For the first time since he became president

[brettdale]

Im worried that Obama will actually not be reelected.

[FarLeftFist]

1. We're all worried. The opposition is BAT-SHIT CRAZY!

A secessionist, a woman who hears the voice of God, and the rest of the wacko's.

[B Calm]

2. Until he stops this compromising crap and leads the country on

a hard left turn, he'll continue to lose his base.

[Raine]

6. Yes exactly, it's really in his own hands

he can turn it around ... QUIT GIVING INTO THE REPUBS.

[gateley]

10. He won't be the ones to give the WH to the Repubs --

we will if we don't vote for him (or whomever the candidate is).

Seriously.

[Mz Pip]

13. Republicans

are counting on that. They aren't running reasonable candidates. They are running the most extreme partisan right wing hacks imaginable. At first I thought they were just sending out potential sacrificial lambs but now I'm not so sure. I think they are running these clowns because they are the ones who are most likely to do the most damage to liberal and Democratic principles and policies.

I think they think they can win because our base is turned off. They want to make the most of it so they pick their most extreme ideologues to make all their dreams come true.

[gateley]

23. I'm not too sure they're wrong judging from

what some people here are saying and on progressive radio. :(

Even Norman Goldman who has HAD IT with Obama says it is folly to not vote or to write in someone. It just baffles me that people are willing to risk the outcome just to make a point.

[Angry Dragon]

16. Just so I understand you

It will be our fault if we don't support a person that does things that we do not like??
That does not seem to have a clear plan of action??

[gateley]

20. Yep, that's about it.

That was the entire point of my post. :eyes:

[Bluebear]

21. That's exactly what it sounds like, sorry love!

[emilyg]

22. Don't agree with you.

[gateley]

24. You're not the only one, believe me. And although I see

your side, and agree to an extent, I'm not willing to do one thing (or NOT do one thing) that might end up with us getting a Republican in the WH in 2012.

[Deep13]

3. I'm resigned to it.

Unless there is a major screw-up by the R candidate that deeply offends people's cultural values, I don't see how Obama's 2nd can happen. 10% official unemployment is fatal.

[ThomWV]

4. I came to the conclusion that he can not be re-elected about a month ago

And it appears to me that he has lost even more support since then. I think that any reasonable Republican candidate will be able to beat him. Either Romney or Huntsman could do it with ease.

[hlthe2b]

5. I fear he doesn't really WANT to be reelected...

Does anyone else get that feeling?

[Raine]

9. Sometimes I wonder, I actually think he's conflicted about it. nt

[gateley]

11. If he doesn't then why would he be so worried about bipartisanship --

just go in and do what he wants and damn the public perception -- don't' you think?

FWIW, I sure as hell wouldn't want to go through four more years of the hell he has.

[hlthe2b]

18. well... I think that consensus building is his MO...

It is the sum of his experiences. At the risk of playing cyber-psychiatrist, I suspect he may have a very deep seated (and possibly subconscious) need to be liked and accepted. Not that he is immature enough to let that fully impact his decisions, but it may deter him in some ways from more aggressive policies that would be most certain to incite major blowback. That is not uncommon for those with feelings of abandonment, which given his father's history, Obama may well have. It may also be associated with growing up mixed race in a very Caucasian-centric world and one where the "black power" movement of the late 60s and 70s incited its share of angry backlash among white bigoted nativists. It seems clear to me that Obama has never wanted to be construed as that "angry black man."

I don't think he has it in his makeup to go in and do what he wishes and "damn the consequences." That said, I am not so convinced he feels it critically important to have a second term. History (if it is fair at all) will show his significance as the first black President and should illustrate his successes and failures in light of the tremendous and horrific challenges he has been dealt.

I hope he really DOES want to have a second term and is prepared to fight like hell to get one. Because without that level of fight, we will see nothing but capitulation to the RETHUGS and their devastating policies. I honestly think some of those teabaggers would have no problem driving this country into a full depression if they thought it would have a devastating impact on Democratic chances for Congress and WH for many years to come. (Not to mention some deep seated satisfaction that some of the most racist members might feel at getting to blame the first black President for such a detrimental course).

[gateley]

25. Good points, and I agree. See? This is what I love about DU -

people present other arguments that make me think and I often end up changing my mind or at the very least understanding another viewpoint. :hi:

[hlthe2b]

29. chuckle....

Of course I always love DU and DUers who agree with me...LOL ;)

[Poll_Blind]

14. This thought has crossed my mind but it doesn't make any sense.

It...just doesn't make any sense. But then again, neither do his actions. Really. I just don't know what to think.

PB

[NCarolinawoman]

28. Some commentators on the Sunday Tweety show said Obama hates politics. Also,

he hates conflict (most of us figured that one out), and he has no close relationships with anybody in Congress.

It's kind of sad, but what worries me the most is that some of his actions are bringing the whole Democratic party down: Paul Ryan gave the Democrats a gift, and then that gift was destroyed when Obama put social security on the table.

I really thought we would win back the House, but not so much, anymore. The Democratic "brand" is being all but chipped away--death by a thousand paper-cuts. Only some of those cuts are major wounds. :-(

[SammyWinstonJack]

32. I have that feeling.

[edhopper]

7. his election strategy

seems to be to leave only voters who hate him or ones that are disappointed and will maybe hold their nose and vote for him. With none that actually support him.
A real winning formula!

[demgrrrll]

8. Interesting timing... I thought he had a great day

[elocs]

12. Obama is still a young man, what he going to do with the rest of his life if he loses?

He would have a tough time passing himself off as a lion of the Democratic Party who fought tooth and nail to defend and advance cherished Democratic values and programs, who could compromise but ultimately had a line in the sand that could not be crossed.

I would absolutely love for him to be that man or at least to be the man we all were excited about in the 2008 campaign. I don't want to hear more words and promises, I want to see action. I want to see that line in the sand. I want to see a Democratic warrior who will lead us without our having to make him do it.

[Angry Dragon]

17. Oh I think he would be just fine

He would collect $180,000/yr pension putting him in the top 10% of earners
He could sit on numerous boards collecting $50,000/yr for 4-6 meetings
He could give speeches at $100,000 a pop
He could teach

He could go to wall street

His choices are a lot better than most Americans

[Honeycombe8]

27. He will belong to an elite group of people in the world: Former U.S. Presidents

They can write their ticket to whatever they want to do. They become mega-millionaires, if they want.

They will get paid enormous amounts of money for giving speeches. In Obama's case, he's a lawyer, so no worried about his making a living. But he won't make his living by being a lawyer...former Presidents don't do that.

They also go into business with very wealthy partners. No one has connections and influence like a former President. EVERYONE wants to partner with one of them (except maybe Carter).

No worries about President Obama. His future is secure. Even if he doesn't win re-election, he will live an exciting, prosperous, elite lifestyle, as will his family. I don't disapprove of that, BTW. Someone who has managed to be elected to the most famous office in the world should have some perks.

Even the losers have untold riches thrown at their feet. That's why so many people run, when they can't possibly win. Like Huckabee, who now has his own show worth millions on Fox, and is building a megamansion in Florida.

[elocs]

30. I'm not "worried" about him, especially financially. I just wonder what he will do with his life

under the assumption that as a Democrat he would be concerned about helping people, doing something for the country. If he were to lose reelection I would be very disappointed to see him just enjoy the life and perks as an ex-president.

[Honeycombe8]

33. I would think he would pick a favorite charity, and work for that. Clinton did and does.

Carter did, and does. I think that's what most of them do.

Carter started Habitat for Humanity, and spent many hours actually working to build those houses. He has been a credit to our country, and surely there's a special place in Heaven for him...such a selfless, giving, caring man.

Clinton works with...I think it's AIDS? Something like that, in underdeveloped countries, I think.

[Shagbark Hickory]

15. Why?

If you're worried because you want him to be elected, then surely you're confident in his record of leadership.

[brettdale]

19. I think hes been great

But we all know its the media that controls things, can you imagine if Rick Perry got in???

Bye bye science, Bye Bye Gay Rights, Bye bye environment, bye bye everything people here stand for.

[Shagbark Hickory]

26. What has Obama done for science, gay rights or the environment?

OBama ran on the promise of a green energy future but his policies have been to drill baby drill. And tar sands pipeline?
Has Obama done anything for gay rights? Obama is a "mariage is 1 man & 1 woman" guy. You may be confusing him with conservative sometimes-rightwinger joe lieberman who is credited for ending dadt.

Bye bye science?

You know the other side uses the same argument to scare people into voting for their candidates.
Instead of "bye bye science and bye bye environment", it's "bye bye guns" and "bye bye rights" and "bye bye constitution" and "bye bye sanctity of marriage".

Voting out of fear of the other side isn't really my style. I'd vote to keep someone in office who has stood up for and improved the lives of the american working people. And I'm not talking about wall street banksters.

[Bragi]

31. The last month has been bad for Obama

I thought he handled the credit ceiling crisis terribly and his cave-in was very demoralizing. He committed himself to the GOP agenda -- austerity and tax cuts -- none of which will help create jobs. And the GOP, of course, will now oppose whatever he comes up with anyway.

Then there was the month-long fiasco about his "speech". No sooner does the dust clear on his credit ceiling defeat, that he announces that in just a month or so, he will be making a really, really super-important speech about an urgent matter -- job creation.

Huh? He announced a month ahead of time that he will be making a speech on an urgent matter, and then he heads out for holidays and tells everyone to just talk amongst yourselves until I get back.

That was seriously stupid. If a President intends to make a speech, just make it, don't say you'll be making it in a months time and then leave for holidays.

The subsequent flap last week over the exact timing of the speech was just icing on the cake for his opponents. It was idiotic for him to pick a day that clearly had conflicts, and to then change the date without any argument once this error is pointed out to him.

Sorry, but this all spells i-n-c-o-m-p-e-t-e-n-c-e.

Unless Obama changes his policies and improves his communications, I regret that he doomed to be a one-term President.