Politics Obama - Actually doing a good job?

What you think has little to do with how it works, Ace.

What makes you think that Russia wants to move forward with a sensitive, complex, and long-term discussion with an administration which might not be around in 10 months, having been ousted by an opposing party which would prefer to start from scratch? Do you really believe that what Obama was caught saying on tape came as a surprise to Putin? It didn't.

Neither party is going to reject sensibility so that you might enjoy the benefit of seeing a President you have little respect for, acting in a way that might make an impression upon you.

As for Romney's comment, he's pandering to a primary votership who likes hearing that the Russians are (still/again) our "primary geopolitical enemy". I feel certain that Romney doesn't believe it himself but if he does, can you blame anyone for postponing talks about sensitive nuclear issues- with this sort of rhetoric flying about?

 

Given the unprecedented roadblocks that Republicans in Congress put up since 2009 (particularly in the Senate) on nearly every Obama initiative, they certainly will not give him any flexibility on any issue that might result in a political victor for Obama before the election.

 

Confidence and trust in the people being dealt with. If Russia perceives Obama as weak and not worthy of trust I agree they would not want to move forward. You asked me what I thought. If what I think has little to do with how it works, what I think have no significance to you or anyone else. However, if what I think is how it works, we should be concerned. If your choice is not to be concerned, I get it and we can move on.
--- merged: Apr 1, 2012 at 11:26 AM ---

Is that a certainty?
Shouldn't a US seek the input from Congress, reelection or not a treaty is going to have to be ratified?
If members of Congress are obstructing what is in the best interest of the country for political reasons, why wouldn't Obama want to use this to make his case to the voter?

I will simply say, your position raises many questions and consistently implies Obama's weakness and his inability to make his case to the American people.

I will not accept the premise - they are going to say; "no", "obstruct", "disagree", "politicize", etc. - as a reason not to try. I see that as a defeatist attitude. If that is o.k. with you and everyone else, again I get it. We can move on.

 

Move on, Ace.

Even Romney and Santorum were wise enough to do so as were most of the right wing talking heads who tried make this more than it was.

 

Yes, deserved or not. Many people are eagerly anticipating Obama will do exceptionally great things in is second term. When I talk to people who support Obama it is almost like they are setting themselves up to be disappointed because of their unrealistic outlook. Somehow they think Obama will push through an agenda in his second term that he can't push through now and that in his second term he is really going to focus on their issue of most concern. Many have really bought into the "they won't let him..." line. They don't seem to care about much other than their "hope" and optimism regarding Obama - "...he is going to really take care of me and my issue next term." It seems that women in particular buy into this more than men.

At this point I think the table is set. It will be Obama v. Romney, and Obama will win.

 

Finally! Someone says something we can all agree on.

 

I dont know any Obama supporters who have high or unrealistic expectations of an Obama second term. I think most will be more than happy not to have a president, like those campaigning against him, with an agenda to return to failed Reaganomics and 19th century social policies.

I'm curious what you think those supporters expect in the way of "exceptionally great things."

I expect him to stay the course on economic recovery with govt investment in infrastructure, R&D, alternative energy....balanced with other cuts and revenue increases (roll back the Bush tax cuts).

I expect him to fine-tune the Affordable Care Act (assuming the conservative Court doesnt kill ). I expect him to get the hell out of Afghanistan. I expect an attempt at immigration reform that would include a pathway to citizenship for many already here.

The biggest impact will be on Supreme Court nominations. Ginsburg is likely to retire and I hope at least one conservative does as well (Scalia or Kennedy -- the other three are too young) to be able to marginally swing the court away from one that thinks corporations and embryos have greater rights than living breathing individuals.

But I expect the Republicans to maintain control in the House (but lose a significant number of seats) and possibly pick up the Senate (where the Democrats have 23 up for re-election as opposed to 10 Republicans up for re-election)

 

Related to people facing problems related to housing, I have had conversations with people thinking Obama has been restrained from holding banks accountable and that in his second term he will be able to give them relief through expanded government programs.

Related to people facing employment issues (under employed, unemployed, recent college grads), some for example expect the Obama's economic plans have not had a chance to work.

Race issues, many believe Obama has had to tone down his concerns for the "black community"first to get elected and now to get reelected - and once re-elected he will begin to focus on substandard education, poverty, imprisonment rates, crime, unwed/teen pregnancy, etc., etc. in the "black community".

Gay issues, he is going to champion the cause...

Foreign policy - make the world respect the US, hold Israel accountable, equalize wealth disparity in the world, etc, etc.

The above are just some descriptive topical discussions with people I have had over the past year - It is like a hobby of mine to talk politics with people. There was one occasion over the Holidays where my comments about Obama brought a family member to tears - that was not my intent - but her connection with Obama appeared to be a very emotional one, more so than I would have thought. Yes, I did get in "trouble" for that one - my response, not unlike what I do here - hey, you folks should know me by now.

Obama has several campaign themes, like the Republican War against women, he inherited a mess...these themes are going to work. I have seen nothing that indicates that those in his base are going to question anything and unfortunately Romney is too weak.

 

I only hear this from right wing radio and talking heads.... as more socialism.....Obama to save foreclosed homes with $trillion federal buy-out program.

As I said...sI expect he will stay the course on economic recovery (4 million jobs to-date) with infrastructure program, investment in clean energy, education....How is that perceived as an exceptionally great expectation, given that his stimulus program is working?

Based on what? The fact that he is black?

He repealed Dont Ask - Don Tell and wont defend DOMA in court. I doubt that he will push hard for gay marriage.

Sure...he will fight against the Republican war on women and wont defund Planned Parenthood or the weakening of Roe.

The rest are all Republican talking points.

I still havent seen anything that I would say is exceptionally great.
--- merged: Apr 3, 2012 at 4:05 PM ---
I dont expect him to do something as exceptional as Clinton's welfare reform

Or Reagan's Iran/Contra affair or Bush's two war front and worst recession in 50 years.

 

You don't think Obama has a core within his base that is expecting action on this issue? That he can actually do something that will make a big difference?

In my opinion Presidents get too much credit and too much blame for the underlying economy. Most do not. Most people I have interacted with really believe the recession was Bush fault, they believe that "they" want the economy to fail so that Obama looks bad, etc, etc - basically buying into the Obama message. The reality there is only so much Obama can do and currently there are limits on what can be done in the future. For example the Fed is being as liberal with monetary policy as possible. Interest rates and inflation are going to go up - there is a possibility for an economic slow down in the next 5 years. It is possible to see further declines in real-estate prices, etc,. etc.

His background. His rhetoric. His 2004 speech at the Democrat Party Convention. His almost unanimous support from the "black community". Don't depend on me for answers, ask the people you know.

Some think he will. An anti-gay marriage initiative is on the NC ballot, so the issue is being discussed around here a lot. The initiative may pass, but many doubt most voters understand the implications of the initiative. Some Obama supporters have voiced disappointment regarding the lack of support from Obama and the Democrat Party, while others simply say Obama doesn't get involved in "local" initiatives and say he is against it.

Just between you and me - we know there is no war on women.

Your twist is interesting. I know I like the anecdotal more so than your broad based statistics - but what I shared certainly did not come from Republican talking points. Like I said, people buy into Obama's messages.

I hear you. You do not think people have unrealistic expectations of Obama going into his second term. I do. Fair enough. Nothing more to add, moving on. Again, the point of my post was regarding unrealistic expectations held by people who support Obama.

 

Here's one.

 

I expect Obama to continue to be mostly a disappointment, and to continue us on our slow, steady slide into becoming a caricature of our most closely-held values. I also expect him to be better than any of the rotten assholes the GOP is currently putting forth.

 

Of course not. Just as there's no war on the poor and middle class. Ryan's budget plan is just a figment of our imagination.

http://www.cbpp.org/

 

I think, rather than a war, it is more like when a responsible person comes in and says the party is over. First the wasteful and excessive spending has to end. Second, the wasteful and excessive taxation has to end. True, it is going to be painful.

 

I'll meet you half way, Ace.

The "lamestream" media war against one woman, Sarah Palin, is a myth.

 

Painful for whom? Not the wealthy. Only the poor and middle class, who are already feeling the pain, and states which are already overwhelmed.

The Republicans are playing a dangerous game with the fabric of American life in order to put greater wealth in the hands of those who have already benefited enormously over the past ten years - using the deficit as a boogeyman and continuing to make the ridiculous claim that wealth trickles down.

A society's provision of funds to care for it's less fortunate is not wasteful spending unless the society is one comprised of wolves. And even wolves have been known to care for their own.

Excessive taxation? Are you kidding? Who is being excessively taxed here in the US? Compare the taxes US citizens pay in comparison to what citizens pay in Canada, the UK, and Europe. We don't pay enough as evidenced by a neglected infrastructure and ballooning debt and deficit.

 

Two-thirds of the cuts in Ryan's budget disproportionately impact working class families and families on the margin.

Little or no cuts in wasteful defense spending (where Ryan characterized the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a liar because the general supported Obama's cuts in defense.

No cuts in excessive tax relief and subsidies to big oil making record high profits.

The Republican idea of "fair and balanced" certainly doesnt share the pain.