Despite a first term marred by national economic strife, political disfunction and a devastating 2010 midterm for his party, President Obama and fellow Democrats have gained momentum over the Republicans again in 2012; retaining control in the White House, seeing slight gains in Congress, and watching internal squabbles within the GOP. But will this last for long?
On Monday Obama gave a second inaugural address that has been graded by many on both sides as a vibrant defense, and declaration in favor of progressivism and a more leftward turn in term two. Red State’s Erick Erickson writes that the president has taken arrogance to a new level and may be overestimating his mandate:
We have seen hubris in this administration for four years. Given Dan Pfeiffer’s comment about a not just an opposition party, but a political system, not worthy of Barack Obama, a desire to be transformation and the need to go to war with the GOP in order to transform, combined with no more accountability to voters, we should expect some amazing feats of arrogance and overreaches of power by this President in the next four years in pursuit of liberal policy.
Republicans should be ready to capitalize on it.
Combine the presumed hubris in Obama’s address with what history tells us about how things go for presidents after securing reelection. Michael Barone writes in the Wall Street Journal that the second term curse is not inevitable but few presidents can claim success in round two.
Is there a second-term curse on presidents? It’s widely believed that the answer is yes. Look at Richard Nixon: re-elected with 61% of the vote in 1972, forced to resign under threat of impeachment. Ronald Reagan: re-elected in 1984, then hobbled by the Iran-Contra scandal two years later. Bill Clinton: re-elected in 1996 promising to build a bridge to the 21st century, then impeached by the House of Representatives for lying under oath. George W. Bush: re-elected in 2004, only to see his job-approval rating plummet amid scenes of violence in the streets of New Orleans and Baghdad in 2005 and a financial crisis in fall 2008.
On ‘Real News‘ Wednesday the panel discussed what progressive venture could become an overreach for Obama, and doom him in term two.
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jettson
Jan. 25, 2013 at 2:11pmAmerica is lost and will never return. If people don’t change it will be the end for America.
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Distress
Jan. 25, 2013 at 1:04amI think by losing the election we have been given a chance to better ourselves. So long as we remain positive and avoid the temptation of hate, our struggle through these next four years will bring us closer to understanding the real problems that we face and ways to find solutions.
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jettson
Jan. 25, 2013 at 1:57pmThe thing is can we stop this crap befor BOZO destroyes America. I don’t think so. Were Screwed
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700P
Jan. 24, 2013 at 8:13pmI prefer to call it Jumping the Shark…as evidenced by Sister Dianne today and the inauguration ratings showing a deep enthusiasm gap.
It will immaterial unless the GOP can divest themselves or rehabilitate their RINO element to become a clear choice rather than Democrat Lite on fiscal issues
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cantstandlibs
Jan. 24, 2013 at 3:10pmI believe we have reached critical mass as a country, to the point where what is good for society has been redefined to “what do I want, regardless of the consequences to myself or future generations. The major contributors being:
1) welfare state, rewarding laziness, rewarding self-destructive behavior
2) public education, indoctrination, de-emphasis on critical thinking
3) news media, pablum, false reporting, strong political bias, incorrect purpose
4) loss of morals, persecution of anything that traditionally makes a country strong
The democrats scoop up these types of people with ease. The repubs twist and squirm to cater to these people, and they will lose massively, probably from here on out. Boehner has ensured that when in power, repubs will preserve the tyranny stoked by the far left.
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elosogrande
Jan. 24, 2013 at 10:35amHe can do all the overreaching he wants. Think about the millions of people who are on the dole government. Add in the millions of people who are public employees, who have huge pension and healthcare perks. These people will vote for Democrat enablers forever. Now add in all of the family members of theses people. They can’t bear the thought of someone in their family losing a job or a pension, so they are going to vote Democrat as well. (They might have to chip in to support Uncle Harry if he doesn’t get his pension, his food stamps, or whatever.)
All of these people outnumber the rest of us, so get used to it. The Democrats have won, and this was the last game of the series. It’s over. The Taxpayers are on the hook for whatever this President or the next ten Presidents demand.
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jettson
Jan. 25, 2013 at 2:00pmUnless someone shoots them. That might happen. Go and see if they can take all the guns away.
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flyingfox88
Jan. 24, 2013 at 10:24amIn a normal world, the answer would be yes. This is not a normal world, however. Obama has been overreaching for the last 4 years and still got re-elected. This is the most uninformed, dumbed-down public I have ever seen in my 74 years on this earth. The only thing that will tip the scales of public opinion, in my view, is an economic catastrophe which will affect everyone, including those being given an economic free-ride by the government. We are now heading in that direction, given the inability or unwillingness by both parties in Washington to make hard decisions about cutting spending. Depression, here we come!
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toledofan
Jan. 24, 2013 at 10:08amThe GOP needs a leader, someone to spring up from the ranks and set the stage. I think that one of the many who could emerge is Allan West, or Mark Rubio, Paul Ryan, and a host of others. I just think that if the Republicans are to survive they have to learn to stand firm on their principles. The Rinos can’t so the others will have to provide the impetus for change.
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AUsername
Jan. 24, 2013 at 9:25amNot if the gop tries to be more and more like the Democrats like there doing.
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bharris0
Jan. 24, 2013 at 8:12amAfter all of the damage and illegal, unconstitutional activities that Obama and his socialists have caused over the last 4 year, and yet they were reelected to finish the destruction of America.
This tells me that far too many Americans are far too stupid to be paying attention. These same idiots will support the very people that want to enslave them, their children and the entire planet.
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SocialistSlayer
Jan. 24, 2013 at 8:50amI agree – Unless Communist obama and the Commie-Crats take away the idiots cell phones and other toys these clueless idiots will continue down the path to Tyranny ! Most Americans are so stupid they actually believe Socialism has something to do with Social media like Facebook !
This is the result of a Union Thug education they get in the Government run Schools !
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DougHuffman
Jan. 24, 2013 at 7:31amTip what scales to the GOP’s favor? Media-scales, sure.
To me the GOP is dead (Bush-41), dead (Bush-43) and dead at Obama’s enablers hands. The GOP has proven itself to be the right-wing of America’s PROGRESSIVE Ruling Class. The conservative Country Class is represented only by The Constitution Party.
MOLON LABE Obama Oedipus
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Revere2
Jan. 24, 2013 at 7:06amWhen you take responsibility and faith out of the equation, we are left with what we have now.
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ghostlyspirit
Jan. 24, 2013 at 2:33amwe are in the belly of satan swiming in sour milk while we flail around trying to get a hold on the fears and confusion of our minds the bottom of stench finds the distressed calling on his leagon rise from all corners of the beast. liers murderers and the damnd rip through the heart of the lost. the devil with long black toungue licks the innocent burning the flesh with blastphomy it is hell as he is the dragon from the pit of doom demanding gods crown he is hear to rip a seam into space obama he screams to the winds darkness in his eyes empty no light .it has come without warning the beast has one thought the enemy is not who he seeks it is the loyal he desires all those who serve the dragon mark those daming god and raise my bible with contempt and hate. saved those of purity let man wake his eyes scare this day weep for your pitty that i now will tear every heart and drain every soul into my bowls i will hang the flesh of the chosen. i have come out of the mouth of fire to claim my flock i am the lie and loved by the soulless the devils of earth . judgment is upon the lamb you will watch the sun dim as i sacfiice those at my feet chanting to the god they made of me . dam those who betray me for your light spoke ..with great authority take thy ones i give but not of those who speak my heart. the dragon of lies bowed and the rivers turned red .cries for the dammed never came as the tears for love warmed the cold. the sward of god and man is restored
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jettson
Jan. 25, 2013 at 2:09pmWhat I don’t understand
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USAMama
Jan. 24, 2013 at 12:10amI’m all for the impeachment idea….
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Jan. 24, 2013 at 12:03amGod willing we have a chance.
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TotallyNotATroll
Jan. 23, 2013 at 11:18pmNice troll Spitfire1938
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Spitfire1938
Jan. 23, 2013 at 11:03pmNot a chance! Most Americans are committed communists,,, without realizing the fact. They have traded away ‘goodness’ for their hearts desire. Anything go’s… and they love being non-judgmental while suffering NO ‘apparent’ CONSEQUENCES! There is no way to save America!!!!!!
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Stoic one
Jan. 24, 2013 at 4:10amAnd I thought that I was pessimistic……
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