Obama’s blunt message for Democrats: ‘Toughen up’

Obama’s comments come as the Democratic Party searches for its path forward in the second Trump term and beyond. Many in the party’s base have called for a more forceful response from Democratic leaders at a time when the party is locked out of power.

As Democrats debate who should lead the party, Obama encouraged them to channel their energy into the governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia, saying the off-year elections could be “a big jumpstart for where we need to go.”

“Stop looking for the quick fix. Stop looking for the messiah. You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates,” Obama said, calling out the New Jersey and Virginia elections, according to the excerpts of his remarks.

“Make sure that the DNC has what it needs to compete in what will be a more data-driven, more social media-driven cycle, which will cost some money and expertise and time,” he continued.

Obama spoke at a private fundraiser hosted by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife, Tammy Murphy, at their home in Red Bank, New Jersey. The intimate dinner drew in $2.5 million through in-person and online donations for the Democratic National Committee, a source familiar with the event said.

A portion of the haul will be allocated to Democratic efforts in the governor’s race in New Jersey. The Democratic nominee, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and and DNC Chair Ken Martin were on hand for the event.

Obama described Sherrill and former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor in Virginia, as “powerful spokespersons for a pragmatic, commonsense desire to help people and who both have remarkable track records of service.”

“The most important thing you can do right now is to help the team, our candidate to win,” he said. “And we’ve got to start building up our coffers in the DNC.”

Obama also argued that Democrats need to focus on how to “deliver for people,” acknowledging the different views within the party about how best to do that.

“There’s been, I gather, some argument between the left of the party and people who are promoting the quote-unquote abundance agenda. Listen, those things are not contradictory. You want to deliver for people and make their lives better? You got to figure out how to do it,” he said.

“I don’t care how much you love working people. They can’t afford a house because all the rules in your state make it prohibitive to build. And zoning prevents multifamily structures because of NIMBY,” he said, referring to “not in my backyard” views. “I don’t want to know your ideology, because you can’t build anything. It does not matter.”

Obama has spoken selectively since Trump’s return to power in January. He has criticized the president’s tariff policy and warned the White House was infringing on Americans’ rights. Last month, Obama warned the country was “dangerously close” to a more autocratic government.

At the closed-press fundraiser on Friday, the former president said he has not been “surprised by what Trump’s done” or that “there are no more guardrails within the Republican Party.” He repeated his calls for institutions, including law firms and universities, to push back on intimidation efforts by the Trump administration.

“What’s being asked of us is make some effort to stand up for the things that you think are right. And be willing to be a little bit uncomfortable in defense of your values. And in defense of the country. And in defense of the world that you want to leave to your children and your grandchildren,” he said. “And if we all do that, if we do our jobs over the next year and a half, then I think we will rebuild momentum and we will position ourselves to get this country moving in the direction it should.”

He’s right.

Obama sounds like the Cowardly Lions 🦁 speech in The Wizard of Oz.

How brave of him to speak at a private fundraiser. Such sharp words! Maybe he and Chuck Schumer could get together and write a strongly worded guest editorial for [italic]The New York Times[/italic] website.

Where the FUCK has he been for the past ten years?

It's been nearly a decade since he left office, and in that time:

- No memoir has been published, despite a hefty book deal to do so

- His sketchy "semi-public" library is years away from completion

- His numerous Netflix payola shows were duds

- The Fat Shitbag has undone almost every facet of his presidency, and he hasn't said a word

Fucking hell. At least the Clintons popped up to give paid speeches after they left the White House. What's this guy been doing with his days?

Should have told Merrick Garland to Toughen Up and do his job.

[quote] “I don’t care how much you love working people. They can’t afford a house because all the rules in your state make it prohibitive to build. And zoning prevents multifamily structures because of NIMBY,” he said, referring to “not in my backyard” views. “I don’t want to know your ideology, because you can’t build anything. It does not matter.”

I completely disagree with this.

We don't need more construction.

Construction is booming, and yet condos and housing developments are sitting empty.

It is not a "housing shortage." It's PRICE GOUGING.

These politicians like Obama are lying to people. Or he's completely out of touch.

The housing crisis is being driven by GREED.

Corporate and persona GREED.

Exhorbitant and unrealistic rental and purchase prices are pricing nearly everyone out of the market.

Not to mention corporations buying up all the real estate in a community, and then selling it back to them at double or triple the price.

THIS IS THE REAL PROBLEM.

R7 Yell a little louder, grandpa. In my ear that's NOT bleeding!

That's rich coming from the founder of the Catfood Commission. What was the first thing Obama did as president? Spit in the eye of the people who voted for him -- all that hope and change! -- by sucking up to Republicans.

Bitch, you better not be talking to me. You need to be talking to the weak and useless democratic politicians who are doing NOTHING. They only care about illegal immigrants and other things that are the least of their problems. They need to worry about American voters, especially the ones who elected them into office.

[quote]“there are no more guardrails within the Republican Party.”

The democrat politicians do not have any guard rails for the republicans. Donald trump could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and the DEMOCRATIC POLITICIANS WOULD REFUSE TO HAVE HIM PROSECUTED.

That 25 year strategy that the democrats have relied on where they just cross their fingers and hope for bigger and bigger turnouts isn't working. It's never going to work. They need to get off their God damned asses and FIGHT. These people can't even be bothered to fight for their own jobs. That's why most people can't be bothered to get off the couch and vote. It's apathy and starts from the top, the democratic politicians. They all said, "IF DONALD TRUMP IS ELECTED, HE WILL DESTROY DEMOCRACY" and then they did nothing to stop him. FUCK THEM. They were too busy insider trading and making themselves rich.

WE - the voters are the one's who risked our lives to get Biden and the rest of these pussies elected. And then were sickened when Biden REFUSED to fight for democracy and have trump prosecuted for the insurrection. NONE OF THIS WOULD BE HAPPENING if Biden had just done his God damned job. Instead he told garland he didn't want anger the MAGAs. And he happily continued to let ANOTHER republican politician get away with another crime. Just ANOTHER long line republicans old Joe let get away with committing crimes. Except this time, it was one of the worst crimes to happen on American soil. It was TREASON. But old, soft on crime Joe, just wanted to "move forward". God damn bumbling old fool. Of course he or more likely that bitch wife of his, made sure to pardon their shitty family when they walked out the door

If the democrats ever get back into office and they do not prosecute every insurrectionist politician and any politician who has aided and abetted trump, then that will be the end of society. If they do that, it will mean they are DELIGHTED to just have the same old, same old BULLSHIT that we've had for the past 25 yrs. Were the dems are in office for 4 or 8 yrs & the repugs undo everything in the next 4 years. The weak democrats have got to stop this shit. They should have stopped this when bush had an illegal war. The democratic politicians need to stop being fucking pussies. They seem to think they have a 9-5 job.

But Mr Obama, Do not blame the voters. Fuck You.

To be fair, R9, that was Rahm Emmanuel's doing, but Barrack could have resisted [bold]a little[/bold].

[quote] I don’t care how much you love working people. They can’t afford a house because all the rules in your state make it prohibitive to build. And zoning prevents multifamily structures because of NIMBY

Is he insane?

He WANTS multifamily structures in residential neighborhoods?

That's hilarious, considering he's originally from Hawaii, which is having a huge problem with multifamily structures.

In Hawaii, they are called "Monster Homes," and the other residents are complaining because people are building huge homes with up to 20 or more people living in them. The homes are divided into multi family "units" and the home owners are renting out these monster homes to multiple tenants.

They are also using these dwellings for Air BNB businesses, which jams up parking in the neighborhood, and brings total strangers year round, in these quiet neighborhoods.

MultiFamily dwellings have proven to be a fucking NIGHTMARE for the full-time residents in these neighborhoods.

Just another example of Obama pandering to corporations and rich people.

Typical preachy Obama. He should be telling Schumer and Jeffries to move aside if they won't do their jobs.

[quote]He WANTS multifamily structures in residential neighborhoods?

He wants us to get used to living in ghettos. Seriously. What the republicans have already done in 6 months, would take the democrats 4 years to undo.

Then, do not forget, The republicans are now preparing to have the LARGEST HANDOVER OF WEALTH TO THE RICH IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY. We will essentially become (I hate to use this word), slaves. That is if we are lucky enough to get jobs. Because within the next 20 yrs, automation is going end half the jobs (maybe even more) in America. And there is no plan for when that occurs. NO PLAN AT ALL. The republicans have a plan, and that's to cater to the 1%, like they've always done. The democratic party will do the same. But thankfully, they'll make sure to throw us a few scraps, once in a great while (but not if it requires them to do any work).

The democratic politicians are already whores to their donors. He knows they are useless to create any change. This will be our new life.

Thank God I'm 58 yrs old.

r9: Obama won a mandate but even before his inauguration he mentioned he would be hands-across-the-aisleing to the crushed Republicans.

He and the Democratic establishment were SO naive. You don't play nice with Republicans. You kick them in the balls.

It would have been a good precedent for him to lock up Jamie Dimon after his company was 33% responsible for imploding the world economy.

It would have shown the people who suffered as a result that Dems are "fighters."

It also would have sent a message that crimes have punishments. That's all gone now.

[quote] “Don’t say that you care deeply about free speech and then you’re quiet. No, you stand up for free speech when it’s hard. When somebody says something that you don’t like, but you still say, ‘You know what, that person has the right to speak.’ … What’s needed now is courage.”

He’s pretty late to the free speech party. He should have already been speaking up when people are cancelled, de-platformed, or censored.

[quote] “I don’t care how much you love working people. They can’t afford a house because all the rules in your state make it prohibitive to build. And zoning prevents multifamily structures because of NIMBY,” he said, referring to “not in my backyard” views.

He’d be happy to see “Good Times” projects built all over the country, knowing he’d never be living in one.

Working people want a house of their own. Focus on that.

Barry didn't toughen up when it came to the health care issue in his first year in office.

He also rolled over for the GOP on so many other issues.

Someone with an ounce of public cred needs to tell this limp wristed wimp to shut the f up.

From the man who gave us Merrick Garland🙄

R5, it's funny how easily US presidents can fade from the public eye if they so choose. You can go so quickly from being one of the most famous people on Earth to an irrelevance. Look at George W Bush.

Why not impose a ban that foreigners cannot buy homes in the USA? How is this even allowed? A lot of rich people from around the world park their money in real estate, and it is driving up prices everywhere. And also ban institutional investors from buying property. Simple steps, but no one wants to take them.

Property taxes and insurance increases are forcing existing homeowners out, too. Even if you get into a house now, there's no guarantee you'll be able to afford owning it. My mortgage amount has gone up 30% since January. Would love to see Democrats talk more about that.

No surprises that the corporate Dems' Uncle Tom made an appearance at a private party of rich donors essentially begging for funding. I regret ever having voted for this disgusting piece of shit.

Shouldn't he be jet skiing with billionaires?

See this does not seem like the kind of "blunt message" that that particular group really needs to hear. What they need to hear is that the only Democrat (or Democrat-adjacent) running this year who is generating any kind of real excitement is Zohran Mamdani.

And even if you hate him, and many DLers clearly do and many in that room I'm suredo, they still need to confront that fact and ask themselves why. They need to ask why their crowd, "powerful spokespersons for a pragmatic, commonsense desire to help people" ain't exciting shit.

They need to wonder whether maybe the reason they look like a tired old establishment to so many voters is because they act like a tired old establishment. That's the crowd that needs to "be willing to be a little bit uncomfortable" in rethinking some of its positions and some of its old ways of doing things. Yeah, the left can be annoying, and rigid, and caught in its own bubble. But you know who really seems to be stuck up its own ass: the Democratic Party Establishment. And there's no point in "filling up the coffers of the DNC" if the DNC just has an old stale message that everybody, including I suspect many in that room, is just kind of sick of and just kind of bored by.

[quote] What they need to hear is that the only Democrat (or Democrat-adjacent) running this year who is generating any kind of real excitement is Zohran Mamdani.

[quote] And even if you hate him, and many DLers clearly do and many in that room I'm suredo, they still need to confront that fact and ask themselves why.

B-I-N-G-O.

You hit the nail right on the head.

But by all means, Democrats.

Keep ousting young Democrats like David Hogg for daring to speak up. That'll get us NOWHERE.

Merrick Garland gave us Don-old, Obama. Where were your speeches when Garland was sitting on his ass? Soon after Joe was elected people said to deal with Dump or MAGA would make sure he returned in 2024. And what happened? He returned in 2024. To install Project 2025. Why weren’t Democratic leaders not taking this seriously in 2020 when the average Democratic voters were? On some level, you’d almost think the DNC wanted Dump.

[quote] —Ummm... half the reason we got Trump was because Obama was weak

He's far from weak. Racial politics made it so that he had to be very reserved to deflect criticism that he was only concerned with part of America. In retrospect, we now see that 'other' part of Amerikkka is so surprisingly and virulently racist that there was nothing he could have done to placate them. Democrats are not a myopic hive mind only fixated on one issue, it's like herding cats. MAGA are sheep.

[quote] No surprises that the corporate Dems' Uncle Tom made an appearance at a private party of rich donors essentially begging for funding. I regret ever having voted for this disgusting piece of shit.

gurl, you didn't vote for him...either time.

[quote] Keep ousting young Democrats like David Hogg for daring to speak up

And now the old piles of crap (many on Datalounge) are trying to get Zohran Mamdani cancelled for this and for that.

Even the establishment's Andrew Cuomo won't listen to the people. He's insisting on running, even though he was soundly rejected by Democratic voters.

The establishment is threatened, any time a young Democrat dares to call them out on their tired, old shit.

Until we get rid of the OLD DEMOCRATIC GUARD, we will continue to lose elections, from top to bottom.

It has been a long time coming, but we seriously need to CLEAN HOUSE!!!

R30 - gurl, I voted for him twice. Twice the disgust as a result. He and the rest of the Democratic party establishment can go fuck themselves.

Yes, R31. Agree 100%. Unbelievable that after being so clearly rejected Cuomo insists on running as an independent. His arrogance is predictable. Someone needs to put him out of everyone's misery.

To be succinct: Barack, heal thyself.

The messenger maybe flawed but someone in a high profile position finally said what we've all been thinking: stop bitching & whining dems & do something. - anything!

LOL at the idiots in here who don't know that MFH is in fact residential, and that it doesn't mean commie blocks. And if you think SFHs for everyone are the answer, you're really not living in this century.

Don’t worry, I’ll take a letter to Maria.

Dem Presidential candidates begin appearing.

Cuomo had his day in tthe sun. he needs to retire. He was a governor which went to his head. Adams should be the choice. Not another Indian American.

R15, Obama wasn't naive. He'd been in the Senate. He knew how cut throat Republicans were toward Democrats. He was perfectly willing to throw his own voters to the wolves; that was the whole idea. IIRC, the Catfood Commission failed because Republicans weren't about to give Obama a win on ANYTHING, even though he was trying to give them what they wanted!

Wonder why Obama didn’t address Dump’s assertion that Obama made up what’s in the Epstein files. Not really hearing any establishment Democrats saying anything at all about the whole thing. I’ve seen online discussion about possible implications on both sides and questioning why Biden didn’t release the files. Questions about Epstein being a foreign agent collecting kompromat on both sides.

He’s just tired of everyone (Dems) asking where are our party leaders with the shit show that’s been going on in Washington. Sorry Barack, you’re still considered one of the top Democrats in the country. But,I know , you’re busy going to clambakes in Hyannisport, or hanging with Bey and Jay in LA. Leave him alone, people!

[quote] someone in a high profile position finally said what we've all been thinking: stop bitching & whining dems & do something. - anything!

But it's a weird contradiction, because it's the people who are actually in those "high profile positions," who won't ALLOW anything to be done.

David Hogg tried to do something. He made it clear what had to be done.

David wasn't bitching and whining. He had a plan of action.

And it was the "high profile" establishment Democrats who shut him down and got him ousted from the Vice-Chairmanship.

Mamdani has a plan and a voice, and he's trying to do something too.

But once again, "high profile" establishment Democrats are also trying to shut HIM down.

The Democrats in power have really screwed Democratic voters and they have also screwed our country.

They chose money and power within the party, at the expense of bringing in new blood and new ideas to defeat Republicans.

They've kept all of the power for themselves for decades - I'm talking Pelosi, Schumer, Boxer, etc. - who refused to go away, or at least groom younger Democrats to become leaders.

And they STILL won't let go. Pelosi is still there. Schumer is still there. Boxer had to DIE in office, in her 90s with dementia, for fuck's sake!

Are they grooming any young Democratic leaders? Not even ONE.

Unfortunately, the one they did pick - Hakeem Jeffries - has turned out to be an abysmal failure. Why? Because he's just a puppet for the old guard.

Nothing will change until we get rid of the old establishment Democrats.

So Obama, stop saying "do something." Young Democrats have tried to do something, but the old piles of dust have shut them down at every opportunity.

I feel like Obama’s pissed about that motherfucking con.

Ultimately, Obama only cares about Obama.

He’s right but nothing will happen until the midterms. Democrats have no power in Washington and events where they crash press conferences look weak and contrived. Plus the leaders are all old and too nice. Gavin is the only one with balls.

R46 When we fight, we win. But when we lose, we keep fight in sight. Because fight and sight bring us back to win and it makes us not lose.

Obama doesn't think too highly of the woke in the Dem party. People who know him will tell you that he feels AOC and friends are immature idiots who will never be able to get anything passed in Congress.

Crockett has a big lead in prospective Dem. Texas Senate race.

[quote]According to a new National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) poll, if Crockett were to run in the Democratic Senate primary against Allred, she would be leading by 15 percentage points

[quote]When Daily Caller reporter Adam Pack shared a breakdown of the “hypothetical matchup” in Texas (see below), he wrote: “Jasmine Crockett LEADS Colin Allred by 15 percentage points in a hypothetical matchup for Texas' Dem Senate primary, according to a new NRSC poll. Jasmine Crockett – 35% Colin Allred – 20% Beto O'Rourke – 13% Joaquin Castro – 13% Undecided – 18%.”

Remember this idiot is responsible for elevating that fucktard Merrick Garland. A perfect example of someone who DID NOTHING.

What did Obama do when Putin illegally annexed Crimea in 2014? NOTHING.

He's right about housing. There's no way to move forward by maintaining hierarchy in housing or really any other aspect of human life, once enough of the population is educated enough. It doesn't make sense to be ruled by superstitions when you understand that cooperation is required to grow. Millennials were the most educated, most peaceful, most pleasant generation. And for that, they were summarily locked out of power by superstitious old people obsessed with heaven and hierarchy. MAGA's biggest war is on education, and they are winning that motherfucker big time.

It hurts deeply at first realizing humans are so stupid. But it is important to remember causality, and the fact that FOMO cuts both ways. We cannot be a part of that some thing, but that thing also now exists without our contribution. By electing Trump again, humanity implicitly rejected any progress toward a rational, post-scarcity, egalitarian future, or at least pushed it out by another few centuries. They are instead building a porn-free, poverty-stricken, hetero-only AI dystopia that I'm glad to not be invested in.

[quote]MAGA's biggest war is on education, and they are winning that motherfucker big time.

Republicans AND Democrats have failed the US education system since No Child Left Behind in 2001. Obama's common core standards were a poorly implemented disaster and Biden brought back pointless standardized testing after COVID despite mounting evidence that it wasn't working and if anything was a detriment to time that could be spent teaching kids fundamental basics. Education policies on both sides have been nothing but monetary giveaways to corporations and charter/private schools at the behest of a fundamentally sound education system. No one has come out good in that area and now 45 is dismantling it.

[quote]And for that, they were summarily locked out of power by superstitious old people obsessed with heaven and hierarchy.

You can make a similar scenario about politics. It's no longer about the issues, but which team (red/blue) you support. And these politicians are deified at the behest of everything else. Those who are passionate about the issues first and foremost are locked out of the political arena. They are often reduced to participating in "Purity tests" and any criticism of their politician of choice is "hating". This type of rhetoric is dangerous in its simplicity and ignorance. But what can you do at this point. To be honest, I think politics has replaced religion for many people. There's a similar type of fervor surrounding it.

I agree with Mark Cuban that democrats need to stop talking about Trump and start talking about the American worker. And what they are going to do for them. And have a good answer when they are asked about trans or drag queen story hour. Just develop talking points like the Republicans do and stick to them.

Was wrong about the Obama’s. Truly believed they would move out of the US after doing their time but they’re still helping out. Thx.

Poor Michelle-still trying to scrub off that last interaction with Turd Trump.

[quote] He's right about housing

No he's not.

Go back and re-read R7 and R12.

The seemingly most performative US President of the modern era.

Let's recap. California is ruled by democrats, a majority in the legislature, and a progressive governor. Huge economy, almost all large cities have Democratic mayors. Yet the state has the highest property values, the highest rental values, huge homeless situation. Why are Democrats unable to solve these issues?? Yet people seem to keep electing the same, expecting something will change.

[quote] Let's recap. California is ruled by democrats, a majority in the legislature, and a progressive governor. Huge economy, almost all large cities have Democratic mayors. Yet the state has the highest property values, the highest rental values, huge homeless situation. Why are Democrats unable to solve these issues??

And this is why Californians are leaving in droves.

They are literally fleeing to neighboring states, and only the extremely wealthy and the extremely poor remain in California.

But the Governor, the Legislature, the Mayors, etc. don't seem to think there is any problem.

They insist that letting "the market" dictate real estate prices is what's best for everyone.

And that's simply not true.

Corporations, rich foreign investors and wealthy Americans are the ones buying up all the property. And they are renting it back to the general population at 4x or 5x what they bought it for.

People argue, "well that's what the market dictates."

NO. People pay that shit because they have no choice. Otherwise, they will have no place to live, and they will be homeless.

But does the Governor care? Does the Legislature Care? Do local governments care? Again, the answer is no.

They let GREED rule the market.

I swear, there is a reckoning coming against these GREEDY land owners, and it isn't going to be pretty.

But it will be well deserved. I want to see them all burn.

[quote] He’d be happy to see “Good Times” projects built all over the country, knowing he’d never be living in one.

[quote] Working people want a house of their own. Focus on that.

Obama is from Chicago. He witnessed the "Good Times" housing project, Cabrini-Green, be destroyed so that the wealthy could reclaim the Lake-adjacent property and the whole area could be gentrified. The Cabrini-Green residents were given Section 8 vouchers and sent to working-class and middle-class Black neighborhoods to destabilize and impoverish those once-thriving communities.

Having a house of one's own is not a solution to poverty and dysfunction. Multifamily housing can work, it works everywhere across Europe.

Something needs to be done about corporations and foreign citizens buying up single family homes..

It doesn’t need to be made illegal (though that would help.) Just offer a large, refundable tax credit to buyers and sellers when a house is sold to a buyer who will use the home as their primary residence.

[quote] And they STILL won't let go. Pelosi is still there. Schumer is still there. Boxer had to DIE in office, in her 90s with dementia, for fuck's sake!

You're thinking of Feinstein. Boxer retired years ago.

He's as useless as ever.

ONJ agrees! This needs to be played at democratic protests!

Oh, that's where he's been since 2017. Hanging around with billionaire cocksuckers like Bezos and Zuckerberg.

[quote] You're thinking of Feinstein. Boxer retired years ago.

D'oh, R63!

Thanks for the correction!

Diane Feinstein, not Barbara Boxer.

R67 It was Dianne with two N's. She had to be that little bit pretentious.

The Senate Chamber was used as taxpayer-funded locked dementia unit by Feinstein's family.

I've always respected and admired Obama, but I had an interesting reaction to this. I thought, "oh just shut up".... in these later stages of his public career he's turned into a tiresome scold. How about just being strong, not just whining about others not being strong?

New leaders are the key to "winning" going forward.

CA has some of the highest progressive taxation and will even tax anyone who makes money in the state, though they don't live here. Look at the vehicle registration. CA has the highest amount to be paid for vehicle registration. It does not have a good public transportation network. Democrats' priorities are also different. They want to build high-speed rail, but at what cost? The same amount if they had spent on building a Public transport network in LA, SF, and San Diego, would have helped working-class people. HSR was done because environmental groups said it would displace a lot of GHGs. But public transport will do the same. Foreigners should not buy property. They need to curb that. Because it is increasing the costs for natives.

What a flop this one turned out to be. Outdone by miles by a real estate scammer and bad reality tv show host.

Now Michele is all over the place with her podcast which is especially pain to watch or listen. Her ego is especially off putting.

Their kids, especially the oldest one are frequently photographed smoking in public and looking slovenly. Maybe they need to toughen up?

I’m glad he’s been relatively quiet and I hope he continues to do so.

Should have nominated Hillary in 2008.

R21, that fucker knew what was good for him. He HID

He and cheney should have been arrested.

Obama has always been mostly image. He’s a very smart guy, obviously, which is more than you can say for most politicians. But not a particularly talented politician.

I like him and voted for him twice. I just don’t find him to be a particularly compelling leader.

R49 The NRSC put out that push poll on purpose. They desperately NEED Jasmine Crockett to run and fail badly.

Jasmine's popular with the base, and good with a cable news interview, but she has fucking zero appeal to Texas voters outside her own little district.

They're scared to death of Colin Allred (maybe a little too scared), because he has the goods to actually win a statewide race. He almost knocked off Ted, and if Lazy Eye Paxton is the nominee next year, Allred will beat the felon handily.

If the base wants Crockett, that’s who it will be. The same as it was with Mamdani.

And yet, everyone on this thread would vote for Obama over Trump, Vance, or any MAGAt.

[quote]Jasmine's popular with the base, and good with a cable news interview, but she has fucking zero appeal to Texas voters outside her own little district. They're scared to death of Colin Allred (maybe a little too scared), because he has the goods to actually win a statewide race.

Colin Allred has already won and LOST. Nobody is “scared to death” of him.

We need a candidate who is popular with the base and good with an interview. That’s exactly what Democrats don’t have, and desperately need, right now.

Many people in AOC’s district voted for Trump AND for her. For many people it’s not about policies, it’s about personality.

[quote] I've always respected and admired Obama, but I had an interesting reaction to this. I thought, "oh just shut up".... in these later stages of his public career he's turned into a tiresome scold

I totally agree.

No one is in the mood right now to be scolded/lectured by either Barack OR Michelle.

We're all still reeling from Trump's election and the aftermath.

I feel like Democrats just need a big win. ANY win.

R80, putting shitheads into office is not a win. They’re will be working for the GOP. They will be used as the poster children of the party.

[quote] What did Obama do when Putin illegally annexed Crimea in 2014? NOTHING.

You’re a fucking liar and/or a goddamn moron. Republicans went nuts over his response by bypassing Congress.

R77 The deep-blue corner of the Democratic base in Texas isn't big enough to win a statewide election on their own. Texas isn't fucking NYC, and I'm shocked I have to type that out for you.

I live in Texas. Have for years. It's next to impossible for any Democrat to even attempt a statewide run, let alone come close to actually winning one. Beto had the name ID and the money, but he didn't win. Too liberal on guns, and generally unlikeable with independents. He was a huge waste of your out-of-state money. Allred did well with independents - he's famous as a former pro athlete, represented a suburban district, and comes across as a pretty fair-minded and nonthreatening Democrat. It's Texas. They haven't elected a Democrat statewide to anything since 1994.

You're not going to win a statewide election as a liberal firebrand from South Dallas. You're going to win by talking about Texas' version of kitchen-table issues: Gas prices, food prices, the cost of running a small business, school funding, and responsible gun ownership. Jasmine's passion on the issues doesn't match a mastery of them. She's creative and loud, but she's not very substantial on these issues. She doesn't have a record on which to run - besides "Did you see me kick ass on Rachel Maddow?"

I'm sure those of you a thousand miles away love Jasmine Crockett. I like her too. She's full of fire and she's great on TV. Send her some money if you wish. But she has zero crossover appeal beyond a certain brand of Texas Democrats. Indies in Texas don't like people like her. She's loud, she's crass, she's unabashedly progressive, and she's a Black woman from the part of Dallas most people wouldn't enter if you paid them. She's in a safely blue VRA seat, and she'll be there for forty years, just like her predecessor. But she wouldn't win five votes in the suburbs - and those are the only Texans who vote anymore.

Texas Democrats aren't as stupid as you seem to wish they were.

[quote]The deep-blue corner of the Democratic base in Texas isn't big enough to win a statewide election on their own.

Nevertheless, if the base wants Crockett, that's who the nominee will be.

Obama is angry at people who blame him for the demise of the Supreme court and for not doing up to prevent Trump I and II. Trump eviscerated his legacy, Obamacare. There's no guarantee Trump won't sic the Justice Department on him. People expect him to have all the answers and he doesn't and never did. He wanted to be liked and to usher in the reforms of liberal democracies in Western Europe. He was a congenial scholarly, sometimes charismatic guy who was given a huge boost by Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod. He made suburbanites feel they were effectuating social progress. It didn't stick but it delayed the country's ultimate demise as a world power which Trump is engineering right now.

Obama should have inspired those present, not scolded them, but he's no wunderkind.

Neither is Mamdani.

R84 The base actually IN Texas doesn't want her. She isn't running, and won't run.

This entire poll was invented by the NRSC to goad people like you into pouring enough money into her coffers that she maybe gives it a second look. Because they know she'd crash and burn as a statewide candidate, and they need any help they can get to keep that horny felon Ken Paxton in the running.

People on DL, wake up. Your right to exist is safe with republicans. Not with Democrats. They favor all sorts of so-called oppressed, now, and gays are not one of them. They are willing to hand over power to foreigners and anti-LGBT people. Your slavish loyalty to the Democrats will bring nothing but tears, ruin, loss of freedoms, and worse, being thrown off buildings. Be warned.

R87 Shouldn't you be drinking on the toilet at this hour? Gotta get up early tomorrow. The ice cream truck comes through at 11am on Wednesdays!

R65 beat me to it.

Barack should remake this video wearing ONJ's outfit to motivate the troops.

Obama is angry at people who blame him for the demise of the Supreme court and for not doing up to prevent Trump I and II. Trump eviscerated his legacy, Obamacare. There's no guarantee Trump won't sic the Justice Department on him. People expect him to have all the answers and he doesn't and never did. He wanted to be liked and to usher in the reforms of liberal democracies in Western Europe. He was a congenial scholarly, sometimes charismatic guy who was given a huge boost by Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod. He made suburbanites feel they were effectuating social progress. It didn't stick but it delayed the country's ultimate demise as a world power which Trump is engineering right now.

Obama is actually to blame for Trump running for President.

Trump never had any intention of running, until Obama made a fool of him at the White House Correspondents dinner in 2011.

It was right then and there that Trump decided, "Oh yeah? I'll show you." And that's what kicked off his Presidential bid in 2015.

So yeah, Obama is 100% to blame for Trump.

Obama wanted to "zing" Trump and get some laughs and some favorable press.

Instead, he unleashed HELL upon the world.

Democrats to Obama: SHUT THE FUCK UP!

Barack is a scold and Michelle now whines and expresses grudges. Sheesh! How about THEY get on the news and say the truth about TRUMP. Over and over and over. And call out other scum in national office. They can do it, with receipts. And the news will point the camera at them. For crissakes.

Because, R92, they know that with white supremacy on the march, they will be dismissed and/or just play into MAGA hands.

We are somehow in a worse state, racially, in this country than before Obama became president.

It is so discouraging.

I never got the hype about him.

His erudition was a charming contrast to Bush's stupidity.

Whoopi Rages…

[quote] I never got the hype about him.

Biden stated that Obama was “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean,” as a way to explain the hype, comparing Obama to how Biden perceived previous black candidates.

[quote]Whoopi Goldberg Calls Out Obama, Mark Cuban for Daring to Criticize Democrats

She’ll have to backtrack if Cuban becomes the nominee in 2028.

[quote] And zoning prevents multifamily structures because of NIMBY,” he said, referring to “not in my backyard” views. “I don’t want to know your ideology, because you can’t build anything. It does not matter.”

Did he welcome multi-family dwellings on his Martha’s Vineyard estate?

Obamas election lulled Democrats into believing that the country had really changed for the better, and they coasted along on that fantasy while Republicans were making plans. All the racism and hate that was supposedly abolished with Obamas election went underground to fester while Obama did his "Hands-across-the aisle" bullshit . I remember his laughing and mocking the "Tea Party" when it was established.