Is there any "professional left" pundit still writing with a sense of reason?

[janedrake]

Any Democratic/liberal pundits not using Obama for a punching bag? I only ask, because I haven't seen any. (One exception: Steve Benen). The blogs right now seem to be a dog whistle for the perpetually-miserable.

If you find any, please post links here.

[Treestar]

No, and they just get more and more unreasonable. Even when they get something they want, like the President drawing the line in the sand, they still complain and say it was not enough.

[janedrake]

(04-10-2011 08:56 PM)Treestar Wrote:  No, and they just get more and more unreasonable. Even when they get something they want, like the President drawing the line in the sand, they still complain and say it was not enough.

I hear you. What does a brother have to do?

[There Is No Spoon]

But I'm not going to read their shit to find out.

[Cha]

(04-10-2011 08:52 PM)janedrake Wrote:  Any Democratic/liberal pundits not using Obama for a punching bag? I only ask, because I haven't seen any. (One exception: Steve Benen). The blogs right now seem to be a dog whistle for the perpetually-miserable.

If you find any, please post links here.

Steve Benen isn't a professional leftist.. Robert Gibbs called it exactly right when he used that term because the more toxic red meat the PL throws out the more the lucre comes back to them.

Rachel Maddow had a shout out to Steve on her show the other night and he blogged about it..saying he felt "awkward doing it" but I'm glad he did..she said he "nailed it again" and offered him a job!

This is the comment I left him..

"Factual political reporting with humor and intelligence every day of the week is a rare gift to our country, indeed, and I would be surprised if someone on President Obama's Team doesn't read your blog, Steve Benen.

I know we link to your blog on our site, Democrats For Progress, and I repost much of it(with permission from author) because of your unique way of expressing the news and attention to detail.. and Extreme Liberal is always giving you shout outs too and calls it the best blog on the internet.

This is brilliant that Rachel Maddow recognized your "nailing it" and offering you a job on her show! The more people who read your actual reporting as opposed to the hysteria out there.. the better for our country."

Your question is extremely pertinent now, jane.. it's not who's using the President for their lying punching bag..who isn't!

>vid of Rachel at link shouting out to Steve and a great synopsis of the Waukesha "human error" by Kathy Nickolaus..
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archive...hp#1920567

[Cha]

Adding ExtremeLiberal's link and he has great linkage at his place to bloggers who aren't trying to make a buck off Pres Obama hate..as do we on our front page.

http://extremeliberal.wordpress.com/

[Still a Democrat]

(04-10-2011 09:28 PM)Cha Wrote:  Adding ExtremeLiberal's link and he has great linkage at his place to bloggers who aren't trying to make a buck off Pres Obama hate..as do we on our front page.

http://extremeliberal.wordpress.com/

Whoa - was scanning the list and saw Little Green Footballs???

[RoyGBiv]

(04-11-2011 09:35 AM)Still a Democrat Wrote:  

(04-10-2011 09:28 PM)Cha Wrote:  Adding ExtremeLiberal's link and he has great linkage at his place to bloggers who aren't trying to make a buck off Pres Obama hate..as do we on our front page.

http://extremeliberal.wordpress.com/

Whoa - was scanning the list and saw Little Green Footballs???

You should go there.

I don't know when, how, or why it happened, but LGF of today is not the LGF I remember from a few years ago.

[Cha]

(04-11-2011 01:45 PM)RoyGBiv Wrote:  

(04-11-2011 09:35 AM)Still a Democrat Wrote:  

(04-10-2011 09:28 PM)Cha Wrote:  Adding ExtremeLiberal's link and he has great linkage at his place to bloggers who aren't trying to make a buck off Pres Obama hate..as do we on our front page.

http://extremeliberal.wordpress.com/

Whoa - was scanning the list and saw Little Green Footballs???

You should go there.

I don't know when, how, or why it happened, but LGF of today is not the LGF I remember from a few years ago.

Never heard of LGF but I take it there's a big change that came along the way...I'll have to check it out myself.

[Still a Democrat]

(04-11-2011 01:45 PM)RoyGBiv Wrote:  

(04-11-2011 09:35 AM)Still a Democrat Wrote:  

(04-10-2011 09:28 PM)Cha Wrote:  Adding ExtremeLiberal's link and he has great linkage at his place to bloggers who aren't trying to make a buck off Pres Obama hate..as do we on our front page.

http://extremeliberal.wordpress.com/

Whoa - was scanning the list and saw Little Green Footballs???

You should go there.

I don't know when, how, or why it happened, but LGF of today is not the LGF I remember from a few years ago.

I will check it out when I can get home.

But here at work I tried twice to click on it and the browser closed immediately. I've never had that happen at any other site.

[RoyGBiv]

(04-11-2011 01:57 PM)Still a Democrat Wrote:  I will check it out when I can get home.

But here at work I tried twice to click on it and the browser closed immediately. I've never had that happen at any other site.

Probably something in one of the ads your browser setup doesn't like. There's minimal javascript, and most of it seems associated with ads.

[Born_A_Truman]

John Cole:

I’m not disheartened, I’m pissed. I honestly don’t know what exactly the Dems are supposed to do. I expect we will lose more in the upcoming months on the debt cap and the next budget- this sort of was predictable when the Republicans took the house. They clearly don’t care if they shut down the government, they don’t care who they hurt, and they are not going to stop doing what they do. They haven’t exactly been subtle about their goals, so I sent the Democrats money and voted for them in the last election. Not enough other people did, the Republicans won, and this is what logically comes next.

I’m not wringing my hands over the President’s statement afterwards, because no one in America paid attention to it, either. Only those of us who obsessively follow politics probably even heard a live commentary from Obama at midnight on Friday. Most sane people were in bed, or out on the town, or spooning their loved one, or something. They weren’t up listening to whatever platitudes the WH was offering, trying to put the best spin on a shitty situation.

This is just proof to me that I need to help raise more money, volunteer more time, and walk more precincts in 2012. It isn’t disheartening or demoralizing, it’s motivating.

Read the whole post here...

[Cha]

(04-10-2011 09:37 PM)Born_A_Truman Wrote:  John Cole:

I’m not disheartened, I’m pissed. I honestly don’t know what exactly the Dems are supposed to do. I expect we will lose more in the upcoming months on the debt cap and the next budget- this sort of was predictable when the Republicans took the house. They clearly don’t care if they shut down the government, they don’t care who they hurt, and they are not going to stop doing what they do. They haven’t exactly been subtle about their goals, so I sent the Democrats money and voted for them in the last election. Not enough other people did, the Republicans won, and this is what logically comes next.

I’m not wringing my hands over the President’s statement afterwards, because no one in America paid attention to it, either. Only those of us who obsessively follow politics probably even heard a live commentary from Obama at midnight on Friday. Most sane people were in bed, or out on the town, or spooning their loved one, or something. They weren’t up listening to whatever platitudes the WH was offering, trying to put the best spin on a shitty situation.

This is just proof to me that I need to help raise more money, volunteer more time, and walk more precincts in 2012. It isn’t disheartening or demoralizing, it’s motivating.

Read the whole post here...

Attitude is everything so pick a good one and John Cole did..at the link he writes..

"The Politico, attempting to stir up liberal angst, informs me that the Budget Deal Leaves Liberals Disheartened"

He's "Motivated" because in the next paragraph he writes..

"And btw, we’ve talked about the Ryan plan to gut medicare and medicaid and give the proceeds to the rich while feeding the warpig, and it is important to recognize this is not some one-off. This is what they want. They are also coming for your pension, they are after your social security, they want to destroy your union so you can not organize against them, they will go after your minimum wage next, they want to get rid of the EPA so their donors can pollute your water, air, land, and food and not have to worry about being punished, they want to deregulate Wall Street more so they can screw you again and not face any consequences, they want to tell you what you can do with your body, and they are spending lots of time and money making it harder and harder for you to vote. The Ryan plan isn’t an isolated incident, it was just shots fired on another front. If you are disheartened by the budget deal the other night, which is one small skirmish in a big war, you probably should just give up and go buy yourself a ton of lube."

So while the professional left sit around and whine we get going.

[nofurylike]

(04-10-2011 09:37 PM)Born_A_Truman Wrote:  John Cole:

I’m not disheartened, I’m pissed. I honestly don’t know what exactly the Dems are supposed to do. I expect we will lose more in the upcoming months on the debt cap and the next budget- this sort of was predictable when the Republicans took the house. They clearly don’t care if they shut down the government, they don’t care who they hurt, and they are not going to stop doing what they do. They haven’t exactly been subtle about their goals, so I sent the Democrats money and voted for them in the last election. Not enough other people did, the Republicans won, and this is what logically comes next.

I’m not wringing my hands over the President’s statement afterwards, because no one in America paid attention to it, either. Only those of us who obsessively follow politics probably even heard a live commentary from Obama at midnight on Friday. Most sane people were in bed, or out on the town, or spooning their loved one, or something. They weren’t up listening to whatever platitudes the WH was offering, trying to put the best spin on a shitty situation.

This is just proof to me that I need to help raise more money, volunteer more time, and walk more precincts in 2012. It isn’t disheartening or demoralizing, it’s motivating.

Read the whole post here...

that is great!

i LOVE this:
"This is just proof to me that I need to help raise more money, volunteer more time, and walk more precincts in 2012. It isn’t disheartening or demoralizing, it’s motivating."

thank you for that, and the link, Pat!!

[Born_A_Truman]

Great comment on Balloon Juice: (I had a feeling this was the case myself)

Quote:17.joe from Lowell - April 10, 2011 | 11:35 am · Link

I especially like the people who’ve spent two years holding forth on how Obama doesn’t negotiate right, but rather, opens up with a “reasonable middle” offer, against an extreme Republican offer, and then settles for something in between those two – that is, halfway between the middle and extreme conservatism. Allegedly, this is what happened with the ACA and the ARRA. He should come out with an opening bid way off to the left, and get negotiated to something in the middle.

So, this time, in the face of the Republicans taking the House, Obama comes out with a budget proposal that increases domestic discretionary spending by $40 billion. Increases it, by $40 billion, from the budget passed by the Democrats when they had huge majorities in both houses.

And what’s the response from the genius negotiation critics? Why, to use the very strength of his opening bid – the very thing they said he should do – to denounce him more, saying he got “negotiated down” by $78.5 billion.

If he’d come in with a budget that was $200 billion higher from last year, these people would be jumping off cliffs over Obama “losing” $238 billion.

[Cha]

(04-10-2011 09:45 PM)Born_A_Truman Wrote:  Great comment on Balloon Juice: (I had a feeling this was the case myself)

Quote:17.joe from Lowell - April 10, 2011 | 11:35 am · Link

I especially like the people who’ve spent two years holding forth on how Obama doesn’t negotiate right, but rather, opens up with a “reasonable middle” offer, against an extreme Republican offer, and then settles for something in between those two – that is, halfway between the middle and extreme conservatism. Allegedly, this is what happened with the ACA and the ARRA. He should come out with an opening bid way off to the left, and get negotiated to something in the middle.

So, this time, in the face of the Republicans taking the House, Obama comes out with a budget proposal that increases domestic discretionary spending by $40 billion. Increases it, by $40 billion, from the budget passed by the Democrats when they had huge majorities in both houses.

And what’s the response from the genius negotiation critics? Why, to use the very strength of his opening bid – the very thing they said he should do – to denounce him more, saying he got “negotiated down” by $78.5 billion.

If he’d come in with a budget that was $200 billion higher from last year, these people would be jumping off cliffs over Obama “losing” $238 billion.

347 Comments! Not a bad following.. I just read a few and found this one ..

"14.inventor - April 10, 2011 | 11:33 am · Link

This sort of clear-eyed rational thinking will not go unpunished.

Cenk and Jane have told us what we think. Only a corporate shill Obamabot sellout would think otherwise." It's freakin' hysterical what those big blow hards spew out and they've got jumpers saying "how high again?"

[CTLawGuy]

(04-10-2011 09:45 PM)Born_A_Truman Wrote:  Great comment on Balloon Juice: (I had a feeling this was the case myself)

Quote:17.joe from Lowell - April 10, 2011 | 11:35 am · Link

I especially like the people who’ve spent two years holding forth on how Obama doesn’t negotiate right, but rather, opens up with a “reasonable middle” offer, against an extreme Republican offer, and then settles for something in between those two – that is, halfway between the middle and extreme conservatism. Allegedly, this is what happened with the ACA and the ARRA. He should come out with an opening bid way off to the left, and get negotiated to something in the middle.

So, this time, in the face of the Republicans taking the House, Obama comes out with a budget proposal that increases domestic discretionary spending by $40 billion. Increases it, by $40 billion, from the budget passed by the Democrats when they had huge majorities in both houses.

And what’s the response from the genius negotiation critics? Why, to use the very strength of his opening bid – the very thing they said he should do – to denounce him more, saying he got “negotiated down” by $78.5 billion.

If he’d come in with a budget that was $200 billion higher from last year, these people would be jumping off cliffs over Obama “losing” $238 billion.

He can't win, that's the point. What your quote describes is what I think would have happened had he started with single payer in the HCR process - they would have been even more pissed at him for compromising even more.

You also have to remember that the original House budget bill cut the budget by $61 billion. The PL and frustrati seem to (conveniently?) forget that when they complain about a $39 billion cut. Never mind that the tea party wants Boner's head over this deal.

[Cha]

Here's a compelling comment from The People's View..

Sorry, I Have To Protect My President Not Only From The Crazy Right But Also From The DailyKos Gang
| Posted by TiMT

I sometimes don't know what the fuck people are on these days?

It is inconceivable to me and most liberal Democrats who can think pragmatically to remotely spew so much lies, dishonesty and vicious attacks similar to what teabaggers do to hurt a Democratic President and claim they are really Democrats. I mean I really don't get it.

It is also unfathomable to see so much negativity coming from Liberal Democratic site that claims to be dedicated to electing more and better Democrats and allow RW talking points and ideologies such as calling the President a "rapist" and some calling for the President's impeachment or imprisonment be embraced by a so called liberal community.

Seriously, these kinds of ideologies are everywhere at Dailykos, HuffPost, FDL and I wonder why communities that claim to stand for a Democratic Principle are trying their very best to elect Republicans?"

We need to let people know about Democrats For Progress! They might like it!

http://www.thepeoplesview.net/

Another good place I just found out about today.

[Cha]

Oh! The People's View is Deaniac's site formerly of dkos.. his mission statement as it were..

"Specifically, while all are welcome to join this community and express themselves, respect is important. Especially respect for the viewpoints presented on the main posts, and those who write them. Anyone is free to disagree and make their case, however, disrespect in disagreements is not tolerated. We also recognize the tough road for this country, and are immensely proud of President Barack Obama. If you come to the comment section and start screaming at posters or peaceful discussions, or start throwing pejoratives at the President or others trying to discuss an issue, you will be banned, with or without warning. Yes, this blog is a safe haven for recognizing progress and civil debate. Don't try my patience on that; you won't like the results."

I'm going to see if I can comment and post a link here

[Cha]

(04-10-2011 11:51 PM)Cha Wrote:  Oh! The People's View is Deaniac's site formerly of dkos.. his mission statement as it were..

"Specifically, while all are welcome to join this community and express themselves, respect is important. Especially respect for the viewpoints presented on the main posts, and those who write them. Anyone is free to disagree and make their case, however, disrespect in disagreements is not tolerated. We also recognize the tough road for this country, and are immensely proud of President Barack Obama. If you come to the comment section and start screaming at posters or peaceful discussions, or start throwing pejoratives at the President or others trying to discuss an issue, you will be banned, with or without warning. Yes, this blog is a safe haven for recognizing progress and civil debate. Don't try my patience on that; you won't like the results."

I'm going to see if I can comment and post a link here

Every user name I could think of had "already been taken" which I find hard to believe so I sent Deaniac an email and asked him for HELP!

[nofurylike]

thank you for this great thread full of information, janedrake!
i agree, the PL has gotten worse and worse!
thanks to this thread, i now have new places to read excellent commentary and analysis! a great relief!!

(briefly, Benen is not professional left, he is actual heartfelt left.)

[Cha]

(04-11-2011 12:20 AM)nofurylike Wrote:  thank you for this great thread full of information, janedrake!
i agree, the PL has gotten worse and worse!
thanks to this thread, i now have new places to read excellent commentary and analysis! a great relief!!

(briefly, Benen is not professional left, he is actual heartfelt left.)

Benen..lefty with a ~ Did you see that shout out to him from Rachel upthread, nofurylike? The comments under it were chocked full of congratulations!

[nofurylike]

(04-11-2011 12:33 AM)Cha Wrote:  

(04-11-2011 12:20 AM)nofurylike Wrote:  thank you for this great thread full of information, janedrake!
i agree, the PL has gotten worse and worse!
thanks to this thread, i now have new places to read excellent commentary and analysis! a great relief!!

(briefly, Benen is not professional left, he is actual heartfelt left.)

Benen..lefty with a ~ Did you see that shout out to him from Rachel upthread, nofurylike? The comments under it were chocked full of congratulations!

Cha! yes, he really IS "..lefty with a "! and what a precious gift from you to us!!

i was loving all your comments here!! and i am thrilled Rachel did that shout out to Benen!! thrilled for all our sakes, of course, but also sort of selfishly, i admit, because i was getting upset with a couple of things Rachel said lately ...

but knowing she is listening to Steve Benen tells me she wants to know, understand, see, recognize - thank goodness and Steve Benen!!

and thank you. you are constantly informing and clarifying and enlightening, Cha. i just love reading all you give to us!!!

[Treestar]

All of the stuff about being unmotivated and disheartened is music to the Republicans' ears. They are being played by Republicans, if they aren't actually Republicans themselves.

Just stupid. What do they think will be the result?

[Arkana]

(04-10-2011 08:52 PM)janedrake Wrote:  Any Democratic/liberal pundits not using Obama for a punching bag? I only ask, because I haven't seen any. (One exception: Steve Benen). The blogs right now seem to be a dog whistle for the perpetually-miserable.

If you find any, please post links here.

The blogs are all terrible, but Steve Benen's always been pretty even-handed.

[Cha]

(04-11-2011 02:30 PM)Arkana Wrote:  

(04-10-2011 08:52 PM)janedrake Wrote:  Any Democratic/liberal pundits not using Obama for a punching bag? I only ask, because I haven't seen any. (One exception: Steve Benen). The blogs right now seem to be a dog whistle for the perpetually-miserable.

If you find any, please post links here.

The blogs are all terrible, but Steve Benen's always been pretty even-handed.

Steve Benen only does facts with humor when he's in the mood and it turns out that's what a lot of us crave! And, he writes 7 days a week..no time off in the world of politics.

[jaxx]

What an interesting and informative thread....thanks janedrake for getting the question out there.

There aren't many sites that are pro-Obama, but the ones that do really shine.

[janedrake]

Thanks, my fellow Democrats for Progress, for all the fab comments/links. My apologies for linking Benen to "the professional left," his shout-out from Maddow was well-deserved and Benen out-classes them all -- I've almost come to think of him as a young 21st-Century Cronkite -- Cha, thanks for turning me on to him. I have to admit, I posted this thread because I am damn sick of the pundits who are supposed to be the official interpreters of Democratic politics tearing Obama down any which way they can, while ignoring his successes, or as my favorite comment from Benen's blog today put it:

"You win a great campaign as the first African-American POTUS, sign a healthcare reform bill for which the previous eight Democratic presidents would have given their left nut*, fight off the worst economic calamity in eighty years and begin to see declines in the unemployment rate, maintain strong unemployment compensation and a safety net for those who haven't yet seen light, gain a truly significant piece of civil rights reform for 10% of the population, try to ward off vicious year-long attacks from both your left and right flanks, but end up losing the House anyway, then win 98% of your proposed budget and fend off strong assaults on abortion rights, clean air standards, and healthcare reform...

and the so-called "progressives" call you "weak" and "a loser".

*more at whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com

HELLO!

[Cha]

(04-11-2011 10:49 PM)janedrake Wrote:  Thanks, my fellow Democrats for Progress, for all the fab comments/links. My apologies for linking Benen to "the professional left," his shout-out from Maddow was well-deserved and Benen out-classes them all -- I've almost come to think of him as a young 21st-Century Cronkite -- Cha, thanks for turning me on to him. I have to admit, I posted this thread because I am damn sick of the pundits who are supposed to be the official interpreters of Democratic politics tearing Obama down any which way they can, while ignoring his successes, or as my favorite comment from Benen's blog today put it:

"You win a great campaign as the first African-American POTUS, sign a healthcare reform bill for which the previous eight Democratic presidents would have given their left nut*, fight off the worst economic calamity in eighty years and begin to see declines in the unemployment rate, maintain strong unemployment compensation and a safety net for those who haven't yet seen light, gain a truly significant piece of civil rights reform for 10% of the population, try to ward off vicious year-long attacks from both your left and right flanks, but end up losing the House anyway, then win 98% of your proposed budget and fend off strong assaults on abortion rights, clean air standards, and healthcare reform...

and the so-called "progressives" call you "weak" and "a loser".

*more at whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com

HELLO!

Thanks for bringing us that comment on the Benen Blog, jane..it's an outstanding concentrated summary of what the President has accomplished and as for the "progressives"...they're nothing more than regurgitators of the professional left. I've read FDR had the same idiocy only nothing like President Obama with the internet full of every faux "progressive" and "former" republicon cashing in on the Obama hate.

It's the whiners who are weak and losers.

[nofurylike]

(04-11-2011 10:49 PM)janedrake Wrote:  Thanks, my fellow Democrats for Progress, for all the fab comments/links. My apologies for linking Benen to "the professional left," his shout-out from Maddow was well-deserved and Benen out-classes them all -- I've almost come to think of him as a young 21st-Century Cronkite -- Cha, thanks for turning me on to him. I have to admit, I posted this thread because I am damn sick of the pundits who are supposed to be the official interpreters of Democratic politics tearing Obama down any which way they can, while ignoring his successes, or as my favorite comment from Benen's blog today put it:

"You win a great campaign as the first African-American POTUS, sign a healthcare reform bill for which the previous eight Democratic presidents would have given their left nut*, fight off the worst economic calamity in eighty years and begin to see declines in the unemployment rate, maintain strong unemployment compensation and a safety net for those who haven't yet seen light, gain a truly significant piece of civil rights reform for 10% of the population, try to ward off vicious year-long attacks from both your left and right flanks, but end up losing the House anyway, then win 98% of your proposed budget and fend off strong assaults on abortion rights, clean air standards, and healthcare reform...

and the so-called "progressives" call you "weak" and "a loser".

*more at whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com

HELLO!

excellent!! i just sent that quote around! thank you for that, janedrake!

[janedrake]

Hello, Cha!

[Cha]

(04-11-2011 11:33 PM)janedrake Wrote:  Hello, Cha!

Hello jane!~