It's probably too late, but why don't the Democrats play up these facts?

[Onlooker]

Both Reagan and Obama inherited major recessions, though the one Obama inherited was worse.
Both Reagan and Obama created record deficits.
Under Reagan unemployment peaked at 10.8% in his 24th month.
Under Obama unemployment peaked at 10.1% in his 10th month.
(Source: http://www.miseryindex.us/URbymonth.asp)

While I realize anyone under 40 probably doesn't care much about Reagan, the fact is that most people over 40 were influenced by Reagan in one way or another, and Reagan is a icon of conservatives. To play up Obama's performance compared to Reagan's would make it clear that the Democratic approach to the recession has been surprisingly effective.

[demodonkey]

1. Not too late to WIN THIS ELECTION... get every Democrat you know out to vote!! nt

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. The Republicants Were Punished At The Ballot Box In 1982, Just Not Enough

In retrospect, given the state of the economy, their losses should have been a lot worse.

[tritsofme]

8. Democrats in 2010 are far more exposed that Republicans in 1982.

Today there are 255 House Democrats, in 1982 there were only 192 Republicans. There is just more room for Democrats to fall.

Even so, the 1982 election essentially wiped out all of the big gains Republicans made in 1980, and after they were gone you were left with the types of districts that Democrats couldn't win even in the wake of Watergate.

[iamjoy]

3. Add To That

President Obama inherited two wars on top of the financial disaster.

I also don't know why we aren't talking about Dick Cheney said deficits don't matter to justify the excesses of his administration. I guess what he meant was the deficits don't matter when Republicans create them (for war) but do matter when Democrats create them to try to help the citizens of this country.

[JoePhilly]

4. Reagan is now a right wing MYTHICAL figure.

The right wing has deified Reagan ... his actual actions are long forgotten.

He raised taxes, grew the government, grew the debt, gave illegals actual amnesty, negotiated with the Russians, sold weapons to Iraq and Iran, and "cut and ran" from the terrorists in Lebanon.

But all of that is forgotten. Now, he is the arch-type of conservative values. So yes, while he is an "icon" its not because of what he actually did.

His "legacy" is simply another part of history that the right wing has re-written. Just like FDR caused the depression. Clinton caused 9/11. And Reagan never did any of the things I listed above.

[KurtNYC]

5. Obama is not running -- and your plan is to emphasize deficits and unemployment

I think we should stick with job creation and tax cuts.

[Dawgs]

6. Better to go after the President they hate and remember. Pro-war, pro-privatize SS Pres, GWB.

Why they haven't done this yet is beyond me.

[ProSense]

7. Comparing these two recessions down plays the severity of the current one

Siglitz

Given the complexity of the economic system, the difficulties in predicting how expectations will be altered, and the pervasive irrationalities in the market, there is no way the impact of any economic policy could be ascertained with certainty. There may be some circumstances in which the effect of monetary policy can be accurately gauged. But recessions of this depth come only once every 75 years. What is true in normal times may be of little relevance now, especially as central banks engage in unusual measures such as QE.

A lot of people are proposing economic solutions tried over the past 30 years (Reagan thru Bush 2) as viable for the Obama administration, which is dealing with an economic crisis of historic proportions. The stimulus averted disaster, but the complexitiy of the crisis and other factors are slowing the recovery.

The mortgage crisis is a relatively new phenomenon and the solution is not going to be a quick or easy fix.

The greedy corporate assholes have no intention of cooperating unless they get their way.

[treestar]

9. It's not too late for anything

With the attention span of the voters today? It's probably too early!

[LongTomH]

10. Net recommendation: 0 votes (Your vote: +1)

Hmmmm!!!!! The un-reccers are out in force today!:think:

[Whisp]

11. and where would these facts play up? on CNN?

:rofl:

the media will not allow this kind of talk. even if a democrat had some air time for the many 'unspeakable' (unspeakable to the media owners that much prefer the rightwing way of doing things) things democrats may think: there would be a 'panel' and the rightwinger just talks over the democratic, and the host cuts off the democrat and cuts to commerical if anything too 'unpleasant' is revealed.

[mikekohr]

12. 70 Years of Democratic Economic Success Versus 70 yrs of Republican Fubar

Republicans come in a distant second to Democratic economic accomplishment see: http://bureaucountydems.blogspot.com/p/economic-record.html
and lay claim to being economic wizards.

Republicans explode the National Debt. see: http://bureaucountydems.blogspot.com/p/national-debt.html
and lay claim to being fiscally responsible.

Republicans CRUSH job creation see: http://bureaucountydems.blogspot.com/p/job-growth.html
and claim to understand how to control the business cycle.

Republicans have been in charge when 9 of the last 10 recession have occurred see: http://bureaucountydems.blogspot.com/p/history-of-recessions.html
and claim to be experts on the economy

Democrats have the record, the facts and history on our side. Republicans have fear, fubar and "F" up. And when they win, working people lose. And that's how they like it.

Democratic "Bubble Up Economic" policy outperforms Republican "Tinkle Down Economics" in every segment of the population

?


From "The Rachael Maddow Show http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010... ...
mike kohr
Bureau County Democrats
http://bureaucountydems.blogspot.com

[BootinUp]

13. I must Object your honor!

The deficit is primarily a function of reduced revenue, not spending. Please see Krugmans government spending analysis for more info.