US midterm elections: Barack Obama’s legacy could be ruined in one day

[webfact]

US midterm elections: Barack Obama’s legacy could be ruined in one day

WASHINGTON: -- WHILE we’ve been focusing on a horse race, the US has been preparing for a day that could leave Barack Obama’s presidency in tatters.

Tonight, the polls open in America’s midterm elections, which will determine who gets to control the Senate and House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Mr Obama’s Democratic party is expected to lose its majority in the Senate.

That would leave the president facing a hostile, unified Republican Congress for the final two years of his term, severely limiting his ability to govern.

WHAT ARE THE MIDTERMS?

Every four years, halfway between presidential elections, Americans vote for congressmen, senators and governors. This time, 435 House seats, 36 Senate seats and 36 governorships are up for grabs.

Full story: http://www.news.com.au/world/north-america/us-midterm-elections-barack-obamas-legacy-could-be-ruined-in-one-day/story-fnh81jut-1227112676877


-- News.com.au 2014-11-04

[Ulysses G.]

Obama deserves to lose. If it were not for the dishonest, liberal media covering for him and smearing Romney, he would have and should have lost the 2012 election. The American people have finally figured out what kind of dud we were sold.

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/07/poll-obama-worst-president-since-wwii-108507.html

Edited November 4, 2014 by Ulysses G.

[Costas2008]

He is a good President and a descent person.

I hope the USA people would recognise that and give him the control of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Honour your good people.

[chuckd]

Yeah, well, whatever floats your boat.

I will, however, step back to the year 2007 when he first appeared on the national political scene. I said then on this forum, and I repeat now...

Obama is nothing more than a sleazy politician from the sewers of Chicago politics.

My view is unchanged.

His legacy will be long remembered most fondly by President Jimmy Carter, who now is being considered in some quarters as the second worst President in US history.

[Jingthing]

Well, I don't know about the assertion that his legacy will be ruined by losing control of the Senate. In my view, his legacy is clear, Obamacare and moving forward LGBT civil rights. I just don't see that legacy being reversed by the republicans winning the Senate. Will they win the Senate? Well, it appears so at this point.

[thailiketoo]

He is a good President and a descent person.

I hope the USA people would recognise that and give him the control of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Honour your good people.

Reduce the Veterans Benefits Administration claims backlog

The Promise:

"There are currently over 400,000 claims pending within the Veterans Benefits Administration, and over 800,000 claims receipts are expected in 2008 alone. … Obama will hire additional claims workers and convene our nation's leading veterans groups, employees and managers to develop an updated training and management model that will ensure that VA benefit decisions are rated fairly and consistently, and stem from adequate training and accountability for each claims adjudicator."

Update May 22nd, 2014: Rated promise broken in 2012, wait times now back in the headlines

Sorry Costas I'm a vet so for me he is a lying jerk. Obama could kill me and a lot of my friends by not giving us the medical treatment we were promised. I don't think a President who kills the soldiers who went to war for the USA is a very good President.

If I had to rate him based on a contest between lady boy and gay rights and medical benefits for soldiers who were wounded fighting for their country I'd favor the vets.

I like lady boys and all that but come on guys, it's not the same as taking care of the soldiers who fought for the country.

Edited November 4, 2014 by thailiketoo

[samran]

The thing is, a recalcitrant republican senate is what Hillary must be praying for. That will provide an excellent backdrop for her campaign with a extremist conservative house and senate causing havoc.

[Ulysses G.]

That is a democratic talking point, so they can pretend to be be "happy" about losing an election. Believe me, if it happens, they won't be.

Edited November 4, 2014 by Ulysses G.

[Just1Voice]

He is a good President and a descent person.

I hope the USA people would recognise that and give him the control of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Honour your good people.

Are you on drugs? In my book, and the "books" of a few million others, this POS is the worst thing that has ever happened to the Presidency, or the US for that matter. This jerk spends more time on a golf course than in the Oval Office, and has done just about everything he can to disrespect and dishonor ALL American service men & women and veterans. He has done his best to destroy the American Constitution, and uses his "Executive Orders" to totally bypass Congress whenever he feels like it. And if Obama Care is soooo good, why isn't he on it? If the guy dropped dead tomorrow, the only tear I would shed is the one over the fact that it didn't happen sooner.

[Jingthing]

I agree the democrats certainly don't WANT to lose the senate, but I also think it's obvious that winning the senate does not mean it is any more likely that the republicans will take the white house in 2016.

[Jingthing]

He is a good President and a descent person.

I hope the USA people would recognise that and give him the control of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Honour your good people.

Are you on drugs? In my book, and the "books" of a few million others, this POS is the worst thing that has ever happened to the Presidency, or the US for that matter. This jerk spends more time on a golf course than in the Oval Office, and has done just about everything he can to disrespect and dishonor ALL American service men & women and veterans. He has done his best to destroy the American Constitution, and uses his "Executive Orders" to totally bypass Congress whenever he feels like it. And if Obama Care is soooo good, why isn't he on it? If the guy dropped dead tomorrow, the only tear I would shed is the one over the fact that it didn't happen sooner.

All Americans are actually effected by the Obamacare law including Obama. There is no such thing as being on Obamacare. It's not national health care. It's simply a way to greatly expand access to health care through already existing means ... private health insurance, medicare, medicaid, and now expanded medicaid in the non-right wing controlled states.

[samran]

That is a democratic talking point, so they can pretend to be be "happy" about losing an election.

Mate, I'm not a democrat. I don't think I'd fall into line with any of your political parities. Neither are economically responsible in the way Id define economic responsibility, so none of them would get my vote.

It is pure political maths I'm talking about.

Your house elections are based on districticts so gerrymandered that they only people who win them are the extremist warriors on either side. Neither of them are a good look to mainstream voters.

Presidential elections though are different. The only ones who win are the ones who appear to be down the Middle with a nod to their respective side.

Bush was a 'compassionate' conservative to appeal to those for whom the genghis khan jihadism of the religios right was an athema.

Bubba Clinton had that particular gift of being all things to all people. A southerner. A conservative. Wall streets best friend. Americas 'first black president' all rolled into one.

To be president, you can't be an extremist. And to have a backdrop of extremists as you run for president is probably the ideal thing. You let your opponents do your campaigning for you.

No, my analysis is hopefully an objective one from someone who enjoys watching the US political scene as someone else might enjoy football.

[Basil B]

Many will be voting for another holiday...

[Jingthing]

BTW, regards of the Senate outcome, the majority of Americans support expanded civil rights for LGBT people are they also support Obamacare (expanded access the health care, insurance companies not being allowed to turn down people based on health history, etc.). Again, those two things are clearly Obama's biggest legacy and he won't be losing that. While he has disappointed even his supporters, I think you'd better wait for more time to pass by before putting his presidency in historical perspective. People saying he is the worse president in history I think they are tripping.

[tw25rw]

He is a good President and a descent person.

I hope the USA people would recognise that and give him the control of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Honour your good people.

Are you on drugs? In my book, and the "books" of a few million others, this POS is the worst thing that has ever happened to the Presidency, or the US for that matter. This jerk spends more time on a golf course than in the Oval Office, and has done just about everything he can to disrespect and dishonor ALL American service men & women and veterans. He has done his best to destroy the American Constitution, and uses his "Executive Orders" to totally bypass Congress whenever he feels like it. And if Obama Care is soooo good, why isn't he on it? If the guy dropped dead tomorrow, the only tear I would shed is the one over the fact that it didn't happen sooner.

Go easy on the Fox news.

[Ulysses G.]

That is a democratic talking point, so they can pretend to be be "happy" about losing an election.

Mate, I'm not a democrat. I don't think I'd fall into line with any of your political parities.

I'm not accusing you of being a democrat. I'm accusing you of repeating one of their talking points, which they have come up with recently, as it looks more and more likely that they might lose the election. I don't believe that they - or Hillary - are looking forward to the Republicans controlling both houses, no matter what they might claim to save face.

Edited November 4, 2014 by Ulysses G.

[Jingthing]

What do you expect? Politicians of any persuasion will always spin anything, good news or bad news. If they didn't I would be worried that they no longer have a pulse!

[Ulysses G.]

Debbie Wasserman Schultz says that the Democratic Party will hold the Senate after Tuesday evenings midterm elections. I'm not sure that she is capable of telling the truth, even by mistake, so that bodes well for the GOP.

[Jingthing]

Debbie Wasserman Schultz says that the Democratic Party will hold the Senate after Tuesday evenings midterm elections. I'm not sure that she is capable of telling the truth, even by mistake, so that bodes well for the GOP.

Well, it's not over till it's over but I wouldn't be betting that way personally.

[ABCer]

A couple of days back I got an email from friends:

Two great things have been given to the West by South West Africa: - Ebola and Obama.

Not sure it was in the same order.

[Jingthing]

A couple of days back I got an email from friends:

Two great things have been given to the West by South West Africa: - Ebola and Obama.

Not sure it was in the same order.

Ironic racism?

[Seastallion]

His legacy will be long remembered most fondly by President Jimmy Carter, who now is being considered in some quarters as the second worst President in US history.

The worst being the moron Dubbya?

[up-country_sinclair]

I'm not a Democrat or an Obamabot, but I think most would agree that his legacy is the health care bill that was passed a few years ago. Even if the opposing party takes control of both houses of congress and then repeals the law, the president can still use his veto. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but unless the Republicans somehow get to 60 seats in the Senate, his legacy (for better or worse) will remain intact after this election.

[thailiketoo]

His legacy will be long remembered most fondly by President Jimmy Carter, who now is being considered in some quarters as the second worst President in US history.

The worst being the moron Dubbya?

Obama gets negative grades for his handling of most key issues:

• Negative 40 - 55 percent for handling the economy;
• Negative 37 - 57 percent for foreign policy;
• Negative 40 - 58 percent for health care;
• 50 - 40 percent for the environment;
• Negative 44 - 51 percent for terrorism;

Obama has been a better president than George W. Bush, 39 percent of voters say, while 40 percent say he is worse. Men say 43 - 36 percent that Obama is worse than Bush while women say 42 - 38 percent he is better. Obama is worse, Republicans say 79 - 7 percent and independent voters say 41 - 31 percent. Democrats say 78 - 4 percent that he is better.

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=2056

Edited November 4, 2014 by thailiketoo

[Ulysses G.]

His legacy will be long remembered most fondly by President Jimmy Carter, who now is being considered in some quarters as the second worst President in US history.

The worst being the moron Dubbya?

Nope. Obama wins that distinction.

July 2, 2014 - Obama Is First As Worst President Since WWII, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; More Voters Say Romney Would Have Been Better

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=2056

[samran]

That is a democratic talking point, so they can pretend to be be "happy" about losing an election.

Mate, I'm not a democrat. I don't think I'd fall into line with any of your political parities.

I'm not accusing you of being a democrat. I'm accusing you of repeating one of their talking points, which they have come up with recently, as it looks more and more likely that they might lose the election. I don't believe that they - or Hillary - are looking forward to the Republicans controlling both houses, no matter what they might claim to save face.

Fair enough.

Perhaps or is all of those things too. But that doesn't change the fact that it is a political truism. Hillary will want the republicans political tide flowing out rather than in when she runs. Having them win now achieves that.

As for their talking points, I don't have cable. Let alone US cable. Too busy to read too much analysis elsewhere. Wouldnt have a clue what their talking points are right at the moment.

Edited November 4, 2014 by samran

[Loptr]

Obama's legacy could be ruined in one day? How short-sighted can someone be... He's been working tooth and nail for the last 6 years to secure his position as the worst president in the history of the US...

Ben Stein on President Obama...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47_H4GE6L40

[tw25rw]

Obama's legacy could be ruined in one day? How short-sighted can someone be... He's been working tooth and nail for the last 6 years to secure his position as the worst president in the history of the US...

Ben Stein on President Obama...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47_H4GE6L40

Why do you completely undermine yourself with a clip from the propaganda channel?

[Publicus]

Every re-elected president has his 6th year itch election. While at that point the incumbent president has two years remaining in the term, and the prez's name is not on any ballot, the country is thinking of him when they go to vote.

The six-year itch election has hammered every re-elected modern president except Bill Clinton in 1998 (the bubble times were still good).

The particular reasons of the hammering for each president differ, but the 6th year itch election remains a consistent and persisting reality - the president's party gets hammered or just plain blasted out of office across the country.

The four times-elected Prez Franklin Roosevelt had taken a clobbering in his 6th year election, in 1938. In 1958 World War II hero and grandfather Dwight Eisenhower saw his Republican party lose control of the Senate for what turned out to be continuously until 1980 and take a serious hammering in the House. In Regan's 6th year election in 1986 Republicans lost control of the Senate and lost more seats in the House, .

In George Bush's 6th year itch election in 2006 Republicans lost control of both the House and the Senate and lost their majority of governorships.

The most important factor in any president's 6th year itch election is that too many of his supporters turn a cold shoulder to stay at home, while a disproportionate number that reject him grab their pitchforks and storm the polling stations en masse across the country.

The outstanding particular factor in this year's 6th year election being held today is that a large number of Democratic party incumbent senators are running for re-election in Red states, states in which Obama took a trouncing en route to his otherwise successful 2008 and 2012 elections. The D party senators on the ballot in those red states are gonners no matter what, which means the R party will almost for sure win control of the Senate.

When the new Republican controlled Congress takes office in January, the battle lines between the R controlled Congress and the D in the White House will be absolutely clear for everyone to see.

Enter Hillary Clinton and 2016 when voter demographics and political party loyalties of the broader electorate will be consistent with those of the 2006 Bush 6th year itch election wipeout and with the 2008 and 2012 one-sided victories of President Obama.

Edited November 4, 2014 by Publicus

[samran]

Every re-elected president has his 6th year itch election. While at that point the incumbent president has two years remaining in the term, and the prez's name is not on any ballot, the country is thinking of him when they go to vote.

The six-year itch election has hammered every re-elected modern president except Bill Clinton in 1998 (the bubble times were still good).

The particular reasons of the hammering for each president differ, but the 6th year itch election remains a consistent and persisting reality - the president's party gets hammered or just plain blasted out of office across the country.

The four times-elected Prez Franklin Roosevelt had taken a clobbering in his 6th year election, in 1938. In 1958 World War II hero and grandfather Dwight Eisenhower saw his Republican party lose control of the Senate for what turned out to be continuously until 1980 and take a serious hammering in the House. In Regan's 6th year election in 1986 Republicans lost control of the Senate and lost more seats in the House, .

In George Bush's 6th year itch election in 2006 Republicans lost control of both the House and the Senate and lost their majority of governorships.

The most important factor in any president's 6th year itch election is that too many of his supporters turn a cold shoulder to stay at home, while a disproportionate number that reject him grab their pitchforks and storm the polling stations en masse across the country.

The outstanding particular factor in this year's 6th year election being held today is that a large number of Democratic party incumbent senators are running for re-election in Red states, states in which Obama took a trouncing en route to his otherwise successful 2008 and 2012 elections. The D party senators on the ballot in those red states are gonners no matter what, which means the R party will almost for sure win control of the Senate.

When the new Republican controlled Congress takes office in January, the battle lines between the R controlled Congress and the D in the White House will be absolutely clear for everyone to see.

Enter Hillary Clinton and 2016 when voter demographics and political party loyalties of the broader electorate will be consistent with those of the 2006 Bush 6th year itch election wipeout and with the 2008 and 2012 one-sided victories of President Obama.

Didn't Clinton get his gift from God with the 1994 mid terms? Newt was manna from heaven for Bubba. Best campaign prop that he could have wished for.