[In the Drunk Tank]

This should be interesting tonight, looking like the Democrats are definitely gonna lose the House.

It's a bit of a tricky situation in America really. On the one hand, I've never really been a fan of Obama, I felt he won the election on rhetoric, empty calls for change (he never really seemed to say what he was going to change), and the fact that everyone got swept up with this idea of having a black President. 2 years in he seems to have achieved very little of any real benefit to the economy, and he hasnt lived up to a lot of his promises.

The trouble is that some of the opposition on the Republican side, mainly in the form of the Tea Party, is made up by morons. People who want creationism taught in schools, people who oppose abortion even in the case of rape or incest, people who have no real idea how to run a country. There are some more moderate and logical Republicans, but the party is marred somewhat by the Tea Party twats.

[Patrick]

Not to be rude,

But what relevance is this to us?
I was on Youtube last night and they were ******ing advertising it on videos about BBUK and Eastenders and I was like 'No one here gives a sh*t or can even vote so gt.fo!'

[In the Drunk Tank]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Not to be rude,

But what relevance is this to us?
I was on Youtube last night and they were ******ing advertising it on videos about BBUK and Eastenders and I was like 'No one here gives a sh*t or can even vote so gt.fo!'

Well considering our countrys relationship with America, and the influence they have over the world, it's bound to affect us in some way.

And I just find it interesting, cos I'm sad like that

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Not to be rude,

But what relevance is this to us?
I was on Youtube last night and they were ******ing advertising it on videos about BBUK and Eastenders and I was like 'No one here gives a sh*t or can even vote so gt.fo!'

I am stunned with myself and can hardly believe I am saying this but I actually agree with Patrick on this one, I get tired of wall to wall coverage of the USA in relation to elections there.

Yes they are important but we only need to know what happens not the whole long drawn out process.

Like Patrick says, the whole thing is everywhere,you can hardly escape it,if at all.

[The Human Santapede]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

I am stunned with myself and can hardly believe I am saying this but I actually agree with Patrick on this one, I get tired of wall to wall coverage of the USA in relation to elections there.

Yes they are important but we only need to know what happens not the whole long drawn out process.

Like Patrick says, the whole thing is everywhere,you can hardly escape it,if at all.

Not to burst your bubble, but some of us are actually interested in this, so if you don't like it, don't come into the thread.

[Tom]

Its becoming more and more obvious that he was only elected in the first place because he was "black" (even though he looks more mixed race if anything). Now the novelty has worn off people can see through the facade and see that he's actually quite crap

[Shaun]

-sigh-
Patrick. This is big person talk.

I'm unfortunately inclined to agree with Tom. There was a wave of hysteria and 'hope', as well as the attraction of making history. The sad thing is they had an opportunity to also make history with another candidate - one who's got years of experience, and has thrived as Secretary of State.

Hillary. Was. Robbed.

As for the midterms - I can't see the democrats losing TOO many seats (do they call them seats?) the Republicans aren't nearly popular enough yet.

[In the Drunk Tank]

Originally Posted by Shaun

-sigh-
Patrick. This is big person talk.

I'm unfortunately inclined to agree with Tom. There was a wave of hysteria and 'hope', as well as the attraction of making history. The sad thing is they had an opportunity to also make history with another candidate - one who's got years of experience, and has thrived as Secretary of State.

Hillary. Was. Robbed.

As for the midterms - I can't see the democrats losing TOO many seats (do they call them seats?) the Republicans aren't nearly popular enough yet.

I agree Hilary was a far better candidate, one of the only successes of Obama's Presidence so far has been her approach to foreign policy.

The Republicans are expected to gain 56 seats in the House I think, be interesting to see how true that prediction is.

[BB_Eye]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I agree Hilary was a far better candidate, one of the only successes of Obama's Presidence so far has been her approach to foreign policy.

The Republicans are expected to gain 56 seats in the House I think, be interesting to see how true that prediction is.

I was actually beginning to like Hillary until the wikileak scandal, where she focused all of her energy into finding and punishing the people responsible for the leak as opposed to the people who gave Iraqi locals carte blanche to torture suspected insurgents.

I doubt things would have been much different with Hillary in power.

[arista]

[Livia]

Seems to me the backlash is mostly from people who hate Obama because he's black. The USA had that buffoon George W Bush as their president for EIGHT YEARS! Amazing really that the rich white boy was allowed to carry on regardless of the fact he was one of the stupidest people on the planet. Now they're turning against Obama because he couldn't end a global recession in a year. Seems like a bit of a big ask.

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Livia

Seems to me the backlash is mostly from people who hate Obama because he's black. The USA had that buffoon George W Bush as their president for EIGHT YEARS! Amazing really that the rich white boy was allowed to carry on regardless of the fact he was one of the stupidest people on the planet. Now they're turning against Obama because he couldn't end a global recession in a year. Seems like a bit of a big ask.

Whilst I agree with you about him having far too high expectations to live up to, I don't think race has anything to do with it. By its very nature, the lost supporters will have voted for him.

I think people are regretting getting swept along in a very glamorous campaign. But I do agree with you - they are turning on him far too soon. Besides, his results with universal healthcare, announcing the end of involvement in Iraq... you'd think that would be enough to secure him.

[In the Drunk Tank]

Originally Posted by Livia

Seems to me the backlash is mostly from people who hate Obama because he's black. The USA had that buffoon George W Bush as their president for EIGHT YEARS! Amazing really that the rich white boy was allowed to carry on regardless of the fact he was one of the stupidest people on the planet. Now they're turning against Obama because he couldn't end a global recession in a year. Seems like a bit of a big ask.

Oh come off it! Even a lot of Democrats are now acknowledging that Obama's first 2 years (not one) have not lived up to expectations. The criticism directed at Obama has nothing to do with the fact that he's black, not with the vast majority of Americans.

Job figures are still terrible, house possessions have continued to rise, he has done little to correct the deficit, he was unable to effectively handle he BP oil spill, and while he did eventually push through his health reforms, most Americans felt their money was being wasted. His climate change bill was abandoned, Guantanamo hasnt been shut down, he has made no progress in Afghanistan, I could go on. Obviously he could not have been expected to solve all off the countrys problems but he could have made some progress. He has had a few successes I admit, but his failures far outweight those.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Oh come off it! Even a lot of Democrats are now acknowledging that Obama's first 2 years (not one) have not lived up to expectations. The criticism directed at Obama has nothing to do with the fact that he's black, not with the vast majority of Americans.

Job figures are still terrible, house possessions have continued to rise, he has done little to correct the deficit, he was unable to effectively handle he BP oil spill, and while he did eventually push through his health reforms, most Americans felt their money was being wasted. His climate change bill was abandoned, Guantanamo hasnt been shut down, he has made no progress in Afghanistan, I could go on. Obviously he could not have been expected to solve all off the countrys problems but he could have made some progress. He has had a few successes I admit, but his failures far outweight those.

So you think during the time he's been in office, all of the problems you listed should have been sorted out? Or at least have begun to be sorted? The electorate thinks their money has been wasted... nothing new there, sounds like every country in the world. Guantanamo was shut down... about time too. His climate change bill was abandoned because Americans are gas-junkies who refuse to acknowledge there's a problem with climate change. He's made no progress in Afghanistan... and neither has every other country that's ever fought the Afghans so why would you think Obama could make a change in a year and a half? Home repossessions and a large deficit are not limited to the USA, it's happening all over the developed world.

I think the fact that Obama's black has MUCH to do with his current unpopularity. Watching one programme recently one of the Tea Party nutters was carrying a banner that said "Go home to Kenya". Or maybe you didn't see that. Or maybe you haven't heard that they're accusing him of not even being American! Your gun-toting, red-neck Republican is not down with having a black boy in the Whitehouse. And if you don't think that's really an issue, then you're dreaming.

[In the Drunk Tank]

Originally Posted by Livia

So you think during the time he's been in office, all of the problems you listed should have been sorted out? Or at least have begun to be sorted? The electorate thinks their money has been wasted... nothing new there, sounds like every country in the world. Guantanamo was shut down... about time too. His climate change bill was abandoned because Americans are gas-junkies who refuse to acknowledge there's a problem with climate change. He's made no progress in Afghanistan... and neither has every other country that's ever fought the Afghans so why would you think Obama could make a change in a year and a half? Home repossessions and a large deficit are not limited to the USA, it's happening all over the developed world.

I think the fact that Obama's black has MUCH to do with his current unpopularity. Watching one programme recently one of the Tea Party nutters was carrying a banner that said "Go home to Kenya". Or maybe you didn't see that. Or maybe you haven't heard that they're accusing him of not even being American! Your gun-toting, red-neck Republican is not down with having a black boy in the Whitehouse. And if you don't think that's really an issue, then you're dreaming.

You expect him to make some progress after close to 2 years in office. Two years ago unemployment in the States was 7.7%; now it's 9.6%. If that is not a failure I dont know what is. Ironically, unemployment has been rising the most among those who Obama promised to help, those who voted him into power: young people, black people and the white working class.

I'm not saying that all of America's economic problems should have been solved, they were too large for him to have done that completely. But that was something he didnt acknowledge back during his campaign, he was misleading as to his limitations.

And Livia, I seem to recall you supporting the Tories cuts to the public sector? If that is the case then why are you adamantly defending Obama when his only solution has been to try and stimulate recovery through high state spending which has effectively failed.

The Tea Party are morons, I never denied that, I'm happy to admit it. I'm sure some of them are racially prejudiced against Obama, but they are not the only ones who have criticised his Presidency. He has an approval rating on 37%, and that is not to do with his race. Believe it or not, not all opposition to Obama has been from racist, gun-toting, deep-South Republicans.

Obama's first two years have been a failure, no matter what spin you put on it, or how you try and excuse it.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by MTVN

You expect him to make some progress after close to 2 years in office. Two years ago unemployment in the States was 7.7%; now it's 9.6%. If that is not a failure I dont know what is. Ironically, unemployment has been rising the most among those who Obama promised to help, those who voted him into power: young people, black people and the white working class.

I'm not saying that all of America's economic problems should have been solved, they were too large for him to have done that completely. But that was something he didnt acknowledge back during his campaign, he was misleading as to his limitations.

And Livia, I seem to recall you supporting the Tories cuts to the public sector? If that is the case then why are you adamantly defending Obama when his only solution has been to try and stimulate recovery through high state spending which has effectively failed.

The Tea Party are morons, I never denied that, I'm happy to admit it. I'm sure some of them are racially prejudiced against Obama, but they are not the only ones who have criticised his Presidency. He has an approval rating on 37%, and that is not to do with his race. Believe it or not, not all opposition to Obama has been from racist, gun-toting, deep-South Republicans.

Obama's first two years have been a failure, no matter what spin you put on it, or how you try and excuse it.

This debate isn't about my politics, nor is it about the Tory cuts.

Obama was misleading in his election campaign about his limitations? Surely not! I mean, every other politician in the world tells the absolute truth about his limitations when he's rrunning an election campaign, right?

Things move slowly in politics. It's a fact. And while Obama's first couple of years haven't been sparkling, he has had to deal with mopping up the mess from the previous imcumbent who, let's be honest, was a hopless, rich, white. moron. Didn't seen to have to deal with the hatred that Obama's having though... funny that.

And who said anything about "deep-South Republicans?" Sarah Palin is from Alaska, is she not?

I've spent a fair bit of time in the USA and I have to admit that I am not a massive Obama fan. However, I feel a lot of the vitriol aimed at him is racially motivated. We're only a couple of decades away from Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on a bus for a white man. There is a huge section of the public of the USA who are just not ready to hand the running of their country over to a black man.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by MTVN

You expect him to make some progress after close to 2 years in office. Two years ago unemployment in the States was 7.7%; now it's 9.6%. If that is not a failure I dont know what is. Ironically, unemployment has been rising the most among those who Obama promised to help, those who voted him into power: young people, black people and the white working class.

I'm not saying that all of America's economic problems should have been solved, they were too large for him to have done that completely. But that was something he didnt acknowledge back during his campaign, he was misleading as to his limitations.

And Livia, I seem to recall you supporting the Tories cuts to the public sector? If that is the case then why are you adamantly defending Obama when his only solution has been to try and stimulate recovery through high state spending which has effectively failed.

The Tea Party are morons, I never denied that, I'm happy to admit it. I'm sure some of them are racially prejudiced against Obama, but they are not the only ones who have criticised his Presidency. He has an approval rating on 37%, and that is not to do with his race. Believe it or not, not all opposition to Obama has been from racist, gun-toting, deep-South Republicans.

Obama's first two years have been a failure, no matter what spin you put on it, or how you try and excuse it.

Obama is seen as a failure because of the high expectations the public had of him. HE created the expectations and he is fully to blame. False hope is one of the worst things you can do.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Livia

So you think during the time he's been in office, all of the problems you listed should have been sorted out? Or at least have begun to be sorted? The electorate thinks their money has been wasted... nothing new there, sounds like every country in the world. Guantanamo was shut down... about time too. His climate change bill was abandoned because Americans are gas-junkies who refuse to acknowledge there's a problem with climate change. He's made no progress in Afghanistan... and neither has every other country that's ever fought the Afghans so why would you think Obama could make a change in a year and a half? Home repossessions and a large deficit are not limited to the USA, it's happening all over the developed world.

I think the fact that Obama's black has MUCH to do with his current unpopularity. Watching one programme recently one of the Tea Party nutters was carrying a banner that said "Go home to Kenya". Or maybe you didn't see that. Or maybe you haven't heard that they're accusing him of not even being American! Your gun-toting, red-neck Republican is not down with having a black boy in the Whitehouse. And if you don't think that's really an issue, then you're dreaming.

Livia, brilliant post, it blows my views into space. you always make me think my position on things like this, every word you said has foundation.

I can only stand back and admire, you have me re-thinking my position on this one too.

I've said it before and I say it again, you should stand for Parliament, you'd have my vote, no hesitation.

[In the Drunk Tank]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

Livia, brilliant post, it blows my views into space. you always make me think my position on things like this, every word you said has foundation.

I can only stand back and admire, you have me re-thinking my position on this one too.

I've said it before and I say it again, you should stand for Parliament, you'd have my vote, no hesitation.

Funny that, yesterday you didnt give a sh*t about the mid-term elections.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

Livia, brilliant post, it blows my views into space. you always make me think my position on things like this, every word you said has foundation.

I can only stand back and admire, you have me re-thinking my position on this one too.

I've said it before and I say it again, you should stand for Parliament, you'd have my vote, no hesitation.

Thanks joeysteele - the cheque's in the post ;-)

[GiRTh]

Originally Posted by Livia

Seems to me the backlash is mostly from people who hate Obama because he's black. The USA had that buffoon George W Bush as their president for EIGHT YEARS! Amazing really that the rich white boy was allowed to carry on regardless of the fact he was one of the stupidest people on the planet. Now they're turning against Obama because he couldn't end a global recession in a year. Seems like a bit of a big ask.

Totally agree with you. There seems to be a backlash against Obama despite his ground breaking health care reform.

Midterms are not much of a barometer. Clinton lost over 60 seats in the house in 1994 but still won the election in 96.

[BB_Eye]

Originally Posted by Livia

Seems to me the backlash is mostly from people who hate Obama because he's black. The USA had that buffoon George W Bush as their president for EIGHT YEARS! Amazing really that the rich white boy was allowed to carry on regardless of the fact he was one of the stupidest people on the planet. Now they're turning against Obama because he couldn't end a global recession in a year. Seems like a bit of a big ask.

Well technically it's two years or rather a year and ten months, but I agree the yanks are overreacting. It's as if it only took that length of time for them to forget that W. was the worst president ever.

[Christmas Dynasnow]

Originally Posted by Livia

Seems to me the backlash is mostly from people who hate Obama because he's black. The USA had that buffoon George W Bush as their president for EIGHT YEARS! Amazing really that the rich white boy was allowed to carry on regardless of the fact he was one of the stupidest people on the planet. Now they're turning against Obama because he couldn't end a global recession in a year. Seems like a bit of a big ask.

is pretty much how it is

[Shaun]

I personally haven't seen much coverage of the elections until today. But still, they're important. More important than some bloody French/UK treaty about troops-sharing anyway.

[Angus]

Black, white, pink, green - who cares what colour he is? The fact that he's a Democrat is the problem. Yet again, style over substance, always has been, always will be.