President Barack Obama/Vice-President Joe Biden Re-elected to 2nd Term Thread

[Jumbo]

Use the debate thread for the debate.

[SkinsHokieFan]

Is Obama overrated as a candidate?

In his closing remarks at the first debate in Denver last week, President Obama uttered the following sentence: “Four years ago, I said that I’m not a perfect man and I wouldn’t be a perfect president.”

For anyone who has watched Obama campaign for a second term this year, the phrase is old hat — part of the president’s seemingly self-effacing acknowledgment that he has, is and will continue to

But the now-familiar phrase took on a different — and more troubling — meaning for the president in the debate as it capped a decidedly desultory performance that left even his most loyal allies wondering what was wrong with him.

Obama’s debate performance also raised a bigger question: Is he overrated as a candidate?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...y.html?hpid=z2

Click link for rest

One thing the President has been lucky with as a major candidate is his opponent has usually imploded. Jack Ryan in Illinois in his 2004 Senate run and of course McCain being undone by the economic collapse and Palin hilarity in October 2008

[Jumbo]

Between his awful debate effort and this dumbass Big Bird ad his campaign’s running (have you heard it), I swear O is taking a page out of the Redskins playbook on how to amazingly blow a comfortable lead by working hard to do it---and a lead you never should have had, so throwing it away is twice-damnable.

[thebluefood]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-...978.html?hp=l1

ABC News has the latest on the Benghazi timeline, which has a stark discrepancy from the initial description of events offered by some Obama administration officials and that was presented for over nine days after the attack:

Looks like someone has been telling tall tails about Benghazi.

[SnyderShrugged]

Between his awful debate effort and this dumbass Big Bird ad his campaign’s running (have you heard it), I swear O is taking a page out of the Redskins playbook on how to amazingly blow a comfortable lead by working hard to do it---and a lead you never should have had, so throwing it away is twice-damnable.

It is so surprising to watch as supporter of neither him nor Romney. It's been so strange to see, its almost as if its contrived, but to what end, I have no idea.

[NLC1054]

Between his awful debate effort and this dumbass Big Bird ad his campaign’s running (have you heard it), I swear O is taking a page out of the Redskins playbook on how to amazingly blow a comfortable lead by working hard to do it---and a lead you never should have had, so throwing it away is twice-damnable.

The Big Bird thing is an internet ad only. The internet tends to be where the stupid **** on both side lies. (Go figure.) And even so I wouldn't say that ad was negatively effecting him somehow.

---------- Post added October-10th-2012 at 12:30 PM ----------

I mean, for all the talk of Romney winning, the one thing that sticks out for most people (besides all the lying and Obama bombing) is the Big Bird thing. Not sure what else Obama can do but take the biggest, dumbest thing Romney mentioned and run with it. God knows pointing out that Romney is lying---while appeciated---won't exactly reach the same audience.

[Jumbo]

The Big Bird thing is an internet ad only. The internet tends to be where the stupid **** on both side lies. (Go figure.) And even so I wouldn't say that ad was negatively effecting him somehow.

I think it is (not hugely of course). Even among the people who are either pro-Obama or at least more anti-gop/Romney. And you can count me, too. The standard reaction I was getting in my discourse with folks was "geez, that was stupid <or similar word>" and "what are they thinking" kind of reactions, even from those at least somewhat favoring Obama.

To use more Redskins references, it's tone is a little like watching Landry strut when he's stopped a guy after a 17 yd gain for a 1st down at a key time in the game. It's the wrong time for sarcastically biting/cute.

The strategy a campaign spokesperson stated they had for the ad was that media sources would pick it up and play it for free (they didn't buy any spots for it). And aside internet action, it's seeing a lot of radio play and making it's inroads to print and some tv news already (as they logically and properly assumed).

But the reaction hasn't been positive is the rub. This was not the time to go smarmy/cutesie. Bad call (though hardly a game breaker). Being on I-5 for meetings from Seattle to Portland, it was featured on talk radio stations (non-crazy type) from SF (cbs affiliate) to Seattle (abc affiliate) and NPR (Oregon coast affiliate).

As I'm saying, I don't think it will be some huge gaffe on its own, but it is drawing it's share of attention and most (like me) seem to find it was a stupid ad given the gravity of the tightening of the race since the debate. I see it as part of a pattern of Obama's campaign continuing a level of increasing incompetency lately that they had been avoiding previously, and at the worst time. I also expect them to start noting this stuff and pull out of it. But they've allowed the other team to catch up much by their own hand.

Bill Clinton is still swinging a big bat, though, in his stumping.

[NLC1054]

I think it is (not hugely of course). Even among the people who are either pro-Obama or at least more anti-gop/Romney. And you can count me, too. The standard reaction I was getting in my discourse with folks was "geez, that was stupid <or similar word>" and "what are they thinking" kind of reactions, even from those at least somewhat favoring Obama.

To use more Redskins references, it's tone is a little like watching Landry strut when he's stopped a guy after a 17 yd gain for a 1st down at a key time in the game. It's the wrong time for sarcastically biting/cute.

The strategy a campaign spokesperson stated they had for the ad was that media sources would pick it up and play it for free (they didn't buy any spots for it). And aside internet action, it's seeing a lot of radio play and making it's inroads to print and some tv news already (as they logically and properly assumed).

But the reaction hasn't been positive is the rub. This was not the time to go smarmy/cutesie. Bad call (though hardly a game breaker). Being on I-5 for meetings from Seattle to Portland, it was featured on talk radio stations (non-crazy type) from SF (cbs affiliate) to Seattle (abc affiliate) and NPR (Oregon coast affiliate).

As I'm saying, I don't think it will be some huge gaffe on its own, but it is drawing it's share of attention and most (like me) seem to find it was a stupid ad given the gravity of the tightening of the race since the debate. I see it as part of a pattern of Obama's campaign continuing a level of increasing incompetency lately that they had been avoiding previously, and at the worst time. I also expect them to start noting this stuff and pull out of it. But they've allowed the other team to catch up much by their own hand.

Bill Clinton is still swinging a big bat, though, in his stumping.

I think coming off the debate they were looking for anything they possibly could to hit Romney on. And I'd agree, the whole Big Bird thing (especially in ad form) is sort of a dumbass move. Obama joking about it on the stump is one thing; making an ad about it is stupid.

I don't know if it's incompetence as much as trying to re-tool their campaign, looking for the next 47%-ish thing to pin to Romney. I think the Romney debate took them by surprise and they're kind of in the "throw **** at the wall and see what sticks" mode.

I'm honestly intrigued to see the Joe Biden/Paul Ryan debate. I know historically the VP debate doesn't really move the needle, and I hate talking about debates in sports terms, but if Biden can advocate for Obama better than Obama can for himself (which is a problem the President will never escape I feel) while also tying the Paul Ryan's record to Mitt Romney in a negative way, I wonder if the momentum won't swing back a little bit.

I do wish they'd take the ad down though. Sesame Street asked them to. Seems like a jerky move to keep it up when it's not working and Sesame Street is non-partisan.

[Corcaigh]

The Obama campaign joking specifically about Big Bird is missing the target. What would be more pertinent is that Romney can't support his statements with credible numbers. When talking about deficit reduction and wasteful spending Romney's example is worthless given the problem that needs to be addressed.

Romney and Ryan have been hammered in the past on lack of specifics. This is an example where their specific example underlies their lack of a plan to back up their claims that they know what to do.

[visionary]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/click/...it-137997.html

Hulk Hogan: Obama couldn't cut it

Hulk Hogan explained his switch to Team Romney after backing Obama last election in an interview with Piers Morgan on Tuesday.

“Obama came along and laid out his battle plan and his platform and the change and how things were going to happen, and then four years down the road … he didn’t make a difference,” Hogan said.

“Maybe it’s larger than he is. I’m looking for someone who can move the needle - the ratings, the numbers, the unemployment, the national debt," Hogan added. "Somebody please get in there and use some common sense.”

He also wants the country to take a different approach to diplomacy: “A lot of this stuff isn’t of our business, and targeting nations and nationalities where it’s just a few people such as different terrorist groups."

"I think we’re sometimes stepping across the line, and I just want to reel things back in and take care of America first,” he said.

[Jumbo]

I'm with ya all the way, NLC, on the veep debate. More and more, upon reflection, i can't believe Obama let Romney have such a cakewalk. Unbelievable. I don't know if you or anyone else here heard this, but on the radio yesterday (Seattle abc affiliate) there was also a story with the host (conservative but not rabid at all) stating it was reported that Obama told a campaign aide right afterwards "that went well" and was being genuine.

The radio show host (John Curley---don't listen to him but he seems reasonable enough and had a regional "travel/community" show for years where he game off very likable) then stated another similar comment Obama made after being asked how he meant that, indicating he was being sincere and really felt he did pretty good and Romney didn't---then it being about his guys were understandably incredulous. So I have no idea if any of that is so and has been verified. If anyone else does, it would be interesting in the "really"??" department. And yes, they should take the ad down since Sesame St asked so nice.

[twa]

Pollster pulls out of Fla., NC and Va., says Obama can’t win there
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/...obama-cant-win
Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly seemed perplexed, and asked Paleologos if he was certain those three states were already in the bag for Romney.

“That’s right, and here’s why. Before the debate, the Suffolk poll had Obama ahead 46 to 43 [in Florida] in the head-to-head number,” Paleologos responded.
“A poor place to be for a couple of reasons. Number one, his ballot test, his head-to-head number was below 47 percent before the debate, and it’s very, very difficult when you have the known quantity, the incumbent, to claw your way up to 50. So that was a very, very poor place for him to be.

“So we’re looking at this polling data not only in Florida but in Virginia and North Carolina and it’s overwhelming,” Paleologos concluded.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

http://www.news4jax.com/election-201...z/-/index.html

UNF poll reveals slight lead for Obama in Florida

Survey includes 790 residents in Sunshine State

[Predicto]

Pollster pulls out of Fla., NC and Va., says Obama can’t win there
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/...obama-cant-win
Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly seemed perplexed, and asked Paleologos if he was certain those three states were already in the bag for Romney.

“That’s right, and here’s why. Before the debate, the Suffolk poll had Obama ahead 46 to 43 [in Florida] in the head-to-head number,” Paleologos responded.
“A poor place to be for a couple of reasons. Number one, his ballot test, his head-to-head number was below 47 percent before the debate, and it’s very, very difficult when you have the known quantity, the incumbent, to claw your way up to 50. So that was a very, very poor place for him to be.

“So we’re looking at this polling data not only in Florida but in Virginia and North Carolina and it’s overwhelming,” Paleologos concluded.

That's weird. I could understand pulling out of North Carolina and putting it into the Romney ledger, but Florida and Virginia are completely done deals in his mind?

[twa]

It does seem odd if you trust the earlier polls, but he should have a good idea of the sampling ect.
I guess I shoulda watched the debate IF it was that big a swing factor