How President Obama Can Win Re-Election in 2012
It's that time again: politicians begin to gear up for the next Presidential election. Destination 2012: the White House. It seems as though the campaigning starts earlier and earlier these days. The funniest part about the pre-campaign period of time is how many likely candidates deny intentions to run. At the moment, there are a number of Republicans being touted as the GOP nominee. Here are a few:
Barack Obama indeed plans on running for reelection against possibly one of these candidates (unless he somehow does not get the Democratic nomination). Unlike the 1984 Presidential election in which Ronald Reagan won reelection in an absolute landslide victory (59% to Walter Mondale's 41%), President Obama is not expected to have an easy win. Here are a few things he may need to do in order to keep his seat in the White House.
Make sure he gets the Democratic nomination. This may seem obvious, but he's not an absolute shoe-in for the spot. A recent Gallup poll puts President Obama at a 52% favorability for the nomination, with Hillary Clinton at 37%.
Continue to work to improve the economy. 33% of Americans told Gallup that the economy was the most important issue facing the nation. Currently the economy is on the rise (from its ditch-level a few months ago) and if it continues to do well, Americans will want to keep Obama in the White House.
Work with Republicans on a health care reform compromise. Assuming that the health care repeal won't pass in the Senate (although it may be closer than we think), the President will need to work with Congressional Republicans to form a compromise that will please moderates and undecideds across the nation.
Highlight the achievements of his first two years. President Obama averaged a 52% favorability rating in his first two years in office. This can be attributed to various successes, including the signing of the SALT Treaty, the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, health care reform, Cash for Clunkers, more job creation than George W. Bush, the Fair Pay Act and the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. If the President campaigns on those achievements and others, he will have an advantage.
Continue to push for civil political discourse. And make sure all Democrats abide by this. That way, when there is uncivil discourse by the opposition, President Obama will be able to call them on it and show that his own party did not participate in such rhetoric.
Use the midterm shellacking to his advantage. Surprisingly, this is possible. If Congress continues to remain in the gridlock in which they are right now, President Obama can show America that the GOP is indeed the Party of No, and that with a Republican in the position of Commander in Chief, America possibly has only two places to go: nowhere or backward.
- Mitt Romney
- Rick Santorum
- Mike Huckabee
- Newt Gingrich
- Tim Pawlenty
- Bobby Jindal
- Haley Barbour
- John Thune
- Mike Pence
- Sarah Palin???
Barack Obama indeed plans on running for reelection against possibly one of these candidates (unless he somehow does not get the Democratic nomination). Unlike the 1984 Presidential election in which Ronald Reagan won reelection in an absolute landslide victory (59% to Walter Mondale's 41%), President Obama is not expected to have an easy win. Here are a few things he may need to do in order to keep his seat in the White House.
Make sure he gets the Democratic nomination. This may seem obvious, but he's not an absolute shoe-in for the spot. A recent Gallup poll puts President Obama at a 52% favorability for the nomination, with Hillary Clinton at 37%.
Continue to work to improve the economy. 33% of Americans told Gallup that the economy was the most important issue facing the nation. Currently the economy is on the rise (from its ditch-level a few months ago) and if it continues to do well, Americans will want to keep Obama in the White House.
Work with Republicans on a health care reform compromise. Assuming that the health care repeal won't pass in the Senate (although it may be closer than we think), the President will need to work with Congressional Republicans to form a compromise that will please moderates and undecideds across the nation.
Highlight the achievements of his first two years. President Obama averaged a 52% favorability rating in his first two years in office. This can be attributed to various successes, including the signing of the SALT Treaty, the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, health care reform, Cash for Clunkers, more job creation than George W. Bush, the Fair Pay Act and the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. If the President campaigns on those achievements and others, he will have an advantage.
Continue to push for civil political discourse. And make sure all Democrats abide by this. That way, when there is uncivil discourse by the opposition, President Obama will be able to call them on it and show that his own party did not participate in such rhetoric.
Use the midterm shellacking to his advantage. Surprisingly, this is possible. If Congress continues to remain in the gridlock in which they are right now, President Obama can show America that the GOP is indeed the Party of No, and that with a Republican in the position of Commander in Chief, America possibly has only two places to go: nowhere or backward.
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