Democratic Pollsters Caddell and Schoen Advise Obama Campaign…

November 21, 2011 | Filed under 2012 Presidential Race,Barack Obama,Hillary Clinton | Posted by

…To Cede the Democratic Nomination to Hillary Clinton.

Interesting, considering Hillary has announced she will not serve in any capacity after 2012.

Democratic Pollsters: Obama Should Abandon Run for Second Term

By Michael Catalini, National Journal

President Obama should abandon his run for a second term and turn over the reins of the Democratic Party to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, two one-time Democratic pollsters wrote in Monday’s Wall Street Journal, which appeared online Sunday.

Patrick H. Caddell and Douglas E. Schoen argued that just as Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson decided not to pursue additional runs though they could have, Obama should do the same.

From a strictly partisan point of view, I think Obama should stay in the race as he can only pull the rest of the Democrats down at this point.  From a less partisan perspective, I certainly cannot recommend a nominee by acclamation; the primaries serve a purpose.

From the horses mouths at the WSJ:

The Hillary Moment

President Obama can’t win by running a constructive campaign, and he won’t be able to govern if he does win a second term.

By Patrick H. Caddell and Douglas E. Schoen, The Wall Street Journal

When Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson accepted the reality that they could not effectively govern the nation if they sought re-election to the White House, both men took the moral high ground and decided against running for a new term as president. President Obama is facing a similar reality—and he must reach the same conclusion.

He should abandon his candidacy for re-election in favor of a clear alternative, one capable not only of saving the Democratic Party, but more important, of governing effectively and in a way that preserves the most important of the president’s accomplishments. He should step aside for the one candidate who would become, by acclamation, the nominee of the Democratic Party: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

One really must wonder at this point if the Democratic Party is capable of adhering to any rules, laws, or conventions when it comes to elections.  If President Obama is as badly damaged as Caddell and Schoen claim, why has he no Democratic opponents for the Democratic Nomination?

Certainly, Mr. Obama could still win re-election in 2012. Even with his all-time low job approval ratings (and even worse ratings on handling the economy) the president could eke out a victory in November. But the kind of campaign required for the president’s political survival would make it almost impossible for him to govern—not only during the campaign, but throughout a second term.

I’ve seen scant evidence that Barrack Hussein Obama has at any point governed effectively, and far less so since the 112th Congress was sworn in.  Again, if he’s a liability to the Democratic Party, why has he no primary opponents?

Put simply, it seems that the White House has concluded that if the president cannot run on his record, he will need to wage the most negative campaign in history to stand any chance. With his job approval ratings below 45% overall and below 40% on the economy, the president cannot affirmatively make the case that voters are better off now than they were four years ago. He—like everyone else—knows that they are worse off.

While I’d prefer to see Obama run (and lose), I have no real issue with him deciding not to run.

I have a lot of problems with the Democrats skipping the whole primary process and nominating a replacement by acclamation or via back room deals.

Hat Tip: Gateway Pundit via Google +

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Posted by on November 21, 2011.
Filed under 2012 Presidential Race, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton.
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  • Anonymous

    Who would challenge him?? They are too embarrassed to announce it!! Maybe they are hiding incognito until RuPaul says they are in heat?  

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_G7YIUZMXOD5JGZZTCYMVA75KFU Shadow

      They may be afraid of committing political suicide.  The Obama people play dirty and truth is a foreign concept to them.

  • Anonymous

    LOL

    . Schoen dishonestly misinterpreted the results of his own poll a few weeks back (we discussed it ad nauseum on a thread here) and Caddell’s loyalty is to Murdoch and FOX, not the Democratic party. No Democrat takes their “advice” seriously.

    Or yours. Twy again, Wodney.

    • Anonymous

      Bruce, go ahead and mock them, that worked out so well before.  Doug Schoen and Pat Caddell also predicted in March 2010 that passing Healthcare would cost the Democrats big in the midterms.  They were mocked  then too.  It turns out that their predictions were pretty much accurate then.   Are you so sure they are wrong now?  Did you not see the Chris Mathews video  in another thread?  There is some serious doubt setting in among the Democrat insiders about Obama.

      • Anonymous

        It didn’t take a genius or a clairvoyant to predict that the watered-down albatross that finally got through Congress called the ACA would cost the Dems in the midterms. Hell, I could have told you that.

        What slays me is their saying in the linked article that they had predicted if OBAMA “continued down his overly-partisan path” there would be gridlock. Well, maybe they ARE real Democrats after all. Only a “centrist” Democratic mover/shaker thinks OBAMA didn’t compromise enough the last 3 years. I guess Boehner and McConnell are blameless, according to Schoen and Caddell.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ryan-Murphy/100001624276605 Ryan Murphy

      The democratic party is not worthy of Loyalty.

    • Anonymous

      What about all the other polls that show Obama underwater especially on the economy? How about you find a poll that shows Obama is getting high marks on the economy if you don’t like Caddell’s.

      • Anonymous

        I’m not arguing with the polls. I’m arguing with the idea that 1) this is good advice; and 2) that Schoen and Caddell can be called “Democratic pollsters” without the qualifiers “former” or “so-called” or “turncoat.”

        • retired.military

          Bruce

          You mean like using the words  “susan Collins” or   Mccain or “olympia Snowe” with the word republican right.

  • retired.military

    Anyone who challenged Obama openly would be branded a racist by the far left.

    Obama has to be in on the overthrow as anyone else would also lose the a lot of the African American vote.

    If Obama doesnt retire from health or family reasons and Hillary is not on his ticket as VP (and I dont think she wnats to take a chance on this sinking ship) than he will lose in 2012.

  • http://www.rustedsky.net Anonymous

    I’d actually be surprised if he takes himself out of the running.  Campaigning is about the only thing he’s actually good at.  He loves him his crowds, he does…

  • Pingback: LIVE AT FIVESEVEN – 11.21.11 : The Other McCain

  • herddog505

    Barry does not and never has had any interest in “governing”.  His interest in the presidency boils down to two things:

    1.  Ruling, which is to say governing by diktat (executive orders, rulings by regulatory agencies that he controls, czars, etc.; to hell with the Congress and the legislative process), and;

    2.  What’s in it for one Barack Hussein Obama.  THAT is a sweet deal: a fleet of private jets, helicopters and limos and his beck and call; plush accomodations; world-class medical care; squads of personal servants; adoring crowds (the White House press corps alone make the most insane groupies look totally disinterested); etc.

    Why on earth WOULDN’T he run again?  Being president is like any other job: it’s easy once you decide that you just don’t give a f*ck.

    [I]t seems that the White House has concluded that if the president cannot run on his record, he will need to wage the most negative campaign in history to stand any chance.

    In other words, business as usual.  How has Barry managed to win most (if not all) of the elections in his career?  By so trashing his opponent that he wins effectively by default.  The man wouldn’t know the high ground if somebody placed him on it, gave him a map and an altimeter, and pointed out how low everything around him looks.

    • jim_m

      How has Barry managed to win most (if not all) of the elections in his career?

      Actually he won his first election to the Illinois Senate by forcing all competition off the Ballot.  He won election to the US Senate because the GOP nominee dropped out of the race.  The 2008 election was the first contested primary and general election he has ever won.

      • retired.military

        “He won election to the US Senate because the GOP nominee dropped out of the race. ”

        Here let me fix that for you.

        “He won election to the US Senate because the GOP nominee dropped out of the race. ” AFTER the democrats opened sealed divorce records of his opponent and spread them out all over the news.  After all It’s the Chicago way.

    • retired.military

      You forgot

      3.  GOLFING.  He has to get his game on.

  • Anonymous

    As long as we get a majority in the senate and keep the house we should be okay no matter what happens with the presidency. It would be great if we win the presidency as well,but not totally necessary. 
    Its the democrats that are going to have massive problems. Obama is now their albatross. They are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. The best outcome for them is if he loses the presidency.

  • http://wizbangblog.com/author/rodney-graves/ Rodney G. Graves

    An ignorant troll informs us:

    No Democrat takes their “advice” seriously.

    He thinks I’m advising the jackass party now?

    • Anonymous

      “From a less partisan perspective, I certainly cannot recommend a nominee by acclamation; the primaries serve a purpose.”

      And

      “I have a lot of problems with the Democrats skipping the whole primary process and nominating a replacement by acclamation or via back room deals.”

      – Wodney P Gwaves

      That’s not advice?

      You’re too funny, Wodney.

      • http://wizbangblog.com/author/rodney-graves/ Rodney G. Graves

        Bwucehenwy now holds opinions

        From a strictly partisan point of view, I think Obama should stay in the
        race as he can only pull the rest of the Democrats down at this point. 
        From a less partisan perspective, I certainly cannot recommend a
        nominee by acclamation; the primaries serve a purpose.

        and

        While I’d prefer to see Obama run (and lose), I have no real issue with him deciding not to run.

        I have a lot of problems with the Democrats skipping the whole primary
        process and nominating a replacement by acclamation or via back room
        deals.

        Are advice for the jackass party.

        But here is a piece of advice, bwuce: do please hold your breath awaiting the re-election of Barack Hussein Obama.  It would be in the best interests not only of Wizbang and the Republic, but also of science, as most have never seen anyone expire from deliberate and voluntary lack of respiration.

      • retired.military

        Bruce

        Rodney unfortunately has been advising the dems.  He has been stating for months that Obama is a clueless idiot crook who needs to go.  Unfortunately the dems (true to form) are not paying attention to good advice.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_AXDLBHGWBWIDXWT2LH62AO7I4M Real American

    hahahaha with candidates like Freddie mac newt, Flip Floppin’ Romney  and Herman I’m a pimp Cain running, Obama is not the least bit worried. 

    • Anonymous

      Hahahaha…never get into contest…

      • http://www.rustedsky.net Anonymous

        I love that movie…  Call me sentimental, but that assault on the castle with the Holocaust Cloak – brought tears to my eyes, it did…

    • http://wizbangblog.com/author/rodney-graves/ Rodney G. Graves

      Heh.  President Obama running on his record couldn’t beat Senator Obama.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_EJGOSD7BRBBY4ZQQEUCFQU4GHU W

    @RA
    Good, that way Obama will have that “what the hell happen” look after he gets defeated.  

  • John H

    The second most likely scenario is Obama deciding at the convention to step down “to spend more time with his family” and the convention then deciding on Hillary Clinton. The GOP would have the last 60 odd days of the election running against someone who would face little scrutiny by the press, respond “It wasn’t me” to all the economic problems and we would get endless recounts of the joys of the Clinton administration.
    Obama is damaged goods. The closer to the election, the more and more democrats are going to recognize this. It would be really hard for anyone this close to Iowa caucus time to start a primary campaign. It would be even harder for them to win. So the convention is the last chance for the democrats to pull up from the nose dive. 
    On the other hand, I think this is the second most likely scenario because of Obama. I don’ think his ego will allow him to go gently into the night. It will only happen if he realizes a) he is going to lose and not running is the best way to stay on top or b) it isn’t fun any more. 
    Of course if Obama doesn’t very willingly agree, the internal division within the party would likely sink the democrats.
    Interesting times.

    • retired.military

      John

      As I stated above.

      a.  Obama is agreeable and steps aside. 
      or
      B. Obama is disagreeable.

      With either scenario the minority vote will riot and dems will lose in landslides everywhere.

      Their only hope is hold onto the anchor of the sinking ship and prey the water isnt very deep.

  • bllew

    So when do we get the Wizbang poll of potential challengers in the Dem primaries?

    • http://wizbangblog.com/author/rodney-graves/ Rodney G. Graves

      Just as soon as two or more announce their candidacy.

  • Anonymous

    It’s more likely that Biden will go and Hillary will replace him at the convention.

  • http://wizbangblog.com/author/rodney-graves/ Rodney G. Graves

    Interesting, considering Hillary has announced she will not serve in any capacity after 2012.