Priorities:Seeing the difficulty Obama is having with getting health care legislation passed, it's apparent why, so far in his presidency, he's aligned himself more-or-less with the military establishment on various policies (DADT, Afghanistan). Clinton ruffled feathers right away, and that probably dissipated his political capital. Obama won't make the same mistake.
posted by Quiddity at 7/23/2009 09:20:00 AM
I strongly disagree. Getting out in front of DADT (and it may be too late) would be a massive political winner for Obama. Huge rewards. Nobody of consequence will care, anyone who does will be justifiably mocked.
Clinton ruffled feathers because he was a Dem. "It wasn't his place" and whatnot. As with Obama, he can't win that one.
Oh, definitely, no point in trying to actually change anything. Best to capitulate immediately and get on with the business of bombing foreigners and paying off the people who really run things.
Jesus fucking christ on a popsicle stick.
I think Obama is keeping the focus on health care as his #1 priority, and avoiding political distractions until it's a done deal. Part of the reason why I think Obama went with Sotomayor as his Supreme Court nominee was that she was a non-controversial centrist judically and toxic for the GOP to try and block thanks to her Latina ethnicity.
I'm afraid you're right. I mean that quite literally.
the was press who pressured for action on dadt. clinton reacted and walked into their trap and allowed the press to set the agenda. it wasn't an issue he was proactive about.
