"Anyone who's thinking of running against this guy, should go watch that speech"

[impik]

Looks like Mark Halperin have seen the light. This is what he had to say to Chris Mathews, following president Obama's amazing speech at the National Prayer Breakfast yesterday:

"Anyone who's thinking of running for president against this guy, should go watch that speech. It was was more than just about faith, it was philosophy, it was brilliant performance. This guy has game. If you want to make a log list why is Barack Obama favorite for being re-elected, forget the earning, the unemployment rate and all that - that performance has level of sophistication and skills that not one Republican on the field right now can duplicate".


http://theobamadiary.com/2011/02/03/why-is-this-intelligent-man-wearing-a-mark-halperin-mask/#comments

[napi21]

1. I agree with him. I've looked at all the possible Pub candidates so far, and each of them have many

problems. I really don't see any of them clicking with the majority of the people.Some are just a joke!

[lamp_shade]

2. Over and over again all day yesterday, Al Jazeera kept showing the clip of his comments

about Egypt - "We pray that violence in Egypt will end, and the rights and aspirations of the Egyptian people will be realized." etc.

[mucifer]

3. If people's heath insurance costs keep skyrocketing and unemployment doesn't improve

the inspiring speeches might not matter so much.

[RichGirl]

4. Well...isn't that all any candidate has to offer?

No other candidate can guarantee that they will create jobs or keep health insurance costs down. All any of them can offer is inspiring words.

SO...where it stands President Obama has inspiring words that will be hard to beat. And although he hasn't solved these problems yet he has made some headway. So he has something more to offer than any of the others who ONLY have words.

Anyone who has watched President Obama knows how much he wants to make things better, how hard he has worked at it and with so much opposition from the other side. So...when someone else comes along claiming that wham bam they are going to fix unemployment, lower healthcare costs...who is going to believe them and why would they...they are just WORDS. You'd have to be dense to not understand how difficult it is and it will be just as difficult for someone else. And if you are a republican, you are saddled with the fact that it's your policies that got us into this mess to begin with so how the hell are they going to fix it. As a republican you would have to run against Bush.

[lamp_shade]

5. Well said, RichGirl.

[quaker bill]

6. Another taken with the myth

that policies and facts matter in elections. If policies and facts mattered, John Kerry would be President, and that election would not have been remotely close enough to steal. I worked to elect Kerry and went to the events, the only thing he lacked was inspiring speeches.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

8. and media coverage too.

n/t

[politicasista]

25. Some "Democrats" bought into the GOP media spin

and still are. They lie about Obama all the time, but when it comes to Kerry or Gore, they eat the spin up like it's chocolate cake with ice cream. :hide:

[Proud Liberal Dem]

31. I agree that (some) Democrats weren't particularly helpful for any of them

We seem to "eat" our own for some weird reason. I've been disappointed in several Democrats in Congress during the past two years.

[politicasista]

32. Agree with your thoughts

Eating our own is contagious and the some "Democrats" line wasn't directed at you, but the poster above. :hi:

[Proud Liberal Dem]

52. I didn't take it as directed towards me

but thanks for letting me know. :hi:

[politicasista]

53. No problem

Thanks for not jumping on me. :hi: :hide:

[Proud Liberal Dem]

54. I try not to jump on fellow DUers

I don't agree with everybody, of course, but I save most of my energy for going after the real "enemies", namely Republican TPers.

[politicasista]

55. +1

Need to follow your advice. Slow learner here, though a DU vet.

[karynnj]

13. He had inspiring speeches - but they were only on CSPAN!

I am amazed by the number times since then, when Kerry gave an incredible speech - and people posted "where was this guy?" in 2004. The fact is the media went out of its way to not really cover him - covering him just enough that it wasn't obvious they were not covering him. (This and intentionally spreading disinformation - and not just on the SBVT. Nearly every article on any speech Kerry made summarized what he said in a line or two and then included what the Republican version of Kerry's position{/i] and they usually concluded the article that Kerry's position was what the Republicans said.

Kerry only had the convention and the three debates where he spoke directly to the country - and he was good enough in them that he nearly won.

[senseandsensibility]

15. I agree.

I was a local volunteer for Kerry, and went to his speeches, heard him in person, met him. He is charismatic. But that side of him never saw the light of day in the media. That was by design, of course. But that wasn't enough for the corporate media. They had to allow the swiftboaters to spread their lies, too. He really was robbed.

[karynnj]

17. It was stunning,, but I think few people saw what the media as a whole was doing

Lots of seemingly little things really added up.

Since I started following elections - in the 1960s, there always were puff piece biographies before each convention. The biography written to make a possible ascension to the Presidency seem like a natural possibility. In 2008, they had them for both Obama and McCain. They did this even with GWB - where his biography gave little help. Not one of the networks did this for Kerry. PBS had a Frontline double biography that was pretty good - showing Kerry's lifetime of principled achievement in parallel to Bush's. Kerry's life of war hero, principled protester who impressed Congress, excellent prosecutor, a LT Governor who was key to getting the NE governors to implement a cap and trade to fix acid rain, a Senator, who fought corruption. A life well lived in public with lots of inspiring video. What such puff pieces would have done would have been to show an exception man, who refused to simply anything as "white" or "black". More than any politician I have known of, he really is who he says he is - and he clearly values that integrity.

In the print media, they developed a new criterion, the only legislation that counted was if there was a roll call vote and Kerry was the first listed sponsor. (The former eliminates any provisions (and they can be major) that is "accepted" into the bill in committee or afterward and it eliminated anything agreed to with a voice vote. The latter eliminated many things where in a Republican Congress, the Republican was named first - including a lot of McCain/Kerry veteran legislation, even though in McCain's book - he credits Kerry, the lawyer, as the author. Here, the media created an allusion of fairness - saying that Kerry was known for his investigations, but created very little legislation. This converted a very hard working Senator, for whom the party waived the rules and let him have seats on 3 A level committees (usually not allowed)- SFRC, Commerce and Finance - because the Democrats wanted him on Finance. This is a slur he still lives with even though it ignores a huge amount of accomplishments. (It should be noted that this "rule" was not used with Hillary Clinton, Obama or McCain.

Almost worse, as she has far less a platform than her husband, they greatly damaged Teresa's reputation. Why? One person I met while phonebanking was a former PA Republican who was actively working the first the first Democart she ever supported. Her comment of why was that she had looked into his record because she knew that if Teresa married him, he couldn't be sleasy and had to pretty good - and after looking, she was impressed.

Teresa, through her foundation, has done a huge amount of good. Yet, even though I was an advocate, it was not until 2009 that I read the most amazing thing she did. One article written, when the G20 was in Pittsburgh because of its Green convention center and other green buildings (very much because of Teresa's starting that), spoke of the history of Pittsburgh. Speaking of the 1990s, they spoke of how the philanthropic foundations that Pittsburgh is blessed with, are credited with a concerted, coordinated effort to revive the city. The person who made the calls to the foundations with the idea that this needed to be done - Teresa Heinz. This brilliant, caring, soft spoken, charming woman was completely hidden by the media that praised Laura as the epitome of what a First Lady should be - though a quick comparison would show she did very little.

What is clear is that even with a VERY unlevel playing field, Kerry still would have won had there been enough voting machines in Ohio.

[senseandsensibility]

21. Your last sentence is heartbteaking

I'll admit I had a very hard time getting over Kerry's "loss." It was emotionally devastating for me, even more so than the 2000 rip off. That was probably because I just could not imagine the country electing * after it was obvious what a disaster he was. Then when it was obvious that it had been a questionable election, I could not accept that the Dems as a whole rolled over again after 2000. I'm still not over it. Thanks for sharing all the details, and I find them truly interesting. But reading your post brought back all those feelings, and I am very angry again.;( Not your fault, of course.:P

[politicasista]

33. Depending on the poster above, what is inspiration?

What is inspirational to him? Is it a call to action? Or something else that moves one to tears? :shrug:

It may or may not be fair to compare "Help is on the way" to "Yes we can," but it is something to think about, especially when some make the case that Kerry wasn't as inspirational as Obama.

Glad you got to see the Senator and know that he does has charisma and saw what really happened. :). Wonder what really motivated them to show up for him if he was all those things that Dems/GOP spread about him? Maybe more will come forward and tell us one day. We can hope. :)

[politicasista]

27. Maybe the poster wanted a "Yes We Can"

or something along that line.

Looking at old pics, the kids didn't seem "bored" or uninspired with the Senator like the adults, but guess that Obama is the only down to earth Democratic pol/man (and First Family) that connects with kids. Go figure.


Excellent post, might be a cricket because facts never get in the way of Kerry dumping.

[RichGirl]

38. The best speech at the 2004 convention...

Was Senator Obama.

[karynnj]

40. The best speech at the 2008 convention

was John Kerry.

The NYT called it the best non-acceptance speech in 20 years -

'But last night, Mr. Kerry earned a healthy dose of political redemption delivering possibly the best non-acceptance speech at a Democratic convention since Mario Cuomo and Jesse Jackson wowed the crowd in San Francisco more than two decades ago. Mr. Kerry demonstrated a passion and intensity that he rarely showed on the campaign trail in 2004. In doing so, he not only brought the partisan crowd in Denver to a fever pitch, but he became the first Democratic politician in recent memory to so openly and courageously defend the often maligned patriotism of his party."
<snip>

Now, if Mr. Kerry had stopped there this would have been an effective partisan speech — memorable in the moment but likely soon forgotten. But what John Kerry said at the end of his remarks took a very good speech into the pantheon of great speeches.
For more than two generations, one of the dominant narratives in American politics has been the notion of Democratic “weakness” on foreign policy. Democrats, the stereotype goes, do not love their country; they are not patriotic, they are as Jeane Kirkpatrick famously declared at the G.O.P. convention in 1984, blame America-firsters. And for years, Democrats have struggled to fight back; often choosing political artifice over impassioned persuasion. But, last night in Denver, John Kerry fought back:
<snip>

And instead of hiding behind showy displays of patriotic symbolism, Mr. Kerry offered a full-throated defense of the idea that dissent is as pure a form of patriotism as any that exists in a democratic society:
Years ago when we protested a war, people would weigh in against us saying, ‘My country right or wrong.’ Our answer? Absolutely, my country right or wrong. When right, keep it right. When wrong, make it right. Sometimes loving your country demands you must tell the truth to power.

Whether one is a Democrat or Republican, these are the types of words that need to be heard on the campaign trail. In recent years, the patriotism of Democratic candidates has been all too regularly questioned; and the very notion of dissent scoffed at by some as un-American. This is no way to have a debate about national security or, for that matter, elect a president, and John Kerry, who regularly saw his patriotism laid out for scrutiny, knows all too well the damage that such attacks can have on not only one’s political future but the national discourse.

http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/kerry-hits-it-home/?hp

Here's a link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO2PAm4iCtE

(Note - that would include Obama's excellent 2004 speech and the speeches by both Clintons in 2008. It is too bad that the cable talking heads showed little or none of it. (PS the NYT is no fan of Kerry's.

[RichGirl]

42. Are you implying that...

The New York Times is a better judge of the quality of a speech than I AM??? Well...I never!

[karynnj]

45. Of course not, but you said nothing of 2006

Your comment was on 2004 and I agree with you. The acceptance speech is rarely the best speech because it has to serve so many purposes. Listen to Obama's in 2008. It is one of the least inspiring Obama speeches he gave from 2004 until now. Like a SOTU, it has to give a full agenda and cover many issues. Obama is a very very gifted orator. That is why Kerry picked him in 2004 and gave him the chance to inspire - which he did - in spades.

In 2006, the obvious speeches that could have been the best were those of both Clintons - and they were good speeches. Kerry's, which he wrote himself, was the best scripted and, maybe because it was his own speech, he was very very good. I quoted the NYT because me saying Kerry was good is not surprising.

I put a link to the speech in case you hadn't seen it.

[politicasista]

48. Some Obama supporters will never appreciate the Senator

probably because he beat their candidate in 04 and they will never forgive him for that.

The Senator can never catch a break with "Democrats" it seems. His type of eloquence, inspiration is seen as boring (unfortunately). Obama's eloquence, inspiration is seen as hopeful, inspiring, and uplifting, and there is nothing Kerry can do about that.

We should appreciate the differences they both bring to the table and have to offer for America without putting one down to praise another.


Excellent post.

[politicasista]

51. Yep. He was great, a lot of people agree

I liked it too. Loved Rev. Al's speech too.

Very sure many were kicking up their heels and jumping for joy when Bush was re-elected so that a rock star with a down to earth personality can "inspire" some people. Yep, let's just sit it out and wait for someone real cause we are tired of voting for two ____ men that don't get it. (not talking about you :))

Everyone loves Obama (except PL and RW), and there is nothing wrong with that. The youth, and rightfully so were very excited for him more than others.

It's ok, everyone got their wish. Happy everyday that Obama is in the WH. :)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7778573&mesg_id=7778573

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=388x21988

[Divine Discontent]

47. I am fair-minded about debates & remain neutral about how each did hitting their stride, and,

regardless of how I was clearly hoping Sen Kerry would win in Nov., there was no question he embarrassed B*sh, and it was written somewhere that even W himself thought he had lost on election day, and that late results started coming in that swung him back into the thick of it - meaning, stolen Ohio.

We know Kerry was not only favored, did better at the debates by a country mile, but also had the energy of his supporters - what we didn't have was a SOS in Ohio who was honest, and not a crook.

[politicasista]

49. + 1

Me will get jumped on or deleted, but it's JMO. :hi:

[quaker bill]

71. I went to some and sat in the audience

John Edwards did better as a warm up act. President Obama's worst speeches are better. I predicted Kerry's margin of defeat accurately here in writing the day after the Iowa caucus. I worked for him and donated as much as I could afford. My wife worked as a volunteer, 40 hours a week in his local campaign office. We both wanted to be inspired and wanted him elected. It was never going to happen.

[politicasista]

72. Ok.

To each his own. At least you volunteered.

[RichGirl]

37. Yep...and unfortunately Gore isn't the best speaker either.

[politicasista]

50. delete n/t

[Proud Liberal Dem]

7. The other side has to have PLANS to address those things too

AFAIK Republicans don't have any plans let alone desire to address either of those problems (or others for that matter). They had a whole freakin' eight years during the past decade (six where they controlled the federal government completely) and they didn't do anything other than conduct their "war on terra" and find new ways to enrich themselves and their benefactors/cronies. They don't have any new plans right now other than try and repeal PPACA and push new restrictions on abortion. They sure as hell aren't working for the vast majority of the American public. President Obama and the Democrats do and have been working on those issues (among others) for the last two years and are still working on them despite the loss of their majority in the House completely and a supermajority in the Senate.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. If the Dems really want to ensure that they get elected

they need to do something VISIBLE that will make life even a bit better for the majority of people.

They blew health care from both a PR and a substantive point of view.

[yellowcanine]

12. Unemployment 9% this morning. 50,000 private jobs added.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x605754

We are definitely not out of the woods but it looks as if there is not going to be a double-dip recession. To put it in historical context, when Reagan was reelected in a huge landslide in 1984 ("Morning in America") the unemployment rate was 7.2%, down from a high of 10.8% in December 1982. If we make as much progress in 2011 and early 2012 as we did in 2010 the recovery should come close to matching what occurred in 1983-1984.

As for health insurance, the Republicans are doing what they can to take on all of the blame for the problems by trying to block health care reform. I think it is going to backfire on them.

[Honeycombe8]

24. Phew. Slightly going down, in slivers of pieces. I'll take it. I'll take it. nt

[bhikkhu]

19. Because the repugs are so ready to fix things?

I think to reject one guy, you have to have another guy with better or at least hopeful ideas. I think congress will demonstrate the depth and quality of the repug approach to problems fully over the next couple of years, if the various 'bagger state performances aren't enough.

[RichGirl]

41. Obama admitted recently....

When he talked about the changes he wanted while campaigning...he didn't know how it was going to happen. That will be the case with ALL candidates. They'll have plans and lots of promises, but they aren't going to know how to do it until they are on the job. Some like to believe...if only we had Kucinich or Dean...THEY would do it. They would be in the same place as Obama...not knowing how hard it would be until they were doing it. And they would advance forward in small increments, just like Obama, not leaps and bounds.

One thing that I've learned from Obama: I've always believed...if only we could get the right guy in...we'd get everything we want. But, a president isn't a King or dictator...he is one branch of government who has to work with the other branches. Even Michael Moore himself couldn't get us single-payer health care...until the majority of the republicans and the citizens want it. It simply is not enough for some of us to believe that it's the right thing to do.

We have the right guy and he's doing the best anyone could do. I'm convinced of it.

[boston bean]

9. How did GWB get so many votes? nt

[DCKit]

10. Your subtle humor is always appreciated. nt

[denese]

16. Diebold

that is all

[RichGirl]

43. They don't need diebold.

They have the ignorant voting block and sadly it's getting bigger and bigger.

[harun]

18. GOP sheep like their leaders to be borderline incompetent.

Kerry destroyed B*sh in the debates, didn't matter.

[mkultra]

58. because he had charisma

which of course was dispelled for those of us who felt he was a liar.

[OwnedByFerrets]

11. I agree....no one can "out speech" him.

[pnorman]

20. Obama National Prayer Breakfast Speech Addresses Faith

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Thursday that his faith has deepened during his two years in the White House, and he urged lawmakers to rely on their own faith to build a spirit of civility in Washington following the shooting of a congresswoman.

Speaking at the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Obama said that at a time of bitter partisanship, lawmakers must find a way to be open to the ideas of others, while staying true to their core principles.

"I pray that God will show me and all of us the limits of our understanding and open our ears and our hearts to our brothers and sisters with different points of view, that such reminders of our shared hopes and our shared dreams and our shared limitations as children of God will reveal a way forward that we can travel together," he said.
.
.
.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/03/obama-national-prayer-bre_n_818004.html

Here's a related DU thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4720975

[Honeycombe8]

23. Obama is so far above me, in the lack of pettiness and grudges, that it puts me to

shame. But I'm glad he's better at that sort of thing. I'd hate for a President to be like...well, like ME! I want my President to be BETTER than I am!

[pnorman]

28. Perhaps more thany other single thing

this incident from over 20 years ago is what gives me an insight into Obama's character:
.
.
.
"Although she explained the situation to the man behind the counter, he showed no signs of mercy.
-I started to cry, tears were pouring down my face and I had no idea what to do. Then I heard a gentle and friendly voice behind me saying, That’s OK, I’ll pay for her.
Mary turned around to see a tall man whom she had never seen before.
-He had a gentle and kind voice that was still firm and decisive. The first thing I thought was, Who is this man?
Although this happened 20 years ago, Mary still remembers the authority that radiated from the man.
-He was nicely dressed, fashionably dressed with brown leather shoes, a cotton shirt open at the throat and khaki pants, says Mary.
She was thrilled to be able to bring both her suitcases to Norway and assured the stranger that he would get his money back. The man wrote his name and address on a piece of paper that he gave to Mary. She thanked him repeatedly. When she finally walked off towards the security checkpoint, he waved goodbye to her.

The piece of paper said ‘Barack Obama’ and his address in Kansas, which is the state where his mother comes from. Mary carried the slip of paper around in her wallet for years, before it was thrown out."
.
.
.

http://leishacamden.blogspot.com/2008/10/not-that-it-matters.html

I've referred to that on DU a few times in recent years. Inexplicably, a few die-hard Obama-bashers have dismissed it as irrelevant!

[tanyev]

62. Thanks for posting that.

Somehow I missed seeing it before. Great story.

[mkultra]

59. exactly, and better than most of the people on this board as well

thank god for that

[stevenleser]

63. Yes, a genuine LEADER in that regard. A rare thing in politics

So well put.

[martymar64]

57. "and Atheists can fuck right off" , right?

That's part of what I hear coming out of these "prayer breakfasts". Only believers in an imaginary BFF need apply. That scares me to no end.

I wish Obama would steer clear of these wingnut fundy theocrats and quit giving them legitimacy.

[mkultra]

60. get adjusted

atheism is the new martyrdom. Ive never seen a group of people so devoted to reality be unable to grasp the very reality they swim in.

[martymar64]

65. Get adjusted to what? Second class citizenship?

You think we should just accept our place in the back of the citizenship bus, while the Christo-ayatollahs dictate public discourse based on bronze-age mythology? We all know how atheists are hated by the Jesus fan club even more than muslims or even satanists. It's because they know that their fear tactics of retribution in a mythical afterlife to keep all of you in line don't work on us, and that just drives you religious folks even more nuts than you usually are.

I'm very cognizant of the fact that the majority of people in this country are subject of mass delusion, it doesn't mean I have to go along with their superstitions just to humor them.

And from the way you talk about atheists, it sounds like you wouldn't even speak against if they proposed to make us into real martyrs.

Take your Jesus fetish and shove it.

[mkultra]

74. this is an excellent example of what im refering to

I'm not really a theist, in fact, im a big fan of Dawkins and don't believe in any of the dogma presented by any of the religions of the world. In effect, i am an atheist. I recognize the possibility that god exists but i have doubts that he does. Your desire to wallow in self pity is what is amazing to me. If you really accept reality for what it is, then outrage tends to take a back seat to general understanding.

You act almost as if you don't understand why things are the way they are. Which makes we wonder how you came to this thought position in the first place since you don't seem to have your hands fully around the handles.

Its almost like you posses your own dogma which drives some kind of great expectation for religious tolerance for which you are a faith based warrior.

[pnorman]

64. Oh Boo-Hoo!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-01-20-obama-non-believers_N.htm

As a proud part of that 15%, that's good enough for me!

[martymar64]

66. So he made ONE statement two years ago. BFD

Has he repeated it since then, ever? I've haven't heard it. That one statement is what we call lip service.

Meanwhile, he kowtows to the christo-fascists with pleasure every fucking chance he gets.

If you're an actual atheist, I'm the Queen of England.

[pnorman]

67. I never claimed to be a "party purity" atheist.

But I'm a proud member of the NONE OF THE ABOVE 15% segment.

Just once? Not enough times? Well, that's INFINITELY more than any other viable candidate! (Here's the math: one divided by zero). So who's YOUR choice to "primary out" that Jesus-jumping Obama? ROTZARUCK!

[martymar64]

68. Whatever dude.

If all you can do is personally attack me since I don't like the fact that he kowtows to religious nuts, that's your problem, not mine.

If the "Family" that hosts these things have their way, they will have government sanction to discriminate and even imprison or kill us without penalty. That is the Family's underlying goal.

[pnorman]

70. Ew, I hurt your feelings again! {sigh!)

n/t

[Honeycombe8]

22. I agree with him, of course. Even when O's out of favor, I think that. He's brilliant.

And Halperin, surprisingly enough, CAN be fair and balanced (unlike some others we know).

[Safetykitten]

26. "Brilliant performance"...yes that perfectly describes it.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Safetykitten]

39. Odd, my voter registration says I am.

[RichGirl]

44. If it were a "performance" ...

...he would be showing the emotion that the media is always clamoring for. But he is always himself, always honest and sincere.

Sad for you that you don't recognize it.

[mkultra]

61. i agree with you. He is brilliant is he.

[butterfly77]

29. What performance....

they wouldn't know truth if it hit them in the ass.

[underpants]

34. Anyone who thinks of listening to Mark Halperin should have their head examined

:crazy:

Son of a spy

[Blue-Jay]

35. They won't admit it, but the Repubs have already written off the 2012 election.

Their biggest hope is to hold the line in the House & not lose any Senate seats.

[GSLevel9]

77. You're quite the optimist :)

2012 is a dangerous year for Dem senators. If the election were tomorrow I think it's Pubs plus 3-5.

Also remember that the effect of the Census is an additional 5-8 electoral votes for the Pub candidate.

The economy MUST improve. I believe it will... But it should be the single priority.

[rasputin1952]

36. There is a reason why there has not been some serious jockeying for

position for a GOP nominee...no one wants to be the sacrificial lamb in that scenario.

So far, the GOP House has done nothing of any importance, once HCR went down in the Senate, they had played the only card they had. They can try the old tried and true "taxes", but that won't get any wind either, since the people on the top got the biggest breaks, and 1% does not an electorate make.

More exposure of the people and corps that are actually slowed down to even stopping filling the coffers of the GOP and more people will get more ticked off that the tax breaks that the uber-wealthy got is going to just try to get them even more while the real working people of this nation are driven into the ground.

Bad days to be a Republican...and they are just going to get worse...:)

[RichGirl]

46. Yep...

It's a big price to pay to be sacrificial lamb. There's the expense of it which keeps getting bigger, especially for the highest office. Then there's the fact that they just can't keep a secret anymore. Everything in their past will be exposed.

Lucky for Obama that he has already been through the meat grinder and has been accused of everything under the sun. It's all amounted to nothing.

The only person that they have who may have the money and the squeaky clean past is Romney. But, Christians think that Mormanism is a demonic cult. Without that vote they can't win.

[martymar64]

56. The National Prayer Breakfast is sponsored by The Family. Why give them legitimacy?

I'd prefer that he not give a bunch of fundamentalist reconstructionist theocrats legitimacy by talking at their little shindig.

That's the only reason Halperin is giving any praise to Obama, Halperin agrees with "The Family" philosophy of putting America under the heel of a Christofascist boot.

This is political endorsement of a narrow religious group that does not have the best interests of Americans in mind.

[dflprincess]

73. The Family is a hate group that has promoted the murder of Gays in Uganda.

Rachel Maddow has discussed this group on her show several times.

I'd recommend people here read "The Family" by Jeff Sharlett - especially those who think it's just wonderful that Obama was pandering to this crowd.

[Marnie]

69. Problem is he BS'd a lot of us

with implied support for single payer, jobs, ending wars, ending torture, saving homes, helping main street, ending Guantanamo. DADT was first on his agenda, it is still not implemented, and there is no end date set for implementation.

He has sort of kept maybe two of his promises in two years, and he has added a war.

That kind of duplicity will loose him votes from his base and the slick talk won't do it this time around.

[Enrique]

75. 'forget the unemployment rate'

'forget the unemployment rate, and go look at a speech by a politician and make a big deal about it'.

That's nothing new from Halperin, or anyone from Politico, or from Chris Matthews or any of the rest of the pundits. Just more out-of-touch blathering.

[GSLevel9]

76. I can't agree...

With the current economy, a Republican "turnip" could beat him.

Pubs will ask "were you better off 4-8 years ago?"

Truth is the 90's were what Americans expect. Even Shrub had 7 good economic years.

No one will accept that this is "the new normal".