Will Obama help or hurt fellow Dems in midterms?
In a December 2009 photo, Pres. Obama meets with Democratic Senators in Washington, DC. (PHOTO CREDIT: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
A year ago, it would have seemed nearly impossible: The popular new Democratic president boosting support for Republicans at the polls.
But, fast forward a year and with a significant drop in Pres. Obama's approval ratings - that's now part of the GOP strategy for the midterm elections. Some Republicans are hoping to tie their Democratic opponents to unpopular policies of the President... including things like spending, bailouts and health care reform.
It's happening in conservative states - like Louisiana and Tennessee... where Republicans are hoping Mr. Obama will come campaign with the Democrats... as well as other states that the president won in 2008 - like Wisconsin. In some cases - they plan to tie Democrats to the Pelosi-Obama agenda - a reference to the hideously unpopular speaker of the house.
Nonetheless - Republicans recognize that they will have to walk a fine line so the strategy doesn't backfire. They can't go after the president personally, because most Americans still like Mr. Obama even if they disagree with his policies.
Following stunning losses in Massachusetts, Virginia and New Jersey - Democrats are prepping for a rough midterm election. And things could get worse. Imagine the symbolism of losing the president's home state, Illinois. There is some concern that Republicans might take over the president's old senate seat along with the Illinois governorship.
Illinois has been Democratic for years - but ongoing ethics scandals and the near insolvency of the state government might just change that.
Here’s my question to you: Will Pres. Obama help or hurt fellow Democrats in the midterm elections?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
John writes:
Are you kidding? He has already hurt Democrats in Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts. It’s possible that his endorsement or passive support will destroy a candidate’s chances in November.
Ryan from Wisconsin writes:
Both parties have gotten too far to the extremes. They both need to come back to the middle, where the majority of us live. I think we will see more independent candidates rise up. I am sick of party politics. They all need to open their eyes, look at the problems and find the best solution, whether it agrees with the party or not. Congress is the problem, not so much Obama.
Andrew from Colorado writes:
If Pres. Obama sticks to his agenda, which Americans do not want, he will hurt is party greatly. We are already seeing other moderate Democrats distancing themselves.
Chuck writes:
Help. Obama is the best thing to happen to the Republican Party since Bill Clinton.
J. writes:
Jack, I think it's too early to tell for sure how Obama's influence will pan out. He's got 8 months or so to make a difference and if the economy improves, so will the voter response. On the other hand, it really bugs me how feckless the American voter can be. Who was in power when everything came tumbling down? The Republicans. So why do people think it'd be better to have them back in power again? The voter psyche is just too confusing to understand.
Dan writes:
Are you kidding me? With how fast the American people forget, we'll be sweeping the house and the Senate in November when this economy comes roaring back. I can't wait to see your story then, Mr. Cafferty.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Neither. Congress is screwing themselves. What Obama does or says isn't going to matter one bit.
Ha Jack either way they hurt themselves. The Democrats are not trustworthy neither are the Republicans and the President has lost all of his credibility. We have to wait another three years.
Well, let's see, he has been to Virginia and NJ for Governor's races and they LOST! He went to Massachusetts for the Senate candidate and she LOST! Yes, he is super TOXIC and with the mess he has created, why not. Inexperience has been tested and the Presidency is not a place for on the job training.
I don't think it will be so much Obama, per se, as the politicians themselves. I was hoping when I voted for Obama (I am independent) that we would see some change in politics as usual, as I think many others who voted for him hoped the same. Now I only see the same old and I will be voting against any incumbent including Obama, as I pretty much have been for a few years now. I am just hoping the voters of California and Nevada feel the same and vote out Harry and Nancy. I had thought the voters stood up and made a statement with the Obama victory, but it appears we may have been duped again! I am feeling quite naive for believing in "Yes we can"
The democratic congress looks bad on Obama, not the other way around. Obama is personally popular, but no one likes pelosi or reid or any of those other wishy washy whiners. They can't blame obama for their poor ratings.
I think that everyone is mad about the economy so unless that changes before election time I don't see him helping anyone.
If that does change, then he'll be the Golden Child again.
Jack,
I think that the real question should be for how long we – the voters – will allow the Democrats AND the Republicans keep hurting our nation and our people and getting away with it. It's way past time for us to have a vote revolution in this country. We need a third party desperately !!! And I agree 100 % with you: we CAN NOT afford to keep any of those incumbents next election. We need to sanitize the House and the Congress. Vote them all out !!!
Obama has already hurt himself. His refusal to move to the center, even after being told, is his undoing. He doesn't listen but rather likes to lecture.
The 'dems', on the other hand, don't understand the word 'representative.' With their elitist attitudes (Pelosi's jets come to mind) and refusal to represent their constituents, they are their own worst enemy.
Vince Latona
Las Vegas, NV
Unless he begins to do some of the things he promised – and fast – they are toast and in 3 years, so is he.
As is stands right now, Obama will hurt the Democrats' efforts but he still has time to turn things around with the passage of solid legislation.
Greenville, SC
Obama will help some, and hurt some. It's really not so much his support of a candidate...it's how the candidate has been performing in his/her district and how much financial hardship is in that district and whether voters perceive the incumbant/challenger will do a good job.
There's such pessimisim in the US right now, I think we'll see GOPs regain some districts...but also lose some for being such obstructionists. I think that's a safe bet.
Maria
Brunswick,MD
He and Pelosi and Reed have sent their party packing,Period.........
Very sad.Spent a whole year selling snake oil to the American People when all they wanted was a little help with jobs and housing.
David
Obama has destroyed the Democrats chances in 2010 and his chances in 2012. It's only a matter of time until the Republicans will control the House, Senate, and the White House.
Facing the fact that he tried to support the dem candidates in the NJ and Virginia gov races and Kennedy's seat in Mass., and he was resoundly beaten, I think Democrats better prepare for a serious shift in the tide in the midterms. Even if people like him, they don't like his policies or the politics. They have been trying to blame repubs as being obstructionists when in reality, they could get by without a single repub vote until the Mass election. Moderates and Independants who used to be energized by the talk of "Change" didn't realize what they were getting in to.
Jack: President Obama is not the problem for the Democrats in the midterm elections. The Democrats lack of unity, lack of purpose, and lack of leadership in Congress is their problem in November. " A brave man dies but once, but coward dies many deaths", and the Democrats will suffer for not getting behind health care reform, job growth measures, and meaningful taxation legislation. President Obama needs to let President George W. Bush's taxcuts for the very rich expire at the end of December 2010.
Massachussetts is not a typical state. It's a liberal state that already enjoys social medicine. It's been under the Kennedy family dynasty for decades. The issues are ECONOMY and ENERGY. The issue is NOT health care or Obama. Concerns for DEBT is a symptom. If the economy is not addressed, energy is still not faced, and a plan to pay down debt is unresolved, Obama and every other encumbent will face election backlash. We're at the end of the trail where the free ride is concerned. The time has come to address the issues or face extraordinary national consequences. Given the level of leadership I see in Wahsington lately, I put my money on America having to face the consequences.
The Dems have a false sense of majority. In the last election, they won by expanding the base. This base has not yet turned out in the off-year cycle. To get to the new Obama voters, they need to pass the President's agenda and hope that the old organization can be energized (which is hard, since some of them graduated and are now looking for jobs).
I think Mr. Obama is hurting fellow dems. Look at what's happened when he goes to campaign for them (Virginia, New Jersey and now Massachusetts) He doesn't get it that the "people" want less government, less spending and they don't want this healthcare package. The dems keep saying we want it. They're not listening. We're changing our whole health care system for 40 or 50,000 people. The polls will show in November and maybe then they'll realize that they had better start listening to their constituents and break out of their glass bubbles.
That all depends on whether or not the White House keeps allowing the Fox Liar/Comedy Channel & Flush Limburger to shape public opinion.
Jack, I voted for Nixon and Reagan but then swung to Democrats. Obama keeps my vote because the economic status quo of Arab nations having the tallest buildings, Europe and Asia having high speed rail, and workers in every civilized nation having universal health care but us is unacceptable. I cannot live on Republican razzle-dazzle of fear and our flag as they put global corporate interest first, even interfering with our lawmaking and elections.
Jack, any incumbent democrats seeking reelection better stay away from Obama, in the mid terms. The lessen of Senator Scott Brown is fresh in everyone's mind, even if the narcissist Obama refuses to see the ramifications, from his lies and broken promises. 2010 will be a bad year for congress. Pandering, feckless incumbants willl be swept out of office, by the popular grass roots movement, to throw the bums out.
And we're still waiting to hear Wolf sing.
Obama will definitely help the Democrats, because with the Republicans refusing to govern and obstructing any legislation in Washington, Obama is doing exactly what he should be doing: expose them for the no-ideas, no-responsibility, no-brain bunch they are. He'll keep doing that until some Republicans realize they have a responsibilty and things can get done, or until the November 2010 elections, whichever comes first. In both cases the Democrats will benefit from Obama's new, confrontational attitude.
Hoboken, NJ
A) the Republicans were in charge for 8 years and dug this hole by deficit spending to fund tax cuts for the rich, two wars and a welfare plan for the pharmaceutical industry
B) the Republicans sponsor deficit reduction plans and then vote against them if the President announces his support.
C) the Republicans have never offered any plan to solve any problems that didn't center around more tax cuts and less oversight for the rich and more belt tightening and suffering for the rest of us.
If the mainstream media corporate hacks pay as much attention to how bad the GOP is instead of constantly pretending that their lies,attacks and propaganda are one half of a debate, people may have enough sense to realize that Obama and the Democrats are NOT the problem. The GOP has done nothing to show they possess the brains, the leadership or the devotion to democracy to deserve a return to power.
cy from arlington, va
The Democrats are not in trouble in November if they quit playing foil to the Republicans now and use their majority to pass the legislation this country needs now and let the Republicans make fools of themselves filibustering as Historian Doris Kearns Goodwn suggests. It would be great fun to watch them spend hours reading the Collected Works of Rush Limbaugh while desperate to use the toliet.
"He already has done! They'll never get up of the ground, after all his mistakes. He talks as though he is your best friend. He talks as though he is your parent and you are all children. If you don't know by now he has failed, then why?"
Since most dem.'s are concerned re: being reelected they of course want to distance themselves from him. There certainly doesn't seem to be much unity amongst themselves. They definitely haven't seemed to take a stance on anything. PPres. Obama seems to be out there all on his own-not a very cohesive group. I don't know how anything can get done @ this rate! Once the tea party came to town it seems as if the DEMS are quaking in their boots.
Obama by now, knows America much more than Americans.
He will help Democrats to remain in power. He told The Supreme
Court Justices: " YOU ARE WRONG!!!" He went to the GOP HQ and took them for a ride. Hey.......Obama has what it takes to be a leader.
My only regret is for him not to be a Conservative.
With Obama as pres. who needs Bush. Dems should avoid the words hope and change at all costs. The Gravely campaign tactic seems best, put your name on the ballot and dont say a word.
Every time you vote, use some due diligence and do some research on each issue and each Candidate running for office. We each have to understand the issues of our times and vote accordingly. Every voter has to make up their own mind, don't let other people make your decision for you. We all complain about the lobbyists in Washington DC, having the ear (and checking acct #) of our employees. So why let, FOX, CNN, MSNBC, CBS and all the others tell you what to do. Voting is a right, and it's serious business.
Hurt many, the others just won't run.
It will come out as a wash. He will help some and hurt some. Some Republicans will lose their seats as well as some Democrats in the end not much will change.
Okay maybe they have a good chance at the next election, someone better tell them its not the election its what comes after. They better get it right.
Bob
I hold no delusions about how Pres. Obama is effecting the polls. Unfortunately, instead of turning to education on the agendas or the ideal of thinking for themselves, most people are flocking to whatever voice they are least afraid of. Somehow in our brief history in the USA we have gone from free thinking, proud people to close minded cowards.
I think there's going to be shaking up and out on both sides. I'd say the President helps marginally if he has the better year I'm expecting that he will.
Jack,
Democrats will hurt themselves if they can't find good candidates that will actually get some work done in Washington. Right now Americans don't care about party affiliation so much as who is going to do what they say they will do. So far, no one has done that.
Hard to say...I hope not . If he keeps getting vilified without
responding point for point, in a clear manner that Americans
can relate to, Democrats will suffer. There's a long while until
November and a lot of things could happen that could change
the picture. Bin Laden might be captured, jobs could return,
etc. etc. As of now...no one really knows for sure. His visit
to the GOP retreat shows he can fight back. As a Democrat,
I hope he keeps it up and shows the public what a bunch
of liars and empty suits the Republicans are.
President Obama , can"t hurt or help the fellow Democrats in the midterm election, they need to be able to govern. and with 60 seats they could'nt . so why vote for them.
If Obama couldn't rescue Coakley or Corzine, he certainly will be a millstone for candidates in contested districts. The "Blame Bush" mantra has worn thin for voters that realize a Democrat congress has broken all records for deficit spending, and relentlessly criticized Bush for not asking for more spending on entitlements.
Well, his magic hasn't been working so far. While everyone thought he was Midas with the golden touch, it seems everything he puts his hands on turns to dust. Maybe this is an omen for things to come.
The president won't be a libability to fellow Dems because of his charisma, but his policies will be a liability. If you look at what he has done fiscally ($1.9 Trillion budget), no healthcare plan after spending a full year working on it, and a socialist program that makes FDR's look pale in comparison will be the downfall of any Dem that is linked to him by voting record. That is what the Republicans need to focus on, not personal attacks. Americans are tired of personal attacks, so let us focus on the facts.
The truth shall set us free.
Dallas Texas
I find it funny that the spin now is to separate Obama from the Democrats. Every single Democrat elected to congress in the last election rode Obama's coat-tails to victory.They all dumped Hilary or muted their support for her in the last months of the campaign.Now they're all saying Obama is a drag on them.Is it any wonder the same people who voted Obama into power will now vote the Republicans into power in Novemver.
Jack let me answer that question for you.
Congress approval rating 21%
Barack Obama approval rating 51%
I dont' think voters are going to vote out democrats because of Obama, they will vote them out because of Inaction.
With no real change in where we were a year ago and an administration that still places the blame on the old one, Pres. Obama's support of anyone will be a liability.
You hit it perfectly when you said the republican's if smart, should not attack him. Merely tying the two together will do enough. And this is not a left or a right issue. The GOP would be facing the same problem with a full year of a GOP president and an overwhelming congressional majoirty.
The people are speaking finally just as they did last year. Hopefully someone will listen or the real change we will see is the constant change of congressional seats every 2 years and a president every 4.
Jack:
He is a ONE TERM PRESIDENT. When will you realize that.
And for good reason. Can you say, "Buyer's Remorse?!"
Would not want Obama's support.
He will make things worse.
Jack,
At this point, he appears to be only hurting the Dem's. Time for him and the Dem's to take responsibility and quit the "Bush Bashing". The public wants results and not pretty speeches mixed with big words. If they do not start governing from center opposed to the far left it will be a long night for the Dem's on the first Tuesday of this upcoming November.
I believe that he will be a drag. He is 0 for 3 at this point. Until he becomes a working President rather than a campainer for the job that he already has; he will be a negative. He needs to take the leadership of Reid and Pelosi back under his control. Everything now is his responsibility. They can't continue blaming everyrthing on the Bush era.
Stick with the President. Going it alone is a sure loser.This President will survive these hic cups and go on to accomplish great things. Before his term is up, we will have left Iraq, Afghanistan will be left to the Afghans, and the economy will have turned around and the Party of No will be wondering what happeened.
He has already hurt them, but they have hurt themselves too. Just about everyone has aligned with the radical left progressive movement that would like to see government run just about everything in our lives. Cannot wait for the midterms to come so I can vote a few democrats out of office.
President Obama will not be helpful to other Democrats. But then, he probably can't hurt them any more than they already hurt themselves with the disgusting spectacle we've seen in Congress.
No one individual politician should be a determining factor if another politican gets elected or not. Each candidate should be elected or no based on their own merits.
From the looks of things at this moment he will be hard pressed to
help many on his coattails. Jobs and the economy will be a major
factor come midterm elections..
Jack,
He will absolutely help in midterm elections though it won't be necessary. With the recent GDP numbers, improving personal Income and Spending numbers, jobless rate declines, etc. much of the overblown reaction to the current state of the union will go away. This is why we see Republicans continually trying to highlight all the negatives while ignoring the positives. When it comes to November, what is your platform going to look like when you've voted against EVERYTHING all year and last? Better to highlight your opponent's negatives rather than your positives I guess, until people figure out those negatives aren't so bad or even exist. Scott Brown won on the fear of healthcare sold as a "Bolshevik plot" and the ridiculous expectation that an economy such as ours could recover in one year. Republicans will lose big in November when the smoke clears, the fear wanes, and Americans realize that Republicans have been sitting on the sidelines hoping for a crash and burn by Democrats while blaming them for partisanship.
JT
Pittstown, NJ
It's risky for any candidate to run against or run on Obama right now, these folk need to run on their record. At ths point they have none.
Unfortunately, many of us voted for Mr. Obama taking him at his word on his pledges of openness in government. We HOPED he would also cut wasteful programs and get us out of the mideast war sooner. He has done NONE of those things that I can see.
Is he a drag on Democrats? Well, they have pretty well painted themselves into a corner, as the Republicans did 15 years ago, with their arrogance and mistrust of openness in government. Any damage Mr. Obama could do is secondary to the damage done by their own behavior.
Best example in my opinion. is VP Biden holding a closed meeting on "Government Transparency" two weeks ago...how tone-deaf can you get?
Gee wiz Jack, why don't we worry about getting the most qualified person elected in each race instead of what party they represent. If we don't change the quality of our representatives in Washington, the rest won't matter.
The party with the White house almost always lags in mid-term elections. This year should be no different.
The Republicans have been running against Nanci Pelosi since 2006. It certainly didn't help them the last two times. I think its fair to say that she's got a ways to go to catch up to Newt Gingrich and Tom Delay in terms of "hideous" unpopularity.
With him being more of a Centtrist, I'd say hurt Dem's chances in 2010, which by then we actually be out from underneath Bush's Great Recession.
I agree that the Repubs need to be careful. Generally, the public does not personally dislike Obama, but they absolutely dislike his policies which are closely aligned with Pelosi and Reid. Contrary to what the liberal media says, people vote based upon policiy positions, not personality quirks.
It will hurt them, Jack, but not so much as the Democrats own ineffectiveness of trying to get things done. Republicans are going to run on an anti-Pelosi, anti-Reid message and sadly it will stick. No one likes the way Congress is operating these days. Who is in charge? Democrats. Even with their majorities, nothing is getting done. Democrats are not excited over their candidates. Independents are sick of them. Republicans hate them. Simple math, Jack.
He helped them to get elected; now, it is up to them to make American people satisfied and get elected.
obama will hurt democrats. After obama not providing any change as promised and seeing the greed on wall street and k street continue, the voters will blame obama since he is the leader of the democratic party.
I believe that Obama may hurt some of the candidates if they don't go on their on merits. They must be able to stand alone and communciate to the people actually what they will do for the problems that we have. If they stand firm on their own convictions Obama can't hurt them.
Janice
Mobile Al
On Friday, the President showed the world what the republicans are made of. He answered their questions with knowledge and facts. The American people saw what the republicans will do if they are in the majority.
The President succeeded in embarassing the republican party with this knowledge of the issues. We don't need the party of NO running Congress.
The President will have little or no effect. The Dem's in Congress have proven to be so lame that Mother Teresa couldn't even help them.
Hi Jack,
Wow, the President's party in a majority situation losing midterm elections to the minority... that's never happened before. It's sickening how the people have strung up Obama because he didn't turn enough water into wine, now they want the GOP back because things were going SO well under their watch. What a fickle bunch.
Pres. Obama will hurt Democrates in midterm elections. Obama has gone so far to the left that I along with many other people I know will be voting Republican if nothing else but to equalize the situation.
I suppose most Americans are not overly conservative or liberal, somewhere in between, if you will. The prior administration was too far right, they were voted out; Mr. Obama's administration is going too far left. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out: it's down the middle! It matters not whether Mr. Obama helps his fellow dems or not. The damage has been done already and the American people are tuned.
Bert, St. Louis
Actually, it can still go either way. If the president pulls a rabbit out of his hat and manages, against the odds, to enact some popular piece of legislature, then mid-term results are anybody's guess. But they won't heavily favor the Democrats no matter what happens. On the other hand, if Obama stays his current course, the mid-term elections are likely to be a very serious problem for the progressives.
He should help, but as usual, we the voters don't want to know anything that is painful, you know, like the truth!! Republicans have done well at damning Obama since he took office, by simply saying No to everything and offering us nothing in return. To say they'll reduce taxes tells us nothing, not where it will hurt (and it will), or who will pay the price (the average, joe-blow worker). Dems have stood by and done nothing but holler at each other – no wonder they now look as stupid as Repubs. Personally I think Obama should have ran as an independent and then told both parties to go, figure out if they stand for turning things around, and then come back and join the fight!
If I were running for the 1st time I don't believe I would want this guy standing next to me telling the people to trust in this man he is great! If I were running for re-election the same thing applies, but even more so. I believe that I would retire and go into private business far away from Obama. The guy is a virus of problems. He knows how to read a telepromp, but not much ability to lead this country. As I have stated many times before, this guy is a puppet on a string. Let's go out and get his puppeteers! They are the ones that are running our country. They are the ones that are ripping it apart. They are the ones that we need to get rid of and now. If they fall, then Obama drops to a pile of wood and string! I also like how he was upset over that dude saying he lied. Just the other day he told the repub senate people they lied. Is his saying that any different than the other guy saying it to him?
Jack, at present he will hurt Dems in the mid-term elections. We cannot vote on HIS performance until 2012 (primaries or general election); so Dems in Congress must take the hit as they share his arrogance and obtuseness. That's the real first "O" in Obama.
Stan, expat in Budapest.
Jack I do not beleive that The president will hurt Dems all that much.
because all one has to do is look at the just say no obstructionist of the GOP. Besides any reasonable person will understand that the man has only been in office for one year trying to undo eight years of incalcuble damage that was done to our economy,The lost of esteem around the world and the fact that they in all of thier greed rapidly turned the Clinton surpluses into deficits. But I may be wrong. After all they voted in George Bush.....Twice.
Hi Jack,
Writing to you from Gendale, Arizona. President Obama will hurt fellow Democrats if he campaigns for them. Especially with we the independents.
Obama will hurt his parties chances – OUCH!
I expect the Democrats may take some licks but I wouldnt vist that upon Obama. If the voters want a party that is in lockstep with one another then they probably should vote Republican. The problem with the last year is not Obama – its the Democratic Congress being true to their creed. - " Im not a member of any organized political party. Im a Democrat. .
President Obama's impact on the mid-term election will be greatly influenced by the approach he takes to difficult problems. Big spending without significantly eliminating waste will hurt the Democrats. While at the same time Republicans who can only articulate what they are against will help the President.
Ed
Corning, NY
Jack, As someone from Illinois, "YOU BETCHA!!!". Except for Governor(a seat as hot as burning iron) this state is poised to become one of the Red-est states around. Why, there's even talk that Daley may be ousted in the next election(!!!). Who knows, maybe Hell is getting ready to freeze over, the troops will be home for Christmas, and all will be well again. Layne A. Antioch, Il.
Does it really matter? Whoever wins the election will only continue to worry about their own success and not that of the country. This has been and will continue to be the story of our political system until there finally is a significant third party.
The bloom is off the rose. The Democratic candidates will be on their own in the coming elections. In fact, they might well want to distance themselves from Obama as much as possible. They will be forced to run on their own record and must carefully sense the public's pulse on the main issues facing this country.
I think Pres. Obama Has help Democrats. There are Democrats right now hurting the party because, they are not aggressive along side with Pres. Obama fight for healthcare. The Republicans are the party of No. But, some Democrats are “Democrap” who needs to leave the party.
Slim
Seattle, WA
The incumbents always get hit hard in a downturn. Obama may get swept into the populous cross hairs. If things don't improve in the coming months Obama will surely be to blame.
Auburn, AL
Not sure if he will help or hurt at this point. Not knowing what the healthcare legislation really included has been very unpopular due to lack of communication by President Obama, and we only heard GOP scare tactics like in 1994 when GOP took control of Congress.
Hopefully the American voters are smart enough to remember what the Bush and GOP Congress did to our surplus, our jobs, our taxes, our medical coverage for the past 8 years and what they did with 60 million of tax payers dollars investigating President Clinton the 8 years before that !!!
Obama will do as any other president or popular political figure does. He will hurt in some areas and help in others. Its no different than in previous years with Bush, Clinton, Bush Sr. etc etc etc. The opposing party will always try to put the sitting president or member up in a negative light, though of course its much more effective if the figure is unpopular in that area.
I think a large part of this question will be decided by the action that happens within the coming months. Again, not the talk, but the action. There has been some action, but there has been more talk on BOTH sides, and now something needs to be done, and actions need to be taken to push towards the goals of the administration, and/of against it if that is your view. If Obama becomes successful in some of his proposals and agenda items, then it will likely help in primarily democratic areas, though probably not so much in primarily Republican areas. As always, the focus will be the independant voters, and those will depend, as I said, on the actions of the next few months.
no Jack Obama won't hurt the Democrats – the democrats and their inability to get anything done will hurt them. The only people who get less done are the republican party of "NO"!! But americans have a short memory and will forget that 8 years of Bush and 6 of a republican congress got us into this mess, I guess those tax cutting, trickle down economics didn't work out so well for the middle class, 2 unpaid for wars and a huge medicare drug program for our seniors – again unpaid for didn't help either. Bush got his banker friends richer but the middle class is paying the price with lost jobs and foreclosures – bring back regulations!!
If he turns out to be a drag, it will mean that the American people have traded reason for fear. He seems to be the only person in Washington with the courage to take on the task of solving problems as opposed to being popular with a shallow electorate who feast on sound bites and name calling. He has in fact been very consistent with his campaign promises, but difficult choices are not our legislature's strong suit.
jack,
no one can hurt a democrat, like a democrat. unfortunately we dont' all fall into line like lemmings and we value diversity. being that as it may, we get what we need for change,( a majority ), and we, the democrats, stand in the way of progress. americans deserve what they get, one year after the most inept administration in history, they clamor for more of the same old dogma, small government, no regulation, no taxes, party of god creeps that got us into this mess. replacing good jobs with $10 hour jobs for the masses is the best they can produce, and the average american will pay more than anyone in the world for prescriptions. so..we have no one to blame but ourselves...everyone agrees..we are in a big mess..but no one..wants to pay for anything..so when you do what you've always done..you'll get what you've always got !!
The office of the President of the USA bwas not founded to help or hinder any political party, nor the inflated EGO of some TV host.. So what is the point of your question? You know When the gov purchased the Nortwest territory along with the Louis. purchase many like you ralied that the cost would break this country The gov gave all this land away to swttlers.Dumb hey Railroads were built by the feds Builders were deeded 1 mile of land on either side of the right of way + a huge bonus to woever finished the 1st trans continet rail all with fed money God if only you were here then and oh the milage those like you would have gotten from the purchase of Al. the list goes on and on and on.but why bother You will just deep six this and never read it alone much less over the air.You could naver think that you may be on the wrong side of an issue. NOT the great Cafferty
I am so disgusted with the whole thing from the Democrat and Republican side. They are going to behave like spoiled brats, saying look at me, look at me, and on and on.
Well, look at the seniors. No increase in Social Security either and the reason was given as CPI did not go up and the cost of living did not go up. How dumb do they think older people are? Age doesn't mean our brains mildew. The cost of living has gone up (groceries, gas, etc.) and the wages are stagnant, and unemployment is high.
Oh, the question was whether Obama will help or hurt the parties? That all depends on how intelligent they act and if they can speak English instead of political rhetoric. What do you think, Jack. My bet is no and we need to vote them all out, regardless of party and see if the newly elected catch on.to what is important.
I forgot to mention that buying Health insurance across state lines is stupid, since the companies are set up individually, but report to the head office nationwide. An example is Blue Cross Blue Shield. Al;so, they determine premiums based on how sick people are in your county.
I know you didn't ask about this, but it's all related.
He should be able to help them, if not there is no need for him to run for a second term.
he will hurt them, already three elections and three defeats for the democrats, ,When will Obama take off the blinders and realize americans are in a foul mood about his policies and government.
steve touma
paris france
The onlt thing that will help Obama and the Democrates this Fall is if the economy improves and jobs come back. If this does,t happen–so long Demos
Jack,
Can you say "ouch!"
If he turns out to be a drag, it will mean that the American people have traded reason for fear. He seems to be the only person in Washington with the courage to take on the task of solving problems as opposed to being popular with a shallow electorate who feast on sound bites and name calling. He has in fact been very consistent with his campaign promises, but difficult choices are not our legislature's strong suit. John Weatherly
Eugene, OR
Jack, the president still have capital....the party knows exactly where we want to go and why we elected this president.....the Dems that are up for election and re-election this year may be the Drag on him....they need to grow some Guts, or it's time for a new breed of Dems. Our country is 30 light years out of step with the world, and the world is steadily moving while we waste our money on Wars and our energy on Division. We know why we elected this president!
Sara (notthatSarah)
Georgia
I don't believe so. President Obama successfully placed a lot of pressure on Republicans to put their money where their mouths are. When the opportunity arises for the GOP to submit better ideas to solve our nation's problems, the GOP will not be able to adequately respond, prompting more protests from Conservatives. This will further split the Republican party, preventing them from building strong campaign alliances and preventing them from winning.
I think you're wrong. I think Obama needs to go on the offense against the republicans in every state that matters. Not for the poltiics, but to get the country out of the grips of inertia, which will only increase with a congress more divided.
Yes. He will help some, those diehard Democratic politicians in states like. Massachsetts, Virginia, and New Jersey as he already has. He will hurt those in states like Nevada and California. The blue dogs are tiptoeing through the tulips on their way to 1010 elections. What Obama does in the next 3-4 months and how much force (ala Pelosi arm twisting) he applies. He stlll doesn't seem to understand that the American citizens are angry at him, Congress, and state and local politicians.
Jack,
Regardless of who is in office, I can't help but think that with the turmoil our country is in, their respective party will suffer. There is no quick fix for the dilemna we are facing. Between the national debt, the economic crisis, a crumbling infrastructure, the housing crunch, health care, the war in Afghanistan, etc. we are in dire straits. Unfortunately everybody wants all of their respective problems handled as a top priority. That just isn't possible. Add to that the partisan politics that we are inundated with and you have a first class mess.
How could the President hurt them, if none of these candidate have a true commiment to Democratic values they dont deserve to win, the democrats say one thing and do nothing at least the republicians are consistently always wrong.
Richmond, California
Just wait out and you'll know.
Are you kidding me? With how fast the American people forget, we'll be sweeping the house and the Senate in November when this economy comes roaring back.
I can't wait to see your story then Mr. Cafferty.
Jack, This simple word association exercise says it all:
Obamapelosi is to Democrat politicians as Kryptonite is to Superman.
does it matter? the greatness of this country is that the gov't gets out of the way to allow people to chase their dreams. I pin no hopes on a politician or a party. My life, my fate, my success is up to me. It's disgusting to me that people actually give away their power and responsibility to their party or President.
Depends...if BO, Pelosi and Co. keep pushing their HC, C&T and other costly(to the taxpayer) items, along with bribes and back room deals, the Prez would be best suited to hiding under his desk until the shock waves pass. His recent track record in the states you mentioned should give him an idea...but you never know.
To the contrary, I think the president needs to get out among the people more. He has a tough challenge, because he has to overcome the waves of misinformation and rumor that the opposition spews constantly. He is very effective at doing that, and with enough effort, I think he can show that what he and his party are doing is making a return to government that is based on reason, not mindless shouting.
Jack,
I guess we will find out after the midterms.....No one really knows. However, I will say the R will be crawling out of the woodwork like they did back in 2000 and look where that got us.
Are you kidding... He has already hurt democrats in Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts. It’s possible that his endorsement or passive support will destroy a candidates chances in November.
What difference does it make honestly, Jack?
Each politician should stand on his/her own two feet. Political party should have NOTHING to do with who you vote into office. Who is the most capable and fit for the office?
Is Obama's popularity supposed to determine which Congressional candidates get elected? If so, then that is detrimental to democracy and just plain sad.
Max, Los Angeles
Not nearly as much of a drag as listening to cable news berate him day in and day out. it's really hard to get any facts when you have to sift through all the punditry.
I definitly he'll help fellow Democrats more than anything! He's the Commander In Cheif and who wouldn't want President Obama to campaign and speak at events? I would! President Obama, Vice President Biden, and First Lady Michelle have done everything they can to hold this nation together and they've done that so far and Im so proud of them so why wouldn't they be able to help fellow Democrats Jack?
Scott Stodden (Freeport,Illinois)
I'd say he will hurt fellow democrats. Especially after the double-speak with concerns on reducing the deficit then submitting an eye-popping budget. As that battle looms it will bring more focus onto his incompetence.
I expect due to his overall poplarity Pres Obama in general will be a help, although the Democrats will still lose some seats. Even more of help to Democrats is the Massachusetts wake-up call. They lost that senate seat due to arrogance and over confidence. The only thing they could have done worse was to put a helmet on Martha Coakley and put her in an Abrams tank.
Obama will be a huge liability to the Democrats in November. He has a huge credibility problem because of his tendency to say one thing and do the opposite as well as a very radical and unpopular agenda. The voters will also remember that Democrats in Congress voted in lockstep with a President who is inept and out of touch with the American people.
David Packett
Richmond, Va.
He's three for three, why change now?
With 9 months until the polls open, questions regarding potential voter sentiment go beyond the realm of speculation. Ask again in 8 1/2 months.
Obama will be a disaster for his party in the mid terms.
Like the budget spending, We will not get bank bonuses under control unless we freeze them at current levels for three years starting next year!
Based on what the nation has witnessed in the most recent tightly
contested races Obama will not only hurt fellow Democrats, he'll mortally wound them politically. His political capital has turned into political liability.
This Fall, instead of asking him to campaign for them, Democratic
politcians will be begging Obama to stay away.
Brant in Atlanta
Absolutely NOT!
When you moonlight, you are not as rested and therefore not as sharp when you show up at your primary job (which in this case is protecting US!!!!!).
Also, in these times of high employment, I think we should NOT allow them to moonlight. Let someone who does NOT have a job take this opportunity!
Throw in Reid, Pelosi and Frank along with the rest of the clowns and you have a real circus.
Pres. Obama can't help the Dems because he's blamed for everything under the sun.People would tie him to bad weather if they could. Anyone with a brain can see the GOP has no intentions of helping him with anything, but they're missing the fact that there are some within the Democratic party that don't want to see him succeed either.While they're tring to hold Pres. Obama down they stay down too.If the divergence within the the party continue and they don't have anything to show for their time in office, they will lose.And you best believe they will try to blame Pres. Obama but it'll be their fault and their fault alone.
I am an independent.
I did not vote for Obama.
I didn't much like voting for McCain.
I believe Independents and many Democrats have grown disillusioned with Obama's overreaching and ill-conceived policies.
While some of his goals may be laudable, following are two examples of where he and his Congressional allies just can't see the elephant in the room – no matter how big the elephant gets:
1. Health Care. Great cause. Bad approach. Strapping businesses with mandates and penalties for not insuring workers didn't make sense. Why should employee-centric firms be saddled with the burden of health care? Obama should have instead pushed for a national Health Care VAT tax. That way, even firms with few employees that in many cases make far more than those with many would also shoulder the burden, as would everyone else. Anti business policies equals doom for the Democrats.
2. Raising taxes on "wealthy" Americans and businesses. Bad approach. Most companies are small. Wealthy Americans and small business owners will hire less people in order to preserve income. Instead, Obama should have created a payroll tax holiday. He should have spoken to creating a more business friendly environment. For example – he should have pushed for the adoption of the English system regarding lawsuits: You Sue – You Lose – You Pay.
The list goes on.
It is for reasons like this that the Democrats simply can't win on their most beloved agendas. They don't have the guts to tell their constituents what it will take to get businesses hiring.
People do not understand that President Obama is under a lot of stress. Granted there may be a couple of mistakes he's made, but he learns and has learned from them. I still believe in Obama and right now is not the time for anybody to be pointing the finger to Obama. He will not hurt the Dems. Give the man some time, these problems can't be solved overnight, or even in a year. There are some risks and sacrifices that HAVE to be made, deal with it people. some people are quick to criticize, but yet they don't ever think what it would be like if they were in his shoes. For him to be under this much stress, he's doing great.
Probably hurt, people are idiots. Republicans will do something stupid before too long & find themselves out of favor agian. I have to give props to the Democrats though for colossally screwing up in less than a year.
From,
A very dissapointed Democrat.
Hmm! Help the GOP by campaigning for the Dems or... Actually he might do better if he would STOP CAMPAIGNING! I thought we elected a President not a non-stop campaign.
Help. Obama is the best thing to happen to the Republican Party since Bill Clinton.
Jack,
Who cares! Some Dems are as crooked as some Reps. The people of the US need to weed out the deadbeats. The party system has run it's course, it needs to be "the best qualified individual who can produce results gets the job". That's democracy not party1 vs party2 the competition wastes everyones' time & millions $$$ on bickering. The new campaign slogan – "Dump The Chumps"
Jack, he'll do nothing short of helping everyone he touches. He's the new Jesus.
The bailouts were signed intio law by Bush. The republicans will try and tie it to Obama. Ofcourse the voters are stupid, thye expect Obama to fix 8 years of republican screw up in 1 year.
Gerald from Tampa, FL.:
No one individual politician should be a determining factor if another politican gets elected or not. Each candidate should be elected or no based on their own merits.
Help. Obama is speaking the truth. The Republicans are winning at this point because they keep on repeating the lies over and over again, which as know know becomes truth to some people. Obama just needs to expose these lies like he did when he went toe to toe with 140 republicans, and you will see the democrats will come on top.
I think he will help only if he learns to stand up to the" Just Say No" GOP.So far he has fallen into their trap by touting pie-in-the-sky bi-partisanship while seeing them undermine his agenda at every opportunity.If Dems do not wake up to the fact that they are the party in power, come next election, they may not be.
Well, if one is from a State where there are high tech, high science and high complexity jobs and sees that this administration's ideas of high science are only associated with global warming....well then run away from him as fast as you can. E.g. the just announced cutting out NASA's advance manned space program planning. This after NASA has really kissed ass on the global warming issue. Obama will cut NASA manned moon missions under the cover of budget and deficit issues. This from an administration that has wanted more and more federal spending. Obama seems to lack a bit of credibility. When he shows up to campaign for your local candidate, look for that sign on his back that says: "I want to outsource U.S. space program jobs to Russia". I thought outsourcing was a Republican trick.
both parties have gotten too far to the extremes. They both need to come back to the middle, where the majority of us live. I think we will see more independent candidates rise up. I am sick of 'party politics" . They all need to open their eyes, look at the problems and find the best soultion, wether it agrees with the party or not. Congress is the problem, not so much Obama.
Hi Jack
Dems already hurted themselves when they support Obama since they believed his talking skill can win (and yes he won). But now come to the part of doing the job ... they forgot that part. So it is up to Dems themselves to help Pres Obama to do the good job or .... Please note that Pres is always the same, always give good speeches and that he is.
I think Jack they'll be making a huge mistake. The steps the President is making now are going to bring him back in a huge way. They'll be shooting themselves in the foot and at least make it more difficult for their candidates. 10 months is a long time in politics.
If his past attempts at involvement are any indication, he better stay the heck away. Every time he appears it gos sour real quick!
Yes Obama is a huge liability to any politician seeking re-election. His policies have been overwhelming rejected by the American public and he either refuses to see this or he just don't give a damn what the public wants. So yes he is a huge liabliability for Dem candidates and they would be smart to send him elsewhere-anywhere but with them.
Way to early to tell whether the president is a liability. 10 months is a millenium in politics. Let's wait and see. I think the anger from these elections is based on the economy and not because the Republicans have any new ideas to save the country. The Republicans ideas are always to have tort reform and tax cuts. That won't cut it. There days of getting milegage out of those ideas are over.
From what I can see he is the only one with a backbone and a brain. He can only help, even when he is trying to talk to the always dense American voter.
He will only hurt them if he campaigns for them. Look at New Jersey, Virginia, and Massachusetts. Where ever he shows up, the Democrats lose.
Red oak, IA
It should not make any difference if Obama campaigns. People should vote for a person on what he runs for, not if he is popular. That is what has us in this mess now. Listen to the candidate and decide if he stands for what you believe is what you want.
If I was a Democrat and running, I would want him to stay far away from me. It really wouldn't make a difference. The Democrat incumbents will most likely be voted out of office anyway. Goodbye Reid and Pelosi. I cannot wait.
I for one will still be voting democrat. Republicans in my eyes have done nothing to convince me that they are the right party for me. they are the party of no, and block everything that obama has tried to get accomplished. any of the big stuff that is. republicans also have the wrong ideas for where this country wants to go, people do want change, but change with republicans is more of the same. i want to see massive reforms throughout everything in america. america needs a 21st century outlook, not a 19th century mentality.
By the time the mid-terms are here, the President in my opinion will help the democrats. Personally I am sick of the party of NO getting any positive press and expect their continued unwillingness to work with our President to solve the nations problems to be their achilles heel.
President Obama will hurt the democrats if he dont stop worrying about 2012 and worry about today. It seems he really knows how to give a speech, this will get old after awhile. We need help now not 2012.
jack, i hope president obama doesn't hurt democrats in the coming elections of 2010 but usually the party in power at mid term elections loses seats in the senate and house of represenitives,so i will not be supprised if they lose seats in both of those places
Democrates will spend their way to the ground and they do not even know it. Please stop their crazy way of spending and wasteful way of
doing things. Pelosi and Reed should be removed from the power.
They are no good for the country, only create a wellfare state.
If they keep up the same way of spending, American will become a second rate country in no time. No doubt about it.
Please stop their madness of wasting money and spending like no tomorrow.
As an Illinois resident who will go to the polls tomorrow for the primary, the President is only relevant in that he represents the bankruptcy of the current political system in putting forward candidates who won't put their personal interests before those of the electorate (meaning the chance to profit personally from graft, or through campaign finance). President Obama was remarkably quiet while the numerous scandals in his party and the Republican Party rippled through State and local governments. The only thing that I think is certain is that I wouldn't want to be an incumbent hoping to keep my office, Democrat or Republican, no one is happy with the job either party has done.
Since I am from Wisconsin and in a district where there are 7 republicans running against the incumbant democrat I would guess Mr Obama may not want to make an appearance to support the incumbantThe republicans will do almost anytnhing to win this seat in the House including negative tactics if necessary as long as they are not outright illegal. The main difficulty is that the incumbant has done a fine job while in the officem unlike the previous republican that held the seat, . It will be a bitter contest with millions being spent for advertising. Obama is best to just stay away from this state for this election.
Those things they are trying to tie to the President are actually good policies designed to do good. The media however has done a good job of portraying it as if the President is on some crazy train to nowhere by giving every Republican that will come on ample time to spread false info without being checked. That's why nothing good will come out of it. Obama can assist anyone of them if he goes there and tells the truth that Washington is filled with nothing but schmucks that just want to kill everything, make him look bad so they can elect republicans who already screwed everybody over and probably will do it again.
He has the unique ability to help or hurt either party. But look at how much changed in the past year, it is too early to tell.
Obama has done a magnificent job in his first year keeping the country out of a depression that would have rivaled the one in the 1930s. If folks cannot see that, they are fools. I suggest that CNN look into the funding of these so-called tea party groups that seemed to get so much media time these days. I voted Republican for years since Ronald Reagan, but President Obama is the right man for the job at the right time as was FDR.
Democrats stand with our President and our goals for inclusion will be achieved. The Republicans have one thing going for them....They are self serving and do not care about about those without. They sat like bumps on a log, showing no emotion or support for a President who has reached out to them. Their snide comments with racial overtones reflect that which, I encountered as a young black girl on a church outing......"We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone."
Help, the idea of a Democratic president will assist the notion to vote Democratic in your district.
The case in Massachusetts recently was due to the competion sport which is played instead of a true and functional election. "Battle of the century: Democratic Super Majority, the party incumbent verse the underdog running man... Sunday Sunday Sunday..." The people played a sport and thus defeated the Super Majority: because it was more of a threat to Republicans, than a concern or want of Democrats.
This silly game at the party is the reason you elect... What did you call them earlier... Morons... The party as a whole has no respect for Civilization. Not nationally or globally.
Omama will hurt fellow Democrats in November. He is overconfident and displays arrogance at times. I wish he would stop acting like a campaigner and and get out of the media spotlight long enough to focus on the real needs of the country. from New Jersey.
Well Jack it depends mostly on how soon will the recovery take place, if people start seeing job creation and positive results of his policies he will be the beloved "Yes we can" President. If he fails to deliver till November he will be the communist, deficit building "where is the Change You've promised" Republicans punching bag.
Come on Jack – you are less partisan than this – what a way to fram the question. Obama will NOT be a drag on the mid terms. People who don't pay attention and believe some pundits sound bites repeated over and over then vote are the danger.
Obama campaigning for Democrats will be the most powerful campaign asset the Republicans will have.
Pelosi & Reid and Obama's adgenda for National Socialism will guarantee that he will be a one term failed president, history will rank him lower than Carter.
Proposing a 1.6 Trillion dollar budget deficit for 2010 is reason enough for every voter in America to throw all of these Treasonous leaders out of office and into jail. Here's a tip for a winning campaign slogan to anyone wanting to get elected, "BALANCE THE BUDGET NOW!"
Obama won't help or hurt and this too will be viewed as a negative and spinned by the GOP and a few cowardly dems against the president. The truth of the matter is that every mid-term election is against the pundits. It's the voters chance to takeout the sitting electorate or majority and place new blood. The president is doing a great job with what he has to work with or against! He can not walk on water and to punish him for it is adbominable!! Just as he got tough with the republicans, i wish that he would get even tougher with a few dems and let the chips fall where they may!
Meh, it's a combination of unrealistic expectations, corporate bribery (oops, I mean lobbying), congressional intransigence and clueless 'sheeple'. Government is broken. We have what we have paid for.
He will hurt the Democrats. And it will be a great day for this country.
He'll definitely help. Anybody who watched the videotaped meeting last week between President Obama and the Republican caucus saw what a well-informed, thoughtful, authentic and respectful leader America has in this President.
My question to you Jack: Why are the media assisting Republicans in bringing him down?
Fellow democrats will neither be hurt not be helped by Obama in the midterm elections because whatever is happenning or not happening in Obama's administration is not because of him. It is because of fellow democrats themselves. They need to let their and our leader do something that would bring the 'change' that he had promised to the American people.
Jack, really a little early to say, either way. If things keep going the way they are, the damage done to date will cost the Democrats big time. If they somehow manage to get some jobs, the outlook gets better, and the impact gets smaller. If the jobless rate goes up, they are TOAST! They could be facing a Republican House and a very small majority in the Senate, all of which is good for the country, bad for the Liberal agenda.
Jack, I think that Obama will do both. I think that if Obama wants his party to withstand the 2010 elections he should focus on the two coasts and stay out of the south and mid-west. It might also help if he would stop spending our money so liberally and lavishly. I know most Americans have changed their spending habits over the past two years, it would be nice if our president would do the same.
Warmest regards
Will
It all depends on if Obama can pull a rabbit out of the hat anytime soon.
First of all, they weren't stunning loses. Martha hardly even worked toward a victory in Mass. and the election in New Jersey was to be expected with the criminal element being exposed in their govt., and Virginia has always been conservative.
yes he will hurt the dems because he still hasn't addressed the regular people like the seniors and the disabled who did not get a raise even though because of the ice storms food is increasing and gas prices are going up let alone the little towns cost of natural gas has greatly gone up because of the ice storms and it doesn't help seeing him on tv having all these high priced galas to which is so rich in nature it offends the hardworking who is struggling to eat and he just seems not to worried and why should he be he gets his money and so until he can scale down his lifesyle on "TV" and at least try to understand it's not going to be good for the democrats as it someone i heard the other day it's not the democrats it's the" democraps" who are causing the problems now so own up to it.
Hi Jack –
Just like the Vegas Football Oddmakers who bet on trends ... this is not a trend that Democrats will like looming in the background. At the present time, Mr. President is 0 Wins against 3 losses (Virginia, New Jersey & Massachussetts).
The Odds are not in the Democrats favor.
Des Moines, Iowa
They've gotten themselves into a hole, per BO's lead. At the SOTU he made that hole seem somewhat lucrative. Any scramblers trying to get out of the hole will be seen as indecisive.
If they don't hang together, they will most assuredly hang individually.
Given that we have no idea what will happen in the mid-term elections, it is clearly just a waste of time to speculate. People clearly are influenced by emotions, not facts, in making up their mind. That is why we should try very hard to elect centrists and leave the conservatives and liberals on the sideline, carping away as usual. We don't need a third party, we need responsible democrats and republicans. BOTH democratic party and republican party ideas have merit, equal merit. The balance is what is important. Right now the republican party is embarrassing.
November,2010 is a lifetime in politics. Obama ended the year with 57% approval rating and 75% of the voters liking him.
Considering the fact we have 10% unemployment that isn't bad. I believe Obama rounded the curve with his State of the Union Speech and his Q&A with the Republican House members.
I believe his economic program is making positive results in several sectors and unemployment. This last quarter has grown the most in the last five years.
I believe that by summer Obama will be requested to campaign with most Democrats.
Considering waht he walked into i believe that President Obama has done a great job.
He will hurt people in districts that have major prejudice issues. He will not in districts where the good of the Nation is the primary issue.
Hi Jack,
Well, I believe that the President has already hurt fellow Democrats, & it is just the start of a big change in both the House & Senate – UNLESS the incumbent Democrats distance themselves from some of Obama's policies & make sure no health care vote happens before the 2010 mid-terms. Any vote in favor of the current, albiet tweeked health care bill, will be a nail in their coffin come election day. Also, they better watch government spending & better come up with some REAL jobs progress, or they will be seeing Blue for the next 2 yrs.
It depends Jack. If he campaigns the way he did in VA, NJ and MA; they're toast. If he hides in an undisclosed location, they have a chance.
This lieing president cant tell the truth he lives in his qwn world and doesnt care what we think of course communist thinking president is not noemal for our country I cNT THINK OF A WORST PERSON TO HEAD OF GOVERMENT
If Democrats can look busy without pushing their unpopular ideas for the next few months, they may still be able to ride on Obama's charisma.
Jack for me right now it's all about perceptions. President Obama went into his first year promoting hope and change with a very full agenda. I believe he tried to achieve too much for example the health care debacle while the economy is still tanking.The loss of Ted Kennedy's seat to a republican I believe could be catastrophic for the democrats.The perception now is that he's a weakened leader trying to do too much and the republicans will take full advantage of this present situation. I wish him well and like him personally, but his top priority should and still be the economy and jobs. Health care and both wars should take a back seat for the next year.
I think the Congress is having a negative impact on the President. You have it backwards. Until they can right their own ship; they'll take everyone down with them; including the President and the rest of us!
I certainly think that the president could hurt the Democrats in the mid-term election. But I also think that it if the economy starts to turn around, things could not be as bad as they seem right now. Now, if the jobs don't come, the Democrats will have an ugly Fall!
Mr. Obama is the Democratic equivalent of Sarah Palin. He incompetence is showing. He is weak and ineffective. I voted democratic for years. I am no longer a democrat, I am a independent.
Ask him!
I've been waiting for this type of question for a while now...
Could Obama hurt the democrats in the midterm elections? Maybe. But who cares. The outcome of the midterm elections will not blow wind into anyones sails.
You should see how the wind blows over here.
We (my family and I) are US Citizens living in Switzerland, not too far from Davos. Its quite sad to see how the attendants at the WEF are dealing with America's financial earthquakes. You should have witnessed it. After the Bush era, we know what hurt means, trust me. So did world and business leaders at the WEF. The banking system over here is in disarray. Climate Change policies have failed because we were sleeping. Health care in the US costs double as much as in Switzerland. Forget about jobs. There are none.
So, why don't ask this question, Jack.
Considering that our former president had his pink sun glasses on for too long, what is the price we (I mean us as a whole, Democrats and Republicans, you, I, my family, world citizens) have had to pay from the aftershock of the Bush era?
Perhaps we should learn how to open our eyes and ask ourselves what really matters, Jack. And learn from our mistakes.
How on earth are we ever going to get out of this mess, otherwise.
Like the SNL skit–he really hasn't done much except talk and travel and talk somemore. Soon he will be raising taxes on everything and with that, he will be on shakey ground in many states. As tmes continue to get tougher for most people it will soon become his fault...not GW's. I voted for him and he talks a big game but when its game time–he is still talking.
It depends on what happens between now and the midterm elections. The political landscape will change a lot between now and then. If the economy continues to get better and we actually see jobs being created bcause of it then candidates associating with Obama will gain significantly from it. If we continue to see gridlock in congress and the democrats don't start getting things done then people will see them as weak and vote them out.
Help or hurt? It really depends on the individual and how their thought process works. President Obama has brought many issues to the fore front that have been swept under the rug for years by republicans and democrats alike. He's essentially laid some our biggest problems as a nation right out on the table and says "here they are!" Facing them and solving them may be a huge task but at least we get a serious reality check at the garbage pile we've created. For the voter who realizes that these are our problems and we need to collectively attack them their votes will probably help Obama (or vice versa). For the American who wants to pull up to the drive thru and get a McFix they'll probably turn away from the dems. I just hope the number of the former outweighs the latter.
Jack,
To borrow a phrase "it's the economy stupid!" And according to the Heritage Foundation: "The public national debt is projected to double by 2012 and nearly triple by 2019. Thus, America would accumulate more government debt under President Obama than under every President in American history from George Washington to George W. Bush combined."
This will cause massive inflation and a devaluation of the dollar. The resulting destruction of the purchasing power of the dollar will effect everyone from Wall Street to Main Street and the public is beginning to see this.
Obama promised hope and change. What he's delivering unfortunately is despair and economic destruction. 2010 will be a sea change because of this.
I think it is immeterial whether he helps or hurts fellow Dems because as whole the entire lot of them is so myopic (which should be spelled meopic for the the dems) that they will continue to run out and vote for every liberal that promises they can work less and earn more. The spirit of entitlement is rampant in this country and the even more shocking part of the spirit is that it comes on the heels of war, financial down turn, loss of jobs etc... But, never fail, they will continue to parade it around on the shoulders of the nearest Republican and then complain cause there is no more money to spread around! If only the Republicans could come up with a good looking guy who could read off of the teleprompter and then be fairly charismatic during his State Of the Union Speech, wasn't 70 and wasn't forced to run a model on his platform! Better stop before I have to share my words too!
He will pull down the Democrats.
The writing is on the wall. No socialism , nobama .
President Obama will hurt Democrats in the upcoming election. He's starting to be just as "persona nongrata" as Bush had become. Shocking! Who would have thought it!
The President is tackling the issues that he campaigned for. In reality, everyone knows that he and his agenda mean well for the country. Let us reduce to the lowest term the party politics and parochialism from the composite equation that will help solve the problems facing the nation and the world by supporting President Obama.
I think going after the President would not be a wise strategy for the Republicans – they should stick to the incumbent Democratic Congress.
Yes, they should pay attention to the polls – the ones that show that his approval rating is still a lot higher than theirs.
Will Pres. Obama help or hurt fellow Democrats in the midterm elections?
Obama will help the Democrats. Especially now that he has found his voice.
The GOP really hated that Obama met with them while they were on their lobby paid outting to Hawaii and called them on the carpet on live tv.
Transparency is a wonderful thing unless your a Republican who was spanked by the president!
Jenna
Roseville CA
It should help but it wont. I dont think it is a Democrat / Republican thing anymore. People are sick of everything and the only thing they can do is just vote whoever is in.
Both parties should give their campaign contributions to charity. Whoever gives the most, wins the election.
I love Obama's sincereity. I would vote for him again in a heartbeat.
Jack, I do believe that Pres. Obama will hurt fellow Democrats due to the fact most Democrats still cling to the president's cult of personality like a child cling's to a stuffed animal.
We can only hope it drags the Democrats down. Love or hate the Republicans, one party domination isn't good for the country. If memeory serves me correctly, that's what all the Democrats were screaming about in 2002-2006. I wonder if they agree now...
James
Houston, Texas
Whats to hurt?? Unless the Republicans start to introduce TRUE legislation that can be voted on in both houses......they will shoot themslelves in the foot. Who in their right minds would vote for legislators who refuse to legislate??? All the minority party chooses to do is accuse, deny and say NO!!!! Obama won't have to do anything...seems that he and his party (be it right or wrong) are the only ones attempting to solve the problems of this country.
If I was running for Congress this year as a Democrat, I would rather have Sarah Palin backing me than the President. Is that plain enough for you?
Mark
Oklahoma City
It may but only because people do not take the time to understand the issues that matter. If they did, they would understand that the President has done a fine job in one of the most difficult times this country has seen in decades.
I think the drag on the Democrats is not calling the Republicans out! Every bill the Republicans propose and then vote against, call them on it! Every item they propose and vote against, call them on it. Again, they were for it, before they were against it. Then again, even if you call them on it, there is so much hate for the President no one would stand for the truth in saying that's what it was.
This president is now becoming the responsible one for enormous deficits, reckless spending, and decisions made without consideration of better alternatives. The American people are definitely connecting him and his administration with the failure of enormous spending measures to improve the economy and provide jobs when the reality is that those attempts have been dismal failures.
Sadly, he is no longer an asset to one campaigning in his own party.
(Comment from an ex-pat from a Southern who lives abroad)
Its not Obama that's a drag on the party, its the DO NOTHING congressional DEMS that are on a self inflicted death spiral. The POTUS is extremely popular but people see Congress as the fly in his soup; not the other way around. Besides, if people are silly enough to forget what the Republicans did to us, then we all deservee what were going to get after the midterms.
The honest answer is he'll probably be a wash. Democrats held more seats than either party in decades, so obviously they could only go down from there.
I think that it really depends on how well democrats combat GOP talking points. I think too little time has been taken to combat the popular talking points until those talking points have been taken as truth by a pretty gulible minority of people ( Govt health care=Death Panels, Illegal immigrants get free health care )
They should be proactive, listen to Rush and Beck and INSTANTLY combat any untrue statement with a plethora of facts. Otherwise they leave themselves open to attack via Obama's current agenda.
His failures to change the outcome of the elections in Massachusetts and New Jersey are strong evidence that his personal charm does not translate into votes for others. And his politics have become an albatross for the Democrats. Promises that he might have made to Democrats who backed his agenda to help them win in their own elections are looking empty.
So I would say his influence in terms of influencing votes is neutral to negative.
Its not Obama that's a drag on the party, its the DO NOTHING congressional DEMS that are on a self inflicted death spiral. The POTUS is extremely popular but people see Congress as the fly in his soup; not the other way around. Besides, if people are silly enough to forget what the Republicans did to us, then we all deserve what we're going to get after the midterms.
Jack
In my opinion those who are running should have supported their leader but they didn't .What they did do was fight each other when they were in the greatest position ever. Now if it turns out that they lose that position it would have been their own fault. President Obama thought he had a winning team but what he actually has individuals. The Republicans are the party of No and the Democrats are the party of "Me" to hell with them all.
Mr. Obama will be like chili sauce for the Democrats: too hot to handle. He will hurt them for sure.
Well Jack,
I think that it will depend on how short our collective memory is. If Republicans keep shouting about how they would have done things had they kept their power in the 2008 elections, then you have to ask, well why did the Republican leadership approve of the billion or so dollars that they shelled out in the first go-round of the stimulus. Why did the economy go to hades in a hand basket under their leadership. Really then, it's not so much about what President Obama has done, but what would have happened if we had done nothing as lots of the Republican leadership wanted? So, we'll vote in a bunch of Republicans, and then when things continue to go bad or at least not get a whole lot better, we'll vote them out and vote in a bunch of Democrats and the cycle will repeat. In the mean time both sides will rail against or for their favorite subjects, gun rights, gay rights, abortion rights, right to life, etcetera ad nauseum. We'll continue to lose manufacturing jobs, we'll continue to have no consensus on health care, we'll still be forced to be the worlds policeman. The loud mouths on both sides will still be there shouting and gnashing their teeth and wringing their hands. Ain't it great!!
Mr Cafferty,
Yes I think Pres Obama is hurting the Dems. I live in Chicagoland Illinois and I am telling you the seniment of the people here is they are tired of the Democratic machine and all of their huff and puff .. people are starting to wise up to this man and pelosi and they are NOT happy! We will see what happens in Nov .. but I can tell you which way the winds are blowing and they are blowing away from the tax and spend dems .. their time is short !
Leave our Greatest Smartest Clueless Leader alone. Hope We Can Believe In. It will come, soon, very soon.
I believe his support would hurt incumbents especially - he and his sycophants saying it isn't so doesn't mean it isn't so. I've never seen an administration so stubborn and arrogant as to believe he can force the American people to choke down whatever HE wants. We don't need such an administration totally incapable of adjustment to the will of the people for whom it serves - and the voters are going to keep sending this message as long as it is ignored. The independents are fully aware of their power to effect actual change in this country.
Jack remember, this is Obama we're talking about. I really believe that the Pres and the Dems have saved the best for last. I.e., because people's memories are extremely short, they will come out with both barrels blazing over talks about jobs creations, dont ask dont tell AND coming soon, putting Republicans in the spotlight so the people can remember just why we voted them out in the first place.
Obama will definitely hurt Democrats in the midterm elections. Virginia, New Jersey, Massachussets...
Inviting Obama to come and campaign for your candidacy would be like inviting Typhoid Mary to your family re-union.
The vast majority of this country is waking up and realizing we are heading down the path of government reliance with this progressive, socialist president.
Thank God we might actually stop it and remember that this country was founded on principles of self reliance and opposition of a dictatorship.
The more people are given as entitlements, the more they expect and demand. There are reasons to help some, but the vast majority of people taking advantage of our system need to help themselves ethically, legally, and morally.
The jealousy and envy over what someone else achieved needs to be refocused. With effort, ambition, and hard work, there are few reasons why anybody in this country shouldn't be able to reach their dreams!
NO EXCUSES PEOPLE!
I've been waiting for this type of question for a while now...
Could Obama hurt the democrats in the midterm elections? Maybe. But who cares. The outcome of the midterm elections will not blow wind into anyones sails.
You should see how the wind blows over here.
We (my family and I) are US Citizens living in Switzerland, not too far from Davos. Its quite sad to see how the attendants at the WEF are dealing with America's financial earthquakes. You should have witnessed it. After the Bush era, we know what hurt means, trust me. So did world and business leaders at the WEF. The banking system over here is in disarray. Climate Change policies have failed because we were sleeping. Health care in the US costs double as much as in Switzerland. Forget about jobs. There are none.
So, why don't ask this question, Jack.
Considering that our former president had his pink sun glasses on for too long, what is the price we (I mean us as a whole, Democrats and Republicans, you, I, my family, world citizens) have had to pay from the aftershock of the Bush era?
Perhaps we should learn how to open our eyes and ask ourselves what really matters, Jack. And learn from our mistakes.
How on earth are we ever going to get out of this mess, otherwise.
Help or hurt? America needs to grow a pair and remove all incumbents. The incumbents will learn something, and so will the incoming newbies. Thomas Jefferson called for a revolution every 20 years because of the possibility of corruption. Voting out those who brought us to this point will do much to improve the image of the American people, and avenge those who were wounded or have died for their right to vote for what's good for their country. Break out your American flags and let them mean something for yourself and for future generations.
It's ony February 1. We've seen that Obama is astute, and addresses all criticism, justified and not.
Watch Obama and the Democratic Party reveal, once again, the bankruptcy of the Republicans during this campaign season.
As unemployment goes down, significantly below the psychological barrier of 10%, the Democrats will be able to say with full justification, "the stimulus is working: it is putting Americans back to work, and the Republicans voted unanimously against it."
The most local part of local politics is getting re-elected. The president policies are sending out deep fissures in the party. The Democrats are fighting a sickening diesase- fear that they will lose if they track with Obama.
When there is fear that the President can bring them down , you can be certain that they will seek to distance themselves as often and as far.
Hi Jack – The short answer is yes. The Long answer is, who wants to have to thinks about their great great grandkids paying off the Obama/Reid/Pelosi spending binge. They've spent more in one year than Bush spent in eight. And I don't want to hear the old "it's all their fault" argument. The dems have had congress since 2006 and were the previous "Party of No" and Obama's acting like some sort of drunken billionaire the way he's throwing money around to all his old buddies.
Who knows. The American people don't know what they want. I say we hand the country over to the Wiccans. I bet they'd know what to do.
Pres Obama has sunk faster than the titantic. No dems want to be on that ship.
I think that by mid to late summer we are going to start seeing the policies that Obama has implemented start to have a more positive effect on the nation. Right now all he has done is stopped the downfall. Until things start to head in a more positive direction though the American people won't be happy. They're going to start seeing that happen over this summer, and I think by the time the elections come around his approval ratings will be up in the mid to upper 50's and he will help democrats in the mid term elections.
Yes, Obama will probably hurt Democrats in the 2010 elections. Of course, the reason he will hurt them is because their lack of unity and back bone made Obama look ineffective.
Regarding the CIA moonlighting in private companies: the answer is a big no. It's also a bigger "NO" for private companies to be involved in any CIA field operation in which triggers are being pulled or missiles fired.
Richard Green
San Clemente, Cal.
As you said, Obama is liked and I think he will help fellow democrats that are worthy of re-election; not all of them necessarily are and I hope Obama uses discernment in who he supports.
Bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Also, why do we have to cut programs at home? Why not cut some of the foreign aid also?
It only took a few months for the average American to figure out Obama and his crew have no idea what they're doing or what direction they're headed...if Obama isn't helping his fellow Democrats now, how on earth can he be of any help at the mid-terms????
It all depends on where the jobs are at election time. He still has charisma and hopefully the independents will kick out the incumbants and get some new non republican blood in there.
Tacoma Wa
If the Coach (President Obama) can continue to rally the players as he did in the State of the Union and show the US that he is willing to work his tail off and shake up his Red team we may be able to come together and win this game. Branford, CT
He might be of some help, but I doubt he will hurt Democrats much.
They're doing too good a job of that all on their own.
It's too depressing. I don't want to think about it.
They have already hurt themselves, they have acted like whining kids, cowing and afraid to act, even with a clear majority.. O is saying all the right things lately, if they aren't turning deaf ears to him..He has done nothing to hurt anyone but himself but is going to turn it around. We only hope he will have the wind at his back all the way and maintains a populist stance.. The Repugs are an obstrucitonist, insidiious bunch, so there should not be a Midterm purge..
Will wonders never cease to exist?
The insurance companies pay Senate Republicans millions of dollars each to vote against a bill that would force insurance companies to follow some rules and guidelines.
The insurance companies along with Some Senate Republicans fund and organize the Spokes people tea party for the insurance companies to rally against that same bill – YET you call it a movement.
Are you absolutely sure that Senate Republicans have it in the bag?
After all this time in February of 2008, you were all saying Obama could Not possibly get nominated for the Democratic ticket.
Remember?
If I were the President I would turn on the democrats like they were lepers. Go with the proposals the republicans advocate make it clear you have seen the light and will try anything and everything they suggest and then hold their feet to the fire when it all blows up . I think he should hurt the democrats if at all possible . They have done nothing but screw him.
Obama will hurt the Democrats in the mid tem elections. He campaigned vigorously for Corzine in NJ by going there 4 times; he campaigned in Va. also going there a few times on Deeds behalf; he went to Mass. to campaign for Coakley for a seat no one ever thought would become a Republican one. All 3 lost and Obama has become 'toxic' to any Democrat seeking re-election this November. Even Barney Frank is vulnerable; almost his entire district went for Scott Brown 2 weeks ago! Americans are finally waking up and realizing what a HUGE mistake was made when they elected Obama. We all hope and pray that it's not too late to turn this country back around and vote out this Congress in November!
Obama is a drag anytime. So are Pelosi and Reid.
Probably neither ,as most of those two partys need a reality check.
Jack,
His approval rating is right around 50 percent. My guess is that he'll help in the eyes of 50 percent of voters, and hurt in the eyes of the other 50 percent. Does it need to be more complicated than that?
Brian
Boise, Idaho
Hey Jack! That's really one stupid question. The answer is absolutely not, after his two strong showings last week.
Jack,
You are probably right. President Obama can hurt the Dems in November. However, I think they hurt themselves when they did not listen to their constituents. Being concerned about the admins policies and standing up for what is right is why they were sent there. It is time to hold ALL accountable regardless of party and do what's right for this country. It is not fair to leave this type financial irresponsibility to our children and grandchildren.
Jack, Pres. Obama will neither hurt nor help fellow Democrats, but the GOP's systematic demonizing of the President and their outright lies about his policies might.
Jack. It's the jobs. Jobs and the economy are #1 on voter awareness right now. And yet, his State of the Union showed that he still wants the health care reform "done" and is reluctant to include real reforms like cost containment and tort reform. According to the news, Americans are spending less and saving more than anytime in the last six years, spurred by fearful news about the economy. At the same time, they are watching their government continue to spend like a drunken sailor on liberty. Unless he can convince voters that he can show some fiscal discipline without regard to the mess he inherited, he will be a drag on the Democrats this November.
Neither Jack, Bush was an abomination and we still got republicans in office here in Idaho.
After seeing what he did to the Republicans last week, I hope America is smart enough so that it doesn't matter, at worst, he helps. He handled their complaints with intelligence and from what I saw, painted them in a small corner where there's no way for them to get out if the Democrats are smart enough to use the meeting to their advantage this Nov.
There is little question that unless the President chnges course he will be a drag on the Dems. I'm an independent. The President has done fine with some things but health care( he criticizes special interest groups unless of course they back him like unions), backroom dealings, attitude toward spending, the terrorist trial in NY and giving a terrorist Miranda rights have been an unmitigated disaster in the eyes of independent people that want him to be successful. Like one of his big supporters said about Obama that he " was going to change Washington"- but he's made it worse. It's still politics as usual. Frankly there are too many people in his Administration and Congress that have never been in private industry that just don't get it.
Considering the intellectual age of the average voting American to be that of a 12 year old, it wouldnt surprise me if amnesia took affect and we repeat and repeat failed Republican initiatives.
Sure they'll vote Republican. They wont even think gridlock, they'll just march to the loudest rhetoric. What's new?
Any Democrat who supports Obama is in dire danger of being run out of D.C. Look at what happened in Mass.
Based on Obama's influence in the Massachusetts' senate race, I believe he is basically a non-factor. I do not believe his credibility is believed by most voting Americans anymore. That ship has sailed, Mr. President. Democrats actually do not need any help hurting themselves. They are doing a real good job on their own.
HH: BOTH, as he'll HELP them to get rid of him cos not even Senators of The Democratic Party (meaning: what's LEFT of it) will be able to be sustaining a US-President snatching the Budget for NASA to go to the Moon IN 2030! It's not that NASA won't be allowed to go to the Moon in the next (couple of) years – what could've been overseen – but in 2030: that is over 20 years; and that also means you, Cafferty, and you, Wolf Blitzer, won't be alive to see next NASA landing on the Moon! And who could offer Bush a hiding place now that the Moon won't be available?
And Obama will HURT Democrats, for not ignoring him much earlier!!
Does it really matter Jack?
Let's say the Dems get their clocks cleaned and loose the majorities, in two years there will be a Republican backlash. All we ever seem to do is flip flop parties, kind of like playing whack a mole at the arcade. As the saying goes, the more we try to change the more we remain the same.
When we finally elect people, no mater democrat, republican, or independent, that care more about the people they represent than the party they belong to, maybe something will get done. In the mean time, I'm saving my quarters for the arcade.
And I forgot to tell you this, Caffer: Bush will have to WALK to the Moon IF he wants to hide for persecution some day. But wasn't his name G. Walker? Well, he'll fit his name while walking into hiding on the Moon!
I don't think it's President Obama that caused the Democratic loss in MA. It's the do nothing Congress, both parties, that caused it. Voters, like fans, are fickle and if you aren't giving them what they want they get rid of you. The Democrats need to quit worrying about whether they'll win the next election and do what is right for the country. Can you say term limits?
Frankly, our President has done a heck of a job with the mess he was handed from the Bush years. Is he perfect? Of course not, but he is the best thing to occupy the White House in over 8 years. What was the alternative? McCain and Palin? Give me a break. If the mid term elections are affected it will not be because of Obama, but because of the Republicans who have decided to take down his presidency. They have nothing to offer. They are not patriots. Obama won. How about everyone getting behind him and doing for the USA. He won. They lost.
K. Heys
New York
" I don't much anymore! When you have to use little-ones, to reinforce your own? When you need Kids to support your own research. You have none. Want a punch-up! Ok but keep it adult."
Given the last three oops-sets, and since independent voters are learning they have clout, it seems that the president will be barking up a pretty deaf tree. If I were a democrat incumbent, I'd be afraid, very afraid.
Yes Obama will hurt the Dems in the midterm if is so call job plan does not delivery. Obama, should stop listening to those bunch of expert and embrace the main street guys like us to help him deliver at least a million jobs within six months to prevent any damage in the midterm election. Jeff, what else can I say...
James From The Netherlands
The best that we can do is vote out every single incumbent.
Jack,
It won't be the President's fault when the Democrats get their heads handed to them in November! The entire blame will rest on "Queen Nancy" Pelosi and "Dirty Harry" Reid. But I intend to vote against ALL "Career Politicians"! I wish them luck finding their first REAL JOBS, if there are any left by then!
Rory Murray
San Bernardino, CA
The Dems didn't get much done with a super majority except for allot of needless spending. What's going ot happen after Nov.? We will see a cycle of diminishing returns from the Obama presidency through the end of his only term.
President Obama is likely to severely hurt his party's chances in mid term elections. People are starting to be smarter voters, they are paying attention and the old rhetoric, not even that of just one year ago, is not going to work. The Tea Party movement or whatever you want to call it, is actually just a movement of Americans who want to be more Independent of parties, fiscally responsible, and who believe in things like medical reform, but not the messed up, secret, all-writte-by-one-party bill that we heard about last December. People want to be informed and they are demanding to be informed. President Obama is still being secretive, he's still making excuses for his lack of transparency and nothing has changed in Washington. All of this will hurt his party beyond measure come November.
Ventress, LA
Obama is not a Democrat. He's a progressive that's using the Democrat party as a tool to push his agenda. And Yes, he's killing that party!
How can he be a help? He and his Democrat cronies are unwilling to accept any criticism of their liberal agenda and consider that maybe they're slightly off course. The only problem here in Illinois is that all the politicians are so corrupt there's no good choice on either side.
Real talk always hurts somebody, It always hurts when we lose to those money hungry Republicans. We need to go up higher on the Taxes for those sending their product overseas to be made. Or just let them keep their merchandise over there to be bought by the people that make it. Since we aren't good enough for these money hungry corporations to make their product, Our money shouldn't be good enough either. Tax them going and coming.
I don't think it matters because the Dems in congrees have already hurt themselves when they began fighting themselves over health care. I think Obama knows this and really is looking foeward to working with a new congress in 2011.
Jack, between now and election day is a political eternity. There is one factor that you haven't taken into account that will surely need to be reckoned with, and that is the penchant for GOP strategists to keep the "pedal to the metal." They do not know how to finesse a situation. Rest assured that they will find a way to "do it to the pooch" before this is all over. I wish that the odds makers in Vegas were taking action on this one!
Dear Jack,
I do not believe that Obamas presence will hurt most democrats on which he will be campaigning for. If you look at some of the most recent numbers such as the fourth quarter GDP raise and the recent profits of Ford. I see the economy becoming stronger and people noticing that. I personally feel that Obama can only help due to the changing tide and his great rhetorical skills.
He needs to shed the bluedogs and any other dogs in the democratic party
Here's my question to you and all American's Jack – They all have hurt themselves, correct!? – Next thing I'd like to vote on is TERM LIMITS.
Help, Jack. Especially after the Republican's meeting with President Obama last week. Everyone saw vintage Obama.
The Republicans thought they were going to "run game" on President
Obama on national television last week, only to have their a$$es handed to them on a platter.
Yes Jack, let's have more televised Presidential meetings with Republicans.
Please!
hurt.
President Obama has hit a snag but like many President's before him his popularity will decrease somewhat but like many great President's he will bounce back when the time is needed. President Obama will do nothing but help the Democratic party when running for midterm elections. The American people are tired of the politics being played there in Washington and so far Mr. Obama has been seen as a straight shooter whether you like him or not. And that is what is needed and if he endorses someone into office then the people will see that typically that person may be close to the same way. As far as Pelosi is concerned, that may prove more of the problem. Her popularity has decreased since the time she took over as speaker of the house and there isn't any light at the end of the tunnel where she is concerned.
Thousand Oaks, CA. –It is very possible his involvement in the campaign process will hurt fellow dems.....the GOP is taking full advantage of trending dislike of the President's policies...He should keep and give his supportive comments from Afar....
I'm an independent; and have supported Obama with my vote in 2008....given the circustances of our economy when he took office; I will continue to support him until I see better from the GOP...!!!
Before Blagojevich, Illinois had three Republican governors, and has elected both Democrats and Republicans to the Senate, so either party winning either of those spots should not come as a surprise. There aren't very many powerful and well-liked Republicans in Illinois, especially ones that could win in Chicago. That is part of the reason Blagojevich was reelected in 2006 even though he was already facing scandals. This is also the state that asked Maryland politician Alan Keyes to fill the Republican spot on the Senate election.
Obama will only hurt if people believe the Republican Propoganda. However, if they do their own research on the issues they will discover that historically, Republican Administrations have saddled the American people with the highest Debt, and Republicans continue to advocate tax policies that favor the wealthy at the expense of those earning less than $250,000 year. The American public is smart enough to see through the lies and deceptions of the party of "no" and see that "no" also means "no leadership."
Either GITMO or on a military base, preferably in Texas!!!!
Jack, I voted for Nixon and Reagan then swung to Democrats. Obama keeps my vote because the entrenched economic status quo of Arab nations having the tallest buildings, Europe and Asia having high speed rail, and all those workers having universal health care but us is unacceptable. I cannot live on Republican razzle-dazzle of fear and flag politics as they put global corporate interest first and want global corporate meddling it our lawmaking and elections.
Neither, I would hope... since when do people base their vote on Politician A depending on what Politician B has to say? Then again, since when have people actually paid attention to individual congresspeople's actions...
It has to hurt him. Pelosi Reid Barney Frank and all those close door dealing losers need to go as soon as possible.
These people ingore the American peoples wishes and still want to cram there petty losing health bill down our throat.
They are Obam"s children trying to do what he wants and he needs to go out soon as possible right along with them.
Time to get a peoples goverement back in Washington some how what ever that takes.
If Pres. Obama sticks to his agenda which Americans do not want, he will hurt is party greatly. We are already seeing other moderate Democrats distancing themselves.
I think Obama has to keep calling the Republicans on thier hypocrocies and Dems up for election have due the same.It's simple, the Dems have to call the Republicans on their daze and confuse and scare tacticks.Dems have to make their message simple.If you want to live like a rich Republican you better vote Democrate.Make it simple stupid just like the Tea Bagger adds.Insurance compamies ,banks,oil companies,etc are behind the Republicans for their own interests.
Like Bush he will repeat history.
Yes, Obama will hurt the Democrats seeking re-election. Obama's policies are ultra liberal and not mainstream.
I voted for Obama and all the Democrats running in Coloarado, but the facts are the facts. On the positive side we did get rid of Bush and Cheney, but on the negative side we have a bunch of left wing do gooders totally void of common sense. As a moderate, I was really hoping for a government that actually wanted to do the best for the American people. What a fool I am.
Unless Obama brings down the deficit he won't be able to help the Democrats or the American people. It may not be popular, but he needs to impose a tax to bring down the deficit that the past 8 years under Bush's administration brought us to. We paid by borrowing from China for two wars. Never asking the American public for a dime to support these wars. Without increasing taxes to pay for these wars, Bush managed to get away with pulling us into two wars. We need now to pay for the last 8 years through a war tax!!.
Obama will be a positive for each candidate.
The media's and GOP's timeline on historic economic change is self serving and has no basis in reality. It really hurts your credibility
The media's need for controversy and air time and the GOP'S traditional path to power, destroy the other guy. Both Agendas are tragic for the United States.
Jack, Obama is toxic now. No one with an open mind and a little bit of intelligence will believe anything he utters. This guy's game is up!!
Obama can only help his fellow Democratics in the midterm elections. President Obama is the best thing that's come along in our government in many, many years. I've approved of all the decisions he's made so far and he's the only reason I feel there may still be some hope left for this country. Well, at least I felt that way until our Supreme Court decided to give this country away to the big corporations....now I'm not so sure even Obama will be able to save us.
I don't really blame Obama for the problems in Washington. I think the US political system is really at fault. It's been like this for over 100 years. I think the country would be much better off if we eliminate the 2 party system. If everyone in the country votes for independent candidates and lets each senator and congressman win on his own merits, and not by the amount of propaganda his party can think up, then the civil war that plagues our congress will be over, and maybe they can finally get some work done. Really, the best way to reduce our deficit is to stop paying salaries to bickering children in Washington.
Hi, Jack and Wolf : No more Mr. nice guy, It's time to sure the Fed.
on the Fed. butget spending !
Obama may still be popular with many but it will not translate into a positive for Democrats. Likewise, I do not think his poor performance will negatively effect the Democrats... they have already done enough damage by their irresponsible voting records.
So, the answer is NEITHER!
Now, if we could just limit senators to one term and house members to two terms... and hire a few people who have actually run businesses (preferably small businesses) and are capable of performing basic math and are capable of understanding scientific principals.
80% of democrats approve of Obama so they need him. any independents that have followed the news this week saw that Obama is doing everything he can to get bipartisanship and the republicans wont drop their attitude of if Obama loses and America loses we win, if you ask me theres nothing American about wanting your president to fail or breaking his back politically....
Jack: Time to get real and quit mincing around the truth. Corporations stole this country and whatever was left of democracy in 2000. We're dealing with the results today. Obama will be a one term president because corporations were given the reins to completely control this country by 5 bought and paid for supreme court justices . Now they own the government and the media. Since you guys will air any lie they devise as long as the money's right, Obama and the American people who still believe in or care about democracy are toast. Welcome to the Fascist State Of America.
Well considering Florida tends to become very important during Presidential elections and elections in general, right now he is hurting them by hurting NASA. Trust me, I live in Cape Canaveral and Florida will NOT forget how he saved a little bit of cash in his "budget" and cost thousands of people to lose their homes and see businesses go under. He made a promise to us and it meant NOTHING apparently.
Jack, It doesn't matter at all. It's not that we are Democrats vs Republicans anymore. We are sick and tired of "Business as usual" from BOTH parties. If you'll stop focusing on the PARTIES and start focusing on the MESSAGE from the voters, then maybe they will start to understand. Otherwise, they're ALL out.
I believe that President Obams will certainly help the Democrats in midterms. He (although perhaps not all this proposal) is still very well liked and respected. Also, his speeches are eloquent and get into the basics of the problem with clarity, and hopefully clear away some of the far right slanderous remarks.