It looks like the honeymoon is officially over between the far left and President Obama. On issue after issue, Obama has validated the Bush administration and the left is not happy. This disappointment has been kept under wraps for most of the past hundred days, but now they're beginning to voice their displeasure openly. These strains are not gaining much attention with the media, but this development could make it easier for the GOP to pick up seats in the 2010 elections. The President will need to excite his base in order to build upon their majorities in Congress next year, but with each tack to the center, he runs the risk of dampening that same energy that propelled him into the White House.
From Politico.com:
Barely four months into his presidency, Obama is confronting growing
dissatisfaction among members of his liberal base, who feel spurned by
a series of his early decisions on issues ranging from guns to torture
to immigration to gay rights.
The list got longer last week as Obama reversed his earlier decision to release photos of detaineesmilitary
A few, like MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, have even hurled the left’s ultimate epithet – suggesting that Obama’s turning into George W. Bush.
The building anger comes at a critical moment – just as Obama’s about to announce his choice for the Supreme Court. Fulfill their dreams of a “liberal Scalia,” a firebrand from the left, and much would be forgiven.
But if Obama opts instead for a decidedly centrist nominee aimed at winning a large number of Republican votes in the Senate, the growing concern could develop into something more politically dangerous.
The list got longer last week as Obama reversed his earlier decision to release photos of detaineesmilitary
A few, like MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, have even hurled the left’s ultimate epithet – suggesting that Obama’s turning into George W. Bush.
The building anger comes at a critical moment – just as Obama’s about to announce his choice for the Supreme Court. Fulfill their dreams of a “liberal Scalia,” a firebrand from the left, and much would be forgiven.
But if Obama opts instead for a decidedly centrist nominee aimed at winning a large number of Republican votes in the Senate, the growing concern could develop into something more politically dangerous.
The moral of this story, the difference between campaign promises and governing realities.
Although Obama has regularly thrown the liberal left a bone he has been forced, reluctantly, to move closer to the center on a few issues.
Just three of the actions I believe Obama is now wearing a "kick me" sign over. Giving a definitive date for closing Gitmo, the release of the CIA "torture" memos and the subsequent fallout hitting several key Democrats, and his initial eagerness to release photo's depicting alleged abuses in US prisons in Iraq and Afghanistan.
However, Obama will kiss and make up with his lefty base with his impending Supreme Court pick.
Posted by: Darlene E. Cormier | May 18, 2009 at 11:41 AM