The Big Shift: Tribune Editorial Suggests Clinton Run in Obama’s Stead, Boston Globe Highlights Obama’s Cuts to Medicare, Gallup: Obama Steady at 40%

Hell About to Freeze Over - again - image from 2009 Inauguration, The Daily Beast



The “we’ve been there, done that” wake-up of the establishment press has some columns and editorials beginning to step to the right of the administration, or, more to the point, to criticize, either openly or using surrogates to do the same. With Gallup polling’s Average Daily Presidential Approval Rating, Obama is holding steady at 40 % which translates into a tough election season come 2012, and the end result, should those figures remain the same – defeat. Given the breakdown of their polling by demographics it appears that among “Whites” and “Hispanics”, Obama has lost substantial support, the pollster further points out that without the input of higher ratings from other demographics, the President’s approval would be a bit lower.

All this must not have been lost on the Editorial Board at the Chicago Tribune, where a call for the President to just quit, not campaign, stand aside and let Hillary Clinton run is the theme. The Tribune sees an opportunity to keep the Democrat “Brand” from imploding, mostly due to the low ratings of the current President, by bringing back the most Popular Democrat, one Hillary Clinton. That said, this year, may be difficult for any Democrat running for election or reelection, depending upon how one views the two special elections which recently saw defeats in Nevada, and most importantly a loss in New York City, where a seat that has been “held” by a member of Team Democrat from the 1920’s forward, went to a Tea Party Republican, by no small margin. Even former Mayor Ed Koch came out on election eve, to rally for the Republican. One had to check to see if “Hades had frozen over”. This begs the question, would Hillary Clinton risk running this year, when the brand is poisoned, and four years goes by quickly?

For perspective on Obama, like LBJ (an altogether intriguing comparison), stepping down instead of seeking office, and Clinton running – in the other direction, defer to HillBuzz.org’s Kevin DuJan’s take on why Clinton won’t run in 2012 which makes sense. Rumors of challenges to Obama from the left, are what they are, mere diversions, as the incumbent, unless faced with a strong opponent from within the party (which does not work as intended – refer to Ted Kennedy vs. James Carter) – which gives Hillary one more check on the “cons list”.

Meanwhile, the Boston Globe, paper of choice for those who live in the world of denial (i.e. Duval Patrick won reelection in a landslide (by 1 point), comes an article that almost criticizes, but not quite, the President’s plan to cut Medicare and Medicaid, mostly to physicians, and placing more of a burden on individual state and creates yet another agency:

Obama also wants to give additional authority to a new agency called the Independent Payment Advisory Board, which could force further cuts for medical providers.

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among those cited as being against the President’s plan: AARP.

Shock and awe.

The problem with any proposals coming out of the administration is that they are neither people friendly, nor business friendly, and are framed by the left and the center, or by what the Obama Campaign feels will appeal to voters from the left and the center.
Again, refer to history, or just ring up Jimmy Carter, and ask him how that worked out. When one is viewed as an incompetent, ideologically driven incumbent, the chances that one would gain reelection are slim. Approval ratings are one thing, perception when added, is another. Those that would cry “race” have to get over it, specifically as it applies to elections. When one has competent, proven, leaders of all ethnic backgrounds, it is what it is, criticisms leveled on a person’s ability to do the job, nothing more and nothing less. In addition, the ideology, which is Progressive (i.e. Socialist), is also under condemnation, as other Progressive figures outside of the administration, i.e. the Congress, are viewed similarly. The economic policies of progressives and that Tax the Rich and grab the pitchforks, are going to be an extremely hard sell on the American general public.

How bad is it?

When Texas Governor, Rick Perry, 2012 GOP Candidate for President, can go to Manhattan, and campaign and fundraiser, within the Jewish and Latino communities, successfully, then there is certainly “Trouble in River City”.

When the New York Times, and Ralph Nadar, in the course of weeks, begin to either support or to view Palin as a true populist, one with ideas that resonate cross party, then there has been a shift of some magnitude in those who normally would neither defend, nor accurately quote said Governor Palin.

The President's latest plan to Tax the Rich, raise taxes (i.e. revenue) and bend to his base, by noting no compromise is a risk that the Campaign is taking - knowing that the President's Bill has no chance of passage, and pitting the Rich against the Poor - also did not work thirty years ago. The Romantic notion that since this type of Rhetoric worked for Lenin, in Russia, and therefore, why not in the U.S. - is - in a word - either a sign of serious desperation in reaching what is left of the base, or an administration so ideologically driven, it cannot see the forest through the trees.

Barney Frank – MSNBC The Ed Show Trancript “We Are Trying On Every Front To Increase Government in the Regulatory Area” - Frank's 2010 Opposition

A video surfaced yesterday from an MSNBC program via Real Clear Politics - in the video Ralph Nader and Barney Frank, Massachusetts 4th District U.S. Representative, have a back and forth on the regulation of derivatives. Simply put, a derivative,

“Derivatives are financial products, such as futures contracts, options, and mortgage-backed securities. Most of derivatives' value is based on the value of an underlying security, commodity, or other financial instrument.
For example, the changing value of a crude oil futures contract depends primarily on the upward or downward movement of oil prices.
An equity option's value is determined by the relationship between its strike price and the value of the underlying stock, the time until expiration, and the stock's volatility.
Certain investors, called hedgers, are interested in the underlying instrument. For example, a baking company might buy wheat futures to help estimate the cost of producing its bread in the months to come.
Other investors, called speculators, are concerned with the profit to be made by buying and selling the contract at the most opportune time. Listed derivatives are traded on organized exchanges or markets. Other derivatives are traded over-the-counter (OTC) and in private transactions.”

Nader speaks to Frank about his role in the deregulation of mortgage securities, (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac), and goes on to blast him for his support of a bill that allows exceptions on categories of these derivatives.

This is an abridged transcript (given Rep. Frank’s “unique style of speaking”):

Nader: “In 2000 you voted for a bill that continued the deregulation of the burgeoning derivative racket and now he’s supporting a bill that has a huge loophole in terms of exempting trillions of dollars in certain categories of derivatives, and he hasn’t (interruption from Frank) he didn’t support a categorical ban on the use of derivatives”

Frank: Well first off all Ralph - (*insults)
“I had overwhelming Republican opposition to any regulation of derivatives and some democrats - we fought hard for it – we are establishing a great framework for the regulation of derivatives – we are moving forward in that ad we’ve done as much as we can politically - the fact is we had a political situation – the real irony – the right wing took control of government and ruined it they gave it a bad reputation and now that “we are trying on every front in to increase the role of government in regulatory area”, we run into this public opinion that says hey, those are the guys that screwed up Katrina so the frustration is that they are benefiting from their own (word could be) incompetence.”

“We are trying on every front to increase the role of government in the regulatory area”

One comment appeared on Real Clear Politics that sums that statement up nicely: “Power deludes and absolute power deludes absolutely.

The Bill over which Ralph and Frank were arguing:
An article explaining the bill which passed the House, from DSNews, (here) goes into some depth explaining how the bill is “watered-down”, and goes into the exceptions referred to by Nader.

Barney Frank, whose memory is on any given day, either selectively partisan, selectively self-serving, has not acknowledged at any time, that there was opposition to his continued support for continuing deregulation, he is also holding fast to partisan speak – 2010 is an election year, and Frank does face opposition in his district.

Barney Frank on the Campaign Trail (since 1972) Faces Opposition from one Conservative – Earl Sholley and one “Republican”, Keith Messina. Messina, who originally began his campaign as an Independent, has since jumped onto the “Republican” label. Messina however, is not a conservative. (Shades of the New York 23rd!)

Frank has decided to take his campaign online: In a recent series of videos, Frank answers questions on issues that were presented through the blog Reddit.com In Frank “speak” – one of the 5 videos are featured below – the balance are on YouTube here From why the Lesbian and Gay Community should not bother with protests, to why the Democrat Controlled Congress with a like minded President have not made good on their campaign promises, Frank goes into detail to “explain”.




Frank faces opposition in the 4th District from Earl Sholley, a conservative populist candidate running as a Republican. Sholley has his own campaign videos on YouTube, which appear to speak in plain language, about common sense solutions, and without partisan diatribe.



Keith Messina , a newly minted Republican candidate for the 4th Congressional district, has a video below. In a recent article from the Boston Globe, Mr. Messina “promised a fresh perspective” and went on to say that he “supports federal recognition of same-sex marriage.”



Since 1972 Barney Frank has developed a left-of-center reputation and been responsible for legislation and oversight that has not only impacted his own district, but the entire nation. The voters in the 4th district have choices - (see above), there is simply no excuse for those in the 4th to continue to impose this brand of politician on the rest of the country. Those outside the state of Massachusetts are encouraged to donate to the opposition cadidate of your choice. Research is suggested.

The Nation Now Turns to John McCain

In an email delivered last evening, Hillary Clinton spoke to supporters and suspended her campaign. The tone was less than rousing, and with good reason. A good percentage of those supporters who backed Hillary Clinton, did so because she actually had a plan, had the experience and the ability to be a moderate. She remains one of the best candidates the Democrats have put forth since John Kennedy and her supporters are savvy enough to know it. On the flip side, they also know that Barrack Obama is in the same mold as McGovern and Carter and Mondale, which gives them one other choice, and that choice is McCain (although I have heard Ralph Nader’s name bandied about as well as an increased interest in Bob Barr and the Libertarian party. In other words, those voters that were behind Hillary 110% will now be shopping elsewhere. She may also understand that wise supporters will not just fall into line because the party tells them they must.

John McCain is an open book to the American public. The only comment that I have heard regarding him that is at all negative is: “He’s a scary old man”. Ok, I’m a scary old woman! With all those baby boomers in denial, using 70 as the new 30, John McCain is in the prime of his life! I prefer age and wisdom to youth and inexperience any day of the week. Those boomers who supported Hillary Clinton will not be considering age as a factor. Although McCain was not this conservatives first choice, he has decidedly grown on me, as he will on millions of other conservative and moderate voters across this nation who understand what’s a stake – the preservation, not of the Republican Party, but of the nation.

Hillary Clintons Email to Supporters

I wanted you to be one of the first to know: on Saturday, I will hold an event in Washington D.C. to thank everyone who has supported my campaign. Over the course of the last 16 months, I have been privileged and touched to witness the incredible dedication and sacrifice of so many people working for our campaign. Every minute you put into helping us win, every dollar you gave to keep up the fight meant more to me than I can ever possibly tell you.

On Saturday, I will extend my congratulations to Senator Obama and my support for his candidacy. This has been a long and hard-fought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Senator Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Senator McCain and the Republicans.

I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise.

When I decided to run for president, I knew exactly why I was getting into this race: to work hard every day for the millions of Americans who need a voice in the White House.

I made you -- and everyone who supported me -- a promise: to stand up for our shared values and to never back down. I'm going to keep that promise today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life.

I will be speaking on Saturday about how together we can rally the party behind Senator Obama. The stakes are too high and the task before us too important to do otherwise.

I know as I continue my lifelong work for a stronger America and a better world, I will turn to you for the support, the strength, and the commitment that you have shown me in the past 16 months. And I will always keep faith with the issues and causes that are important to you.

In the past few days, you have shown that support once again with hundreds of thousands of messages to the campaign, and again, I am touched by your thoughtfulness and kindness.

I can never possibly express my gratitude, so let me say simply, thank you.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

To learn more about John McCain and to contribute to his campaign visit:
John McCain.com