No Enthusiam? Not Surprised!

( – promoted by buhdydharma )

Jed Lewison’s front page article says it all — Democratic supporters are unimpressed with the Democratic Party.  How else do you explain the fact that only 56% of Democrats say they will vote in 2010?

Two in five Democratic voters either consider themselves unlikely to vote at this point in time, or have already made the firm decision to remove themselves from the 2010 electorate pool. Indeed, Democrats were three times more likely to say that they will “definitely not vote” in 2010 than are Republicans.

I’m not surprised.  You shouldn’t be, either.

(crossposted at Daily Kos)

After eight years of Bush/Cheney, the American people stood up for “change” in 2006.  The excuses started early.

We don’t have enough votes

Bush will just veto any bill passed anyway

We are keeping our powder dry

Well, 2008 made those excuses just that — an excuse.

A Democrat is in the White House.  Democrats have 60 votes in the Senate.  Democrats hold the House.  No more excuses.  Act, or don’t, but there are no more excuses.

It was President Obama that saved Joe Liebermann.  There is no excuse for his actions.

It was President Obama that put health care in the hands of the Senate, and Harry Reid that put it in the hands of conserva-Dems and Republicans.  

It was President Obama that picked Tim Geithner and Larry Summers.

It was President Obama that picked Eric Holder.

It was President Obama that wouldn’t stand behind his own picks when the rightwing went after them.

And, you are sitting here clutching pearls NOW about how in 2010, 40% of your own base is telling you they are staying home?  How that means those mean Republicans could regain power?

Guess what, you should have led when you got the chance.  You should have spoken out instead of playing water-carrier because it was “your guy” in office.

You wanted it.  You got it.  Democratic domination of all three — White House, Senate, and House.  With that domination, you lost the right to make excuses.

Some still will, of course.  We’ll hear how we never should have put so much stock in Obama being “liberal”, because he never was — except, he campaigned on changing Washington.  He campaigned as a “fierce champion” for the LGBT community.  He campaigned on health care reform.  He campaigned on bringing back the “rule of law”.  He campaigned on not giving lobbyists in Washington the status quo.

Oh, right, you still have ONE excuse…

But, but, he’s only in his first year!!!

Right.  So, we should wait until his first term is over before being able to comment on the choices he made at the start of his administration.  That makes sense, if you are playing water-carrier instead of living in reality.  And, isn’t that what you claim?  To be a “reality-based” community?

Here’s some reality…

They GOP may be as nuts as it has ever been, but unless we get our electoral act together and change these numbers, we’re going to get our clocks cleaned and those crazy Republicans are going to get elected.

No, it’s not “we” that need to get “our” act together — it’s Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and Eric Holder that need to get THEIR act together.  Fast.

Because all we’ve seen is that Obama is the biggest pro-corporation, Wall Street, status quo, con-man to win the Presidency based on what, we’ve come to see, were campaign lies, in recent history.  Don’t take MY word for it.  40% of YOUR base have seen it and are, frankly, disgusted by it.

I find it interesting, if not downright amazing, how many here at Daily Kos are attacking the likes of Amy Goodman, Glenn Greenwald, Joe Avarosis, Jane Hamsher — anyone and everyone — who simply stopped believing in the “change” we were given after actions put the lie to the words.  THAT is living in “reality”!

Face it.  You can shoot the messenger, but, the message remains.  

Jobless recovery?  Got it.

The poll, taken in 60 of the most competitive Congressional districts, shows that over half of respondents believe that the President’s economic recovery plan could help, but only one-third think the economy has begun to improve. And the polling memo goes on to say:

That’s because while Wall Street touts their profits, American families are still hurting.  Yes, now, it IS Obama’s fault — he took ownership of the economy.  His “guys” in Geithner and Summers made sure Wall Street recovered while doing nothing for the little guy.

Obama continuing Bush-era policies?  Got it.

Given the excesses of the Bush administration and Barack Obama’s promise of change, it has surprised many that these policies are continuing, and that Congress and the courts have not closed this chapter of U.S. history. President Obama has never once condemned extraordinary rendition. Arar’s lawyer, Maria LaHood of the Center for Constitutional Rights, calls the court decision against Arar “an outrage.” In his dissent, Judge Guido Calabresi wrote, “I believe that when the history of this distinguished court is written, today’s majority decision will be viewed with dismay.” Given the torture that Arar suffered, his response was remarkably measured: “If anything, this decision is a loss to all Americans and to the rule of law.”

In fact, Obama’s first rendition wasn’t even against a terrorist, but, a person who was accused of contractor fraud!

40%.  That is why you are now clutching your pearls.  That is the percentage of your own base that has given up any hope of “change” that should have come after the 2008 elections.

You asked, “so, you are going to vote Republican?”  Tossing it out snidely like that question could quell any voice other than the cheerleaders.  No.  People will simply stay home.