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Subscribe to RSSWhile some think President Obama's "core" coalition "has been shattered," here are some numbers from our latest NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll that looks at Obama's approval among some of those "core" groups:
- Blacks: 90% approve/6% disapprove
- Democrats: 82/12
- Liberals: 79/16
- Latinos: 56/33
- Post grads: 56/41
- UPDATE: 18-29: 53/38
- UPDATE 2: NBC's Ana Maria Arumi notes that in the 2010 midterm exit polls, voters 18-29 said they approved of the president's job by a 62/38 margin, which is close to how they voted in 2008 -- 66/32
- Women: 52/43
- 18-34: 49/43
Obama’s overall approval in this poll was 47/47 and was conducted from Nov. 11-15, after the Nov. 2nd midterms that saw Democrats lose 63 seats in the House -- a post-WWII record -- and six seats in the Senate.
As Republican pollster Bill McInturff, who conducts the NBC/WSJ poll with Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, said after the poll, “It’s a reminder again … for a guy who took a shellacking, he’s got a pretty strong core pulse.” He cited Obama’s strong support among a core constituency of younger women, blacks, Latinos, young voters, voters in the West, and under-30 urban moderates. “This is a president that retains political standing,” he added.
Where Obama has serious deficits is not with his "core" groups, but with swing voters, Republicans, and whites. He is upside-down with independents, who moved his way in 2008, and has become much more polarizing in two years with the GOP.
And that could make for an election that looks more similar to 2004 -- decided by a state or two -- rather than the '08 landslide.
Leave a Comment:
Supporters of President Obama, whether they are independent, swing or not, will stand behind the president based on his actions and decisions alone. We do not need a poll. We do not need an opinion. The President is doing what he needs to do in order to get the people working and the country moving. Media use polls to push a narrative just to gain influence over those that do not understand the maze called politics. If the president moves to the middle, the media will shape him as being weak; if he moves to the left, the media will shape him to be too aggressive.
President Obama has overcome every piece of trash story the media throws at him. His supporters stand behind him and not some poll that would seek to invent controversy.
Where's NOJO NOBO our resident poll dancer - when you need her most?
I can't wait for her to SPIN these poll numbers into one of her famous 'More bad news for Obama' narrative!
For the record you can count me in as a core supporter always have been... always will be!
We elected the right man for the right job at the right time! nuff said!
But won't poor bobby and no jo be disappointed by this!
Paging Dr. NO... paging Dr. NO...
We need your expertise...STAT! lol
Well said, Louis J. I stand behind President Obama because contrary to what the media reports, he has accomplished a great deal, he has kept or is keeping most of his promises; and he has done this against a GOP Senate blockade of obstruction and delay.
The GOP wanted ALL the tax cuts to be permanent, they will not get their wish so they must compromise; they must extend unemployment benefits for one year to extend cuts for 3% of the people; and we do not know what other concessions the GOP will have to make to get those 3% of the people bonuses. I would think the media would be pointing out that the GOP caved.
President Obama, after getting HCR, WallStreet Reform, Lily Ledbetter Act & many other acts signed into Law, now has the leeway to negotiate in the Final days of the 111th Congress. The Hardcore left, will scream & shout(with Good reason) that he's caved into the GOP again. These folks are unable to see past what They want done & what actually, Can Get Done. As noted above, the Core is still withem!
Then we have these Republicans on this board who'll call him WEAK for negotiating to do what He Thinks, will get the Most bang for the buck, Extended Unemployment bebefits, Tax deductions for MiddleClass Americans, in thier time of need(which is NOW).
By giving the Top 2% a little extra,he's giving them the Chance to put thier $$$, where thier Mouth is. If they don't come thru with J O B S, then he'll hammer them come 2012.
You heard it here 1st!
Heck no. It's all good.
From the article:
Most of the independents that were dazzled by Obama's brilliance are now baffled how they ever fell for his bull sh!t.
His core is liberal. 20% of the population identifies themselves as liberal. Obama masqueraded as a centrist, then pulled off the costume after the election. Independents won't be fooled again.
There will always the fringe, envious people that will never forsake their class warfare, idiots that will cry day after day about the little Chamber of Commerce while ignoring the damage of union's political manipulations, adults that never out grow their liberal jammies and will still be blaming Bush as long as they live, .........
Look at Jody and Rick above this post, going on about the tax cuts. America wants jobs, pure and simple. It's funny, but has anyone ever heard Obama say, or has anyone argued that taxing the rich will create jobs?
I've been saying for some time that Obama will do the 'ole foldo on this. It's just a show for the clueless "core". He knows it will not help the economy and even as narcissistic as he is, he knows he won't be able to bs his way to another win in two years with unemployment at 9.+%.
But anyway, there are always those that never get it. They don't really matter.
He can't when without independents and they are not fooled by Obama and the minion "core".
"It's funny, but has anyone ever heard Obama say, or has anyone argued that taxing the rich will create jobs?"
Yeah! Just like giving tax BREAKS to the rich created an unemployment rate of ONLY 9.8%.
After a measwly 10 YEARS!!
Looks to me as if they are standing behind him becasues of race... imagine that... 90% approval by blacks....
hmmmmm.....
drive-by-minion,
The Bush tax generated 8 million jobs between 2003 and 2008. Bush let the dollar de-value 35%, or creation would have probably been better.
And just like the value of the dollar, there are many other factors that effect job growth besides tax rates.
One of the little 'ole factors for the current job crisis is the CREDIT COLLAPSE OF THE FINANCIAL MARKET. Wasn't a tax issue - it was credit issue.
It's frustrating ...... Sometimes it feels like trying to explain high school to some one. You end up just saying - I guess you had to be there.
LouisJ says: "President Obama has overcome every piece of trash story the media throws at him. His supporters stand behind him and not some poll that would seek to invent controversy." Are you serious? Were you on vacation during the Nov elections? Get a grip.
Is that why Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis, and Al Gore each got 90% of the black vote?
It's about the policies, not the color of the candidate's skin.
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/01/09/bush-on-jobs-the-worst-track-record-on-record/................B.S. Bob Bush managed to create 3 Million jobs in 8 years and apparently they were all temporary and he took 'em all back to Texas with his sorry butt. Don't believe me read the chart. Clinton Raised taxes and ballanced the budget and still managed to create 23 million jobs so you tell me all about how these tax cuts that have been in effect for ten years have created so many jobs
John B, Des Moines, IA
REALLY John? You might want to share that with Feisty. She's got this thing for "bloated WHITE faces".
:-)
"....She's got this thing for "bloated WHITE faces".
I can't speak for Feisty, but I'm almost certain she does NOT have a thing for Newt GetRich.
HAHAHAHA!
That's good DBO.
Unfortunately Feisty was talking about the Senate when she yapped about their "bloated white faces" and Newt was never in the Senate... he was in the House of Rep's... remember... he was Speaker of the House.
Redneck,
Tried your link and got 404: Page not found.
Neveretheless, from 2002 before the tax cuts to 2007 before the crash (FIND/NAME ONE FRICKIN REPUTABLE ECONOMIST WHO BLAMES THE THE BUSH TAX CUTS FOR THE CRASH): Job increase was 7.77 million (CHECK THE BLS); the real economy expanded by 1.77 trillion, or 15.2%; business investment was 38%; personal net worth soared 56%.
Anybody NOT want to trade Obama's numbers for those?
The Republicans balanced the budget during the Clinton Presidency. (Know the functions of the different branches?) They also did welfare reform, (the antithesis of Obama's agenda) and they CUT CAP-GAINS TAX! Clinton's arm was almost twisted off in doing so, but give him credit for giving in and signing the stuff.
Obama is caught in an economic trap. His agenda DOESN'T WORK. The question is will he chew his LEFT arm off and be re-elected, or is going to die in the reality of his own economic trap.
bob-1805084,
You bring up the 8 million jobs number all the time (actually 7.8 million) but why do you exclude his first two years and last year where he lost 5.9 million jobs.
The fact is that during his 8 years he created fewer jobs than any modern President, even those that only served 4 years or even the 3 years of JFK. He created fewer jobs than Ike who had job losses in 5 of his 8 years.
Make all the excuses you want, name call to your heart’s desire but the numbers speak for themselves.
Sicko' the bick
oddly, Clinton was WHITE and managed to capture 88% of the Black approval rating. FACT is that blacks are a pretty staunchly Democratic Demographic,...all race aside.
http://books.google.com/books?id=jDKMFxL5Ph0C&pg=PA235&lpg=PA235&dq=what+was+bill+clinton's+approval+rating+among+blacks%3F&source=bl&ots=kqiWL5bVP8&sig=jUyh0OrTBcczZYlOGhlJfPKvxMI&hl=en&ei=CDf9TIOPD5SpnAffpZXJCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEgQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=what%20was%20bill%20clinton's%20approval%20rating%20among%20blacks%3F&f=false
Bob went back and tried that link myself just to make sure and guess what. Page came up just all loud and proud. So I guess I need to move you from the Damn Fool Yahoo into the Willfully Ignorant Yahoo category.Mine check out why don't you provide a few of your own instead of spouting a bunch of nonsense with out a source.
SickOfTheBickering
HAHAHAHA!
That's good DBO.
Unfortunately Feisty was talking about the Senate when she yapped about their "bloated white faces" and Newt was never in the Senate... he was in the House of Rep's... remember... he was Speaker of the House.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, but you cant deny he has a "bloated white faces".
============================================================
Jody, Iowa
Well said, Louis J. I stand behind President Obama because contrary to what the media reports, he has accomplished a great deal, he has kept or is keeping most of his promises; and he has done this against a GOP Senate blockade of obstruction and delay.
Jody, So do I he's done more since FDR; despite what the blinded unhappy, disappointingly depressed right wing lying sphere are taught in the Fox Echo Chamber.
=================================================================
LouisJ
President Obama has overcome every piece of trash story the media throws at him. His supporters stand behind him and not some poll that would seek to invent controversy.
Thank you Louis
That includes the left who somehow falling into the media and the right wing's Chamber of Horror. They spent 65 million to besmirch Nancy and she is still going strong.
Some on the left want the President to be anyone but himself; especially FDR.
FDR: In 1934, early in the Roosevelt Presidency, strikes broke out all over the country, including a general strike in Minneapolis, a general strike in San Francisco, hundreds of thousands on strike in the textile mills of the South. Unemployed councils formed all over the country. Desperate people were taking action on their own, defying the police to put back the furniture of evicted tenants, and creating self-help organizations with hundreds of thousands of members.
Without a national crisis—economic destitution and rebellion—it is not likely the Roosevelt Administration would have instituted the bold reforms that it did.
Historically, government, whether in the hands of Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals, has failed its responsibilities, until forced to by direct action: sit-ins and Freedom Rides for the rights of black people, strikes and boycotts for the rights of workers, mutinies and desertions of soldiers in order to stop a war.
Voting is easy and marginally useful, but it is a poor substitute for democracy, which requires direct action by concerned citizens
Sorry, I cannot fed the right wing and the mega conglomerate media.
Lincoln was a gentle man and he won the civil war. I'm no saying I want him to be Lincoln either. If we are to hold his feet to fire then we need to stick together.
Hell...It's easy to stay a supporter when your watching the Republicans!
PAGING Dr. NO... Hey where'd ya go?
Has our pole dancer done all CODE BLUE? lol
Come on Dennis, you CANNOT BE THIS OBTUSE.
Yea job growth was a problem the first two years - THAT'S WHY BUSH DID THE 2003 TAX CUTS for everybody.
What moron would include the period before the tax cuts to judge what happened after the tax cuts? (Actually the obvious answer is a liberal moron who is trying obfuscate the efficacy reality of the tax cuts.)
From my #1.16: (Emphasis added for the obtuse with reading comprehension deficits.)
Those are the facts relating to the BUSH TAX CUTS, not the bottom line Bush presidency.
This is obviously very confusing for you.
Look at it this way. Exercise is an important aspect of health. It lowers blood pressure, reduces high cholesterol, helps ...on and on. But if you drive your car into a bridge abutment..... Dennis in Columbus comes along and says look - he is in a comma with a closed head injury - exercise doesn't work.
The economic wreck was the collapse of the financial institutions - a credit issue not a tax issue.
If you want to blame Bush for the economic collapse fine - he should have mocked the Democrats and lambasted them incessantly for obstructing and failure to pass the Federal
Housing Enterprise Regulatory Act of 2005 that would have reformed Fannie and Freddie and probably saved the collapse.
BTW - You do understand reform of Freddie and Fannie wasn't a tax issue, right?
Get back to me when you grow up and quit playing childish games.
louis you are absoutley correct.
Bob180 - name calling again .... Surprise, Surprise !!
Reagan had the same problem his first 2 years. He lost 2.2 million jobs compared to Bush's 2.3 million yet Reagan created a net 15.9 million jobs while increasing taxes in his second term.
Give us some more excuses and name calling ….. Please Bob – you know you can do it !!
Hey Bob,
Taxing the rich was never intended to create jobs. The Republicans rhetoric that lowering taxes for the rich does create jobs is the true joke that conservatives have been saying for years and it has never worked. Taxing the rich has only been an attempt to help the middle class and to help reduce our debt, which the latter Republicans and Conservatives say they represent. Which is even a bigger joke than the rhetoric of lowering taxes for the rich.
Actually, I was at a doctor's office. Sorry you had to wait so long for my response.
The spin here is all well and good, but it neglects one very important point: Obama would not be president, were it not for the independents who voted for him.
They have turned against him, as evidenced by the results of the mid terms.
As to his coalition, I take issue with the approval rating among women- I have seen numbers that were the reverse of what First Read is touting, and certainly the votes actually cast bear out the reverse numbers. Moreover, I have seen much tighter numbers for the 18-34 set- more in line with the original post, rather than the updated one.
As to that particular voting bloc, my opinion has always been that it is much too broad. Thirty- four year olds have very little in common with 18 year olds. It should be broken out to 18 to 24 year olds, and 25 to 34 year olds. Married people with a couple of kids and a mortgage have different concerns than 18 year old college freshmen.
On that subject, I just read a pretty interesting article about the so-called youth vote. The article pre-dated the mid terms, (I was in a doctor's office, after all), butt was written by a college professor who predicted that students would not, in fact, come out to vote, no matter how much attention was paid them.
He wrote about 2008, and his experiences in talking with students who were delirious about Obama. None of them had a clue what his policy positions were; in fact, about half of them had no idea whether he was a republican or a democrat. What they were fervent about was being part of an election that would put the first African American in the White House.
Well, I say good for them, and for parents who raised children to care that much about moving America forward. If this bothers you, ask yourself how much worse you would feel if the opposite were true.
However, the writer posited, (correctly, it turns out), that these same kids would have no real reason to vote in November, and less to vote in 2012, unless one of the parties ran a woman at the top if the ticket. Then, they would get caught up in that wave of change.
It was, in all, a pretty interesting read. Was it purely anecdotal? Sure. Nonetheless, it was food for thought.
Dennis,
You're right. There was no need for me to infer you were a moron. Any non-liberal would understand it was self-evident by reading the exchange.
Sorry.
And thanks for answering the first sentence question in #1.23.
totally the wrong man for the job. Health care free for all, what an idiot. Rates are just going up and will continue, unless your his special friend then you can opt out. The most heavy handed -prejudiced president in history. I have a small business and could stand to add employees, but guess what? Not going to do it, there is no way and then I wil be FORCED to pay for their insurance? Whats next their car insurance? 4 get that non sense
You guys need to check out some of these other sites, they've thrown the President under the bus. So much for polls.
David, thanks for admitting that you don't really care if your employees have health insurance. Since you're not paying for it I'd guess you probably don't pay that well in the first place. Frankly I'm sick of having my tax dollars subsidize the "low, low prices" of places that hire below the poverty rate anyway.
Oh, and if think adding employees would be good for your business but you aren't going to do it because of some change in law that applies to the entire market, well, good luck surviving in the market.
I still strongly support Obama over the opposition, but I wish he'd quit acting as if Repubs in Congress can be reasoned with. They clearly cannot. Their #1 goal is to make Obama a 1-term president. Doesn't it that just say it all? They won't let him appear to "win" on any issue, even at the expense of the country.
His problem does not seem to be the rebublicans. Both of those votes on the tax bills lost Saturday with several democratic senators voting against them (and Obama's position).
So you all really should wait to start with the whole "can't reason with" and "party of No" stuff. Up until now, and continuing through this session of congress it has not been the repulicans that have held him up. If you all need to blame someone, and you clearly do, then blame the democrats for not supporting Obama and his policies. He had a supermajority for many months. That he could not get anything of substance completed is on him and the democrats.
Pres Obama knows what the GOP is doing, he knows they are unreasonable but who sounds like the adult in the room? A President who will do what it takes to get tax cuts for 97% of the people or the GOP who hold unemployment benefits hostage for Bonuses for Millionaires. Pres Obama is a pragmatic realist despite how the conservatives portray him; he gets what he can based on reality however frustrating that may seem. Reagan was a pragmatist as was Clinton both recognized the reality of what can be done in Congress.
I'm sure Obama's failed economic policies have nothing to do with his poll numbers.
It occurs to me that some of you folks - the ones crying about "tax breaks for miollionaires" do not seem to get the very basic math: $1,000,000 > $250,000.
OIfcourse there is also the fact that the money belongs to the taxpayer, not the government. The governmant takes some, based upon the progressive tax system. Not increasing the tax rates does not "give" anything to "the rich." It merely allows them to keep more of their own money.
Food stamps, welfare and tax breaks to folks who do not pay is giving money away.
I'll be comfortable if the top 10% pay an amount of tax in proportion to the wealth they control. That seems fair, doesn't it?
The top 10% pay 70% of taxes and control 85% of wealth, just for reference. Tell me again how they're paying more than their fair share.
Easy John, what do you pay? Do you pay your fair share? For somebody that works over 40 hours a week you're on here a lot during the day. Spanky is right, the people that bi**h the most on here about taxes are the people on here from 9-5. I think they see the gravey train coming to a stop and want to make sure they get theirs before it stops. I hope they don't expand the benefits for another 52 weeks. These people are getting paid an average of $700-$900 a week to do nothing in Mass.
IndieWoman, that's the problem in a nutshell, they wont appear to let him 'win'. Doesn't matter who gets hurt in the process, citizens, country, what do the Republicans care, not a whit.
However, President is very smart and is way ahead of them, he is patient and pragmatic, two qualitites that most Americans are lacking. He will not be pushed into making a decision no matter how hard the TPers rail at him. He has the American people in his mind as he makes decisions and will try to help those who's voices are not being heard, those unemployed, those who are struggling to raise a family, send their children to college all of these and more.
I fully support all his efforts and have from day one and I believe that he will prevail in his efforts to help us and the country. That may be simplistic to some on here and that's fine, but I say to you who disparage and disrespect him and the office he holds, he is smarter than any republican you want to run against him.
'Elections have consequences' Who said zat?
Let's re-visit these numbers again after Obama 'rolls over and plays dead' to steal some words from JAS.....
And yes- I stand behind him, too, Indie Woman. I just wish he'd "pull a Repub", and refuse to give an inch.
Personally, I wish he'd rub their bloated white faces in it...
Another RACIST comment from the Feisty one...
WHITE faces... that was a necessary adjative wasn't it Feisty.... necessary for you to demonstrate your racism... you are obviously only concerned with the color of their skin... not their political positions or policies.
SOB - until you can NAME ONE black Senator... yeah... I stand by my comment...
Deal with it! The Senate is DOMINATED by rich old WHITE men no matter how hard you try to spin it!
Can't all of the WHITE people here just feel the love....
Thanks Feisty!
(BTW... comments like this from Feisty and Bev have set race relations back 50 years... way to go girls!)
So you can't answer my simple question...
Now who's playin the race card? Hmmm... SOB!
Why you are, Feisty. You are the one playing the race card. I am just the one pointing it out...
That's all. (Love yah)
Let’s review shall we? From this thread alone you've left these comments:
I pointed out a fact… you my friend have made a whole lot of assumptions…
So given the screwed... er.... I mean skewed logic from the righties... Yeah I guess you win! lmao!
I'll answer that-Zero after the 1st. But I'm sure it's the White's fault for some crazy reason. Funny thing is that there's more OLD White Democrats in the Senate than Republicans, now that's the funny part. Those CRAZY WHITE Right Wing Rupublicans!!!
Sickofbickering, what a charming handle, do a lot of bickering?.
Feisty is right, these Senators, you so fervently defend, are all rich and white.
Now if you are like them, I can see where you might take umbrage, but if you are not, wealthy (and I'm going out on a limb and assuming you are white) sex doesn't matter, why do you think they would have your best interests at heart? Chances are, they haven't walked a mile in your shoes or mine, so what colors (pardon the pun) your support of them?
Feisty...
This is politics... you should be concerned with the political stance of the representatives that were duly voted into their office by the electorate.
You should not be concerned with the color of their skin... but you are... very much so.
Let's not forget that YOU are the one that first threw the "bloated WHITE faces" comment out there.
Don't lecture me you RACIST!
BTW... my lunch hour is over now so I will be going back to work. What will you be doing Feisty?
(feel free to have the last word it is really all you want any way... that and handouts for all!)
By the way Sick (accurate by what I have read.) An objective observer would say that YOU are the one that loves to bring up race. And we are not girls; we are women. Show respect. Or are you a chauvinist too?
If I'm not mistaken NDD -- SOB is a tea bagger b!tch!
Sure seems that way Feisty! Lots of that going around.
WOW! Who would of guessed that Wal-Mart allows their greeters to take a lunch hour! lol
Fiesty, you are dumber than dog snot. What a racist, and you must also be a unionist.
Actually looking at this debate SOB initially played the card even though SOB was pointing out a voting demographic it could still be and was construed as a racist remark! And now to complain about the damage caused by that letting that genie out the bottle is kinda hypocritical.
Attacking Fiesty doesn't change the facts.
Pres Obama was the last Black Senator elected to office. And its been almost 40years since the republicans elected Ed Brooks in 1972. The only other Afro American Senators was Carol Braun Mosely and Burris who replaced Senator Obama.
Is it racist to point out these facts of a Government that should be representitive of the the it governs?
really? the MOST heavy handed, socialistic president in history who wouldn't even let the republicans look at the health care bill? Oh thats ok, he has exemptions for his "buddies" well guess what? I could put a bunch of folks to work and give them good jobs, not going to do it. Like everything else he's just waiting to come down hard on another industry and next time it might be mine so no more employees, fire all employees when health care is DICTATED and then hire some back as independent contractors -my problem solved
The FYIGM attitude of a good Conservative on full display.
I'll bet you believe that helping your fellow man only takes away his freedom too, don't you?
yeah...............yahoo...............how is this helping what is going on right in front of our face.
Where are the other prominent Democrats to stand beside a President who is STILL more popular than 2 term Presidents Reagan and Clinton were at this point in their terms.
Despite the worst recession in 3 generations
Despite an opposition whose only purpose is to destroy him
Despite a vast Conservative misinformation industry
Despite his party having suffered significant defeat in the recent election.
Democratic leaders need to stand beside this President on principles that support the average American or be destroyed by the ravenous right one at a time.
I'm wondering where those democrats are too. That last line sums it up--democrats better learn some "united we stand" techniques.
NO !!
Obama has to be challenged in 2012
He's Completely SURRENDERED What happens in 2012 when Unemployment Insurance comes up for renewal ? Republicans will DEMAND another extension of Tax Cuts for the Rich and Obama will CAVE
We Elected the WRONG Democrat If McCain had been Elected, Democrats would have Filibustered Tax Cuts for the Rich
Obama is a Shipwreck
One of the things that is driving me insane is the notion that because we support President Obama, then we Democrats are hero worshippers.
Well, we're not. We're Democrats. Hero worshipping votes didn't factor in any election previously where a Democrat won the presidency. But now for some reason it is.
The country isn't made up of Democratic activists. It's made up of citizens going about their daily lives who pay little attention to how we get from here to there.
I have in recent days spoken with Republicans who like the president as well. They do attempt to paint him as a far left socialist though, which is crazy considering he's getting hell from the activists on the left.
Tax cut extensions for the wealthy? Bah humbug. It's a Heart Ache, Nothing But a Heart Ache.
Meanwhile-
___________
From http://blackwaterdog.wordpress.com/
From reading every document released about Iran so far, you might miss the most important fact: The Obama administration’s long campaign to increase pressure on Iran is actually showing signs of progress. International economic sanctions are finally beginning to bite. Major European oil companies, including BP and Shell, have finally stopped supplying Iran with the refined fuel products it desperately needs. European banks and other businesses are reducing their profiles in Tehran.
And the measures are stoking dissension in Iran’s government. “We have never had such intensified sanctions,” Iran’s former speaker of parliament, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, complained in September…
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-mcmanus-wikileaks-iran-20101202,0,2837602.column
You do have to wonder about that Pat. Especially when the right wing nutjobs keep trying to put Reagan's face and name every where they can including Mount Rushmore. The rest of us know the damage he did to the country. There is no doubt that slavish devotion is a problem of the Republicans.
newdayDAWNING: Ronald Reagan wasn't anywhere close to as intelligent or hard working as President Obama. Not even in the same ballpark. It was President Reagan who began the downward trend in this country.
It's part of the "False Messiah" dog whistle that Christian Conservative leaders are using with this President. It puzzles the rest of us, but the "true believers" immediately see this. http://o.bamapost.com/
Good post, Pat. I have never figured out why the MSM media pushes the "hero worship" thing--it is purely made up, right wing, FOX and Limbaugh pushed nonsense. I supported and voted for the person I felt was the most intelligent and best candidate who reflected most of my views.
The hero worship label isn't coming from just the MSM and the right. It's coming from the left as well. It's hard to have an intelligent conversation when you hear that over and over. I don't ever remember hearing it when Gore ran or Kerry or Clinton. I don't ever remember being told I worshipped JFK even though I owned literally hundreds of books written about him.
It's meant as disrespect. Like we don't know how to think for ourselves, because you know - WE WORSHIP HIM.
Weird, man. Really weird. The worship these days belongs to the supporters of not Gingrich, not Romney, but Madam Palin.
It is definitely Reagan that started this. And the right wing, always so stuck in the past continue to try what messed up the country in those days.
You mean the way some people want to live in the past and blame GWB for everything?
Is that what you mean?
Only.... ONLY.... when the shoe fits.
Or in 'W's case... flies... lol
Good try Sick: and of course you are too obtuse to know what I am talking about so let me reduce it down to its simplest form. The right wing constantly elevates Reagan to Messiah status and always has. Both they, and the Cheney/Bush administration tried to relive that disaster of a Presidency by doing it all over again. Tax cuts for the rich, union busting the whole nine yards. That is how they live in the past, doing what didn't work twice before. Isn't that the definition of insanity? It is surely the definition of stupidity, a hallmark of the teabaggers.
most white folks didn't vote for him the first time and won't again and he still won a landslide in 2008 and will again in 2012, white folks didn't vote for clinton in 96 when the economy was good or for gore in 2000.
white voters haven't voted for a dem in majority since 1964 and will never again, so who cares.
dems will still win.
REALLY? You do know that the ENTIRE black population of the United States is only about 12.5% of the total... don't you?
With those small numbers there aren't enough blacks in the country to vote him in without whites from the middle pushing him over the top...
It was that way in 2008 and it will bring his defeat in 2012 because he has forsaken those whites that voted for "Hope and Change"!
That's right SOB... keep on chanting that while clicking your ruby slippers together...
Hmmm... for someone who accused me of RACISM you have quite the fascination with RACE today! ;0)
You bring out the best in me, Feisty!
Troy,
Where did you get that information from? The black population, if all voted Democrat, wouldn't have given him the victory, so provide some links to back up your claim.
Gingerbread Mamma
Troy,
Where did you get that information from? The black population, if all voted Democrat, wouldn't have given him the victory, so provide some links to back up your claim.
Worst, this person missed the point. It's not just Blacks voting for the President. It was a coalition of many ethnicities and groups.
Feisty
GF don't worry about being accused of RACISM. That happens to all the time. I consider it to be my red badge of courage award. Love you.
Oh, and I don't red as in commie. I mean red as in the sun; the sunshine of life
No kidding Bev! You can spot the TRUE racists around here in a heartbeat... they're the ones who pretend to be all offended when someone speaks the TRUTH!
If this is the best you have to offer? Well... then... LMAO
I certainly can't take the credit... ;0)
Nothing will get passed unless it proudly bears the "REPUBLICAN GOLD SEAL OF APPROVAL". Anything else will simply be a waste of paper.
The Republican "Gold Seal of Approval" More like brass, don't you think?
Keith Olbermann mentioned on Friday night's program that he was going to have a Special Report this evening on the tax cut extensions. I have a feeling he's going to give it to President Obama, as well as all Democrats & Republicans. This is bad policy, no question about it. I just hope Keith doesn't talk about primarying the President. My biggest fear. Where would I go @ 8 PM from now on? Where?! Man oh man.
___________
According to the comments, the views in this video were taken on top of Rockefeller Center. NYC. Nothing like it. Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin loved the ladies. But the one lady they truly loved was Miss Ella Fitzgerald. Awesome views of NYC as Miss Ella sings about Manhattan.
Give 'em hell Keith. But please. No primary.
New York. We all love the view from your set. Especially this time of the year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRJLUKpu4ZE
We'll have Manhattan
The Bronx and Staten
Island too.
It's lovely going through
The zoo-
It's very fancy
On old Delancy Street you know
The subway charms us so
When balmy breezes blow
To and fro.
And tell me what street
Compares with Mott street
In July?
Sweet pushcarts gently gli-ding by.
The great big city's a wonderous toy
Just made for a girl and boy.
We'll turn Manhattan
Into an isle of joy!
We'll go to Yonkers
Where true love conquers
In the whiles
And starve together dear, in chiles
We'll go to Coney
And eat baloney on a roll
In Central Park we'll stroll
Where our first kiss we stole
Soul to soul
And my Fair Lady is a terrific show they say
We both may see it close, some day
The city's glamour can never spoil
The dreams of a boy and goil
We'll turn Manhattan
Into an Isle of Joy!
________
Boo J-E-T-S.
smile
I will hold off on to saying whether a primary challenge to Obama will happen based on what happens in this lame duck session and the first months of next year.
Let me first state I am a far left pessimist, but here are my predictions.
Easy one - Obama breaks his promise to not allow tax cuts for the rich. All Bush tax cuts are extended for two years. By the way the Obama cuts (small increases in paychecks and aid for school are not included). Unemployment extended for 6 months. Obama not only doesn't veto it, he claims a great bipartisan victory in his State of the Union.
Dream Act - Goes down to defeat, many Democrats, who earlier supported it, use it to say this is frivilous legislation that the public doesn't want. Of course further needed comprehensive immigration legislation is pushed to the bottom of the everyone's priorities. Fearing 2012 elections, Democrats drop any push for immigration legislation. Various states put forward Arizona type legislation.
DADT - Democrats and Obama agree to more studies to see the effects in the Marines and Army combat forces. Debate pushes into the new Congress - New senator Rand Paul holds up a vote indefinately.
START treaty debate pushes into next year. It finally passes in February only after back door deal is made with Republicans for Obama to call off Afganistan withdrawl timetable. On a side note, watched Liz Cheney say Obama is on the right course on Afganistan and is pleased with his commitment there. It is never a good idea if you are doing what a Cheney wants.
Obama and democrats fearing the 2012 elections continue to let more companies opt out of requiring companies like McDonalds to provide health care benefits. More democrats become open to tweaking/fixing , Washington speak for gutting, Health Care reform.
Disregarding the ill deserved goodwill Obama showed toward Bush/Cheney war crimes, House begins frivilous investigations against Obama and top ranking democrats.
GOP continue to rail against the deficit, however agree to raise the debt ceiling, only after Obama and democrats agree to work on fixing debt commission suggestions to include more cuts against social security and Medicare entitlements. Obama leans toward GOP backed debt commission talking points.
If these happen Obama will become weakened and more irrelevant. However, I wouldn't be willing to look at a primary challenger to Obama. My reason is that I would bet the challenger would be to the right of Obama.
Pat,
Your post made me smile in agreement with you. Thanks for posting the lyrics, my grandmother was born on Mott Street many many years ago. In researching family history I walked down Mott St as I went to the Church of the Transfiguration to get a copy of her baptismal cert. It was a that time, I realised what the song actually meant and savored the moment all the more, today it is part of Chinatown. It was a special moment for me.
Gingerbread Mamma: What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing it. Glad I could touch your heart like that. I know exactly what you're talking about. I think the song is just beautiful, especially when Ella sings it. And I thought everyone here would like a smile looking at the videos of NYC. A stunning city. Truly stunning.
Jesus ! So this is what it's like to be a Zombie
Obama has screwed up again, Royally
What happens in 2012 when unemployment insurance is up for renewal, again ?
Obama will extend the Tax cuts for the Rich, AGAIN
He could have had a middle class tax cut BEFORE the Mid Terms if he had pushed it
They could have used RECONCILIATION to roll over any fillibusters
Not Bi-Partisan enough for Obama
ANYBODY BUT Obama in 2012 He's WEAK, COWARDLY and INCOMPETENT
Wait for the Polls AFTER he rolls over on this fiasco (except in the First Read Amen Corner)
Jesus !!
President Obama doesn't even have the votes from the freakin' DEMOCRATS. DEMOCRATS FOR GOODNESS SAKES !!!!!
Anybody but Obama? Palin? Be afraid, be very afraid...
It really doesn't make one iota of difference if he has the core voters. After all, where else are they going to go? What he needs and currently doesn't have are swing voters. This next two years will probably prove that liberalism isn't how most voters think . That is what will continue to hurt him and the dems.
kirby in idaho
It really doesn't make one iota of difference if he has the core voters. After all, where else are they going to go? What he needs and currently doesn't have are swing voters. This next two years will probably prove that liberalism isn't how most voters think . That is what will continue to hurt him and the dems.
Umm, kirby
That was not an election. It was a [s]election. The Supreme Court chose George Bush over John Kerry.
And what, pray tell Bev, does that have to do with Obama not having the centrists voters. And John Kerry would have lost to anybody because he was a bad canditdate. We both know that.
** How do you pay for tax cuts for the wealthy ?
1. First attempt : threatening Social Security and Medicare Cut through the deficit panel.
2. Second attempt : holding the desperate Hostage, say, the Ransom.
How long will it take for Obama to learn that we think compromise is a synonym for unconditional surrender, or another Bush-era?
** The deal based on the outright lies and supportive Dead Media will lead to another Bush-era & irreversible RECESSION.
1. The reps uses the recession as an excuse for tax cuts for the wealthy.
THIS IS A MIDDLE CLASS RECESSION.
2. The Republican Senate minority leader has been arguing that the outcome of the midterm elections confers a mandate on Congress to extend the Bush-era tax cuts.
"There's bipartisan opposition to raising taxes on anyone at this time."
(a). Only 34 percent of Americans believe that tax cuts ought to be extended for those households making more than $250000 a year, according to a new CNN poll.
(b). A recent CBS News poll indicated that Only 26 percent indicated they support extending the tax cuts for all Americans regardless of income level
(c). In the AP-CNBC poll, 34 percent favor extending the tax cuts for all Americans.
(d). A recent Gallup poll found 40 percent favor maintaining the Bush-era tax cuts for all Americans.
3. The reps road the waves of deficit reduction just 2 months ago.
Now, 2 months later they are set to increase the deficit and increase the governments debt ceiling just so they can give themselves and their rich pals more money.
This isn't what Americans voted for.
4. Tax cut for small businesses.
A small business bill was blocked for weeks by a republican filibuster in the Senate.
5. Tax cut for job creation.
(a). There is no evidence that the tax cuts created even a single job.
Back when Bush was pushing his tax cut packages through Congress in 2001 and 2003, supporters said the cuts (which weren't balanced with spending reductions) would initiate an era in which the American economy would grow so robustly the nation would be running a surplus of more than $5 trillion at the scheduled expiration date. U.S. now runs a deficit of about $1.3 trillion.
In fact, the available evidence is the exact opposite:
Former President Bill Clinton left a record surplus and created 20 million jobs, despite the warning of potential economic disaster over tax increase for the wealthiest.
(b). Your Waterloo = our windfall.
Even when the economy was on the cusp of entire collapse just like Lehman Brothers ahead of the roll-out of stimulus package, it was held hostage by Audacity of Nope, and the time was running out.
Power first then said : Nope ! How do we pay for it ?, Just let it go under exactly like Lehman Brothers.
6. The GOP along with Big Business bought this past midterm election.
The structure that the last champion is authorized to pick the next match winner .
The ruling that allowed Corporate money to back Political Candidates destroyed the very fabric of the Elections and Americans are paying dearly for it.
The incessant barrage of negative campaign ads drove most Americans towards something they knew nothing about, the Republican/Corporate take-over of the US. Millions upon millions were spent to defeat certain Democrats.
7. From my perspective, Communism & extreme Capitalism have one thing in common : Power First, Corruption at the cost of people !
Absolutely true on every point, HSR. Corporate greed is keeping Americans from working.
Can we weight the poll results for those in each group who could rationally and intelligently discuss any of the issues going on in today's political environment? Cuz supporting the president because he's young, black, handsome, from Chicago, has a wife and 2 kids, whatever, doesn't really work for me. Sure, you can go out and vote for him for any of those reasons but it hardly seems a fair assessment of the job he's doing in office and I'd venture a guess that at least a fair number of his supporters do so for reasons the likes of those I mentioned above.
hsr0601
(b). Your Waterloo = our windfall.
Straight from Jim DeMint's playbook to your gullibility.
Jim DeMint said..."If we're able to stop Obama on this it will be his Waterloo. It will break him."
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0709/Health_reform_foes_plan_Obamas_Waterloo.html
You do realize you are feeding the right wing trolls?
BTW: break him is a remnant from slavery. In this selection, Frederick Douglass describes his battles with a "Negro- breaker; Mr. Covey."
http://negroartist.com/writings/Frederick%20Douglass%20resists%20a%20slave%20breaker%20(1845).htm
Really, that Poll is indicative of people supporting Obama? Isn't that like asking "how do you want to die, burning or being shot". And having people reply they would rather be shot.
Dudes, Obama is a republican. He needs to go. Vote third party in 2012.
"has been shattered,"
Shadooby...
SickOfTheBickering
Actually Feisty is correct you brought up the race issue. Although you were looking at a political demographic you still let that genie out the bottle now you wanna point at the damages she has done. Thats like thowing a rock then hiding your hands.
I've knwn for a loong time now that OPbama is no better than aRepublican and far more dangerous bec ause those of us who were Demcrats hoping for change were fooled into voting for him in 2008. A third party is n eeded now more than ever...buthistorically third partioes don't win elections in the U.S. they just weaken one of the two other canddiates. so that another major party wins again.
All we can really do is blame those dumb-ass voters who let themselves be follwed by whatever....into voting agains their own best interests...altho in Obama's case I think we all were foolwed into voting for a coward who masquareratded as a thoughtful, intelligent character. He's smart but smart doesn't mean good character. What a sellout. His timing would have prevented this bloodbath if he'd only pushed the debate over the extension of unemployment benefits/ the tax extensions, etc. before the election.
If you don't understand timing, forget it.
Rahm Emanuel much as I love to see him go, was a rat deserting a ship that will sink....in 2012 I'd rather see Obummer resign like Sarah Palin and let Joe Biden finish his term. At least Biden won't make the credibiility gap even wrose than Obamma has done. Nobody can now believe a damn thing he said before the 2008 election.
What a klutz. And he's letting that Ken Salazar rape the wilderness and wildlife as secretary of the interior...another rehash of the 1920s Teapot Dome Scandal when a Republican Secreutay of the Interior under Warren Harding pocketed $ for oil leases on government property let to his buddies. So what else is new?????
Obama seems as ignorant of American history as the resul tof the idiot voters who elected him...and I don't mean the faithful Democrats. Like somebody said, if you get praised by aCheney watch out. You'r edoiing something vile. Pray for our country. There's nothing anybody can do. McCain/Palin were still impossible, and Ihate to have chosen the lesser of two evils. Next time there will be two evils and no choice, I'm afraid.
Yes, Obama is bad news.
Never thought I'd say it about a Democratic president. Even Jimmy Carter, who was a failure as president has more integrity.
bob-18505084,
Were those the years, 2002-2007, that the "bubbles" were inflating?
Savanha and Chuck Let me say it again!... Right or wrong He is my President! Law makers need to understand that he represents all of the people. We all can't get every thing we want. Remeber there is what we need and what we want! I tell that to my "Son" every day! Some of our children need to learn this lesson. It starts with the groan ups in the room! Learn the value of what we need to have so we can fight in the next two years! You all under estimate what his real connection is to the Amermican People!