ust a few months ago, even many of President Obama's supporters calculated that his odds of re-election were uncomfortably low. But now, with the economy improving and the messy GOP nomination fight dragging on, Obama leads in a poll of 12 swing states "that will decide whether [he] is elected to a second term." And the president himself certainly sounds upbeat. In an interview with Spanish-language Univision on Thursday, Obama responded to a question about his failure to deliver on promised immigration reform by saying, "My presidency is not over. I've got another five years coming up." Of course, "another five years" assumes that Obama will win a second term. Is the president growing overconfident?
Obama is over-estimating himself: "Did the election already take place without anyone knowing?" asks Joe Newby at Examiner. Clearly, the president is getting a "bit cocky." But his confidence is largely unwarranted. While plenty of things are looking up for the Democrat, a national Gallup survey released Thursday put him four points behind Mitt Romney — and only one ahead of Rick Santorum.
"Obama: 'I've got another five years' to pass amnesty for illegal immigrants"
Obama's confidence is warranted: Yes, Obama is "getting cocky," says Ryan McManus at Tripped Media. But he's "probably right" about a second term. The top GOP candidates "are ultimately hurting the chances of a GOP win in November" with their "terrible debate showings," internecine "squabbling," and a "lengthy barrage of negative ads." Obama, on the other hand, "just has to focus on getting stuff done, while the Republicans do his job of undermining the eventual nominee." At this rate, the president probably does have another five years left.
"Obama getting cocky, but probably right"
These comments are all about wooing Hispanics: "Obama could win in a landslide" in November, says Charles Garcia at CNN. But first he must accomplish a critical task: "Connect with Latinos." Republicans are killing themselves with this critical voting bloc by talking about "double 30-foot electrified fences," "anchor babies," and "self-deportation." But Obama also has a "dubious record" on immigration. Clearly, his latest promise is meant to encourage Hispanics to come out for him like they did in 2008, when he cleaned up with 67 percent of the Latino vote.
"How Obama could win in a landslide"
- How typeface influences the way we read and think
- The last word: He said he was leaving. She ignored him.
- Reports: Sopranos star James Gandolfini is dead
- WATCH: Australia's army chief demonstrates how you address sex abuse
- 32 TV shows to watch in 2013 [Updated]
- The culture war is over, and conservatives lost
- The FBI has purposefully — and, it says, justifiably — shot 150 Americans since 1993
- The daily gossip: The 50 Shades of Grey movie finally has a director, and more
- The world is way, way bigger than you
- Has Snowden crossed a red line?
- Michael Hastings, remembered
- How typeface influences the way we read and think
- Former employees say Bank of America lied to a lot of homeowners
- How immigration reform could save taxpayers nearly $1 trillion
- The last telegram ever is about to be sent
- The last word: He said he was leaving. She ignored him.
- WATCH: Australia's army chief demonstrates how you address sex abuse
- The daily gossip: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have allegedly chosen a baby name, and more
- Can fetuses masturbate?
- What language is your baby speaking?
