching, he's not a damn hypocrite about it. It's not better, but it IS at least, not dishonest.

[tiredtoo]

227. yep

i also donated to his campaign. first donation this year that went to someone other than Bernie.

[rhett o rick]

155. So you are saying that if someone here on this "politically liberal" message board doesn't

agree with the president, they should be alerted on and maybe even hidden? You are a great example of what has happened to the Democratic party, the People's party. We are not afraid to speak up to our leaders because THEY WORK FOR US. They are not gods, that must be grovelled before, they are supposed to represent us and when he supports pay day loan sharks over people, then I for one will speak up. Our tent has gotten too big to include those that bow before their leaders and never hold them accountable.

DINO Debbie is a poor excuse for a Democrat and her support for the criminal enterprise of Pay Day Loans attests to it.

Pay Day Loan Sharks exploit those among us that need help the most and I think it's disgusting for any Democrat to support them.

[Scuba]

179. Righteous rant Rick!

[DJ13]

181. + A Million

What in the Hell has happened to our party?

[HughBeaumont]

47. +1,000.

Her "leadership" has been pretty much wretched.

"Republican Lite" vs "Republican" . . . . yeah, the latter's winning that "battle" every time.

[Betty Karlson]

108. Maybe if we campaigned on progressive values, instead of GOP-light, we wouldn't lose so much.

Debbie certainly showed that GOP-light doesn't bring out the vote in 2014: worst mid-term elections in a generation, and it was all her responsability.

But then, what do you exect from someone who wants to keep her GOP pals' seats uncompetitive, just "for old times' sake"

[Scuba]

110. Well, 2/3 of the electorate doesn't bother to vote. What does that tell you?

[Betty Karlson]

122. It tells me that they are completely fed up with the status quo. eom

[Scuba]

134. Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!!

[RKP5637]

152. Exactly! I know many that just don't care about the democrats or republicans. In their book they

are all the same, except democrats are generally better on social issues. The DNC/DWS are clueless. They seemingly have no idea of the mood in the US. The GE might well be exceptionally disturbing.

[Betty Karlson]

198. The following comparison is found controversial, but I'll repeat it anyway:

given a choice between someone who will screw them, and someone who will screw them with lube, most people will eventually refuse to make a choice, and demand that everybody stops screwing them.

[RKP5637]

212. Exactly what is going on! Just about anyone you talk to is totally fed up with the political

establishments in the US, mainly because they feel they are self serving, and out to only benefit themselves and their cronies. Yep, they are fed up with being screwed! Also, IMO, there should be no such thing as career politicians.

[Dont call me Shirley]

162. Paul Weyrich Strategy the DLC adopted is working wonders for them!

[navarth]

191. sad but true.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

11. Why do you support DWS? nt

[Katashi_itto]

19. You support DWS And you want us to support Hillary?

[beastie boy]

38. Yes, I do.

Then again, my wishes do not have to inform your choices. You are entitled to them, just like Obama is entitled to his. Doesn't make either of you better or worse than the other, just different. You have your reasons to support your candidate and I have mine. I don't have to frown upon yours to add validity to mine. And you know something, your apparent contempt for Hillary or DWS doesn't make me hate Bernie back.

BTW, I am not particularly fond of DWS. With a more competent DNC Chair, I think my candidate (Hillary) would have been way ahead from where she is now.

[fun n serious]

57. Yes. Hillary would be way ahead with

a more competent chair. I agree.

[GoneOffShore]

88. You mean a more rightward leaning DNC chair?

DWS seems to have abandoned any pretence that she's anything but Republican Lite.

[beastie boy]

139. No, I clearly meant a more competent DNC chair.

It's not even a matter of ideology.

With a more leftward competent Chair, Hillary would have still been far ahead.

[Katashi_itto]

166. Lol..DWS is in Hillary's pocket.

[Plucketeer]

33. How much do you pay

to get YOUR checks cashed? What kind of interest is fair if it's down to your work transport or the kids meals???

[saturnsring]

66. a lot of people rely on those payday lenders

they wouldnt be happy if the lenders closed

[Plucketeer]

69. So you're saying

they gladly suck up the shafting they get from those leeches? Sanders wants the US Postal Service to offer the Same services for Sane fees. I'll bet DWS somehow just CAN'T see the worth of that - not when the loan shark industry keeps her deep in C-note blinders!

[saturnsring]

117. magic sanders is gonna make that happen all on his own?

[Plucketeer]

131. The "alternative" won't even try.

I'll take someone who will at least make an effort.

[saturnsring]

133. like the gop trying time after time to vote the aca out of existence, nothing ridiculous about that

this is an example of someone who has an answer first and is trying to force reasoning to fit the answer.

The "alternative" won't even try. did she tell you that?

[Plucketeer]

140. Well, let's do this then

You live with your defeatism, And I'll cling (with futility, of course) to my hope. We both will be happy that way!

[Gore1FL]

184. Are you really comparing ending the ACA to ending legal usury?

lol

Good luck.

[saturnsring]

186. no i am not, i am comparing what that poster said to the gop voting on the aca

[Gore1FL]

210. The two are not remotely equal. The analogy is embarrassingly laughable.

[saturnsring]

215. it isnt my fault youre unable to understand it

[Gore1FL]

221. There is nothing to understand

You compare continued votes to eliminate a popular program to keeping unpopular usury legal. That's a hilariously bad example.

If you are saying it will be difficult to get legislation through a GOP congress, especially when the head of the DNC like to emulate them, then you might have an argument.

But no, repeated attempts to kill the ACA is not equal to ending legal loansharking in our nation. I can't help but to giggle every time you make me respond to your awkwardly defensive posts.

[AllyCat]

204. No. He has asked repeatedly for Americans

To support progressive candidates at all levels of government. Nothing magic about it. We USED to do many of the things he is calling for. Other reasonable countries do it now. Not magic. Fewer payday loans because people have a fair system is a good, progressive thing.

[KamaAina]

94. The idea is that they would be able to get the same service from the USPS

for a lot less.

[SusanaMontana41]

150. You're defending an industry whose sole purpose is to prey on the poor.

These shysters don't set up shop in affluent neighborhoods. They keep the cycle of poverty going.

I challenge you to use a payday lender as your bank for a month (as I had to because my $8/hr job didn't keep my baby boy in food until my next check).

Then tell me — and others who have used them — how great they are.

[saturnsring]

156. Well im not trying to defend them im merely stating that people, like you apparantly, need

them and use them like you did. every payday lender i've been in has a big sign on the wall which spells out how much you'll owe on how much you borrow and no one is forced to use it.
if the government restricts their profit and they shut down how will you or anyone who needs to use them use them.?

by the way i used to use them to cash my checks

and for what it's worth im FOR them having to lower their rates but the gov cant force them to keep their doors open.

[rhett o rick]

158. They exploit those in need regardless of your poor rationalization. And it's a right

wing position to say that buyers beware and allow crooks to steal.

[saturnsring]

161. the truth is not right wing - these stores go to where the need is and

no one is forcing anyone to use them - the closing of the payday lenders is not rationalization it's a very real possibility of the government trying to regulate their business and again

IM ALL FOR THE GOV FORCING THEM TO LOWER THEIR RATES.

[redixdoragon]

199. Yes. They are forced

Imagine you go down an alley. A person with a knife is at a fork in this alley, "Go to the right" he says. You're given no choice, on threat of violence you must go right. You've been forced.

But now you go down another alley. The same man has blocked off the left path with a wall of cement a hundred feet high and left. You have no choice, you must go right.

We don't need a gun to our heads to be forced to make choices we don't want. We just have to be left with no other alternative.

[SusanaMontana41]

224. Oh yes they ARE forced to use them.

Payday lenders aren't exactly competing with credit unions. I'm not rich, but I do own a car, which gives me options not available in a lot of inner-city neighborhoods.

Payday lenders are bloodsuckers.

[saturnsring]

225. yes they are - if they are the lenders of last resort and you are forced to use them where would you

go if they close. what other options would you have?

[SusanaMontana41]

228. I'm not following.

Did we just agree?

[AlbertCat]

35. Love that your favoribility continues upwards.

Well, he does admire Reagan!




What a milquetoast Dem.

[riversedge]

44. and Sanders UNfavorability is on an UPward trend.

[AlbertCat]

49. and Sanders UNfavorability is on an UPward trend.

Yes.... the last 3 states proved that!

Oh wait...

[riversedge]

121. Primaries left: 17 Caucuses left: 2

Primaries left: 17 Caucuses left: 2

Beautiful Tweet to start the week


Mark Harris Verified account
‏@MarkHarrisNYC

Primary wins: Clinton 16, Sanders 4
Caucus wins: Sanders 9, Clinton 2
Primaries left: 17
Caucuses left: 2

[AlbertCat]

130. You're predicting the future which hasn't happened

I was talking about the past, which has happened.

[rhett o rick]

159. Do you support the exploitation of the poor by Pay Day Loan Sharks. Rhetorical, don't bother

to answer. Money and wealthy rules.

[Odin2005]

142. So you like pay-day loan sharks I take it?

[rurallib]

4. When I see something like that I think

somebody knows where the bodies are hidden.

[pangaia]

9. Exactly,, or..

The first time a newly elected president walks into the Oval office, he/she is greeted by 'those who rule.

"Mr./Ms. President, here is a list of what you can do and say. we don't give a shit about this stuff.

"And here is a list of what you can not do or say....or else, this is what will happen."

[debunction.junction]

41. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but this is what I have been thinking for a long time.

My thoughts exactly! The Obama that I have seen in office is not the Obama I voted for.

[SammyWinstonJack]

60. The Obama you voted for wasn't the Obama he claimed to be.

[pangaia]

71. Some of both, I would suspect.

[rurallib]

129. I love the campaigning Obama

The presidenting Obama I am not as fond of.

But much better than anything the right has.

[840high]

170. He is not that's for sure.

[dflprincess]

194. Who is that has said when a new president is elected

he is taken off to a meeting where he's shown video of JFK's murder that was taken from an angle no member of the public has ever seen?

[Cassiopeia]

113. No, Obama has only one remaining goal to tie to his legacy

the TPP and Debbie will help marshal the votes in November.

[islandmkl]

5. i guess you can't help all the people all of the time...or some such bullshit...

DWS has only been 'progressive' in terms of her support for Republican candidates, achieving off-year congressional losses, reducing the influence of the left on the Democratic Party...and on and on...

you have to admit: the loan shark protection is a nice touch...she can always claim that "ALL sharks are under tremendous pressure to survive in our modern environment...I am merely doing my part for conservation."

[OriginalGeek]

6. I voted for him twice

and I don't regret either one. I don't agree with him on everything but overall I'm happy he's been my president.

But THAT statement. Goddamn.

[Bubzer]

28. Right?!? I had the same reaction.

It made me

[AlbertCat]

37. ditto

[freebrew]

77. Same here...

but then I've never voted R, ever.

The blackmail hurts, though.

Obama v. McCain/Palin

Obama v. Rmoney/Ryan(?)

I mean, when have we even had a choice.
And why can't someone run that's a REAL Democrat?

Oh Wait...BERNIE!!!!!

[virgista]

192. I voted for him once. I voted for a real progressive, Rocky Anderson, in 2012.

Most democrats still had their head deep in the sand. By 2011 Obama had attacked Social Security, ruined Libya, thrown numerous good people under the bus, deported record numbers of people, gone crazy with drone warfare, and on and on. He should have been primaried. Thomas Frank is right when he essentially says the Bad Obama is the real Obama.

[Jefferson23]

10. That is one more indicator where the DNC is headed..thanks for the heads up.

Expanding economic opportunity for MORE people??????????


Economy
The Official Head Of The Democratic Party Joins GOP Effort To Protect Payday Lenders
by Alan Pyke Mar 1, 2016 2:58 pm
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/03/01/3755213/wasserman-schultz-payday-loans/

HELP ELECT TIM CANOVA
ActBlue
Tim Canova
Election: Tim Canova — FL-23, 2016
https://secure.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/42087

[mudstump]

68. Just donated $25 to Canova...

[Jefferson23]

90. Thank you so much.

[TreasonousBastard]

12. Nah, just more DC bullshit and backscratching...

He needs something from her and this is the payback.

[Cassiopeia]

115. Yes indeed. He needs the TPP.

She'll support it and will round up the votes it needs from both parties this November.

[SusanCalvin]

149. That's the best explanation I've seen. nt

[Gregorian]

13. It's as if there's a big pile of shit in DC that no one wants to disturb.

I think the turd is money. I'm not saying Obama has anything to do with it except for being controlled by the big piece of shit.

It's the military turd. It's the lies and crimes that no one dare mention. It's the corruption needed in order to keep business as usual. It's the political careers that leech from Americans, whether it's lobbying or campaigning.

And it's people who never even knew what a progressive was.

[IDemo]

14. "If you don't have a few dimes to send to her campaign,"

"You can access some easy money at any of hundreds of payday loan locations".

[geardaddy]

21. Thread winner.

[pengu]

23. Hahahaha

That response is pure awesomeness.

[SammyWinstonJack]

61. Ha!

[Person 2713]

180. Don't give them serious fundraising fodder for their next mailing!

[floriduck]

15. "Follow the money"applies here.

DWS supports big business and everything she does is done with the intention of wealthy politicians getting wealthier. That is why she will go to nearly any length to get Hillary nominated. It's the same reason so many super-delegates back Hillary. Hell, my two senators in Washington will continue to back Hill even after she had her ass handed to her by the voters in this state Saturday.

Money drives every motivation in whatever politicians do. If it weren't for Bernie Sanders, it would be a totally inclusive club. Yes, President Obama, it includes you, too.

[hobbit709]

16. According to some here "progressive" means being willing to sell out your principles

because it's still better than a hypothetical Trump victory

[Trajan]

17. Incestuous flim flammery ....

To think I voted TWICE for this fella ...

DWS needs to stop pretending she is a Democrat, let alone claiming to be 'progressive' ....

It's a den of fucking thieves, right there at the DNC ...

Not one single thin dime from my family ...

[geek tragedy]

18. Blech. Pay Day Debbie hopefully will be leaving her post soon nt

[merrily]

20. Al From deliberately messed with the definition of "progressive."

What do political terms even mean anymore? http://www.democraticunderground.com/127710158

I try to steer far clear of that word, except when discussing it as a word.

New Deal Democrat and Democratic Socialist work far better.

[Dont call me Shirley]

24. Go Tim!!!!!

[Duval]

124. Donating to Tim today. (again) nt

[cer7711]

25. Notice President Obama says "middle class families". And stops.

Last edited Mon Mar 28, 2016, 10:39 PM - Edit history (1)

I know this is tangential to the larger important point being made, but . . . What happened to the working class?

Not even deserving of a mention, apparently. This is disappointing.

[Old Codger]

27. I am not sure

What anyone expected on this, he can replace her any time he chooses he has never been a progressive, he has always been a corporatist, he talks a good talk when he needs to but has never really walked the walk...50 years ago he would have been an R not a D..

[Art_from_Ark]

173. Fifty years ago, sometimes an R was better than a D

For example, Republicans Everett Dirksen, Margaret Chase Smith and Winthrop Rockefeller were preferable to Democrats Lester Maddox, Ross Barnett, Orval Faubus and George Wallace.

In Obama's case, though, he actually likened himself to an '80s Republican-- a much different breed from the '60s Republicans I mentioned.

[valerief]

29. Well, the president is a moderate and the center has been careening right for decades now. nt

[SamKnause]

30. It can not be repeated enough.

Bernie is running against the establishment.

[dirtydickcheney]

31. Remember Arlen Specter?

All he had to do was run as a Democrat after years of being a Republican and Obama will campaign for you.

Having a D next to your name is all you need.

Policy and principles means nothing.

[beastie boy]

48. There is one instance where policy and principles mean nothing

When you have a snowflake's chance in hell to enact them.

[MisterP]

100. heck, Joe Lieberman! run AGAINST the Democrat and the DNC'll send Obama right over

while their flacks and flunkies scream about independents and third parties

[beltanefauve]

125. And then there was Blanche Lincoln

DINO senator from Arkansas. She was against the ACA and was very unpopular. She got a primary challenge in Bill Holder, Arkansas AG. Although not as progessive as some, he would have been a definite improvement over Blanche. The White House backed Lincoln, despite her objections to the ACA. The Republican she ran against still has the seat today.

[TygrBright]

32. Who is this "Debbie" they're talking about?

The only "Debbie" running for Federal-level office I know of in South Florida is some shill for the payday loans industry.

disgruntledly,
Bright

[PatrynXX]

34. Progressive maybe but not liberal

she's the only reason Bernie is still in the race. well maybe because Hillary relied on her toooo much.

[HassleCat]

39. There seem to be two definitions now.

The traditional notion of "progressive" relates to the Progressive movement of the late 1800s and early 1900s. The important feature of the Progressive movement was that it used the power of government to give the ordinary citizen a chance against the monopolies, the banks, the railroads, and other powerful institutions. They set up credit unions, supported organized labor, and defended small farmers against bank foreclosures. This is the basic motivation running through a variety of liberal and progressive ideas such as consumer protection, trust busting, whistle blower protection, employment discrimination law, etc.

The new definition of "progressive" appears to involve little more than being able to show some sort of "progress" in some direction. As long as you're doing something, going somewhere, you get to say, "I'm a progressive!" I guess this is OK, if our primary concern is to avoid excluding anyone.

[SHRED]

40. Like we're shocked or something

Calling DWS a Progressive is an insult to the word.

[Billsmile]

42. A Progressive for the Payday Loan Industry!!!

You can tell which political label is polling best because it's thrown around a lot these days.

http://www.people-press.org/2011/12/28/little-change-in-publics-response-to-capitalism-socialism/

Guess it's just a matter of time now before rotten politicians ruin this term & a different term gains favor with the public. Maybe folks will start using liberal again, or maybe even the dreaded "S" word.

[retrowire]

43. see why i never voted until now?

go Canova!

[hfojvt]

45. so then the questions arise

1. Does he really believe that?
2. If not, then why would he say it?

This is the thing about politicians. It's hard to give them credit for being decent people, for acting in good faith.

Even those in my own party.

[Cryptoad]

46. This new hatching of Neo-Progressives

seem to be rich white kids rebelling against their Republican parents

[JoeyT]

50. And this is pretty much the answer to the "Change has to come from the ground up!" complaints.

The party hacks fight change from the ground up. They know it's dishonest, but they'll keep saying it anyway, especially here where people aren't really allowed to challenge them on it.

[LibDemAlways]

51. If by hardworking he means working hard

to elect Republicans, that I'll agree with. Otherwise this is a steaming pile of bullshit.

[Vinca]

53. If she's a progressive, a right-leaning Democrat must be half a Nazi.

[Cobalt Violet]

54. yes Reaganite is the new progressive.

There is a civil war brewing in the party.

[TrueDemVA]

55. It's official

The Democratic Party is gone. They don't want us anymore. By us, I mean progressives and liberals. All that controls the party now are corporate sellouts and thieves.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

188. True... true...

[Jack Rabbit]

58. Indeed, the definition of progressive has been redefined

Teddy Roosevelt stood up to the robber barons and broke up big businesses.

DWS -- and a few others I can think of -- take money from robber barons and let their businesses get too big to fail.

[Fast Walker 52]

59. oh FFS!!!!

[turbinetree]

62. Progressive......................

https://timcanova.com/


Honk----------------------for a political revolution Bernie 2016

[billhicks76]

63. So They Got To Obama?

It's one thing to support DWS but make things up like she is progressive?

[mudstump]

64. No surprise here..Obama is not liberal...

He is a DLC dem. He used liberals to get elected and then promptly appointed and hired the typical Clintonite crew. Larry Summers...for Christ's sake. Need we say more. Its long past time for a house cleaning in the democratic party.

[DebbieCDC]

176. Ding ding ding

we have a winnah

[EndElectoral]

65. Say it ain't so O?

[arcane1]

67. “Debbie has been a strong, progressive leader"

[Gman]

70. No lies.

She's a great congresswoman and DNC chair.

[Scuba]

74. She supported Republicans over progressive Dems and is backing the payday loan industry.

Do you really consider those actions "great"?

[Gman]

75. I don't know what kind of hazy vague scenario you are referring to

But it makes no difference. Who knows what you are deciding to call a Republican. These days I've quit guessing.

[Scuba]

82. Nothing hazy or vague about it ...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/03/20/480511/-DCCC-Says-Uproar-Over-DWS-Recusal-Much-Ado-About-Nothing

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) is getting brutally walloped in the liberal blogosphere for refusing to endorse the Democratic challengers to three potentially vulnerable GOP incumbents in Florida.

Liberal bloggers are irate that Wasserman Schultz, who co-chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Red-to-Blue program, has declined to endorse the Democrats running to unseat Cuban American Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Lincoln Diaz-Balart and his brother, Mario Diaz-Balart.

Wasserman Schultz says she doesn't want to stab GOP members of her own delegation in the back.

[Gman]

208. Those three will not lose in the GE so why piss them off

When you may need them for a vote at some point. Such stupid politics as not seeing the big picture and applying purity tests is why the GOP Is in trouble.

[Scuba]

209. They certainly won't lose when they're supported by both parties, that's for sure.

Maybe if our party supported the progressive candidates that DWS undermined, maybe, just maybe, they'd win.


For the Chair of the DNC to support R's over D's is inexcusable. Full stop.

[Gman]

220. Maybe? That's wishful thinking

In spite of the reality of those races. All three of those Repubs are beloved in their district. You don't accomplish anything with maybe.

I would not expect those 3 to side with Democrats on a bill reaffirming Roe v Wade. But they can make a big difference with support, for example, for s bill providing funding for Miami to deal with flooding from global warming.

That's where I differ with so-called "progressives". I don't just wish and hope. I consider what can be done and exploit it.

[Scuba]

222. You're right. We should never try to be anything but Republican-lite, anywhere.

[islandmkl]

92. your definition of 'great' rivals your understanding of 'progressive'...

i guess having the Party leadership move the Party rightward the last 30 years has allowed many to consider the 'center' to still be in the middle....when it is actually right-center....

she's great alright...at helping dismantle the traditional Democratic Party and reassembling it as RepublicanLite™...

that's worked out really outstanding in Congress, hasn't it?

at least we got two 'centrist' (but hardly progressive) Presidents out of the deal...who mostly added to/maintained the status quo...

hey, TW/DNC/DLC veterans....that's the Middle Class fading away in your rearview mirrors....

[Gman]

106. I don't really care what progressive means

Or if anyone passes the purity test.

[islandmkl]

178. i have plenty of tools in my toolbox...you are not one that I need...

you must be proud of your astute posts...

post a lot so you can read over them ad nauseum and remind yourself how clever you are...

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

189. What do you care about? Just Hillary?

[markpkessinger]

168. The definition of "great DNC chair" must have also changed . . .

. . . to mean one who presides over the loss of the House, the Senate and half the states.

[DrBulldog]

73. I can't believe this Barach Obama today is the same Barach Obama I voted for in 2008.

His campaign turned out to be one of the biggest political lies told to the American people. A total sell-out to Wall Street, to big pharma, and to the insurance companies. So now he stands at the head of a CORRUPT and RIGGED Democratic Party, a party that is now MORE corrupt than the GOP (the Republicans are lunatics, but they FOLLOW their democratic rules!) and has not done a single thing to stop it.

[beastie boy]

76. Just curious, which part(s) of his endorsement do you consider to be lies?

[Scuba]

95. These parts ...

“Debbie has been a strong, progressive leader ..."

"She always stands up and fights for what is right ..."




Backing Republicans over progressive Democrats is the opposite of a "strong, progressive leader" and taking money from and then backing legislation that favors the payday loan industry is anything but progressive.

[beastie boy]

137. That would be a matter of opinion, no?

Are you asking everyone to take your opinion over Obama's?

[Scuba]

138. No, it is not merely an opinion that payday loans and backing Republicans are not progressive.

[beastie boy]

147. But it is a matter of opinion, and not necessarily a well founded one that this policy defines

DWS's record in its entirety. And it doesn't make Obama a liar.

[Scuba]

153. Black is white, up is down, wet is dry and payday loans are progressive. Got it.

If my neighbor shovelled all his snow onto my driveway and then told me the pile of snow was my imagination and the drive was actually clear, I wouldn't consider that to be his opinion.

[beastie boy]

213. I will assume you didn't read the post you are replying to.

Please read it.

Then you may be able to respond to it and explain how a single issue constitutes the entirety of DWS's record without resorting to generic idioms.

[Scuba]

214. Perhaps you'd like to provide some evidence of Debbie's progressive actions to counterbalance ...

Losing the House, the Senate and over 900 state seats while Chair of the DNC
Supporting Republicans over Democrats in two Florida districts
Conceding entire districts to the Louis Gohmerts and Joni Ernsts of this world by abandoning the 50-state strategy
Supporting a Republican retread for the Florida Democratic Party Gubernatorial candidate (he lost to Rick Scott, again)
Undermining the treaty with Iran
Shills for the private prison industry
Shills for the booze industry
Shilling for the payday loan industry
Blaming the voters for her failures

See if you can find a progressive record that balances even half that and then I'll find you a bunch more.

[beastie boy]

216. Ok, if you insist...

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/debbie_wasserman_schultz/400623

This is her ENTIRE record. Not the pick and choose and embellish record.

Have fun playing with it.

[Scuba]

217. Not only does her congressional record not counterbalance my list, it adds to it ...

Most of her legislative efforts have been spent shilling for the private prison industry.

From your link ...

Wasserman Schultz sponsors bills primarily in these issue areas:

Crime and Law Enforcement (44%)

Well, at least when she shows up to work ...

From Jan 2005 to Mar 2016, Wasserman Schultz missed 460 of 8,396 roll call votes, which is 5.5%. This is much worse than the median of 2.3% among the lifetime records of representatives currently serving.

[beastie boy]

218. You can't be serious...

Did you even look at the bills she sponsored and what they are all about?

This is getting ridiculous. You keep making statements without as much as looking at the evidence hand-fed to you. And you are still picking and choosing what you want to see rather than what's in the record.

Lots of good luck to you trying to grow up an objective judge of reality, but I am through with this pointless Breitbarism.

[Scuba]

219. I'm still waiting for you to cite even one progressive thing she's ever done. Just one.

[beastie boy]

143. That's one policy. Hardly enough to call Obama a liar on.

Like Bernie's pro-gun policy. But I don't judge him on a single policy, I judge him on his entire record.

And your second part is clearly a matter of your opinion vs Obama's.

Thanks for demonstrating.

[Jackie Wilson Said]

78. Cant stand DWS, but I see the Obama hatred is alive and well at Democratic Underground

[highprincipleswork]

80. Seriously, you can't stand DWS, but are OK with anyone calling her a "Progressive"? How?

Can you explain to me how that makes any connective sense?

[Jackie Wilson Said]

81. Hatred of Obama, alive and well

[highprincipleswork]

89. If repeating things to yourself makes it feel better, stick with that.

When you're ready to have a serious conversation, about things that are real and affect this country every day, let me know.

[wendylaroux]

84. nay, not hate here,

just disappointment.I just assume good people
do the right thing.Naive aren't I?

[Blue_Tires]

118. +1

[Punkingal]

127. Disappointment is what you see, sweetie, not hatred.

[highprincipleswork]

79. Progressively More Corrupt.

[lark]

83. If I've said it once, I've said it 1,000 times.

HRC = Obama, they are basically the same person in the way they'd govern. HE put DWS in place, a move for which he should be terribly ashamed, yet here he is doubling down and out and out lying by calling her a progressive. HA! She's an AIPAC and loan shark supporting "moderate" (read corporatist) who supports So. FL. local Repugs over Dems. She's the reason Dems are doing so poorly as the vision she advances isn't Democratic but self-serving.

[GoneOffShore]

85. Well that's bullshit.

The President has done a lot of good things.

This isn't one of them.

Not as bad as drones, but a kick in the teeth to progressives.

[Land of Enchantment]

86. Not surprising, I've been disenchanted with his decisions

for quite a while. Another donation to Tim Canova today--I wonder if her campaign is in trouble and that is why this 'endorsement' was made at this early stage.

[ThePhilosopher04]

87. He's lost his shit. Power indeed corrupts. Sad.

[BigBearJohn]

91. gee..Mr. TPP endorses DWS. Im shocked!

Endorsed Ronald Raygun too

[cantbeserious]

93. Sickening - Just Sickening

eom

[basselope]

96. Progressive now means moving in ANY direction.

Doesn't matter which way.

[felix_numinous]

97. Being called progressive gets a lot of votes

Americans must like the idea--- it *can't be* because there's actually a large number of true progressives in the population to impress or anything. No that's not it.

[JimDandy]

98. He didn't need to go down to her level. Clearly he approves of everrything she has done.

Simply barfable.

[MisterP]

99. 11 Governors, 13 Senators, 69 Reps, 913 state seats, and left with 26% of the electorate

they WANT this

[Scuba]

101. Hard to refute.

[MisterP]

102. "uh, well it's the voters' fault: they didn't vote for us! QED!"

[Rex]

103. All I know is that she needs to be replaced.

We need opportunists to stay away from leadership, that is one way we separate ourselves from the GOP. Predatory lending is pathetic and hurts the economy overall not to mention it keeps the working poor in a hole that they can never dig out of.

Our party is better then this.

[truebrit71]

104. That entire statement is almost entirely Grade-A bullshit...

Except for his name and the name of the person he is endorsing....

Absolute, pure, unadulterated fucking bullshit....

[GoneFishin]

105. At least on all economic issues, he's a Republican and so is she.

[Cheap_Trick]

107. Corporatists gotta stick together. n/t

[d_legendary1]

111. Does the POTUS think we're stupid?

Losing the house and the senate, failing to oversee the elections process unless its of benefit to another third way candidate, and supporting legislation that is detrimental to the working class? Damn. I consider this Obama's "Heck of a job Brownie" moment.

[DJ13]

182. Does the POTUS think we're stupid?

Has DWS keep being reelected?

(That would be a yes.....)

[d_legendary1]

223. She ran unopposed in 2006

Got no competition in 2008 (no Republicans ran against her),

2010 and 2012 a Republican challenged her and lost twice (Karen Harrington)

2014 Joe Kaufman ran against her and lost

In other words she had no real competition until now. I'm voting for Tim Canova FTW!!!

[glinda]

112. Maybe there should be a pop quiz that ALL Politicians take on the English language.

Trying to co-op my vote by labeling several conservative Dems as "progressives" is actually pushing me further away.

[jalan48]

114. Obama lays another one.

He has a nice smile though.

[democrank]

116. President Obama`s comment is laughable.

"I stongly endorse...."

[Z_California]

119. More proof that we need a POLITICAL REVOLUTION!

[Blue_Tires]

120. You were expecting PBO to shove her under the bus?

?

[Fuddnik]

135. One can only hope.

[liberalnarb]

123. Of course he supports her. He made her Chairwoman of the Party.

I wouldn't call it lying. Its his opinion.

[fbc]

126. Maybe it's time to drop "progressive" and go back to liberal

The corporatists have co-opted the progressive label, but they are too cowardly to call themselves liberals.

[alp227]

128. Debbie Wasneverwith-Us. nt

[Odin2005]

141. I gagged.

[c-ville rook]

144. Mind numbing

Just mind numbing.

[davidthegnome]

146. I don't get it.

When someone rather heavily betrays her party and most of it's members by supporting the payday loan industry and attempting to gut financial regulations... that is not progressive. Supporting wealthy special interest groups is not progressive. The colossal failure of the DNC over the last several years, I think, has a lot to do with the fact that it is not a progressive institution anymore, if it ever was.

I don't know about "our" party, in this regard, Mr. President. People who want to destroy financial regulations and support corrupt, predatory money lending companies are definitely not part of the party I believe in. Not sure what's democratic about that, not sure what's progressive about it. It would be one thing if she had lead the DNC to victories as opposed to defeats, to the promotion of progressive policies... to protecting the consumer. The thing is, I can't remember ever hearing much about her at all - until she started working against the left - and, thanks to actual progressives, that got some spotlight.

I strongly condemn the notion that Dear Sweet Debbie should be chair of the DNC - I am strongly confused as to why the President thinks she's progressive.

[ananda]

148. For me, "progressive" means moderate Reep.

I like the term "liberal" much better. It represents my
values and I find it much more trustworthy when judging
a candidate who represents people first... like Sanders.

[RKP5637]

151. ...

[blackspade]

154. I'm very sad about this endorsement...

But not surprised....

[rhett o rick]

160. This exemplifies the split in our Party. Obama, Clinton, Debbie DINO, Lieberman, etc. do

not hold true to Democratic principles. They favor the Wealthy and ignore the poor. Nothing worse than the exploitation of the poor.

[hay rick]

163. This from the "progressive" who appointed Rahm as his Chief of Staff...

and is shoving TPP down our throats. Nothing to see here.

[JDPriestly]

164. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is detrimental to the Democratic Party.

[Blue_In_AK]

165. Gag me...

[FighttheFuture]

172. Obama is just securing his lifetime membership to "the club". Just like the Clintons who became

incredibly rich after they left the Whitehouse. I am sure the man has plans! Wait and see if his heavily pushed TPP makes it through in the Lame duck session. Then we will wish all we had to worry about were payday lender loansharks.

How The Clintons Have Made $230 Million Since Leaving The White House

Less than a week before the Clintons left the White House in 2001... a couple who had more than $1 million in legal debt and a net worth of nearly nothing at the time. ... Over the next 15 years, they earned more than $230 million before taxes.

The money flowed in fast. Bill delivered the first of hundreds of high-paying speeches on February 5, 2001, less than three weeks after he left the presidency, talking to Morgan Stanley in New York for $125,000. The firm got a bargain. Bill eventually raised his average rate to roughly $225,000 per speech, in some cases charging $500,000, ... All told, he raked in about $100 million from speaking from 2001 to 2014.
:
:
Hillary didn’t bring in the sort of money her husband did until 2013, when she left her post as Secretary of State. She quickly jumped into a lucrative speaking tour, starting, as Bill had 12 years earlier, by giving a speech to Morgan Stanley. On April 18, 2013, she spoke to the firm and charged $225,000. She continued speaking throughout the year, talking exclusively to audiences in the United States and Canada, never charging less than $225,000 for a paid speech. By the end of the year, she had earned $9 million from speaking.

Don't doubt for a moment that Obama won't be cashing in as well. To do that, he needs to keep the current Democratic "establishment" power structures in place. This is regardless of who wins the Presidency, Hillary or some R. Otherwise, all bets are off the table.

[Thespian2]

174. Did he really say that?

after she F*CKED over the poorest people in Florida...who can possibly support such a, a, ...I can't think of anything bad enough to describe her...

[Scuba]

175. He put it in writing.

[Thespian2]

177. That is disturbing, very disturbing...

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

185. That's the last straw for me. Disgusting!

[ibegurpard]

190. Why is anyone surprised by this?

Obama:
championed a taxpayer funded giveaway to insurance companies and called it healthcare "reform." Fought for the expansion of the surveillance state. Put a charter-school pusher in charger of education. Fought his own party in pushing a massive corporate trade agreement.

And people lose their shit when people question him?

smh..

[nationalize the fed]

201. + around 2 or 3 billion

To add- here's a partial list from the Great DUer "Woo Me With Science"- who is greatly missed.

May 2014

White House colluded with House Republicans *against* Democrats to WEAKEN surveillance bill.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024984920

White House (again) Seeks Legal Immunity For Firms That Hand Over Customer Data
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024906691

Obama Administration To Reveal Justification For Drone Strikes On U.S. Citizens
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024979665

Obama administration quietly approves new loopholes to help insurance companies gouge patients:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4970298

No single payer according to Obama's HHS nominee.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4973013

The murder of net neutrality
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4903646

Obama's Crony Capitalism will Kill Net Neutrality. *New* FCC Staff in bed with ISP's
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024906730

Secret trade memos calling for more fracking and offshore drilling
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024975916

Obama's Defense Department Refuses to Tell Senate Which Groups We’re at War With
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024985813

President Obama close to authorizing mission led by the US military to train moderate Syrian rebels
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025005755

Syrian rebels describe U.S.-backed training in Qatar in new documentary
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025004518

Ethics watchdog calls for investigation of EPA assault on renewable fuels.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024987371

This Trade Deal Will Make You Sick, Maybe Give You Mad Cow
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024979506

Why do we bother: Feds Ever-So-Gently File Criminal Charges Against Credit Suisse
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024974240

Too Big to Jail: DOJ Charges Two Banks with Criminal Acts, But Will Not Hold Them Criminally Accountable
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024906501

College presidents upset. Obama's Ed Dept says rating colleges will be like "rating a blender".
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025004676

Opening the US interstate system to tolling
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024894570
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024892605


And after all that hard work, it's no surprise that Our President put on his comfortable walking shoes and headed out for some golf:

White House downplays golf outing with Bain Capital lobbyist
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4977762

Thanks for your outstanding work Woo Me- hope you're ok and please come back!

[Scuba]

203. + Eighty gazillion ... Woo is sorely missed here.

[Jester Messiah]

193. Tragic.

There was a time that I believed in that man.

[TIME TO PANIC]

195. How can anyone be suprised?

He just picked Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court.

Always remember this.

[mountain grammy]

196. Really disappointing..

sometimes his misplaced loyalties baffle me. Rahm Emanuel, DWS, and others. I just don't get it, because I think President Obama should. I defend the President every day, but I never have to defend this stuff, because only us liberals care about this stuff. People who are victims care, their families care, and us liberals care, and there just aren't enough of us.

[hopemountain]

200. whoa. what is next?

gross, mr. president. just plain gross.

[ReRe]

202. Disgusting...

Another damn case of buyers remorse.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

205. It's another Rovian ploy. The Rs demonized our terms and the DLC usurps them. Both distort.

[JackInGreen]

206. It's been revised, turned on it's head, broken, glued back together, gift wrapped

and marketed as the safe, politically sound, pragmatic, and only way to fly.

Makes little difference that the platform (or the people aping it) have more in common with Richard Nixon than with anything like a real 'Democrat'. I'm getting this feeling that most of us won't be welcome in due time.

[Renew Deal]

226. We know that only Bernie Sanders and his supporters get to decide who is "progressive."