Should Obama drop out of the 2012 race?
Two Democratic pollsters say he should, to inspire the bipartisanship the country needs. Is their advice crazy enough to work?
As President Obama's advisers are huddling to plan out the next two years, Democratic pollsters Doug Schoen and Pat Caddell have some probably unwelcome advice: "Obama should announce immediately that he will not be a candidate for reelection in 2012." Writing in The Washington Post, Schoen and Caddell argue that if Obama makes himself a one-term president he will be able to make unpopular choices for the national good, and get Republicans to go along by depriving them of their "highest priority" — defeating him. Is this a silly proposal, or is it just what the country needs? (Watch a Fox News discussion about Obama's reelection bid)
Are these jokers kidding? Many readers are probably wondering why "'Democratic' strategists" are "bashing their party" and giving Obama such "absurd" advice, says Steve Benen in Washington Monthly. That's an easy one — these guys are actually regular Fox News contributors who are huddling with Republicans. Whatever the motivation for their "tiresome screeds," they need to drop either the "Democratic" or "strategists" from their bylines.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Democrats should listen — but they will not: Schoen and Caddell were among "the first Democrats to admit the Shellacking was coming," says blogger Clifton B. at Another Black Conservative. And they're probably also right that the Democrats would fare better in 2012 if they tried to "remake their brand" with a new, more centrist candidate. But Obama won't drop out. If things continue as is, though, voters will make him a one-termer "whether he wants it or not."
"Washington Post: Obama should not seek reelection in 2012"
These strategists are only half right: "I have enormous respect" for Schoen and Caddell, says Jonathan Capehart in The Washington Post, but this opinion piece is bunk. A Sarah Palin–like midterm "political surrender" would just render Obama "irrelevant," and the idea that Republicans or Democrats would respond by getting things done is pure "fantasy." Obama should "govern as if he had one term," but not "actually give up halfway through his first of possibly two terms."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Indie film's 'very brief' use of AI sparks backlash and calls for boycotts
Talking Points Did the creators of a new horror movie make a deal with the artificial intelligence devil?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Could Taylor Swift swing the election?
Today's Big Question The pop star has outsized influence — and that extends beyond the music industry
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Xi-Biden meeting: what's in it for both leaders?
Today's Big Question Two superpowers seek to stabilise relations amid global turmoil but core issues of security, trade and Taiwan remain
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will North Korea take advantage of Israel-Hamas conflict?
Today's Big Question Pyongyang's ties with Russia are 'growing and dangerous' amid reports it sent weapons to Gaza
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published