Do you think Obama is going to get re-elected?

[Jake_Sully]

I knew early on whoever inherited the mess Bush got us into, would have a very hard time getting re-elected but I disagreed the neo conservative agenda so much I voted for Obama. But I think what he did yesterday might be correct but will be terribly unpopular and will pretty much be the nail in the coffin of his presidency.

After skirting the controversy for weeks, President Barack Obama is weighing in forcefully on the mosque near ground zero, saying a nation built on religious freedom must allow it.

"As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country," Obama told an intently listening crowd gathered at the White House Friday evening to observe the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

"That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances," he said. "This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s....]

I know the constitution of the US under the 1st amendment says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Even though every president swears, "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will execute the Office of President of the United States faithfully, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God.", the greatest presidents have realized the Constitution of the United States is a living, breathing document that may require changing on occasion to do away with the old thinking to make way for the new like Lincoln with the Emancipation Proclamation. If he had said, the constitution needs amending to outlaw Islam, he'd virtually be guaranteed re-election.

What he did yesterday might be correct but will definitely not be popular. It may cost him the independents and even the democrats who aren't at ease with the muslim problem. The headache for me isn't about this mosque today although it pisses me off, the greater headache is the right wing economic and politicial agenda that might get voted in because of this huge gaffe and may very well end in the dollar being weaker, possibly another war, social security being privatized and medicare being shot down since its not covered by the constitution where 3/4th of the states need to agree for a change. Also it means we'll have more right wing judges on the SCOTUS which can create a myriad of problems unless the jackass party can pull a rabbit out of a hat.

What do you think? (Its fine if you don't agree with me, I'm just curious what you think).

[Bumpa STIKKA]

He'll most likely get in again... (it seems that eight years is the minimum for any party) because the Republicans are in such a mess.

Why are politicians in the western world so afraid of the Muslims?

Obama doesn't have a sense of humour or a decent personality. He's as dull as dishwater so he's gonna struggle to find a majority of people to run with him. But the Repubs are in such a mess. They'll never fully recover from the Palin embarrassment.

The biggest problem facing politics in the USA is that once elected the dicks in office spend four years on the election campaign trail and nothing good really gets done.

[seanbeag7]

I don't agree with those bloody muslims building a mosque anywhere near gound zero, that would be the same thing like a prick like the pope going over to the middle of a muslim community and building a huge church, then telling them to accept all religions, they would nail the stupid fucker to a cross and the burn the church.


So all i say is if the muslims want to build a mosque, fuck off and build in your own backyard, and stop trying to shove the korn down people throats.


that's just my 2 cents worth.

[harley quinn]

Although I voted "yes barely" I do wonder whether with sacked general Stanley McChristal leaving the army there might be a Palin / McChristal ticket pushed out by the Republicans in two years time.

Apologies if I spelt the man's name incorrectly - too bone idle to Google

[Chinaman]

Personally I think it is much too early to tell. Many things can still happen either way. I also guess that a lot of people who voted for him might be very disappointed by now but then I would ask what did they expect.

I might be wrong here but I suspect that the U.S. are predominantly Republican and the Democrats only make it when the Reps either fuck up big time (Bush) or have an extremely charismatic personality (Clinton).

Another 2-3 parties with some 10 percent each in ballot power would do the U.S. good but I do not see it happening. On the other hand these do not exist in the U.K either.

I also feel that the Republican Party pretty much cares shit about the nation as long as their people remain in power and their companies are doing well. With the Dems it might be the same but less obvious perhaps.

Looking at it from a Continental European POV, it seems pretty unbelievable that they cannot agree on a national health care bill or whatever that might be called.

Don't get me wrong - as a European I would like to see a strong (but not an arrogant US) to keep emerging powers like China at bay.

[whore]

Go Sarah Palin !!!

*I'll get my coat*

[deepthroat]

I wanted to start a "Democrats for Palin" movement, as I think she's the best thing that's come around for Democrats in decades.

Great thread Jake.

I think he squeaks back in for the same reason Bumpa stated - the Republicans are in complete disaray.

[strocube]

I voted, "it all depends on the economy . . ." That said, I think it was extremely politically unwise for him to endorse the building of a mosque at ground zero. He is of course, correct in theory, that religious freedom is a key value in this country. But I think it really comes down to a matter of sensitivity; building a mosque at that site is seen as an insult to the memories of all the people who lost their lives at the hands of muslims at that very place.
However, since people here have the attentions spans of gnats, as long as the economy recovers enough when it's close to re-election he'll get back in, just barely.

[ALASKAN BEAR]

please god no Palin. Alaska hates the bitch please don't let her become are pres.

if she wins i will just move to another country. now where will i go??

[kahuna]

(Chinaman @ Aug. 14 2010,23:14) I might be wrong here but I suspect that the U.S. are predominantly Republican

You are wrong mate..As of July 2010 "There are 63 million registered Democrats, 47 million registered Republicans, and 32 million registered as independents."

[ALASKAN BEAR]

i am a independent ..

[Jake_Sully]

Can't resist adding this AB.

Assuming she gets elected, and spends 4 years running for re-election and hunting moose while fox news has unparalleled access to every shot missing the broad side of a barn, if she gets re-elected, will she resign just because she's a lame duck?

[ALASKAN BEAR]

(Jake_Sully @ Aug. 15 2010,04:49)

Can't resist adding this AB.

Assuming she gets elected, and spends 4 years running for re-election and hunting moose while fox news has unparalleled access to every shot missing the broad side of a barn, if she gets re-elected, will she resign just because she's a lame duck?

what makes you think she wont drop out it the first 4 years.
god forbid her getting elected in the first place..

[Jake_Sully]

Ah the flip flopping begins. He says he didn't say that, then the white house says he meant what he said.

No spine!  

DT Please start the club and let me know if you need my signature to add to the petition.

[Chinaman]

(kahuna @ Aug. 15 2010,04:19)

(Chinaman @ Aug. 14 2010,23:14) I might be wrong here but I suspect that the U.S. are predominantly Republican

You are wrong mate..As of July 2010 "There are 63 million registered Democrats, 47 million registered Republicans, and 32 million registered as independents."

I was more looking at the outcome.
For one, there is no Independent Party, so who do the independents usually vote for?
63+47+32=142 mio
The entire pop of the US is around 310 mio (?), so that leaves 168 mio of which not all can be below voting age - so who will those vote for
but anyway, even if a Democrat got more votes from the people, he/she might still not become president

but what I am surprised about is that the Palin-gal (or should I rather say the Palin-bitch) is even in the remotest a possibility
if she should make it, the worst years are still to come