Must Read Gene Lyons: Why Obama is the Favorite for 2012

[flpoljunkie]

Why Obama is the favorite for 2012
Political observers are predicting a second term -- but he should thank Huckabee, Gingrich and Bachmann

BY GENE LYONS


AP Photo

Many Americans follow politics the way lukewarm fans follow sports, paying close attention only during the playoffs or presidential elections. Most would be surprised to be told that most professional observers in Washington think President Obama's a strong bet to win re-election in 2012.

Never mind that events in Japan and the Middle East underline the folly of predicting the future. Some people can't help themselves. Most who think that way give two reasons: the near-comical weakness of the Republican field and Obama's protean ability to pose as a pragmatist surrounded by zealots.

Several GOP contenders do appear to be abandoning Fox News for the Comedy Channel. Newt Gingrich told the Christian Broadcast Network that patriotism drove him into adultery. "There's no question at times of my life, partially driven by how passionately I felt about this country, that I worked far too hard and things happened in my life that were not appropriate," the former Speaker confessed. Horny are the brave. She showed me the American flag on her thong, and my pants fell down. Evidently, Newt grew so weary impeaching Bill Clinton for adultery that he fell into the arms of the third Mrs. Gingrich. Now a 67 year-old granddad, he vows fidelity.

Bless his heart.

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[Proud Liberal Dem]

1. Good read

I agree that, despite some of the talk here at DU and other liberal blogs, President Obama is a near certain bet for re-election in 2012, mostly because of the weaknesses of the prospective GOP field (hell, nobody's even formally announced- not a good sign for them IMHO). However, I think that it's also because of the weaknesses of the Republican Party in general. They have no new ideas just old ones (and bad ones to boot) and aren't interested in doing anything to help the vast majority of Americans like President Obama and the Democratic Party in general clearly are.

[Autumn]

2. Of course he is. He isn't a bat shit crazy republican,

and he's the only Democrat running.

[mikekohr]

3. "...bat shit crazy, republican," isn't that redundant? nt

[vaberella]

4. This is really all it's about, "pragmatist surrounded by zealots." n/t

[sofa king]

5. Isn't it interesting that he's a shoo-in and yet....

...Everything he's doing is designed and directed to garner a 70% voter approval rating. And he's doing it now, when in a real democracy he could safely wait until the election season arrives.

Now, why would a Democratic President have to work so hard to gather up 15% more of the voters than he should theoretically need for an overwhelming reelection victory?

Because he can't allow those effers to get close enough to steal it again, that's why. You want to know how great this President is? Then realize that he's working against an entire apparatus of oligarchy specifically designed to defeat people like him.

[AtomicKitten]

6. I hope the federal government swoops in

-- and squashes the attempts by the GOP governors to marginalize voters that are the Democrats' natural base (students, minorities, etc.).