Let me finish tonight with this: "The time has come for all good men [and women] to come to the aid of their party."
That's an old typing drill. It could also be a call-to-arms for the Obama Democrats.
He's raised the banner of economic fairness--can't be more Democratic than that. He's said that Americans should share the cost of government fairly. That's what the Buffett Rule is all about! He's said that those at the top, that 1 percent, shouldn't be getting special tax deals while other people are facing cuts in life-and-death benefits.
Sounds like FDR, Harry Truman and Bill Clinton rolled into one.
So what's the objection? Why are some New York-based Democrats rallying, not to the Democratic cause, but to Wall Street?
Tougher point: does the President have the right to set the course of a campaign, or doesn't he? If President Obama stakes out the position that the Democratic Party should fight the good fight of economic fairness, why are people out there saying that he should be taking up the cause of those who make the most of unfair tax laws, who benefit from earned income being treated as capital gains, who benefit from an overall preference that's given to money made off money over money made from making goods and delivering services?
The question for Democrats, especially the big ones who can get on television, is where their primary loyalty lies. Whom do they fear upsetting the most? The leader of their party? Or the people in the financial industry who just hate it when Democrats say out loud what they have long claimed as their party heritage: to look out for the people who need looking out for the most.
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Excellent observation Chris.
Any Democrat who's not willing to stand up for the American People, it's time the Obama campaign ask them to stand down.
This election is about the American people who are struggling, day to day because of a significant rescession caused by the very Obstructionist, Republicans who have Stalled this country every since the day the President took office
Republicans are about party, self, making pledges to another man, Norquist who has no part in our government
American must decide if they want to loose their pensions again, after all Under President Obama Pensions have come back Big, after loosing 50% of their pension under President Bush and the Republicans
Day one in office Romney has promised to
And a host of other items that will as Mitt says will Severly affect American Families.
America, read the Paul Ryan Bill which means you are in for a real surprise, if you have any of those items above, get ready for cuts and the young people who have paid into Medicare and Social Security for years, won't have anything.
Chris,in this ERA of political"RAT RACE"1+1=never gonna be 2 Again,LOOK?Some of these"MSNBC"political Analyst are FAKE,and had this kind of FEAR,when it comes to"MORNING JOE",just compare"hardball"5/22/12 with John Heilmann&Ed Rendell&5/21/12 with Howard fineman&Eugene Robinson,on issue with Corey Booker,You will see why even MIKA had some kind of fear in her eyes with"BULLY JOE"for so long when it comes to Obama&DEMOCRATS.@.SELLOUT Ford Jr TOO.@
Chris
I think that Dems need to be kicked in the pants for leaving their number 1 guy out in the raw. He doesn't need to be protected but UNITY is the essence of leadership.
It is not that the president is not a good leader, it is the fact that Democrats make lousy followers at the higher levels. Not in all things but certainly in the moxy department.
Average voters like to have things simple and clear but sometimes leaders like Corey Booker and Ed Rendell unintentionally open the door for opportunities to introduce fog on an otherwise clear day. Maybe it is inherent in liberalism or just plain politics but leadership has a level of pastoral responsibility that Al Sharpton and Lawrence O Donnell bring to the table.
Elders defend values in the family and the Dems need to grow up pretty fast or they will find themselves defending their values while trying to regain the whitehouse!
It takes a village!
Chris,
I suspect the reason that there are democrats out there who are not standing up and speaking out for the President is because the DNC's real goal is to regain power in Congress, but not be too "radical". You can't do that if you are pushing back on Wall Street, who are the "politician creators".
They aren't exactly going out of their way to support Elizabeth Warren with her campaign or showing up in Wisconsin in numbers (less than two weeks before the election) or funding the local party.
It has been clear to me that many Democrats such as Corey Booker, Harold Ford Jr., Governor Rendell, and others are weak supporters of the President and/or the Progressive goals, based on the comments they've made on your show and others.
Their statements confirm that Wall Street and the 1% truly do influence both parties and the entire political system.
Though I've been a Democrat most of my adult life, and it hasn't been easy being raised in a Repulican family. I now consider more of a Progressive than Democrat. Being from Chicago those two do not always go together. I believe that this is what we're seeing in the Democratic Party, but no one wants to talk about it. The evolving of the Democratic party into two strong distinct views that are heading into two directions. I see a split between Progressives and the Democratic Party, not now because there is too much at stake, but don't be surprised if it comes afternoon these elections, win or lose.
Venture capital is about creating wealth for the wealthy, often by firing employees and reducing or eliminating workers benefits. Corey Booker and Ed Rendell only show how beholden some of the Democratic leaders are beholden to money, and their demeanor in trying to make face with the base after backstabing President Obama for their own gain only shows the cowardice that grows in politicians when their handlers reign them in. Mutiny in the Democrat Party - President stand tall and take command of the party.
Wall street gave more to Obama than Mccain.Why is the jepoerdy loser making this an issue?Yes i know i misspelled.Chris Matthews is a clown period.
Wall street didn't want the McCain-Palin ticket that had no understanding of the economy, but Obama did and still does.
You don't call a emergency room physician who resusitates a dying patient a failure; President Obama resusitated a dying capitalist system and now the patient is in recovery. A lot different than the conservatives who would have pulled the plug and waited to see if the dying patient would recover on his own.
Tony, no! Mr. Matthews is being tough and challenging: HARDBALL.
Wall street Democrats - Republican wanabees. After this election, I'm looking for a good progressive party.
When Obama uses the word "fair" and criticize "social darwinism" it proves ever time that he is affirmative action student. Natural selection is fair, when most strong athlete wins Olympics it is fair, when president is bad it is unfair.
LeoKrut,
Again, with the affirmative action comment! Get this straight, George W. Bush was affirmative action (alumni preference) president!
Social Darwinism is always embraced by most-haves in society, but if they come across tough times, they all of sudden have a transformation and believe in a safety-net!
What strip-mall school did you attend, you truly are one of dumbest white people to ever write on this blog!
Ricky-boy,
Obama is successor of affirmative action president. It means only one thing namely that affirmative action presidency is usual for the best country in the world.
Do you notice, that in you respond on my post that is all about misuse the word "fair" by obamanoids, you did not even touch the topic. I notice that you are not fair opponent. Let's say very gently that you are intellectually dishonest that put additional dirty spot on your team of obamanoids.
Leokrut,
By any chance, are your mom & dad 1st cousins?
Do you know Ricky-boy, that buster is not necessary bastard but he could be. Isn't this amazing, is it?