Diary: Obama's conservatism is harming the Democratic Party

I got this email (below) from MoveOn.org asking me to do Get Out the Vote phonebanking for Martha Coakley, a Democrat who is running to replace Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts. I'd like Coakley to win; her opponent is a libertarian conservative. But when I clicked on the link they provided, it sent me to a page associated with Organizing for America and http://my.barackobama.com/.

Due to Obama's conservatism and his betrayal of his supporters, I found myself unwilling to participate. I got a bad taste in my mouth.

Similarly, I have friends who are active in Organizing for America (a continuation of Obama for America). I have been averse to working with them.

And it's not just me. There are predictions that the Democrats are in trouble in November. See Which is the bigger problem, lower Democratic turnout or voter shift toward Republicans? and How Democrats can avoid a midterm rout in 2010.

In fact, according to this article from The Nation, President Obama might end up doing more harm than good by traveling to Massachusetts to campaign for Coakley. His visit would energize conservatives and possibly offend alienated Democrats.

I really don't like bashing Obama, but he's making it hard not to.

Because of Obama's conservatism, the Democratic base has become disillusioned, and the GOP is likely to gain seats. Blame Obama mostly.

What's most irrational about Obama's policies is that his efforts to appease the right wingers won't work. They'll still hate him and stab him in the back.

Some of Obama's misteps are just corrupt sell-outs (e.g., to Big Pharma).

I'm burnt out and disheartened about politics. Obama could have been great. Instead, he's betrayed his supporters.

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Dear MoveOn member,

With "tea party" money pouring into the fight for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, the airwaves full of outside ads, and the polls showing a tight race, Democrat Martha Coakley needs a massive get-out-the-vote effort between now and Tuesday.

Special elections are won by the campaign that does the best job getting its supporters to the polls. Organizing for America has an online tool where you can call likely Democratic voters in Massachusetts and remind them to vote on Tuesday. Can you make a few calls right now?

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86037&id=18606-3590389-g3DUuXx&t=1

Right-wing smear merchants are spending $1 million or more on attack ads, and the tea partiers are out in full force for Republican Scott Brown. They would like nothing better than to stop health care reform by winning this race. We can't let them.� ��

Martha Coakley's vote is needed to pass health care reform and the rest of President Obama's agenda. As Massachusetts' first female senator, she will fight to advance Sen. Ted Kennedy's legacy.

Martha Coakley is fighting to hold onto the seat Ted Kennedy held for 47 years. Letting the tea partiers win this race is simply not an option.� �� Please sign up today to help get out the vote in these critical last few days:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=.....&id=.....

Thank you very much.

Adam, Stephen, Carrie, Kat, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members--no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way.........

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to Donald A. Smith on January 16, 2010.