In the US News article, the poll results included hypothetical match-ups with GOP possible presidential candidates. In this poll, Gingrich, Romney and Jeb Bush all bested Obama; Palin was within one point – giving a picture of how interactive polling (or those using the internet versus traditional telephone surveys) predicts the 2012 outcome as of November, 2010.
(The Zogby methodology uses random samples of individuals who are invited to participate in a secure online poll, which allows for faster, larger samples. This method is light-years away from typical Internet “polls” in which results can be skewed to favor one “candidate” over another simply by having supporters clear their cache on their computer and vote incessantly. Some of the online polls offer a 24 hour lockout of an ISP, which can be tricked by clearing the cache. Therefore, Zobgy’s polling methodology and the integrity thereof, is not subject to multiple entries, and no different than traditional polling methods used by organizations such as Rasmussen which uses a computerized telephone sample method.)
US News suggests that the boondoggle from the TSA have been attached to Obama in the public eye, and that may be a reason why his approval is dropping. The fact that his policies have been rejected by the American public, as evidenced by the 2010 mid-term elections, is, in all likelihood, being enhanced by the constant revelations of the Administrations ineptitude in handling just about anything – including WikiLeaks and one Julian Assange.
Yesterday Mr. Assange, an Australian computer hacker turned “activists”, released classified foreign policy documents to newspapers globally as well as posting these “secret” documents on the WikiLeaks website. Mr. Assange, seeking more than 15 minutes of fame, is nothing more than a left of center, anti-government anarchist, who is using the web in order to further his “fame”. The documents were obtained through a U.S. Army intelligence officer who was apparently gleeful of “leaking” the documents to Assange:
“Hillary Clinton and several thousand diplomats around the world are going to have a heart attack when they wake up one morning, and find an entire repository of classified foreign policy is available, in searchable format, to the public,” Manning wrote.”
Two questions come immediately to mind: one, how much of a “Clinton hater” is this young disgruntled (about to be demoted prior to releasing the documents) man? Clinton, not Obama appears to have been the target given this statement, so one could conclude that the young man was not a fervent supporter of the Secretary of State.
Additionally, how much does one get paid for leaking to WikiLeaks? To believe that the website is not a corporation in and of itself is naive. The group survives by “donations”, which can be made through its website via bank transfers and credit cards. In order for Julian Assange to travel the World, he would need quite the bankroll, and any employees of WikiLeaks, one can bet the house, are not unpaid volunteers. To note, the website is based on leaks primarily of U.S. Origin, so one can further speculate that those “donating” to the cause, do not have the best interested of the U.S. at heart. Would that include Heads of State, perhaps?
The man who became the target, perhaps unintended, was not the United States overall, but the President and his administration. Upon publication of the information by the New York Times they offered an editorial on their decision to publish, after having spoken with the Administration, and agreeing, only in some instances, to not publish certain materials. Overall, the ”Treasure trove” of leaked cables is featured in a 4 page article on the front page of the Times website.
It is, again, naive to believe that the President will not take the brunt of the blame for this debacle. His failed foreign policy trip to Asia, directly following the mid-terms has become somewhat legendary. These leaks just add fuel to the fire regarding the ineptitude of the administration’s ability to deal with foreign policy.
The fact that the most powerful nation on earth, which, under the Bush administration, appeared to have a fairly decent handle on intelligence, and overall, may have been “hated” by the “world” for being a “cowboy”, has become, under the Obama administration, one big joke after another, is not surprising. Former President Carter used similar methodology to Obama’s when dealing with foreign policy – inexperience. He also applied the same principles to the economy with similar results. The problem in this instance is that the picture painted by these documents make Obama out to be some sort of foreign policy “thug”, especially when The “Great World Hope” of Obama used what amounts to extortion when certain World Leaders wished to meet with the White House. Considering the later, and how it relates to the “Chicago “gangsta” persona employed by the President from time to time”, perhaps he might have, with foreknowledge of these leaks evident, employed the same threats to that weasel Assange, sending him back to his mothers basement where he belongs. However, he did not.
The “Revelations” in these “Leaks” (to date), are more embarrassing to the administration than anything else. Much of the “leaks” are somewhat “common knowledge”, for example, the “revelations” regarding the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Al Queda. However, the harm done will be to the Obama administration and places one more nail in the proverbial coffin of public opinion of the President.
The unintended consequences of Assanges’ actions:
As the world digests the duplicity of the Obama administration (evidenced by these “leaks), and the voting public understands that the President is clueless when it comes to keeping the nation safe (see Borders in addition to the “leaks”), how the next President will be chosen, will now be based upon, not only the economy but also foreign policy strength, or more to the point, a drive to keep American’s safe and the nations data safe. This brings up the list of potential candidates thus far: Mitt Romney, who has business experience, has half of the equation, Mike Huckabee, a Governor, has little business (Fortune 500) with foreign policy experience that is at least equal to most State Governors. (Which said, Governors who have to run a mini-government, including a military (National Guard), do have the bonafides to assume the office of the Presidency more than a one-term Senator. Finally, when Palin, who spoke of the ability to see Russia from certain points in Alaska (which was taken by comedienne Tina Fey to mean Palin’s house), gives the V.P. candidate turned potential Presidential Candidate a bit of an edge, given her work with the U.S. Governors Association, National Resources Committee (Energy), which is crucial to U.S. Defense, the Economy and Foreign Policy - given the nature of the Republic of the United States of America and how independent most states are when it comes to determining policy that affects the entire country. That said, of the three mentioned above (being those most often associated as running in 2012 by the press) the leader of the U.S. must have at least an appearance of strength or the appearance (to the world and those on the left) of being crazy enough to challenge the world in the best interest of the United States. No crystal ball needed to understand that the odds of Obama being a 2nd term president, given the continued “gaffes”, are greatly diminished.
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