Category: Barack Obama

by Dave Mindeman

While listening to the State of the Union speech I found myself almost dozing off at the early economic proposals. Yeah, Yeah, heard that, watched it die in the House. Been there.

But then, suddenly in the second half, there was actual passion. Passion on voting rights, on gun legislation, on minimum wage.

It got my attention. Finally, something we can sink our teeth into.

Can we actually do any of this? Can the President make the Congress move...or at least get them to quit sitting on their hands like the Republicans always do during these speeches?

Yes, Mr. President, they deserve a vote. All of them. Gun violence victims. Poverty stricken minimum wagers. Tired and beleaguered voters.

They all want action. They all want something done.

Can Congress act?

Category: Barack Obama

by Dave Mindeman

It wasn't a "tie".

I think it's time we dispensed with this...the election was a tie theory. We heard it so often from pundits and pollsters prior to election day, that we have assumed it is true. But the facts tell us otherwise.

As the numbers slowly trickled in, Obama ended up with about 62.6 million votes. Romney had just over 59.1 million. 50.8 - 47.8. A full 3% margin. Maybe that doesn't sound like much but take a look at the 2004 Bush victory....

Bush had just over 62 million votes, while Kerry had just over 59 million. The margin was 50.7 to 48.3 or 2.4%. Republicans didn't consider that a "squeaker"....in fact Bush said he earned "capital" from that win.

The fact is that the 2004 election is the only election where a Republican nominee won the popular vote since 1988 (Bush's father). Gore won the popular vote in 2000.

So, let's forget about calling it even.

It wasn't.

Category: Barack Obama

by Dave Mindeman