Are progressives deserting President Obama?

By Zach W On April 13, 2011 · 6 Comments · In Election 2012, National Politics

Yesterday I noted how at least one Democratic insider (no doubt one of many Democrats) opined that a primary challenge to President Obama in 2012 would be a good thing for the Democratic Party’s chances of winning the White House, if not in 2012 then in 2016.

Chatter about President Obama’s reelection chances and the dissatisfaction among progressives who comprise a large portion of the Democratic Party base has intensified, with the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) putting out an email yesterday asking members to withhold money from the Obama re-election campaign should the president endorse cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

Here’s some copy from the email:

“President Obama: If you cut Medicare and Medicaid benefits for me, my parents, my grandparents, or families like mine, don’t ask for a penny of my money or an hour of my time in 2012. I’m going to focus on electing bold progressive candidates — not Democrats who help Republicans make harmful cuts.” Click here to sign.

[. . .]

Many people still want to believe in President Obama. But the White House needs to understand that their actions now will have real consequences for 2012. The level of grassroots enthusiasm will be determined by whether the President fights for bold progressive change — and takes cuts that hurt grandparents, the disabled, and kids firmly off the table.

As a progressive, I’ve taken issue with President Obama’s handling of certain issues – I think he could have taken a more forceful and assertive role by use of his “bully pulpit,” but instead he let Republicans successfully frame the debate on health care reform – but ultimately at the end of the day I know that for all my complaints about President Obama, his reelection in 2012 is far more palatable than a return to the failed economic policies of Republicans like former President George W. Bush.

Tagged with: George W. Bush • Medicaid • Medicare • President Barack Obama

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6 Responses to Are progressives deserting President Obama?

CJ McD says:

April 13, 2011 at 9:59 am

Has Obama deserted the progressives?
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- T. says:
  
  April 13, 2011 at 1:08 pm
  
  This. To be fair though, I never expected much from Obama even if I voted for him due to really no other choice.
  
  Really, what I wanted was Mike Gravel.
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  - T. says:
    
    April 13, 2011 at 1:10 pm
    
    If you’re curious of his stances by the way here you go.
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  - T. says:
    
    April 13, 2011 at 1:29 pm
    
    Also, not going to lie — I am all for the FairTax and eliminating the income tax completely. Because it’s broken. To be honest, it was why at first I actually following the Tea Party before it hit national news and became batshit insane right wing. A bit off topic, but it would broaden the tax base, be progressive, increase purchasing power, and tax wealth in the process. It would provide also a rebate that supporters would create an effective rate on consumption too.
    
    Then again, I also wonder why the hell we don’t add taxes on price tags like any other country in the world and get rid of the penny to round up by the nickel. Plus, making everything under five dollars could be helpful.
    
    Wow this got off topic fast!
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Steve Carlson says:

April 13, 2011 at 1:41 pm

Progressives should focus less on Obama’s every move and more on solutions that will find broad support from large numbers of the American people.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus has released its own deficit reducing budget.

http://grijalva.house.gov/uploads/The%20CPC%20FY2012%20Budget.pdf

It will eliminate the deficit in ten years, mostly through implementing a fair tax code, a public option, and bringing an end to our current bloody and costly misadventures in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It preserves Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, programs very popular with Americans. It closes tax loopholes for corporations and raises taxes on the very wealthy, policies very popular with the American people. It will bring the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to an end, policies very popular with the American people.

We all need to familiarize ourselves with this budget plan and begin bringing it to the attention of every member of Congress, democrat or republican.
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- T. says:
  
  April 13, 2011 at 2:46 pm
  
  I’ve actually read this: I like it honestly. We do need to actually send this in, even if it will likely be shot down by the fat cats.
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