Barack Obama - Politics 101 - Politics is the art of the possible...

Politics is the art of the possible."   The American people would be wise to keep that quote in the forefront of their thoughts as  Tuesday's election approaches.

Unless you have been living in a bunker somewhere - you know that America's major mid-term elections are coming up and that it is thought that the President's party will take quite a thrashing because of our high unemployment rate.



Critics have been quick to point out that although that this recession was the handiwork of the previous administration - President Barack Obama backed by substantial majorities in the House and Senate has been unable to pull the economy up from the ashes left to him by 8 years of excesses by the Bush Administration.

What they forget - particularly the progressives that want Obama to be more aggressive is that  politics is indeed "the art of the possible."

The tyranny of the minority supplants the tyranny of the majority

The framers of our Constitution designed our government with a variety of "checks and balances."  These checks and balances have been a hallmark of democracy in America and have traditionally given the minority party significant power to influence policy.

Sadly this balance of Power can devolve into gridlock which can bring the process of governing to a screeching halt.  The use of the filibuster in the Senate is an example of taking important legislation completely off the table.  No negotiations, no compromise.  This becomes particularly acute when the minority party puts regaining power above the public good.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell weighs in

Yesterday Mitch McConnell put his cards on the table.  Should the Republicans win back the Senate he would be the majority leader.  As such he went on the record stating that if he became the Senate Majority Leader his primary goal would be to make sure Obama is a one-term president.

Pitiful...this is your goal?  with 10% unemployment, foreclosures in record numbers, salaries and wages flat or softening for the vast majority - THIS IS YOUR GOAL.

The public should bear this in mind when the head for the polls - Otherwise Obama will be engaging in "the art of the impossible."

Joe Scarborough  - a former republican Congressman and conservative morning talk show host was horrified and referred to the "agenda" as "pathetic." The exchange below is short, but stunning.