Obama Morphing Into Bush For 20102 Re-Election Campaign

Steven Thomma (WASHINGTON) — He ran as the anti-Bush.

Silver-tongued, not tongue-tied. A team player on the world stage, not a lone cowboy. A man who'd put a stop to reckless Bush policies at home and abroad. In short, Barack Obama represented Change.

Well, that was then. Now, on one major policy after another, President Barack Obama seems to be morphing into George W. Bush.

On the nation's finances, the man who once ripped Bush as a failed leader for seeking to raise the nation's debt ceiling now wants to do it himself.

On terrorism, he criticized Bush for sending suspected terrorists to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and denying them access to U.S. civilian courts. Now he says he'll do the same.

On taxes, he called the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy wrong, and lately began calling again to end them. But in December he signed a deal with Republicans to extend them for two years, and recently he called the entire tax cut package good for the country.

And on war, as a candidate he said that the president didn't have authority to unilaterally attack a country that didn't pose an imminent threat to the U.S., and even then the president should always seek the informed consent of Congress. Last month, without a vote in Congress, he attacked Libya, which didn't threaten the U.S.

Big differences remain between Obama and Bush, to be sure. His two nominees to the Supreme Court differ vastly from Bush's picks. Obama does want to end the tax cuts for the wealthy. He also pushed through a massive overhaul of the nation's health insurance system.

Yet even on health insurance, his stand wasn't so much a reversal of Bush's approach as an escalation. Bush also pushed through a massive expansion of Medicare by adding a costly prescription drug benefit — at the time, the biggest expansion of a federal entitlement since Lyndon Johnson's Great Society. Indeed, some of the differences between the two presidents are measured in gray, not black and white as once seemed the case.

Some of the changes in Obama can be attributed to the passion of campaign rhetoric giving way to the realities of governing, analysts say.

"He is looking less like a candidate and more like a president," said Dan Schnur, the director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of Southern California. "He has discovered that it's much easier to make promises on the campaign trail than it is to keep them as president."

At the same time, some of the surprising continuity of Bush-era policies can be tied to the way Bush and events set the nation's course, particularly on foreign policy.

"Morphing into Bush was not a willful act," said Aaron David Miller, a scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. "It was acquiescence to the policies his predecessor shaped and the cruel realities that Obama inherited."

For example, Obama found he couldn't easily close the prison at Guantanamo Bay because he couldn't find a place, abroad or at home, willing to take all the terrorist suspects held there.

"Bush created, on the military and security side, new realities from which no successor, Democrat or Republican, could depart, "Miller said. "It's like turning around an aircraft carrier. It cannot happen quickly."

Among the ways Obama has reversed his earlier promises and adopted, extended or echoed Bush policies:

DEBT

In 2006, Bush had cut taxes, gone to war, and expanded Medicare, and increased the national debt from $5.6 trillion to $8.2 trillion. He needed approval from Congress to raise the ceiling for debt to $9 trillion.

The Senate approved the increase by a narrow vote of 52-48.

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., voted no.

"Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally," Obama said in 2006. "Leadership means that 'the buck stops here.' Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership."

Now Obama's on the other side. He's increased the national debt to $14 trillion, and needs Congress to approve more debt. Moreover, Obama's aides now say that congressional meddling to use that needed vote to wrangle budget concessions from the White House would be inappropriate and risk financial Armageddon.

What about Obama's own vote against the president in a similar situation? A mistake, the White House said.

TAXES

As a senator and presidential candidate, Obama opposed extending the Bush tax cuts on incomes greater than $250,000 a year past their expiration on Dec., 31, 2009.

In 2007, he said he was for "rolling back the Bush tax cuts on the top 1 percent of people who don't need it." In a 2008 ad, he said, "Instead of extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest, I'll focus on you."

As president, Obama proposed letting those tax cuts expire as scheduled, while also proposing to make permanent the Bush tax cuts for incomes of less than $250,000.

But he didn't get Congress to approve that. When the issue came to a head last December, Republicans insisted on extending all of the tax cuts or none, and Obama went along lest the tax cuts on incomes below $250,000 expire even briefly. His final deal with the Congress also added a one-year cut in the payroll tax for Medicare and Social Security.

"What all of us care about is growing the American economy and creating jobs for the American people," Obama said. "Taken as a whole, that's what this package of tax relief is going to do. It's a good deal for the American people."

He said again last week that he wants to let the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy expire, this time on Dec. 31, 2012.

TERRORISTS

As a presidential candidate, Obama vowed a broad reversal of Bush's policies toward suspected terrorists.

Most pointedly, he said he'd close the prison in Cuba and try suspected terrorists in civilian courts, not in military tribunals.

"I have faith in America's courts," he said in a 2007 speech. "As president, I will close Guantanamo, reject the Military Commissions Act, and adhere to the Geneva Conventions. Our Constitution and our Uniform Code of Military Justice provide a framework for dealing with the terrorists."

He ran into a torrent of opposition, however. Members of Congress balked at transferring suspected terrorists to U.S. prisons. New Yorkers balked when his administration said it would try accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in a civilian court in lower Manhattan.

Last month, he changed course, saying he'd keep Guantanamo Bay open, and would try Mohammed before a military court.

The reversal, said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., the chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, "is yet another vindication of President Bush's detention policies by the Obama administration."

Echoing Bush, Obama's also asserted that he has the power to hold suspected terrorists without charges or trial, and that he has the power to kill U.S. citizens abroad if his government considers them a terrorist threat.

WAR POWERS

During his campaign, Obama signaled that he'd be far more circumspect than Bush was in using military power. He did say he'd send more troops to Afghanistan, which he's done, and that he'd attack al Qaida terrorists in Pakistan, which he's also done.

But he opposed the Iraq war from the start, and said he didn't think the president should wage war for humanitarian purposes or act without congressional approval, absent an imminent threat to the U.S.

"The president does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation," he told The Boston Globe in 2007.

"In instances of self-defense, the president would be within his constitutional authority to act before advising Congress or seeking its consent. History has shown us time and again, however, that military action is most successful when it is authorized and supported by the legislative branch. It is always preferable to have the informed consent of Congress prior to any military action."

On March 19, the U.S. attacked Libya on humanitarian grounds, absent any threat to the U.S. and without approval from Congress.

Bill Ayers Admits Writing Dreams Of My Father "Obama Liar"

Bill Ayers the domestic terrorist finally admits that he wrote Dreams of My Father, Based On claims made by Obama Biographer Christopher Anderson. Anny Leary of Backyard Conservative was passing through Washington D.C. Reagan International Airport and came across Bill Ayers. Billy Ayers told Anny Leary that Michelle "Queen" Obama asked him write the book for Barack Obama when he was a member of the U.S. Senate. Bill Ayers admitting that he wrote the book proves that President Obama is a fraud that was propped up by left-wing in America to implement there socialist agenda. This could be one of the biggest scandals in American history because Obama claimed to be the author of this best selling biography that launched his Presidential campaign. Bill Ayers seems to be angry for not getting credit for writing one of the best books of the decade. Bill Ayers also expressed that he, was angry at President Obama for throwing all his friends who help launch his carraer under bus on his way to the White House. Bill Ayers is tired of taking all the shots for President Obama. Bill ayers was the man who help lauch President Obama political carraer in his living room by giving him a fundraiser. Read article at American Thinker James Sampson. Anny Leary www.backyardconservative.blogspot.com

Obama, Watson, Waters And Hate America Coalition

The longtime leaders of failed African-American political and social policies Diane Watson and Maxine Waters are part of the "Hate America Coalition". They are part of coalition within the African-American Community that have well known members President Obama, Louis Farrkhan, Van Jones, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Charles Rangel, John Conyers and hundreds of community organizations. These influential individuals teach young African-Americans to hate America because of the past history of 200 years of slavery and 100 years of segregation. This so-called liberal leadership in the African-American community blame all there social and economic problems in the African-American community on the evil white man. The problems in the African-American community around this nation are so bad when it comes drug addiction, murder, teenage pregnancy, divorce and unemployment they have no choice but to blame the "White Man" because they don't have any answers to theses serious problems that face the African-American Community. This so-called liberal leadership has failed the African-American community always use race-baiting politics when they are in serious political or criminal trouble outside the African American Community. When President Obama, Rep. Charles Rangel, Jesse Jackson, Marion Berry and Sharpe James are in trouble the first words there supporters invoke is that you are "Racist" if you happen to question there corrupt leadership. This is constantly used to protect African-American political and social leadership from any type of criticism from Republican and Conservative organizations. The average American who disagree with this African-American leadership are silenced because they don't want to be called as a racist in there local communities. These members of the "Hate America Coalition" have destroyed the African-American community because they have given our youth a get of jail free card for the negative criminal and social behavior. Therefore, if you sell drugs and are caught you blame the white man for not giving you the opportunities to be successful in life. This was the attitude I had until a light went on inside my head when I asked myself a simple question. I have never seen any white man steal, rape or murder anyone inside the African-American community. The economic and social problems are within the African-American community can only be solved with new competent leadership that will be held accountable for there actions. We have a bunch of socialist nutcases like Charles Rangel, Al Sharpton, John Conyers, Diane Watson and Maxine Waters who are not held accountable for there actions and this why we have chaos in the African-American Community. The African-American Community is full Poverty Pimps and Race Hustlers who make millions of dollars selling books about how bad the white man has treated African-Americans in the past. President Obama the hero of African-Americans all around the country could not "Change" the conditions of African-Americans in Chicago. The Windy City is gripped with a serious crime wave that has affected the African-American community. President Obama did not come up with any economic or social policies that has changed the conditions in the African-American community where children can not even go outside and play in there own neighborhood because of the constant gun battles in the streets. There are families who sleep in the bathtub in Chicago inner-city neighborhoods because they are scared that they might be hit by a stray bullet. There is racism in American and around the world but you can not let it paralyze a whole community from be successful in America. The so-called African-American leadership for the last 50 years has had a fascination with Dictators like Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez because they feel as though there could some economic reparations from a socialist style system. Finally, I know that you have probably seen the Diane Watson YouTube Video where she compared Communist Leader Fidel Castro a attorney to President Obama who is also a attorney. These clowns have a sick fascination of President Obama becoming a Communist dictator in America who can affect "Change" With socialist policies. I am telling Conservatives all around the country that you will be called a racist every time you disagree with President Obama but, don't be afraid to voice your opinion against a devout socialist who is trying to destroy America.

DEMS "WANTED BUSH TO FAIL"

The Democrats hated President Bush so, much that they hoped that our military would lose the war in Iraq. The Democratic leadership openly called President Bush a loser and encourage extreme behavior form the left-wing blogs. Sen. Harry Reid and Speaker Pelosi encouraged blogs like the Daily Kos and Huffington Post to attack the Bush administration everyday and help destroy there policies. There is a Fox News Poll in August of 2006 where 51% of Democrats wanted President Bush to fail as President so, that a Democrat will be elected the next President. The same clowns who wanted President Bush to fail are crying that Rush Limbaugh is not a 100% behind the "Messiah" new socialist policies. The White House Chief Of Staff Rahm Emmanuel thinks that attacking Rush Limbaugh will distract the American people from the failed economic policies of the Obama administration. The Treasury Department still has not come out with a plan that will solve the banking crisis because, the President appointed one of the most incompetent clowns I have ever seen in Washington Timothy Geinther. If President Obama objective is to spread socialism in America I "Hope" that his Administration and his policies fail. "GOD BLESS AMERICA"

OBAMA"WAR MACHINE" LIAR LIAR

The President Obama is sending 17,000 new troops to Afghanistan so, they can be ready for the heavy fighting in the Spring with Taliban forces. The President will be sending a extra 13,000 later in the year to complete the surge of 30,000 soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan. The Obama Administration seems to be following the same plan as the Bush Administration when it comes to fighting a insurgent war. President Obama did not support President Bush and the "Surge" in Iraq during the campaign and it seems like he, has "Changed" his mind about the Bush Strategy. The President promised the Left-Wing Liberals in America that we would be out of Iraq in 16 months and that he would bring all the troops home from the war and save billions of dollars so, we could have a Socialized Health Care System in America. President Obama should be called "Habitual Liar" by the Left-Wing in America because, we are even more devoted to fighting both wars after President Bush has left office on January 20, 2009. The troops in Iraq will not come home in 16 months and the war in Afghanistan will become a tough "Slog" for the Obama Administration and United States Military. Therefore, I am waiting for the protest all around the world against President Obama for sending more troops to Afghanistan and not ending the war in Iraq by withdrawing all the troops within 16 months. I am waiting for "Code Pink" to start protesting outside of President Obama house in Chicago. I also, waiting for the "New York Times, CNN, MSNBC And NBC" to start writing daily columns about number of soldiers who have died in Afghanistan. The Left-Wing Socialist Media will not criticize the "Messiah" for fighting both wars they will now support the wars because, President Obama is Commander N Chief. Finally, the Left-Wing in America will have to deal with there Socialist Leader fighting the same "War On Terror" that President Bush was fighting against the Islamic Terrorist. President Obama has seen the "Light" and he, is not campaigning anymore because, now he has to protect the American people from these "Clowns".

REPUBLICANS "STAND STRONG" AGAINST OBAMA MACHINE

The Republican Party must "Stand Strong" against the Obama Media machine if they expect to win back the White House in 2012. They are going against the grain with a media savvy administration that has developed a Cult Of Personality. If President Obama governs in a way that is consistent with his liberal socialist promises the Republicans will have to mount a vigorous opposition. The country's security and prosperity will depend on spirited opposition. The liberal media will support President Obama in any decision that he, will make as President even if it is a wrong decision because, they have there liberal socialist policies invested in him as President. The Conservative Media cannot jump on the Obama bandwagon even if he, is popular today early in his Administration. The Conservatives in the media cannot let his cult of personality blind them from the policy dangers he represents to our Conservative movement. The Liberal Socialist Media blamed President Bush for everything under the sun and the never showed him a inch of mercy. Therefore, after eight years of bashing President Bush they are calling for bipartianship with the Republicans. These Liberals are are lecturing us on bipartianship after the Liberal Blogs and Media crushed President Bush every hour of the day. The Republican Party should have strong coordinated opposition to the Obama Administration and they should express there Conservative views clearly to the American people. The Republicans should have designated point man that should confront President Obama socialist policies and support those polices that we agree with as Conservatives. We must resist the calls for bipartianship affect our core principals as Republicans and Conservatives. Finlay, Republicans and conservatives must survive the first six months of the Obama administrations tidal wave. The Republicans must come out with a clear agenda that the American people can support with serious opposition.

OBAMA "PICTURED BURNED" BY TERRORIST

There are demonstrators are already against President-Elect Obama and his picture is being run over by cars during a demonstration in support of the people in Gaza in front of the Swiss embassy in Tehran, Iran. The people of the Middle East who hate America do not care if the President is George Bush or Barack Obama because, they will always hate the President Of The United States. Therefore, as long as you support the right for Israel to exist as a country you will be the enemy of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. The people on the far left in America who think the President Obama can change the feelings of Islamic terrorist is wrong because, how can anyone change the mind of a people who believe in the destruction of a whole nation state. The terrorist we are dealing with today cannot be negotiated with with peace treaties or soaring speeches by President Obama. President Obama will have to have a firm hand when dealing with these organizations and show no mercy when they get out of line with there terrorist activities. The only way the Islamic terrorist will support President Obama is if he, forces Israel to sign a peace treaty the gives most of the land back before the 1967 War to the Palestine's and give them complete access to Jerusalem. President Obama can sign a historic peace deal but, it will only be peace for a few years because, the true goal of these terrorist is to capture all of the Holy Land a drive Israel into the sea. Finally, the far left has a sick dream that only if we are nice to these terrorist that they will leave us "Ugly Americans" alone. The far left has to understand that these Islamic terrorist have a Jihad against the whole Western World and there ideas. Therefore, there is a group of Islamic extremist who believe that the whole world should be under Islamic Law and they will not stop until there mission is completed. Good luck to President Obama because, you will need it when you are dealing with a bunch of clowns.

PRESIDENT BUSH "AFRICA AND AIDS" A+

President Bush over the past eight years has done more for Africa than any modern day world leader. The critics of President Bush say that people have a bad world view of America but, go ask the people of Africa how they feel about President Bush because he helped saved millions of lives with his "War On AIDS". There are Stars like Bono and Bob Geldof who say that President Bush deserves credit for committing Billions of Dollars to Aids programs. When he, visited Africa in his "Five Nation Tour" thousands of Africans lined the streets to cheered him and smothering him affection. The outpouring and warmth by the Tanzania people that you have witnessed since, your arrival is a genuine reflection what we feel towards you and the American people. There's a good reason for the people of Tanzania to show there affection said the President of Tanzania Jakayla Kikwete, because of a little known initiative "Hundreds of thousands mothers and Children" lives have been saved from HIV Aids and Malaria in Africa. The President disease prevention program and his partnership with governments to move forward towards democracy and to end corruption on the African continent has been one of President Bush's biggest successes. The President's Anti-Aids program have made real inroads in what remains Africa's biggest crisis. The Democratic Congress refused to President Bush's call to renew the program early this year. The President requested that greater access to drugs and the use of condoms. It also, seeks to educate Africans on the need for more marriage infidelity and for sexual abstinence before marriage. Finally since, President Bush took office he has spent 18 million dollars on AIDS prevention and he, wanted to expand the program to 30 billion for the next five years. The Democratic controlled Congress refused to renew the program.