MyDD :: Obama's not perfect. So what?

Obama's not perfect. So what?

by politicsmatters, Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 04:41:04 PM EST

With the FISA bill and other issues that have arisen (vp vetting, public financing), some folks have been quick to jump on Obama. The anti-Obama folks have said, oh my, you see, he isn't perfect. Others have been very critical.

Now, there's absolutely nothing wrong with criticizing our Democratic leader. In fact, raising our voices is a fundamental way of showing our patriotism.

Those who are anti-Obama seem to think that Obama's imperfections somehow mar what Obama supporters saw as his flawless nature. But I never did see him as perfect and I never expected any politician or person to be perfect.

We are all perfectly right to express ourselves. But let's not fall into the purity mold which led some to vote for Nader in 2000 and get W. into office.

One of my favorite expressions in policy circles is "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."

My vote decision comes down to the policies they'd pursue. They both have track records. McCain's lifetime rating on abortion rights from Planned Parenthood is ZERO, Obama's is 100. And of course there are many other differences, on health care, environment, the war, taxes, etc.

Again, no politician is perfect. I've voted for plenty of people with whom I had disagreements. Bill Clinton was more moderate than I liked and certainly had his issues but I voted for him twice. I'm just not into needing a pure candidate.

So, let's keep our critical edge but also keep in mind that there are two clear options and one is clearly superior. And let's work our hearts out to make Senator Barack Obama our next president.

Tags: Barack Obama, Democratic party (all tags)

Permalink :: 54 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (2.00 / 3)

Politics, I see a lot of hypocrisy.

Some (and I stress some) of the Clinton diehards have now become purists while some (and I stress some) of the Obama diehards are all of a sudden embracing pragmaticism and triangulation.

Someone blasting Obama is not a troll, someone who will vote for Obama but won't donate if Clinton is not on the ticket is not a troll, someone who is skeptical of Obama's Iraq withdrawal plan is not a Mcblogger.

What happened to student guy by the way? Is he scouting Pawlenty, who appears to be heads and shoulders McCain's VP pick?

by Blazers Edge on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 04:49:08 PM EST

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

I still think that Bobby Jindal would be an inspired choice, from a Republican perspective. I don't think they fully understand what they've got there.

by Reaper0Bot0 on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 04:57:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Perhaps his believing (none / 0)

in some very occult practices for starters?

by Grissom1001 on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 04:59:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Perhaps his believing (none / 0)

Ah, that's actually what makes him credible for some of them, I would suspect.

He's one of the very few examples of inclusion in their party. He's also a gifted speaker and he has actually done some of what he promised. I wouldn't have voted for him if I lived in Louisiana, but I can nod respectfully when I see what's developing.

Let's not be blind, shall we? He's going to be a national figure and we're going to have to deal with that reality when it happens.

by Reaper0Bot0 on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:01:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Perhaps his believing (none / 0)

Religious nuts are only one wing of the Republican party. Not every GOPer wants someone who enthusiastically imprisoned a woman for hours as VP.

[ Donate to Barack Obama ]

by semiquaver on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:49:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Perhaps his believing (none / 0)

No, but they do want a reformer and he's been one, for the most part.

I want to be clear - I am not a supporter of Governor Jindal. I'm only trying to give as unbiased analysis of his prospects as I can. Stop looking at this through the lens of a liberal Democrat. We don't decide who succeeds in their party. They do. His religious nuttery does do one thing very well - it establishes that he's more like them than his ancestry might otherwise suggest. It serves a purpose.

by Reaper0Bot0 on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:51:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Perhaps his believing (none / 0)

Granted.

But I'm not convinced that a Jindal VP would be in the interests of the party. For one, it would mostly close down the "inexperience" avenue of attack against Obama, which I think they want to mine heavily. Those criticisms would ring pretty damn hollow if McCain chooses a vp that's 9 years younger than Obama and certainly has less experience (3 years House, 6 months Governor). Especially since McCain has a greater chance of dying in office than any other candidate in recent memory.

[ Donate to Barack Obama ]

by semiquaver on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 06:11:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Perhaps his believing (none / 0)

That's not a bad point, but they can manage it. Jindal's got about as much time in government as Obama does. He's something of a wunderkind, and they'll play that angle pretty well if he's the Veep. He's got executive experience, which is what they'll brag on, and he's got a very compelling personal biography which will be used to undercut how special Obama's is.

He isn't a slam dunk (he's about six years younger than would be ideal) but he does have advantages. While I don't think he'll be on this ticket, I'm damned sure he will be on a later one.

We need to keep an eye on this one.

by Reaper0Bot0 on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 06:30:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Perhaps his believing (none / 0)

I heard him on C-Span addressing a group at the National Press Club a few weeks back, and he was talking about the recovery efforts in Louisiana.
I was impressed, he almost sounded like a Democrat, talking about the many programs he's started to help with rebuilding NO and other parts of Louisiana. Now truly, I have no idea if he's blowing smoke, because you hardly hear anything about the recovery anymore, so if anyone has any insight, please educate me.
I don't know much about him (except what I read on the blogs and the news), but he was a gifted speaker, if nothing else.

by skohayes on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 06:40:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

Jindal got hit with an ethics violation on pretty much his first day in office. The guy isn't as clean as he presents himself.

The guy just had a major departure with McCain on the issue of Katrina. I think we can cross him off the list.

U.S. News and Reports is claiming that Pawlenty's people are making the following argument to McCain:

"The claim from the source for the story, 'a high-ranking McCain campaign official,' also accompanies a mention that internal polling shows Pawlenty 'delivering' both Minnesota and Wisconsin to McCain in the fall."
www.fivethirtyeight.com

by Blazers Edge on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:05:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

Do you think he can deliver MN and WI? I can't see Minnesota, but perhaps I am being naive.

"And I scream at the top of my lungs, what's going on?"

by Hollede on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:22:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

It goes against some of the wisdom that I understand about Pawlenty. He barely won the governorship in Minneosta, but even Minnesotian Student Guy acknowledged that he thought it would be a two-point Minnesota win for Obama if Pawlenty were the vice. That's trouble if Obama has to spend a good amount of time defending Minnesota.

I am hoping Pawlenty's people just blowing hot smoke up McCain's ass and the polls would seem to support that proposition; he seems to want the VP position pretty badly. He strikes as a more mainstream Huckabee type, which is exactly the type of Republican that I have feared in the past (moderately-wingnut populist). However, we've got that bridge to hold over his ass and I'm sure Klobuchar knows how we can go after him. He would probably be a tough matchup in a debate with even Hillary Clinton.

by Blazers Edge on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:28:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

Interesting. I don't pay as much attention to MN politics as I should. Thanks for the info.

"And I scream at the top of my lungs, what's going on?"

by Hollede on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:47:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

The only real blot on my time living in MN has been Pawlenty. Well, and Coleman. But I do see MN returning strongly to Blue. Mostly a gut feeling.

"And I scream at the top of my lungs, what's going on?"

by Hollede on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:49:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (2.00 / 3)

The difference is that neither Clinton based their entire mantra on hope, change, and a new kind of politics. Sure, Bill Clinton did run on 'change'--but he didn't propose the kind of sweeping transformation that Obama has.

If some Clinton diehards have become "purists", so be it; yet the more far striking trend is that of Obama diehards "suddenly embracing pragmatism and triangulation," as you note. After all, triangulation was exactly what Obama ran against in the primary--and won with it!

by MMR2 on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 04:58:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

I agree with you but when we see diaries by the same people always bashing our nominee. We need to
reply and question their loyalty. Which party do they represent? If it's McCain say so.

by Politicalslave on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 06:37:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

There hasn't even been a vote yet.

There isn't even a Senate draft of the bill yet.

The histrionics around here are just ridiculous. How 'bout we see what Obama does as opposed to ripping him for something that he hasn't yet done?

by nocore on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 06:42:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What NO ONE is paying attention to (2.00 / 2)

is that the MAJORITY of the House & Senate supported this bill. IF Obama wants to have their support in thie election he could NOT go against them and make them look bad. Some decisions HAVE to be made at this point in the game to ensure he gets elected and then? He can stand on his principle.
Politics is a whole different ballgame than the one we sit at our computers and play.
Eye on the prize folks and we will get there.

by Grissom1001 on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 04:58:23 PM EST

Obama's not perfect!? *GASP* (2.00 / 4)

What!? What!? What!?

---
Oh yeah, btw, don't forget to make a perfect donation here.

Grumpy, reluctant, sore-losing, unhappy, irritable Hillary supporter for Barack Obama 2008

by DemAC on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:05:15 PM EST

LOL! (2.00 / 3)

Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.

by sricki on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:14:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

Can anyone here spot the troll?

"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband

by venician on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:07:17 PM EST

Look in the mirror! n/t (none / 0)

by bobswern on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:11:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Bah ha ha ha! (2.00 / 2)

Now, there's absolutely nothing wrong with criticizing our Democratic leader. In fact, raising our voices is a fundamental way of showing our patriotism.

So, let's keep our critical edge

Give me a break...The only criticizing that's done on Mydd is aimed toward those who don't worship the ground Obama walks on.

by soyousay on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:08:10 PM EST

Do you want (none / 0)

some cheese with that whine?

by TheLeftApple on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:16:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I feel your pain. (2.00 / 1)

I'm sure you're disappointed with all the missteps Obama has made lately.

by soyousay on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:21:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I feel your pain. (2.00 / 2)

Any Democrat would be dismayed when the Democratic nominee for president does something that could hurt their chances of winning the White House.

A Republican would revel in those missteps, as you are doing.

www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com

by LandStander on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 06:22:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bah ha ha ha! (none / 0)

Go..Go...Go back to Redstate

I read the body count out of the paper; now it's written all over my face.

by JDF on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:18:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

good for you (none / 0)

Bush was a cheerleader once.

by soyousay on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:22:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: good for you (none / 0)

You're pretty transparent.

by mikeinsf on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:39:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bah ha ha ha! (none / 0)

Er...you haven't seen the criticisms of Obama over FISA the last couple of days? If you'd like some more, trot over to DKos -- they've been ripping him a new one pretty much non-stop.

by jere7my on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 08:00:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Bah ha ha ha! (none / 0)

is soyousay having another bad day? Do you need more virtual hugs? Should we give a virtual kiss to make your boo boo feel better?

"In the primary you should vote with your heart, but in the general, you should vote with your head" Hillary's husband

by venician on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 08:17:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

I miss the shittastic diaries you post. Those were always good for a laugh. Is it weird for your wife when you tell her to pretend she's Ron Paul when you're in bed?

Hillary supporter for Barack Obama in 2008

by zcflint05 on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:08:26 PM EST

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

Can anyone name a single solitary credential that makes your comments worthy of anything other than an HR (maybe a TR at best!)

I read the body count out of the paper; now it's written all over my face.

by JDF on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:17:14 PM EST

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

Hmmm... and what were Bush's credentials? And Hillary's?

by mikeinsf on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:38:12 PM EST

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (2.00 / 2)

I am really happy with Obama as a candidate but I never thought he was the Messiah. He is a politician and will act like one. I know he will do some things I don't approve of as a candidate and especially as president. But as a person who has been through many election cycles he is one of the best I've seen. Again, he doesn't have to be perfect and there is no way he can be.

by Becky G on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:38:30 PM EST

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

ah..
can we,; perhaps wait until the junior Senator from Illinois speaks upon this? Can we wait until the NY junior Senator from NY speaks upon this?

If anyone has an advance copy of what Sen. Obama will say from the Senate floor...please share..same for Sen. Clinton....same for any Senator..

"harlequin speech of suicide, demanding instantaneous lobotomy"

by nogo postal on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:58:34 PM EST

NO! (2.00 / 2)

The more we talk about it, the more we press him to do what is right/correct, the better chance We The People have at him truly being a President for We The People.

So.... hit him with emails, phone calls, blog diaries, etc so that he KNOWS how We The People feel.

government of the people, by the people, and for the people

http://www.bartleby.com/59/11/government of.html

Washington Woman
theocracywatch.org
EENR Blog

by kevin22262 on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 06:08:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I love this quote (2.00 / 1)

"Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." - BUT reid, pelosi and others are also using this to defend their asinine ways!

Washington Woman
theocracywatch.org
EENR Blog

by kevin22262 on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 05:59:45 PM EST

This was expected ...... (2.00 / 7)

and completely understandable.

So, critics of the Clinton form of reaching compromise, known derisively as 'triangulation' see no comparison to the Obama form of reaching compromise, which is exactly the same as the Clinton form.

Folks who decried single votes that were not deemed 'right' nor 'progressive' in other candidates now suddenly have found the ability to understand, overlook and yes, even compromise their 'purity' on the issues.

Does that mean the candidate is flawed? No, not really. It's just more of politics as usual, not by the candidate himself but by the masses.

Not a big deal, to me, as I do intend to vote for Obama. I just wish that everyone would stop insisting that any voice that is not in rousing praise of every Obama burp be either brow beaten back into groupthink line or silenced all together. I think that's what he would like to see.

Hell's bells, even the GOP didn't have to crucify Eisenhower's record in order to make Reagan their 'saint'. We can have two great ones, you know?

by emsprater on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 06:11:26 PM EST

Re: Obama's not perfect. So what? (none / 0)

I never thought Obama was perfect, and he has made mistakes over the course of his career. This is one of them. Doesn't change the fact that Obama would be a much better president than McCain. Doesn't change the fact that on all the major issues Obama is on the right side.

by Skaje on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 06:41:04 PM EST

There is no blue state or red state (none / 0)

---just that we are all americans.

Obama should continue talking about uniting americans.

Regarding problem solving ---He should also talk about there is no conservative or liberal --just the right solution to problems.

He should go back to his themes during the early campaign ---where we all felt hopeful and inspired and patriotic.

He should continue to encourage activism and make people own the campaign and he should ask for people's help and to contribute to the campaign.

by jasmine on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 06:41:40 PM EST

Are you serious?? (none / 0)

If so I have some swamp land you might like.

by Jjc2008 on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 09:41:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

the fact that you have to write this diary.... (none / 0)

though is a little sad - no? who is perfect? NO ONE.

in other news - PM i was called a repug today for writing a diary that was mildly critical of the NAFTA positioning.

"Me Fail English? That's Unpossible." Ralph Wiggum

by canadian gal on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 06:53:14 PM EST

Hillary IS however perfect (none / 0)

The reality sets in, as it would have with Hillary, that at some point there would be conflict on some issue.

I would bet that Hillary would definitely have supported the FISA compromise, in some sort of triangulated way, as has Obama.

Hopefully with a brave new dem majority they can remove the retro-active immunity clause.

overthrow the government~participate

by missliberties on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 07:09:47 PM EST

Because the Obama progressives (2.00 / 1)

derided the reality of what the Hillary Clinton learned in the 90s. It does not matter how right you may think you are....democracy is about compromise. It just is. Mocking the Clintons of having triangulated, pandered, instead of understanding what compromise entails, was and is the right wing narrative. Now suddenly because Obama is compromising it is suddenly acceptable.

It has always been a real necessity to compromise....it is what a government of the people, by the people and for the people is about. Unless of course it is a government of, by and for robots. Compromise and taking small steps toward goals is how it has always worked.

I think the resentment of SOME Hillary supporters is that SOME Obama supporters demonized her for reaching out to those who do not think exactly like they do.

by Jjc2008 on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 09:47:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I partially agree (none / 0)

I think Obama supporters were more angry that she camaigned like a Republican.

I give Hillary her due. But I still think that she would not have been the "Perfect" candidate either, angering the netroots like Obama has at some point.

Triangulation is just a part of politics, and I agree compromise is what our system is built on, so I actually think compromise is good.

overthrow the government~participate

by missliberties on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 10:46:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I partially agree (none / 0)

Campaigned like a republican????

Come on....are you still buying the Hillary Hating press' interpretation. Or do you rely on the hate mongers boys club of some of the progressive sites.
Hillary was campaigning to win.

Whatever you interpret as "campaigning like a republican" is a misnomer. Axlerod did race baiting...he tarnished a woman who has worked for civil rights all her life. Anything she said or did became spun into racism. Anyone, whether they worked for her or not, became front page racist.
I am so sick and tired of the meme of "poor innocent Barack was tarred by mean old Hillary."

And the more Obama progressives push the media lie, the more resistant I am to ever working for this campaign.

by Jjc2008 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 10:49:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Could you be a little more hateful (none / 0)

It's such a lovely trait of feminists.

Your attitude is quite a turnoff.

overthrow the government~participate

by missliberties on Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 05:07:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

He's no saint, he's a politician (none / 0)

The newbie-neophytes and the unrealistic radical righteous have either been in denial or conveniently overlooked this key fact. There's is nothing more unpure, messy, or continual deal-with-the-devil than presidential politics.

I'm with you -- I want a politician in that office. We are far too complex country with far too many complex problems to have patience/tolerance for such simpleton whining about Obama's FISA comments vis-a-vis the canonized personification unwisely heaped on Obama.

Get over it and get used to it, I say.

by dcrolg on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 07:21:16 PM EST

Re: He's no saint, he's a politician (none / 0)

Amazing this poster has been telling us for months that Hillary was the antichrist for acting like a politician now apparently it's alright when Obama does it and we all HAVE TO GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ottovbvs on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 07:45:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Broken clocks tell correct time 2x day (none / 0)

not disagreeing with you, but he did have a valid point.

by dcrolg on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 11:07:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

But pm you've said he's perfect for months. (none / 0)

You mean you've been lying to us all this time?

by ottovbvs on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 07:43:12 PM EST

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