Does Obama think he's going to win in 2012?

[NightWatcher]

THIS IS NOT AN OBAMA BASHING THREAD. I supported, donated to, and worked for Georgians For Change and Floridians For Change.

This is simply to posit a question.

Does Obama think he can, or is going, to win?

He has to have seen what happened this past cycle with unlimited PAC donations from hateful Reich-Wing based groups. To many of them he will continue to be a secret Muslim of Kenyan birth who is a radical Socialist....

The hate this past election was focused at replacing Reid and Pelosi, but I expect commercials to start next month from groups with names like People For Goodness... with Obama in their crosshairs (literally and actually).

I also expect House committees to start hearings and investigations into Obama's birth, family, business, and associations within the first week of January. You think that the pukes put up obstructions when they were in the bleak minority, now they've got the House, damn near equality in the Senate, and the Court.

In the face of this plus an ignorant, uninformed public that couldn't pass a 7th grade civics test, how can he think the next two years are going to be any better than the last two years.

Does Obama think he can win in 2012? And if so, HOW? by leaning towards the "center" (right)?

I think the only way he can survive the next two years and have a hope of staying close in 2012 is to run, not walk, to the Left and embrace the Progressive principles that he has never supported. End the warS by March, enact single payer health, repeal DADT, and not only overturn the DOMA but be the officiant of a gay wedding on the steps if the White House.

What say you, Do you think Obama even thinks he has a chance?

(puts on flame suit)

[Hannah Bell]

1. why do you think we know what obama thinks?

[3waygeek]

2. You're assuming he plans on running in 2012...

I'm not so sure about that. If he is, he could win if the Repubs put up a teabagger like Sarah; if they put up someone a bit more sane, Obama could well lose. Of course, that's assuming Obama isn't impeached -- a strong possibility in a Repub-controlled House. I could even see the Senate voting to remove him if there isn't a real, noticeable pick-up in the economy in 2011.

[David__77]

6. 67 votes for conviction? What world is this?

Really? You think 20 Democratic senators would vote to convict and remove the first African-American president of the US? I seriously cannot believe the shit that people are saying and thinking...

[Quantess]

9. Doesn't the incumbent president always try for a second term?

Who was the most recent president who declined to run for a second term? I can't think of any, off the top of my head.

[CitizenLeft]

27. Johnson, 1968.

But I don't believe Obama would do that. I think he'll run.

The 2008 election was not a test of this country's heart and intelligence and vision - that was a mere pop quiz. 2012 is the real deal, because Obama will have every single element as his enemy, attacking him simultaneously, from all sides, with lies, exaggerations, and the most hateful purposeful enthusiasm we have ever seen in politics. He will get it from the extreme right wing, he will get it from the media - full-force, this time - he will get it from corporate America, he will get it from moderates because he didn't go far enough to the right, and alas, he will get it from the left because he didn't go far enough to the left - as if racist teabaggers were our kissing cousins whose hatred of him we should embrace.

I'm hoping not to get depressed about this, because doom and gloom suppresses the vote - as we just saw, on a huge scale. But I wonder how he can possibly survive in an atmosphere where he has almost no political allies whatsoever. Anywhere. It's almost unprecedented. Even Nixon and Bush had allies. Obama has not a single element of America on his side except those voters - like me - who believe he deserves a second term to finish draining the COLOSSAL swamp created by 8 years of Republican rule. It astounds me, to no end, how eager some "liberals" are to give Republicans the chance to rule all 3 branches of government just to make a point, as if who rules doesn't matter.

It fucking matters.

[Quantess]

41. Thanks.

It's like the old adage, when you try too hard to please everybody, nobody is happy.

I'm not going to pretend I'm not disappointed in Obama, but he's still the best bet. It's a little like staying supportive of the team that plays really lousy, hoping they will start scoring points someday.

[Hawkowl]

45. Obama = the Cubs?

Good god, I can't think of an argument that would make me less likely to vote for Obama!

[Lil Missy]

26. of course he'll run in 2012. And a D controlled Senate would not vote to remove him.

[Creative]

40. Obama will not be impeached. Other than that, I pretty much agree

with your assessment.

[RBInMaine]

3. Where are the VOTES to enact single payer? Please, take a middle school civics class.

[NightWatcher]

4. It's called Hyperbole

I also don't expect him to marry a gay couple at the White House nor end the wars in four months.

I interject hyperbole to make a point and you question logistics? Surely we are doomed.

[RBInMaine]

5. The hyperbole was a bad tactic. Ruined the point.

[Bluenorthwest]

19. The hyperbole was fine and very obviously employed

The very idea of priggish, churchy Obama officiating at a same sex marriage ceremony is hilariously hyperbolic and ironically delicious. Makes the point, so perfectly without actually saying 'the man holds bigoted views and is incapable of these good things'.

[vi5]

10. Yes, but isn't that a good way to go through life?

I think I'm going to raise my kids this way.

Well, you know that class is hard and the chances of you getting an A aren't too good. So maybe you just shouldn't try for it so you don't look bad to everyone else.

Hmm...that girl/guy probably won't want to go out with you so maybe just keep to yourself and don't talk to her. It's too risky and you could hurt your reputation.

Wow. You want to try to get into THAT college? Well, yeah I agree it would be great but the odds are just not in your favor statistically, so you should probably just settle for this other one. Hey, it's still college right?

THAT job? THAT company? Do you know how many applicants they must have. It's practically insurmountable odds. And you don't want to try for it and then risk not getting ANOTHER job at that company later. So just you know....keep your powder dry, son.

[speppin]

42. The PEOPLE would give him the votes if he would listen.

[golfguru]

49. Did'nt we have 60 votes in senate recently?

But that is not the real problem.

How many times did you see Obama holding press events
to specifically push single payer or even public option?
Did he shout from the rooftops the benefits of public
option as he should have?

A public option is the first step towards single payer.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

51. only if you considered blue dogs or the equalent as sensible democrats nt

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. If The Economy Improves He Will Likely Win. If It Doesn't He Will Likely Lose

Your hyperventilating notwithstanding.

[denimgirly]

14. Geitner and Bernanke ... R.I.P American Economy

[golfguru]

50. You are right on.

[jaxx]

8. Yes he can win in 2012,

How? By doing what needs to be done. He wasn't on the ballot this time, but he takes the heat. That's ok, he can handle it. He won't run right, he'll stay where he is....on the side of we the people.

[TomClash]

11. He's going to win in 2012

You can bank on it.

The only person the Republicans can run with a chance to beat him will never be nominated.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[vaberella]

22. Centrist...for the people involved and for others who will get that service originally denied.

It's a progressive change. Actually based on my definition of "progressive" it's fitting: http://www.wiretapmag.org/stories/23706

[jgraz]

25. Even by your article's standards, Obama fails the test.

His legislation was certainly not values-driven, did not check corporate power and didn't expand democratic rights. Hell, it wasn't even pragmatic given the electoral catastrophe the party just experienced.

An incremental step back from the brink of Republo-fascism may be progress, but it's not in any way "progressive".

[jgraz]

13. "THIS IS NOT AN OBAMA BASHING THREAD"

It's sad that people now feel they need to start their posts with a loyalty oath in order to have an open, honest discussion about real issues. What's even sadder is that I doubt it will do any good. I expect this OP will get swarmed and bullied until the thread is locked.

[Name removed]

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[jgraz]

18. When anyone questions your support, just ask them what they did in '08 and '10

I guarantee you'll hear crickets.

[saracat]

34. Amen. +1 million!

[denimgirly]

15. Stats show His 18-29 Voting Block Dropped 60% -- And he Admits to Abandoning

Without his hopeful and inspired youth voters there isnt much chance Obama has. They were the only white block that voted for him in a majority. If they have lost respect for Obama for pretty much going right then the only chance i see for him is to start from scratch and finally listen to his base and go left.

So far i have no reason he will look left. He has already said he will accept a 2 year ext. for the super rich tax cuts...which is a poor strategy since it will be used against him in '12.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

48. You're basing that on the midterms, not the polls-something NOBODY does.

Of course, you think its cool to call Obama a "boy"...

[polichick]

20. He can win if he states his pro-middle class positions clearly and FIGHTS for them...

If he is seen to be triangulating, folding, caving, kissing ass, or cutting bad deals with special interests - he can forget it.

The coalition that voted for him once will be there again if he LEADS in the direction of progressive policies and FIGHTS for them.

[onenote]

21. In 1994 did Bill Clinton think he even had a chance in 1996?

I'm pretty sure the answer to that was yes. And I'm pretty sure the answer to the question posed by the OP is yes.

[Douglas Carpenter]

23. he is in a much, much better position to win in two years than Clinton or Reagan was at the same

two-year mark. Of course, the question of how the economy is doing or is perceived by the public to be doing in 2012 will have a lot to do with whether or not he wins.

The most frequently mentioned names for Republican nominee; Palin, Huckabee, Gingrich and Romney will have trouble uniting the GOP around their candidacy while still maintaining appeal to independents. If Jeb Bush runs, he might have a better chance. But, when all is said and done, it is still the question of how the economy is perceived to be doing in 2012 that will have more to do with who wins.

[stray cat]

24. I suspect he is more aware of the situation than du

[polichick]

29. Problem is, the WH interpretation of things is from inside the bubble. nt

[Dr.Phool]

28. Kick and Rec!

Republicans are drooling at the prospect of subpoena power.

Think they obstructed the last two years? You ain't seen nothing yet. Acknowledging that fact isn't treason. It's reality.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[laughingliberal]

36. +1000 nt

[Jennicut]

32. Oh Geez. Carter ran for a second term, Poppy Bush ran for a second term.

They didn't win but they did try. He will try, Presidents rarely don't run again. As to winning, I don't have a crystal ball. It most likely comes down to the economy and if Obama is able to frame the Rethugs as do nothings.

[bigwillq]

33. Yes (nt)

[Name removed]

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[Occam Bandage]

37. I agree that is a way of ensuring Obama is in power in 2013.

Of course, that's assuming that your plan is for Obama to declare himself King of America and dissolve Congress, since that's about the only way he'd be able to enact a single-payer health plan or declare gay marriage legal across America.

[Phx_Dem]

38. Absolutely. He's a very smart campaigner and he knows how to beat these

assholes at their own game. The economy is already on the mend and it will only get better. The GOP is going to hang themselves like they always do when given a little rope.

[Arkana]

39. I think he does and I think he'd be foolish to throw in the towel

without even giving it a shot.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

43. He will run again and he will win.

[impik]

44. Let's hope for DU that he won't.

[craigmatic]

46. It's hard to tell what the president thinks or how his decision making process works.

[Politics_Guy25]

47. A dem controlled senate will not even hold an impeachment trial

if the house impeaches let alone convict.

[WI_DEM]

52. Let's see Clinton loses the house and senate in '94 and wins big in '96

Obama has a higher approval rating than Clinton, loses the house but keeps the senate and yes, I think he believes he can win. As for the money Obama will raise a great deal of cash as he did on line in 2008.