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Them's fightin' words
The Reaction —
... I, as a proud member of the Left, have been willing to give Obama the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the mostly center-leaning choices he has made to help run the country. People who I respect, like David Sorta, have not been so forgiving. However, I think their criticism is justified and welcome, but until today I've kind of stayed out of that fray. ...
Top Obama Adviser Hits "The Left Wing Of Our Party" For Criticizing Cabinet Picks
TPM Election Central —
Steve Hildebrand, the former deputy national campaign director for Barack Obama, has a new piece up at the Huffington Post, rebutting left-wing critics who say that Obama's cabinet choices have been too centrist or even conservative:
The point I'm making here is that our new president, the Congress and all Americans must come together to solve these problems. This is not a time for the left wing of our Party to draw conclusions about the Cabinet and White House appointments that President-Elect Obama is making. Some believe the appointments generally aren't progressive enough. Having worked with former ...
Grumbling on 'The Left'
Ben Smith's Blog —
The Democratic left, which -- to the dismay of the press -- has been pretty mild in its criticism of Obama's centrist choices, isn't particularly pleased with Steve Hildebrand's tone this morning.
Writes David Sirota:
But far more important than that is Hildebrand firing up the whaaaaaaaambulance to whine and cry and moan about "the left." Really, what is with top Democrats explicitly attacking "the left wing of the Democratic Party" in Fox News-style talking points? Why is every substantive, non-partisan, non-ideological question of pragmatism from progressives almost automatically ...
How Not to Stem Criticism From Obama’s Left Flank
Comments from Left Field —
Memo to Deputy Transition Director Steve Hildebrand: poking a beehive with a sharp STFU stick isn’t gonna stop the buzzing. It’s just gonna get your dumb ass stung.
David Sirota patiently explains why muzzling progressives isn’t the answer:
The reason the Republican Party and conservative movement were so successful [up until recently] was because they developed a symbiotic relationship. Specifically, the party apparatus knew that sustained conservative movement pressure on the party ...
More Liberal Angst About Obama
Tennessee Guerilla Women —
... the liberal euphoria at being rid of President George W. Bush to say, in effect, that the new boss looks like the old boss. OpenLeft blogger Chris Bowers went so far as to issue this plaintive plea: “Isn't there ever a point when we can get an actual Democratic administration?” Not to worry, Chris and John. Obama's deputy Steve Hildebrand is on the case. And Hildebrand wants you and Obama's other liberal critics to STFU. David Sirota: Mandate Watch: Were Democrats Elected to Attack "The Left?" Part II ...
Obama Aide Bites Left, Left Bites Back
Politics Daily —
Filed under: Democrats, Barack Obama, Featured Stories, Obama AdministrationObama Deputy Campaign Manager Steve Hildebrand published a kind of open letter to Barack Obama's "progressive critics" today in Huffpo that has drawn immediate criticism. Here's Hildebrand: The point I'm making here is that our new president, the Congress and all Americans must come together to solve these problems. This is not a time for the left wing of our Party to draw conclusions about the Cabinet and White House appointments that President-Elect Obama is making. Some believe the appointments generally ...
Sirota: Obama Aide's "Rant-ish" Message To Critics A "STFU"
The Huffington Post | Full News Feed —
Liberal commenter David Sirota responds to Obama Deputy Campaign Manager Steve Hildebrand's missive to critics, wondering if Democrats "were elected to attack the left":
Now, here's a rant-ish "Message to Obama's Progressive Critics" from top Obama aide Steve Hildebrand today demanding the Dirty Fucking Hippies of "the left" STFU:
...
First thing's first: I absolutely agree with Hildebrand that you can't draw concrete conclusions about Obama based only on his personnel decisions - and I've written that repeatedly (and I've also said that most of Obama's policy declarations have been pretty ...
Sirota: Obama Aide's "Rant-ish" Message To Critics A "STFU"
Politics on HuffingtonPost.com —
Liberal commenter David Sirota responds to Obama Deputy Campaign Manager Steve Hildebrand's missive to critics, wondering if Democrats "were elected to attack the left":
Now, here's a rant-ish "Message to Obama's Progressive Critics" from top Obama aide Steve Hildebrand today demanding the Dirty Fucking Hippies of "the left" STFU:
...
First thing's first: I absolutely agree with Hildebrand that you can't draw concrete conclusions about Obama based only on his personnel decisions - and I've written that repeatedly (and I've also said that most of Obama's policy declarations have been pretty ...
MIDDAY ROUNDUP
News —
... asserts, putting forth a different way to frame the issue. Meanwhile, Obama’s choices to head Cabinet departments and federal agencies are important choices, and complaints from the Left are being met with talking points by Obama loyalists, Open Left’s David Sirota complains. Obama is simply learning from the Clinton administration’s mistakes, and ensuring he will not overreach, ...
Hildebrand's advice
Political Animal —
HILDEBRAND'S ADVICE.... Democratic strategist Steve Hildebrand, a deputy campaign manager who oversaw the state, field and political operations for Barack Obama, has heard some liberal consternation about Obama's cabinet choices. In an item ...
Corzine On Obama’s Appointments: They’re People Who Are ‘Pragmatists With A Progressive Agenda’
Think Progress —
Politico reports that Barack Obama’s personnel selections are causing some consternation amongst progressives: “Liberals are growing increasingly nervous – and some just flat-out angry – that President-elect Barack Obama seems to be stiffing them on Cabinet jobs and policy choices.”
Attempting to diffuse the nervousness, Obama’s top campaign field operative Steve Hildebrand pens a response in the Huffington Post, warning that now is “not a time for the left wing” to be drawing conclusions. (Hildebrand’s argument has stirred reactions from many bloggers.)
This morning, ...
The Left v. Obama Aide, Not Yet A Flamewar
Swampland —
... This turns out to be the kind of message that calms nobody's nerves, especially since the criticism of Obama from the left has hardly been that loud. But now the volume increases: David Sirota responds by suggesting that Hildebrand is just telling the dirty hippies to "STFU." Jane Hamsher says Hildebrand is " ...
