Posted by
EWRoss on Monday, September 07, 2009 7:00:00 AM
President Barak Obama has had a very bad August. Opposition to Democratic healthcare reform proposals erupted at townhall meetings across the country. A broad spectrum of Americans revealed their fear of and anger at government attempts to nationalize healthcare, out-of-control spending, and the state of the US economy.
The "green jobs czar" Van Jones controversy drew attention to the dozens of "czars" Obama has appointed and how they were vetted; and it revealed a level of radical activism in the White House staff that reminded Americans of Obama's associations with Jeremiah Wright and William Ayres.
Obama's personal approval rating has dropped to below 50 percent faster than any modern president except Gerald Ford.
President Obama has an opportunity this week to turn things around and demonstrate whether he has what it takes to be a great president. He can resist the pull of the left wing of the Democratic Party, reject their efforts to radically transform America in ways the overwhelming majority of American people don't want it transformed, and work with moderates and conservatives to achieve a national consensus. Or, he can continue along the path he's on.
Many of Obama's opponents would like him to keep doing what he's been doing in the hope that he'll only further alienate moderates and Independents. But it's still a along way to the 2012 election, and America has many great challenges before then. We can't afford a political civil war, which is what is likely to occur if the Democratic majority attempts to impose its will. Far too much is at stake. I'm skeptical, but prepared for him to surprise me
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