Obviously Congress runs the show and I might add, NOT very well!....I agree with VK that incumbents need to GO!....But will that really happen?....Frustrating!

I think that term limits can happen but it will take a long time to get it in place.
Just like the progressive movement took decades to get where they are today with people in all areas of top level government, it will take decades to get limited term thinking people in congress.

As for does it matter who is president, Yes! Kennedy vs. Nixon or Reagan vs. Carter Clinton vs. Bush 41 and now Anybody else vs. Obama.

PS. Yes, I know Reagan ran against Mondale. Carter was for comparison only.

This is a serious question? You don't think the President has a profound effect on our country and our lives?

I'm thinking it matters a lot.

The POTUS is the "face" of the United States throughout the rest of the world. More importantly, his appointees play significant roles in the operation of the government and the direction it takes. Functions such as Treasury, State and Defense are particularly important. Those departments are run by presidential appointees.

Domestically, the POTUS can serve in an important leadership role (something I've been very disappointed in from President Obama). You can't expect, and will never get, "leadership" from the Congress, they are a law-making body. While both the POTUS and members of the House and Senate are elected from political parties, members of Congress stay very close to their political roots in what the say and do. The POTUS on the other hand should be expected to speak out to the country and for the country, both to the electorate as well as the Congress itself. He has an agenda and priority setting role that is very important. And the way the POTUS explains and sells his agenda to the people can be very important in coalescing the country and directing the Congress towards proper governance.

There's no need getting into examples of presidents who were effective at providing such leadership and direction other than naming a few names, it's so obvious. Compare Reagan, Kennedy, Clinton to a few others: Carter, Bush 41, and Obama. The effect that the POTUS can have on the country is pretty apparent.

is it an effective President or a cooperative congress or both? Either way we have a congress that governs itself....

Does it really matter who is President?

That this question was even posed caused me whiplash but not for the reason you would think.

Is it possible that given the last President with any credibility and respectability was Ronald Reagan that many voters have been left with the belief that we might well be better off without one? Is this another sign of the decline of America? God I certainly don't want to be close to the truth on this one.

of course it matters who is POTUS. A true leader, who is willing to take on personal risk for making decisions and setting direction and expectations always, ALWAYS makes a difference in the outcome. Plus all the other comments made prior to my post.

Obama is not a leader. He is a pure bred politician, hence no risks, no leadership.

He could not get anything done when the democrats held both houses of congress....no different than what has been accomplished since the 11/2010 elections. Obama like many other faux leaders will take credit for what happens on his watch....the old theory that a rising water raises all boats, even the ones that did not help to bring on the more water. Like getting Bin Laden...a very lengthy process started long before his watch and accomplished during his watch. And to date I have not read or heard there was anything overt Obama did to initiate anything new or different to effect the eventual outcome...in fact Panetta gets more credit for making the last set of tactics happen.

Long winded, again....of course a REAL leader would make things happen.

btk

Originally Posted by billethkid

of course it matters who is POTUS. A true leader, who is willing to take on personal risk for making decisions and setting direction and expectations always, ALWAYS makes a difference in the outcome. Plus all the other comments made prior to my post.

Obama is not a leader. He is a pure bred politician, hence no risks, no leadership.

He could not get anything done when the democrats held both houses of congress....no different than what has been accomplished since the 11/2010 elections. Obama like many other faux leaders will take credit for what happens on his watch....the old theory that a rising water raises all boats, even the ones that did not help to bring on the more water. Like getting Bin Laden...a very lengthy process started long before his watch and accomplished during his watch. And to date I have not read or heard there was anything overt Obama did to initiate anything new or different to effect the eventual outcome...in fact Panetta gets more credit for making the last set of tactics happen.

Long winded, again....of course a REAL leader would make things happen.

btk

btk: Gosh cut Obama some slack. I mean he inherited problems from W that still linger. And that top 1% continue to doge the tax bullet. Congress won't play fair....I mean what's a president to do?

Originally Posted by rubicon

btk: Gosh cut Obama some slack. I mean he inherited problems from W that still linger. And that top 1% continue to doge the tax bullet. Congress won't play fair....I mean what's a president to do?

Quit!

Originally Posted by CMANN

Quit!

Hillary would like that idea

Am I correct in observing that neither side of the aisle, as represented on this forum, wants another 4 more Obama years?!?

That is not correct.

And seeing as how, according to RCP, Obama beats every R candidate, neither are millions of other voters.

Originally Posted by KatzPajamas

Am I correct in observing that neither side of the aisle, as represented on this forum, wants another 4 more Obama years?!?

You are.

Originally Posted by coralway

That is not correct.

And seeing as how, according to RCP, Obama beats every R candidate, neither are millions of other voters.

Illegal immgrants do not count

Agreed.

Obama still beats every R candidate.