Is President Obama already a 'lame duck'?

[Polydeuces]

I think maybe he is considering the events of today.

Bloomberg is reporting Harry Reid cannot get the Democratic control Senate to pass the Assault Weapons Ban bill mainly because of Democratic defections.

An unanimous decision by a U.S. Court of Appeals has decided president Obama violated the Constitution when he bypassed the Senate to fill vacancies on a labor relations panel. CBS is calling this an embarrassing setback for the president.

[GiancarloC]

No. He's not a lame duck. And just because one bill may not pass does not mean he's a lame duck. I'm sure a watered down bill will pass. So not in any sense a lame duck. As far as that vacancies issues, that's a minor issue.

[Just_Believe18]

His Supreme Court nominees in four years will be one of the most important lasting legacies of his entire presidency. That alone will remove the title of "lame duck."

[JockBoy87]

Congress loves to make lame duck presidents.

[GiancarloC]

His Supreme Court nominees in four years will be one of the most important lasting legacies of his entire presidency. That alone will remove the title of "lame duck."

/\/\

This and not only that he'll probably get plenty of other bills passed. The sway of the NRA is still too strong even on some members of the democratic party.

[Polydeuces]

Prior to today's bad news Willy Brown opined in the SF Chronicle.

Obama enters the long lame-duck phase

Grand as the inaugural will be, this week also marks the beginning of President Obama's new role, that of the lame duck.

Take it from someone who's been there: It's more like being a sitting duck.

Over the next four years, Obama will go from walking the red carpet to being the stepping stone for everyone's political ambitions.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/willie...#ixzz2J1nVV4ey

[GiancarloC]

That's an OP/ED... he's not a sitting duck and he's not a lame duck. There is plenty he'll do that will take away that label of lame duck, including the possibility of the democrats retaking the House in 2014. Oh, and a debate works by responding to criticisms.

[Polydeuces]

As far as that vacancies issues, that's a minor issue.

Perception matters with this lame duck issue because it becomes self fulfilling. How will the news media spin it?

ABC says -

This is a very big deal in constitutional law and contemporary politics.

The U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia handed down a major decision today, one that shifts the modern balance of power between the president and Congress—and hands a stinging political defeat to President Obama and his allies in Big Labor.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/obama...ry?id=18317935

[Polydeuces]

That's an OP/ED...

I know. That is why I wrote "Willy Brown opined"

[T-Rexx]

Since when has anyone been able to pass gun reform in the US Congress?

Mass shooters could wipe out every kid in America, and it wouldn't make a difference. The gun crazies would still insist that there aren't enough guns, and that it is irresponsible to try to make them safe.

[Jack Springer]

This week the Senate and the House promoted Hillary as the nominee for 2016. No one is talking about Obama this week -- Hillary took the stage.

Dem Senators and Congressmen glorified her in every way they could -- while ignoring Benghazi and the death of a US Ambassador.

Bill got Obama elected .. he'll try to do the same thing for Hillary in 2016. Bill has charisma, people like him -- Obama comes across a scolding and arrogant to many people.

Not sure if he's a lame duck or not .. that usually happens in about 18 months or so before the off year elections -- but almost everything about Obama is different -- so who knows.

[GiancarloC]

Perception matters with this lame duck issue because it becomes self fulfilling. How will the news media spin it?

It's not a major issue. There are other more pressing matters, and the President isn't considered a lame duck just days into his second term. That's just not how politics work. It wasn't the "stinging defeat" that some are trying to paint it as. It's an attempt to take a minor issue and blow it out of proportion.

This entire thread reeks of an agenda... sorry to say. And one that's not really well supported either.

[Polydeuces]

Since when has anyone been able to pass gun reform in the US Congress?

Dianne Feinstein in 1994

[GiancarloC]

Also the decision can be appealed. That wasn't the highest court.

But painting the US President as a lame duck because of two issues isn't a valid response, nor one supported by evidence. Obama has plenty of other issues he can pursue.

[xbuzzerx]

Since when has anyone been able to pass gun reform in the US Congress?

Mass shooters could wipe out every kid in America, and it wouldn't make a difference. The gun crazies would still insist that there aren't enough guns, and that it is irresponsible to try to make them safe.

Yup, this.

Being able to get political support to override one of the hugest and most disgusting lobbies in the entire political landscape and "whether or not you are a lame duck" are two totally different yardsticks.

[JayHawk]

No he is not a lame duck because the republican party needs to accomplish something or be perceived as continually out of touch. Immigration will pass and so will a budget that includes cuts to both the military (needed) and unfortunately medic-are//aid and Social Security (unneeded). After DOMA is beaten in the SCOTUS then Obama will also further our rights on a federal level. Obama will end the war in AFghanistan and the expenditures there and will likely increase economic cooperation with the EU. All of those will have massive psotive effects on America and the world.

One very divided issue failing a lame duck does not make. That is simply wishful thinking on the part of those severely disconnected from reality.

[gambit22121]

This is the best illustration of what is truly wrong with our government. Too many lobbying interests really running Washington. We can't have any kind of meaningful change until Lobbying reform is passed. Until then, money wins.

[JayHawk]

That will never change. However it has been interesting to see social media involve the voice of Americans. Money still gets 90 percent of the say but when we squeal loud enough then the votes bear out in our favor.

[GiancarloC]

I'm holding out hope this nation will continue to evolve towards a more progressive outlook... and many of that bureaucratic backlog from desperate right wing republicans will eventually fizzle out. Maybe I'm being too hopeful.

[JayHawk]

You're being way too hopeful. It all starts and ends with the green back dollar for our leading meglomaniacs.....



'cept for us folks who dont give a damn about a green back a dolla'

[JockBoy87]

I'm holding out hope this nation will continue to evolve towards a more progressive outlook... and many of that bureaucratic backlog from desperate right wing republicans will eventually fizzle out. Maybe I'm being too hopeful.

You are not too hopeful, but change is going to take a long time.

The union of the social conservatives with the sycophants who worship the rich is going to be powerful until the new majority breeds its way to the top.

Also, I think the paranoid capitalist vs. communist mentality than began 60 years ago cannot last forever either.

[JayHawk]

Jockboy I may sound crass but do you seriously think money will leave a political system where it had influence since inception?

The father of this nation was loath to bother with lessor stations. He preferred the company of the wealthy and affluent. We certainly will become more progressive over time. The dollar will never lose its majestic power of controlling our nation.

[JockBoy87]

Jockboy I may sound crass but do you seriously think money will leave a political system where it had influence since inception?

The father of this nation was loath to bother with lessor stations. He preferred the company of the wealthy and affluent. We certainly will become more progressive over time. The dollar will never lose its majestic power of controlling our nation.

Yes, please talk crass. Don't make me beg.

Put the dollar where it counts. I've said too much already.


I think social media will have a profound effect on negating money in politics. No matter how much money pols get, they do need our votes, after all is said and done.

[JayHawk]

I agree but social interaction take involvement. I certainly don't wanna make this a ridiculous race commentary BUT do you think the voter turnout among blacks will be the same when some pasty faced runs again? I support the man too and don't think it is based entirely on race. The turnout however has a lot to do with history.

I do think the democratic party has thoroughly mastered the use of social media. the republicans are still struggling with that part. At the embarrassing RNC there were Google hangouts galore so I would say they are not far behind. Now they just need to tune their message so it doesn't offend the majority of people who are able to use technology.


BTW I think your pastey fell off.... what ?? wait your saying that wasn't a pastey?

[maxpowr9]

To be fair, the sooner Harry Reid retires, the better.

[GiancarloC]

I do think the democratic party has thoroughly mastered the use of social media. the republicans are still struggling with that part. At the embarrassing RNC there were Google hangouts galore so I would say they are not far behind. Now they just need to tune their message so it doesn't offend the majority of people who are able to use technology.

They may not be far behind technology wise, but they are far behind when it comes to demographics. They still campaign as if it was 1980 and Reagan was around... they lost touch with how America has changed.

[JayHawk]

To be fair, the sooner Harry Reid retires, the better.

I agree. Lack luster leadership typifies both houses of our government currently.

They may not be far behind technology wise, but they are far behind when it comes to demographics. They still campaign as if it was 1980 and Reagan was around... they lost touch with how America has changed.

Yup which is why they will tune their message to leave out the less than savory items. It wont happen in a cycle but i am sure it will happen.