Short-Changed: The Lament of the Professional Left

It's time to Break It Down!

Over the weekend I had the occasion to participate in wide-ranging discussion that spanned the 72-hour period from Friday through Sunday. The gist of the discussion was based on the fact Dr. Cornel West, a noted social activist, critic, Democratic Socialist, and liberal-elite college professor expressed concerns about some of the positions held and tactics executed by President Obama. Moreover, Dr. Boyce Watkins, social commentator, and also a liberal-elite college professor, agreed with Professor West. In summary, the two professors suggested President Obama was too loyal to individuals for whom his best interest is not a primary concern, and that he is overly beholding to groups that have not earned his support; in fact, they consistently oppose him and work to undermine his initiatives.

The conversation was spirited, intense, but generally cordial; almost respectful, in an upper chamber (Senate) kind of way. I would tell you more about the specifics of the discourse, but alas, then I would have to hunt you down, one by one, and render you amnesiacs, via Vulcan mind-meld, or some other equally uber-effective telepathic manipulation model. I know we do not want that!

But that exchange was the perfect segue for Press Secretary Robert Gibbs rant on the Professional Left, yesterday. Secretary Gibbs expressed frustration that the far left was too critical of President Obama, and that they consistently failed to credit him for the administration’s successes. While the apparent row between Dr. West and President Obama was a small potatoes affair, in the grand scheme of things, the Press Secretary stirred up a hornet’s nest of resistance and reaction with his perceived affront to the political Left.

Interestingly, Mr. Gibbs’ meltdown is subject to have the impact of adding another piece of kindling to an already smoldering blaze of discontentment among various elements of the President’s political base. Less than 90 days before the Mid-Term elections, two months and three weeks to be exact, the last thing Democrats, who appear to be a party under siege, need, is a veritable implosion.

The Left, especially the hard charging Far Left, was probably the contingent of the Party that was most energized by candidate Obama’s promise for change. They had sky high hopes, and if possible, even higher expectations. Many feel they have been disappointed early an often by a President whom at times comes across (to them) as transfixed by the art of compromise; not the least bit interested in fighting the erstwhile “good fight.”

After a not so surprising torrent of responses from the “Professional Left,” Mr. Gibbs, in an equally unsurprising move, “walked back” his stunning rebuke. In a message delivered by Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton, Gibbs called his own remarks “inartful,” and suggested that Democrats, including himself, should focus on reuniting to focus on the job at hand.

While all this makes for compelling headshots, and dramatic network voice-overs, it should at least be noted that The Administration does boast a number of significant accomplishments, including the Stimulus Bill, Health Care Reform, Banking Reform, The Financial Bailout, The Automobile Bailout, Unemployment Insurance Extension, to name just a few.

While each of these bills fell short of the scope the Far Left preferred, the bare-knuckled political fact is, the Obama Administration was constantly under attack from a lock-step aligned Republican Party, which on some issues offered not a single vote for the President’s proposals. That he managed to get any of them passed was shocking to some observers; delightful so to Democrats, and disappointing Republicans.

It is understandable that the Far Left is not happy. But the reality of Politics 101 is, to get what they want, not only must they elect a Candidate for Change to the Presidency, they must send more of them to Congress as well. The “Professional Left,” as Gibbs called them, railed, and they did so because:

• Health Care Reform did not include a Single-payer or a public option

• Guantanamo is still open

• Don’t ask don’t tell is still in effect

• The Stimulus was not large enough

• Financial Reform was not tough enough

• Too many troops are in Afghanistan

The loyal opposition, as the party not in power is called traditionally, unconstrained due to the lack of a Democratic Super Majority (60 votes), threatened filibuster at every turn, and did so on a number of occasions. Mitch McConnell, Senior Senator from Kentucky/Senate Minority Leader, John Boehner, Ohio Congressman/House Minority Leader, Michael Steele, Republican National Committee Chairman, have not always won, but they have made every single initiative a challenging initiative. Meanwhile, as the Far Left bemoans the Administration’s anemic (in its opinion) response to the orthodoxy of the Left, the Far Right has painted the President as the single greatest force for Socialism the world has ever known.

So how are Left-wingers responding? They have accused Mr. Obama of Corporatist Capitulation, and arguing that the President has not lived up to the progressive ideals upon which he campaigned. After navigating two terms, 8 years, of the George W. Bush vision, the left-leaners are primed for the change the President-to-be promised, while he on the campaign trail.

It is clear at this juncture, the frustration is palpable…and mutual. Also evident is the fact that to get what ultra liberals want, the electorate must not only throw the rascals, I mean Republicans, out; they must also replace the Blue Dogs! Otherwise, prepare for a stark shift in the power curve; Republicans are poised to rise in November. Should that occur, there will be no need to question; no reason to debate, “Short-Changed: The Lament of the Professional Left,” will have become a self-inflicted reality.

I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com. A new post is published each Wednesday. For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the links below:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/10/gibbs-walks-back-criticisms-of-professional-left/#more-117211

http://drboycewatkins.com/scholarshipinaction/?p=86

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Gibbs

http://video.foxnews.com/v/4307318/gibbs-voices-frustration-with-far-left/?playlist_id=158139

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/08/robert_gibbs_was_right_to_crit.html

http://www.mediaite.com/online/wh-deputy-press-secretary-explains-robert-gibbs-comment-on-professional-left/

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/World/20100810/robert-gibbs-blasts-the-left-100810/

http://www.startribune.com/politics/blogs/100407439.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUgOy9cP3DieyckcUsI

http://leftword.blogdig.net/archives/articles/August2010/10/Gibbs__People_who_are_upset_with_Obama_don_t_live_in_real_America__didn_t_help_get_Obama_elected.html

http://features.rr.com/article/0ePygtNaEbe7p?q=Barack+Obama

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/08/robert_gibbs_concedes_attack_o.html

http://www.progressive.org/wx081010.html

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/08/11/gibbs_is_right_about_the_professional_left_106705.html

http://www.tellingthoughts.com/asides/obamas-90-accomplishments-email-list