Obama Thread 2.0: Presidential Edition

[StorminNorman]

*sigh*

Okay, it's been a few days now and I'm starting to think that this entire situation is being blown WAAAAAAY out of proportion. Folks who have been looking for an angle to go after "Golden Child" Obama are just milking this until they can do so no more. You can practically see the longtime naysayers foaming at the mouth now.

It's...sad.

No - this was a terrible political blunder for Obama. That can't really be argued. People have been going after "the Golden Child" for the last month really. The stupidity of Obama's comments its what has made this so large, not simply the fact people want to knock him down.

So suddenly, this one statement has made him a potential political liability? Really? Seriously??? Well, my god, he's sure surpassed George W. Bush with all his verbal screw ups rather quickly hasn't he...and he didn't even get his full 8 years to prove himself!

Obama's approval ratings are TANKING - and were doing so before the statement. Does this statement alone make him a political liability? No. But I never stated it, alone, did

Politically brilliant? Stormin, this "move" (or let's just call it a dumb tactic" at this point) is coming across as extremely petty and immature. Obama has already retracted his position and has extended an olive branch to those involved. What else is there to be achieved?? The GOP pushing it further than that simply reads "Desperate" and "we need an axe to grind", not..."politically brilliant." C'mon.

There are bigger issues to be concerned about than this day-old crap.

It's absolutely a tactic. It IS petty, but not immature. It's purely a political maneuver by the Republicans, and I haven't at all denied that. What I am saying is that as far as political maneuvers go - this is a very good one.

Are there bigger issues to be concerned with? Absolutely. Is it "important"? Absolutely not. This has nothing to do with reality and everything to do with POLITICS and POLITICALLY, this is a great maneuver by Republicans here. It forces Democrats to choose between selling out Obama or leaving themselves open to criticism over Obama's statement that they had not needed to fear previously.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

I agree, Lightning.

All I've learned from this situation is that Obama is not perfect. He is >GASP!!!< capable of saying the wrong thing. I don't think this disqualifies him for his next term though.

Stormin, from the years I've known you here I've always thought you were among the more sophisticated lot here when it came to reasoning things out, as well as your thinking patterns on these kinds of matters. The thought that you'd actually applaud and support this new Republican "bill" actually surprises me.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

No - this was a terrible political blunder for Obama. That can't really be argued. People have been going after "the Golden Child" for the last month really. The stupidity of Obama's comments its what has made this so large, not simply the fact people want to knock him down.

Yes, it's a stupid statement he's made. So...what next?

Obama's approval ratings are TANKING - and were doing so before the statement. Does this statement alone make him a political liability? No. But I never stated it, alone, did

Okay. Thanks for clarifying that because I was like..."What the hell Stormin?"

It's absolutely a tactic. It IS petty, but not immature. It's purely a political maneuver by the Republicans, and I haven't at all denied that. What I am saying is that as far as political maneuvers go - this is a very good one.

Are there bigger issues to be concerned with? Absolutely. Is it "important"? Absolutely not. This has nothing to do with reality and everything to do with POLITICS and POLITICALLY, this is a great maneuver by Republicans here. It forces Democrats to choose between selling out Obama or leaving themselves open to criticism over Obama's statement that they had not needed to fear previously.

Meh...I see your point but I still disagree with you here. I believe it's both petty and immature considering that there are more pressing issues and at at the end of the day people won't give a f***. The Dems are not going to jump ship because I don't think they--or the voting public--are going to draw that correlation...it's just such a streeetch.

The GOP are lost at sea and this poor choice of words from Obama is NOT the lifeboat they need to get back to shore.

However, as always, I respect your position. I'm going to work. Talk to you mofos later.

 

[StorminNorman]

Stormin, from the years I've known you here I've always thought you were among the more sophisticated lot here when it came to reasoning things out, as well as your thinking patterns on these kinds of matters. The thought that you'd actually applaud and support this new Republican "bill" actually surprises me.

The bill itself is ridiculous - I mean Congress forcing the President to apologize for a remark he has already backtracked from? Please. But you have to look beyond the real world and into the zoo that is Washington where everything is a game.

Yes, it's a stupid statement he's made. So...what next?

What's next is that his opponents, if they are clever enough, are going to use it as much as they can.

Okay. Thanks for clarifying that because I was like..."What the hell Stormin?"

Meh...I see your point but I still disagree with you here. I believe it's both petty and immature considering that there are more pressing issues and at at the end of the day people won't give a f***. The Dems are not going to jump ship because I don't think they--or the voting public--are going to draw that correlation...it's just so far removed.

The votes on the resolution alone will not draw correlation. Republican candidates going against Democrats that support the President on this vote (should it be voted on) will - as will the 527's through TV ads.

The GOP are lost at sea and this poor choice of words from Obama is NOT the lifeboat they need to get back to shore.

Obama's words are not the lifeboat, but his policies are. Republicans better thank their lucky stars for Obama - they are able to survive because people are turning on him. Their inevitable success in 2010 certainly hasn't come from their own actions.

 

[Marx]

It's just so ridiculous! I mean, Obama has already backtracked and personally invited both of them to the White House for 'a beer'. What more is he supposed to do?

He prefaced his whole original comment as 'he is my friend, so I may be a little biased'.

It's just more of the same sad broken spin machine that people finally voted against in 2008.

 

[StorminNorman]

It's just so ridiculous! I mean, Obama has already backtracked and personally invited both of them to the White House for 'a beer'. What more is he supposed to do?

He prefaced his whole original comment as 'he is my friend, so I may be a little biased'.

It's just more of the same sad broken spin machine that people finally voted against in 2008.

The thing is that Obama has been guilty of doing the exact same spin - which is why he can't use that defense against Republicans. Through being nothing more than a typical politician, Obama has brought himself down to the Republicans level - making him mortal and vulnerable to purely political attacks that would not have phased him during the election.

Obama himself is to blame for any success such a political maneuver has.

 

[Angel_Faerie]

Can someone fill me in on what all this is about with Obama and a cop?

 

[SsM]

Can someone fill me in on what all this is about with Obama and a cop?

It's a long, ridiculous story. You sure you want to know?

 

[Angel_Faerie]

It's a long, ridiculous story. You sure you want to know?

Now I'm not so sure.

 

[Marx]

The thing is that Obama has been guilty of doing the exact same spin - which is why he can't use that defense against Republicans. Through being nothing more than a typical politician, Obama has brought himself down to the Republicans level - making him mortal and vulnerable to purely political attacks that would not have phased him during the election.

Obama himself is to blame for any success such a political maneuver has.

I respectfully disagree.

 

[StorminNorman]

Can someone fill me in on what all this is about with Obama and a cop?

Neighbor think she sees someone breaking into neighbors home, calls police.

Home is owned by a black Harvard Professor, Henry Gates.

Cops show up and tell Mr. Gates that they received a call about a possible breaking and entering. Ask him for some ID.

Gates calls the cops racist saying "this is what happens to black men in America".

Gates eventually shows cops his ID, cops move to leave.

As cops leave, Gates continue to call him racist - following them outside his house.

Cops eventually arrest Gates for Disorderly Conduct.

Headline of the event is essentially White Cop Arrests Black Professor For Breaking Into Own House.

Obama is asked about the event at the Health Care press conference. Obama admits he doesn't know much about the case, admits that Gates is a friend of his - then goes on to say that it's clear the cops acted "stupidly" and talks about American cop's history of racial profiling.

It turns out that the cop in question teaching racial tolerance and is supported by minority peers.

Controversy occurs.

 

[Angel_Faerie]

Neighbor think she sees someone breaking into neighbors home, calls police.

Home is owned by a black Harvard Professor, Henry Gates.

Cops show up and tell Mr. Gates that they received a call about a possible breaking and entering. Ask him for some ID.

Gates calls the cops racist saying "this is what happens to black men in America".

Gates eventually shows cops his ID, cops move to leave.

As cops leave, Gates continue to call him racist - following them outside his house.

Cops eventually arrest Gates for Disorderly Conduct.

Headline of the event is essentially White Cop Arrests Black Professor For Breaking Into Own House.

Obama is asked about the event at the Health Care press conference. Obama admits he doesn't know much about the case, admits that Gates is a friend of his - then goes on to say that it's clear the cops acted "stupidly" and talks about American cop's history of racial profiling.

It turns out that the cop in question teaching racial tolerance and is supported by minority peers.

Controversy occurs.

I heard about that guy being arrested. Didn't know Obama commented on it. Sheesh. Sounds like it's been blown out of proportion.

 

[StorminNorman]

I respectfully disagree.

Regardless of whether Obama is guilty or not - his poll numbers reflect a disillusionment that cannot be ignored.

 

[SsM]

Too bad the black cop that was with white cop didn't do the arresting, none of this would be happening

 

[StorminNorman]

Too bad the black cop that was with white cop didn't do the arresting, none of this would be happening

The black cop would have been called an Uncle Tom.

 

[Marx]

Regardless of whether Obama is guilty or not - his poll numbers reflect a disillusionment that cannot be ignored.

It's also important to remember that no one can maintain the soaring approval ratings that President Obama had early on. Poll numbers always drop.

 

[SsM]

The black cop would have been called an Uncle Tom.

And that would have been the end of it.

 

[Matt]

It's also important to remember that no one can maintain the soaring approval ratings that President Obama had early on. Poll numbers always drop.

And its also important to remember that Obama has the third lowest approval rating at this point of post WWII presidents* and recent polls reveal if he ran for office today against Mitt Romney he would be in a dead heat**.

What does this tell us? The first factoid tells us Obama's honeymoon period is ending far more quickly than past presidents and the Romney tie indicates that the financial crisis is causing Obama to lose support with the independents that put him in office.

*

**

 

[StorminNorman]

It's also important to remember that no one can maintain the soaring approval ratings that President Obama had early on. Poll numbers always drop.

Not entirely true. The drop, this fast, should be quite alarming for Obama. Plus this isn't simply about less people liking Obama as much as it is more people DISLIKING Obama. More people now strongly dislike Obama more than they strongly like him - that is a gigantic, titanic sized red flag. Especially when you consider how loved Obama was coming into his position.

You cannot dismiss this as typical poll ebb and flow. Not at all.

 

[redfirebird2008]

Approval ratings at this point are irrelevant. The American people tend to be pretty impatient when it comes to the economy. If the economy sucks, the POTUS gets blamed by most people. We'll see how it is in a few years. I suspect the New World Order will manage to hugely improve their Ponzi scheme economy by the time November 2012 rolls around. Obama is their golden goose so I figure they will find a way to get him re-elected.

 

[StorminNorman]

Approval ratings at this point are irrelevant. The American people tend to be pretty impatient when it comes to the economy. If the economy sucks, the POTUS gets blamed by most people. We'll see how it is in a few years. I suspect the New World Order will manage to hugely improve their Ponzi scheme economy by the time November 2012 rolls around. Obama is their golden goose so I figure they will find a way to get him re-elected.

I think the complaints with Obama have as much to do with the fact he lied about being a different type of politician than they do the economy. People didn't expect the economy to be fixed overnight, they did expect more from Obama's handling of the Presidency though.

 

[redfirebird2008]

I think the complaints with Obama have as much to do with the fact he lied about being a different type of politician than they do the economy. People didn't expect the economy to be fixed overnight, they did expect more from Obama's handling of the Presidency though.

Perhaps some people, at least among the politically aware. Most of 'em don't pay much attention to specific things, such as the fact that his administration is loaded with lobbyists and Wall Street crooks. Most people just don't pay attention to those kinds of things.

 

[StorminNorman]

Perhaps some people, at least among the politically aware. Most of 'em don't pay much attention to specific things, such as the fact that his administration is loaded with lobbyists and Wall Street crooks. Most people just don't pay attention to those kinds of things.

They don't know the details - but they know the broad picture.

Especially independents and Obama Republicans. Indepedents typically are more politically aware than your average voter (which is why they avoid the cookie cuter political party label), while they may not watch C-Span or visit TheHill.com, they do typically watch the news nightly and keep an eye on the news of the day.

Those swing voters are the cream of the voting populace and they aren't as easily fooled as other, less knowledgeable overs.

 

[redfirebird2008]

They don't know the details - but they know the broad picture.

Especially independents and Obama Republicans. Indepedents typically are more politically aware than your average voter (which is why they avoid the cookie cuter political party label), while they may not watch C-Span or visit TheHill.com, they do typically watch the news nightly and keep an eye on the news of the day.

Those swing voters are the cream of the voting populace and they aren't as easily fooled as other, less knowledgeable overs.

If the economy turns around, they will change their views. A good example of this was the deep recession of the early 1980's:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/17/obama.polls/

"Reagan, like Obama, got approval ratings in the high 50s and low 60s during most of his first summer in office," Holland said. "But as unemployment remained high, Reagan's approval rating dropped below 50 percent for the first time in November of 1981, and it stayed under 50 percent for the next two years."

If we have one of those infamous "jobless recoveries" like we had under George W. Bush, Obama will be in deep trouble even if Wall Street is soaring. CNBC is proclaiming today that the recession is over, but of course main street won't find out that the recession's over until months down the road. But if no jobs are included in the recovery, like I said, he's in deep trouble. But I won't expect anything other than another NWO ****e to replace him.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

I've always felt that the police troubles with minorities isn't a racial thing as much as a cultural thing.

But that's neither here nor there, I suppose.