I must admit my support of John McCain was lukewarm, at best. I did vote for him because the alternative was less appealing to me. Politics are finicky as we all know and perception in many cases rules the day. Even though we are only eight months into President Obama’s term I must admit it may have been better that Senator McCain did not win, and furthermore knowing what I know now I might have voted differently. Yep, you read right.
Just eight months ago if someone had told me Virginia would elect a republican governor next month I would have laughed out loud. Yet unless we have another ‘macaca’ incident Virginia is going to elect Republican Bob McDonnell governor in a race with national implications. While McDonnell is a solid candidate it is widely believed that what is happening in Washington, our neighbor, is having a significant influence on what the polls are showing–McDonnell ahead by 5 points. This in a state that went for Obama by more than 6 points. Time will tell.
If someone had suggested two young people with a hidden camera would begin what probably will be the fall of A.C.O.R.N. as we know it, I would not have believed them. I’m realistic enough to know they will resurrect themselves with a new identity but they have taken a huge hit. And this happened with their guy in the White House.
In the only other statewide election in 2009 incumbent Governor Corzine trails Rsepublican Christie in New Jersey by over 6 points. Who would have given that any chance of happening.
Eight months ago President Obama was the most popular politician in the world. One would assume that with a 60-40 majority in the US Senate and a 257-178 majority in the US House what he wanted he would get. Just this week Senate Majority Leader Reid said as a last resort he would use reconciliation as a tool to pass a healthcare bill. Cap and Trade is struggling in the Senate. The Administration has less than 4 months to complete it’s closing of Gitmo by its own deadline. Afghanistan, a war Obama supported, is quickly becoming a mess with Obama’s guy in charge. The White House itself is in obvious disarray.
38% of the country thinks we are going in the wrong direction. The Democratically controlled congress has an approval rating of 26.8%.
The President’s approval rating is down 14 points since February 1st.
It’s only 8 months in but I doubt John McCain could have accomplished all of this.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Paul // Sep 26, 2009 at 6:02 am
Home run! You hit it out of the park. This mess would of been blamed on McCain and conservatives no matter what they did or didn’t do.
Have GREAT weekend
2 Wilson828 // Sep 26, 2009 at 7:47 am
uh…. there was only one choice last fall… the GOP decided not to run a candidate .. too bad.
3 J. Strupp // Sep 26, 2009 at 11:02 am
Hey Paul, who should Americans hold responsible for Afghanistan and Gitmo?
Unraveling a trainwreck takes time. Maybe the current administration isn’t up to the task. We’ll find out. That’s why we give these guys 4 years not 8 months.
If you ever wonder why our political system gets nothing accomplished these days, just read the blog above. Power politics is the new “accomplishment” these days. Admirable.
4 Randy in Richmond // Sep 26, 2009 at 1:17 pm
I can’t answer for Paul but I would hold the Taliban and Al Qaeda responsible for Afghanistan, and militant extremist Muslims along with Al Qaeda responsible for Gitmo. Without them neither would have happened.
5 J. Strupp // Sep 26, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Let me clarify:
Who should Americans hold responsible for the failures in securing Afghanistan from the Taliban/Al Qaeda?
The question is rhetorical.
6 Saturday Afternoon – Playing Catch Up – Laundry Time , An Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings // Sep 26, 2009 at 6:05 pm
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