"Professional" Left?

I don't think I'd be considered part of the "professional" left. Do you? Robert Gibbs (and the White House in general) have leveled complaints at those they call the "professional" left for not appreciating the accomplishments of this administration so far. He seems to believe that nothing would ever be good enough for the members of that segment of the population. Now, I don't know if he's talking about all the news pundits, plus the bloggers, and the stellar academics, or just the zealous, passionate liberal thinkers in America, but I know one thing...I don't think he appreciates them enough either.


I really wish Mr. Gibbs would stop playing to the Republican hand in this situation. Republicans have been saying for months now (somewhat unsubstantiated) that this White House is very good at whining about what they don't like. I haven't thought that was true, but Robert Gibbs doesn't need to take it upon himself to make it SEEM true. Yes, we know, this White House has gotten healthcare reform, they're on track to end the Iraq War, pushed through financial regulatory reform and nominated TWO magnificent women to the Supreme Court; what Robert Gibbs doesn't seem to understand is that it isn't up to a presidential administration to be "good enough." Voters didn't elect them with a list of those 4 things I just mentioned, and now that they've checked them off, everything is peachy. That's just not how it goes. The job isn't finished. They NEED to be pushed by this "professional" left a little bit. They NEED to be kept on their toes. And they NEED to STOP TALKING ABOUT IT. This White House has claimed since the get-go that they were above the cable news cycle, but that cycle very visibly gets under their skin. And you NEVER SHOOT DOWN! Don't use administration time and venues to respond to every news story or host that got on your nerves one night.


Mr. Gibbs, I do appreciate the work that has been done so far. I appreciate it to an even greater degree knowing that you've really had less than no help from Republicans, and some Democrats. But that doesn't make this country perfect, and it certainly doesn't mean your job is done. Maybe you should listen to the "professional" left a little bit more and talk about them a little bit less. They did get you elected (at least partly). And you feel free to bash them because you know they'll never vote Republican. You're safe to drag them through the mud all you want because those like the people at MoveOn or the Rachel Maddow's aren't suddenly going to support uber-conservative candidates. But you're not doing them, or yourself, any good. If those of you in the White House really are concerned with the long term effects of your accomplishments, and not the short term polling like you say, then pass immigration reform, bring down this national deficit, let the Bush Tax Cuts expire completely, replace Summers and Geithner with people who are less oblivious, shut down Guantanamo, support, and I mean FULLY support gay marriage, stop Don't Ask Don't Tell, and end BOTH the wars in Iraq AND Afghanistan. Seems like a lot to do, right? Well, that's what I mean by "the job isn't finished."




*I would also like to mention, once again, that every time something like this comes up, people begin to talk about Democratic Primary challengers to the president in 2012. I do, still, believe that it could happen. Especially if the complaints come at a faster rate than the accomplishments.


Original story: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/113431-white-house-unloads-on-professional-left