Why Obama Should be Challenged in 2012

[tcaudilllg]

Obama says... But I just can't overlook how much he personally gains from that particular cut. The American people are thoroughly unconvinced that raising the 250k+ tax rate will kill jobs. The Republican ideology of cut, cut, cut is breathing its last...

only to be resuscitated by Barack Obama.

Obama is breathing life into an enemy that is scheduled to self-destruct itself. Granted the triangulating, manipulative liars on his strategy team have precisely this in mind, thinking that he will look more attractive against a Republican backdrop than a Dem one. Well they will find their future in this party a little curtailed if Obama signs off on that cut. Obama himself probably stands to make a million bucks over the course of his (projected) presidential tenure... and more millions after. We do not know that this guy is not just a greedy son-of-a-bitch, and until we get clear and convincing evidence to the contrary I suggest that we assume he is.

Obama may well have weaknesses that can be exploited. This deal adds 900 billion to the debt... an anti-debt Dem could run on a platform of closing the debt by raising taxes on wealthiest 10% (or 20), and win. Obama has broken many promises and disappointed many people... it's not even clear that he is in sync with the party base.

Obama is very vulnerable in 2012 but, who can we TRUST to run against him?

In any case, we should channel our anger: let not only those who vote in favor of this travesty, but also those who have strong ties to them face our collective ire come next spring. Let us also appeal to the leadership not to be stymied by procedural hurdles... that tax cut was born by a simple majority vote and it is only fitting that it go out the same way.

[defendandprotect]

1. K/R

[earth mom]

2. Gore 2012. nt

[Bluebear]

3. "OK, let's try it my way this time."

The slogans write themselves!

[chimpymustgo]

10. OMG. I had forgotten about Al Gore!! Thank you! Start a thread - keep HOPE alive!.

[NorthCarolina]

11. You would still cast a vote for yet another DLC Democrat?

Not me.

[ladjf]

12. I like and respect Gore but he was an ineffective candidate. nt

[chimpymustgo]

19. Al Gore is a CHANGED MAN. I really wanted him to run in '08. 2012 - perhaps he can save us.

And the very democracy that was destroyed in 2000.

Just thinking about Gore running has made me happier than I've been politically in a long time. Wonder what's going on with Tipper and him...

[Kablooie]

4. We have two years of a Republican dominated house to look forward to.

And with Obama being an easily manipulated patsy for them we are in for some pretty unpleasant and potentially dangerous changes.

One horrendous issue that will certainly be a center point is Social Security.
Now that us baby boomers are ready to retire and get back some of the money that we have paid to Soc Sec all our lives, they want to take it away. All that money has been shifted into the hands of the super rich and they will do anything in order to prevent us from getting it back.
It's cruel and evil but that's what America has become, and I am devastated that Obama has joined the the dark side to support their destruction of our lives.

As to whom we should want to run instead of Obama, I have no idea. I don't see any Democrats that stand out as leaders. Some have strong views that I agree with but none of them have demonstrated strong leadership abilities. I just know that Obama has proven that he is not the man we should have for another 4 years.

I am out of work, and I'm getting very depressed.

Rah, rah, rah.
Go home team.

[ThomWV]

6. Guess again ... Republicans control the redistricting of over 60% of the states

[tcaudilllg]

7. That's irrelevant.

The 2000 elections weren't exactly friendly either, and yet independent ire turned that tide in our favor.

They can draw and redraw but they never can squeeze that independent voter firmly into their column. ;)

[stray cat]

5. Kucinich as usual?

[NorthCarolina]

13. At least we know where Kucinich stands, and that is with the people. nt

[Spider Jerusalem]

8. "why Obama should be challenged in 2012: because I'd rather have a Republican president"

if you seriously think the outcome would be anything else in the face of a primary challenge that splits the party when there is an incumbent president, you are not merely deluded but stupid. Please. Find me a single instance from US political history where a sitting President up for re-election has faced a challenge from within his own party for the nomination, and his party has gone on to win the subsequent election. (I'll save you the search. There isn't one.)

[VMI Dem]

9. He simply was not ready for prime time.

[ladjf]

14. I don't think it will make any difference whether or not Obama is

challenged in the primary. The Dems are going to lose either way.

[KharmaTrain]

15. So Who Is This Unnamed Challenger?

DK? Please...and I really don't expect him to run again. Alan Greyson? I one term Congressman who lost big? A good guy who I'd like to see on the teevee but my bets are he'd poll just as well as DK in a primary. So who else? Feingold? Bernie Sanders? Rachel Maddow? Who could not only win the primaries but the general? And then how could someone else do any better in the political climate we're in now. Keep fighting and let the government gridlock? Rule by fiat?

I'm curious what suggestions others have other than angry words. Who is a challenger who can do better than what we have now and how would they be effective?

[Le Taz Hot]

16. Howard Dean.

There's a starting place.

[KharmaTrain]

17. And He Would Run And Could Win?

I don't mind the wish lists but I don't see Dr. Dean showing any interest. In many ways I see him as burned by his previous experience. I'd love to see him back running the DNC or working on organizing the grassroots through DFA where his real leadership skills have proven effective.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

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[KharmaTrain]

22. Both Parties Could Splinter

Despite all the smiles and "solidarity" the rushpublicans are as divided, if not more, than Democrats. Their rifts are a lot deeper and could errupt into a big mess in 2012. The person to do it won't be Palin but Ron Paul as he's the original teabagger and if he choses to run again, it will be the beltway estalbishment's worst nightmare.

Yes, third parties do suffer from funding but also from organization. Many are centered around a candidate with little other support. Without a credible slate of other candidates to run with on the state and even local level, these movements start off at a big disadvantage and then disintegrate once the campaign begins to fade.

I see the problem as far more systemic than being "betrayed by Obama"...he doesn't vote in the House or Senate and that's where the problems are. If you had a Senate that bargained in good faith we'd see things a lot differently and unfortunately this administration has become captive to the beltway culture of corruption. I see the need to re-energize and organize the netroots...channel this anger into recruiting and supporting Progressive and liberal candidates for House & Senate races as was the focus in '06 and '08.

Cheers...

[Le Taz Hot]

23. I don't see the splintering w/i the Republican Party

as being that deep. Sure, there are MANY Republicans who despise Palin, but given no alternative, they'll vote for her if she's the nominee. If Paul AND Palin both run in the primaries, that will, of course, split the Teabagger vote but, honestly, I don't think Paul will run again.

At some point there has GOT to be a move away from the Major Political parties. The purse strings are all held by the same few people who now successfully control BOTH parties. BOTH parties have been irreparably and irretrievably compromised and that goes from City Council to the Presidency. This country is in crisis and we don't have the luxury of time of waiting to maybe get a few progressives elected, here and there, all the while having to shove them down the collective throats of the Party Bosses. We need to minimize the number of our enemies and we shouldn't have to count "our" political party as one of those enemies. This is one of those pivotal times in history -- a sea change, or should be -- and we have to quit wasting time trying to play a rigged game.

[KharmaTrain]

24. The Lack Of Solidarity

If there was ever a time and need for a strong labor movement it's now. Sad to say they've let themselves become less and less relevant and it's their declining influence over the past 40 years that has enabled the free-wheeling "capitalism" that has destroyed the middle class and the American infrastructure and economy.

The chicken and the egg here is to have any chance to get one's voice heard it require money and organization...and you can't reform the system until you beat it. Politicians will always act in their best interests as it's their livlihood or ego involved...and a major reason why it's been compromised on so many levels. The length of campaigns and the constant need for cash has made the big donors the real movers and shakers and the electorate only matters in the weeks proceeding an election. Right now almost every Congresscritter is trying to replenish their campaign coffers for what is sure to be a very expensive '12 campaign. You better believe they're taking the calls from the big donors while the $25 and $100 guy (or gal) gets put in voice mail.

Unforunately there's no real place to rally around. As we see on DU there are many different interests and there's no consensus on which is more important. To have a successful movement you need a clear statement of purpose.

As far as Paul...he's been very quiet...too quiet. If Mittens...whose been racking up insider endorsements emerges as the front runner watch the fun begin. Palin is a wild card...just dangerous enough to either slip through a power vacuum or divide the party further. It could be the opening Paul is looking for. And remember, he did run third party once before. I don't see the teabaggers and freepers supporting Mittens and would bolt for a third party just like they did in numerous GOTB primaries last year.

I wish there was a better game than the rigged one we're stuck with...but other than venting on a message board, I see people pulling apart, not coming together. It's sad and madening.

Cheers...

[Catherina]

18. I'll settle for Howard Dean. That's as far right as I'll budge. Line in the sand. n/t

[TARAmisu80]

20. REALLY?

As a party, should we NOT stick together and attempt to find a way to meet our common goals?? The overall good for the American people as a whole? We all have things that we don't agree with, for every President in history- as we all have different ideals, morals, ethics, and overall ways we want things run. Noone will ever live up to our standards of President, completely and fully to how we believe things should be handled. Remember, there is more than 1 person that is running this country. The way the legislation was built was so that not one person has total control. While there may be one thing or more that I do not currently agree with and needs fixing, I refuse to bash the man that is attempting to change the situation for the better. How many of us here have attempted to get into political office? How many of us have the education necessary or the background necessary? How many on here have backgrounds that may have one criminal speck that would get you right off of that high horse if trying to get into office? Then stop bashing the man who has taken the steps to get where he is! The people that you should be bashing right now and trying to find a way to get rid of them would be the Republicans that are attempting to make it so the rich are the only survivors- they have a backwards way of "survival of the fittest" in which they seem to think they will make all US citizens sucumb to! We had two amazing candidates for the democratic spot on the ballot, and President Obama won; let's come together to support his work- remember, this country could be RUN BY PALIN right now (as we all know she wore the pants in that duo!!!) Would you rather Obama who is attempting to make the country better for working class and lower class families, or Palin who cannot even control her teenage daughters, who are making her an early grandma? Palin who makes all effort to exploit her family and even further efforts into trying to corrupt this country into believing her backwoods, holier than thou, hypocritical, lack of ethics and morals? Heck, her two oldest daughters went crazy ranting on someone for their beliefs that the new reality show Palin has is crap- well, it is crap that the station would even consider having that as a reality show, but that's besides the point (I've stayed away from that station since they announced it!) Point is, stop harping on what they have not done that you would have attempted if you were in his spot!! You are not- period!!! Try to work with people to get the common goal accomplished rather than attempting to hinder it! I have two people that I would like to take Obama's spot in 2016- Howard Dean (yes, you may disagree as most people scoffed him after his showing excitement over the campaign- I'd rather have someone so excited about what they are passionate about than someone who barely looks amused by the potential position they are aiming for) or Hillary Clinton (her ethics, morals, and values make so many others seem as though they are Palin's in comparison!) Anyway- lets work together rather than shooting down all attempts that are made to get things into a democratic fashion!