Every President goes thru some rough waters in their second term...

[kentuck]

I think it may be this President's turn to do the same?

Just like Bill Clinton in the '90's, President Obama is now reminding voters that he is still "relevant". He says that the reports of his demise may be slightly exaggerated.

But the President does seem to be somewhat flabbergasted and tired of the Republican blocking tactics. He has not figured out how to negotiate with the extremists without giving away the farm? They simply refuse to cooperate with him on anything. What can he do? Supporters hate to think that he is a lame duck this far from the finish line?

However, there is little doubt but that we are facing the purest gridlock we have seen in our lifetimes. No other President has seen such partisan opposition as this President. There are no solutions on the horizon.

[tridim]

1. No solutions? Uhm, 2014?

Giving up is HORRIBLE advice Kentuck.

[kentuck]

2. I am not giving up but how is 2014 a solution??

Do you think Democrats are going to win the House and keep the Senate and change the filibuster rule in the Senate? They probably need all three things to happen for there to be a solution to the present gridlock, realistically speaking. What am I missing here?

[tridim]

3. Not with shitty attitudes like yours.

I'm going to fight like hell regardless.

Yes, you have given up. It's pathetic.

[kentuck]

5. I would say...

"shitty attitudes" are in the eye of the beholder...

[Paladin]

12. True enough.....

....and that's one shitty attitude you have.

[kentuck]

13. You're entitled to your opinion.

I just happen to think that there are a lot of people here that would prefer to stick their heads in the sand and ignore real problems, rather than talk about them. Those without the rose-colored glasses have to put up with the ridicule and name-calling from assholes.

[Paladin]

22. As are you.

You view your critiques as merely looking at Obama "without the rose-colored glasses." I view your Obama critiques as having devolved into a series of cheap shots. "Great communicators tend to be ignored like that" with a satire label (and a little self-martyrdom tag, to boot)? You're lurching over the edge, and you're leaving lots of us behind.....

[kentuck]

25. Well, the criticism is so obvious...

One shouldn't need a sarcasm tag. You cannot have it both ways. He cannot be a "great communicator" and then say "nobody listens" when he talks. It's contradictory on its face. But no one should point that out. I apologize to all those I am leaving behind.

[Bake]

32. Sure. Let's given him a Dem majority in both houses.....

... then let's see what he can do.

More of the same, I'd expect. Color me nonplused.

Bake

[kelliekat44]

36. The President's main reason he seems flabbergasted is this:

Most people see others as they see themselves or at least expect others to act as they themselves would act. Hence a liar expects people to lie, a thief expects people to steal from him, a kind, giving person expects others to be kind and giving. The President is a decent human being who cares about this country and its people and especially those who are working hard to make it. He expected Congress, and yes even his enemies, to feel and act the same way. He didn't and still doesn't understand that the a fair number of the GOP in Congress are truly evil selfish individuals who actually don't see themselves as his political "opponents." They actually hate him and after Bin Laden was killed, they could not contain their bitterness over his success in getting bin Laden. These men and women are bigoted to the core and no matter how you cut it, they would rather see people suffer...even their own constituents...than see this President be successful at anything. What they don't understand is that something else is operating to support Mr. Obama else he would never have been elected the first time let alone a second time.

[MineralMan]

4. The answer lies in the 2014 mid-term election.

That's the solution. Everyone can get out there and give this President a Democratic majority in the House and increase the majority in the Senate. That is what we can do. That's a positive approach that can actually make a difference. Will we do it? Well, I'll be out there working on it. I'm hoping that everyone who cares will be doing the same thing. We shall see.

GOTV 2014!

[peace13]

6. Second term Dems or Rethugs?

I don't remember *ush suffering on the second term. So the question is why do Dem second termers get all balled up in their underwear?

[kentuck]

7. Bush had his failed Social Security crusade...

Reagan had his Iran-Contra. I think it happens to almost all second-termers?

[reformist2]

8. He can talk to the American people more. A lot more. Use the bully pulpit, and the Oval Office!

Of course this is going to make some howl, but Reagan used this to excellent effect. Even if he didn't get his way, he got the American people on his side when it came to a whole host of issues because of all the addresses he gave. And that laid the groundwork (like it or not) for the next 20 years.

People, we have to remember that it's not just about how many victories Obama can get while in office - it's about realigning the country to your way of thinking.

[MineralMan]

10. Interestingly enough, the President speaks to the

nation each Saturday. Those remarks are rarely even noticed on DU. They should be.

[tridim]

11. And he speaks to the press, and he speaks multiple times every week...

In speeches directly aimed at normal people.

It is all ignored by the emoprogs. They don't hear a word.

[MineralMan]

14. Yes. President Obama speaks frequently, and each

time his remarks are recorded and broadcast. Transcripts are also available. If someone say that the President does not speak, someone is not paying any attention when he does.

[kentuck]

15. Great communicators tend to be ignored like that.

[DevonRex]

33. And there's your jab at the president. What a shock. Not. nt

[Myrina]

18. At what point do people stop listening ?

When I heard the campaign stump speeches that were re-treads of what we heard in 2008 & never saw action on, I tuned him out. Now if/when I watch, I compare what he says with what we know has (or hasn't) been done ... for the most part he's just another talking head IMHO.

No point in giving speeches when nobody believes what's coming out of your mouth.

[reformist2]

31. Obama has been speaking more, I'll give him that. But in much of his first term he was pretty quiet.

[treestar]

9. Maybe the voters could "figure out" how to quit electing extremists?

Second terms are always going to be different as there will be different Congresses and events.

Maybe concentrating on Congress and 2014 would be something sensible voters would do. At least liberal voters.

Other presidents haven't been stymied at every turn due to being white men. There's a certain honor among them. The Rs are punishing the country for messing with their heads by electing a black president. We all know that.

[graham4anything]

30. Soon it will be 80-20 and these negative downers will be rendered 100% obsolete.

The debbie downers and sad sams are the same as the media. 100% against.

Luckily their votes don't matter.

[Myrina]

16. Well, giving the Right everything it wants "so they don't blame him" is NOT an option.

If its either that or 'irrelevance', I prefer POTUS opt for being irrelevant and not doing any more damage to the middle & poorest folks.

[kentuck]

17. But getting "something" done is better than nothing at all...

Isn't it?

[Myrina]

19. Not if that "something" results in homeless, starving kids & elderly without meds ...

n/t

[DevonRex]

34. And there's another one of your jabs at the president. Still not a shock. nt

[kentuck]

37. A jab...

...but not a round-house knockout punch. I like the guy so I take it easy on him.

But the comments are as much for those that say, "At least we got unemployment checks for those that needed them", or "He is such a great communicator", or "He had no choice but to sign the bill putting ATC's back on the job" or "He made as good a deal as he could get on the Bush tax cuts by keeping the tax rates for everyone under $450K per year" or numerous other excuses that have become too numerous to mention.

[Sheepshank]

20. Ahhh......the daily piss post from the this op n/t

[kentuck]

21. You wouldn't know a "piss post" if it landed on your head...

and ran down your nose and landed on your pearly lips...

[Sheepshank]

23. Aren't you just a fucking ray of sunshine. Your piss posts are oh so predictable

add all the personal insults all you want....doesn't change facts.

[ProSense]

24. The President

"But the President does seem to be somewhat flabbergasted and tired of the Republican blocking tactics. He has not figured out how to negotiate with the extremists without giving away the farm? They simply refuse to cooperate with him on anything. What can he do? Supporters hate to think that he is a lame duck this far from the finish line?"

...just won re-election in a landslide. I think he has figured out somethings.

I mean, the daily psychoanalyses three months into his second term is more about people trying to justify their own opinions than anything to do with the President.

It's all good, he's isn't perfect, but one would get the impression that he's a basket case curled up under the WH desk trying to figure out how to govern...three months into his second term, and after a successful first term.

[kentuck]

27. You make a rational response...

without the name-calling. Some like to dish it out but they can't take it.

However, you will admit that I am not the only person mentioning this? It is all over the TV this morning, for example. I think I was rather moderate compared to some.

I did not suggest he was curled up under the desk. I stated the simple fact that he has not yet figured out how to negotiate with the "extremists".

[DevonRex]

35. And there's a jab at someone who supports the president. As usual. nt

[graham4anything]

26. Luckily President Obama hasn't had one day ofrough waters. Soon it will be 80-20

and when it is, the sad sams and debbie downers will be rendered obsolete.
Thank God and Obama and Hillary and Bill for that.

and thank the Good Lord John Edwards never came close. Talk about a LOSSSSER!

[kentuck]

28. Beam me up, Scotty!

They have arrived!

[graham4anything]

29. have you ever written one positive post about President Obama? If so, link please.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

38. "History has tried to teach us that we can't have good government under politicians.

"History has tried to teach us that we can't have good government under politicians.   Now, to go and stick one at the very head of government couldn't be wise." Mark Twain