Robert Reich: Obama's endorsement a huge mistake.

[grasswire]

From his facebook feed:


It’s a major error for President Obama to endorse Hillary Clinton now, more than a month before the Democratic convention, and for him and other Democratic leaders to try to push Bernie out.

A third of Bernie supporters won’t ever vote for Hillary Clinton, and about a third will do so automatically if she’s the Democratic nominee.

But that leaves a third who will need to feel she and the Democratic Party are listening to their voices and reflecting their values -- or they’ll sit out November’s election.

That won’t be a problem for Hillary and the Dems if Donald Trump continues to flame out. But if Trump resurrects his candidacy, that third of Bernie supporters could be critical – especially states that were battlegrounds in the 2008 and 2012 elections. Such states include Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Oregon, which Bernie won in the primaries, and Iowa, where he nearly tied.

By the President endorsing Hillary now, and Harry Reid and other leading Democrats seeking to push Bernie out of the race before the convention has even met, the Democratic Party runs the risk of alienating that critical third of Bernie supporters. That’s a mistake. There’s no reason to rush this.

[senz]

1. Yes, bad timing. Either they misread the people or they don't care.

Me, I'm not ready to give up on Obama. I think he was pressured by the beasts oligarchs.

[grasswire]

2. well, what happens with the FBI will decide my final opinion of Obama

If he, when confronted by a report of criminality, throws up his hands and says "WOW! I had no idea this was coming!" and withdraws his support of HRC, then I'm down with him.

If he does not cut her loose, he earns the same shame and derision that America will aim at her.

[Worldly Traveler]

3. Damn right!

What grasswire said.

[tex-wyo-dem]

7. ^^ This! ^^ nt

[senz]

8. Agreed. But I would blame his weakness and lack of fortitude.

He could learn from Bernie. They all could.

[grasswire]

10. the first task of a community organizer is building concensus.

Not fighting fights necessary to maintain principles.

Apparent here.

[senz]

14. Oh lord. That could explain some things.

I was impressed by his forgoing a glamorous law career for community organizing on behalf of poor people. And still am.

But it is true that his impetus has always been toward bringing everyone together in compromise. He seemed so surprised when the congressional troglodytes rebuked his efforts, which I found kind of sad and endearing. It was when he started talking about compromising on social security, the only support for so many elderly poor, that Bernie hypothesized about someone coming along to wake him up with a primary challenge from the left (which the putrid disgustings tried to hang Bernie with), and thank God Obama backed off that horrible idea.

I was sad when he let the pharmaceutical and insurance beasts weaken the AFA to the point that it became difficult to justify the result. I know some people who can't afford decent insurance and I remember their wide eyed confusion when I tried to tell them how Obmacare would help them. They told me about how difficult and inadequate it was and all I could say was that it's a start in the right direction. But I do know what he was up against with those oligarchic congressional beasts so safe in their gerrymandered red state districts.

And I KNOW Obama does not actually like the Clintons. But to support her even in the face of an FBI indictment would be a huge kick in the butt to the American people.

We need more strong, principled representatives in government. We need it badly.

I feel sad for the people of this country. But I feel anger too -- and it is our righteous, focused anger that will drive the revolution that will save us.

[Duval]

22. senz, you are always able to say what is in my heart.

I AM so angry. Turned outward, the energy can be put to good use!

[DiehardLiberal]

13. He's meeting with Loretta Lynch today. That could be meaningful.

[grasswire]

21. where did you hear that? nt

[840high]

27. Kick with you +10

[condoleeza]

6. Exactly n/t

[condoleeza]

4. California ballots aren't even counted yet as of mid day 6/9

What's the hurry, BO?

[grasswire]

5. trying to stay ahead of the FBI

HUGE freaking rush here.......the FBI Gallop!

[senz]

9. I hope Mr. Comey has the strength and fortitude of Mr. Sanders.

[winter is coming]

18. I'm not worried about Comey.

It's the DoJ I'm not sure of. The President's in a quandary. I'm sure he'd rather not have the rest of his term overshadowed by a scandal involving a former SoS. On the other hand, if the DoJ tries suppress or slow-walk the investigation, I don't think they'll succeed in keeping that hidden forever, which could end up doing even worse harm to Obama's reputation. Just how far is he willing to go for Hillary?

[senz]

23. Might depend on how big the carrot and/or the stick.

The Clintons know how to get what they want. It's gotten them pretty far up to now. Surely they have made some enemies. Surely those forced to be their "friends" (like Elizabeth?) would greet their elimination with relief.

And if you were expecting a formal indictment, you might want to go on record as supporting the "presumptive nominee" of your party even if they did get that label in dishonest, disreputable ways.

So, we wait.

[atomingai]

11. If that's the plan, I believe it'll fail.

[snot]

12. My fear is that it could be like when LBJ got himself sworn in after the assassination –

just ahead of the investigations against him. Once he was sworn in, the investigations stopped.

[senz]

15. That's probably what she's hoping for.

[libdem4life]

19. She's been a thorn in his side for a long time. I want to think this

was a mistake. It's like parallel universes...the Hillary Hoopla and the FBI/SD/IG/AG morass. Meanwhile, Trump is getting hammered for his fraudulant university, as he should. But good lord, it's small potatoes to the Clinton Foundation and "reported" pay for play while amassing unbelievable wealth.

I don't wish HRC ill (disclaimer) but for god sake, get this thing over. If she's cleared, well I'll break out the old clothespin. If not...I haven't gone there in my mind yet. Pretty sure the Twofer are pretty confident the Fix is In.

[grasswire]

20. yep

is it like a bank shot in billiards? Use one ball to knock the other one off the side and into the pocket?

I oughtn't use analogies about games I don't grok.

[rhett o rick]

16. Ah another punch in the gut by the non-progressive president. Heaven help those among

us struggling. They won't get any help from the Corporate Wing of our party.

[colsohlibgal]

17. Peas In A Pod

We'll see if Hillary gets elected. The first key will be who she brings in as her financial team. That was the first hint that Obama had been lying when he said he was Hell bent to "reign in Wall Street".

[libodem]

24. Pushed away

That's how it seems. Not needed. Not wanted. Okay then.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

25. Posted in another thread yesterday

it's no skin off any elected official's nose to just keep out of it until after the FBI report is completed. Like the AP report announcing the Democratic nominee before some sizable states (NJ and CA) voted, Obama, Warren and Biden were premature in their public endorsements. It's beyond bad form, it's undemocratic considering the unprecedented circumstances of a candidate running for President who's under FBI investigation.

[Jack Bone]

26. The only reason is to do so is to lend legitimacy

to the notion that she's won.

[slipslidingaway]

28. grasswire, a DU member since 2002, can not longer post here as she/he has been flagged for review

but there is another site which is open for posting, JPR.

[TrueDemVA]

29. It's just another decision that shows a lack understanding

Millions of people are voting against her and the establish he represents now. So he comes out an endorses her to try to force us to accept her majesty. Not happening. This primary has exposed our party for what it is now, corporate lobbyists. They are available to the highest bidder. Fuck them.

Not voting for her and never will. She represents what is wrong with the party and govt.

Decisions like these are turning people against them more and more and they don't care. Anger has replaced dissapointment for millions. It's time to stand up.