Obama Re-Election Campaign

Well, it is official as Obama files the paper work to begin his run for a second term. I'm posting the site here, but feel free not to visit. If you do click the link you will get a page asking for info but you can simply by pass that by clicking, "home."

http://www.barackobama.com/

I figure this merits its own thread as the republicans will get lots of face time and press as they work their way through the primary process. Obama will try to get out there in town hall meetings and in other ways, but the process will favor the republicans in terms of press.

What you see from today's announcement is that Obama will do the hard work behind the scenes to mobilize an organization and to raise money. The projections are that he will raise a billion dollars for the election.

My personal preference would be that he would shoot a bit lower than that by walking away from some of the big money donors but I know that that is pie in the sky. It can't be on him to change the system unilaterally by being put at a disadvantage, but I'd still like to see the statement.

Anyway, what we saw in 2008 was that no one does the ground game better. Obama, starting with no traditional national organization, mobilized a ground game using the internet and some highly motivated staff to wax the traditional democratic machine and then carry many states that were not projected to be Democratic. He will lose some of the grass rooteness of the 2008 campaign, but he has a strong, loyal base and will benefit from changing demographics in some traditionally republican states. Should be interesting.

This thread will likely be about many of those boring "fundamentals" for several months, but let the discussion begin.

 

Not bad. That is exponentially funnier than most of the stuff out there.

By the way, I think the people trying to use humor to make a real point will fail with the whole "golf" "brackets" thing. It just seems to be an "I told you so" response from those offended by the brush clearing jokes. And, by the way, I never really jumped onto the Bush shouldn't be riding a bike, playing golf or clearing brush bandwagon.

I'm fairly certain that every president spends massive amounts of time, energy and considerable worry on the job, even when they are on "vacation."

 

Also not bad and chuckle worthy.

I'm just saying some jokes can and should have a very short shelf life because people see the obvious answers for themselves. For example, I chuckled at the teleprompter jokes for about a week after they started. But after people saw him successfully spar with the entire republican house caucus unscripted and actually get the best of them, the whole "empty suit reading a teleprompter" just isn't that funny because its so obviously untrue.

In addition, his foes will want to be careful what they focus on because it will come back to bite them. Here, I think you will find that Speaker Boehner plays WAYYYYY more golf than anyone in the government. It's kind of like how guys like Gingrich hammered Clinton for extramarital affairs. Doesn't seem like such a good idea anymore.

 

Frankly, I think that is an excellent idea. I wouldn't expect any breakthroughs, but there is a real value to personal contact, and I agree that the golf course is a great place for that. With Nos. 1 and 3 on the depth chart together for four hours, would we have to hide Biden in the "bunker?"

 

.....otherwise known as Caddyshack 2.

 

I've heard a few rumblings about this but only from other shmoes like me who really don't know anything, so I just assume it is pure speculation. Do you know if there is actually any desire on her part or if there have been overtures to this? I'm just curious. I don't think Biden would be thrilled, but then again, he always wanted to be Secretary of State as well.

 

Frankly, I think she is doing an excellent job as secretary of state. I never expected her to stick around for eight years, but part of me wants her to stay put for now and maybe leave in '14 to run for president if that is what she wants to do.

 

When I started this thread, my intent was for you to get all of your bad jokes out on page 1.

 

I support the constitutionally protected right to unlimited lame jokes and exercise that right on a regular basis.

No. Just got back and have to head downtown now for late-night work. I'll probably update the BBQ thread in the morning.