This is a critical moment for the country. From the faltering economy to the burdensome deficit to our foreign policy struggles, America is suffering a widespread sense of crisis and anxiety about the future. Under these circumstances, Obama has the opportunity to seize the high ground and the imagination of the nation once again, and to galvanize the public for the hard decisions that must be made. The only way he can do so, though, is by putting national interests ahead of personal or political ones.-Patrick Caddell and Douglas Schoen, advisers to previous Democratic presidents, in the Washington Post this past weekend.
To that end, we believe Obama should announce immediately that he will not be a candidate for reelection in 2012.
Their argument is that Republicans will play nice if they know they don't have to run against Obama in 2012, and that together with the President they'll work together to tackle the major problems of the day.
Two things: 1. The Republicans have no desire to govern responsibly. They have proven this time and again, as evidenced in the recent campaign in which they offered no solid policy positions. 2. Had Barack Obama said during the 2008 campaign that he would limit himself to one term in an effort to make the hard choices needed to get the United States back on track, Americans might have believed him. But to do it now, after losing 64 seats in the House of Representatives, would make him look like a bitter loser and guarantee a Republican White House in 2013.
No, this proposal, in my opinion, is a non-starter. Caddell and Schoen should have their heads examined.
