From a conservative’s perspective, President Obama’s failures are so massive that you’d need a dump truck to pile in all the garbage he’s been touting as success. I’ll point out one that is glaring, and might even have credence from his supporters on the left. That would be his absolute inability to “bring the country together.” An apologist for Mr. Obama would place the blame on the inflexible, racist and intolerant Republicans. This then suggests he has had it harder than previous presidents who perhaps were never as harshly judged as he is.
One of President Obama’s early public speeches seemed to touch not only his supporters, but also many middle-of-the-roaders, referred to as “independents”, or as the many who will now decide the next election, the “undecided." His speech from 2004 was that there is no Red or Blue America, just ONE United States of America. It’s a crying shame he did not practice what he preached. At the time I thought it was foolish, wishful thinking, but nevertheless, would have embraced his “bringing the country together.” Four years later, we are far more divided than we ever were under eight years of President Bush.
During the back half of President Bush’s eight-year tenure, there was certainly division in the country, but it really came from one hot topic issue… the war in Iraq. There were many who demeaned, demonized and criticized President Bush in ways that wouldn't be tolerated by today’s press or media culture, should similar things be said about President Obama. On the contrary, most of the criticism about President Obama is tame compared to the ridicule President Bush (and by default, most Republicans) received in his last four years.
What has President Obama done to bring the country together? He has ridiculed the Tea Party, while his supporters demonize them and cry racism anytime they disagree with their man. No olive branch for the tea party from President Obama? Perhaps his idea of bringing the county together is accusing the “rich” of not paying their share and implying they are selfish. Perhaps his idea of bringing the country together is accusing the Cambridge Police of acting stupidly, for arresting Henry Louis Gates, who in fact was acting arrogant and stupidly when the Cambridge police were doing the job they are required to do.
After doing next to nothing to address the illegal immigration problem in Arizona, President Obama had his administration look to see how they could override the wishes and new law in Arizona that was intended to minimize crime and illegal immigration. That sure brought the two sides together. Maybe his idea of bringing the country together were his comments of small towns clinging to guns and religion. Charming.
President Obama’s lack of credibility in eyes of conservatives is shot. When will that lack of credibility show a dent in the independents, moderates and undecided?
"The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president." Did he say his most important job was to improve America? Did he say his top priority was to fix the economic collapse caused by the Bush policies? Well, we might not expect him to say that, but here's another quote from Tim's Senate leader: “We worked very hard to keep our fingerprints off of these proposals. Because we thought—correctly, I think—that the only way the American people would know that a great debate was going on was if the measures were not bipartisan. When you hang the ‘bipartisan’ tag on something, the perception is that differences have been worked out, and there’s a broad agreement that that’s the way forward.” Clearly Republicans at the onset of the Obama administration had no intention of working with Democrats. Here's another example. The financial services sector was a huge contributor to the great recession. When it was time to develop new laws to properly regulate the industry and prevent a future collapse, Tea Partier Republican Rep. Spencer Bachus summed up the GOP position: "In Washington, the view is that the banks are to be regulated, and my view is that Washington and the regulators are there to serve the banks.” Obama had no hope of working with anti-American nincompoops!
From the editors' conclusion: The choice is clear. The Romney-Ryan ticket represents a constricted and backward-looking vision of America: the privatization of public good. In contrast, the sort of public investment championed by Obama — and exemplified by both the American Recovery and Reilnvestment Act and the Affordable Care Act — takes to heart the old civil-rights motto "Lifting as we climb." . . . . we've already seen the future that Romney represents, and it doesn't work . . . . Every Presidential election involves contest over the idea of America. Obamas's America — one that progresses, however falteringly, toward social justice, tolerance, and equality — represents the future that this country deserves. This October 29 issue is available at our beloved Mill Valley Book Depot. Note you will find Romney on the cover; "The Choice" begins on page 35. Buy a cup of coffee and sit down to this closely considered commentary. You may even spot another local reading her or his copy.