Poll: Is Obama's Re-Election Guaranteed due to Success of Seals?

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Those two things are mutually exclusive.

They are.....but there are candidates who can appeal to both, like Ryan or Christie. Or historically, Reagan and Bush Sr.

[eekee 182]

I feel like the "base" is so far off the deep end that this is no longer true. Even Bush Sr. would be too centrist now to appeal to the base. I like this article about Romney from the Onion: http://www.theonion.com/articles/mitt-romney-haunted-by-past-of-trying-to-help-unin,20097/

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I feel like the "base" is so far off the deep end that this is no longer true. Even Bush Sr. would be too centrist now to appeal to the base. I like this article about Romney from the Onion: http://www.theonion.com/articles/mitt-romney-haunted-by-past-of-trying-to-help-unin,20097/

You do know that the Onion is fake news.

[eekee 182]

You do know that the Onion is fake news.

Haha, yes, but it usually has a point.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I feel like the "base" is so far off the deep end that this is no longer true. Even Bush Sr. would be too centrist now to appeal to the base. I like this article about Romney from the Onion: http://www.theonion.com/articles/mitt-romney-haunted-by-past-of-trying-to-help-unin,20097/

The base is driving the agenda. That's pretty clear when a group of grown, college educated men raise their hand in a debate saying they don't believe it evolution in the primary debates. The base can drive elections with wedge issues......certainly in 2004 that was true when people turned up at the polls to vote on ballot measures about gay marriage and adoption helping secure re-election for Bush jr. It will not work every time which is why 2012 will probably be lost for the GOP unless they can remember how to appeal to moderates and independents.

Bush Sr (in 1988 anyway) and Reagan both knew how to reassure social conservatives while appealing to ordinary suburban types who are weary of too much religiosity.

What I don't think the GOP can afford to do is look at any study on the attitudes of the millennial generation and think they continue with the direction they are going - the vast majority of people under 30 do not care about gay marriage and most support an environmental agenda. They are also far more likely to be non-white. This voting group gave Obama overwhelming support in 2008 and did not turn up in the midterms.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

What's left of the middle class here in the US? It's dying out.

Traditionally there have been what 3 subclasses? - the bottom being the lower middle class / working class.

I would say that subclass is nearing extinction with the middle group on the endangered list. However, one could argue the lower sub group only really existed in numbers between the 1940s until the late 80s.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Traditionally there have been what 3 subclasses? - the bottom being the lower middle class / working class.

I would say that subclass is nearing extinction with the middle group on the endangered list. However, one could argue the lower sub group only really existed in numbers between the 1940s until the late 80s.

I think it's interesting to look at what is happening to teachers - most teachers have masters degrees and can only hope to take home $60k or so after 15-20 years on the job. That used to be a decent salary, but you are now priced out of owning a home in something like 30 metro areas. And of course they don't get decent healthcare any more to make up for it.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Win the election because of bin laden? I'm sure it will have an effect, but i doubt it will be the tipping point. The administration hasn't put the war on terror at the forefront of its agenda in ages.

[eekee 182]

I think it's interesting to look at what is happening to teachers - most teachers have masters degrees and can only hope to take home $60k or so after 15-20 years on the job. That used to be a decent salary, but you are now priced out of owning a home in something like 30 metro areas. And of course they don't get decent healthcare any more to make up for it.

Depends where you live, I guess. In my home district, the teachers went on strike because they didn't want to pay 100$ to have full healthcare for their entire immediate families.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

That is definitely changing - notably WI, MI, OH, IN and other places.

If you live in a right to work state like SC you never had these benefits to begin with - teachers there make something like $45k after 10-15 years. At least there you can buy a house on that salary.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Delta..... with the help of the seals and other special forces.

[luckytxn 2,265]

The one thing that this did for Obama is to assure that he will not be known as the worst president ever. Bad for Carter as it was looking like he would be the second worst but now he is still going to be regarded as the worst.

[TBoneTX 45,956]

drive elections with wedge issues

Oh... never mind... thought that this said "wedgie" issues, si man.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Delta..... with the help of the seals and other special forces.

Huh? Delta? Their main turf is Iraq apparently.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

The one thing that this did for Obama is to assure that he will not be known as the worst president ever. Bad for Carter as it was looking like he would be the second worst but now he is still going to be regarded as the worst.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/145064/Kennedy-Highest-Rated-Modern-President-Nixon-Lowest.aspx <--- Nixon and Bush take those honors.