Barack Obama on the View Thursday...

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by tripin_billie

First, I don't think Obama has been a dominant president at all, if anything, he has been far too hellbent on some bygone vision of bipartisanship.

But, second, I really think that losing the house doesn't hurt him too much. The Republicans have it easy playing the game of saying no to everything. It will be interesting to see what they do when they actually have to govern.

Indeed?

[mykalberta]

I think its smart to rally the democratic base before the midterms - it also helps to solidify his female base. I havent seen the shows format in a while, does Barbra Walters still occasionally host? If so i can see her doing an interview with him instead of him appearing like a regular guest.

Me thinks Hasselbeck might call or be forced to call in sick that day.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by tripin_billie

I think for less than 2 years in, to have accomplished:

health care reform: I personally think that what was passed was mediocre and wish that it would have been more broad in its changes, but getting anything done on this issue in the US is near impossible

Stimulus funding: Again, this will come down to the role you see the Government playing in the economy, but it passing this showed a decision and execution

Wall Street reform: This one will be I think the best of the early accomplishments, but I do not like the exemption from FOIA that it appears to have given the SEC

Credit Card Reform Act: some needed rules for what is a very cut throat industry in the US in comparison to other countries

Student loan finance reform: again, another important one that I think will end up not only saving students money, but it should also be less expensive for the Federal Government than the current system


Is pretty impressive for an administration that according to many here is a failure because it is not in the gulf cleaning up private industry's mess - or at least having photo ops that make it look like it is.

Tough crowd I guess...

And the deficit is in the trillions, the economy is faltering, and jobs are being lost monthly.

People don't give a crap about wall street reform when they're getting laid off left and right.

Its tough to say what the reform would do.

I was a bit confusing with the most recent sweeping changes made by Obama and the Democrats. Obama often spoke about the Canadian system, and how our regulations helped, and he seems to have forgotten completely about that.

More regulation does not always equal good results. You need proper regulation.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Azure

And the deficit is in the trillions, the economy is faltering, and jobs are being lost monthly.

And where would they be with John and Sarah (shudder)?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by troutman

And where would they be with John and Sarah (shudder)?

More than likely in the same place.

But John and Sarah aren't in office. Barack and Joe are. And the buck stops at their desk.

Fact is that both Republicans and Democrats have contributed to the mess the US is in. Sadly, Obama has even managed to make Bush look at a chump when it comes to spending habits.

[CaptainCrunch]

More questions then answers

Originally Posted by tripin_billie

I think for less than 2 years in, to have accomplished:

health care reform: I personally think that what was passed was mediocre and wish that it would have been more broad in its changes, but getting anything done on this issue in the US is near impossible

Overall, I agree with you that its a mediocre plan, and was something that was rushed through and not executed well. I think that the polls that I've seen show that American's for the most part really don't like it very much. Its probably not something thats going to win him the next election.

Originally Posted by tripin_billie

Stimulus funding: Again, this will come down to the role you see the Government playing in the economy, but it passing this showed a decision and execution

With its main intent being the creation of jobs its pretty much failed as unemployment in the private sector increased. It did create government jobs especially in hand and hand with the census. On the bailout side Obama came across very weak as he didn't set conditions on the bailouts and companies that did receive dollars were still paying out large bonuses while laying off workers.

Originally Posted by tripin_billie

Wall Street reform: This one will be I think the best of the early accomplishments, but I do not like the exemption from FOIA that it appears to have given the SEC

I'm fine with this, however there are still questions on the effectiveness of this combined with the bailouts that were given and how they were used.

Originally Posted by tripin_billie

Student loan finance reform: again, another important one that I think will end up not only saving students money, but it should also be less expensive for the Federal Government than the current system

This is good, but to me its a more like a topless chick hammering on a keyboard screaming that she's helping. Your really distracted by the boobies.

This is a boobie issue.


[/QUOTE]

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by troutman

And where would they be with John and Sarah (shudder)?

The porn industry would make enough money to bail out the entire planet?

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

Don't kid yourself; this is very calculated. The next election is likely to be closer than the last one (i.e. the GOP will likely not be running a geriatric windbag alongside a brainless brunette in librarian glasses). The election will come down to a few swing voter blocs.

I think said Brunette is going to be in the running for the nomination for the republican party...

I'm hoping cooler heads will prevail, but Palin getting the nomination isn't that far out of line. There is still a large segment of the Republican party who support her.

McCain is truly one of the tragedies from the last election. Maybe he just went crazy, but he would have won the election if he didn't play the part of the Republican shill over the past 8 years. Which also begs the question, if he didn't bend over for the extremists, would he have even gotten the nomination?

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I think said Brunette is going to be in the running for the nomination for the republican party...

I'm hoping cooler heads will prevail, but Palin getting the nomination isn't that far out of line. There is still a large segment of the Republican party who support her.

McCain is truly one of the tragedies from the last election. Maybe he just went crazy, but he would have won the election if he didn't play the part of the Republican shill over the past 8 years. Which also begs the question, if he didn't bend over for the extremists, would he have even gotten the nomination?

There's no chance that Palin is getting anywhere near the nomination. She's been skewered in every concievable way and her rambling resignation speech finished her off.

There's no chance that she wins the republican nomination at the end of the day.

As a serious policital entity, she's pretty much done.

[Weiser Wonder]

Originally Posted by peter12

Bush was the cause of some serious partisan division in the United States. Now, I don't think that's very bad. Partisanship within a democracy can mean some very good things such as logical and fierce debate are occurring for the sake of the common good. The problem that I have with Bush is moral in that I think his actions harmed the Republic more than it helped it; especially his decision to authorize the use of torture in intelligence gathering.

That said, Captain is totally right in his comparison to Obama. Bush was more of a substantive President. He acted courageously to execute his vision even when it was extremely unpopular.

Obama is a nowhere man. He's bogged himself down so deep in meaningless rhetoric that it's obvious he lacks what Bush had in courage and decisiveness.

I would have thought I was crazy for saying this a year ago, but I predict Obama as a one-term President.

The partisanship of the country is real. The partisanship among the actual politicians is much more tied into image than reality. Republicans and Democrats largely have the same goals, but seek to present opposite images to their appropriate constituents. Their goal is to promote the corporations that pay their bills and will give them very well paying jobs when they vacate office.

The Health care bill is a good example of this. The Democrats had the ability, if willing, to pass a public option. That's what a majority of the country wanted, they had 60 seats in the Senate, a large majority in the House and a President to pressure wavering Democrats into supporting it. What happened? The public option passes the House, however murmurs started from the White House stating that they aren't going to push for the public option. "Moderate" Democrats come out against the public option, and Obama, instead of pressuring these small amount of Senators, pressures the progressive Democrats into giving in. A bill then gets passed by the Senate that has no public option but still makes health insurance mandatory without price controls.

Mission accomplished for the corporatist Democrats and Republicans. The Republicans maintain their image of small government and low spending by being completely uncooperative during the entire process. The Democrats maintain the image of "change" and fighting for the little man. The health insurance companies get to put the entire population of the United States on their client list.

The Financial reform bill passed in a similar fashion.

The US government is broken. They need to find a way to get the politicians out of bed with the corporations.

That said, Obama would win re-election in November, and will win re-election in 2012. For the simple reason that in American politics, you don't have to be appealing, you just have to be more appealing than the other guy. Right now, the Republicans don't have anyone that is more appealing than Obama and I don't see one coming about in the next two years.

[tripin_billie]

Originally Posted by Azure

And the deficit is in the trillions, the economy is faltering, and jobs are being lost monthly.

People don't give a crap about wall street reform when they're getting laid off left and right.

Its tough to say what the reform would do.

I was a bit confusing with the most recent sweeping changes made by Obama and the Democrats. Obama often spoke about the Canadian system, and how our regulations helped, and he seems to have forgotten completely about that.

More regulation does not always equal good results. You need proper regulation.

Yeah, about deficits and which party seems to like them the most:

[tripin_billie]

Originally Posted by peter12

So he has precedence with Nixon? That's not helping him.

Actually, beyond his criminal activities and paranoia, Nixon had some of the best domestic policies of any president in the 20th century.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by tripin_billie

Yeah, about deficits and which party seems to like them the most:

Your point being what?

It doesn't matter who likes to spend more. Fact is that too much IS being spent.

I don't think the US is ever going to get anywhere until the petty 'But the Democrats/Republicans do it too' arguments are gone.

Both parties SUCK. Weiser was exactly right. They both do the same thing with different names.

[Acey]

He should go on the Late Late Show with Craig. Would be hilarious.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by tripin_billie

Actually, beyond his criminal activities and paranoia, Nixon had some of the best domestic policies of any president in the 20th century.

I know what you mean. I kind of like Nixon, even feel sorry for him a bit, but he was an anti-Semitic crook. Can't take that away.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by peter12

The big thing is these Fall elections. If the Republicans take back either the Senate or House, it's the end of Obama.

I take a different view. I think it is all but certain that the Democrats will lose one or both of the Senate and House this fall. I also think that this will turn out to be a very good thing for Obama, and will make it likelier that he will win in 2012.

It's important to remember that the memory of the voting population is extremely short. What happens over the next year is only important in terms of establishing a media narrative, and the narrative of the embattled president working hard to protect the interests of Americans against an evil Congress determined to thwart him is a story that the Democrats would love to be telling voters in 2012.

Defending the record of a president who had all three branches of government under his control (even though that really isn't true--nor should it be) is a much harder sell.

If they were taking a long view, the GOP would realize that the way back into the White House is to lose the mid-terms this fall.

[Azure]

Well, I would prefer to not be as cynical. A Republican controlled Senate and House, and a Democratic controlled Whitehouse has gotten some pretty good results in the past(Clinton).

I think that would be the best bet right now, and if they do a good job I sure hope it continues beyond 2012.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Azure

Well, I would prefer to not be as cynical. A Republican controlled Senate and House, and a Democratic controlled Whitehouse has gotten some pretty good results in the past(Clinton).

I think that would be the best bet right now, and if they do a good job I sure hope it continues beyond 2012.

I'm always cynical. It prevents disappointment.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Obamas financial reform bill is a joke.

Obamas health care bill is a joke.

The sustained war on terror in the middle east is a joke ($1 trillion and counting)

Obama re-authorizing the Patriot Act is despicable.

The stimulus spending only helps "stimulate" big business until the money runs out. Someone mentioned the census workers, yeah once they are done the unemplyment is going to really show and they won't be able to hide it.

Unfortunately, things are going to continue to get worse for Obama and America.

Just look at some of Obama's top campaign contributers.

Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, JP Morgan, Time Warner, General Electric.

According to this, Obama has got some coin from BP too.

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source...kQr6AnEzWEOtpQ

"BP and its employees have given more than $3.5 million to federal candidates over the past 20 years, with the largest chunk of their money going to Obama, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Donations come from a mix of employees and the company's political action committees - $2.89 million flowed to campaigns from BP-related PACs and about $638,000 came from individuals.
On top of that, the oil giant has spent millions each year on lobbying — including $15.9 million last year alone — as it has tried to influence energy policy."

Yeah ...I think it's pretty obvious I don't care for the guy.

[Azure]

The census workers aren't even as concerning as the thousands of IRS workers being added to an already bloated and over-regulated tax system.