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Two words: Valerie Jarrett

Five words: If We Are Very Lucky.

We want Obama to go into a bunker mentality. Surrounded by yes men and sycophants chosen only for their personal loyalty and not for their competence. Clinton cleared his staff after 1994. But he brought in people who might not have been true believers, or even liked him personally. However they were all very good at manipulating public opinion and getting bills through a hostile congress.

Carter surrounded himself with sycophants. And there was nobody to stop him from making a fool of himself, or tell him unpleasant news. The magnitude of the drubbing he took at the hands of Reagan in 1980 came as a complete surprise. They expected a close election and campaigned accordingly. And ended up with a 498-49 electoral blowout.