Obama's Ratings-rethugs, be very afraid!

[babylonsister]

Oh, that's right. They already are! :D

Could Obama Be Invincible?

By CHARLES M. BLOW
Published: March 19, 2010


As we stand at the verge of the historic vote on the health care bill — a signature piece of President Obama’s agenda — it feels appropriate to take a look at how he has fared during the long slog that got us here. My quick assessment: remarkably well.

First, let’s take his job approval rating. Yes, it slid during the summer, but it stabilized around 50 percent in November and has hovered there ever since.

The empty-headed chattering class began another round of speculation and inane analysis this week when his approval rating dropped to 46 percent, its lowest yet. Silly pundits.

It was a minor tick and overplayed. If I were a Republican strategist (God forbid!), I would actually be very worried that the lower 50s/upper 40s could be Obama’s bottom. He has weathered some of the worst months of his young presidency recently, and his numbers have barely budged.

The second thing to remember is that job approval is only one measure of how well a president connects with the electorate.

At the conclusion of his Wednesday appearance on Fox News, insolent interviewer Bret Baier interrupted the president for the umpteenth time to ask him if he thought that the health care bill would pass. Obama responded with a familiar line: “I do. I’m confident it will pass. And the reason I’m confident that it’s going to pass is because it’s the right thing to do.”

This idea that he wants reform “because it’s the right thing to do” resonates with people. Whether they agree with him or not, they seem to genuinely believe that he has good intentions and that he is, at his base, a good man. This view of him has so penetrated the public that it often goes unspoken.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/20/opinion/20blow.html

[cleveramerican]

1. a moment to make you proud

[RC]

2. If Obama really wanted a historic vote on a health care bill, he

would have stood up for single Payer, Universal Health Care in this country, thereby joining the rest of the civilized world.

[babylonsister]

3. You can whine all you want, but at this point you're in the minority.

But you think everyone who approves of and/or votes for this bill is uncivilized? Sounds like you have what you want, screw everyone else.

Hopefully this will be passed, warts and all, and will benefit a whole lot of people. That doesn't mean some important fixes can't or won't be introduced once it's a done deal.

[RC]

4. Apparently I think bigger than you.

I was thinking whole countries being civilized, not individual people.
Also, seeing how we are all in the same boat here, how could I have what I want, any more than you, when it is the insurance companies that are screwing us all and will continue to do so, even with this bill?

[babylonsister]

7. How could you indeed? So keep hoping this doesn't pass. That

surely will help all of us. :eyes:

And my opinion differs from yours. I think this bill effectively puts the kibosh on some of the more heinous practices of insurance companies. Sure there is lots more to do, but this is a start and provides a framework of where to go from here. That I applaud even while you don't. :shrug:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=433&topic_id=229911

[impik]

9. So you should run for president and get single payer, as it is so easy

That's why in 100 years no president could get even a centric HCR. But no! The purity police won't take any progress.

[NYC_SKP]

13. Stood up and stood practically alone. Chk ur cngrss. nt

[saltpoint]

5. Yes. Obama the human being seems thoughtful and engaged.

For the last several months the GOP has offered us Mitch McConnell's clueless obstructionist BS. McConnell sounds totally out of it.

[opihimoimoi]

6. He leads the pack in the Race to Sanity.....them Pubs are 2 water holes back....eating dust all the

way

[Clio the Leo]

8. and I ALWAYS laugh when he says, "I dont know how this plays politically..."

Because he DOES know how this plays politically, otherwise he wouldn't be doing it .... or at least not so obviously.

Now, dont get me wrong, I think he's being sincere when he says it's the right thing to do. There's a reason why he always list the first change as "insurance companies won't be able to deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition" this is very PERSONAL for him.

But he also fully realizes that, in the long run, this WILL benefit him politically. And the fact that he can stand there and say he doesn't just shows how much political mojo he has.

I'm glad he's on our team.

[snot]

10. I only hope BO cares, along w/ any other Dems not beyond redemption,

who, I fear, are dam' few.

[zeemike]

11. I still believe in Obama the man.

What I do not believe in is ether of the party systems...that is what is broke.
And I am aware enough of it that I do not kid myself that a third party is possible with our present society....So if we are to be hopeful we must hope that Obama is who we think he is....a fair and just man that wants to do well by us.

[NJmaverick]

12. K&R