Maybe no encore in 2012 (The Hill 12/01/10)

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Date: Dec 2, 2010

Maybe no encore in 2012 (The Hill 12/01/10)	Permalink

http://thehill.com/opinion/columnists/ben-goddard/131503-maybe-no-encore-in-2012 Years ago as a young political media consultant I would spend hours in the dark space behind the one-way glass of focus-group facilities furiously writing down what everyone said. At the end of the night I’d have pages of contradictory and often confusing quotes from the “real people” on the other side of the glass. One night a pollster with far more experience than I had told me to “listen to the music, not the words.” I took that advice and soon discovered that I had far fewer scribbles on legal pads, no writer’s cramps and a much better understanding of what voters were actually thinking at the end of the night. Since the closing days of the midterm elections I’ve been heeding that good advice while watching a president and a White House still trying to get their bearings after the “shellacking” taken by the president and his party. Barack Obama is saying all the right words — talking about increased cooperation with Republicans and a consensus approach to developing policy, and even skirting the edges of apologizing for his contribution to the divisive partisan atmosphere that has pervaded Washington the past two years. Those are the words. The music — it seems a little different. Watching the body language of the president and hearing the weariness in his voice, one can’t help but think he is tired, frustrated and becoming a bit disengaged. He seems to be a man who is not especially happy in his job — someone frustrated with the inability of the media, leaders of his own party and especially the voters to comprehend what he has accomplished in two very difficult years. So if you were arguably one of the smartest American presidents to sit in the Oval office, you too might be a little frustrated by your job reviews. “Just what is it about progress you people don’t understand?” might be your reaction. Or “Just let me do my job!” you might grouse after another day of critics snapping at your heels. A man who likes being policy-wonk-in-chief more than playing glad-handing politician might begin to wonder if it were all worth it. Listening to the music, I find myself wondering if we’re hearing a swan song — if the next two years are about scoring a foreign policy victory or two and then exiting. Is it possible that Barack Obama could choose to become a one-term president? That he might have found the strain on his body, his personal life and his self-image is just not worth the pain? That he doesn’t love the job that much? The president and his staff are saying the right words — but the tune is just a little off. We’ll just have to see if the only one who can end this performance decides one show is enough. -- Edited by Jen the Michigander on Friday 3rd of December 2010 07:16:37 PM __________________ Nobody puts THIS baby in the corner!

Sanders

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Date: Dec 3, 2010

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Perhaps instead an encore of a summit of certain two lead contenders in a certain Sen.Feinstein's house? You know, putting the country first and all that. Works for me.

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If Hillary is still SOS in June 2011....she isn't running. __________________ Don't blame me...I voted HILLARY! http://www.barefootfoundation.com/index_en.php http://www.savethechildren.org/

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