Kaine: No serious 2012 primary challenge to Obama

[onehandle]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON – The national Democratic Party chairman says he thinks the chances that President Barack Obama will face a serious primary challenger in 2012 are "virtually nil."

Tim Kaine says there's always the possibility that a fringe candidate could try to mount a challenge. But Kaine says Democrats feel very good about Obama's re-election prospects if, as Kaine puts it, the president keeps doing the job that people elected him to do.

Kaine also told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday that he expects to continue as party chairman for another two-year term.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110102/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama2012

[no limit]

1. Yeah, lets see what happens after they cut social security

[No Elephants]

40. Is he likely to do that in his first term?

[no limit]

59. Probably this year, they will raise the retirement age

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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[whatchamacallit]

3. KEEPS doing the job that people elected him to do?

How about STARTS doing the job that people elected him to do.

[LawnLover]

27. I love how people conveniently ignore

the fact that Obama has accomplished more in the past two years than most Presidents do in an entire term or even two.

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hawkowl]

37. Maybe he should've accomplished one thing

One substantial thing instead of many incrementally small things. He needed a signature accomplishment like all troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Or just Iraq (they are still there you know). Or decreasing Wall Street bonuses instead of taxing them (the Brits have taxed them you know). Or ending subsidies for offshoring. Or reforming NAFTA instead of giving us a SKFTA. Or giving us medicare for all instead of fucking us in the ass with the pharmaceutical companies.

If the vast majority of people think he hasn't done shit, then he hasn't done SHIT. Despite what his PR people say.

[No Elephants]

41. According to Gordon Brown, the Brits took over control of the banks, too.

I guess they did not have the same problem we had--bailing out the banks AND still having them refuse to lend.

[Lorien]

63. Did the Brits allow them to continue with the mega bonuses as well?

What was done here seems like a recipe for a repeat performance.

[No Elephants]

71. I do not recall if Brown said anything about bonuses, but I doubt any pol with control would allow

bonuses (and expect re-election).

Btw, I saw Brown when he was on the Daily Show pushing his book on the financial crash.

[sabrina 1]

77. I don't know about the Brits, but Ireland is planning to put a 90%

tax on bonuses the CEOs receive. Seems like a great idea to me. Maybe tax them for not creating jobs also, since we are told that this is the reward we are going to get for letting them keep Bush's tax breaks. Even though we know they did not create jobs in ten years but just took their tax breaks and bought more yachts or whatever multi-billionaires do with the windfalls we the people are forced to keep giving them.

[No Elephants]

44. You seem to need to read Reply # 3 again.

No one elected him to bail out health insurer, Big PHRMA and big health care with mandates and no public option. Worse than Nixons plan.

Or to promise not to investigate or prosecute Bushco.

Or to drag out ending DADT until after mid-terms and beyond.

Or to keep Gitmo open and continue extraordinary rendition.

Or to extend tax cuts for the rich.

And though I know he said it while campaigning, I very much doubt many voted for him to surge in Afghanistan.

Yeah, yeah, Lily Ledbetter. Passed under Bush, but at least Obama did not veto it. Wowza!

[JDPriestly]

67. Because Obama's "accomplishments" are not the the things we elected

him to do. And because a lot of his "accomplishments" are compromises that are hurting many Americans.

Aside from his failures on human rights issues, Obama has failed the middle class on one economic issue after another. He completely bungled the foreclosure crisis. He has just left middle class homebuyers in the lurch and ran to help the greedy bankers who, in many cases, defrauded the homebuyers.

It's scandalous that a Democratic Party president could do so little to help the traditional Democratic voters. It almost looks like
Obama is sabotaging the Democratic Party.

[Stellar]

69. It's never enough for some people.

And they love to complain.

[whatchamacallit]

72. Right... The rich get richer, the working class are losing their jobs and homes...

... we're still fighting wars for questionable reasons, and losing our liberties and rights faster than under Bush. Is it enough for you?

[MattSh]

84. Sadly,

doing two times as much as most presidents do is meaningless when you have inherited a crisis that's ten times worse than most presidents have to face.

And it's a crisis that continues to get worse because Obama fails to tackle the big issues, the ones that will really make a difference. Worse, he often side with those who created the big crisis in the first place.

[Lorien]

62. That would be refreshing, wouldn't it?

But now that the repugs have taken over congress he'll stop pretending altogether and hand them the reins of power. It's going to get ugly for those of us on the Left

[LibDemAlways]

4. So the choice will be between Republican hard right wing and

"Democratic" moderate right wing. Obama should not anticipate or expect the grassroots support he received from progressives in 08. They may vote for him as the lesser of two evils, but certainly not because of his record. The poster above me is dead-on. He hasn't yet shown much inclination to even start the job he was elected to do in the first place.

[Frisbee]

5. Well that would be a damn shame. n/t

[FLPanhandle]

6. Obama is easily elected again.

For all the bitching done about him here, he is still the most electable candidate out there (including anyone the Republicans will push out there).

[Bluenorthwest]

7. Tim Kaine is just some anti-equality religious bigot

his opinion is often based on delusions, he imagines that his God tells him his kind of people are superior to others, and he seeks to enshrine this special treatment for his community in the civil law. A steaming pile of worthless.
The day he appointed Kaine, I knew Obama's true middle name was Mediocrity. Kaine is a small minded and atavistic creature. Equal parts gas and hate. It is very hard to stay in the Party with such leadership.

[OHdem10]

8. While we must be on guard, I do not believe SS will come up

in the next two years. It will be the GOP who
keeps it at bay. Instead, they will work on
Waste Fraud and Abuse, and make serious Discretionary
spending cuts. The GOP will want to be in charge
of both Houses of Congress when they go after
Entitlement Spending. After 2012.

The dirty little secret is rank and file Republican
Voters especially blue collar Reagan Democrats
depend on SS and Medicare just as much as the
Democratic Party's rank and file.

Keep in mind all the TeaBagger Signs which read
something like--Keep your hands off my Medicare.

The GOP is excellent at sounding tough and giving
the appearance of competence thus they fool the
Media every time.

This does not mean we as Democrats must be on guard
in case some crazed tea baggers try to pull a fast
one.

I think in the end they will come up with enough
savings from a serious blow at Waste Fraud and
Abuse, and cuts in discretionary spending that
it will give them cover for these two years.

This gives them all time to sell the fact they
must go after Entitlements after 2012.

[No Elephants]

49. You post as though Republicans created the Cat Food Commission and appointed Simpson.

[NBachers]

9. "Full Speed Ahead!" said the majestic and powerful Titanic

[elocs]

10. If a primary challenge is such a remote possibility, then why do they keep addressing it?

If it's not going to happen, then why not just ignore the talk of a primary challenge? Or is the point to quash any notion of it before it starts? Also, Kaine now seems to define anyone who runs against Obama in the primaries as a fringe candidate.

It may be likely that Obama would be reelected again, but I don't think it will be easy. Unless the Republicans nominate someone like Palin it is likely to be a close race because now they know how to inspire their base and get them out to vote. Plus, if Obama is reelected he is likely to face not only a Republican House, but the Senate as well.

[coalition_unwilling]

74. Gene McCarthy was dismissed as a fringe candidate in 1968, until

his close 2nd place finish in the N.H. primary drove LBJ from the White House. I hope Feingold at least sets up an exploratory committee.

[elocs]

75. Feingold rules out 2008 run for president:

http://www.jsonline.com/news/president/29192464.html

The senator said Saturday that he went into that process with more of a predisposition against running than the other way around. Although Feingold's political activity pointed in many ways toward a run, he was not traveling, fund raising or organizing with quite the same intensity as some potential candidates.

"I began with the feeling I didn't really want to do this but was open to the possibility that getting around the country would make me want to do it. That never happened," he said.

"People have always portrayed me as ambitious. I'm not ashamed of that.

"But I have never had a craving to be president of the United States. I used to say it when I was 5 or 7 years old. But I haven't really been saying it as an adult," said Feingold, who said he didn't rule out running in the future.

If Feingold pulled out early for the 2008 campaign I don't see him challenging an incumbent Democratic president. He just does not have that burning desire to be president and without that a campaign is not going far.

[coalition_unwilling]

83. He's the only Dem pol with a national following who could

plausibly mount a credible challenge to Obama in 2012, as far as I can tell. And I share your feeling that he will not run against Obama from the left in 2012.

However, 2 years is an eternity in American politics - after Obama signs on to 'reform' Social Security, the whole landscape may alter.

[JTFrog]

11. As expected, but good to hear.

[BlueIris]

12. I think the chances of him keeping the job,

are about the same as the chance Tim Kaine has of keeping his job.

[Name removed]

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[RickFromMN]

13. I am old enough to remember 1980...a bruising primary in 2012 will be a bad thing.

There were a number of Democrats unhappy with President Jimmy Carter.
A number of Democrats wanted Teddy Kennedy.

Watching the Democratic Convention of 1980, while entertaining, was not good in the long run.

I believe there was no "healing" after the Convention. Look what we got...8 years of Ronald Reagan.

As much as I would like to see President Obama either be more progressive with a backbone or step aside,
I don't see it happening. If there is a serious challenge, there will be a bruising primary, another
"entertaining" Convention, no "healing" after the Convention, and who knows what Republican we would get.

I don't see any Democrat mounting a serious challenge to President Obama. It's a lose-lose situation.

President Obama is a better choice than Sarah Palan. Other Republican choices could be even less desirable.

[Hawkowl]

16. Carter should've offered Ted the VP slot

Not only would Carter have won, we never would've had the Bushes. Besides, it wasn't the primary that tore the party apart, it was the conservative bent of Carter that turned off the democratic electorate. That looks like it's going to repeat itself. If you get the fake Republican running against a real one, who's going to win? Consult Harry Truman's opinion on that one.

Besides, there is ONE reason Carter lost to Reagan. The Iranian hostages. Night after night Ted Koppel on a special segment after the nightly news (which later became Nightline) counted down how many days the hostages had been held and how Carter was impotent to get them back. Then Reagan's election team committed treason and promised the Iranians weapons if the only released the hostage after the election.

So the whole Carter lost because Teddy primaried him is FUCKING BULLSHIT!!! So when Obama gets his ass kicked in the general election of 2012, he will need a new excuse.

[RickFromMN]

31. I could very well be wrong and you could be right about Carter and Kennedy.

I may have put too much credit on the 1980 Primary...the 1980 Primary could have been a symptom of the problem.

I forgot the malaise I felt with Carter. Part of that malaise is why I wished Teddy Kennedy had won.
Part of that malaise is why I became a bad Democrat during those years.

I don't remember if I voted for Andersen or Reagan...I only know I didn't want to vote for Carter.
Thankfully, I've come to my senses.

I still hope you are wrong...I don't want another Reagan Revolution.

[Hawkowl]

34. Yeah, I remember the malaise

It was unrelenting and it was pounded home by the media. That is what I fear the most in 2012. The malaise and the media will choke Obama off just like it did Carter.

[No Elephants]

51. We already have one. It goes by many names. DLC, Third Way, New Democrats, and now, just

plain ole DNC. Many are to Reagans right on any number of issues.

Carter may have been the most underrated President of the last 75 year or more.

[Hawkowl]

56. Agreed

I agree about Carter. I think you are correct about the DNC being the latest incarnation of the "Reagan revolution". I believe that Obama will get his ass soundly kicked in 2012 and then we will have another reincarnation of Reagan in a rethuglican in 2012. I think that things will get so bad that then, and only then, will we have an FDR or Teddy Roosevelt figure able to overturn this Reagan paradigm of bullshit.

In other words I expect a lot of pain. Not personally, but for the country as a whole.

[No Elephants]

60. I expect pain whether or not Obama wins in 2012, and I do not expect

a Roosevelt or a Truman or a Kennedy or even an LBJ for a very long time, if ever.

They were all Democrats:

Before the Nixon and Reagan landslides;

Before the DLC existed;

Before Super Delegates existed;

Before lobbyists overran D.C.;

Before Democrats used any and every loss as an excuse to go further right;

Before the Koch brothers and their Tea Party, and

Before Citizens United.

ETA;

Before Rethugs took over all media;

Before Lee Atwater, Rove and FOX.

[JDPriestly]

68. Obama will have a rough time with or without a primary challenger.

He has let down too many middle class voters.

Someone told me recently that, increasingly, landlords are collecting rents from their tenants, living on the proceeds and not paying their mortgages.

I know so many people who have been refused a refinancing on their houses and have stopped paying their mortgages. How is that working for the banks and mortgage companies? Either it is just a coincidence that I am hearing this from various quarters (people who don't even know each other) or this story is being swept under the rug.

[CoffeeCat]

14. This is a shout out to anyone...

...who is thinking about mounting a challenge...to just sit down and STFU.

The corporate-friendly apparatus of the Democratic party knows what it wants
to happen, and they're not shy about telling everyone how it's going to be.

[brooklynite]

78. I reiterate a previous comment...

If you're one of the the people who thinks Obama needs to be primaried, you're welcome to do so, but what exactly are -you- doing to help things along? The workload is going to be incredibly heavy, your time is limited, and complaining here won't get anything accomplished.

[Hawkowl]

15. Democrats presidential chances virtually nil

Obama may regain the nomination, but he will lose re-election. His continuation of Bush's economic policies guarantee high unemployment and the funneling of all the country's wealth to the wealthiest, smallest fraction of Americans. This money comes by accelerating the growth of that largest class of Americans: the working poor. People who work 40 hours plus a week and still fall below the poverty line.

People who constantly bash the "Obama bashers" forget that we criticize Obama because we would like the Democratic Party to actually win in 2012, rather than repeat its 2010 performance.

[FLPanhandle]

17. Disagree.

Who's going to beat Obama?

The republicans have no one who can beat Obama. He is still a good campaigner and he'll still lock up the African-American votes. He'll be re-elected easily.

[Hawkowl]

18. Ask Carter

Everyone said the same thing about Carter. Reagan was a third rate, B actor, ass clown and he wiped the floor with a sitting president. On a smaller scale Arnold Schwarzenegger became California governor!!!

Nature abhors a vacuum almost as much as Republicans abhor a black man in the Whitehouse. The Republicans will find their candidate and he or she won't be some crazy nutbag. Right now we are simply witnessing the set up. The constant highlighting of Sarah Palin is simply a contrast to make the eventual Rethuglican look sane and reasonable. Look for a Governor of former Governor from a key electoral state to be the eventual nominee.

[FLPanhandle]

22. Carter had to fight just to win his own primary.

Carter also was dealing with the hostage embarrassment. Reagan was not lightly thought of either. He was a major republican player for years and the ex-governor of CA. He didn't exactly walk off the B movie set into the White House.

Obama wins easily.

[Name removed]

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[Hawkowl]

30. So you are saying Obama wins Florida?

and Ohio? Without those two states he doesn't win easily. He also will be insanely lucky to win Indiana, West Virginia and North Carolina. He's not going to win at all. What about Michigan? Michigan is in such depths of despair it just elected Rethuglicans across the board. Is Obama going to win in Michigan now that the statehouse and the governership is controlled by Rethuglicans? Who's going to to turn out the vote since he exiled Howard Dean? Tim Kaine? Kaine is going to turn it out like he did in 2010.

Please enlighten me on an electoral strategy that is going to get Obama re-elected. By playing to the conservative side he plans on picking up which southern and western states?

[FLPanhandle]

33. You equate the progressives disappointment in him to all democrats.

Barring some huge disaster, there isn't a republican out there that can beat him.

I only know Florida, Obama wins Florida in 2012.

[Hawkowl]

38. I'm simply extrapolating 2010

It was obvious that democratic rank and file were disappointed by the turnout in 2010. I'm saying that I see that trend continuing. As to Florida, if you are right, then yes Obama has a chance to win. But it won't be easy. I travel the entire country on a regular basis and I just don's see it. I see increasing Obama hatred by his enemies, and no enthusiasm from his supporters.

[FLPanhandle]

47. Historically, mid term elections don't extrapolate well

Otherwise, Clinton wouldn't have won his 2nd term as easily as he did. Obama, last I saw, still has an approval rating of almost 50%. Impressive.

His enemies wouldn't vote for him regardless of what he does.
His supporters come from a much bigger group than the disappointed progressives and they aren't voting for a republican.

[No Elephants]

53. voting for a republican is not always necessary. Staying home often suffices.

And the beating Dems took under Bubba is nothing compared with the beating Dems just took under Obama--worst in well over a 100 years.

We will see soon enough, I guess.

[NeoConsSuck]

76. You don't even have to stay home

You can vote third party. Which is what I intend to do.

[Devil_Fish]

120. Same thing....sadly.NT

[LIBERterryAN]

86. Obama takes whole party down with him in 2012

GOP can beat only 1 Democrat in America in 2012: Obama.

Obama inherit BIG mess. It took almost 90% of U.S. money supply for U.S. economy to make
just 1-years debt payments when Obama take over.

Dems try to write off $700 Billion in debt...Gop filibuster. ...Obama silent.

Every time dems try to fix economy GOP filibuster. ...And Obama silent.

Congressman Weiner from New York City, Dick Gephardt, Senator Sherrod Brown. . . .

Any one of them could take the prize.

GOP-owned "news" media = scared.

[Devil_Fish]

119. Jeb Bush. NT

[xynthee]

80. Jeb Bush? n/t

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

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[Pisces]

25. Maybe you bashers were the same ones claiming Obama could never win in '08.

He will win the nomination and Presidency once agian '12. Regardless of how you try and spin his future defeat, think back about how many were so wrong in '06 and '07 who said he didn't have a chance against Hillary's machine.

I wouldn't bet against Obama.

[RickFromMN]

46. I wanted President Obama to win in 2008. I believed in Change We Can Believe In.

I was worried about Hillary's machine, but that didn't stop my support for Obama in 2008.

President Obama has been a disappointment to me. I wanted a more progressive, more socialist agenda.
I wanted a single payer national health system, but let's not sidetrack this discussion to health care.

I will vote for President Obama in 2012 because I don't want the alternative.

That doesn't prevent me feeling a sense of disillusionment and malaise.
I only hope my feelings of disillusionment and malaise aren't shared by "moderates" and "independents".

[No Elephants]

55. Not I. I picked Obama for President in 2004 and re-affirmed in November 2007, when I decided that,

in addition to being my favorite, he was also the most electible in the primary field. So, I made my first contribution to his campaign. Continued contributing almost up to November 2008. Donated almost every time Hillary or McCain pulled ahead in the polls.

I think Kaine is right about the primary, but I am not sure if Obama would take someone like Romney in 2012. Maybe. Maybe not. And we still have the Ciizens United issue to contend with.

Of course, none of the above has a thing to do with why I criicize--oh, excuse me--bash-- Obama. That is solely about how very disappointing he has been.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

36. Bookmarking for future reference.

[sendero]

54. Exactly..

... "it's the economy stupid". And Obama's done nothing for the economy, only for banksters and insurers.

[Name removed]

64. Deleted message

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[PSPS]

21. Won't matter. Obama is a one termer.

The people who voted for Obama didn't want bush's third term but that's what they got. It isn't that people who voted for him in 2008 will, instead, vote for the republican. No, they will just stay home. Not all of them, but enough to make his reelection very unlikely. Of course, you may say that he could change his stripes over the next two years. But after he describes how he wants to gut social security because it is an "entitlement" that "we can't afford" in his State of the Union speech, that will be the end of him.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

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[Pisces]

28. I know that is what you are "hoping" for, but no. People like me will be voting for

him again and we will volunteer and get the vote out.

[Hawkowl]

42. Not enough of you

That is the point, I think. Your enthusiasm can not make up for a quantitative deficiency in voter turnout (reference 2010 midterms).

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

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[NYC Liberal]

43. Why would he change his stripes? I sure as hell wouldn't want him to.

He has accomplished more in his first two years in office than any other president in many, many years. He is also the most progressive president we've had in many, many years (and not just relative to anyone else). Democrats overwhelmingly like the job he's doing. Liberals overwhelmingly suport him. And I can guarantee you that whatever misgivings some in either of those demographics might have, they sure as hell are not going to sit home when a right winger like Sarah Palin or Mike Huckabee or whoever the Republicans nominate is in the race. Sitting out a midterm election is one thing - turnout is always low then anyway - but no, Democrats are sure as hell not going to sit out the election in 2012.

[robcon]

61. Obama will win more easily than he did in 2008.

He has the independents since the tax 'compromise.' independents outnumber Dems and Repugs.

That's all he needs for 2012.

[Lorien]

66. I won't stay home. Local races are too important. But I will write in a candidate

if there are no other options on the Left (serious or otherwise).

[JVS]

24. Kaine is still chairman? I'm surprised there's been no serious challenge to that.

[Safetykitten]

35. I do so love these whistling past the graveyard posts.

The economy is in a shambles. There are no jobs. The unemployment numbers are so rigged it's like a Citibank spreadsheet. Millions without healthcare. The housing collapse will get so bad in 2011 and 2012 it will be insane. CRE will collapse.

But no primary challenge for Obama. Not right now. Not at this exact moment. But keep thinking that he won't.

The republicans are quiet now. A shitstorm is coming.

[No Elephants]

39. Always had a lot of respect for McKaine as head of the DNC.

:sarcasm:

During his first year, he was still Governor. During his second year, we had a historic trouncing. (Was it the worst loss in 160 years or only in 120 years? I forgot.) The very few times I saw him on TV, he sounded dull-witted.

As opposed to Dean polling Dem voters in 2004 and creating the fifty state structure, all I know of Kaines work is jangling keys and saying Dont give them back the keys. So lame and gimmitky, I do not know of a candidate who used the fake keys or the slogan.

For this, Obama fired Dean?

[NYC Liberal]

45. Of course not. The idea of a primary challenge is so ridiculous that to

even speculate about it in any serious way is an exercise in delusional thinking.

Obama is the most progressive president in decades, is supported by a huge majority of Democrats, liberals and liberal Democrats, and has has accomplished more in two years than many presidents have accomplished in four.

Why, exactly, would there be a primary? From whom? Hillary isn't running. Dean isn't running. (Kucinich isn't running, either.)

It's funny to me how so many people seem to think that their own views are way more prevalent than they are. They don't like Obama, everyone else must not either. They want a primary challenge, so do all Democrats. They don't think Obama's accomplishments so far are enough, everyone else feels the same way.

[w4rma]

48. Yeah right. Obama is so progressive he hired a commission to cut Social Security. (nt)

[raouldukelives]

50. Obama appears to follow orders well

I see no reason for the PTB to allow any challengers.

[sendero]

52. You mean..

... if he STARTS doing the job that people elected him to do.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

57. "keeps doing the job that people elected him to do." ?

When did he start?

[MineralMan]

58. Wow! This thread is so broken up with deleted posts and

subthreads that it's almost unreadable. Tim Kaine has said exactly what I believe. President Obama will serve a full two terms. Nobody's going to pose a serious threat to his candidacy in the primaries and the obstructionism of the GOP in the next two years will assure his election.

[Hardrada]

82. And I'm the King of Norway.

[JDPriestly]

65. Kaine led the Democratic Party to an unnecessary defeat in 2010.

There may be no serious primary challenger to Obama, but there will not be much enthusiasm for Obama among trade union members or the traditional Democratic Party activists. Unfortunately, Obama has let many of those of us who worked the hardest to get him elected -- down.

[No Elephants]

70. Obama is head of the Party and the boss of Kaine. Kaine head the DNC, nominally, anyway,

[JDPriestly]

73. I realize that, but the DNC is the organization that is responsible

for organizing campaigns and speaking for the party even though Obama is the head of the Party. Kaine should not be so sure of himself. He and everyone else in the Democratic Party outside of the states in which Democrats increased representation in Congress and in positions of state government should be handing in their resignations. They let the people of the United States down.

Kaine and Obama -- two failures of historic proportion. And I say that because what they have failed is not just our country but the concept of democratic government. They could have turned things around but were too weak and corrupt to do it.

I am a life-long Democrat. I have worked in many a campaign. I am totally discouraged by the performance of the Obama administration. Obama should have kept Howard Dean in charge of the DNC. Obama should be relying on Dean far more than he has in the past.

Obama seems intent on tearing down the traditional base of the Democratic Party. He has done more to destroy the party than anyone since Reagan in 1980.

[No Elephants]

114. I meant only that I assume Obama has had to okay every major decision Kaine makes.

Obama has been a disappointment to me as well, but I think he is a symptom of the undermining of the Party, not the cause.

I see a number of causes, including:

Gradual loss of the Solid South after the civil rights efforts of RFK, JFK and Johnson;

Panic over the Nixon and Reagan landslides (as though the Oval Office were more important than Congress);

Formation of the DLC (See also, New Democrats/Third Way);

Creation of Super Delegates;

A 1979 or 1980 memo from the DNC to Senators and Reps asking them if they could not find some way to attract some of that lobbyist/corporate money the Rethugs were getting. (Coincidentally or not, the number of lobbyists in D.C. increased exponenially afer 1980.)

The Administration of Clinton, a DLC co-founder and first DLC POTIS . (With more gray hair, a photo of the members of Obama Administration and the Clinton Administration would look remarkably similar.)

IMO, New Democrat Obama is simply an extension or a product or result of all of the above.

[defendandprotect]

116. +1000% -- except that ....

imo, when Obama makes back room deals to preserve private health care system, then

he is part of the "cause" re the failure in 2010.

If Obama persists in picking up the torch for Repugs on destroying Social Security

then I also think he will be "cause" for further failure of Dem Party in 2012.


But, I see your underlying reasoning that the party is now committed to DLC values --

which produces the likes of Obama.

[defendandprotect]

115. 1000% for these two comments, especially .....

Kaine and Obama -- two failures of historic proportion. And I say that because what they have failed is not just our country but the concept of democratic government. They could have turned things around but were too weak and corrupt to do it.

Obama seems intent on tearing down the traditional base of the Democratic Party. He has done more to destroy the party than anyone since Reagan in 1980.

Of course, I also have to add that we don't really know the impact of computer voting

on destruction of the Democratic Party, either --

:)

[Unvanguard]

79. Obviously there won't be. Obama will be the Democratic candidate in 2012. n/t

[Taverner]

81. As much as I respect Obama...and I do respect him

He's done a good job moving the Center-Right Democrats to Center-Left Democrats.

HOWEVER, in order to keep this process working, we need to run some folks against him.

Not to really challenge him, but his plans.

Otherwise expect Clinton's 2nd Term, v 2a

[Safetykitten]

85. Well kids, again missing the big picture, he will not get re-elected. Not. Re-elected.

[Still a Democrat]

87. Obama Won’t Face Primary Challenge in 2012, Democrat Leader Says

Source: Bloomberg

President Barack Obama probably won’t face a primary challenger in his 2012 re-election bid, the head of the Democratic National Committee said.

“The likelihood of any serious challenge to the president is virtually nil,” DNC chairman Tim Kaine said on CNN’s “State of the Union”.

...

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-02/obama-won-t-face-primary-challenge-in-2012-democrat-leader-says.html

[derby378]

88. And Kaine is WHAT, exactly?

Not even half the DNC Chair that Howard Dean was. Remember, Kaine's one of the brainiacs who introduced us to that ridiculous circle-D logo.

[FBaggins]

89. Probably true... but Kaine saying so doesn't add much to the debate.

The President picked Kaine to run the DNC... should anyone be surprised that he says that the President won't face a challenger?

[MannyGoldstein]

90. Use of 'Democrat' insted of 'Democratic' speaks volumes

Or is Kaine starting to use 'Democrat Party'?

[PSPS]

92. It's the Bloomberg headline writer who did that. It's the usual dog whistle.

What's more telling is that Kaine, like Obama, considers the democratic base to be "fringe."

[primavera]

96. So what else is new?

Nobody gives a shit what the base wants because the base has no alternative to voting for the Dem candidate whether they like him/her or not. We'll take whichever candidate has the backing of corporate funding and a party leadership that sold out to corporate America decades ago or we'll do what? Emigrate to a country that has a democratic form of governance? Vote for a third party candidate? Right. Remember all of the shit we gave Dems who voted for Nader, refusing to support Clinton after he sold out in '96? No matter what Obama does, Dems will still support him because "he beats the alternative." And so the quality of political leadership will continue to decline, as it has been doing for decades, because we refuse to hold our candidates accountable and there is consequently no penalty for selling out.

[Lionel Mandrake]

99. The article is by Holly Rosenkrantz,

but she is only the reporter. The editor responsible for this story is Mark Silva. His e-mail address is

[e-mail]

He is probably responsible for the headline.

On edit: I just sent Mark Silva an e-mail message about the headline.

[lib2DaBone]

91. A STRONG primary challenge to Obama is the only hope...

...We need real Hope and REAL change.. we need it yesterday.. not in 2014 or 2020.

[Zorra]

94. Agreed. I am bitterly disappointed in President Obama. He's one of "them".

I have voted for every Democratic candidate on every ballot in every year since I became of age to vote.

I will not be voting for Barack Obama in 2012. He is strictly a puppet of multinational corporations, just like every republican is. He wrote that he admired Ronald Reagan.

I congratulate him. He is very similar to Ronald Reagan as president. But that is a terrible thing for our country.

[defendandprotect]

117. Many here are post-Obama .... if there is no challenger in 2012, that could move us to

a post-Democratic Party era -- ???

[stray cat]

93. At least not anyone that is seriously electable - there will be the normal fringe candidates

[Hawkeye-X]

95. Democrat Leader?

fuck you, pal.

There should be a very serious primary to the left, and Obama has to dump DLC principles and promise to damage the Republicans until they're nothing but ashes before he can convince me he's worth the vote.

Otherwise 2012 is a non-election year for me (i.e., no Senate elections till 2014 when Udall's up, and I'll re-elect him, and DeGette is in a safe district, and will vote to legalize marijuana which is on the ballot for 2012)

[guruoo]

97. Time to either put up or...

(you know).

[pettypace]

98. Excellent news!

Nothing can set this country on the way to recovery than getting this man his second term. And with this nations history no one deserves to be reelected more than Barack.

Obama '08 now and forever!!

[davidinalameda]

100. Kaine to stay as DNC chairman

Source: Politico

Democratic National Chairman Tim Kaine isn't going anywhere.

Appearing Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union," Kaine shot down early reports that White House press secretary Robert Gibbs might want to be the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee - and that he desires a Cabinet secretary position.

"My agreement with the president is I was going to do what he wants me to do, and what I know sitting here today is he wants me to continue in this spot and that's what i'm going to do," Kaine said.

"It's a wonderful job," he added, "and I continue to do it."

Read more: http://www.politico.com/blogs/politicolive/0111/Kaine_Ill_stay_DNC_chair.html?showall

---

gag

[Demeter]

101. Ladies and Gentlemen, I Give You Michael Steele

Oh, wrong party? Same guy, wrong party...

[davidinalameda]

102. pretty much

[Frank Booth]

110. At least Michael Steele has some personality.

Tim Kaine represents everything wrong with the Democratic party. Bland, corporate friendly, "centrist" (actually middle right), spineless.

[Hawkeye-X]

103. Worthless DNC chairman EVER. He's bent on destroying Dean's 50 state strategy

and watch how that *TURNED* out last election.

He should be kicked out and replaced with a real progressive Democrat who rejects Third Way concepts (that means DLC is out, permanently), and embracing the Left forum and promises that Obama will be primaried to teach him a very hard lesson.

That's the kind of DNC chairman I want. Someone who's got the guts to change things around. Dean was it in '06, and '08. Kaine ain't it.

Hawkeye-X

[madrchsod]

105. i think the 50 state died when the oath was given

[madrchsod]

104. appointing a LOSER ? anyone surprised?

[elocs]

106. So, we have a Philistine in the camp and Obama wants him to stay there.

The Senate is going to be a long shot in 2012, but it is gone for sure now. Democrats might be lucky to hold the White House at this point.

[proud2BlibKansan]

107. Yuck.

[WingDinger]

108. I am glad it is not Gibbs. Different skill set, and he really learned that skill set, on the job.

We can go with Kaine. And he seems to be stepping up his aggression a bit.

[rocktivity]

109. Then we do what the Rethugs did -- reorganize the DNC out from under him

funnel the donations there, and render him a figurehead.

No fifty-state strategy, no donations.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[Kitsune]

111. Welp, we're screwed in 2012.

This idiot couldn't run a dairy queen, let alone a winning national campaign.

[Jefferson23]

112. Sad news. n/t

[Hell Hath No Fury]

113. Oh. Wow.

Just when you thought things couldn't get any more fucked up with the Democratic Party.

[defendandprotect]

118. Kaine arrogance admits nothing of his/Dem failures - 26 million non-voters in 2010-!!

In fact, Kaine seems like a very happy man .... why?

[MisterP]

121. of course, Tim "Mr. Reality" Kaine would be saying this if the rival had a 40-point lead and had

already won 5 states--or 35 states

of course, if every primary is going to be called a rerun of 1980--why have them? just have the old smoke-filled room back