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Subscribe to RSSPolitico: “The politics of the debt fight were a drag for President Barack Obama, yanking his popularity to new lows. Here’s an even bigger drag: Obama emerges from the months-long fracas weaker – and facing much deeper and more durable political obstacles – than his own advisers ever imagined.”
The New York Times says it’s likely that Treasury Secretary Geithner will stay in his job, despite an earlier suggestion that he might leave after the debt debate was over. “Mr. Obama and his chief of staff, William M. Daley, have been urging Mr. Geithner to stay, administration officials say, not only for continuity when the economy has weakened and to avoid an all-but-certain confirmation fight in the Senate over a successor, but also because Mr. Obama has developed a close rapport with Mr. Geithner.”
“Although Obama doesn’t turn 50 until Thursday, his visit [to Chicago] symbolized presidentially and politically a need to turn the corner following weeks of bruising debate over raising the nation’s debt ceiling and cutting the country’s deficit,” the Chicago Tribune writes, adding, “The toll of that fight on Obama’s presidency, particularly in light of his 2008 election mantra of change in Washington, gave a special emphasis to what has become a standard in his early re-election campaign — a request for patience.”
“President Barack Obama told supporters at a hometown fundraiser last night that the debt ceiling debate in Washington ‘sets the stage’ for the 2012 election,” Bloomberg reports. “ ‘This episode was just a severe example of what has been going on for quite some time, and it’s part of what led me to run for president,’ he told about 100 donors at a dinner on the eve of his 50th birthday at a Chicago concert hall. The events of the past two weeks, he said, illustrate ‘not only how tough it’s going to be, but exactly what’s at stake.’”
Valerie Jarrett, a senior advisor to President Obama, will visit Columbia, South Carolina next week for a fundraiser for Gen44, the under-40 branch of the Obama fundraising effort, The State newspaper reports. Obama defeated Hillary Clinton to win the state in the 2008 primary but lost to John McCain by 10 points in the general election.
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Polls are definitely tanking for the President.
There are two possible causes: 1) he has failed to carry out his policies to the satisfaction of the American people, and/or 2), the GOP strategy of obstruct, deny, and destroy anything Obama wants is working.
Sadly, I think it's a combination of the two.
Obama keeps saying "Be patient" in the long run, things will get better, but of course, John Maynard Keynes also famously said;
"In the Long Run We Are All Dead"
Obama seems to be quite a fan of Keynes' economic philosophy - lots of government spending.
ROY WILSON.
Your delusion is strong.
You are quite ignorant as to the spending from the Obama administration.
The majority of the spending since Obama took office HAS NOT been from his policies. In fact, the majority is due to lost federal revenue and increased manditory outlays from the recession. Another chunk is from leftover spending from the last administration that is still costing this country.
Obama has spent trying to stimulate the economy, and while the overwelming majority of the economic analysis shows the stimulus has helped the economy, the GOP has obstructed each and every attempt to further stimulate it.
We are seeing the results of the stimulus running out right now, kid. Most significantly, from the lack of extended funding to the states. The lack of that funding, combined with economically distructive policies and layoffs from the GOP in state government, as well as the uncertainty created by the GOP led tea party surrounding the debt ceiling, may push us into a double dip recession.
This is the result of the right wing (once again) ignoring basic economics, and history. Hello 1937.
Happy 50th birthday Mr. President!! We have a rare president who can do great things for America. A president who cares. A president with vision who has, according to Fact-Check (or one of those outfits) made good on 500 of his campaign promises.
The Party of NoNoNo is now predictable in its hostage-taking strategy. Right now, it is asking us to ignore the gun they're still holding over us all and cave once again to their agenda. This time they're holding 75,000 construction jobs and 400 FAA jobs hostage. This includes 40 airport inspector jobs who continue to do their work using their own credit cards for as long as they can. The right wing is holding their extremist anti-labor position higher than the safety and security of traveling citizens. Imagine that.
This is serious stuff. GOP bully tactics are hurting Americans big time. Congressionals do not even have to come back from vacation sign off on a clean bill to set this right over the summer. They've done it 20 times before since 2007 and they can do it now. The FAA Union issue has nothing to do with the Federal government. The time for the ideological fight is after they pass a clean bill and 75,000 workers are can pay their rent, buy food for their families.
This is not the time to play ideological stalemate. This is another manufactured crisis that can be resolved very quickly. Both chambers are in pro forma as GOP does not want the President to appoint a Consumer agency head, which Republicans are blocking, during recess. So they have no excuses. The time to let these innocent people go back to work is right now, Today.
Yes, that is right, hurry up and pass the bill, poor Harry Reid and other Dem Senators need their own private airport, subsidized by taxpayers....what is the problem, not like the government is broke or anything?
Backhouse....
Don't know about you, but I am not in favor of subsidizing anybodys plane ticket to the tune of $3,720 each. Furthermore, I really don't care if they have passed the bill 20 times since 2007, this is a new age and there is absolutely no accountability in DC and its high time that we started being a little more careful with the taxpayer's money.
Lastly, I need details on how do you get the progressive/socialists to do anything for the taxpayers without putting a problem in the headlines?
Oh, I forgot, and as far as the consumer protection agency goes - I don't give a rip about the AGENCY, much less its head...
Just Saying...
Tea party, So glad you can live above the accountability fray and all the things you don't "give a rip about". Congrats on being the only important, best thing in the world.
You are ready to sacrifice 75,000 people and the safety of citizen air travel. Stay home. Stay disconnected.
Backhouse:
This whole FAA thing is another contrived crisis made up by the GOP/TP. What they did was to stop the Approval for the FAA to collect tax revenues on airplane ticket sales. The reason is they attached an anti-union amendment to the bill basically saying id they do not get to trash the union then you do not get he FAA approval.
That put 4,000 FAA employees on the street along with 70,000+ construction workers. It has been reported by all the major media outlets that between now and when these part-time workers in Congress come back from their vacation it will cost the government about $1.3 Billion dollars. Nice, the GOP/TP just got done screaming about lowering the deficit and what do they do, they just increased the deficit by these lost revenues of 1.3 Billion.
And that does not include the lost revenues from income and payroll taxes that are not being paid into the system while these 75,000 people are laid off.
Again the "Obstructionists" are holding 75,000 people hostage until they get their anti-union amendment passed.
As McConnell said yesterday he will use this tactic to get what he wants - We will see more and more of this so called holding America "Hostage" until they get their own way. And they do not care how much carnage and damage they do.
Backhouse:
With the GOP/TP it is always about them and not the country.
For example:
Show me the proof where the FAA is adding $3,720.00 for a plane ticket.
Surely you are not trying to take the services they provide to keep the skies safe and they runways in repair as proof of this. If so then you better get used to walking, riding a bike or very long car rides.
Navy, Secretary LaHood was saying the critical air security and safety projects won't get done and winter coming on. The FAA issue is complex and separate from signing off on the one-liner clean bill that puts everyone back to work right away.
GOP/Norquist are trying to normalize/familiarize their precedent that everyone must cave to them, or nothing doing.
Navy, Maybe you should do a little research on the FAA Extension. The house passed the extension on Jul 20th, after deleting the section pertaining to the union voting that the President promised to veto. The language in the house bill is almost like the Senate bill and the only ones holding it up are a few democratic senators.
Navy,
This is so typical of you, not to tell the entire story about the FAA bill. The union wants to be able to claim victory when they recieved a majority of the votes cast, not a majority of the employees, as is the current law. Why on earth, should this be able to stand, if this stands all the union has to do is go to one airport and get the majority of the votes cast at that single airport. They don't have to worry about the entire co. just the employees at one airport. So if all the Air Trans employees at LAX vote to become unionized, that vote impacts all employees of Air Trans whether they are at LAX or Boston. Shouldn't all employees of a company be allowed the opportunity to vote if they want to be unionized. Why does the union consistently look for ways to force people to be unionized. First it was card check, now this.
Backhouse:
Just a little while ago Reid brokered a deal to get the FAA up and running tomorrow by a 100% vote in the Senate.
Once again the Senate is the ones doing the House's job. Would be nice to have a full time House on duty instead of one that only works 2 weeks on and 1 week off, then takes 1 month vacations and holidays etc. Sound like that are only around 60% of the time.
Great part time work if you can get it. $170,000+ Salary, benefits and a Pension that the private sector would die for.
Navy. Good news.
I know that Sens Reid, Schumer, Boxer, Hoyer and Rockefeller have been pushing hard to get a response. Imagine not having a pay check for 6 weeks, your children going back to school shortly and summer the big season for construction work. These folks have been on pins and needles for 12 days or so.
You often hear about "soft" support for a politician, but I also think there is such a thing as "soft disapproval."
The disapproval of George W. was rock bottom hard, as people formed a negative opinion of him personally.
The disapproval of President Obama is more tied to the challenging economic situation we find ourselves in. It reflects our frustration. It isn't a reflection of how people feel about him personally. That kind of "disapproval" goes up and down with the economic weather. I fear the Republicans know that, which is why they are doing everything they can to hurt the economy. (If you disagree with that, at least admit, they aren't helping.)
Amy ,
I agree about the 'soft disapproval'; President Obama deserves personal respect as the first African American President, and by all accounts a great family man ;
So the voters in November 2012 will 'softly' elect a Republican President in a 'soft' landslide.
so he doesn't deserve respect for a being a decent person - period? You have to put a qualifier on it? Geez bob-numbers, you're getting worse everyday and I'm surprised at how much further you can sink.
kingofmyhill,
I said the President deserves personal respect; compare with your moonbat pals here, who viciously and personally attack Republicans on a daily basis.
Bob,
The three most unpopular governors are all Republican. The Republican House has hit a historic low in the nation's eyes. Voters aren't happy with the current climate, but they sure as heck don't want to turn things over to the Republicans.
Amy,
I will be in Maine in a few weeks. Can I try some of that koolaid you've been imbibing?
Amy. Good thinking. I agree. Barack Obama is a big picture thinker. He was not willing to take a CHANCE on default. The stakes now are higher than they were during Clinton's time.
If no one remembers one of Pres. Obama's quotes—I do.
He said: "If folks are not happy with me as President, then VOTE ME OUT! I can live with that".
But—I ask—how could anyone want the conniving Republicans to run our government—SCARY!!!!!
Ha ha, Bob
I hope you have a nice vacation in Maine. Maybe Gov. Paul LePage will serve up another controversy while you are here (he blows up periodically, like a whale coming to the surface.) Just kidding, hope you have a relaxing time here.
Amy #3.4:
Actually, I've not read of who the 3 most unpopular Republican Governors are? Who are they? Source?
The disapproval of Barack Obama is simply because he is incompetent. It did not take long for people to discover just how bloody incompetent this failed president really is. He has failed at every turn, he is a follower and not a leader, he polarizes instead of unites, and he incites people to riot by his stupid and banal comments and speeches. Yet, in spite of this clear and abysmal failure, a lot of people still support him. Those who do mainly pay no taxes or else they are on the government dole. Why, hell, over 70% of atheists and agnostics voted for this incompetent man. Why would you not support this man if he were providing largesse and financial well-being for little work and little still of effort? Yet, Obama and his lazy-assed supporters will prove to be the death of America.
I see the Dow has plunged 370 points... Maybe Obama should try some new policy changes since his ideas/methods aren't working:
1) Tell the NLRB to back off Boeing
2) Kill Obamacare and save the country 1000s of pages of regulations and a ton of $$$
3) Back off the energy sector - kill the 1000s of new regs (I've worked in the power industry for 30 years - BO is not helping at all). Wind and rainbows cannot power a country.
4) Lower the corporate tax rate
5) Fire Jeff Immelt
V. Bevis
the least popular governors are LePage (Maine) Kasich (Ohio) and Scott (Florida)
Walker (Wisconsin), another freshman Teapublican governor, is nearly as unpopular (54% disapproval.)
All four of these governors are trying to implement the Tea Party agenda, and tanking badly. Looks like these policies are not going down well in the real-world.
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/republican-governors-remarkably-unpopular/
Wonder if the people of Ohio know that the State of Ohio Bonds were just UPGRADED last wk.? ( per CNBC 8/3) How are they in ME?
Pat, Boston: After reading your posts from yesterday, I really have to go along with your thinking and not believe that Pres. Obama caved to the Repbs. although it looks that way. I support your theory all the way!
Lets' see if Valerie heads down to the vicinity of the Boeing plant to ask for money while broadcasting to the locals how the Obama Admin is focused (again) on jobs.
Good thinking. I think you are on target. Thank you!
Hey bob, what makes you think they are my moonbat buddies? You got a guilty conscience or just a knee jerk reaction?
Comment from yesterday. Rangel was asked what he thought of the President. He said--Compared to what? He may not hit every home run but you can't seriously want Bachmann or Pawlenty or Mittster instead? Or perhaps you really have lost your mind.
The Liberals are choking on Obama now :-) I have personally looked forward to this moment in history . Today our debt surpassed our GDP for the first time ever. It's Congress's Fault, Its Wall Street's Fault, It's Bush's Fault, Its Insurance Companies Fault, Its the Rich people's Fault, Its the Republicans Fault, Its the Tea Party's Fault, Its the Big Oil Companies Fault,, ask Obama,, everyone is to blame except him - lol.
The Dow is tanking as is the Nasdaq and the S & P . 1st Quarter GDP was revised from 1.8% to .4%. The second quarter will be worse. Obama Care now gives FREE medical care to women ,, another payoff,, smacks of the Union Payoffs.
How can you Liberals ignore the facts ? Blows my mind. With radicals like Paul Krugman , Thomas Friedman, E.J. Dionne, and Larry Summers who failed but can't keep his mouth sealed,,, no wonder Obama has failed.
Read the polls folks. America has turned on Obama thank GOD ! Romney is ahead of him. Rick Perry will be sworn in January 2012 and you Liberals have a long, long time to wail and cry ahead of you. Liberalism has failed , is failing worse,, and you can no longer spin it any other way.
The Facts don't lie. Smears, Slurs, and radical ideas are OUT !
Alan, I believe during WWII our debt surpassed our GDP.
Alan, you have a thing against women. Plus you are giving facts from the 1st and 2nd Quarter of 2011 after the GOP was put back into office. The way I see it, things don't look so hot for the GOP!!!!