How, specifically, would a primary challenge change Obama's second term?

[Recursion]

In what specific and concrete way would an Obama administration after having been challenged in a primary from his left govern differently than one in which he hadn't been challenged? What different policies would he adopt? And how would a primary force him to do that?

[MineralMan]

1. It would not, and will not, since there will be no such challenge.

Far too much time is being wasted in futile hope of such a thing. That time would be far better spent in trying to figure out how Democrats can retake control of congress in 2012. Puling about things that will not happen is ludicrous and unproductive.

[msongs]

2. a second term = no hope for change lol more of the same repub lite politics nt

[Lasher]

3. It could result in Obama not having a second term.

If he were to be defeated in the Primary.

[tritsofme]

4. It could also result in pigs sprouting wings and strarting to fly. nt

[Recursion]

5. BWAH!

OK, that was cute. But seriously.

[Lasher]

9. Resistance is futile.

[Recursion]

12. Well, unless you can think of a candidate who could beat him, yes, it's futile

or as a secondary unless, unless you think it would change the way he would govern in a second term. Otherwise it really just looks like a temper tantrum.

[Lasher]

22. Obama is not going to change. He is what he is.

I would like to have a chance to vote for someone in the Primary who shares my values as a New Deal Democrat who is opposed to massive military spending and the trickle-down scam. Obama ain't it. He's a neoliberal New Democrat. There is a slim chance that a challenger like Alan Grayson or Bernie Sanders could win the Primary and go on to become president. But just because the desired outcome is unlikely, it doesn't mean we should not try.

I know some people think it's a quaint old custom to vote based on personal values, but a few of us old fashioned folks are still fond of the practice.

[Recursion]

23. So you just want a chance to vote for someone else, to make yourself feel better?

*shrug*

If that's worth millions of dollars to you, I guess... seems strange to me.

[Lasher]

24. So you don't have any values? You don't believe in trying for something better?

You don't care about children and old people going hungry?

If it doesn't matter to you what happens to our country...well I guess it takes all kinds.

[Skink]

6. He's a lame duck either way unless he switches parties.

[Recursion]

7. I hate "both sides do it" talk, but the left and the right really are equally cut off from reality

about this guy.

[Vinca]

8. A primary challenge probably would do nothing to influence the second term.

It will be interesting to see if, after elected, he turns into the bona fide "hope and change" Obama or if we still find ourselves sidelined in favor of Republican ideas.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

10. Probably wouldn't. But, it would force him to defend his 3rd Way policies in a debate.

[Recursion]

11. And the benefit of this would be...?

I'm still not seeing why that's so important to some people here.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. Transpaprency in government? Giving the people a choice? Educating the public?

Holding the administration accountable for what it does?

Democracy?


Take your pick.

[Recursion]

14. I don't see how it does any of those

It just looks like activists' perpetual, inexplicable (to me) need to have ideological sinners make confessions of wrongdoing.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. And, that's bad?

Wrongdoing is wrongdoing. Uncovering it is a benefit to the people in a democracy.

Or, do you think that public servants shouldn't have to answer for what they do or advocate?

[Recursion]

16. Pointless. You *really* want Obama to "admit he's wrong"

And a lot of people seem unable to deal with the fact that he knows perfectly well what he's doing that disappoints you but, unlike you, is actually interested in making things happen in the political reality that currently exists. And, by the way, hen throws out comments like "firebaggers" precisely because it makes people scream which gives him some cred among people who think we are a bunch of unreconstructed Stalinists.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. Then he would have little to fear from a debate. Would he?

God forbid that Obama should admit to the mistakes, transgressions, failures, sell-outs, and I doubt that he would, but that would be up to the people to decide after a debate.

You know. "The People" who are allegedly in charge of the government and have a say in what it does.

BTW "Stalinists" believe the boss is always right.

[Recursion]

20. Of course he has "little to fear"; that's the point

It's a colossal waste of energy and money to soothe some people's hurt feelings.

[Lasher]

25. I don't agree elections are a waste of energy and money.

Sounds like you think we should just go ahead and make Obama king and be done with it.

[TheKentuckian]

18. Doesn't have to (though it would be nice to move him in some areas), it does create

a competing narrative, a different vision, better goals, a repudiation of corporatism and wars of wasteful and poor choice.

To build a better movement that will work for the poor and the working folks rather than selling us out. There is more to change than anything that concrete or direct about Obama or his Administration.

[MrTriumph]

19. Second term? You must be kidding.

x

[Bluebear]

21. Replace him on the ballot?