I feel like playing a bit of Devil's Advocate on a tangential wandering of mine, feel free to skip it folks!
GreenTiger GreenTiger:
Guy_Fawkes Guy_Fawkes:
Obama will get re-elected for the same reason Harper did, no serious opposition.
Sounds like that is about. Why the Republicans seem to select people who seem like they came out of "One Step Beyond" is a mystery. They needed somebody closer to Ronald Reagan.
The Republicans have the unfortunate need to not only keep a tight hold on ideologically disjointed groups such as the Tea Party, evangelists, and fiscal conservatives all in one swing, but also attempt to appeal to the mass of middle of the way voters who may swing their vote over to the other side. When you have a big tent with a lot of components, it makes sense that the mass majority of people out there are going to be uncomfortable with at least some aspects of a chosen presidential candidate. Not only do you have to be religiously sound and have a strong conservative track record, you also have to support some degree of libertarianism, be outraged at the government (size, power, decisions, what have you) and still recognize financial concerns (both party support, business, etc) while not irritating half the electorate. It's a nigh impossible juggling act, and having parties as large as the Republican and Democrat party will invariably lead to this sort of internal struggle.
In a time and day when they feel they can get away with trying to solidify support among their more ardent supporters, both to ensure their support and get them mobilized to support their party, due to a potential weaker candidate on the other side, it makes sense for a lot to take it. I think, personally, they have largely underestimated the degree of support Obama has -- electorates might be fickle, but they eventually solidify their beliefs sooner or later. I think they jumped the gun a bit this time.
Alternatively, many Americans are also deeply uncomfortable with what has happened. I personally support progressive measures, but one can no doubt note that Obama has managed to get a lot done -- he has had quite the eventful presidency, doing everything from dealing with DADT and the censorship crisis through ending wars, using massive stimulus methods and implementing these health care systems. However, change can be and usually is uncomfortable, regardless of how worthwhile it may end up being. It should be no surprise that a group even slightly opposed to some of these measures would prefer a far more reactionary candidate to reduce, remove, or even roll back the measures we've seen come into being over the last few years under the Obama administration. A lot of change can make a lot of people squirm, especially change in directions people don't like.
I also think that, to some degree, the entire situation has been dipped in hyperbole, smeared with awkward sauce, and then fried in the media grill with the media forcing us all to watch the oven every waking moment of the baking process. I doubt that half the things going on are half as bad as they are, and I find a lot of the issues to be... overstated. For example, even though I'm homosexual, I recognize that homosexuality actually plays little role in the decisions of a great many Americans -- whether or not we can serve openly in the army, get married or so forth takes a back seat as to whether or not anyone has a job next year, if America end up sending men and women to die in another nation, or if a new health system supports tens of millions of new people or not (and at what cost). While we get a lot of face time in the media, I also know that people won't consider us the linchpin of any election. I'm also saying that is to be expected and entirely rational, especially for those in the middle-of-the-road or in the Republican camp -- homosexual rights don't factor into political decisions for me over 95% of the time, and I am one! Some factors simply do not matter in the eyes of electorate, even if negative, when it comes down to weighing the cons and the pros.
Finally, not a lot of people WANT the presidency at this point in time. If I was part of the party faithful and had a chance for it... I'd wait 8 years. The United States is facing a series of serious challenges in the coming years, ranging from continued economic problems close at hand and abroad, rumbling of adversaries from Asia through the Middle-east, a weakened capability to wage war or impose themselves into situations, massive geopolitical change across half the world, and growing reduction in overall international strength as many other nations begin to catch up with the US in relevance. No doubt this reduces the amount of candidates who may be excellent as presidential elects. Mitt Romney may be in for it this time, but I can't help but feel that if he had not spent years trying for this year, he'd not be as ardent to leap forward for the big office. Paul always runs, Gingrich is doing it out of personal ambition (I am not saying that is bad), and Santorum seems genuinely interested in the position even with the current challenges there.
CKA Elite 
CKA Uber 
