[citalopram]

I've been thinking about the upcoming election with what some might call surprising optimism for the Democrats. I still think Obama stands an excellent chance at reelection, and as I posted in one of the other threads, he has lived up to my expectations on a number of items. I can't hold the economic situation against him 'cause Washington is still fighting over keeping the failed Bush plan intact. Obama didn't get us into this mess, and congress is doing little to help dig us out.

What excites me though is it's finally time for the Democrats to get dirty. For the last 12 years, they've been Swift Boated by fringe groups which now have unified organization in the Tea Party. The Democrats played too nice, which was admirable in some ways and annoying in others. Now though, as a party they will have the opportunity to fight on two fronts. They'll be able treat the individual candidates with respect as they have: No throwing around inflated stories about Vietnam, no Curious George dolls, just hammer away at the facts, but they can decimate the Tea Party candidates now. Hopefully they nuke 'em in the political landscape. If they Dems hammer at the driving force of these candidates and let the individual candidates (mainly Obama in this case) play the same campaign game as he has been, they can play it both ways and look good doing it... And hopefully turn everyone who isn't on the fringe against it.

[temansertewek]

Yeah, I'm still thinking this is his election to lose. After all, it's not really a serious challenge until you're 12 weeks out from the election and you're way underwater compared to your opponent. If Obama is polling 40% and his GOP challenger is only polling 30%, that doesn't necessarily add up to an Obama defeat.

Obama's approval ratings are indeed dropping, but they're still above every current Republican in office and every possible challenger. In other words, the only folks polling lower than Obama are EVERY Republican. That's hardly a recipe for Republican victory.

[markshome23]

I call it cautious optimism, the Republican party is as fractured and disorganized than ever, not to mention just nutty with the stuff their candidates are proposing or supporting. The social agenda is off the charts with some of the candidates too, America as a whole is pretty center I think. The fact that Richard Nixon is left of Obama is unfathomable, and the GOP wants to dismantle the EPA, one of Nixon's greatest gift to our nation is proof positive they are off the tracks, IMO. Republicans are for the corporations, not the human people(Had to clarify for mittens), With the GOP fighting to keep taxes low on the wealthy, or top1% of the US population (Bush extensions) yet want to let the payroll tax holiday expire which helps the lowest 46% of the nation is just amazing. What I find encouraging though is after the 2008 collapse, the stimulus, bailout and debt ceiling fights in Washington, more people are paying attention and has posted above by Dave, no one is polling lower than the GOP politicians, the rooster has come home to roost.

So if you support the Democratic party, do not get complacent, get out and volunteer, knock on doors, talk to your friends and neighbors about the issues and candidates. Lets do this!