President Obama visits San Francisco
Posted by Michelle Moquin on April 21st, 2011
Good morning!
So…who showed up last night at the big Obama fundraiser in San Francisco? Did any of you get to meet our President Obama? I heard he looked good, but then I’ve never seen him not. Even when he’s under pressure he’s as cool as a cucumber. Was the enthusiasm present? I can tell you this, I wasn’t. :( If you were “present”, blog me…let us know how it went.
2012 Election: Obama To Supporters: I Understand Your Frustration
SAN FRANCISCO – Easing into his 2012 campaign, President Barack Obama is telling his supporters he understands their frustration over the compromises he’s made with Republicans, while preparing them for more to come.
It’s a timely warning given the upcoming vote on raising the debt ceiling and the ongoing debate over long-term deficit reduction, both issues Obama says can only be solved if Republicans and Democrats work together. But further compromises could prove a tough pill to swallow for many of Obama’s liberal backers, who have grown tired of watching the president cede ground to the GOP on spending cuts and tax breaks for the wealthy.
During a raucous fundraiser focused on young people in San Francisco Wednesday night, Obama said his supporters are not alone in their frustration.
“There are times when I’ve felt the same way you do. It’s a big, complicated, messy democracy,” he said. “We knew this wouldn’t be easy.”
Obama’s three-day West Coast swing – his most extensive travel since announcing his re-election bid – offered a glimpse of how Obama will seek to reenergize the independents and first-time voters who carried him to victory in 2008. Obama’s rallying cry is that more work needs to be done in order to make the vision of America he promised a reality, and he is the only one who can see those hopes through.
“It is going to take more than a couple of years,” Obama said. “It’s going to take us more than one term to finish everything that we need to do.”
Obama senior adviser David Plouffe offered a more sobering political forecast to the hundreds of young supporters gathered for the nighttime rally.
“This is going to be a close campaign,” Plouffe said. “The one thing we better assume is that it’s going to be closer than the last one.”
After a third fundraiser here Thursday morning, Obama was to make stops in Reno, Nev., and Los Angeles. The president was scheduled to return to Washington Friday afternoon.Obama was coupling his fundraising efforts with a series of town hall meetings aimed at selling his plan for cutting deficit spending directly to a wary public.
“The deficit is real, our debt is real. We’ve got to do something about it. But how we do it is going to make a huge difference,” Obama said during a smaller, high-dollar fundraiser Wednesday night.
The president and Republicans have both offered plans for bringing down the deficit, but vast differences exist over how to do so. The president is calling for $4 trillion in deficit reduction over 12 years, through a combination of spending cuts and tax hikes on the wealthy, while House Republicans have passed a plan that would reduce the deficit by nearly $6 trillion in a decade, in part by overhauling Medicare and Medicaid.
The president and Republicans have accused each other of pitching “radical” plans.
“I think it’s fair to say that their vision is radical,” Obama told a town hall gathering Wednesday at the headquarters of Facebook, the huge social network company.
Brendan Buck, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, returned fire. “What’s radical is piling up $9 trillion more in debt on the backs of our kids and grandkids,” he said, echoing a GOP criticism that Obama’s plan would accomplish too little.
Obama’s mixing of politics and policy on this West Coast swing is a harbinger of things to come as he balances campaigning with the duties of the presidency.
White House aides insist the president is only involved in the reelection campaign from a distance at this point. But with fundraisers and campaign-style town hall meetings quickly becoming staples in his schedule, it’s clear Obama is already in re-election mode.
Readers: And it’s clear to me that we need to be in re-election mode right beside him. Because we know how nasty and ruthless the republicans are going to be to make sure Obama doesn’t get elected a second time around.
Obama got the first time voters big time, the first time around. Then they slacked off along with many other constituents this past November. We are feelin’ the pain from our complacency and laziness at the polls, and it will only get worse if people don’t rally and come together like we did in ’08.
Yes, this second time around is not going to be so easy. Many people don’t understand the reasoning behind the choices that Obama has had to make. They look at the negatives instead of all that he has accomplished, in the midst of chaos and in the company of extremist republicans.
Don’t you wish the aliens could show us what it would be like had the republicans won in 2008? I bet those that are disappointed in him and those that oppose him would quit their bitching and drop down to their knees in praise.
I am no more intelligent than most, but I do know what it would be like – we’re experiencing a taste of it from this past November’s election results. And the menu in 2012 is not going to be any different. Yes for some the menu may be appealing, the presentation may look tasty, but when you have the crazy and callous cooking up a storm, literally, the hidden ingredients are sure to be deadly.
Winning this election again is going to take even more work, to do all that we HOPE to accomplish. Hmm…I feel my inner political animal emerging…can’t believe I’m already talking about the election. I HOPE you’re all with me.
Social Butterfly: Scary thought. Ed Shultz on MSNBC is endorsing Trump because he thinks it will allow Obama to skate to his second term. What do you think?
Sheena: I thought your video was cute too.
hrhsun: Hello. Do not worry. I do not discourage easily when I am passionate about something. But passion aside, no work, even a part time one, is fun and pleasing all of the time. But even when it isn’t I do it anyways. Like I said, I don’t think I could quit blogging even if I wanted to, and I really don’t want to :)
It was nice to hear from you again. Happy that you are still here reading. Thank you for the kind words, your generosity, love and encouragement. That was very sweet and very appreciated.
Zen Lill: I appreciate your suggestion but doing that a few days a week would not be very satisfying to me. I would also feel like I was blogging half ass, which is something I don’t do in any area of my life because it would feel very careless.
When one is very involved in their blog as I am, it would be difficult to just post a quick few words and sign off. Even posting a quick article, which I have done has to mean something too. So finding the right article to post that is current with the times, and that has relevance to me, like everything, takes time.
And when I don’t take the time to read the comments and respond to those that I want to address, it frustrates me even more. You see, it is the contact with my readers that keeps me wanting to blog. It is reading their entries and addressing their concerns, it is the conversations between my readers, that keeps me connected and inspired. And that takes time too.
If I take away the benefit of connecting and relating to my readers, as well as posting something that is important to me, or something that I discover that I think my readers would enjoy, then why am I here? That being said, I understand your intention of wanting to help, with your suggestion, so thank you.
Doug: I know you get the reasoning behind my actions. Well said and thank you.
Li: I’m smiling as I am reading because those exact thoughts went through my mind too. Kudos to those for being with me since the beginning – Those are my loyal readers. And with loyalty comes the bennies of all the knowledge over the past 3+ years. You would think my loyal readers would dig that…being members in the club ”of the knowing”. :) Hello to all of the Girlz of Asia.
Steve: That’s a good place to start. I can see you are in re-election mode too. Good luck rallying the people of Guam.
Connie: My thoughts too. Thanks too for being a loyal fan.
That’s it for me today. The blog is yours for the giving…not the taking. So…give it up…give us something good to read.
PEACE OUT.
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)
April 21st, 2011 at 10:20 am
I knew you wouldn’t like that suggestion : ) hahaha…even as I wrote it, I knew…
I’m down with the re-election of O, though I must say that I’m not going to give the GOP all that much attention until the eleventh hour, I have a life to live over here and it (a certain attention-seeking 12 year old I know, oh man – how’d my kid get this old?!) requires all of me at the moment. So I’ll tune in here to get my updtaes and if it seems to require further investigation on my own, then I’ll google/bing/ask around : ) I’m sure a few in the know will pop in with some re-election gems from time to time also…
It is spring break so we’re out of here for the day today!
Luv, Zen Lill
PS I posted the ZL refined version recipe for that ‘broth of life’ a certain alien posted here a few years ago…mine is so good now, you must try it, and I call it the ‘elixir of life’ – if you’re using glucosamine for joint pain, this has the same cumulative effect…the caveat: you must make it a way of life (clue there was the ‘cumulative’ word)
Luv, Zen Lill
April 21st, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Michelle I am a long time fan (2yr8months) here in Singapore. I agree we get the beeniees!!!!!
Pei
April 21st, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Hi Michelle. I did not see Ed Shultz on MSNBC endorsing Trump and his statement that he thinks it will allow Obama to skate to his second term. But he may have something there. Apparently (per New York Times/CBS News poll) nearly 60% of Republicans cannot point to a single candidate that they are enthusiastic about. Most Republicans (32%) viewed Trump unfavorable (only 35% said favorable). 60% said they did not even believe he was a serious candidate.
One ridiculous but not surprising corner of support for Trump is coming the Republican women where he is actually leading in the poll regarding favorability. They are supporting a man who has publicly stated that he believes all women are gold diggers! (More unbelievable stupidity among white women.)
I have read that some prominent GOP fundraisers think a Trump bid is an unneeded distraction and ‘not good at all for the Republican Party.” Many also want to distance themselves from his “birther” attacks. The Club for Growth blasted him twice this week for past positions supporting a Canadian style health care plan and a one-time tax surcharge on rich people.
Also if Trump does decide to run he could have a difficult time with the baggage he will bring to his campaign including his three marriages, his bankruptcies and his $50,000 contribution to help Rahm Emanuel win election as Chicago Mayor. I read online that he also made a comment in his 1987 book Art of the Deal (which I did not read) where he questioned whether there was “anything beneath” Ronald Reagan’s smile. I don’t see the Republicans taking too kindly to any slighting of their golden boy. This may be the division that the Democrats need.
And let’s not forget what happened in Wisconsin when Republican legislators passed the law in March despite a bitter standoff that resulted in the 14 Senate Democrat fleeing to Illinois for three weeks and pro-union protests that drew as many as 85,000 people to the Capitol. In my heart I don’t think the Cheeseheads will support the Republican party at all.
Trump said in a radio interview last week that he believes he should get support from African Americans but is unsettled by “frightening” polls that show the vast majority of black voters favoring Obama. “I have a great relationship with the blacks,” … “I’ve always had a great relationship with the blacks.” Yes, he said “the blacks.” Twice.
My feeling is let him run. Ed Schultz may very well be right. I don’t believe Trump can win. And if the Republican Party is split on his candidacy, it can only help Obama.
(sorry if this is a bit rambly – I’m very busy today and trying to get work out and answer you at the same time)
April 21st, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Social B, those are my thoughts exactly. Although, it must be noted that most leading candidates never come out in front in the beginning. But, the GOP seemingly has no game plan either…nice!
April 21st, 2011 at 6:38 pm
I beg to differ with both Social Butterfly and Doug. The republican party, with the white vote behind them, have a history of electing brain dead, greedy white boys. Ronald dumb fucking Reagan, Bush bought and paid for by the Saudis and Dan incredibly stupid Quayle, George dumb as a box of rocks -TWICE- BUSH.
Those were just the latest 3 of the 43 white boys elected by the white boy. There’s plenty more in that group. So don’t for a minute count on the intelligence of the white vote. The one uniting thing you can count on is their racism. Racism will galvanize them. That they can get behind.
It won’t matter who the republican candidate is to the Republican party as long as they can motivate the white race to vote their bigotry whoever their candidate is, he will win.
Of course, it has to be a he. White women will never vote for a white woman over a man for President. Like the catholic woman, they don’t believe that a woman should be that close to all that power.
Robert
April 21st, 2011 at 8:03 pm
PMI Robert, PMI…
April 21st, 2011 at 9:55 pm
this I want to see…
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/19/science/19profile.html?_r=1&ref=science
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:25 am
A Better Way to Walk
Timothy S. Church, MD, PhD, MPH
You can turn a walk into a whole-body workout with a pair of Nordic fitness poles — long, handheld poles modeled after cross-country ski poles. Pole walking (or Nordic walking) is a low-impact aerobic activity that strengthens the upper body… improves posture… minimizes back and leg strain… and boosts your calorie burn during a walk by almost 20%.
Picking poles. One-piece poles are safest, especially for seniors and people with balance problems, because they won’t collapse the way adjustable-length telescoping or twist-locking poles might.
Test for size: Grasp the pole handle and place the tip on the ground a few inches in front of you, elbow bent and tucked into your side. If your elbow makes a 90-degree angle, the pole is the proper length. Or: Multiply your height in centimeters by 0.68 — the resulting number is your pole size.
Choose poles with interchangeable tips — metal for trails, grass, sand or snow… rubber for pavement and mall walking. Poles are sold at sporting-goods stores and online (check 877-754-9255, http://www.skiwalking.com). Cost: $70 to $160.
Correct technique. To get started, swing your arms normally as you walk — left arm moving forward as the right foot takes a step and vice versa.
As the right foot lands, bend your left elbow to 90 degrees and plant the left pole tip across from your right heel… then push the pole against the ground to help propel yourself forward. Keep poles angled rearward — they should never be farther forward than the front foot.
Goal: Walk at a moderate to brisk pace for at least 30 minutes five times a week. Pole-walking is safe for just about everyone — but it’s best to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
Women’s Health interviewed Timothy S. Church, MD, PhD, MPH, professor and director of preventive medicine research at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He has coauthored a number of journal articles on pole-walking and the role of exercise in health.
November 4th, 2011 at 5:20 am
Butter Chicken…
[...]Michelle Moquin's "A day in the life of…" » Blog Archive » President Obama visits San Francisco[...]…
November 20th, 2011 at 1:53 am
Atp Conseil à Agadir au Maroc ingenierie projets, Assistance technique, entreprises…
[...]Michelle Moquin's "A day in the life of…" » Blog Archive » President Obama visits San Francisco[...]…