Politicians do things for one reason and one reason only....

[Pab Sungenis]

...they think it will get them (re)-elected.

If a candidate thinks they don't need votes from one constituency, or that certain people will vote with them "right or wrong" they have no incentive to do what's right.

If President Obama thinks we'll support him even if he guts Social Security and Medicare, continues the wars into perpetuity, and thinks that all of the sacrificing should be done from the middle class downward, then that's what he'll do. He'll do that because he mistakenly thinks that will get him independent and Republican votes.

But if he gets the message that his base will desert him if he keeps governing like a Republican, then maybe he'll start governing like he ran for President the first time. Keep the timeline for withdrawal. Protect the safety net. End the Bush tax cuts.

He himself said to hold his feet to the fire. We'll get nowhere if we don't, and "re-elect him no matter what" is a self-defeating attitude.

Before you start saying "would you rather have Bachmann, or Perry, or Romney," get one thing clear. This is NOT about who will be in the White House in 2013, this is about who is in the White House right now. Let him prove he deserves our support before we give it to him. Let him govern like a Democrat before we promise him the party's nomination next year.

Because otherwise, no matter what the result next year, we've already lost.

[0n1n3]

1. +1000

[cali]

2. kind of a broad smear, there.

Suggesting that the only reason politicians do anything at all is to be re-elected is a bit silly. Many politicians will compromise themselves to get re-elected. That's not the same thing.

[lame54]

4. yes it is

[lame54]

3. A politicians #1 job is to keep his job

[Tennessee Gal]

5. If he does not do as you want him to, who will you support?

Just asking.

[0n1n3]

6. Isn't that past tense?

[Pab Sungenis]

7. Depends who else is offered.

If he keeps down this current road I won't vote for him in the primary.

In November, I may not have much of a choice.

[Tennessee Gal]

8. It does not appear anyone will run against him in a primary.

Will you write in someone?

[Pab Sungenis]

9. Yes.

Because I won't sit out the primary. Local party needs to have its soul fought for, too. But I won't vote for Obama in the primary unless he gives me a reason to.