Reply #80: There are two issues here - Obama is FAR more popular than Carter and

[karynnj]

there is simply no potential opponent with the stature of Ted Kennedy. In addition, Jimmy Carter was about as far to the right as the Democratic party goes - there was more "space" on his left for a challenge than in Obama's case.

As a test of the lack of a viable opponent, think of the Democrats who would consider running if Obama announced he intended not to run in 2012 - as unlikely as that is. That should get you a full list of candidates, viable and not. Look at that list and then generously identify the ones who would be potentially viable (eliminate Kucinich here), who are to the left of Obama (eliminate Clinton, Warner Bayh here) and finally of those still remaining would consider running against Obama (eliminate Kerry, who has been a strong Obama ally, and Gore, who didn't want to run in the open 2004 or 2008 races, here).

Now consider in addition, that Obama is considerably more popular then Jimmy Carter. Far above 50% of Democrats approve of him. There is NO ONE in the Democratic party who, upon announcing a challenge to Obama, would have above 50% of Democrats approving of them - including ones who have high approval ratings now.