Crisis Gives Obama a Chance to Make Long-Term Electoral Gains

[cal04]

Matthew Benjamin
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=agsg69muiHWY&refer=home

The $2 trillion of federal spending President Barack Obama proposed to stimulate the economy, stabilize housing markets, curb financial excesses and remake the health care system packs a political punch too.

By shifting the focus of government policy away from upper- income Americans and targeting the vast numbers who consider themselves middle-class, Obama’s proposals may yield dividends for the Democratic Party.

Just as Franklin Roosevelt used the New Deal to create a loyal voter base that endured for four decades, Obama’s approach to fixing the economy offers the president an opportunity to recast political allegiances among swing voters. It also unwinds the policies of Ronald Reagan by dramatically increasing the role that government plays in the lives of voters and companies.

“It’s clear that Obama benefits politically by targeting programs precisely at these voters,” said Bruce Buchanan, a presidential scholar at the University of Texas in Austin. “It all ties up into a little ball, and I can understand why Republicans are worried.”

[Demeter]

1. You See, Bush Didn't Care

he wasn't trying to build anything, not the country, not the businesses...not even his own future. He was bent on destruction, 24 hours a day.

And now he's a world-wide pariah, and as soon as America has the evidence in court, he's toast. Maybe his Poppy, too.

[Daveparts]

2. Roosevelt was doing what?

create a loyal voter base.I suppose a lifeguard who saves you from drowning is just bucking for a promotion. Firefighters are just looking for brownie points and EMT's are just showing off.

[MasonJar]

3. It may work out a plus for the dems, but I am fairly confident that Obama

is actually working to help our country, not himself. Most Democratic presidents have had that attitude in fact.