The Seven Big Post-Election Questions
Now that the question has been answered — who will be the 44th president — there are seven more questions which will consume politicians, strategists, pundits, and voters for the next few years.
1. Will President Barack Obama govern as a moderate centrist or a liberal extremist? As the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate, with a background seeped in far-left activism, he does not seem naturally inclined to head to the center without a looming election to force him to accommodate moderate voters. Certainly he now has every opportunity to push through the redistributive agenda he spoke about so fondly in his now-infamous 2001 radio address. He has healthy majorities in both houses of Congress and a wish list built up over eight years — with everything from universal health care to abolishing secret ballot union elections to the Freedom of Choice Act.
It would seem to require Herculean strength for a president, especially one relatively new to Washington and with a record of subservience to party orthodoxy, to resist the strong leftward pull. Certainly, Obama presumably wants not just one, but two terms and wants to retain that Congressional majority. And the lesson of 1994 when President Bill Clinton lost his Democratic Congressional majority remains fixed in Democrats’ memories. But it is hard to imagine, even with the financial crisis — and the resulting mound of debt and revenue shortfall — that Obama will now transform into a protector of free markets and balanced budgets and a bulwark against the phalanx of Democratic special interest groups.
Bottom Line: Expect Obama the liberal to trump Obama the equivocator.
2. Who will get blamed for the Republican wipeout? The list of potential culprits is long: President Bush, Treasury Secretary Paulson, John McCain, Sarah Palin, the entire McCain camp, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and, of course, the MSM. Those on the right with a specific agenda (e.g., less populism, more technocrats, and activist government) already have their guns pointed at the corresponding culprit (e.g., Palin). The conservative punditocracy got an early jump on the circular firing squad with many isolating Steve Schmidt as the tactician run amok. Others fingered their own candidate.
Bottom Line: After months of fighting, the conventional wisdom will be to blame Bush, banish the McCain campaign team, and conclude that the absence of any viable economic message was a significant factor in the loss. And expect conservatives in the base to rally around Palin in the face of an onslaught by the punditocracy which will label her selection as McCain’s biggest error.
3. What will the Republican Congressional minority do? They can’t do much given their reduced size. The argument will be over whether to accommodate the new administration or to resist at all costs. More importantly, the struggle will be to identify a new agenda comparable to the Contract with America which could re-energize the party and gain back lost seats.
Bottom Line: Look for a “Heck, no!” strategy while young Turks like Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) strive to develop a comprehensive alternative agenda.
That was funny.
Jenifer, so you blast everyone in http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/top-thirty-errors-that-doomed-mccain/ then as soon as you have got that off of your chest you say, “it is time to end the blame and build the future.”
To whom the ponderous bespectacled network anchors will ask the question “What do you think of the Obama doctrine?”
So far Obama has shown a tendency to regard our constitution as an obstacle in the path of progress. Whatch out for this guy! Let’s not forget that ideas have consequences.
Paul Revere, please come back!
We may not like the conclusions, but unless you can offer ones more clearly reasoned, we have to consider them.
We need to find a way to recover the values we hold dear for our country, not to shoot each other. And that requires that our emotions and our reason each serve their proper purpose, providing a platform on which our wisdom can stand.
C.A.T.A.S.T.R.O.P.H.E. 9:11 P.S.T.
The politically correct John McCain was his own worst enemy. The dude was always afraid of illigitimately being charged with racism. Barack Obama is too intellectually shallow to handle the responsibilities of the presidency. Buyers remorse will set in—before his inauguration. Unfortunately, the Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright stuff will not become common knowledge before the beginning of December. I am still convinced that America remains a center-right nation. However, McCain’s horrible campaign did not allow these voters an opportunity to learn about the “real Obama.” I predict that the winner of tonight’s contest will not enjoy a honeymoon period.
Goodbye
At least liberal Californians wasted their time standing in line.
heh.
From the J’elm post.
67. Strange journalism: “Dem. wins California” headline.
It was really weird to read in the Jerusalem Post around 8 PM California time that Obama won because of the California vote. The California votes hadn’t even been reported by then, because the polls didn’t close there til 8 PM. What a joke reporting it as news.
I agree there will be no honeymoon. He does not deserve one. He has not been asked any tough questions by the press. The same thing happened with Clinton in 1992. A big difference now is that the economy is going into recession not coming out of one. If the economy is doing poorly and he tries to pass a huge tax increase, the Dems will get creamed in the 2010 midterms.
I’d like to figure out a way to overturn the MSM not go around it. A corrupt media is dangerous to political stability. If there is a fairness doctrine, why not use it against the MSM at every opportunity?
My dearest companion and friend…my sister….who begged me to vote for OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA…OK OBAMA..now let’s walk the talk…and see what you can do..time is of the essense.
Anonymous —
sure, he’ll walk the walk. Not right away, though, first a worse crisis must be created for him to be granted emergency powers, and some internal intimidation apparatus needs to be created and strengthened. Have Putin, al-Saud and Ahmedinejad called to congratulate yet?
At least it was nice weather in Arizona. I can’t say the crowd for his speech was the same. The same hate he ran on was the chorus as he repented in his concession speech. I thought it was sad to see the Maverick acknowledge how reduced much he reduced himself. Trying to pacify the boos as Palin smirked at the canned cheers was downright depressing. Palin certainly is ambitious– Letting known her Presidential aspirations be known before the election was even over. I stumbled upon this hilarious video: Et tu, Palin? Palin 2012 which really says it all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrUN8oldj9o Poor McCain, she went out to field dress a donkey and fleeced an elephant.
Personally, I believe Obama’s victory is good for America, because I don’t trust McCain, a liberal sheep in consverative wolf clothe…
Read the entire article here:
http://hyphenatedamericans.blogspot.com/
just wait
Pelosi, Reid, Frank will all be rubbing Fanny Freddie /Financial (sorso complicit) nose dive in our faces
Israel is already on the offense re-bombing gaza today
Obama will lead left with his ego fully engaged
energy? no new oil, coal penalties, solar and wind a decade out at best and never able to really contribute, nucleur toast, $6 gasoline isn’t far off with the ever decreasing dollar
stock market collapse
401k seized, bush tax cuts immediately repealed (fair), capital gains double, death tax, social security cap removed, yada yada yada
unemployment – 10-15% in one year
military disbanded – missle defense lifted,
all our enemies take advantage
domestic programs of 1.5 trillon – welfare state rules
illegal immigrants give full status
health care tanks
Heaven help us
Obama will bring truth and justice to a land than has never known either
As predicted here two years ago on this blog, Barack Obama has become America’s first legitimate President. He has much to do. America’s crimes against humanity are many and it may take a generation to address them all but it starts tonight.
http://truthfirstnow.blogspot.com
Though the MSM tried their best to keep it plugged it was leaking horribly between the seams and from Barack Hussien Obama own mouth as well as from his pre election life long radical friends. We know his mindset and the lack of experience and the fact that he is just a front and a demagogue for something bigger. Wake up. The dirty ballot box stuffing tactics and blantant lies at the mic are only the beginning as to how these guys are going to operate as they set to crush the USA. What is not being talked about is his true character and ideology that he purposely hid from the public’s eye. All his records, including his birth certificate. Generally the public still doesn’t know who this guy is as the MSM kept him hid. All they are hyping to divert attention is that he is black. This is true but give me JC Watts instead not a radical marxist which come in all kinds of colors.
Historical election? YES but not for what they are touting. To hype color is racism but what about his heart and what he believes. They won’t be slow about their agenda but I’m suspicious about the MSM continuing their propoganda machine to cover up the goverments actions. They will be hard hitting and overwhelming if not stealth to start with. The “Fairness Doctrine” is going to be one of the first salvo’s launched against freedom of speech and I wonder if they are going to expand it somehow to the internet. I think it would be great that he was just a maverick (liberal light) but wake up,
America has just been highjacked. Listen to Jeremiah Wright, listen to William Ayers. This is what this this guy is. Do you think they will laugh that they pulled this off and shrugg off their marxist ideology to just play it straight for the sake of the USA which they hate? They are going to move or at least try to. Lord willing, we will stand up and resist peacefully and effectively. Let’s pray and be sober minded spiritually and be effective politically but let our trust be in God and not in men. They were definitely active in the political process. The atheistic marxists have just taken the White House and have a majority in Congress. They have zero morals and see the world upside down. While we still have freedom in this country as given to us by God let us use it and if He wills, keep it.
The key here is the MSM. They have bought us Obama, make no mistake about that. Sure, there were lots of causes, but without the MSM’s appalling bias, Obama wouldn’t be president elect.
The hard problem for those of us who care for our democracy is: what can we do about it? The MSM has been off the rails for years. In 2000 they fomented the “Bush stole the election” nonsense. They gave us the “Bush Lied, People Died” narrative for years, albeit not in those words. Int 2004 they tried to foist off another very liberal, totally unaccomplished, and demonstrably radical Senator on us, and were only defeated when the Swift Boat Veterans’ found their Achilles’ heel.
BTW, don’t let their economic problems fool you. The newspapers are dying, not because of their bias, but because the internet has destroyed their classified advertising budget at the same time it has provided alternate sources of information. The TV networks are fading, and bias may be more of a factor there, but they are sitll powerful.
The MSM is probably the most dangerous force in America today – it has just shown its power by this election, using classic propaganda techniques to sell a brand as if it were a person (the urbane, charismatic young black guy). This will only encourage them.
I will be very surprised if there are federal elections is 2012. The left will never give up power voluntarily.
The Republicans need to wake up to reality. They are no longer the party of the rich. The data has been building up and can no longer be ignored. The more wealthy a state, county or precinct is the more likely it is to vote Democratic by a wide margin. The tax cuts and neo-liberal economic policies merely put money in the hands of those who hate Republicans. The Dems today resemble the late 19th-century Republicans. They are the party of the rich and blacks. This means if the Republicans want to thrive they must become the party of the non-black working and middle class. This may be a difficult transition for many but the enthusiasm for Palin shows that a start has been made.
DEPRESSED BEYOND.
Well I was hoping that he would not become President, but expecting he would, so there we go, now many of you Americans will now find out what it is like to be a European, the helplessness, the frustration and the realisation that you can do nothing as your freedoms, your democracy and rights are taken away bit by bit, and just how hollow it is when people tell you to stand up and be counted, how and what for, my gulag…
Your system is so much stronger than what we have, you have the first amendment and the second amendment, fight to protect your rights do not give in and in 4 years time become that shining beacon once more that gives hope to people like me, perhaps in seeing how we have been ground down by living it yourselves you will understand and be better for it and develop new strategies to defeat the left, but as Michelle Malkin stated, grid your loins.
Events will now set the scene, there is that RICO investigation of ACORN, the position of Israel will now take centre stage, many people expect that Israel will now move against Iran, Obama will not find it easy, with an economy that is really in trouble, one among many. When I wroke up to the news I said to my wife, events will now accelerate and perhaps that is a good thing, though I really do fear for Israel.
I have to say I am VERY disappointed in 1/2 of the American people. I keep wondering how a racist with zero leadership skills and very poor judgment could gain the white house along with a democrat majority in both houses of congress. The next 4 years will be the most divisive in history. We have allowed Oprah to choose our president.
Viva Obama!!!
I thought I would be really depressed, no I am not, it is one more hurt among many, however it will be an acceleration of events and perhaps causing it all to happen now might be better. I have already lost my country do not lose yours.
We lost the cultural war, we allowed the left to infiltrate into our education systems and create the voters and the sheep to place us in the position we are in now. Having such a kick up our rear ends should now make us work on how to reverse this, easier said then done, but I have faith in at least 50% of the American people.
Some of you guys really have a flair for the dramatic!!
How long before somebody comments that Obama will stamp the mark of the beast on everybody?
If anybody truly believes (rather than just saying for exaggerated effect) that Obama will cancel the next election and install some sort of Maoist gulag system while Iranian paratroopers invade South Dakota is clearly deluded and displays a worrying inability to distinguish fantasy from reality.
“More importantly, the struggle will be to identify a new agenda comparable to the Contract with America”
How about the Contract with America, but actually follow it this time?
“I will be very surprised if there are federal elections is 2012. The left will never give up power voluntarily.”
Oh, get a grip. Obama will be a one-term failure and the Republic will endure, as always. This is not the time for Obama Derangement Syndrome.
The GOP was not the big loser tonight.
Israel and (by extension) Jews the world over were the big losers.
Jonesy55 said:
“while Iranian paratroopers invade South Dakota is clearly deluded and displays a worrying inability to distinguish fantasy from reality.”
Iran won’t invade South Dakota. It will nuke Israel. America voted tonight for a 2nd Holocaust. That was not its intention. But that’s what it will get.
There’s only one way to handle the MSM.
STOP watching CNN, CBS, ABC, and NBC
STOP subscribing to their magazines and newspapers
STOP visiting their online web sites
START watching Fox
START subscribing to conservative magazines and newspapers
START visiting the blogosphere and pajama media
START listening to talk radio (until the Fairness Doctorine censors them)
Encourage your friends and family to do the same. With any luck we can bankrupt them.
As a Brit looking on, the thing that bothers me is how the MSM, in the main, failed to ask hard questions about Mr Obama’s policies. For McCain’s part, he failed to spell out a clear domestic agenda, especially on the economic crisis. The Republicans allowed their opponents to get away with the outrageous idea that what happened was the fault of “unregulated” markets, despite the role in what has happened of the Federal Reserve, the Federal home loan agencies, various banking rule, legislation forcing banks to loosen their lending criteria, etc.
But hopefully Obama won’t be as bad as some conservative worriers fear. Well, if it gets too bad, y’all can come over to Britain which is likely to kick out the Labour government in at least a year or so from now. Or why not even France?
“…get about the business of finding a message” the Republican message all along has been fundamental according to my readings – it is pseudo libertarian – limited government ensuring a stable civil environment primarily governed by the states and lower levels of government, and finally by the individuals themselves, see Tenth amendment. The United States is a stable environment for personal freedom, property rights, and the right to pursue (but not necessarily attain) happiness. There’s the message and it sells to mature responsible adults.
We ain’t selling pet rocks here.
The important thing, from my point of view, is to make sure the Republicans don’t take the wrong lesson from this election. Republican turnout was remarkably low for an election of this importance – we don’t need a “maverick” or Dem-lite. Next time let’s run a conservative, something we haven’t seen since 1984.
the democrats had to cheat to win this election and the next 4 years they will continue to give him a pass, just like they did with Clinton.
This is a sad day for America.
Excellent piece. One distinction, though, is that Bush’s drawing down the forces is fundamentally dissimilar to Obama’s position in that Bush is drawing them down in victory, not defeat. Now we have Obama’s mindset at the controls, and that is tragic.
Good point about challenging MSM more directly via the Palin roll out, by favoring new media. When she blew her first two MSM interview-ordeals was when the campaign began its descent.
Jo:
You underestimate the fanaticism of the MSM and Hollywood.
They will spew out far-left propaganda even when going bankrupt.
And you can bet Obama will repay them by giving them government subsidies.
They are not in business to make money. They are in business to make America into a new USSR.
They are in fact religious fanatics and Marxism is their religion.
Truth First:
Um…good luck with that.
I’ve been a lifelong Republican, but this time I voted for Obama. The Republican Party started to lose me with the southern strategy of exploiting racial fears, the Karl Rove strategy of energizing the evangelical base, while alienating moderates and fiscal conservatives, etc. Still, I stuck with it for a long time, voting for George Bush twice.
At this point, I do not feel that the Republican Party represents people like me anymore. With or without immigration, demographics will inexorably lead to a direction in which race baiting becomes increasingly counterproductive. I cannot truckle to religious conservatives who push for the teaching of creationism in schools, or the abandonment of stem cell research. Other hot-button items such as the question of abortion, are also losing favor. As we’ve seen from ballot initiatives, a lot more people promise to vote pro-life than actually do. These are not winning platforms.
A lot of things favored the Democrats in this election, so this win is by no means earth-shattering. But I do believe the Republican Party will find it increasingly hard to accommodate both religious fundamentalists, and the growing number of centrist or moderate Republicans, who believe in fiscal conservativism and a strong defense, but not in the religious issues. I think this difference will only grow with age-related turnover, as the younger generation replaces us.
In case no one noticed, we may be facing a economic collapse, the deficit has skyrocketed, we are fighting two wars that eight long expensive years later are still up for grabs, and we have had a Republican President and Congress. I don’t have to look at McCain or the MSM to explain the Republican loss.
Wake up and smell the coffee. The next generation, looking at this, is going Democratic big time. The Republicans need to prove to a skeptical nation they can govern. Talking about going back to the “good old days” of Ronald Reagan is not going to cut it.
First, Rep turnout would have been much lower without Palin — altho the Rep elites would have been happier with most other VP picks.
The small gov’t Reps are split between pro-life and pro-choice folks, the pro-life Reps are split between small gov’t and Big gov’t. Most Rep elites are not comfy with pro-life Reps.
I do believe Obama will allow Iran to get a nuke (60% chance), and that it makes nuking Tel Aviv a real threat (20%). Those who voted for Obama knew it was risky in this way. If a nuke is used by terrorists, it is what they voted for.
Dave M.
Sure, you’re a Republican.
And I’m Pope Benedict.
I hang this defeat on Congress, lock, stock, and barrel. Congrats, you spineless spending hogs, hope you’re happy with yourselves, you’re back to the minority party, just like you seemingly wanted.
The next generation will be Democratic big time until two years from now when historically-proven failed policies create a backlash and retiring baby boomers force people to face the looming collapse of Social Security and more. Until then, I want to know how much Obama brand WealthSpread I can get. I won’t ask where it will come from, but the more than comes out of all those rich Dems running big partisan donor corporations in big cities, the better. But it won’t happen that way: The DNC protects its own.
All I have to say is that the left has spent 16 years destroying our president and the office of the presidency, and even after they have won as some posters here have demonstrated continue with their campaign to demonize president Bush, so they better get ready to eat some of the same crap they have been shoveling. While I hear many people ask for Obama to be given a chance, people like Truth First above remind me why we should not do so. Bush is gone, and while I expect the left to try and blame him for everything their people will get wrong, I hope Obama and the democrats get it just as good as they have been dishing it out for the last 8 years.
Of course I am certain that as soon as Obama takes office the MSM will suddenly discover all is well in America, but I have a feeling they have done so much damage to their credibility that most sane people should never again trust anything these kingmakers have to say. Hopefully republicans in Congress will now get a spine and block everything the democrats try to do. Payback is a bitch, and I believe we have 8 years of catching up to do in the next 4 years.
42. Dave – Umm, didn’t get the message from Axelrod that the astro-turfing isn’t necessary any longer? You won dude. You can now go back to your natural habitat of the swamps of the Huff/DKos/DU. Your man did the deed. Now we all get to pay the Danegeld. Fun. Hope you can eke out some meager enjoyment from it.
well, romanticizing about a black dude with a congress with 12% approval isn’t going to cut it either.
We are entering the most divisive 4 years in history. I’m hoping for an impeachment within the first 2, although Biden is just as stupid.
To: realitycheq
You really do need a reality check. You are soon going to get an enema from Osama as reward for your stupidity in electing him.
The real question is not how Obama will govern as Congress will believe that they have an mandate and will pass legislation without regard to the goals of the Obama administration.
The question is whether Obama will, on occasion, stand up to the Democrats in Congress and use the bully pulpit and his veto in an attempt to reign them in?
Will Congress pass ever increasingly bizarre legislation knowing that when the MSM and the voters are looking for someone to blame it will be the President’s approval rating that will sink like a stone?
I remember when Cater was elected in 1976. His opinion of himself was so elevated that he thought Congress would be subservient to his agenda and goals. They weren’t. In his third year, he appointed one of his inner circle to act as a liaison with Congress whose chief complaint was that the White House did not listen to the Hill.
People who start a job believing that they are smarter than everyone else have a hard time learning that they have incomplete knowledge.
Conservatives need to divorce themselves completely from the MSM. No debates with MSM ‘moderators’, no appearing on Today. We are two countries. one that creates wealth and one that steals wealth. As wealth creators we need to make sure that we don’t continue to voluntarily support those who want destroy individual freedom.
We need to hammer the fact that just like Sen. Stevens of AK, Obama should be going to jail for accepting illegal gifts and income tax evasion
first of all I hope everyone that put a statement in here voted! Because if you didn’t vote you don’t have a say! we needed a change! and what people don’t understand is that no a big huge mess needs to be cleaned up! and when you clean up a mess sometimes it gets worse before it gets better! We all need to come together and work together to help clean the mess up instead of complaining about it! whats done is done! Give Obama a chance to prove himself! don’t judge before he is in the white house!! He is for the people! Bottom line!
I woke up today with a similar thought, Obama as President is scary, but with a more sober analysis, McCain as President, in the Long Run, may have been worse. The D’s have the full responsibility for what now comes down the road. Don’t let them ever forget the way they have treated the US President during wartime!
I think you are looking to place a lot of the blame in the wrong place. We can look at bush, but it was a larger problem than just Bush. We are to blame and we deserved to lose.. take a look at this http://www.paintusred.com/2008/11/05/it-is-our-fault-we-lost-we-deserved-it/
I believe I’ll start my application for SSI disability today and make plans that the proceeds of any productive work I do is sheltered so the government can not get at it.
It is long past time for the existing power structure in Republican contingent in the House and Senate to GO!
New blood is needed as Minority Leader and Whip on both sides of the Hill.
In the House, we deserve to have a principled conservative leader such as Jeff Flake, Mike Pence, or Cohen of VA. There are many others that can take up the challenge, I just throw those names out to initiate a discussion.
Boehner and Blunt must go, along with whatever numskull is running the Republican Congressional Campaign Cmte.
In the Senate, same deal.
I congratulate Mitch McConnell for his re-election in a tough fight; now, step down from your leadership position.
Tom Coburn is the man for the job. Let him pick his own Whip. Ensign needs to look to representing his constituents in NV (and rebuilding the GOP brand there), he was a disaster as the Campaign Cmte leader. Where are the good candidates for Senate? When you can’t even get the incumbents re-elected, how do you expect to win open seats?
It’s time to get back to basics, craft a message (Contract With America, anyone?), and be true to that message.
The interegnum of ’54-’94, showed that me-tooism was not a path to political success on the Hill. Let’s not fall into that trap again.
Prepare for ‘trickle-up poverty’.
1. Will young men continue to volunteer for the Armed Forces? I fear for those wonderful patriots who now have a Commander In Chief who will outfit them in UN Blue (curiously, about the same shade as Obama’s logo…hmmmm.)
2. It saddens me that our education system has become the enemy. From Obama’s proposed preschool to post-grad elite universities populated with distinguished scholars like Williams Ayers, Ward Churchill and Angela Davis, evil has found a home, and it’s in the schools that teach our next generation multiculturalism and amorality.
The California Teachers Assn (a union) gave $1 million to fight a simple ballot initiative that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Why would a powerful, very rich teachers union get involved in that issue? Answer: because they also teach that in the schools.
Teaching American history and achievement and what the Constitution actually says? Not so much.
3. How soon before the partially erected fence between the US and Mexico is torn down?
To 34 (Jo), 10 (Steve), 39 (Paul B) and 54 (Mark), and to all who want to make a statement for traditonal principles and conservatism. CANCEL ALL cable and print subscriptions FOR A YEAR. Do it NOW to send a message as a group. Give the money to a charity, favorite political cause or both. Don’t buy anything unless is is necessary. Make the economy worse than it is. See if Liberal Democrats and MSM can take the hit. I don’t think so.
We have sold our democracy to foreign donors. Now that the Dems have control of all three branches of government the next steps are:
1.) Give felons the right to vote.
2.) Grant amnesty to all illegal aliens and give them the right to vote.
3.) Open up the borders and let in as many new democrats as possible.
4.) Silence dissent via the “Fairness Doctrine.”
5.) Pass socialized medicine.
6.)Hand the bill to the tax payer.
My childrens future is not looking good.
I am a college student at Towson University, in Baltimore, MD, and I just want to say that the polls don’t lie. everyone who is upset that McCain lost or that the Green and the Independent candidate lost needs to remember that WE decide those numbers! Obama’s campaign was without a doubt intense and challenging, and just the fact that he made it to the PRIMARIES, much less the general election, is incredible. Race is unavoidable as an issue, and I fear that by attempting to ignore it we will be doing more damage than good. I work on my campus as president of the WHite Privilege Awareness Movement, so I know how dangerous silence can be in the fight against discrimination! I am troubled by people that think activism is still just a liberal idea. Any political group liberal or conservative, believes in activism, it simply comes down to what issues you are active about. If the most productive thing republicans can be “active” with is the change in oil availability, then so be it, and if the only thing democrats care about being active with is bringing our troops home then so be it! Let them do what they do and more will get done! The final speeches given by both Obama and McCain showed me that there are at least two men who still know what respect and tolerance truly mean. I pray for them both and I hope this nation can learn to move forward, rather than backwards. If you feel the need to challenge me on anything I have said, please feel free!
Ms. Rubin’s seventh point is the most intriguing. The mainstream media needs to be forever changed. I suggest market-based approaches to both move eyeballs away from the MSM and defund it by providing alternatives, not just boycotts, that will attack their revenue streams.
I believe the most glaring inadequacy of both the Bush Administration and the McCain candidacy was the failure to communicate the conservative message. I agree with you as you leap to say, “they weren’t conservative.” This means we must have a clear conservative message and the ability to communicate it. It is our only hope to change the “moral confusion” (Archbishop Chaput) that has led us to this day.
Obama into year two – we live in this time of the failed bush policies
Obama in year four – please re-elect me so I can get about to make the change you can believe in
Jill! Your staccato sentences really got me! The exclamation points too! Really made me listen! Especially when you used two!! Burma Shave!!!
When the Republicans realize–finally, honestly realize–that they are their own biggest problem, I think they’ll see that they are also their own best solution. I remain hopeful.
I was glad to see McCain stop the booing of Obama during his concession speech. There’s no time for that nonsense now. Leave the deranged moonbattery on the Left, where it belongs.
I think McCain could have won if he had actually produced a simple 4-5 plank economic platform and announced one part at a time and then just hammered on it for the rest of the campaign. He could have used surrogates to attack Obama better and then just focused on his plan. That could have worked.
Anyway it’s now time for the Democrats to piss or get off the pot. Our job as conservatives is to rebuild and in the meantime let the democrats do whatever they want. Let them wear the next 4 years and whatever we do we cannot start a Obama hate fest like they did for Bush. Let’s just go back home and regroup. Forget Washington and instead focus on grass roots politics. We need a moveon.org for the right started by people outside of washington. Palin could probably do it.
We are all on a plane at 35,000. The pilot is a rookie and the co-pilot is a senile blowhard. The pilot just told us that the plane is no good but don’t worry, he is going to fix it – in mid air. Lots of people are cheering. I’m just hoping I survive the crash landing.
I don’t know about you, but since I KNOW the tax bill for Obama’s ideas will come due to all of us fairly soon whether we utilize his programs or not, I intend to get busy attempting to spread a little of the wealth back around to me. COnsider it a pre-payment of the huge taxes I’ll have to pay. I’m certain I overpayed for my house. I may need foodstamps. Even if I don’t get them, someone had to take the time to deal with me. There’s small victory in that. And college affordable? Is he going to pay off my school loans for me? Every penny I can get, until I can vote for common sense again. Every penny I can get.
Bush’s fault.
We become the echo chamber?
Not enough conservative,the brand is broken.
Screaming he is a socialist for wanting to give the downtrodden a ham sandwich in light of the trillion dollar fat cat bailout was incoherent.
Gave the mushy folks no reason to believe.
Fortunately,the Porno Inspired Fairness Doctrine will soon rally the troops to the player to be named later,Reagan II.
Here is to being back in action in two,hopefully not too damaging years.
Jennifer, watch your back. You must be high on the Obama hit list.
Were it not for the media, would Obama not have won?
Can we become citizen activists and journalists to change the mainstream media? Hold them accountable by getting them on camera talking about their biases?!?! Become part of the ODM wiki and see for yourself: http://www.opendoormedia.org/wiki
I do not believe that Obama will carry out his most ambitious agendas, at least not right away. He even said he’ll defer some of his plans pending on the economy. I don’t think he’ll even touch the fairness doctrine or the secret voting measure.
I’m not one of these people who hopes the country will fail in the next years so Obama can take the fall. I wish him luck. I’ll even (gasp) help reelect him if he does a great job.
But as I posted before, in some parts of the globe, conservatives / moderates (by their standards of course) are already making a comeback. The Canadian elections is just the latest example.
I can’t help but draw a parallel between Obama and former Korean president Roh Moo Hyun. President Roh essentially rode anti American sentiments (the armored car accidents that killed two girls stirred it further, if I recall correctly) to power and benefitted from youth and internet support. Once in power I don’t believe he ever delivered on his promises. He actually sent troops to Iraq, which pretty killed an already declining public support. His approval rating was in the low 20s and a more centrist president (Lee Myung Bak) replaced him.
As far as I’m concerned, we’re just a step behind in global trends.
I love all of you Repubs. You still just don’t get it do you? This isn’t 1950 anymore, for that fact its not even 1980 – the electorate has changed and you haven’t. You wanted to run your standard smear and fear campaign and it didn’t work and you don’t understand why yet. Well, let me tell you, the youth are not as dumb as you think they are, they read – not the newspapers and magazines that you do but the internet and the blogs and YouTube – they see it all and they remember it. That is simply why McCain lost, how does an elder statesman connect when he can’t even figure out e-mail. America changed last night, figure it out, get on board, or change with it…
Ladies & Gentlemen, the American people have spoken; we now have a new President. President-elected Barrack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. I think we all agree that November 4, 2008 is a historical moment. The United States now have their first black President. Who thought we would see this moment. Let’s look at some of the historical milestones from this election:
• Obama 349 McCain 163 (Electoral votes)
• Democrats 56 seats Republicans 40 seats (Senate)
• Democrats 258 seats Republican 177 seats (House)
• Campaign contribution
Obama $336.7 McCain 121.2
• African-American voters (95 percent to 4 percent)
• Latino voters (66 percent to 32 percent)
• first-time voters (68 percent to 31 percent)
• voters making less than $100,000 a year (55 percent to 43 percent)
Minority Voters were an electoral force. The 2008 presidential election highlighted the increasing importance of black and Hispanic voters in the electorate. In numerous battleground states, Obama was able to score decisive victories among these groups and offset McCain’s sizable advantage among white voters. As these groups continue to expand their share of the electorate, their impact should continue to grow. So this should show evidence that as a race we can achieve or overcome. As I watched the count of the electoral votes there was something I noticed. The states Obama won were majority union states (northern states) while McCain won the confederate states (southeastern). Though we now have a black President, and yes it’s a step in the right direction to equality however we still have a long way to go. In my humble opinion, looking at those statistics, the southeastern states have conservative voters. This is the reason why these states voted for the Republican Party. Unfortunately, this is a result of us still experiencing racial boundaries. As long as we have these racial boundaries we will always have division. Comparing the two candidates, Obama showed he has the ability to overcome those boundaries and reach out to other races. Take a look at some of the voting race respondents:
Whites Obama 43% McCain 55%
Black Obama 95% McCain 4%
Hispanic/Latino Obama 66% McCain 32%
Asian Obama 61% McCain 35%
This wasn’t a close race at all. Never have I’ve seen a one-sided race. Obama has made numerous historical milestones. Now that he’s in the Presidential seat I’m sure everything he say and do will be under a microscope. For the people who voted him in we MUST do our part and support him as much as we can. Yes, we look to him as a leader of this nation and to make good sound decision but we as citizens must do our part. Just as he mentioned, we all need to be more accountable for our actions. This election had global exposure. What other election we know of had this type of exposure? As soon as he won he began to receive calls all over the world congratulating him on his elected position.
Below is a list of dignitaries that call congratulating him on becoming the 44th President of the United States:
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero
Iran’s Deputy Parliament Speaker Mohammad Hossein Abutorabifard
French President Nicolas Sarkozy
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Former South African President Nelson Mandela
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat
Israeli President Shimon Peres
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh
German Chancellor Angela Merkel
Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao
Chinese President Hu Jintao
This is yet another piece of evidence showing that Obama has the capability of bridging the gap to diversity. This also shows that he should have global support when addressing foreign policies. He was criticized for not having enough experience in foreign policies but when you have the global support that he does that makes his job that much easier. Starting today you’ll hear from Republicans that we chose the wrong candidate. Nationally it was a unanimous decision that the American people want a change and indeed it was time for a change. We have been summoned by President-elected Barrack Obama to be accountable for our actions and in turn he will do what he can as the President to provide leadership and federal programs that will allow all Americans to reach their dreams. Let us pray and ask God to give him a special covering over him during his tenure in the White House. Let’s ask God to provide him wisdom and knowledge allowing him to have the capability of making sound decisions. Let’s continue to pray for him and his family because they are faced with an uphill battle. Let’s embrace this moment of not only having our first African-American President but also Democrats have the majority in both the senate and the house. Yes, the Republicans are saying time will tell….yes time will tell. We all need to allow time to give us evidence to see what he said he is going to do. Newsflash… the Democratic Party is also waiting to see as well so it’s fair to say we are all waiting. He needs a fair shake at the Presidential seating just like the previous Presidents. He has four years to work the issues at hand so give him time the other Presidents had. Its funny how the non-Obama supporters are already putting him under the bus and he hasn’t sworn in yet.
And now to address the bloggers here:
Hey Val, your statement you made “the democrats had to cheat to win this election and the next 4 years they will continue to give him a pass, just like they did with Clinton. This is a sad day for America.” I need you to show evidence of cheating please because based on just the numbers this was a one-sided election won by Obama. What you all just witness is folks showing up at the polls in record numbers exercising their voice. What the voters exercised was they were tired of the same old $&*^. Stop it with the nonsense.
Turtledove, you said “We are all on a plane at 35,000. The pilot is a rookie and the co-pilot is a senile blowhard. The pilot just told us that the plane is no good but don’t worry, he is going to fix it – in mid air. Lots of people are cheering. I’m just hoping I survive the crash landing.” If no one fix the plane in mid air who will? Regardless of the outcome whoever became the next President will have this task of fixing a plane mid air. Bad analogy to use…….
TroyC, here’s your statement “We are entering the most divisive 4 years in history. I’m hoping for an impeachment within the first 2, although Biden is just as stupid.” This statement lets me know that you have hate in your heart. To wish for Obama to be impeached is crazy. I’m 41 yrs old and as long as I’ve been voting I’ve never wished for any failure to a President…even if it was for someone I didn’t vote for. Even though there were Presidents I didn’t vote for I still supported them…..why? Because we as citizen have a charge to do so. I’ve been in the military now for 22 yrs. I served in 3 deployments all totaling 42 months. That’s 42 months away from my wife and kids leaving them behind to handle the household but I thank God for an understanding wife because I explained to her that I as a soldier have been called to duty. Yes, I served previous administrations proudly. I wasn’t in favor of the war at all but because I wear this uniform I had to do what I was called to do no matter what my personal opinion may be. I do understand the fact the person you voted for didn’t win but now it’s a new day and we all must move forward. Let’s not be childish about this and let’s all find a common ground to support this new President. Just like the previous Presidents they’ve made mistakes too but I guess Obama doesn’t have any room for mistake. Now people will be holding him at a much higher standard when it comes to running the White House. I’m sure all of you non-Obama supporters are sitting back waiting for his first mistake so you can say “See there, I told you so.”
There are more I would like to address but not enough space. As I read these blogs I’ve been reminded that we have division. I don’t mean division between Parties but division between race. I can almost bet my money I can identify the racial identity based on the content of these blogs. Both McCain and Obama will agree they could win an election with just one race. So you all have predicted we will catch hell in the next four years. For that matter I’m catching hell now and have been for eight years….must we continue to do so? One thing I’ve learned is if you want change you can’t continue doing the same thing and expect change, you have to do something different to get different results.
IS THIS A GREAT COUNTRY OR WHAT?
The great American experiment continues to move forward, the beacon for Democracy in this troubled world.
http://greensrealworld.blogspot.com/2008/11/is-this-great-c ountry-or-what.html
Ha, Ha, Obama is backpeddling already already. ” Everything won’t get done right away” Duh!
Just another politician.
As a senior on a fixed income I’ll be stnading in line for some of the ‘wealth’.
#81,Heyguy..You’re right America changed last night. maybe we’re not ‘with it’ because some of us can’t afford iPods, blackberries or arugla in our salads.
#82, Cedric… He’s only half black.
Where did he manage to get all those contributions? His black or Latino supporters? How many were illegal aliens? I’m only asking? Oh, I forgot Oprah.
As a military person,what do you think of his disrespect for the American flag. ( Not saluting it because he sees it as symbol of oppression.) After all you’re fighting for that symbol.
Of course I’m only a “bitter redneck clinging to my gun
and religion” . By the way , he only carried the
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia area of Pennsylvania not the whole state, as the MSM would have you believe.
Well, as Chris Rock said , Now he’s the Man so we can’t blame the Man anymore.”
Wasn’t it touching the way Jesse Jackson was tearing up last night? Guess he’s had a change of heart about cutting off his n–s.
Poole wrote:
“People who start a job believing that they are smarter than everyone else have a hard time learning that they have incomplete knowledge.”
You just reminded me that the American people just elected a CIC who didn’t know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Obama also couldn’t explain the difference between a strategic initiative and a tactical initiative.
Your average GI Joe foot soldier knows more about running the military than Obama. In other words, Palin’s 18 year old son is more qualified to be CIC than Obama is.
Well BeJay
Just another politician….yes he is just like McCain. So what do you mean he’s already backpeddling dude? He hasn’t taken his oath yet. So I guess he is suppose to snap is damn figure and fix everything that’s broke right now? NO……he has four years to work issue but damn….wait until he take his oath and sit in the seat first. He is just the President-elected right now. Yes, he’s half black. What else is he mixed with? I couldn’t tell you where he got his contributions. Heck, is that public information? If so, I would like to know myself. Unless its public information or you have first hand knowledge of where these candidates got there contributions it’s all speculation. It appears you have formulating some speculation since you are asking the question. Do you know where McCain got his contributions? I don’t think Oprah what the only person who contributed. I know she’s a rich person but damn, not that rich. I have not heard of him disrespecting the flag. Now if that’s the case what the F@$% reason why he would run for the President of the United States knowing that this is our freaking flag dude? That wouldn’t make logical since. I do understand you are a bitter redneck but it appears its affecting your way of thinking. As for what he carried in Pennsylvania it doesn’t matter…he got enough for the electoral vote. As for Jesse Jackson, my personal opinion for him is he’s a fake. Those tears of his were fake. He knew the camera was on him. He’s always somewhere trying to get some kind of media exposure to make himself look good. Yeah, he participated with MLK during the march what has he done lately? NOTHING, so don’t throw Jesse in the mix because I’m not a big fan of him. If you ask me I think there’s some jealousy in the mist from old Jesse. That’s why he made the comment he made. As I respond to your comment I was reading this article. Read this:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/27/obama-assassination-plot_n_138297.html
Now tell me what’s up with this? So you mean to tell me if citizens are not happy with their votes we should result to this? BeJay, I understand you are upset and you have that right. There is nothing I can say or do to fix it. I can say this….the Republican Party will need to rethink their strategy when the next election comes around. They did nothing to reach out to other race to get their support. Consequently, as a result you have someone there you didn’t want. Heck, every time we have elections we have winners and losers. Yea, I’ve been there where you are….disappointed with the result but I carry on and say well I have to do what I can to support whoever sit in that seat.
I have but one question -
Will the Democratic congress pursue hate crime legislation?
Hey Amphipolis, should the Democratics pursue hate crime legislation?
I rise above the petty thoughts of most of you and urge all to give Obama the benefit of a doubt. Let’s see how he handles the first muslim terrorist attack that should come within 90 days of his taking office.
Steve Schmidt: “John McCain’s top adviser from the presidential campaign urged fellow Republicans on Friday to warm up to gay rights and warned that the GOP risks becoming the “religious party” with its opposition to same-sex marriage.”
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/17/mccain-strategist-warns-gop-risks-religious-party/
Sounds weak.
Is this the reason McCain was so weak during the election, a weakling campaign supervisor?