Meet Congressman David Obey

[LittleClarkie]

http://www.ontheissues.org/House/David_Obey.htm

One thing that jumps out at me right away is that he voted against IWR.

And on the scale that this website uses, he IS a liberal. So perhaps he meant those who are more liberal or left than himself. Which would be pretty far to the left if this scale is correct.

Might as well see him in context folks.

-Erica, from Wisconsin, though not fortunate enough to have this man as my Congressman (I have the Senseless One instead)

[Eric J in MN]

1. Is there some controversy you're responding to? NT

NT

[zulchzulu]

2. Obey had war protestors doing a sit-in in his office this past week

No wonder he was pissed. They obviously had no idea what his record is and what he's trying to do.

[LittleClarkie]

3. They weren't even his consituents, so likely not.

I think he was right. They were indeed looking for a magic wand. I do not excuse his unprofessional behavior, though. But then again, he's apologized for it.

[Donnachaidh]

4. whne is grassroots going to apologize to HIM?

That's what a LOT of people should be asking.

[Evergreen Emerald]

5. Dear Mr. Obey:

I am a liberal and I am not an idiot.

[zulchzulu]

6. By just saying that without a grasp of what Obey was talking about...

...perhaps you are.

[Evergreen Emerald]

7. lovely...

You have no idea what I "grasp" and what I don't. And you feel it appropriate to call me an idiot?

Nice. I see by your name how many manners you have. I refuse to discuss issues with those who call names. I can go to Freeper-ville for that.

[LittleClarkie]

8. Dear Evergreen: So am I and neither am I, signed Mr. Obey

I think he was referring to a subset of liberals.

And he has apologized for being rude.

[rodeodance]

9. Obey is working very close with Pelosi--The Pelosi Plan (vs the Progressive-

ive Plan which are the anti-war Caucus

[rodeodance]

10. On Dave Obey, "Idiot Liberals" and Ending the War

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject David Sirota - On Dave Obey, "Idiot Liberals" and Ending the War
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x384451#384451
384451,

David Sirota - On Dave Obey, "Idiot Liberals" and Ending the War
Posted by Mass on Sat Mar-10-07 02:41 PM

Sirota says it all in this article - Read it all before you comment.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/on-dave-obey-idiot-libe_b_43105.html

David Sirota David Sirota

On Dave Obey, "Idiot Liberals" and Ending the War

The blogosphere is abuzz with talk of Wisconsin Rep. Dave Obey's (D) frustrated outburst about Iraq caught on YouTube. Antiwar activists are high-fiving each other, almost as if catching Obey's outburst about "idiot liberals" is as big a YouTube feat as catching George Allen saying "macaca." This is deeply troubling on a number of levels, and an opportunity for a bit of constructive self-reflection about where we as a progressive movement are.

I'm going to say a few things here that some of my readers aren't going to like - some things that I've been pondering as I am writing my new book. But it's important at times to look at ourselves and our movement critically if we are to continue advancing. Here's the deal folks: There are some "idiot liberals" out there, and this episode actually highlights that reality.

...
Now, you can argue whether his tactics right now are smart. You can have a reasoned disagreement about whether he should be pushing a supplemental appropriations bill that includes new money for veterans medical care and binding language to end the war by March of 2008. There is a very legitimate case to be made that Democrats shouldn't support any money to continue the war and that the supplemental appropriations bill that Obey is carrying does also do that.

However, berating one of the antiwar movement's longtime leaders and then trying to mount his head on the virtual YouTube wall over a debate about the best WAY to end the war suggests that the antiwar movement fundamentally does not understand the very power structure it is trying to influence. It's the same fundamental misunderstanding we at the Progressive States Network experienced when a few antiwar activists attacked us for pushing resolutions in state legislatures that "only" call for Congress to defund the Iraq escalation, as opposed to ending the war entirely (which, by the way, many of these resolutions do - Progressive States, unlike some other organizations on the left, is not in the top-down habit of dictating to state legislators what they exactly have to do - we provide models and templates and support so the effort is actually homegrown, and in that process our models and templates are customized).