Oh please, Eric Alterman, Mr. Distinguished Professor of English. I’d thought your 12-page essay, “Kabuki Democracy: Why a Progressive Presidency Is Impossible, For Now,” published on The Nation would offer some great insight and constructive criticism about the Obama administration. But I read the first two pages, shook my head and rolled my eyes, then tried real hard to proceed to the third page — only to find myself unable to stomach your words any further.
Don’t get me wrong, though. Alterman’s essay is definitely worthy of an A+, but only if you’re a diehard “progressive” and Obama Kool-Aid drinker. For conservatives, or even the moderates, allow me to save you some reading: it’s the same ol’ “blame Bush and Cheney” rhetoric Americans have grown so tired of already.
Don’t believe me? Okay, go ahead and read the first page. The blaming begins in the sixth paragraph. Poor Mr. Obama, being new to the presidency and all, and already burdened with Bush’s mistakes. Note to liberals: Yourselves are to blame for portraying President Obama as President Wuss by constantly barraging the media with the “blame Bush” nonsense. Think about it.
Let me break it down, it’s really simple. A progressive presidency is impossible because the majority of Americans aren’t progressives. Yes, duh. Obama and his team overplayed their election victory hand. Their mindset was very clear when they started referring to their win as a mandate from voters. Any sensible voter knew that the 2008 presidential election was hardly a lopsided win for Obama/Biden. The popular vote spread was merely about +7 for Obama/Biden — hardly a mandate, don’t you think?
In essence, Alterman’s piece could’ve been condensed from 17,000+ words to four words: It’s all Bush’s fault.
