11/22/2009 03:14:25 PM EST

C'mon Cenk... you're better than that

posted by ericalexander77

Let me start out by saying, that I'm not one of those TYT fans that is threatening to stop listening to the show because of Cenk's repeated criticism of Obama. However I do think Cenk, as with the rest of us, is vulnerable to making mistakes. 'To err is to be human'

Cenk recently said, "The Democrats may get health care reform done, but it will be done DESPITE Obama". C'mon man! Is he serious? All because of his 'sources'?

Let me keep this simple, THERE IS NO HEALTH CARE REFORM WITHOUT PRESIDENT OBAMA. Clear enough? Criticize him all you want, but that is the blatant truth. Despite what Cenk's 'sources' say about Obama's feelings towards the public option, let's not lose focus on the fact that we are about to witness the greatest legislation to come from our government in my lifetime, and yet still Cenk criticizes Obama?!

I'm sure things are not as 'black and white' for Obama and his staff, and there must be an unbelievable amount of 'behind the scenes' work to get something like this done. If Obama comes out and says that he's not in favor of the public option, then I understand Cenk's point, but that has not happened, and, in fact, I've only heard and read the opposite coming from Obama.

Obama is not immune to criticism, and I like the fact that Cenk tries to be objective when reporting the news. However, the passion with which Cenk goes after Obama is a bit ridiculuous, even for Cenk.


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How many times will Cenk be wrong about Obama before he gives the man the benefit of the doubt? Cenk has criticized Obama nearly as much as 'President' Bush. No joke. If Obama sends more troops to Afghanistan or if he says 'the public option isn't right for our country', then 'have at it hoss', but otherwise let the man try to get things done, however that may be. Obama has a great sense of the pulse of Washington and of the people in America. For example, even though Gay Marriage is a human rights issue and clearly should be legal, the recent elections in Maine and California, highlight that it would have cost him a lot! Gay Marriage or Health Care Reform? I'm absolutely in favor of gay marriage, but life isn't so 'black and white', and Health Care Reform is more important for our country right now... Trust me I'm a doctor (I've always wanted to say that).  

Love the passion Cenk, but in almost every aspect that you've criticized Obama you've been wrong (the economy- things are now starting to turn around and Obama and Geithner have helped get us out of the worst Recession in our lives; health care- he's going to soon sign a revolutionary health care reform bill; Gay rights- although I agree it wasn't enough, but the recently passed hate crimes bill was a big step for gay rights; Kicking Lieberman out of his committees in the Senate, as without Lieberman the Health Care Bill could have been filibustered; etc...). At some point, you have to lick your wounds and give the man some credit... despite what your 'sources' say. :)  

Loyal TYT fan

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C'mon Cenk... you're better than that | 12 comments (12 topical, 0 hidden)
Unemployment Rate. (none / 0)
You're right about Geithner getting the country out of a recession... but the unemployment rate is still rising. Something is wrong.

by saad on 11/22/2009 04:02:09 PM EST

I agree with you (none / 0)
I agree that our economy is far from 'in the clear', but atleast it appears that we're no longer facing a Great Depression. The economists told us a year ago that the last thing to improve in the economy is unemployment. They said 1 year ago that best case scenario, the unemployment will only be a little  more than it was back then (9-10%, rather than 15-20%). It was impossible for unemployment to improve, so things are all relative!

by ericalexander77 on 11/22/2009 04:14:58 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Obama could have fought harder. (none / 0)

You're also right about President Obama bringing the issue of health care reform to the forefront.

But don't you think he should have fought harder for a public option?

For example, compare the statements that Obama made on health care reform all these months to the statemens made by Rep. Anthony Wiener.

Wiener fought hard. Obama... not so much.

by saad on 11/22/2009 04:29:07 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Hard to criticize success (none / 0)

I hear ya. I also get all fired up when I hear speeches from Rep Weiner and Grayson, but unfortunately, they lack the necessary tactfullness to get things done. If Obama came out guns blazin', prosecuted Bush for his wrong doings, attacked the GOP, and threw his health care plan down their throat... most likely he would have alienated the moderate democrats. They have been the key this whole time. Obama needed 60-40 in the Senate, and he got it! Unbelievable! Democrats are not like Republicans. They're not all sheep that recite the same propaganda. So it's very impressive that he got all of them to vote for this legislation (I understand it hasn't passed yet, but 51 votes is much easier then the 60 needed to prevent a filibuster).

Regarding what else could have Obama done... I know for a fact that Obama called my Representative in Upstate NY the day for the vote in the House and asked him to vote for the bill. He's doing a lot 'behind the scenes', despite what Cenk's 'sources' tell him, and he's doing it all with class and tact.

The proof is in the pudding, so it's hard to criticize success... yet people still do! If this thing gets passed with a public option, then Cenk and the rest of the doubters on this site and around the country will be eating their words! 'Revenge is a best dish served cold' 

by ericalexander77 on 11/22/2009 08:54:14 PM EST

[ Parent ]
The unemployment rate is the wrong number (none / 1)
You have to understand how the unemployment number is calculated to understand what is happening.

50,000 U.S. households are surveyed with a number of questions. One of these is "How many people in your household are currently working." Another is "How many people in your household are activly looking for work." These 2 questions are the heart of the unemployment calculation and leads to several fundamental problems.

People who are unemployed and who have given up looking for work because they are having no luck finding a job are not counted as unemployed. People who are working and are actively looking for a better job are counted as both employed and unemployed at the same time, at least it appears this way.

When the economy starts to pick up and businesses are hiring you can expect the unemplyment rate to increase for at least another year. This is because the people who have given up looking for work now think there is a better chance of finding work and will begin looking again and people unhappy with their jobs will begin looking for a different job.

The number to look at is the payroll numbers not the unemployment rate, when payroll numbers go positive then things are improving even though unemployment will continue to increase.

by CptRich on 11/22/2009 05:18:15 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Yeah Cenk! (none / 1)
Even Jesus Christ had 3 years before they crucified him - give the new Messiah a chance! ;)

by bobo1 on 11/22/2009 04:27:35 PM EST

LOL (none / 0)
This "LOL" is because your post is amusing ... not ludicrous as accustomed.

A Proud Progressive!!!

by teron678 on 11/22/2009 04:32:58 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Hey dodo... (none / 0)

What have you ever done in your life that entitles you to 'sit on the sidelines' and belittle every political figure we have? Do you ever have anything productive to say?

I played sports, and you remind me a lot of players on my team who talked an awful lot of trash, but when they were forced into the game, they froze like deer in headlights.

by ericalexander77 on 11/22/2009 08:59:37 PM EST

[ Parent ]
One thing jumps out... (none / 1)

If you want to be mad at Cenk for expecting more or better from the Obama administration, more power to you.

But...when you say, "let's not lose focus on the fact that we are about to witness the greatest legislation to come from our government in my lifetime" - I'm left thinking you must not even be in your teens yet, not to mention you are going to be one of millions of extremely pissed off people when you realize that in the forms of the bills presented to the House and to the Senate...well. to borrow out of your context but completely in mine:

"...THERE IS NO HEALTH CARE REFORM..."

Oh, they may get a bill passed that they CALL health (insurance) reform, but it is already clear that it will be 'in name only.'

Face it, Obama tried to finesse the presentation of a plan, leaving the form up to Congress after HE ran on having a plan. He bet on the political outcome not resembling what happened to Clinton, and it BACKFIRED. He is taking the heat for "Obamacare," whether his fingers were in the mix or not - he didn't lead when he had the chance, and if THIS is what he had in mind all along, then a pox on his house!

If all us Liberal/Progressive types wanted was a bill prohibiting "pre-existing conditions," it could have been accomplished a lot simpler than this - and that pretty much sums up the GOOD part of these bills.

...and, it's going to get worse before the final draft...

The Republicans will be able to feed off this thing's carcass for years...

by MedfordTim on 11/22/2009 05:35:26 PM EST

Why he is restrained... (none / 0)
I am afraid that what Obama is doing is actually distancing himself from it. Conservative constantly use the term "ObamaCare" as a derogatory way. I think that Obama and his Adminitration are such large tragets for Fox News and the rest that they are trying to do more behind the scenes and less huge speeches. When he gave the one speech on Health care and Wilson yelled "You Lie", Wilson imediatlly became a celebrity for conservatives.

I am no expert on these kinds of things and have only become interested in Politics in the last couple years but that is at least how I see it. I could be way off.

by MorganH117 on 11/22/2009 07:35:29 PM EST

About Geithner... (none / 0)

I'm sure Cenk will discuss this in the next shows, but the more we get to know about Geithner, the more it seems that this guy is an epic failure.

Timothy Geithner is, in his position as head of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York last year, directly responsible for the biggest rip-off of all time.

The New York Times about this

by logischabbaubar on 11/23/2009 12:36:48 PM EST

'sources'? (none / 0)
ericaleander77, what are these 'sources' you claim that Cenk relies on? Remind us please.

Come back in 12 months and talk about how well the economy has "recovered". I'm afraid you'll find you're currently counting sick and dying chickens.

If you're still looking for something genuinely positive from Geithner then I guess you're still looking for good places from which to get your news

Logischabbaubar, Geithner an epic failure? I suppose it depends which side of the bank wealth gap you're on.

by Landbeyond on 11/24/2009 02:37:50 AM EST

[ Parent ]
C'mon Cenk... you're better than that | 12 comments (12 topical, 0 hidden)
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