Posted on 05/29/2008 7:57:38 AM PDT by saganite
CARLSBAD, California (Reuters) - News Corp Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch on Wednesday predicted a Democratic landslide in the U.S. presidential election against a gloomy economic backdrop over the next 18 months.
Murdoch has yet to endorse a U.S. presidential candidate but considers Barack Obama very promising, the media magnate said in an interview by two Wall Street Journal reporters at an annual conference for high-tech industry insiders.
News Corp recently acquired ownership of the Journal and its parent company Dow Jones & Co.
"You have got the Obama phenomenon. You have got, undoubtedly, a recession ... The average American is really getting hurt financially and that all bodes well for him (Obama), Murdoch said.
"You have probably the making of a complete phenomenon in this country," Murdoch said in describing what he predicted will be a sweeping victory for Democrats in November.
The recent special election for a U.S. Congressional seat held by Republicans in Mississippi showed how powerless that party may be in the face of a rising political tide, Murdoch said. Democrat Travis Childers won the seat this month.
Murdoch said Obama and John McCain, the expected nominee of the Republican Party, both have a lot of problems, but McCain will be hurt by his party and his close ties to Washington. Race will be an issue for Obama, who would be the first black U.S. president, but "it looks like he overcomes that, overcomes that totally."
Murdoch is associated with conservative political views but has a reputation for a pragmatic streak in major national races where he has shown a willingness to switch sides when he detects major political changes afoot.
"I think it (a recession) is one we will be coming out of for quite some time," Murdoch said. "In the next 18 months, this country is going to be in for a very hard time."
In the 2008 U.S. Presidential race, Murdoch said he is not yet backing anyone, but then quickly added: "I want to meet Obama. I want to know if he going to walk the walk."
Murdoch said he had played a role in the endorsement by the New York Post, one of his global stable of papers, in endorsing Obama during the Democratic primary with Hillary Clinton in New York.
(To read more about the U.S. political campaign, visit Reuters "Tales from the Trail: 2008" online at blogs.reuters.com/trail08/ )
Unless something remarkable happens, the GOP is going to get slammed in the congressional elections.
“Unless something remarkable happens, the GOP is going to get slammed in the congressional elections.”
Which is amazing when you consider that the current Democratically controlled Congress is “enjoying” one of the lowest congressional approval ratings ever.
That would be a testimonial to how much people are tired of the corruption, debauchery (Foley) and lack of backbone of "socialist lite" party.
While it won’t be good, I don’t believe it will be nearly as bad as it is being forcast. Despite every effort by the MSM to deliver bad news, the economy will be much improved by October and the successes in Iraq will continue to grow. In fact, if the Republican Party had a conservative platform to run on they would do just fine. Since that does not appear to be the case then they will lose some seats. However, it will not be the bloodbath the left is hoping for.
Rupert Murdoch lives in a rich man's bubble. There will be an Obama landslide alright, and that landslide will carry Obama down the steep slope of defeat.
“You have got the Obama phenomenon. You have got, undoubtedly, a recession ... The average American is really getting hurt financially and that all bodes well for him (Obama), Murdoch said.
Phenomenon may be the kindest description one could use of an individual who is diametrically opposed to western values. He is a very dangeous phenomenon.
From your lips to God’s ears!
The people will get the “government” they deserve. Nothing more, nothing less. If they want runaway socialism, and a third world economy with no Constitution, they will get it.
The choice is simple. Radical, America-damaging socialism versus a chance to clean up the Congress, fix the mistakes of the 2006 election, and a partially liberal President. This country is center-right in its politics. Not extreme left. They should remember that in the voting booth...
Rupert also believe that anthropogenic Global Warming is a crisis.
It is this sort of thinking among the republican "leaders" (to use the term advisedly) that will get Obama elected. IF the republicans don't get their thumbs out and do somthing other than emulate democrats (compassionate conservatism is nothing but socialism with a slower timetable) the the voters will dump them, and they'll deserve to be dumped.
I had a friend who is politically unaware over last night. As far as she was concerned, the president is responsible for everything, and she is marginally conservative.
Most people don’t realize that the House is where everything originates. She also believes Obama is “very honest” and he goes to church, so he “has to be pro-life”.
She is probably a very good indicator of the sheep vote.
First quarter GDP has today been revised upward from .6 to .9%.
Not only are we not in a recession, there are signs the slowdown is turning around.
Good point. Rush said it best...if the Dems control 60% of congress, it really won’t matter who the President is.
How is it that the Dems can dominate the legislative branch for most of the last century then see the pendulum swing moderately the Reps way for 12 years and now see it swing back to dominance for the Dems? How is it that the Reps never get filibuster proof majorities whils the Dems are close to it yet again in a mere 2 elections? I guess I’m wondering how it can go so extremely to the left but never extremely to the right? What does it say about the people and their political leanings.
RE “Which is amazing when you consider that the current Democratically controlled Congress is “enjoying” one of the lowest congressional approval ratings ever”
Understand the dynamics. By Bush+Cheney remaining in office after Nov 2006 everything bad that happens in country or congress does is automatically Republicans fault. Democrats are seen as party OUT-OF-POWER. All he acheived since then is a few vetos and a temporary very good effort in Iraq, that gets little or no credit. His legacy will be losing everything good (like tax cuts and Iraq) except Alito and Roberts. If they had resigned in Dec 2006 Pelosi would take over and negative spotlight on rats for past few years. I always thought Clinton was a jerk for hanging on after 1994 but with Bush it was much worse for us. McCain winning would really make things worse for SO many reasons.
“Hey, Rupert, Landslide = Quakelake...”
Well he GAVE money to Hillary’s Senate campaign.
And NewsCorp execs endorsed Kerry in 2004.
What makes ANYONE think that this man is a “conservative”?
Have they seen the trashy programming on Fox?
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