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Michael Moore To Democrats: “You Can’t Keep Blaming [Bush]” For National Woes

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» 48 comments

One of the Old Guard has begun to change his tune: Michael Moore is calling for a moratorium on blaming President Bush. Well, sort of. On last night’s Real Time, Moore told his co-panelists and host Bill Maher that blaming the Bush administration for America’s problems will not make them go away, nor, two years later, is it a valuable excuse.

Debating the pitfalls of the Clinton administration (which Maher argued turned the Democrats into “a second corporatist party” during Clinton’s second term), Moore made the point that he strongly believed a similar turn during Obama’s possible second term would be extremely destructive to the party. In response, Rep. Joe Sestak, who was on the panel, mentioned the damage done under the Bush administration. Moore refused to accept that as a sufficient excuse for the delay in progress:

“No one’s forgetting the fact that this frat boy totally destroyed this country economically, our standing around the world– we all get that. But it’s two years later, and you can’t keep blaming the people who created the mess. Yes, we’ll never stop being pissed at Bush for what he did. But right now we’ve got to fix this, and you guys– the Democrats and Obama– have to be the ones that do it. If you do it– if you actually get in there and do it– you’ll have everybody behind you all the way.”

Hearing as staunch a detractor of the Bush administration sound the horn for moving on from the first eight years of the century is a new development on the left, and perhaps in part due to passing the halfway point of the midterm elections. It will be interesting to see how many public figures on the left adopt Moore’s suggestions.

The video from HBO‘s Real Time below:

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  • juan

    Obama is destroying our standing around the world!

    Even the Slobbering Media has turned on Obama!

    Celebrate, America!

  • http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

    The destruction really started with Obama and the stimulus bill.

  • timzank

    Moore is still blaming bush, he’s just whining that O’jesus hasn’t done enough yet to turn us into venezuela or cuba…He’s disappointed with the pace of the collapse.

  • MediaiteCensorsSux

    Can’t believe he is saying this! I thought these folks would never get off the Bush bashing!

  • The_Reasonable_Lib

    gordonbloyershow said:
    The destruction really started with Obama and the stimulus bill.

    And there’s Marceux’s latest idiotic comment. Things were completely fine before, Bush just bailed those companies out as something to do. Chalk this one up with such classics as:
    There were no immediate effects to the healthcare bill
    The Left is afraid of Christine O’Donnell
    and many many more…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Scott/654124552 Jonathan Scott

    and the left is afraid of Sarah Palin and doesn’t want her to run for president. Run Sarah Run!!!!!!!111111 then Bill Maher should interview that 14 year old conservative kid Jonathan Crone. He is so awesome!!!!1

  • Arthur (Not a Political Comic)

    gordonbloyershow said:
    The destruction really started with Obama and the stimulus bill.

    Explain how.

  • Big Eddie

    Joe Sestak . You can take that White house job now .

  • The_Reasonable_Lib

    Arthur (Not a Political Comic) said:
    Explain how.

    Be prepared to have your mind blown by the utter ridiculousness of his response, if he does respond that is.

  • Arthur (Not a Political Comic)

    The_Reasonable_Lib said:
    Be prepared to have your mind blown by the utter ridiculousness of his response, if he does respond that is.

    Sure. I expect as much. His words are designed to start a troll off. But see, I want an explanation. It’s a pretty general blanket statement that just doesn’t make much sense. I want to see how it works.

  • TeaPartyPatriot

    “Michael Moore To Democrats: “You Can’t Keep Blaming [Bush]” For National Woes”

    …THEY HAVE NOTHING ELSE!!!! Does he expect them to run on their “accomplishments”?

  • Ted-

    timzank said:
    Moore is still blaming bush, he’s just whining that O’jesus hasn’t done enough yet to turn us into venezuela or cuba…He’s disappointed with the pace of the collapse.

    Most people have to work very hard to be this stupid. With you, it obviously comes naturally. Numb nuts.

  • TonyClifton

    And besides, we all know it’s really Ronald Reagan fault.

  • notsofast

    MM, that atrocious baseball cap makes you look as dumb as you are.

  • notsofast

    Arthur (Not a Political Comic) said:
    Sure. I expect as much. His words are designed to start a troll off. But see, I want an explanation. It’s a pretty general blanket statement that just doesn’t make much sense. I want to see how it works.

    YOU are as dumb as they come, pal.

  • Arthur (Not a Political Comic)

    notsofast said:
    YOU are as dumb as they come, pal.

    Explain how.

  • notsofast

    Arthur (Not a Political Comic) said:
    Explain how.

    Read your posts!

    They say it all!

    Hubba, hubba!

  • Arthur (Not a Political Comic)

    notsofast said:
    Read your posts!

    They say it all!

    Hubba, hubba!

    Um, I did go back and reread my posts. I said Explain how. That’s fairly simple statement. He said something simple that should be explained. So, I asked him too. Then I explained why I asked him to. Nothing there that shows my intelligence or my intellect. Nothing directed at you actually. Now, I’ve made other posts other places (you do know that this is permatiltx and I don’t want to have to get into this again with baseless attacks starting a long discussion that gets nowhere so I hope we don’t have to do that again).

    Now, the reason his statement doesn’t make since on a whole is because he neglects to discuss the destructive force that required us to even have a stimulus bill. Now, the stimulus bill did not work as well as many wanted. Economy not fixed, but it didn’t break the economy in the first place. So, as an analogy, that’s like having your leg chopped off, going to the doctor and then saying, Well, I was fine until the doctor put a band-aid on it.

  • greg454

    Don’t be fooled by Moore, this is nothing but a publicity stunt. He still blames Bush for everything,but he knows that in order to get headlines like this one, he needs to say something new.

  • truthrose1

    The Democrats who won were the ones who were in urban districts. The Dems who lost were in majority racist white districts, The truth needs to be told.

  • http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

    The_Reasonable_Lib said:
    Be prepared to have your mind blown by the utter ridiculousness of his response, if he does respond that is.

    Did you catch the result of the election? I know why you hide behind a phony name. No one would come back here that supported Obama if they used their real name. I am prepared for your ignorant response, if you do respond.

  • juan

    truthrose1 said:
    The Democrats who won were the ones who were in urban districts. The Dems who lost were in majority racist white districts, The truth needs to be told.

    You do know playing that old-RACE-card doesn’t work anymore, don’t you?

    It’s as irrelevant as the NAACP, Sharpton, and Jackson!

  • http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

    Arthur (Not a Political Comic) said:
    Now, the reason his statement doesn’t make since on a whole is because he neglects to discuss the destructive force that required us to even have a stimulus bill. Now, the stimulus bill did not work as well as many wanted. Economy not fixed, but it didn’t break the economy in the first place. So, as an analogy, that’s like having your leg chopped off, going to the doctor and then saying, Well, I was fine until the doctor put a band-aid on it.

    You repeat democrat talking points well. No one can say what would have happened if they did not pass the stimulus bill. Do you know the difference between TARP and the Stimulus Bill. TARP bailed out the banks and financial institutions. That was probably needed. That money is being paid back. The stimulus was just a payoff to unions and most of the money has been wasted. Obama has now admitted that there were no “shovel ready” jobs. Duh, most of us knew that but people like you fell for the con. A large portion of the money has not even been used YET. That bill has tripled the debt. That bill is the MAJOR problem. It has become clear to MOST Americans. That is why the election went the way it did. Only fools still defend the Obamacare plan. That is the second MAJOR problem with the economy. I know you won’t grasp the above answer and that is why I usually don’t answer questions like yours. If I have to explain it, you won’t understand what our problems are.

  • Kitsune

    gordonbloyershow said:
    The destruction really started with Obama and the stimulus bill.

    Gordon, SHUT UP. I’m a slightly-right leaning moderate, but Bush HIMSELF passed Tarp because he wanted to work with Obama during the transition.

    Obama has made things even worse, yes, but Bush started us down the slippery slope for the sake of political expediency.

    You make everyone to the right of Van Jones look stupid with your constant bullshit, Gordo.

  • nrgetick

    “Bush HIMSELF passed Tarp because he wanted to work with Obama during the transition.”

    I dont think he gave up his “principals” in the “free market’ for the sake of poor ol obama. Our politicians dont waste time with principal when the real owners of this country say “KNEEL!”

  • http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

    Kitsune said:
    Gordon, SHUT UP. I’m a slightly-right leaning moderate, but Bush HIMSELF passed Tarp because he wanted to work with Obama during the transition.

    You are a nobody hiding behind a phony name. You are the one to shut up. The only bullshit here comes from cowards like you that won’t stand behind your comments. Go play with some tinker toys leave the politics to the grown ups.

  • ChrisNH

    Obama will likely not run for a second term, but even that concession won’t mitigate the hatred people have for the man.

  • Alz

    MediaiteCensorsSux said:
    Can’t believe he is saying this! I thought these folks would never get off the Bush bashing!

    Yea, but to the Modern Liberal/Progressives, it doesn’t mean looking forward, it means blaming Bush I and Reagan!

  • http://none pyrope

    truthrose1 said:
    The Democrats who won were the ones who were in urban districts. The Dems who lost were in majority racist white districts, The truth needs to be told.

    And in which districts might one expect to find more of the “entidamit” crowd? In which district might one expect to find chruches whose pastors hand out marked ballots to their parrishoners?

  • http://none pyrope

    nrgetick said:
    “Bush HIMSELF passed Tarp because he wanted to work with Obama during the transition.” I dont think he gave up his “principals” in the “free market’ for the sake of poor ol obama. Our politicians dont waste time with principal when the real owners of this country say “KNEEL!”

    While it is true that TARP was signed by President Bush in October of ’08, the dispensation of funds was not decided until sometime in February ’09. What I find particularly interesting is that some $16 billion of the bailouts STILL cannot be accounted for, but we do know that at least $7.3 billion went overseas! Then, there were all the “curious” grants, e.g. the one to determine if using marijuana AND alcohol would make the HIV positive people in Brazil act more promiscuously.

  • MiddleRoader

    Big Eddie said:
    Joe Sestak . You can take that White house job now .

    Yeah the one that the conservative turned democrat to only *try* and save his seat wanted.

  • MiddleRoader

    I meant the seat Sestak was seeking.

  • MiddleRoader

    MiddleRoader said:
    I meant the seat Sestak was seeking.

    Geez, nevermind. I’m going to look for mine now.

  • MiddleRoader

    I just woke up so don’t mind me. But my point was that Arlen Spector had no problem dumping the republican party and turn democrat to try and save his sorry ass. But lets pick on Sestak that who was not so easily bought out.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Mangan/100000213524770 David Mangan

    MM is a mound of blubbery suet that does a fairly decent Jabba the Hut imitation while wearing a Spartans cap and going on how Cuba’s health programs are better than the US. What a colossal [physically and logically] pile of BS. MM was escorted to the Potemkin Village pharmacies in Havana for stupid foreign fellow-travellers. And may have seen the ONE hospital in Cuba with half-way decent facilities. Sure the drugs and meds are free, they’re also so low-grade without quality control that the Man MountainMoore would live six months on a Cuban health regime.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Mangan/100000213524770 David Mangan

    “In which district might one expect to find chruches whose pastors hand out marked ballots to their parrishoners?”

    Nothing beats drunken delusional posters.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dave-Allen/100000077637523 bohratom

    I lost all interest in Moore when he joined the 911 truthers with his comments afew years ago..

    Since then I consider him trash….

  • truthrose1

    And in which districts might one expect to find more of the “entidamit” crowd? In which district might one expect to find chruches whose pastors hand out marked ballots to their parrishoners?

    That would be the white tea party crowd. No one is going to give any Black people un marked ballots.

  • truthrose1

    You do know playing that old-RACE-card doesn’t work anymore, don’t you?
    It’s as irrelevant as the NAACP, Sharpton, and Jackson!

    The republicans ran a racist NATIONAL campaign against Black and Brown people. They will pay for their nastiness in the end.
    The unemployment, housing crisis and loss of 401ks etc is a direct result of white republican rule. The chickens have come home to roost. LOL more to come for the simple white racists who believe Blacks were getting freebies. The people who need the safety net the most are white people.

  • valkyrie101

    gordonbloyershow said:
    The destruction really started with Obama and the stimulus bill.

    The entire world is suffering an economic crisis to one degree or another. That is not Bush’s fault, nor is it Obama’s fault. Rather, over the past twenty years, with the fall of communism, a couple billion people have been added to the world economy and that has caused the current stress.

  • valkyrie101

    …Not to mention the effect of trillions of dollars in fending off non-man-made natural catastrophe.

  • Pablo

    It will be interesting to see how many public figures on the left adopt Moore’s suggestions.

    That would involve taking responsibility for the job you’re supposed to be doing. My guess is not many.

  • JamesA1102

    Ms. Martel,

    Amazing that with all Moore said on Friday night, you chose to focus in on this one statement. In doing so you expose your self as the RW hack that you are.

    Dan Abrams, shame on you for employing this pathetic excuse for a real journalist.

  • Cancon2

    If Moore is the sound of the left, then , by all means I want him to never stop talking. He is a bitter, angry man that loves the cash, but hates the country that gave it to him. Why does anyone care what he says?

    Really, who cares, he’s nothing now.

    He is a discredited propagandist of the highest order.

  • FoxSpells666

    MM should check history, repealing Glass-Stiegal is what set fire to Americ’as economy and ruined the world’s economy as well from trillions of fraudulent derivatives. Last time I looked, Bill Clinton signed it’s repeal as he left office.
    Obama is like a garage mechanic where you took your car two months ago to fix a blown engine. Is it fixed yet? Nope. But hey, it was in pretty bad shape when you brought it in here, mechanic Barry says in his defense.
    Until MM has the insight and balls to start using the word Illuminati, taking sides in the Dem/Rebpub political super bowl means he’s either still naive or already a pawn.

  • RobDavis

    “No one’s forgetting the fact that this frat boy totally destroyed this country economically, our standing around the world– we all get that. But it’s two years later, and you can’t keep blaming the people who created the mess. Yes, we’ll never stop being pissed at Bush for what he did. But right now we’ve got to fix this, and you guys– the Democrats and Obama– have to be the ones that do it. If you do it– if you actually get in there and do it– you’ll have everybody behind you all the way.”

    /blockquote>

    I’m no fan of Moore, but he does speak the truth here. It is time for all democrats to stop with the blame and get down to the business of getting the economy jump started and job creation forthcoming.

    gordonbloyershow said:

    Again, with the inanity.

    notsofast said:
    YOU are as dumb as they come, pal.

    Number 1 troll.

  • http://none pyrope

    truthrose1 said:
    And in which districts might one expect to find more of the “entidamit” crowd? In which district might one expect to find chruches whose pastors hand out marked ballots to their parrishoners? That would be the white tea party crowd. No one is going to give any Black people un marked ballots.

    Bullshit! That would be the ACORN crowd. The pastors take “donations to the church roof fund” in return for the local politicians making sure their name gets marked. It’s been going on for at least 50 years. The local DNC also make donations to said “fund.” Meanwhile, the local “rev” reminds his parrishoners of how it’s always been the conservative whitey that’s keeps them down and oppressed. If you’re not clear on this, you’re not clear on anything. Ask yourself for whom do the vast majority of blacks vote for and you will come to the same conclusion…if you’re anywhere near sane.

  • CAconservative

    What percentage of jobs created by Obimbo are government jobs? Notice to, the continued amnesia when it comes to Clinton’s involvement in the expansion of the home lone market that spun out of control under a Democratically controlled Congress.

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