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by Niall O'Dowd

Obama no longer a shoo-in for Democratic nomination in 2012

Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 09:15 AM
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Barack Obama may be no shoo-in for the Democratic nomination in 2012.

The latest opinion poll shows Obama has only 70 per cent support from Democrats to be that party's nominee in 2012.

That's down about 20 points in the past few months alone.

While it is still very difficult to see anyone beating Obama for the nomination, it seems clear that even hard core base Democrats are tired of his inability to take the fight to Republicans.

There was a discussion on Anderson Cooper on CNN last night about the possibility of a challenger to Obama last night, an unheard of scenario just a few months ago.

It is easy to see why however.

Gallup has his popularity sliding down around 39 per cent, lowest of his presidency while the Republicans mop up the media agenda with the swirls and currents of their own primary race.

Obama in Iowa yesterday seemed to have little to offer, the same tired old bromides about job creation and blaming Congress.

He should really look in the mirror if he wants to blame anyone for the paralysis.

Right after killing Bin Laden his approval soared and he had every opportunity to capitalize.

Instead he rolled over and played dead on the debt ceiling issue, I believe a pivotal moment in his presidency.

It was beautifully encapsulated in a cartoon at the weekend when Obama was shown trying to negotiate to get his dog Bo off his bed.

The negotiation ends with Bo on the bed and Obama sleeping on the floor saying 'OK that's a good compromise.'

That's how many Democrats believe he handled the debt issue,

A challenger from the left, ala Eugene McCarthy in 1968 in New Hampshire next year could make it very interesting.

Not saying it will happen, but the specter has now been raised.


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25 Comments

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peterson | Aug 17, 2011, 09:17 PM EDT
If I were a person that voted for this idiot, I would feel stupid for believing his lies !!

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EphraimKibbey | Aug 17, 2011, 12:47 PM EDT
If a Democratic Government IS voted in in 2012 it will be because it IS "the will of the people." We have a Republican controlled house and several Republican controlled states because Republicans said they could do a better, faster job of creating jobs and "the people" believed them. "The will of the people" put them there and, now that we, "the people," find their agenda has more to do with destroying our current jobs (and our economy) than creating new ones, "the will of the people" will change the government again. I just wish Ohio was a recall state like Wisconsin. Recalls allow "the will of the people" to really be heard. I read that the reason that Ohio does not have recalls at the state level is because it would be "too democratic." Next year Wisconsin's "will of the people" will recall Walker and the Republican reps and senators that they could not get at this time because of the year in office rule. The Republicans have done more to fire up the Democratic base than Obama has.

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DannyMcGinn | Aug 17, 2011, 10:55 AM EDT
@ephraim: So the only hope is for a Democrat Dictatorship? "Forget the will of the people! The people are to stupid to know whats good for them." The people have voted this current government in. There was a full democrat controlled government for 2 years and nothing got done. Not even a budget. The only hope for this country is for you progs to get out of the way and let the American worker and businessman back in the game. Freedom not government is the way to prosperity.

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nicgearailt | Aug 16, 2011, 09:20 PM EDT
maybe so ...I read somewhere that he had already come to terms with that reality..it's hard to accept for me..and have not yet decided to give up on his re-election.He is going to need some breaks..I look forward to the debates.Anything can happen there..we will just have to wait..where is Ted Kennedy when you need him ?

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Pittsburghkid | Aug 16, 2011, 08:57 PM EDT
Obama though he could use White Guilt to keep whites a bay. This was attempted with Officer Crowley during the infamous "Beer Summit", but the Irish Cop held his ground. Obama was going to invoke white guilt, but got white rage instead. Now Obama has a problem. He can not reach out to the white vote without lossing the black vote. Obama is stuck. The Union vote is a small percentage of workers. Most of the Union Workers work for the government. Most of the voters are tax payers who pay the Union government workers wages. These taxpayers/voters are hurting, and don't make as much as the Union government workers. Thing are bad for Obama.

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clonmel21 | Aug 16, 2011, 08:37 PM EDT
to EphramKibbey. Did Barama pay you to say that. Sounds like it.

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EphraimKibbey | Aug 16, 2011, 06:54 PM EDT
PART III - The only hope for the nation is for the Democrates to take back the house and get a real filibuster proof majority in the senate as well as the presidency. Then they can get through the jobs bills that needed to have been done years ago but got blocked in the senate. If the Republicans retain any control at all the US will remain in this limbo land for years and if they get complete control we will be hauled right back into the Bush administration’s depression. Voting for a left wing challenger to Obama would be a vote for that republican control. Remember that no matter how bad things are, they can always get worse!

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EphraimKibbey | Aug 16, 2011, 06:45 PM EDT
PART II - It makes me laugh when the right calls Obama a socialist. The left is saying "were that it were only so!" The Republicans will end up with a right wing candidate that they can not sell to the center or the business community. The worst thing that Democrates could do would be to follow them down that road. Of course, Democrates excel at shooting themselves in the foot. The only thing that can stop Obama, is a poor showing by the Democratic base at the polls caused by their disappointment in his ability to get their agenda through. They really wanted that public option. That is what happened in 2010. The college kids didn't vote like they did in 2008. I think that Democrates in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Florida have seen what happened when they stayed home last time and will come out in force in 2012 even if they have to hold their noses. They have seen how much worse it is in the states with Republican "leadership" that is destroying the few jobs that are left instead of creating more as they promised in their ads.

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EphraimKibbey | Aug 16, 2011, 06:41 PM EDT
PART II - It makes me laugh when the right calls Obama a socialist. The left is saying "were that it were only so!" The Republicans will end up with a right wing candidate that they can not sell to the center or the business community. The worst thing that Democrates could do would be to follow them down that road. Of course, Democrates excel at shooting themselves in the foot. The only thing that can stop Obama, is a poor showing by the Democratic base at the polls caused by their disappointment in his ability to get their agenda through. They really wanted that public option. That is what happened in 2010. The college kids didn't vote like they did in 2008. I think that Democrates in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Florida have seen what happened when they stayed home last time and will come out in force in 2012 even if they have to hold their noses. They have seen how much worse it is in the states with Republican "leadership" that is destroying the few jobs that are left instead of creating more as they promised in their ads. The only hope for the nation is for the Democrates to take back the house and get a real filibuster proof majority in the senate. Then they can shove through the jobs bills that need to have been done years ago but got blocked in the senate. If the Republicans retain any control at all we will remain in limbo land and if they get complete control we will be hauled right back into the Bush administration’s depression.

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jamthecat | Aug 16, 2011, 06:39 PM EDT
If a REAL progressive runs, I'll support him or her. But if Obama's the DNC's nominee, again, I'm voting Green Party. I'm tired of backing cowards and Rethugnican wannabes.

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EphraimKibbey | Aug 16, 2011, 06:37 PM EDT
PART I - A challenge from the left - hmmm. Who big is out there? Nader has tried it before and tried running as a Green but to get elected in the US you must appeal to the center. That is the problem that the Republicans are having right now. There are a bunch that appeal to the reactionary wing of the party but only Romney with enough center attraction to make a real contest for Obama. While the left can dream of a progressive challenger, they will vote for Obama when the time comes even though they have been upset with him all along for doing what the conservative business community wants. That normally Republican community may end up voting for him too as he seems to be doing what they want much more than the new Tea Party folks in congress. Their debt crisis rhetoric really scared wall street and S&P. I can’t see them voting for a candidate who swears that she would never raise the debt ceiling.

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jamieLM | Aug 16, 2011, 06:37 PM EDT
I don't think anyone in this race is a shoo-in.

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Towngate | Aug 16, 2011, 05:15 PM EDT
AngelPrecious: Don't be shocked. The Irish soon saw through their 'favourite sons' whistle-stop visit. He did and said nothing of any importance when he was there and couldn't wait to get out of the place. ~ ~ ~ The way thing are here,the Irish would cheer and wave flags at a bowl of vomit!

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clonmel21 | Aug 16, 2011, 05:09 PM EDT
Somethings wrong; I find myself agreeing with you. Except for the shoo-in part, who ever said he would be a shoo-in.

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feeneycj | Aug 16, 2011, 03:26 PM EDT
hip hip hooray!!!

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