Poor Frank Rich. After all this time he still doesn’t get it.
WEDNESDAY’S health care rally was one of President Obama’s finest hours. It was so fine it couldn’t be blighted even by his preposterous backdrop, a cohort of white-jacketed medical workers large enough to staff a hospital in one of the daytime soaps that refused to be pre-empted by the White House show.
Obama’s urgent script didn’t need such cheesy theatrics. … There was only one problem. This finest hour arrived hastily and tardily. At 1:45 p.m. Eastern time, who was watching? Of those who did watch or caught up later, how many bought the president’s vow to finish the job “in the next few weeks”? We’ve heard this too many times before. Last May Obama said he would have a bill by late July. In July he said he wanted it “done by the fall.” The White House’s new date for final House action — specified as March 18 by Robert Gibbs, the press secretary — is already in jeopardy. …
Mr. Rich is not only wrong, but in fact Obama’s “urgent script,” after a year of no leadership at all, was not only “cheesy,” to use Rich’s description, but desperate. But these are desperate times for Democrats, who have bungled the last year and counting badly. Though it’s really impossible to take Frank Rich seriously anymore considering he was one of the clueless media mass that applied no objective thinking over the last few years.
Which brings me to a point that needs repeating.
As a political analyst, and not a movement progressive, you will not find any cheerleading from me, except to say that I clap loud, long and hard for liberal ideas and whoever is championing those ideals, that is, whenever the moon is right and some politician loses the elite party ties that bind for a single moment to speak what is worth hearing. I have no intention of propping up weak Democrats who don’t know how to lead or listen to the American people, who, for instance, want a public option, but aren’t being listened to by Pres. Obama or the rest of the Democratic party.
To reiterate, I long ago put away my hyper-partisan spurs, not only because I’m doing different work now that I’m in Washington, but because it no longer interests me, as I find both parties bankrupt, with few politicians in either party worth the effort. The job I do now is simply analyzing the political terrain. Some people are having a hard time adjusting.
The following comment, representative of the inability of some people to understand what I’m now doing, is worth posting as a teaching lesson. From “chazmonk*,” whose righteous indignation is felt by other Democratic choir members who simply cannot accept that the criticism I’m leveling at Pres. Obama and the Democrats is earned.
You go ahead Ms. Marsh, and start voting with the Republicans. You might as well, because ever since your Goddess Queen Hillay Clinton lost the primary, all you do anyway is complain and demonize Obama and the Dems. I often wonder if you would have held her feet to the fire as you do Obama if she was President, though I think we know the ridiculous answer to that, don’t we? Honestly, you used to be one of my 3 favorite blogs; now it’s like getting on some foreign blog I’ve never seen. My only question is this; once you help put in the Romney’s, Palin’s and Ryan’s of the world, will you still bitch and moan so much? Because that’s where we are headed. Jesus, you sound like some talking head like Luntz, who is doing everything he can, through language, to make sure Dems lose out in 2010 and 2012. [...] I know I’ll be burned on the cross over this, but I don’t care anymore. Your seething hatred and anger of HC losing is still with you today, obviously, and it makes you look petty. Gone is the day of Ms. Independent Journalism. Gone, gone, gone.
Ah yes, it’s all because “Goddess Queen Hilla(r)y lost the primary.”
I get it from the unhinged fringe puma on the right, as well as the Obama choir on the left. It simply proves to me I’m doing something right, though that hardly matters, because I’m telling it like I see it. Of course, you’re under no obligation to agree, but to point of motive the tantrums are just absurd. Though the notion that I would ever vote for anyone who doesn’t support women’s self-determination is really one for the books.
The truth is that the current Democratic leadership has not earned the continued support of the people who elected them. It does no good to elect people who are not going to stand by the people who put them in office.
So, if the entire Democratic party is turned out it’s their fault not mine or others who voted for them. You have shown them the way, whether it’s the public option, getting out of Iraq, closing Gitmo, DADT, Wall Street-BigPhrma-Insurance company coziness, you name it. Pres. Obama and the Democratic establishment has ignored you, but now they expect you to save them, because Republicans are worse, thinking that because Democrats have nowhere else to go they’ll come home in the end, as always happens. I’ve said many times that is still likely to happen again, with their no proof whatsoever that anyone can beat Obama right now.
Some voters, including Democratic activists, are just too abused to know better. So they’ll keep rewarding incompetence and ineptitude. They simply can’t help themselves, because they don’t have any stronger spine than the people they’re electing.
However, something new is afoot. There is a political shift happening that bodes ill for both main parties; something that is long overdue.
To quote JoeCHI, who speaks for a lot of people whose emails are hitting my inbox, and to which “mwfolsom” replied “Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Because Republicans are worse? Sorry, but that’s a terrible strategy. A terrible, pathetic, self-loathing, ineffective strategy. In fact, I would argue that the “Vote D because the R’s are so much worse.” is responsible for the mess the Dems are in today. After all, why should they put up a fight or fulfill their promises when you aren’t willing to walk away?
(FOLLOW UP COMMENT) My apologies, that came off a bit harsh. That said, the #1 rule of negotiations is that the only deal you have a chance of winning is the one that you’re willing to walk away from.
Right now Mitt Romney is finally resurfacing after staying quiet in Obama’s first year; while Sarah Palin continues her public tour. I didn’t create the landscape, but I will analyze it and report on it. I find it particularly interesting that when I write about Sarah Palin people get very upset that I can cover her without malice and offer a political analysis that is not filled with sexist slurs or the usual questions of competency. First, I cover what’s hitting, what’s interesting, and Sarah Palin is one of the most impressive political celebrity phenoms to hit American politics in decades. Secondly, as to her competency, George W. Bush was elected twice, so I think that proves the obvious, which is that most voters aren’t activists. They vote on emotion and Sarah Palin arouses it, on both sides, but she also fits the mood right now, though there is no evidence yet that she can clear the presidential nomination bar. However, considering how far she fell in 2008, and how she’s risen, nobody should count her out.
Meanwhile, Pres. Obama has spent the capital he road into office a year ago, now begging the progressives, whom he has betrayed on policy several times in his first year, to save his presidency. As the Democratic party decides whether to appease Rep. Bart Stupak against the majority of the party in order to pass a health care bill that’s not worth it, except to give Obama his desperate win. While establishment Dems advise the current health care bill needs to be passed or it dooms Democrats.
I’ve said numerous times that Dems have convinced themselves they need to pass something, if for no other reason than they can’t rise above Republican talking points. If Dems were smart they’d run on health care in 2010, asking the public to vote on a public option. That would turn the 2010 elections on its head and scare the crap out of Republicans.
The bottom line is that if the Democratic party is going to sell out the voters who put them in office, The People should burn down the party and start over with people who don’t, no matter how long that takes.
When Obama was elected people wondered if conservatism was dead. Ah, those were the days. They didn’t last long and it’s not the fault of the voters. But it will be if they continue to prop up these losers.
* – The spelling of “chazmonk” has been corrected.
Good post, Taylor. As a long-timer, you know how strongly I can fight for my point of view. With a Democrat in the White House and a majority in the Congress, I had high hopes for a change in policies. I knew that Iraq and Afghanistan and terrorism and the Patriot Act would probably continue for a while…those things need time. But I did think financial reform and health care reform would be passed with some real changes…given the mood of the electorate.
For the first time EVER, I sent campaign contributions to candidtates, including Obama (and I all got was that damn T-shirt). I was intrigued by what might happen in 2009.
Fast forward to March 2010. I honestly have no energy left to think about politics. I follow the headlines and even call my Congressmen here and there, but I am disheartened with the lack of audacity of the Obama Administration. I am sickened by the Democrats in Congress who vote against their constituents’ wishes.
Yes, the Dems are probably better than the GOP, but not by much. At least I could complain about the GOP while they were in power. But with the Dems having 59 votes in the Senate, who do I complain to now?
The small thing I did was to unsubscribe from the email lists for Obama, Dodd and other groups/people I am unhappy with. When they asked why I was leaving, I told them that they were not representing me and would not receive any more donations until they did. Probably didn’t do much, but it made me feel better.
TaylorMarsh sez:”When Obama was elected people wondered if conservatism was dead. Ah, those were the days. They didn’t last long and it’s not the fault of the voters. But it will be if they continue to prop up these losers.”
How true how true! It is truly heartbreaking to see all the dire predictions from the primaries regarding Obama come to fruition.
How can ANYONE ratioanlly explain how this oppertunity to reclaim America’s greatness with a HISTORIC take over of the White House, Senate AND House of Representatives with OVERWHELMING majorities in BOTH houses was pissed away by a gutless professional politicol class interested only in themselves?
JoeBeets says: “The small thing I did was to unsubscribe from the email lists for Obama, Dodd and other groups/people I am unhappy with. When they asked why I was leaving, I told them that they were not representing me and would not receive any more donations until they did. Probably didn’t do much, but it made me feel better.”
I’ve done the same. I will not vote rather then vote for any of these spineless cowards. I have voted in every election since 18 yeraolds got the right to vote. Except for President in this last election. I simply couldn’t vote for McCain/Palin and I refused to vote for Obama after the disgrace of the Dem Presidential Primary.
I DID vote straight Den down ticket however.
NOW it looks like I might just be staying home on election day. Why bother.
Thank you for this post Taylor. And thank you secular and JoeBeets for your comments as well.
As for chasmonk – if Palin,Romney/Ryan and a myriad of other Republicans get in – the fault will lay squarely at Obama’s feet. A large share of the blame will also belong to the cheerleaders who voted for personality and apparently cared little about policy. Still, they are angered at the portion of the electorate who care about the policies of this nation and the future of it’s citizens who are being battered.
Big money bought Obama and the DNC and the the disaster that Bush Cheney wrought assured a Democratic Party victory. Obama has been busy since his inaugural putting together what he wanted his legacy to look like – it had to do with his transformational image – not the health and prosperity of the United States of America.
chasmonk needs to get it – it really isn’t all about Obama – it’s about the people.
BTW, comments about “seething,” hatred” and “petty” are evidence that the poster’s interest is in the personality and not the policy.
Hello Ms Marsh,
Good post. As a Moderate Republican and African American, I was excited about pulling that lever for President BO in Nov 2008. However, I must admit I am disappointed in his Presidency to date, primarily because of the enormous deficits, a gargantuan health care bill which no can explain how it will be paid for, runaway spending, etc.
For these reasons, I am trying to be open minded about who to vote for next time around. At the risk of taking flak on this forum, I must admit that I have been intrigued by Gov Palin, primarily her down to her style and the way she appears to excite many Americans. Like many, I still have questions whether she can meet that Presidential threshold, but the excitement she brings cannot be underestimated – especially if she eventually demonstrate some Presidential “timber”.
No doubt we disagree politically on many things. But I appreciate the way your analyze the landscape without bias, and the manner in which you write about Gov Palin sans the malice or vitriol.
Frank Rich is the presidents cheerleader like alot of them in the media. I am a democrat, but I will not go with the democrats if I believe they are wrong and are not doing a good job. I started coming on this blog because for once I found a person that was fair and I found out I wasn’t alone in the disappointment in some of the ways this government is doing things. As far as Sarah Palin, I disagree with some of her views,but I like her in someways too. I live in a rural state and people here like that she was a small town girl who made it to the national stage. People may not like it but she will always be Alaska’s first female governor and the republican’s first female vice presidental canadidate and the second woman to be put on a major party ticket. I have a feeling she will be around for along time. She has something alot of people don’t in Washington and that she has a emotion connection with people. She is the only one I know of besides the president that can turn out large crowds. Rather some in the GOP like it or not she is their Queen Bee and if she decides not to run or loses in the primary, Mitt Romney will need her help because I don’t think he can raise the money or command large crowds like she can because he is so boring. She might even run as a independent canadiate I don’t no, but she is going to be around for awhile thats for sure.
Hi Smooth Jazz
Let’s be clear – he inherited enormous deficits and runaway spending. Health care is really quite easy – this country will be destroyed if health care costs are not brought under control. American citizens do not receive the best health care in the world. Only some do. Insurance companies are the real death panels – check their income and pay. Doctors make far more than doctors in other countries who rate higher in care provided. Don’t tell this rationing story – it’s rationed now – in the US. I have good and expensive insurance – I waited for 6 1/2 months for tests ordered by my oncologist. Rationing is done by cost as well. Keep in mind:
“http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/mar/10/health/chi-ap-medicalschoolboom
Health care in America is a $2.4 trillion annual business, or about $8,000 for each of the nation’s 300 million residents. President Barack Obama has made overhauling health care – extending coverage to the 48 million uninsured while fighting rising costs and attacking waste – an early priority of his administration.
A quarter century ago, experts blamed rising health costs on what they said was a surplus of doctors. They said doctors seeking income would perform unneeded procedures, making medical care more expensive. In response, medical schools capped or cut enrollments.
But in recent years, doctors and medical school groups have re-examined the issue of doctor supply and now warn of a large shortfall in the number of doctors in coming decades.”
fairmindedindependant says:
07 March 2010 at 5:09 pm
I generally like your comments but don’t agree with the Sarah Palin part.
If what you say is right about the electorate and Palin, it is a sad commentary on American citizenship responsibilities. It is certainly a good thing to connect with the American public – but it REALLY IS IMPORTANT to connect with HONESTY and not demagoguery.
There are some things I could say positively about Palin – but none of them have anything to do with the qualifications, honesty, integrity, intelligence and leadership skills necessary to be President.
As to having been elected Governor of Alaska – that’s a population she convinced that is the size of the Little Rock, Arkansas Metropolitan Area.
I hope you aren’t right about Palin being around for a long time. It will say something very disappointing to me about my country.
Just a vote of support Taylor. I rely on your objective analysis of current events, political and otherwise. Don’t change a thing.
Hi Taylor,everyone!
Good post.I agree with everything you said.I was a life long Dem until the Dem primary.After the votes were stolen from my home state of Michigan and again from Florida where i vote,i registered as an IND.I voted for Obama,didn’t want too, but as a gay man i certainly can’t vote Republican.I wouldn’t vote for Obama or Dems if the election were today,I’d stay home.I’m simply not doing the lesser of 2 evils ever again.I usually lurk,but i had to say a word in support..
tonyb39
I appreciate your comments. The lesser of 2 evils allowed both to remain evil.
Thanks JoeBeets, and good for you for walking away from the lists. You can bet the numbers are growing.
NOW it looks like I might just be staying home on election day.
Secularh, if things stay the same a lot of people will strike, too.
Smooth Jazz says:
07 March 2010 at 4:33 pm
Welcome.Thank you for your comments, which I so appreciate.
Thanks chigeeng. Means a lot. You too, tonyb39.
Well, fairmindedindependant, as to Mrs. Palin, she infuriates people on both sides. I’ve had the privilege of hearing from her die hard fans, who believe in her. I obviously disagree with her politics, but have come to appreciate what she engenders in her supporters. The emotional connection is deep and serious, which is worth noting, regardless of the noise around her or whether she runs in 2012 or not.
djjl, always appreciate your input and your continued activism.
As for the lurkers I’m hearing from via email, all of you rock. Seriously appreciate the comments and hearing from everyone, even the haters who think I want Democrats to fail. Guess what? I don’t want either party to fail, because things are too serious to have such children controlling the kingdom.
Hi Taylor, Fellow Marshians, and the LRKERS
ITS ABOUT TIME THOSE LURKERS STND UP AND BE HEARD>…..We love being apart of a lively discussion…..no need to be scared…we are all in this together.
dafederalist
I’ve noticed a number of new people commenting in the last couple of months or so and have loved hearing from them. I hope lurkers lurk less.
This is a very good post, Taylor. I think you tell it like it is, and I appreciate that. I know it seems like many of the posts are Obama/Dem negative lately, but that’s because they aren’t doing what we voted them to do. I think many people like the uniter/bipartisan Obama but there are many others who after 8 years of Bush and co. really want change in the opposite direction and don’t feel they are getting it. Sometimes I feel caught right down the middle because I really do want the President to succeed, but honestly, I feel disappointed. I also think the corporations are really controlling so much these days that our democracy is no longer there, really. I feel like I don’t recognize my own party anymore, and I have been a life long Dem and voted faithfully ever since I was 18. I think you are so right about running on the public option in 2010. I wish someone had the “bal*s” to do it. It seems like nobody is looking out for Main Street anymore – just a bunch of talk, that’s all. And how one person like a Joe Lieberman or Bart Stupak can gum up the whole works for millions of people just leaves me so angry. I hope there is a special place in hell for people like them. Even so, I still remain hopeful that somehow and someday we will get the change we need, but it may indeed take a very rude awakening to get there.
Sarah Palin 2012 !!
Carrie Prejean VP
Paris Hilton: Secretary of State
Nicole Ritchie: Secretary of Defense
Lindsey Lohan: Secretary of Health
as America gets the government it truly deserves !
Mitch McConnell backs away from the Rightwing negative ‘Fear’ attacks:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GOP_FUNDRAISING_MCCONNELL
“I don’t like it and I don’t know anybody who does.”
Hey – no biggie. Actually all he did was check a few left-wing blogs and discover that after one year of on-the-job training the Bitchfest was on. No need to attack. Just sit back and watch the leftwing self-destruct because they’re not getting everything they wanted – immediately.
Taylor, this is one of your best ever posts. It is so refreshing to have your clear-eyed, objective analysis to counter the storm of BS coming from most people who comment on politics. We seem to have collectively lost the ability to look at reality if it doesn’t fit our hopes. I had a call from a nice woman trying to raise money for the Democratic Governors Campaign Committee. I politely but firmly told her that I was contributing only to individual candidates — not one dime more for the DNC or any other party-affiliated fund raising effort, because they all will give money to any incumbent registered as a D. To all those posters who plan to stay home and not vote, I urge you to at least look at all the candidates in your local races, see what their voting records have been if they are incumbents, and think about how to salvage progressive influence in the 2011 redistricting that will follow the census.
There are some real Democrats out there in office or running this year. You just may have to work a bit to discover who they are and not rely just on their Party label.
You rock, Taylor. I can even appreciate your handling of Sarah Palin. In fact, when she first surfaced, I thought that perhaps, after being governor, she might get to be the state’s member of Congress. That seemed right. Of course, she soon began to make a fool of herself, but then she was so encouraged.
I don’t intend to change my registration, so I can support the right local Democrats, but I am telling the DNC when they call as they are doing so often now, that I am an Independent.
Just one more little note, then I’ve gotta run (work work work).
Taylor, I had to chuckle when someone accused you of being so angry ‘because Hillary lost’. Perhaps you don’t remember, but I told you in 2004 the time for Hillary was NOW (then). You told me to “take another look” at that clown, John Kerry and I was wrong about Hillary. We both know what happened.
When Obama was elected – that day I said the political pendulum had swung to such an extreme that it was inevitable the ‘opposite’ swing would also see its day – the KKK and other extremists would come out of the woodwork and feel empowered to go on the attack. The ‘tea party’ marches and the reemergence of the John Birchers prove I was correct.
Has Obama made mistakes in his first year? Omigawd, HELL yes (with his biggest mistake being a ‘faith’ in Pelosi and Reid – more clowns, sadly). However, I didn’t really expect much else. Besides facing a tsunami of American racial prejudice, he also inherited the biggest disaster since – well – damn – I can’t even come up with a comparison (what McCain called “blame it on Bush”, which may be the most truthful thing John has ever admitted – as the setbacks of Bush’s terms cannot be denied).
We – unfortunately – live in a country with only ‘two’ choices. So all I can say to the criticisms is, Oh sure. McCain/Palin would have been much better. *L*
And every time someone claims Sarah Palin is actually a ‘leader’? – or someone to be taken seriously? Give me a break. There is very little difference between Palin and Paris Hilton, Carrie Prejean, or even Lindsey Lohan. Lots of fun to have around to entertain us – but as a politician? That’s the worst joke on America since Tiny Tim wanted to run for president. Sell her short, Taylor? That is totally impossible.
Okay – I’m done ranting. G’night all.
“Congratulations! You’ve been selected to receive a $1,000 WalMart gift card.” (screaming from my speakers)
Could we possibly add even more offensive lies to TM.com?
a latenight addition to my comments,
http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/pitw/2010/03/nothing_funny_about_this_monke.php
Apparently Walt Baker, CEO of the Tennessee Hospitality Association thinks it’s amusing to compare Michelle Obama to a chimpanzee.
It’s just my opinion – but I think leftwing blogs would be better services if they attacked people like this Baker – instead of “our” (your term, Taylor) current president. Suggesting a different approach to him is one thing. Throwing him under the bus is another.
While Chasmonk’s and others’ comment do indeed sound like temper tantrums, this post is based on 2 big double standard that totally undermine its validity
1) support for Obama no matter what he does and says = mindless cheerleading while support for Palin no matter what she does and says = admirable emotional connection.
2) Judging and not voting for Dems but especially the President based on their alleged incompetence while leaving out any analysis/judgement of competence as regards Republicans but especially Sarah because “we all know” that voters don’t vote on competence.
Well, P Michael it seems that the TN convention people have handled this issue themselves so there’s nothing more to talk about.
Continaully making excuses for Obama doesn’t do anybody any good. Yes, Bush was a disaster but Obama just isn’t up to the job. If he had been honest with himself and realized his lack of experience and limitations he would not have even run. As it is, he is ruining everything including himself. The racism thing just doesn’t wash anymore when he was calling his fellow Dems who have never behaved as racists “racists”. Obama is really hurting African Americans in this country.
pmichael says:
08 March 2010 at 1:59 am
It’s just my opinion – but I think leftwing blogs would be better services if they attacked people like this Baker – instead of “our” (your term, Taylor) current president. Suggesting a different approach to him is one thing. Throwing him under the bus is another.
_____________________________________________
This approach only works for those who are in it for the “personality”. For those of us for whom it is about “policy”, it’s a terrible idea.
Isis says:
08 March 2010 at 6:22 am
As I said in the post, Palin has not proved that she can win the nomination, with her phenom status having nothing to do with that reality, but simply the emotion and loyalty she engenders. Your opinion of Sarah Palin is irrelevant, because her status as a political celebrity is unrivaled. That’s a story whether you like it or not.
As for Republicans, I’ve said a million times they’re worse than Democrats. What you don’t seem to want to accept is that the Dems have the majority and Pres. Obama as leader of the Democratic party is proving he doesn’t know what to do with it. That’s the state of play today. I have no intention of not calling it as it is to make people feel better about Democrats.
pmichael says:
08 March 2010 at 1:59 am
Pres. Obama is in this position because of his lack of leadership and inability to figure out how to govern. His presidency is in complete disarray. That’s *his* fault and it’s not my job to give him or any other politician cover. No one threw anyone under a bus; circumstances created through Democratic ineptitude. Additionally, this isn’t a “leftwing” blog and my job isn’t to go after people who are irrelevant.
Taylor: “The job I do now is simply analyzing the political terrain.”
And a very thoughtful job you do, much appreciated, as are the many thoughtful comments here, all of which can inform whatever “movement” works for each of us.
tonyb39 says:
07 March 2010 at 6:59 pm
“…I voted for Obama,didn’t want too, but as a gay man i certainly can’t vote Republican.I wouldn’t vote for Obama or Dems if the election were today,I’d stay home.I’m simply not doing the lesser of 2 evils ever again.I usually lurk,but i had to say a word in support.”
Tony, I reached the same point — refusing to play the “lesser of 2 evils” game several years ago. There was/is nothing subtle about Dems appealing to those of us in LGBT (and our supporters) communities with this tactic.
” this isn’t a “leftwing” blog” Taylor.
Odd. I don’t find you listed on the Rightwing lists, but I DO see you on: mahablog, http://www.myleftwing.com/ and a number of others.
Kinda weird. Guess you should let them know. *L*
PMICHAEL
I don’t think TaylorMarsh.com countenances others determining the status of her blog – right or left wing. It is what it is – and neither seems to like it very often.
But i sure don’t think you’d allow me to determine how you should be labeled. You wouldn’t (unless I said something like you are spectacular) and you shouldn’t.
djjl – you should know me better.
I can’t resist a good tease.