Congressman Anthony Weiner calls out Obama

The Huffington Post:

Washington - Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) and a handful of other House Democrats expressed deep frustration with President Barack Obama's leadership on Wednesday, saying he needs to do more to set the direction for the progressive movement.

"On our side is this weird squishy affirmative sense of what government should do and how we're opposed to this cut and that cut, rather than saying, 'Here are the things: Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, environment and education. We're not cutting those. Those are off the table. That's non-negotiable,'" said Weiner, adding, "We haven't really done that very well. That's because the president fundamentally -- he's not a values guy. He wants to try to get the best deal for the American people and that's virtuous in its own right, but it becomes very difficult to make a strategy. There's been much greater global strategy thinking on [progressive media] outlets, frankly, than at 1600 Pennsylvania."

"We've spent a lot of time waiting for Godot when it comes to the Obama White House, and we kind of -- to some degree -- have to internalize the idea that, you know what? That's probably not the way to go," Weiner said. "We have to start initiating some of this."

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) was also at the gathering and later added, in reference to labor and budget battles, "The only regret I have is that the White House isn't fighting back against this. It's one thing to say, 'Well, I stand behind the workers -- how far behind, I don't know.' It's another thing to say, 'I stand with them and in front of them to protect their rights.' And I'm waiting for that to happen."

Continue reading here.