Clinton inherited a recession from the elder Bush, but Obama is bequeathed with the deepest recession and most severe financial crisis since the Great Depression. Clinton had to deal with a hostile Iraq but not quite a "war," while Obama has two wars and a potential arms race beckoning on the horizon.
Fortunately, Americans tend to back Democrats during hard financial times. FDR served longer than any other president throughout the Great Depression. Although the stock market bottomed out and unemployment reached its lowest level well into his first term, Americans did not lose faith in him or the Democrats.
There is no doubt that Obama is losing confidence fastest among progressives, the base of the Democratic Party that strongly supported him especially during the early part of his presidential campaign. In turn, the same actions that are bothering progressives or liberals are attracting more conservative-leaning folk toward him and his administration.
Can he keep his extraordinary movement together without the progressive "change" element? Will those small donations continue to roll in, and the volunteers still show up when called? Hopefully, the loss in Georgia is not a sign of things to come down the road.
Although the liberal commentators have been generally disappointed with Obama's cabinet and staff picks, at least his committment to green energy transition appears as strong as ever despite the market turbulence. That alone may be enough to keep the "bleeding hearts" on his side.
BBC NewsLow Turnout Saves Chambliss; Progressives Look Ahead - Dec 03
Beyond Chron, CA -6 hours ago
Saxby Chambliss gets to remain in Washington for another six years, and I fully expect him to play “obstructionist” in the US Senate to Obama’s progressive ...For Republicans, a Welcome and Resounding Win in Georgia National Review Online Blogs
12/3: The GOP Comeback Begins?National Journal
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