Obama told Rolling Stone that it’s “inexcusable” and “irresponsible” for Democratic voters not to turn out in droves on Nov. 2. “Buck up,” he said.
And Biden said Democrats should “stop whining and get out there and look at the alternatives.”
But Democratic voters, and for that matter, progressive and independent voters, aren’t children who can be sent to their rooms without supper until Election Day.
They’re citizens. And many of them are disillusioned with the Obama Administration, and for good reason.
The progressive base has repeatedly been kicked by the Obama administration—from single payer all the way to Afghanistan.
Progressives didn’t vote for more drone attacks on Pakistan.
Progressives didn’t vote for giving the President the right to assassinate U.S. citizens.
Progressives didn’t vote for Obama to keep Guantanamo open, or to continue with kidnappings of people to Bagram Air Base, where they are deprived of due process.
Progressives didn’t vote for Obama to let the FBI raid the homes of leftwing political activists.
Rank and file Democrats, as well as Independents, can’t point to enough tangible things the Administration has done for them.
Official unemployment, after all, stands at 9.6 percent.
Real wages are down.
Foreclosures are rampant.
The banks got bailed out, and the CEOs on Wall Street got their big bonuses, but almost everyone else has gotten short shrift.
The enthusiasm that was palpable two years ago to get rid of Bush and Cheney and to make history by electing Barack Obama simply no longer exists.
And you can’t create enthusiasm by lecturing people. You actually have to deliver for them.
If you liked this story by Matthew Rothschild, the editor of The Progressive magazine, check out his article Republicans Cry “Class Warfare” When They’re Winning the War.”
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