Obama on Super Bowl Sunday: ‘I deserve a second term’

[kpete]

Posted at 05:12 PM ET, 02/05/2012
Obama on Super Bowl Sunday: ‘I deserve a second term’
By David Nakamura
President Obama said Sunday that he deserves to be reelected because his administration has made progress on the economy, but he acknowledged there is much more work to do.

“I deserve a second term, but we’re not done,” Obama said during a
President Obama talks about the economy during an event at Fire Station #5 in Arlington, Va., Friday. Fire Station No. 5 was one of the first stations to respond to the Sept. 11, 2001 attack at the Pentagon. (Susan Walsh - AP) pre-Super Bowl interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer.

Lauer had asked Obama about an interview they did before the 2009 Super Bowl, when Obama had said that if the economy was not fixed in three years he did not deserve another term.

“When you and I sat down, we were losing 750,000 jobs a month. . . now we’re creating 250,000 jobs,” Obama said, referring to Friday’s jobs report which showed unemployment falling from 8.5 percent to 8.3 percent. “We’ve made progress. The key now is to make sure we don’t start turning in the wrong direction.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/44/post/obama-on-super-bowl-sunday-i-deserve-a-second-term/2012/02/05/gIQA9elMsQ_blog.html

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. the capability and intellect and competence gap between Obama and any Republican is infinite...

can't be measured.

[babylonsister]

10. Thank you. No comparison. nt

[CAPHAVOC]

27. I voted against Obama.

But now I am praying for him and I feel like I made a mistake. He is going to be tested. Go Barak. Do the right thing for us...Please. You are our last chance.

[xtraxritical]

38. Do yourself a a favor vote a straight Democratic ballot

It's not only imperative to reelect President Obama (compared to the GOP circus act) it's also imperative to give him solid majorities in both houses of congress. He's has been doing marvelously dealing with this obstructionist, tparty, puerile congress, let's give him both houses and get this country going again.

[Festivito]

30. It can be measured: 1-million jobs, and he needs to start saying that.

he needs to say that it is 1-million jobs in the rght direction.

He seems to think that half-as-smart half-listening people are half as smart as he is -- they're not.

[xtraxritical]

44. One million jobs was just GM

and since then Barack's been averaging around 200,000 jobs per month added to the US GNP. Not halfast, indeed.

[Roland99]

39. But yet he still acts like one given every opportunity.

How many times has he and the Dems in the Senate caved to the GOP or started negotiations at what should have been the middle ground at the end but where the final result ends up being far to the right?

[Liberal Veteran]

2. He also deserves a liberal Democratic congress (less republicans and blue dogs).

To actually get things going well.

[Tripod]

26. Yes, we all know! n/t

[RBInMaine]

3. And that is EXACTLY what is going to happen ! And rightly so ! & To HELL with FlipRomney.

[calimary]

5. Indeed! For all those on our side who say "but, but, but...he didn't get this done or that..."

Ummm... and the alternative is.....????

You think for one instant that you're gonna get a fair shake from a republi-CON? Seriously? ANY republi-CON???? Remember, it's not just the republi-CON who gets in. It's all the riff-raff, pirates, cheaters, meanies, imperialists, manipulators, vultures, scam-masters, warmongers, bedroom busybodies, bullies, and hypocrites they bring in with them, as advisors, appointees, and Heaven forbid - Supreme Court justice nominees!!!

Doesn't ANYBODY get it????

And if you just are gonna show 'em all and stay home and say "fuck 'em!"? Yeah, then you don't have any right to complain when you don't get the result you THOUGHT you wanted.

[Phlem]

21. Oh common....

I have my issues with him but logic 101 says I'm f*&ked if I vote for a republican. Some of us can walk and chew gum at the same time, no need to generalize this specific issue.

-p

PS. The crowd that does that are definitely not an informed democratic crowd.

[dotymed]

31. Yes, Obama must get a second term.

Because he (as your post intimates), is the much "lesser of two evils." I had hoped that within the last three years we could have produced a non-corporate candidate who is "people before profit." Oh well, we have not fielded such a candidate who has a chance of winning, so we must get as many Progressive, non-corporate (hard to find) politicians elected as possible. There are so many rights that populist politicians must restore and procure for the 99%. If the (corporate, 1% dominated) repubs get more poltical ground, we are screwed.

[DonCoquixote]

42. this reply

should be an OP into and of itself.

[calimary]

46. I did took you up on it, DonCoquixote, and you spotted that too!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12519029

And thank you for posting there also!

[Tx4obama]

4. Obama's Super Bowl Interview VIDEO link on the link below

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101710694

[young but wise]

6. Thanks.

[Va Lefty]

7. He's got my vote, but I would have phrased it differently

[exboyfil]

35. Rush is going to eat this up

Deserve???

I will not vote for Romney, but deserve??? - it reinforces all the stereotypes about liberal entitlement society.

It sounds like whining. Could you imagine a salesperson trying to close the sale using the word "deserve"???

He should have said these are the things I have done, the things I have tried to do but was prevented from doing, and the things I plan to do in a next term. Sell it!!!!

In a population of 300 Million this is the best we can do (Romney, Gingrich, and Obama). That is pathetic.

[24601]

8. and perhaps another Nobel too?

[babylonsister]

9. He abhors war, stopped Iraq and Afghanistan is next.

What's your problem?

[Vattel]

13. Ya, he's a regular Gandhi

[Tx4obama]

16. I wish everyone would take moment to learn exactly 'why' Obama was awarded the Nobel Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2009

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.

Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.

Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population.

For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that "Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges."

Oslo, October 9, 2009

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2009/press.html

[hay rick]

18. He got it for not being Bush. nt

[JayhawkSD]

19. "..Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons."

Sam Nunn has done more for "a world without nuclear weapons" in one month than Obama has done in his entire life.

[Tx4obama]

20. A couple of links to 'some' of the facts

Before the Nobel Prize:

Obama worked with "Sen. Dick Lugar, a Republican, to help lock down loose nuclear weapons."
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2008/jul/15/barack-obama/obama-lugar-measure-included-weapons-of-mass-destr/


After the Nobel Prize

Striking progress on securing nuclear materials
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/promise/382/secure-nuclear-weapons-materials-in-four-years/

[Occulus]

22. Nope. Still don't understand why he of all people deserved it.

[Lasher]

25. Like Hay Rick said, he's not George W. Bush.

[FailureToCommunicate]

36. Good links, Tex. Matt Bunn certainly knows what he is talking about.

[BlueMTexpat]

24. Sam Nunn?

This Sam Nunn?

Overall, Nunn was a moderate-to-conservative Democrat[8] who often broke with his party on a host of social and economic issues. He strongly opposed the budget bill of 1993, which included provisions to raise taxes in order to reduce the budget deficit. Nunn also opposed President Bill Clinton's proposal to allow gays to serve openly in the military.[9][10] In 2008, Nunn endorsed a new Pentagon study to examine the issue of gays serving openly in the military: “I think [when] 15 years go by on any personnel policy, it’s appropriate to take another look at it — see how it’s working, ask the hard questions, hear from the military. Start with a Pentagon study.”[11]

He voted in favor of school prayer, capping punitive damage awards, amending the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced budget, and limiting death penalty appeals. On certain issues like abortion, the environment, gun control, and affirmative action, Nunn took a more liberal line. He consistently voted in favor of increased immigration.[12] One of his most controversial votes was his vote against the Gulf War.[13]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Nunn

No, not a bad guy generally and I laud his Nuclear Treat Initiative, as well as his vote against the Gulf War (in 1991).

But it was partly Nunn's political stands, along with Gephardt's in the House, leading to Congressional stalemates after Clinton's election in 1992 that helped to pave the way for Newtie and the Repubs in 1994.

[iverglas]

29. I don't agree with Lech Walesa on much of anything

and I've never been a huge fan of Desmond Tutu, but on this point:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2009/10/09/nobel-peace-prize-reaction-obama389.html

"This is probably an encouragement for him to act," Walesa said. "Let's see if he perseveres. Let's give him time to act."

... The award shows great things are expected from Obama, said South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who won the Peace Prize in 1984.

Also:

American Peace Prize laureate Jody Williams, who won in 1997, said she sees the award as a way to put "additional pressure on Obama to live up to the promise of his vision."

Canada was awarded the Nansen refugee award in 1986 by the UNHCR:

http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c467.html

A number of humanitarian organizations, and partners of UNHCR, have won the award, which has included a cash prize since 1979. Among them are the League of Red Cross Societies. Médecins sans Frontières, Handicap International and the UN Volunteers. In 1986, the Nansen went to the people of Canada - the only country to have received the award as a nation.

We in the know all knew that this was a tactic to pressure the relatively new Mulroney government not to pursue anti-refugee policies as it was expected to do. Pre-emptive embarrassment, if you will.

It didn't really work in that case, and it doesn't seem to have done much in Obama's.

In my opinion, of course.

[provis99]

15. cool. so when will he stop the drone missle assassinations?

I wonder when we attack Iran?

[JoePhilly]

11. Did he give it to himself?

As Obama's successes pile up, its getting harder for the haters to find things to whine about.

But it is fun watching the effort.

[Drunken Irishman]

17. I know, right? People act like Obama just decided to award himself the Nobel.

[GoCubsGo]

32. It reminds me of the Swiftboaters and their ilk.

They claimed John Kerry was somehow responsible for getting himself awarded those Purple Hearts, and silver and bronze stars. Sheesh.

[klook]

12. Works for me. (n/t)

[BOHICA12]

14. And if enough folks get to polls in November he might get one.

We get to have a say.... but 250+ days is a lifetime in the political cycle.

Unemployment over 8.7 & $4.50 gas - he gets to go home.

Unemployment under 8.3 & $3.25 fuel - he gets to stay.

Numbers in between - flip a coin

[Obamacare]

23. Its not that black & white

You think the rethugs that hate him, give a damn how low Unemployment drops or how many jobs are created? If Unemployment gets higher, that doesn't necessarily mean he gets to go home. I think the debates are going to help Obama as well, Mittens will not be able to defend his record of flip flopping. Rethug voters aren't to keen on Mittens anyway, many (according to freepville)have even decided to either stay home or write in Newt. And the do NOTHING obstructionistic rethug congress will have a lot of the blame at their feet as well. I think there will be other factors besides the economy that will determine the outcome of this election.

[CAPHAVOC]

28. You all better be damn well right.

I am going in on it. But by God you better be right.

[Beacool]

34. Just heard on the radio this morning that gas will go up.

Due to all the conflicts in the ME. They also said that demand in the States has been low, but that if it increases by summer, then gas may go as high as $4 or more in some parts of the country.

[DonCoquixote]

43. Yes

Perhaps Hillary Clinton and her Boss can ease up on the war with Iran, you know, the one she threatened to wage if she were president?

At that point, I am much more worried about the weapons of mass destruction run by wall street than any Iran might have, because Wall Street has killed more Americans than Ben ladin ever wished he could.

[Beacool]

45. I see, so this is Hillary's fault?

As for Hillary's comment, you well know that it was in response to a reporter's question of what would she do if Iran attacked Israel with nuclear weapons.

[DonCoquixote]

47. if she keeps pushing for war with Iran

yes it is her fault.

and as far as the reporter's question, so what? Is Israel keeps rthreatening Iran (and we all know they have nukes) then why should we nuke Iran for them?

[Beacool]

50. Where does it say that she has been pushing for war with Iran????

And I don't mean her campaign comment. But, rest assured that if Iran was ever to attack Israel with nuclear weapons, the US would get involved.

[stonecutter357]

33. Its getting harder for the haters.

I'ts getting harder for the haters to find things to whine about.

[Tippy]

37. Yes he diserves to be re-elected

And it our job to see to it, he has majorties in both the House and Senate. If we ever want our country to prosper we must do this...

[kirby]

40. No he doesn't

The Republicans certainly are worse, but Obama will reluctantly get my vote. In my mind he does not 'deserve' it.

[tblue]

41. What's he gonna say?

Of course he believes he deserves it. A lot of folks agree, too. I just pray he'll stay populist throughout his second term, not just up til the election.

[Hotler]

48. Yeah! And the Wall St. banksters deserve to go to prison, but ..

you don't think so. You said it on 60-minutes. Call me when you find a spine.

[davidthegnome]

49. Not sure if he deserves it

he deserves it more than Romney or the Gin Grinch deserve a chance to sit in the oval office, though. I'll vote for him - the alternatives are a lot worse. I'm just not terribly excited about it. Maybe if we had a Congress he could work with... maybe if we get a congress he can work with... eh, I don't know. My view of all politicians at this point is just too jaded. Actions speak louder than words and he has done well with what he's been given to work with. Hopefully he will continue to do well.

I just get a really sick feeling when I think about how much money on either side is being poured into this upcoming election. It could be put to such better uses.