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Obama, Biden Scold 'Apathetic,' 'Whining' Democrats

1 year ago
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Using words like "inexcusable" and "whining," President Obama and Vice President Biden are scolding Democratic voters, warning that the party must close the enthusiasm gap with Republicans as the midterm elections approach amid signs of an impending GOP tide.

"People need to shake off this lethargy," Obama said in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine set for publication on Friday. Surveys not only show that Republicans are poised to make big gains in both the House and Senate, but also that their constituent base is more excited as Nov. 2 draws near. Obama, campaigning in four states this week, is well aware of the problem and wants his party's liberal base to "buck up." Some liberals are disappointed that the Obama administration did not insist on a "public option" for insurance coverage in the health care bill, and did not push harder for their other priorities.

But Obama, in the interview, said, "It is inexcusable for any Democrat or progressive right now to stand on the sidelines in this midterm election.
President Obama, on the cover of Rolling Stone
"The idea that we've got a lack of enthusiasm in the Democratic base, that people are sitting on their hands complaining, is just irresponsible," the president told Rolling Stone. Obama appears on the cover of the upcoming edition, a spot reserved in the past for the likes of John Lennon, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. (The latter two are said to be among the favorites on the president's iPod.)

In New Hampshire on Monday, Vice President Joe Biden said Democratic candidates need to "remind our base constituency to stop whining and get out there and look at the alternatives." Instead, he told those gathered at a fundraiser for three House hopefuls, Democratic stalwarts should emphasize that the policies of the Bush White House "decimated the middle class -- that's the real catastrophe," according to CNN.

The liberal "whining" notwithstanding, Biden continued to insist that Democrats will keep their majorities in the House and Senate in November.

Click play below to watch Biden's clarification of his remarks about whining:

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jemccjr

But is this not the way of the rank and file Democrat? Sit and wait for goodies to roll in for pulling the correct lever lash out in anger when frustrated. Pray for rain on election day.

September 28 2010 at 10:08 AM
vicbar88

But Obama, in the interview, said, "It is inexcusable for any Democrat or progressive right now to stand on the sidelines in this midterm election Democrats, is this the mentality that you wish to continue in the future - "do it my way or else" Nobody cares what you thought was a good idea so you must support things you don't like anyway. This is the mentality that is the problem with Washington. Blindly follow without question. This election isn't about who gets to be in control - it will be about who will actually listen to the people and who might actually do something to help the people. Everyone but the people have been helped so far so obviously their needs do not count???????

September 28 2010 at 10:02 AM +10
van

I believe they should have said this all parties. This has happened in History before. JFK Administration. Hatred, apathy and misdirected anger resulted in CHILDREN clapping (due to their nifty parents speaking out at home) when he was shot. The STOOD UP and clapped. I will stand up and speak out against anyone harming or demeaning any duly elected representative. It's classless and trashy.

September 28 2010 at 9:54 AM -9
cthackara

Joe asks for 6 months of retraining for 'Cattle Guards'! CATTLE GUARDS, THIS IS ABOUT AS GOOD AS THEM WANTING TO CHANGE THE LAW OF PHYSICS! You will love this one, I haven't stop laughing yet. For those of you who have never traveled to the west, or southwest, cattle guards are horizontal steel rails placed at fence openings, in dug-out places in the roads adjacent to highways (sometimes across highways), to prevent cattle from crossing over that area. For some reason the cattle will not step on the "guards," probably because they fear getting their feet caught between the rails. A few months ago, President Obama received and was reading a report that there were over 100,000 cattle guards in Colorado . The Colorado ranchers had protested his proposed changes in grazing policies, so he ordered the Secretary of the Interior to fire half of the “cattle” guards immediately! Before the Secretary of the Interior could respond and presumably try to straighten President Obama out on the matter, Vice-President Joe Biden, intervened with a request that...before any “cattle” guards were fired, they be given six months of retraining for Arizona border guards. 'Times are hard', said Joe Biden, 'it's only fair to the cattle guards and their families!' And these two guys are running our country.

September 28 2010 at 9:53 AM +12
enpassant44

It's true. If you don't want to get the Bush policies back that destroyed the economy you better vote for the Democrat. Republicans would allow the banks on Wall Street to do whatever they want to screw the American people.

September 28 2010 at 9:52 AM -20
kp0702

Middle class America has awaken. They are expressing their dissatisfaction with Obama and his administration and will send the message lound and clear November 2, 2010. The only response from Obama is to complain and blame. He is now blaming the same Americans that supported him in 2008. Best advise to Obama is SUCK IT UP CUPCAKE! THIS MESS IS YOURS.

September 28 2010 at 9:52 AM +24
mlwriter8

this is like employee being told by his boss that he's not doing his job, and he tells his boss that he's wrong, he really is doing his job, and so stop your whining. I believe it's called insubordination.

September 28 2010 at 9:49 AM -9
1 reply to mlwriter8's comment
vicbar88

It is hardly the same thing - People not supporting bad ideas is not considered insubordination - it is called common sense.

September 28 2010 at 10:08 AM

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