Now I'm not an Obama fan, but I just want to note something:

It's inherent in US politics that candidates will be required to make a number of large, ambitious goals early on in their campaign, then fail in a good portion of them.  Unlike multiparty systems, the US system comprises of a huge number of people segmented into two primary parties which try to cover every issue from the economy to social issues.  Add to this the fact that the US manages a population 4 times the size of the largest democratic European nation, and you have a system where it takes months to push any individual policy.

That being said, I think Obama did take a bad direction in using his political capital.  Obama won a huge mandate, winning both houses of Congress and the Presidency by a good percentage.  After the stimulus package, the health care bill took almost a year to hammer out possibly one of the most controversial issues in the country.  After a huge fight for a watered down bill, it seems like Obama and the Democrats have run out of steam on large legislative issues.

While it's normal for a President to be unable to pass all their ideal legislation within their term, this term has been kind of ridiculous... one semi-bipartisan bill followed by one other bill, then nothing...

Between now and November, no.  Once November comes along, there might be an issue or two which Obama has some agreement with Republicans, where they can pass something bipartisan.  Perhaps an energy bill?

It's almost guaranteed that the GOP will gain seats in November, so it's only a question of where the majorities will come in, if anywhere.  If the GOP gets majorities in both the House and Senate, we'll probably see a lame duck session.  It's possible we could see some large measures, either in the form of an alternative energy bill or perhaps foreign measures, possibly in regards to Iran.  But yeah, I'm guessing the most likely scenario is a lame duck session, unless something serious happens like a breakout in Iran.

No repeals.  A repeal would require the President's signature... Obama ain't repealing his own bill.  Otherwise, you would need to get 2/3 of both houses.  That's not even physically possible in the Senate.

Maybe in '12. 

Of course.  Whenever you're a party with a majority in Congress yet without the Presidency, you can only do one of two things: work with the President or politically harass the President and the competing party, in the hopes of getting a leg up in the next election.  The Dems were quite effective with that during the Bush term...

apparently a dozen people did want to read it and comment on it

Does this mean i can FINALLY SAY I TOLD YOU SO?

http://www.imperialconflict.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=38114

I waited nearly 2 years to post that link.

Yeah V Kemp stop trolling in my threads i am interested in what others have to say on the issue. Dont reply please.

As to Obama, I genuinly think he had the best of intentions and he gives a really good speech, however his crippling inability to take action when it is needed is worrying.

A reduction in Nukes is good but we aint in the cold war anymore, the chances of nuclear obliteration are slim to non so it was a PR stunt more then anything.

During the BP crisis he spoke to Bono, Kelly Clarkson, CNN, The American people (in that order sadly) before thinking "oh right, lets go speak to BP".

The sad fact is it was his governments interference in BP safety procedure that caused this leak in the first place.

Health Care is contentious I know, no matter what facts and figures I come up with others will find facts and figures to support their view and no ones minds will be changed, however for such a huge policy for Obama he needed to unite enough support. He didnt. It will fail. You have to understand no matter your beliefs that for a Euro, seeing a world leader say "hey guys, how about we help poor people and those in poverty in our country by allowing them medical care" and then not being able to get any support, makes him look very weak.

As to fixing Americas standing in the world, well the "Special Relationship" has been declared dead by our ruling party, Russia is pissed again etc the only country he seems to have impressed is France and frankly....youre welcome to them!

The more he speaks the more to me he seems to be realising he is a one term president, a lot of the rhetoric now seems to be about how he would have done this and would have done that, almost hoping the history books pair him up with kennedy, kennedy stopped by a bullet, Obama stopped by those mean bullying republicans!

Imperial......yeah ya did lol

I was disappointed in Obama almost from the start. Not that I expected much to be honest but I gave him a fair chance. I'm still waiting for his first brilliant act to happen as president of the united states. He has caused one disaster after another instead.

You're spamming the forum with ignorant garbage that nobody on earth believes. Back up your claim that the USA has third world medical care. Then, because you're so diligent and educated, give us evidence to support your claim that socialized medicine results in more medical advancements than a capitalist system that rewards advancements. You've spammed my threads with retarded off-topic garbage. You can't back up your ignorant remarks in this one with a single, even contentious, source. I don't care whether you want me to post or not.

The difference between us is that I actually discuss the content. I don't meet anyone's definition of a troll. Stop crying. You just post really awkward virtual-masturbation material. I'd contribute to discussion of Obama's impact on America's standing in the world, because you manage to be not-entirely-wrong while having NO grasp of the underlying concepts and mechanisms in play, but I'm not interested in encouraging a spamming troll who has nothing better to do than post ignorant garbage that he evidently gains sexual gratification from seeing that anyone wastes their time reading. You can't claim the high road while excreting fecal matter in public. I'm saying you're a troll who's incapable of discussing basic content. Crying about it won't stop me from saying it. If you wanted to take the right road you'd stick it to me by backing up your claims. But you can't do that. So cry away. We care about your feelings.

Ah Kemp like most trolls you simply bore me now

Go away child and play with your toys rather then simply throwing them from your pram.

As to the health bill not being good enough east, I dont think it is. I agree with LP, he has taken a good idea and watered it down so much to appease those lined up against him that in fact it will do nothing and possibly cost him his presidency

hmmm, theres still democrats, hispanics, and blacks that will vote for him next election, he has a chance.... what he needs to do is push a bill through that give illegal immigrants the right to vote...

> Khaz Modan wrote:

>  You have to understand no matter your beliefs that for a Euro, seeing a world leader say "hey guys, how about we help poor people and those in poverty in our country by allowing them medical care" and then not being able to get any support, makes him look very weak.

and you have to understand that you or any other euro that fails to take into account cultural differences between Americans and Europeans while following American politics makes you look like a complete and utter retard...