Obama Goes West

Wanting to gain back the trust of the Democratic loyalists, President Barack Obama went to the west coast to raise money for his campaign. He spoke with words of encouragement as well as attacks on the Republican Party. Obama spoke at a brunch fundraiser where the guests were paying $35,800 per couple to hear him speak at the first of seven fundraisers he had from Seattle to LA to San Diego. This fundraising event will end in Denver on Tuesday. These give Obama the opportunity to restore confidence to his most liberal supporters.

As I had mentioned above, Obama has been criticizing many republicans and calling them out by name. The president has condemned them as obstructionists while demanding their help in passing his $447 billion jobs bill. This new approach to campaigning has definitely satisfied many Democratic activists who were getting tired of the president's surrendering attitude to the Republicans on tax cuts as well as other issues while unemployment is still above 9% and the economy has slowed down.

This 2012 election will definitely be a difficult one with the country seeming so discouraged and not trusting of the government. However, Obama has said he is determined, for so much is at stake. In response to the GOP alternative Obama said it is  "an approach to government that will fundamentally cripple America in meeting the challenges of the 21st century. And that's not the kind of society that I want to leave to Malia and Sasha."

Obama had a welcoming response at his first stop on his west coast endeavor but in other places liberal activists were making plans of criticizing his policies and reminding him they want him to do more. Kathy Cummings the communications director for the Washington State Labor Council, whom were organizing a demonstration in Seattle outside Obama’s fundraiser, said, "We want to see Obama stand up as strongly as he can to fight for the people of this country who are working out there to make ends meet." Obama as well as the Republican presidential candidates have been working hard to raise campaign money before September 30^th. This is the reporting deadline that will give the candidates an idea of their financial situation. The expected amount to be raised from the seven fundraisers Obama is holding is $4 million or more.

One of the things Obama has been pushing is his job proposal. This consists of tax cuts, unemployment benefits, and public works spending. This bill is not receiving the best reception especially from those on Capitol Hill.  Many Republicans oppose this because Obama wants to pay for it with tax increases. If Obama can’t get this bill passed he wants everyone to know who is standing in the way, congress.

I think its Obama standing in the way. He wants to spend more money while America is still in so much debt but many Democratic supporters are in favor of the jobs plan and Obama's insistence that Congress must raise taxes to pay for it.