MaggieMae
Reality bits
- Apr 3, 2009
- 24,043
- 1,635
- 48
I'm beginning to see many reasons why Barack Obama may choose not to run for reelection.
1. It became clear early on that Republicans felt it was their "turn" to get even, and had no intention of supporting any Democratic president, let alone this one. Therefore, trying to get anything passed through Congress would be fruitless if Republicans win more seats in 2010 and thereafter. (I doubt the dems could even get the cons to approve the design of a new postage stamp.)
The partisan gridlock has gone on since Clinton beat Bush 41, with the Republicans seeing red over that embarrassment. Then, when Republicans got a little power back in 1994, with a vengeance they began an all-out crusade to bring down Clinton (finally the sex scandal gave them what they wanted). So when Bush 43 was elected, everyone who loved and supported Clinton finally got even by non-stop Bush-bashing (except for that brief period of time following the attacks of 911). By 2008, it was the dem's turn again, and all the Bush lovers (aka "conservatives"
) are all pissed off because of Bush-bashing by the dems. And round and round it goes, and nothing gets done except yapping and gnashing of teeth. Eye-for-an-eye politics. How grown up.
2. Independents may either move to the Republican camp because they're willing to give anything "new" a try that would revamp the economy, and especially the job market, or they will stay home, thereby giving away the mid-term election to the Republicans who, carrying all their vindictive regalia, will undoubtedly go to the polls in droves.
3. The war in Afghanistan may still turn as ugly as the war in Iraq did during Bush's mid-term, and he never did recover his popularity and approval ratings thereafter, becoming one of the lamest lame ducks in history. The same could happen to Obama.
4. Obama's health care initiative is going nowhere as long as the economy sucks and unemployment continues to remain high. Likewise any energy package. Unless he is miraculously successful with his quality of basic education initiatives, Obama will have no "signature" issue to enhance this chapter of his career.
It was an uphill battle for Obama at the outset. He didn't create, nor is he responsible for the economic mess this country is in, but the great masses of people who are suffering are blaming him anyway, and no amount of verbal explanations, projections, and promises are satisfactory. Nor will they be. Ironically, people want CHANGE! Imagine that.
If I were to advise President Obama, and if the trends continue, I would tell him to announce shortly following the mid-term election that he's not going to run again. That since he was unable to accomplish anything but fuel the fires of partisan politics, perhaps it's time for some other Democrat to give it a try. Or maybe wish a Republican luck with the same problems, only turned upside down with the dems becoming the Party of No next time. Round 5.
I would advise President Obama that his "legacy" would not be pretty if the economic problems are not resolved. He would forever be remembered as the one who fucked it up (even if he didn't). I would ask him to remember LBJ's history and how he was reviled at the time he chose not to run for reelection, but when history wrote the story honestly, Johnson was responsible for many of the cherished benefits we now take for granted and in the end he couldn't be blamed entirely for the Vietnam quagmire.
I would advise President Obama that he seemed to be more effective as a spokesman for the Democratic Party, making a difference one issue--one neighborhood at a time--rather than trying to effect sweeping change (improvements) on a national scale. There is too much hatred; too much bitterness. Let somebody else become the whipping boy.
I would advise him that it is impossible to think that the power of Washington will bend to the warm and fuzzy dream that hope and change for the country are all that's needed, when what's 'needed' by the major power brokers are back room deals to satisfy personal agendas. And if you're not willing to pony up to blackmail-like deals, then there's always those pesky moles who will sell you out to thousands of Internet buyers (whereas it used to be merely to The Enquirer).
Finally, I would advise the President that he would be able to be a better father to his adolescent children at a time they need more guidance than they ever will, and that exposing them to even more of the ugliness that surrounds him (and his wife) would stop.
1. It became clear early on that Republicans felt it was their "turn" to get even, and had no intention of supporting any Democratic president, let alone this one. Therefore, trying to get anything passed through Congress would be fruitless if Republicans win more seats in 2010 and thereafter. (I doubt the dems could even get the cons to approve the design of a new postage stamp.)
The partisan gridlock has gone on since Clinton beat Bush 41, with the Republicans seeing red over that embarrassment. Then, when Republicans got a little power back in 1994, with a vengeance they began an all-out crusade to bring down Clinton (finally the sex scandal gave them what they wanted). So when Bush 43 was elected, everyone who loved and supported Clinton finally got even by non-stop Bush-bashing (except for that brief period of time following the attacks of 911). By 2008, it was the dem's turn again, and all the Bush lovers (aka "conservatives"
) are all pissed off because of Bush-bashing by the dems. And round and round it goes, and nothing gets done except yapping and gnashing of teeth. Eye-for-an-eye politics. How grown up.2. Independents may either move to the Republican camp because they're willing to give anything "new" a try that would revamp the economy, and especially the job market, or they will stay home, thereby giving away the mid-term election to the Republicans who, carrying all their vindictive regalia, will undoubtedly go to the polls in droves.
3. The war in Afghanistan may still turn as ugly as the war in Iraq did during Bush's mid-term, and he never did recover his popularity and approval ratings thereafter, becoming one of the lamest lame ducks in history. The same could happen to Obama.
4. Obama's health care initiative is going nowhere as long as the economy sucks and unemployment continues to remain high. Likewise any energy package. Unless he is miraculously successful with his quality of basic education initiatives, Obama will have no "signature" issue to enhance this chapter of his career.
It was an uphill battle for Obama at the outset. He didn't create, nor is he responsible for the economic mess this country is in, but the great masses of people who are suffering are blaming him anyway, and no amount of verbal explanations, projections, and promises are satisfactory. Nor will they be. Ironically, people want CHANGE! Imagine that.
If I were to advise President Obama, and if the trends continue, I would tell him to announce shortly following the mid-term election that he's not going to run again. That since he was unable to accomplish anything but fuel the fires of partisan politics, perhaps it's time for some other Democrat to give it a try. Or maybe wish a Republican luck with the same problems, only turned upside down with the dems becoming the Party of No next time. Round 5.
I would advise President Obama that his "legacy" would not be pretty if the economic problems are not resolved. He would forever be remembered as the one who fucked it up (even if he didn't). I would ask him to remember LBJ's history and how he was reviled at the time he chose not to run for reelection, but when history wrote the story honestly, Johnson was responsible for many of the cherished benefits we now take for granted and in the end he couldn't be blamed entirely for the Vietnam quagmire.
I would advise President Obama that he seemed to be more effective as a spokesman for the Democratic Party, making a difference one issue--one neighborhood at a time--rather than trying to effect sweeping change (improvements) on a national scale. There is too much hatred; too much bitterness. Let somebody else become the whipping boy.
I would advise him that it is impossible to think that the power of Washington will bend to the warm and fuzzy dream that hope and change for the country are all that's needed, when what's 'needed' by the major power brokers are back room deals to satisfy personal agendas. And if you're not willing to pony up to blackmail-like deals, then there's always those pesky moles who will sell you out to thousands of Internet buyers (whereas it used to be merely to The Enquirer).
Finally, I would advise the President that he would be able to be a better father to his adolescent children at a time they need more guidance than they ever will, and that exposing them to even more of the ugliness that surrounds him (and his wife) would stop.
