Barack Obama

[GAYtheist]

I don't think we're terribly far from each other, no.  Just about every Sunday I'm in Northgate to help out on the local Ask An Atheist program, and otherwise I live in Auburn which is what - an hour drive to Woodinville (isn't that where you live?  For some reason, that's what I remember...) on 405?  If that?  So yeah, we SHOULD hang out sometime!  =D

Cool, only conceivable problem is that I don't have a car, or a job, so you'd have to come to Woodinville...go figure. But totally, If you want, IM me and Ill give you my number, cool?

[Sophus]

Palin has a following, although I can't tell if it's truly gone up or down since the election.

Over 50 million people voted for me and Sarah Palin - mostly for Sarah Palin.

That's because she was second on the ticket, and access to her -- meaning opportunity for gaffes -- was severely restricted.  Put her at the top of the ticket and watch her come unglued.

I hope you're right. Either way, I am betting our next President will be a Republican if the economy doesn't improve. And that, I am not looking forward to. The majority of Republicans of today seem to be hard-headed extremists. If they do the things they say they want to do, especially as far as tax cuts are concerned, the deficit is going to sky-rocket, exactly as it did with Bush. Against this way of thinking, it just amazes me that Obama can somehow have such a descending approval rating.
How can we revert back to Bush politics so quickly? Bluh... The dems are already losing other elections. There's such a strong trend of voting in conservative non-career-politicians that the man leading in the polls for governor of Florida right now is a crook whose hospitals committed the largest case of MediCare Fraud ever, resulting in the largest fine paid to the government - ever! Yet people don't care. They don't look into the issues, they just think, "Times are rough, the economy sucks... Here's a new face! Let's go with him!"

[pinkocommie]

Is there any useful information out there regarding the nature of approval ratings in election vs. non-election years?  I think once the election draws closer, people will start rallying behind him again, because the majority of republican politicians out there are either crazy or pander to crazy and most sane people know it.  I honestly think a majority of people realize just how unstable and ridiculous the republican party is right now, they're just a quieter group so it seems like the republicans are carrying more weight than they actually do.  I do agree that the economy will be a big issue this next election, people are pissed off and it's going to be exploited big time by all sides to get votes.  Blegh.

[Recusant]

The Republican party will probably do very well in the coming elections, and their control of the legislative branch will be ensured for at least a couple of years.  Despite blatant hypocrisy and pandering to the wealthy such as is exemplified by this op-ed piece. Not to mention this "brilliant" plan.

[notself]

The USA gulag, Guantanamo Bay.  First it's the Muslims; who's next?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/21/us/21 ... ml?_r=1&hp

The 13-page “Media Policy and Ground Rules” packet, which every reporter who travels to Guantánamo must sign, dictates how photos can be taken, who can be interviewed and even what reporters can write in their notebooks...

...In addition to raising constitutional questions about the limits the government can impose on the press, the clash between the Pentagon and the media highlights broader issues of how secretive the military commissions at Guantánamo remain. The lack of public access to the commissions has also proven to be problematic for the Obama administration, which has vowed greater transparency but continues to allow the Guantánamo proceedings to operate in the shadows.

[Tom62]

Living abroad, it is hard to judge the US president on his performance. When he gave his speech here in Germany, I regarded him as a nice looking, sympathetic guy, who knew how to charm his audiences with great speeches. But, these attributes doesn't make a president great. It is the actions that he takes as a president what counts. In that respect, I'm highly disappointed about Obama. Take for example the way he "handled" the oil spill. Apparently he was more concerned about saving his own face on TV than solving the problem. You need a president that get things done, someone who doesn't let things go from bad to worse and who keeps his promises. I surely hope that Obama will show greater leadership during the remainder of his time in office, by his actions instead of his words.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Is there any useful information out there regarding the nature of approval ratings in election vs. non-election years?  I think once the election draws closer, people will start rallying behind him again, because the majority of republican politicians out there are either crazy or pander to crazy and most sane people know it.  I honestly think a majority of people realize just how unstable and ridiculous the republican party is right now, they're just a quieter group so it seems like the republicans are carrying more weight than they actually do.  I do agree that the economy will be a big issue this next election, people are pissed off and it's going to be exploited big time by all sides to get votes.  Blegh.

The President's party almost always loses in mid-term elections, historically.  Reagan and Clinton both lost both houses of Congress in their first mid-term elections, and yet are regarded as very successful presidents.

You're right in saying that the extremists grab the headlines.

Personally, were I a Democratic campaign manager, I'd hammer my Republican opponent with his "no" vote on unemployment extensions, paint them as heartless in the middle of the worst economy in 80 years, and guarantee my employer his job.

Were I Republican campaign manager, I'd harp on the continued economic doldrums, and hope no one noticed my votes in favor of bailing out Wall Street yet rejecting unemployment extensions.

[Sophus]

Take for example the way he "handled" the oil spill. Apparently he was more concerned about saving his own face on TV than solving the problem. You need a president that get things done, someone who doesn't let things go from bad to worse and who keeps his promises. I surely hope that Obama will show greater leadership during the remainder of his time in office, by his actions instead of his words.

I don't understand what people think a President can do about a situation like that. I wish his speech regarding the spill had been more strong and promised greater action to get America off oil, but honestly a President cannot take much immediate action in this case. He can't invent the technology to fix a leak that deep when the technology for fixes hasn't improved over the last 20 years. Obama struck a very nice deal with BP which will allow them to pay more for clean-up than they are required to by law, and he should pass tougher regulations for oil companies. But I don't get why people call this his Katrina. We had the resources to do more in the Katrina aftermath. We had to wait for a proper solution to be developed for the Gulf Oil Spill.

[The Magic Pudding]

Take for example the way he "handled" the oil spill. Apparently he was more concerned about saving his own face on TV than solving the problem. You need a president that get things done, someone who doesn't let things go from bad to worse and who keeps his promises. I surely hope that Obama will show greater leadership during the remainder of his time in office, by his actions instead of his words.

All he had to do was call in the Thunderbirds.

I don't understand what people think a President can do about a situation like that. I wish his speech regarding the spill had been more strong and promised greater action to get America off oil, but honestly a President cannot take much immediate action in this case. He can't invent the technology to fix a leak that deep when the technology for fixes hasn't improved over the last 20 years. Obama struck a very nice deal with BP which will allow them to pay more for clean-up than they are required to by law, and he should pass tougher regulations for oil companies. But I don't get why people call this his Katrina. We had the resources to do more in the Katrina aftermath. We had to wait for a proper solution to be developed for the Gulf Oil Spill.

Hey Sophus, I share your lack of understanding.
But I'm sure this disaster will bring political rivals together, to ensure such a thing never happens again.  

[Thumpalumpacus]

I don't understand what people think a President can do about a situation like that. I wish his speech regarding the spill had been more strong and promised greater action to get America off oil, but honestly a President cannot take much immediate action in this case. He can't invent the technology to fix a leak that deep when the technology for fixes hasn't improved over the last 20 years. Obama struck a very nice deal with BP which will allow them to pay more for clean-up than they are required to by law, and he should pass tougher regulations for oil companies. But I don't get why people call this his Katrina. We had the resources to do more in the Katrina aftermath. We had to wait for a proper solution to be developed for the Gulf Oil Spill.

Not to mention the fact that 3000 people died in Katrina.  Those who draw this comparison are hoping for taint by association.

[Ned]

A very interesting thread.
Despite my misgivings about Obama, as expressed in the opening post, I still believe him to be a man of integrity.  I pray that he is successful in his efforts, and hope he regains his early popularity-particularly if it spares us the nightmarish prospect of a Palin victory in 2012.

[Tank]

A very interesting thread.
Despite my misgivings about Obama, as expressed in the opening post, I still believe him to be a man of integrity.  I pray that he is successful in his efforts, and hope he regains his early popularity-particularly if it spares us the nightmarish prospect of a Palin victory in 2012.

The thought of Palin in charge of the US as Commander in Chief is truly terrifying!

[Recusant]

I think that Palin on the Republican ticket in 2012 would guarantee President Obama a second term.  I think that Republican strategists are well aware of this, and we won't see upper levels of the GOP encouraging her to run. Ducking out of her term as Governor of Alaska to make speeches to Tea Party groups and swan around on Fox?  That leaves her with little credibility when it comes to middle of the road voters, in my opinion.

[Tom62]

I would not be surprised if the Republicans did put Palin on the Republican ticket in 2012. It would however be a disaster if she would win. No-one in the rest of the world would take the USA seriously anymore. Question is why the more moderate and intelligent people in the Republican Party don't stand up against all this ultra-conservative BS.

[Sophus]

Two images which show why I like Obama for the most part and am generally frustrated with those who prefer the extremist right: