Honestly, is there anything more useless than “moderate” Dems:
President Obama’s deficit-reduction plan–complete with tax increases on the wealthiest Americans–won high marks from his liberal base encouraged to see Obama back in fighting mode, but the plan is set to hit a brick wall in Congress — even in the Democratically controlled Senate and the bipartisan super committee.
Moderate Senate Democrats are signaling strong resistance to tax increases in the President’s deficit-reduction plan, and the early disapproval within his own party will no doubt give Republicans on the deficit super committee plenty of cover to block any and all revenue-raising aspects of Obama’s plan.
They’ll bellyache and wail and moan about the deficit, but any balanced attempt to deal with it is strangled in the crib by the money party. When you hear austerity, what they mean is “the poor people must suffer.”
dmsilev
“moderate” Republicans?
Samara Morgan
only until december.
our side has a hostage now– the Bush tax cuts.
Obama can let them expire in december.
and then make a new bill for tax cuts for the middle class. let the teabaggerGOP demagogue that.
Cole you are so shortsighted. No comprehension of the long game.
terraformer
…which is Exhibit “A” in why Obama can “fight” all he wants, but the fact remains that without more and better Democrats, he can’t really do a whole hell of a lot. And our system of kickbacks and revolving-door corporate/government back scratching ensures that we’ll not get them any time soon. We need a fundamental change in how we elect our representatives in the Legislative branch.
Yutsano
@Samara Morgan:
December 2012 dear child. That would be right after the next election. The hostage is still walking down the street blindingly oblivious.
Culture of Truth
Not that this have ever mattered in D.C. in the past 60 years, but the damm thing is paid for, a point even the PBS expert conceded.
Perhaps if it was called “The Blow Jobs for CEOs Act” the blue dogs might get on board.
cleek
now there’s some right-wing framing!
Zifnab
@dmsilev: He said “useless” not “non-existent”.
In all fairness, I think the Red State and Purple State Dems are still nervous from the ’10 thumping. One thing that seems to separate Democrats from Republicans is that Dems seem to actually think their votes will impact their job security. It’s hard to get mad at guys like Bill Nelson for being skiddish in a state that just elected Lex Luther as governor.
Culture of Truth
Ah, I thought we were talking about the Jobs Bill. So yeah, sure, they oppose higher taxes. Who doesn’t hate taxes? Unless they’re on poor people. Then the lucky duckies should be quiet and count their blessings.
danimal
Pick your poison: Stab in the back moderate Dems or frontal assault GOPers.
At least the moderate Dems occasionally vote the right way when they aren’t afraid of their shadows. But that’s not much comfort. I wish more of them were afraid of getting primaried.
News flash: the GOP cretins and their useful idiots, the spineless Blue Dogs, are the biggest problems in U.S. politics.
MikeJ
@cleek: Very few people would call Patty Murray a conservative Dem. the only thing right wing about her is love of big expensive military projects and that’s just bringing home the bacon to Boeing.
Nevgu
I could think of quite a few things more useless. Like people who voted for Bush twice, read Greenwald, and now they supposedly have seen the light and think they actually have a clue what is going on around them.
You can’t fix stupid Chicken Little Cole. You are a perfect example of that.
Samara Morgan
@Yutsano: untrue. the supah committee has to come up wid a save plan first.
Bush tax cuts expire in 2011.
Elie
@terraformer:
changing to “More” and “Better” democrats requires grass roots work. There has to be a demand for Democratic leadership. This is pretty hard to build in some red states (where most of the blue dogs come from). It CAN be done though, just like the Republicans did it with the south, but its not anything Obama can do top down..
I do think, however, that in his quiet, methodical way, he is showing Americans what the Repubs are truly about. Will everyone see or get it right away? No, probably not, but Obama remains well liked and Americans definitely seem to get the focus on the wealthy by the Republicans.
cleek
@MikeJ:
hmm, ok. but i’m gonna keep her on my “never turn my back” list, just to be safe. never can tell with these people.
Baron Jrod of Keeblershire
@Nevgu: Don’t forget people who spend all day blog-stalking the sort of people you described. They are the most useless of all.
Holden Pattern
Oh, John, why are you criticizing these good people. They’re the best that you can get. Even if they only vote your way 1 time out of 10, it’s better than zero, isn’t it?
You should be getting out in the world and running through brick walls for these people and their 1 of 10.
Seriously. the whiplash I’m getting from the Balloon Juice RSS feed is making it unreadable.
Social outcast
@Culture of Truth: The typical refrain is that the poor need to be taxed to “have skin in the game, or else they just keep voting themselves nice benefits.” This is from the Malory Archer school of tax policy, I think.
Holden Pattern
Wow. Moderation for an internal Balloon Juice link? Really? One would think there’s a filter than could be set.
Bulworth
No.
Yutsano
@Samara Morgan: You missed a step dear child. During the budget showdown at the end of 2010 part of the agreement was their extension until December 2012. Please do try to keep up.
Ben Cisco
Thanks for the blast from the past, Cole:
__
Friends
How many of us have them?
Friends
Ones we can depend on
Friends
How many of us have them?
Friends
Before we go any further, lets be
Friends
Elie
@Bulworth:
I disagree.
Maybe you don’t get everything you want from them, but are they the same as having a Republican in that office? Nope. sorry…can’t agree
FlipYrWhig
Nothing a strong dose of BullyPulpitol won’t fix. Obama makes his case to the public, the public likes it, on-the-fence politicians tack towards support, and everyone wins… another victory for progressivism! What’s not to understand?
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@dmsilev:
annoying frauds, the two that remain, but you have to give them some credit, they’re a lot quieter about their nonsense than Nelson, Landrieu et al. I just flipped through MSNBC long enough to hear Andrea Mitchell interviewing Joe Lieberman. which one sucks and which one blows? I reported, you decide.
John S.
Considering Lex won with less than 50% of the vote and currently polls in the low 20s, it’s VERY easy to get mad at Bill Nelson for trying to appease a constituency that wouldn’t vote for him anyway and can’t provide him any path towards victory.
kindness
They aren’t moderates. If they were Republithugs, they would be moderates. But as Democrats they are just whiny cry babies.
I don’t want a ‘pure’ Democratic party, but I would expect a Democratic Party that doesn’t eat it’s own. Those 5 prefer to cannibalize their own.
@Zifnab: No, I can easily toss Senator Nelson (OK). Name one thing he has helped Democrats on, just one. If he can’t support any Democratic initiative, screw his whiny ass.
Bullsmith
The elected representatives who are willing to dismantle government services to protect a 15% effective income tax rate for billionaires are bought and paid for. Corruption is the only explanation.
Belafon (formerly anonevent)
Imagine needing their votes.
Nevgu
@Baron Jrod of Keeblershire: What a thoughtful come back. Quite original….unless you are in grade school. But what else would one expect from a Cole fluffer.
Belafon (formerly anonevent)
@Baron Jrod of Keeblershire: But you see, he isn’t part of that group. He’s just superior to everyone else, and has to come here to make sure we all know it.
Tony J
A c*ck in a box? (Tickle it all you like, you’re not going to get anything out of it)
P#ssy on a stick? (Promises oh so much, while remaining tantalisingly out of reach)
Tony J + 5
kindness
@Nevgu: Dude, you have issues, and I’m not talking about you being a massive asshole. Maybe you could try to be constructive. You aren’t.
Tony J
Moderation at least gives time to edit.
The Snarxist Formerly Known as Kryptik
@Zifnab:
But at the same time, these fools don’t realize that a large part of their political health still rides on the health of the party as a whole, and kneecapping it repeatedly and publicly with serious, tangible results will screw them over as well. That’s precisely one of the big things that happened in ’10, and THEY were the ones who got hit the worst. And the result is them doubling down on the ‘on one hand, the GOP is right, on the other hand, fuck you, pay me’?
When will some of these fuckwits realize that hippie punching their own party does fuck all for them because it won’t keep the GOP from hippie punching them as well. You’re fucking Democrats. You’re already a hippie by ‘definition’ and no amount of piling on will change those optics. Dipshits.
Southern Beale
In this day and age? Apparently, moderate Republicans. My “moderate” Republican senator is stepping down from his role in the GOP leadership because apparently he isn’t crazy enough for the post.
Samara Morgan
@Yutsano: but its still hostage. because of the supah committee timeline i posted.
even if O isnt relected, the Bush cuts for the wealthy are toast.
and stop calling me a child, old person.
harlana
whoooa! i thot the problem was those nasty, stinky progressive Dems.
so confused.
(sigh)
FlipYrWhig
@The Snarxist Formerly Known as Kryptik:
I’m not sure. There’s still a non-liberal Democratic tradition, especially in the Sun Belt, the Midwest, and parts of the south. You can win as a Democrat while successfully differentiating yourself from the hippies, queers, bleeding-hearts and tax-hikers. You believe in helping the little guy, but not through welfare-like handouts, through business expansion and innovation, for instance. Think of the state-level Democratic party in a place like Arkansas.
FlipYrWhig
@harlana: The problem with the “nasty, stinky progressive Dems” isn’t ideological, it’s that — at least in much of their online presence — they fail to take into account that conservative Democrats are a malignant force within the Democratic caucus, and that many of the flaws and failings they attribute to Obama arise from the influence of the conservative wing of the Democratic party.
IMHO the reason why more progressive policy doesn’t get passed is, overwhelmingly, the existence of conservative Democrats. What’s frustrating about the blogosphere is that progressives discount the conservative Democrats’ role. Progressives have the right prescriptions for what better policy would be, but all too often show extremely poor comprehension about how to maximize the chances of getting it.
At least that’s where my frustration comes from — and I would identify as liberal-to-left on ideology, just a deep-dyed pessimist about enacting anything like the policies I would favor. So I grade on a steep curve, rather than against a hard-and-fast set of standards.
Southern Beale
Sen. Ben Nelson is the same idiot who gave the GOP fuel with his demands in the healthcare bill for the cornhusker compromise, no? I mean seriously, there’s always going to be one person somewhere who demands people pay attention to him or her. Someone whose hand must be held and all that. Either it’s Ben Nelson or Mary Landrieu or Joe Lieberman, or it’s going to be whastername in New Hampshire or Maine or wherever, you know who I’m talking about …
Bottom line is, this happens every time.
jibeaux
Taxing the rich more polls excellently. There’s no reason for these useless fuckers to fight it. Just embrace it. It’s nothing radical. You don’t even have to be from the Democratic wing of the Democratic party. It’s called progressive taxation, and it’s the fundamental principle of the tax code since the repeal of prohibition, and it’s not fucking controversial. Cripes, forget a spine, these guys just need to start with some cartilage.
rikryah
useless mofos, plain and simple.
El Cid
Ally Lieberman will be departing, and the charges that today’s GOP more and more resembles professional wrestling skits in no way should be suggested.
Perhaps with the right economic policies and a better economy, more Americans can finally have the opportunity to work for the WWE.
virag
moderate democratic elected officials at all levels are rock-ribbed conservatives. the united states has not only been under selection pressure for more conservative politicians but also more stupid politicians for a couple of generations now. it’s not pretty out there.
Svensker
@kindness:
Having a Democratic majority, which gives control of the committees.
You think a more liberal senator could be elected in OK?
Svensker
@jibeaux:
Perfect.
CT Voter
They moan about the deficit, and the “lack of leadership” by Obama, all while sticking both thumbs metaphorically in his eyes when he does provide leadership.
“Moderate” Dems. Can’t legislate with them, can’t legislate without them.
Better Dems, please.
Ben Cisco
@El Cid: So, she gets her own entrance music if she wins, right?
Corner Stone
@Holden Pattern:
Or as Cole’s familiar refrain in ’10 was, “crawl over broken glass” to vote for Manchin. Until the first vote Manchin cast. Then Cole basically disowned him. To some mirth and merriment amongst the commenters.
Ben Cisco
A lot of that was due to high turnover.
Corner Stone
@Samara Morgan: What do you think this “moderate” Dem pre-emption is about?
Don’t you recognize the same old song and dance when it’s trotted out right in front of you?
nancydarling
@Nevgu: Sheesh! What would satisfy you? Should Cole practice bodily mortification on a daily bases to atone for once voting Republican? All of the regulars here, lurkers and commenters, know his history and have moved on, as has he. Get a life and grow up. I have never read a one of your posts that was enlightening or funny or on point.
Nevgu
@nancydarling: Thanks for the words of encouragement my little groupie. It inspires me to post even more of the same.
What did you all move on from? From stupid? You mean there is a cure now. I think you are confusing moving on with going to the next shiny object of ignorance you all have become enamoured with. If it was Bush v Gore tomorrow Cole would still vote for Bush. Because……..you….can’t…..fix…..stupid.
Ash Can
@Nevgu: You are ill. Seek help.
El Cid
@Ben Cisco: She gets to introduce President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho at the State of the Union address.
I think it’s highly offensive for a movie to have suggested that some elected South Carolina representative would so rudely interrupt and insult a President giving an address to Congress.
Ben Cisco
@El Cid: Eerie, isn’t it?
Feudalism Now!
Moderate Dems suck at achieving Liberal Dem agenda? Hoocoodanode.
Seriously, quit whining and getting the vapors. You want a more liberal America (eff the United States part, we’re more split than 1850 America, then work to build up a more progressive local and state party. Educate voters on policy and the effects of policies already enacted. Question bad policy but offer an alternative that could be passed in a more liberal sphere. i.e. a progressive local or state gov’t.
Obama is the face on the Dem Donkey not Landrieu or Nelson. He needs to be pushed to a more liberal position but he needs to be in the WH to do anything. So Push.
Uncle Clarence Thomas
.
.
Yes. Center-right balloonemo personality cultists. They have a trademark on the Smug for No Discernible Reason(tm) brand.
.
.
jibeaux
@El Cid: well, now I’ve wasted twenty minutes re-reading quotes from that movie and giggling. Mike Judge is a genius.
aisce
@ toko-loko
december 2012. 2012.
get that through your thick, fake muslim, trustafarian skull.
people are fed up with you even when you’re merely misinterpreting agreed upon facts. when you decide to invent your own “facts,” it’s simply a bridge too far.
Tony J
How long do you have to be in moderation before it officially becomes a law-enforcement matter?
Asleep at the stick again, Cole? It’s people like you who give people like you a bad name.
Bobby
Damn John, you’ve been right so far on everything since Obama’s speech on the economy on Sept.7. But then, again, it was all so obvious to anyone who has been paying attention to the last 2 years.
I owe you a beer. Virtual of course.
A L
No guys don’t you get it? You have to stop the liberals from messing things up so guys like Ben Nelson can lead progressive reform. Turn your guns on traitors like Cornell West!!
A L
Since when do politicians at the behest of millionaires and billionaires allow themselves to be “pushed” by peons? Do you buy that idiotic narrative? Every time Obama has been “set back” he’s conveniently swung further to the right. Obama is not looking to be swayed by liberals, he’s looking to con them into thinking he’s on their side.
But don’t let me interrupt your fantasy where Obama secretly wants to usher in an era of liberalism but the home team just doesn’t want it hard enough.
honus
@Nevgu: I’ve ignored your posts for a good while now, but I finally agree with you. “You can’t fix stupid” Actually, it’s “Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens.”
Southern Beale
This is an interesting piece on the whole “moderate Dem” meme which has surfaced since Obama’s tax the rich speech.
4jkb4ia
What Southern Beale said at #40. I would add that these folks understand that Obama has to position against the Republicans for his reelection–but he doesn’t matter for their reelection or lack thereof in the case of Webb. And they have not seen Obama position against them yet. In Nelson’s case, you may also have farms. Ezra had a classic observation that both of Obama’s budget proposals represent half of what you would get if you simply let the Bush tax cuts expire, which gives them an effective answer to constituents bellyaching about taxes.
Actual reason I am here: NYT this morning speculates about what might happen if Greece would default. Except from the quote from Merrill Lynch, I think it is in English. “Deleveraging” = paying down debt
Fucen Pneumatic Fuck Wrench Tarmal
this is where campaigning comes in. the super committee is really just busking for tips, but take the plan to the american people.