Some would say lack of interest is luck, but the presidency remains the highest political job. - Edit 5
Before modification by Joel at 01/10/2012 05:35:08 AM
I didn't read all of that, by any means, but basically, it isn't luck. EVERYONE knows that the country sucks right now, and nobody wants the presidency. I still believe that Obama could be doing much worse, and I'm not sure McCain could be doing much better. It's a shitty time to be prez, and republicans know that just as well as democrats. Nobody good was willing to run.
I mean, OK, maybe the company you work for sucks, but would you rather be a minimum wage grunt, mid-level executive or CEO in that company? Hillary certainly wanted the job, and so did McCain, and those were both big name players. Obama did not win the presidency because no one worthwhile wanted it or all his opponents were lightweights.
As the article notes, his opponent now is "the guy who lost to the guy who lost," who still trounced every GOP challenger because he has been the presumptive 2012 GOP nominee since McCains 2008 concession speech. Incidentally, this weekend McCain said in an interview Romneys REAL problem is the economy HAS improved since four years ago, if less than most expected and everyone "hoped." Well, I say, "everyone;" he does also say with a chuckle that "it's terrible," but seems to refer to Obama getting credit for the 2009 and 2010 OH employment rebound Gov. Kasich somehow caused by taking office in 2011.
Additionally, home prices have risen for three straight months in every market (four not counting Detroits slight April slump,) and consumer confidence numbers are rising, too.Things could, should and must be better, but ARE improving; it is not yet the end of the world. Even if it were, all US politicians would still want to be president the same way every HS football team wants to win the state championship even if their state has the worst football players in the country.
Four more gridlocked years are all but certain (unless 1] one party wins the presidency, Senate and House, then 2] abolishes the filibuster, which would be both unprecedented and an eventual disaster,) but I dread the 2016 race. Republicans have a wealth of great candidates: Marco Rubio, Nikki Haley, Bobby Jindal and Paul Ryan are probably the most qualified, competent and charismatic, but there are many other formidable options like Chris Christie, JEB and even (assuming he wins his WI Senate race) Tommy Thompson. Bush especially has no other option save a Senate run; he cannot be governor of FL again. Against that Dems will have the 73 year old incumbent VP, 68 year old former Secy. of State or (basically) Andrew Cuomo. The Greens are still irrelevant nationally, so a GOP win looks hard to avoid.
Honestly, things are no worse now than they were in 1976 (as America celebrated our bicentennial with Watergate, the Energy Crises, stagflation and our first defeat in war,) or 1932 (when unemployment was 25% and the seeds of WWII were planted in Europe and Japan.) The presidency remains what it has always been: An incredibly demanding/rewarding job every US politician wants. The Republicans just did not have anyone ready but Romney, and none of its rising stars were foolish enough to make Obamas opportunistic mistake of applying for the job before qualified to perform it.