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Sanders: Obama Has Tragically Lost the Youth, Antagonized Unions
A trio of the Senate's leading progressives expressed concern on Wednesday that President Obama has squandered the transformational political coalition that propelled him into office, concluding that he will pay a price for it.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., center, accompanied by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., left, and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 2, 20010, to discuss the the extension of unemployment benefits. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg) Speaking at a progressive media summit, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) called it a "tragic mistake" that the White House fruitlessly chased Republican votes on health care rather than take advantage of the ripe environment to pass legislation.
"What is very sad is we had hopes that [the] election was transformational in the sense of bringing people into the political process who have never been in it before," Sanders said. "I tried very hard in Vermont to bring young people into the political process. It is very hard to do. Obama did it. But you know where those young people are now? They are not in the political process. They really aren't. We have lost them. We have antagonized trade unionists. We have not done well with seniors. I don't think we have done well with women. And I think that was a tragic mistake."
Certainly, the Vermont Independent was tossing red meat to the liberal crowd. A cadre of bloggers, talk show hosts and radio personalities at the forum repeatedly pressed the senators in attendance to be more aggressive at selling the Democratic agenda -- whether on television or in discussions with the White House.
Alongside Sanders, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) acknowledged that the president's commitments, specifically in regard to health care reform, had come up short. Discussing the idea of Medicare expansion, he said that the Senate didn't have the will to pursue such a policy because "the president wasn't going to fight for it."
"I know that a lot of you are discouraged about what has happened in the last year," Brown said. "Discouraged that the conservative, moderate wing of the Democratic Party too often seems to holds sway over both caucuses."
Echoing the Ohio Democrat, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich), admitted that frictions exist within the party over the best path of governance. And, as a result, the message and achievements suffered.
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"Not only do we struggle among ourselves because of our differences. But we are not all on the same page all the time," she said.
The harshest indictment (certainly when it came to assessing the job done by the president) was delivered by Sanders. The Vermonter proclaimed that it was a tactical error to start the health care process by stressing the need for legislation to get 60 votes. And he called it only practical that constituencies -- most prominently the nation's youth and its union members -- will sour on the president after he backtracked on campaign promises.
"I happen to believe that Obama ran the best campaign I've seen in my lifetime," Sanders said. 'I think the mistake was made after the election -- that we forget about the grassroots in this country, we forget about the trade unions and we say to them, 'Well, when we campaigned we [were] telling you we were opposed to McCain's tax on health care benefits, but now we have changed our mind.'"
"I think what we have got to re-engage in, is a progressive clear agenda," he added. "I think we have got to go out and rally the American people, get the young people involved again... and engage the grassroots in this country in a significant political battle as we bring forward simple straightforward progressive legislation that takes on the special interests."
69 Comments so far
Show AllAll that is missing is the theme song: the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again."
I e-mailed my two US Senators this morning and told them to support the real healthcare reform that Sanders (and Kucinich and Grayson in the House) are advocating, and to reject Obamacare.
Please contact your two Senators and advise them to support Sanders, especially if one of them is up for re-election this year.
If Obamacare gets signed into law, healthcare reform will be set back 50 years.
Fire it up!
Let's help Obama move back to progressive politics. Barack go with your heart not with your centrist advisors and your pragmatism.
You don't get it. He is going with his heart. He was a corporatist from day one, and never had anything but contempt for the progressive left. When he's kicked out in 2012 he will be replaced with a Republican who's just as conservative as he is.
Your comment is better than mine. The proof is in where the treasure has gone.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Joe
During the campaign and during his first year in office, every time FOX or the Repugs (one and the same, I know) called Obama a liberal, Obama responded by moving further to the right. There appears to be no limit to how far right Obama will move!
I think he left his heart somewhere along the trail to success.
Joe
Obama never really WAS into progressive politics, nor did he have the heart for them. He is and was a fraud from the get-go.
Obama is not progressive and probably never was. Politics selects for the sociopathic personality and, in the end, that's what Obama turned out to be. The Democrats believe wholeheartedly that progressives have nowhere else to go and will, when standing in the voting booth this November and in 2012, vote for them even while holding their noses. You do have somewhere else to go - third parties or just stay home if your conscience tells you there is no one and nothing you can support. I'm sorry to keep harping on this. Honor is real, not some false concept. Things are so bad now, so horrible, that to continue to vote for Democrats is to dishonor yourself. Don't do it any longer.
"go with your heart"
He has. His heart is with Wall St. MIC, Big Pharma, the insurance cartel, etc.
He's not even a centrist--He's a Republican.
Please--open your eyes.
"Not only do we struggle among ourselves because of our differences. But we are not all on the same page all the time," she (Senator Stabnow) said.
There doesn't seem to be much of a struggle among you when it comes to handing taxpayer money over to corporations via TARP/TALF bailouts along with dumping their worthless assets into Fannie and Freddie for the taxpayers to pick-up.
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves, in the course of time, a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." Frederic Bastiat - Economist
If the leaders on Capitol Hill were actually there to promote the well-being of the citizens in this country, wouldn't they more often than not be on the same page?
Or wars or destruction of civil rights or .....
Indeed!
Just stabmenow!
"I happen to believe that Obama ran the best campaign I've seen in my lifetime..." I agree that Obama's campaign to get elected was the best organized, most skillful effort I have ever seen in the public or private spheres. He knew exactly who to appoint to get the job done. He had the cash, some of it from the people, and a lot of it from insurance, banking and military contractors.
The job was to get himself elected by utilizing the population's disgust at George Bush's policies. He did that despite the legacy of racism in this country.
Obama's post-election activities were just as deliberate and skilled. There were no "mistakes". He quickly changed gears to collaborate with his important backers - the banksters, the corporate CEOs and weapons manufacturers that brought us to economic and moral disintegration. He admires these people and wants to be one of their savvy crew. He showered them with trillions, money that is still not completely accounted. He knew exactly who to appoint to get the job done (like disbursing the cash) and who to appoint to make sure certain jobs never got done (like tracing the cash). He made it clear that anyone in his administration that did not walk the line would be immediately excessed.
The critical issues like job creation and ending the war became grist for an enormous spinmill. The housing and health emergencies have become fields for waffling, deception and benign neglect. Environmental and food issues have been turned over to Monsanto and Cargill. Banks have not been subject to meaningful regulations. Civil liberties abuses have continued, and if anything, become more ingrained after failure to hold anyone above the level of field soldier accountable for torture.
Obama is not hapless. He is just amoral in his service of the ultra rich.
Joe
Thank you. That was a perfect description of our fearless leader, and a good indication of our prospects down the road.
I liked your analysis -- except where you say:
"The job was to get himself elected by utilizing the population's disgust at George Bush's policies." ...
His campaign did far, far more than that and therein lies the dispicable nature of this man and why the damage he has done is so immense.
A flim-flam man to the marrow, he won by tapping into the hope, dreams and beliefs of millions, many of whom were participating in the political process for the first time -- many more who were giving it one more chance. He manipulated the image with malicious, deceitful and hypocritical intent.
I've lived through Nixon, Reagan and the Bushmen -- but this creep is the worst of them all because of the enormous psychic devastation he has wrought.
Correction enthusiastically accepted.
Joe
Z-Man,
I agree with you.
"...as we bring forward simple straightforward progressive legislation that takes on the special interests."
If only, Bernie. Where is this simple legislation?
Medicare Part E for Everyone? That's pretty simple.
A transaction tax on derivatives? Pretty simple.
Publicly funded election campaigns? The legislation is written and law in some cities. Simply introduce it to the nation.
I love ya, Bernie, but you're beginning to sound like a broken record: We got to... We need to... We got to... We need to... (Ad infinitum, ad nauseum.)
WTF are you waiting for?
Oh, I see from Stabenow's statement "...we are not all on the same page all the time," that we can expect a never-ending search for this "simple straightforward progressive legislation."
Great, our democracy crumbles while you 'progressives' dither.
In all fairness to Sanders, if he introduced any of that legislation, Harry Reid would make sure it never saw daylight.
Yes, probably true, corvo. I just feel frustrated with Sanders continuous use of the future tense.
Believe me, I understand.
Sanders could have fought harder and like Kucinich (and even Massa), he could have voted NO on this health cartel scam. Now he's poking Kucinich in the eye to tow the Dem Party line on the healthcare bill.
Shame on Sanders!
I understand he wanted clinic funding for Vermont--that was his excuse for voting YES. He could have come out to the people--you and me--and stated that he doesn't want this bill but he needs funding for clinics in VT. He could have asked us to help him and in turn he would vote NO.
He could have raised MILLIONS from real progressives from all over the country (much like Keith Olberman did for those clinics)--and he could have killed this bill as a thank you.
I would have sent monies to VT clinics--the fool, he could have gotten more from us had he stuck to his supposed progressive social values.
Thanks to Sanders, this bill might see the light of day.
I think that progressives should form a coalition to never vote for a democrat again. We were all DUPED. I knocked on over 5,000 doors for Obo, through a union community organizing group, Working America.
There's not much of a difference between dems and republicans. There's only one party and its the business party.
The dems pander to progressives to get their votes but then shut the door on us when they win.
Never again. I will never vote for a democrat again.
My feelings exactly.
I hate to say, I know how you feel. and I voted Nader!. I just wish I could have convinced more.
We all have Blood on our hands! He needs to be Impeached and Both the Houses strungup and horse-whipped for all the years of making this happen.
Extra Stripes for NAFTA and Globalisation initives.
Extra Stripes for voting against Citizens vs Ilegals (Race Notwithstanding)
(We now have 15 million insergents with unknown loyalties in our country)
Is this Protecting and Defending the People and the Constitution of the USA??
Extra Stripes for every year sitting around Blaiming someone else/Those I'll have to take right along with them. I also did nothing for too long!
I voted for Mr. Obama in 2008 even though I was fully aware of what he was going to do. My reason was not "voting for the lesser evil" but my deep conviction that it was time that our country had an African-American, even a semi one, as its president and that there were no other potentially successful candidates in sight for another generation. When the results came in I decided that "race" would never play a role in my voting decisions again. I may, however, be swayed to vote for a potentially successful woman candidate because it is equally high time that an end must come to this abysmally dismal male domination of the job. As long as most voters continue to be willing to be duped such a vote does not do any additional harm anyway. After that or if there is no electable woman running I will vote third parties or independent candidates of my choice.
I voted for Obama too.
I had real hope--but then again there were red flags I had ignored--he took no brave stand on health care and the whole FISA thing. I would not have imagined in my wildest dreams he would be as he turned out--like Bush--even worse.
During 2006-08, I was watching the MSM, so I missed the boat. This last year, I have learned so much--especially from you guys and Democracynow.org.
I'm so sad that I was so ignorant and voted for this man.
I fear that health insurance cartel bill is going to pass.
What the hell will we do?
I helped elect this asshole--I have blood on my hands.
How I envy those who knew better than I--those who stayed home or voted Green, Nader or Indy.
Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get active in the Green Party today.
All are welcome!
It could be worse, at least he didn't send ACORN out to round up the White Devils! and suround himself with 60s Black Panther types. While Andy Stern/SEIU controls all from behind the curtin.
Cause he sold them out too! :)
whatever the results -- the fact of your knocking on thousands of doors --
I BOW to you !! what a person..!!
-"Echoing the Ohio Democrat, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich), admitted that frictions exist within the party over the best path of governance. And, as a result, the message and achievements suffered."
This is the difference between the Democrats, and supporters of real multi-party democracy. With the Democrats, they get elected and then say -"surprise! Some of us want a lot of change, some of us want a little change, and the rest want to joing with the Republicans and fight any change at all"
In a real multiparty system, the Dems would declare what they were going to do in advance such as improve the health system, any members not on board with the program could of course go join another party, or start another party if one didn't exist that matched their aspirations. If the Dems got a majority, as they have now, of course all their members would be on the same page to accomplish their stated goals. Then, if they pleased the voters, they would be in a position to win reelection. In such a multi-party system, voters have a real choice between competing parties with different goals.
-"Echoing the Ohio Democrat, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich), admitted that frictions exist within the party over the best path of governance. And, as a result, the message and achievements suffered."
I'm sorry frictions?? Hasn't Raulm been around to tell you need to shut the F*** up yet? Or were you not paying attention; as he wasn't shoving $110 bills in your bra while he was doing it?
Isn't that the way you get a Senators attention? stuff money in their pocket like a slot machine and hope the right wheels mesh-up?
"I happen to believe that Obama ran the best campaign I've seen in my lifetime," Sanders said.
At the time I called Obama's campaign "mostly hot air". Hot air always transforms into "cold air". The transformation began on day one of the Obama administration with certain cabinet appointments. If Sanders does not understand what happened he does not deserve to be re-elected because he will make the same dumb mistake again.
What would you prefer to be? An almost unknown freshman backbencher in the Senate or President of the United States? There's your answer about what happened Senator. Wake up man if you can.
"Obama ran the best campaign I've seen in my lifetime"
Actually his handlers ran "the best campaign", and Obama played his frontman role deftly.
Exactly.
Obomba ran the best con I have seen in my lifetime, mainly because he fooled sooooo many people and unlike Bush who stole two elections ( and I am not a Gore or Kerry fan, but would feel the same way if they stole the elections) Obomba did con enough people to win.
The financial meltdown in Sept. 08 didn't hurt Obama's prospects either.
Since Sanders voted for the corporate Senate Health Bill, he lost all credibility with me. Just another forked tongue corporate 'yes' man.
Thank you.Tony
MUSTBEFREE I like your name its synonymous with life force in terms of imagery.
it's that flame that fire of life verses that fire of fear & denial & in evolutionary terms that's what we need stayfree.
In soulidarity
Bodihawk,
Indeed.
Sanders is a forked-tongue CORPORATE yes man. Not only did he vote YES for that insurance cartel giveaway--he now has jumped on Kucinich for not towing the Party line.
I used to like Sanders, not anymore.
Bernie Sanders= a paper tiger
Sad but true.
Some Elected Misrepresentatives are obviously Gone Over to the Dark Side, and for all practical purposes are Pod People, Borg, wraiths, hagridden. Or they're plodding, shallow time-servers simply lacking depth of character, intellectual acumen, or a capacity for high-mindedness.
OTOH, Sanders, Feingold, Kucinich and a few others seem to maintain a vestige of true humanity and decency. They palpably suffer for the sins of the corrupted, predatory, and parasitic institutions to which they belong.
I daresay one of the reasons this group remains appealing is because at least they show some angst or agony; we can identify with their exasperation and respect them for feeling it.
But by their fruits shall ye know them. I agree that one cannot overlook or excuse Sanders' taking a dive during his single-payer crusade last December. I'm sure he's a great guy, and he may be doing the best he can under overwhelmingly adverse circumstances.
But when push comes to shove, the best intentions and aspirations of this group are invariably marginalized-- and they either capitulate or are written off in a flurry of corporate-media enhanced disapprobation.
Actions squeak louder than words.
I saw o for what he was early in the 2008 campaign season when he sided with corporate america and aipac which sent my vote to nader.
And I am disappointed that sanders didn't detect this and from inauguration time starting with the financial appointments and leaving gates as s.o.d should have raised some alarm bells.
But now, and I am hoping it isn't too late, these 'independent' progressives seem to be calling our esteemed president out on 'just what in the hell is he doing?' and it sure as hell should be waking more people up to the ludicrousness of the republican or democrat idea of government as there are a lot of other differing and most likely better ideologies that need the light of day and air time on a most corrupt msm.
My optimism is that more people, young and old, will see what the corporations have bought via their lobbyists and will give thought to other alternatives, but I also know it is a mighty task to wean addicts away from their addictions and getting people to wake up and think for themselves instead of letting the msm do it is far and beyond just a Herculean task.
I don't think you can harness the optimism of youth, and then stab them in the back so quickly, so repeatedly, and expect them to come back.
I don't know of anyone that supports the Democrats in their desire to make the republicans happy with everything they do, and yet, the Democrats keep flaunting their collusion with the Republican at each step as a good thing.
Well, actually, it is getting harder and harder to find people I know that support Democrats in general. I guess that is why these types of articles are coming out. They screwed us. They screwed up. They know it.
Elections are coming, now they are scared because they have nothing to show for their time in charge of the government.
"...they have nothing to show for their time in charge.." Unfortunately, they have a lot to show, and most of it is repulsive.
Sure it's like Bush, never left. Just steped out of the room
A trio of the Senate's leading progressives expressed concern on Wednesday that President Obama has squandered the transformational political coalition that propelled him into office, concluding that he will pay a price for it.
Abandon the Democrats!
"Negroes in the United States read the history of labor and find it mirrors their own experience. We are confronted by powerful forces telling us to rely on the good will and understanding of those who profit by exploiting us [...] They are shocked that action organizations, sit-ins, civil disobedience and protests are becoming our everyday tools, just as strikes, demonstrations and union organization became yours to insure that bargaining power genuinely existed on both sides of the table [...] Our needs are identical to labor's needs: decent wages, fair working conditions, livable housing, old age security, health and welfare measures [...] That is why the labor-hater and labor-baiter is virtually always a twin-headed creature spewing anti-Negro epithets from one mouth and anti-labor propaganda from the other mouth." – Dr. Martin Luther King, "If the Negro Wins, Labor Wins", December 11, 1961
* * * * * * *
Fifty years later, the unions are all but gone, so, from the perspective of the victorious predator overclass, the rest of us are now all "Negroes". This has been our national progress, moving steadily to restoration of an antebellum structure of wealth and power.