Read the President's Press Conference Transcript

Again, I plead with my fellow ultra-liberals--especially those who have been quick to condemn Obama for "caving" to the Republicans on the Bush tax cuts--either to watch the President's press conference or read the transcript. If you don't, you won't have a fully informed opinion on these matters. In the press conference, you'll see a man who speaks for me--and, I think, for all of us who care about the unemployed, the underemployed, the economically disadvantaged and exploited. He has not given up. He is not afraid to call out the Republicans. He is still that rarest of politicians: smart, articulate, persuasive, frank, and strong of mind and principle. Please don't give up on him. Interesting to note that according to the Pew Research polls, Obama has more Democratic support than Bill Clinton had after the 1994 midterm elections and more of his own party's support than Reagan had in 1982. But the Pew poll was taken before the November elections and before the tax-cut compromise. It will be interesting to see what the next poll says, and whether Obama has indeed lost the support of his left-wing base. I hope not.