Barack Obama

McCain-Palin

The Birthers• The Facts

2008 Results

Obama 365McCain 173

The Great Recession

Bush and Obama: Keynesian Response

Priorities: Health Care

• White House Health care page• Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act– Introduced Sep 17, 2009 – Passed House Oct 08, 2009 – Passed Senate with Changes Dec 24, 2009 – Passed Senate Mar 21, 2010 – Signed by the President Mar 23, 2010

Tea Party Movement

The Fringe

2010 ElectionsSenate

Year Democrats Republicans Independent

2008 (111th) 57 41 2 (allied with Democrats)

2010 (112th) 51 47 2 (allied with Democrats)

2012 (113th) 53 45 2 (allied with Democrats)

2014 (114th) 44 54 2 (allied with Democrats)

2010 ElectionsHouse

Year Democrats Republicans

2008 (111th) 257 178

2010 (112th) 193 242

2012 (113th) 201 234

2014 (114th) 188 247

2012

• Obama 332• Romney 206

Republican Strategy

• Stop Obama’s legislative agenda

Obama Strategy

Executive powerImmigration

The Current Battle

1. House Lawsuit against Obama Actions on Affordable Care Act

•Obama delays employer mandate•The Resolution Authorizing the Lawsuit

2. Supreme Court ruling on Affordable Care Act 2015

Lessons

• From Teddy Roosevelt• From LBJ• From Ronald Reagan

What TR Would Say:Use the Bully Pulpit!

• Press conferences• Average number

• Informal Q and A– Less than 1/3 of Bush and Clinton

• Meetings with reporters– More than Bush and Clinton combined

What LBJ Would Say

Health Carevs. Civil Rights

Control the billMake it yours

What Reagan Would SayObama PrioritiesThe key elements of health care reform?

Reagan: Clarity, focus, sell the message• Increase defense• Cut spending• Cut taxes• Balance the budget

Increased Polarization?