# Obama's Second Term **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 27, 2012, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873 "2012-08-27T23:45:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/21 "2012-08-28T04:27:17Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > This is not going to be a blow out race but I think it is clear to everyone that Republicans have been obstructionists. I _wish_ that were clear to everyone, but the truth is that it’s only clear to those of us who pay attention to politics. And sadly, we are a tiny part of the electorate. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/22 "2012-08-28T04:50:42Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > I _wish_ that were clear to everyone, but the truth is that it’s only clear to those of us who pay attention to politics. And sadly, we are a tiny part of the electorate. Don’t most people know by now that neither Romney NOR Obama came up with Obamacare and the individual mandate to begin with. It had significant support from the likes of the Heritage Foundation and Newt Gingrich in the pasts. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/23 "2012-08-28T06:08:59Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Don’t most people know by now that neither Romney NOR Obama came up with Obamacare and the individual mandate to begin with. Unfortunately, no. There’s a lot of voters who think the real issue will be deciding whether to vote for a Kenyan or a polygamist. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/24 "2012-08-28T06:18:34Z")
4 more years of stagnation, at best. The Republicans will continue to obstruct anything he tries; and the Democrats are so spineless that the Republicans will be able to do so regardless of their numbers in Congress. ---
**Author:** ![2ManyTacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/3da27b/32.png) [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/25 "2012-08-28T06:38:00Z")
I expect the first few months of his second term to be devoted to resolving all of these upcoming issues pertaining to the fiscal cliff; whether that means we’ll see tax reform or some other kind of grand bargain remains to be seen. In the months leading up to 2014, I suspect that Obama will be focused on the successful implementation of the ACA and might even go into campaign mode again in order to promote the new law. The GOP will try to halt or stop the law, of course, but with Obama in the White House anything that they do at that point will just be more pandering to their base. Frankly, I just think that a lot of Obama’s second term is going to be devoted to making sure that the ACA is properly rolled out, as the successful implementation of that law - as well as the public’s perception of it - is going to mark the POTUS’s legacy, and he knows it. Beyond that, maybe we’ll get another USSC nomination if any of the justices decide to retire. I also expect there to be some kind of immigration reform, likely a watered-down version of the DREAM Act. On the foreign policy front, Obama will probably do something about Syria and (ostensibly) Iran, depending on whatever Israel decides to do. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/26 "2012-08-28T12:39:00Z")
Kill Zawahiri, stop Iran’s nuclear program, get Assad out of power in Syria. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/27 "2012-08-28T12:52:02Z")
we gunna take yur guns away. (Middle of the night raids. complete with full body cavity searches for everyone, including babies.) Then we’re gunna make you convert to atheism at gunpoint. did you ever have any doubt? ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/28 "2012-08-28T13:16:16Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > we gunna take yur guns away. (Middle of the night raids. complete with full body cavity searches for everyone, including babies.) Then we’re gunna make you convert to atheism at gunpoint. > > did you ever have any doubt? Aww, “take away our guns and enforce his socialist policies with UN troops” was going to be my answer. ---
**Author:** ![Mekhazzio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b38774/32.png) [@Mekhazzio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mekhazzio)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/29 "2012-08-28T14:59:29Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > 4 more years of stagnation, at best. The Republicans will continue to obstruct anything he tries; and the Democrats are so spineless that the Republicans will be able to do so regardless of their numbers in Congress. That’s my bet, too. I see no reason to believe that Republican obstructionism will slow down at all. Their response to losing the last presidential election was to double down on the crazy, and they seem to think that’s been working well for them so far. I expect more of the same. ---
**Author:** ![otternell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecc23a/32.png) [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/30 "2012-08-28T15:11:42Z")
[What the religious right thinks will actually happen] Free abortions for all! Not pregnant? Here, have one anyway. Male? This is your chance to find out how much fun the ladies get to have with this! Wheee! [\WTRRTWAH] ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/31 "2012-08-28T15:54:17Z")
> [@Mekhazzio](#): > > That’s my bet, too. I see no reason to believe that Republican obstructionism will slow down at all. Their response to losing the last presidential election was to double down on the crazy, and they seem to think that’s been working well for them so far. I expect more of the same. Most of the “fiscal cliff” stuff comes about by default. So obstruction there isn’t really an option. And at least part of the strategy behind GOP obstructionism was to try and limit Obama to one term. Since limiting him to two terms doesn’t really require such a strategy, I’m at least a little optimistic that the GOP will let at least a few compromises pass (DREAM act, tax reform, etc.). Plus, I imagine six straight years of just voting no on everything would get a little boring. Presumably legislators run for a place in the legislature at least partly because they want to legislate. ---
**Author:** ![Yumblie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/76d3ee/32.png) [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/32 "2012-08-28T16:35:03Z")
> [@Mekhazzio](#): > > That’s my bet, too. I see no reason to believe that Republican obstructionism will slow down at all. Their response to losing the last presidential election was to double down on the crazy, and they seem to think that’s been working well for them so far. I expect more of the same. Their number one priority will be to make sure that Obama is only a two term president. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/33 "2012-08-28T17:04:59Z")
> [@IceQube](#): > > Executive orders cannot overturn existing law? No, of course not; what made you think they would? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Understander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3da27b/32.png) [@The\_Understander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Understander)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/34 "2012-08-28T17:42:45Z")
More of the same, coupled with a slightly more strident and more realistic stance with respect to the opposition. In other words, good things. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/35 "2012-08-28T17:46:21Z")
> [@Yumblie](#): > > Their number one priority will be to make sure that Obama is only a two term president. And is not succeeded by a Dem. And any Dem candidate in 2016 must run at least partly on Obama’s record. Therefore, Pub-obstructionism-to-deny-Obama-accomplishments will persist. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/36 "2012-08-29T02:29:28Z")
> [@Mekhazzio](#): > > That’s my bet, too. I see no reason to believe that Republican obstructionism will slow down at all. Their response to losing the last presidential election was to double down on the crazy, and they seem to think that’s been working well for them so far. I expect more of the same. Can’t do that for four years. Two years, yes, four years, no. They’ll get trounced in 2014 if they do that. My guess is that both sides will be more interested in compromise after the election, unless one side wins completely. if Republicans win in 2012, they’ll just do what they will do. Democrats are free to try to obstruct if they think it will do them good. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/37 "2012-08-29T02:30:58Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > And is not succeeded by a Dem. And any Dem candidate in 2016 must run at least partly on Obama’s record. Therefore, Pub-obstructionism-to-deny-Obama-accomplishments will persist. Would not the reverse also apply? congresses have accomplishments too, and if the GOP controls both chambers anything that gets passed gets passed because of the GOP. Wouldn’t the President have an incentive to deny them accomplishments? Probably not, since 2nd term Presidents care about their legacy, not their successor. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/38 "2012-08-29T04:06:05Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > …But Scalia? He may be 76 but I haven’t heard any rumors about his health. And there’s no way short of death he’ll leave the court - and that’s if Romney wins. If Obama wins, death won’t be sufficient… Yeah, I’m pretty sure he put it right there in his living will “Do not turn of life support without a Republican in Oval Office”. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2012, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873/39 "2012-08-29T04:56:35Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Would not the reverse also apply? congresses have accomplishments too, and if the GOP controls both chambers anything that gets passed gets passed because of the GOP. Wouldn’t the President have an incentive to deny them accomplishments? No, because Congressional candidates run as individual entrepreneurs, and generally do not run on Congress’ record, nor even on the record of their party-caucus in Congress; perhaps it should work that way – and does, in many countries (with parliamentary systems) – but it doesn’t, here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-second-term/632873.md?page=1)