Why do Democrats blindly support their party?

"Just because everyone who supported Obama isn't going crazy because of a perceived broken promise doesn't mean they are willing to support everything he or anyone else does as long as they have a D next to their names. " Perceived broken promise? Are you implying that in your "perception" he didn't promise not to hire lobbyists, or do you not "perceive" William Lynn, a vice president and lobbyist for one of the country's biggest defense contractors, to be a lobbyist? I'll let you off with the Tom Daschle bit since he's not a "registered" lobbyist, only his wife is. "I'm not sure what you mean about Al Franken "actively" making jokes about helping al Qaeda kill the President but while I've said many times I don't approve of that kind of "humor" at all he was a comedian for years." Really? And how many other comedians make jokes about helping al Quaeda kill the president? I mean, comedians LOVE to bash Bush, it's their job, but they don't make jokes about helping terrorists kill him. Annie, you acted as though Sarah Palin was insulting people when she called small towns "real America" and yet you genuinely don't seem to think that Al Franken's behavior is any reason not to vote for him.

"Perceived broken promise? Are you implying that in your "perception" he didn't promise not to hire lobbyists, or do you not "perceive" William Lynn, a vice president and lobbyist for one of the country's biggest defense contractors, to be a lobbyist?" First of all, he had backed off a bit from the "no lobbyists in my Administration" promise long before the election, possibly because he knew that would be a very difficult promise to keep depending on how technical one may be. I forget the exact words used right now so I'm not going to give you a direct quote so I don't screw it up. It was something to the effect of no having anyone work for him on something related to any lobbying work they have done within two years - SOMETHING like that. As for William Lynn, they've conceded that was an "exception" to their rule. For now, I WILL give him a pass on this but I could change my mind. "Really? And how many other comedians make jokes about helping al Quaeda kill the president? I mean, comedians LOVE to bash Bush, it's their job, but they don't make jokes about helping terrorists kill him." I don't know if anyone else has made that type of joke, I don't watch too many comic acts these days. SNL certainly has done their share of "tasteless" humor but that doesn't mean it reflects the writers or the comedians personal views. "Annie, you acted as though Sarah Palin was insulting people when she called small towns "real America" and yet you genuinely don't seem to think that Al Franken's behavior is any reason not to vote for him." Palin WAS insulting people from any place that didn't support her party. I live in a small town yet I'm not part of her real American. Al Franken has never insulted an entire group of people that I know of. Anyway, he's not in my state so I didn't have to decide whether to vote for him or not. Annie

Wasn't there a very high-profile Republican who wrote a very sexually graphic "romance novel" a few years back? (This is a serious question, I seem to remember this but I can't remember who it was!) Anyway, the thing about Franken is he's going to be one of 100 Senators while Sarah Palin wanted to be V.P. of the entire United States and probably wants to be President one day. That fact remains even if I did believe whatever was in that GOP publication you posted. Are you really trying to say that when Palin spoke of the "real America" that wasn't implying some parts of American aren't so real? Are you saying I'm wrong to think that? To me it was perfectly clear. Red States - real, "Country First", patriotic; Blue States - not so much. Annie

only in the second term when republicans got fed up with the war, in the first term they were for bush all the way, or do you forget how they told anyone who did not agree with what bush was doing was anti american. even in the second term there are still 30 percent republicans who will defend him to the bitter end, check it out on the net it is all there. fair is fair it seems you just want to blame democrats well I am not from your country I do not have a vested interest in either republicans or democrats but I have seen it on both sides, the slogan was if you are not with us you are against us, bush made that popular, and every one hated hollywood because most of the outspoken people were democrat. And before you tell me that you are not blaming if you are not willing to look at the whole term of bush from beginning to end, and what he did good for the country and what he did bad for the country than you are very biased in your point of view. I lived through all end years and quit many groups because the republicans just would not concede that their president was capable of doing anything wrong, newsflash, any president can do wrong they are only human, the system of democracy is based on the whole premise that there is a watch dog, to find these wrongs, and pointed them out, and it doesn't matter if you are republican or democrat if something is wrong it is wrong.

But, the facts don't support your belief. Republics have challenged Bush consistently and his approval ratings show that republicans are not blind to his failings. The same happened under George H.W. Bush where many chose to vote for Ross Perot rather than simply vote along party lines. It was republicans NOT blindly following their party that got Clinton elected.

Actually, Clinton and Obama were never far apart on the issues at all. They emphasized the differences they did have and magnified them during the primary campaign but that's just politics. Annie

Thank you very much for your response. It's refreshing to hear that not everyone is blindly supporting everything he does. Obviously every president has broken promises. I'm not expecting his supporters to burn him at the stake for it. I just expect people to hold him accountable and acknowledge that so far, he has broken promises.

Bush gave significant tax cuts to working Americans like myself. I know you're probably one of those people who buy the lies that only rich people got tax cuts, but that's just not the case. Obama wants to give tax cuts to people who don't even pay taxes which is effectively wealth redistribution. That, however, is not the topic of this discussion. Republicans have questioned Bush's actions repeatedly over the last 8 years and especially over the last 4. You don't get a 22% approval rating if your entire party blindly supports you. If by "let Obama get to work" you mean "ignore his lies and broken promises", I'm going to have to say "No". I'm going to hold him to his promises the same way I do every politician, REGARDLESS OF PARTY AFFILIATION, whether I vote for them or not.

It won't be very lomg. and the honeymoon between the newly elected president and the people and the media,will end - and then it will more than likely become not only testy - but informative in many areas as well. Personally - I'm more concerned about the free-fall of our judicial system in America. State Supreme Court Justices, shouldn't be 'set for life,' in their positions. And another thing - I don't know if it is the same where you live, but when we have voting for local and county judges here - - there's NO information put out for the public to check out, and with most not knowing anything about the current judges - - they are re-seated again, and again. The next 4 years will certainly be interesting to watch. That's for sure. It sure would be great if our politicians would really look into the extreme struggles people have, that are very poor. Many, many seniors try to "survive" on less than $9,000.00 a year. And S.S.I. is a disgrace to the poor and disabled!!! People who are disabled, and seniors should be able to at least have some form of enjoyment when their working days are over. Isn't it sad, that so many have had to GO BACK TO WORK TO SURVIVE? 'Nuff said. C. C.

It does happen on both sides, but it is clearly worse on the left side of politics. John McCain for example was regularly criticized by other republicans for compromising too often, for supporting the bailout, etc. There were a few threads during the election asking what issues people disagreed with their candidates on and ONLY republicans responded. What you seem to be describing when you compare religion to politics is outlooks and beliefs. In that I agree with you, but I'm speaking about blind support of specific politicians and willful ignorance or their negative aspects.

Banadux is right, and you are blind if you think that it's not on both sides. If you are speaking of the presidential election, that is not ALL democrats, that is two democrats and two republicans, and I admit there was very little critique on the Democratic side during the campaign and much more on the republican side, but that is surely an anomaly. The fact of the matter is that both democrats and republicans will blindly support their party unless there is obvious corruption or impotence. That's the unfortunate effects of a two-party dominated system.

I really think this election is where it went crazy. For so many, Obama could do no wrong. It just astounds me that so many talked about how he would change politics, but his broken promises, which the die hards refuse to acknowledge, have shown that he's just another typical politician. That doesn't mean he won't be a good president, but people need to watch him and not blindly follow.

I think we are all supposed to be Americans and I think it is high time we all started acting like it. I would also like to see and new rule that simply stated "No millionaires allowed". The people we have in office now has no idea how the working man must live. I have news for you the working people in this nation are the backbone of this nation. We are proving right now when the working man doesn't doesn't have the money to afford their needs our economy bites the dust. Every time the working people are the first ones to be hurt and hurt the most. Art

... as well you should be.