Can obama create a new deal coalition?

People have high expectations for Obama. They say he stands for change, etc. It all sounds really good. But let's think about it for a moment.

The last president to remake American society was FDR. It took him several terms in office to do so,...

and he also had an enormous bloc of support called the New Deal Coalition, aiding his agenda at all levels of government and society.

The president is not as powerful as people think. In order to accomplish anything, the president must have a lot of help. What happened under FDR was truly remarkable, and rare. If Obama is going to change things as he says, he will definately need a strong majority in Congress along with an outpouring of aid from interest groups, associations, and a cross-section of voters.

FDR had this. Do you think Obama will get it? Because he doesn't have it right now. If he doesn't get it, what will that mean for his presidency?

At this point, perhaps a change just means from Bush and his craziness...
He managed to accomplish a lot in office, destroyed the economy, threw civil liberties and the constitution out the window, and has more power than any other president in recent history... He makes it seem like any president can do anything he wants. I think Obama will simply be doing damage control for the first term... And honestly I dont think anyone could expect more from whoever is voted president... After that... well I guess we'll have to see...

Honestly, and I dont mean this personally, Im betting Obama will get assassinated within a year if he wins.

Too many racists out there to give him the chance, had this conversation with some friends and we hit on some good points, all the rednecks will pop back up like a plague and do nothing but rebel against him. sprouting the KKK to reappear from its hiding place and just causing havoc for the rights everyone has battled for.

But I bet he wins, Rednecks would prefer a black man over a women, since most of em beat their wives anyways.

If he lasts long enough, something will change, but there's a good chance he'll be gone or he'll be so protected no one will ever see him.

Since I write about politics. Let me start by stating that no President (Democrat/Republican) will ever change the structure of Government that needs changed in order to help the middle and lower class people. It does not work that way, sure there are some perks here and there, but limited. You want to find a leader? Instead of them telling us what they believe, they should say this It doesn't matter what I believe and want, I am only a representative of the people. It is up to society of the rules and laws that we make.

To be honest ask this question are you helping solve the problem or are you enabling the problem in american politics. My gues is if you vote Democrat or Republican you are enabling a system to stay broken.

Troy*

I think the first term will be hard for Obama.

The best thing to happen for his agenda is a failed assasination attempt, that will really get people behind him, and be like wow, that's furcked up.

As long as the democrats control the house and the senate, and the democrats stick together -- which will take at least one term (god knows they don't want to vote on anything their elective would maybe have a little concern with), things might change.

Unfortunately the democratic party is full of pussies, so nothing will happen.

I think any chance at that kind of change FDR made is unlikely ever again. Obama will have a very difficult time, even with a large dem majority in congress. The republican attack machine, and the corporate interests behind them, will be unmerciful, and will try to undo any and everthing he attempts. But I think Obama understands that, and will have the will to keep pushing forward.

I think Ty is right, damage control and reapir will take up most of his first term.

Hussein Obama is not for American people, will not respect our flag, refuses to salute or say the Pledge of Allegence! His preacher says God damn America! and lets kill Jesus! Wake up people! Hussein is not who we should vote into power! He should NEVER have been allowed to enter the race for presidency! God forbid that he may win...heaven help us!

Watch this:

http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/video.aspx?RsrcID=2036

orion, I can find no reference to rev. wright declaring let's kill jesus .
what sermon is that from? or is it from a speech he gave?

orion - I just finished watching, in it's entirety, the video you recommended.
I must say that it is racist and obviously against african americans and muslims.
it is a perfect example of the lies, half-truths and falsehoods that are used to try to discredit obama.
it is ignorant , one-sided and typical of the moral majority mentality in this country.
and it does not surprise me in the least that you would use it as an example.

obama is no FDR but I believe he has a
better chance than the other candidates in developing major support from congress.
I have been disappointed that congress has not stood up to bush on many issues but I believe they would rally behind someone who wishes to unite the country.

Orion, please stop spouting off this racism, it's extremely ignorant and narrow-minded.

I dont believe FDR was the last person to change america. JFK did so much for america in so little time. I truly believe if he wasnt assassinated people would look at america in a different way, a better way. and the fact that he stopped a bunch of russians from blowing us all away with nukes helps too.