The news is not good for President Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats on the political front. Obama's popularity has dropped below 50% in public opinion polls and independents, who often provide the margin of victory in national elections, aren't backing Democratic policies.
That suggests big problems for Democrats in next year's mid-term elections. Politico.com points out that just 14% of independents approve of the job Congress is doing. That's a referendum on the Democrats because they control the House and the Senate.
Here's more from Politico.com:
Mounting evidence that independent voters have soured on the Democrats is prompting a debate among party officials about what rhetorical and substantive changes are needed to halt the damage.
Following serious setbacks with independents in off-year elections earlier this month, White House officials attributed the defeats to local factors and said President Barack Obama sees no need to reposition his own image or the Democratic message.Since then, however, a flurry of new polls makes clear that Democrats are facing deeper problems with independents--the swing voters who swung dramatically toward the party in 2006 and 2008 but who now are registering deep unease with the amount of spending and debt called for under Obama's agenda in an era of one-party rule in Washington.
A Gallup Poll released last week offered a disturbing glimpse about the state of play: just 14 percent of independents approve of the job Congress is doing, the lowest figure all year. In just the past few days alone, surveys have shown Democratic incumbents trailing Republicans among independent voters by double-digit margins in competitive statewide contests in places as varied as Connecticut, Ohio and Iowa.
It's no surprise that Americans opinion about the President have declined since last January and that Independent's and really all Americans are fed up with Congress as a whole. The problem is that there are too many lawyers in Congress who have made a career out of the job and that is not what the founding fathers had envisioned. Their goal was to have a citizen run government and it started out that way but it morphed into what we have now.
I believe it is time for massive change and I think that a new constitutional convention should be called for so that the document can be revised to limit terms for Senators and Representitives. It's time for a radical change otherwise the party's will just keep swapping control back and forth every two to four years and nothing will ever get done!
Robert: good ideas if necessary but let's prune the lawyers then see how the tree grows. I admit that the folks in D.C, get comfortable but I don't mind thinking about a permanent conservative majority in both houses either. At any rate I am sick of seeing a party I would like to rejoin make fools out of themselves tappin toes in lavatories and squandering good political capital on issues out of touch with most reasonable people. They need to listen, listen listen. MTCs.
Americans like to feel that Congress & an administration are "on their side." Everything about both strongly suggests that their "interests" lie elsewhere.
If you think that the Obama administration is, for one moment, concerned about anything except establishing a power base to rule from, then you are a blind fool.
I sometimes feel like I live in an country occupied by a foreign enemy. The reality is - I do! The signs that Democrat party now encourages and employs "shock troops, jack-booted, brown-shirted thugs" are everywhere.
Mr. Morgan! Maybe we are not as blind as we are presumed to be, but put a different slant on things. I have considered that Barrack Obama had been pre-selected to perpetuate, carry out, what I call the SEPARATION of WE THE PEOPLE from THEIR GOVERNMENT. Actually, your fears are not so different from mine. Though we both may be thinking of a different solution.
What kind of people keep voting for an aged Democratic Congress left over from the ""olden days"? Should we blame the people in office or the ignorant voter who doesn't keep up with the present? All they seem to understand know are the words "free" and party loyalty.
"Barrack Obama had been pre-selected..."? Pre-selected by who and for what? Now, I am really, really worried!
I am not so sure that Obama was pre-selected but the fact remains that no matter who occupies the White House they will start out as being very popular and then the politics start to take over. The office of Presdient has become too big for one man to do anything constructive in bringing about true change. I will go as far as to say that the Federal Government has become too big to accomplish anything. Politics and bureaucratic red tape stall whatever change is proposed. It no longer matters who is President the bureaucrats and politicians control everything.
"Pre-selected by who and for what? Now, I am really, really worried!"
The first I rally cannot answer because my statement was a supposition. But what for? I spelled it out in capital letters. Mr. Morgan, being dense is not one of your faults...
Most independents are simply experiencing buyer's remorse with Obama. Many of us, but not enough unfortunately, knew well before the election that he would be a disaster.
That may be the sentiments of most independents but I am sure had John Mc Cain won the sentiment would be the same. My point being the office has become too much for one man to be effective in. There are simply too many competing interests for him to have any impact on change.
The first group of believable, competent people will win the next election, regardless of party affiliation.
Do those people even exist?
Unfortunately only now is the news media shedding light on the Obama's and the Democrat's agenda. Had they done so last year, perhaps the outcome a year ago would have been different. Let's face it, Obama is merely the voice for those truly running the country, Emanuel, Pelosi, and Reid.
Michael:
Not in politics, it seems.
When Obama begins a diplomatic contact by bowing to a head of state, the value in that act for him is the popular notions which his constituents believe he is communicating. What element in these men is there for him to revere. What does he take away after such bowing that he would not have otherwise. The answer is a picture...he's all Hollywood. The end effect is a dilberate one. The presentation of American strength abroad is being systematically dismantled before our eyes. This is the icing on the cake of apologies he started making before his election. It should not be a suprise to anyone with common sense.
nobama is the DONE deal!
Unfortunately,the minority also has to reap what the majority has sown...who says things will ever get better?
Obama arrived on the base 3:19 p.m. local time (1 a.m. Eastern Standard Time), and received a rousing welcome from 1,500 troops in camouflage uniforms, many holding cameras or pointing cell phones to snap pictures.
"You guys make a pretty good photo op," the president said. (Washington Post)
Funny how things just pop up to support a point of view sometimes.
My son knows one of the service men who was behind The One for the photo op at Osan AFB. He was told he would be standing there, didn't volunteer. Wasn't too happy about it either.
President Obama inherited an economic meltdown and 2 unnecessary wars from his predecessor. Unfortunately, repairing horrific problems created over an 8-year period will take time.
We have a fine constitution, but unfortunately our mods to it over the years and interpretations have diluted its effectiveness. Let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater. How about starting with the tax code and make the new mantra 'simplification'. Remember what de Toqueville said about America's greatness:(1) liberty (2) egalitarianism, (3) individualism, (4)populism and (5) laissez-faire. It is the latter we need to revisit asap.
Dead people and ACORN!
At this rate (a very slow decision making one in light of his wet behind the ears campaign rhetoric) Obama is going to get a bunch of good American alot of good combat military personnel in serious unecessary jeopardy. There is already rumbling in the press about his military "walking off the reservation." He had better use those fabulous flappers and start listening to leaders in our military who want to finish this whole thing the right way for America. He is blowin it big time in my opinion.
I think his popularity numbers are inflated even at this number. People are hurting financially and the money well is dry. You can not buy your popularity for ever, if you do not have the money to give away. Taking from the rich and giving to the poor is now nothing more than a worn out broken record stuck in the middle of a sound. I can not wait to hear what the young people will have to say about him, if his health bill passes. It will be interesting when the twenty something population start getting hit with a mandatory health insure bill each month..... They live from paycheck to paycheck already...
And it was Thomas Jefferson who said that every generation should write their own constitution and that a little revolution now and again was not a bad thing. The consititution is a great document and should be preserved but many parts of it need revamping. We are no longer English subjects and the age we live in is far removed from when the constitution was first writen. The fact remains that the Federal Government has become so large as to be completely ineffective as has the House and Senate for that matter. We need term limits in both houses that allows for new leaders to step in and create the change that is needed.
Just to make a point. Obama campaigned on change, he established early and according to him and his anarchist base, that Bush was the source of everthing bad about this country. He took office and has not advanced one repair of Bushs so called mistakes. If he could not deliver, he should have not taken the oath of office. By his own assessment there was no margin for error or inaction. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
Obama's rating should be at o. the passing of this government health reform will take America down. America tax payer's will be tax four years, before benefits start.This reform is not about a better health care, or lowering cost. It is about more control of the American people by an ever more dictatorial, marxist,liberal handful of politicans. Congress will not join this plan. Wake up American look what they are doing to our children. Stimulus WASTED money our children, grandchildren will pay back. Join your fellow Americans that are fighing back. Join- CentralValleyTeaParty.com We have been lie to for years by both party's.
Bill...keep your head in the sand or wherever its present location may be because there ain't no sunshine to be found out here either...just dark clouds about to rain on us all.
Yeh, yeh, yeh, with you libs (most of you Marxists at heart), it’s always about "Bush, Cheney, Halliburton, the CIA, oil, Gitmo, water-boarding," ad nauseum. Get over it! You do know that Bush is no longer in office, don’t you? You do know, don’t you, that there is no possible way that he has ANY say in what is going on?
It’s Obama’s economy now! It’s Obama’s war now! It’s Obama’s economy / war to win or loose! Obama campaigned on looking forward and taking responsibility. Evidently you libs didn’t hear him.
No amount of Bush / Cheney bashing will hide Obama’s complete and utter failure (to do anything!...)... tick, tock, tick, tock.
Libs, your reputation has hit the floor faster than Pamela Anderson on a blind date.
Mr. Brown-
Placing blame on "problems created over an eight year period" is very disingenuous at this point. The "hope and change" that Obama bragged about duriung the campaign has made those problems worse- there is no doubt about that. The two wars were not "problems", they were solutions and pretty effective ones at that. The "problem" has been trying to civilize an area of the world that has no interest in leaving the Stone Age. It is true that Obama inherited a declining economy. However, he has taken every opportunity to make the wrong economic decisions (even a freshman economics major would realize that) and his Democratic colleagues will be held accountable in 2010, and he in 2012.
At some point people who say things like you've posted will have to get over their Bush Derangement Syndrome.
Where is the statue of Obama for us to get to tear down cause hes nothing more than a dictator like Sadam Hussein and Fidel Castro.
Obama is "The Manchurian Candidate" come to life!
He's a puppet of the Saul Alinsky adherents still conrolling the Chicago political world. Who selected an unknown to give a major speech at he Dems. Convention? Who swung the book deal for an unqualified unknown? Who paid his salary as hhe "activated" inChicago? Who convinced him to give up what would have been an extremely att-tactive legal practice to become an "Activist"? The man is nothing more than a typical product of Chicago politics...a first class liar and charlatan!!
TC it will take years for Obama to undue Bush's 8 year rape of; America's economy, foreign, and domestic policy.
Be patient, stay vocal. This is entertaining.
Perhaps the low point so far in this ruinous administration - alright, one of many - is Eric Holder's recent response to a question posed by Senator Lindsey Graham. The Senator asked Holder, who was testifying before the Senate, if Osama Bin Laden would be entitled to Miranda rights if apprehended (and presumably the related right not to remain silent). Holder responded, well, it depends, and then could not give a yes or no answer.
So, under this moronic administration, not only is aggressive interrogation of enemy combatants disallowed (yes, waterboarding included), so too may be any interrogation if the combatants are afforded Miranda rights and then invoke the right to remain silent. In fact, if Miranda rights are not afforded, but the combatants are prosecuted in civilian courts (like the 9/11 five will be - what a stupid decision), a federal judge, who applies civilian law, could exclude evidence obtained directly or indirectly (fruit of the poisonous tree) from statements made without a Miranda warning. (That will, of course, force the prosecution to especially rely upon, in a public trial setting, classified evidence and the testimony of intelligence sources, which such sources will then be compromised.) What if "government misconduct" towards the combatants or the court's evidentiary rulings cause the court to dismiss the charges? What if the government, which does not want to compromise its classified intelligence or have its intelligence sources outed, decides to dismiss the charges due to a public trial causing more harm than good with respect to national security? What if the combatants - who, like the 9/11 five, proudly admit to planning the 9/11 attacks - are acquitted? Will this administration set the 9/11 five or any other enemy combatants free if any of the foregoing occurs?
A typo. While a suspect always has a right not to remain silent, I meant a right to remain silent under the Miranda case.
Correction "undo" 6:20pm
The correction police are always on the prowl.
They won't set them free, in so many words Holder has already guaranteed a conviction inspite of the application of his brand of social justice, just as he will, I presume, with us and our own constitutional rights when the time comes. Im not against setting any of them free as long as it is from at least 911 feet over terra firma.
Rich...when the record kept skipping and we were hearing the same thing over and over...we would tape a penny to the arm that holds the needle.In your case your nose is the needle so tape the penny to your forehead and let me know if that works for you.
As much as President Obama has his share of critics, he is handcuffed by factors that won't allow his policies that he promised. It's a turnaround from progressive policies to the "same ol, same ol" that we have seen in the Bush administration. The continual wars were but the priorities of the old neocon agendas and Obama continues without regard to the majority of what Americans want. He's handcuffed by the military and corporate structures that have set the agenda for these wars and the continual profit making of these military contractors.
The health care agenda will not go beyond the point were the corporate system loses it's profits, and President Obama no longer can even support what he supported during his campaign, That is the "Single Payer" system. While there may be some modest gains in some aspects of heath care, the insurance industry stands to profit even more if the "so called" reformed bill passes and the public may be fined if they don't pay their premiums.
Unless there are reforms in the banking and Wall St., and the health system, I think his administration will be a failure. We have seen the favoritism towards Wall St./ banking, the military, and health care/pharmaceutical systems. The public is fed up!
You libs are pathetic. If Obama was caught in bed with a dead woman or a live boy, you would say it was the GOP’s idea and Dick Cheney and George Bush made him do it!
You can't blame everything on Bush who also couldn't get things on his agenda done because he didn't have the support of the Dems. The Natl debt has risen far faster since Obama took office. He is spending money faster than it can be printed. He made promises that he had no idea hoe to carry them out because of lack of knowledge and experience.
Obama is not handcuffed. His party has a majority in both houses. Public opinion and the "moderate" Democrats fear of being voted out in 2010 is what is placing some constraints on Obama's radical agenda.
By the way, profit motive is what makes the U.S. health care system the best in the world. Without profit motive, life saving drugs would not now exist. Without profit motive, medical technology would be as moribund here as it is overseas. Profit motive is what drives and energizes people and fosters innovation. I do not want to live in a country which eliminates or penalizes profit motive. It is what separates us from the rest of the world which basically lives off of American exceptionalism.
Remember the days when every speech started and ended with "9/11"? It's sad the Bush Administration and the Republican Party milked that tragedy for political gain, very sad.
Ron...I like the part about Obama and his cronies in handcuffs,other than that it's just more lame excuses to give the do nothing administration(as far as fixing problems) a pass.Maybe you should tape a penny to your forehead too.How's that hope and change working out for you.
I also remember when Bush was ridiculed for characterizing the Office of the President as a place of "hard work" and "tough decisions." I have heard Obama in one lecture inform Americans about how "hard" his work can be, and how we need to appreciate the "the difficulties" encountered when carrying out responsibilities of the presidency. I thought then, boy what goes around, comes around.
Only if he led by example;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoKQlOF4XY
Thankfully the Bush Administration never lost sight of 9/11 and constantly reminded us of the threat posed by Al-Qaeda and other Muslim extremists. That administration's post-9/11 mentality and all of the measures it enacted to avoid another 9/11 - which such measures liberals fought tooth and nail - prevented any terrorist attacks on our soil after 9/11. The Obama administration's decisions to try the 9/11 five in federal court in New York and to close Gitmo, its dithering on Afghanistan, and its decision to restrict the interrogation techniques our intelligence operatives may use to extract information from our enemies, among other examples, reveals a pre-9/11 mentality which, while appeasing the administration's radical, leftist base, only emboldens our enemies and endangers our citizens.
10X I fear the incidents at the Armed Forces Recruiting Station, Times Square, New York and Fort Hood, Texas are the beginning of a dangerous period.
Anybody else notice that Rich and his ilk have no original thoughts but can always lead you to some website.That's the problem...there is always some website that can support the non-thinkers and being lazy they lap it up like little pigs at a trough and don't have to worry about thinking for themselves while abdicating their personal responsibility to cyberspace while the left is only to happy to exploit them to further their agenda...Meanwhile the ones they ridicule are the only ones looking out for their well being and are doing the heavy lifting they are unwilling to do.
Newt Gingrich Admits GOP a Party of Cowards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKWZ7Ebb5V0
Rich...not being lazy and a thinker I don't run to the media or search the internet to develop my opinions or thoughts(who has the time when your trying to get serious things done)...I already know that a large percentage of both Democrats and Republicans are cowards by their actions...Cowards also refrain from attatching their full names to their posts.
Rich did you read the title of this topic. The accurate term used was flee, like when one awakens in the middle of the night and has to run outside to escape a burning house. Like when refugees migrate in mass to avoid conflict.
I for one am not convinced that independents are necessarily the milk toast, wishy washy, hands across the isle bunch the press makes them out to be. I don't think either party is interested in facing the reality that there are folks out in in the urban wilderness who see them for what they are, a bunch of spoiled politicians who spend too much time interfering in our lives without real cause.
Brian I find it satisfying that it troubles you not knowing my full name. I really don't care of anyones name other then the exchange of views.
It's possibly an attempt at a cheap shot calling me names, characteristic of your bullying attitude toward others who do not agree with you.
I am angered that so many intelligent representatives are still supporting Obama. Of what good is this so called intelligence if it cannot be applied? It is far better to be a competent uneducated idiot than an incompetent educated fool. America is being led by these arrogant self serving morons that in no way represent america. This country has become a combination of Alice in Wonderland with the mad hatter in charge, and the Planet Of The Apes, (congress) obeying his commands.
Of course it is possible that you are only manifesting the well-known liberal trait of hiding in plain sight. It’s normal for a liberal to TRY to hide self, to hide the truth, to obscure the truth; Because if truth gets out, the formerly ignorant (liberals) have the tendency to "smarten up" and become conservatives.
Casein point: This morning’s editorial in the Washington Post - "Hiding evidence of global cooling - Junk science exposed among climate-change believers."
It is normal and of course, devious, for liberals to hinder, suppress, or hide truth, not only about events, but about themselves. Why else would a liberal try to hide his true intent by hiding behind the label, "progressive"?
TC-
Your point about liberals hiding behind labels is a good one and oh, so valid. Besides the use of the term "progressive", liberals have developed a whole alternative language under the guise of "political correctness". Under "political correctness" up is down, down is up, in is out and out is in. They even refer to the "L word" as an alternative to "liberal".
It really is quite funny.
TC your funny finding some sort of skewed logic with someone's anonymity, reducing your thoughts too "hiding", "liberals", "climate change believers", etc...
Your putting me in a box when your in one yourself.
Stay in your compfortable box it's amusing to watch. No worries Joe plenty room for you w/TC~
Wow Rich...I thought you were a little off...but you really are a wierdo.
Forgive me Brian for overlooking, plenty of room for you as well~
The reason for the low ratings of the President and Congress is very simple to an Independent voter such as myself. They are not doing what they said they would do, or at least implied with the "Change" mantra.
The criminals in the Bush administration have not been prosecuted. The US continues to supply the terrorist war machine of Israel to murder Palestinians. The wars in the Middle East continue and are now expanding to Yemen. No single payer health care, and a big money maker deal for the health insurance companies. Like a lot of Americans I have riped off by the health insurance companies and will NEVER buy private insurance again. No major prosecution of the criminals on Wall Street, it is back to the normal criminal enterprise that is big banking. No change on policy in Central and South America, the US is backing the right-wing coup government in Honduras, supporting the right wing terrorist government in Columbia and killing people in Cuba due to the anti-free market blockade.
In other words, the reason for the fall is that the independent are far to the left of the Democratic Party, and we are not getting what we want. Regarding health care, the corporate press points out the polls show a fall for the public option. Yes it is true, but it is because we are not getting government controlled Medicaid for all program.
So the Dems better get ready to take it on the chin in 2010. At least this way the Dems that lose will be replaced with left-wing progressive Dem candidates in 2012. Bye Bye Reid, Polosi, don't let the door hit you in your corporate capitalist ass.
Tony(aka."Mr. Goodtime")...another BDS sufferer who claims the "Independent Voter" status.I know it's only January 1st...but his rant... that's the biggest laugh of the year.