On the moderate-liberal end of the political spectrum, a lot has been said about Obama's next two years after the lame duck legislation. Some say he has proven that bipartisanship can lead to productive efforts, that he has done more than his progressive critics claim, and that they need to stop expecting perfection. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who has made it his mission to destroy Obama's "hope and change" efforts, recently told TIME that the tax-cut compromise was proof that Republicans and Democrats "can do business." Hope is alive, and the two enemies that were the Left and Right are becoming friends. Or, at least, frenemies.
Obama's liberal critics are annoyed that the President insists on appeasing men like McConnell. As Democrats and Republicans are doing business, critics see any hope for progress wiped out or watered down. They are waiting to see more action that mirrors the "Yes We Can" campaign. In short, progressives have practically thrown in the towel and today view Obama as a self-contradicting jellyfish. This growing negative discourse adds to the harsher conservative critiques of the President; as Obama said in a[n unrelated] press conference, "I can't win." Is this guy screwed?
Say what you want about Barack Obama's political record thus far. But the man has not been playing politics well. While a lot of the President's less politically active constituents have stood by him, he has managed to confuse the hell out of a large portion of his liberal base. Those who voted for hope and change are likely to get swayed by more experienced and impassioned presidential candidates come 2012. And let's not forget the new Republican House, who are getting ready to crush any and all hopes of progressive legislation.
Then again, this last point isn't very new. If you ask us, Barack Obama has been screwed ever since his inauguration. Actually, we're all screwed.
