ELECTION 2012
Democrats pressing Obama not to run again
Source says senior figures have discussed with president's top advisers
Posted: October 27, 2010
9:13 pm Eastern
By Aaron Klein
© 2010 WorldNetDaily
Some senior personalities in the Democratic Party have discussed with President Obama's advisers the possibility of him not running for re-election in 2012, according to an influential Democratic Party operative speaking on condition of anonymity.
The operative, who is close to the Democratic leadership, did not indicate whether Obama was undecided about running again.
Any such decision would need to be made at a later date based on a number of factors, such as any change in poll numbers after the midterm elections, the operative said.
There are some within the Democratic leadership who believe at this point it would be best for the party if Obama did not seek re-election in 2012, and more than one discussion has been held on the matter with Obama's top advisers, according to the party operative.
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Speculation has been rampant Obama might bow out on his own. The president is facing sinking approval ratings following a series of highly unpopular moves.
In a 2009 interview with CNN, Obama hinted he may not run.
"You know, if – if I feel like I've made the very best decisions for the American people and three years from now I look at it and, you know, my poll numbers are in the tank and because we've gone through these wrenching changes, you know, politically, I'm in a tough spot, I'll – I'll feel all right about myself," he said.
Continued Obama: "I said to myself very early on, even when I started running for office, I don't want to be making decisions based on getting re-elected, because I think the challenges that America faces right now are so significant."
"Obviously, if I make those decisions and I think that I'm moving the country on the right direction economically, in terms of our security interests, our foreign policy, I'd like to think that those policies are continued because they're not going to bear fruit just in four years."
Still, earlier this month Vice President Joe Biden revealed Obama had asked him to be his running mate again in two years.
"I tell you what, there's real trust, that's why he's asked me to run again," Biden said. "Look, he said, 'We're going to run together, are you going to run?' I said, 'Of course, you want me to run with you, I'm happy to run with you.'"
WND's Joseph Farah has written numerous pieces in which he has speculated Obama may not seek reelection, in part due to growing awareness concerning eligibility issues.
Fox News Channel's Neil Cavuto declared on his show in August that he is "more convinced than ever" Obama will not run in 2012.
"I don't think he wants it," stated Cavuto. "What can be more historic than a president who willingly walks away from the most powerful job on earth? Especially one who shattered precedent becoming president and all but shattered the Constitution itself being president."
Toby Harnden, writing in the Telegraph of London, commented, "Almost everything Obama does these days suggests that he doesn't care much about being re-elected. Strange as it might seem, perhaps he wants to be a one-term president.
"It seems highly unlikely that Obama will decide not to run in 2012," continued Harnden. "But he might well be calculating that a embarking post-presidential role as the leading global thinker in the post-American world as a Republican successor enters office is more attractive than being sullied by the political compromises and maneuverings necessary to win.
William Hughes, writing in the Examiner, opined, "Of course, nobody in their right mind believes that the most narcissistic world leader in our lifetime would ever willingly walk away from power, but it is nice to dream."
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Aaron Klein, WorldNetDaily's senior staff reporter and Jerusalem bureau chief, is known for his regular interviews with Mideast terror leaders and his popular segments on America's top radio programs. His newly released book is "The Manchurian President: Barack Obama's Ties to Communists, Socialists and Other Anti-American Extremists." Follow Klein on Twitter. Follow Klein on Facebook.
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