“ The implication is that America and the world must now prepare for the longest lame-duck presidency in history, lasting at least until the 2012 election and, perhaps, until 2016 in the quite possible event that Mr Obama is re-elected alongside a Republican Congress determined to obstruct every idea that he represents. At a time when the need for effective government within America and the challenges for US global leadership are greater than for a generation, this is a potential disaster.”
“ Instead, Mr Obama effectively exonerated the Bush Administration by accepting personal responsibility for the crisis from the moment of his inauguration. This was brave but foolhardy. As a result, voters now blame the Democrats, not the Republicans, for unemployment. Polls show that the Democrats’ $800 billion jobs and stimulus programme, which is partly responsible for pulling the economy out of recession, is widely confused with the hated $780 billion bank bailout package introduced by the Republicans under President Bush.
Having won Massachusetts, the Republicans will have no compunction in claiming that what saved the US economy was the conservative backlash. If the Democrats fail to challenge them, this is the version of reality that American voters will start to believe.
Go back and see my reply
Republicans could still blow it.
Instead, Mr Obama effectively exonerated the Bush Administration by accepting personal responsibility for the crisis from the moment of his inauguration.
Referring to the promise of 8% unemployment? Obama is still trying to blame Bush for everything. The Dem talking heads on TV all repeat the talking point that Brown won in Mass. because voters were still angry at Republicans. They probably are, but that would not be a sane reason to vote for a tax-cutting, anti-jihadist, 41st vote to kill healthcare and a lot more.