Thank you kindly.

In reply to this comment by JiggaJonson:
PM me when the promote is up and I will * quality that.

In reply to this comment by dystopianfuturetoday:
*promote

PM me when the promote is up and I will * quality that.

In reply to this comment by dystopianfuturetoday:
*promote

I hope he runs too. Hell, I'd love him to be the Republican nominee.

It almost goes without saying that polls for 2012 before the 2010 elections are totally not predictive. The earliest poll I found with a McCain/Obama head to head had McCain up by 8 points over Obama, and it was from 2007, before that it was mostly generic Dem vs. Rep and Hillary vs. Rudy polling, which was obviously based on the faulty premise that those two people would be able to easily win their party's nominations...

It's a possibility. But from an outsiders perspective (meaning not-American) - it very much seems like Obama IS the democratic party. As Wichita falls, so falls Wichita Falls and all.>> ^NetRunner:

>> ^Throbbin:
^I disagree with some of that, but I'm in a pinch right now. For now, I'd agree with your earlier projections on seat count, but also suggest that another blunder by Obama (or perceived blunder), and the Democrat Parties fortunes could fall dramatically.

I think again you're fixating on Obama too much. I think the big way this reverses itself is if the nascent economic recovery dies out and starts to turn into a new downward plunge. If that happens it's going to be a bloodbath.

>> ^Throbbin:

^I disagree with some of that, but I'm in a pinch right now. For now, I'd agree with your earlier projections on seat count, but also suggest that another blunder by Obama (or perceived blunder), and the Democrat Parties fortunes could fall dramatically.


I think again you're fixating on Obama too much. I think the big way this reverses itself is if the nascent economic recovery dies out and starts to turn into a new downward plunge. If that happens it's going to be a bloodbath.

>> ^Throbbin:

What can Obama do about those by himself? He could go after the Democratic caucus a little more than he has been. I don't think I'm the only one who noticed that Obama's rhetorical prowess (or his willingness to use it) has substantially diminished since the election.
Regarding the oil gusher - he could've NOT allowed for the expansion of offshore oil drilling in the first place (remember that?). I know it wouldn't have prevented the current fiasco, but it would have shown some backbone. He could have appointed someone competent (and not an oil industry stooge) to oversee the issuing of drilling and safety permits (I know you know about those).
Your are right - Congress is where most of the substantive issues of the day are dealt with. But Obama has such enormous political capital that he could use to sway them on many issues, but chooses to play it safe for fear of losing the 2012 election. That's no way to lead.
I like the guy too. But I like him alot less since hearing about many of the things he has done (and more importantly, hasn't done) since taking office.

I agree with much of what you're saying here, but I think people often blame things that are a direct result of Congress's gridlock and corruption on Obama personally, simply because he hasn't been able to nullify it by his very presence.

Do I think Obama could have used his influence to make Health Care both more progressive and pass more quickly? Abso-fucking-lutely.

Do I think Obama needs to turn up the heat on his opposition, both within his own party, and across the aisle? Absolutely.

Do I blame Obama for failing to completely turn Congress into a rubber stamp for his policies? No.

Do I think Obama shouldn't have permitted offshore oil drilling? Yes and no -- if it would've guaranteed Republican votes for cloture on a cap & trade bill, hell yes. If it was just one of these "do this in good faith, and we'll think about maybe only calling you a socialist 10 times a day, instead of 20 times a day", no. From what I've read, that was part of a compromise that was somewhere between those two things.

I think the two main things Obama needs to answer for to his progressive base are his inaction on DADT (he could make it irrelevant unilaterally), and his continued use of Bush-era terrorism loopholes on civil liberties (which he could also make irrelevant unilaterally). I'm getting the sense that he doesn't want to fight either of these fights at all.

I think everything else he's done that I disagree with has been a difference over tactical choices, rather than an actual disagreement with a policy goal.

What can Obama do about those by himself? He could go after the Democratic caucus a little more than he has been. I don't think I'm the only one who noticed that Obama's rhetorical prowess (or his willingness to use it) has substantially diminished since the election.

Regarding the oil gusher - he could've NOT allowed for the expansion of offshore oil drilling in the first place (remember that?). I know it wouldn't have prevented the current fiasco, but it would have shown some backbone. He could have appointed someone competent (and not an oil industry stooge) to oversee the issuing of drilling and safety permits (I know you know about those).

Your are right - Congress is where most of the substantive issues of the day are dealt with. But Obama has such enormous political capital that he could use to sway them on many issues, but chooses to play it safe for fear of losing the 2012 election. That's no way to lead.

I like the guy too. But I like him alot less since hearing about many of the things he has done (and more importantly, hasn't done) since taking office.>> ^NetRunner:

>> ^Throbbin:
Either way, Obama still hasn't done anything really substantive on a variety of issues (Climate Change, Wall Street, that ENORMOUS FUCKING OIL GUSHER, military spending, Iraq, Executive Powers, etc.).
What can Obama do about any of those by himself, particularly the "ENORMOUS FUCKING OIL GUSHER"?
Much as I like the guy, it's not as if he can just swim down there and pinch off the pipe, superman-style.
That's really a list of things you're mad at Congress for failing to act on.
Hopefully your list will get one item shorter tomorrow -- they're holding a cloture vote on the Wall Street Reform package tomorrow (and all signs point to it passing with ease).

>> ^Throbbin:

Either way, Obama still hasn't done anything really substantive on a variety of issues (Climate Change, Wall Street, that ENORMOUS FUCKING OIL GUSHER, military spending, Iraq, Executive Powers, etc.).

What can Obama do about any of those by himself, particularly the "ENORMOUS FUCKING OIL GUSHER"?

Much as I like the guy, it's not as if he can just swim down there and pinch off the pipe, superman-style.

That's really a list of things you're mad at Congress for failing to act on.

Hopefully your list will get one item shorter tomorrow -- they're holding a cloture vote on the Wall Street Reform package tomorrow (and all signs point to it passing with ease).

>> ^marinara:

no fing way
there's gonna be hell 2 pay for the economy stupid.
obama's plan is: "i'll stand here by myself and hope that the republicans respect that"


What's your prediction, then?

>> ^blankfist:

Here's my prediction: the Libertarian ticket will win in zero states.


So true! Seems like you guys should try and adjust your political strategies.

Wait, are you saying you think Ron Paul isn't a Libertarian, or won't win? How about Rand? I didn't mention him, but I expect he's going to be the new junior Senator from Kentucky after this fall.

>> ^Unaccommodated:
Bachmann is the shame of Minnesota. Whats worse is that in her district everyone is like that. BLEGH.


As an member of her district (unfortunately), I can say that not *everyone* is like that. She barely won last election when she shot her mouth off (which was common for her before, but she seems to be increasing her pace recently). I can't wait for the 2010 election so hopefully more people will realize the imbecile she is and vote her out.

>> ^quantumushroom:
To his worshipers, Obamarx IS the messiah, but the greatest ally for left-wing radicals to win any office is unbridled ignorance. Crack a fking history book once in awhile and learn what happens to economies with high tax rates.
When Obama and the States raise taxes on an ailing economy and worsen it, he'll get his ass kicked in the 2010 elections and the stables of Congress can finally be swept clean.


You mother fucking asshole. What the fuck do you think is happening to us right now? Who the fuck did that? Who voted for the people who did it? You did. Twice.

You are a god damned disgrace. You are a fucking bane on this country. You are a god damned disease. We will never be rid of you. You are a cancer unto us all.

Where did the "ailing economy" come from you fuck-stick? It was from you and your cock-sucking piece of shit jungle-warfare butthole rip-off artists who saw a chance to fuck our country out of billions and took us all for everything they could.

I.E. Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, and Paulson et al.

Look what you have done to us you mother fucking meat head.

To his worshipers, Obamarx IS the messiah, but the greatest ally for left-wing radicals to win any office is unbridled ignorance. Crack a fking history book once in awhile and learn what happens to economies with high tax rates.

When Obama and the States raise taxes on an ailing economy and worsen it, he'll get his ass kicked in the 2010 elections and the stables of Congress can finally be swept clean.