Obama Stand Strong

"Not answering questions because we're afraid our answers won't be popular just won't do it. That's why telling the American people what we think they want to hear instead of telling the American people what we think they want to hear instead of telling the American people what they need to hear just won't do it. Triangulating and poll-driven positions because we're worried about what [Republicans] might say about us just won't do. If we are really serious about [governing], Democrats, then we can't live in fear of losing. [Democrats have made the biggest difference] when we led not by polls, but by principle; not be calculation, but by conviction." - Barack Obama, Iowa 2007

More than ever, we need Barack Obama to act and lead like he's the President of the United States. He can't lead in fear of what the Republican Party may say or do. Instead, Obama must lead by principle and explain why extending unemployment benefit and tax cuts for all except the top 2% is the right thing to do.

Obama may want to show he's above the partisan divide, but the Republicans have shown they are not. If anything, they've shown they're hyper partisan and unwilling to work with the Democrats. Even more astounding, they have shown their priorities - make Obama a one term president, permanent tax cuts for the richest 2%, repeal healthcare reforms that equal the delivery and access to healthcare, and repealing financial and environmental regulations that were adopted to prevent a second recession - and people still support and empower their leadership.

Since the midterms, Republicans continue to show that party trump country as they've held up important litigation regarding nuclear weapon inspections, tax cuts for 98% of Americans, increased funding for healthy school lunches, and extending unemployment benefits past 26 weeks.

Obama and Democrats, I realize that governing is about compromise and some of your positions and vision of America will have to be modified to reflect the outcomes of the midterm elections. People who say otherwise are misguided. I'm all for compromise, when compromise is warranted and when it's in the best interest of the country and both parties; however, compromising because the Democratic Party lost the midterm elections and you're worried about public opinion and reelection is not an appropriate rationale for compromise.

I hope Obama remembers his words of Iowa 2007 and starts to act like the presidential hopeful I elected in 2008.