"Centrist" Democratic Congressman won't Endorse Obama bc of "Liberal"Record

Fox News has confirmed that Congressman Dan Boren, the only Democrat in the Oklahoma delegation , said yesterday in an interview, that he will not endorse Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president because he is" the most liberal senator in the U.S. Senate".

Then Boren is an idiot. That's not a political opinion, it's a fact. He's an idiot.

Congressman Boren, I'd like to introduce you to the Junior Senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders (S-VT).

"S?" You might ask. What does this "S" stand for? Senator Sanders is a self described socialist. He's an honest-to-god socialist and he is, in fact, a member of the United States Senate.

So we have Senator Barack Obama... who is not, in fact, a socialist. And we have Senator Bernie Sanders who... is.

Now who's the most liberal senator of the U.S. Senate?

I thought so.

Killfile, I've never been able to make a non-blockquote quote like you've got up there. How did you do it?

Sounds to me like Bernie Sanders (along with a herd of Vermonters) is the idiot, not Dan Boren.

SteveHouse: <q>Your quotation here</q>

Lazarus: You can disagree with Bernie all you like, but Dan's the one who's to daft to realize that we've got an honest to God socialist sitting in the Senate which does rather preclude Obama being "the most liberal senator."

"S?" You might ask. What does this "S" stand for? Senator Sanders is a self described socialist. He's an honest-to-god socialist and he is, in fact, a member of the United States Senate.

You're missing the forest for the trees. Who cares if there's someone more "left" than Obama? Do you deny that Obama is left? Do you further deny that he is much further left than the majority of Oklahomans? You can nitpick all you want, but it doesn't change the facts on the ground. Anyway, wasn't the Democratic party supposed to be a Big Tent? Or are some big tents more big tent than others?

You're missing the forest for the trees. Who cares if there's someone more "left" than Obama?

Congressman Dan Boren of Oklahoma obviously does. Or did you not notice that that's who the article is about?

Do you deny that Obama is left?

It may astonish you to learn that the world does not always resolve itself into black and white. Obama is fairly centrist as the candidates go.

Do you further deny that he is much further left than the majority of Oklahomans?

I think that's up to Oklahomans -- not that the Democratic party is on the edge of its seat to see where they'll vote.

You can nitpick all you want, but it doesn't change the facts on the ground

And the facts on the ground are that Dan Boren is idiotically repeating a Republican talking point that's not just wrong it's demonstrably false and obviously so. He could as credibly be claiming that the sky is maroon.

Anyway, wasn't the Democratic party supposed to be a Big Tent? Or are some big tents more big tent than others?

You let me know how that Big Tent works out for the Libertarians and the Christian Conservatives will ya?

Do you deny that Obama is left?

What definition of "left" encompasses:

- supporting the PATRIOT Act?

- wanting to expand a military that already spends more than half the world's defense budget?

- building a giant fence along your country's border?

- protecting corporations limiting people's ability to file class action lawsuits?

- repeatedly voting to fund an illegal occupation?

Obama is guilty of all the acts I've listed here.

Congressman Dan Boren of Oklahoma obviously does. Or did you not notice that that's who the article is about?

No, he cares that Obama is the nominee and is too left for his constituency. "Or did you not notice that's what the article is about?" **scoff**

Obama is fairly centrist as the candidates go.

Which candidates, and what does that have to do with Boren's constituency, exactly, other than what we already know - Obama is to the left of it?

I think that's up to Oklahomans -- not that the Democratic party is on the edge of its seat to see where they'll vote.

Exactly. I'm not pretending Boren matters to Obama - so why is anyone else? But I'm also not pretending that Boren's wrong in his assessment, as far as Oklahoma goes.

And the facts on the ground are that Dan Boren is idiotically repeating a Republican talking point that's not just wrong it's demonstrably false and obviously so. He could as credibly be claiming that the sky is maroon.

Hey, if you want to attack him, go for it; seriously I don't know why you care. The facts on the ground are that Obama is too far to the left for most Oklahomans. You know - the ones Boren represents. He's not looking to get Obama elected, obviously - he's looking to keep his job by not getting painted in the broad brush of those very Republican talking points you mention. And I don't blame him.

You let me know how that Big Tent works out for the Libertarians and the Christian Conservatives will ya?

Yeah, I don't even know what you mean by that. The Democrats have repeatedly claimed to be Big Tent - I didn't pull that out of the air. Hell, they picked up seats because of it, last go-round, fielding moderate and moderate-to-conservative Democratic candidates. But now they have to suddenly turn around and toe the party line, thereby betraying their constituency and making a lie of their campaign stances? The Big Tent is apparently just an illusion. How long do you suppose it'll last?

I think that's up to Oklahomans -- not that the Democratic party is on the edge of its seat to see where they'll vote.

From an Okie: Obama is to the left of at least 85% of us. Don't let our Democratic governor fool you. Sadly, I know several people who take his middle name and his lapel pin very seriously. For example:
My girlfriend: See, look there, he's wearing your flag pin. My girlfriend's dad: Yeah, fer whut country!?

Thanks for the quoting tip! :D