How many on the left have ever referred to Obama as a hero or patriot?

[Drunken Irishman]

Legitimate question. I see this term thrown around a lot to describe Snowden. I don't think I've ever heard it pushed by the left when describing Obama - even when he was attacked from the right on his patriotism.

Just an interesting contrast.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Not many.

But the ones on the Left who get the most press aren't the ones with integrity- they're just the noisemakers who get the press.

And who owns the press?

That's right.

[millennialmax]

2. Most of them are too busy attacking those who have ANY kind words to say

about the man.

[Cha]

3. Good point, DIrish.. I got insulted today

because I said that he's trying to keep us safe and I'm okay with that.

PBO has earned my trust.. unlike those who use NSA bullshit talking points to support their theories.

[IrishAyes]

11. If no one attacks you at least occasionally

It would mean you weren't doing your job.

I've always cringed when some poor dear departed soul is said not to have had an enemy in the world. You can't do right and not collect at least a few. I just see them as barnacles on the boat of humanity.

[Cha]

13. I got a lot of barnacles around here.

[Thinkingabout]

4. He is a hero in my book, his road has been a rocky at best, the world was not happy with the USA, he

has worked very hard to re-establish relationships with many countries. If he had a R behind his name they would think it was the second coming of the Savior.

[IrishAyes]

12. It wouldn't surprise me one bit

a few years from now to see the GOP trying to claim they brought about national health care all by themselves! and over the fierce opposition of those dirty Democrats, especially Barack Obama!

[bravenak]

5. I find him to be both.

I had given up on voting until him.

[Kahuna]

6. I always use this smilie when the subject is the Prez..

[JustAnotherGen]

7. An interesting contrast

And a valid point of comparison. I think Obama exemplifies the *American Dream*. And it makes a certain segment of people in this country uncomfortable to admit that someone *like HIM* did it the old fashioned way. He shatters their illusions on both the Right and the Left.

[1StrongBlackMan]

9. Great Point ...

He shatters their illusions on both the Right and the Left.

He is a reminder to working class, racists, the right how far they have not gotten ...

And (okay, I'll say it and suffer the scourge) he prevents the left from seeing Black folks exclusively through the "victim" frame.

[1StrongBlackMan]

8. How many ...

Black folks has the left ever referred to as Hero or Patriot, in real time.

It appears that that that designation for Black folks is reserved for looking back.

[IrishAyes]

10. As a proud lifelong lefty,

I became one of Barack Obama's earliest and staunchest supporters. While he was still a junior senator, I went around telling everybody in RedNeckLand (the MidWest) where I retired (for financial reasons) that they ought to watch him because "there goes your next President". At the time most people just said "Barack who?" or even laughed. Now they don't laugh anymore. Instead they sometimes scream at me for bringing this nightmare down on them - as if I'd accomplished that all by myself - or they've even been known to throw empty beer bottles at me. Etc etc. No crosses on the lawn, though. Yet. When I made a 4x5 wooden campaign sign, I festooned it with little American flags hoping to reduce the likelihood of vandalism. There were threats, but they proved empty.

And yes, I've pointed out President Obama's heroism and patriotism, because he endures such abuse and danger to do what he considers best for the country. It might not always be exactly what I want right now on a platter, but he's done all I believe he can to push this country farther left.

[Just Saying]

14. To be honest, I don't use either word much.

IMO, "hero" is used far too often and it dilutes the word. And in recent years "patriot" outside of NE's football team has been a common part of right wing user names, group names etc. as a way to tell the rest of us they are the only real Americans.

That being said. I respect and admire President Obama. Hero? Perhaps. He's certainly broken racial barriers and I'm sure he's inspiring many people of all races. Patriot? Hmm...

Patriot - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriot
pa·tri·ot. noun \ˈpā-trē-ət, -ˌät, chiefly British ˈpa-trē-ət\. Definition of PATRIOT. : one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests.

Yes, of course he qualifies.

[Cha]

15. Obama's a chess player.. he looks

at the whole damn board.

[Sheepshank]

16. Now that you mention it, even those who claim to have been in Obama's camp in 2008

(only to hold their noses in 2012), did not call Obma a hero back then in 2008.

I reserve the term hero for those that save lives...oh that would be Obama(care) and possibly Superman. I reserve the term hero for those that bring relief from lifes hardships and financial ruin for millions of people...oh, that would be Obama. Snowden hasn't really done anything positive or to advance their personal standings in life for anyone in my estimation. Applying the term hero to Snowden is so misplaced. Perhaps "gutsy" was the term they were looking for and got all tripped up in the moment of trying to rebrand Obama and the rest of the Admin as heinous and wrong at every turn.