I am becoming a disgruntled Obama supporter

On top of some of his decisions rubbing me wrong, I am very unhappy with how my guy Barry has seemingly pissed away an opportunity to shine in his response to the oil spill. The way I feel right this second, I can't say I would vote for him in 2012. So riddle me this-

who do you believe could be running against hIm that is worth considering and why?

Note: I don't consider myself a democrat or a republican so no one is off limits due to party affiliation or lack thereof.

On top of some of his decisions rubbing me wrong, I am very unhappy with how my guy Barry has seemingly pissed away an opportunity to shine in his response to the oil spill. The way I feel right this second, I can't say I would vote for him in 2012. So riddle me this-

who do you believe could be running against hIm that is worth considering and why?

Note: I don't consider myself a democrat or a republican so no one is off limits due to party affiliation or lack thereof.

Honestly, I'm feeling the same way, but then I realize the scope of the problems he faces every day. Some problems simply don't have answers.
I don't see anyone on either side nearly as capable as he.

Honestly, I'm feeling the same way, but then I realize the scope of the problems he faces every day. Some problems simply don't have answers. The oil spill is one of those. Afghan is one of those. The economy is one of those. And I don't mean, they don't have good answers. I mean they don't have answers, period. They are things we will have to live with. To get to your question, I don't see anyone on either side nearly as capable as he.

Had the conservatives been as honest in their feelings as liberals are being we wouldn't have had to suffer through the continuing damage of GW's second term.

Here's my issue- as I said, I am unhappy with Obama but this does not mean by default that any opponent gets my vote. I do not feel like- "well next time I am voting Republican". This thinking is precisely what ails this country.

This wasn't supposed to be an Obama bashing thread or a thread to bash anyone really. I'm hoping to hear disection/analysis/commentary of prospective 2012 candidates.

I've sprinkled the thread with troll flakes so let's try to discuss without being inflammatory to people who might normally disagree politically.

Had the conservatives been as honest in their feelings as liberals are being we wouldn't have had to suffer through the continuing damage of GW's second term.

Yeah, I never understood the unwilligness of most Republicans to levy any criticism constructive or otherwise against Bush, at least not until the very end. The problem I see is that in 2012, Obama is going to be the Democratic nominee for sure. The Republicans may have some good people who I might consider voting for in the general election, but none of them stand a chance of being nominated. So the odds are I will end up voting for Obama again whether he shapes up or not.

This wasn't supposed to be an Obama bashing thread or a thread to bash anyone really. I'm hoping to hear disection/analysis/commentary of prospective 2012 candidates.

Had the conservatives been as honest in their feelings as liberals are being we wouldn't have had to suffer through the continuing damage of GW's second term.

And Kerry would have....done what?

This wasn't supposed to be an Obama bashing thread or a thread to bash anyone really. I'm hoping to hear disection/analysis/commentary of prospective 2012 candidates.


Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota is interesting. His bio:

TIM PAWLENTY is regarded as one of the nation's most innovative, energetic, reform-minded and accomplished governors. Now serving his second term as the 39th governor of Minnesota, Governor Pawlenty has brought increased accountability to state government, held the line on taxes, improved K-12 education standards and made Minnesota a leader in energy reform.

As Governor, he has balanced Minnesota's budget three times without raising taxes, despite facing record budget deficits. Governor Pawlenty's most notable accomplishments include proposing and signing into law significant new benefits for veterans and members of the military; enacting a property tax cap, eliminating the marriage penalty and cutting taxes; toughening the state's education standards; reforming the way teachers are paid through a nation-leading performance pay plan; instituting free-market health care reforms that increase accountability and provide tax credits to encourage the use of health savings accounts; and implementing a plan to Americanize our energy sources by generating 25% of the state's electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

Under Governor Pawlenty's leadership, Minnesota leads the nation in a variety of measures. Minnesota ranks first among states in Fortune 500 companies per capita, first in overall quality of life, first in homeownership, first in percentage of residents with a high school diploma, and first in residents over 25 with a bachelors degree. Minnesota has the highest average ACT scores in the nation and is among the "Healthiest States in America."

Pawlenty grew up in South St. Paul, Minnesota. The only child in his family to graduate from college, he attended the University of Minnesota and practiced law in the private sector. His public service career includes serving as a criminal prosecutor, Eagan City Councilmember, and ten-year member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, including four years as House Majority Leader. Pawlenty served as Chair of the National Governors Association and on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, the Achieve Inc. Board of Directors and the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute Board of Directors. He is Chair of the Education Commission of the States and former Chair of the Midwestern Governors Association.

Pawlenty and his wife, Mary have two daughters.

About Pawlenty

Mitt Romney- Of course, religion will play a large roll in the primaries but I feel like Romney would fare better in a general election than other "more religious" candidates (Palin, Huckabee). I would also worry about all his flip-flopping on issues that are very important to the Republican base. He also essentially designed the Obama healthcare bill, despite what he wants to tell you. I feel like he comes off as very knowledgeable and really knows what businesses need to create jobs. And I feel like he would do very well with independents in the general election.

Chris Christie- Strong fiscal conservative, powerful speaker, and I love that he is so adamant on sending teachers unions to hell. The problems I see with him are that he is unexperienced and he acknowledges that he is. Every candidate says they're not going to run for president right now, but he seems more sincere when he says he doesn't think he is ready and he doesn't want the job. He kind of seems like someone who wants to deal more with "governor" issues (education, small budgets) than deal with foreign issues all day.

Mike Huckabee- Probably the strongest social conservative in the race. Not afraid of the tea party, like other mainstream Republicans, and will get tea party support. His PAC has maybe been the most active thus far and that will get him a lot of political support come primary time. I think it turns a lot of people off when he makes such a big deal about religion in his speeches. I think his "fair tax" ideas could grow on people.

Sarah Palin- I love her as a political puppet to further the Republicans ideas and get Republicans elected. But as a candidate, I worry she will make the same mistakes she made in 2008. When she was a vice president she only had to be in the spotlight as a candidate for a few months and she only had one debate. But as a primary candidate it will be almost two years and a lot of debates, if she wants to be a serious candidate she better polish up on her knowledge of the issues.

Rick Perry- I know it may sound crazy, but I think he is just a better version of Palin. For a Republican, he is popular with Latinos and disliked by many for his somewhat moderate stance on immigration.I don't know if people outside of Texas appreciate how strong he is politically, and manages to just dominate opponents who are more knowledgeable and experienced than him (Kay Bailey Hutchinson). Could have a problem, like most governors, dealing with national issues. Many of his strong Texas supporters have said they don't think they would vote for him in a presidential race.

Ron Paul- I don't see it happening. If anyone has an argument for him, I would be happy to hear what it is. I just don't think he comes off very well politically.


Other candidates I think have a good shot are Mitch Daniels, Rubio, Jindal
It's still really far out and there could still be candidates we haven't heard of that end up becoming a factor.

He certainly couldn't have done worse than Bush.

At the risk of being attacked, I'd like to express that every President has had a unique set of issues on his plate. This President is no different and I, too, am extremely unhappy and quite baffled at how little has been done with this mess in the Gulf.

In my experience, when action is not being taken, it has eventually surfaced that there was an underlying issue. I am not saying that's the case with the Gulf, but.........just sayin'.

Mitt Romney- Of course, religion will play a large roll in the primaries but I feel like Romney would fare better in a general election than other "more religious" candidates (Palin, Huckabee). I would also worry about all his flip-flopping on issues that are very important to the Republican base. He also essentially designed the Obama healthcare bill, despite what he wants to tell you. I feel like he comes off as very knowledgeable and really knows what businesses need to create jobs. And I feel like he would do very well with independents in the general election.

Chris Christie- Strong fiscal conservative, powerful speaker, and I love that he is so adamant on sending teachers unions to hell. The problems I see with him are that he is unexperienced and he acknowledges that he is. Every candidate says they're not going to run for president right now, but he seems more sincere when he says he doesn't think he is ready and he doesn't want the job. He kind of seems like someone who wants to deal more with "governor" issues (education, small budgets) than deal with foreign issues all day.

Mike Huckabee- Probably the strongest social conservative in the race. Not afraid of the tea party, like other mainstream Republicans, and will get tea party support. His PAC has maybe been the most active thus far and that will get him a lot of political support come primary time. I think it turns a lot of people off when he makes such a big deal about religion in his speeches. I think his "fair tax" ideas could grow on people.

Sarah Palin- I love her as a political puppet to further the Republicans ideas and get Republicans elected. But as a candidate, I worry she will make the same mistakes she made in 2008. When she was a vice president she only had to be in the spotlight as a candidate for a few months and she only had one debate. But as a primary candidate it will be almost two years and a lot of debates, if she wants to be a serious candidate she better polish up on her knowledge of the issues.

Rick Perry- I know it may sound crazy, but I think he is just a better version of Palin. For a Republican, he is popular with Latinos and disliked by many for his somewhat moderate stance on immigration.I don't know if people outside of Texas appreciate how strong he is politically, and manages to just dominate opponents who are more knowledgeable and experienced than him (Kay Bailey Hutchinson). Could have a problem, like most governors, dealing with national issues. Many of his strong Texas supporters have said they don't think they would vote for him in a presidential race.

Ron Paul- I don't see it happening. If anyone has an argument for him, I would be happy to hear what it is. I just don't think he comes off very well politically.


Other candidates I think have a good shot are Mitch Daniels, Rubio, Jindal
It's still really far out and there could still be candidates we haven't heard of that end up becoming a factor.