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BLITZER’S BLOG: Obama showing more fire in the belly
By Wolf Blitzer, CNN
(CNN) - Some relatively good numbers for President Obama are in our new CNN/ORC International Poll. His job approval number is now 49%, up from 44% in November. That’s not fabulous but it’s certainly moving in the right direction for him.
The overwhelming majority of the American public likes him, as well. In the new poll, 76% say they approve of him as a person; only 19% disapprove.
More Americans have confidence in the president than they do in the Republicans in Congress. Fifty percent say they have more confidence in President Obama as compared to 31% who say they have more confidence in the GOP in Congress. By the way, it was much closer back in March, when 44% had more confidence in the president to 39% for the GOP in Congress.
Only 16% say they approve of the way Congress is handling its job. In contrast, 83% disapprove. (I have been wondering, by the way, who are these 16%, but that’s another story.)
In short, this latest nationwide snapshot is pretty good for the president. But remember – it’s only a snapshot. Things can change very quickly in politics, and they often do.
My own sense is that the president’s tough speech in Kansas and his fight to continue the payroll tax cut for another year for 160 million Americans are helping him. He’s also showing a little more fire in his belly.
On Tuesday, you could see he was actually getting angry when he went into the White House briefing room to berate the House Republicans for rejecting the overwhelmingly approved Senate compromise legislation extending the payroll tax cut for two months. He was showing some passion.
That’s what his liberal base wants to see, and that’s what many independents want to see.
I suspect we’ll be seeing a lot more of this as his re-election campaign heats up, and it will.
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RELATED POST: CNN Poll: President's approval nearing 50%
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You and your colleagues chastise Congress for not compromising. When a compromise occurs, you characterize it as who 'blinked' or who 'caved in'. It is this type of characterization that contributes to allowing compromise – the media keeps score in a win lose manner. Not useful nor accurate reporting.
WAIT! Didn't the Tea Party Republicans PROMISE NO NEW or tax INCREASES?
Just proves that some people will say ANYTHING to get (re) elected......
Where are they now? On recess spending the paychecks WE gave them..
I think the 160 million workers whose will be paying for the wars and the wall street failures, while the millionaires with their republican lawmakers laugh at how easy it is to make the middle class pay, should begin to coordinate one sick day a month starting in January. On that day, these 160 million also stay home and do not go into a single store nor drive their car one mile. Let us get our voices heard through our collective will to make sure the middle class are not being played as fools by the rich and powerful. We can do something that will get their attention. How many months would this one move by ordinary workers, being directly charged more taxes by those who will be paying no more in taxes, take to see that enough is enough by the workers of America?
Obama 2012!!!
"If Obama does not OK the Keystone XL Pipeline, we'll have to buy our oil from Venezuela or Iran!!!"
That's what the GOP wants us to believe- namely the Keystone XL pipeline will bring the US plentiful and cheap gasoline.
That's a lie.
TransCanada wants to extend the Keystone XL Pipeline to Port Arthur, Texas for one reason. They want to sell the oil to China and Europe, where it will fetch higher prices.
Representative, Gerry Connolly, of Virginia's 11th district actually introduced an amendment to keep the oil from the Keystone XL Pipeline in the United States. The Republicans blocked the amendment.
So the GOP is lying once again. The GOP actually wants higher gasoline prices so they can get bigger campaign contributions from oil companies.
I got this information from an article by Gerry Connolly on the Hufffington Post, (December 20, 2011) NOT on CNN. Why?
This is proof that Wolf Blitzer and CNN are puppets of the Koch Brothers
Obama is not leading as some crazy dictator and that's over the top, political experts gone nuts talking politics but then they point out the facts and reality that makes ya worry.Obama took a lousy economy with little experience to be president and has done the best he could and appreciate his good ideas but Ron Paul for President ! Headed for the All American Approach !
Take the All American Approach......go Ron Paul for President to get the job done ! Good job Senator McCain and after trillions spent, Iraq is coming unglued ? Let them work their own problems out and we have 1 out 45 kids homeless in the US and millions on food stamps.Time to take care of our own and that's not being selfish ,it's just for real ! A year extension on taxes vs two months argument between the Democrats and Republicans ? How sad they never come to terms for the best interests of the people they work for. Harsh reality check in politics that's ugly. Four years...no tax increases ! Cut the fraud out of the govt. spending to pay for it !
wolf...obama has never stopped his campaign...a year ago we couldn't turn our tv sets on with out looking a this fool...he is starting up on his one billion dollar media blitznow...god help us. Im so sick of this salesman!
I'm disappointed in Obama to say the least. I thought he had more spine than he has exhibited. At least on domestic issues. On foreign policy the guy has rocked. He's gotten 3 top leader threats. That's a triple and one more and that's a home run. With that said, the GOP has lost anything I might have looked at. The party has done nothing but to stall, stop, and divide the government and the American people. They have overtly supported the uber wealthy. They have not offered up one candidate that is not an also ran. Gingrich, Paul and Romney are all past Presidential consolation prizes not leaders. Disappointed in Obama? Yep! But the GOP did this to themselves. They've offered nothing better and they've shown much worse.
I guess it's election time if Obama is actually trying to look like he's doing something.
Too bad he just doesn't quit and save america more of his dictatorship BS. This guy acting as president has totally blown his own campaign promises and wasted so much tax payer money of which middle class have seen no help. If there ever was a time for change, this would be it.
Have we been watching the same show? I think you must have fallen asleep.
Do you really understand the word "dictatorship"?
So dontbow, you think the Rethugulan Republicans can do better, they can't even agree among themselves in the House and Senate and your choices for President, don't make me laugh.
Blown how? List them off if you will or can.
I think what we're starting to see a glimmer of is leadership from the President. Agree or disagree with him . . . but his leadership has been in very short supply . . . a view held by most people regardless of party affiliation.
That's definitely untrue. He is a guy who wants to go the middle of the road and build consensus. He is a strong leader and can make very tough calls. Like invading Pakistan to kill/capture BLD or kill the other guy in Yemen. Both could go very wrong. Even if one of them went wrong, his re-election would be over. Remember Carter's attempt to rescue the hostage?
Pulling the trigger on Bin Laden's was easier than it sounded. If you have been following our actions in Pakistan, you would know that we've been there for years. We've murdered hundreds and hundreds of innocent civilians and 'Got it Wrong' more times than you can shake a stick at. Just do a Google search on drone attacks that were supposed to kill so and so but wound up killing a family of 4 or something. These stories were simply not reported or sensationalized. If Bin Laden weren't in the compound we would shake it off and it would be forgotten the next day.
I disagree. What has been labeled lack of leadership by Obama was actually one of his primary goals of his Presidency:Getting Americans to believe that we could still work together to solve our many problems. He's tried to do this by giving Congress a long leash in handling things on their own w/out his intervention. Starting w/Health Care. Unfortunately the Repubs. took their cue from Rush Limbaugh & Jim DeMint & then Mitch McConnel & opposed EVERYTHING he's tried to get done. Will the Electorate make the Repubs. pay for this tactic in 2012 ?
Please explain why you say the President has not shown leadership? This sounds like another one of those generic GOP talking points.
Geez...can America ever recover ? Look how divided we are? Has Obama helped unite or has he caused a greater wedge? The country is in trouble and we bicker about what road to travel. The President has done some good and not so good things. My biggest frustration is his lack of Leadership. It's the President's job to move the country forward, to over come political hurdles, and to keep us safe. Reagan and Clinton knew how to do it. He talked in 08 of transcending politics. Obama doesn't have those skills. He speaks well but governs poorly. Once you lose your emotion...face it ..he's a lousy LEADER. Given the hype in 08...I expected a lot more.
Why blame this wedge on the president, You know the story. Before he could get his family moved into the white house, the plan was already in motion to make him a one term president. Even if the whole of America falls with him. And, let us not forget about that elephant in the room . . . and I don't mean the GOP Icon. Flip that card over and don't turn away. Face the truth about, mainstream america and the republican party/tea-party. Period.
He tried to cooperate with GOP. But, every and each time GOP simply refuses. GOP's only goal is to destroy Obama, even at the expense of US economy.
You're blaming Obama for division when the GOP can't even pick a consistent front runner? When those on the right rally around numerous candidates based on wedge issues? I think you have the cause of the problem completely wrong.
I would say he is a great leader, 22 straight months of economic growth, new financial rules, created the healthcare law so that people with pre-existing conditions could get health insurance, no one could be dropped from their health insurance after paying those ridiculously high premiums after getting sick, ending the war in Iraq, killing Osama Bin laden, I don't know what your definition of leadership is but Clinton nor dumb GW passed Universal Health Care or Killed Bin Laden. #GetAClue!
No one else had to deal with the tea party, tell me just how would you control people willing to take the country off a cliff for their own personnel idiology?
you can't overcome political divides when one party acts like a 5 year old child, holding its breath and stomping its feet, refusing to give even one inch unless they get everything they want. What the Republicans need is a serious "time out."
He tried to let Congress act like adults & it hasn't worked YET. Maybe in his 2nd Term when the Repubs. won't be trying so hard to keep him from getting re-elected.
If he could do it all by himself that would be the dictatorship so many speak of. In our democracy there is a checks and balance system that requires all branches of government to work in concert. And to think, so many opinions on here without any foundation and/or understanding of the system in which they thrust their opinion into.
Again, provide me an example where the President has failed to lead. Just because the Tea Party, GOP, Right Wing Conservatives don't want to work with the man doesn't make him less of a leader. I classify them as obstructionists that disagree with the President on everything just for the sake of disagreeing. How about the Tea Party/GOP showing some patriotism for a change?
I wonder why, under our new "US battlefield" law, we can't just now accuse all republican lawmakers of "terrorism" and have the military haul them away for indefinite imprisonment. I can't see the difference.
Hooray for President Obama! The republicans in congress, for the most part, need to be held accountable for their disservice to America.
Wolf they must have taken the poll at the DNC headquarters. I can guarantee the poll results would be completely different if they actually were objective about them.
I live in a red state,in a region of the state where Republican voters outnumber Dems almost two to one. And even here, Obama is not nearly so unpopular as many posters on this board would like to believe. I doubt the efficacy of polls as much as the next person; this one sounds accurate to me.
Plenty of people aren't happy with Obama's performance, plenty of people are frustrated with the gridlock and direction of the country. Most people, probably. But only a few, a very few, from what I can see, actually hate this President.
Hatred seems to be reserved for members of Congress, and even in my heavily Republican region of a heavily Republican state, that is a hatred that seems to observe no party lines.
Whoever is the political braintrust for Republican strategy for the upcoming election,I'd suggest they change their strategy. Or this is going to get real ugly for them, real fast.
typically Republican response. Let's just ignore what America wants unless it aligns with our narrow point of view. Wake up and smell the coffee. Come back from the precipice.
Blitzer has once again proven how out of touch he is.
President Obama is FINALLY recognizing that the only 'compromise' the Republicans understand is 'surrender'! I'm an Independent who has long admired Ronald Reagan, voted for Bush in 2000 and voted Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson here in Texas but what the Republicans are doing now is just pure dumb! They are basically willing to sink the entire United States economy just to try to get President Obama out of office. Politics is politics but we are talking about people being able to put food on their table, diapers on their baby, gas in their car and to keep a roof over their heads. This is not a game to nearly 200 million Americans and the fact that the Republicans think it is is further proof that putting the current Republicans in a leadership role in this country is akin to putting Dracula in charge of a blood bank!
no these republicans were recently elected to put a stop to this business as usual crap that has done so much harm to this country. Every American should be behind them...shame on you!
Well said. Some of these republicans (not all) are playing a game. They are trying to get Obama out of the WH, plain and simple. At the same time, they are ruining this country/economy by doing so. Anybody that fails to see this is just plain dumb.
Isn't it interesting how "Obama is showing more fire in the belly" just as 2011 winds down to 2012, a Presidential election year? Wouldn't it have been nice if he showed more fire in the belly throughout his first term, when all Republicans had to do was snap a finger, and he would compromise any policy of his to the point of ineffectiveness? Wouldn't it have been great if he showed fire in the belly when the GOP made it clear that their ONLY goal was to make sure he was a one-term president? Wouldn't some fire in the belly have been useful for dealing with petulant Republicans, instead of apologizing to them for "not involving them enough" after ceding them so much ground?
I'll tell you one thing: As someone who voted for him, I sure wish the fire was in his belly before his "Mr. Nice Guy" attitude disgusted me enough that I've committed to throwing away my vote next year.
Sometime true leadership is governing from the middle for one nation coming together for the good of all. That, at times, from a far, the president may appear weak but that is when he's at his strongest. Being attacked from all sides, and yet, he prevails while still holding on to and fighting for the less fortunate. The GOP candidates can learn a thing or two about true leadership from this man. Period.
Boehner has been quitely letting show his political savvy-ness compared to the inept Tea Partiers in the House. He knows the House GOP is getting hammered (and the Senate GOP by association) as a result of their obstinency, and he's been showing regular signs of "trying" to demonstrate more cooperation by the House GOP. For example, his realization that the House would get hammered by not accepting an overwhelmingly bi-partisan bill coming out of the Senate. Unfortunately he has to go back to the kindergarten room and try to convince the little Tea Partiers how out of touch with the nation they are, and he's not doing a very good job.
He backed off on quite too many occassions and particularly when he had house majority, he could not show he had spine and allowed him to be played around. It is time he made similar hard decision he made going into Pakistan to get Osama, even at home. Hard times need a president who can make hard decisions, we did not send him to win Mr. Popular guy image, we sent him to get the job done and put the country back on tracks and hold all those people who robbed the country with 8 Yrs of Iraq war and sold the country to Big business by removing all regulations and removing any social accountability. Please remove public health care plans for all GOP member in congress ASAP.
@Ramesh. Because its apparent that youre stuck in time, let me help you out... This man has done more than put this country back on track, even with all the obstructionist; Blue Dogs and Republicans. While I understand your frustrations, it is unrealistic to believe that one man alone could undo anymore than he's done, given the odds. P.s. Did you do your part by rallying, calling Congress when they didnt work for the people, etc? ..if not, youre also part of the problem! ...if so, do more, the job is far from being done. Before you ask, "Yes I did because Yes I can!"
There are some complete idiots commeting on here today, if you dont like the fact that our president has a new fire in his belly then do something about it! I dont see any GOP canidates worth even talking about and dont even get me started with Sara Palin! If you have something negative to say take ur comments to Fox Spin news!
Fire in the belly? Please. HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT
Fox-heads have a problem thinking that everyone else is indoctrinated by Fox propaganda just like them. It gives them a very skewed sense of reality, as repeatedly demonstrated by the polls. Particularly the persistence of polls showing that the population likes President Obama as a person even if not all of them are pleased with his job performance. You can easily tell a Fox-head. They're the ones in that minority that have been indoctrinated by Fox to hate President Obama as a person.
The bottom line is the overwhelming majority of the American people believe President Obama to be more in tune with, and understanding of, the everyday lives of the majority of the American people than the modern neocon infestation of the GOP. They only waver on how much they think President Obama can hold up against the obstinency of a GOP devoted to 30 years of flood-up economics and the driving of the American people further into wage slavery.
>> who are these 16%...
Dittoheads and Faux News viewers. If you hate government, a do-nothing Congress is just what you're looking for.
How come when you take a negative "snap shot" you bring it off like it's the true belief of every American willing to cast a vote but when It's a positive one it's "But remember – it’s only a snapshot.".
I guess my question who the heck are the 16% that approve of Congress? It must be their spouses and kids.
It's dawning on people that the Republican model in the US is outdated. It's the kind of political system that would turn us into a banana republic... Gated off communities for the richest, while the rest live in poverty fighting for every little sliver to survive. I think Obama's approvals are obvious because we're watching FINALLY the eruption of the Republicans. Took time, I thought it would be sooner, but they put on a good show.
what is it with you foxtards that keep bringing up vacatoins? He's taken a third of what bush took at this time. But you keep beating that dead horse.
Because they don't have anything else to say. Fox hasn't given them much to repeat lately.
The "liberal base" wants to see a man with a backbone - not one that backs down at the last minute. Perhaps if he hadn't continually backed down the last couple of years, these idiotic stalemates would be less and less. Will wait to see which version appears as the year draws to a close.
Last time I checked, the economy has already gone to hell in a hand basket before Obama was elected. DC Observer ... Did you tell Bush to go back to Texas? No, you put him there ............1 Trillion plus on a war started on a lie! No Child left behind has left all children in public schools struggling. Airports, roads, school, etc could have used that Trillion plus .. and it would have created jobs.
ANd when he gets re-elected with a Dem congress, I hope he just goes for it and drops the bi-partisan efforts. Look where that got him the last couple of years! Fix the mandatory spending for our kids' future. I don't need my kid burdened with paying for the debt from my retirement.
"So one guy can be used to destrloy John McCain ??? You know he was the original 'Man of the Moment, that CNN used to elect Obama (under that same name). How dare you CNN?? I guess you just don 't care anymore!"
Jane,
It seems you were living under a rock when Bush was President. Obama pays for his own rentals in Hawaii and at the Cape. So did Michelle ... they had millions before going to Washington. Hell Michelle's salary along was over 200K.
Stop hating ... I know you hate having a person of Color in the White House ....!
what happen to journalism i guess it died with the economy.
Did you poll anyone outside the beltway??
Obama had two years to get anything and everything he wanted without needing a single Republican vote. His problems have been that he is too liberal even for a lot of the Democrats. You don't continue pushing an anit-business agenda and expect that the economy is going to recover. If he had just walked into the White House, kept his mouth shut, played golf and vacationed all the time, the economy would have recovered on its own. The problem is, that every time their is some decent news about job growth, he goes out and proposes some new tax or card check or new EPA regulation and the economy falters. Please, President Obama, please just shut up for 1 year. The suffering middle class begs you to shut up.
Who are you talking to?,It must be little kidsas most smart adults say he is the worse President in our history,bar none.I hope our country can make it through the rest of his term.Remember people of the USA,VOTE ALL INCUMBANTS MUST GO.Jim Thomas Phx.Az.
All the snarky peeps – Your bitter comments about the PRESIDENT should be directed to the sour puss Boehner.
The CONS are the problem – they've been HOLDING YOU HOSTAGE. You SHOULD be angry, your OWN party
doesn't care about you and have rather enjoyed blocking any and every attempt at solutions. YET things ARE improving
and by election day Obama will win with unemployment down to 7%; housing recovering; jobs recovering ALL IN SPITE
OF THE ARROGANCE AND TANTRUMS OF THE CONS.
Bout' time!!!! He needs to go nuclear!!!!
How can you say he is fighting for the pay roll tax cut? He doesn't want another year....I thought it was just for 2 months. His numbers are up only because he is in the campaign mode again.....but I don't think he ever got out of it.
Over the last two years, the Republicans have filibustered and voted down any tax relief for middle class voters or infrastructure projects unless they are tied to massive taxpayer funded giveaways to people who are already rich. Frankly, most hard working Americans are tired of seeing our share of the American dream shrink so that folks who happened to be born rich can get richer.That frustration, more than anything else, is pushing independent voters towards Obama and away from Republicans.
Wolf,
Great read. One of the problems President Obama face is being called or labeled an angry black man. He is very cautious not to become "angry" in public. His supporters want to see a more aggressive Obama and he's capable of delivering it. He's going to need it in order to win. People don't like "soft" leaders. While he falls short of being "soft" he comes very close to it because he wants to stay away from the angry black man label. Its a tuff balance for him. Just my two cents.
"fire in the belly" What is he going to do now, burn down the economy? Just go home to Chicago Mr president, before we turn into greece with your tax and spend spend policies. Fool us once, shame on you; fool us twice, shame on us. Sorry, but we need a change, and a leader who can actually get something done other than to place blame on others
Uh, Wolf? Here's one of those 16 percenters you were wondering about.
And that would be . . . ?
What's your take on the kind of leader that George Bush was?
Don't you mean fool me once shame on you fool me twice.....won't get fooled again?
Uhm ... it is the GOP's fault. They have tried to stop Obama from doing anything but let me remind.
1) Past a good healthcare bill for consumers, pre-existing conditions covered
2) Ended recession 6 months after taking office, by definition, our economy has grown every quarter since June 2009
3) Added jobs every month for almost 20, when he took office in january 2009, we were losing 750,000 jobs a month
4) Foresaw the dow go from 6000 to 12000, and corporations despite there whining he's anti-business, enjoying record profits
5) Got osama, al wahari , who's next ...
6) Gave the largest tax cut in history to the middle class
7) Even while in the myst of recovery managed not to drown us in deficit despite opinions, Obama inheritied a $1.2 trillion budget deficit, 2009 is a Bush year, not Obama by the way, today the deficit is $1.25 trillion meaning he did not add significantly to it
I mean come on man, let's not be ridiculous if Obama was "white" and his last name was Reagan Jr. conservatives would be slathering over the man. He's actually done quite a bit to right this ship. The GOP is just very good at rhetoric, now imagine if they actually tried to help him instead of trying to "fail the president" as Boehner pointed out as the GOP goal how far along America would be , right now.
Funny, I didn't read anything in your post about the fiscal irresponsibility under Bush that led to the current mess. He inherited a budget surplus and a thriving economy, and left Obama with a huge deficit, and an economy in shambles. If it hadn't been for the actions that Obama took (including continuing the TARP program that Bush started), we probably WOULD be in a position similar to Greece's.
You are probaly dyslexic as you got your whole statement backwards. Your probably a fox news entusiast and that explains your ignorance.
DC Observer, you are so smart .. where were you when Bush took the money of the we the people and ran with it? Oh wait, it gave quite a big bunch to you ... there you go ... now I see why you don't like Obama, he took the money back and now you are broke, because you don't want to work and don't like to have to earn you cash,
Well .. the vacation is over, DC Observer, time to work
DC Observer
You are indeed a joke and a fox low information viewing substituent. Are you kidding? Do you realize that It was the Bush adminstration that had the massive spending which has destroyed the economy? A senseless tax cut for the wealthy which was not paid for along with two wars that was paid for via borrowing from China has this country in the economic condition it is in today. Oh by the way, how many jobs did Bush senseless tax cuts create. Yet, you have real dumb Republicans pretending to be presidential candidates who solutions to this current economy is to slash more corporate taxes to organizations that will ultimately pass these cuts on to stockholder s for profit and not create one legitimate job. Just too bad that you are sucking their cyanide tainted Kool-Aide. Stop watching too much fix, "oops, I mean Fox New". You might learn something if you do.
Sorry dc observer for eight years we were cheated and looted,now at least we are seeing some lights at the end of the tunnel.Decisions are made with Brain and not with Emotion. That is what I observe in Obama
Correct, he lives by the his credo " I'm rubber you're glue"
Look, Congress and frankly the House led us to a credit rating downgrade and now to a possible increase of $1k for the middle class. Not only that, but they refuse to tax millionaires at an equal rate to the middle class even though millionaires themselves marched to Washington and asked for it.
I know Obama has not been perfect but I absolutely despise ignorant comments.
Who was the only President in U.S. history to be in power during the credit downgrade? I think that it is BHO. Or will the left wing, lame stream media delete it from history?
Well, thank goodness, Prez Obama was there to hault the damage done by republican politicians. Now, if only we could send the republicans to the dust heap of history, a position that they have earned for so long, we can get back to the business of governing and pull out of the Bush depression during the next 3 years. In addition, thanks, to Prez Obama, the lie that republicans know anything at all with regard to national defense and economic issues has been exposed, and for that, I too, am grateful.
Stupid lamer buzzword-repeating right-winger. Bush burned down the economy. Obama inherited one of the worst cleanup jobs a president has ever inherited. Blame him for not rolling back the Patriot Act, disbanding the TSA and shutting down Guantamo Bay, but don't blame him for the feces sandwich he got from Bush and friends.
I suspect he'd be able to get a lot more done if the minority senate faction didn't filibuster pretty much every single thing from National Peach Month on up.
@DC obcerver. Don't know what DC you're observing, but it sure isn't Washington DC. What taxes did Obama raise?? Please explain in detail. What type of tax and what date was it raised.??
go back to Chicago? tax and spend? you sound quasi-objective and respectful, but spout the same simple-minded silliness that comes from many others who are bigots or who think we have no obligation to the rest of the nation. Remember the adage "of those towhom much is given, much is expected". The entire nation, and all of us in it, suffer when millions of citizens have no jobs, health insurance or prospects. I think the president is doing what he can, with the severe constraints we are under, to get us into some semblance of recovery.
The 'CNN poll' results have not been reported by anyone else, only by CNN. How were the questions asked? Very reminiscent of the election campaign and for a year after the election, when CNN was constantly telling us how Obama's popularity was soaring to great heights. People finally caught on. We will see more of this creative propaganda as the election draws closer. Let's face it, they want him to win, and will support him even if it compromises journalistic integrity.
Hey DC Observer, are you from the Helen Keller school of observation or just another Obama hater that no matter what he does or tries to get done is blocked by those like yourself? Unless you are in the 1 percent of Americans that make a boatload of money then what are you talking about? As for placing blame, it should be placed squarly on the Republican's in Congress that are hell bent on getting the black man out of the White House. That is their only goal, and f–k everybody else as they ALLOW the economy to burn down. Go educate yourself! Ignorance is a choice and you are glowing with it.
Hey you know before you say anything just turn around and tell your repub friends how did they approve the millionare tax cuts without paying for them and now they do not want to give you and me a tax cut unless they pay for it, where are the jobs you idiot those job creators got theirtax cuts and are sitting and laughing at you while you are too stupid to realize it.
Oh, don't worry about the President burning down the economy...Boner and his group of cronies have got a solid grip on that handle. They won't be happy until they take the whole freaking nation down the toilet with them just to make sure our president (yes, he is yours too!) is not re-elected. Don't believe me, ask them. They've said it enough times!
Are you for real...?
For way too long, he kept backing off, thinking that the Republicans would actually compromise on something. on ANYTHING!, but, I think it's finally dawned on him that the Republican version of compromise is nothing of the sort. It means taking what you can get from the other side, then refusing to give up anything on your side.
You hit it right on the head
right on.
At this point, the republican party should be replaced with Al Qaeda. At least we would get somewhere. The republican's are being very fatuous and need to stop playing games.
agreed!
Amazaing. Where have you been the past couple of years?
Wolf, feeling that tingle in your leg like Chris? Already cheerleading?
We might trace the new attitude to when he took advantage of the opportunity to trash Donald Trump. That's a good start, but I hope he extends it a bit. The GOP is giving him so many tempting targets....
Haha! Here's to hoping for more feistiness on the part of the president.
It's about time the President got some guts. I was getting a little tired of him being a laid back president. He should be "Mr. President" not "Mr. Nice Guy"
yeah that 4 million dollar vacation could feed alot of people this holiday "Mr. President".
He's a real nice guy
As dissatisfied as most people are, the fact of the matter is, the president is the only life line for the middle class and disadvantaged The agenda of the GOP will continue to focus on the top 1%, ideologically and legislatively; and I think that some people are beginning to figure that out.
Absolutely!
"I still remember the big multi billion priced buy, of fighter jets for Dubai and the emerates on the Gulf. You think Iran doesn't know this??"
These polls show just how clueless most people are. They listen to a few sound bites here and there and have no idea what is really going on. We have a President with a "Let them eat cake" attitude as he and his family jet off to one luxurious vacation after another. A President who thinks nothing of being divisive and pitting one group of Americans against another. A President who kills thousands of civilians via drone attacks, and the anti-war left is silent. A President who has no clue as to how the private sector works, as he has never worked in it. And still the media runs cover for him.
I keep hearing you Republicans saying the President doesn't understand the private sector yet somehow your assertion doesn't stand in the face of facts. The markets are back in positive territory, the auto industry is humming, just today a report released showed that the increase in employment in 43 states is the best news since 2006, the economy has been adding jobs at a torrid clip, the economy is growing and people are finding employment and have more money to spend, our 401ks and savings plans are coming back from the brink of disaster that Bush left us in. So if I may, I think the President is doing an awesome job and if he wasn't being obstructed at every turn by the Republicans the turnaround would be more torrid.
Really, you're going to really continue to post that nonsense?
unfortunately, that nonsense is her bread and butter!
Gee, Jane....I think you need to call somone who can interpret facts for you. Just sayin....
Not true, just saying 🙂
I think you can include yourself as part of the clueless.
Jane,
Your line that President Obama takes vacation after vacation is a complete and utter lie. Either you know that and don't have any integrity, or you are careless and just assume something and "put it out there." If you compare the number of days President Obama has been away from Washington and on vacation to the days former President Bush was away, Obama hasn't even taken close to 50 percent of the time off that Bush did.
As for your second lie – that the President is being divisive and pitting one group against the other (presumably the rich versus everyone else) – the President is merely pointing out FACTS. The fact is that the rich are getting richer, while the poor are getting poorer. And this is not just the result of the "free market." It's a result of policies enacted by politicians that are bought by the rich.
If you're one of the top 1 percent, I understand why you are writing what you are. If you're one of the 99 percent, then I feel sorry that you've been misled by the Republicans.
Final thought: A Wall Street banker, a Tea Party activist, and an Occupy Wall Street activist all walk into a cookie store at the same time. The employee lays out 12 cookies, and says that that is all they have left for the day. The Wall Street Banker takes 11 of the 12 cookies. The Tea Party activist then says to the Wall Street Banker: " Careful, the Occupy Wall Street guy might try to take the last cookie... " (you, of course, would be the Tea Party activist in the joke...although this is real people's lives, and is not funny to those who are struggling to pay their heating bill and put gas in the car and food on the table).
Jane, your comment does actually show how clueless people are, but for different reasons than you think. Where did you get your propaganda? Fact check some of that stuff, and maybe see if the President Bush or any of the current GOP candidates are much different from Obama when you set aside idealogy. "Luxurious" vacations could be many different things to different people. I am part of the 1% and I don't own a multi-million dollar 1500-acre ranch, so I think Bush jetting down to south Texas for a week of "manual labor" is pretty luxurious.
Are you joking? Fact Check: Obama spent just 26 days of vacation in his first year in office compared to Dubya's 69 days of vacation in his first year!
Your a fool. Really Jane, are you kiddding me. What planet are you on. The party of no has been raping all of us for what, Pipelines.
Jane are you in a time warp? It sounds like your talking about George W. Yes I'm pretty sure you're talking about W.
Hahahahahaha, hahahahaha... *pauses for breath*... hahahahaha...
My fit of laughter had about as much evidence and proof as your typical Republican talking points.
Jane, Jane,Jane. Weren't thousands of civilians killed on 9/11? And speaking of "clueless", by the second year of his presidency, Bush took THREE TIMES as much as vacation as Obama did. Just look it up Jane. Read on your own , not what Limbaugh reads to you.
Wow, someone is paying a lot of attention to the right-wing fruitcakes! jetting off, luxurious vacations? no clue about private sector job creation? divisive? who are you comparing this president to – Jesus?
Many of us see him working harder, being more attentive, being more caring of the average citizen, being more understanding of other nations and their cultres, being more appreciated by other nations and cultures, agonizing more about challenges, being a stronger and more deliberate CIC, than any other president in recent history.
Right on!
And we have Jane who probably voted twice for Cheney/Bush and would a third time if allowed. She won't bash the Republicans for their childish approach to being opposed to anything this president does so long as it pleases their voters like Jane. She won't give him credit for anything done correctly but will criticize him for anything deemed wrong, whether it is or not. Oh, how I lament the Janes of the world...
Wow! Talk about someone being clueless! How many Presidents have worked out in the private sector? And, you want to talk about taking family vacations, compare how many Obama has taken compared to Bush. I guess you were right, most people are clueless, starting with you!
This Blue State/Red State crap needs to come to an end and all of us stop letting the extreme factions of each party turn us against each other. I think the Founding Fathers would be disgusted at how divided we have become. Obama is doing the best he can to deal with a bunch of clowns in both parties and find a solution to our problems. Just like Bush didn't deserve half the negative remarks hurled at him, this guy deserves a break. I can honestly say that both parties make great points about how we need to go about fixing our nation's problems, but until we stop shouting and start talking to each other we will continue sliding into the abyss. I don't see YOU on anyone's ballot offering anything more than noise from the peanut gallery. It's great that you have an opinion, but if you don't have a possible solution to put forward with it, do us all a favor and SHUT UP!!!
Jane- Your post simply shows how clueless you are to the facts. I've been paying close attention since the 2008 elections. It is the GOTP in Washiington who serves Norquist and they are the ones who are creating class warfare against the middle class working Americans. President Obama has made every effort to compromise with the right. But, ever since the Tea Party amateurs were voted into Congress, it has done everything possible to obstruct Obama, especially if it will cause the economy to tank and Americans to lose jobs. They are traitors to this country and so are those who suport them.
Where were you when George W. was in office......or rather, I should say 'on the ranch'. That guy had more vacation time than any president, ever.
As for luxury, Mr. Obama doesn't have a ranch to go to, his 'home state' is Hawaii, and it makes sense that he holidays there. When he and his family go elsewhere, they are usually guests of friends who invite them.
Wolf,
Senator McCain's politicizing of the troop withdrawal and the inevitable and fully expected civil war in Iraq is shameful. He lays blame for the deaths of our troops and Iraqi citizenry on Obama. He failed, intentionally, to mention the fact that Bush and Cheney wrongfully created this war for profit and political gain without regard for loss of life or economic waste. Are we or Obama to continue this war forever? How else are we to get out of this mess created not by Obama but others of McCain's party and hawkish ilk if not simply leaving? There is no solution to Iraq's problems. The other thing he failed to mention is the fact that the American people want the troops out of Iraq now. He knew ten years ago and knows now that civil war would be inevitable no matter when we pull out, no matter how we leave or who is in government in Iraq. It is a war that cannot and will not be won by America ever. Yet McCain supports it now even though nothing good will ever be realized by our involvement whether we leave or stay. So, better to leave now. Bush and Cheney are responsible for everything that has transpired in Iraq and is a fact that cannot be disputed, ignored or covered up by falsely blaming Obama for it. Everyone in Congress during the Bush administration shares Bush and Cheney's guilt and blame. McCain included. Also, Wolf, it was very disparaging to see you not question him regarding Bush/Cheney's responsibility form America being in Iraq at all. Iraq is a failure that was known to be a failure from day one and no amount of politicizing by McCain or any other Obama hater will ever alter this fact. Congress shares more blame for our being in Iraq and any consequences that occur from being there and McCain is a part of that Congress. Thus, for him to point fingers at Obama is as hypocritical and cowardly as it gets. Shameful is the only way to label McCain's politicizing of troop withdrawal from Iraq.
Thom Richer
Negaunee, MI
As I remember, there were alternate plans for dealing with Iraq after we toppled Saddam, meant to create a more stable and civil environment, put forth by the Bush Department of State, but Cheney and Rumsfeld shot them all down. Why aren't you decrying their actions then, when there actually was a possible alternative? All Obama did was get us out of the mess the Republicans created the best way he could.
Thom,
Well said-there is not a thing I wish to add-well said sir.
Well said, Mr. Richer. Well said.
you are so correct. Mc Cain is just an angry old man because he got beat.
Mr Richer – You are spot on and everything that you state is conveniently overlooked or somehow twisted in an attempt to ligitimize this occupation that has taken place for nearly ten years.
those 16% that approve "congress is handling their job right" are the tea-partyers who have yelled and screamed until their representatives ground the government to a halt.
A halt to big GOV and spending money we don't have
And god bless them, every one!
President Obama --Warrior for the middleclass and poor.
Boehner, McConnel, Cantor-Warriors for the Keystone Pipeline and the rich.
Oh, yes, warrior for the middle class - as he continues to soak money from his rich friends at $35,000 per plate fundraisers. Or taking all those vacations that "middle class" Americans can relate to (and are paying for).
That's what all Presidents do-your point?
Ah Jane,
Do you think his opponents are rasing their money from the unemployed? For every $35K plate dinner he has, the Koch Brothers and Karl Rove kick in a couple of millions. Do you think Obama's the only president who ever went on vacation? Bush spent the equivalent of 1 year during his time in the White House on vacation, and we paid for that also. I actually don't begrudge either of them for that, since the pressure of the job more than justifies it. Besides, it's not like they leave the job at the office. Of course, you won't agree with me because your hatred of Obama is not based on facts.
I guess you've been giving up all your vacations from you job...Am i right?
He is paying for his trip Jane. Get your facts right, oh thats right facts dont matter to you and your precious GOP 🙂
So, Jane, since you beef about vacations so much, got any complaints about Bush spending time on vacations?? So far, President Obama has taken 61 vacation days after 31 months in office. At this point in his presidency, George W. Bush had spent 180 days at his ranch.
You should keep yer idiotic mouth shut unless you know what you're talking about.
Yes they all have expensive dinners to fund their political fight or as they say for the war chest to fight the fight as a candiate. The vacations all presidents have taken them so whats the beef?? The congress takes more time off and make a hefty paycheck that they vote in and never work with the president just against him,they truly stink...
Why are you even commenting? Shouldnt you be commenting on a Fox News post? And how do you know about all his vacations, are you stalking him? You should step away from the t.v. and the computer for awhile, put down the swiss rolls and exercise some!
Jane, Jane, Jane. AGAIN, do your research and stop making ridiculous statements. Taxpayers do not pay for ANY president's vacation. It's either private or RNC or DNC money. Just like when Bush or Obama or whoever, uses air force one on a campaign flight. ( Thought I'd get that one in before you blew it with that,too)
Jane – you are the reason I tell kids to stay in school.
"They listen to a few sound bites here and there and have no idea what is really going on", is what you posted above, I believe. It is now clear to me that you were simply referring to yourself.
Uh..Jane, your leading Republican candidate for President soaked businessmen out of 1.5 million to lobby Freddie and Fannie. But, of course, with you that's okay..because..well...he's a Republican. Hypocrisy, thy name is Jane.
Through 31 months of his presidency, Obama has taken 70 days of vacation. Through 31 months of his presidency, Bush had 225 days of vacation. Turn off Fox News, stop listening to AM talk radio, it's okay to disagree with policy, but this sensationalist regurgitation of mindless talking points is hurting this country. The world view created by the echo-chamber of conservative media is that of fantasy. You have no idea how much money has been spent to convince you that President Obama is trying to destroy the country.
The $35,000 per plate dinners are called fund raisers. That's how politicians support their campaigns.
Show you sources regarding who is paying for the President's vacation. I think that he can afford to pay for his vacations, without taking it from taxpayers. That's called misappropriation of funds.
AMEN
That's what all Presidents do – your point?
The point Lamefooted is that he professed to be different. He said he would have transparency. His wife takes a separate military jet to Hawaii and his mouthpiece justifies it as that's what previous administrations have done. Yea I can see right thru that BS excuse
"Officer I was just keeping up with traffic" is not a defense or a legitimate reason it is an admission.
So the pipeline is for "the rich" I'm contused? I'd rather make money for rich people in Canada and the US while creating thousands of jobs here instead of sending that money to the Middle East and South America where we currently have to seek out much of our oil. Also, what happened to Obama previously chastising Congress for not providing a "permanent" fix to our problems. Now he wasn't to extend a temporary tax break for 2 months. A tax break that should never have been put in place to begin with. I'm actually for rasing taxes on the rich IF it comes with a promise to lock federal spending. THe minute spending goes up the tax increase goes away. The biggest problem isn't "the poor" in this country with their flush toilets and TVs (try REALLY being poor – go live in Bangladesh or North Korea) it's Congress shouldering every American with debt to buy political favor from their constituents.
maybe if the poor could get jobs (like working on the pipeline, driving a truckload of supplies, not to mention all of the indirect jobs created) they could move up to the middle class. Then they might save some that money and buy a house or a car or some tools or a sandwich...get the ecomomy going.
do you see how jobs creation should be the #1 goal
"Biden want's this guys job, and Obama know's it, that's why he's working hard now!"
Somebody wake up Biden
Isn't it written in our foundation as a country that "all men are equal"? Then why is congress above the law and everybody else in the country??? Why is it that congress is allowed to get inside info on IPO's and become richer and richer while the rest of America will go to prison for the same thing? Martha Stewart for one example. . . . ? Is this not "All Men Are Created Equal", Except for those that are in Congress??? THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED!!!
The key word here is "created" equal - meaning equal opportunity for all based on talent, merit, education, hard work, creativity, industriousness - as opposed to race, country of origin, color, gender and the rest. Too many folks miss the very important point that our Founders established a free market meritocracy - not a socialist state where each man is considered to have "equal" rights to property, wealth, and power regardless of their capabilities and contributions to society at large.
Actually, the created equal was equal rights to all citizens of the United States. But the "all citizens" part was only the rich, white land owners, not everyone else. Therefore, our Congress.
Wolf, You are a respected journalist, why would you have John McCain on your show ? Mr. McCain in my opinion is just an old washed up political figure and mad at the world because he's not President of the United States.He needs to go home and let younger people with new ideas come to Washington. These OLD men in Washington are the problem, all they want is power,power,power.They do not give a hoot about the country.... it's all about them.