I am more or less constantly called an apologist, cultist, koolaid drinker, Obamabot (though that has gone down somewhat since it became HR-able) so I hope you pay a little attention to what I said in the headline.
I have read two diaries in the last 24 hours. One explaining how Obama didn't "campaign on" the public option. One explaining how he did.
And here's the thing: They're both right.
I worked on President Obama's presidential campaign. I made and received thousands of telephone calls and knocked on hundreds of doors, leading teams of canvassers and phone banks in Kent County Michigan daily.
During that time, some manner of public plan was included in the talking points we used. If the definition of "Campaigning On" an issue is having a mention of something in your campaign literature and possibly even mentioning it out loud occasionally, I am confident that Obama DID "campaign" on it.
If however "campaigning on" something means that it is part of your stump, and that you list it as a reason why you should be elected, he really didn't.
But I don't care. I don't want to split those hairs. I don't know why he said it, I wish he hadn't.
But this shit needs to stop.
I don't care who you supported in the primaries. I don't care who you plan on supporting in the 2012 primaries (even the Presidential ones). I don't care if you consider yourself Big Tent or "Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party."
NONE of your goals are achieved or advanced by running ads attacking the integrity of our President. Rahm Emanual thinks you're stupid for attacking Mary Landrieu? I don't mind keeping her on her toes. Going to boycott the Komen foundation? I don't like the PR implications, and I've said as much, and I don't even see the relationship between ending donations to them and Haddassah Lieberman, but at least there are literally millions of people in this country who are going to keep donating to them anyway and there are other charities.
But we have one President. And no matter how progressive you are or pretend to be, your fate for at least the next three years is tied to his. I understand the frustration of the absolutist interpretation of his "I didn't campaign on the Public Option," line. As I said - I Adam Bakker card carrying Obamunist or whatever you people call me don't get it either. He's too smart to say that and mean it as, "I have never supported or encouraged a public option."
But I am not going to let that turn me into what my worst enemies want me to become: and that's the backbiting, internally focused mess that they became in 2006 and 2008 that let us eat their lunch at the polls.
And that is ALL. THIS. AD. DOES.
It says it's all about encouraging Russ Feingold to step up. Is there anyone here with so little respect for Russ Feingold that they think he doesn't know what's at stake with this bill? Does anyone think that maybe calling the President a liar on television in his district will change that? Or make him work harder for the causes he believes in?
I'm serious. Is there?
Please - use my headline against me until the end of time. Say, "Even YOU acknowledge that Obama's comments about the Public Option..."
I can take it. I'm inviting it.
Bring me all the rage and spittle you've got.
Or... light up the White House phones. Call all day and all night. Demand an explanation. Express frustration. Send a letter. Send two.
And if you've got $25.00 that's burning a hole in your pocket, consider giving it to http://www.hourchildren.org or another respected charity this holiday season. Don't spend it on spite.
I am here, days before Christmas, risking permanent exile from the Obamunist nation by telling you this:
I think the President was wrong when he said he didn't campaign on the Public Option, and I think it was a mistake for him to say that. Don't let it become our mistake.