Sustainability of a Democratic Majority.

[0955Forrest]

66 Million voters pulled the lever for Obama.

What did those 66 Million voters pull the lever "for"?

These will be the issues that an Obama administration is judged upon:

1) All persons earning <$250,000 will pay LESS taxes. When the BUSH tax cuts expire, these people will see their taxes increase. Will they blame Obama?

2) The WAR in Iraq will end. What is the definition of END? A 16 month withdrawal? Will a 16 month withdrawal and permanent presence of a Rapid Reaction Force satisfy the purist anti-War activists?

3) Healthcare. (This is my personal #1 support for Obama) When do we all get it? What will Obama do to ensure that millions of uninsured Americans get healthcare? If it doesn't come in 2 years, will Congress pay the price?

4) Progressive social issues. Will Obama push for a constitutional right to gay marriage? If not, why not?

5) Welfare. Like it or not... some people think that Obama will deliver a check to their mailbox every month because they haven't hit the "jackpot" in life... What will these people think when there isn't a check in the mail?

6) Energy? When gas prices are back at $5/gallon in the spring, who will get the blame? Who will fund alternative energy projects? Oil companies? (wouldn't they just raise the price of fuel to compensate for higher taxes?) or see #1?

7) Environment? Will Obama's policies change fundamental environmental risk? Can the nation afford it? Who'll be disappointed?

8) Banking corruption? How many people pay 30% interest on CC's? How many people are throttled by debt? This will be the next "mortgage crisis", how can Obama control the crisis?



Those are the problems... and they could all lead to dissatisfaction of a percentage of that 66 Million people... and a Repub comeback.

UNLESS. Unless Obama can effectively talk to the American people from day one and explain that this is NOT a 1 term fix or even a 2 term fix. He needs to explain the long term plan and push for it that way. He needs to effectively explain policies as to relax expectations. If people understand that $6/ gallon gas will lead to electric cars and higher electricity costs will lead to more alternative energy they're more likely to continue their support.

It's all about the expectations game. He needs to say:

1) Iraq. the war IS over but there is some housekeeping to finish before we're out.

2) Taxes. Taxing the "wealthy" may have to wait until the Recession is over. Tax cuts for the middle class may have to wait also. We'll get there... but it will take time.

3) Healthcare. It's not gonna' happen right away, it can't. But that is the end goal, be patient.

4) Progressive social agendas. It wil take time, it will take SCOTUS appointments and a change in the hearts of 58 Million people PLUS about another 20-30 million people.

5) Energy. Again it must be explained that "cheap gas" is a hindrance to the future and future fuels.

Basically to sum it up... OBAMA needs to explain to the public that this generation needs to pay the price for the excesses of earlier generations and invest in the next generation. If he can pull it off... there will be a Democratic Majority for the next 50 years...

Are Americans to selfish to buy it? Or are some open to the idea? Thoughts?

[BeFree]

1. Some people are open

But what we need to do to keep democrats in office is fairly simple: Make the software of the voting machines open sourced.