The_reppaT_Thing said
And as far as Liberals not practicing what they preach, and not being more accepting of different points of view; it is exactly that lack of passion that gets the Liberal party nowhere.
It's precisely the point I am trying to make to the centrist Republicans on RJ. It's not enough to say the "tea party" movement is a bunch of wackos that no one takes seriously. They are in the process of a hostile take over of the Republican party and the moderates are letting the activists win.
I do remind you guys that the criticism that you (my buddy The_reppa_Thing), Lostboy and Obscenewish (ina post on a different thread) leveled at Obama (which is fair) is precisely the criticism leveled at Clinton. That he promised more "liberal" activism and did not deliver, because he tried to be conciliatory to the Republicans. DADT is one outcome of that.
Yet, he is still villified as the liberal devil incarnate by the Republicans to this day. I think things happen in steps (don't yell at me, please!!

). In retrospect, Clinton's presidency was a breath of fresh air in the midst of foul air of two Republican presidencies.
You can see that even the modest steps Obama has taken has engendered rabid hate from the conservatives. They wouldn't agree that he's milk toast. I think he's experimenting to see how far he can go in getting his policies through Congress, without creating such an allergic reaction among the Republicans that nothing gets passed.
I am playing Devils Advocate here. I realize the sense of frustration you feel that not enough has been done and too much pandering to the southbeach types in politics has happened. I am willing to wait it out (not that I have a choice)...and see how things shake out over the next several years.