650 Days

I listened to Obama tonight and can't help but think that things are simply politics as usual again after November 2nd.  Several times tonight I almost threw up in my mouth while being lectured about how we have to lower taxes and cut spending and seek freedom.  I agree with the message, but to have it come from Obama's mouth was like Jabba the Hut (Star Wars) telling us to diet.  But in 650 days, we common folk will have an opportunity to speak with our vote again.  Unfortunately, I do not think that keeping Obama a one term president will be an easy task.  Here's why:

1. The GOP-controlled House is sure to make continued ludicrous spending more difficult for the administration.  This will improve the economy and the jobless rate.  The president will no doubt point to the improvement in the numbers rather than the pitiful level at which it will surely still be, and the mainstream media will whole-heartedly echo Obama's sentiments.  The end will be the return of the message of "hope" we heard in 2008.  I can hear it now, "We are bringing the change we promised; we are delivering hope.  Let me finish the job!"  Never mind the grossly shifted reference point to which his administration's policies have driven us.
2. Americans have terrible, terrible memories. We the people stood up on November 2, 2010 and told Washington with a loud voice that we reject the fiscal irresponsibility of the Democrats in power.  We made no bones about our distaste for the expansion of governmental influence and control.  All those new Republicans are resolved to carry out our wishes in the upcoming 21 months before Election 2012.  But we the people are fickle and forgetful.  When the reining in comes and the long, constant line of "victims" is paraded in front us on the evening news and the morning newspaper, I fear we will forget the terrible price our government's economic impropriety has exacted on our country.  I fear we'll reject the very ones we elected to do the very job we elected them to do and run back to the waiting arms of the one who has promised us so much more than he can ever deliver.
3. Barry Obama has a great personality.  I can't stand the man's politics or ideaology, but, as much as I hate to admit it, he seems to have an "It" factor. Presidential elections hinge on many things - economic conditions, fundraising prowess and blockbuster revelations to name a few.  But in the end, presidential elections pit one nominee against another.  If one of those nominees cannot connect with voters, a favorable economy - be that bad or good - mountains of campaign dollars, and a clean reputation might still not be enough to win the day.  I'm a bit pessimistic at the crop of potential Republican nominees for next year.  I could be wrong, of course, but Obama to me is still more electable than any of our guys.  After all, in spite of everything, Obama's approval has rebounded and now stands right at the 50% mark.  Look at the next point for a powerful reason why.
4. The press is still 95% liberal. Sarah Palin might have been one of the least vetted vice-presidential candidates ever.  What the McCain campaign failed to do, however, the mainstream media was more than happy to do.  One the other hand, Obama was elected largely because that same media completely ignored any opportunity to reveal the real ideology behind the man.  Though Obama's record in the Senate - and his lifelong propensity for government solutions - belied an uber-liberal, a large proportion of voters in 2008 thought of him as a moderate.  That kind of media spin is still with us, and it will enable Obama's failures to have much less impact on the mind of the electorate and his successes to be touted far beyond their merit. 

Don't get me wrong, there is no way Obama should be re-elected.  And I am hopeful he will be defeated.  But a victory celebration at my house on Election Night is far from certain.  So for the next 650 days, stay the course and fight the battle.  We have many things against us but we have to take heart from the results of November 2, 2010 and know that we can get the job done on November 6, 2012.