Will Obama Be a One Term President?

[Ian]

It seems quite likely he will - much of his liberal base feels abandoned by his caving over and over to the right, and much of the right think he's an islamofascicommusocialist Kenyan Black Panther Antichrist who needs to be removed from office by any means necessary.

Exactly why he'll be re-elected. Wait until you see who the GOP nominates. Whoever it is, they'll have to kiss the Tea Party's ass in the primaries. That'll alienate the center for the duration of the campaign - how does a Republican dance to the right and then back to the center, when the center is already now occupied by Obama? And the left isn't so alienated by Obama that they won't stand by him against whomever that opponent is. I don't think your "over and over" assessment is very accurate.

2012 could be 1972 in reverse. Nixon had mediocre popularity and had pissed off conservatives on a few issues. Then the Democrats, having been seriously co-opted by the New Left ever since 1968, wound up nominating George McGovern, probably the most left-of-the-bell curve politician ever to secure the nomination of a major party ticket. Much like the Tea Party groups today, the New Left groups overestimated the strength of their movement.

[locutus7]

Ian, you are spot on in your analysis. I am from D.C. area, too (Alexandria).

[Coito ergo sum]

Does it matter? Who cares?

Yes it matters. It won't necessarily mean everything I, you or anyone who posts here wants either way, but there will be real and long term differences. Do you think the response to 9-11 would have been the same under Gore? Do you really think there are not a shitload of dead people who would not be dead but for who sat in the White House that day?

I care.

Response to 9/11 the same?...probably. Any excuse to get the war cash rolling in. Out of curiosity, what do you think Gore would have done?

I think it would have been largely the same in Afghanistan. Not sure why anyone thinks that was inappropriate. When attacked, you fight back, unless one is sniveling "love thy enemies" type....

Iraq is a bit less certain, but the Clinton/Gore administration was hawkish on Hussein, and was four-square in favor of deposing him - Iraq Liberation Act, for example. The Clinton Administration was engaged in sporadic attacks on Iraq from 1993 to 2000, and was under the impression that Hussein had designs on a nuclear program and other catastrophic weapons. I see no reason why Gore would not have held that view in 2001 and 2002 - Hillary Clinton held that view - most democrats held that view.

yes, same response most likely. When attacked you fight back... same reason given by those who flew the planes in the first place. Brilliant, great way to get things done. Before you give me the "love your enemies" shit, it has nothing to do with that. Simply time to evolve past reacting to violence with violence, there are other solutions. Your opinion comes as no surprise though.

Well, yeah...when attacked, bend over and take it doesn't sound like a better alternative.

I'm sure your alternative solutions that you would recommend in hindsight on 9/12/01 are wonderful. Let's hear what you would have done to solve the problem.

[Ian]

Ian, you are spot on in your analysis. I am from D.C. area, too (Alexandria).

Ah, one of the best parts of DC! That's where I'd be living if I hadn't been adamant about having a backyard for my kids. I'm in Waldorf.

[Clinton Huxley]

What's the worst that could happen? No, seriously, what's the worst that could happen?

[Ian]

What's the worst that could happen? No, seriously, what's the worst that could happen?

[cowiz]

What's the worst that could happen? No, seriously, what's the worst that could happen?

Nuff said

[Coito ergo sum]

They convinced people they do not want healtcare. Should not be too hard to get them to vote for a rich white guy.

We have health care. It's wasn't hard to convince people they did not want the law forced through Congress last year. By the time that thing was past, a majority of the public was already against it and disillusioned with the process of how it made it through, disgusted by having people say "we need to pass the bill to find out what is in it," and upset by the feeling of having it shoved down their throats.

[locutus7]

Ian, you are spot on in your analysis. I am from D.C. area, too (Alexandria).

Ah, one of the best parts of DC! That's where I'd be living if I hadn't been adamant about having a backyard for my kids. I'm in Waldorf.

Excellent. No kids here. And no yard.

Back on topic, people do not realize how much Obama has accoomplished. Yes, progressives want him to be more progressive, but this is america and he has to balance what he would like to do with what he can do and survive. Hilary fans were pushing the one term meme because they wanted her to run, but I don't think that will happen.

Ideally, Biden will step aside, Hilary will be his VP, and in the 2nd term he can go more to the left since he will have nothing to lose.

The secret 1st priority of any new president is to get reelected. That is why he has moved toward the center. Because most americans want centrist presidents.

Bush had the tailwind of 9/11 so he could move toward the right with public support. Obama had the headwind of economic disaster, which he is solving and not getting credit for it.

[sandinista]

It depends on how whacko the Republicans are in two years.

I think this is the key. If he is looking a little fragile, and if the Republicans get a candidate with reasonable charisma, and not too "out there", then he will be a gone gosling...

Probably fair to say that it will be the Republican's election to lose...

Does it matter? Who cares?

Yes it matters. It won't necessarily mean everything I, you or anyone who posts here wants either way, but there will be real and long term differences. Do you think the response to 9-11 would have been the same under Gore? Do you really think there are not a shitload of dead people who would not be dead but for who sat in the White House that day?

I care.

Response to 9/11 the same?...probably. Any excuse to get the war cash rolling in. Out of curiosity, what do you think Gore would have done?

I think your automatic view that American politicians are the Evil Overlords of the Universe means that you cannot see clear and real distinctions amongst them...

Sure, we will never know, but I think it is highly unlikely that Iraq would have been invaded...

Not evil overlords, again...putting words in my mouth in a lame attempt to undermine what I am saying. The US president is a corporate puppet/spokesperson/tool. Corporations rule the US, the president is interchangeable, makes little difference. The "clear and real" distinctions are illusions, words, image, thats it. Policies with any real substance stay the same.

[Coito ergo sum]

Not evil overlords, again...putting words in my mouth in a lame attempt to undermine what I am saying. The US president is a corporate puppet/spokesperson/tool. Corporations rule the US, the president is interchangeable, makes little difference. The "clear and real" distinctions are illusions, words, image, thats it. Policies with any real substance stay the same.

Which corporations? Apple? Google? Facebook? Tom's Diner? Meineke Discount Muffler?

[locutus7]

Since Google, Microsoft, Faacebook, and Apple are headed by atheists, and Warren Buffet is as well, I'm not sure how they are pulling the strings of Obama. But is interesting that the smartest guys in america are atheists. Think christians realize that?

[sandinista]

In the US, there is one god greater than 'God", the almighty dollar. All praise the "profit".

[Coito ergo sum]

Corporations rule the US, but it's just an amorphous "they" behind the scenes. It's like a corporate Illuminati, working to create a new corporate world order. Who they are is never certain, and we can never put our fingers on which corporations are in control...but "the corporations" control Obama....maybe it's Chick-Fil-A and the Black Entertainment Network in a conspiracy with Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and PETA. These are the controlling corporations, I think.... or, maybe it's Subway Sandwiches and that Jared guy who can lose weight by eating subs...something sinister about them...air of global domination....

[sandinista]

Corporations rule the US, but it's just an amorphous "they" behind the scenes. It's like a corporate Illuminati, working to create a new corporate world order. Who they are is never certain, and we can never put our fingers on which corporations are in control...but "the corporations" control Obama....maybe it's Chick-Fil-A and the Black Entertainment Network in a conspiracy with Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and PETA. These are the controlling corporations, I think.... or, maybe it's Subway Sandwiches and that Jared guy who can lose weight by eating subs...something sinister about them...air of global domination....

I know I need to refrain from personal attacks so I better keep this short. OF course it fucking behind the scenes! It doesn't take a genius to know that money rules in the US, fuck even comedians can figure that out.