1.When Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson accepted the reality that they could not effectively govern the nation if they sought re-election to the White House, both men took the moral high ground and decided against running for a new term as president. President Obama is facing a similar realityand he must reach the same conclusion.
2. He should abandon his candidacy for re-election in favor of a clear alternative, one capable not only of saving the Democratic Party, but more important, of governing effectively and in a way that preserves the most important of the president's accomplishments. He should step aside for the one candidate who would become, by acclamation, the nominee of the Democratic Party: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
3. Certainly, Mr. Obama could still win re-election in 2012. Even with his all-time low job approval ratings (and even worse ratings on handling the economy) the president could eke out a victory in November. But the kind of campaign required for the president's political survival would make it almost impossible for him to governnot only during the campaign, but throughout a second term.
4. ...White House has concluded that if the president cannot run on his record, he will need to wage the most negative campaign in history to stand any chance. With his job approval ratings below 45% overall and below 40% on the economy, the president cannot affirmatively make the case that voters are better off now than they were four years ago. Helike everyone elseknows that they are worse.
5. President Obama is now neck and neck with a generic Republican challenger in the latest Real Clear Politics 2012 General Election Average (43.8%-43.%). Meanwhile, voters disapprove of the president's performance 49%-41% in the most recent Gallup survey, and 63% of voters disapprove of his handling of the economy, according to the most recent CNN/ORC poll.
6. By taking himself out of the campaign, he would change the dynamic from who is more to blameGeorge W. Bush or Barack Obama?to a more constructive dialogue about our nation's future.
7. Mrs. Clinton is favored over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney by 17 points (55%-38%), and Texas Gov. Rick Perry by 26 points (58%-32%). But this is about more than electoral politics. Not only is Mrs. Clinton better positioned to win in 2012 than Mr. Obama, but she is better positioned to govern if she does.
Patrick Caddell and Douglas Schoen: The Hillary Moment - WSJ.com
Luckily for those, like myself, who wish to see this sad excuse for a President - and, by extension, those who still support him- get the drubbing they so richly deserve, he is far too self-absorbed to do as Caddell and Schoen suggest.
Bravo, Mr. President...keep on keepin' on!
Any travel plans for 2013?
2. He should abandon his candidacy for re-election in favor of a clear alternative, one capable not only of saving the Democratic Party, but more important, of governing effectively and in a way that preserves the most important of the president's accomplishments. He should step aside for the one candidate who would become, by acclamation, the nominee of the Democratic Party: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
3. Certainly, Mr. Obama could still win re-election in 2012. Even with his all-time low job approval ratings (and even worse ratings on handling the economy) the president could eke out a victory in November. But the kind of campaign required for the president's political survival would make it almost impossible for him to governnot only during the campaign, but throughout a second term.
4. ...White House has concluded that if the president cannot run on his record, he will need to wage the most negative campaign in history to stand any chance. With his job approval ratings below 45% overall and below 40% on the economy, the president cannot affirmatively make the case that voters are better off now than they were four years ago. Helike everyone elseknows that they are worse.
5. President Obama is now neck and neck with a generic Republican challenger in the latest Real Clear Politics 2012 General Election Average (43.8%-43.%). Meanwhile, voters disapprove of the president's performance 49%-41% in the most recent Gallup survey, and 63% of voters disapprove of his handling of the economy, according to the most recent CNN/ORC poll.
6. By taking himself out of the campaign, he would change the dynamic from who is more to blameGeorge W. Bush or Barack Obama?to a more constructive dialogue about our nation's future.
7. Mrs. Clinton is favored over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney by 17 points (55%-38%), and Texas Gov. Rick Perry by 26 points (58%-32%). But this is about more than electoral politics. Not only is Mrs. Clinton better positioned to win in 2012 than Mr. Obama, but she is better positioned to govern if she does.
Patrick Caddell and Douglas Schoen: The Hillary Moment - WSJ.com
Luckily for those, like myself, who wish to see this sad excuse for a President - and, by extension, those who still support him- get the drubbing they so richly deserve, he is far too self-absorbed to do as Caddell and Schoen suggest.
Bravo, Mr. President...keep on keepin' on!
Any travel plans for 2013?
