Obama became President at arguably the worst time in history to become President. Let's take a look at what he was handed.
1. The *front* side of an economic crisis of epic proportion. We're not talking about a petty little recession like ones in the past. We're talking about record breaking home forclosers, money dried up with our biggest banks, mainstaple megagiant US companies like General Motors, Bank of America, and many other giants going under (sans government bailouts). Again, he wasn't handed all of this on the back end after the perfect storm had already passed.
2. Two wars, both of which were badly mishandled for years. Both of which have been extremey costly. Both of which there is no easy out. Only one of which was a war of necessity (IMO).
3. A badly tarnished US image abroad.
4. Record deficits that had already been run up.
Note: Handling 1 and 4 simultaneously is a juggling act I would love to see. Not only does Obama have all of these problems to deal with he has an opposition party who has united behind the political tactic of trying to make him fall on his face at every turn.
All things considered, I think he's doing a great job.
3.
Originally posted by whodeyScenario A: the GOP regain (narrow) control of both the House and the Senate in the 2010 elections.
http://www.pollingreport.com/obama_ad.htm
Here are some recent polls about Obama's performance as of April 2010.
Terrorism: 37% Disapprove 50% approve
Afghanistan: 35% disapprove and 49% approve
Iran: 42% disapprove and 41% approve
Economy: 53% disapprove and 42% approve
Job creation: 54% disapprove and 40% approve
Health care: 53 ...[text shortened]... admits that the current fiscal policies are not sustainable, so what must be changed and when?
Obama declares in his state of the union of address in 2011 that the "era of big government is once again over".
Both sides offer plans to balance the budget in five years. Both sides call each other weenies for the next year. The GOP forces the government to shut down in December 2011. Much confusion ensues. Each side agrees to a compromise plan. Each side agrees to allow the other to declare themselves the "real winner".
Once the balanced budget plan gets passed, the economy begins to surge. Obama's popularity rises, and he wins re-election with 55% of the vote. The GOP retains control over both houses in Congress. Everyone's happy.
Scenario B: the Dems maintain their hold over one or both houses of Congress in 2010 elections.
the Dems resist all efforts to do anything meaningful about the budget. The GOP offers a vague plan to cut spending. Gridlock ensues. The unemployment rate remains high. The popularity of both Congress and Obama reach new lows.
Sarah Palin declares that she's running for president and her fans erupt in euphoric frenzy. Jon Stewart makes fun of here every single night (and his ratings reach new heights). Glenn Beck supports her every single night (and his ratings reach new heights). But the overall polls show Obama ahead by 25 points. The GOP panics and finally fires Michael Steele. Nobody cares.
But in March 2012, New Jersey GOP governor Christie finally completes his effort to balance New Jersey's budget and throws his hat into the presidential ring. Having accomplished the impossible, he quickly becomes widely popular and ends up winning the general election by a landslide.
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperMixed government (WH and Congress belonging to opposite parties) seems to have worked in the past. The best eras of government in recent history seem to have happened under Reagan/Tip O'Neil and Clinton/Gingrich.
You're one of those rare, moderate Republicans. What's your take?
If the Republicans take at least one House, they'll have to start playing ball with Obama. You can't be the "enemy" when you have the power. I'd like to see the GOP take the House (though the Senate is probably unrealistic) in 2010 and see what happens then.
Obama in '12? Like I said the other day, it depends on whom he's running against.
What WILL happen? Tough to say. I'd put the GOP chance at taking that House at about 40% and of taking the Senate at maybe 10%.
Although it's early, I'd handicap Obama's re-election chances right now at about 65%. The economy will probably be fully recovered by then and incumbent Presidents don't lose in strong economies.
Originally posted by whodeyaren't his foreign policies re Terrorism and Afghanistan just a continuation of GW Bush's?
Looking at these poll numbers, it appears that the only issue people are happy with involve his forieng affairs policies as where pretty much every domestic policy is negatively viewed by the majority.
Originally posted by zeeblebotUh... no.
aren't his foreign policies re Terrorism and Afghanistan just a continuation of GW Bush's?
Bush: Invade and ramp up Iraq, ignore Afghanistan.
Obama: Scale down and pull out of Iraq, ramp up Afghanistan. You know, going after the group that actually attacked us?
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperIs Al Qaeda's base still in Afghanistan?
Uh... no.
Bush: Invade and ramp up Iraq, ignore Afghanistan.
Obama: Scale down and pull out of Iraq, ramp up Afghanistan. You know, going after the group that actually attacked us?
Isn't Al Qaeda the people who attacked us, not Afghanistan?
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperSo when is the mission "accomplished" in Afghanistan? I understand what there is to fight for in Iraq, there is oil to fight for. But what about Afghanistan? How many "bad guys" must the US kill before they declare victory?
Uh... no.
Bush: Invade and ramp up Iraq, ignore Afghanistan.
Obama: Scale down and pull out of Iraq, ramp up Afghanistan. You know, going after the group that actually attacked us?
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperYou forgot a never ending expansion of government and ever expanding taxes on the horizen due to his spending, which incidently makes "W" look like a tight wad.
Obama became President at arguably the worst time in history to become President. Let's take a look at what he was handed.
1. The *front* side of an economic crisis of epic proportion. We're not talking about a petty little recession like ones in the past. We're talking about record breaking home forclosers, money dried up with our bigges ...[text shortened]... on his face at every turn.
All things considered, I think he's doing a great job.
3.
Such reckless spending and forced taxation down the road due to his spending will keep the economy at arms length from a full recovery. Unemployment I think will hurt his chances the most in 2012.