Is the Obama Administration Over?

[Valmy]

I think you're right.  As the economy improves the electorate is going to grow more suspicious of massive government spending.  So long as they're fearful that they'll lose their house or their jobs they'll agree to major spending projects. 

I was more thinking of doing the potentially unpopular things first while you still have political capital...but that works to

[alfred russel]

What will their campaign be in 2010? "Give us bigger supermajorities and we will deliver change this time--we promise!"

Health care is such a contentious issue that no matter what congress does it's bound to upset a lot of people.  I expect that doing nothing would cost Democrats seats, but passing a comprehensive health care reform package would cost them seats as well.

You are probably right in the short term, but if you are going to lose seats anyway, why not get something done?

Sask--if democrats do nothing on major issues, I'm sure each member of congress will run a local campaign like you suggest. But there is a national campaign going on as well, and the national trends tend to determine whether seats are gained or lost. Nationally, I would expect democrats to be demoralized in 2010 and less prone to turn out.

[KRonn]

So far I am a tad impressed, cautiously optimistic, at how he seems to be handling the Middle East issues even if he is pissing the Israelis off a bit.  But then maybe that is all Clinton's doing.

I'm also a bit pleased at Obama's handling of at least some of the more difficult foreign policy issues. I hope he stays a course in Afghanistan as he'll come under more pressure as things heat up there. But the US/UN hasn't really devoted the effort there as yet, he US having been embroiled in Iraq. And speaking of Iraq, I'm optimistic that it appears the Obama admin is taking that seriously and is pushing for continued success. And I hope the Pres continues to do so in both nations.

[Eddie Teach]

No. The Republicans are wedded to Caribou Barbie. Their electoral chances for the next ten years are slim to nil.

Quitting as governor ruined what little chance she had of winning the 2012 primary.

[Caliga]

Stick a fork in her, she's done.

[Fireblade]

No. The Republicans are wedded to Caribou Barbie. Their electoral chances for the next ten years are slim to nil.

Quitting as governor ruined what little chance she had of winning the 2012 primary.

Huckabee 2012. I said it first.

[Caliga]

You mean for the nomination?  Possible.  He'll never win the general election, as he looks like a fucking rabbit with those teeth and the American people are too shallow to elect an ugly person.

[Fireblade]

You mean for the nomination?  Possible.  He'll never win the general election, as he looks like a fucking rabbit with those teeth and the American people are too shallow to elect an ugly person.

Yeah, for the nomination. Obama will BURY him in the general. It'll make 1936 look close.

[DGuller]

Let's look at one of Biden's pet theories in hindsight. Would Iraq be a better place today if it were partitioned into three regions?

We don't know yet, do we?  The real test would be when we leave.  There was an article just yesterday about how Kurds and Iraq are primed for a civil war.

[Valmy]

We don't know yet, do we?  The real test would be when we leave.  There was an article just yesterday about how Kurds and Iraq are primed for a civil war.

Well we did our best.  We cannot babysit Iraq forever if what they want is civil war, civil war is what they will eventually get.

[Kleves]

Obama was always going to be a better candidate than President.

[Savonarola]

Obama was always going to be a better candidate than President.

No President doing his job day after day could live up to an image like:

[Valmy]

No President doing his job day after day could live up to an image like:

Yeah to live up to the hype Obama would have needed to make Abraham Lincoln look like Andrew Johnson.

[Eddie Teach]

No President doing his job day after day could live up to an image like:

Yeah to live up to the hype Obama would have needed to make Abraham Lincoln look like Andrew Johnson.

He would have had to be Yao Ming? 

[saskganesh]

What will their campaign be in 2010? "Give us bigger supermajorities and we will deliver change this time--we promise!"

Health care is such a contentious issue that no matter what congress does it's bound to upset a lot of people.  I expect that doing nothing would cost Democrats seats, but passing a comprehensive health care reform package would cost them seats as well.

You are probably right in the short term, but if you are going to lose seats anyway, why not get something done?

Sask--if democrats do nothing on major issues, I'm sure each member of congress will run a local campaign like you suggest. But there is a national campaign going on as well, and the national trends tend to determine whether seats are gained or lost. Nationally, I would expect democrats to be demoralized in 2010 and less prone to turn out.

sure, but after a 18 months in office, as opposed to six months, I think the Obama admin will have a stronger record and will be able to point to some legislative and executive achievements.

my impression is that the opposition is weak, lacks focus and leadership. individual candidates from GOP will get elected on a reeactive "mad as hell and not going to take it anymore" ticket, but that's normal, especially in a struggling economy.

anyhow, must be a slow newsday. this thread is way way premature.