2012 Presidential race

[akhhorus]

Originally Posted by Keino

I think it's an absolute blunder not taking advantage of the majorities in both houses...

To be fair, the Dems only had "60"(58+Lieberman and Ben Nelson) for basically 4 months. Its relatively easy to slow legislation down for that amount of time.

[shally]

Originally Posted by akhhorus

To be fair, the Dems only had "60"(58+Lieberman and Ben Nelson) for basically 4 months. Its relatively easy to slow legislation down for that amount of time.

Elections have consequences.. the last one surely did; this coming one will also...

[cal_junior]

Originally Posted by shally

Elections have consequences.. the last one surely did; this coming one will also...

Agreed. Folks weren't happy with who they elected in '10 and I think it will help the Dems in '12.

[akhhorus]

Originally Posted by cal_junior

Agreed. Folks weren't happy with who they elected in '10 and I think it will help the Dems in '12.

The GOP wave in 2010 was the best thing that could happen to Obama. He has a built in excuse for getting nothing done.

[cal_junior]

Originally Posted by akhhorus

The GOP wave in 2010 was the best thing that could happen to Obama. He has a built in excuse for getting nothing done.

Exactly. The notion that new and inexperienced = better didn't work out so well for a lot of the newbies.

[akhhorus]

Originally Posted by cal_junior

Exactly. The notion that new and inexperienced = better didn't work out so well for a lot of the newbies.

It also helps that the Congressional GOP is doing everything that they can to make Obama look saner.

[Keino]

Originally Posted by akhhorus

It also helps that the Congressional GOP is doing everything that they can to make Obama look saner.

Yea, I don't think Americans care for obstructionist governance.

[akhhorus]

Originally Posted by Keino

Yea, I don't think Americans care for obstructionist governance.

I dont think thats hurt the GOP. The bills about planned parenthood, abortion, gay rights..the social issues really are killing the GOP with female and indy voters. Romney should be embracing his moderate social past, but he's doing the opposite now.

[Keino]

Originally Posted by akhhorus

I dont think thats hurt the GOP. The bills about planned parenthood, abortion, gay rights..the social issues really are killing the GOP with female and indy voters. Romney should be embracing his moderate social past, but he's doing the opposite now.

He's in a bit a of a pickle on that point. The entire primary race he had to convince the far/social right that he was conservative. If he wants that bloc of voters to show-up in November, he still has to pay lip service to them. (I think we all know he is not remotely on the social right, no matter what he is saying now). I cannot vote GOP until such time as they re-evaluate their social platform. So long as they cater to the bigots and religious nut jobs, even if it is only rehtorical, I cannot support them.

Maybe you're right. Maybe the GOP obstructionism is only bothering people like me who had no intention of voting that way anyways.

[akhhorus]

Originally Posted by Keino

He's in a bit a of a pickle on that point. The entire primary race he had to convince the far/social right that he was conservative. If he wants that bloc of voters to show-up in November, he still has to pay lip service to them. (I think we all know he is not remotely on the social right, no matter what he is saying now). I cannot vote GOP until such time as they re-evaluate their social platform. So long as they cater to the bigots and religious nut jobs, even if it is only rehtorical, I cannot support them.

Indy votes he can peel away from Obama are far more valuable then base votes who might stay home. I'd call their bluff and say: "stay home, you'll be making sure Obamacare and Obamism has 4 more years or you can get your ass to the polling place."

Originally Posted by Keino

Maybe you're right. Maybe the GOP obstructionism is only bothering people like me who had no intention of voting that way anyways.

If Senate GOP can use 300-400 filibusters or holds since 2009 and no one really cares, it doesn't matter.

[shally]

Originally Posted by akhhorus

Indy votes he can peel away from Obama are far more valuable then base votes who might stay home. I'd call their bluff and say: "stay home, you'll be making sure Obamacare and Obamism has 4 more years or you can get your ass to the polling place."



If Senate GOP can use 300-400 filibusters or holds since 2009 and no one really cares, it doesn't matter.

if obstructionism would hurt the GOP they would have gotten creamed in 2010 and Obama would be cresting because he did get Obama care through.. hasnt happened

people dont care about what happens in Congress as long as the economy is humming along THAT is Obama's problem.. he can try to blame the GOP for our economic woes, and he will.. it remains to be seen if it sticks

social issues matter greatly to the people on the right and left edges of the parties.. but the middle, where elections are won and lost for the most part, cares about personal economic issues more than anything.. that is what it will come down to in November

[BostonSkins]

Absolutely fascinating. 2012 is now a referendum on health care and Mitt Romney campaigning on repealing a law that he tested here in Mass. Yet, if he is elected it sends a clear message that the American people do not want the ACA and he has the mandate to repeal.

[shally]

Originally Posted by BostonSkins

Absolutely fascinating. 2012 is now a referendum on health care and Mitt Romney campaigning on repealing a law that he tested here in Mass. Yet, if he is elected it sends a clear message that the American people do not want the ACA and he has the mandate to repeal.

if I am Obama and the Dems that is EXACTLY what i want 2012 to be about.. it's a rope-a-dope strategy that distracts from what the GOP should be running on-- THE ECONOMY

when is the last time we had a major government/social program actually terminated after being voted in ? Maybe Prohibition ?? Like it, or hate it, I think that most Americans consider Obamacare a done deal..there may be tinkering around it, but I dont think that anyone expects it to be totally undone.. it is fool's gold for the GOP to run the 2012 campaign on the central issue of repealing it..

2008 was a referendum on whether Obama was Presidential material.. he won

2012 is likely to be a referendum on whether Obama's handling of the economy, and his vision for the next 4 years is worthy of re-election.. but if it becomes a side show of re visiting Obamacare and other pet social issues, Obama will win in a walk.. He is still the odd's on favorite, I think, to win even if it IS about the Economy.. But if the GOP allows the focus to shift to anything else but the Economy, they are cooked and done..

[cal_junior]

Originally Posted by BostonSkins

Yet, if he is elected it sends a clear message that the American people do not want the ACA and he has the mandate to repeal.

I don't think health care will be the No. 1 (or No. 2) factor for how people vote this year.

[shally]

Originally Posted by cal_junior

I don't think health care will be the No. 1 (or No. 2) factor for how people vote this year.

+1 !!!

absolutely..