Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Has Obama Abandoned Young Voters?

The British publication, the Economist, raises the question of whether or not Obama, a/k/a the Liar-in-Chief, has decided to jettison younger voters. The case is made in part based upon Obama's ongoing efforts to retain DADT even as he lies through his teeth and does all in his power to claim he's against DADT. It seems younger voters care more about actions than insincere statements. The issue of the likely legalization of marijuana in California will also provide a wedge since the feds under Obama are saying that they will continue to prosecute marijuana use even if California decriminalizes possession for personal use. To me, it's all symptomatic of the fact that progressives and the youth vote all got suckered by team Obama. Instead of electing a leader, we elected a follower. Likewise, we elected someone who puts his own religious views over the U. S. Constitution. Given that the GOP is going out of its way to alienate younger voters, one has to wonder whether these newer voters will simply give up on politics. Here are some highlights:
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IN A letter to ex-DEA chiefs, Attorney-General Eric Holder said the Obama Department of Justice stands in stout opposition to efforts in California to legalise marijuana use and will continue to prosecute the drug war in the Golden State no matter the outcome of the upcoming vote on California's Proposition 19, . . .
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The politics of pot legalisation must be tricky for the Obama administration. . . . Earlier this week, Mr Obama looked to stoke the sputtering embers of his fresh-faced supporters' formerly flaming political infatuation at a "Town Hall" media event staged at George Washington University in Washington, DC. But far from basking in the warmth of the students' once fawning admiration, the kids put him on his heels. The New York Times reports: President Obama was put on the defensive on issues including the economy, gay rights and race relations during a televised town-hall-style forum on Thursday that captured the disillusionment taking root among younger voters who were a significant force in his election.
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Defending status-quo policy on gays in the military or the drug war is bound to alienate many of Mr Obama's most enthusiastic young supporters. . . . . The stances that would help Mr Obama consolidate support among especially young or especially liberal voters also risk scaring off older voters and capricious independents, and it's clear which tack the White House is taking. Either way, he may be in trouble.
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Were the Republicans to nominate a sane and rational presidential candidate in 2012, Obama could well be toast. Probably the only thing that may save him is the unlikelihood of a moderate and rational GOP nominee give the GOP base's continued movement to the world of the untethered and insane.

1 comment:

Stephen said...

For once, you give Obama too much credit! His religious views about marriage did not exist until he was running for president. As a Senate candidate, he supported same-sex marriage. On the other hand, there is no possibility that the DADT appeal went from DOJ without White House vetting, and its arguments are even more despicable than filing an appeal!