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Without a strong GOP candidate, will Obama get a second term?

With all 3 GOP front-runners (Gingrich, Romney and Santorum) currently unable to beat Obama in November, will Obama get his second term?

While Newt Gingrich was basking in the limelight of his primary win in South Carolina, I was at a party where most of the folks appeared to be right-leaning moderates waiting anxiously for a new president to be elected in the Fall.

Thus it was notable when someone in the crowd stated rather confidently that President Obama was going to be re-elected.

The short and polite discussion that followed focused primarily on the lack of a viable GOP candidate who could defeat a sitting President in a general election.

The situation reminded me of John Kerry, the weak, mannequin-like non-opponent that the Democrats served up to try and defeat President Bush in 2004.

With Gingrich defeating Romney by nearly 13 points in SC, and all three front-runners (Gingrich, Romney and Santorum) currently unable to beat Obama in November, what’s a card-carrying member of the GOP to do?

Will Obama get his second term?

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The Donny Show January 25, 2012 at 02:22 pm
Obama introduced nothing new last night. He blamed Congress for America's problems and then moved onto a list of his "accomplishments". The good times are his. The bad times are Congress's fault. Sounds about right for BHO.
Walker Backer January 25, 2012 at 02:23 pm
Pay back your loan to the Village of Shorewood Mr. Schmitz, SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!!
http://www.jsonline.com/business/88705292.html
Bob McBride January 25, 2012 at 02:48 pm
That's kind of like me suggesting that Joe Lieberman would have had the best chance in the general against Bush in 2000.
The Donny Show January 25, 2012 at 02:53 pm
In the end, this is Shorewood Socialism at its best.
Schmitz will NEVER pay it back. He will not be made to because he little coop failed. Like the MSM with Obama, it is viewed as not his fault. Poor him. We didnt support him. Tears are flowing. ...
Victor Drover January 25, 2012 at 02:54 pm
The article was inspired by the South Carloina primary. Newts surge is an important issue for Republicans, as he is no match for Obama.
Romney has a chance, but I don't think you will admit Obama has one. The weakness is that voters are having trouble getting behind one candidate. That could definitely impact the general election. And when staunch consevatives are saying the same, it's sensible to listen. You can deride me as you like, but it's the party infighting that's a more pressing problem. They even taking pot shots at Mitt on FOX News. Sorry James, it's a real phenomenon.
skinnyDUDE January 25, 2012 at 03:47 pm
The main theme in his Re election Kick off speech last nite was CLASS WARFARE,
There is nothing of substance to tackle the major problems of this country. If you heard ONE good BIG idea last nite that will benefit the USA in a way that tackles the problems we face .....PLEASE TELL ME HERE????
Bob McBride January 25, 2012 at 04:16 pm
Guys, whatever issues Keith may or may not have had regarding his past business really aren't pertinent to the discussion. Keep in mind that business dealings of any kind (possible legal actions still pending, agreements made between parties, etc) may preclude someone from commenting on it publicly here.
You've made your point, don't beat it to death. God knows I never agree with Keith on much of anything, but he's certainly entitled to offer up an opinion without being subjected to this at every turn.
Bewildered January 25, 2012 at 04:29 pm
Bob, while I love you, totally disagree on this one. Are you really saying one's past ( less than two years ago for Schmitz) is of no concern? Esp. when he keeps trying to offer himself up as a well versed expert on everything? Sorry, KS is the Poster Child for socialist economics and , while anyone is entitled to their opinion, folks have the right to know his shady dealings if they are going to consider his views. Anyone who professes a love for "socialist takeovers" (his words) needs to be scrutinized carefully.
Bren January 25, 2012 at 04:37 pm
I liked the fact that Obama spoke about job outsourcing and the need to stop rewarding multi-national companies that do so. This is an issue that hasn't been seriously addressed at all in my opinion. 150,000+ U.S. factories/businesses have moved overseas since NAFTA was enacted. Whose job is it to watch for trends that can have an averse impact on the economy?
This morning, Zbigniew Brzezinski was on CBS. He gave a name to what I have been trying to express here as humanitarian globalization. He called it "Capitalism with a Human Face." This really resonated with me--the point being that capitalism can exist while respecting and taking care of people.
Bewildered January 25, 2012 at 04:48 pm
Oh my! New poll from Marquette U.. Terrible news for the unions.
Walker 50%. Barrett 44% Walker 49%. Falk 42% Walker approval 51%. Disapproval 46% Maybe, just maybe, the unions are overstating their "overwhelming " supprt. Ya think? Can't wait till the left attacks the validity of the pool cause MU is such a conservative stronghold. Sure looks like the majority of Wisconsin aren't buying the anti-Walker attacks. Maybe you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
Bren January 25, 2012 at 04:56 pm
My comments are for all to read...
Bren January 25, 2012 at 05:00 pm
Gearhead, your comments about medication are obnoxious and inappropriate. If you wish to address a comment to me and elicit a response you will not attack people who have medical issues and/or disabilities. Period.
mau January 25, 2012 at 05:20 pm
@Bren, boy is that name a blast from the past. You are quoting a consummate inside and a Republican.
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Zbigniew_Brzezinski#Early_years http://www.oilempire.us/zbig.html
skinnyDUDE January 25, 2012 at 06:01 pm
@ Bren
The outsourcing of jobs issue was alive and kicking when Obama had both chambers of congress. He could of done what ever he wanted. WHY WAIT? Hes played you for 3 years like a fiddle on the grand ole opry. . The country is 235 years old with about 33 % of its entire debt accumulated in the 3 years Mr Obama has been in office. Where's his plan and leadership on our biggest issues? I find the fact that he wants to give manufacturers that produce here and create jobs a tax break INTERESTING . Its a good idea. Conservatives have been suggesting it for years. Its abit ironic you picked that specific issue which conservatives agree with . Why do you oppose it when Scott Walker does it ? Answer please?????????????????
skinnyDUDE January 25, 2012 at 06:03 pm
The lefties will dismiss it , but the trend is not what they want to hear!
The Donny Show January 25, 2012 at 06:21 pm
Keith got the free money. Keith needs to own up to it and pay it back. Simple and to the point. If the teachers and union thugs find it appropriate to SHAME people, we will do the same.
Steve January 25, 2012 at 06:23 pm
I knew there had to be something wrong with Bren. Bren, take the meds they will make you see fun colors and vote Walker.
James R Hoffa January 25, 2012 at 08:43 pm
@Bren -
As skinnyDUDE points out, it's interesting how you think it’s a revelation when Obama mentions it, and yet all the while you conveniently ignore it when the GOP and Tea Party have been pressing the issue for quite some time now. In fact, Obama's plan to reinvigorate manufacturing in the US pails in comparison to the plan laid out by GOP Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum, who specifically addresses the issue and has a concrete plan on paper that has been endorsed by heavy industrial manufacturers. Apparently, your sources of information aren't so 'independent' after all if Obama's mention of the issue in last night's speech was the first time that you've been made aware that the issue has been seriously addressed. Wake up Bren and start acting like an independent if in fact you really are one. Also, it doesn't help when Obama's appointed jobs czar, GE's Jeffrey Immelt, who is also an Obama supporter, donor, and bundler, is the poster child of outsourcing today. Did you happen to notice how Immelt, who was front and center at Obama's jobs speech, was noticeably absent at last nights SOTU address?
Nick Poulos January 25, 2012 at 09:02 pm
thx for stopping the needless bovine scatology. I was gonna ask what happend to the main question, but you took care of it first. If this is about the failed bookstore, there are many reasons why it didn't make it but there does need to be something like that for Shorewood and WFB since B&N is now only selling toys.
James R Hoffa January 25, 2012 at 09:03 pm
@Victor Drover -
"Newts surge is an important issue for Republicans, as he is no match for Obama." Funny, as people said the same thing about Reagan back in 1980, and I think we all remember how that election turned out, don't we? Come on Drover, you claim to be an independent while citing to the Washington Post as being a 'conservative' outlet and making defacto consensus statements based on nothing more than extremely early poll numbers, which as history has proven time and again, tend to change over time. REALLY??? Hey, I'm not a big fan of Newt either, but that doesn't mean that I've counted him out. So called 'conservatives' also claimed that Gingrich's campaign was over before it even had a chance to start when he ripped Paul Ryan's Path to Prosperity, remember? And yet, look at where he is today - topping some national polls. Sorry, but I'm not buying your line about being 'independent' and just working off the facts instead of the talking points, as you've conveniently forgotten a good many factors in your 'analysis,' and a true independent would never do that.
James R Hoffa January 25, 2012 at 09:04 pm
And yes, as a true independent, I believe Obama does have a good shot a winning a second term. I haven't counted him out yet either. It's going to be a very close race because of the politics involved and his $1B campaign resources. But if made solely about the issues and their respective records, then I don't see how Obama would stand a chance against Santorum and Paul.
Flip-flop Romney and big-baggage Gingrich admittedly pose a greater challenge in this regard, but even then, I think that Romney takes him. Newt's chances would hinge on debate performances, which is primarily how he's gotten to where he's currently at, so to say that Newt is no match for Obama is disingenuous at best, and a conclusion that a true independent accounting for all variables would never make. Try again.
Nick Poulos January 25, 2012 at 09:12 pm
People here love to pillory those of us who have different view points than this nearly 100% Republican white audience. I am beginning to see a pattern emerge: Republicans do not admit who they are, while those with a co-operative approach to solving problems seem more ready to self-identify. Can those of you who only hide explain this? One other pattern I see peeping its head up: lots of fact-based statements, 'ceptin' most of the facts, however, appear to have been pulled directly down, and out, from the passing cloud formations: facts get manipulated, distorted, and modified, usually while the scrivener utters party line, intransigent, positioning, propaganda & nonsense, paid for by Koch and company, you'all, apparently, have bought into: now why is that you hide? can you 'splain it to me?
mau January 25, 2012 at 09:24 pm
Did Ron Paul drop out of the race? How about voting for Ron Paul?
mau January 25, 2012 at 09:25 pm
Poor excuse. When Ron Paul was running second the media was still leaving him out. Did anybody leave out Romney, Gingrich or Santorim when they weren't in the top 3 positions?
mau January 25, 2012 at 09:27 pm
Other than the actually primary election, who determines which candidate is "surging". During the debates they all sound the same except for Ron Paul.
Victor Drover January 26, 2012 at 01:15 pm
It's not an excuse, its a simple reality. There is no strong frontrunner in the campaign, and it is hurting GOP chances in the Fall. I asked above what republicans will do. What do you plan to do if Ron Paul is not the nominee?
Victor Drover January 26, 2012 at 01:18 pm
What is to dismiss? Everyone knows Walker has an advantage. Not that this is related directly to the GOP primary in anyway, but one could ask what Dems will do in their own primary. The longer they take to get a solid candidate, the less chance they have of challenging the incumbent.
Victor Drover January 26, 2012 at 01:19 pm
Most media outlets rely on polling.
CowDung January 26, 2012 at 01:45 pm
I guess that's why you started it off with "Cow, the Bush family's..."
mau January 26, 2012 at 05:51 pm
If Ron Paul decides to go 3rd party, I will go with him and vote for him there. If he drops out then I will hold my nose and vote for the candidate with the most conservative or libertarian views. I would like to see a candidate, from either party, who is not a hawk. I will not vote for a candidate who admittedly had his hand in political assassinations.
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