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Donating to Obama IS NOT ABOUT Obama
I know many of you, like myself, have been disappointed with
a few of the votes cast recently by Barack Obama; specifically FISA. To some extent, the bloom is off the rose a bit. However, chalk me up in the group of people that believes this is actually a good thing. I've never been too big a fan of placing all my eggs in one basket. Barack Obama is the leader of the Democratic Party, which means his success translates to the implementation of a Democratic Party political agenda. As of now, that is a political agenda that is vastly more popular than the initiatives being pushed by Republicans. It is imperative that we provide Barack with the means to
effectively respond to the upcoming ad blitz.
I've seen this movie
before and I don't particularly like the ending the first time. The Republicans are gearing up for a massive August ad blitz that will be used to "define" Sen. Obama. One of the disadvantages to being relatively new to the national political landscape is that Barack is more susceptible to being biographically "defined" by the Republican Party. Here's a rundown of
how the Republican ad blitz will unfold; I can name that tune in about five notes:
HUSSEIN!!
PATRIOTISM!!
DOESN'T SHARE YOUR
VALUES!!
SCARY BLACK PREACHER!!
SECRET MUSLIM!!
Let's not lose the forest for the trees. If you, like myself, have
been disappointed with Barack's recent specific votes, I'd ask you to consider
donating to the following causes instead:
1. Securing universal [or, at a minimum, near universal] health care.
2. Securing [or frankly, even caring about & movings towards] energy independence.
3. Veterans Benefits [Veterans are quickly becoming the new Republican Party version of a fetus--they care about you from conception to birth, but after that, you're on your own].
4. Ending the war in Iraq [as opposed to the hallucinatory idea that we should maintain a large, long-term presence ala Korea/Germany].
5. Not instigating a war with Iran.
6. Progressive taxation.
7. Women's reproductive choice.
8. Bringing back some semblance of government regulation [as opposed to the ridiculous, Phil Gramm, 'let-the-free-market' dictate everything form of conservatism].
9. Allowing poor John Paul Stevens to retire [for the love of god, the man's
about 673 years old--can we please elect a Democrat? I think he'd
might like to step down].
10. Fiscal responsibility [some might say sanity].
There are obviously many others, but I'm sure that everyone gets the drift; especially if you're either a registered Democrat or Independent. Please use the link below to donate [or
go to the website itself if not comfortable using mine]. Thanks.
Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. Take care and, as always,
keep up the good work.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/JeffCronin
Sincerely,
Jeff Cronin
Comments (19)
Indeed. I'm of the firm belief that anyone on this site who is talking down their support of Obama isn't a Democrat at all.
I mean really, what is the alternative? McBush?
July 12, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
DiegoUk, i agree. Great article! Obama is only hope of having a truly progressive government. I would asked those who are disappointed with his FISA vote to stop and look at the bigger picture.
July 13, 2008 11:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. Somwhere in DC, in an office building basement, sit about 50 young alumni of Rush Limbaugh's Operation Chaos, pretending to be Democrats, and posting frantic sky-is-falling concern posts to liberal blogs about FISA, gun control, etc. etc. If you haven't been watching Fox News, the flip-flop meme has been driving all of their news cycles for the past week. When your own candidate is such a colossal dud, what else is there but oppo? Too bad the MSM and many liberals are playing right into it.
I would also like to push back on the idea that "the bloom is off the rose a bit." This is simply another way of feeding into the flip-flop meme, and I reject the characterization. Barack Hussein Obama (middle name included to make a point) is simply the most radical nominee for president from either party in the history of this country and a different set of standards have been applied to him. He does not enjoy the luxury of simply being "progressive" while at the same time being forced to dispel the belief that's he's a Muslim who hates America. No candidate has ever been faced with overcoming what this guy has got to overcome.
The thin reed of support among supposed liberals for our candidate says a good deal more about them than it does about Obama.
July 13, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Aw, gee. How many positions can Obama reverse and how important can they be before Democrats can legitimately be upset in your opinion?
I predicted Obama would cave on practically anything and everything way early -- Collins had this right -- this is what is meant by uniting us and his lying about his failure to pass nuclear leak legislation and his pandering to Exelon and watering everything down is typical of a guy who has to be loved by everybody -- or at least by whole stadiums full of people. Ever heard the term personality cult?
But I have to say I did not expect the telecom cave.
Best way to support those issues is to support people who support the issues -- give to known Democratic candidates and ignore Obama.
July 13, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
The definition of "patriot" is what annoys me. How defecating on the country, violating the constitution, trashing the economy, advocating torture, and lying to the public on a matter of war among other outrages is in any way "patriotic" is beyond me. It has sullied the definition of patriot.
July 12, 2008 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I'm of the firm belief that anyone on this site who is talking down their support of Obama isn't a Democrat at all."
My precise reaction to reading of the prominent `Democrat` donor Jill Iscol
"Asked if she might donate to Obama in the coming months, Iscol said she wanted to see if his campaign followed through on commitments to help Clinton pay down her debt.
Then there's the matter of the vice presidency.
Iscol said she may wait to see whom Obama picks."
Some Democrat... These people make me come out in a sort of emotional hives. What the hell's she doing repeating a private conversation?
I hope Obama's learned his lesson from this - the only way to make these Jills come home, if they're ever going to, is to leave them alone.
July 12, 2008 7:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I remember reading once, long ago, about some comments the late, great Chicago author Nelson Algren made about his relationship with Simone de Beauvoir (and her writing about it after the fact).
He said, essentially, that in addition to his dalliance with her, he'd been in brothels the world 'round, and that the difference was that there, the workers therein had the decency to keep the door closed.
Need anyone say more?
July 13, 2008 1:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
So, to translate from the French, you don't care if the Democrats win?
(PS- I've got nothing against Simone or French)
July 13, 2008 11:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Fran,
I thought her ulterior motives were right out there - threats and all. HRC for VP or else and a strong message that no matter what Obama does or doesn't do, it will never be good enough. Stirring the pot and getting the message published was her goal.
July 13, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Barack Obama is the leader of the Democratic Party, which means his success translates to the implementation of a Democratic Party political agenda.
LOL!!!
If Barack Obama co-sponsored a bill with Dodd and then that bill was defeated by Democrats, then the argument that Obama is the leader of the party seems pretty weak.
July 13, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Doesn't give a s**t about the future, selfish post.
July 13, 2008 10:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
And yet your 'arguments', if the term even applies, are even weaker.
Republicans have a stance of 'vote with us or get removed' which is stupid and dangerous and is not what democracy is about in any way, shape or form.
It is this 'toe the party line or get out' mentality which gave Bush the power he has abused and which McBush will abuse if allowed.
Luckily, we'll not allow it. To me, your 'protestations' are as meaningless as the empty 'straight talk' McCain regurgitates every chance he gets.
You're a loser and so is he. Embrace your loser, but at the least open your eyes enough to see that he isn't even running his own campaign.
July 13, 2008 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for an excellent post right to the point.
When I hear all the people like dilluminati rant on, I just tune it out. All that matters is a Democrat in the White House. The Supreme Court is at stake. Period.
July 13, 2008 10:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely agree! Good post. I have my little savings plan going for this month and will donate all I can in July. I also did that in Jan, Feb, March, April, May and June. I missed a lot of people in May. Come on home. The family needs you!
July 13, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great post. Still sending in contributions and volunteering.
July 13, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I donated last month and will do so again this month and every month.
I just can't get that worked up about FISA. Maybe it's the outrage fatigue.
Or maybe it's that I actually like the fact that Obama will settle for incremental progress toward a goal when reaching the goal is not achievable at the present moment. Sure, I would prefer that the Bush administration and the telecom companies be held accountable for illegal and unconstitutional actions. I would prefer that everyone be held accountable for their actions full stop. But we're in some serious trouble and we have been for some time. Instead of looking for solutions, for twenty years the politicians have dug their little trenches and lobbed their grenades across the aisle, refusing to compromise on much and preventing any kind of meaningful forward progress.
So we have to take baby steps. I don't care. At least we'll be moving.
July 13, 2008 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
This should be obvious, but it's not. Every time I donate 25 bucks to Obama, I know I'm really donating that money to my future, my friends' futures, my family's future, and the future of the rest of the world.
July 13, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I support obama i don't try to define him.however,jil iscol wants to withhold her monies unless obama picks hillary for vp. she can keep her monet.If hillary won she would not be commited to pick obama a her running mate. I will not help pay hillary's when she's not sincere when (she still has a whisper campaign going on )she with obama she should ripping mccain to shreads like she did to obama nobody does it better than her
July 13, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Registering new voters and following up to see that they vote is my contribution, plus the small financial I can muster.
ROE V. WADE shall not be overturned.
July 13, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
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