As it is generally the case, extraordinary circumstances
must be present for an incumbent president to lose re-elections. The last time
this happened, President Bush (41st) was fired because of the economy.
Bill Clinton rode the spiffy slogan, “It is the economy stupid,” to underscore
the need for change.
This election cycle, and by selecting Mitt Romney as their candidate,
Republicans seem to use the Clinton strategy against Obama. But how good or bad is
the economy in comparison to early 1990's?
The answer may not be relevant or important because Obama
could rightly remind Americans that the poor economic conditions did not start under
his watch. Also, he could point out that, unlike George W. H. Bush, he did not
start the wars that taxed the economy either. His son, a Republican, did. But
all these issues could be mooted if the economy were to improve between now and
November. In which case, the Republican candidate could fall back on social causes,
foreign policy, and defense issues.
While social causes that
touch on civil rights and religion are motivating forces for conservative
voters Mitt Romney is not seen as a stronger defender of those values. Foreign and defense issues too cannot be used to attack Obama this time for
a number of reasons.
First, Romney, in comparison to Obama, does not have the experience
or the record that will allow him to challenge Obama’s. Romney’s policy is
merely a concept when compared to Obama’s practical steps taken since taking over in 2008.
Second, Obama, despite his promises to end Bush’s policies
and practices, he actually continued on the same path. He failed to close
Guantanamo, he pursued Bush’s road map for Iraq, he escalated in Afghanistan,
he killed the top terrorist, he authorized more drone assassinations than his
predecessor, and he took part in the Libya war without putting troops on the
ground or committing American resources. This record is a problem for the left
but it is hardly "attack-able" by the right given the policies and practices of
the previous administration.
In terms of foreign policy, Republicans might attack Obama’s Middle East record. But even that can be easily undermined by simply qualifying it. For instance, Republicans are using the slick slogan “Stand with Israel” to suggest that Obama is not. That slogan too can be taken apart given Obama’s stance in
support of Israel even when other western and European countries were prepared
to abandon it. For example, Obama defeated Abbas’ efforts to secure UN
recognition. He pressured Turkey and Egypt to keep peace with Israel despite the
extraordinary changes taking place there. And he aborted or vetoed UNSC
resolutions condemning Israeli for issues related to illegal settlements and Gaza
War. Republicans could be more accurate and change their slogan into “Stand with Natanyahu.” But that is like asking a liberal politician to love a conservative
one, neither party does it and it will be disingenuous to ask Obama to be the
first. Natanyahu is simply too conservative, not only for Obama, but for many
Israelis and American Jews too.
So comes November, voters will have the option of firing a president whose, economic, defense, and foreign policies were center-left if not outright conservative practices masked by his liberal credentials or hire Romney who would fire everyone and attempt to turn around an economy that is already turning around. Romney, as fiscal conservative, would privatize social security and healthcare, outsource the postal service to UPS and FedEx, and bid out natural resources and infrastructure.
So comes November, voters will have the option of firing a president whose, economic, defense, and foreign policies were center-left if not outright conservative practices masked by his liberal credentials or hire Romney who would fire everyone and attempt to turn around an economy that is already turning around. Romney, as fiscal conservative, would privatize social security and healthcare, outsource the postal service to UPS and FedEx, and bid out natural resources and infrastructure.
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