LESTER HOLT: John what we saw in that protest today, was it simply frustration or does it represent a serious problem the President is having with an important part of his base?
JOHN HARWOOD: As a practical matter Lester I don’t think it’s a serious problem. we’ve seen and certainly Bill Clinton learned that they Democratic President can get punished by the mainstream of the electorate for being too aggressive on social issues so for now I think the administration feels that if they take care of the big issues — health care, energy, the economy — he’s going to be just fine with this group.
HOLT: But in general when yo look at the left as a whole, have there been conversations about some things they thought would have been done but haven’t?
HARWOOD: Sure but If you look at the polling, Barack Obama is doing well with 90% or more of Democrats so the White House views this opposition as really part of the “internet left fringe” Lester. And for a sign of how seriously the White House does or doesn’t take this opposition, one adviser told me today those bloggers need to take off their pajamas, get dressed and realize that governing a closely divided country is complicated and difficult.
That is just classic. After pandering to LGBT leaders last night the truth comes out. Dear gays: grow up and let us get about the serious business of governance. Signed, some dude who’s too afraid to give his real name.
And old anonymous is, of course, full of shit. Obama’s poll numbers took a 10 point hit with Democratsafter Kathleen Sebelius said the White House was willing to ditch the public option. She had to dial it back instantly, and ever since that time they’ve been scrambling to find a way to give the public option the heave-ho in a way that didn’t backlash on the President.
Word has it the White House polling department finally struck gold with the opt-out, so they got “progressives” to sell it to their fellow progressives and keep Rahm’s fingerprints off of it.
That’s an awful lot of trouble to go to for people you dismiss — anonymously, of course.
Unfortunately for all the people that this has hurt I think Obama is using the Gays in the Military as a trump card.
ReplyDeleteMost people either want Don't Ask, Don't tell to be abolished or simply don't care.
Once Obama abolishes DA,DT the lunatics will go nuts, and destroy what is left of their credibility. He won't have to deal with them until they are over it.
I believe he was holding on to it until 2010 elections, but luckily for people who want equal rights, the thing that has eluded progressives since Truman (healthcare) turned out a little harder than he thought and he might have to play that card now.