Lame Duck Pres

[Jimbeaux]

hidetheelephants said:

Jimbeaux said:

Both houses of Congress was dominated by the Democrats for two years of Obama's first term; why did he not pass whatever he wished then? Why don't we give equal time to the far higher number of bills held up in the Democratic Senate, not even allowed to go to vote by Harry Reid, thus shielding the POTUS from being forced to veto or sign?

A plausible explanation I've read is that Obama spent a lot of his working life as a mediator and has a pathological need to reach compromises that everyone will sign up to; this is obviously a psychological weakness the GoP would not be backward about exploiting. As to why Reid acted as he did there is no similar plausible reason, so it must have been lizards.

That is as good a theory as any.

Previous POTUSes of, both parties, engaged in compromise and deal making. Obama does not do this. He is a "my way or the highway" type guy. Ex businessmen or Governors well understand the need for compromise. Obama was basically a community organizer in Chicago before stopping off briefly at the Senate (another job with no CEO experience), dividing parties and pitting them against one another. That is really all he understands. We should really not be surprised at his meteoric collapse.

Edited by Jimbeaux on Monday 24th November 18:57

[mybrainhurts]

So now he goes to Australia and speaks to slag off the Australian government for its stance on (non) global warming...

What an idiot.

On two counts...slagging off and believing this tripe about the climate.

[Jimbeaux]

mybrainhurts said:

So now he goes to Australia and speaks to slag off the Australian government for its stance on (non) global warming...

What an idiot.

On two counts...slagging off and believing this tripe about the climate.

His base is the far left, MMGW proponents being one portion of that base. He has to cater to who is still behind him. The Pipeline controversy for example; his own State Department studies have shown, more than once, that it is no environmental threat. Think of this little discussed bit; the oil the pipeline would carry from Canada to Texas refineries already comes from Canada to Texas, via railroads and trucks. Trains and trucks are far more apt to wreck than a stationary pipeline. Maybe the fact that one of Obama's largest donors (Warren Buffet) is the largest owner of trains/trucks currently hauling said oil has something to do with things.

The US economy is outgrowing Europe and Japan but could do so much better. If we could proceed with the pipeline, lower corporate tax (currently the world's highest at %35), and roll back some of the endless regulations foisted upon business by the Obama Environmental Protection Agency, we could surge economically. Safety is fine, but everyone knows these regulations are set in place by idealists who are at war with fossil fuels. The lower corporate tax rate would lure some of the nearly $2 Trillion Dollars currently based offshore back to the US.

Edited by Jimbeaux on Monday 24th November 21:52

[mybrainhurts]

Ah, I see.

Even that doesn't justify defying his advisers and going ahead with his inane speech.

If he keeps this up, the Aussies will chuck him in the old Pacific Sea and chunder on him.

[Jimbeaux]

mybrainhurts said:

Ah, I see.

Even that doesn't justify defying his advisers and going ahead with his inane speech.

If he keeps this up, the Aussies will chuck him in the old Pacific Sea and chunder on him.

I had not been keeping up on that front. I just read some quotes from angry Aussie officials. How can anyone step on their dick so badly is beyond me.

[mybrainhurts]

...great turn of phrase.

[robm3]

GCH said:

unrepentant said:

BlackLabel said:

What are Hillary's chances for 2016? The media seem to be bigging her up a lot.

She's a shoe in. She's also the best candidate and will be a good president.

Agreed.

I'm not so sure.

Although if the Bill/Monica thing proves anything, it shows Hilary can compromise and play the 'long game'. Probably good skills for a POTUS.

[unrepentant]

Jimbeaux said:

GCH said:

unrepentant said:

Unfortunately Obama has been stymied by an obstructive and destructive GOP dominated congress for most of his term who have sought to block most of what he has proposed.

That is basically it in a nutshell.

Both houses of Congress was dominated by the Democrats for two years of Obama's first term; why did he not pass whatever he wished then? Why don't we give equal time to the far higher number of bills held up in the Democratic Senate, not even allowed to go to vote by Harry Reid, thus shielding the POTUS from being forced to veto or sign?

Both houses WERE.

Given the extraordinary economic mess that Obama inherited from Bush he was a little busy the first two years!

[Jimbeaux]

unrepentant said:

Jimbeaux said:

GCH said:

unrepentant said:

Unfortunately Obama has been stymied by an obstructive and destructive GOP dominated congress for most of his term who have sought to block most of what he has proposed.

That is basically it in a nutshell.

Both houses of Congress was dominated by the Democrats for two years of Obama's first term; why did he not pass whatever he wished then? Why don't we give equal time to the far higher number of bills held up in the Democratic Senate, not even allowed to go to vote by Harry Reid, thus shielding the POTUS from being forced to veto or sign?

Both houses WERE.

Given the extraordinary economic mess that Obama inherited from Bush he was a little busy the first two years!

Now that is packing a bit light for coming to one's defense UR, but nevertheless. Thanks for the grammar catch, I was tri-tasking today and not giving due diligence.

[BlackLabel]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-30503524

It was hardly a secret but Jeb Bush announces that he is considering running in 2016. Apparently he has a large Hispanic following - much greater than almost any other Republican which gives him an obvious advantage.

Surely it cannot be Bush vs Clinton again, can it?

[Jimbeaux]

BlackLabel said:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-30503524

It was hardly a secret but Jeb Bush announces that he is considering running in 2016. Apparently he has a large Hispanic following - much greater than almost any other Republican which gives him an obvious advantage.

Surely it cannot be Bush vs Clinton again, can it?

Jeb Bush is not his brother, quite a different man in various ways. He is a reluctant candidate at best. Perhaps that bodes well in the spirit of "Power should only be granted to those that seek it the least". He has more progressive immigration views and is too moderate for some hard right GOPers. I would much prefer him over a Ted Cruz or an unpredictable Chris Christie.
There are rumblings that the far left of the Dem party are unhappy with Hillary because she is a "Wall Street Democrat" or some such foolishness. This is code for too moderate. TBH, she is what was known in the recent past as a traditional Democrat. The way left crowd are pushing Elizabeth Warren, a more populist politician, not inclined to side with such evil things as business, free market, and all of that which soils the world. Warren is to the Dems what a Tea Party type candidate might be to the GOPers.

Edited by Jimbeaux on Tuesday 16th December 20:55

[unrepentant]

Elizabeth Warren will not run. Period. (If HC wasn't running she might but that ain't gonna happen). Hillary will be the candidate and therefore the next POTUS because there is no path for a republican to win the White House.

Expect the normal bunch of no hopers and rank lunatics to contest the GOP nomination.

From the tea party / bonkers end of the spectrum;

Ted Cruz 10/1
Rand Paul 20/1 (currently favorite but he'll fade)
Rick Perry 50/1
Rick Santorum 100/1
Paul Ryan 10/1

Just bonkers;

Mike Pence 33/1
Bobby Jindal 100/1
Scott Walker 33/1
Lindsey Graham 1000/1

You have to be kidding!;

Mitt Romney 2/5 Fav (they'll run out of loonies again and he'll be last man standing)
Ben Carson 100/1
Michele Bachmann 1000/1
Mick Huckabee 1000/1

Too moderate to get the nomination but still bonkers;

Chris Christie 10/1 (the only one with any chance but soiled goods)
Marco Rubio 8/1 (dark horse)
Carly Fiorina 20/1
Jeb Bush 5/1

I hope they all run and plenty more so that we can have some fun at their expense. Watch closely as those that start relatively moderate tack ever desperately to the right to try and get nominated.

[Muntu]

unrepentant said:

Hillary will be the candidate and therefore the next POTUS because there is no path for a republican to win the White House.

^^





If the Hildebeest gets the Dem nomination it will make it even easier for a Republican get to the White House.

Serious question: Should the Republicans win, which Republican would you prefer to see as president? They cover a pretty broad spectrum of views and opinions, there must be one that you could put up with?

[whoami]

unrepentant said:

Elizabeth Warren will not run. Period. (If HC wasn't running she might but that ain't gonna happen). Hillary will be the candidate and therefore the next POTUS because there is no path for a republican to win the White House.

Expect the normal bunch of no hopers and rank lunatics to contest the GOP nomination.

From the tea party / bonkers end of the spectrum;

Ted Cruz 10/1
Rand Paul 20/1 (currently favorite but he'll fade)
Rick Perry 50/1
Rick Santorum 100/1
Paul Ryan 10/1

Just bonkers;

Mike Pence 33/1
Bobby Jindal 100/1
Scott Walker 33/1
Lindsey Graham 1000/1

You have to be kidding!;

Mitt Romney 2/5 Fav (they'll run out of loonies again and he'll be last man standing)
Ben Carson 100/1
Michele Bachmann 1000/1
Mick Huckabee 1000/1

Too moderate to get the nomination but still bonkers;

Chris Christie 10/1 (the only one with any chance but soiled goods)
Marco Rubio 8/1 (dark horse)
Carly Fiorina 20/1
Jeb Bush 5/1

I hope they all run and plenty more so that we can have some fun at their expense. Watch closely as those that start relatively moderate tack ever desperately to the right to try and get nominated.

Interesting.

[unrepentant]

Muntu said:

unrepentant said:

Hillary will be the candidate and therefore the next POTUS because there is no path for a republican to win the White House.

^^





If the Hildebeest gets the Dem nomination it will make it even easier for a Republican get to the White House.

Serious question: Should the Republicans win, which Republican would you prefer to see as president? They cover a pretty broad spectrum of views and opinions, there must be one that you could put up with?

If you think that any republican will win the swing states you are mistaken. Obama swept them last time and demographics are moving against the republicans. They will not win the swing and without it they can't win the presidency. Even in Florida Bush is currently the only potential candidate that out polls Hillary and the US are NOT going to elect another Bush. In a Gallup poll Hillary was the best liked and best known of all the potential 2016 candidates, considerably ahead of second place Mick Huckabee.

Hillary is generally well liked in the US with far higher favourable to unfavourable numbers. Oh and Bill is really well liked.

[Jimbeaux]

unrepentant said:

Muntu said:

unrepentant said:

Hillary will be the candidate and therefore the next POTUS because there is no path for a republican to win the White House.

^^





If the Hildebeest gets the Dem nomination it will make it even easier for a Republican get to the White House.

Serious question: Should the Republicans win, which Republican would you prefer to see as president? They cover a pretty broad spectrum of views and opinions, there must be one that you could put up with?

If you think that any republican will win the swing states you are mistaken. Obama swept them last time and demographics are moving against the republicans. They will not win the swing and without it they can't win the presidency. Even in Florida Bush is currently the only potential candidate that out polls Hillary and the US are NOT going to elect another Bush. In a Gallup poll Hillary was the best liked and best known of all the potential 2016 candidates, considerably ahead of second place Mick Huckabee.

Hillary is generally well liked in the US with far higher favourable to unfavourable numbers. Oh and Bill is really well liked.

I would have agreed with you a few months back. However, as of late, Hillary seems to be looking like "old news", and as much as she tries to distance herself from him, pitched as a third term for Barack Obama on one side and too moderate on the other. She may make it but I do not believe it will be the cakewalk some think. FWIW, I do believe HC would make a passable POTUS as she has a realistic grasp of how things should work. She knows not to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. The extreme left will cause her trouble as the extreme right causes the GOP problems. Enter stage left, Andrew Cuomo.

Edited by Jimbeaux on Wednesday 17th December 02:15

[hidetheelephants]

In what way is Elizabeth Warren far left? A liberal perhaps but I'm not seeing any leftyness in the little she's uttered about foreign policy, particularly Israel.

[Jimbeaux]

hidetheelephants said:

In what way is Elizabeth Warren far left? A liberal perhaps but I'm not seeing any leftyness in the little she's uttered about foreign policy, particularly Israel.

You don't live here, right?

[unrepentant]

hidetheelephants said:

In what way is Elizabeth Warren far left? A liberal perhaps but I'm not seeing any leftyness in the little she's uttered about foreign policy, particularly Israel.

By British standards she's a moderate social democrat, would probably be on the left wing of the Conservative party.

[greygoose]

unrepentant said:

hidetheelephants said:

In what way is Elizabeth Warren far left? A liberal perhaps but I'm not seeing any leftyness in the little she's uttered about foreign policy, particularly Israel.

By British standards she's a moderate social democrat, would probably be on the left wing of the Conservative party.

Indeed all the parties are more to the right in the USA compared to the UK (even though our parties have all moved into the middle/slightly right area now).