Why are we discussing Obama's re-election chances already?

[Kevin B.]

A large reason Obama was elected was that he promised to turn around the economy. And, after he was elected, he attempted to do just that: He kept huge banks and car makers from going out of business and creating hundreds of thousands (maybe millions) of job losses, and created temporary infrastructure jobs by giving states money to build public works projects that were needed, anyway.

However, unless you are EXTREMELY ignorant about how our economy works, you will know that the economy cannot reverse track in a week, it takes many months, maybe even a year, for the results of what was done to have their full effect. Shouldn't we wait until then to reserve judgement on whether or not his programs worked?

That being said, many of the "leading economic indicators" are pointing up, predicting that the economy will begin to grow again in 3-6 months. (which, oddly enough, is about a year after the stimulus bills were passed, which is when their results were predicted to show themselves at time of their passage). As the economy ALWAYS does, it is going very slowly, and unemployment, as always, will take longer to correct itself, and will probably start going up in about a year.


So why are we ignoring the basic way the economy has been working for the past hundred years when judging Obama? As if any economic activity could take place this fast.

 

[Red Rooster]

Only the myrmidons like yourself are worried about his return to continue your marching orders, but his chances are slim and none!

 

[Justine]

You mean in reality that Obama and the Democrats mortgaged America and its citizens future on a massive political payoff to its political cronies. Don't couch it in terms of your altruism lets just call it what is and was shall we ? Extortion and fraud.

 

[imported_Obama the Marionette]

Most recessions average around 12 months regardless of what our government does good or bad. Giving him credit for "fixing the economy" is about as smart as saying "Bush kept us safe". One man doesn't do dick.

 

[william]

It's because most people view our recent economic problems as a recession. In fact we were headed for a total collapse of the banking system and another great depression. This recession view is actually convenient for many on the right that don't want to acknowledge their policies since 1980 that have led to our current debt crisis.

See http://zfacts.com/p/318.html.

News flash - tax cuts do not actually increase tax revenue.

See http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/69xx/doc6908/12-01-10PercentTaxCut.pdf

The only President that was able to exercise any fiscal discipline since 1980 is Clinton and he did it with a Republican Congress. The policies of Reagan, Bush Sr and Bush Jr led to the increase in our debt. You came blame it on a Democratic Congress but Congress did not stop Clinton from curbing our debt!

The only proven way out of a depression is to save the banking system and stimulate the economy. This takes money and needs time to work. Republicans will never accept any responsibly for our problems and will instead seek to minimize them in order to make the President look bad and get elected in the next term.

If elected Republicans want to implement fiscal policy of Regan, Bush Sr and Bush Jr.. These are the same policies that have created our current debt problem. If we had lower debt now it would not be a major problem to address the economic crisis created on the watch of the Republicans. It's absolutely crazy!!!

 

[Obama the Marionette]

Most recessions average around 12 months regardless of what our government does good or bad. Giving him credit for "fixing the economy" is about as smart as saying "Bush kept us safe". One man doesn't do dick.