A Big GOP Win in 2010 Could Lead to a Big Obama Victory in 2012

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I can tell Peter Fenn is a Democrat. Well Pete, keep dreaming. After watching the uncontrolled spending from the last 2 years....a "do nothing" congress is a GOOD THING!! Capiche?

Brian of MN 10:28AM September 04, 2010

If the GOP wins big this fall and the economy is in better shape by Nov 2012 then the GOP will claim credit and this will hurt Obama. If the GOP wins big and the economy still stinks, then Obama will be helped. The voters have very short memories.

Bob of TX 2:10PM September 02, 2010

it;s agonizing to think that this group of g.o.p. hopefuls could attain positions of power.none of them have the acuity to acomplish anything of substance in moving the country in a positive direction.the voters should be careful what they wish for.these people are a collection of postolateing maccontents.

bruce b of NV 10:37AM September 02, 2010

I applaud your desire to try and find a silver lining in the cloud. Of course it's just speculation/pie in the sky/pipe dream at this point.
I note that you concede big wins by Republicans, but again, like most of liberals you try and discern direction by looking in the rear view mirror.
Here's where I think you may be incorrect:
The crew from 1980 let their win go to their heads. They stopped listening to their constituents. They forgot core conservative principles and caved to Washington.
The crew from 1980 did have the ground swell of populist support. The reason they stopped listening before may very well have been because they couldn't hear the whimpers coming from their constituents. I think this go around should give them tinninitis
I will agree that Mitch McConnell has problems. But my reasoning differs. His problems will result from his lack of leadership traits/qualities.
No offense to Kentucky, but McConnell, doesn't strike me as a leader or possessing the qualities of a leader. He's currently the defacto leader because of tenure. I'm sure he possesses intellect, knowledge, and knows how to play the game. But, to me at least, it appears he lacks leadership traits of charisma, conviction, back bone, vision, etc. His responses are typically milquetoast. Consequently, it will be difficult to direct the inflated egos typically found in the Senate.
As for Boehner, he'll probably do ok although, I'd prefer a different Speaker.
I agree with R.L. Schaefer's assessment of Pelosi and think of her as a prigish, condescending, elitist. And I agree with Dan of NJ in that she gets things done, albeit surreptitiously and in a sneaky, rule bending sort of way. And she does have her misguided conviction and energy.

david of ID 4:53AM September 02, 2010

If you will remember, the Republicans are a party of "No" as the both of you have proclaimed in the not so distant past. Obama's extorted spending of our hard earned tax dollars will definitely come to a screaching halt with a Republican congressional majority, and the citizens of this country will be able to view and consider the validity, the benefits of a smaller government (a major premise of the Republican Party).
Also, it is not likely that the citizens of this country will forget Obama's wild spending episodes of the last nearly two years. Personally, I know I won't forget, and I will be here to remind the voters in every public forum I attend and in every letter to the editor of every major newspaper in our area.
In addition, may I remind you both that the Republican elephant never forgets, thus, a "big Obama victor in 2012" is most unlikely.

Apropo of CA 12:44AM September 02, 2010

Don't think public is buying into that Steve. Near all of barry's agenda and statements is in the pits according to polls, elections, and Democrat candidates running from barry.
I enjoy Democrat’s ads denouncing barry and Pelosi don't you.

Bill Hedges of MO 10:17PM September 01, 2010

The Bureau of Economic Analysis is the data gathering and analysis bureau of the Commerce Department, hardly a bastion of Keynesian liberalism. You can check out the comparative progress made by Bush and Obama since the first quarter of 2008 through to the second quarter of 2010. The figures will surprise many here;
http://www.bea.gov/national/nipaweb/TableView.asp?SelectedTable=1&ViewSeries=NO&Java=no&Request3Place=N&3Place=N&FromView=YES&Freq=Qtr&FirstYear=2008&LastYear=2010&3Place=N&Update=Update&JavaBox=no
It shows that fixed non-residential investment is up along with exports and that both consumer durables consumption and GDP growth is also up.

steve of IL 9:10PM September 01, 2010

I have no way of evaluating Peter Fenn's speculation that the political pendulum will swing back in favor of the Democrats in 2012. The mentality and emotions of the country are pretty baffling to me at the moment. But a swing does sound possible and I hope it will happen.
The key is whether the Left will eventually back Obama and centrist Democrats, or pout and stay home. Right now, they are in pout mode. In 2012, after another two years of Republican policies, maybe they'll come to their senses.
Meanwhile, I live in dread of the insanity of the Right and the childishness of the Left.

Mark H. Moulton of CA 9:08PM September 01, 2010

They aren't 'better than nothing', they are disasterous, and turned the country against him.
We WANT a do nothing Congress until we can get better people in office, enough for a majority of good ones.

LDR of CA 8:38PM September 01, 2010