A year into his tenure, a majority of Americans would already vote against Pres. Obama

[Dan J 277]

I think it is wonderful that Democrats are in denial. PLEASE continue. I suggest that Obama change nothing and Democrats pay NO attentiuon to the polls until, at least, mid-November 2012.

The poll numbers reflect frustration that the economy is not improving fast enough (which is understandable, especially if you are out of work and can't find a job). Within the next 3 years, the economy will improve significantly and poll numbers along with it. Republicans have to get over the populist/elite split to be able to mount any serious challenge in 2012.

[Ban Hammer 14,078]

Don't know about you, but never, ever, at no such time, was I ever asked my opinion in a poll. Really question this thing and know a lot of ####### that are guided by the results of a poll. Just another scheme to form public opinion rather than to gather it.

If you don't like what Obama is doing, first president that I know of that at least let's you e-mail to him your feelings, so are you e-mailing? I am, I don't like sending more troops to Afghanistan with reasons. One is that the Taliban is going crazy now and killing our young men with their half crazed suicidal bombers. And I certainly don't like our trade deficit with the Chinese. So express your views, maybe I am the only one sending these e-mails. What about you?

i'm sure you're already on a white house list or two as an enemy of the state

[Dakine10 5,452]

Wrong. A miniscule plurality voted for Gore. THose that voted Nader don't count. If you don't like the electoral college, get it changed.

true enough, but ONLY if you count ALL the votes in Florida. Gore wanted to count only TWO counties which was not in keeping with the statute and this is why he lost the decision with the Supreme Court. Had he decided to play fair, instead of trying to cheat...he would have won.

But, anyway, he fixed Global Warming with his film and I am not sure he could have done that if he was President so maybe it all worked out for the best.

For the love of God!! They did count all the votes. And then recounted. I'm stating a fact, not a what if....

Gore won the popular vote with a majority, not a plurality. And that majority was half a million votes.

Bush won the Electoral college and the presidency. That's all that matters in the end.

I'm not questioning the fairness or legality of anything. I'm saying national percentage polls mean jack, especially 3 years away from an election.

http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2000/prespop.htm

[Peikko 1,575]

You must not pay attention to what Obama actually does.

I didn't clamour for anything. America cannot manufacture affordable products anymore because we're paid more than any other manufacturing country, and therefore can't export hardly anything, and can't sell here either. Something different has to be done instead of constantly pandoring and bailing out the Unions.

You don't know jack ###### about manufacturing, that's for sure. German workers have better conditions and wages and yet Germany has only recently been overtaken as the biggest exporter of manufactured goods, and not by the USA.

i'm sure you're already on a white house list or two as an enemy of the state

I'm sure that's your idea of humour. Sad though that is.

[nowhereman 1]

All he has to do is to stick with ideas he campaigned with, do his best to see those materialize into policy and he and the rest of the Democratic Party will be fine.

IMO Obama should have focused on the economy first, then foriegn policy & then healthcare. Once he got the economy turned around it would be easier for the other two to fall in place, since the economy is by far the most important issue in the minds of Americans (based on several polls I've seen).

[Ban Hammer 14,078]

I'm sure that's your idea of humour. Sad though that is.

at least i have one

[Dan J 277]

IMO Obama should have focused on the economy first, then foriegn policy & then healthcare. Once he got the economy turned around it would be easier for the other two to fall in place, since the economy is by far the most important issue in the minds of Americans (based on several polls I've seen).

Yup, and will have the most weight on his poll numbers up or down.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

IMO Obama should have focused on the economy first, then foriegn policy & then healthcare. Once he got the economy turned around it would be easier for the other two to fall in place, since the economy is by far the most important issue in the minds of Americans (based on several polls I've seen).

I agree, however, health care reform will help boost our economy. More Americans filed bankruptcy over medical bills last year than any other economic reason. Not addressing health care reform right now is ignoring the elephant in the closet.

[nowhereman 1]

I agree, however, health care reform will help boost our economy. More Americans filed bankruptcy over medical bills last year than any other economic reason. Not addressing health care reform right now is ignoring the elephant in the closet.

Politics is about pleasing your constituents, not enacting controversial reform that roughly half of Americans don't agree with. Once you please your constituents (e.g. fixing the economy) you can tackle the controversial reform (e.g. healthcare) that you want. By doing it in reverse you jeopardize both.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Bush's approval ratings were over 80% shortly after 9/11 and they hovered around 30% during the last two years he was in office. Conversely Reagan's numbers were below 50% after his first year & he is now regarded as one of the best Presidents we've had (while Bush is considered one of the worst).

My point? Approval ratings can change drastically over the course of a President's tenure & what really matters are the approval ratings near election time & of course the opinions of a President after they leave office. Obama's current approval ratings are merely a snapshot & say very little about his Presidency (only history will tell).

Indeed - we're only barely into the second year of a 4 year term. Noone says or requires anyone has to like Obama, but like it or not everyone is stuck with him.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Politics is about pleasing your constituents, not enacting controversial reform that roughly half of Americans don't agree with. Once you please your constituents (e.g. fixing the economy) you can tackle the controversial reform (e.g. healthcare) that you want. By doing it in reverse you jeopardize both.

You can't lead by the fickleness of polls. Americans at the time of the election were overwhelmingly in favor of health care reform. Negative and doubt are much more effective persuaders to voters, especially in the context of our economic woes. Once health care reform passes its final stage and is finally signed by the President, which I'm still hopeful it will, voters will direct their frustrations over the economy elsewhere. Just look at how the Tea Baggers have tried to make health care reform a threat to our already troubled economy. Obama needs to sell this home to the public until it is reaches the finish line, but he's having issues within his own party from both the liberals and conservatives.

[nowhereman 1]

You can't lead by the fickleness of polls. Americans at the time of the election were overwhelmingly in favor of health care reform. Negative and doubt are much more effective persuaders to voters, especially in the context of our economic woes. Once health care reform passes its final stage and is finally signed by the President, which I'm still hopeful it will, voters will direct their frustrations over the economy elsewhere. Just look at how the Tea Baggers have tried to make health care reform a threat to our already troubled economy. Obama needs to sell this home to the public until it is reaches the finish line, but he's having issues within his own party from both the liberals and conservatives.

Believe me I understand how misinformation, fickleness & political agendas are more powerful variables than truth & doing what benefits the greatest number of people & the term "politics" has a negative connotation for good reason. However to be a successful politician you have to understand the game & manipulate it to get what you want.

[Danno 1,228]

While it's very true Obamas numbers today are not a real predictor of his re-election chances, they are not meaningless either.

I know my Leftist buds look to clinton and Reagans similar numbers at the first year mark to find hope.... but the huge difference is.

Clinton nearly sunk his ship with Left wing policy but was actually saved from self destruction by the GOP sea change in the house (2 years into his first term.)

this Surge of new REpublicans stopped all his leftist ####### and redirected him to the middle where he by and large did well.

Reagan was brought into public favor by an improved economy.

If Obama were to stop now with the Leftist stuff and the economy recovers he too could recover "if" this fall we see a Republican surge in the house, it will prevent him from doing more damage to himself... just as happened with Clinton.

For Obama to be a one term President, he needs the freedom to enact his agenda. Unfortunately a GOP surge this fall will actually help make Obama a two term president by blocking the very things that would damage him most...... his goals.

Edited January 19, 2010 by Danno

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Believe me I understand how misinformation, fickleness & political agendas are more powerful variables than truth & doing what benefits the greatest number of people & the term "politics" has a negative connotation for good reason. However to be a successful politician you have to understand the game & manipulate it to get what you want.

Yep. Obama needs to stop playing nice if he wants to get this done. He could learn a thing or two from Clinton's playbook.

[Peikko 1,575]

What is the 'leftist' stuff of which Danno speaks? Anyone? I don't see anything left leaning going on anywhere, perhaps I need glasses?