Analysis: Obama wins but Washington unchanged

BEN FELLER, AP White House Correspondent

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama’s victory means his economic vision is still alive and about to drive the political conversation with his adversaries. The legacy of Obama’s first term is safe and enshrined to history.

Obama will push for higher taxes on the wealthy as a way to shrinking a choking debt and to steer money toward the programs he wants. He will try to land a massive financial deficit-cutting deal with Congress in the coming months and then move on to an immigration overhaul, tax reform and other bipartisan dreams.

He will not have to worry that his health care law will be repealed, or that his Wall Street reforms will be gutted, or that his name will be consigned to the list of one-term presidents who got fired before they could finish.

Yet big honeymoons don’t come twice and Republicans won’t swoon.

And if Obama cannot end gridlock, his second term will be reduced to veto threats, empty promises, end runs around Congress and legacy-sealing forays into foreign lands.

Voters decided to put back in place all the political players who have made Washington dysfunctional to the point of nearly sending the United States of America into default for the first time ever.

The president likely will be dealing again with a Republican-run House, whose leader, Speaker John Boehner, declared on election night that his party is the one with the mandate: no higher taxes.

Obama will still have his firewall in the Senate, with Democrats likely to hang onto their narrow majority. But they don’t have enough to keep Republicans from bottling up any major legislation with delaying tactics.

So the burden falls on the president to find compromise, not just demand it from the other side.

For now, he can revel in knowing what he pulled off.

Obama won despite an economy that sucked away much of the nation’s spirit. He won with the highest unemployment rate for any incumbent since the Great Depression. He won even though voters said they thought Romney would be the better choice to end stalemate in Washington.

He won even though a huge majority of voters said they were not better off than they were four years ago — a huge test of survival for a president.

The suspense was over early because Obama won all over the battleground map, and most crucially in Ohio. That’s where he rode his bailout support for the auto industry to a victory that crushed Romney’s chances.

The reason is that voters wanted the president they knew. They believed convincingly that Obama, not Romney, understood their woes of college costs and insurance bills and sleepless nights. Exit polls shows that voters thought far more of them viewed Obama as the voice of the poor and the middle class, and Romney the guy tilting toward the rich.

The voice of the voter came through from 42-year-old Bernadette Hatcher in Indianapolis, who voted after finishing an overnight shift at a warehouse.

“It’s all about what he’s doing,” she said. “No one can correct everything in four years. Especially the economy.”

Formidable and seasoned by life, Romney had in his pocket corporate success and a Massachusetts governor’s term and the lessons of a first failed presidential bid.

But he never broke through as the man who would secure people’s security and their dreams. He was close the whole time.

“I mean, I looked,” said Tamara Johnson of Apex, N.C., a 35-year-old mother of two young children. “I didn’t feel I got the answers I wanted or needed to hear. And that’s why I didn’t sway that way.”

The election was never enthralling, and it was fought for far too long in the shallow moments of negative ads and silly comments.

It seemed like the whole country endured it until the end, when the crowds grew and the candidates reached for their most inspiring words.

“Americans don’t settle. We build, we aspire, we listen to that voice inside that says ‘We can do better,” Romney pleaded toward that end.

Americans agreed. They just wanted Obama to take them there.

Incumbents get no transition, so Obama will be tested immediately.

A “fiscal cliff” of expiring tax cuts and budget cuts looms on Jan 1.

If they kick in, economists warn the economy will tank, again. Obama, at least, won the right to fight the fight on his terms.

“If I’ve won, then I believe that’s a mandate for doing it in a balanced way,” he said before the election — that is, fixing the budget problem by raising taxes on people instead of just cutting spending. Obama is adamant that he will not agree to extend tax cuts for people making above $200,000 or couples with incomes above $250,000.

He had not even been declared the winner before Boehner offered a warning that the House was still in Republican hands.

“With this vote,” Boehner said, “the American people have also made clear that there is no mandate for raising tax rates.”

Obama, never one to lack from confidence, is ready to take that fight to Congress.

In his eyes, he just won it, thanks to the voters.

———

EDITOR’S NOTE — Ben Feller has covered the presidencies of Barack Obama and George W. Bush.

More like this story

GrumpyGus 6 months, 1 week ago

Proud to be a Missourian this morning, except for the nincompoop Akin part. I was off by about 2 percent on my popular vote prediction. Knew the union, greenie weirdo, and baby killer contingent of Democrats would be out in full force, but thought the jobs/economy situation would hinder the ever growing permanent underclass Democrats from doubling down on 4 years of failed policies. So congrats to the Dems in the heavy electoral count states, you got your ever growing contituency to the polls in sufficient numbers. There is a sad truth that for two or three generations now, the large population centers in the heavy electoral states have created a large plurality of a dependent underclass. These folks are two or three generations removed from a family structure of two parents, one or both with jobs, providing for their family. Fathers have been replaced by government assistance, and the family produces nothing of value for the common good (no tax base, no jobs, etc.). They only take from the producers. On top of this, a public education system that releases kids into the world dumber than when they went in. Because of this, I see no way out of the economic mess we are in. This dependent underclass will continue to grow. They know where their bread is buttered, they have to vote Democrat just to guarantee survival. They don't know what a vacation is. They don't know the freedom that comes with a job. They are subjugated by the state, and must vote Dem to survive. As disgusted as I am with their voting, I have to admit I understand it. They are trying to scratch for survival. Unfortunately, this is the direction the producers will have to go as well. Taxes going up, EPA regulations hiking electricity costs, standard of living going down. Socialism = shared misery. Ultimately, the producers won't be producers anymore, nothing left but the underclass, who is now starving because there is nothing to redistribute. This is how republics fall. So, again proud to be a Missourian...one of the last bastions.

Paroquet 6 months, 1 week ago

Wow, Gus.
Union Greenie Weirdo baby killing subjugates just told you & your psychotic psychophants to stow it. And if you have any sort of memory, it took a river being set on fire to form the EPA because "producers" weren't being good neighbors. I've worked in the regulatory field. Producers care more about shareholders than the people they share resources with. I concur that making money isn't a crime, but when you defecate on everyone downstream or down wind, it really doesn't endear you. Your consultants tell you how to do things the right way, you don't, and then gripe because it'll now cost more to fix than had you done it right the first time. Where's that old Republican "do the crime, do the time" attitude, Gus? Or does that only apply with what you agree, so you can foul your neighbors' enjoyment of a shared resource with hubris, chutzpah, and utter impunity?

RobHunterJohnson 6 months, 1 week ago

If Obama, can't end the gridlock in Congress, the Congress will flip, so Vickie and Blaine better take note! Rob

GrumpyGus 6 months, 1 week ago

If ending the gridlock means more subjugated poor? Then I am for gridlock. Its not about politics or votes in Congress, its about an immoral philosophy of how the underclass has been subjugated to the central government.

asb 6 months, 1 week ago

I'm proud to be a Missourian too, at least the people of this state, while holding to their conservative nature in many ways, saw the madness in Akin's eyes and voted him to sleep. They recognized a sound, moderate Democratic governor and chose him over the goofball Spence. I'm disappointed in the Exchange ban, Missouri would've done a better job of it than the feds, but that's going to be fixed. True conservatives' disappointment is understandable, but your reasons are based in bad information and a manufactered fear of people not like you, and I don't mean the unemployed. I think it was a referendum against greed and the over concentration of power and wealth into the fewest hands in our history, and I'm relieved for that. If traditional conservatives can take your party back from the extremists, you'll win a lot on the real issues. Keep the polarization and the extreme right and you'll lose more and more.

GrumpyGus 6 months, 1 week ago

I could buy your argument if not for the original premise of my first post. The dependent class is growing, not becuase of power and wealth in the private sector, but as a means to amass power and wealth for a few central government elites. These poor people can't survive without government. They have been made dependent for their very subsistence. And its not Republicans doing it. Heck, even Clinton put in a work requirement for govt. assistance, but that has been effectively stripped away. It is a moral issue. It is immoral to subjugate capable people who are full of human potential to the government.

Paroquet 6 months, 1 week ago

And it was a Republican regime that brought this country and our State to their knees. Keep that in your head; it was failed Bush policies and actions that led us to where we are at.

Personally? I hate voting. My choices are limited to extremists. I have to weigh my decision and vote for the least psychotic/sociopathic, AND to maintain checks and balances.

asb 6 months, 1 week ago

True, the poor cannot survive without government. None of us can. If there is a steady growth in the underclasses, it's due to the economy not being able to provide enough work, and the political system ignoring their need for nothing more than a stake in the process. The real elites aren't in government, they're in the financial and energy industries. I think it's a mistake to assume a steady increase in the number of people who don't want to work, that's an old saw about the poor and it's wrong. Public assistance is not a better job than any but the lowest-paying and worst jobs. What I'd suggest is active participation in keeping public assistance the last resort, getting as many people who have a stake in our culture involved in a meaningful way, and stop hearing that the poor, or minorities are their own fault and their own worst enemies. Stop hearing the drumbeat of fear of others and of an imaginary lower caste with no energy or wish to succed. When ANYBODY has a shot, they'll usually take it. When nothing they do makes a difference, they'll quit trying. That applies to people, dogs, trees and rocks. It's why we have politics. Making enemies of all who are not like us just makes war.

JCLifer 6 months, 1 week ago

I find it iteresting that as the liberals rail on about the wealthy elite, the only folks who are enjoying any of this Obama econmic recovery are the wealthy bankers on Wall Street and the Big Wealthy Corporations who are making record profits. Why all the dancing and glee over four more years of the poor getting poorer and the wealthy getting wealthier? Obama's recovery have only served to divide the haves and the have nots.

Even in little old Jefferson City, the Obama meddling with the Social Security witholding tax is resulting in the lowest paid #50th state workers effectively "losing" their measly 2% raise over the past 5 years in January.

What "success" are liberals celebrating? Obama had two years of controlling both chambers of the US legislature, and he hasn't fixed anything. People are suffering, and he gives our money to Brazil to drill for more oil instead of helping folks here at home.

The other thing that awaits: What is he gonna do for Russia now that he is re-elected and has much more freedome and flexibility?

I don't get it at all. I do get voting against the goof-ball republicans who want to meddle and control peoples' sex lives and womens' health, but these are minor issues compared to the crumbling economy and six trillon dollars of debt for our children.

Paroquet 6 months, 1 week ago

The crumbling economy and debt were initiated when Bush II held all four checks and balances. In the present scenario, Obama holds two of the four. Were Romney in office, he'd have three of four.

As for State workers, remember; never gripe. You're getting what you paid for at the least. Most actually care enough to try and go the extra mile, so you get more than you pay for.

What successes are Obama supporters celebrating? Bush II took the DJIA from 14k to 6k under his policies in just over a year. Obama took the DJIA from 6k to 12K in less than four years.

And no, those politicians like Ryan, Murdoch, and Akin don't have "minor issues". Putting your nose in someone's womb is not conservative. They are men who would be your Gods.

asb 6 months, 1 week ago

I think the simplest answer is that a Romney administration would have been worse by it's favoring a continuing concentration of power and wealth at the top. A more accurate answer would be to disagree with your assesment of Obama's impact on the economy. If the economy only grows as much as it has since his first election, it's going to be better. I think it will do even better in the next four years. Jobs, the environment, world opinion, giving North Carolina to Russia, a cooperative Congress fixing rather than eliminating our much delayed ACA, all of it.

newone 6 months, 1 week ago

Something to think about for sure:

Question to Republicans: if the economy recovers significantly in these next four years and we make progress on the deficit, will some measure of credit be given to President Obama?

Question to Democrats: if those things happen, will credit be shared with the Republican leadership that you surely will have to work with to accomplish anything?

Both of these answers need to be yes for this country to move forward.

GrumpyGus 6 months, 1 week ago

Basic macro-economics would indicate that it simply won't happen with Democrat ideas. Counter question, when the economy continues to flounder, will Democrats be able to concede that liberal economic policy fails every time it is tried? Bush was as liberal in his tax, borrow, spend policies as any Democrat. He thought he had to pull us out of 9/11, and keep us safe. If working together means passing liberal policy, I vote for gridlock.

BillyJoeRayBob 6 months, 1 week ago

I didn't take the time to read all the windy posts; just tossing in my two bits. It never fails to amaze me that people keep sending the same people back to Washington and expect different results; it never happens. Obama will not accomplish anything significant in the next four years and all the D's and R's will keep pointing fingers at each other. The current system is broken and it's going to come down to a complete fiscal collapse before it starts heading in the right direction. Enjoy what you have now; these are the good old days.

Sequoia 6 months, 1 week ago

There will be some change in Washington.

Conservatives are now seeing "the real America," and will hopefully start to figure out how to talk to people who don't already agree with them.

Washington will also take note of the strong showing for women and gay rights.

And...zoinks! We're starting to LEGALIZE IT!

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