Netroots Nation angst in 2010 strikes me as akin to the fevered whining of a spurned lover: self-absorbed, aimed at the past, and devoid of rational analysis either of conditions that gave rise to the cuckoldry or of the path forward.
And wholly unconstructive and unproductive, although a modicum of venting can admittedly provide blessed short-term relief.
In truth, though, President Obama fueled the sour mood at this past weekend's annual Netroots Nation confab by surprising liberal activists with four slickly-recorded minutes in which he condescendingly chided Netrooters to "Consider what we've accomplished," then proceeded to cleverly... and falsely... claim progress on his campaign promises nearest-and-dearest to liberal activists:
- "We're working to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'." (But with one stroke of your pen, Mr. President, we know that you could end it today with an Executive Order.)
- "We're working to close Guantanamo in a responsible way." (Ummm... and when would that be, Mr. President? You've missed innumerable deadlines and made innumerable false or unkeepable promises already on this one, apparently with no closure date yet in sight.)
- "We are poised to end our combat mission in Iraq by August... " (Define "combat mission," Mr. President. How many Iraq-based troops will simply have their mission assignment changed from "combat" to "peace-keeping," "stabilization," or "training"? For that matter, defined "poised." You didn't say WILL end our combat mission... )
Clearly, Mr. Obama is one unfaithful lover who thinks we're still stupid. And still blindly enamored. But after eighteen months, we're no longer satisfied simply with cooing words of courtship. We want actions and deeds. We want our President walking the walk, not just charmingly talking the walk.
I fully understand Netroot Nations rage. But the fact is that rage is unproductive because it blinds us to cool-headed solutions.
Paralyzing anger at Obama's string of old, broken campaign promises also prevents us from seeing solid legislative good that's belatedly begun in rebuilding the middle-class economy via logical, thoughtful, fully fleshed-out programs including:
- A terrific new comprehensive strategy to boost U.S. manufacturing industries. Entitled the Make It in America agenda, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer introduced this multi-faceted legislative agenda on July 23, 2010 which aims "to encourage investments in industry, improve manufacturing infrastructure and innovation, strengthen the American workforce" and more.
Read Rep. Hoyer's smart remarks at Obama's "Make It in America" Agenda to Revive U.S. Manufacturing.
- The Obama's administration's new National Export Initiative, which, to what should be exuberant liberal delight, advances trade protections that liberals have been pushing for almost two decades, including protections against worker exploitation and environmental degradation.
Read about the administration's new trade initiatives at Obama Negotiating New Trade Pact That Could Please Liberals and at Obama's New Export Initiative Is Bright Spot In Dismal Economy.
Here's my counsel both to Netrooters and to President Obama on how to more constructively and satisfyingly navigate their rocky relationship:
To President Obama: Stop obfuscating and outright lying about your administration's failure to keep certain old campaign promises. If you're not going to fulfill them, drop the subject. But good gracious, stop insulting our intelligence with obviously ambiguous half-truths. Instead, talk in detail about all the good that your administration has in process to fix the economy. We're well-educated, well-informed people, Mr. President. Stop treating us like nitwits.
To Netroots Nation denizens, get over your shattered egos and grasp that, yes, another politician lied to us to get our vote. Yes, Barack Obama is just another politically promiscuous leader, doing what it takes to grab and keep power. It hurts, for sure... but continually licking your painful wounds of unrequited love won't solve our nation's myriad of problems.
If Obama has violated your trust so deeply that you can't vote for him in 2012, then start now to find another Democratic presidential nominee. Stop the dead-end whining, and move on to the arms of another.
If, despite your disappointment, you're not ready to give up on Barack Obama, then focus actively on the path forward. Move past the litter of Obama's broken campaign pledges. And commit to yourself that you'll never again blindly believe either a politician or a lover based solely on charisma, pretty words, and whispered, empty promises.
And please, liberals, don't fall soppy prey to top blogger Matthew Yglesia's touchy-feely blandishment that "political activists do not live on policy accomplishments alone" but activists "engaged in the process want--need--to feel good about themselves for doing it."
Huh? Check your brain at the door, and do what feels good? Isn't that what got Obama elected to the White House on a slim resume, scant experience and a feel-good vibe? Isn't that precisely what sent liberal activists into the sulky funk openly displayed at this past weekend Netroots Nation convention?
Fellow liberals, the time is long overdue to start using rationality, and not feelings, in measuring this presidency by specific actions, benchmarks, and policy accomplishments. And to stop acting like, and allowing ourselves to be treated by Obama like, impotent, cuckolded dolts.
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