President Barack Obama - Term 1 and 2 Thread

[Rockindeano]

Nice try.

I've already made two posts from .gov websites proving that Dubbya fudged the budget to the tune of over $3 trillion in his 8 years. At least this Administration is honest. That's why the numbers look the way they do.

Stewie, it must be SOOO frustrating to be wrong all the time, and to get caught with your face in Rush's ball sac all the time.

You cannot FUDGE the deficit you braindead idiot.

Oh but that's exactly what Bush did! He hid two wars in the budget...made them disappear for Christ's sake! Obama simply says no, they are a real expenditure and will be in our budget. Pretty admiral if you ask me.

[AlteredDNA]

BUT THERE IS NO BUDGET FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR!!!

[7 Wishes]

CBO, Jan. 2009: The federal fiscal situation in 2009 will be dramatically worse than it was in 2008. Under the assumption that current laws and policies remain in place (that is, not accounting for any new legislation), CBO estimates that the deficit this year will total $1.2 trillion, more than two and a half times the size of last year’s.

P.S. That was BUSH'S BUDGET, not Obama's.

The CBO also estimates Obama's policies will add $235 billion TOTAL more in the next decade than would have been the case under Bush - BEFORE you factor in his "budgetary inproprieties".

[slucero]

Here's the CBO's actual summary of the current administrations budget...

http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/112xx/doc112 ... ml#1098645

CBO’s Estimate of the President’s Budget

Earlier this month, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a preliminary analysis of the President’s budget request for fiscal year 2011.1 This report provides more detail about the President’s proposals and about CBO’s updated baseline budget projections through 2020, which assume the continuation of current tax and spending policies. It also incorporates the effects of two pieces of legislation—the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-144) and the Capitol Police Administrative Technical Corrections Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-145)—that have been enacted since CBO completed its preliminary analysis, along with other minor revisions to its estimates. CBO’s estimates do not include the effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was enacted on March 23, 2010.2

Results of CBO’s Analysis

The agency’s analysis of the President’s proposals is based on its own economic assumptions and estimating techniques (rather than the Administration’s) and incorporates revenue estimates from the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) for tax provisions. According to CBO’s projections, if all of the President’s budget proposals were enacted, those polices would add $132 billion to the deficit in this fiscal year, reducing revenues by nearly $60 billion and boosting outlays by more than $70 billion. The deficit in the current fiscal year, which ends on September 30, would total $1.5 trillion, or 10.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). As a share of the economy, that deficit would be slightly greater than the 2009 shortfall, which totaled 9.9 percent of GDP.

Over the 2011–2020 period, deficits would total $9.8 trillion, or 5.2 percent of GDP during that period (see Table 1-1). In 2011, CBO estimates, the deficit under the President’s budget would decline to 8.9 percent of GDP and would total $1.3 trillion—$346 billion more than the deficit that CBO projects in its March baseline (which is based on the assumption that current laws and policies remain in place).

Deficits in succeeding years under the President’s pro posals would be smaller but would continue to add significantly to federal debt. The deficit would fall to about 4 percent of GDP by 2014 but would rise steadily thereafter, reaching 5.6 percent of GDP in 2020 (see Figure 1-1). The cumulative deficit over the 2011–2020 period would be $3.8 trillion more than the cumulative deficit projected under CBO’s baseline. Of that difference, $3.0 trillion stems from proposed changes in policy, and the other $0.8 trillion results from additional interest on the public debt.

Under the President’s budget, debt held by the public would grow from $7.5 trillion (53 percent of GDP) at the end of 2009 to $20.3 trillion (90 percent of GDP) at the end of 2020—$5 trillion above what CBO projects for 2020 in its baseline (see Figure 1-2). In addition to the $3.8 trillion in added deficits from the President’s policies, the government’s borrowing needs would rise by another $1.3 trillion in order to finance additional direct lending to students and other credit programs. (The subsidy costs of that lending are included in the projected deficits, but they represent only a small fraction of the cash disbursements for loans.)

[7 Wishes]

This just in - Barack and Rahm made a sex tape together!

[slucero]

This just in - Barack and Rahm made a sex tape together!

I knew he was on the "down-low"...

[Rockindeano]

Our call: The Democrats will keep control of Congress

Good. Yet your only goal is hoping they can't get anything done for the good of the country. You're happy just being obstructionists. How much more pathetic can the GOP get? Really, you're embarrassing.

[Rockindeano]

Our call: The Democrats will keep control of Congress

Good. Yet your only goal is hoping they can't get anything done for the good of the country. You're happy just being obstructionists. How much more pathetic can the GOP get? Really, you're embarrassing.

No, I'm not happy until we are the majority again and can stuff shit down your throat.

You're lucky I am not the president. Obama has been kind to you so far. I would have shoved a lot more than the health care bill down your throat....by the way, you may not see the majority again for a long long time.

[Angel]

You're lucky I am not the president.

Amen.

[7 Wishes]

No, I'm not happy until we are the majority again and can stuff shit down your throat.

Stuff like huge tax cuts for the richest 1%, two wars, an unfunded Medicare Prescription drug plan, illegal wire-tapping, and the like?

[Saint John]

Stuff like huge tax cuts for the richest 1%

With God as my witness, that would be the first thing *I* would do. The unfair taxation and basic condemnation of being successful these days is disgusting. People that fail out of sheer laziness seem to be held far less acountable than those that simply don't want to have to give up 40% of what they have worked very hard for.

[S2M]

Stuff like huge tax cuts for the richest 1%

With God as my witness, that would be the first thing *I* would do. The unfair taxation and basic condemnation of being successful these days is disgusting. People that fail out of sheer laziness seem to be held far less acountable than those that simply don't want to have to give up 40% of what they have worked very hard for.

That's why I'm in favor of a flat tax...a smaller, thrifty government, and a 20% flat tax across the boards. As well as MAJOR campaign reform. The spending during campaigns is egregious...with people out of work, and the economy like it is to spend 10s of millions on campaigning and the after parties for the winner is irresponsible.....

[Saint John]

Stuff like huge tax cuts for the richest 1%

With God as my witness, that would be the first thing *I* would do. The unfair taxation and basic condemnation of being successful these days is disgusting. People that fail out of sheer laziness seem to be held far less acountable than those that simply don't want to have to give up 40% of what they have worked very hard for.

That's why I'm in favor of a flat tax...a smaller, thrifty government, and a 20% flat tax across the boards. As well as MAJOR campaign reform. The spending during campaigns is egregious...with people out of work, and the economy like it is to spend 10s of millions on campaigning and the after parties for the winner is irresponsible.....

Agreed, agreed and agreed!

[Rockindeano]

Stuff like huge tax cuts for the richest 1%

With God as my witness, that would be the first thing *I* would do. The unfair taxation and basic condemnation of being successful these days is disgusting. People that fail out of sheer laziness seem to be held far less acountable than those that simply don't want to have to give up 40% of what they have worked very hard for.

Just some random news headlines.......................


Evans-Pritchard: It's Really Starting to Feel Like 1932...

Dow Repeats Great Depression Pattern...

Obama: 'The great jobs killer'...

TORN ON FOURTH OF JULY: OBAMA DIVIDES NATION...

PAPER: Great Republic in parlous state -- politically, economically...

Dems in jam as economy slows...

Illinois Stops Paying Its Bills...

Facing 'outright disaster' amid budget crisis...

Blame game could 'boomerang' on Obama...

Obama Plays Eighth Round of Golf Since Oil Spill

At least you are getting articles from a good site now. I read all of those yesterday at RealClearpolitics.com.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Stuff like huge tax cuts for the richest 1%

With God as my witness, that would be the first thing *I* would do. The unfair taxation and basic condemnation of being successful these days is disgusting. People that fail out of sheer laziness seem to be held far less acountable than those that simply don't want to have to give up 40% of what they have worked very hard for.

I don't know where you get this stuff. The top 1% are currently being taxed at the lowest levels in history. From FDR to Reagan's first term, they were soaked at anywhere from 90% to 70%. And the economy did pretty good!

[The_Noble_Cause]

As well as MAJOR campaign reform. The spending during campaigns is egregious...with people out of work, and the economy like it is to spend 10s of millions on campaigning and the after parties for the winner is irresponsible.....

I agree, but those are private donations. What do you care what people do with their own hard-earned money?

[S2M]

As well as MAJOR campaign reform. The spending during campaigns is egregious...with people out of work, and the economy like it is to spend 10s of millions on campaigning and the after parties for the winner is irresponsible.....

I agree, but those are private donations. What do you care what people do with their own hard-earned money?

So special interest groups and lobbyists can donate money in order to secure favors from their candidate...in the meantime folks are starving and poor...

People can defend other people's (read: rich) right to do what ever they want with their own money, but when they choose to skate through life with luxuries and opportunities less fortunate people can only dream about, that smacks of blatant selfishness, and disregard for the human race....who needs 40 classic cars? Who needs a 30 million dollar estate? Who needs 2 private jets? Please.....

[The_Noble_Cause]

So special interest groups and lobbyists can donate money in order to secure favors from their candidate...in the meantime folks are starving and poor...

People can defend other people's (read: rich) right to do what ever they want with their own money, but when they choose to skate through life with luxuries and opportunities less fortunate people can only dream about, that smacks of blatant selfishness, and disregard for the human race....who needs 40 classic cars? Who needs a 30 million dollar estate? Who needs 2 private jets? Please.....

The only other scenario to this that I know of is publicly funded elections. Considering you are already against more taxes, the idea of involuntarily political contributions prolly won't sit well.

[slucero]

Looks like independants (swing voters).. are bailing on him..

While this is way to early to have an impact on his re-election bid... its not good news for Dems this November...


http://www.gallup.com/poll/141131/obama ... dents.aspx

[Rockindeano]

Slucero, there is no doubt Indies have already bailed on Obama and who could blame them? However, you Cons better take another look at your Congressional opportunities this Fall. There are some races that most people thought you had locked up, that have completely changed. Just look at Harry Reid. Most thought that Dickhead was history. Looks like he may now hold onto his seat.

The question is and I think it's a good one, if the GOP doesn't get control of the Congress, it is a failure on their part? They had everything going for them and they still may come up short.

[slucero]

Slucero, there is no doubt Indies have already bailed on Obama and who could blame them? However, you Cons better take another look at your Congressional opportunities this Fall. There are some races that most people thought you had locked up, that have completely changed. Just look at Harry Reid. Most thought that Dickhead was history. Looks like he may now hold onto his seat.

The question is and I think it's a good one, if the GOP doesn't get control of the Congress, it is a failure on their part? They had everything going for them and they still may come up short.

I'm no con.. I'm one of those independents... I consider both parties as "cut from the same cloth".

The only thing keeping Reid in the picture is that he's the Majority Leader... that's why Obama is campaigning for him... if Reids numbers don't improve much, I'm sure we'll se the Dems throw him under the bus and move their efforts to another race..

November is gonna be about one thing.. the economy...

1. Economy on the upswing - Dems retain, maybe gain seats...

2. Economy worse - I expect the Dems to lose power in Congress...

3. Economy flat - I expect the Dems to lose only one of the Houses...


The narratives this fall are gonna be "how bad it is" from the Republicans or "it is incrementally getting better" from the Democrats... how well these narratives are pushed through both parties media sources, and just how much of it the swing voters (independents) buy will determine the outcomes in November...

[Rockindeano]

The narratives this fall are gonna be "how bad it is" from the Republicans or "it is incrementally getting better" from the Democrats... how well these narratives are pushed through both parties media sources, and just how much of it the swing voters (independents) buy will determine the outcomes in November...

You mean to say, whomever does a better job pushing the party objective, ie, Faux News or MSNBC will determine the winner?

Nice analysis. I go with the third option. I see the House going red.

[7 Wishes]

Which means the next two years will be filled with bullshit - incessant subpoenas and further stalkwarking.

[slucero]

The narratives this fall are gonna be "how bad it is" from the Republicans or "it is incrementally getting better" from the Democrats... how well these narratives are pushed through both parties media sources, and just how much of it the swing voters (independents) buy will determine the outcomes in November...

You mean to say, whomever does a better job pushing the party objective, ie, Faux News or MSNBC will determine the winner?

Nice analysis. I go with the third option. I see the House going red.

Thats kinda what I expect too..

[Rockindeano]

Which means the next two years will be filled with bullshit - incessant subpoenas and further stalkwarking.

There's the golden word- subpoena. That's all the GOP wants....and they will investigate and they will find something, meanwhile NOTHING will get done, nothing.

[7 Wishes]

http://www.csmonitor.com/From-the-news-wires/2010/0709/Glenn-Beck-s-demagoguery-threatening-Republican-party-says-veteran-GOP-lawmaker

Too many Republican leaders are acquiescing to a poisonous "demagoguery" that threatens the party's long-term credibility, says a veteran GOP House member who was defeated in South Carolina's primary last month.

While not naming names, 12-year incumbent Rep. Bob Inglis suggested in interviews with The Associated Press that tea party favorites such as former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and right-wing talk show hosts like Glenn Beck are the culprits.

He cited a claim made famous by Palin that the Democratic health care bill would create "death panels" to decide whether elderly or sick people should get care.

IN PICTURES: Tea Parties

"There were no death panels in the bill ... and to encourage that kind of fear is just the lowest form of political leadership. It's not leadership. It's demagoguery," said Inglis, one of three Republican incumbents who have lost their seats in Congress to primary and state party convention challengers this year.

Inglis said voters eventually will discover that you're "preying on their fears" and turn away.

"I think we have a lot of leaders that are following those (television and talk radio) personalities and not leading," he said. "What it takes to lead is to say, 'You know, that's just not right.'"

Inglis said the rhetoric also distracts from the real problems that politicians should be trying to resolve, such as budget deficits and energy security.

[AlteredDNA]

http://www.csmonitor.com/From-the-news-wires/2010/0709/Glenn-Beck-s-demagoguery-threatening-Republican-party-says-veteran-GOP-lawmaker

Too many Republican leaders are acquiescing to a poisonous "demagoguery" that threatens the party's long-term credibility, says a veteran GOP House member who was defeated in South Carolina's primary last month.

While not naming names, 12-year incumbent Rep. Bob Inglis suggested in interviews with The Associated Press that tea party favorites such as former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and right-wing talk show hosts like Glenn Beck are the culprits.

He cited a claim made famous by Palin that the Democratic health care bill would create "death panels" to decide whether elderly or sick people should get care.

IN PICTURES: Tea Parties

"There were no death panels in the bill ... and to encourage that kind of fear is just the lowest form of political leadership. It's not leadership. It's demagoguery," said Inglis, one of three Republican incumbents who have lost their seats in Congress to primary and state party convention challengers this year.

Inglis said voters eventually will discover that you're "preying on their fears" and turn away.

"I think we have a lot of leaders that are following those (television and talk radio) personalities and not leading," he said. "What it takes to lead is to say, 'You know, that's just not right.'"

Inglis said the rhetoric also distracts from the real problems that politicians should be trying to resolve, such as budget deficits and energy security.

Sounds like a sore loser to me...

[7 Wishes]

Every word is true.

Carville (I hate to say it) is spot-on, too. He may not be saying what I want to hear, but he's still correct. So is this guy - like it or not.

[slucero]

For once the White House is getting ahead of the curve...

White House: Republicans could win control of House
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100711/pl_ ... tics_house

Sun Jul 11, 11:44 am ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republicans could win control of the House of Representatives in elections in November, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs acknowledged on Sunday.

"There is no doubt there are enough seats at play that could cause Republicans to gain control, there is no doubt about that," Gibbs told NBC's "Meet the Press" talk show when asked whether the Democrats would maintain their majority in the House.

All 435 seats in the House are up for grabs in the November 2 election as well as 36 of the 100 seats in the Senate. President Barack Obama will have a tougher time pushing his political agenda through Congress if Republicans make big gains in November and wipe out Democratic majorities in both the Senate and the House.

In the run-up to the vote, Obama is trying to convince impatient Americans that his economic policies are working and that improvements will take time. "We understand people are frustrated, everybody is frustrated," Gibbs said. "Look, the president is frustrated that we haven't seen greater recovery efforts, but that doesn't stop us from doing what we know is right, instituting the policies that we know will bring the country back," he added.

Obama and his fellow Democrats are grappling with a range of problems and many political analysts see the election as a national referendum on his policies.
The economy is struggling and unemployment has hovered at just below 10 percent. The war in Afghanistan is not going well. And the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has prompted criticism that Obama's response was slow, disorganized and too easy on BP Plc. A Gallup poll released on July 7 showed that 38 percent of independent voters approve of the job Obama is doing, compared with 81 percent of Democratic voters and only 12 percent of Republicans. Obama's overall approval rating is 46 percent.

A year ago, Obama's approval rating among independents was 56 percent.

[7 Wishes]

Suddenly, the war in Afghanistan "isn't going well". How convenient.