THERE are consequences for politicians when they ignore their base. In the case of the U.S, the ruling Democrats led by President Obama are set to suffer a humiliating defeat for ignoring the working and middle classes who turned out in record numbers to elect them to office. Instead of rewarding the working classes, the Democrats rewarded the wealthy class who had supported the Republicans and who got the country into a financial hole. The bulk of the Democrats plan to stay home come election day on November 2 and Obama is appealing to them to come out and rescue him.  Even Guyanese, many among those who voted for Obama two years ago, plan to stay home. This is the pitfall of ignoring the people who voted you into office.
Based on news reports, it appears the Democrats have conceded the 435 members House to the Republicans while doing all it can to hold on the 100 members Senate. All polls indicate the Democrats will lose the House although I remain hopeful that the party will survive to enable President Obama to finish some of his planned progressive agenda although he is yet to satisfy the working class.
Ironically, the fate of the Senate comes down to Obama’s former seat. IIlinois is a safe Democratic seat and should never have under threat.
I believe and hope the voters will be matured enough for the seat to
stay Democratic.
The fact that Obama’s own seat is in trouble shows how much people have turned against the young President who had approval rating exceeding 90% in his own state just two years ago and 85% nationally. The President has campaigned in Illinois to help his party hold on to the seat and the Democratic candidate has appeared with him. But elsewhere around the country, Democrats have shunned the unpopular President.
When he visits their constituencies, they leave town as they don’t want to be seen with him.  However, they don’t have a problem with his wife, Michelle, who is welcomed in their constituencies.  Michelle is far more popular than Barack and the President has sent his wife out to campaign for endangered Democrats. Democratic candidates are also embracing former President Bill Clinton on the hustings with them.
Bill’s approval ratings is some 20% higher than Obama’s. The White House has asked Bill to campaign for struggling Democrats and Bill has been defending the White House. He urged Democrats to defend their positions and not succumb to republican taunts. Hillary Clinton, whose approval ratings is sky high, the most popular politician in the country, can’t campaign for candidates because of her cabinet position. So Bill is filling in for her.
Obama needs to continue to defend his policies and there is nothing wrong in saying he erred in not allocating money to create jobs for the 17% unemployed and underemployed – a job situation that is hurting everyone, even moreso immigrants like Guyanese.