At a fundraiser this evening, President Obama got in a few whacks at the Republican candidates and the audiences at their debates:
"Some of you here may be folks who actually used to be Republicans but are puzzled by what's happened to that party, are puzzled by what's happening to that party. I mean, has anybody been watching the debates lately? You've got a governor whose state is on fire denying climate change," he said, to applause. "It's true. You've got audiences cheering at the prospect of somebody dying because they don't have health care and booing a service member in Iraq because they're gay.
"That's not reflective of who we are," Mr. Obama said. "This is a choice about the fundamental direction of our country. 2008 was an important direction. 2012 is a more important election."
He also called on supporters to reach out to friends and neighbors who might be getting "inadequate information" because they rely on Fox News or the Wall Street Journal editorial page for their news. LOL
He added this too:
"And in some cases I may need you to have some arguments with our progressive friends," Mr. Obama said.
That probably won't be as necessary as it looked to be a few short weeks ago, Mr. President. Deciding to stand up and start fighting for progressive principles with progressive rhetoric instead of letting yourself and your party be a doormat for the Republicans will go a long way toward healing divisions you've had with progressives. Talk the talk and walk the walk, and most of us will be right there with you.