Ann --His last campaign?
In a few days, I'll be hitting the trail for my last campaign.
[Blah.. blah... request for donation omitted.]
Thanks,
Barack
The man is 50 years old. His career is young. He's packing it in so early? This troubles me. Why no more stamina in the political arena?
I mean, what if he loses in November? He could run again. He could let 3 presidential terms pass and come back and only be as old as Romney is right now!
But even if he wins, what's he going to do? He can't run for President again, but there are other elective offices. Look at John Quincy Adams, John Tyler, and Andrew Johnson. All of them went on to seek other elective office and to win.
(Also at that link: the names of the 7 Presidents who sought the presidency after they were out of office. You probably know the name of the individual who won, but do you know the 6 who tried and failed?)
Why doesn't Obama have more gumption? It makes him seem too weak even now as he seeks reelection. Last campaign. That's annoying.
You know, the first time I ever voted for a Republican, it was 1976 and I decided I couldn't vote for Carter. It was one thing that he said that turned me against him. He was asked — very shortly before election day — what he would do if he lost. He said he'd go back to his peanut farm and be a farmer. I didn't like that. I thought: Not much of a statesman.
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76 comments:
He wants to go out a 'winner'
Not much of a statesman.
Then neither was George Washington.
I'm no Carter fan, but - geez.
I speculate that Barack Obama's ego is so inflated that it's inconceivable to him that he might serve the public in a different elective office, seeing them as "inferior". Heck, he could run again as Senator of Illinois. But that would cut into his tee times and he and Michelle wouldn't be able to take off on expensive vacations as much. I bet you'll rarely see ex-President Obama wielding a hammer or doing something useful. He'll expect to have the then-current President make him a plenipotentiary to deal with diplomatic issues so he can whip around in motorcades and helicopters and save the day.
I shudder at the thought ....
Retiring at 50 and not even in a union!
There's a better joke in there about Unions, and cushy retirements at young ages, but I'm not feeling funny at the moment.
Hey, Crack, what happened to your blog? I was worried something happened to you!
"I mean, what if he loses in November? He could run again."
Well, that just put me off my lunch.
Hopefully Obama wants to walk out the door of the White House and just keep walking.
I worry a little bit what that guy will do when he's out of office. His ego seems unsually out-sized, even for a politician. Will he take "no" for an answer?
He could try to be a Chief Justice of The Supreme Court...like Taft!
You voted for Carter in the general election, so how put off where you?
An argument for career politicians? I could not disagree more. I voted for Carter that year, and his peanut farmerism was a plus for me. Later, I discovered that both he and I were ideologically retarded, but I got better.
Still, I prefer my statesmen to be doing a service rather than furthering their career of fame and prestige. I like them to know something of value and to have proven it.
The reason he'd retire is so that he can be free to sit on corporate boards, do speaking engagements, and write. He would, of course, be handsomely paid for all of the above, and actually do precious little heavy lifting.
Why would anyone be surprised that he would cash in? It's not like DC is full of pleasant politicians who any sane person would want to hang with. There are lots of other things to do with a life than politics.
Obama can go back to his former life. How many autobiographies in too many.
Maybe a blog: "The Barackness Monster"
His last campaign!
Yeah, that seems to be the only 'work' he does and he wants to get out of that too soon, very soon, one way or another.
"I mean, what if he loses in November? He could run again."
Well, that just put me off my lunch.
I just choked on my double Irish with a Dutch sandwich..
I was always surprised Bill Clinton's minions did not push for a Constitutional amendment to let him run again.
And don't hold your breath about Obama being a 'statesman' either. He will go back to Chicago to peddle his influence for money, kind of like peanut farming, going back to the thing you know.
Althouse today:
"You know, the first time I ever voted for a Republican, it was 1976 and I decided I couldn't vote for Carter. It was one thing that he said that turned me against him. He was asked — very shortly before election day — what he would do if he lost. He said he'd go back to his peanut farm and be a farmer. I didn't like that. I thought: Not much of a statesman."
Althouse April 3, 2012:
"Time to walk over to the polls and do the traditional thing of deciding who we're going to vote for on the walk over."
It's the Wisconsin primary today, and we're following the old family tradition of talking on the walk over and making the final decision at that point. I say it's an old family tradition because in 1976, I set out to walk over to the polls with my then-husband RLC, and we actually had to sit down at one point and talk it through. We were still for Jimmy Carter when we sat down, but by the time we got up to continue the walk to the poll, we were for Gerald Ford. We'd both voted for McGovern in 1972, and I would continue to vote for all Democratic presidential candidates — with the sole exception being 2004 — to this day (including voting for Carter in 1980, when he lost)."
Hmmmmmm
If only Carter had taken his own advice. Instead he spouts off at every opportunity. And usually makes an ass out of himself.
CGeorge, thanks for doing the digging. That's what I was thinking too.
Just because it is his last campaign doesn't mean he would leave politics. Getting approval from the peons isn't his ideal approach.
I could easily see him lobbying for a UN position or another position that leverages his Presidential term into whatever brings the most money and privilege. I think it's really the money and privilege, not the actual job, that appeals to him most about the presidency.
Does not take much to swing Althouse's vote, does it?
That is a shameless appeal to sympathy for poor little Obama who once fought the good fight for us, but now he bravely awaits the Last Leaf to fall.
I once read a list of advice that went:
Sing like no one is listening, and
Dance like no one is watching, and
Love like you have never been hurt.
Obama now adds to that list, " connect with every voter emotionally like no one cares if you're lying." Just tell them those sweet old loving lies.
Romney needs to engage his personality into this contest before it's too late. Just being rich and being married to Ann Romney will not be enough to woo the uncommitted voters.
Even if re-elected, President Obama will have to continue to campaign-not directly for votes, but to defend his legacy. In 2013 and beyond, the ACA will begin to take full effect-for better or worse. Federal debt will continue to pile up, and Paul Ryan and the Republicans will continue to present their competing vision for the future. The states will continue on their paths-with CA, IL, and other Blue states going on one; perhaps Texas, LA, IN, etc. going another, and "Bleeding Wisconsin" being a key battleground between these visions.
Even it's his last election, it shouldn't be his last campaign.
WV:
illect-what happens when you have voter fraud
nandate-is that a billionth of a mandate?
It's a tactic designed to appeal to the wistful voter that Barack has "given it all" so far and implicitly needs to go out a winner.
His handlers are playing with our heads.
I'm with Crack; that's about the only commendable thing Carter has ever said.
And what a pity he didn't actually follow through.
Obama, re-elected or not, will flap his lips like Jimmy Carter does. He will hob-nob with dictators, communist, radicals, etc... just like old Jimmy does.
Once he sees Washington ignore him, yes he will take the leftist approach. Don't be shocked to see him with NK Kim and Iran's mullahs. As long as it keeps him in the papers and on the golf course.
Curiou George & Madison Man: Althouse's opinion of Carter must have cratered recently...
"CGeorge, thanks for doing the digging. That's what I was thinking too."
me too.
& thinking Washington, Jefferson, love of farms.
The President, after serving even one term in office, gets a lifetime pension of $200k/year. That and a comfortable number of high buck lectures each year, and it's all gravy baby.
For some reason, I am remembering Donna Summer.
"The Last Campaign", reminds me of "The Last Samuri" except Obama is much braver, much more honorable, and makes Tom Cruise look like a major pussy.
I'm with Crack; that's about the only commendable thing Carter has ever said.
AY-MEN.
Such sentiments are quintessentially American, and thank the Lord for that: "You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas."
It's got to be something grand to accommodate his narcissism and enormous ego.
Maybe Secretary-General of the UN would keep him interested, especially if he can figure out how to undermine American sovereignty and it's superpower status in the world.
Otherwise, Obama can't be bothered. He has 2, maybe 3, more autobiographies in him - provided Billy Ayers stays healthy.
Ron said...
He could try to be a Chief Justice of The Supreme Court...like Taft!
Obama lacks the gravitas.
In 2017 Hillary is going to appoint him to the Supreme Court.
Anybody who has watched Obama over the last 4 years knows that he plans to take over a new UN post called Czar of International Middle-east Peace Keeping with its headquarters located in the newly internationalized city of Jerusalem.
You cannot keep a good Beast down.
If you adjust your tinfoil hat just right, you could believe that he plans on winning and then never having to run again due to "emergency conditions" that preclude future elections. I'm really surprised that some of the more radical visitors here haven't suggested that already.
The quantum leap that was made from community organizer to state senator is best summarized by Obama's own awesomeness. That high station was mere jumping stone for awesome Obama. It is natural for people around him to respond positively to his obvious gifts so that he is elevated immediately to the leadership position of the nation. But that is not his place, no, his pattern is obvious it goes boink boink boink boink his stage is global and his position, there is that limiting word again, position, as in spot, expect to see a lot of work being done independently under the aegis and by the agencies of the U.N.
What is that you call Gore? Pope of Environmentalism, or whatever something close, instead think of that irritable situation as similar to John the Baptist who prepared the ground. As herald for a new global thing that exceeds everything that preceded it. Imagine where that template places Obama.
To go off quietly into the night. If only.
Once I pissed of a partisan friend, pissed him right off, ruined the dinner actually, by suggesting Republican ex-presidents go off to retire and Democratic ex-presidents keep right on jab jab jab jab jabbing away. There is obsession that is apparent. His eyes bulged out and smoke came out his ears, he fumed right in front of me sputtered and finally shot, Bullshit! Bush got $50,000 for giving a speech!
That reminds me. I can't wait for the Barak Obama Library to open so I can go there and see all the historical stuff.
Ann,
Hey, Crack, what happened to your blog? I was worried something happened to you!
It got suspended by Wordpress for some reason - they never said why, which seems to be par for the course. It's the forth time it's been taken down, which is infuriating, but, since this has been my least important period, content-wise, I'm just rolling with it now.
I've been invited to start blogging for Flying Tiger Comics (who are designing a comic book around my online persona, The Crack Emcee Vs. The New(Age) World Order) and I will begin writing there as soon as I get close to finishing my current art project.
Thanks for asking - it's why I love you, all criticism aside:
You're a real person to me.
I'm really surprised that some of the more radical visitors here haven't suggested that already.
I did many months ago. Of course, I was mocking the liberals claims from several years ago that Bush would do the same. You should stick to horses.
He was asked — very shortly before election day — what he would do if he lost. He said he'd go back to his peanut farm and be a farmer
Most admirable thing he ever said, really.
Have you forgotten Cincinattus?
Giving up politics once the Republic decides you're not needed in the role anymore, and going back to the farm, is an ancient and honorable tradition - and we could probably do with more of it and less career-statesmanship.
And Carter lied about that, too. He kept meddling in foreign affairs ... his worst subject as President, next to his economic policies and his military and defense policies.
Conspiracy theorists are never boring, it's what keeps the place hopping. Those gulags are almost finished, the time is nigh upon us, the last election ever enjoy it.
/sarc
He's not qualified to hold any office I can think of...
Ann! That's practically the only thing Carter ever said that made me admire him.
Somewhere there's a Chesterton essay that begins by quoting someone pondering how we could get the best men to devote themselves to politics, to which Chesterton says "I doubt the best men ever would devote themselves to politics. The best men devote themselves to pigs and babies and things like that."
Aha, found it.
If he loses, he can be our next (shudder) Grover Cleveland.
Golf.
He had pretty of practice.
He will be rich ala Bill Clinton.
He could start his own tournament: The Obama Classic.
How ironic that Carter turned into a fairly good statesman in his post-presidential years helping to ensure open elections etc, so your judgement is a bit off.
Ann, at the risk of going OT but assuming that Obama loses – would you object to the DOJ under a Mitt Romney administration from investigating and possibly prosecuting former members of the Obama administration for their roles in “Fast and Furious” if in fact they broke any laws?
Not trying to stir things up but I’m generally curious if you think that prosecuting members of the Obama administration for FnF is like prosecuting members of the Bush administration for the Iraq campaign of the war which I believe you objected to in 2008 as it risked violating our tradition of a peaceful transfer of power.
Why doesn't Obama have more gumption? It makes him seem too weak
I agree that it's odd for him to rule out the possibility of running for a nonconsecutive term, or running for Senate. However, there are other important government positions he could hold without campaigning: Secretary of State, Supreme Court Justice.
Yes! Cincinattus.
I'll put it simply regarding Obama:
Fool you once, shame on him;
Fool you twice, shame on you!
If Americans are foolish enough to re-elect him, they deserve everything that happens to them.
Do you think he's going to pass on the money that flows to former Presidents? Michelle would make his life hell, among other problems he would encounter.
The automatically rich former President is a very recent invention. The people Althouse cites didn't have the option of getting incredibly rich.
As for Carter, the world would be better off if he had returned to the peanut patch.
He could run again?
Ask the lefties you know the following question:
"If Obama loses, are you going to work hard to get him elected again in 2016?"
Apart from the liars, you won't get many yes votes.
I got the same email, and my first thought was: Napoleon.
Obama, The Won, He Who is The Smartest Man in Any Room, was very clear about it, 2012 is the Last Election ever in the old USA!
I hope president Romney appoints ambassador for life to Kenya.
cubanbob,
Kenya is the most important country in East Africa, and a significant ally. What on earth would you do that to them for???
Although the ambassador thing is maybe a good idea; how about we recognize North Korea and send Obama there?
I did not know before that Grant had been a candidate for the Republican nomination in 1880. A quick lookup shows that he was a serious contender, entering the convention with the most delegates, though not a majority. Garfield won the nomination and the election, unfortunately for him.
I also had not known that Hoover was a candidate in 1940. Not a serious contender, it seems.
So Grant, not FDR, was the first to try to break the two term limit.
He won't come back to Chicago. He'll sell the house and move somewhere else. Illinois is going the way of California and he'll want to reduce his tax liabilities to as little as possible.
They'll stay in DC or move to NY. I don't see him going to Hawaii full time because of the physical and time zone differences.
Unlike pm317, I am not thinking Donna Summer when I think Carter era.
More like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BOEg-AC2w4
or a bit earlier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoJjxD5s-Cw
I think Obama wants to be Secretary General of the United Nations, after he has arranged for the US to cede most of its sovereignty to the UN.
Ken in SC,
I'll gladly support Obama for UN SecGen after we've kicked it out of the US and relocated it to Ouagadougou, Pyongyang, or Vostok Station.
What I want to know is what's with this "Barack" crap?
Michelle duns the Professor (and others here, I am sure) with requests for $3 donations for "Barack." AA get emails from the President of the United States himself -- whom she has never met and probably will never meet -- and who doesn't know her from Anne Lindbergh, and he's "Barack."
This faux friend stuff is repellent. Does anyone who gets this spam really think it is from him? He is in full good buddy mode 24-7 at the same time mastering imperiousness as most of us have never seen in our lifetimes.
There is something deeply pathological about the casualness with which he thinks he is identifying with America (drop another "g" and I will smash my remote) and yet he can't stand us.
Secretary General of the Unitd Nations
(That's all that's worthy of him.)
Don't expect him to go hammer nails with Jimmy Carter. He never took shop.
Ahh -- I see others also see BHO at the UN.
I have been thinking this for a couple years now.
He can get the job and we can kick the UN back to Geneva so we (and NYC) don't have to put up with him anymore. Look how much money that would save the US and the City.
In 2017 Hillary will be -- 71?
Appointing SCJs? I don't think so.
I thought when Grant ran there was no 2 term limit.
Am I right?
A jive turkey hit the jackpot, and you ask why?
What if you hit Mega Millions - would you continue going to class, driving a truck, or peddling pamphlets for Marx? Of course not. No, you would bask in the astounding financial rewards of having won the biggest prize on earth. And the glory in "getting over" air-head America.
JAL 5/1/12 1:30 AM said...
I thought when Grant ran there was no 2 term limit.
Am I right?
There was no formal two-term limit until the 22nd Amendment was adopted in 1947.
However, Washington's retirement after two terms set a precedent which had immense influence. Grant's proposed 1880 candidacy challenged it, and failed.
When Teddy Roosevelt ran in 1912, he was portrayed in a cartoon I've seen as vaulting over a wall marked "No Third Term" (brandishing a flag reading "All the latest reforms").
In 1940, Franklin Roosevelt wouldn't say that he was retiring after two terms. But his Vice President John Garner and former campaign manager Jim Farley both presumed so and ran for the nomination.
Roosevelt eventually arranged to be "drafted" by the convention. But many observers thought that the third term issue was a major handicap for him.
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