Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

DFW

(60,058 posts)

25. My optimism when Obama was elected was boundless--briefly

Reply to highplainsdem (Original post)

Tue Mar 10, 2026, 02:35 AM

13 hrs ago

Then he selected Rahm Emmanuel, whom I dislike immensely, to be his chief of staff. Acting on a personal grudge stemming from Howard Dean’s highly successful DNC leadership through the 2006 midterms, Rahm froze Howard out the made-for-him position as HHS Secretary.

In fact, Rahm froze Howard out of the Obama administration altogether. I was appalled, and was crushed that Obama didn’t show better (and more independent) judgment. Yes, Rahm was well known for his organizational skills and his connections. He was also known for his for being an egotistical hothead who never forgave Howard for being spot-on correct about his 50 State Strategy. Listening to Rahm and tossing Howard aside was an error that had ripples from which the country still suffers today.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

RockCreek

30 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Aaron Rupar: If you're roughly my age, it's wild to reflect on the optimism for the future Americans felt when Obama [View all] highplainsdem Yesterday OP

I remember being elated when Carter was elected. perfessor Yesterday #1

Carter barely won dsc Yesterday #9

I have NEVER felt such excitement! young_at_heart Yesterday #2

Always a relief... lame54 Yesterday #3

I'm so grateful Obama happened during my time on this planet. What great memories. Vinca Yesterday #4

I'm still bewildered by 2016 newdeal2 Yesterday #5

It was a triumph of Conservative Media's brainwashing program maxsolomon Yesterday #12

There was Russian interference. Many of us think that election was tampered with. Amaryllis Yesterday #13

I'd say that Russian misinformation all over social media was tampering groundloop Yesterday #15

James Comey. SergeStorms Yesterday #21

I was happy then MustLoveBeagles Yesterday #6

Wild isn't the word I'd use. progressoid Yesterday #7

+1 leftstreet Yesterday #11

Try tampered with. Russia Russia Russia. Amaryllis Yesterday #14

Obama 1/09 on Bush Corruption/War Crimes displacedvermoter 7 hrs ago #27

The Age of Aquarius BidenRocks Yesterday #8

If you're roughly my age BaronChocula Yesterday #10

65 here and it all seems reversed to before I was born. nilram Yesterday #16

I was optimistic in the 1970's and early 1980's OC375 Yesterday #17

I was just talking to my wife about this. In the late 60s and early 70s we were incredibly optimistic about the future. Martin68 Yesterday #18

Yes, we thought most folks had a common understanding of what we all valued. Didn't work out that way, though. JudyM 16 hrs ago #24

My Reflection modrepub Yesterday #19

Blaming Obama for everything is a favorite DU parlor game so you're not out of line at all. BannonsLiver 3 hrs ago #30

And the Republican senators refused to BootinUp Yesterday #20

Mitch again. BidenRocks 19 hrs ago #23

He articulated pattyloutwo 23 hrs ago #22

My optimism when Obama was elected was boundless--briefly DFW 13 hrs ago #25

Rush. Beck2 13 hrs ago #26

Obama was elected the year my daughter was born ybbor 4 hrs ago #28

We were hopeful because we thought there would be real, progressive change. BlueTsunami2018 3 hrs ago #29