Liberal Gains and Conservative Backlash in the Obama Years

1. Liberal Gains and Conservative Backlash in the Obama Years X. Wang, W. Parker, J. Castell, A. Koka Mrs. Smith AP U.S. History - 2 27 May 2014

2. Reasons for Democratic Party Success in 2006 Public image of President George W. Bush had become very negative, stemming from the handling of Hurricane Katrina and the War in Iraq. Overall opinions on the Republican Party were also beneficial to the Democratic Party. The legislative defeat regarding Social Security Reform and the “culture of corruption” were capitalized upon during their campaign. High disapproval rates of the Republican-controlled Congress also reflected badly on the party. This midterm election was more nationalized, due to such complete unity on national issues, rather than just being district-centric. In fact, it was the first election in U.S. history in which the losses for one side were so lopsided that the victorious party did not lose a single incumbent or open seat in Congress or governor's mansion.

3. Effects of Democratic Party Success in 2006 The election saw the election of the first woman to serve as the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. As the leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives, she became the highest-ranking woman in the history of the United States upon her election as Speaker in January 2007. Even before Democratic gains, the Senate was reluctant to enact many of Bush’s policy initiatives. With the national shift from red to blue, Bush was sometimes referred to as a lame duck president because his legislative agenda was so heavily hindered. The House's subpoena power, and the Bush administration's responsibility to keep House committee chairs in the loop on military and intelligence decisions, means that the Bush administration was less capable of secretive decisions. In terms of characteristics attributed to parties, the Democratic Party was seen more than ever as the civil liberties party due to the failure of socially progressive Republicans in the election.

4. Historical Significance of Clinton v. Obama Barack Obama Democratic Senator (IL) African American Hilary Clinton • Democratic Senator (NY) • Female

5. Historical Significance of Clinton v. Obama Obama and Clinton both voiced criticism for the War in Iraq during their campaigns. Clinton initially supported U.S intervention in Iraq while Obama was against it. This was a main criticism against Hillary Clinton’s campaign. In the primary, Obama got 53% of the delegate vote and Clinton beat Obama by about 270,000 votes in the popular vote. After Obama was able to confirm that he had won simple majority of the delegate vote Clinton conceded the election and Obama had won.

6. Candidates and Results of the 2008 Election Barack Obama Democratic Senator (IL) Popular Vote: 69,498,516 (52.93%) Electoral Vote: 365 John McCain • Republican Senator (AZ) • Popular Vote: 59,948,323 (45.65%) • Electoral Vote: 173

7. Reasons for Democratic Party Success in 2008 Obama/Biden emotionally related to middle-class fears, including the growing unemployment rate, crashing 401(k) and pension plans leaving retirements at risk, health care, and public schools failing children. He also created comprehensive proposals to circumvent these issues such as his 12-point program to repair the economy for middle-class families, including a tax cut, 5 million new jobs, protections from foreclosure, and reform of bankruptcy laws; a Small Business Emergency Rescue Plan; and a specific plan to reform Wall Street practices. On the other hand, McCain sought to cut taxes for major corporations, and continue the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. Also, he wished to slash Medicare and privatize Social Security. People wanted to get away from Bush’s ways, and McCain had plans too closely linked to those of Bush. Regarding the War in Iraq, Obama advocated pulling out, while McCain wished to continue fighting. By 2008, the majority of the U.S. population vehemently opposed the continued participation in the war.

8. Effects of Democratic Party Success in 2008 The first African American president of the United States was elected into office; a very symbolic step towards racial equality and social progression. With a generally Democrat-lead government, many of the prior policies set in place by Bush were revoked. Obama immediately called for the U.S. military to develop plans to withdraw from Iraq, ushered in a “new era” of foreign relations with Russia and Europe that was meant to signify major changes in foreign policy, reversed limitations on stem cell research, signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, was at once more focused on the lower classes’ economic affairs, and set on reforming health care. Issues that were not major concerns following past elections became major factors of the government’s responsibility, such as health care and climate change.

9. Issues of the 2008 Election Economy: This was a top concern due to the housing crisis as well as high energy prices which increased national debt. War in Iraq: Obama wanted to end the war and bring the troops home, while McCain advocated for success in Iraq. The majority of Americans sided with Obama rationalizing that the war had gone on too long and that the U.S. was fighting someone else's war Health Care: This hadn’t been a major concern since the 1992 election. Obama and Democrats made this one of priorities in campaign, as it is a top concern for democratic voters Climate Change: Americans became more aware of global warming and use of fossil fuels, growing concern over obtaining imported oil from the Middle East was also displayed. Immigration: Obama and McCain advocated different plans of enforcement. While Republicans rejected legalizing 12 million undocumented immigrants, Democrats supported a pathway to legalization.

10. Overview of the Tea Party The Tea party is an American Political Movement known for advocating a reduction in the U.S. national debt and federal debt by reducing U.S. government spending and taxes. Stated Goals of the Tea Party: Illegal aliens are here illegally. Pro-domestic employment is indispensable. A strong military is essential. Special interests must be eliminated. Gun ownership is sacred. Government must be downsized. The national budget must be balanced. Deficit spending must end. Bailout and stimulus plans are illegal. Reducing personal income taxes is a must. Reducing business income taxes is mandatory. Political offices must be available to average citizens. Intrusive government must be stopped. English as our core language is required. Traditional family values are encouraged.

11. Key Leaders of the Tea Party Sarah Palin, who is an advocate for every principle stated on the list detailed before. Dick Armey, currently co-chairman of FreedomWorks, and past House Majority Leader. Michele Bachmann, member of the House of Representatives, and the founder of the defunct Tea Party Caucus. Marco Rubio, Florida Senator who argued for a reduction in government size and property taxes. Ted Cruz, Texas Senator endorsed by Republican Liberty Caucus.

12. Tea Party’s Effect of 2010 Elections One theme of the 2010 election was the tension the Tea Party created within the Republican Party because of the energy it gave to outside or non-establishment candidates. 49% of independent candidates identified themselves as active Tea Party supporters, while 43% of “strong Republicans” were actively supportive of the Tea Party Movement. Only 26% of “not so strong” Republicans identified with the Tea Party. The significance is that while the Tea Party won in a lot of minor states, its pivotal state elections were lost, such as Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell in Delaware who lost by a wide margin to Chris Coons, her Democratic opponent.

13. Tea Party’s Effect of 2010 Elections In the general election Tea Party endorsements generally had little statistically significant impact on the vote. The exception was the FreedomWorks group, whose endorsement was associated with 2% more of the vote than that of non-endorsed Republican candidates. FreedomWorksMotto: “Lower Taxes. Less Government. More Freedom.” Perhaps the most popular of the Tea Party factions, this sector is dubbed the “ideological brain”of the movement. With over 600,000 volunteers and near 3,000,000 million members this organization holds the power to back political campaigns and destroy them.

14. Tea Party’s Grievances and Accusations The members of the Tea Party being primarily white, rich, southern, true-blood Americans, most of the figureheads and said members have either directly or indirectly given racist remarks. At the state level, we have Alabama state senator Scott Beason referring to blacks as “aborigines”. The conversation went as so, “At one point, state Rep. Ben Lewis of Dothan said the people at Greenetrack are ‘y’all’s Indians.’ Beason responded: “They’re aborigines, but they’re not Indians.” Another example is,  U.S. Rep. Steve King attacks Obama because of his middle name, Hussein “…his middle name (Hussein) does matter,” King said. “It matters because they read a meaning into that in the rest of the world. That has a special meaning to them. They will be dancing in the streets because of his middle name. They will be dancing in the streets because of who his father was and because of his posture that says: Pull out of the Middle East and pull out of this conflict.”

15. Budget Hypocrisy with the Tea Party After the Clinton era which saw a mass expansion and overall prosperity in economics, conservatives which put George W. Bush into power essentially reversed everything that the Clinton era did successfully. This essentially started a budget crisis we still have today. The main problem is that they take no responsibility for what took place, when Bush became the first President in history to take the country to war and cut taxes at the same time, they said nothing. No matter when the Tea party came into existence, these accusations remain and the Tea Party must first step away from the conservatives in order to rid themselves of the hypocrisy they encounter daily.

16. Candidates and Results of the 2012 Election Barack Obama Democratic Senator (IL) Popular Vote: 65,915,796 (51.06%) Electoral Vote: 332 Mitt Romney • Massachusetts Governor (MA) • Popular Vote: 60,933,500 (47.20%) • Electoral Vote: 206

17. Issues of the 2012 Election Economy: The great recession that struck during Obama’s first term left a bitter taste in many people’s mouths, the wanted to see an increase in job creation and subsequently a decrease in unemployment. Health Care: The Affordable Health Care Act passed by Democrats in 2010 helped more Americans get insured, but Romney sought to repeal "Obama Care" because he thought it was unconstitutional as well as labeling it a huge tax increase, taking away tax payers’ money. Foreign Policy: Obama wanted to negotiate with countries and not have full-scale involvement such as in Vietnam, but rather use special operations to take down opponents. Romney's position is similar, but he also advocated for the U.S. taking a leading role in ending Middle Eastern conflicts, while Obama attempts to be more of a mediator. Obama’s Education Plan: Obama builds on the No Child Left Behind law and creates  “Race to the Top” program, which has awarded states more than $4.35 billion in competitive grants in exchange for crafting “innovative plans to improve teacher quality and student achievement.” Romney's Education Plan: Called “A Chance for Every Child”, this emphasized school choice, accountability and ensuring that qualified teachers are in every class, so that every student can have the opportunity to effectively learn.

18. The Culture War: Marriage Equality Pro • In general, the liberals and the Democratic Party have been more inclined to advocate same-sex marriage. • Liberals tend to believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all.  It is the duty of the government to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties and individual and human rights.Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve problems. • Marriage is the union of people who love each other.  It should be legal for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, to ensure equal rights for all.  • All individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, have the right to marry.  Prohibiting same-sex citizens from marrying denies them their civil rights. • More recently, this has become more prevalent in pop culture and politics, with even President Obama speaking up for legalizing same-sex marriage. Con • In general, the conservatives and the Republican Party have been more inclined to oppose same-sex marriage. • Conservatives tend to believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense.  Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems. • Marriage is the union of one man and one woman.  They support Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), passed in 1996, which affirms the right of states not to recognize same-sex marriages licensed in other states. • Requiring citizens to sanction same-sex relationships violates moral and religious beliefs of millions of Christians, Jews, Muslims and others, who believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman. • Often those opposed are willing to leave it to state governments, rather than the federal.

19. Same-Sex Marriage Bans/Legalizations

20. The Culture War: Abortion Pro (Life) • In general, the conservatives and the Republican Party have been more inclined to oppose abortion. • Human life begins at conception.  Abortion is the murder of a human being.  An unborn baby, as a living human being, has separate rights from those of the mother.  Oppose taxpayer-funded abortion.  Taxpayer dollars should not be used for the government to provide abortions. Support legislation to prohibit partial birth abortions, called the "Partial Birth Abortion Ban.” • In 2011, the abortion rate in the U.S. fell to its lowest level since Roe v. Wade, suggesting that this is what his desired by the American people. Pro (Choice) • In general, the liberals and the Democratic Party have been more inclined to advocate legalized abortion. • A woman has the right to decide what happens with her body.  A fetus is not a human life, so it does not have separate individual rights.  The government should provide taxpayer funded abortions for women who cannot afford them.  The decision to have an abortion is a personal choice of a woman regarding her own body and the government must protect this right.  Women have the right to affordable, safe and legal abortions, including partial birth abortion.

21. Abortion Restriction in the U.S.

22. Politics of Atmospheric Greenhouse Gas Levels • The United States is the second largest emitter of carbon dioxide after China. • The U.S government under the Obama administration adopted the Kyoto Protocol, which sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions for industrialized countries. • Obama has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 17%. • Environmentalists have grown supportive of Democrats because of these reforms and because the Bush administration had opted out of the Kyoto Protocol when created by the United Nations. • President Obama also created the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force to recover from the BP Oil Spill of 2010, which serves to coordinate the restoration actions while coordinating with departments and agencies on the Gulf Coast to conduct actions that cannot harm the ecosystem.

23. CO2 Emissions Globally