A Note About Loyalty, Obama, and Wisconsin

President Obama is a selfish, faithless, and soon-to-be friendless embarrassment. Tom Barrett was one of Obama's earliest, most prominent supporters in the Democratic primaries during 2008 cycle. In fact, Barrett presaged Obama's eventual 2008 slogan by declaring in 2007 that Obama was the candidate who would "create hope in this country."

Obama repaid Barrett's early, crucial support by virtually ignoring him during the recall election. Obama made eight visits to Wisconsin after he was elected, and then abruptly stopped visiting once Barrett's campaign to defeat Gov. Walker began and despite repeated overtures from Barrett to come to Wisconsin. The president actually played hopscotch to avoid Barrett last week, hitting both Minnesota and Illinois, but jumping twice over Wisconsin.

At the very last hour, perhaps embarrassed by all the Democrats asking why he had hung Barrett out to dry, Obama tweeted and then emailed some supporters that he was "standing up" for Barrett. He meant he was standing in Illinois, looking vaguely in the direction of Wisconsin and thanking his lucky stars he hadn't associated himself with a losing campaign, I think. Because Obama certainly didn't lend his support---or any campaign money---to Barrett, no matter his late-offered digital protestations otherwise.

As a result of Obama's abandonment of Barrett, Wisconsin Democrats have realized something that we could have told them years ago: Obama is in it for himself and he doesn't really care about anyone else. Wisconsin Democrats are angry and demoralized. Wisconsin Republicans, by contrast, are enthusiastic about beating Obama in a state he took by 14 points in 2008. And the Obama campaign is now saying that Wisconsin is a "toss-up" state. Everyone, Democrats and Republicans, should note that trend.

posted by Gabriel Malor at 07:41 AM

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