Given Thursday night's Democratic presidential debate was held in Wisconsin, it is ironic that it was U.S. Senator Carl Schurz from Wisconsin who in 1872 declared "My country, right or wrong.” In one sense I say so too. My country; and my country is the great American Republic. My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right."
Today's Politico headline reads "Democrats Debate: Who Loves Hillary More?' Both candidates were sending their love when as the event was nearing a close, this exchange took place:
CLINTON: But I want to -- I want to follow up on something having to do with leadership, because, you know, today Senator Sanders said that President Obama failed the presidential leadership test. And this is not the first time that he has criticized President Obama. In the past he has called him weak. He has called him a disappointment.
He wrote a forward for a book that basically argued voters should have buyers' remorse when it comes to President Obama's leadership and legacy.
And I just couldn't agree -- disagree more with those kinds of comments. You know, from my perspective, maybe because I understand what President Obama inherited, not only the worst financial crisis but the antipathy of the Republicans in Congress, I don't think he gets the credit he deserves for being a president...
(APPLAUSE)
CLINTON: ... who got us out of that...
(APPLAUSE)
CLINTON: ... put us on firm ground, and has sent us into the future. And it is a -- the kind of criticism that we've heard from Senator Sanders about our president I expect from Republicans. I do not expect from someone running for the Democratic nomination to succeed President Obama.
SANDERS: That is...
(APPLAUSE)
SANDERS: Madam Secretary, that is a low blow. I have worked with President Obama for the last seven years. When President Obama came into office we were losing 800,000 jobs a month, 800,000 jobs a month. We had a $1.4 trillion deficit. And the world's financial system is on the verge of collapse.
As a result of his efforts and the efforts of Joe Biden against unprecedented, I was there in the Senate, unprecedented Republican obstructionism, we have made enormous progress.
(APPLAUSE)
Senator Sanders then made what in the Democratic race is a truly bold statement- though one the wise Senator Schurz would have understood- when he remarked
But you know what? Last I heard we lived in a democratic society. Last I heard, a United States senator had the right to disagree with the president, including a president who has done such an extraordinary job.
So I have voiced criticisms. You're right. Maybe you haven't. I have.
Heresy! Bernie Sanders, right in front of a live audience ( I hate those dead audiences) and viewers from coast-to-coast, shocked Democrats when he maintained a United States senator has the right to disagree with the President And President Obama has been a disappointment to liberals/progressives, except to those who haven't been paying attention.
It is the kind of criticism that we've heard from Senator Sanders about our president I expect from Republicans, Mrs. Clinton claimed. Yes, because it's exactly like
This president is undermining the constitutional basis of this government. This president is undermining our military. He is undermining our standing in the world....The damage he has done to America is extraordinary. Let me tell you, if we don't get this election right, there may be no turning back for America.
That did not come from Donald Trump but from one of the "moderates," one of the establishment candidates. While Bernie Sanders remains focused as a laser on issues, the former Secretary of State complains about "personal assessments and charge." The Vermont Senator has offended Clintonites with his condemnation of the President but has said "I think he (Obama) has done an excellent job" and on Thursday night referring to "such an extraordinary job."If Hillary Clinton believes that sounds like the criticism that would be leveled at her in the fall by a Republican opponent, she is not ready for prime time.
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