There seems to be a lot of fuss about how Obama owes absolute fealty to the loudest and most self-certain members of the Netroots. This evening, a blogger who has never donated a penny to his campaign, who didn't express support until after Super Tuesday, stated that "Now that the primary is over, he can turn his back on the people that brought him." And over what? Not embracing a woefully inartful comment from an unofficial surrogate who, just six months ago, was fear-mongering over Obama's willingness to pursue a sensible foreign policy? Making some benign criticism of a group that didn't endorse until after Obama had already laid the groundwork for an inevitable delegate victory (heaven forbid the criticizers ever be criticized themselves)? Are these the people that "brought" Obama?
Or was it the web site that overwhelmingly supported the far more partisan candidate until he dropped out of the race? Was it the web site that routinely and often disingenuously ridiculed Obama as the "Kumbaya candidate" for refusing to embrace pointless rhetorical belligerence? Was it this same web site, where so many now claim to have expected Obama to be some sort of fiery partisan, that spent weeks speculating whether Obama was a secret Reaganite? Was it, in fact, the web site that went absolutely apoplectic when some random reported misconstrued a speech in which Obama stated that he did not want to alienate half the country with divisive rhetoric? It sure seems funny that back before Obama "turned his back" on "those who brought him," his most dedicated and loyal supporters were already making comments like:
Obama the Rethuglican (2+ / 0-)
He thinks the only way to win is to be Republican lite. But its too late Hillary Clinton has already beat him as to who is more republican.
Fuck Obama (3+ / 4-)
I am thoroughly disgusted with Barack Obama. He may indeed be the Dem nominee but he will likely choose a Republican as his running mate (Hagel) and he has already vowed to make Schwarzenegger(sp) a member of his cabinet. Meanwhile he (Obama) is crapping all over the Democratic Party, it's most revered leaders and the Democratic brand.
Obama Will Kiss Ass To Republicans. Thats His (2+ / 0-)
Whole Strategy To Win The WH. As Soon As Hes Nominated He'll Call Lugar or LIEberman To Be His VP. Thats If His Cousin Dick Cheney Is Not Available.
Dissing the base is a novel primary strategy (13+ / 0-)
But it seems all of a piece.
We're hearing right wing memes from Obama not by accident.
Are these the people that "brought" Obama?
Or was it the observant fellow who, in that same thread, made this minority-perspective comment:
Doesn't it make sense to at least try to appeal to Independents and disaffected Republicans? Obama does not pander to the base and it can be maddening. Yet, this might just prove to be effective for the GE.
Further, "giving up on Iowa" is from left field. Tell that to icebergslim and the other Kossacks on the ground and they will laugh in your face.
Sorry Kos - Happy New Year!
by speck tater on Tue Jan 01, 2008 at 08:30:34 AM PDT
Or maybe it was actually the community of virulent and despicable conspiracy theorists who held court here for months and still peddle their paranoid garbage at DKos's sister site? Was it them?
Was it those people who "brought" Obama?
Or was it the millions of people across the country who, way before even Iowa, rallied together to raise money, make calls, and knock on doors in support of a candidate who explicitly rejected hardline partisan gamesmanship? Was it the Netroots who "brought" Obama? Or was it the millions of Democrats, Independents, Republicans, Progressives, Moderates, and Conservatives who all got behind a message of unity because they were tired of hearing about vast whatever-wing conspiracies and debating what Candidate A & B were doing in 1972?
If the answer's not obvious by now, it should be.
It wasn't just the people who are making a big stink now.
It was a coalition of millions, full of disagreements and different viewpoints, many often critical of their candidate, but all united in the pride that comes from working together for the basic goals that bind us: a sensible foreign policy, a fair economy, and a judiciary not beholden to reactionary legal theories.
Each individual in this coalition has an equal claim on Obama. Each likely has at least one issue where they disagree vehemently with their candidate. Each has an opinion that you're unlikely to change. Each, undoubtedly, disagrees with another about what we need to do to get to the White House and what we should do when we get there.
So please, while it's certainly fair to criticize OUR nominee, don't act like YOU have some special claim. You don't. In fact, the Netroots, as a whole, was largely (though not entirely) an antagonistic force until about three months ago, and even then, there are factions who now actively work in support of the Republican. Senator Obama doesn't owe this community any more than he owes the 530,000+ self-described moderates and conservatives who helped deliver a massive, game-changing victory in the Potomac Primaries.
Does it suck not to have a complete claim on your nominee? Sure, we all want someone to always do what we think best, but that's the price you pay for a winning coalition. And certainly, no matter how right you think you are, intentionally doing less to stop John McCain isn't going to persuade a single one of those 530,000 moderates and conservatives to adopt your view. And you know what else? By intentionally doing less to stop John McCain, you are hampering our ability to reach others who have yet to be convinced on such bread & butter progressive issues as public health care, public education, Iraq, Iran, etc.
So again, while criticism of our nominee will very frequently be justified and warranted, while debates about what should be done will always be helpful in defining our views... let's keep some perspective. Like it or not, that 'Kumbaya' guy won, and he's the only chance we'll get for another four years. And while Obama may be the most progressive nominee we've had in quite some time, it still means that everyone in this coalition, be they progressive or conservative, is going to have to bite the bullet and endure some bullshit.
Because while Mr. Hope may not be the universal ideal for both liberal partisans and conservative independents, our coalition's full and unwavering commitment to kicking Republican ass is the only thing standing between us and four more years of this.