Now that Obama is more flexible, which way will he bend?
By AnjaP
@Rollo1 (16679)
Boston, Massachusetts
November 8, 2012 7:08am CST
Just as Obama told Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, he has more flexibility after this election. How will he use it?
Obama could use his flexibility and the security that comes from not having to worry about another election to do the right thing. Will he?
For one thing, Obama doesn't have to worry about catering to special interest groups anymore. He could ignore the extreme environmentalists now, do what is right for the nation by opening up drilling on federal lands, approving the Keystone pipeline and take steps to free us from the need for foreign oil.
Obama doesn't have to cater to the radical pro-abortion groups. He can avoid the added expenditures of federally funded abortions and contraceptives. He can cut off funding to Planned Parenthood. He could save the federal government a lot of money.
Obama could do some serious work on the budget and the deficit. He could finally admit that there is so much waste and that things like funding a multi-billion dollar corporation like PBS is just more than we can afford. He could tell the truth about the realities to the Democrats out there who supported him. He could tell them about debt and about how to spend money more wisely and less often.
So, anybody think Obama will use his flexibility to do the right thing? Or do you think he will use it to do things that would have brought a hue and cry from the citizenry if he had tried it in the first four years? Will he rule by executive order? What do you think Obama will do with his flexibility and will it be good for us?
3 people like this
7 responses
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
8 Nov 12
The more I think about this, the more I'm convinced that he'll be the Obama we all know for the next 2 years. Only instead of having to spend so much time worrying about his own campaign, he's going to use his position to focus more on the House and on Democratic campaigns.
He won't want to do anything to tarnish party image. Keeping the Senate is important, but retaking the House is the biggest goal for the first half of Obama's second term.
I think they'll put as much effort into that as they did Obamacare. Then, win or lose, we'll see what's up.
4 people like this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
9 Nov 12
Charles Krauthammer thinks Obama is an ideologue. A.B. Stoddard thinks Obama is an egoist. I say he's both. But if he's one or the other, we shall see the dominant character trait show itself in the next four years. Either he will proceed with his ideology -necessarily trying to promote those who will support him in Congress, so perhaps campaigning for liberals - or he will compromise to get things done in order to preserve his legend. His ego would want something to go down in history for. If he's both, he will promote his ideology and believe it's historically important.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
8 Nov 12
I would hope that we see improvements but considering Obama's resentment of our capitalistic base I doubt it. I think by the end of his term we will be mostly defenseless (the aside with Medvedev), broke and as close to at third world country as we've ever come.
I wonder if anyone will have the gonads to impeach him if he begins to disarm the nation and make concessions to our detriment? I doubt it. Not if it means sacrifice on their part--there are only a very few members of Congress with the guts to stand up for their people and who are there for the people, not themselves.
3 people like this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
8 Nov 12
Impeachment does not mean removal from office. Being tried for treason and found guilty would do it though. And since Biden could reasonably be found complacent to treason...
2 people like this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
8 Nov 12
If there are moves made that will endanger the safety of the nation, I think all of that should most definitely be considered. Of course, if those sorts of moves are made, they may be done out of sight..
@cobalt20 (1318)
• Philippines
8 Nov 12
Well, I am now fatalistic about Barack Obama. He should improve or not to bend his country and also the world. He must be the problem solver in economic development and provide jobs.
I am hopefully, he should make a state visit in Philippines. He not yet have a visit here.
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
8 Nov 12
hi! I'm wondering if you meant "I am not fatalistic about Barack Obama".. it seems as though that may be the case..
1 person likes this
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
8 Nov 12
Let me first say this, I hope you're not holding your breath; but I do think there are things he should take into account. Just about half the country voted against him, so he doesn't have the popular backing that he had during his first term. He still has a republican House to deal with. In spite of the claims of improvement in the economy, there really hasn't been improvement and I'm sure he knows it. If Obama really cares about the welfare of the country, he'll start listening to other ideas, because his first term ideas didn't work. The problem is, I'm not so sure he wants us as a capitalist society but rather a government dependent society. If that is the case, nothing will improve and will probably get worse. That's one of those things we'll just have to wait to see, but with his Marxist leanings, it's hard to be optimistic. I hope I'm wrong. I hope Obama does care about the United States and realizes his old ways didn't work, will change his arrogant attitude, and start working with congress and congress will try to work with him for what is best for all of us.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
8 Nov 12
I think we will see what else Frank Marshall Davis, William Ayers and the rest taught him.
1 person likes this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
8 Nov 12
OMG! That's right! I forgot about that... (his mentors)
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
8 Nov 12
Not to mention G*d d*mn America, your chickens have come home to roost Rev. Wright.
and many many more that I don't want to look up their names, all the radicals he purposefully sought out as friends in college.
1 person likes this
@trruk1 (1028)
• United States
10 Nov 12
This is a fantasy that many Republicans seem to share. it is the idea that since he won't have to worry about another election he will now be "reasonable", and do exactly what they want. Why would he do that? The idea that doing the right thing means do everything the right wing wants is just a fantasy. What is going to happen? I'm not sure, but he is already showing some steel about taxes. The idea that he won the election and will therefore now cave to everything the Republicans want is not based in reality, and it just dreaming to expect anything of the sort.
@evanslf (484)
•
9 Nov 12
i think obama will be in a stronger position with the GOP now, he will insist on taxes for those earning more than $250,000 going up, after all he campaigned on this platform. I suspect he will play hardball and use the bully pulpit of the presidency.
I think in foreign policy, he has kept his powder dry, but I wouldn't be surprised if he has a serious go at Netenyahu now, he owes Netenhayu nothing and I can see him trying to force Israel to the negotiating table
