NY Mag: Barack Obama isn’t going to save us, he’s staying quiet on purpose

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In this week’s New York Magazine, Gabriel Debenedetti has written a piece called “Where Is Barack Obama?” My first reaction to the headline was: “White folks need to stop asking where Obama is because he gave us eight long years and now he’s out there, living his life as a private f–king citizen.” But when I actually sat down to read the piece, I understood what was really being said – people in Obama’s orbit are explaining why Obama has stayed relatively quiet during the Fat Nazi’s presidency thus far. Those same Obama-orbit people are also making the argument – in public, now – for why Obama should come out of the shadows and start making bigger statements about the Fat Nazi’s fascism. You can read the full piece here. Here are a few highlights from the piece:

How he felt in the immediate wake of Trump’s inauguration: In Washington, where the former president still works and lives with his wife, Michelle, and his younger daughter, Sasha, Obama stewed. Ever since the shocking election, he had resisted condemning his successor directly. Early on, he would muse to senior aides in private about what it meant that the country had chosen Trump, bouncing between writing off the election as a freak accident and considering it a rejection of his own vision of America.

Obama doesn’t want to engage with Trump or the Deplorables on a daily basis: Obama’s reticence is more than simply a matter of communications strategy. He has mostly opted out of liberal America’s collective Trump-outrage cycle. Though he reads the Times and other newspapers, he doesn’t follow daily Trump developments on Twitter or watch television news. He is upset by the administration’s actions, and he’s confided to friends that what worries him most is the international order, the standing of the office of the presidency, the erosion of democratic norms, and the struggles of people who are suddenly unsure of their immigration status or the future of their health-care coverage. Still, in conversations with political allies, Obama insists that today’s domestic mess is a blip on the long arc of history and argues that his own work must be focused on progress over time — specifically on empowering a new generation of leaders. He says his legacy is not what concerns him.

Obama changes the subject when people bring up Trump: When informed about the latest presidential tweetstorms aimed at him, he chuckles and changes the subject. One friend of Obama’s recalled that after a 45-minute meeting that avoided the subject of Trump entirely, the pair ducked into an aide’s office and saw on television that the president was claiming to have been absolved in the Russia inquiry. Obama’s eyes flicked toward the chyron and his face took on a decidedly bemused aspect for a beat before he turned back to their conversation as if nothing had happened.

[From New York Magazine]

Part of this is convention with ex-presidents – Bill Clinton rarely commented publicly during George W. Bush’s presidency, and George W. Bush went almost completely dark during Obama’s presidency (and we later learned that the Obamas get along quite well with the Bushes). Obama doesn’t want to be the first ex-president who ignores the traditions and conventions of when to speak and when to stay quiet. All that being said, I’m of two minds about this. On one side, of course I feel like Obama isn’t going to be our savior and let the man rest and relax – he doesn’t owe us anything else, and quite honestly, he has every reason to still be angry at the voters who put Trump into office. On the other side… Obama’s silence does seem extremely privileged when there are literally children in cages and people in concentration camps.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama plays a round of gold on the historic St.Andrews course in Scotland

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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138 Responses to “NY Mag: Barack Obama isn’t going to save us, he’s staying quiet on purpose”

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  1. DP says:

    I miss him so much.

    • delphi says:

      Same.

      The thing is, if he says something, it will be dismissed as “petty”, “smug”, “effite”, and a million other adjectives that belittle his vast knowledge of the position as well as how NOT to behave on an international stage.

      I am so ashamed of this country right now. Like, I still love it, but I am SO DISAPPOINTED in it. I have turned into my mother.

      • ichsi says:

        I recently saw a pic again of him from a meeting with Putin and sighed at how that tiny monstrous despot was shitting himself. Putin is super short but usually he still dominates all these powerful, much taller men (I’d love to say “and women” but let’s be honest here, it’s only Merkel) with presence alone. Not Obama. It was glorious…

      • Cleo2 says:

        Sometimes I don’t think people who aren’t black get it.

        Trump got elected by Putin, sure, but also by WHITE NATIONALISM. Those are the people who don’t care that our foremost foreign adversary for over a century helped elect an asset friendly to them by disrupting our democracy – they only care that Putin got the guy that thinks like them in office and they’re OK with that.

        The FUEL for this white nationalism IS President Obama. Obama knows this, and most every black person in the country knows this.

        For instance, I’ve read today that both churches and evangelicals are upset at Trump because of hidden taxes they we’re unaware of in his last policy change that affects their purses. I also read that Harley Davidson and other manufacturers who are taking jobs overseas because Trump has screwed them are also po’d at Trump.

        However these currently miffed Trump voters would obediently gravitate back towards the tiki torcher Trump fan fold, once a they’re given a fresh injection of ‘race hate,’ should their sworn enemy, ‘black black blackity black,’ Obama come back on scene in a big way.

        Obama is enough fuel for Trump to use his name as invective and curse to rev up his rallies and score tiki torches points just in general on a daily basis and this is when Obama is flying way under the radar… If he wasn’t he’d be not just FUEL but ROCKET FUEL!

        The horrible racist democracy destroying right wing would LOVE if they could use him again to get their idiot racist base energized.

        Obama will not fall for it. We shouldn’t either.

      • Katy says:

        Wow!!! Cleo2 – what an awesome commentary. I think you hit the nail RIGHT on the head here. I am an older ( and much cooler) white woman than most idiots from my race. I always believed that white people hated having a black man in the white house – it just really pissed them off. They disgust me to my core. I’m ashamed to be a white person and I pray there is a God because if there is, these people will face their judgment someday. Obama deserves his private, happy life and he owes the American people nothing. He gave everything he had and this is the thanks he gets from hate mongers. The only way we survive this is to vote, vote, VOTE!!!!!! Get these hateful republicans out of our lives.

      • Sharon Lea says:

        Cleo2 – ITA with your comment, that Barrack knows Trump will simply use his name as a battering ram, just as he currently tries to use Nancy Pelosi and Elizabeth Warren’s every chance he can.

      • Snowflake says:

        @Cleo
        I’m a white woman, I agree with you. It’s all about race. They can deny it all they want but it’s become obvious. Imo, trump campaign’s was racist and he got elected so that was a sign. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t realize how racist America is and I’m so sorry you have to deal with it. But a blind man can see how Trump has gotten away with stuff that Obama could not have. This whole campaign has made me realize what privilege i have as a white person.

      • Rescue Cat says:

        The foremost adversary of ordinary Americans is and has always been big business and their puppets in government.

    • Sojaschnitzel says:

      Me too, and I’m not even american. Or on your continent, for that matter.

      • Em says:

        This!

      • Marley31 says:

        Trump has done everything to change what President Obama did so by President Obama speaking on Trump and the issue at hand that the republication are stealing children from there parents/family will only make things worse than they already are. Plus someone once told me you can talk sense into non-sense.

      • Surly Gale says:

        Yes, I am even more aware than ever of white privilege; tho I’ve been stomped on by much hardship, one thing I remind myself often is how much I actually do have and how much worse it could be if I looked different from myself. I do believe there will come a time when God figures out how to make this all work for His Grace. Until then, all we can do is hang on, hang in there, and VOTE and get your friends out to vote and work hard for potential leaders who do not think the current President is a true reflection of who we are as a nation. And vote.

    • Liv says:

      @delphi Plus Trump will behave like Meghan Markle’s father when he speaks out…there will be a twitter rant for sure.

    • minx says:

      Same 😭😭😭

    • Wisca says:

      Cleo2 has it exactly right. Obama fills racists with rage.

  2. Millenial says:

    He’s not going to add anything that people aren’t already saying, and he would just add fuel to the fire. He can’t fix it, and really can only make it worse. As much as I love Obama, I agree with the approach to stay out of it.

    • mia girl says:

      There is nothing Mango Mussolini wants more than to have President Obama step into his reality circus. I think it must drive him crazy that Obama does not take his bait or engage directly with the vile lies he spews about Obama.

      • homeslice says:

        Yes! Stay classy Barack! I believe we will hear more from our former POTUS closer to midterms.

      • lucy2 says:

        You are exactly right and I think this is precisely why he is keeping his distance.

      • Christin says:

        I was just envisioning how frustrated it will make Tweety to know that BO is ignoring him.

    • Cerys says:

      Exactly. None of the other ex-presidents have been particularly vocal. Trump is unlikely to listen to them and would just sound off about people trying to undermine him. Keeping a diplomatic silence and not rising to the bait will probably annoy him more, which is fine with me.

    • BearcatLawyer says:

      He can’t win, no matter what he chooses. As far as I am concerned, he put up with enough for eight years. Let him rest.

    • Capepopsie says:

      I’m sure he is struggling with his own disappointment too!

    • kNY says:

      100%

    • Susannah says:

      I hope he decides to stump for mid-term candidates. I don’t think that would go against the tradition of not criticizing the current president but Obama could use that time to advocate for the causes he fought for while president. He could talk about how the ACA has saved lives and how important his environmental policies have been for all of us. (Just yesterday Trump rescinded Obama’s policy of protecting the oceans and Great Lakes from oil spills! Who does that?!) He could directly contrast himself and his policies with Trump, while under the guise of raising money for Democrats.

      • homeslice says:

        He has been meeting privately with candidates for mid-terms. I believe he will be more vocal but continue to ignore the orange pit stain…

      • Surly Gale says:

        Who does that, you ask? A businessman. Someone who wants money, money, money. Damn the folks being renovicted. We want our development money. Damn that the folks being renovicted will never again be able to live in their neighbourhoods of decades. It’s time to allow sales people some relief from their snake oil imagery and admit that a person whose only focus is business (profit at all costs) is now the gargoyle of professions. That’s who does it.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      Exactly. This is the smart strategy. If he does speak out, it will be more meaningful if he hasn’t been commenting on every issue.

      Also, I don’t think that “speaking” alone is the most important thing a person can do right now. He has more effective measures he is working on, like addressing gerrymandering.

    • magnoliarose says:

      I want him to keep quiet. Bullies HATE being ignored and 45 is the pettiest MF on the block and wants to fight with Obama desperately. Obama knows what he is doing.
      Maybe he will reappear when we are on better ground? Idk.

  3. Nev says:

    Nope. Leave Obama alone. UGHHHHHH.

  4. Darla says:

    I’m glad you posted this. I too am torn. One of his aides or former staff members also commented in this piece that there’s no point in his getting into a back and forth like “the clintons have gotten themselves involved in”. I thought that was a small thing to say. Has Hillary gotten herself involved in a back and forth? I don’t think so. She doesn’t answer trump’s constant name calling directed at her. She makes statements about her values and what she feels are american values. Some of us are heartened by that.

    As for President Obama, I do not know what the right thing for him to do is. Is doing nothing really an option for any of us? I too wouldn’t blame him if he were angry at what voters did. But I don’t think he’s angry, I think he’s taking the long, historical view. And as he said, he thinks this is just a “blip”. I sure hope he’s right. He was wrong about picking Comey for FBI director, so he isn’t always right.

    • Oh_Dear says:

      I heard from a Canadian radio commenter that there is speculation that he may be looking at a UN position that is coming up soon. I didn’t hear which one, but I thought it made sense and it would be brilliant.

    • AMA1977 says:

      But he’s not doing nothing. He’s very involved in projects that affect our democracy, such as Eric Holder’s gerrymandering efforts and mentoring up-and-coming Democratic candidates. He isn’t tweeting, or issuing statements/giving interviews, or holding rallies, because he knows that will just give The Orange Idiot fuel for his terrible racist base. He’s doing lots of things, and his decision to involve himself privately and selectively is fine with me. The man and his family gave so much for eight years, they deserve some peace and happiness. He doesn’t owe us a public spectacle.

      Also, good LORD I miss that man!!!

  5. Lizzie says:

    What is he going to do other than further provoke Trump and his base? This admin and his disgusting rabid racist supporters are a massive pouting, whining, undeserved backlash to his presidency that has turned dangerous. What if trump starts calling for 2nd amendment nuts to go after him? I know he has secret service detail but still.

    Obama did so much for this country and is behind the scenes doing good work with his foundation and will be public when the time calls. He and his family aren’t obligated to make us all feel better anymore. This isn’t his fault and it’s not his mess to clean up.

  6. JustJen says:

    I don’t blame him. The right wingnuts hate him so much, any time I post anything about #45 I get comments about how they put up with Obama for 8 years blah blah blah. The entire time he was in office, the GOP fought HARD to keep him from making the policies he worked so hard for. Any statement he could possibly make would be used against every Democrat every time they had the gall to question the commander of Cheez whiz.

    I miss him and Joe terribly.

  7. Goldengirlslover34 says:

    His children were disparaged in front of his eyes. His wife called names. They openly declared war on him and his family and the media didn’t do shit to cover them with protection. He had to stay silent and calm or be labeled an “angry black man.” And ya’ll want him to buck. Let him live. Who knows what he is doing behind the scenes but we know that if he got involved it would be used to sell papers and headlines and attack him and his family.

    • Nev says:

      WORD.

    • endoplasmic_ridiculum says:

      So true.

    • Sophia's side eye says:

      BO would be used to rally Chump’s Nazi base of racists. I’m sure he knows that. Also, he did his time and he and his family deserve all the rest and happiness they can find.

      I do miss them though. 😔

      • magnoliarose says:

        I laughed at Chump. lol I refuse to use his name. I haven’t said it for months and have decided not to until the fool slinks off to the underworld or is at least dragged back by the hellhounds.

    • Molly says:

      Amen– it’s always better to take the high road!!

  8. Betsy says:

    Obama has the unfortunate issue of Donald basing his “policy” on being the vindictive opposite of whatever Obama did. I think in terms of the kids in cages, Obama doesn’t want to add more fuel to Donald’s hate fire.

  9. Jillian says:

    He’s the best and I’d lay low too. He still gets blamed for what’s wrong with America today.

    Make sure to vote today.

  10. Iknowwhatboyslike says:

    You know, as much as I’d like to see President Obama in the public, speaking out, rebuking Trump, I remember that he is not America’s savior. He already did that. He was handed a raw deal in 2008 by George Bush and he kept us from financial ruin. I was scared as hell in the fall of 2008 because I worked in a sector whose main clients were banks. So many friends lost their jobs and is only just getting back to pre-2008 way of living. I truly believed that it was Obama’s steady hand that brought us from the brink. So many, like the swing Obama-Trump voters, have forgotten. They voted for a man whose single goal in his presidency is to wipe President Obama from the history books. President Obama doesn’t owe America anything. He did his job, suffered indignities to himself and most importantly, his family. He remained quiet when his wife was being called a monkey, so I’m not surprised that he’s kept his thoughts private right now. As much as we don’t want to admit it, President Obama is the past. We have to allow new voices to shine and not be eclipsed by the past. You know who I wouldn’t mind hearing from, GEORGE BUSH and KARL ROVE. How about those two A$$holes who made our country weaker by thrusting us in a war that de-stabilized that Middle East and ruined millions of lives there and here. They planted the weeds that are strangling us now.

    • Sojaschnitzel says:

      Thank you for pointing that out re: middle east. As a european in a country that can barely handle the refugee situation, I f*cking hate americas politics and their firm believe that the whole world is their playground. They f*cked europe up. Big time. So much hate for the bush family and their likes.

    • Ann says:

      “They planted the weeds that are strangling us now.” McCain too. Sarah Palin and the tea party were the start of the insanity on the right. I was active in the college Republicans during that election and it was the first time I saw my peers emboldened to be openly homophobic and Islamophobic. We would be a completely different country today if McCain left that bimbo trash in Alaska.

  11. Sherry says:

    He and Michelle gave 8 years to this country. Let them enjoy being out of the swamp of DC politics.

  12. kaye says:

    he can’t win.

    if he stays silent, he is assailed for standing by as the USA burns to the ground, if he talks, he is labeled as angry and combative and treasonous.

    Ta-Nehisi Coates is right: President Obama was asked to run on ice for eight years, and it still wasn’t enough.

  13. Onemoretime says:

    Let Obama enjoy his life. He campaigned for Hillary, begged Americans to get out and vote. Did they listen, the stay at homers the Bernie or bust people. Now y’all want him to save America, he’s done his service for this country who gave him and his lovely family 8 years of grief. I’m a grown up with a brain, I don’t need anyone to tell me what that orange pimple and Republicunts are doing is horrendous.

    • Christin says:

      I distinctly remember one pre-election interview where he implored people to not be complacent —- don’t pay attention to polls and vote. At the time, HRC has the lead in most polls. He was exactly right.

  14. SlightlyAnonny says:

    Couple of things:
    1. Clinton was not silent on Bush II, in fact, one of the reasons Bush II was silent on Obama was because he, “wanted to give his successor the courtesy he was not given” by keeping his mouth shut.
    2. Obama is not Black Jesus, he is not driving Miss Daisy, he is not here to save ‘Murica (white people) from the mess they made. In fact, it is no former president’s job to do that. That’s why they are FORMER presidents and not dictators for life. You want change? You want those kids out of cages? YOU do something and keep doing it. Don’t look for a savior. Be the change.

  15. Kelly says:

    He’s given enough of his time and talents to this country, so he deserves to be a private citizen. I don’t blame him for not being more publicly vocal about everything that’s going on, given that he’d be piled on for breaking precedent.

    From that article, it does sound like he’s involved with Eric Holder’s group that’s focused on going after partisan gerrymandering and fair elections. If the Democrats have a good November and retake the House, multiple governor’s mansions and gain more seats in state legislatures, then he could be more publicly active. Someone of his stature and moral authority speaking out would be essential to rolling back restrictive voter ID laws.

  16. lightpurple says:

    We live in what is still a democratic republic. It is not Barack Obama’s responsibility to save us. It is OUR responsibility to save us. Vote. Hold them accountable. Burn the phone lines and emails of your Senators, Representatives and Governors. Your governor does not have to send National Guard units to help Trump steal kids. Let your governor know that you oppose that. Vote in every primary. Vote for the lowliest of offices. And don’t let them steer the debate where they want it to go; steer it where it belongs. The issue is not that a restaurant owner denied Sarah Huckabee Sanders service. The issue is that Sanders broke federal ethics laws to whine about it. The issue is that Trump threw the power of the presidency against a private business. The issue is his followers broke laws and vandalized businesses in support of him. They are breaking the laws. Hold them accountable to the laws. This is on us.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      ” It is OUR responsibility to save us. Vote. Hold them accountable.”

      YES!!!!!!!

    • magnoliarose says:

      Yes. Totally.

    • Addie says:

      Absolutely. And implore journalists and media outlets to do the same and not give air to people spouting hate because it will improve ratings. Trump got huge amounts of air time (aka free publicity) during the election campaign because he was so outrageous and no-one took his bid seriously. Especially the media. He outplayed everyone. What would happen if Trump was re-framed in the manner you suggest, lightpurple? That is the way to go. Why re-broadcast Trumps’s rallies? They are not news, just propaganda. Ignore them. Ignore the tweets, except when they break the law and frame them as such. And Democrats have got to get themselves sorted for November and not argue among themselves. They need to mobilise getting people registered and most of all, getting them to the ballot box. Obama is no doubt working where he can be most effective. So must everyone else.

  17. Tess says:

    I completely agree that former presidents should stay quiet. They’ve been there, it’s just common courtesy. And honestly, it’s such a dictatorial move because to make such remarks would inevitably draw support for a resurgence. That said Trump will positively be the first former president that breaks tradition and speaks out on his successor, mark my words.

    • Bella DuPont says:

      Not unless he can “speak out” from prison. 😬😬

      • Addie says:

        One can only hope Trump and his associates are driven from office sooner than later and land where they belong, in prison. Failing that, and I say this in all seriousness, feed the man full-fat everything.

  18. Div says:

    President Obama and Mrs. Obama were harassed on a level like never before and his daughters still occasionally get harassed by the right wing papers. Unfortunately, he (like Hillary Clinton being told to go home and knit) has also become somewhat of a scapegoat on the right and left (and yes, I think racism and sexism plays into it) even if he is still incredibly popular and accomplished significant steps forwards while as President.

    As a Black woman, sometimes it is very easy to just get tired of America and I suspect that is what is going on with him in that he’s just tired of the daily, constant bullshit from the media and from people and everything. I also think he realizes that in his particular case speaking out would just give Trump and his cultists glee since they are almost like internet trolls when it comes to certain people like President Obama and Clinton.

    • Christin says:

      I would add Jimmy Carter to that list. He’s been mercilessly maligned (as was his young daughter) for decades by the right.

  19. Veronica S. says:

    What could he even do, anyway? His immigration policies are part of what paved the way for Trump’s. He’s not in a position of power to reverse it, even if he did regret it now.

    • MargaritasForBreakfast says:

      President Obama did not invent or sign any new immigration policies. What are you referring to?

  20. Natalie S says:

    Where is George W Bush? This is a Republican mess. Republicans need to get their party in order.

    • Darla says:

      Yep that’s true. I had been thinking that if all of the ex-presidents got together and made a strong statement and warned we are heading down the path to authoritarianism, maybe it would be a good thing.

      But the truth is, Bill has taken some big hits in the intervening years, George Sr is so elderly, and grabs butts, W is just not a popular person with anyone…Carter may still have the moral authority. And Obama does.

      But would it help anyway? Probably not. It’s probably a pipe dream.

    • Addie says:

      From someone from a different country and form of government, it is really odd that Trump (or anyone fro that matter) can suddenly decide they are a Republican or Democrat and run on that ticket. Here, you have to belong to a party, move up the ranks, be elected to various offices and one day your colleagues might elect you Prime Minister. And that’s always conditional; a PM can be toppled at any time. It’s not foolproof (for sure) but you don’t have weird outliers like Trump taking over a party he’s never invested time or energy in.

  21. The Original G says:

    As a Canadian observer, I am completely flummoxed by the lack of cohesive Democratic leadership and the non-emergence of some credible Democratic party spokesperson? While President Lard Ass will likely be impeached, there still be unsettled times ahead and no Centrist/Right alternative?

    You can’t hang this on Obama.

    • Lala says:

      There has NEVER been a lack of cohesive Democratic leadership in this country…there has been a MSM that PURPOSEFULLY ignored and mislead regarding Democratic leadership in this country…as a Democratic voter…I know this to be true…and when gerrymandering has made 2/3 of the federal/state government in this country Republican…well, you can see the hard and cold facts that Dems have ALWAYS been up against…When we DO get a super majority for a couple of years at a time…as during Clinton and Obama…we get the FMLA Act and the ACA…also during that two year super majority under POTUS Obama…more laws were passed that positively effected the majority of working class people in this country than at any time in legislative history…however do the MSM point out THAT? No they do not…why not? Because there’s no money in reporting truth…anymore…only in stirring up the pot and pandering to the lowest common denominator…

      • The Original G says:

        So, whom do you regard as the current central spokesperson(s) for the Democrats and who would be the widely electable presumptive candidate(s) for nomination to oppose Trump?

      • Lala says:

        I have my wish list…however, life has taught me to pay attention to that…AFTER the mid-terms…because that outcome ALWAYS effectsthe decision of who is going to run for POTUS…so I’m waiting to see!

      • Tiffany :) says:

        “during that two year super majority under POTUS Obama”

        Technically, they only had a “supermajority” for 5 months. People forget that Franken’s election was challenged and he wasn’t sworn in until July. In August, both Kennedy and Byrd were out of Senate for health issues. Kennedy passed away. In September a replacement for Kennedy was named, but he was out by January when Scott Brown was elected.

        The dems only had a 60 vote super majority from September to mid-January. They still managed to accomplish so much that was meaningful.

    • Iknowwhatboyslike says:

      When President Obama won in 2008, he was one in a voice of many, like we have now. I’,m okay with not having one person to speak for me. We are a diverse coalition, from differing backgrounds. We know what the Democrats and Republicans stand for. It’s just to inspire people to get up and go vote. Some say hating Trump isn’t enough to mobilize the base. YES IT IS.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      It is really premature to think there should be a sole Democratic spokesperson. There are definitely 10-20 voices that have been speaking out against Trump, and they all have their main areas of focus. I think when it gets closer to the election, you’ll see the field narrow. If it narrows to soon, people feel disenfranchised. I think the dems want to avoid the perception that happened with Clinton, that a candidate was “anointed” and was chosen by higher ups and not the people. (To be clear, I am talking perception. Clinton won the nomination by millions of votes).

      • magnoliarose says:

        I think there needs to be 3 or 4 to focus on because it dilutes the message.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        I do see the benefits of that strategy, but on the other hand I do think that there are different priorities for different areas of the country right now. There are so many issues that need addressing, which ones will be the most universal?

        In CA, for example, the safety of our migrant communities is a big concern. But in Iowa, they might be more concerned with the impact of tariffs on soybeans. I think there are some benefits to employing a different focus in different areas.

        I do think that Medicare/Social Security should be a big issue that would impact everyone. The GOP’s budget takes big cuts to these programs (because of tax law), and I think this issue could be used to throttle candidates all across the country.

    • The Original G says:

      I’m not saying this as criticism. But as an observer, I do find the messages are diluted and not really that unified. I value diversity of opinion but as a strategic matter in this situation, Trump and his people have been very powerful in seeming to legitimise their lies.

      Sadly, I wish I could feel confident that enough people hate Trump to dethrone him, but I’m not sure. I have to say, I’m not sure what either party stands for right now because the entire process has been usurped by Trump’s chaos. It’s new times and a new election cycle.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        I do think that unification of message couldn’t be done too soon before primaries. I don’t know how many primaries are still outstanding, but if the voters have already chosen their candidates, then an idea of the overall platform should be emerging.

  22. Mego says:

    It’s about boundaries and Obama has excellent boundaries and knowledge of what is appropriate for him to say and do as former president. Just as George W. afforded him space when he was former President. He had 8 difficult years so let the man live his life on his own terms.

    That said I really really miss Barack and Michelle!!!

  23. Insomniac says:

    Wow, I just love the “leading Democratic operative” volunteering Obama to go get himself arrested to make a big statement, FFS. Can’t imagine why Obama is avoiding these people. *s*

  24. Tanya says:

    The one thing that I learned from the Obama presidency is that a black man making a statement is going to make certain types of white people double down in irrational ways.

  25. Ladykeller says:

    Whatever Obama could say would just be adding fuel to the fire. There is nothing he can say that will move the orange right. If anything he will only make it worse because the backlash will be swift and strong and the fascists will dig their heels in even deeper.

    I think Trump would secretly love it if Obama did comment. He and his supporters are too stupid to realize how intellectually inferior he is. He probably has a list of what he thinks are clever retorts prepped and ready to go. Barack is not about to play that game even if he knows he can win.

  26. Jay says:

    I miss him but he doesn’t owe us anything. And anything he can say would add to our echo chamber and just be fodder for the people who still hate him so really what would it accomplish? We all know detaining kids is bad and those that can justify it won’t care for what BHO has to say on the subject anyway.

  27. ValiantlyVarnished says:

    Obama doesnt own anyone a damn thing. Period. He is not our black savior. We have to fix this ourselves and stop looking to Obama to fix things. He is one man. It’s OUR responsibility as citizens to save our country. That’s how democracy works. And if we want it to keep working then WE need to be the ones to step up to the plate and fight for it. Obama gave us eight years of his life. He contended with being attacked from all sides. His wife and children were ridiculed. He has done enough. And nothing he can say will fix it what WE broke by allowing this country to become what it has become.

  28. Dlflygurl says:

    Privelaged how?! What can anything he says contribute to turning this mess around? He’s not in any part of the legislature, nor a governing body. If the American people and the world aren’t already outraged and disgusted with what’s happening, nothing my president says will change that. WE ARE BECOMING THE NEW NORTH KOREA the world should Impose sanctions and whatever else to stand against this madness.

  29. Bridget says:

    These are 3 very separate instances. When Obama was elected, W Bush was so politically radioactive that his own party was distancing itself from him. He left office and disappeared, which was what pretty much everyone wanted.

    And Clinton did speak out, but the focus was on setting up Hillary’s independent political career.

    Obama speaking out on Trump would play into Trump’s hands, because no matter how well reasoned and thoughtful his point is, it’ll give Trump a focus point to rally his base (ahem). As much as I adore President Obama and think that he’s the man we need, I also know that this is not his fight, or at least right now. And the man gave 8 years of service. Let’s give him a break from saving the world and let someone else have a chance.

  30. Amelie says:

    I think he’s doing what he can without openly engaging in verbal warfare with Trump which doesn’t help anybody. It would only be a sideshow and Trump would use it to distract from something else (like the trade war he started or the Mueller investigation or the separation of children and parents at the border). He’s focusing on his foundation and empowering young leaders in Chicago which I think is the best thing he could be doing right now. The few times he’s been politically vocal I particularly remember him endorsing Emmanuel Macron in the French elections last year which I thought was pretty unprecedented for an American president to be so vocal about another country’s election.

  31. Darla says:

    The Supreme Court just upheld Trump’s muslim travel ban, 5-4.

    Because Trump got to appoint the 5th justice.

    I personally believe that history is going to show that unprecedented steps should have been taken to prevent Trump’s rise. I won’t be here to read it, but a lot of the hot takes on what people should or shouldn’t do are going to be bad takes.

    • Sophia's side eye says:

      Why do you say you won’t be here to read it? Just curious.

      • Darla says:

        Well I am talking written history 50 years plus from now. I’m 50.

      • Sophia's side eye says:

        Oh, okay that makes sense, I’m 48 so not far behind!

        I agree with you about the future and looking back on this time. People will be saying more should’ve been done. Too many people thought, “it’ll never happen here,” yet here we are, and we’re only halfway in. *sigh*

        From the beginning I was eyeing that SCOTUS seat. For the future’s sake progressives needed that pick.

  32. Lala says:

    POTUS Obama is doing what he needs to do on the back-end…he’s not painting and just doing paid speaking engagements….he’s building the infrastructure with his foundation to identify and train new and younger politicians so that they will be effective…and his people have ran in special elections and won in the last several months…he’s working with groups to craft policy….and he is working with former Attorney General Eric Holder and they are going to courts and wining regarding gerrymandering and voters rights in states…He is not going to break protocol regarding speaking out against the current POTUS…and he shouldn’t…politics is nuanced…and complex…and Obama knows that and works from the bottom up…He has never been about the “big bang”…because the “big bang” is always a bubble that can burst at moments notice…he’s about building a solid foundation…and I’m here for that all day long!

    • AnneC says:

      We have to look at the big picture and hope that trump and his deplorables are the last gasp of a demographic that is rapidly changing. The country has gone from 85% white in 1960 to whites making up only 47% of the population by 2050. We’re slowly changing and trump’s overt white nationalism is resonating with a white (mainly uneducated) base that is rapidly getting smaller. I hope that trump is a blimp on the history of this country and he motivates people to get involved and to VOTE. President Obama is looking at that big picture and I hope he and many others will be there for us and for the country when this nightmare is over.

  33. Kristen says:

    Barack is the de facto leader of the Democratic Party. Sure, Tom Perez is in charge. But most dems still look to Barack for guidance.

    I’m torn. The right has galvanized their base around tearing him down. I’m not sure rallying around him is what the party needs. We’ve got to look forward and find the new voice. Fact is — the Democratic Party suffered historic losses in power (congress, governors) on Barack’s watch. Don’t get me wrong! I LOVE Barack. I Stan for Barack! But I’m not sure he’s going to lead us out of this mess, and I’m not sure it’s his responsibility.

  34. aang says:

    I feel like he let us down by not coming forward with info about Russia during the campaign. I understand why he didn’t but seeing that they stole a seat on the SCOTUS he should have done everything in his power to help Hillary win. And he didn’t. So he got to be temperate and cautious and we got a living nightmare from which we may never wake up. Hubris.

    • Darla says:

      He, like everyone in D.C., believed Hillary was going to win. I can’t find it in my heart to blame him for that, not really.

      But as I said above, IMO history is going to show that much stronger efforts to prevent Trump’s rise were called for. And this election was stolen. By a foreign power. And it was permitted.

      History has not yet made its judgement on Trump’s rise. When it does, it’s gonna be a doozy and i don’t believe anyone is gonna skate. Including Obama. Certainly Comey. You know who is going to come out better than she ever did in her lifetime? Hillary. Just my opinion.

  35. Dragonlady sakura says:

    Leave Obama alone. The man gave us eight years and this racist country has Constantly shit on him and his vision. He and his family have been called every disgusting name in the book and Republicans NEVER even tried to work with him. The voters (Russia) chose our current monster president, so sadly we will have to deal with the horrid consequences.

  36. kNY says:

    He’s right in not speaking up. It will only give fuel to the crazies. What’s the saying? Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig enjoys it.

    That said, I miss him and Michelle so much. I wish they were my neighbors and we got to hang out.

  37. Fanofnoone says:

    I usually just read and never comment but felt I had to say this. Love obama bur he wasnt faultless in this immigrant mess. Those pictures of the kids in cages are from 2014. Also aclu lawsuit against the obama administration stated that dozens kids were released into hands of sex traffickers. I kniw trump is Badddd but obama knows if he talks, hus shit in this mess is not perfume.

    • cara93 says:

      Do….you not actually know that the circumstances were completely different? Obama was dealing with a crisis of UNACCOMPANIED MINORS. He was not deporting parents and then kidnapping their children.

      • Fanofnoone says:

        Im aware thank you. I suppose it’s all good then. Kids in cages, handed over to be sex trafficked but Different circumstances so all good now. I commented on one of many factors that may be why obama not speaking up now.

    • isabelle says:

      Curious as to where where you got your facts? What you are saying I’ve noticed other Trump supporters saying the exact same thing, so wherever you got you got your “facts” , be leary & wise because it is being used by Trumpers. Obama never separated kids from their parents. Yes, Obama for a Democrat President enforced immigration and probably even deported more people than baby hands trump….but he didn’t separate kids from their parents. Be very careful where you are getting your news, Russian trolls are all over social media doing their tricks, hence the same exact facts being brought up again by people trying to make Obama equivalent to Trump. It is a big Russian troll tactic, hide the current story by comparing it to another. Trumpers being Trumpers fall for it hook line sinker and so do people trying to be so called fair.

      • Darla says:

        She isn’t claiming Obama separated children from their parents.

        She’s right that Obama’s hand aren’t clean on immigration. Yes, this is different. This is far, far worse. But I myself have wondered if Obama has been hesitant to speak considering that immigrant rights groups named him the “Deporter in chief”.

      • cara93 says:

        Considering this person doesn’t seem to be able to write a complete sentence….

      • Darla says:

        What??

      • Tiffany :) says:

        His hands aren’t “dirty” on immigration.

        Obama worked very hard to get congress to pass immigration legislation, but they did not. Dems were to scared to commit to a policy and the GOP called everything “amnesty”. Obama had to follow the laws that were in place, but his administration used policies to follow the laws in the most humane ways possible. He enacted DACA, which was an arrangement of priorities to put Dreamers as the last in line for deportation, because that was one of the few options available to him at that time. He didn’t have the ability to make Dreamers citizens.

        The authorities releasing children to traffickers was horrible. There are democratic organizations that prefer the system in place, however. Some groups say that if they require tougher background checks, etc., for the family/sponsor that the kids are being released to, it might expose other undocumented immigrants in that family. I consider myself liberal, but I think that there should absolutely be background checks and monitoring after a child is placed with a sponsor.

      • Darla says:

        Tiffany, in my view he deported too many. I don’t hold mainstream views on immigration, i guess. In my view, we should have open borders. But open borders does not mean no background checks and let everyone in. THere have to be background checks. But we should allow people in. We are facing only the beginning of the refugee crisis. This is worldwide. And a lot of these people are fleeing situations WE caused, or had a hand in.

        And guess what? We haven’t even seen the coming climate change refugee crisis yet.

      • isabelle says:

        Tiffiany—I’m a huge Obama fan and supporter but he did deport a lot of people based on the system at the time. He followed the law as is (even if he tried to make more sensible policy) and he deported a lot of people during his administration. Yes… he tried to help the dreamers and pass sensible immigration laws but he still deported a lot of people.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        isabelle and Darla, I don’t see deportation in and of itself to be wrong. It’s the symptom of a broken system, not the cause.

        I think the overall system needs to be changed to reflect our country’s demand for migrant workers and drastic changes need to be made in regards to visas and refugees. We need to make the process to immigrate safer and easier. Right now a big part of our economy is built on the backs of disenfranchised workers (especially in agriculture and food production & service), and it needs to be addressed. IMO, if Obama hadn’t upheld the law and continued with deportations, it would allow congress (especially dems) to give up the fight for real reform.

    • ladida says:

      Fanofnoone is right about unaccompanied minors, they have always been detained. Per the policy at that time, they were turned over to “foster” parents and many became runaways, many unaccounted for, that is a fact. DHS, as any other federal agency, is governed by laws enacted by Congress. The only way the President can enact laws is by executive order and mandating agencies, as Trump has done in the case of the separation policy. All policies have blind spots. In the case of fostering unaccompanied minors, it’s not a bad idea in theory, putting children in actual homes with families instead of detaining them permanently. Most of us can agree on that. Our system simply wasn’t equipped to find perfect foster families, and in some instances, there was nothing they could have done to prevent those minors from running away.

      The main difference, in my opinion, is that Obama had to deal with a Republican majority in Congress, so it’s unfair to blame him directly for what happened. And Trump’s intentions were never good to begin with.

  38. Snowflake says:

    It’s not his responsibility to save us. We have to save ourselves. He fought the good fight for 8 years and was a wonderful President. Now he can live his life. I’m sure he’s still doing things, just not on a public level. I think him speaking out would only make Trump supporters dig their heels in harder. He’s a smart man, he knows what he’s doing.

  39. mk says:

    When Obama first became President (and I was full of hope and change) I was grateful that President Bush stayed silent. I don’t care if Obama speaks or not now because he broke so many campaign promises that his presidency is meaningless for positives FOR ME PERSONALLY and full of negatives. My life is worse because of Obama’s policies.

    So in my not very important and very insignificant opinion, Obama can continue his silence because he got his and I believe that’s really all he cares about.

  40. nikzilla says:

    I’m ok with his silence. If he spoke up, he would only stoke Trump’s ire towards him and potentially inspire even more BS from this administration..

  41. Pandy says:

    Trump is salivating to goad Obama into commenting. He still drags Hilary just to keep his campaign fires burning. Obama would never be left alone again if he spoke up. Really, he does have a point about Drumpf being a blip.

  42. ladida says:

    What would it change? I mean, it’s not like Obama can change the minds and hearts of deplorables.

    • Addie says:

      This is true. Trump’s base is beyond reason. It’s a waste of time and energy trying to appeal to them. It also lets them assume that they (the base) have all the cards.

      • ladida says:

        Right…I sometimes fall into the trap of thinking they’re the majority and that depresses me. But they are not. They didn’t win the popular vote, as much as they’d like to think they have some potent “mandate” from the people. They do not – and they’ll learn that soon.

  43. Ana bloom says:

    🤧

  44. Tashiro says:

    @Cleo2 That’s pretty much the deal.

  45. Yes Doubtful says:

    Save us? What exactly is he supposed to do? He served his 8 years (wonderfully). Let him have his peace.

  46. Ms says:

    What’s the point of Obama saying anything about children in cages? These idiots still think he separated parents from their children and did the same thing. They would still boycott oxygen if Obama came out in favor of air. Everyone with any brains or conscience knows this is wrong. What’s the point in the person they literally burn and hang effigies of telling them to stop being immoral, soulless garbage human beings?

  47. A Fan says:

    He’s done his time. It’s not his mess to clean up.

    [*That is for voters to do. Or not.*]

  48. Anare says:

    Another inspiring Black man said, and I paraphrase, “The arc of history is long but it always bends toward justice.” MLK Jr. I’m with Minx upstream who said no one is going to save us, WE have to fix this terrible situation. VOTE! ✌️

  49. Bonnie says:

    I’d be quiet too if my party, the dnc, pretty much rigged the election in Hillary’s favor when Bernie would have won. He also knew Russia was involved before any of us and did nothing. I know this site is mad for him and it’s hard to be objective, but he helped trump get elected.