“The gathering storm is the 2010 elections,” one top official said. … The themes for Obama’s campaign are not yet chosen, but a top adviser said not to expect a radical surprise: “He knows who he is.” – Exclusive: White House privately plots 2012 campaign run
Mike Allen’s “exclusive” coming after David Plouffe re-joins the White House is not a surprise to anyone who follows politics closely.
The “gathering storm is the 2010 elections” the foreshadowing of the rough road Republicans will present to Pres. Obama in the re-election campaign, whether they can unite and excite behind one candidate or not. Because even as Obama “knows who he is,” there will be no blush the second time around, as knowing who Obama is and isn’t goes both ways now.
It all really revolves around whether Obama’s opposition can offer something drastically different that isn’t a set of sales points. A qualified independent would have as good a chance as anyone, but there is no hint at a Michael Bloomberg run at the presidency right now, regardless of Howard Wolfson’s presence in his Administration, with Bloomberg having the kind of money it would take to walk into the right’s headwinds, organization and financing, with Wall Street in 2009 tilting towards Republcians, because whether Republicans can beat Obama or not they will amass in large numbers and great fury to try.
The wealthy securities and investment industry, for example, went from giving 2 to 1 to Democrats at the start of 2009 to providing almost half of its donations to Republicans by the end of the year, according to new data compiled for The Washington Post by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Commercial banks and their employees also returned to their traditional tilt in favor of the GOP after a brief dalliance with Democrats, giving nearly twice as much to Republicans during the last three months of 2009, the data show. At the same time, total political donations by the major banks and investment houses alike dropped in the waning months of that year.
Of course, this Wall Street “shift,” as it’s now being deemed also lends Obama a convenient aid, looking like the presidential outsider because he dared to take on the banks, even if he actually didn’t. For people trying to keep food on the table and pay the bills details often don’t matter, as we’ve seen in elections many times before.
The wild card is whether Obama can gather the same enthusiasm on the left for a second run. Will Mitt Romney or someone similar galvanize Democrats? Certainly not like Sarah Palin, whom the left loves to hate. But as of now there is considerably less loyalty and enthusiasm in Obama’s base than there was the first time around, but that can change once Obama’s allies realize that the Republicans will be much worse for their cause, the “coming home” syndrome something all incumbent presidents bet will be in play.
However, as you countdown the states that went for Obama, Virginia, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, which McCain won but Obama made a close race, a very different picture presents itself today. It’s too far out to tell what can happen to rally people around Pres. Obama in 2012, but he’s definitely going to have to campaign for it hard. It’s not going to be anything like Clinton’s re-election in 1996, when Republicans weren’t exactly enamored with Bob Dole, who is a great war hero, but not a very good candidate. It’s going to be tougher than 2008, too, when the voters were pining for change and candidate Obama was the man of the moment. That’s past.
The people have also seen Obama’s “change” and it’s not all that. However, voting often comes down to the lesser of two bad choices. Winning by default because the other guy is worse is still a win.
I think Bloomberg has a real shot in 2012 if he is interested.I have been wondering if this generation’s upper class had produced anyone who would put country over class like FDR did and TR. He has a good record of reform in NYC. He does not seem to suffer fools gladly and he is an eastern Jew which seems unlikely but most people who are not insane just want some solutions.
As for Wall Street,I think the so called “shift” is just a little discipline for the Dems just in case they should even give a thought to real reform. I’m not sure any regular person can wrap their minds around the vast,vast resources these people have at their disposal. I have always thought they have bought congress on the cheap.
My sources, such that they are, tell me that Wolfson and Bloomberg are already in the campaign planning stages for a 2012 run at the presidency. The Obama people are very aware of that fact. Which is why Mike Allen got his “exclusive.” Team Obama is not concerned in the least about any Republican candidate. Rightfully. But they are concerned about Bloomberg’s planning and almost certain campaign against them. That concern involves the whole Wall Street-Clintonite-FOX-Mellon-Scaife connection. Peace
Obamamites should take notice. Wolfson is not a lightweight and has great instincts. He served Hillary Clinton quite well and with loyalty. A quality in short supply I notice among the Obama circle.
I certainly don’t count him out, not at all. But with no real accomplishments under his belt, it seems so ridiculous to even think about reelecting Warren G. Obama at this point. If he goes into the elections with very little to show, it’s probably not wise to reprise the “Yes we can” slogan.
Iceblinkjm, I couldn’t disagree with you more. #1 Hillary isn’t the president……strike one. #2 Bloomberg is a pro-Zionist, Israel firster….strike two. #3 Bloomberg is a capitalist pig and a greedy one at that……strike three and you’re out. Peace
Obama could be concerned about a Republican if the name were, say, Petraeus.
nzanh, hope you don’t frighten easily because Obama will be reelected. Bet on it. Peace
Pilgrim, Petraeus would be easier to beat than Palin would and she couldn’t be elected to dogcatcher. Peace
Yes, Mr. O will probably be re-elected. He’s incumbent, that’s a big advantage to begin with.
Petraeus easier to beat than Palin? Really? Hmmm.
That concern involves the whole Wall Street-Clintonite-FOX-Mellon-Scaife connection.
LAUGH. OUT. LOUD. HILARIOUS. Thanks for that.
I take it that you don’t believe that there is a connection? Peace
Taylor Marsh says:
24 February 2010 at 11:58 am
ROFLMAO! I wouldn’t have thought of that combo for all the tea in China. Talk about absurd but thanks for the laugh, Imhotep.
Wow! Imhotep~ You have outdone yourself there!
Jane Austen, it’s the Mellon-Scaife connection that’s hanging everybody up isn’t it? The other connections are pretty apparent aren’t they? Peace
Fox …you mean because they were actually more fair to Hillary than our swooning MSM? You need to read you some Bob Somerby son. Go to the Daily Howler and read the book he is working on,he is posting it in chapters.
Lake Lady, “the book he is working on?” That’s current and not past tense? You did make the connection with FOX so you get 10 points for that. Although there is a far greater connection to FOX than you’ve indicated so you missed those 50 extra points. Now how about the connection to Wall Street? You wouldn’t deny that obvious connection would you? Peace
That you think the Clintons will in any way get in Obama’s way for 2012 is just too ridiculous to argue about, Imhotep. Your comments are amusing, but that’s about it. Your so steeped in the religion of conspiracy, especially where the Clintons are concerned, that you can’t take Hillary crying “uncle” in 2008 for what it is. So, knock yourself out.
My guess is that when her time is up at State, Hillary will want to enjoy the rest of her life.She has given enough. Chelsey is getting married and she might be a grandma before long. She deserves our respect and some peace. I have never known of anyone else in my generation who has used her god given intellect,excellent education,and natural advantages to the betterment of our country more than she.
Imhotep..I don’t give a hoot what you think on this subject so save your attempts for someone else.
I’m not steeped in anything except dealing with facts. If that makes people uncomfortable……as Anais Nin wrote, “One must be thrust out of a finished cycle in life, and that leap [is] the most difficult to make—to part with one’s faith, one’s love, when one would prefer to renew faith and recreate the passion.” Peace
Funny how only the Clintons are expected to be pure.Can you explain the Wall Street,nuclear energy,clean coal,Chicago Machine,banking industry, Chicago University School of economics,Summers, Geithner, Obama connection.Imhotep?
What are you smoking this morning honey?
Imhotep says:
24 February 2010 at 1:04 pm
I’m not steeped in anything except dealing with facts.
All evidence to the contrary, as you *never* provide links or passages to support your facTOIDS.
You delve in the usual conspiracy notions without ever providing any evidence, which would require a latex glove to examine even if you could.
Well back to the re-election of Obama….
It’s going to be tough for him IF the healthcare bill passes as he has proposed. Why?
When the citizens find that the sweetheart deals made for Nebraska, LA and Florida have now been extended to every state with no way to pay for the 50 bribes they will be outraged.
When the citizens realize that taxes kick in immediately to fund this monstrousity but benefits don’t happen until years down the road, they will be outraged.
When the citizens realize that the way the war in Afghanistan is being waged for Administration PR they will be outraged.
The outrage will continue re: unemployment.
2012 is a long way off and we can look at it in two ways: things could change for the better for the President OR things could change for the worse (God help us all if that happens). I suspect there is no middle of the road for the next 2 years.
bbl
His re-election is far from certain, even if the economy dramatically rebounds. As for Bloomberg, challenging Obama as a Independent, that’s questionable.
I’m surprised that none of you consider the possibility of a primary challenger in the Democratic Party.
Who would it be mwfolsom?
Lady Lakes asks: Who would it be mwfolsom?
Right now I don’t know but 2 years out no one expected Teddy Kennedy to run against Carter either -
What we need is a stalking horse to get folks excited – if we could beat Obama at an early event Obama may decide its easier to move back to Chicago and write nice books about nothingness. We all know he ain’t that interested in being President – he certainly doesn’t have much energy to fight for anything.
Taylor Marsh:
“The wild card is whether Obama can gather the same enthusiasm on the left for a second run.”
HA!!!! Consider that enthusiasm dead, cremated, and blowing in the wind. Never to be recovered. He blew it.
I know Rahm told him we have no place to go . . . well . . . they can stay home as they did in Boston, NJ and Virginia. People look at him now and there are no more ooos and aahhs; they see a spineless lying freak who lives to placate Republicans.
Speaking of re-Election~
I just got an email invitation to a Missouri Victory Fund,Dinner, with Claire McCaskill and the President.
Here’s the Breakdown:
$2,400 per person.
~but if you would care to be an Event Chairperson and fill a table with couples willing to pay $50 thousand per you can go to a cocktail reception with Claire and Barack as well as dinner priority seating.
~ Vice Chair if your guests are willing to cough up $35 thousand then you all get to go to the coktail party too.
~ hosts whose guests are bringing $25 thousand get picture opportunities.
Grassroots Reception
$75 standing in the back
$100 priority standing
$250 and you get to sit down
$500 and you can stand at the rope line. This might actually be worth it if you got a chance to give him a piece of your mind!
“““
It appears that he is very able to get some things done,his priories!
Lady Lake thanks for this -
Grassroots Reception
$75 standing in the back
$100 priority standing
$250 and you get to sit down
$500 and you can stand at the rope line. This might actually be worth it if you got a chance to give him a piece of your mind!
…………..
Frankly this may be one of the most sickening things I’ve seen in a while – its obvious, the more bucks you have the closer you get to his imperial presence!
Wonder how many mega bucks it would cost to throw tomatoes at Clair and Barack?
Ha!
~ You know mwfolsom that is a drop in the bucket! But when you see it laid out like that it does make you feel like a peon paying to touch the skirt of the emporer.
Lake Lady it really is quite stunning -
To ask for $500 under the Grassroots Reception section of the invitation to stand on the rope line so you might get near the emperor is amazing. This just shows how little they understand the concept and reality of “grassroots”.
This is just bad karma – the whole fetid bunch of Democrats in DC deserve to loose.
Lake Lady says:
24 February 2010 at 3:48 pm
I guess he’s too high highfalutin to sit down with the common folk. My husband dropped a political bombshell on me this morning. He’s definitely leaving the Democratic Party; says he might go “Green” but even worse he says if Ron Paul runs, he’ll vote for him. I almost fell off the chair I was sitting on. Hubby is absolutely disgusted with the corporate Democrats and wants nothing to do with them. He’s already put our senators and representative on notice – you want my vote, you earn it!
Ramsgate says:
24 February 2010 at 2:31 pm
Point taken.
Lake Lady says:
24 February 2010 at 3:07 pm
They’re out of their frickin’ minds.
Jan Austen – your husband is more typical than most folks think -
I’m absolutely convinced that the Dems have been running folks off for years. Many of them simply stop voting and the Dem elites wonder where there voters have gone.
The sad fact is that there really isn’t anywhere for them to go -
One thought I’ve had for a while is what if folks like Jane’s hubby got an absentee ballot, voted for a few people he liked/trusted then just before mailing it in copied the section of National and State Dems which would be blank and sent the copy to the Democratic Party – send it to the State’s Chairman/Chairwomen – with a note saying that you can’t stomach voting for these creeps. If they sent him a good non-corporate candidate they would get his vote in the future.