Voters don't want facts, just stories about Joe The Plumber.

Joe the plumber wasn't facts????

We mods rarely need to interfere in here, but I would like to let at least two members know that they are getting awfully close to the kind of inflammatory and rule-breaking behaviour that they are supposed to be beyond as relatively mature members of the forum with the privileges to post here. If you want to discuss American politics, go ahead- otherwise I can't see this slagging match with mentions of moderation lasting much longer.

To return to the thread topic...

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/doug-heye/2010...on-is-over.html

Forget Polls, Here’s Tangible Proof the Obama Honeymoon is Over

One sign that Washington, D.C., had been home to Obama Mania was the number of independent retailers selling all sorts of Obama merchandise. Every street corner, it seemed, had Obama wares (or Obama wear) for sale. Now, however, most of the winter caps for sale are not emblazoned with the Obama logo. T-shirts depicting our president as a dunking Michael Jordan, a victorious Muhammad Ali, or saber-baring Luke Skywalker (yes, these shirts all existed) are nowhere to be found.

This time last year, the Obama Store was teeming with customers. Ideally situated in the basement of Washington’s Union Station, the store was filled with consumers eager to buy anything with Obama’s likeness while others took pictures of the life-size cut-outs of the president and first lady. Now, the Obama Store is boarded up.

To return to the thread topic...

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/doug-heye/2010...on-is-over.html

Forget Polls, Here's Tangible Proof the Obama Honeymoon is Over

One sign that Washington, D.C., had been home to Obama Mania was the number of independent retailers selling all sorts of Obama merchandise. Every street corner, it seemed, had Obama wares (or Obama wear) for sale. Now, however, most of the winter caps for sale are not emblazoned with the Obama logo. T-shirts depicting our president as a dunking Michael Jordan, a victorious Muhammad Ali, or saber-baring Luke Skywalker (yes, these shirts all existed) are nowhere to be found.

This time last year, the Obama Store was teeming with customers. Ideally situated in the basement of Washington's Union Station, the store was filled with consumers eager to buy anything with Obama's likeness while others took pictures of the life-size cut-outs of the president and first lady. Now, the Obama Store is boarded up.

I think that is to be expected. The heady days of pre and post election frenzy are over. Normal for any president....that is if the last president even had the multitude of wares in his honour.

How long after a title fight does the champ's paraphenalia remain selling? Not very long...the frenzy dies, though he remains the champ, and as popular as ever.

Tangible proof that the honeymoon is over? Not really, and anyway, even the most loving couples eventually get out of bed, check out of the hotel, and go home.....they are still in love and married though.

It's a rather silly article, trying to say that Obama is not popular because sales of his image have declined....after a year!

Most political leaders experience a decline in popularity a year after being elected.

It's impossibly to compare Obama with the Bush Administration at this stage because the US was placed on a "war footing" early in Bush's presidency which immediately distracted the public's attention from all other issues.

I honestly believe that Obama is really screwing up right now - more than any President I can remember for being in office such a short time. He is alienating the same people who can usually be relied on to support the government no matter what and that is not a good move.

I honestly believe that Obama is really screwing up right now - more than any President I can remember for being in office such a short time. He is alienating the same people who can usually be relied on to support the government no matter what and that is not a good move.

It is true, though, that he took over the reins of a crazy horse. It will take time to calm that loco bronco.

I think he needs a chance to see his vision through.

That is all true, but I'm afraid that if he pisses too many people off, they will not give him a chance.

Most political leaders experience a decline in popularity a year after being elected.

It's impossibly to compare Obama with the Bush Administration at this stage because the US was placed on a "war footing" early in Bush's presidency which immediately distracted the public's attention from all other issues.

very true, i dont think most people even remember that gw ran on a slogan that went something like "a kinder and gentler america" as you said after 9/11 everything changed. I think it is also worth mentioning that there had never been an attack on the mainland in the 1900's so there was no previous road map, to look for directions on the way to proceed. The Obama admin has several down turns in the economy to look at. imo if obama had just come into office and focused on the economy his majority in the house and senate would have gotten many more american back to work. grid lock within his own party does not say much for his leadership, gw may not have been the best but he was able to avoid grid lock from within his own party.

Oliphant says....

Obama seems to be doing very well on at least one issue - IRAQ.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington...f+the+Ticket%29

"I am very optimistic about -- about Iraq. I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration. You're going to see 90,000 American troops come marching home by the end of the summer. You're going to see a stable government in Iraq that is actually moving toward a representative government.

I spent -- I've been there 17 times now. I go about every two months -- three months. I know every one of the major players in all the segments of that society. It's impressed me. I've been impressed how they have been deciding to use the political process rather than guns to settle their differences." - VP Joe Biden Feb 10, 2010

Obama seems to be doing very well on at least one issue - IRAQ.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington...f+the+Ticket%29

"I am very optimistic about -- about Iraq. I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration. You're going to see 90,000 American troops come marching home by the end of the summer. You're going to see a stable government in Iraq that is actually moving toward a representative government.

I spent -- I've been there 17 times now. I go about every two months -- three months. I know every one of the major players in all the segments of that society. It's impressed me. I've been impressed how they have been deciding to use the political process rather than guns to settle their differences." - VP Joe Biden Feb 10, 2010

"I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration."

VP Joe Biden Feb 10, 2010

Do I detect sarcasm?

I think Obama needs to bomb a few third world countries... just like the Bush administration. That way it would give the republicans something logical to complain about. It doesn't matter WHAT third world country he should bomb. Just pick any one. There is no need to justify the attack... same as there was no logical reason to justify the attack on Vietnam or Iraq.

I think Obama needs to bomb a few third world countries... just like the Bush administration. That way it would give the republicans something logical to complain about. It doesn't matter WHAT third world country he should bomb. Just pick any one. There is no need to justify the attack... same as there was no logical reason to justify the attack on Vietnam or Iraq.

Not to worry last I heard the 5th fleet was on its way to Iran along with their brothers from a different mother Israel

just the different mother part

You would think they would have a new reason though...They seem to be using the WMD's reason again albeit nuclear this time

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/3...s-missiles-gulf

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3845182,00.html

No doubt this time. Iran is bragging to the whole world about their nuclear program.

The Republicans are getting what they consider to be a little revenge for years of having to grit their teeth while Bush was bagged by the whole word and a large part of the US.

Unfortunately Obama hasn't yet inspired the sort of contempt that Bush did so a little exaggeration and sarcasm goes a long way.

Biden's trying to pinch a little of the credit for US "success" in Iraq?

Well hang him up by the testicles, how dare he! What does he think he is?

A politician or something?

No doubt this time. Iran is bragging to the whole world about their nuclear program.

True & bragging it is. Not unlike Kim Jong....

The Republicans are getting what they consider to be a little revenge for years of having to grit their teeth while Bush was bagged by the whole word and a large part of the US.

Unfortunately Obama hasn't yet inspired the sort of contempt that Bush did so a little exaggeration and sarcasm goes a long way.

Biden's trying to pinch a little of the credit for US "success" in Iraq?

Well hang him up by the testicles, how dare he! What does he think he is?

A politician or something?

Both Obama and Biden opposed the troop surge in 2007, which is widely heralded as causing the upturn in the war. For Biden to claim credit for it is hypocritical in the extreme. Simply another gaffe from an unqualified Veep, backed up by Gibbs, one of the Yes Men in the Obama administration.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington...bert-gibbs.html

Edited out incorrectly spelled word.

Three years is a loooong time in politics chuckd.

I think Obama needs to bomb a few third world countries... just like the Bush administration. That way it would give the republicans something logical to complain about.

Few probably remember the Republican's outrage back in 1998 when Clinton bombed Iraq. "Tail wagging the dog" to distract people from Lewinsky I think the line was at the time.

Perfect...

Perfect...

So apt.

Perfect...

Lame cartoon - misses the mark completely. Israel - if they have nukes as everyone believes - have never threatened to use them. They're harmless. Iran is the total opposite. They have made real, direct and public threats to destroy Israel. That radiation cloud won't do the poor Palestinians any favors either. After Israel gets nuked by Iran, I wonder if the surviving Palestinians in refugee camps will insist on their "right to return"?

Lame cartoon - misses the mark completely. Israel - if they have nukes as everyone believes - have never threatened to use them. They're harmless. Iran is the total opposite. They have made real, direct and public threats to destroy Israel. That radiation cloud won't do the poor Palestinians any favors either. After Israel gets nuked by Iran, I wonder if the surviving Palestinians in refugee camps will insist on their "right to return"?

Harmless?????

I see

The cartoon you posted is about nukes. In that regard, no one is worried about Israel having them - not even their Muslim neighbors. In fact, they are more worried about Iran having them.

Actions speak louder than words & we can easily judge those actions as they occur NOW

Not as some threat.....If so again look at North Korea....How many times has Kim Jong made threats?

You dont see anyone steaming towards them do you?

Why is that?

Perhaps it would be a much quieter world if all had big sticks eh?

China.

I'm for everyone having big sticks as long as no one cries "unfair!" when we use our superior arsenal and delivery systems to wipe out untold millions in retaliation.

I'm for everyone having big sticks as long as no one cries "unfair!" when we use our superior arsenal and delivery systems to wipe out untold millions in retaliation.

Not to worry...If or when things unwind there will not be many left to complain on either side.

You mention a cloud when talking about a small country that has 20% enriched uranium....enough to make something resembling a scud

Yet you think the cloud from countries that have 1000's of full on warheads will somehow have complainers left? Anywhere?

Yeah I think they have more to worry about NOW with Israel than some media fed story.

If the Palestinians stopped shooting "illegal" missles at civilians in Israel, Israel would not have to strike back. Payback is a mother...!

i think a very rational question would be, if you had iran as a neighbor and isreal as a neighbor which would you prefer to have a finger on the red button of a nuke? if you answered iran, i would love to understand why.

Yeah I think they have more to worry about NOW with Israel than some media fed story.

If the Palestinians stopped shooting "illegal" missles at civilians in Israel, Israel would not have to strike back. Payback is a mother...!

If the Isrealis stopped their illegal confiscation of Palestinian land, Palestine would not have to strike back. Payback is a mother...!