That might surprise some people with regard to Obama, given the amount of negative media attention he has received lately, especially from within the Democratic Party, but view these reports as nothing more than banter in the lead-up to the actual race. As a result of relatively quiet times on the national security front directly involving U.S. militarily conflict, I think Obama is in an interestingly powerful situation.
Obama will win because he essentially owns the argument of safety, whether we go to war with Iran, Syria and anybody else, or not.
If something provokes the U.S. into a confrontation militarily with Iran or Syria, you know damn well the public will support it and he'll garner a ton of support and votes. The reason is because it will be viewed as we were in danger, and this president (finally) proved he can handle foreign policy with the best of them, by waging war and protecting Americans.
If we don't go to war, he'll be able to ask Americans: Are ye safe? The answer is yes. In a way, for as much criticism he has taken lately for his unabashed use of drone strikes to assassinate terrorist leaders (this blog included), he amazingly can use this powerful little question to justify his actions.
Should I be using drone strikes to kill bad people? Answer: no.
But, are ye safe? Answer: yes.
Want me to stop? Answer: no thank you.
Obama: I'll take my re-election votes now, please.
As for Sherrod Brown, I still think this election has more to do with Josh Mandel having too little experience to handle the job of Ohio Senator. In recent interviews, such as this one at Newsmax.com, he has now fully embraced this notion and is trying to use the idea of him being a Washington outsider to gain election.
I'm not sure it'll work. I see him as a too young for the big-time politician who needs more experience at the state level before going to Washington. I view Washington as a town where politicians can really start to get things accomplished after they've been around a while and think that being a Washington insider only helps Sherrod Brown.
I realize that Mandel is an up-and-comer within the Republican Party, however - even in light of the Wisconsin recall vote - I still do not feel as if the Democrats are going to let the conversation be all about the economy riding right into the elections. I think at some point here the Democrats are gong to pull out national security from under the blanket and aren't going to lose so many seats as it looked. Democrats just can't be that stupid to continue to get beat up on the economy -- and in Obama's case, continue to blame Bush for it -- and it let it ride on.
Mandel is running hard right now on being a Washington outsider who will go to Washington to shake things up and on blaming Ohio's job losses on Sherrod Brown.
Problem for him is that Ohio's job losses aren't Brown's fault and if you are going to fix Ohio's economic problems, you're going to need to be a savvy Washington insider to do so. It might be close, but Brown will prevail.
I'm not sure it'll work. I see him as a too young for the big-time politician who needs more experience at the state level before going to Washington. I view Washington as a town where politicians can really start to get things accomplished after they've been around a while and think that being a Washington insider only helps Sherrod Brown.
I realize that Mandel is an up-and-comer within the Republican Party, however - even in light of the Wisconsin recall vote - I still do not feel as if the Democrats are going to let the conversation be all about the economy riding right into the elections. I think at some point here the Democrats are gong to pull out national security from under the blanket and aren't going to lose so many seats as it looked. Democrats just can't be that stupid to continue to get beat up on the economy -- and in Obama's case, continue to blame Bush for it -- and it let it ride on.
Mandel is running hard right now on being a Washington outsider who will go to Washington to shake things up and on blaming Ohio's job losses on Sherrod Brown.
Problem for him is that Ohio's job losses aren't Brown's fault and if you are going to fix Ohio's economic problems, you're going to need to be a savvy Washington insider to do so. It might be close, but Brown will prevail.
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