LAS VEGAS — President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders sought to soothe relations with the party's disgruntled left wing Saturday in advance of elections in which Republican gains could upend the White House agenda.
"Change hasn't come fast enough for too many Americans. I know that," Obama said in a surprise video appearance to liberal activists and bloggers at Las Vegas convention. "I know it hasn't come fast for many of you who fought so hard during the election."
In a year when Democrats are expected to lose seats in Congress, party leaders have grown increasingly concerned with malaise running through the left wing. Liberals who helped elect Obama in 2008 have grown disenchanted on issues from the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the failure to create a government-run insurance option in the health care overhaul, and many believe the White House has been too accommodating with Republicans.
Delivering promised change
In his remarks to the annual Netroots Nation gathering, the president said the combat mission in Iraq would soon end, and that the administration is working to repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gays and close the U.S. prison for terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay.
"In ways large and small we've begun to deliver on the change you fought so hard for," Obama said.
"We cant afford to slide backward. And that's the choice America faces this November," he added. "Keep up the fight."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38396801/ns/politics
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"Change hasn't come fast enough for too many Americans. I know that," Obama said in a surprise video appearance to liberal activists and bloggers at Las Vegas convention. "I know it hasn't come fast for many of you who fought so hard during the election."
In a year when Democrats are expected to lose seats in Congress, party leaders have grown increasingly concerned with malaise running through the left wing. Liberals who helped elect Obama in 2008 have grown disenchanted on issues from the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the failure to create a government-run insurance option in the health care overhaul, and many believe the White House has been too accommodating with Republicans.
Delivering promised change
In his remarks to the annual Netroots Nation gathering, the president said the combat mission in Iraq would soon end, and that the administration is working to repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gays and close the U.S. prison for terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay.
"In ways large and small we've begun to deliver on the change you fought so hard for," Obama said.
"We cant afford to slide backward. And that's the choice America faces this November," he added. "Keep up the fight."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38396801/ns/politics
Story continues below More below