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NationofChange / Op-Ed
Published: Saturday 12 November 2011
“Instead of a big debate about the basics (how to truly restore jobs and wages, financial capitalism versus product capitalism, the place and role of America in the world, how to rescue our democracy), we’re likely to have a superficial debate over symbols (the budget deficit, the size of government, whether we need a ‘businessman’ at the helm).”
Why We May Be in Store for a Passionless Presidential Race
Polls show Americans angrier and more polarized than at any time since the Vietnam War. That’s not surprising. We have the worst economy since the Great Recession and the worst politics in living memory. The rise of the regressive right over the last three decades has finally spurred a progressive reaction. Occupiers and others have had enough.
Yet paradoxically the presidential race that officially begins a few months from now is likely to be as passionless as they come.
President Obama will be supported by progressives and the Democratic base, but without enthusiasm. His notorious caves to Republicans and Wall Street — failing to put conditions on the Street’s bailout (such as demanding the Street help stranded home owners), or to resurrect Glass-Steagall, or include a public option in health care, or assert his constitutional responsibility to raise the debt limit, or protect Medicare and Social Security, or push for cap-and-trade, or close Guantanamo, or, in general, confront the regressive Republican nay-sayers and do-nothings with toughness rather than begin negotiations by giving them much of what they want — are not the stuff that stirs a passionate following.
Mitt Romney will surely be the Republican presidential candidate — and Romney inspires as little enthusiasm among Republicans as Obama does among Democrats. The GOP will support Romney because, frankly, he’s the only major Republican primary candidate who does not appear to the broader public to be nuts.
But Republicans don’t like Romney. His glib, self-serving, say-whatever-it-takes-to-win-the primaries approach strikes almost everyone as contrived and cynical. Moreover, Romney is the establishment personified — a pump-and-dump takeover financier, for crying out loud — at the very time the GOP (and much of the rest of the country) are becoming more anti-establishment by the day.
At this point neither the Republican right nor the mainstream media wants to admit the yawn-inducing truth that Mitt will be the GOP’s candidate. The right doesn’t want to admit it because it will be seen as a repudiation of the Tea Party. The media doesn’t want to because they’d prefer to sell newspapers and attract eyeballs.The media are keeping the story of Rick Perry’s cringe-inducing implosion going for the same reason they’re keeping the story of Herman Cain’s equally painful decline going — because the public is forever fascinated by the gruesome sight of dying candidacies. With Bachmann, Perry, and Cain gone or disintegrating, the right wing-nuts of the GOP have only one hope left: Newt Gingrich. His star will rise briefly before he, too, is pilloried for the bizarre things he’s uttered in the past and for his equally bizarre private life. His fall will be equally sudden (although I don’t think Gingrich is capable of embarrassment).
And so we’ll be left with two presidential candidates who don’t inspire — at the very time in American history when Americans crave inspiration.
Instead of a big debate about the basics (how to truly restore jobs and wages, financial capitalism versus product capitalism, the place and role of America in the world, how to rescue our democracy), we’re likely to have a superficial debate over symbols (the budget deficit, the size of government, whether we need a “businessman” at the helm).
This means political passions are likely to move elsewhere — finding their voices in grass-roots movements, social media, demonstrations, boycotts, and meet-ups — on the Main Streets and in the backwaters, and only episodically in the mainstream media or in normal election-year events.
In some ways this may not be such a bad thing. The regressive right has had thirty years to build itself into a political power. Newly-energized progressives (Occupiers and others) need enough time to develop concrete proposals and strategies. What’s the rush? If polls are to be believed, most of the nation is progressive, not regressive (witness last Tuesday’s results in Wisconsin and elsewhere). So it is, after all, only a matter of time.
Yet viewed another way, a passionless presidential race may be dangerous for America. The nation’s problems may not wait. They require bold action, and soon.
This article was originally posted on Robert Reich's blog.
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ABOUT Robert Reich
ROBERT B. REICH, one of the nation’s leading experts on work and the economy, is Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley. He has served in three national administrations, most recently as secretary of labor under President Bill Clinton. Time Magazine has named him one of the ten most effective cabinet secretaries of the last century. He has written thirteen books, including his latest best-seller, “Aftershock: The Next Economy and America’s Future;” “The Work of Nations,” which has been translated into 22 languages; and his newest, an e-book, “Beyond Outrage.” His syndicated columns, television appearances, and public radio commentaries reach millions of people each week. He is also a founding editor of the American Prospect magazine, and Chairman of the citizen’s group Common Cause. His widely-read blog can be found at www.robertreich.org.
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By Aviva Shen
47 comments on "Why We May Be in Store for a Passionless Presidential Race"
November 13, 2011 3:28pm
Then the Republicans win. If It comes down to the lesser of two evils I'll take the Democrats anyday! We must vote!!
Sadly the lesser of evils will be essentially identical in result. Time for a third viable choice I look to the horizon and await the new wave
November 13, 2011 8:46am
What Obama did was betray of tens of millions whom trusted him and supported him in 2008 election, beginning with his choices for his cabinet after his landslide victory. Who could imagine in his/her wildest dreams that Obama would select same old shit people like Hillary, Gate and Rice as agent of his so called “Change” administration? He simply lied to America times and times again, and for his self-interests and interests of corporate bosses, almost in every issue went to the bed with Republicans and betrayed progressive America. Obama was and is a total fraud and keeping him in White House would be same as trusting and sleeping with a poisonous snake in a bed and would be worse stupidity that Democrats can make. I suggest turning Election Day to biggest demonstration day at front of election sites and not voting would be best choice for 99% America. As few number of voters in election would seriously illegitimate election result no matter who wins, Mr. Pinocchio Obama or a fascist Republican counterpart. The only solution is continuation of street demonstration against our corrupt political system and not being fooled by most undemocratic election system like ours.
November 13, 2011 4:53pm
I agree with all you said. However, I have heard there is a new progressive party starting. I heard it on the radio, Norman Goldman was speaking of it a couple of days ago. We have a year. If we can recruit a decent candidate and get enough people from both sides who are sick of the constant violation of our national best interests by both parties, we could win. What I find interesting is the fact people on both sides of the political divide are equally fed up with the corporate oligarchy that is choking the lifeblood out of our economy, our way of living and future.
We used to have four major political parties, and we need to build at least four once again. Both democrats and republicans in office are equally corrupt and serve the same corporate interests at our expense.
November 13, 2011 7:49am
If you want passion, nominate Ron Paul as GOP candidate. Many states have open primaries. Think about it...
Ron Paul would challenge Obama on:
1. Our continued military presence and warfare overseas
2. Our continued war on drugs, here and abroad
3. Our continued war on terror, here and abroad
4. Our continued croney capitalistic relationship with the Federal Reserve
5. Our continued croney capitalistic relationship with Wall Street
6. Our continued lack of federal governmental transparency
7. Our continued reliance on counterproductive federal agencies
8. Our continued violations of Constitutional law and liberties
Wow! The list goes on. And no other GOP candidate would force a national dialogue on so many fundamentals. The MSM couldn't marginalize THE GOP candidate. Give Liberty a chance. Even if you're a democrat, please nominate Ron Paul. Otherwise, no matter who gets nominated, no matter who gets elected, 4 more years of pretty much same...
November 13, 2011 3:10am
Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) may be the only one who may have the courage to start articles of impeachment proceedings. He is the inspirational leader we need to be president of the US. Check out the NEED Act 2011 - FACT SHEET H.R. 2990, The National Emergency Employment Defense (NEED) Act of 2011 Congressman Dennis Kucinich’s Jobs Bill to Secure America’s Financial Sovereignty: The Debt Stops Here. Congressman Kucinich has introduced the NEED Act of 2011, a landmark bill to:
November 12, 2011 11:38pm
Amen to this writer, bayviewgallery, for telling it how it is. We need to get all of our people inspired, if not and the likes of any of the republicans now running for president. We have to get all of the poor, middle class, the spanish and hopefully the african americans out to vote, before we are left with not one lifeline to the people that are trully in need of help. This is unbelievable that the democrats are not ready to stand behind our President and get him reelected. Lord help us if the republicans take power and watch them cut every lifeline for our people that need a helping hand. If we can't get fired up for this election that is one of the most important in a long time. We cannot lose this election.
November 12, 2011 10:30pm
Obama promised change and he gave them change and compromised with the Republicans. Too bad they could never return the favor. Hope he has learned his lesson.
November 12, 2011 9:49pm
I think you do not understand the grave danger we are in if Obama remains in office one more month, never mind five more years. Obama is beating the drum for war with Iran at the urging of David Cameron just like Bush and Cheney beat the drum for war with Iraq at the urging of Tony Blair, both instances involve phony "evidence" of weapons of mass destruction. Iran is an entirely different situation than Iraq. It is a country with many powerful friends including Russia and China who both have nuclear weapons. It is not a joke to threaten Iran although the president is speaking frivolously about military options. It doesn't matter if we use Israel as the catalyst, it is still a US attack and it has the potential to develop into WWIII.
So I suggest instead of thinking about the dismal selection of candidates we have to choose from, that we find someone competent enough in the House of Representatives to begin an "inquiry of impeachment" which is the first step to removing Obama from office. Bruce Fein has already offered his services to any congressperson needing assistance drawing up articles of impeachment. This is not about Democratic or Republican maneuvering. This is about saving the world from a nuclear holocaust. I think we can all get passionate about that.
November 12, 2011 9:21pm
Do I wish my President had acted more boldly in the fights we all knew he couldn’t win? You betcha!
Will I vote for President Obama in 2012? You betcha!
Do the Democrats fold & bend like Mike McQueary? You betcha!
So, forget this polite political pretend & get down to the reality, America is not going to sit like sheep any longer. The anger, the hate, the violence is rising. We as a people are ready to strike out, with focus & vengeance. The Koch's et al know its coming. Have you seen them laughing & bragging in public lately, like before?
'We, the people' know where 'they' live; their children’s faces are not hidden mysteries, nor is their wealth unattainable. That is the cost they & their kind only understand and will pay. We will have media coverage of all that will transpire, slanted, and factual.
The passion will no longer be merely politically correct, vented into an arena of a controlled heated political discourse, but in the arenas where the masses ‘passion’ makes right crudly, blunt in an instant.
Do I expect the powers to circumvent or negate the inevitible? Nah. Wish they would? Yeah.
When the ‘passion’, the heat subsides, the wounded mended or incarcerated, America will be stronger, we will be America land of the free, home of the brave, just that much better, again.
Of the people, by the people and best of all…for the people.
God don’t bless America! ‘We, the people’…do!
Thanks, Robert Reich, you are a light, but some see by a different spectrum.
November 13, 2011 4:57pm
Why do you think Obama will do anything for the people? From day one, he has serve corporate interests at the expense of the people. I don't understand! I voted for him in 2008, but sure won't again! We need 3rd and 4th party candidates, I am done supporting the status quo. If you like the status quo, keep Obama, but don't expect the rest of us to follow suit. We are overdue for new political parties and a few decent candidates.
November 12, 2011 8:49pm
Mr. Reich is point on as usual But here is my never to be humble opinion. The Occupiers are having a General Assembly this July The different Occupy groups (over 1500 of them now throughout the us) have been axed to send two representatives (one male, one female) NOT from each county, NOT from each City, but from EACH Congressional District (House Districts) in the USA!What do you think they have in mind? I think they are going elect themselves to Congress! Remember, they fit exactly into the Age group at which Candidates for office are eligible - 25 years old to be a House Rep, 30 to be a Senator! which is the age bracket of the Millinials of which the Occupiers are mainly composed They have figured out why fight City Hall when you can in fact BECOME city hall which is exactly what I think they have in mind. And they will run as Independents, the fastest growing sector of voters.People are so fed up with the establishment that I think the youngters are going to win by a landslide There is no way they can do a worse job, but have every reason to do a great job - their survival
November 13, 2011 4:58pm
Sounds good to me, I'm all about it! Thanks for the good information.
November 12, 2011 8:51pm
wonderful comment
November 12, 2011 8:39pm
I am not passionless about Obama. I love Mr. Reich's writing and agree with a lot of this but I think he is unfair in many of the things he says about the President. He knows full well that constitutionally Pres.Obama cannot do it on his own. He and the Democrats have been hamstrung and knee-capped repeatedly with record numbers of filibusters used for nothing more than to totally stop government in its tracks. Can you imagine how frustrating for the President and Democrats in Congress and Senate ; how mentally exhausting it must be to try to persuade the other side when they've made it clear they will not agree to anything you want just to get see you fail..and that you know they don't care if the country fails with you, but you care so you try to save what little you can. There was phenomenal progress made in the first two years, there is a long list of accomplishments by this President since he's been in office, and yet it is never enough, and spoiled brats and lazy people scream "why hasn't he done it all?" Where were you in 2010? Were you pissed off and sitting it out or "making a stupid point" with the RWNJ Teapartiers just to show the Pres. and Dems a lesson? If you lay down with dogs, you WILL get fleas and that is exactly what many did in 2010 much to our dismay...and now we are infested with people who will take the country down just to have their way. We heard "Why didn't he get single payer?" (not enough support) = I'll show him and not vote. We heard "Why didn't he close Guantanamo?" (Congress wouldn't let him) = I'll show him and vote in the Tea Party. People, for Gods sake, have you seen what's been happening lately. People have gotten engaged in their government and thing are changing. Stop whining and get out in the streets and register voters, Occupy something, get out and vote in every election, run for office. Get off you whiny knees and take your country where it needs to go. Stop watching Reality TV and watch CSPAN and then call your Senators and Congressman and tell them what you want. Write them, email them, tweet them...all the time. Everyday. Go to the Whitehouse.gov site and tell the President too. Stop watching "Dancing with the Stars" and call your government officials instead. The Obama Campaign was never "yes, HE can" it was "YES WE CAN...but once the 2008 election was over "WE" went missing in action.
November 12, 2011 10:57pm
Dear Donna M Crane,
Issue is not what Obama did not do because he could not do it constitutionally, issue is what he did was betray of tens of millions whom trusted him and supported him in 2008 election, beginning with his choices for his cabinet after his landslide victory. Who could imagine in his/her wildest dreams that Obama would select same old shit people like Hillary, Gate and Rice as agent of his so called “Change” administration? He simply lied to America times and times again, and for his self-interests and interests of corporate bosses, almost in every issue went to the bed with Republicans and betrayed progressive America. Obama was and is a total fraud and keeping him in White House would be same as trusting and sleeping with a poisonous snake in a bed and would be worse stupidity that Democrats can make. I suggest turning Election Day to biggest demonstration day at front of election sites and not voting would be best choice for 99% America. As few number of voters in election would seriously illegitimate election result no matter who wins, Mr. Pinocchio Obama or a fascist Republican counterpart. The only solution is continuation of street demonstration against our corrupt political system and not being fooled by most undemocratic election system like ours.
November 12, 2011 8:38pm
I had high hope for Obama when he first got into office. I still believe that he is the best of any of the candidates or potential candidates. I continue to hope that he will make a stand against the entrenched interests who have virtually taken over this country. In addition, I have hope that the "occupy" movement will coalesce into a force that cannot be stopped by big money. It is time for the majority to stand up and be counted. It is evident that the majority of the people are not regressive and that they will finally see that the nut jobs who have taken over the right are treated as they deserve, with contempt and incredulity as to how anyone can truly think as they purport to do. In this country there are myriads of thinking, critical people. Surely we can do better for candidates than the current crop.
November 12, 2011 6:05pm
Seattle-Sal, you are so right on. The Conservative big money boys will keep up their full court press to continue to remove our liberties and relieve our bank accounts of all our dinero they can. 2012 is the time to send them to the showers and elect a congress that will work for the 99%.
November 12, 2011 4:07pm
Nice summary, Bayviewgallery. I believe President Obama is learning that he must change his style - getting tougher will get him more votes. He's learning: putting off until after the election a decision on Keystone was a great sign. I love Robert Reich, and I believe he's goading the President a bit here. He may expect our President to come out really swinging, after the rope-a-dope, so to speak. And Occupy will give him a huge boost before this is over.
November 12, 2011 11:06pm
Dear Jamicha,
Once being fooled by an agent of fraud like Obama is understandable but twice, is absolute stupidity and total madness. He is a total fraud and his recent shows are as much disingenuous as his so called promises of "Changes" in 2008. The Guy is no different than Bush, only is more intelligent and so more dangerous.
November 12, 2011 2:30pm
Voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil. Vote Green or Libertarian or whatever your leanings are. That's the ONLY way we will ever break the corporate funded two-party system.
November 12, 2011 2:23pm
Until we change the puppetmaster, how can we expect the puppets to behave any differently.
November 13, 2011 4:58pm
Excellent point.
November 12, 2011 4:48pm
Reply to MC Henry:
Ah, but WHO is the puppet master, and WHO s the puppet?
Is the puppetmaster just someone else's puppet? WHO then pulls HIS strings?
The Preamble of the US Constitution begins with 3 simple words:
"We the People..."
November 12, 2011 2:26pm
I Voted for and will vote again for our president , and I am sick of Our President being insulted by the right and the left. He has tried to do a public option ,he has tried to pass many economic and jobs bills, he has tried over 68 times at last count and been filibustered.He has while addressing congress for the first time in history been called a liar.He has been all but called a nig23r .He has been insulted disrespected and had to stop the worst financial disaster in history .He has had all of his judicial nominees blocked by the REPUBLICAN Party . He as a president can do very little without congress and the senate and he has bent over backwards to gain the votes he needed. it became clear that he could do absolutely nothing to get the votes and after having the very people that got him into office turning their pathetic ignorant asses on him by either sitting out the election or voting in More filibustering obstructionists to make his job even harder because they listened to dim wit news media that said he had not done anything for jobs or the economy . The president cannot miraculously sign anything he wants into law, the president cannot force the law for a public option and since more ignorant people listened to the likes of fox spews they thought the government take over was bad , even though medicare is a public option they like . And If you think things are bad now imagine the likes of Romney , Cain or Perry attending a diplomatic summit when crucial decisions about our role in the world will take place spewing their ignorant bs. Obama is not the lesser of two evils He is a good president lacking the support he should have been given by us the voters. By the way look at his 100's of accomplishments that you wont hear about in the news.
November 13, 2011 2:20am
BAYVIEWGALLERY, I cannot disagree more.
You are sick of "Our President" being insulted by the right and the left? I'm sick of apologists and enablers of the faux left inventing endless excuses for the cynical bait-and-switch presidency of Barack Obama. No matter what the obstructionist schemes of the Republicans, Obama entered office with a powerful mandate for fundamental changes in our economy, our regulatory environment, our foreign policies and war-making, and in the lack of accountability among business and political elites.
By refusing to use the power he had at the beginning of his presidency, he squandered any chance he might have had for achieving real change, along with his congressional majorities. He refused to use the bully pulpit. He gave away the store before he even sat down at any bargaining table. He allowed a feckless and cowardly Democratic congressional caucus to dither endlessly. Then when it was obvious that he was totally abdicating his responsibilities as the head of his party, he jumped in to join them in needlessly trading away the hopes and desires of his base and calling it "victory".
And you are delusional if you believe that Obama "tried to do a public option." That was the cruelest bait-and-switch of all. He NEVER "tried". He talked and equivocated and murmured stuff about sort-of, kind-of "believing" that a public option was a good thing, but he NEVER made it a demand. It was off the table, along with competitive pricing for drugs, before he even entered office. It was a total non-starter because Obama lied about almost everything he really wanted to accomplish. He's an intelligent man. I can't believe that his abysmal negotiating record is a result of accident or incompetence. Obama has gotten the results he wanted in the first place. I can forgive trying and failing. I can't forgive not trying at all and apparently not even wanting to try.
And why don't we look at what "Our President" might have accomplished purely on his own, by executive order and executive appointments. Despite all his campaign talk about accountability, he immediately abandoned any thought of "looking back," as he termed it, and staffed his administration with the perpetrators of our woes left over from the Bush years. Geithner, Bernanke, Summers, Gates. Did he demand that his Attorney General pursue justice by opening Grand Jury investigations of the companies and executives who caused a global financial meltdown through clearly criminal fraud? No, he made sure that real reform of our banking and finance system remains toothless, a Potemkin Village reform. Instead, he set his Justice Department on a ruthless hunt for good-government whistle-blowers.
Did he have the cojones to do what he said he'd do regarding Guantanamo Bay? Torture? Ending useless wars? No. He's doubled down on Bush's original bets and invented even more ways to inflate the imperial presidency. This is the president who claims the right to be sole judge, jury and executioner of American citizens, smashing through a Sixth Amendment barrier not breached even by Bush and Cheney.
By adopting and extending the abuses of the Bush/Cheney torture/rendition/detention regime, Obama has made these radical policies into the New Normal by affording them bipartisan legitimacy. He promised openness and transparency, and we got even more secrecy and subterfuge. He's totally fine with the Patriot Act, illegal government eavesdropping, spying on American citizens and upholding Bush's assaults on the Fourth Amendment. This is the man who was supposed to be a Constitutional Law professor?
Then there's the president's support for more of the damned trade bills that have hollowed out our economy and sent jobs overseas forever. Now that he looking 2012 defeat in the face, he's suddenly touring the country talking about jobs after spending the last three years ignoring the subject and fretting instead about the need for austerity.
And what can you say about a Democratic president who's hell-bent on so-called Grand Bargains to gut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and any hope of a social safety net in favor of cruel austerity regimes that benefit the wealthy elites? Talk to me about all the Obama caves on everything, including extension of the Bush tax cuts, idiot debt-ceiling bargains, and on and on.
All of these things were acts of commission or omission by "Our President" -- all by himself. He wasn't forced into any of it by the Republicans.
Obama is emphatically NOT a good president who "lacks the support he should have been given by us the voters." He had plenty of support. It got him elected with impressive majorities. He allowed OFA to get reduced into a dumb cheerleading squad/campaign ATM.
As for those "100's of accomplishments," I'm sorry but given the enormity of this country's problems, the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is nice, but if you don't have a job and can't get one, it's small beer that just fills up a one-term presidential resume.
I'm tired of voting for the lesser of two evils. I'm tired of betraying my own principles. I'm tired of being made to vote out of fear and loathing. I'm tired of the bait-and-switch.
I won't vote for Obama in 2012. I'll vote for the Green candidate, or the Socialist, or do a write-in rather than reward betrayal with my vote. I expect to be stabbed in the front by the Republican. Please explain why it's better to get stabbed in the back by the Democrat.
November 12, 2011 4:55pm
"He has had all of his judicial nominees blocked ..."
Baloney. Both of his Supreme Court nominations were confirmed.
November 12, 2011 4:45pm
Reply to Bayviewgallery:
Well said and I agree.
November 12, 2011 2:50pm
The democrats could have changed the rules in 2008 (and again in 2010) to end the useless filibuster (that they've been too damn timid to use anyway!)
But they didn't.
As for Obama -- giving up 90%+ of the loaf as his INITIAL "negotiating position" can hardly be called "trying to pass" anything...
November 12, 2011 2:15pm
Amen Sal....Will sensible people stand up to these bigoted ass----s? Will somebody trace their many connections and possibly illegal activities?
November 12, 2011 2:09pm
Your article hits the nail on the head. I too want a passionate leader for America, one with fire in his or her belly in the best causes. One that will build instead of destroy. The democrats have to find a way to get with, or catch up to the occupiers and 99% er's. There is an opportunity here to restart progress unlike anything seen in decades. Obama is a smart man, surly he sees this. He can have the most historicly significant second term if he just gets on side. Not only could he be remembered as the fist black President, but he could be remembered as the best president of the still new century. If he can get onside and show the passion he did in his first election.
November 12, 2011 4:43pm
Reply to Tryder:
A Congress and Senate full of real progressives would go a long way to accomplish this.
November 12, 2011 2:00pm
Don't know what Reich was thinking when he criticized Obama for not "assert[ing] his constitutional responsibility to raise the debt limit." Has done many things wrong, but he has no authority under the Constitution to raise the debt limit. While I am a social liberal, deficit spending year after year is one of the most irresponsible acts that government can engage in.
November 12, 2011 4:42pm
Reply to Noblestar:
No. Starting unprovoked wars and paying for them with unbudgeted money is the most irresponsible act that government can engage in.
November 12, 2011 2:51pm
Actually, it was UNCONSTITUTIONAL of Congress to pass a phony "debt ceiling" in the first place.
Obama COULD have ignored it and spent the money that Congress already committed him to spend!
November 12, 2011 1:58pm
Once the debates start I think Obama's campaign supporters will start to come out. Romney's flip-flopping on so many issues will be hard for him to defend, and Obama can be seen as a president who went ahead and did what he could without the support of a do-nothing Congress. He's finally starting to take a harder stance and has begun an offensive agenda, rather than the pathetic defensive and compromising position he's taken in the past. If he holds firm on progressive issues, I think he'll get his fans back.
November 12, 2011 1:55pm
Okay, to me this is an obviously-overlooked question, but there's an overshadowing feeling that there's some senseless political "rule" that I'm not seeing. But... why the hell is there only a Republican set of candidates? Why must we be watching this clown-show with nobody we can really root for? Why isn't there a Democratic candidate, or perhaps even a candidate from another party? I don't get it. I'd been watching these news posts hoping to see something from the other sides...
(BTW, something about logging in causes the post to get discarded... good thing I've got Lazarus with Chrome. Eek!)
Www.amerianselect.org- a truly democratic way to nominate a presidential candidate- on the ballot in all 50 states.
November 12, 2011 1:40pm
I know it is hard to overcome our conditioning, but there IS a choice between a spineless coward and and a foolish wastrel:
Keep voting for more of the same and that is exactly what you'll get.
I will not vote for a candidate I cannot trust.
I will not vote for a candidate I cannot believe in.
I will not vote for the "lesser of two evils"; I will not vote for evil at all.
I will not vote for a candidate who shows loyalty to the 1% over the 99%.
I will not vote for a candidate out of fear.
I am very disappointed and ashamed of the direction which my country has followed, but I am still an American.
I know that my country has more to offer than untrustworthy candidates.
I know that my country can produce a candidate who believes in the 99%.
I have faith that America can be someplace worthy of pride again someday.
America needs change. America may be going through some bad times - perhaps the worst she has ever had to face - but America is capable of producing a candidate who meets all my requirements - and more!
I will not vote for the wrong candidate - I will not let America down.
I will not vote for Obama OR for Romney!
November 13, 2011 5:01pm
You said it all. Thanks! I feel exactly the same way. Time for new political parties and some decent candidates.
November 12, 2011 2:31pm
It sounds like you should vote for the Green candidate. If we all did, there would be change.
November 12, 2011 1:23pm
The subtext to this op-ed piece (all true, but nothing much new) is the failure of the American two-party system. It is almost as bad as the one-party systems that prevailed in places like Saddam's Iraq and the former Soviet Union. Most democracies worthy of the name allow minority parties to elect candidates (to nationwide office, not just local posts) and participate in the formation of governments. The "Tea Party" never was an actual party; the Green Party, the Libertarians etc. are, but they can't influence elections beyond the local level. It's mostly about the money, but not entirely. Other countries require their mass media to give FREE coverage to candidates' position speeches, as well as allowing them to buy advertising. The American public theoretically owns the airwaves, but you'd never know it; in practice, they're controlled by the same corporations who run the Republican party and come close to running the Democrats.
November 12, 2011 2:54pm
And so the Kabuki theater which is the corporate-funded, owned and managed farce of an "electoral" system in USAmerica rolls right along...
This time, it's to be "boring"...
November 12, 2011 2:52pm
It IS a one party system...
The two-right-wings of the Corporate War Party...
November 12, 2011 1:12pm
I voted for Obama in 08 because he inspired me.....I will vote for Obama in 12 because there is no one else. Boldness of a Kennedy, or the fortitude of FDR, or the calm brillance of Lincoln, simply does not exist on todays political stage. Instead, all we have are nutjobs, and placaters to Corporate power and wealth. Neither major political Party is aligned to the PEOPLE of these United States, rather they take their marching orders from the money that lines their election warchests, given by the very richest. I dream for nothing!
November 12, 2011 11:15pm
Dear Tom Melvin,
Once being fooled by an agent of fraud like Obama is understandable but twice, is absolute stupidity and total madness. He is a total fraud and his recent shows are as much disingenuous as his so called promises of "Changes" in 2008. The Guy is no different than Bush, only is more intelligent and so more dangerous.
Obama was and is a total fraud and keeping him in White House would be same as trusting and sleeping with a poisonous snake in a bed and would be worse stupidity that Democrats can make. I suggest turning Election Day to biggest demonstration day at front of election sites and not voting would be best choice for 99% America. As few number of voters in election would seriously illegitimate election result no matter who wins, Mr. Pinocchio Obama or a fascist Republican counterpart. The only solution is continuation of street demonstration against our corrupt political system and not being fooled by most undemocratic election system like ours.
November 12, 2011 1:00pm
Hi
One group that will not be "Passionless" in 2012 will be The Koch Bros., and other deep-pocketed Big Biz Operatives, who's Corporate Offices are Wall-Papered with enlarged copies of the 5/4 Citizens United SupCourt's Unlimited Political Hunting License.
Seattle-Sal