So no matter what happens in Massachusetts tomorrow..

[Writewing]

Either Brown is going to pull off a shocker or Coakley is going to survive what looked like a loss and that brings me to my question. The very fact this seat is even showing a chance of Republican control let alone a very real threat of a Democratic staple being lost is IMO very telling about how the population feels about our President and it cant be stated enough that I am not the only one with serious concerns
Will this Senate race, the turns of New Jersey and Virginia on Governor and sliding national poll numbers convince Obama to go more to the center or will he ignore this and maintain his far left course? He did run on a center platform yet ran to the left as soon as taking office and I am convinced he knows the public has caught on and doesnt like what is happening.
Now he can either take this lesson and become a more center minded leader as Clinton did after his wake up call or arrogantly ignore the very folks who put him in power at his, the Democratic party and our country as a wholes peril and I want to know what others think.
What will be his future way of doing things when it is obvious he is losing both support and confidence of the voter?

[Fast_Eddie]

Eh, who knows. His approval rating is right at 50% according to this article:

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/01...y6113290.shtml

It's interesting to look at the numbers of past Presidents one year in. Look at W- 82%. Sure did erode in a big way after that. Look at Reagan- 49%. He sure did pick it up, and didn't do it by running to the middle.

It's tough to say. I really do think a good deal rides on Health Care. If they get it done his numbers will get better. The right wing guys sure spent a lot of rhetoric on this. No way it can be as bad as they said it would. After that, it's really all about the economy. If things start picking up he's golden, just like Reagan. He'll say "look, it's working!" and he'll be able to move his agenda forward.

But I think you're quite wrong. He's closer to center than W was. Certainly closer to center than Reagan was. You're taking the talk show guys too seriously. What exactly is it that you think makes him so left? Health care reform? Nixon tried to do it and his plan was much more liberal. He's been very cautious on everything else. Can't call that Afghanistan plan liberal. Can't call the tax cuts liberal either. He's playing pretty well down the middle near as I can tell. And no hate filled rhetoric against gays or immigrants like we've seen from the right in recent years.

No, I think Obama will be just fine. I don't think he'll move at all because there is nowhere *to* move unless he becomes a Republican. Shoot, he hasn't done much that a Republican President hasn't already done or tried to do in the past.

[Grumpy]

I disagree Ed. He has much room to move. A politician who does not adapt would to me, be no better then our last schmuck.

IMO the current prez gives two shits about the middle class. Its gonna come home to bite him in the ass unless he does something.

[Fast_Eddie]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

I disagree Ed. He has much room to move. A politician who does not adapt would to me, be no better then our last schmuck.

IMO the current prez gives two shits about the middle class. Its gonna come home to bite him in the ass unless he does something.

Well, there's no question that I view the world through liberal glasses, so I could certainly be wrong. I'd honestly be intersted in specific initiatives that you feel are far left.

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by Writewing

Either Brown is going to pull off a shocker or Coakley is going to survive what looked like a loss and that brings me to my question. The very fact this seat is even showing a chance of Republican control let alone a very real threat of a Democratic staple being lost is IMO very telling about how the population feels about our President and it cant be stated enough that I am not the only one with serious concerns
Will this Senate race, the turns of New Jersey ?

Mass often elects republicans. Don't confuse the love for Kennedy with the party that he was a part of.
NJ was never going to Corzine this time around. It had nothing to do with national DEMOCRAT VS REPUBLICAN rhetoric. It was an anti Corzine vote.

[merrylander]

The problem is simply letting the right get all the press with their buzzwords, you know "death Panels" "Socialism", "Big Government" "Government Takeover" all certified bull manure but not counterd by the left with the truth.

Frankly Brown is enough of a yahoo that should he win he will most likely do more to piss off the independents than he will to win them over to the do nothing party.

[doucanoe]

I've said it before and I will say it again. If Obama does not start addressing the economy in a recognized manner, these individuals are going to start to be bounced by association.

At the moment, the administrations primary focus appears to be on; #1 Health Care Reform and #2 Climate Change with the economy trailing in third position.

Disregarding one's personal opinion of the merit or implementation of one or all of the big three, lets for argument sake assume that those are the three. If #3 doesn't move to the #1 position, it may be game over.

I am not trying to start a pissing match over what is more important here. I just think that it is becoming clearer that by in large, people are much more concerned about the state of the economy.


RC

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by doucanoe

I just think that it is becoming clearer that by in large, people are much more concerned about the state of the economy.


RC

I agree. Obama appears to be resolute in his agenda without recognizing that circumstance often dictates agenda for the successful in government.

[doucanoe]

Originally Posted by noonereal

I agree. Obama appears to be resolute in his agenda without recognizing that circumstance often dictates agenda for the successful in government.

In all honesty, I respect a man who has convictions and stands by them. I may not agree with them but do respect that. It's just that we have some very pressing issues to address right now and Climate Change (for example) falls pretty far down on the list for me personally. I would have to believe that he is not spending every waking moment on this but by the same token, enough already.

I would like to believe that this, we could agree on.

RC

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by doucanoe

In all honesty, I respect a man who has convictions and stands by them. I may not agree with them but do respect that. It's just that we have some very pressing issues to address right now and Climate Change (for example) falls pretty far down on the list for me personally. I would have to believe that he is not spending every waking moment on this but by the same token, enough already.

I would like to believe that this, we could agree on.

RC

I would agree with you that climate change should not hold top billing now. To the extent that is is relevant to the discussion of the bigger issues, it does make sense, for example, to promote jobs by promoting green jobs. Steps taken for short term solutions should not be inconsistent with what has to be done to resolve long term issues. (That is one of the reasons I believe that focus on the healthcare bill is warranted, because failure to effect some reform now, can have seriously detrimental economic effects.) (For today's English lesson, note that I have utilized two different meanings of the word "effect" in one sentence.)

BTW, as I have stated elsewhere, I have some serious issues with cap and trade.

Regards,

D-Ray