CNN’s Zakaria Defends Obama: ‘Liberals Need to Grow Up’ & Stop Criticizing Him
- Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:04pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Fareed Zakaria has let it slip in the past that he regularly talks (even consults) with President Obama (although he changed his characterization of those conversations after the fact). So maybe it should come as no surprise that he took to the airwaves yesterday to chastise those liberals who have recently taken to criticizing the president.
“Over the last week, liberal politicians and commentators in America took to the air waves and OpEd pages to criticize the debt deal that Congress reached,” Zakaria explained on his CNN program. “But their ire was directed not at the Tea Party or even the Republicans, but rather at Barack Obama, who, they concluded, had failed as a president because of his persistent tendency to compromise. This has been a running theme ever since Obama took office.”
He continued, pointing out that the president can’s solve problems by simply giving moving speeches:
I think that liberals need to grow up. As “The New Republic’s” Jonathan Chait brilliantly points out, there is a recurring liberal fantasy that if only the president of the United States would give a stirring speech, he would sweep the country along with the sheer power of his poetry and enact his agenda.
According to Zakaria, “Obama is a centrist and a pragmatist who understands that in a country divided over core issues, you cannot make the best the enemy of the good.”
Translation: Obama did the best he could with the cards he was dealt, and critical liberals need to back off and be happy.
You can watch Zakaria deliver the remarks below:
Zakari’s comments, however, have stirred quite the debate. Over at NewsBusters, Noel Sheppard thinks it’s a joke to suggest that the president is bearing the brunt of the criticism:
Exactly what news outlets does Zakaria frequent if he believes the ire of liberal politicians and commentators last week “was directed not at the Tea Party or even the Republicans?”
From the moment stocks began declining after the debt ceiling was raised, the blame has all gone to the Tea Party and the GOP.
Did Zakaria somehow miss all the left-wing talk about the Tea Party Downgrade? Is this man completely oblivious to what happens around him, or does he believe much like New York Times columnist Paul Krugman that there should have been absolutely no reporting of conservative views concerning the debt ceiling?
Beyond that, Zakaria also believes any of the left’s criticism stems from the narrative that paints Obama as “messiah.” Anything less of perfection and miraculous, then, spells disappointment:
Maybe this “recurring liberal fantasy” was fostered by folks like Zakaria that presented Barack Obama to the American people as a messiah. If the public has a Hollywood-like view of this president, it’s because the media put him on a pedestal like nobody before him.
It is therefore quite hypocritical of Zakaria to scold citizens for behaving exactly the way he and his colleagues trained them to.
Tommy Christopher at Mediaite, who admits he’s a liberal, explains that the left has cause to be upset, and it doesn’t have to do with a Messiah complex:
It’s true that liberals have been too hard on President Obama at times, but not out of some magical belief in his powers. Many were disappointed that health care reform didn’t include a public option, or that the President didn’t pass a larger, less tax cut-heavy stimulus package, when he had control of both houses of Congress. A lot of us blamed weak “conservadems” for undercutting stronger measures, but as President of the United States, Barack Obama should have been able to heel those blue dogs.
[...]
It wasn’t his silver tongue that we expected to save the day, but rather, the overwhelming public support for his position, and the near-universal agreement that the threat of a default was unacceptable. Instead, they got the Bad Haggler-in-Chief.
Christopher doesn’t hold back in his conclusion: “The Tea Party, and the Republicans, will rightly take heat for having put a gun to the head of the US economy, but liberal angst at the President has to do with the fact that he negotiated a resolution that allowed them to shoot each hostage in the leg.”
Don’t tell Zakaria.
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Comments (167)
SamIamTwo
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:32pmDoesn’t he give Obama advice? Anyhoo, I think it is Obama who needs to grow up and begin doing the work of the presidency. He’s not done a bloody thang all day. All he does is speak every two hours on the telly and complain about this and that, and spend booku bucks. A prime example of a hypocrite. Tighten your belt while he spends your money…
Report Post »AOL_REFUGEE
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 1:02pmFareed “The Weed” and Osama Obama: craps of a feather crap together:
He’s a crap talker
Report Post »He’s a crap talker
Always talkin’ crap
Yap, yap, yap!
Marci
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 1:03pmLooks like Obamabot #1 is upset that his liberal counterparts actually want him to do more damage and are angry he didn’t do it. That’s the problem with liberals, they WANTED a dictator and because Obama is to close to election time, he is laying off (only slightly) on the tyranny. Liberalism is a disease. They want it all or nothing at someone else’s expense and call anyone on the right working for the people holding a gun to the head? Bunch of selfish bastards.
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 1:09pmFAREEDY?
YOU grow UP
WHO cares what YOU think?
You are PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 1:50pmWaaaah, boo-hoooo, the muslim is mad that people are bad-mouthing his muslim buddy Barack.
Report Post »bboatmanable
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:01pmHey! I guess I’m open minded I actually agreed with something he said. Liberals should grow up. As for the rest of it……………yeah, not so much.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:31pmCan not believe I am about to say this, but I sure whish Silly Hillary would drop everything, and declare she is running for the democrat nomination against the annointed one. I can not stand her as much as Obama, but watching libs split down the middle would be fun. I do not think the annointed one could take it, and believe he might just implode. Watching the lib media crap their pants on who to support would be just as fun.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:53pm… Fareed …what a suk wad. I‘m really gettin’ to hate that muslim moron …
Report Post »michael48
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 3:12pmcnn’s zippy…hell if ken and barbie were lib’s, he’d vote for them…MSM=Comrade Crowd…
Report Post »Ryan Beaulieu
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 3:18pmWhat do you expect Fareed to say, he’s an adviser to the president…
Report Post »DrFrost
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 3:22pmThe left wing liberal media is not towing the line and spouting the latest propaganda…. errr.. I mean Democratic party talking points spewing out of…. errr… I mean released from the White House?!?!?! Such naughty children!
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 3:41pm@Ranger
Report Post »Go find your pill bottles- NOW!!
If i interpreted your statement coprrectly, you thinkn Hillary ws should challenge the Won. To what end. Th Hiidabeast is the same animal, just bigger panstuits and more lipstick! Snap the hell out it, man!!
Xpat48
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:32pmJerk his “Green Card.”. Deport him! Back to the septic tank of a country he came from.
Report Post »mils
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 1:58pmHE is Obamas friend…it does not matter what obama does this man is blindly following and trying to talk down to us.
Report Post »Yeah…Fareed is insluted that we do not agree with his boyfriend…his snookieboo, muslim in chief sugar lump.
Yes there is something wrong/suspect with all of this … Fareed and Matthews may end up having a dual at high noon! over obummer…this is how I feel and what I think..there is something suspect..
Rational Man
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:12pmWonder how many times this little jerk has been to the White House?
Report Post »He is practically a communication czar for Obama. A cheerleader! Head of Obama Public Relations! Some kind of blood kin! Or maybe just a payed promotional director………………
This guy is less than nothing to me. An interloper in humanity!
Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 3:46pmSeptic tank! ? WTF! You have No right to come on thissite and belittle and downgrade a proven sytem for the dissemination of waste and water. They “Doan knead no stinkin’ tanks”- and besides that- they cost money!
Report Post »GaryInTheMiddle
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:32pmThe useful idiot knows that now that the shark detect blood in the water they will continue to attack.
Report Post »He remembers how President Bush was treated.
Xpat48
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:30pmMay-be, but, it‘s so much fun we can’t help it. He’s such “nut-job”, do nothing “Pres”.
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:55pm@XPAT43 Do nothing President? I totally disagree. This “man in a suit” has done more “as President, than any President in the history of the US. He has spent more tax dollars than any President from the founding of the US until his so called “election” He has gotten us into 3 wars at once (along with Hilary of course.. we don’t want to deny her the spotlight) to help out his “Muslim Brotherhood.” He has given homes to countless illegals, plus shipped automatic weapons to the Hamaas drug cartel in Mexico while simultaneously filing lawsuits against Arizona for trying to police their state, and imposed stricter gun laws on the surrounding states. He has spent 20 million for relocation of Haamas affiliated Pakistani’s to the US, he gives 3.5 billion to Pakistan a year, and isn‘t he importing a bunch of Somali’s? Hasn’t he added 37 czars to his cabinet? He put the win in the liberal elections by teaching the Alinsky/Clinton/Obama Rules for Radicals and using our tax dollars to further the liberal agenda with Acorn and subsidiaries with illegal voting . He has an Obamacare agenda which provides not only high costs/deminished healthcare to every working individual, but totally changing our Constiturtion, robbing us blind and taking away our rights. And he’s a “do nothing” President?
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcBaSP31Be8
Soul Leister
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:30pm… the left wing media painted the messiah picture of obama and now they are complaining about him being viewed that way by the democrat masses… which came first the chicken or the egg (the mindset he is their messiah or the messengers claiming he was then but isn’t now… idiots.
Report Post »john
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:29pmMaybe Zakaria need to stop advising the President altogether and return to being a journalist and not a left wing shill. Apparently whatever he is telling him isnt working!
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:28pmWait just a minute…..didn’t the Libs scream that all the problems in this country were caused by the terrorist Tea Party and Conservatives?? Geez, I wish they’d get their stories straight.
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:28pmHow can you insult anyone who does not have a brain?
Report Post »hoopla
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:27pmObama’s a centrist huh? Coulda fooled me.
Report Post »Soul Leister
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:27pmZakaria is another leftwhing minority hypocrite racist windbag… when the republicans criticize obama (on factual maters regarding his insane deficit spending) they are labeled racists… but when democrats criticize obama they are not racists??? Way to highlight the DNC’s double standard you bafoons in the media regurgitate 24/7 (no that is not 24 hours a week, 7 months out of the year… its all the time… and twice that on sundays). Yet another reason sane people on the right think democrats are idiots.
Report Post »amuzed_right_guy
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:24pmWith “centrists” like Obama, who needs Communists? Who is this CNN guy anyway and what’s his viewership: a few hundred potheads and recovering hippie college professor liberals on a good nite, I’d gather.
Report Post »An AmericanMom
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:28pmI think this guy just wants Jay Carney’s job!
Report Post »notavictim
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:20pmI guess the libs grew up during Bush‘s term and now they’re ready to be the adults. Double standard. Libs set the new low standard during Bush’s years. They‘re just gonna have to live with it and stop crying because I’m sure its only gonna get worse.
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:20pmSo according to him:
Liberals should learn to ignore reality, ignore failure, ignore financial doom — just support the moron… yeah, that’s a winning idea Zakky—that‘s why you’re on the number “none” winning network – go team!
Report Post »randy
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:20pmSo, are those liberals complaining about OBAMa racists?
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:43pmAbsolutely, just don’t call them that. It hurts their widdle feewings and they just might tell on you to Mommy….. Be prepared for a time out, that‘s all I’m going to say…. :)
Report Post »olddog
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:20pmAt one time I actually watched CNN, it’s not anything close to a news network anymore, just psl agenda.. Well we got Fox and soon GBTV guess we’ll have to get by on that.. I‘m sure we’d all rather hear the truth and decide for ourselves than be led by the psl media. PSL=progressive,socialist,liberal
Report Post »fitsgibbons
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:18pmSome liberals are finally waking up. I have seen many obama followers trying to defend his pathetic record since becoming president. I am completely amazed at how ignorant these fools are. zareed is nothing more than a lap dog for potus. It’s all coming unraveled for this administration, not soon enough for me. RICK PERRY 2012
Report Post »Hiswill
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:18pmThere isn’t anything nice to say. Everybody recognizers how bad Obama’s presidency is. You can’t make a silk purse out of a pig’s ear.
Report Post »alaskajohn
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:14pmimpartial reporting at its best
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:21pm“The two buses Obama will use on his Dead End Tour of the Mid West BEFORE his 11 day
Vacation to Martha’s Vineyard will cost us tax payers $1.1 million each.”
yes 1.1 million for each bus for a 3 day bus tour?
What will be the cost for the latest 11 day vacation?
$50,00.00 a WEEK rental of the $20 Million dollar Blue Heron farm on 28 acres of beachfront
dozens of secret service agents, on 24 hour duty
communication officials,
top aides,
drivers / with 20 “cars”
the U.S. Coast Guard keeping ships a float near the farm
and of course the helicopter
How much will it coat “us” the taxpayers … this time?
Report Post »kathleenlee
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 1:10pmliving large on the backs of the American people…Bet mochelle is really proud of America now!!
Report Post »ezeewhiz
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:14pmFortunately Mr Z, the constitution gives liberals the right to free speech too. Even if they are critical of your God!!!
Report Post »Hoosierchap
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:42pm@Kathleenlee….
Report Post »BTW where is moochele? Not that I really care, but I haven’t seen her in weeks! Maybe she’s fed up with Barry too??
IAMMADDOG
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:12pmFareed said blah, blah, blah,blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And we should care why?
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:55pmlike his puppet master Obama … he also says
“words”
Report Post »Uechi
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:11pmWhere did get this guy, at “ Marxist Morons are US” This guy should be herding goats in Pakistan, but I forgot he isn’t really working for the media channel that anyone but commies watch.
Report Post »Parkeralan
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:11pmThe nerve of some liberals to have their own opinions about B. O.
Report Post »On The Bayou
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:11pmObama is history, stick a fork in him he`s done. The country and the people who pay taxes have seen enough. Obama will loose by a landslide in 2012. Bank on it.
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:41pm~~^^~~^^~~
I wouldnt be celebrating just yet. We are 14mos away from an election. You have a massive number of Americans, voting Americans who have no clue what is going on. Many of them were first voted for BHO and will be back to do it again. The left are masters at manipulating the uneducated/ uninformed voter. Again they did it in 08 to put him in. You can be sure they are already programming them to to vote for him again b/c “he needs more time to undo the damage Bush, GOP, evil banks”.. and now “TEA party people have done to this nation!”. I guarantee many of you this will be the line they are using followed by “He cant undo all the damage they have done in only 4 years, we need to give him more time to fix all their damage!”
We must be more active and share facts not opinions, share the vids and transcripts by those lying to these people. Do not underestimate the power BHO has over Americans, the class warfare card is in full effect along with the race card. Its all the left needs to get voters for BHO. Anyone here on cruise control thinking ‘12 election is a lock for whoever runs against BHO is a fool. This election will be the most important election many of us will see! http://SavingtheRepublic.com
Report Post »bigbro
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:35pmDepends on how many die in Chicago and still vote.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:10pmLiberals grow Up? Isn’t that special.
Report Post »On The Bayou
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:15pmApproval rating under 40%, bull!!!!!!!!!!!!1 It`s probably closer to 25%. Don`t believe the media and don`t believe the polls. We have a useless individual as president. The only thing you can count on from Obama is that he will continue to dystroy the structure of our country.
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:08pmI guess (liberal) dissent is no longer patriotic. Go figure.
Report Post »Tifn8r
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 12:39pmNah.. it just hurts Zacchy when his boyfriend is insulted.
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