16
Sep
11

‘obama gets it. do his followers?’

Jonathan Cohn (TNR): …. The speech President Obama gave last Thursday was everything it needed to be. It was bold, with Obama using it to introduce a jobs program large enough, and sufficiently well designed, to reduce unemployment. And it was straightforward. Obama made it clear he wanted action, now…

….. the most important, and most unexpected, development was what Obama did after the speech. He went on the road, conveying the same message … speeches can’t alter the public debate. But sustained, focused campaigns can. That’s how one begins.

…. Next week Obama returns to Ohio for yet another speech - this time in front of a bridge. And it’s not just any old bridge. It’s the Brent Spence Bridge … “functionally obsolete” …. Oh, and did you notice the location? Steve Benen did:

…that the bridge starts in Ohio’s 8th congressional district (home to House Speaker John Boehner) and ends in Kentucky (home to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell) makes it a nearly perfect example. By making infrastructure investments - investments that used to enjoy bipartisan support before the GOP slipped into madness - the Obama administration can repair the Brent Spence Bridge, putting locals back to work, and improving local transportation and commercial needs.

…. but the only hope for getting something through Congress - or making an effective political statement, if the Republicans block action – is to apply pressure. And that pressure needs to come from at least two other places.

One is the grassroots …. Are they making phone calls and emails to Congress? Are they getting involved in campaigns?….

…. This much I know: Obama is doing his part to focus the debate on jobs, to pass legislation that can boost the economy, and to frame a clear political choice for the voters. In short, he’s leading. But even the best leaders need help from some followers.

Full article here


13 Responses to “‘obama gets it. do his followers?’”


  1. 1 gobrooklyn
    September 16, 2025 at 8:13 am

    His followers? he should say his “constant critics”. Cohn is right though. I have been wondering myself where are all these people who’ve been demanding a jobs bill and rhetoric porn?

    • September 16, 2025 at 8:21 am

      I thought that too gobrooklyn, “followers” was a silly word to use - the President’s ‘followers’ are doing their bit, it’s the do-nothing keyboard warrior whingers are the problem.

    • 3 bjw2
      September 16, 2025 at 9:50 am

      Gobrooklyn, it’s becoming clear all they know how to do is complain!

      These small little people are turning out to be quite pathetic.

  2. 4 tnmtngirl
    September 16, 2025 at 8:13 am

    Just posted that last line on FB and asked people to be a patriot and “do your part”……remember we are all in this big boat together.

    Blessed day to everyone.

  3. 5 Fred
    September 16, 2025 at 8:17 am

    good morning TOD family

    NRCC Chair: PA Electoral Vote Plan A Bad Idea

    Pete Sessions, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, is warning Pennsylvania Republicans against changing the way their electoral votes are allocated. He says the plan could cost the GOP House seats in The Keystone State.

    http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/09/15/pete-sessions-pa-electoral-college-change-would-put-house-races-at-risk/

    Report: ‘Romneycare’ a jobs killer

    http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2011_0915report_romneycare_a_killer_study_finds_bay_state_lost_thousands_of_jobs/srvc=home&position=0?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+StatelineorgRss-HealthCare+%28Stateline.org+RSS+-+Health+Care%29

    Rehberg camp challenges Tester assertion on gun rights

    http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_e626e782-3223-555a-a76f-d29d5427f111.html

    they were massively expanded by a Supreme Court decision placing limits on all state gun laws.

    http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-1521.pdf

    • 6 yardarm756
      September 16, 2025 at 11:40 am

      Hiya Fred? Wassup? Hello to all you TODers. We know they hear him but i wonder if they’re listening. That requires a bit of effort.

  4. 7 Fred
    September 16, 2025 at 8:27 am

    Bush On Jobs: The Worst Track Record On Record

    http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/01/09/bush-on-jobs-the-worst-track-record-on-record/

  5. 9 anniebella
    September 16, 2025 at 8:28 am

    I am doing what I can including contacting my Congressman and Senator, even contacting those who are not mines. I am going to continue.

  6. September 16, 2025 at 8:34 am

    For anyone living in Pennsylvania, please, please go to the Pennsylvania Democratic Party website and sign the petition (padems.com). Download a copy and pass it around your community or make it available at events. Please also call the Pa Dems. I’ve been calling every day asking them to post talking points, create an advertising campaign and go nuclear on this issue. Write to your state reps even if they are tea partiers. Write a letter to the editor. People in the state have to get loud and mad and show we mean business. If you’re not in PA but have friends and relatives here, please call then and tell them to get active. Every county has a local Democratic Committee. Call them or show up at a meeting and rally people to action. Wherever you are, please call the DNC or the OFA and ask for help for the state. OFA is on the job, but I’m not getting much traction with the DNC. Lawmakers, like cockroaches, like to do their business in the dark when no one is paying attention. Help shine a very glaring bright light on these anti-democratic life forms.

    • 12 What is Working
      September 16, 2025 at 9:48 am

      Go Jackie

      These are wonderful ideas. Please keep us posted on how the efforts play out. I would love to borrow some of these ideas for California.

  7. 13 utaustinliberal
    September 16, 2025 at 6:26 pm

    President Obama’s true “followers” are doing their part in making sure that Congress hears their voices loud and clear and passes the American Jobs Act. The emoprogs, whiny crybaby dems, and others are the ones who are either sitting on their lazy behinds and whining about the bill not being big enough or lacking everything under the sun.


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