Presidential Election Prediction Poll (not necessarily who are you voting for) (Page 2)

I don't see it that way.  Romney stated that he left Bain at a particular point and that things they claim he was responsible for, were not his responsibility.  I don't see him being defense.  I see him stating his side of the story and moving on.

But yes, the less the focus on the issues the better for Obama.  Recuse he CANNOT run on his record.  So Romney needs to focus more on the issues, which I think with Ryan now in the picture he will do.

i think obama will crush this election.  for all of the reasons above...his team is doing an awesome job at making romney look like the devil, and it's just easier to wait out 4 more years and let him finish what (???) he started.  there are far more lower and middle class voters than wealthy right wingers, and in 2008 obama's campaign proved that they could make sure to get out those traditional non-voters in droves.  and...most people DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE ISSUES.  all they care about is their limited understanding of the president's distant influence on their wallets...and all they know is the hype in the media. 

 to gb's question:  i won't vote for him.  i didn't last time either.  this will only be my 4th pres election and i will be 0 for 4 in my candidate winning.

Reason I say that is how many of you actually answer your home phones anymore? How many of you ignore calls from unknown numbers on your cell phone?  I just think we saw it a bit in the last election but Cell Phones have completely saturated the market now so I predict the polls will be significantly off.

I don't see it that way.  Romney stated that he left Bain at a particular point and that things they claim he was responsible for, were not his responsibility.  I don't see him being defense.  I see him stating his side of the story and moving on.

But yes, the less the focus on the issues the better for Obama.  Recuse he CANNOT run on his record.  So Romney needs to focus more on the issues, which I think with Ryan now in the picture he will do.

In what way? 

Killed Osama bin Laden - and from all accounts, it was not a "slam dunk" call.

Ended DADT (after a long delay)

Stock market up 16% between 2009-2012

Obamacare means young people up to 26 can stay on parental policies, people with pre-existing conditions can't be denied care, Medicare "donut hole" of coverage closes, preventative care no longer carries co-pays, and you can't be dropped if you get sick

Ended combat mission in Iraq 

Job growth (anemic though it has been) for the last 2 years (coming on the heels of the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression, no small feat)

American auto industry still exists - not a given when the bailouts went into effect

So why do you say he can't run on his record? I'm not saying everything is skittles and beer, or that you (collectively, not specifically you TriRSquared) have to value those things, or value other things more. But to claim there has been nothing positive in the last 4 years is a pretty far reaching statement. Even Nixon had some decent things in his record (creation of the EPA, opening up China, to name a couple of things).

You make a really good point in the bold, but I really don't think he's got the same mojo going for him as he did last time. 

On Election day in 2008, I was in Arlington for the Marine Corps Marathon (I voted early in FL).  There was a young girl getting off the Metro with an "I voted" sticker walking next to me and I said "Glad you voted" and she started into a long explanation of how she had actually been pulling the senior citizens out of her building to get them registered and then taking them to the voting centers.  I don't see the same enthusiasm from Obama supporters. 

Maybe I'm missing it, but if I'm missing it in South Florida where the election could be decided by a few hundred votes, that's not a good thing.

...

I'll agree getting BL and DADT are significant. 

Stock market...that's artificailly inflated thanks to Banker Ben.

How is that different than any other president? Yet it seems to be one of the metrics people measure the president.

Obamacare...I still have hope that it will be repealed. 

Doesn't make it less of a record, just because you want the sick to be dropped when they can even get insured, or people in their 20's to go uninsured because they can't afford it. 

Iraq...moved to Afganistan. 

Maybe you forgot, but the war began in Afghanistan. The move to Iraq was an expansion that cost us lives, fortune, and the support of most of the rest of the coalition.

Job growth...you can't be serious! 

I said it was anemic. But there was significant job losses as he entered office. To the extent that anyone believes the president affects jobs, he reversed the trend.

Auto industry...there are those of us that were not in favor of the bailout. 

Again - just because you did not like it, does not make it less of a part of his record to run on. Lots of people are happy to have the industry still going and producing jobs.

Overall he has been a dismal failure as a leader.

I offered specific examples of his record. Care to offer specifics to back up that assertion, or to offer a reason to vote for Romney instead?

In what way? 

Killed Osama bin Laden - and from all accounts, it was not a "slam dunk" call.

This is incorrect.  You can say "not a slam dunk call" but not the "from all accounts" part of it.  Special Ops teams do a lot of dangerous stuff that John Q Public doesn't know a thing about and when they die in those missions their families are told it was a "Training Exercise."  Tier 1 guys keep their secrets exceptionally well because they want to stay in the unit.  30 Seals dying in a helicopter crash in Pakistan is easy to sweep under the media rug.  How do I know? Look at the news from August 6, 2011.  Just another news day.  What were they actually doing? Who knows.

Did Obama make the decision? Sure, he's the Prez.  Would any other Prez? Absolutely.  You cannot say they wouldn't because there just are no political risks associated with a dead Spec Ops Team. 

Ended DADT (after a long delay)

This is not a "Slam Dunk" across the US.  I don't know how it plays outside of left-leaning urban areas.  If he ran on this, it wouldn't add votes that weren't already his necessarily.

Stock market up 16% between 2009-2012

Inflation and Qualitative Easing.  Not terms John Q Public would even understand, so I'll give you that one.  But they're trying to demonize Wall Street, not talk about how they've helped wall street.

Then again, if you're investing, you probably do know what Inflation and QE were, but you're probably less likely to vote for someone who wants to cut your dividends and demonize you for making money...

Obamacare means young people up to 26 can stay on parental policies, people with pre-existing conditions can't be denied care, Medicare "donut hole" of coverage closes, preventative care no longer carries co-pays, and you can't be dropped if you get sick

I would think the bold part would be a HUGE negative to campaign on... The rest looks good until you see the cost...

Ended combat mission in Iraq (Added)on the timeline set forth by the Bush Administration and the Iraqi Government in 2007.

You're right, but I fixed that for you.  Plan was always to roll troops out in 2009.  I sent an email in May 2003 to say to someone that it would be 2009 or 2010 before we got everyone out because a Democracy has never had a war last more than 7 years.  Afghanistan is now in year 11 so that hurts my argument a little.

Job growth (anemic though it has been) for the last 2 years (coming on the heels of the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression, no small feat)

This is like saying you finished an Ironman in 7 hours and having someone say "Really, Wow!" and you having to explain "Well, a Half Ironman".  There are fewer people employed now than when Obama took office.  Unemployment has increased but there are more people who just gave-up looking and they're not counted by the Bureau of Labor.  Actual Unemployment was dropping from 2000 until 2007 and has gone-up ever since Democrats took control of both houses of Congress.

American auto industry still exists - not a given when the bailouts went into effect

Ford didn't take a cent.  It would still be here.  Toyota has several plants in the US.  Hyundai has a few plants here.  There's an American auto industry other than GM. 

The Federal Govt now owns 500,000,000 shares of GM Stock that IPO'd at $39.  It's now $20.  We would need that stock to be over $53 to break even.  GM is not a success story. 

So why do you say he can't run on his record?

did she tell you she was a mccain supporter?  my grandparents love the crap out of obama...don't assume old people all wanted the old guy!

To answer your last question with a question: Why don't you ask him why he's not running on his record?

He ended DADT, not DOMA.  DADT was a slam dunk.  Just a quick point of clarification.

Maybe in non-Military, Left-leaning urban circles.  It's not popular in the Military or among people in rural america.  I'm certain of that.  I served 8 years and have contact with many many shipmates still on active duty.  It is not popular among troops, and not popular among veterans. 

DADT allowed it, but not explicitly.  Troops now see that it is now not only allowed (which is fine with the majority) but now the Pendulum has swung to the opposite side and Semi-Annual Training includes extensive training on the subject, Troops say they just can't get away from it being front and center.  It is the in-your-face part that is bothering many servicemen.   

It's like women in combat roles.  When they were allowed in combat roles because they were in units that couldn't avoid getting shot at, that's one thing, but having the media and politicians tell the military they have to put women in the SEALS regardless of their qualifications, that ain't popular.  The Military has done well to keep their opinions quiet throughout this, but I assure you, it is not a "Slam Dunk" when you talk to troops.

If you disagree, please let me know why. 

You can't possibly believe he is in control of all of that. This is why our election process has been reduced to the attack ads we see on TV.

They don't like the in-your-face nature of all the attention to it.  For example, The first openly-lesbian general was promoted last week.  It was on the cover of every Military Times magazine.  Fact is that there were many gay generals before that, but they are making a huge deal of it now and basically saying "YOU MUST LIKE THIS OR THERE WILL BE RAMIFICATIONS!"

And yes, troops really hate having annual training forced upon them on any subject so there's backlash.  "A Complaining Lance Corporal is a Breathing Lance Corporal" is the saying.

Here are two sources for how Military perceives the CinC and the election:

http://nation.time.com/2011/05/31/troops-and-vets-give-obama-lower-job-approval-ratings-than-the-rest-of-us/

http://nation.foxnews.com/obama/2012/07/22/rasmussen-poll-military-veterans-pick-romney-over-obama-59-35 

Again, I reiterate, DADT probably won't win him 1 vote he would not have received without its repeal.

Maybe in non-Military, Left-leaning urban circles.  It's not popular in the Military or among people in rural america.  I'm certain of that.  I served 8 years and have contact with many many shipmates still on active duty.  It is not popular among troops, and not popular among veterans. 

DADT allowed it, but not explicitly.  Troops now see that it is now not only allowed (which is fine with the majority) but now the Pendulum has swung to the opposite side and Semi-Annual Training includes extensive training on the subject, Troops say they just can't get away from it being front and center.  It is the in-your-face part that is bothering many servicemen.   

It's like women in combat roles.  When they were allowed in combat roles because they were in units that couldn't avoid getting shot at, that's one thing, but having the media and politicians tell the military they have to put women in the SEALS regardless of their qualifications, that ain't popular.  The Military has done well to keep their opinions quiet throughout this, but I assure you, it is not a "Slam Dunk" when you talk to troops.

If you disagree, please let me know why.