President Obama has beaten one of his biggest challengers…

Smoking!

The president had been public about his bad habit in the past and has tried to quit since taking office. Now, having received his official check-up, his physician certified him as “tobacco free.”

The president is in excellent health and ‘fit for duty.’ All clinical data indicate he will remain so for the duration of his presidency.”

The report also noted healthy eating and exercise for the commander-in-chief.

Now how will he deal with the stress of this economy?!

Thanks to The Washington Post!

Times are tough. Folks are suffering. Time for Washington to act, Right?

Nope!

At least that was the answer in the Senate yesterday.

In a move that should surprise no one, the Senate GOP voted unanimously to block President Obama’s jobs bill.

The $447 billion proposal faced its first real test after being touted all over the country by the president himself. But the Republicans weren’t the only ones with “doubts” about the bill.

On Tuesday morning, senior White House officials said this is just the first act in a long-term play. They brushed aside the dissent among Democrats and urged Americans instead to look at the Republicans, unanimously voting against job-creation measures.”

Facing opposition from both parties, the next steps for the legislation remain unclear.

Votes on pieces of the bill could begin later this month, perhaps as early as next week, Senate Democratic aides said. Party leaders said they needed to consult their caucus before they decide on the timing or choose the provisions to be considered separately.”

Is the president running out of time? Or will be looking for a job soon?

Flow Chart from Fineness & Accuracy

Have you ever gotten into a heated argument and wondered to yourself, “Should I compare my opponent to a member of the KKK?”

Well, in case you ever have – and didn’t know how to determine if you should or not – we at USDemocrazy have a nifty flow chart for you!  Examine and use wisely.

The flow chart came out of a recent controversy, involving Princeton Professor of Political Science and African-American Studies Melissa Harris-Perry.  Well-known for her writings and commentary on race issues in American politics, Harris-Perry published an article in the Nation this week.

Harris-Perry’s article entitled Black President, Double Standard: Why White Liberals are Abandoning Obama makes the argument that one reason for Obama’s declining support is at least partially because of racial bias.  She argues that white supporters have held the first black president to a higher standard than they have white presidents from the recent past (read: Bill Clinton).

Her article caused quite a backlash, including this response on Salon.com, which not only presented a non-sensical critique of Harris-Perry’s assertion but also compared her views to those of the KKK.

Harris-Perry addressed some of these critiques in another piece, but the whole controversy has apparently brought up a much more important question – when is it okay to compare someone to a member of the KKK?

Thankfully, the controversy also has brought us an answer…in the form of a flow chart.

Thanks to Politico!

Congressional Republicans will soon be adding two more names to their lineup, after Democrats lost special elections in New York and Nevada earlier this week.

Nevada’s 2nd district unsurprisingly went red and sent former state Sen. Mark Amodei to the lower chamber.

The GOP’s win in New York’s 9th district was a little harder to swallow for the opposing party. Disgraced Rep. Anthony Weiner was the last to hold the seat in the longtime Democratic stronghold.

Among one particular group of voters, NY-9’s power switch is being touted as a referendum against President Obama.

What it does indicate is there are some serious problems with messaging to the Jewish community from the administration.”

]]> http://www.usdemocrazy.net/2011/09/16/congress-adds-more-red/feed/ 0 http://www.usdemocrazy.net/2011/06/07/poll-portends-peril/ http://www.usdemocrazy.net/2011/06/07/poll-portends-peril/#comments Wed, 08 Jun 2011 03:42:14 +0000 YourOtherLeft http://www.usdemocrazy.net/?p=12433 Remember the celebrations surrounding the vanquishing of Osama Bin Laden?

President Obama does… he enjoyed a sudden bump in popularity in the US.

But how fast things can change. Any political advantage President Obama received after the killing of Osama bin Laden has vanished in the most recent polls. As focus returns to the economy, the president’s approval ratings have taken a serious hit.

Today, just 47 percent of Americans approve of Obama, while 49 percent disapprove. A majority of independents, 53 percent, disapproves of his job performance.”

Image from The Washington Post

The poll brings good news to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, whose campaign got off to a bit of a rough start last week. He ranks number one among the preferred GOP options, tying President Obama in a hypothetical election.

Meanwhile, Romney emerges in the new survey as the strongest current or prospective Republican candidate in the 2012 presidential field. Although he is by no means in a secure spot, on virtually every measure, the former governor appears better positioned than any of his rivals.”

If the economy stays in such distress, terrorist leaders may want to start reconsidering their living arrangements.

A new dance craze? “Security shakeup” set to take place in Washington.

We can’t believe it! An unethical businessman?!

First time for everything: Federal reserve holds first-ever press conference.

And, try to save your heart attack for later in the day?

Thanks to POLITICO

On Wednesday, President Barack Obama picked an unconventional setting for a town hall promoting his deficit reduction plan…Facebook.

The discussion was broadcast through the website from Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, CA and moderated by Facebook CEO and President Mark Zuckerberg (who wore a tie!).

Obama took questions submitted online along with a few from the audience made up of the company’s employees.

Though maybe not the intent, the event highlighted the importance of Internet-based companies like Facebook and YouTube.

Facebook has promoted Obama’s visit as a major honor, a validation of the firm’s influence as a communications platform. The White House has boasted that the audience it will reach through Facebook’s live video broadcast is comprised largely of middle class, typically younger Americans who would be harder to approach through traditional media.

In the 2008 campaign, Obama used social media in ways no campaign had ever see before. As 2012 quickly approaches, the question becomes, will he still have the advantage?

Thanks to Zimbio

Don’t add “diplomat” to Justin Bieber’s repertoire. Pop star might be ruining relations in Israel.

Long road ahead; President Obama lays out 12 year plan to cut spending and borrowing.

Environment or economy? China weighs their options.

Republican governors will be Republican governors: Labor supporters angered by Florida’s GOP governor.

And, Barry Bonds breaks the rules.

President Obama speaks to a crowd of thousands while Sarah Palin posts a video on YouTube.

The Associated Press settles their lawsuit against “HOPE” artist Shepard Fairey.

And, homeless man with radio voice heads to rehab.

"Yeah, I didn't see that coming either."

George Bush hasn’t been the president for nearly two years now, but apparently some pollsters are still gauging his approval rating!

And, well, it’s a point higher than President Obama’s, according to polls summed up by Politico. (GWB had 47% while Obama put up a solid 46%.)

Click through for commentary, then leave your own.

What do you think is going on here? When Dubya left office, his approval was in the 25%-range. (Some people must really like his book.) Is Obama really doing that badly that his predecessor is starting to look better??? Or is it all skewed public perception??