78 Comments

• IrishAndProud | Jul 26, 2010, 05:57 PM EDT

  Incidentally, maireadinmelb, the UK is moving toward DECENTRALIZING their socialized health care system --because it DOESN'T...WORK. Libs just LOOOOVE to look to Europe as an example of how WE should do stuff; fine, let's look at Europe!

• IrishAndProud | Jul 26, 2010, 05:00 PM EDT

  And Dennis, you're still in denial. Gallup has the Dems 'up' in a fluctuation, but the GOP has an enormous enthusiasm edge, as Gallup calls it (which includes independents and others far beyond the GOP base, itself), giving the GOP a huge advantage going into the fall election. That has not changed, and if anything has only grown. Whoever has the enthusiasm has the momentum -- and every national poll (including the one you cited) still shows the Democrats in huge trouble this year. FYI I've already visited Gallup's website -- and that's you can find everything I've just mentioned. I must ask if YOU actually viewed it, Dennis. You're still in denial.

• IrishAndProud | Jul 26, 2010, 04:52 PM EDT

  maireadinmelb, the American government is NOT 'providing' health care for us. It's TAKING OVER health care, FROM us. And if you bothered to actually read ANY U.S. public opinion poll during the debate and even any such poll since it was rammed through the U.S. Congress against our will, you'd see the American public STILL do...not...want this farce, and they also no longer back Obama on even a single, major issue. He's lost us. If you want him down there (he's from all over the map already, after all), then you can have him.

• Monsoonman | Jul 24, 2010, 10:33 AM EDT

  I don't think obama needs any lessons on the finer points of prevarication from bill clinton. He has already demonstrated quite clearly that there are many variations to the meaning of is, is, er...are.

• maireadinmelb | Jul 24, 2010, 02:45 AM EDT

  Americans are jobless because of wall street mismanagement of companies, companies who paid the top corporates massive bonuses to the detriment of the world. Obama came in and tried to instigate change but as long as he has to pick up the pieces of corporate america's mismanagement and fund two unnecessary wars, where is he supposed to get money from. AND tell me why is it ok for the American government to prop up companies, while the directors pocket millions, but it is a bad thing to provide basic health care for your people???

• Advocate | Jul 23, 2010, 07:36 PM EDT

  IF this creature; this "Stranger" written of in Deut. 17:15 and 28:43, cared even a tiny-bit about what's left of OUR America, he'd show his love via suicide - Today!!!

• DennisQ | Jul 23, 2010, 07:29 PM EDT

  IAP . . . It appears that the stories of a Republican resurgence in November remain unsubstantiated. You might want to visit Gallup's own website, especially Dr. Frank Newport's videos. Editor-in-Chief Newport comments on the significance of Obama's job approval ratings - which are actually quite normal - and on the "generic ballot" which has turned in the Democrats' favor. Compared to other recent presidents, says Newport, there's nothing particularly noteworthy about Obama's job approval ratings. He's doing about the same as other presidents. And the generic ballot is more volatile this year than in the past. Who'd a thunk it?

• IrishAndProud | Jul 23, 2010, 05:55 AM EDT

  And finally, Dennis...you're right on one thing, though I doubt in a way you'd like: 2010 is indeed a unique year, unlike any other...for how much trouble the Democrats are in.

• IrishAndProud | Jul 23, 2010, 05:46 AM EDT

  And here's another one for you, Dennis...from GALLUP, mind you: "Gallup's 2010 Confidence in Institutions poll finds Congress ranking dead last out of the 16 institutions rated this year. Eleven percent of Americans say they have "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in Congress, down from 17% in 2009 and a percentage point lower than the previous low for Congress, recorded in 2008." [END QUOTE] So, I must ask, Dennis...is GALLUP now just like all those other pollsters out there, too, and just not 'factoring in the uniqueness?' Are those 89% of people who DON'T support the Democrat Congress 'all wet'? And...exactly what poll would you even consider to have 'factored in the uniqueness,' other than one that shows majority support for Obama and/or his party? Are they only legit when they show support for Obama/the Dems?

• IrishAndProud | Jul 23, 2010, 05:38 AM EDT

  Dennis, Dennis, Dennis...you're still A) simply denying polls simply because they don't show what you like, and B) you're falling back on the blame-Bush tactic, which is obviously not working with people, anymore. Come on, now. If you're going to debate the results of every single national poll out there nowadays (all of which show deep trouble for Obama) then at least DO so. But don't dispute them and then immediately start Bush-bashing, again. You are flatly in denial of the political trouble Obama and his party are in, because you side with him and want him to be liked and supported. How can a pollster 'factor out' anything when all they're doing is asking questions and people all across the board are simply answering as they are? Your approach to this matter is like Clinton's lawyer trying to say "well, it depends on what your definition of 'is' is." You're in denial, Dennis -- and if those polls showed majority SUPPORT for Obama, you'd be trumpeting them in an instant. But when they don't (and none do), then it's 'oh...well...they don't really mean anything...they're not factoring in the uniqueness...' You're speaking gobbleygook, Dennis.

• DennisQ | Jul 23, 2010, 05:23 AM EDT

  IAP, you're being very patient in repeating yourself, but you're not responding to the objection. So I'll repeat the objection. It doesn't make a difference what the polls say in the middle of this very atypical year. If this were a year like the others that are used as the basis for comparison, then the various pollsters would be on firmer ground to say that the Democrats ought to be worried. It's true that voters aren't pleased with Obama's results, but he inherited a mess from his very improvident predecessor. Bush simply didn't know which end was up, and it's taking a while to un-do the damage. Bush ran this country into a ditch - it's difficult to pick out a policy of his that actually succeeded. His wars failed; his tax cuts failed; he promised to restore America's image in the world, and he didn't do that. I don't think the Republicans are going to get away with refusing to help govern. They sat on their hands and did nothing. I don't think these figures you quote mean what you think they mean. Statisticians are mostly glorified bookies anyhow, but you quote survey results as though they fore-ordained the future. Regardless of what the Quinnipiac poll says, they are not factoring in the uniqueness of this year. It seems like they're going out of their way to factor it out. Even a bookie might want to avoid going out on a limb like that. Think of the ways 2010 is not like years that preceded it. The voters will factor that in, even if the bookies don't.

• IrishAndProud | Jul 21, 2010, 03:43 PM EDT

  Dennis, you're gradually inching toward reality bit by bit (you've now moved from saying the Dems will only lose 'some' seats to saying that 'maybe' the Repubs will indeed have a 'great year', but even then you're still at it, trying to minimize and/or deny the obvious by saying it's only 'bookies' saying so, and maybe not the actual VOTERS. Dennis, what do you think the 'bookies' base their odds on, but what the VOTERS are saying about Obama? It's the VOTERS who are giving Obama such low marks in every single poll out there, and who have been for over a YEAR now, Dennis! Here's even more, for you...another poll, as reported by today's Wall Street Journal: [BEGIN QUOTE] "Quinnipiac University today released a national poll of 2,181 registered voters, almost twice the size of most national polls. (It has a margin of error of 2.1 percentage points.) It showed President Obama’s net job approval rating at its lowest point ever – 44% approve, 48% disapprove. In July 2009, Quinnipiac’s national poll had the president with 57% approve, 33% disapprove. The decline in Mr. Obama’s support over the past year has been across the-board, with the largest decreases being among whites, older voters, political independents and men...If it was just among Republicans and their ideological allies that the president was losing support that would not represent a serious political threat. What is most problematic for the president is the drop among whites, men and political independents. Those demographic groups gave him greater support in 2008 than they had most Democratic presidential candidates over the past few decades. Simply put, when Democrats carry or are competitive among whites, independents and men, they win the White House. When they don’t, they don’t." [END QUOTE]

• Monsoonman | Jul 21, 2010, 09:50 AM EDT

  My money is on the bookies...

• DennisQ | Jul 21, 2010, 07:05 AM EDT

  In high summer - anois ar hocht an Tsamraidh - stories get published that wouldn't get published at any other time. So the bookies are saying it's going to be a great November for the Republicans. And maybe they are right! But the bookies and the voters aren't one and the same. If you're going to celebrate the return of Grainne Mhaol, wait till you count a few more of the mile gaiscioch that she's got coming along with her.

• IrishAndProud | Jul 20, 2010, 06:06 PM EDT

  Shall I re-post the Time magazine article for you, Dennis? Here it is again, from the article titled 'Dems Start To Panic as Midterm Reality Sets In.' [BEGIN QUOTE]: "Under pressure, the Democrats are cracking. On both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, there is a realization that Nancy Pelosi's hold on the speakership is in true jeopardy; that losing control of the Senate is not out of the question; and that time, once the Democrats' best friend, is now their mortal enemy. Since January, when Scott Brown won Ted Kennedy's Massachusetts Senate seat, the President's party has tried to downplay in public what its pollsters have been saying in private: that Obama's alienation of independents and white voters, along with the enthusiasm gap between the right and the left, means that Republicans are on a trajectory to pick up massive numbers of House and Senate seats, perhaps even to regain control of Congress." [END QUOTE] That's just a wee bit more than the Dems only losing 'some' seats, as you put it in your try-to-minimize-it-way -- wouldn't you agree, Dennis?

• IrishAndProud | Jul 20, 2010, 06:02 PM EDT

  Dennis, you're right that 2010 will not be a repeat of 1994...which is far too mild a comparison. And of course you don't see Obama for what he is (a jackbooted elitist) because you like and support the stuff that makes him one. You're just not honest about calling it what it is. You're right that voters are looking for a take-charge type in Washington, and that is PRECISELY why they've turned against Obama so much -- he's not taking charge with the things he should, and he IS taking charge (or rather, taking OVER) where he SHOULDN'T be: banking, auto production, health care, etc. The Repubs may be timid and lacking in putting out a clear, unified agenda (by themselves they're a very weak party) but with the entire country increasingly unified against Obama and his party, simply not being Democrats is a pretty appealing trait in and of itself -- and this is why the Repubs even in their current state are not only likely to pick up the House but very possibly the Senate as well...and that is the undeniable political reality today, Dennis, as you've seen by some of the political observers I've posted from even LIBERAL media such as Time and CBS...and other than a feeble attempt at self-comfort and/or sheer defiance I'm unsure what you'd base anything less than that on.

• McNamara31 | Jul 20, 2010, 12:22 PM EDT

  oneofeleven..This is very interesting..... (Google it) The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has a graph that breaks down the actual causes of the deficit. Together with the economic downturn, the Bush tax cuts and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq explain virtually the "entire" deficit over the next ten years.

• oneofeleven | Jul 20, 2010, 11:15 AM EDT

  DC is out of touch with reality - politicians are spending this country into bankruptcy. With less than 50% of citizens paying taxes and the massive entitlement programs including the new "free healthcare for all" we have a serious problem. Term limits for Congress is the only answer to stop this madness.

• DennisQ | Jul 20, 2010, 03:44 AM EDT

  I don't see Obama as a jackbooted elitist; where are you coming from with that? People don't think of Obama as some kind of dictator. If anything, they are disappointed that he hasn't been more forceful. Survey respondents indicate that the president should have intervened more quickly to fix the mess in the Gulf of Mexico. He should show more leadership in ending the recession. Republicans are comparing Obama to Mussolini at a time when voters are looking for a take-charge guy in Washington. Republicans will have to convince voters that their "ideas" - such as they are - are more likely to succeed. Republicans propose to pick up where Bush left off, with tax cuts, militarism and xenophobia. That's a tough sell, I think. The Democrats may lose some seats this year, but 2010 will not be a repeat of 1994.

• IrishAndProud | Jul 20, 2010, 02:41 AM EDT

  And talk about 'no shame,' Dennis...that describes the elitist, jackbooted regime we have in Washington nowadays, not the right...and it's precisely why Obama's in such deep doo-doo right now. Again, are you going to call the people stupid for not liking Obama?

• IrishAndProud | Jul 20, 2010, 02:38 AM EDT

  Dennis, blaming George Bush is all guys like you have left...and it doesn't work anymore, either, otherwise Obama would be a wee bit better off politically than he is. Now what are you going to do, call the people collectively stupid for not liking Obama and piling it all on Bush?

• DennisQ | Jul 20, 2010, 02:22 AM EDT

  Blaming George Bush for America's current troubles isn't a bad idea at all. The man was such an incompetent that people are doubtful that government can get anything right. We weren't in bad shape when Clinton left office. We weren't at war, people were working, and there was so much money in the Treasury there were fights about what to do with it all. After eight years of Bush-Cheney, it was hardly the same country at all. Long costly wars on two fronts; an economy mired in recession; and government deficits so large that our grandchildren will be stuck paying them off. We're told that the reason Bush keeps such a low profile is that it's traditional for former presidents to do so. It's more likely that Republicans are deeply ashamed of him, and those folks don't shame easily.

• IrishAndProud | Jul 19, 2010, 07:26 PM EDT

  "Under pressure, the Democrats are cracking. On both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, there is a realization that Nancy Pelosi's hold on the speakership is in true jeopardy; that losing control of the Senate is not out of the question; and that time, once the Democrats' best friend, is now their mortal enemy. Since January, when Scott Brown won Ted Kennedy's Massachusetts Senate seat, the President's party has tried to downplay in public what its pollsters have been saying in private: that Obama's alienation of independents and white voters, along with the enthusiasm gap between the right and the left, means that Republicans are on a trajectory to pick up massive numbers of House and Senate seats, perhaps even to regain control of Congress." [END QUOTE] This is from today's edition of TIME MAGAZINE (yeah, what a right-wing rag), from an article titled 'Dems Start to Panic as Midterm Reality Sets In.'

• IrishAndProud | Jul 19, 2010, 06:55 PM EDT

  At this point, American, unless something changes rather drastically (and soon) in the domestic political sense I don't know that you have to worry all that much about a Dem victory.

• American | Jul 19, 2010, 05:55 PM EDT

  2010 and you still roll out GW Bush to blame. Obama promised "change we can believe in". What we got was politics as usual and America just won't tolerate it any more. THIS President has divided us. HE is responsible for resolving the Great Recession, the BP oil mess, immigration chaos, and the war in the Graveyard of Empires - Afghanistan. Perhaps if he listens to Mr. Clinton he will also lose control of Congress and be impeached retiring in disgrace. Are you sure you want a Democratic victory?

• IrishAndProud | Jul 19, 2010, 05:41 PM EDT

  And YOU, McNamara, cannot wait to NOT answer charges, which you are quite fast yourself to lodge against others. I posted below that your blaming talk radio for fanning 'hate' smacks of you wanting to outright BAN it from even being there...and you did not even respond to that, nor the fact that it has been OBAMA and his gang who are the ones governing against the will of the people. All you have to do is turn the radio OFF, McNamara, if you don't like what's being said...and if you cannot stand the fact that someone somewhere is disagreeing with Obama even if you're NOT listening to it, what other conclusion is there but that you don't even want the dissent practiced?

• IrishAndProud | Jul 19, 2010, 05:33 PM EDT

  Oh...and health insurance premiums are already starting to go sky-high, because of Obama's hell scare deform (again, exactly as he planned)...leaving inferior, beaurocrat-run health plan to be in charge of our lives. Ahhh...I feel better already...must be the pain pills that Obama suggested popping before we let ourselves die...

• McNamara31 | Jul 19, 2010, 05:28 PM EDT

  IrishandProud.. Da!......... I reposted it, because it related to the TexasGirl post. Man your little fingers can't wait to jump right in there.

• IrishAndProud | Jul 19, 2010, 05:25 PM EDT

  You're on the outs, McNamara. The longer you defend this dufas Obama, the sillier you look.

• McNamara31 | Jul 19, 2010, 05:23 PM EDT

  TexasGirl...You never let me down. You hit most of my "most posted smears" I posted earlier today. And then, you go on to state "it's not because of the color of his skin but".......You know what they say about everything after "but"

• IrishAndProud | Jul 19, 2010, 05:22 PM EDT

  McNamara, that's the second time you've posted all of that. You're just repeating yourself. Thanks to Obama millions FEWER will have quality health insurance as private insurance groups (exactly as he planned) are slowly driven out of business by the government and employers DROP coverage and pay the federal fine because it's cheaper for them in the long run...and government health insurance? Lesser quality, longer waits, and more deaths as faceless beaurocrats (not actual health care professionals, mind you) decide who's worthy of tax dollar coverage and who's not, not to mention raising our taxes through the stratosphere to pay for something we do not need, at a time we cannot afford it, and which was passed despite solid majorities of the American people screaming "NO!" (a majority which remains, to this day). You should be asking YOURSELF what all the hatred's about, McNamara...because you cannot stand dissent from Obama, and in a rather blitzed way (with bubbles popping around your head as you blink, blankly) you just 'cannot understand' why anyone would oppose such a thing. Just follow Obama like a sheep, and realize he's oh-so-much smarter than we the great unwashed masses who value both life and freedom in a way different from what the far left defines them as.

• McNamara31 | Jul 19, 2010, 05:08 PM EDT

  *Most posted smears on IC: He’s a thug, a Muslim, a socialist, a Marxist,a Chicago criminal, He’s not black, he’s got a white mother, he’s a communist, was born in Africa, has a plot to ruin America, and we want our country back “from Him”** The truth: He inherited America in financial ruin** Facts: When he entered office he was left a $1.3 trillion dollar debt, with projected growth to 8 trillion, before He wrote his first check.** Every financial expert stated if a stimulus was not created we would fall into a depression equal or greater than 1929.** He has pushed for legislation to protect Americans from the pillage of the Banks, credit card companies and health care companies.** All of the above companies have a strong interest in seeing him fail and the GOP is working very hard in their favor** In 2010: Because of “him” your companies job based insurance plan can no longer deny your child with a pre existing illness** Your child can now stay on your insurance till age 26** They can no longer drop you when you get sick that had caused many to fall previously into financial ruin.** So ask yourself? What is the hatred all about?

• TexasGal | Jul 19, 2010, 04:33 PM EDT

  The people don't hate Obama or the color of is skin but the things that he is doing to this great country are what we hate. His healthcare, financial reform, his $800.B jobless stimulus plus all his spending like the American people have deep pockets, all his Soicalist, Communist, Moe loving, Marxist, Anti-Capitalist, Anti-American czar"s, Anti-Constitution, his dealing with the Gulf Oil spill, Obama will go down in history the worst president. O the Irish are so proud that Obama has Irish blood in him now the Swiss claim him to you can share him and he can finish off were Hitler couldn't your great grandparent that fought Socialism and Communism and gave there blood what a waste and a shame. And the Clintons are progressive jokes.

• IrishAndProud | Jul 19, 2010, 03:36 PM EDT

  (continued)...And if you cannot be satisfied with simply turning the radio off, then the only other thing you're not-so-subtly hinting at is that you want talk radio (differing opinion, ie) BANNED and done away with, so that NO ONE can hear opinion that differs with The Great Leader. And you cannot do that in a free society. You can try to COMPETE with it (oh, that's right...Air America went bankrupt), but you cannot just BAN it. And if you're not saying you want to ban it, then what the hell ARE you saying? There has been no greater divider in this country over the last year and a half, than Barack Obama and the Democratic Party...flying in the majority's face by passing a health scare deform that we did not want, spending non-existent wealth like a drunken sailor and taking states to court over laws that 70% of the people consistently support. THAT is what has lit the fire in this nation, McNamara. It's not conservative talk radio. It's Barack Obama, himself. HE and HIS party are what are the problem, here. They are nothing BUT (leftist) propoganda...and no one's buying it, anymore.

• IrishAndProud | Jul 19, 2010, 03:35 PM EDT

  McNamara, you seem to be completely exempting Obama and his party from being 'dividers', themselves -- as if it's solely the other side doing it. Excuse me for pointing out the obvious but it's not conservative talk radio that has been arrogantly and defiantly governing against the will of the majority for a full year-and-a-HALF now, whilst mocking and baiting and taunting the majority with trash like 'you're racists' and 'you're nazi's' etc for simply disagreeing with them in any way, shape or form. That is what REGIMES do, and that's why Obama's bunch are being called that. We have a minority steamrolling the majority at literally every turn; that my friend is a REGIME. In fact merely calling them a 'regime' is being polite. You're once again (and futily, I might add) trying to make conservative talk radio out to be the big, bad bogeyman here (when they have not one shred of actual power beyond simply being agreed with by a majority of the USA). You're looking in the wrong place. The boogyemen are in Washington DC my friend...not on a plastic radio dial which you can simply turn OFF if you don't like what you're hearing.

• McNamara31 | Jul 19, 2010, 02:12 PM EDT

  HBDuncan ..I respect anyone who states their position in a forthright way based on how they see the issues. What has put me over lately, is the blatant smears that not only hurt Obama but further divide us as a country. We are going down a road with conservative talk radio that could have some terrible ramifications. Disagree on issues, but the “all out” propaganda that calls an elected president "a regime" is feeding a fire that can backfire.

• AmAncINED | Jul 19, 2010, 01:06 PM EDT

  Obama & Co are "posturing" for the benefit of the Hispanics but there'll be nothing of any substance done about immigration reform before Nov. because the Dems want and need the Hispanic vote. Politics as usual. I doubt Obama wants any advice from Bill who probably couldn't care less about giving him any. Obama & Bill aren't exactly, "best buds" even if they're both Democrats. Actually, Bill seems to like George Bush Sr. better.

• HBDuncan | Jul 19, 2010, 12:04 PM EDT

  Since the Persian Gulf War in 1991, the US and Britain had kept a tight rein on Saddam Hussein, waging an undeclared conflict/war against Iraq for 12 years. President Bill Clinton ordered the air strikes. Then after the terrorist's attack 9-11 it became engaged in an invasion by the US and Britain and others due to the threat of weapons of mass destruction to end Saddam Husseins alleged support of terrorism and to free the Iraqi people. I am fed up with the blame Bush game and not taking responsibility! Hey we are still in Afghanistan due to the war on Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Should we blame Obama? By the way you might find this of interest. Akmadinagad is buying uranium from Chaves? Venezuela has alot of it! I can't understand why or what they would want it for! Maybe President Obama could ask his buddy Chaves? Must be for the good of the American people and/or Israel?

• shirleyo | Jul 19, 2010, 11:41 AM EDT

  Is this a great country, or what! So many points of view --- so many passionate beliefs --- Too much hatred -- too much anger. Temper, temper folks.

• HBDuncan | Jul 19, 2010, 11:38 AM EDT

  This is the 2nd time I posted a comment! Where is it kind Sir? Am I not politically correct?

• McNamara31 | Jul 19, 2010, 11:34 AM EDT

  typo * In 2010: Because of “him” your companies job based insurance plan can no longer deny your child with a pre existing illness** Your child can now stay on your insurance till age 26** They can no longer drop you when you get sick that had caused many to fall previously into financial ruin.** So ask yourself? What is the hatred all about?

• McNamara31 | Jul 19, 2010, 11:29 AM EDT

  *Most posted smears on IC: He’s a thug, a Muslim, a socialist, a Chicago criminal, He’s not black, he’s got a white mother, he’s a communist, was born in Africa, has a plot to ruin America, and we want our country back “from Him”** The truth: He inherited America in financial ruin** Facts: When he entered office he was left a $1.3 trillion dollar debt, with projected growth to 8 trillion, before He wrote his first check.** Every financial expert stated if a stimulus was not created we would fall into a depression equal or greater than 1929.** He has pushed for legislation to protect Americans from the pillage of the Banks, credit card companies and health care companies.** All of the above companies have a strong interest in seeing him fail and the GOP is working very hard in their favor** In 2010: Because of “him” your companies job based insurance plan can no longer deny your child with a per existing illness** Your child can know stay on your insurance till age 26** They can no longer drop you when you get sick that had caused many to fall previously into financial ruin.** So ask yourself? What is the hatred all about?

• cathy/marty | Jul 19, 2010, 10:05 AM EDT

  Your right Bill Clinton did have a vision. How to get Monicia into the OVAL OFFICE. And the MUSLIM has a vision on how to DESTROY OUR COUNTRY.

• Marion211 | Jul 19, 2010, 09:28 AM EDT

  Obama is pushing his agenda of government control. It has happened already with banks and health care. Look up his college roommate, Wayne Allyn Root, and read what he has to say. Obama is following a plan of two professors at Columbia University, Cloward & Piven, to socialize America. The majority of Americans want less governmental control, want out of Iraq & Afganistan, no governmental health care system, and yet, Obama continues to push his agendas at the taxpayers expense. He has already broken campaign promises, and not that I'm racist, but he promotes himself as a black man, when in fact, his mother is white. He can't even be truthful about his roots. He came out of nowhere promoting change, and his timing couldn't have been better. People were tired of Bush, who did nothing the last term. That is basically how he got elected. He has done nothing but cause trouble and make things worse. How dare he sue Arizona for implementing his own policy concerning illegal immigrants. He is a liar.

• IrishAndProud | Jul 19, 2010, 04:09 AM EDT

  HA HA!!!! Obama has to rely on CLINTON to get a second term (assuming that even happens)? Why can't Obama rely on OBAMA to accomplish that? Are you saying that he can't even run on himself to win? Just what is that admitting, Patrick?

• KathyCallahan | Jul 19, 2010, 03:09 AM EDT

  Bill Clinton please keep on coming back home to the White House. Sooner the better...Last week there was more than a feeling of hope in the air

• IrishAndProud | Jul 19, 2010, 01:09 AM EDT

  I might add, Patrick...the problem for the Dems is not that their message has NOT been getting out, it's that it HAS...GOTTEN...OUT, and people do not like it. I know that's anathema to even think, if you're a leftie, but that's the case -- take it or leave it. People no longer like or support Obama. They're not stupid, as you clearly suppose. They don't like what he's been doing.

• IrishAndProud | Jul 18, 2010, 10:13 PM EDT

  Interesting that even a writer who normally puts out so much blatant, leftist pro-Obama stuff (Patrick Roberts) now, himself, senses the deep political trouble that Obama is now in. Check this out from today's Wall Street Journal: "Democrats for the first time are acknowledging that Republicans could retake the Senate this November if everything falls into place for the GOP, less than two years after Democrats held a daunting 60-seat majority. Leaders of both parties have believed for months that Republicans could win the House, where every lawmaker faces re-election. But a change of party control in the Senate, where only a third of the members are running and Republicans must capture 10 seats, seemed out of the question. Battle for the Senate See state-by-state poll data on Senate races. That's no longer the case. The emergence of competitive Republican candidates in Wisconsin, Washington and California—Democratic-leaning states where polls now show tight races—bring the number of seats that Republicans could seize from the Democrats to 11." [END QUOTE] And McNamara...apparently you think the American people are a bunch of stoops who fall for soundbits, because they couldn't possibly grasp the issues by their lame-brain selves, could they?

• acemaker | Jul 18, 2010, 03:41 PM EDT

  The recent essays on this site have convinced me the liberals are running scared. Maybe it's me, but I have notice what seems to me a coordinated effort by the writers on this site,Finnegan, Keane,and now Roberts, no doubt with the encouragement of the founder, to promote the propanga of socialist left. I'am registered unafillated voter, so I like to listen to both sides. But this is bordering on this website as being a shill for the liberal left. If it wasn't for MacConnel,who I really enjoy reading, and the no nonsense, straight to the point Spain, I'd delete this site. I would like to know howmuch money this site contributed to Obama

• irishwxman | Jul 18, 2010, 03:24 PM EDT

  Nice try McNamara but you fail.

• McNamara31 | Jul 18, 2010, 03:02 PM EDT

  Patrick, your statement "In the era of the one-word sound bites, Republicans are outmaneuvering Obama and his fellow Democrats in the all-important message stakes" is 100% right on. The GOP has "mastered” negative politics. They win, but they can’t lead. Their answer for any condition is deregulation and tax cuts for the wealthy. President Obama, more than any other president has had to lead the country during an all out 24/7 professional propaganda operation channeled through FOX and conservative radio. When conservative media plays a message over and over again, and creates their image of a "regime" that has taken over America, a certain segment is going to be affected by their scare tactics. As America moves further away from print media, to cable media, the effects of smear politics grow stronger. As for OptioJohn's statement about Glass Stegal and the Clinton administration, they actually left the country a surplus of $237 billion dollars which Bush “burned through” creating a $1.3 trillion dollar deficit with growing projections to 8 trillion. I must also direct him to the Bush/2004 SEC deregulation that allowed the banks to change their “debt to savings ratio” from 12 to 1 “up” to 40 to 1, which previous SEC leadership pointed to as the “major action” in causing the financial crisis. Any thinking person realizes, that the condition of a financially broken American economy, directly caused by 8 years of inept political and financial leadership, that did indeed take us to the brink of a full out depression, will take more than one term to turn around, but the answer is definitely not to return the government to those who created this fiasco in the first place.

• IrateNate | Jul 18, 2010, 02:56 PM EDT

  So, Obama needs to molest fat interns? At least he has the "lie in front of TV camera" part down. Your advice is about as relevant as your misrepresentation of the truth. Your claim "the fact is that a Republican president caused the financial collapse..." is quite the stretch, Pat, even for liberal spin. Try honesty for a change, something like "...a Republican president was in office when the Democratic Congress allowed years of deregulation to lead to the financial collapse." And don't even start with the Wall Street Fat Cat manure. Check your facts, look at who and how much was put into the Dodd-Frank "reform" bill by Wall Street lobbyists, then tell us again who sold who out. Health care for all? Give me a break - Obama, Pelosi, Reid, all demonize insurance industry, then passes horribly unpopular law, punishing these evil industries by forcing every person in the country to purchace their product. Yeah, that should teach 'em. In the end, the reason Obama's numbers are down is because Americans are waking up. We are no longer fooled by his slick toungue, but see him for the far-left inexperienced ex-community organizer that he is.

• notleftbehind | Jul 18, 2010, 02:43 PM EDT

  What is going on here is the American people are slowing seeing the "thug mentality" that Obama, Rahm, Jarrett, Axelrod and a entire cast of Chicagoans in the WH abide by. Finally, people are waking up to the corruption in the WH -something Chicagoans have known for awhile. You can't come up through Chicago and Illinois politics without being a thug. Chicago and Illinois have always been and will continue to be a cesspool of corruption and thuggery. Yesterday, the Governor Pat Quinn announced unpaid furloughs for non-union state employees -this announcement came after the Associated Press discovered he had given substanial raises to his staff while the state is at least 40 billion dollars in debt. Today, the 3rd Chicago policeman in less than two mos. was killed as he was coming off duty from guarding Mayor Daley's home. How about Natasha McShane, the young lady from Northern Ireland studying in Chicago and beaten to a pulp on April 23 by a thug in a tourist-friendly neighborhood. Chicago has been a breeding ground for all that is evil since Al Capone. Be fearful folks.

• solyeant | Jul 18, 2010, 02:34 PM EDT

  Salud, A simple return to honest political truth would do but I doubt the outcome if we look deeply into the Wikileaks revelations and a certain real estate transaction referenced a persona known to buy his politicians including funding to B&HC and even Nick Clegg in the UK. "Whom the Gods wish to destroy they first make famous" forget the rest Adieu

• Monsoonman | Jul 18, 2010, 01:50 PM EDT

  The liberal mentality quickly forgot 911 and is now trying to give us a mosque at ground zero, because we have to make everything "fair". The brave jihadists who flew the planes into our buildings need to be memorialized too....Beam me up Scotty!

• Kaltrop | Jul 18, 2010, 01:38 PM EDT

  If the Republicans let that dingbat Sarah Palin run, Obama will definitely win.

• Monsoonman | Jul 18, 2010, 01:02 PM EDT

  Take a look at obamas war strategy in Afghanistan. His hand picked General just resigned after trying to execute obamas liberal war strategy that basically leaves our troops sitting ducks who cannot fire back unless given permission by rear echelon lawyers. You are seeing the results of it now with many US/NATO casualties. The Taliban have seized control of the provinces again and opium production is at an all time high....Just like when a river has been poisoned upstream, it takes awhile to see the results downstream. Elections have consequences.

• semperfidelis | Jul 18, 2010, 12:54 PM EDT

  Mr. Roberts , with all due respect,you are clueless. Clinton indeed had a vision, just slightly less left than obama. He succeeded in large measure because he was forced to work with republicans after they took over congress in the 94 elections. At least he was pragmatic enough to do that. By 2000, the economy was in recession, the Bush tax cuts got us out of that. For most of the Bush presidency, the economy did very well.He didn't cause the financial collapse( but didn't do enough to prevent it) financially unsound, feel good, regulations foisted on the country by congress by led to the collapse. Wall street has been in bed with both parties for decades. Main street isn't stupid, it knows both parties are failing them. Leading us into Afghanistan was necessary(remember 9/11) Iraq was a mistake before the Taliban and Al Queda had been destroyed.The health care reform is a joke and will prove to be a disaster, financially and otherwise. Financial reform w/out addressing Fannie and Freddie, ground zero for this mess, pathetic. Bottom line outside of the two coasts this is primarily a center right country and attempts to govern from the far left are doomed to fail. And by the way, not to sure experience as governor of Illinois would have helped obama much, most of them seem to head to prison after their "public service" is finished.

• irishwxman | Jul 18, 2010, 12:51 PM EDT

  OptionJohn you are EXACTLY right. Great points.

• irishwxman | Jul 18, 2010, 12:50 PM EDT

  The fact is the a Republican president did NOT cause this mess. try your boys Barney Frank and Chris Dodd for forcing banks to allow loans to people who could not pay them back. I love this blame bush philosophy you libtards have adopted. "Oh my car wouldn't start this morning....its Bush's fault." This is Obama's economy now. You want facts? look up the budget deficit and the dates. See who was in control of congress when things turned sour. It was your precious democrat party. Take some responsibility for once ans stop pointing fingers at everybody else.

• OptionJohn | Jul 18, 2010, 12:49 PM EDT

  Why are we spending money on suing Arizona and contributing to the National Debt more money? Because Obama seems to think States rights are racist and we need to reform immigration policy for Federal policy. States rights are racist? Federal total control is socialism/communist. The Chinamen must be proud of Obama

• OptionJohn | Jul 18, 2010, 12:46 PM EDT

  Go ahead Obama keep bashing Bush. Soon the general public will wise up and see the truth through the forest and how bad the Democrats are for Clinton signing the repeal of the Glass Stegal act among other subtle, terrible policies that Bush inherited from Clinton.

• OptionJohn | Jul 18, 2010, 12:43 PM EDT

  Ask me what I think of Clinton... Not much. And Obama is looking to Clinton for advise? Why? Just because the general public thinks Clinton had a surplus budget at the end of his term so his policies were tremendous? What about what he signed into law repealing the Glass Stegal act that congress has been working had to put back into place? Volcker, Clinton, Obama said the repeal was all a mistake. Whose fault. CLINTON. 1999 passage of repeal of Glass Stegal act took real estate long time to cylce through. Makes sense.

• OptionJohn | Jul 18, 2010, 12:39 PM EDT

  The fact is that a Republican president caused the financial collapse, led us to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and relaxed regulations that allowed the Gulf Oil spill. Not much. Go talk to Clinton about the Glass Stegal repeal and he will tell you that was a mistake. Clinton is responsible for the financial collapse simple as that. War...WTC was bombed in 1993 on Clinton watch, USS Cole bombed, American Embassies bombed. Clinton was so lax we had Taliban training camps in USA with all kinds of money flowing to them. That built the scene for 9/11. Bush inherited Clinton's laxness on Defense. Would it have been better for Bush to have acted like Clinton and just yawn and say O Well to 9/11? War is full of bluffs. Bush took none of it. Obama has endorsed drilling in USA with a study by Browner. He studied that issue for 18 months and look what happened. He allowed a corrupt Minerals Management agency to be corrupt. That is not Bush's fault. Ask me again what do I think of Obama... Not much.

• irishwxman | Jul 18, 2010, 11:00 AM EDT

  Why is Irishcentral so obsessed with the Clinton's and the Obama's? They are making no secrets that they are far off to the left. I'm still trying to figure out what this article has to do with anything Irish?

• WoundedKnee | Jul 18, 2010, 10:39 AM EDT

  Why is Irishcentral so obsessed with the Clintons?

• HBDuncan | Jul 18, 2010, 10:14 AM EDT

  When Obama campaigned on "Change" I knew we were in trouble. He is fast leading us down the yellow brick road. He is a progressive with a socialist agenda which is not what the people wanted. We want our life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He has deceived us and many have buyers remorse.

• irishwxman | Jul 18, 2010, 09:54 AM EDT

  Positive changes?? What positive changes? He is the most divisive president in the history of this country. I honestly believe we are close to another civil war. States have invoked their states rights. There are many law suits against the federal government for over stepping the bounds of the constitution. He has moved against popular belief to enforce his own. He has lied over and over again. What positive has he done? Stimulus = failure. Omnibus = failure. Healthcare = MASSIVE failure. Oil spill = Massive failure. This guy is in WAY over his head. Positive changes? seriously?

• irishwxman | Jul 18, 2010, 09:47 AM EDT

  I'd have to disagree with Shirleyo. "Tragically, Republicans protest and connive so loudly the public hears, and rather than think whether the noise is true, or valid, they idiotically believe." I find it so profound that liberals and democrats pound this drum when they were the ones only 4 years ago doing the EXACT SAME THING. Marching down the street calling for Bush's execution, now they scream and holler racism at the Ta Party people. It is so one sided with you people. Republicans are NOT conniving. They are trying to stop a tyrant from re-writing the US constitution into some kind of abomination. The US is a free country. We take pride in our liberty. We don't want some radical progressive to come in here and strip it away with his massive government growth and unbelievable entitlement programs. He isn't trying to "fix" America....he is trying to destroy it so her can rebuild it in a different image. How you morons cannot see this or believe it is happening is beyond me.

• rhondoodle | Jul 18, 2010, 09:32 AM EDT

  I'd have to agree with shirleyo. I'm incredibly frustrated at the negative attitude people have toward Obama. He needed a bulldozer to get in here and clean up the messes left for him. And, I hate to bring up the racism issue, but here's a successful, intelligent, young black man as president. Anybody jealous out there? Is there anybody really paying attention to the many positive changes he's made? Is there anybody out there supporting the positive changes he's trying to make? I don't hear you. It's easy to be an arm back quarterback - you think you know all the plays that should be made. Why don't you get in there and do some of the hard work that is needed?

• irishwxman | Jul 18, 2010, 09:02 AM EDT

  See the thing is Patrick, WE DON'T WANT TO RE-ELECT HIM!!

• shirleyo | Jul 18, 2010, 09:02 AM EDT

  Obama knows what bad straits America is in. He, and MANY experienced, knowlegeable economists,military leaders,health care professionals have dedicated their lives to try and correct our problems. They're WORKING so hard, there's little or no time to rebut every blatant, conspiratory, hostile, anti-Obama ploy.Tragically, Republicans protest and connive so loudly the public hears, and rather than think whether the noise is true, or valid, they idiotically believe.

• newcanaan | Jul 18, 2010, 08:51 AM EDT

  i would take president spongebob if it meant stopping the insanity of this regime

• lennonblackie | Jul 18, 2010, 08:49 AM EDT

  Patrick Roberts, you are so ill-informed its hard to believe you have a column. First of all its not "health care for all". You would have been correct if you said health care RATIONING for all. I hated Bush more than anyone, but he did not cause the financial meltdown. Barney Frank and Chris Dodd did with homes for all even if they couldn't afford them. Bush tried to stop it but was shut out by the Dems. In case you forget, the Dems have had control of the house since 2007. The Bush Administration cited the BP for that rig multiple times. Obama was going to give it an award!!! BP gave more money to B.H.O. than any other politician in 20 years. Iraq will go down as the biggest foreign relations mistake in this county's history. Afghanistan, however, needs to be blown off the map. They are a terrorist breeding ground. Mr. Roberts, you should take more responsibility in what you do. Some fools may read your article and consider themselves informed.

• WoundedKnee | Jul 18, 2010, 07:32 AM EDT

  Obama is turning out to be a very disappointing president. Lots of us who had good will towards him are finding that it is fast being used up. The last straw for me was the way Obama let himself be bullied by Netanyahu a week or two back. It is not unknown for the dog to bite his master, as Netanyahu did, but a master with any self-respect would deliver a quick kick to the dog's rear end and make sure the dog learned its place in the order of things. Instead of making Netanyahu squeal, Obama let America be bossed by America's dog Israel.

• DennisQ | Jul 18, 2010, 06:52 AM EDT

  I keep hearing about the theory of the generic ballot which says that the midterm elections have already been decided. It's the latest thing that the statisticians are going ga-ga over. The reason I don't believe it applies is that Republicans are approaching the November elections without a plan to turn the country around. As the recession deepens, the federal government may need to bring back the makework projects of the WPA. But Republicans oppose any increase in spending, even to extend unemployment benefits to people who can't find work. I don't see why anyone would vote Republican as a way out of this mess. Of course, if Obama's numbers were down in a normal year, the statisticians would be correct to conclude that the Democrats are in trouble. Charlie Cook, the political prognosticator, isn't entirely convinced by the generic ballot argument. Addressing a seminar hosted by the Gallup company, Cook acknowledged that the generic ballot is very impressive when it works, as it did in the turnaround year of 1994. The problem, says Cook, is that it doesn't always work. Republicans aren't helping dig America out - they're coasting. I'm not ready to believe that voters will reward them for that.

• jafrican53 | Jul 18, 2010, 05:41 AM EDT

  What is amazing is how much America forgets about where we are coming from. Is Obama losing ground because of race? Why has he become so unpopular? Did America expect him to wave a magic wand and we would immediately be living in the Clinton years? America needs to wake up and be honest about what is happening in our country. I think of the Julius Caesar mob, when I think of how we respond to the hype of the Republicans. Remember how Brutus and Mark Anthony played the crowd? This is exactly what the Republicans are doing to the American people. They are playing us. Are Americans smart enough to see this? I hope so, I hope we will, before we wake up and find ourselves in another nightmare of the Bush era. What a thought! What a frightening thought. Obama will make some mistakes he is young at this, but his heart is in the right place. Not all of his advisers are there for the greater good. I have no doubt he has some traitors around him too. But here's my conviction; Obama is God's choice for president of America, and God will see him through this. He is there for a reason, and God will deal with those who make it difficult for him to fulfill Gods plan for America. My prayer is that Obama will not lose sight of who he is, and what is role and responsibility to the American people is. My prayer is that America, the real America will wake up and rally behind a president who was chosen for "such a time as this."

• CitizenWhy | Jul 18, 2010, 03:01 AM EDT

  Exactly the case. Obama is reverting to the role he knows best - Senator - by making himself the Senator/Legislator in Chief but not the Executive in Chief nor Communicator in Chief. He is not communicating with the American people, relies too much on emails and scripted events, and his emails are formulaic and stale with no compelling message. ... He needs to spend 10 minutes each week on YouTube and sending videos to the media focused on educating the public on the economy and what needs to be done to increase employment. He must educate on what needs to be done before laying any blame on the Republicans. But does he know what needs to be done?