Monday Matters #11

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-oped-1009-chapman-20111009,0,7366395.column

Chicago Tribune's Steve Chapman once again discusses the Obama reelection issue, this time comparing it to Regan's presidency and the recession that had been going on during its first term. According to him, if one looks back, Obama still has a chance at getting reelected as long as the economy bounces back at least a noticeable bit. Towards the end of Regan's presidency, it did just that and he ended up winning 49 out of 50 states. The only problem is that not only is the economy in worse shape right now, but it also looks like it won't rebound back as well as Regan's did. Economists now are predicting barely any growth at all, and with only a year left to make any change (and that change, according to Chapman, being either out of reach or nonexistent) and no way to characterize the recession as something that was necessary--since inflation is still going up--Obama's chances aren't looking too great. The only thing that might save him is the fact that the Republicans look even less credible than he does, but that still won't make it an easy victory for Obama in any sense.

Monday Matters #10

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-chapman-obama-reelection,0,622512.column

Once again, Chicago Tribune's Steve Chapman discusses Obama's chances at reelection but this time, it isn't as much a question of will he be reelected or not; it's a question of "is it worth it?" The Republicans now have majorities in Congress, so even if Obama does get elected for a second term, he will, as Chapman says, be wishing for the good old days of 2011 when he didn't have to wrestle with the Senate and the House nearly as much. On top of that, since his approval rating is lower than ever and since many more will now not hesitate to contradict and criticize him, it would be best to hand the Demorcatic ticket off to someone who is more situationally suited for the role, a person such as Hillary Clinton. As Chapman notes, she would have to face the grueling task of getting the country out of a recession while Obama would just sit back, relax, and not have to worry about a thing. That point is valid, but knowing Obama, he won't simply hand over the nomination without a serious fight. One way or another, winning the nomination, according to Chapman, is only half the battle since, because of the losses the Democratic party is suffering due to the failing economy and high unemployment, winning against the Republicans will prove to be a serious challenge.

Monday Matters #9

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-oped-0814-chapman-20110814,0,4936968.column

Recently, Obama's support and approval ratings have plummeted and he is being labeled as a weak president that is not capable of making the change that he promised during his 2008 campaign. However, according to Chicago Tribune's Steve Chapman, the biggest reason Obama is detested even more by those that had already detested him and is disliked by some that had supported him in the beginning is the struggling economy. Uncharacteristic of a 'weak' president, he made many firm decisions, such as 'scrapping' the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy against homosexuals in the military and the approval of the daring raid to kill bin Laden. Considering those actions as well as the aid he gave to the economy, there is ample reason to support Obama, but, as Chapman says, it is nearly impossible for a president to look strong in a weak economy, which has led to Obama being compared to Carter and being denounced for his lack of backbone in leading the country.