WASHINGTON – The CBS News poll released this past weekend shows Pres. Obama’s approval higher, mid-40s, than the last daily Gallup, which had him at 41%. But 54% in the CBS News poll say he doesn’t deserve reelection is a problem. It’s part of what Pres. Obama talked about on “60 Minutes” last night.
…And meanwhile, they know that corporate profits are at a record level, that a lot of folks are doing very well. What’s happened to the bargain? What’s happened to the American deal that says, you know, we are focused on building a strong middle class? That is not a left or right position. That is an American position. And the question is going to be, in this election, whether or not we are able to reclaim that vital center of American thought and American values that says, “We’re all in this together and, you know, it matters if we are building a broad-based middle class, where everybody is able to do their part and everybody’s able to succeed. – Pres. Obama
When you look at the alternative, however, it leaves most Americans without a choice. That’s the biggest problem today looking at next year’s election. The option of voting either Democratic or Republican is just not enough anymore.
Pres. Obama’s getting a challenger from his left today when Rocky Anderson announces the creation of the Justice Party at 2:00 p.m. No one thinks it will challenge Obama in a serious way for election results, but it might give some Democrats, progressives and liberals a way to vote that won’t require them to hold their nose for Pres. Obama. That is, if Mr. Anderson can get on the ballot in all 50 states, which certainly isn’t a given.
From the Justice Party National Committee:
On Monday, December 12, 2011 at 2:00 PM, a diverse group of courageous citizens will announce the formation the Justice Party, which is envisioned as a major new political party for decades to come. The Justice Party seeks governing authority at the local, state, Congressional and national levels, beginning in the 2012 election cycle. The Justice Party is being created as a new 21st-century political vehicle to allow all citizens to work together to bring innovative results-oriented, justice-based solutions to the political debate as soon as possible.
Along with the polling comes a lot of things being said about Pres. Obama, a couple that are ridiculous. The “appeasement” charge is absurd. So is Mitt Romney’s continual claim that the President apologizes for America. Glenn Kessler took that canard down over the weekend, then summarized the bottom line: “Take it from us: The apology tour never happened.”
Last night Pres. Obama was on “60 Minutes” making the point he understands people are frustrated, but asks the question, Is there a more compelling case coming from the other side? There isn’t, which is Obama reelects biggest gift from Republicans.
Joe Gandelman posted part 1, with part 2 of the interview at the top, which begins with questions from Steve Kroft on Wall Street and why there hasn’t been criminal prosecutions of anyone.
“…some of the most damaging behavior on Wall Street, in some cases some of the least ethical behavior on Wall Street, wasn’t illegal. … That’s why we put in place the toughest financial reform package since F.D.R. and the Great Depression.” – Pres. Obama
Pres. Obama also said something quite remarkable:
“…Democrats have moved significantly on a whole range of issues in part because of my leadership.” – Pres. Obama
Many would take issue on whether the movement from Democrats is a result of any leadership at all, let alone any leadership in a direction that is progressive economically or something a Democratic president should trumpet. That Pres. Obama has presided over a steady rightward tilt of the political conversation will be a challenge for Democrats, but especially progressives, to change for some time to come.
It’s one reason Rocky Anderson is creating the Justice Party, with one part of his platform being to get big money out of politics, something that Sen. Bernie Sanders rails about, as does the MSNBC host Dylan Ratigan.
Taylor Marsh is the author of the new e-book, The Hillary Effect – Politics, Sexism and the Destiny of Loss, the view from a recovering partisan, chosen by Barnes and Noble as one of 4 books in the launch of “NOOK First” Featured Authors Selection, which will be available at Amazon & Apple starting December 15th. Marsh is a veteran political analyst and commentator. She has reported from the White House, been profiled in the Washington Post, The New Republic, and has been seen on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, CNN, MSNBC, Al Jazeera English and Al Jazeera Arabic, as well as on radio across the dial and on satellite, including the BBC. Marsh lives in the Washington, D.C. area. This column is cross posted from her new media blog.