COMMENTARY | During President Obama's speech at a fundraiser in San Francisco Thursday, a small group got up and sang a few verses of musical protest. Meant to bring attention to the conditions of imprisonment of Pfc. Bradley Manning, the singing protesters managed to make news worldwide.
How does the singing protest contrast with others against the president? For starters, this one was expensive. It was a $5,000 a plate fundraiser. The organizer, Naomi Pitcairn, has offered cash for others to conduct their own singing protests.
Anti-war protests against Afghanistan, Libya actions
When President Obama signaled an increasing U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, the decision was met with protests. Like the singing action in San Francisco, most anti-war demonstrators were from the progressive side of the political spectrum. Although small in number, vocal progressives protested more military action.
The left has also had other issues with President Obama, mainly over health care reform and the continuation of the Bush tax cuts to the rich. While the numbers haven't been large, the danger for the president is that voters will lose interest and fail to show up at the polls.
The birther movement, when crazy goes Republican mainstream
The protest against President Obama termed the birther movement is rooted in the assertion that President Obama was not born in Hawaii, but somehow is a foreign-born beneficiary of a multinational and cross-generational conspiracy.
While the movement started out slowly, a recent poll shows 51 percent of likely Republican voters think Obama was not born in the United States. Only 28 percent say they are sure he was. Even as most likely GOP presidential hopefuls are trying to distance themselves, Donald Trump is rising in the polls by championing birtherism.
Tea Party protests against health reformThe most vocal, vitriolic, and outlandish protests seen in a very long time came against President Obama's health care reform. The president was painted as a socialist, fascist, and communist Anti-Christ. Some protesters even began carrying guns to Obama rallies. Town hall meetings around America degenerated into shouting sessions.
What will be interesting to see is how Tea Party people react to the Ryan budget passed by House Republicans, which essentially dismantles Medicare. A sizable portion of the Tea Party rank and file is made up of senior citizens, which might explain why 70 percent of persons claiming tea party sentiment are opposed to changes in Medicare.
Walking the line, right down the middle
President Obama has been trying to find middle ground on tax, budget, and health care issues. The danger to the president is that while his base will not vote Republican, many of them will stay home. Those who were opposed to him won't be placated, and he will lose.
On the other hand, if he takes a stronger position and stands firmly against the Ryan Plan, he could win in a landslide. What he cannot do is ignore the singing of progressives.
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