Obama no longer re-election favorite

Obummer? Really? Oh dear, oh please, oh yawn.

Because no one will run against him.

Obama has my vote.

Agreed!

If he had listened to Reich in the first place we wouldn't be here. Yes, he caved, if they had been allowed to expire we would have a lot more money in the till as we go down the road. They could have been separated out and that might have been a line they didn't really want to cross, if it had been framed appropriately (much like the healthcare debacle-I work in healthcare, please don't argue this one with me here, I might not be able maintain my serene cool). While the payroll tax was a much better boost to the average pocket (though the PR was so bad most people didn't know it), here the thing - think about where that tax goes, what is not being funded. I'm not sure that's a good long-term idea.
Yes, compromise is how it SHOULD work, but compromise hasn't been happening as you point out yourself. And, yes, if efforts for compromise fail then at some point before you give away the store you say "Enough." Then you say, "Fine, if you don't want to play nice, we'll play hardball." There are people asking him to stand up for them as he promised they would (example, the comfortable shoes for walking the picket line... I'm a union member and I was saddened at his lack of response... or even the VP, if he wanted to stand out of it - I would have been good with that). The people doing their best to stop government from working are NOT playing fair and NOT following the spirit of the law.
I'd rather he go down fighting. He does need to channel a little FDR.

He was preaching to the choir. Of course the Unions want him for four more years, he gave them part ownership of GM and Chrysler, and exemptions from Obamacare the rest of us will have to pay for. He's sued Boeing to keep them from building a plant in South Carolina, a right to work state, because it might take jobs from their plant in Washington, a Union state. If I was in a Union I'd want him back too. He does whatever they want.

Yeah, I sure noticed that during the travesties in Wisconsin and Ohio. Right there, he was, in his "comfortable shoes." Oh, no, wait, he wasn't.

I couldn't stand Bush so didn't pay much attention like I do Obama. I know he tried to put SS in the stock market and Dems stopped him. He convinced them Iraq had nukes so got that war through. Afghanistan was because of 911. What else did he get through besides everyone in congress was scared of the economy, so gave him the Tarp. Then he bailed the big banks out.

At least Obama bailed out the car Industry,gave tax cuts to everyone making 250,000.Helped the middle class. The Bush tax cuts run out in 2012 and Obama will not renew them. He will veto anything congress does. I have more faith then you. Republicans will kill everything for the middle class, including entitlements.

He could have let the tax cuts expire, but then he couldn't have extention for unemployment, extention for the tax cuts he gave the middle class or payroll tax. Not to mention funding fo planned parenthood. The middle class benefited from this. They were more important, especially since the Bush tax cuts would run out next year any way, unless a Republican gets in office. I hope you don't lose your cool but millions need Healthcare. Congress stopped the Public Option. If in another term I think he will try again, depending on the congress we give him. Do you work for one of the big health care companies? I believe they bought the votes against the Public Option. I know the PR tax cut goes to SS. It is only for another year. If people get back to work they will run out.
Play hardball against the teaparty house. I think you know anything Obama wants has to go through both houses .Not so easy after voters didn't stand by him in 2010. Obama gave a great speech to union members. They yelled "FOUR MORE YEARS". As far as the states, I'm sorry to say a president has no control over them. I know the house is not playing fair, so vote them out, let Obama show you many more accomplishments he can get. Now jobs, economy is most important.

I do believe Reich is right. We have to spent to get out of this. Then worry about the debt, but tell the house that.

You people should stick together. I just answered on unions above. Unions are for Democrats because they are for the middle class. Republicans for the rich. Unions and Democrats have always stood together,long before Obama. GM and Chrysler would be gone if it weren't for Obama. They have had unions long before Obama. He bailed them out to save the jobs.Give him credit for something, unless you wanted them to go under.

I believe had he packaged it differently - continue for under 1 million income - expire above that, and put out a continuation of un employment, presented it to the people with that frame, laet tax rates expire for those making OVER 1 MILLION annually, and extending unemployment... I think he could have sold that one to the public - and there were strong voices saying this at that time, I believe Robert Reich included (in fact I think that's who I heard it from first). The result of NOT doing this led to more outrageous arrogance from Republicans with the accompanying disrespect for and disconnect from the Spirit of the Constitution/Bill of Rights/Office of the President/and the American People. This gave them the "Debt Ceiling Crisis" they were just successful at linking with the budget for the first time ever.
Yes, I know it goes through both Houses. Again, I stand by my opinion that he could have taken that one to the people and won in the Houses. Something about those words " OVER one MILLION dollars" connected to "Income" grab the attention differently than lower numbers. And, I think the Republicans would have looked mighty Scrooge-like had they let the Unemployment stop at Christmas Time - any other time, sure, they'd do it, but Christmas??? I'm not so sure.
About this, we may need to agree to disagree. To quote Billy Joel, "You may be right. I may be crazy."
I am a Registered Nurse who works in a hospital in a speciality unit. I was sidelined with an injury at work and was temporarily placed in the department that has to justify every expense, test, level of care day in the hospital so we could get paid by the insurance companies. Some are nice, many will do anything to get out of payment. You would think once I say, "He's in ICU, intebated and sedated" that would be the end of it. Oh, no. They still want the details of every drug and therapy or device used. "When will they extubate." "Why did they do this? That could be done at a 'lower level of care' we aren't going to pay for that in the hosptial (or on that unit)." "Well, the note said it was improving. You only get 3 days for that." When they decline payment the hospital often eats a large bit as if the providers choice of treatment plan is our responsibility and fault. Doc thinks a patient needs an extra day to be safe going home, but they don't need an IV and IV meds which NEED to be done in the hospital, etc - hospital loses that money - all of it: for the bed, for the care, for the meds, for any additional tests done that day. And, those loses get spread out in billing fee hikes and employee wages/benefits, and lay-offs. I am also a union member and we are fighting for our lives - and yours.
Peace

oh, and you are right that he never "really" had that legendary "super majority". The Blue Dogs, well, weren't very true Blue, now were they. So, very sad for our country. I do think we could have done great things with a true majority. Wrongs to right...
"To fight for the Right without question or pause. To be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause. And I know, if I'll only be true to this glorious quest, that my heart will be peaceful and calm when I'm laid to my rest. And, the world will be better for this, that one man scored and covered with scars, still strove with his last ounce of courage, to reach the unreachable star."
Has anybody seen my Windmill?

I give him credit for that. Before the Rs start crying Government Motors... does anyone remember Lee Iacocca and Chrysler? Back then they called it a loan rather than a bailout.

GM and Chrysler went bankrupt, they filed Chapter 11. They could have done that without a bailout of millions of tax dollars, which they got illegally anyway, because it came out of TARP money specifically in the TARP law set aside for financial institutions, which GM and Chrysler of course are not. The bankruptcy laws of the US are very specific as to who gets paid in what order. Those laws were ignored in GM and Chrysler's cases. The bond holders who should have been paid first, got nothing. The Unions who are among the last to get paid, were given an ownership share. The laws of our country were skirted or just ignored all the way down the line. Unions are for themselves, that's it, that's all they care about, not me, not you, just themselves. And Obama gave them everything they wanted.

fI think Obama did the right thing. Millions of jobs would have been lost if GM, Chrysler had went under. This is counting all that depends on our car industry, dealers, parts etc. The economy would be worst not to mention they are one of the Industrys left that we created..

Gm has paid the money back. They also created 55,000 new jobs in the US. It saved the employees still working.

The Bush tax cuts wouldn't have run out till the end of 2010. Obama gave the tax cuts after he took office. It was a promise he kept. People needed money in their pocket to spend.

Sometimes you have to have faith. Mine is with Obama. I believe I'm right.

When Bush left office he gave the rest of the Tarp to Obama to use. Nothing Illegal. If it was Republicans would have jumped on it. Unions are for the working people. Fair wage, which is for me and you.

Perhaps your right on packing it differently, yet he did not come into office at a good time. It's easy to sit back and have opinions but doing the job is difficult. Don't know what went on behind the doors,I agree he can sell a lot to the American people. The problem is selling it to congress.If the Republicans don't agree with his speech tonight they will look like scrooges and untill the election he will take it to the American people. I'm glad your a Registered Nurse. We need more. I know getting money out of Big Ins. is difficult they don't want to spend the money to keep people another day or two. This has been going on for years. That's why i liked the Public Option. It would have hurt them. Yes unions are fighting for our lives. This is good.

No, he never had that super congress. They were not true blue and let the president down.

I remember and yes loan sounds better.

He also cares about the American people. Just saving a million jobs is important. When he ran in 2008 much of his money came from the grass roots. He ran the greatest internet campagn in history. Of coarse he will get other donations. They all do. People pay a lot to hear the president. Much comes from fundraisers.

I disagree that he does what the party tells him to do. The Republicans hate him. Some Democrates don't agree with everything he does. Ha, Your wrong, I'm right.

http://Always.an

Thank you, from my nurse's heart. I do love what I do for a living. I am very lucky. My day, my life can be crap sometimes, but helping a patient feel better seems to turn it around, or put it into perspective. Even when I retire, I think I'll volunteer.

And, yes, I can't imagine wanting to do his job. Couldn't handle it in a million years. Life and death decisions on a unit level - this I understand. Balancing my own budget? Geesh! What he's got going on - I can't even imagine. Yet, I will still educate myself to the best of my ability and coach/heckle/protest when I think he and those with whom he is bound by law to work with to get us out of this mess. It's our job to remind him that is the focus - not being Mr. Nice Guy and trying to reason with the unreasonable. At some point you have stand on that line in the sand where you say as one wise Captain did, "I will not sacrifice the (country). We've made too many compromises already; too many retreats. They invade our space and we fall back. They assimilate entire worlds and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn here! This far, no further! And *I* will make them pay for what they've done." (as in vote the jerks out of office ASAP and hold them responsible).

Anyway, I missed the speech because I work 12 hour nights. The bits I've had the chance to hear sounded great. The Grouch in me is annoyed, "Sure he's only now finding his voice again, after being warned repeatedly - Hey Charlie! Lucy is going to pull the ball away! Again! As Always. Charlie, do you know what the definition of insanity is??? And, if you do, please don't go to Lucy and pay her anything to "help you with your problem" - she is a huge hunk of your problem! The Cynic says, yeah and on the eve of election season, coincidence? I think not. Then, the Cock-Eyed Optimist (aka PollyAnna grew up and became Nellie) says who cares as long as he's doing something. He's fighting now. Get behind him. Make him do what he said he would do. Don't take no for an answer. Right makes might and we are mighty together. Together we can tear down any barrier, achieve any goal. We made it to the freaking moon, we can find a way to move this country forward. We will show the world how it's done.

Oh, dear... I must be over tired... oh, what the heck. Those are just my crazy voices going at it again in my head and the battle spilling over onto the keyboard. Do you see what I have to live with?!?! LOL

Thanks for listening.

Loved your response. I was contacted with a "push poll" for Sen. Collins last election. It was both infuriating and hilarious. I refused to answer some of the most inflammatory questions. I challenged them about it being a "push poll" and they were shocked, shocked I say to think that I would think their very one-sided questions that tried to lead you along to the "logical" conclusion that you would have to vote for her. I couldn't get through it all the way it was painful. "Ma'am you have to answer the question." - "No, I don't." It was a laugh.
Still, as a member of "the base" I have to say my confidence has waned. It's become a litttle like Keith said, that am I going to do, vote for Perry? I think not. I'm still saying my focus will be on the Senate and the House, though I doubt Snowe will fall... people are under the illusion that she's a moderate. Oh, look, another laugh!

I tend to agree with you, but this poll is so questionable, I don't think we can draw conclusions from it.

Are you stating that Bush did, had leadership. You all forget what Bush did to our country.

Let me clear this up. Yes, I voted for him. He was my second choice. My husband and I both felt while he was great a oratory, we felt he needed a little more time to develop as a legislator and politican; he seemed unprepared for how rough these guys play. I wanted Richardson. Now, there was a man with experience for the job. But, it was Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin - wasn't a hard choice.

Had we all known what the precise consequences of voting either way would
have been, I believe many more would have sat it out. Because were that the
case, that would have been the only clear choice. From all I've heard others
say about him, who are credible, we were manipulated behind the scenes into
voting for him. Not in the sense that it may have been absolutely predestined
to turn out in his favor though not ours arguably. But because of the probabilities.
Like the title to one episode of the 1960s TV series Maverick." Never buck the
percentages ", I believe we all were steered to the polls. Like a cattle drive to the
rail head at Abilene so we could be shipped to the Denver slaughterhouses,
only with fatal, not mortal consequences. Though the military personelle who
have died in Afghanistan since weren't so lucky in surviving my analogy.

Yeah, well I never voted for Bush either.

Richardson would have been great, the best resume on either side by far. I voted for Nader, no way I was going to vote for someone for President I didn't think should be President. What amazes me is there is still no primary challenger to Obama. So the Democrats are only going to give us one choice, and it's Obama. Surely they can do better than that, someone on their side has to run if they want to keep the White House. I know there has to be a better choice in the Democratic party, why aren't they running someone else?

Here's the thing. I agree with some, not with all, but my point here isn't that. I don't know if anyone even mentioned this to you or not. I mean, if your just speaking to those who already agree with you or your trying to irritate people on the middle zone, then please change nothing. If you are trying to make an intellectual argument or debate the points you might want to consider something; using cutesy names like "Nobama" and "Corporatist clerk" detract from what may be very valid point. It's like when someone starts SREAMING during a conflict. You stop being able to hear and understand what they are angry about because all you can hear is the volume.
So, do as you will, I have no problem with you speaking your mind. Your voice and opinion are as valid as any and I like hearing a variety of views. It's just something I wanted to share because while I want to hear what you have to say it's hard to extrapolate it out of the soundbytes and catch phase type talk.
Your mileage may vary.

I understand what you're point is with my naming him Nobama, Corporatist
clerk etc. I've also called him Pinochiobama, and Scalywag to Bush as his
Carpetbagger protege too. But I didn't say that to annoy or interfere with
your absorption of my ideas as thoughts per se. They must sound to others
as being emotionaly charged, I understand that too. I realy didn't intend to
use those names as blocks counterproductive to others' assimlation of my
phrases though. I only meant to infer that the bait & switch tactics he & Biden
used during the last erection ( no pun intended-that was yet another buzz word )
disillusioned many, many voters who would not have turned out to vote, imho,
were it not for his sales pitch. What we voted for, and what we actualy got
are obviously 2 different things though. Hence I call him Nobama. As for me
calling him Corporatist clerk, Corporations have been rising for the past 150
years of American History, and dominate politics now as they did even 100
years ago. During Theodore Roosevelt's time. For that, I truely believe the
last Presidents fit to be called presidents with a capital P ended with the 1960s.

I believe Jimmy Carter & Walter Mondale were ineffective because they
would not kowtow to the Corporations, and all the people they greased in
Congress. And that would make everyone from Nixon to Nobama their
ventriloquist dummy. I realy did not mean to shout. Although I have capitalized
whole words & phrases simply to emphasize an idea so emphaticly that I'm
sure others could sense it had the effect of raising my voice. I apologize if
my buzzwords were so very provocative that they stopped you from proceeding.
They are judgemental. I admit that. I believe him to be a facade who disgusts
me to the nth degree. It's therefore hard for me to remain perfectly neutral and
objective in stating only factual observations. Please understand too that though
I advocated for him during the erection process, he betrayed my trust, in practice
not simply principle, by not recalling the U.S.Attorneys as he promised he'd do,
and as has always been the custom. That injured me because we have a very
corrupt crook as U.S.Attorney here in the Onondaga county New York. He's the
partner of an equaly corrupt local D.A. who's been on the take for the past 30
years here. It could be argued reasonably that his choice for a new U.S. Attorney
would have been just as bad ( vs poor ), which is why he left the one there now
alone to satisfy Holder and Muller, who'm I'm convinced are Corporatist crooks
as he is. The fact remains we either need a decent president or a bloodless
revolution in the USA to change the rotten to the core status quo to rebuild it.
So that kids won't grow up thinking of the American Dream as George Carlin
used to wryly joke about. Bush & Nobama are agrueably the worst presidents
in U.S.History. Both remind me of corrupt carpetbaggers & scalyways plaguing
the South during the supposed Reconstuction era after the Civil War.

Thank you. I do enjoy a good political discussion. My husband and I agree on most things, but we don't always agree on the details and, boy, can we get going on those bits and pieces. The Nobama kind of things come out from time to time (hey, we're human), - but, used lightly, it can add some a bit for effect, like a punctuation mark. It's just when it's so heavy, it drags the discourse down. It's like very funny comedians who would be much funnier and easier to enjoy if they'd be more sparing with the foul language; some of them are soooo foul that the joke gets lost; not to mention that if your whole schtick is four letter words, I say go back to Junior High when that made us giggle.
Our language is so rich, with words that can be so nuanced, we really should revel in it, play with it, and use it to creatively push the limits of our considered reality. Jon Stewart is often brilliant both while aiming for laughter-with-meaning and his interviews can be very deep when he wants them to be. Keith Olbermann is amazing at his use of language to make his points - I love his prose. But, I digress.
I look forward to reading more from you! ;-)

Sanders isn't even a Democrat anyway.

I won't argue that, I'm just saying Sanders can't challenge Obama's primary nomination because he is not a member of the Democratic party, that's all. He would have to run third party. Which would be cool too. If Obama is all the Democrats are going to give us, we need a third party canidate.