Obama "One Term is Enough"

[Ixarku]

I don't think most people will follow someone who says do things a different way, until it first has been established that the old way of doing things isn't working.

Uh, this is precisely what got Obama elected in the first place.  Voters were so sick of the Bush administration -- and McCain didn't seem to be offering anything different -- that they went with the guy who espoused the message of "Change".  So bitch all you want about Obama, but I have yet to see the Republicans come up with anyone better.

[Nikkoru]

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.
George S. Patton

I hope I never said I was running for president. I never will. Why I don't be more specific, is that I only have general knowledge of things. I do not have any detailed information. Nor do I wish to spend my life chasing minutiae.

Besides, I may feel I have a bright idea, but there may be others who have a better one. My best talent is not creating a process, but refining existing ones. But I don't think refining the US government is what we need. There are going to be endpoints everywhere you look soon. We have pretty much come to the end of the money, and I guess up in Canada you guys are coming to the end of the Internet.

The only thing I believe we have an infinite supply of is work to be done. We just can't pay for it, or can't pay enough for it. We could have everyone on planet Earth working, and still not get everything done.

Maybe that's one thing Obama should have done in his stimulus plan; recreate the CCC of FDR. Those who lost their job, we have a job for you. They can go fix our national parks. You want to come to America, we have a job for you. Plus we will give you English lessons, and social skills necessary to enable you to interact with native Americans. They can thin the forests, for our new renewable resource, biomass, and forest health management. Maybe someone else has better things they could do. Beats me.

I don't think most people will follow someone who says do things a different way, until it first has been established that the old way of doing things isn't working.

And I never claimed you were running for president, but to articulate why Obama should be a one term president you need a reason to replace him - not simply what he did wrong but what someone is going to do right in his stead. This is how representative democracies are supposed to work.

I think most people will follow someone they believe has a way of doing things which will somehow get them short or long term personal gain. Which is understandable, speaking generally - you vote for the person who promises what you want - even if their policies are a mess and they're likely lying. Or there are those who vote without even putting that much thought into it, simply out of a vague sense of terror that this other candidate doesn't represent their best interest or party loyalty and the assumption that their candidate does... this is why policy discussions are both rare and highly important to have.

 

[Burkingam]

I don't think most people will follow someone who says do things a different way, until it first has been established that the old way of doing things isn't working.

Uh, this is precisely what got Obama elected in the first place.  Voters were so sick of the Bush administration -- and McCain didn't seem to be offering anything different -- that they went with the guy who espoused the message of "Change".  So bitch all you want about Obama, but I have yet to see the Republicans come up with anyone better.

^^^^^THIS!!!!!!!^^^^^

[mgz]

I don't think most people will follow someone who says do things a different way, until it first has been established that the old way of doing things isn't working.

Uh, this is precisely what got Obama elected in the first place.  Voters were so sick of the Bush administration -- and McCain didn't seem to be offering anything different -- that they went with the guy who espoused the message of "Change".  So bitch all you want about Obama, but I have yet to see the Republicans come up with anyone better.

its ok it doesnt matter democrat = republicans the only difference is where they stand on gay marriage

[jaybug]

Nikkoru, I assume you drive a broken car. You don't get if fixed, because you don't know what is wrong, specifically.

Burkinham, no, not quite. McCain was not Bush. Never was. Or were you too young to remember what the Bush campaign team did to McCain in South Carolina back in 2000? McCain didn't have any good economics team working for him in 2008. Remember he was leading in September of that year, when the market hit the fan. Obama had more Goldman Sachs people in his camp than did McCain, so he was able to articulate a better answer than the guy in front. Too bad thier idea of stimulus had nothing to do with what would really help. Shovel ready my ass!

Much of that stimulus money was not targeted to be spent until 2010, wherein it was hoped it would seal the deal for more Democrat victories, instead of the reality that happened. Oops!

And now he got his Weiner caught in his fly.

[Nikkoru]

Nikkoru, I assume you drive a broken car. You don't get if fixed, because you don't know what is wrong, specifically.

Why would I? Cars aren't mysteries - you can ask someone what's wrong and seek a resolution to the problem. Besides I know how to repair cars unless it's an electrical issue.

Your position is like punching yourself in the gut because you've got a stomach ache. You can only deal with problems when you know what they are, and have a remedy. Just acting blindly because your in pain will only aggravate the issue. Obama may not have the answers, he may have made mistakes, he may transform into a wolf every full moon and jump tall buildings with a single bound. I have no reason to believe he shouldn't be re-elected because of what he may have done. And I have no reason to believe someone else should be President because... they aren't Obama.

Whether McCain was Bush or not was unimportant, his party was face stamped into the curve by the actions of the Bush administration and no one was keen at looking at the bloody smear. While McCain made the occasional effort to give the appearance of distancing himself from his party's negative image and Washington D.C. in general, he basically abandoned his principles that made him a legitimate "Maverick" in the 2008 Republican primaries. Besides, it's a little like noticing the scenery around a train wreck.

[vicious796]

I don't think most people will follow someone who says do things a different way, until it first has been established that the old way of doing things isn't working.

Uh, this is precisely what got Obama elected in the first place.  Voters were so sick of the Bush administration -- and McCain didn't seem to be offering anything different -- that they went with the guy who espoused the message of "Change".  So bitch all you want about Obama, but I have yet to see the Republicans come up with anyone better.

This is part of what got Obama elected, a substantial part but not all. Let's not forget he didn't win the popular vote by leaps and bounds, we're talking sub 5%. One of McCain's downfalls was selecting Palin - fucking Palin - as a VP candidate. America was close to electing not-Obama.

[Burkingam]

^You have gotta admit choosing Palin was pretty retarded.

[Semnae]

I don't think most people will follow someone who says do things a different way, until it first has been established that the old way of doing things isn't working.

Uh, this is precisely what got Obama elected in the first place.  Voters were so sick of the Bush administration -- and McCain didn't seem to be offering anything different -- that they went with the guy who espoused the message of "Change".  So bitch all you want about Obama, but I have yet to see the Republicans come up with anyone better.

This is part of what got Obama elected, a substantial part but not all. Let's not forget he didn't win the popular vote by leaps and bounds, we're talking sub 5%. One of McCain's downfalls was selecting Palin - fucking Palin - as a VP candidate. America was close to electing not-Obama.

Both true and more. It was an extremely bad year for a Republican to run because Bush fucked things up so bad. At the same time, McCain shot himself in the foot choosing Palin as a running mate. I honestly believe he picked her only because she was a young woman, which would pick up disappointed Clinton supporters and give him minority ticket status. McCain really got what he deserved. When choosing a running mate, a nominee isn't just choosing someone to balance the ticket. He is also choosing a successor. This person needs to be highly qualified as a potential presidential candidate. Choosing a running mate is widely viewed as the first major presidential decision a candidate makes, and a strong indicator of the candidates decision making ability that he would show in office. Would you really want someone who makes such poor decisions on extremely important issues representing the nation and running 1/3rd of the government?

[jaybug]

And the vice president goes to all those not quite important enough funerals around the world, because it doesn't warrant the president's appearance.

McCain had to bring in the teaparty part of the party. Palin was his teapartier of choice. It's not like Romney would have accepted the nomination.

Until Gore, almost every vice-president did not do much of anything, until the senate was deadlocked, and the veep could cast the deciding vote. The current veep main job description seems to be "enforcer", more than anything else.

I don't care so much if anyone has good ideas. I'd like them. But in case you haven't noticed, there is this stupid little entity called "Congress" that likes to fuck up any and all good ideas, until they are meaningless or worse than useless. I just want t aguy who will follow sound economic policy, right now anyway. And my dream would be to have government use Generally Agreed upon Accounting Principles, aka GAAP. It would make budget writing a breeze compared to what we have now, with all the smoke and mirrors.

The only problem we would have then would be making a decision to fund x or y but not z. Or do something other than fund everything, but at a miserly level.

Make everyone miserable, who needs to deal with government? yuck

[Nikkoru]

Sure Palin was a land mine, a walking talking one.

But really, above all, in 2008 - the recession anxiety was all the average voter really cared about. The rest was what could be squeezed into the space surrounding that elephant in the room. Bush and the Republicans were the easiest targets for scorn at that period, rightfully so given their remarkable level of power in the previous 8 years and before that even. The democrats had there share of responsibility, everyone had their hand the cookie jar, but not the brunt of it. 

It was when the stock exchange bottomed out that McCain was sunk.

[vicious796]

Both true and more. It was an extremely bad year for a Republican to run because Bush fucked things up so bad. At the same time, McCain shot himself in the foot choosing Palin as a running mate. I honestly believe he picked her only because she was a young woman, which would pick up disappointed Clinton supporters and give him minority ticket status. McCain really got what he deserved. When choosing a running mate, a nominee isn't just choosing someone to balance the ticket. He is also choosing a successor. This person needs to be highly qualified as a potential presidential candidate. Choosing a running mate is widely viewed as the first major presidential decision a candidate makes, and a strong indicator of the candidates decision making ability that he would show in office. Would you really want someone who makes such poor decisions on extremely important issues representing the nation and running 1/3rd of the government?

I agree, the last race was filled with... well... race - and gender. The Democrats came out swinging and let everyone know they would either elect the first woman or the first black President. McCain tried to swing with that momentum, he just picked a dud. I also hated the Palin notion and (if you're bored enough) if you go back in forum time I'm fairly sure I said the ship was sunk when she was named.

Sure Palin was a land mine, a walking talking one.

But really, above all, in 2008 - the recession anxiety was all the average voter really cared about. The rest was what could be squeezed into the space surrounding that elephant in the room. Bush and the Republicans were the easiest targets for scorn at that period, rightfully so given their remarkable level of power in the previous 8 years and before that even. The democrats had there share of responsibility, everyone had their hand the cookie jar, but not the brunt of it. 

It was when the stock exchange bottomed out that McCain was sunk.

I disagree, wholeheartedly. I believe McCain was winning on the economy front. He had a very no-nonsense attitude toward it and made clear from the get-go he was going to cut federal programs, a lot of them, and work to reduce pork spending. One of his things (that many forget) was the notion that he would deliver addresses and clearly state to the general public the names of Congressmen who added in useless pork.

Obama, on the other hand, ran with the "scalpel" and stated, regularly, that he would assign a committee to slowly but surely eliminate wasteful government spending while still running on the universal healthcare and other government organizations. He was saying he would eliminate the bad and replace them with good.

So far he's only added bad.

[Nikkoru]

Sure Palin was a land mine, a walking talking one.

But really, above all, in 2008 - the recession anxiety was all the average voter really cared about. The rest was what could be squeezed into the space surrounding that elephant in the room. Bush and the Republicans were the easiest targets for scorn at that period, rightfully so given their remarkable level of power in the previous 8 years and before that even. The democrats had there share of responsibility, everyone had their hand the cookie jar, but not the brunt of it. 

It was when the stock exchange bottomed out that McCain was sunk.

I disagree, wholeheartedly. I believe McCain was winning on the economy front. He had a very no-nonsense attitude toward it and made clear from the get-go he was going to cut federal programs, a lot of them, and work to reduce pork spending. One of his things (that many forget) was the notion that he would deliver addresses and clearly state to the general public the names of Congressmen who added in useless pork.

Obama, on the other hand, ran with the "scalpel" and stated, regularly, that he would assign a committee to slowly but surely eliminate wasteful government spending while still running on the universal healthcare and other government organizations. He was saying he would eliminate the bad and replace them with good.

So far he's only added bad.

That's your opinion on their budget platform and fiscal perspective, their general economic purview was muddled. They both participated in the bailout for the banks, and Obama indicated he would follow Keynesian economics whereas McCain was more apt to create tax breaks. Neither had much in the way of specificity because, I suspect, it would effect their elect-ability to be straightforward, and they, and most everyone didn't know the full impact of the recession at that point... or even now.

That's beside the point, the issue was people were angry with Wall Street and Washington for doing nothing and simultaneously aiding in the downfall of economic prosperity and creating anxiety and pain in the lives of millions. The one in office, who was ultimately the "decider" was a Republican President for the last 8 years, and McCain was struck with that impact like a swinging 2x4 in a three stooges routine. Obama was left more unscathed, being newer to the game and not under the Republican flag.

[Micharus]

Seriously, I wouldn't blame him for getting out after one term if he wanted to.

The 'job' of President of the United States of America, would have to be one of the most difficult jobs on the planet.

No matter what you do or say, somebody is going to badmouth you or take what you say/do out of context and use it against you.

You couldn't pay me enough to be President of the USA.

[Ixarku]

I agree, the last race was filled with... well... race - and gender. The Democrats came out swinging and let everyone know they would either elect the first woman or the first black President. McCain tried to swing with that momentum, he just picked a dud. I also hated the Palin notion and (if you're bored enough) if you go back in forum time I'm fairly sure I said the ship was sunk when she was named.

I personally don’t know anyone who was in favor of Obama or Clinton because of their race or gender respectively, but I do know a few people who were for McCain because he wasn’t black or female, and I know at least one person who wanted a MILF for VP.

[vicious796]

I agree, the last race was filled with... well... race - and gender. The Democrats came out swinging and let everyone know they would either elect the first woman or the first black President. McCain tried to swing with that momentum, he just picked a dud. I also hated the Palin notion and (if you're bored enough) if you go back in forum time I'm fairly sure I said the ship was sunk when she was named.

I personally don’t know anyone who was in favor of Obama or Clinton because of their race or gender respectively, but I do know a few people who were for McCain because he wasn’t black or female, and I know at least one person who wanted a MILF for VP.

You're either kidding yourself, live in a not-very-diverse area, or don't know many people.

Simply look back at the news broadcasts - the NEWS BROADCASTS - for the first several weeks after the election. It was filled - filled - with "we've elected the first black President". Look at the interviews of normal people for the weeks before and it's all about "how we are watching history in the making".

More blacks came out to the polls during that election than ever before in history, substantially, and they voted 98% for Obama. Do you think it was because of his foreign policy stance?

And for anyone who wants to cry racist - you're the ones who pressured others into voting for Obama who otherwise wouldn't have. I listed statistical facts that, with a little research, can be found. Observation =/= Racism.

[Ixarku]

You're either kidding yourself, live in a not-very-diverse area, or don't know many people.

Simply look back at the news broadcasts - the NEWS BROADCASTS - for the first several weeks after the election. It was filled - filled - with "we've elected the first black President". Look at the interviews of normal people for the weeks before and it's all about "how we are watching history in the making".

More blacks came out to the polls during that election than ever before in history, substantially, and they voted 98% for Obama. Do you think it was because of his foreign policy stance?

And for anyone who wants to cry racist - you're the ones who pressured others into voting for Obama who otherwise wouldn't have. I listed statistical facts that, with a little research, can be found. Observation =/= Racism.

Of course the news broadcasts were filled with “we’ve elected the first black President”; it’s not exactly surprising.  It’s significant because, among other reasons, racism is still an issue in our country, and the media loves to focus on any detail they think is controversial.  I never said that racism or concerns about race didn’t exist or that at least some black voters didn’t vote for Obama just because he was black.  I didn’t mean to imply that my personal experiences were somehow representative of the entire country – that’s why I used the word ‘personally’ in my post.

I live in the Orlando area, and most of the people I know are white or Hispanic, and a few are black.  The difference is that most of the people I know are reasonably educated, and the vast majority are not racist.  The people I know who voted for Obama voted for him because he was NOT Republican and NOT John McCain.  I certainly heard more than once that someone preferred Clinton over Obama, but by far and large, among the people I know who voted Democrat, it was more of a reaction to the Republican party than it was anything else.

[Burkingam]

You're either kidding yourself, live in a not-very-diverse area, or don't know many people.

Simply look back at the news broadcasts - the NEWS BROADCASTS - for the first several weeks after the election. It was filled - filled - with "we've elected the first black President". Look at the interviews of normal people for the weeks before and it's all about "how we are watching history in the making".

More blacks came out to the polls during that election than ever before in history, substantially, and they voted 98% for Obama. Do you think it was because of his foreign policy stance?

And for anyone who wants to cry racist - you're the ones who pressured others into voting for Obama who otherwise wouldn't have. I listed statistical facts that, with a little research, can be found. Observation =/= Racism.

And now people hate him because he's not a real nigga or he is not really american or he is muslim.

Seriously racism has been a recurring theme for all his presidency.

[AceHigh]

its ok it doesnt matter democrat = republicans the only difference is where they stand on gay marriage

I am glad I am not the only one who thinks that. It seems that the "big" issues in US during elections are things that are really not important for a nation and won't make any impact at all no matter which stance is taken on sex orientation or abortions or anything else in that category.

At least on this side of the pond during elections everyone is talking about taxes. It's taxes, more taxes and when seemingly done with that, it ends up in discussing even more taxes. Party that promises the biggest tax cut often gets a whole bunch of voters who don't care about anything else other than paying as little tax as possible.

But hey at least taxation affect not only the country, but each individual living in it. Gay marriage? Who would even give a fuck about the outcome of such a small minority? People in US are weird.

[Proin Drakenzol]

A little off topic, but:

I think that if Obama gets elected for a second term he should veto any budget proposal for his last four years that doesn't contain significant tax increases. Republicans want a balanced fucking budget? Fine, do it the right way, increase taxes on the wealthy and large corporations.