Obama Re-Election: Majority Don't Think President Deserves Second Term, According To CNN Poll

[onehandle]

Source: Huffington Post/CNN

Do you think Barack Obama deserves to be re-elected, or not?

If you're like most Americans, your answer is "No," according to a poll released on Tuesday by CNN. The perception was even worse for members of Congress nationwide -- but respondents still indicated they were likely to re-elect their current Representative.

With identical numbers for all Americans as well as for just registered voters, 52 percent said the President does not deserve to be re-elected, while 44 percent said that he does. Four percent had no opinion.

Respondents indicated the lowest opinions of Congress dating back to the start of the poll in 1991.

"This is not a good year to be an incumbent, regardless of which party you belong to," CNN polling director Keating Holland told the network. "Voters seem equally angry at both Republicans and Democrats this year."

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/17/obama-re-election-majorit_n_465074.html

---

Gee. What do you think the headline is at Fox News today?

[Submariner]

1. Jesus H Keerist

President Obama has ONLY been office for a year. With 3 years to go, I'd say a poll like this is premature if not inanely stupid. It must be a bitch filling the cable news noise hole 24/7, so they make this crap up.

[JDPriestly]

22. Obama has not prosecuted those who authorized torture.

Obama did not manage to get a health care bill with a public option through the Senate.
Obama OKd a license for a nuclear energy plant yesterday although in Connecticut, a nuclear power plant has a dismal safety record and there still is no safe way to store nuclear waste.
Our troops are still in Afghanistan.
Guantanamo is still open.
The Christmas bomber managed to get on a plane headed toward the U.S.
Unemployment is extremely high. May I repeat unemployment is extremely high.
Obama is setting up a commission to cut Social Security -- just as baby boomers are beginning to retire.
Obama continues to increase military spending.
Obama has improved the personal relationships between the top of our government and that of a number of other countries, but the military still runs our foreign policy or so it seems to most of us.
Outsourcing continues and perhaps has even increased under Obama.
Congress is on the take from the big corporations.
Obama reappointed Ben Bernanke to the Fed.
Obama pressured Congress to continue to prohibit importing cheaper pharmaceuticals from other countries.
Obama made a deal with the pharmaceuticals.
Obama keeps Geithner at the Treasury.

Just one year -- and no change.

We voted for change, and Obama does not even seem to be trying to get real change in any are.

[TankLV]

28. GOOD LIST - I heartily agree...

I still remember how he FOUGHT to even PREVENT THE SINGLE PAYER TO BE IN THE SAME ROOM WHEN HE HAD ALL HIS "MEETINGS"!!!

[peggygirl]

153. This judgement was made before he took his oath.

Christ! He hasen't even served half a term yet. They gave Bush 8 years to get us into this mess and destroy our Consititution....Obama can't even get a half a term?

[xiamiam]

29. threw the bankruptcy bill under the bus which would have stopped some of this mess

but the most important is not investigating war crimes and profiteering....as well as record military spending when millions are unemployed and losing their homes while no one is held accountable for the mess other than the victims...
what about Geithners role in the Greece debacle...haven't read anything re that yet but I can only assume its coming

[Tesha]

34. Thank you. (NT)

[PSPS]

51. Yesh, the Obama apologists should give it a rest

I suspect they have installed a macro on their keyboards. It's a formula:

Print "Oh, come on! He's only been in office "
Print Length_of_time_in_office$
Print ". What can you expect?"

[otohara]

52. Provide Proof - Outsourcing Claim

"perhaps" doesn't cut it.

"but the military still runs our foreign policy or so it seems to most of us." Utter BS.

And why is it Obama's fault that the Christmas "failed bomber" was let on a plane outside the US.

[ProudDad]

116. You can't deny

that the military industrial complex and the corporate capitalist masters determine USAmerikan Imperial foreign policy.

[flyarm]

134. You question outsourcing? here proof: Read here about JP MORGAN and food stamps in my state!!

oh and this is going on in numerous states..Jp Morgan was also involved in the Greek fraud..and using even the Greek people's health care money!


Food Stamps Create Jobs… in India
Several States With High Unemployment Are Outsourcing Food Stamp Services
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=7452561

Michele Brown has seen Americans' struggles with jobs first hand. She lives in hard-hit Florida, spent 20 years in the real estate business and recently had her days as a nanny cut back after her boss had his own hours reduced.

Several states with high unemployment rates are outsourcing their food stamp services to call centers in India, angering many residents. Michele Brown learned about Florida's outsourcing when she called regarding a problem with her benefits.
(ABC News Photo Illustration)
But nothing prepared her for what happened one day when she called a toll-free line to inquire about her food stamps.

"The woman who answered the phone -- it's not like she wasn't nice or anything -- but it was kind of evident that she wasn't in the States," Brown said.

It turns out the woman was at a JP Morgan Chase call center in India.

"That really put me over the edge," said Brown, 52, of Jupiter, Fla. "It's not right because we need the work here. People are in a bad way here." Americans have never liked the idea of jobs going overseas. But for many, it's more offensive when taxpayer dollars -- including those in the federal stimulus plan -- go to create those jobs. And when those jobs deal with food stamps, unemployment insurance and other public benefits, well forgot irony, to many it's just downright plain insulting.

Unemployment in Florida is now 9.7 percent.

"Why is the state of Florida sending these jobs away?" Brown asked. "The thing that really iced it for me, I knew that JP Morgan had gotten bailout funds."

So she called her local politicians and then she reached out to her local newspaper, the Palm Beach Post. The paper did a story two weeks ago about the $50 million Florida paid JP Morgan in the last three years to administer the food stamps distribution.


need more proof??????????????how low can this go????????????...and the really sad thing..is ..I see older people who never took one dime from our government or hand outs now using food stamps in the grocery store and they are damned embarrassed to be on the food stamps! Their pride and hard work kept them from ever taking anything..and now their pride leaves them throughly embarrassed..I had a 80+ year old lady in front of me 2 days ago in the grocery line who almost cried using her food stamps...I put my arms around her and told her that is what they are for ..to help people in need...and i gave her the money she needed over and above the food stamps..

But don't fucking worry your little head..JP Morgan is out sourcing the food stamp program to India! Americans just must not be qualified enough to answer phone calls from other Americans about their food stamps..don'tcha know!!

PS..for those in this need ..when you have to call the service centers..demand you speak with an American..DEMAND IT!!!

I do it everytime I get anyone from any company or service that i know is in India..I demand to speak to an American..I just keep saying.."I CAN'T UNDERSTAND YOU"...i get real pissy and i even scream in the phone..i can't understand you..give me an American...AND DEMAND AN AMERICAN REP..if we all did this..maybe some of the call centers would be shut down..and brought back to our shores!

I have to go back and agree with my father who is passed away..demand and only use Made in America..I will only speak to Americans..when doing any business or service I need! I refuse to accept someone on a phone in a foreign land when people are out of work in my country!

[fjc]

59. Link to this please.

Obama is setting up a commission to cut Social Security -- just as baby boomers are beginning to retire.

[No Elephants]

78. IMO, people should at least try googling before asking for a link, but try this:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE56M0OO20090723

For some, no link suffices unless the source uses the exact same words as the poster used. Maybe a link using the poster's exact words is out there somewhere. However, the Reuters article was one of the first that came up when I googled, and maybe you can read between the lines. (Cutting the costs of Social Security significantly without cutting benefits is like finding an elusive unicorn.)

[CBHagman]

60. Didn't know Obama handled Dutch & Nigerian airline security.

The Christmas bomber managed to get on a plane headed toward the U.S.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/12/28/airline.terror.attempt/index.html

[OnlinePoker]

68. I can't see it being different in Europe...

...but from Vancouver, BC, any passengers heading to the States have to go through U.S. border services before even entering the departure area for U.S. bound flights. Wasn't Obama's fault, but definately TSA's.

[No Elephants]

81. Maybe the poster mean things like the tip from the bomber's father or the visa, not necessarily

the gate check. All I know is that Obama said the U.S. had made mistakes with respect to that (as it had with the 911 bombers). I see no reason why a President would lie about something like that.

And no, Obama personally would not have made the mistake but you know where Harry Truman would would say the buck for what goes on in the Obama administration, be it in the intelligence caverns or in the State Department, or wherever.

[No Elephants]

80. Obama said the U.S. had made mistakes re: Muttulab. Do you think Obama lied about that?

[Iowa]

70. +1...

Not only has Obama not tried to pursue real change... he has fought vigorously to preserve the status-quo. Whenever I see a news item with the word "Obama" in the title, I get the same feeling of revulsion and dread that I used to get when I saw the word "Bush" in a headline; I have learned to expect yet another assault upon progressive ideals, and that's almost always what it is. He is the exact opposite of what he sold himself to be.

[TheWatcher]

83. I'll Add a couple.

Our Troops are still in IRAQ. (Anybody Remember Iraq? War Based on lies? Bueller?)

No one from the previous Dictatorship has been held accountable FOR ANYTHING. (yes, I know, we must "move on" for the "good of the country".) :eyes:

Draconian Policies and legislation that set the foundations for a burgeoning Police Sate (Domestic Spying, Patriot Act, etc, etc, etc) from the last Dictatorship have not only not been repealed, but continued.

No repeal of Don't ask Don't Tell. (Lots of pretty talk though)

Still nothing for GLBT, and no real plans to do so (Other than pretty talk)

Change?

Of the Bird Cage Liner, maybe.

But with the endless American Idol style worshiping still going on, I'm sure that this post and yours will be reported to the authorities for terrorism and subversion.

[Lorien]

126. And whatever happened to the promised Green Jobs?

More money is being spent on nuclear and the absurd notion of "clean coal".

The Appalachian Apocalypse continues

Obama refused to add the Polar Bear to the endangered species list-at the request of Big Oil.

Obama allows the continued killing of timber wolves in the West-just as they were beginning to restore ecological balance to the region-at the request of Big Beef.

[amandabeech]

156. check out the environment and energy forum. The Chinese are making the wind turbins.

Oh, yeah, green jobs for the U.S.!

[Luciferous]

112. Great list!

[laborinvain]

121. Your list is rendered idiotic by the inclusion of bomber

And the "our troops are still in Afghanistan" line too.

But you're generally right. Obama is a dud. Or worse, a trojan horse.

[TheWatcher]

122. You yourself are rendered idiotic if you think our Troops should be in Iraq OR Afghanistan

Please stop falling for the fantasy of "men in caves" who are out to "get us" because they "hate our freedom".

The Fake War On Terror, Inc. has made too many Americans brain dead and brainwashed.

Please do not become one of them.

[panzerfaust]

125. Ah - nice listing of the Changes We Voted For (but did not get)

actually, there are more that could be added: surveillance society, civil liberties, living wage, worker's rights ...

The only thing on the list that I do not agree with is the inclusion of the "Christmas Bomber" as somehow being O's fault.

The fact is that the political party the ruling class allowed to be on the platform changed, but nothing else did.

We get the government that we deserve.

[tbyg52]

140. There are a few things on that list he cant' control or that take time, BUT

there are a BOATLOAD of things he could do now, or could have refrained from doing. Unless he's not really the one in control....

I'm the maddest about the Big Pharma deals and the Treasury appointments.

[hmorehead]

38. W took six months to fuck up the Clinton boom years and he got 7-1/2 more to screw the Constitution.

[ProudDad]

117. Clinton's scams were bound to fail, W didn't fuck that up (n/t)

[hmorehead]

128. Name one of those "Clinton Scams", Why did the budget surplus disapeare on W's watch?

What don't you understand about Reagan's deficet 30yr T-notes coming due now?

[panzerfaust]

133. It did not disappear

it went into the pockets of the ruling class.

[hmorehead]

143. Dick Cheney was one of the biggest warprofiteers and the recient of one of the biggest

redistribution of wealth and theft from our grandchildren.

[ProudDad]

144. Clinton scams

NAFTA, GATT...job flight...

"End welfare as we know it"...

Promotion of the housing bubble...

Promotion of the dot-bomb...

Murderous sanctions (and occasional bombing raids) on Iraq resulting in approximately 500,000 dead...

Final Repeal of the rest of Glass-Stegall...

"Deficit reduction" on the backs of the poor and working people...

So anti-worker that Robert Reich had to quit after one term...

to name a few...

What don't you understand about the Demorepublitarians?

[DCBob]

46. No joke...

This is beyond nuts to even ask this question now.

[lsewpershad]

76. MAYBE

All these jackasses feel we should give the shrub another 8 years.

[Lochloosa]

2. This poll won't mean crap when people see who the repug nominee is.

[pattmarty]

4. Don't fool yourself. The Republicans will make sure they nominate............

....someone that "seems" mainstream (Romney, Ryan, Pawlenty) and will kick Obama's ass in 2012 if things JUST stay the same as now. If they get worse, then we are truly fucked and they probably could get away with nominating Palin or Gingrich. Either way we're fucked. All the stars were aligned with Obama and HUGE majorities in both houses AND NOT A GOD DAMNED THING WAS DONE.

[Iowa]

71. +1

[pattmarty]

85. Thx.

[No Elephants]

82. When did Romney start to seem "mainstream?" We had the misfortune of

having Mittens as Governor.

He lied about his positions to get elected.

For four years, he did little but travel around trying to get himself known nationally--and bashed the state--and allowed those introducing him to the audienceto do the same uncontradicted--while he was at it.

And, however wrong religious discrimination may be, even neo theos like the late Jerry Falwell don't like Mormons.

As far as his alleged business acumen, he made money dismanting troubled businesses and selling off their assets cheaply. Not rocket science.

ETA: Even Massachusetts Republicans who keep up with current events say he was awful

[pattmarty]

124. Look, for all the know nothings and outright batshit crazy people...........

............that call themselves Republicans these days, Romney IS mainstream. I was not talking about "informed" citizens or liberal/progressives.

[Romulox]

8. The field is ripe for a third party challenger from the Left though...nt

[hmorehead]

39. Really? Like who? Perot, Forbes, Paul, Nader????? I like Kusinich, but he'd NEVER win.

[Romulox]

65. Winning isn't the point; SPOILING is... nt

[IDemo]

149. The same applies to the Right

When the CPAC'rs overwhelmingly choose Paul as the next candidate, even realizing he has zero chance of gaining the nomination, that shows genuine trouble for the pubs.

Plus, Sarabou likely realizes she won't have the repub nomination after seeing only 7% of the above straw vote, but that won't stop her and the Teanuts from staging a third party run.

[JerseygirlCT]

151. That's pretty sad though, isn't it?

That our guy will look good only in comparison to much worse? Don't we all deserve better?

The thing is, I believe he's fully capable of better. Even great. He just needs to do it.

[pattmarty]

3. WOW!!! Now we know why Bayh is "retiring". If only the useless.............

..........Dems would have passed just a couple of bills to help working class Americans you wouldn't be seeing shit like this.

[OnlinePoker]

5. Honestly

Do you really expect a bunch of rich politicians to look out for your poor ass? It ain't going to happen. The majority are out for number one and it doesn't matter which party they are affiliated with.

[pattmarty]

63. It used to be (back in the good ole days 1948-68) that yeah, you...............

................could expect a few of the (usually Dems) rich politicians to do good by working people. Today it is "hooray for me and fuck you" mentality with just about all these ass holes. Off the top of my head I can't think of ONE GOOD Republican and maybe 40 total Dems (in both houses). We are basically a one party system in this country now, the Republicans are awful and the Dems are status quo with nobody to move the country forward.

[earthside]

6. Erosion of the Progressive Base.

A poll result like this means that for Pres. Obama, his progressive base continues to leave him.

Let's see, I'm sure he shored up his standing among environmental voters yesterday during his love-fest with the nuclear industry. Hmmm. Ya think?

And, if the Senate leadership maintains its 'principled' wimpiness by not pulling the trigger to kill the filibuster so they can pass REAL health care reform, well, the don't re-elect numbers for Obama and Democratic Senators is going to go even higher.

It just amazes me that the smart folks in the White House and the advisers to Reid and Schumer don't understand that voters want leaders who are eager to fight for the average person ... this 'bipartisanship' crap is making them look like incompetent weenies who are afraid of their own shadows.

I really don't get it that they can be so politically out of touch.

[Renew Deal]

11. Have you seen the internals?

Or are you just making it up?

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[galileoreloaded]

32. Ha. If "making things up" means personal experience, then I am "making things up"!!!n/t

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[No Elephants]

84. ? How do replies from Galileo and Donna mean earthside's post is made up?

Just the raw numbers do say something though. 52% probably includes some of the Democratic base, and most likely those who are at least center left or "lefter," rather than those Democrats who are center right.

[totodeinhere]

53. All you have to do is read DU to see that some of his base is pissed at him. n/t

[defendandprotect]

115. It's beyond pissed . . . it's waking up to the total betrayal - I wasn't expecting much . . .

but I didn't expect betrayal on such a huge scale --

I should have --

[Name removed]

123. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Upfront]

40. Not out of touch.

Just bought and paid for. If you want to get it follow the money. They are bought off.

[rusty fender]

48. Obama is so desperate to please the Republicans, yet,

is the he the only one in America that doesn't know that if the Rs take back the House and Senate, they'll start impeachment proceedings immediately? What is wrong with him?

[No Elephants]

87. I'm not sure Republicans would start impeachment proceedings. Doing that to Clinton worked against

them. Besides, which "high crimes or misdemeanors has Obama supposedly committed? Taking the same positions in court cases as Bushco took? Failing to prosecute Bushco? Shutting down some of Bushco's torture camps around the world? Continuing rendition, also engaged in by Bushco? Republicans have been very vocal about approving escalation (aka "surge")of the Afghan war.

I imagine finding grounds would get a tad awkward for Republicans--and no blue dress in sight, that we've heard about so far.

[Romulox]

7. I know how *I* would answer that question! nt

[FailureToCommunicate]

9. Poll numbers also show people believe crime is trending up (it's down) and that

global "warming" is bogus science (because of the record winter weather), and that Reagan was a good president (he was one of the worst).

Either the polls are flawed, or there is a portion of our society that is -how shall I put this kindly- not part of the 'reality-based' community. The media controlled by the 'powers that be' doesn't help matters.

Was it Churchill who said "Democracy seems like a good idea - till you spend five minutes with the average voter"

People polled here for this one must have forgotten the last 8 years of BushCo...

Sad. Truly sad.


'That Obama, he ain't done nuttin' in his 1st year...'

(Partial list of Obama Administration's 1st year actions)

Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family
The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House
Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
New federal funding for science and research labs
States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
New funds for school construction
The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
US Auto industry rescue plan
Housing rescue plan
$789 billion economic stimulus plan
The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
US financial and banking rescue plan
The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
Expanding vaccination programs
Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
Closed offshore tax safe havens
Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices
Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
Lower drug costs for seniors
Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
Improved housing for military personnel
Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
Increasing student loans
Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
Established a new cyber security office
Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
Improving benefits for veterans
Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
The FDA is now regulating tobacco
Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
Making more loans available to small businesses
Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
Held first Seder in White House
Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
Has announced his intention to push for education reform
Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office!
(list by Robert P. Watson, Ph.D.Coordinator of American Studies Lynn University)

Yup, Obama's just been twiddlin' his thumbs...

[Demeter]

15. Crime Is "Down" Only Because

neither massive corporate financial frauds, which have effects in many countries and are not local to US, and war crimes are not counted....

[meeshrox]

16. crime is also down because...

something like 10% of our population is incarcerated...

[Demeter]

20. Thank you, Yes, I Neglected that Part of the Equation

and there are people too deprived to even participate in crime, now, I'll betcha.

You need to be reasonably healthy, fed, clothed and warm to have the energy for extracurriculars like crime. Or work. Or education. Or protest. Or anything beyond breathing.

[Posteritatis]

55. And people are committing fewer crimes, but let's all ignore reality together. (nt)

[Jkid]

18. Yes, he did small non-controverisal changes. But what about REAL change?

REAL change such as: pushing for at least a decent public option, cutting military spending, abolishing No Child Left Behind, pushing real economic reform. So far, he has not done any of that yet. I can promise you that all he'll do is to push incremental changes instead of real change that he has been campaigning for.

[tridim]

23. Thanks for posting the list of accomplishments..

It's not just the general public who doesn't have a clue what the administration has done during the past year.

DU is just as ignorant. I submit the majority of this thread as proof.

[Tesha]

35. Actually, I'm familiar with the list of mostly-diddly shit that he's done.

It gets posted here often enough, doesn't it?

But on *ALL* the big things I expected him to do,
he's either done Jack shit or done completely the
opposite of what he should have done.

So I understand perfectly-well what motivates some
of that 52% that won't re-elect him in 2012.

Tesha

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tesha]

56. Here's what the OP said:

With identical numbers for all Americans as well as for just registered voters, 52 percent said the President does not deserve to be re-elected, while 44 percent said that he does. Four percent had no opinion.

-----

You can apologize now. (But I'm sure you won't. You'll doubtless explain
the nuances between what he deserves and what these voters will personally
do and yada yada yada...)

Tesha

[No Elephants]

91. Your view of facts is a matter of your opinion. Your apparent assumption that anyone who does not

agree with your view of facts, aka, disagrees with your opinion, disagrees only because of a lack of knowledge is unfounded.

[bjb]

92. You are soooo right.

[Arkana]

113. Between the people rooting for Obama to lose in 2012

and the people who will just never, ever desist screaming "CORPO-FASCIST SEEEELLLLLLOUUUUUUTTTTT" at the sky, I'm ready to get a pickax and go to Burger King.

[FailureToCommunicate]

129. That sounds desperate, but, should we know what that means?

[vegiegals]

24. Giving $ to Arne Duncan is NOT the way to reform education. Nor

is shifting money to private insurance companies. etc etc.


.........Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
Has announced his intention to push for education reform............

[JDPriestly]

25. Your list illustrates the problem.

Obama takes tiny baby steps. That is not the change that people wanted. People wanted big dramatic change, and Obama has tweaked a little here and there. Obama has to do much, much, much, much better if he wants to be re-elected.

He has to be bold. Unfortunately, he is a very cautious man at a time when the American people want real action and now.

Obama's appointments are so milktoast. Not a one of them is doing anything interesting.

Obama is competent, but just competent as far as the public can see.

It is possible that he is doing a great job, but he is not doing the kinds of dramatic things that catch people's imaginations. He has to grab people's emotions. Lots of people like him and wish him well, but his administration seems very boring.

[FailureToCommunicate]

131. Not MY list. Just added to make a point about polls and the publics' perception of "reality"

And yes, some of the new administration may seem "boring" -like science adviser John Holdren, perhaps- but I would prefer an actual (boring) scientist making policy directions instead of the "exciting" political appointees that Bush padded our government with...

[TankLV]

30. Mostly WINDOW DRESSING - and many of those things a REPUKE would do anyway...

I'm surprised you didn't include "breathing in and out" and "shitting once a day by himself" on the list of "accomplishments"...

but he has a KUTE KENNEDY DOGGIE and CUTE CHILDREN!!!

spare me - the important stuff - torture, spying, war - he's on the WRONG SIDE of "change" and has "changed" NOTHING!!!

[Iowa]

74. What a weak, unimpressive, pathetic list...

"Attempting to..."
"Has put the ball in play for..."
"Has announced his intention to..."
"...built a swing set..."
"Authorized discussions with..."
"Attractive tax write-offs for..."
"Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study..."
"Ordered a review of..."

Pfft. This sounds like some bullshit list a do-nothing middle manager would come up with to justify his existence. And it completely ignores all of his mega-screw-ups on the things that matter most. There are a few good things there, but they're so small and incremental that their overall effect is wiped out a hundred-fold by other actions.

This list is almost embarrassing to read.

[FailureToCommunicate]

132. See reply #131 above

[No Elephants]

90. Trouble with padding a list to that degree--no poster is likely to take the time to pull it apart.

But jeebus, announcing an intention to do something?

Holding a passover seder?

Having panels study things (that probably don't really need studying anyway)?

Pull out list items like that and items on the list that Congress did with little to no coaxing--or had in the works before the election anyway--and the list will look a lot different.

[FailureToCommunicate]

141. Agreed. I was just trying to underscore a point about un-informed people and polls...

[Bitwit1234]

10. The republicans with help from the media are doing a bang up job

they want to hide the fact that the problem is them. That they can't get legislation started, unsnarled or passed because of them. And as long as the democrats sit on their ass and raise money to get re-elected, THEY AIN'T GONNA GET RE-ELECTED.

[veganlush]

36. The problem is NOT the repugnants

..the problem is the dems are afraid to use their power. period.

[No Elephants]

93. Your post shows Democrats did a bang up job of convincing you that Republicans were the ones

fouling up legislation for the past year.

House and House Majority Leadership-Overwhelmingly Democratic
Senate and Senate Majority Leadership-60 Senators in the Democratic Caucus, plus the VP (for tie breaking)
WH-Democratic

Now, tell me how Republicans could possibly stop the above from enacting whatever they wanted to enact, even without resorting to the budget reconciliation process?

As far as hcr, the Senate did pass a bill--without a single Republican vote. The Democratic House will not pass it, though, because they think it's too bad to pass.

Is that the fault of Republicans? And by "that," I mean both how bad the Senate bill was, though not one Republican vote was needed to pass it. And by "that," I also mean the fact that the Democratic House will not pass the bill enacted by the Democrats of the Senate.

Hint: The correct answer is that the Republicans had nothing to do with anything. Had the Democrats stuck together, they could have done anything they wanted all year long.

[WhiteTara]

12. the President has been in office ONE YEAR

Let's at least get through the second year before we make sweeping changes back to madness!

[TankLV]

31. and when NOTHING is still done after TWO years, then THREE, you'll be spewing the same crap...

"he's only been in for THREE years - give him TIME!!!"

sorry - WE see the direction he's been taking us on the IMPORTANT issues - and it's not pretty...

[WhiteTara]

33. you have NO idea who I am, what I think

When was the last time you went to your county central committee monthly meeting? Registered a voter? Taken someone to the polls? Gone to a march? Written/called/emailed/faxed ANY congress critter? Answer these questions and I'll know something about what you spew. Till then, get off my case and don't assume so much.

[No Elephants]

94. You post as though the only choice we have is either re-electing Obama or putting Bush or

someone like Bush back in office. That is not the case. Besides, at some point, if Democrats are dissatisfied with DLC/New Democrat types--and those types continue to ignore them and deprecate them--what do you suggest they do?

[bluestateguy]

13. This should not have been posted

The poll is methodologically flawed for complicated reasons that I do not have the time to get into here.

[No Elephants]

96. LOL, posting a poll does not mean the methodology is perfect. Besides, any poll

can be picked apart. Should we suppress them all?

If you want to say the poll is bs, but you don't want to take the time to explain why, fine. But to say it should not have been posted--I disagree. Suppressing info is almost never the right answer in politics.

A puts something out there; B picks it apart. That's the marketplace of ideas, which is the reason for the First Amendment.

[meeshrox]

14. What I cannot fathom...

is why the administration and other Dems think that the reason liberals are so pissed is that they are not centrist enough? Pull your heads out and see that we want more progressive policy! The reason Dems are being put out from health care is not that it's not bipartisan, but that it doesn't contain Medicare for all, or at least the public option! UGH!

:banghead:

[Stumbler]

47. Exactly!!

After 8 years of an administration that wouldn't give liberals or moderate dems the time of day, so of us were excited to finally have our voices be heard. But instead, our elected officials are telling us to quiet down in the name of bipartisanship with an opposition party that refuses to support anything proposed. I want some reps with enough balls to steer the conversation to the left and tell those on the right to sit down and shut up...

[No Elephants]

99. Please see Reply # 98.

If the left wants its voice heard, it is going to have to do things differently.

"One definition of insanity is continuing to repeat the same behavior and expecting a different result."

P.S. Balls have nothing to do with strength or courage and pussies have nothing to do with weakness or cowardice. I hope our language will soon begin to catch up with that reality.

[No Elephants]

98. Meh. I think they know. IMO, it's more complicated than just knowing or not knowing.

They feel the left has no choice but to vote Democratic.

"Where else would they go? The left is never going to vote Republican."

That is what I have heard from more than one TV "pundit" on both sides.

So, they think their base is a given: Nothing they do or don't do will cause their base to vote Republican.

BUT, neither party can win without both most of its base and a good number of at least independents, who are perceived to lean more right than the Democratic base. (True of some independents, but my husband and I registered independent in Massachusetts until 2004 and neither of us ever voted for one Republican in our lives and never would. Still, some independents do skew somewhat right.)

Inasmuch as they feel they must win over Independents while their base will never defect, guess what is going to govern their actions? And those are the everyday Democrats. The Purple Snakes are worse. Only a handful of Democrats stay true blue most of the time--and sometimes even they do so in words, but not in actions. However, they are between a rock and a hard place, as the saying goes.

And then, factor in that s/he who runs the best campaign tends to win, regardless of the quality of the candidate. And the folks who finance the campaigns tend to be either members of the "unlose-able base (think Streisand, Speilberg, Buffet), or people or corporations who like right wing votes.

[meeshrox]

137. I agree with you...

Mostly I was just venting. It's frustrating... There is little we can do and hell if I'm going to choose "R" on any ballot. It seems, though, that the "tea party" is getting into the same issue with dip-shit Palin's latest remarks!

[w4rma]

19. It was easy to see this coming when he hired Rahm and a team of Wall Street flunkies. (nt)

[quiet.american]

21. Guess I'm not "like most Americans." (Thank goodness.) nt

[goclark]

26. When did CNN become the watch word for Polls?

The "Cherry Picker" Poll Station

[Name removed]

27. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[classysassy]

42. The polls

I wonder who and where the poll was taken?

[SemperEadem]

43. well, now we know what the lead story will be for the next week and a half

IMO, if Obama doesn't start opening up a can of "act right/do right", he and the Dems will be out on their asses and the thugs will be back in power, back to putting bush's policies in action and putting this country squarely back in the position it was in on January 19, 2009.

most Americans have the attention span of a gold fish--and they don't remember how bad things were under bush; how badly our country was regarded and will be regarded if we put another automaton from their party back in leadership roles in this country.

Obama and all the Dems would do well to tack left towards progressives and let the thugs all tack further to the right. Right now with everyone tacking to the right, our country is about to topple over on itself because there is no balance.

[LynneSin]

44. I didn't think Clinton would get re-elected after his first year in office

And btw, he bombed on healthcare reform that first year too!

[rusty fender]

50. But Clinton had Ross Perot to thank for both of his victories.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

154. Bullshit. One of the most-repeated myths in politics

1992- clinton and bush went one -on-one through the summer. clinton led. when perot re-entered the race, all it did was tighten up the race, as he drew from bot candidates. clinton's lead actually narrowed, as he and perot split a portion of the anti-incumbent vote. had he stayed out, polls show clinton would have crushed bush

1996 - clinton got 50 percent of the vote. had perot's entire support gone to dole, he still would have lost. no one could credibly argue this one was even close.

the 'clinton couldn't win without perot' lie is one of the right's favorites. like the birther bullshit, it's an attempt to delegitimze a win by anyone without an 'r' after their name. and it's equally stupid.

[Blue_Tires]

66. Excellent point, LynneSin

[EFerrari]

73. Exactly. This poll is ridiculoous. n/t

[No Elephants]

100. Those polled don't seem to be saying who they think will be re-elected.

It doesn't seem to be a prediction.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

45. some people are stupid - no one has a magic wand

I think if they hadn't had Obama we would be in a bigger mess.

[No Elephants]

101. What if someone like Feingold had been the Democratic nominee?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

119. but

he wasn't

[Vidar]

49. I regard this is good news. Obama is intelligent enough to change, though

the degree to which he has been corrupted is yet undetermined. He has multiplied the effect of his disastrous economic policies with a huge military budget to continue his evil wars. His support of charter schools is decimating what's left of secondary education. Beyond this his positions on the environment, gay/lesbian issue, Health care and drugs, at best can be described as pandering.

If he has not been hopelessly corrupted by the insidiously malevolent corporate filth he has selected to advise him, he can still turn things around. We shall see

[No Elephants]

103. I hope so. Maybe, though, people who want change must first change their own behaviors.

Please see Reply ##s 98 and 99.

[last1standing]

54. We've hit the Trifecta in this thread. "ONLY ONE YEAR", "DIDN'T GET YOUR PONY" and "MAGIC WAND"!!!

All three have made an appearance, posted by people too foolish to understand that their little buzz words and "STFU" posts just won't work any longer. Obama has fucked up beyond belief and his poll numbers are beginning to show it. His most ardent followers can either understand this and work with the rest of us to persuade him to change his policies or they can continue to praise him for failure.

Our way sees Obama in office for eight years, their way will likely see him there for four. It makes you wonder who the real supporters are... :shrug:

[emilyg]

57. +1

[tabasco]

64. Add this to your list:

Crybaby bourgeois utopians who do nothing but piss and moan on the internet.

[meeshrox]

67. Thank you!

Everyone has a few key issues on which they vote, but it does not justify voting against the party that you are aligned with just because you feel like being pissy! :shrug:

[Tesha]

72. How about if nothing good (and some things bad) have been done about essentially *ALL* ...

of the issues I care about? Can I complain about the President's actions then?

Tesha

[meeshrox]

136. By all means!

Please complain about everything you don't agree with...my point is that voting against the president in 2012 based on one or two issues is counterproductive for all of the other causes on which you would otherwise support him.

PLEASE complain, write to him, gather like-minded people! Complain all you want, I encourage it!

[OnlinePoker]

69. Is that Glenn Beck? n/t

[last1standing]

77. Looks like we can add you to that list, doesn't it?

Since you can do little but piss and moan about those who have the temerity to disagree with mindless fawning and boosterism, I think that picture must be something of a self-portrait.

[QC]

79. That is most certainly not a self-portrait!

The person in it is far too mature and dignified for that.

[No Elephants]

104. How about posters who get pissy and hissy because opinions on message boards vary?

After all, who could possibly predict something like that, or get over it enough to post on topic?

Obviously, the most intelligent and adult thing to do when encountering opinions on a message board that disagree with your own is to call posters whose opinions differ from yours names.

:eyes:

[WeekendWarrior]

58. Who cares what they think at this point?

The election is two years away.

[lonestarnot]

97. Not me.

[No Elephants]

105. Probably a lot of folks on both sides care.

[truthisfreedom]

61. The media loves conflict. And they hate facts like these:

If this continues, and it likely will for a while, Obama will be hailed as a hero.

[RainDog]

62. that "majority" doesn't think that for the same reasons

the left and the right have vastly different reasons for their opinions - beyond the way the bail out was handled.

[Purveyor]

75. Obama's polling is tracking quite close to that of Reagan during his first year. Please see:...

Obama As Reagan



I've been struck for some time by the similarity of circumstance between Presidents Reagan and Obama. Both replaced deeply unpopular predecessors. Both enjoyed significant gains for their party in both houses of Congress. Both faced "worst since the depression" economic circumstances. And each in his own very different ways attempted to reshape government in the early months in office.

With a bit more than 10 months of approval data on Obama, we can now make a more meaningful comparison than was possible at the first 100 days look.

The similarity of approval trajectories is striking for Reagan and Obama. Reagan started lower, but since the 3rd month of office the two have moved along quite similar paths.

Of the ten post-war presidents in the chart, Reagan and Obama currently stand as the two lowest at this point in their first term. (Clinton fell lower early, but was recovering at this point before another decline and rise.) Reagan finished as the second lowest just before his midterm in 1982, ahead of only Truman. It happens that the economy under Reagan also bottomed out in November 1982, the worst possible time for the president and his party.

(I exclude Johnson because of his entry into office after Kennedy's midterm and Ford because he took office just 3 months before the 1974 mid-term. I keep Truman because he assumed the presidency very early in Roosevelt's fourth term, effectively serving the full term.)

Whether Obama continues to look like Reagan seems to me more likely to be driven by the same force-- the economy. While health care reform and Afghanistan will surely play a role in the public's view of Obama, I think the economy remains the most crucial driver of opinion. In this the administration can hope that the upturn in GDP in the third quarter, and the small down-tick in unemployment in November, are signals that the early quarters of 2010 will see further improvements. If so, the Democrats may avoid the terrible conjunction of midterm and economic bottom that cost Republicans 26 seats in the 1982 House elections. And President Obama may not compete with Reagan to see which will be the second most unpopular president at midterm time. But there are no guarantees of this and the parallels remain quite striking.

http://www.pollster.com/blogs/obama_as_reagan.php

[No Elephants]

107. Excellent post A number of commentators did mention the Reagan parallel, as far

as public opinion after the first year.

What is sad, though, is that Reagan began many of the policies and ways of thinking that led to the economic collapse of 2008. I

Ironically, Reagan's sweeping victory also led to implementation of the very undemocratic Super Delegate plan first conceived after McGovern's stunning loss. And, to establishment of the DLC and its progeny. And Clinton, a founder of the DLC, more or less sealed the deal for a meltdown by urging passage of the bill that repealed Glass Steagall.

Karma is funny that way.

But, of course, the fact that both Reagan and Obama are at about the same place after the first year in office does not mean that Obama will be re-elected, just as the size of the deficit does not mean that we will see another Perot running soon.

Nonetheless, the comparison is interesting and instructive.

[The abyss]

86. Excellent story – good comments.

The president of the United States does not work, nor report, to the voters or taxpayers of the nation. The president works for only one entity and that is the faceless government, the machine. Senators and congress critters in general report to that same machine. Although I believe there are a few on both sides of the political spectrum that truly do their best, or at least attempt to do so.

The MSM, the forth estate, whatever you want to call it – has the primary responsibility of keeping all of us convinced that there is somehow a difference between the two major parties. They publish cartoon polls and write cartoon news stories in an attempt to encourage “We the people” that somehow we are really causing change or influencing our future.

Unfortunately I fear it will remain this way until “We the people” realize the depth of the lies that have plagued this nation for well over 100 years. Or until the notes fall due on all the massive debt that other foreign nations have been purchasing.

[No Elephants]

109. Life's twists and turns are fascinating. Twenty or more years ago,

whodda thunk Y2K's most iconic Communist country would be keeping y2K's most iconic capitalist country afloat financially?

[yurbud]

88. Democrats need to distinguish themselves from the GOP and not by being better...

corporate bootlicks.

[yurbud]

89. a Democrat doesn't get re-elected president by enacting Republican policies with good grammar and a

smile instead of the GOP's cornpone and fear.

[depakid]

102. +1

Blurring the contrast between the two parties is ALWAYS a losing "strategy," as anyone who'd been awake for the past two decades can readily attest to... and yet...

[yurbud]

111. and yet those corporate bucks and jobs are just TOO tempting...

if you do the right thing, you'll die poor or early, and likely not be remembered even if you did great things.

[Cha]

95. Oh Chicken Noodle N00ze has negative poll out on the President

..now there's a Shocker.

Their job is to not let him get elected again. Fuckers are going to lose.

[sendero]

106. Wow..

... for once I'm in the majority! I don't think Obama deserves, or will have, a second term.

We voted for change. We got same.

The economy is not likely to be doing well even in 2012. That will guarantee an anti-incumbent vote.

[goclark]

127. You are in the "majority" because we

don't feel like addressing your approach on a board that is designed to support the Democratic Party

[No Elephants]

108. IMO, Obama and his peeps reacted to the Scott Brown election. If Americans really

are unhappy with Obama (meaning, if this poll is not an outlier or just invalid), I believe Obama and his peeps will react to that, too.

It is both good in a way and bad in a way that we often have government by polls, but I would rather have a President that takes public reaction seriously than a President who ignores it, as LBJ did with Vietnam and Bush did with almost everything.

I hope that Obama and his peeps figure out how to win the important political wars, like health care reform, and not only the p.r. battles, but, IMO, they will have to win both.

[junior college]

110. I hate Obama

because he has escalated the war in Afghanistan and has done a bunch of other "business Democrat" stuff. But at least he is better than the neocons. God forbid those assholes take over again.

[FailureToCommunicate]

139. Obama campaigned on expanding the Afghan front, pulling back in Iraq. He was pretty clear...

[amandabeech]

157. At the time he campaigned on expanding our commitment to Afghanistan,

did he know that the Pentagon thinks that there are no more than 100 Al Auaeda in Afghanistan?

I sure didn't.

I supported sending more troops into Afghanistan then, but I don't now.

I've changed my mind based on new information.

What can't Obama?

[defendandprotect]

114. Tons of reasons why I won't vote for Obama again --

How about Grayson for 2012 --

Maybe not so "eloquent" but he seems to make himself CLEAR -- !!!

[ProudDad]

118. Who the fuck cares?

Who the fuck cares what happens to the USAmerikan Empire?

Certainly Mother Earth doesn't give a shit. The capitalist west and especially USAmerika have fucked over the environment and now our Mother is fighting back.

The USAmerikan experiment with a document that preserves and defends entrenched power while pretending to be "democratic" has run its course...

Stick a fork in it, the corporatocricy is done --- it will be baked out of existence in its own juices soon.

Good riddance...

[FailureToCommunicate]

138. So...just curious: Does this mean you will vote Repub or not go vote that day?

[ProudDad]

145. I ALWAYS vote

and I only vote for real Progressive Persons...

[flamingdem]

120. Screw all of those whiney Americans, would you prefer Palin, McCain, Romney, shadddup!! nt

[panzerfaust]

130. I would prefer a president with a commitment to an open, fair, democratic society

with the courage to try to halt our descent into fascism.

"Fascism" being used here not as a mere pejorative, but as a term for the political system defined by the first fascist ruler - Mussolini (Well, by his ghost-writer philosopher Giovanni Gentile at any rate) - as being the fusion of Capital and the State into the Corporate State, with necessary suppression of individual freedom by, and for, the power of The State.

Which, from my sig-line and past postings is clearly where I think that our country is headed (as is the UK).

[Javaman]

135. Ironic isn't it?

moron* allows a massive terrorist attack, yet his approval numbers shot up right afterwards.

Obama is trying to dig us out of morons* willful stupidity and his numbers are low.

we live in one truly fucked up nation.

[tranche]

142. Not surprising. But 3 years from now he'll be running against an actual Republican candidate.

I'm betting he wins. I hope to see more out of him and his administration over the next couple years.

[niceypoo]

146. The republicans will run a moron

Obama will skate to an easy win like Clinton did.

[classysassy]

147. After one year

of trying to get the ship back on course,after Bush and the pirates almost destroyed our country,a poll of fools are blaming Obama,what a crock of crap.

[marshall]

148. Obama himself started this trend

He introduced the notion of himself as a "good one termer" a month or so ago.

It makes me wonder how Obama himself voted in this poll.

[JerseygirlCT]

150. You know

if you don't try hard enough to fail a few times, you aren't really trying.

He needs to be brave enough to fail spectacularly (as far as polls go, that is). He needs to take a deep breath, do what's right, and piss a few people or powerful groups off.

Presidents aren't remembered for the little things. I'd like to see some more "yes we can" and less taking it under advisement.

[warm regards]

152. Let me know what it says next week.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

155. but it was OK to elect bush for a second term?

how fickle

[and-justice-for-all]

158. What the fuck ever!

I am betting he will be a two term President; chimpy/Vader was a two term prez for fucks sake and I have no doubts Obama will be, for different reasons of course.

[Cha]

159. Fucking mediawhore central posts a poll

and look who's lapping it up like it meant fuck all.

[wordpix]

160. it ain't over til it's over and it's not Nov. 2012 yet