Obama the centrist conk

[kalm]

I keep trying to tell you guys that Obama is ideologically a moderate Republican...

Second, personal or symbolic factors are not captured in roll call data. DW-NOMINATE scores are estimated only from roll call voting records, and so perceptions of President Obama — for instance — that he is a polarizing president or is aloof towards Republicans are not considered (though, of course, because congressional Republicans have become increasingly conservative, a wide policy distance from them does not necessitate strident liberalism)

We note that there are other ways to quantify latent ideological positions; for example, research by Adam Bonica indicates that President Obama has a donor base that would place him further to the ideological left. However, based on President Obama’s announced positions on actual legislation, we find that he is closer to the ideological center than any president since LBJ

http://voteview.com/blog/?p=735" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TheDancinMonarch]

I keep trying to tell you guys that Obama is ideologically a moderate Republican...

Second, personal or symbolic factors are not captured in roll call data. DW-NOMINATE scores are estimated only from roll call voting records, and so perceptions of President Obama — for instance — that he is a polarizing president or is aloof towards Republicans are not considered (though, of course, because congressional Republicans have become increasingly conservative, a wide policy distance from them does not necessitate strident liberalism)

We note that there are other ways to quantify latent ideological positions; for example, research by Adam Bonica indicates that President Obama has a donor base that would place him further to the ideological left. However, based on President Obama’s announced positions on actual legislation, we find that he is closer to the ideological center than any president since LBJ

http://voteview.com/blog/?p=735" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Even if this were true, it would certainly not make him any more palatable to me.

[CAA Flagship]

Yeah, great story there kalmy.
Here is what puts him so far to the left that he is west of Hawaii:
He, and his fellow Donks are creating a government-dependent country with all the handouts. This, as a matter of political strategy, will ensure future votes. While a pretty slick move, this is not an acceptable policy for the viability of the country. We had a person come into our office that was a Federal Employee soliciting our company's participation in Obamacare. This employee probably also has the responsibility of forcing people to accept food stamps.

[Ivytalk]

I keep trying to fit klam's thread title into "Casper the Friendly Ghost" or "Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo."

[CID1990]

I love how the left insists that a guy with the most liberal senate voting record during his tenure, an admitted redistributionist, the guy who campaigned on socialized medicine, and general statist when it comes to heavy industry and resources - is somehow a centrist.

This is approaching Spandos territory

[kalm]

I love how the left insists that a guy with the most liberal senate voting record during his tenure, an admitted redistributionist, the guy who campaigned on socialized medicine, and general statist when it comes to heavy industry and resources - is somehow a centrist.

This is approaching Spandos territory

1) This analsys is based on his actions as President.

2) Income inequality has grown under Obama with top 1% taking home 81% of the growth and corporations experiencing record profits. Redistributionist indeed!

3) He campaigned on many things but did Obamacare turn out to be socialistic?

Center (right) centrist when compared to how the American public polls on most key issues.

Among members of the 112th Congress, President Obama is ideologically closest to Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), whose score is -0.328. President Obama is also proximate to Senators Bob Casey (D-PA, -0.332), Kent Conrad (D-ND, -0.326), the recently deceased Daniel Inouye (D-HI, -0.331), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH, -0.317). Among Democratic Congressional leaders, President Obama is to the left of Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV, -0.304), and to the right of House Minority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD, -0.395), Senate Majority Whip Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL, -0.401), and House Majority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA, -0.530). Interestingly, President Obama has a nearly identical score to former Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Tim Daschle (D-SD, -0.328), whom President Obama had initially nominated for Secretary of Health and Human Services after controversy over unpaid taxes.

Our results may seem surprising to those who consider President Obama among the most — even the most — liberal president of the post-war era. We would respond with a couple of observations. First, President Obama has tacked to the right on many national security and foreign policy issues. For example, President Obama — who once opposed FISA (The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ) — recently supported and signed legislation a five-year extension of the program. Drone strikes — certainly not a source of liberal enthusiasm, even if vocal opposition from the left has been absent under President Obama — have been central to foreign policy during the Obama administration. Furthermore, while foreign policy issues come up relatively infrequently in congressional roll call voting, they constitute a greater proportion of the votes on which the president (i.e., the commander in chief) announces a position.

[CID1990]

I love how the left insists that a guy with the most liberal senate voting record during his tenure, an admitted redistributionist, the guy who campaigned on socialized medicine, and general statist when it comes to heavy industry and resources - is somehow a centrist.

This is approaching Spandos territory

1) This analsys is based on his actions as President.

2) Income inequality has grown under Obama with top 1% taking home 81% of the growth and corporations experiencing record profits. Redistributionist indeed!

3) He campaigned on many things but did Obamacare turn out to be socialistic?

Center (right) centrist when compared to how the American public polls on most key issues.

Among members of the 112th Congress, President Obama is ideologically closest to Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), whose score is -0.328. President Obama is also proximate to Senators Bob Casey (D-PA, -0.332), Kent Conrad (D-ND, -0.326), the recently deceased Daniel Inouye (D-HI, -0.331), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH, -0.317). Among Democratic Congressional leaders, President Obama is to the left of Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV, -0.304), and to the right of House Minority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD, -0.395), Senate Majority Whip Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL, -0.401), and House Majority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA, -0.530). Interestingly, President Obama has a nearly identical score to former Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Tim Daschle (D-SD, -0.328), whom President Obama had initially nominated for Secretary of Health and Human Services after controversy over unpaid taxes.

Our results may seem surprising to those who consider President Obama among the most — even the most — liberal president of the post-war era. We would respond with a couple of observations. First, President Obama has tacked to the right on many national security and foreign policy issues. For example, President Obama — who once opposed FISA (The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ) — recently supported and signed legislation a five-year extension of the program. Drone strikes — certainly not a source of liberal enthusiasm, even if vocal opposition from the left has been absent under President Obama — have been central to foreign policy during the Obama administration. Furthermore, while foreign policy issues come up relatively infrequently in congressional roll call voting, they constitute a greater proportion of the votes on which the president (i.e., the commander in chief) announces a position.

Specious argument- the whole thing

Obama isn't a centrist but that's an interesting spin

Obama simply has failed to execute his agenda because he doesn't know how to govern. He's an amateur- like I said in 2008.

Obama and his bots can blame the big bad GOP for his failures all they want but no president since Johnson (that would be Andrew... not Lyndon) has been as ineffective at working with an opposition controlled Congress.

As for what he HAS accomplished... well, yes, Obamacare is socialized medicine. You can argue the semantics of that all you want. There have been other facets of our healthcare system like Medicare that essentially do the same thing, but the ACA is a transformation of our entire healthcare system into a government run no opt-out taxpayer funded one. It isn't pure socialized medicine but it as far to the left as Obama could have possibly achieved.

[AZGrizFan]

1) This analsys is based on his actions as President.

2) Income inequality has grown under Obama with top 1% taking home 81% of the growth and corporations experiencing record profits. Redistributionist indeed!

3) He campaigned on many things but did Obamacare turn out to be socialistic?

Center (right) centrist when compared to how the American public polls on most key issues.

Specious argument- the whole thing

Obama isn't a centrist but that's an interesting spin

Obama simply has failed to execute his agenda because he doesn't know how to govern. He's an amateur- like I said in 2008.

Obama and his bots can blame the big bad GOP for his failures all they want but no president since Johnson (that would be Andrew... not Lyndon) has been as ineffective at working with an opposition controlled Congress.

As for what he HAS accomplished... well, yes, Obamacare is socialized medicine. You can argue the semantics of that all you want. There have been other facets of our healthcare system like Medicare that essentially do the same thing, but the ACA is a transformation of our entire healthcare system into a government run no opt-out taxpayer funded one. It isn't pure socialized medicine but it as far to the left as Obama could have possibly achieved.

Given the current status of the implementation of Obamacare, you use that word "achieved" VERY loosely.

[JohnStOnge]

I don't think it's that remarkable. If I'm understanding correctly they say that he has taken some relatively "conservative" positions on foreign policy issues. They mention him signing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the drone strikes. And what's important to note is this statement:

Furthermore, while foreign policy issues come up relatively infrequently in congressional roll call voting, they constitute a greater proportion of the votes on which the president (i.e., the commander in chief) announces a position.

In other words, the assessment has a bias. It does not capture both domestic and foreign policy positions in a balanced way. Foreign policy positions are disproportionately represented.

I think one needs to look more at what the President says day in and day out. This is a guy who has publicly stated that he believes the Constitutional interpretations of the Warren Court did not go far enough because they looked at rights in a "negative" way. In other words they referred to what the government could not do to you. He supported the idea of "positive" rights; rights defined by what government must do on your behalf.

There is no question to any reasonable person who has actually listened to what he has to say that he is the most "left" President of any of our lifetimes (unless maybe if we were alive when FDR was in office).

Another thing: Most of the time I don't like to hear the cliche, "Perception is reality." Reality is reality regardless of perception. But when one says that Obama is "perceived" as the most polarizing President of our time one is talking about a situation in which perception and reality coincide. If he is perceived as a polarizing President he IS a polarizing President.

[kalm]

1) This analsys is based on his actions as President.

2) Income inequality has grown under Obama with top 1% taking home 81% of the growth and corporations experiencing record profits. Redistributionist indeed!

3) He campaigned on many things but did Obamacare turn out to be socialistic?

Center (right) centrist when compared to how the American public polls on most key issues.

Specious argument- the whole thing

Obama isn't a centrist but that's an interesting spin

Obama simply has failed to execute his agenda because he doesn't know how to govern. He's an amateur- like I said in 2008.

Obama and his bots can blame the big bad GOP for his failures all they want but no president since Johnson (that would be Andrew... not Lyndon) has been as ineffective at working with an opposition controlled Congress.

As for what he HAS accomplished... well, yes, Obamacare is socialized medicine. You can argue the semantics of that all you want. There have been other facets of our healthcare system like Medicare that essentially do the same thing, but the ACA is a transformation of our entire healthcare system into a government run no opt-out taxpayer funded one. It isn't pure socialized medicine but it as far to the left as Obama could have possibly achieved.

Yeah he would have

Not increased deportations
Not made most of The Bush tax cuts permanent
Not increased drone attacks
Not Extended warrant-less wiretapping
Raided less marijuana clinics
Increased the 1%'s share of the income
Prosecuted banksters
Closed the revolving door between Wall Street and Treasury

...if it weren't for the Republicans looking out for us.

Glad they had our back...phew!

[Col Hogan]

I think you missed a "not" there, kalm...

[Skjellyfetti]

http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CID1990]

Specious argument- the whole thing

Obama isn't a centrist but that's an interesting spin

Obama simply has failed to execute his agenda because he doesn't know how to govern. He's an amateur- like I said in 2008.

Obama and his bots can blame the big bad GOP for his failures all they want but no president since Johnson (that would be Andrew... not Lyndon) has been as ineffective at working with an opposition controlled Congress.

As for what he HAS accomplished... well, yes, Obamacare is socialized medicine. You can argue the semantics of that all you want. There have been other facets of our healthcare system like Medicare that essentially do the same thing, but the ACA is a transformation of our entire healthcare system into a government run no opt-out taxpayer funded one. It isn't pure socialized medicine but it as far to the left as Obama could have possibly achieved.

Yeah he would have

Not increased deportations
Not made most of The Bush tax cuts permanent
Not increased drone attacks
Not Extended warrant-less wiretapping
Raided less marijuana clinics
Increased the 1%'s share of the income
Prosecuted banksters
Closed the revolving door between Wall Street and Treasury

...if it weren't for the Republicans looking out for us.

Glad they had our back...phew!

You might want to read more carefully

[Baldy]

http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/

[kalm]

I think you missed a "not" there, kalm...

Did I?

[AZGrizFan]

http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/

OK. I stopped at "provided nation's first Chief Technology Officer."

If you (and he) are calling THAT an "accomplishment", we've got nothing else to talk about.

[kalm]

Reagan economic advisor Bruce Bartlett chimes in.

Further conk outrage to ensue...

http://m.thefiscaltimes.com/fiscaltimes ... 186c8b84f8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SDHornet]

http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/

OK. I stopped at "provided nation's first Chief Technology Officer."

If you (and he) are calling THAT an "accomplishment", we've got nothing else to talk about.

I like how most, if not all of these accomplishments are just pork inserted into random legislation that has been passed over the past 6 years. Most of which is just increased gov spending which has remained unchecked for decades.

[Skjellyfetti]

gov spending which has remained unchecked for decades.

Decade. Singular.

[houndawg]

1) This analsys is based on his actions as President.

2) Income inequality has grown under Obama with top 1% taking home 81% of the growth and corporations experiencing record profits. Redistributionist indeed!

3) He campaigned on many things but did Obamacare turn out to be socialistic?

Center (right) centrist when compared to how the American public polls on most key issues.

Specious argument- the whole thing

Obama isn't a centrist but that's an interesting spin

Obama simply has failed to execute his agenda because he doesn't know how to govern. He's an amateur- like I said in 2008.

Obama and his bots can blame the big bad GOP for his failures all they want but no president since Johnson (that would be Andrew... not Lyndon) has been as ineffective at working with an opposition controlled Congress.

As for what he HAS accomplished... well, yes, Obamacare is socialized medicine. You can argue the semantics of that all you want. There have been other facets of our healthcare system like Medicare that essentially do the same thing, but the ACA is a transformation of our entire healthcare system into a government run no opt-out taxpayer funded one. It isn't pure socialized medicine but it as far to the left as Obama could have possibly achieved.

Actually the ACA makes health-care-for-profit the law of the land. The big winners are the insurance companies.

[houndawg]

gov spending which has remained unchecked for decades.

Decade. Singular.

I think SD is right. Reagan spent like a drunk sailor.

[kalm]

Decade. Singular.

I think SD is right. Reagan spent like a drunk sailor.

And raised taxes 11 times to help pay for it. Tax and spend lib...

[CAA Flagship]

I think SD is right. Reagan spent like a drunk sailor.

And raised taxes 11 times to help pay for it. Tax and spend lib...

Interest rates dropped like a rock = Wash.

[kalm]

And raised taxes 11 times to help pay for it. Tax and spend lib...

Interest rates dropped like a rock = Wash.

After Volcker had raised them to end stagflation.

[CAA Flagship]

Interest rates dropped like a rock = Wash.

After Volcker had raised them to end stagflation.

(3) The Reagan Tax Cuts

After the inflation of the 1970s had pushed millions of Americans into higher tax brackets (even though their inflation-adjusted incomes were not rising), President Ronald Reagan took office and promptly proposed sweeping tax-rate reductions. The cornerstone of his economic policy was a 25-percent across-the-board tax cut, enacted in 1981. According to then-U.S. Representative Jack Kemp (R-NY), one of the chief architects of the Reagan plan:


"At some point, additional taxes so discourage the activity being taxed, such as working or investing, that they yield less revenue rather than more. There are, after all, two rates that yield the same amount of revenue: high tax rates on low production, or low rates on high production."

As a result of the Reagan tax cuts, total federal government revenues climbed by 99.4 percent during the 1980s. The average annual growth rate of America's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 1983 to 1989 was 3.8 percent per year, compared with 2.8 percent from 1974 to 1981. By the end of the Reagan years, the American economy was almost one-third larger than it had been when they began. From 1981 through 1989, the U.S. economy produced 17 million new jobs, or roughly 2 million new jobs each year.

Also, the share of income taxes paid by the top 10 percent of earners jumped significantly, climbing from 48.0 percent in 1981 to 57.2 percent in 1988. The top 1 percent of earners saw their share of the income tax bill climb even more dramatically, from 17.6 percent in 1981 to 27.5 percent in 1988.

http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/view ... asp?id=310" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;