Obama’s first year in office – a missed opportunity

Instead of listening to the American people whose focus in 2009 was the economy and jobs, this president decided to spend his first year on health care. Because as he said, seven presidents have tried and failed in getting health care legislation passed and he was bound to make history and be the last. Forget about the millions who lost jobs in 2009, he focused on what he wanted and in return...

Missed an opportunity;

The elections of Republican governors to New Jersey and Virginia aren't anything new. Virginia has for the most part been a red state and every once in awhile New Jersey elects a Republican to lead them. But again, this president didn't listen to the voters. Instead, the White House reported that he didn't even watch the returns and brushed the results off stating that they had nothing to do with him. President Clinton brushed of the New Jersey and Virginia Republican gubernatorial wins in 1993 and he lost his majority in November 1994. It appears President Obama…

Missed an opportunity;

The election of Senator-elect Scott Brown in Massachusetts should have been a wake up call to President Obama. The state was electing someone to fill a seat held by a democrat for more than 50 years. In the bay state, Democrats out number Republicans 3 to 1 and Independents out number Democrats 2 to 1 so the White House should listen to the voters. Like in 1994, Independents tried to tell the Democratic Party that they weren't happy with their tax and spend policy and their desire to take over the health care system. This special election was an opportunity Bill Clinton didn't have in 1994. It appears President Obama….

Missed an opportunity;

Many pundits thought that with his party losing in MA the president would have no choice but to move to the center. But his State of the Union speech showed us that he won't give up trying to change the tone of Washington and continue to use liberalism as a way to separate America. During his address, he scolded Democrats, Republicans, Washington, the Supreme Court and the American people. Since his election, he has talked to the American people as if they were school children. The "we know what is best for you" attitude isn't cutting it with voters. We might as well have all been sent to after school detention. It appears President Obama...

Missed an opportunity;

When Obama campaigned for president, he promised hope and change. After one year, the “change-agent-in-chief” is showing us he has nothing to offer but more of the same. Back doors deals with democratic senators in order to get their vote and deals with union leaders in order to get their support, just to get his agenda passed. With a super majority, he could have taken the high road and worked with the opposition party. Instead he decided to tell them to get out of the way. He told them during the summer that he didn't' want the people who created this mess to do a lot of talking, just get out of the way. It appears President Obama…

Missed an opportunity.

A year ago the nation handed him a super majority and skyrocketing approval ratings. After one year, his approval ratings have plummeted and his super majority decided to not become “yes men” to his agenda. On top of that, he let far left groups such as Apollo Alliance write major legislation like the stimulus bill. When Bill Clinton lost his majority in 1994, he rolled toward the center. He knew there would be “painful compromises” with Speaker Gingrich and his party. But some of Bill Clinton’s most successful legislation (welfare reform in 1996 and balanced budget legislation in 1997) came about when he worked with the Republican Party.

According to Rep. Marion Berry, democrat from Arkansas, the president told him that the Democrats in Congress have one advantage they didn't have in 1994, the president himself. When the Democrats lose control of the House and the Senate is split 50/50, will the president miss another opportunity?

Why the Independent voter will decide the 2010 elections

Last Tuesday, the Independent voters of Massachusetts unleashed their frustration with the Obama administration by electing a Republican to a seat held by the Democrats for almost 50 years. Republicans should not think that the Massachusetts win means voters have seen the light and are returning to the GOP. Remember, in the bay state Democrats out number Republicans 3 to 1 and Independents outnumber the Democrats 2 to 1.

Senator-elect Scott Brown’s win is a backlash against the Democratic Party on the national level no matter how the White House tries to spin it. Independent voters have always been conservative when it comes to fiscal issues and they aren't too keen for big government. In 1994, Independents and soft partisans were tired of the tax and spend liberals in DC and were not so sure about “HillaryCare” (sound familiar?) so they voted in the GOP.

Mr. Brown’s win should make the remaining Democratic senators who are up for re-election this year quiver. They may have the support of their base but the Independent voter is watching and will be out in force. At this point, the GOP should be able to hold on to most of their open seats. The states of Missouri, Ohio and New Hampshire could be in play but right now the GOP candidates have a strong lead in each race.

Senators Boxer (CA), Reid (NV), Lincoln (AR), Bayh (IN), Landrieu (LA), and Specter (PA) are all in trouble. Senator Boxer only has a 46 percent favorable rating and Senator Specter will face challenges in his own primary. Senator Bayh comes from a conservative state but with his record he could win again. Senator Lincoln has voted against the will of the people one too many times and Senator Landrieu was bought off, again defying the will of the people of her state.

Right now Senators Murray (WA), Wyden (OR) and Feingold (WI) don't have much competition but if Massachusetts can go red, then so can they. The seats of New York, Delaware, Illinois and Colorado currently have senators who were appointed so this will be the first time they will face the people. It’s possible that we will see GOP pick ups in at least Delaware, Illinois, and Colorado.

It's easily conceivable that the GOP will regain control of the House and could pick up enough seats in the Senate for a 50/50 split. With the wrath of the independent voter on hand, Democrats might actually have to work for re-election.