RufRTs Obama Windup

[RufRT]

Last nights results in the New Jersey Governors race and Virginia Governors/Lt Governor/Attorney General races are indicative of a national mood swing and repudiation of the country's direction. But for a split conservative vote in Upstate NY, it would have been a clean sweep.

The coalition of independants and young voters that swept Obama into power either defected to the Republicans or couldn't be bothered to turn out...a stunning drop in enthusiasm this early into the Obama revolution.

Promises not kept, ridiculous overspending, continuing rise in unemployment despite a gross stimulus package having reached its "peak effect" (words of the administration, not mine), lack of confidence in a novice politician....all result in one of the fastest drops in popularity of any US President...one of the 3 worst I believe.

Funniest thing ? George Bush had higher poll numbers at this point in his presidency

Moderate Dems will take note...the US electorate is pissed off and is unhappy with the direction the country has taken. I have a feeling this will definitely influence the climate vote and healthcare vote as ******* Reid has indicated they will stretch into next year.

McCain was right...Obama is just great at creating a rockstar persona, but is the same old politician deep down (just not as effective as someone with more experience).

Nobel peace prize....

 

[Raoul]

This just in. Opposition parties tend to pick up seats in mid-term and off year elections.

 

[VidaRed]

didn't they get out of recession recently ?

 

[Raoul]

didn't they get out of recession recently ?

So they say, although the job market doesn't seem to reflect it yet. Another few months and hopefully things continue to look better.

 

[Anderson Searl]

The coalition of independants and young voters that swept Obama into power either defected to the Republicans or couldn't be bothered to turn out...a stunning drop in enthusiasm this early into the Obama revolution.

Says who?

Promises not kept, ridiculous overspending, continuing rise in unemployment despite a gross stimulus package having reached its "peak effect" (words of the administration, not mine), lack of confidence in a novice politician....all result in one of the fastest drops in popularity of any US President...one of the 3 worst I believe.

When the standards are set so high, there's nowhere to go but down

Funniest thing ? George Bush had higher poll numbers at this point in his presidency

Yes, post 9/11, defending the nation, patriotism, ending terrorism, claiming Iraq and Saddam were behind it, WMD's, that kind of inflated the opinions of Bush you know?, idiot.

Moderate Dems will take note...the US electorate is pissed off and is unhappy with the direction the country has taken. I have a feeling this will definitely influence the climate vote and healthcare vote as ******* Reid has indicated they will stretch into next year.

What?

McCain was right...Obama is just great at creating a rockstar persona, but is the same old politician deep down (just not as effective as someone with more experience).

Nobel peace prize....

You're a joke

This just in. Opposition parties tend to pick up seats in mid-term and off year elections.

Thank you...

didn't they get out of recession recently ?

... very much.

 

[Raoul]

Last nights results in the New Jersey Governors race and Virginia Governors/Lt Governor/Attorney General races are indicative of a national mood swing and repudiation of the country's direction. But for a split conservative vote in Upstate NY, it would have been a clean sweep.

The coalition of independants and young voters that swept Obama into power either defected to the Republicans or couldn't be bothered to turn out...a stunning drop in enthusiasm this early into the Obama revolution.

Promises not kept, ridiculous overspending, continuing rise in unemployment despite a gross stimulus package having reached its "peak effect" (words of the administration, not mine), lack of confidence in a novice politician....all result in one of the fastest drops in popularity of any US President...one of the 3 worst I believe.

Funniest thing ? George Bush had higher poll numbers at this point in his presidency

Moderate Dems will take note...the US electorate is pissed off and is unhappy with the direction the country has taken. I have a feeling this will definitely influence the climate vote and healthcare vote as ******* Reid has indicated they will stretch into next year.

McCain was right...Obama is just great at creating a rockstar persona, but is the same old politician deep down (just not as effective as someone with more experience).

Nobel peace prize....

Off year elections, McCain, Bush poll numbers, Nobel Peace Price. Its funny how you clutch at every straw you have and hope it creates a relevant mosaic of an argument.

 

[Frosty]

Here's a funny fact. In the Gubernatorial elections in the year following the Presidential election for the past twelve years the voters have favoured the party that did not win the Presidential election.

Here's another funny fact. In a special election in a New York congressional district, a Democrat won. The first Democrat for a century that the district had returned.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/nyregion/04district.html?_r=1&hp

 

[Raoul]

Here's a funny fact. In the Gubernatorial elections in the year following the Presidential election for the past twelve years the voters have favoured the party that did not win the Presidential election.

Here's another funny fact. In a special election in a New York congressional district, a Democrat won. The first Democrat for a century that the district had returned.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/nyregion/04district.html?_r=1&hp

Yesterday's off year election is a wake up call for Democrats in the lead up to the much more important mid-term election next year. The party that's in power is usually too busy executing its agenda rather than spending most of its time campaigning, whereas the opposition are basically spending their entire time bringing down the majority party's poll numbers. The Republicans will probably pick up a number of seats in next years mid terms as well, but will not threaten the Dems control of the Congress.

 

[RufRT]

Off year elections, McCain, Bush poll numbers, Nobel Peace Price. Its funny how you clutch at every straw you have and hope it creates a relevant mosaic of an argument.

Not clutching at straws, just looking at real results from real voters...in this country.

 

[Raoul]

Not clutching at straws, just looking at real results from real voters...in this country.

But you're exaggerating the meaning of the results. If this were the mid-term elections and the Republicans regained control of the Senate or the House, then that would be a legitimate indictment of the public's trust in Obama. It isn't though, and a couple of Gubernatorial races in states where Republicans have traditionally been strong does not constitute a trend, just as Democrats picking up a House seat in a long term GOP district doesn't constitute a trend.

 

[Anderson Searl]

Not clutching at straws, just looking at real results from real voters...in this country.

So what does:

- McCain
- Bush (And his approval rating)
- The Nobel peace prize
- Other random useless facts

Have ANYTHING to do with what is a common trend in US history over time?

You're clutching at straws.

 

[RufRT]

But you're exaggerating the meaning of the results. If this were the mid-term elections and the Republicans regained control of the Senate or the House, then that would be a legitimate indictment of the public's trust in Obama. It isn't though, and a couple of Gubernatorial races in states where Republicans have traditionally been strong does not constitute a trend, just as Democrats picking up a House seat in a long term GOP district doesn't constitute a trend.

Oh come on Raoul, you cannot be serious. Do you really think this isn't a rebuke of the direction this country has taken coming this close to the last election ?

The most troubling sign is that the coalition that elected Obama deserted the incumbents last night. I saw a breakdown of numbers on CNN (yes, the only network that lefties trust, along with MSNBC)...independants polled after the election cited the increase in spending and the direction of the economy as the two main factors in their vote. If that isn't an indictment of their confidence in the Great Leader, then you are just another liberal in denial.

 

[RufRT]

So what does:

- McCain
- Bush (And his approval rating)
- The Nobel peace prize
- Other random useless facts

Have ANYTHING to do with what is a common trend in US history over time?

You're clutching at straws.

Based on your logic, the Democrats expected to lose due to the timing of the election historically, and therefore are not even mildly concerned this morning...riiiiiiggght !

Moderate Democrats are sitting up and taking note...wait and see.

Besides, I'm six months ahead of you guys at all times....

 

[mehro]

So what happens six months from now?

 

[Nistelrooy10]

It's telling when republicans think these minor changes are "indicative of how the nation feels about Obama".

How many young people who voted Obama in vote in gubernatorial elections??

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

It's telling when republicans think these minor changes are "indicative of how the nation feels about Obama".

How many young people who voted Obama in vote in gubernatorial elections??

To be fair, they should. Government at the state level has a bigger effect on their lives than what the President does.

If those young voters who were eligible stayed home last night then they are a disgrace.

 

[Nistelrooy10]

To be fair, they should. Government at the state level has a bigger effect on their lives than what the President does.

If those young voters who were eligible stayed home last night then they are a disgrace.

Agreed. Local politics have more direct impact.

 

[RufRT]

From Rasmussen....

"This morning, on the anniversary of his election, the president's Approval Index rating is at -13, just one point above the lowest level yet recorded and down 41 points since the Inauguration.

Economic conditions have played a role in dimming Obama's support. For much of the past year, voters continued to blame George W. Bush for the economy, but the blame is more evenly divided now between Bush and Obama.

The core promise made down the stretch to voters by candidate Obama was a pledge to cut taxes for 95% of all Americans. Now, more than 40% expect a tax hike and hardly anybody expects their taxes to go down. Not surprisingly, 74% of voters now view the president as politically liberal.

Just 33% believe the stimulus package has helped, and most opposed other economic initiatives including the takeover of General Motors and the cash-for-clunkers program. Among the priorities established by the president, voters consistently see deficit reduction as the most important but least likely to be achieved.

The health care plan proposed by the president is struggling and is supported by just 42% of voters nationwide. Confidence in the War on Terror spiked during the first weeks of the Obama administration but has now fallen to the lowest level in nearly three years. On a related topic, one of the president's earliest initiatives, his promise to close the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, initially received mixed reviews but is now opposed by most Americans.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of voters now expect politics in Washington to become more partisan over the coming year. That's up 25 points since Inauguration Day when a plurality believed politics might become more cooperative.

Despite the struggles and challenges, however, Obama's overall ratings remain mixed. He retains very strong support from Democrats and endures very strong opposition from Republicans. Among those not affiliated with either major party, there is some dissatisfaction, but it can clearly be turned around if the economy improves.

The president himself remains more popular than his policies. That gives him some good will to draw upon. However, as was shown in yesterday's election results, the president's ability to help other Democratic politicians may be limited.

Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."

 

[RufRT]

So what happens six months from now?

The stimulus will be seen as a complete failure, unemployment will be above 10%, Iran will continue to make a mockery out of Obama, Moderate Dems will have run to the hills with re-election in mind, stagnation in the middle east peace process will continue, michelle Obama's arse will be even bigger, and Man Utd will be in the CL Final.

 

[Raoul]

Oh come on Raoul, you cannot be serious. Do you really think this isn't a rebuke of the direction this country has taken coming this close to the last election ?

The most troubling sign is that the coalition that elected Obama deserted the incumbents last night. I saw a breakdown of numbers on CNN (yes, the only network that lefties trust, along with MSNBC)...independants polled after the election cited the increase in spending and the direction of the economy as the two main factors in their vote. If that isn't an indictment of their confidence in the Great Leader, then you are just another liberal in denial.

It will be played as a mild rebuke by the press, but the problem is that there weren't enough races to suggest a quantitative trend. The Democratic leadership should however take note of the results, as they will have their hands full in defending their sizable majorities in Congress next year. Its not likely that the Republicans will be able to wrestle control of Congress or the White House away from the Dems, and that's whats important.

 

[F-Red]

An interesting article:

These days, the argument that Obama hasn't accomplished anything may be the only example of real bipartisanship in America.

Here's the conventional wisdom in a single paragraph: Three hundred and sixty-four days after he was elected president, Obama is still stuck in Iraq, hasn't closed Guantánamo, is getting deeper into Afghanistan, hasn't accomplished health-care reform or slowed the rise in unemployment. His promises of bipartisanship are a punch line (see above). And there's still no peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. What a failure! What a splash of cold water in the face of all our bold hopes!

But the conventional wisdom is insane. Consider the record:

A week before he was sworn in, Obama jammed part two of the bank bailout down the throat of his own party — a $350 billion accomplishment.

Two days after he was sworn in, Obama banned the use of "harsh interrogation" and ordered the closing of Guantánamo.

A day later, Obama reversed George W. Bush's funding cutoff to overseas family planning organizations — saving millions of lives with the stroke of a pen.

Three days after that, Obama gave a green light to the California car-emissions standards that Bush had been blocking for six years — an important step on the road to cleaner air and a cooler planet.

Two weeks after that, Obama signed the stimulus bill — a $787 billion accomplishment.

Ten days after that, Obama formally announced America's withdrawal from Iraq.

A week later — we're in early March now — Obama erased Bush's decision to restrict federal funding for stem-cell research.

In April and June, Obama forced Chrysler and GM into bankruptcy.

In June, Obama reset the tone of our relations with the entire Arab world with a single speech — an accomplishment that the Bush administration failed to achieve despite a series of desperate Page Ranking moves (anyone remember Charlotte Beers?) and a "public diplomacy" budget of $1 billion a year.

Also in June, Obama unveiled the "Cash for Clunkers" program, a "socialist" giveaway that reanimated the corpse of our car industry — leading, for example, to the billion-dollar profit that Ford announced on Monday.

I haven't even mentioned Sonia Sotomayor, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the order to release the torture memos, Obama's push for charter schools, his $288 billion tax cut, or the end of Bush's war on medical marijuana. Or the minor fact that he seems to have — with Bush's help, it must be said — stopped the financial collapse, revived the credit markets, and nudged the economy toward 3.5 percent growth in the last quarter.

Oh, and one more thing: President Obama is now a month or two from accomplishing the awesome and seemingly impossible task that eluded mighty presidents like FDR, LBJ, and WJC — health-care reform.

Obama's early returns also include a host of remarkably cautious and prudent national-security decisions that seem, these days, to have been completely forgotten:

Appointing a conservative Bush holdover like Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense.

Appointing an establishment centrist like Leon Panetta at CIA.

Appointing a hard-ass like Stanley McChrystal to head up our military forces in Afghanistan, despite McChrystal's dubious involvement in torture and the cover-up of Pat Tillman's death.

Increasing the number of drone attacks on Al Qaeda — more in the last year than all the Bush years combined.

Reinstating, with tweaks, Bush's military tribunal system for Guantánamo prisoners.

Fighting, in another unexpected defense of a controversial Bush policy, lawsuits against the "warrantless wiretapping" program — as recently as this weekend with a decision that a leading civil liberties group called "extremely disappointing."

Sending, way back in February, seventeen thousand more soldiers to Afghanistan. As Fareed Zakaira recently pointed out, this was just three thousand fewer soldiers than Bush sent to Iraq for his famous "surge."

Noticing a pattern yet? The first half of Obama's accomplishments above is mostly liberal stuff. The bottom half is all pretty dang conservative. Which brings us to The Problem With America Today: Blame it on the Internet, on partisan politics, on the economic crash, on the legacy of war or Fox News or Michael Moore, but our vital center is getting stiff — and it is starting to stink.

http://www.esquire.com/the-side/richardson...timeline-110309

 

[Raoul]

The stimulus will be seen as a complete failure, unemployment will be above 10%, Iran will continue to make a mockery out of Obama, Moderate Dems will have run to the hills with re-election in mind, stagnation in the middle east peace process will continue, michelle Obama's arse will be even bigger, and Man Utd will be in the CL Final.

Only one of these things is likely and it has nothing to do with Michelle's arse or Politics. The fundemental problem is that you're inflating and exaggerating based on wishful thinking. You could just as easily skew it the other way and suggest that with the US coming out of Recession, that the Stimulus has been effective. Likewise, Iran is facing more internal upheaval and pressure on its own leadership to change from within, and the middle east peace process could receive a boost. Its all on how you spin it.

 

[Team Brian GB]

Not clutching at straws, just looking at real results from real voters...in this country.

Two gubernatorial races and a single congressional race, two of them in traditional republican strongholds cannot be seriously compared to a national election where over 130 million people voted just twelve months ago- it is like in Britain when people try to suggest that a by-election reflects how a general election may turn out.


Similarly, you can draw similarity with Clinton who early in his presidency went through a very rough patch -much rougher than Obama is going through - who after the republican vendetta against him had a historically high approval rating at the end of his eight years in office.

 

[Team Brian GB]

The stimulus will be seen as a complete failure, unemployment will be above 10%, Iran will continue to make a mockery out of Obama, Moderate Dems will have run to the hills with re-election in mind, stagnation in the middle east peace process will continue, michelle Obama's arse will be even bigger, and Man Utd will be in the CL Final.

And what would John McCain have done better? And your point regarding Iran is ridiculous - Bush and Cheney sabre rattled the American military in Iran's face for eight years which gave Tehran a rallying cry to mass support within her own borders and around the Middle East. Now Obama still just in office 10 months has removed any aggression in the relationship with Tehran, which has shown the world that Iran is causing the problems and not the United States which puts Russia and China in an awkard position who are showings signs of movement which Bush couldn't accomplish, and Obama has recognised that Iran is a powder keg that could implode overnight if he doesn't use American foreign policy to consolidate it. Obama is going the right way about it.

 

[Anderson Searl]

Based on your logic, the Democrats expected to lose due to the timing of the election historically, and therefore are not even mildly concerned this morning...riiiiiiggght !

Moderate Democrats are sitting up and taking note...wait and see.

Besides, I'm six months ahead of you guys at all times....

You're a fecking clown, sweet jesus.

Did I SAY the Dems aren't concerned? No.

However, trends are trends, this isn't unheard of and it's not even a bump in the road... to be honest, I don't even think it's how can you say, the Obamaluster wearing off... The defeats were expected.

 

[Red Dreams]

1. Corozine was an awful candidate. Corruption and a still high unemployment number.
2. Deeds was a Blue Dog. You need the African American and Youth vote to win Virginia. Neither turned up of course.
3. All polls showed Obama was not a factor in either race....and he was not on the ticket btw
4. But the moderate Republicans Did have some good news last night...their inbred bible thumping fecktard of a candidate did not win...pity. It would have encouraged other scum like him to run in 2010... I still remain hopeful though...Come on Palin

Keep clutching at straws Ruf

you are an amusing lad.

 

[RufRT]

The liberal wing of the CAF is surprisingly RAWK like in its logic and delusion...the only difference is that Obama is your RAFA.

 

[RufRT]

You're a fecking clown, sweet jesus.

Did I SAY the Dems aren't concerned? No.

However, trends are trends, this isn't unheard of and it's not even a bump in the road... to be honest, I don't even think it's how can you say, the Obamaluster wearing off... The defeats were expected.

If the defeats were expected genius, why did Obama risk political capital by going down and robustly campaigning for the candidates ? They wanted victories badly, and didn't get them despite their best efforts to tie these losing governors to Obama's agenda....in the end, they failed.

I await your next slew of swear words in place of any semblance of rational argument.

 

[Team Brian GB]

The liberal wing of the CAF is surprisingly RAWK like in its logic and delusion...the only difference is that Obama is your RAFA.

Comparing Obama to Benitez, now you have lost the plot.

 

[nyrfan818]

Last nights results in the New Jersey Governors race and Virginia Governors/Lt Governor/Attorney General races are indicative of a national mood swing and repudiation of the country's direction. But for a split conservative vote in Upstate NY, it would have been a clean sweep.

The coalition of independants and young voters that swept Obama into power either defected to the Republicans or couldn't be bothered to turn out...a stunning drop in enthusiasm this early into the Obama revolution.

Promises not kept, ridiculous overspending, continuing rise in unemployment despite a gross stimulus package having reached its "peak effect" (words of the administration, not mine), lack of confidence in a novice politician....all result in one of the fastest drops in popularity of any US President...one of the 3 worst I believe.

Funniest thing ? George Bush had higher poll numbers at this point in his presidency

Moderate Dems will take note...the US electorate is pissed off and is unhappy with the direction the country has taken. I have a feeling this will definitely influence the climate vote and healthcare vote as ******* Reid has indicated they will stretch into next year.

McCain was right...Obama is just great at creating a rockstar persona, but is the same old politician deep down (just not as effective as someone with more experience).

Nobel peace prize....

You are a mess.

 

[F-Red]

The liberal wing of the CAF is surprisingly RAWK like in its logic and delusion...the only difference is that Obama is your RAFA.

Everyone who is a democrat is a liberal? Weak argument.

 

[Grinner]

If the defeats were expected genius, why did Obama risk political capital by going down and robustly campaigning for the candidates ? They wanted victories badly, and didn't get them despite their best efforts to tie these losing governors to Obama's agenda....in the end, they failed.

I await your next slew of swear words in place of any semblance of rational argument.

Political capital with whom? Dems control the house, senate and the executive. Who gives a feck about a couple of governorships? A better indicator of what's happening is that the loony candidate that represented the leadership of the repubs got beaten soundly in NY. The biggest rejection of politics last night was that of Palin/Beck/Limbaugh wingnuttery by an overwhelmingly right-leaning electorate.

As Plouffe said, Obama is a chess player in a room full of checkers players.

 

[Raoul]

If the defeats were expected genius, why did Obama risk political capital by going down and robustly campaigning for the candidates ? They wanted victories badly, and didn't get them despite their best efforts to tie these losing governors to Obama's agenda....in the end, they failed.

I await your next slew of swear words in place of any semblance of rational argument.

Your forgetting that Virginia is a traditionally GOP state. Its gone Republican for most of the past 30-40 years at the Presidential level. Obama's win last year was somewhat unprecedented, so it should come as no surprise that a Republican has been elected Governor. Neither an indicator of Obama's effectiveness, nor enough to suggest a trend. If there were 20-30 states up for grabs and the Republicans swept 70+ percent of them, then that would be trend. This is just the usual correction that takes place where the opposition party picks up seats during off year and mid term elections.

 

[Red Dreams]

The liberal wing of the CAF is surprisingly RAWK like in its logic and delusion...the only difference is that Obama is your RAFA.

argue the points instead of talking like a scouser

 

[Anderson Searl]

If the defeats were expected genius, why did Obama risk political capital by going down and robustly campaigning for the candidates ? They wanted victories badly, and didn't get them despite their best efforts to tie these losing governors to Obama's agenda....in the end, they failed.

I await your next slew of swear words in place of any semblance of rational argument.

My swearing is much more sufficient in this argument that your piss poor attempt to gain attention.

I can't be arsed to try and start a logical argument with you so i'll vouch for peoples opinions:

Political capital with whom? Dems control the house, senate and the executive. Who gives a feck about a couple of governorships? A better indicator of what's happening is that the loony candidate that represented the leadership of the repubs got beaten soundly in NY. The biggest rejection of politics last night was that of Palin/Beck/Limbaugh wingnuttery by an overwhelmingly right-leaning electorate.

As Plouffe said, Obama is a chess player in a room full of checkers players.

Your forgetting that Virginia is a traditionally GOP state. Its gone Republican for most of the past 30-40 years at the Presidential level. Obama's win last year was somewhat unprecedented, so it should come as no surprise that a Republican has been elected Governor. Neither an indicator of Obama's effectiveness, nor enough to suggest a trend. If there were 20-30 states up for grabs and the Republicans swept 70+ percent of them, then that would be trend. This is just the usual correction that takes place where the opposition party picks up seats during off year and mid term elections.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

I am not an American citizen nor even resient so my opinions will perhaps be in a different context to many.

I would commend Obama for his efforts on healthcare, and would see people holding economic matters against him as somewhat unreasonable, what has changed so very much for the voter in the meanwhile anyway?

The dealings with Iran are better than average [and Bush] but they could be better still and we are still early on the policy.

The Middle East peace process, Afghanistan, climate change, these are all areas that would fall under the category of "disappointment" for me.

 

[RufRT]

My swearing is much more sufficient in this argument that your piss poor attempt to gain attention.

I can't be arsed to try and start a logical argument with you so i'll vouch for peoples opinions:

You're incapable of forming a logical argument, hence your frequent quotation of other posters.

 

[RufRT]

Political capital with whom? Dems control the house, senate and the executive. Who gives a feck about a couple of governorships? A better indicator of what's happening is that the loony candidate that represented the leadership of the repubs got beaten soundly in NY. The biggest rejection of politics last night was that of Palin/Beck/Limbaugh wingnuttery by an overwhelmingly right-leaning electorate.

As Plouffe said, Obama is a chess player in a room full of checkers players.

hahaha, quoting Plouffe now ? too funny

If you don't think the voters opinion is relevant (except when they vote in a democrat) there is no point discussing anything with you. The only reason the lib won in upstate ny is a split vote.

 

[Anderson Searl]

You're incapable of forming a logical argument, hence your frequent quotation of other posters.

I actually tried to initiate a good conversation, but your blatant ignorance, shocking bias and illogical Original Post pretty much ended any hope of that happening.

And then, you use sarcasm as some sort of tool for your argument, I don't see you countering my points with anything productive either ya twat.

 

[RufRT]

I actually tried to initiate a good conversation, but your blatant ignorance, shocking bias and illogical Original Post pretty much ended any hope of that happening.

And then, you use sarcasm as some sort of tool for your argument, I don't see you countering my points with anything productive either ya twat.

If my original post ended any hope of a "good conversation" how did you "initiate it" ?

Your logic is at least amusing, I'll give you that....thanks for the entertainment