Obama back on stride? Prelude to 2012, or just for Mid-Terms?

[Nina]

I think there is some weird thing that happens to the (recent for sure) democratic presidents....once they get elected they seem to forget they are actually the President...they *can* do many of the things they promised...they can, and should, rally support for the issues we voted them in about...

I am sick of it...I have lost (what little) respect I had...

stop putting out the welcome mat for the next republican president and houses...it's shameful and scary and sad....

Fucking. Stand. Up !!

[Kobi]

Sometimes I wonder if we voters forget what politics is all about.

Anyone can and usually will promise anything if it will get them more votes. They will target fringe groups looking for that one thing that pertains to them and suck us in with a "promise" they have no intention of fulfilling.

Even those with honest intentions will find, once elected, for a multitude of reasons, that they cant do what they wanted to do. Yet, we as voters, cling to that one little promise that was made to our particular interest group....albeit without recognizing all the other little promises that were made to a host of other interest groups.

There are few, if any, true visionaries running or in office who have the gonads to implement and sustain fundamental changes to the systems currently in place. There is too much money and power at stake in doing so. Obama's attempt at health care reform is a prime example. The incredibly lucrative health care industry balked, then scrambled to find ways to concede, then rallied when popular opinion turned against the plan. Ride the tide of popular opinion.

The timing of the DADT issue was brilliant strategy wise. Midterm elections are coming. Voters are already looking for change. The ultraconservatives are gaining ground. So you put a controversial issue on the table knowing full well it wont fly because too many political futures are at stake. Hence, you absolve yourself from having to take responsibility for a promise because Congress squashed it. It was simply brilliant!

The growing popularity of the tea party and the wealth behind the GOP is a tad scary. It would not surprise me in the least to have a turnover in leadership in the House come November.

[Jess]

Originally Posted by Kobi

Sometimes I wonder if we voters forget what politics is all about.

Anyone can and usually will promise anything if it will get them more votes. They will target fringe groups looking for that one thing that pertains to them and suck us in with a "promise" they have no intention of fulfilling.

Even those with honest intentions will find, once elected, for a multitude of reasons, that they cant do what they wanted to do. Yet, we as voters, cling to that one little promise that was made to our particular interest group....albeit without recognizing all the other little promises that were made to a host of other interest groups.

There are few, if any, true visionaries running or in office who have the gonads to implement and sustain fundamental changes to the systems currently in place. There is too much money and power at stake in doing so. Obama's attempt at health care reform is a prime example. The incredibly lucrative health care industry balked, then scrambled to find ways to concede, then rallied when popular opinion turned against the plan. Ride the tide of popular opinion.

The timing of the DADT issue was brilliant strategy wise. Midterm elections are coming. Voters are already looking for change. The ultraconservatives are gaining ground. So you put a controversial issue on the table knowing full well it wont fly because too many political futures are at stake. Hence, you absolve yourself from having to take responsibility for a promise because Congress squashed it. It was simply brilliant!

The growing popularity of the tea party and the wealth behind the GOP is a tad scary. It would not surprise me in the least to have a turnover in leadership in the House come November.

You are absolutely right.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/...n6884966.shtml