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People and Politics by Patrick Roberts

Obama, Chris Christie, Biden big winners in 2010 -- losers include John McCain, Rahm Emanuel

Posted on Sunday, December 26, 2010 at 07:30 AM

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We all have our own ideas of the big winners and losers of 2010 in politics. Here is my choice:

Winners:

1. Barack Obama. Written off after the mid-term elections, a few weeks later he glides, if not exactly walks, on water. Has triangulated faster than Bill Clinton and didn't need the obnoxious Dick Morris to do it, either.

2. Joe Biden. Have you noticed how successful Obama has suddenly become since he designated Biden his go-to guy down at the Senate? That old Irish style of glad-handing really works better than policy wonks pontificating.

3. Chris Christie. Big, fat and in total control. Has struck a chord as the only plain-spoken Republican in the game. He has a quick and lively wit and isn't one of those prune-faced cookie cutter ideologues.

4. Martin O'Malley. Maryland governor had a runaway election victory despite being a Democrat and is now head of the Democratic Governors Association, the same route Bill Clinton took. 2016 anyone?

5. Andrew Cuomo. I mean, how lucky can you get? Strolls into office after the two worst governors in New York history -- and that is saying something. Basic competency will make him look papabile when it come to 2016.

Top Losers 2010

1. Rahm Emanuel. Departs White House and suddenly Obama starts hitting 'em out of the park. Was it Rahm or just bad timing? We'll see when he becomes Chicago mayor.

2. John McCain. Can someone please expose the Manchurian candidate who took over soon after his encounter with Barack Obama? The real John McCain is clearly being held by gay drug smugglers at the Arizona border. His performance on DADT was dreadful.

3. Nancy Pelosi. Historic first woman speaker. Passed health care, lost midterm election (no surprise there). But deciding to come back as Dems leader? Cling, fingernails and power come to mind. Move over, it's over, you're over 70, Nancy.

4. Mitch McConnell. See "prune-faced ideologue," above. Tried to rally troops against DADT and arms treaty, but they deserted him. It must have been his sense of humor.

5. Haley Barbour. Old paradigm: avuncular, folksy, fun guy, great shot in 2012. New paradigm? Nothing but the same old southern code black story.

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peterson | Jan 08, 2011, 01:06 PM EST

You have to be a resident for at least a year to run for Mayo of Chicago. Rahm Emanuel has not lived there for for over two years, but Obama and the Chicago Mob with take care of this !

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peterson | Jan 08, 2011, 01:00 PM EST

Obama is the BIGGEST loser the U.S. has ever had !! -- Pelosi ranks a close 2nd. According to recent polls, they both rank as 16% approval !

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irishwxman | Jan 02, 2011, 03:38 PM EST

Obama the big winner? Did you not see the Nov elections? That was a total repudiation of Obama and his policies. He was probably the biggest loser. He and Pelosi.

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Monsoonman | Dec 28, 2010, 12:18 AM EST

My comments: Andrew cuomo should be prosecuted for his role in the mortgage scandal....Wasn't it a bit more than a month ago we had a landslide election which saw historic losses for the democrats and up until that point joe biden assured his "team" they were going to win big...and you call him a winner?

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Morninghours | Dec 28, 2010, 12:04 AM EST

I whole-heartedly agree with the choice of our Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley as one of the winners. He is indeed in good standing to be a 2016 presidential contender. And if you remember Bill Clinton playing sax during his 1992 campaign, just imagine Marty, a proud Irish-American, performing with his Celtic rock band (omalleysmarch.com).

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mrkennedy | Dec 27, 2010, 02:46 PM EST

Love it! All 5 of the winners are PRO-ABORTION CATHOLICS????

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hancock | Dec 27, 2010, 12:14 PM EST

Teabag? I don't think you're covering yourself in glory either Einstein.

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DLW12183 | Dec 27, 2010, 10:39 AM EST

What does have to do with the Irish and Ireland?

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olovely | Dec 27, 2010, 08:34 AM EST

Obama runs rings around his detractors, who keep writing him off at their peril.

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ClanSheridan | Dec 27, 2010, 08:22 AM EST

Sad to see the comments here from the Teabag crowd. My God, you sound like a bunch of idiots, as usual. Great article, Patrick. Spot on.

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ClanSheridan | Dec 27, 2010, 08:21 AM EST

@bronxjames...ummm..."Look at NYC where the jews live". Enjoy your ban from the site, moron.

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grimchieftain | Dec 27, 2010, 05:42 AM EST

Obama caves to the Republicans on taxes and gets the non-issue DADT policy bounced for his efforts and you think he's hitting them out of the park? Geez, how desperate are you to make him look good anyway?

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ciarrai | Dec 26, 2010, 11:44 PM EST

Oh yeah, btw, what a crappy sexist age bias comment to make about Pelosi. Patrick Roberts is a slut.

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McNamara31 | Dec 26, 2010, 08:11 PM EST

ksclatts..The point is,criticize a persons position or actions, but the sexist attack ie "Cling, fingernails" is a totally stupid remark.

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kcslatts | Dec 26, 2010, 02:14 PM EST

Mcnamara and Searlit, are you really supporting Nancy Pelosi? You must not be from America, the woman was/is a disaster.

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