What is Obama’s biggest challenge in the 2012 election?
Jonathan Munshaw: President Barack Obama’s biggest challenger in the 2012 race for the White House isn’t a Republican or an Independent, but himself.
At this point, it is Obama’s race to lose, because all of the Republican challengers have shown weaknesses that almost make them unelectable to anyone who is not a die-hard conservative.
Newt Gingrich wants to build a moon base and can’t seem to fight off accusations of extramarital affairs.
Mitt Romney is filthy rich, and knows it, but he won’t admit it and tries to relate to the middle class. And Rick Santorum’s last name is Santorum.
Just take a second to Google Santorum. I dare you.
But seriously, Santorum’s campaign is poorly organized and he doesn’t have nearly the amount of money and staff that Romney has.
If Obama hits the campaign trail hard this year, with members of his staff such as David Axelrod and Jim Messina returning from his 2008 campaign, he should easily get enough votes from Democrats to keep his seat in the White House.
While Obama’s presidency to date has had its ups and downs, there hasn’t really been anyone willing to step up and legitimately challenge him.
As long as Obama doesn’t make any major mistakes or gaffes, and none of the Republican candidates can find a way to overcome their flaws and lay down legitimate counter arguments to the Obama administration’s policies, it’s Obama’s race to lose.
Paul Donelly: President Obama’s biggest challenge this election year will be, as the old adage says, “the economy, stupid.” Republican presidential hopefuls began their campaign on rhetoric that Obama was bad for the economy.
Unfortunately for them, the economy has shown signs of slow but steady growth. In January, 230,000 jobs were added to the economy, and the unemployment rate shrunk to 8.3 percent. Economists predict numbers will only go up from here.
The GOP has shown signs they agree the economy is getting better, so they are now attacking Obama on more cultural and social issues like gay marriage, women’s health and religion.
This shift in rhetoric has shown that voters are being turned off by a more socially conservative message and President Obama’s approval numbers are reaching levels they haven’t seen since early in his presidency. The conservative message will most likely result in another four years for Obama. That is unless the economy takes another downturn. The conservative alternative to Obama has shown to be a weak field with an unpopular message.
As long as the economy improves under Obama’s leadership, then he will be re-elected. If this improvement is only temporary, then come November, a Republican will occupy the oval office.
Jordan Russell: Jonathan brings up a good point, but he’s scrolling over one important aspect of the whole reelection process: the voters.
I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know all the nooks and crannies about the candidates’ promises and what they can actually keep. But those like me probably fall under one of the following categories: they are apathetic about the election, need someone to say something relevant to their interest to sway their votes, or aren’t paying detailed attention, like myself, and are receiving 70 percent of their info from their associate news editor.
These are by far the most interesting Republican candidates to date. Honestly, I can’t recall half of the candidates in the last election, but this year I’ve got each one associated with whatever “dirty laundry” or “moon base” plans they’ve come up with.
All I needed was Sarah Palin on the stage, and you’d have me hooked on every debate.
This is where the voters come in. Obama had the whole youth revolution going for him the first time around because all of the promises of change.
And granted, some things have changed. But we’re still in a time where people ask, “What have you done for me lately?”
Maybe I’m pessimistic, but probably 20 percent of voters won’t take the time of day to research any claims (including myself) and will vote for who their party leader is or sway back and forth like a leaf.
Right now, Obama looks like he’s in good shape. The question comes after the Republican candidates stop demoralizing themselves and pour all of their attention at Obama.
So the most important x-factor remains. When it comes to election time, what will it take to either solidify or saw the precious voter opinion?
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Right now O’bama looks in really bad shape. His approval is under 45% and he has not record to run on…..
Hmm…so the economy and voters. Both good points.
I’ll be linking this at a forum, to give something else to discuss about.
I love how you all ignore Ron Paul, why is that?
Probably because so far, the voters have. Call me when he wins a primary.
If you look at the delegate count you will find Paul is right behind Mitt. Plus let us not forget that Dr Paul has they highest amount of donations from active duty military personal. But I guess if the media is not talking about him he is not worth looking at right? God forbid we think for ourselves every now and again.
Have you seen Obama’s Competition? Rick Santorum? Really? Obama has this in the bag. #victory!
Obama has broken so many of his promises I don’t understand how anyone can still back him.
They won’t. No one is getting excited to come out for Obama except the deluded few. Whoever he didn’t have against him, he turned his back on.
There will be some support because of how much the left fears a true conservative and real catholic…
Gotta love a country that won’t vote in anyone who isn’t vaguely religious, but if a candidate is actually religious, hold on, this guy is an extremist. In that he is extremely not just believing in God for the votes…scary shit…
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