Barack Obama Officially Announces He's Running In 2012

[MtnGoat]

I like to see what he will try to fix this year??

All of those people in the Military and Veterans that voted for him have be doing some thinking this week.

[Gypsy]

Originally Posted by Billy L-bach

silly me...
...I thought he had started his 2012 campaign on 21 January of 2009

Makes two of us.

Originally Posted by LordReagal

On the first page someone said he was running the country into the ground. So he is destroying the country.

Every chance he gets. Perhaps you should present your arguments as to why he is not, since there are plenty of posts which reflect the mindset of many folks here when it comes to the current president. Or maybe you just enjoy stirring the pot...

[kgoerz]

Originally Posted by LordReagal

Question. Is it possible to destroy America in 3 years? A lot of you Obama haters seem to think he destroyed the country. Are you guys blaming him personally? Or just blaming him because he is in charge?

Don't criticize peoples opinions. Argue with them, fine. Calling everyone a Obama Hater, not an argument.

He is the most inexperienced modern day president we have had. It shows every day. For example. How aloof he is when making a decision

[olhamada]

Originally Posted by LordReagal

On the first page someone said he was running the country into the ground. So he is destroying the country.

You mean like a Kenyan born Muslim Manchurian candidate?

How much you wanna bet, that in 2012, we'll be calling Trump, "President"?

[trvlr]

Originally Posted by Broadsword2004

On foreign policy, he is too much of a "global" president for me. He acts like America is just one country among many other equals, as opposed to the world leader.

IMO this is one of his best qualities. The thought of conventional "boots on the ground" in Syria, Yemen, Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia simultaneously gives me pause. I think we've dodged quite a few bullets recently thanks to the POTUS' 'indecisiveness.'

I was pleased to see Senator Mitt Romney throw his name into the hat. I am eager to see what kind of reasonable fixes he will campaign for. IMO it's going to be rough going for the elephants if they can't get a united front against the incumbent.

[rdret1]

I don't hate him, I just think he is an idiot and does not need to be re-elected. My reasons are many. A few are:
1. Birthing controversy aside, I don't believe he is qualified by any means.

2. Since he has been POTUS, the number of bureaucrats making over $150K has doubled, most in the D.C. area.

3. Since Jan '09, $670B in tax increases and he is the first to want to bring up new taxes this year.

4. His insitency to keep "Holy Grail" social programs at the expense of defense, law enforcement, infrastructure and other programs that are truly necessary.

5. Kowtowing to foreign dignitaries!

6. Failure to take the border/illegal immigration issue seriously and allowing the Justice Department to actually sue a sovereign state.

7. Obamacare! Nuff said about that.

I could continue but that should be sufficient.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by LordReagal

I am not criticizing anything. I was just searching for opinions and answers. What makes a good President? And isn't every President in his first term inexperienced?

No. Most presidents have had some executive experience. Even Palin had it. That means making a decision. It also means being able to gather people to your staff who are experienced - so they can give you their opinion - and then you make a decision.

A lot of ex governors become presidents - not too many senators. We are paying for that now. The prez is a politician and has surrounded himself with election campaign type people - yes men for him - an echo chamber so to say.

[echoes]

Originally Posted by rdret1

I don't hate him, I just think he is an idiot and does not need to be re-elected. My reasons are many. A few are:
1. Birthing controversy aside, I don't believe he is qualified by any means.

2. Since he has been POTUS, the number of bureaucrats making over $150K has doubled, most in the D.C. area.

3. Since Jan '09, $670B in tax increases and he is the first to want to bring up new taxes this year.

4. His insitency to keep "Holy Grail" social programs at the expense of defense, law enforcement, infrastructure and other programs that are truly necessary.

5. Kowtowing to foreign dignitaries!

6. Failure to take the border/illegal immigration issue seriously and allowing the Justice Department to actually sue a sovereign state.

7. Obamacare! Nuff said about that.

I could continue but that should be sufficient.

Very well articulated Sir.

It seems to me that most of those who are, "on the fence" as to the dire reality our great Nation faces, are not criticizing anything, but just searching for opinions and answers.

"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything," comes to mind.

Holly

[Hand]

Promise - Create a foreclosure prevention fund for homeowners
Promise - Close the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center
Promise - “If American workers are being denied their right to organize when I'm in the White House, I will put on a comfortable pair of shoes and I will walk on that picket line with you as president of the United States."
Promise - Support repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
Promise - Forbid companies in bankruptcy from giving executives bonuses

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-me...ameter/browse/


The only one of the few promises in this list that he actually succeeded on keeping so far is highlighted in a flamboyant color.

I remember the first one leading to a huge 'bailout' bill that never actually went to the homeowners.

I don't think we can borrow enough money from China to finance this...President for another 4 year spending spree.

Respectfully

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by LordReagal

What makes a good President?

IMO, skill and luck. The incumbent's lack of the former is compounding the absence of the latter.

[echoes]

Originally Posted by LordReagal

His response was indeed very well articulated. I liked it a lot actually and It shows that I need pay more attention to politics. As for you i am disapoint.

sir,

IMHO, nope!

Politics are focused on by a ton of folks in this Country, some for personal gain, some for political gain, some for emotional gain...(very sad indeed.) However, no dissapointment here, as I do not focus on politics, as my posts here on PS can attest.

I try and steer clear of the Soapbox forum, as it is just a headache for me personally, and far more intelligent folks can debate the real reasons...politically.

Personally my belief is that skill and luck have nothing to do with it, just the stupidity of some Americans, and their LAZINESS. That is what I attest our current Presidents title too.

Those who voted for him...were very, very lazy.

Holly

Holly

Originally Posted by LordReagal

What makes a good President?

The measuring bar has changed, but I'd take someone who has labored by his own strength to build fortune and opportunities for himself and others.

One also with proven executive experience.

I can think of several jobs that are by far much more difficult then that of president or senator. School teacher, police officer, firefighter are three vocations with verticals that have uper executive rolls at district, state and federal levels.

I'd take a multi national energy executive with banking/bond experience or a rurual telephone company executive responsible in making payroll for 5,000 direct employees, a timber lumber manager, a rancher, the director of a port authority. An economist, a child hospital administrator, or the guy down the street.

The greatest leaders this country has ever had have come from its ranks, those closely connected to its citizens, approachable, average, common.

In our simularities, we maintain our core.

[Todd 1]

Originally Posted by echoes

Politics are focused on by a ton of folks in this Country, some for personal gain, some for political gain, some for emotional gain...(very sad indeed.)

Personally my belief is that skill and luck have nothing to do with it, just the stupidity of some Americans, and their LAZINESS. That is what I attest our current Presidents title too.

Those who voted for him...were very, very lazy.

Holly

IMVHO your Absofuckinlutly 100% correct and said it alot more tactful than I would have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOZ-E...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P36x8...eature=related

[drymartini66]

Obama runnig again? I feel safer already.

[rdret1]

Originally Posted by wet dog

The measuring bar has changed, but I'd take someone who has labored by his own strength to build fortune and opportunities for himself and others.

One also with proven executive experience.

I can think of several jobs that are by far much more difficult then that of president or senator. School teacher, police officer, firefighter are three vocations with verticals that have uper executive rolls at district, state and federal levels.

I'd take a multi national energy executive with banking/bond experience or a rurual telephone company executive responsible in making payroll for 5,000 direct employees, a timber lumber manager, a rancher, the director of a port authority. An economist, a child hospital administrator, or the guy down the street.

The greatest leaders this country has ever had have come from its ranks, those closely connected to its citizens, approachable, average, common.

In our simularities, we maintain our core.

This got me to thinking and I decided to do a little looking. I was surprised at what I found. The VAST majority of our past presidents have been lawyers. Some with or without military experience. This is the breakdown:

1. George Washington - Planter , Soldier

2. John Adams - Lawyer

3. Thomas Jefferson - Lawyer

4. James Madison - Lawyer

5. James Monroe - Lawyer

6. John Quincy Adams - Lawyer

7. Andrew Jackson - Lawyer , Soldier

8. Martin Van Buren - Lawyer

9. William Henry Harrison - Soldier

10. John Tyler - Lawyer

11. James Polk - Lawyer

12. Zachary Taylor - Soldier

13. Millard Fillmore - Lawyer

14. Franklin Pierce - Lawyer, public official

15. James Buchanan - Lawyer

16. Abe Lincoln - Lawyer

17. Andrew Johnson - Tailor, public official

18. Ulysses S. Grant - Soldier

19. Rutherford B. Hayes - Lawyer

20. James Garfield - Teacher, public official

21. Chester Arthur - Lawyer

22/24. Grover Cleveland - Lawyer

23. Benjamin Harrison - Lawyer

25. William McKinley - Lawyer

26. Theodore Roosevelt - Author, Soldier/Hunter, Lawyer, public official

27. William Howard Taft - Lawyer, public official

28. Woodrow Wilson - Teacher, public official

29. Warren G. Harding - Editor/Publisher

30. Calvin Coolidge - Lawyer

31. Herbert Hoover - Engineer

32. Franklin D. Roosevelt - Lawyer, public official

33. Harry Truman - Farmer, Soldier, public official

34. Dwight D. Eisenhower - Soldier

35. John F. Kennedy - Author, Sailor, public official

36. Lyndon B. Johnson - Teacher, public official

37. Richard Nixon - Lawyer, public official

38. Gerald Ford - Lawyer, public official

39. Jimmie Carter - Farmer, public official

40. Ronald Reagan - Actor, public official

41. George H.W. Bush - Businessman, public official

42. William J. Clinton - Lawyer, public official

43. George W. Bush - Businessman

44. BHO - Lawyer, community agitator

After reading the list, you can make your own assumptions. Of course on many of them where "public official" is listed equates to "Governor"; not all though. From reading history and memory from my life time, "Greatness" as a president had little to do with past occupational experience and more to do with personal and moral convictions. In my lifetime, JFK;Reagan; and GHW Bush would be good examples. From an historical perspective, the first seven; Lincoln; US Grant; Teddy Roosevelt; FDR (arguably); and Ike. Those are just my opinion of course. YMMV