The GOP's Problem: Obummer has been a resounding success

[IGotWorms 4,063]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/10/opinion/paul-krugman-gop-candidates-and-obamas-failure-to-fail.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=opinion-c-col-left-region&region=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region&_r=0&referrer=

 

What did the men who would be president talk about during last weeks prime-time Republican debate? Well, there were 19 references to God, while the economy rated only 10 mentions. Republicans in Congress have voted dozens of times to repeal all or part of Obamacare, but the candidates only named President Obamas signature policy nine times over the course of two hours. And energy, another erstwhile G.O.P. favorite, came up only four times.

 

Strange, isnt it? The shared premise of everyone on the Republican side is that the Obama years have been a time of policy disaster on every front. Yet the candidates on that stage had almost nothing to say about any of the supposed disaster areas.

 

And there was a good reason they seemed so tongue-tied: Out there in the real world, none of the disasters their party predicted have actually come to pass. President Obama just keeps failing to fail. And thats a big problem for the G.O.P. even bigger than Donald Trump.

 

Start with health reform. Talk to right-wingers, and they will inevitably assert that it has been a disaster. But ask exactly what form this disaster has taken, and at best you get unverified anecdotes about rate hikes and declining quality.

 

Meanwhile, actual numbers show that the Affordable Care Act has sharply reduced the number of uninsured Americans especially in blue states that have been willing to expand Medicaid while costing substantially less than expected. The newly insured are, by and large, pleased with their coverage, and the law has clearly improved access to care.

 

Needless to say, right-wing think tanks are still cranking out studies purporting to show that health reform is a failure. But its a losing game, and judging from last weeks debate Republican politicians know it.

 

But what about side effects? Obamacare was supposed to be a job-killer in fact, when Marco Rubio was asked how he would boost the economy, pretty much all he had to suggest was repealing health and financial reforms. But in the year and a half since Obamacare went fully into effect, the U.S. economy has added an average of 237,000 private-sector jobs per month. Thats pretty good. In fact, its better than anything weve seen since the 1990s.

 

Which brings us to the economy.

 

There was remarkably little economic discussion at the debate, although Jeb Bush is still boasting about his record in Florida that is, his experience in presiding over a gigantic housing bubble, and providentially leaving office before the bubble burst. Why didnt the other candidates say more? Probably because at this point the Obama economy doesnt look too bad. Put it this way: if you compare unemployment rates over the course of the Obama administration with unemployment rates under Reagan, Mr. Obama ends up looking better unemployment was higher when he took office, and its now lower than it was at this point under Reagan.

Nailed it.

[Mungwater 601]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/10/opinion/paul-krugman-gop-candidates-and-obamas-failure-to-fail.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=opinion-c-col-left-region&region=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region&_r=0&referrer=

 

 

Nailed it.

Too bad a nytimes article is just as slanted as a Fox News article.

 

The midterms alone are referendums on how well he is did/doing.

[KSB2424 3,174]

I can see from the link it's from the NY Times. Lemme guess? Paul Krugman?

 

BRB to if I was right.

[KSB2424 3,174]

I can see from the link it's from the NY Times. Lemme guess? Paul Krugman?

 

BRB to if I was right.

Nailed it

[Reality 3,124]

[KSB2424 3,174]

Regarding the op-ed itself. Holy cow, can we blow more smoke. That was as slanted as it gets, its like Rachel Maddow wrote that.

 

I'd give Obama a C-

 

Positives:

He kept the boat afloat during a economic crisis

Bin Laden is dead

He passed Healthcare reform

Two Wars are ending

 

Negatives:

Debt and deficits never higher

Iran - Syria - ISIS - Al Quaeda et al. is going out of control. Terrorism on the rise.

Our nation is more divided than ever, racially. We've actually gone backwards.

Economic growth slower than expected

In 7 years, anything much on immigration? Bueller? Anyone?

 

Passing grade, but no honor roll.

[BunnysBastatrds 2,676]

Won't even sit down with his own party in the house and some fool partisan hack writes this nonsense that you agree with is proof Fawking positive of where he is as president. Love it.

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

Regarding the op-ed itself. Holy cow, can we blow more smoke. That was as slanted as it gets, its like Rachel Maddow wrote that.

 

I'd give Obama a C-

 

Positives:

He kept the boat afloat during a economic crisis

Bin Laden is dead

He passed Healthcare reform

Two Wars are ending

 

Negatives:

Debt and deficits never higher

Iran - Syria - ISIS - Al Quaeda et al. is going out of control. Terrorism on the rise.

Our nation is more divided than ever, racially. We've actually gone backwards.

Economic growth slower than expected

In 7 years, anything much on immigration? Bueller? Anyone?

 

Passing grade, but no honor roll.

I think that's generous.

 

I'd probably go with D-

 

Let's see...

 

Positives-

 

Obamacare is a pathetically small improvement to an utterly broken healthcare system. Hopefully pushes the ball one step closer to single payer.

 

He kept the economic boat afloat... For now.

 

The negative...

 

 

Debt skyrocket. This was supposedly largely to fund "shovel ready" infrastructure projects, which I supported. It ended up bailing out banks, auto companies, and funding green energy swindles.

 

Took FAR longer than he should to end the stupid wars. We were dumb to go there in the first place, and he should have cut bait on day one.

 

Gitmo detention center is STILL open. We've been holding these people for fifteen years, give or take, with no charges, no due process. Either try them or quietly kill them already. This is a stain on Americas morals.

 

Presided over a large expansion of the NSA trampling the rights of American citizens.

 

Hasn't even attempted gun control, in spite of constant massacres.

 

Hasn't touched the border or immigration.

 

 

 

Bottom line... We are closer to the drain than we were when he took office. The congress shares much of that responsibility. But anyone saying its a success is a fool. This country is dying a slow death.

[Magnificent Bastard 192]

I think that's generous.

 

I'd probably go with D-

 

Let's see...

 

Positives-

 

Obamacare is a pathetically small improvement to an utterly broken healthcare system. Hopefully pushes the ball one step closer to single payer.

 

He kept the economic boat afloat... For now.

 

The negative...

 

 

Debt skyrocket. This was supposedly largely to fund "shovel ready" infrastructure projects, which I supported. It ended up bailing out banks, auto companies, and funding green energy swindles.

 

Took FAR longer than he should to end the stupid wars. We were dumb to go there in the first place, and he should have cut bait on day one.

 

Gitmo detention center is STILL open. We've been holding these people for fifteen years, give or take, with no charges, no due process. Either try them or quietly kill them already. This is a stain on Americas morals.

 

Presided over a large expansion of the NSA trampling the rights of American citizens.

 

Hasn't even attempted gun control, in spite of constant massacres.

 

Hasn't touched the border or immigration.

 

 

 

Bottom line... We are closer to the drain than we were when he took office. The congress shares much of that responsibility. But anyone saying its a success is a fool. This country is dying a slow death.

He can't close Gitmo without approval from congress.

[SUXBNME 1,611]

You know what Obama did? Pretty much kept every campaign promise that he layed out. (as far as how he wanted to shape the country and what not)

For the worse, imo, but still.

[Baker Boy 1,710]

Obama is the only problem the GOP doesn't have. It is probably their only asset.

[gocolts 300]

You know what Obama did? Pretty much kept every campaign promise that he layed out. (as far as how he wanted to shape the country and what not)

For the worse, imo, but still.

We are definitely fundamentally transformed.

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

He can't close Gitmo without approval from congress.

 

Sure he can. The detention center is a military installation. He is commander in chief. All he has to do is sign an executive order.

 

You know what Obama did? Pretty much kept every campaign promise that he layed out. (as far as how he wanted to shape the country and what not)

For the worse, imo, but still.

 

 

Actually, he hasn't.

 

The main reason I supported him over Hilary in the primaries was that he wanted the wars ended sooner. He didn't do it.

 

He pledge to close gitmo. He hasn't.

 

He pledged the most transparent administration in history. The opposite has been the case.

 

We are definitely fundamentally transformed.

He has really merely extended the policies of his predecessor. Obamacare is similar to bush's Medicare expansion. He kept bush's wars going. Kept bush's gulag open. Kept bush's domestic spying going.

 

Frankly, democrats should hate Obama. Republicans should love him.

[gocolts 300]

 

 

 

 

He has really merely extended the policies of his predecessor. Obamacare is similar to bush's Medicare expansion. He kept bush's wars going. Kept bush's gulag open. Kept bush's domestic spying going.

 

Frankly, democrats should hate Obama. Republicans should love him.

I agree with some of this. Conservatives HATED Bush, especially his last few years in office. Everything you listed is a big reason why too. I would add bailouts and deficit too, among other things.

 

You are right, he did extend many of the Bush policies, which is why it is so hard to understand why the folks who hated Bush now LOVE Obama.

[Magnificent Bastard 192]

 

 

Sure he can. The detention center is a military installation. He is commander in chief. All he has to do is sign an executive order.

 

 

 

Actually, he hasn't.

 

The main reason I supported him over Hilary in the primaries was that he wanted the wars ended sooner. He didn't do it.

 

He pledge to close gitmo. He hasn't.

 

He pledged the most transparent administration in history. The opposite has been the case.

 

 

He has really merely extended the policies of his predecessor. Obamacare is similar to bush's Medicare expansion. He kept bush's wars going. Kept bush's gulag open. Kept bush's domestic spying going.

 

Frankly, democrats should hate Obama. Republicans should love him.

All executive orders are t the same. And congress has said they won't find the closing of Gitmo. I do think if he pressed he could get it, but I don't think he's too keen about letting some of these guys loose. So yeah, I'd say you're right.

[Baker Boy 1,710]

Off the top of my head:

 

The rich got richer

The poor got poorer

Wall Street kicked butt

Home ownership is at a 35 year low

Work force participation is at a 40 year low

Americans hate each other

The Middle East is is blowing up

The deficit is $18 trillion+

Health care costs are sky rocketing

The government is selling human body parts for profit

35% of millennial college grads are living with their parents

The USA dropped to 22nd world wide in education

The police are villains and criminals are martyrs

Cities are going bankrupt

The government is spying on its citizens

Violent crimes rates have started to rise

School drop out rates have increased

Student loan debt has reach $1.2 trillion

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

I agree with some of this. Conservatives HATED Bush, especially his last few years in office. Everything you listed is a big reason why too. I would add bailouts and deficit too, among other things.

 

You are right, he did extend many of the Bush policies, which is why it is so hard to understand why the folks who hated Bush now LOVE Obama.

I honestly don't know anyone who LOVES Obama.

 

But the flip side is also true... Why do the republicans who loved bush think Obama is the antichrist?

 

All executive orders are t the same. And congress has said they won't find the closing of Gitmo. I do think if he pressed he could get it, but I don't think he's too keen about letting some of these guys loose. So yeah, I'd say you're right.

I didn't say release them. Try the, in a secret tribunal. After that, kill them, put them in Leavenworth, or back in gitmo. Idgaf. But at least make a show of due process. Even Stalin did that.

 

Or just put them on a transport plane, and have a "crash" where only the pilot had a chute. So regrettable.

[Sho Nuff 720]

Article is obviously slanted.

As for some of the last few responses.

The reason republicans hate Obama even when they said little about Bush (when they are so much the same) is the letter by their name. Its typically that simple with some people. I give gocolts a ton of credit where he will call out even Republicans for not being conservative. I disagree with him on how most saw Bush though. The "Conservatives" who didn't like him at the end were very much a vocal minority.

 

Take our resident disgruntled old man's response.

 

-Blaming Obama for home ownership is laughable. Not saying its on Bush either. Its not really on any president. But home ownership was about as artificially high as it could be at one point...of course it bottomed out. And blaming it on Obama is laughable...but not unexpected from the ignorant masses and old guys.

 

-Americans hating each other is the fault of the president now?

 

-The government is not selling body parts for profit...nice try calling Planned Parenthood "the government". Another typical tactic.

-The debt now matters to people like phurfur...when years of it rising before it meant nothing.

-Government spying didn't matter then either...but it does now. (psst...it always mattered).

 

Easily could go point by point and mock him...but I think its easy to see there are some who will blame Obama for everything, based on nothing more than party affiliation.

[Drizzay 753]

Off the top of my head:

 

The rich got richer

The poor got poorer

Wall Street kicked butt

Home ownership is at a 35 year low

Work force participation is at a 40 year low

Americans hate each other

The Middle East is is blowing up

The deficit is $18 trillion+

Health care costs are sky rocketing

The government is selling human body parts for profit

35% of millennial college grads are living with their parents

The USA dropped to 22nd world wide in education

The police are villains and criminals are martyrs

Cities are going bankrupt

The government is spying on its citizens

Violent crimes rates have started to rise

School drop out rates have increased

Student loan debt has reach $1.2 trillion

 

 

While this list is horrifyingly true, and I can't wait for him to leave office, how many of these do you honestly think Obama had a direct effect on? It is conveniently easy to put blanket blame on Obama, instead of those who should be blamed. Cities going bankrupt? How about we blame city hall. School drop out rates increasing? How about we blame the parents who don't put a priority on education.

[Sho Nuff 720]

 

 

While this list is horrifyingly true, and I can't wait for him to leave office, how many of these do you honestly think Obama had a direct effect on? It is conveniently easy to put blanket blame on Obama, instead of those who should be blamed. Cities going bankrupt? How about we blame city hall. School drop out rates increasing? How about we blame the parents who don't put a priority on education.

 

Home ownership that ballooned by government intervention in 2004...oh wait, government problems didn't piss phurfur off until 2008.

[porkbutt 897]

 

baker boy pretty much nailed it.

[TimmySmith 2,783]

The author is correct that Obammy's entire legacy hinges on the ACA. Most people any brainpower would admit it's too early to give a diagnosis.

[Sho Nuff 720]

 

baker boy pretty much nailed it.

 

Case in point.

Care to explain how the housing situation is Obama's fault?

Cities going bankrupt?

 

Just for starters.

Guessing you will bring about as much substance to back up that BS as he did.

 

Obama isn't great...but not as bad as the righties here portray him.

-spending is a legit criticism.

-healthcare costs is a legit criticism on him and the government (though, healthcare costs have been rising for some time...their program was supposed to reverse this)

There are more...but some of you have zero clue.

[Reality 3,124]

Article is obviously slanted.

As for some of the last few responses.

The reason democrats hate Bush even when they said little about Obama (when they are so much the same) is the letter by their name. Its typically that simple with some people.

 

Pretty much nailed, can't really disagree with anything you said here.

[Sho Nuff 720]

 

Pretty much nailed, can't really disagree with anything you said here.

 

Nice quote manip.

 

BTW..>Bush was given a chance by many.

And he focked up.

Don't hate him at all...nor do I like Obama.

Has zero to do with party. Has everything to do with policies and how divisive they (and Congress) have been.

[MDC 8,011]

I think that's generous.

 

I'd probably go with D-

 

Let's see...

 

Positives-

 

Obamacare is a pathetically small improvement to an utterly broken healthcare system. Hopefully pushes the ball one step closer to single payer.

 

He kept the economic boat afloat... For now.

 

The negative...

 

 

Debt skyrocket. This was supposedly largely to fund "shovel ready" infrastructure projects, which I supported. It ended up bailing out banks, auto companies, and funding green energy swindles.

 

Took FAR longer than he should to end the stupid wars. We were dumb to go there in the first place, and he should have cut bait on day one.

 

Gitmo detention center is STILL open. We've been holding these people for fifteen years, give or take, with no charges, no due process. Either try them or quietly kill them already. This is a stain on Americas morals.

 

Presided over a large expansion of the NSA trampling the rights of American citizens.

 

Hasn't even attempted gun control, in spite of constant massacres.

 

Hasn't touched the border or immigration.

 

 

 

Bottom line... We are closer to the drain than we were when he took office. The congress shares much of that responsibility. But anyone saying its a success is a fool. This country is dying a slow death.

What's interesting about your list is that the GOP candidates are all campaigning against the two positives because they agree with Obummer on all the negatives.

 

In theory they all oppose the debt but we all know in practice both parties have always presided over escalating debt.

 

Obummer was slow in ending the wars but the GOP is complaining that he cut bait on Iraq too soon and/or they want war with Iran now.

 

No Republican candidate wants to close Gitmo.

 

They have no problem with NSA spying.

 

Gun control? Forget it.

 

When has any politician on either side of the aisle done a thing about immigration and the border?

 

With the exception of Rand Paul, every Republican candidate is running against Obummer's few successes and endorsing his failures.

[phillybear 366]

Sigh. Do I jump into this stupid ass thread, or do I pass on the opportunity to post and waste my entire day. Decisions, decision.

[IGotWorms 4,063]

 

baker boy pretty much nailed it.

Yikes. Words no self-respecting man should utter

[IGotWorms 4,063]

Regarding the op-ed itself. Holy cow, can we blow more smoke. That was as slanted as it gets, its like Rachel Maddow wrote that.

 

I'd give Obama a C-

 

Positives:

He kept the boat afloat during a economic crisis

Bin Laden is dead

He passed Healthcare reform

Two Wars are ending

 

Negatives:

Debt and deficits never higher

Iran - Syria - ISIS - Al Quaeda et al. is going out of control. Terrorism on the rise.

Our nation is more divided than ever, racially. We've actually gone backwards.

Economic growth slower than expected

In 7 years, anything much on immigration? Bueller? Anyone?

 

Passing grade, but no honor roll.

Deficit under control now that Bush's disastrous policies finally cleaned up (rolling back part of the Bush tax cuts and ending wars in Iraq and Afghanistan)

 

ISIS is quite problematic but, again, it was Bush's decision to throw a match into that tinderbox. It was always going to end badly. But yes, future president will have to deal with this mess

 

Economic growth - did you actually read the article? He has gone better than Reagan did in many respects. But yes, GDP growth needs to get over 2%.

 

Pretty weak indictment, honestly. I think he is on the honor roll. Not valedictorian or anything but his folks do get the bumper sticker

[DankNuggs 305]

According to the liberal times, Obamacare created jobs? Interest rates are historically and artificially low, if the economy cant produce in this environment its DOA.... And its underperforming what it should be. I think we all know the smoke and mirrors UE #'s....

 

Bush's record was because of a bubble, but Hillary conjuring up her husbands economic success (also a bubble)?

[Reality 3,124]

Deficit under control now

 

 

No, not even close.

 

 

Barack Obama - The debt grew the most dollar-wise during President Obama's term. He added $6.167 trillion, a 53% increase, in six years. Obama's budgets included the economic stimulus package, which added $787 billion by cutting taxes, extending unemployment benefits, and funding job-creating public works projects. The Obama tax cuts added $858 billion to the debt over two years. Obama's budget included increased defense spending to around $800 billion a year. Federal income was down, thanks to lower tax receipts from the 2008 financial crisis. He also sponsored the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was designed to reduce the debt by $143 billion over 10 years. However, these savings didn't show up until the later years. For more, see National Debt Under Obama.

George W. Bush - President Bush added the second greatest amount to the debt, at $5.849 trillion. This more than doubled the debt, which was $5.8 trillion on September 30, 2001 -- the end of FY 2001, which was President Clinton's last budget. Bush responded to the 9/11 attacks by launching the War on Terror. This drove military spending to record levels, $600-$800 billion a year. This included the Iraq War, which cost $807.5 billion. President Bush also responded to the 2001 recession by passing EGTRRA and JGTRRA, otherwise known as the Bush tax cuts, which reduced revenue. He approved a $700 billion bailout package for banks to combat the 2008 global financial crisis. Both Presidents Bush and Obama had to contend with higher mandatory spending for Social Security and Medicare. For more, see President Obama Compared to President Bush Policies.

 

http://useconomy.about.com/od/usdebtanddeficit/p/US-Debt-by-President.htm

[Frank M 181]

The author is correct that Obammy's entire legacy hinges on the ACA. Most people any brainpower would admit it's too early to give a diagnosis.

Yet nearly every conservative here thinks it's a disaster that will bankrupt the country.

 

Go figure.

[phillybear 366]

Deficit under control now that Bush's disastrous policies finally cleaned up (rolling back part of the Bush tax cuts and ending wars in Iraq and Afghanistan)

 

ISIS is quite problematic but, again, it was Bush's decision to throw a match into that tinderbox. It was always going to end badly. But yes, future president will have to deal with this mess

 

Economic growth - did you actually read the article? He has gone better than Reagan did in many respects. But yes, GDP growth needs to get over 2%.

 

Pretty weak indictment, honestly. I think he is on the honor roll. Not valedictorian or anything but his folks do get the bumper sticker

 

Have you stopped taking your meds? Are you furiously clicking on the "report" button on the last edjr post that you can find? Do you have an opinion on frozen tamales?

[Magnificent Bastard 192]

If you don't like the way things are, blame those with the power. Remember, money=power.

[edjr 6,988]

Off the top of my head:

 

The rich got richer

Home ownership is at a 35 year low

 

 

Rich got richer is a republican mantra, Trickle on me economics

 

Under bush any moron without even a job qualified for an ARM mortgage and couldn't afford it. SOLID leadership.

 

Now it is much harder to get a mortgage. Which is how it should be,

[IGotWorms 4,063]

 

 

No, not even close.

 

 

http://useconomy.about.com/od/usdebtanddeficit/p/US-Debt-by-President.htm

Current yearly deficit.

 

I understand the national debt is still large and yearly deficits were astronomical in early obama years due to 2008 collapse and stimulus spending, bush tax cuts and wars in iraq and Afghanistan. Obummer solved all those problems

[Reality 3,124]

Under bush any moron without even a job qualified for an ARM mortgage and couldn't afford it. SOLID leadership.

Bush admin actually warned that this could be an issue, Dems in Congress were having none of that though.

 

Don't let the facts get in the way of your retarded outbursts though.

[Reality 3,124]

Current yearly deficit, genius

Nothing about the deficit is under control, genius.

[posty 2,837]

Rich got richer is a republican mantra, Trickle on me economics

 

Under bush any moron without even a job qualified for an ARM mortgage and couldn't afford it. SOLID leadership.

 

Now it is much harder to get a mortgage. Which is how it should be,

IIRC, Bush warned many many times about how this could be an issue, but the Democratic Congress said it was nothing to worry about...

[5-Points 3,831]

IIRC, Bush warned many many times about how this could be an issue, but the Democratic Congress said it was nothing to worry about...

You RC. But Bush!