Albatross Politics - Democrats Have A Problem

Monty Pelerin / Economic Noise

Albatrosses are always in season, at least in politics. No hunting license required. All weapons are legal.

What Is An Albatross?

The albatross is actually a bird but it is used here in metaphor fashion. In this sense, it refers to a heavy burden. Its origin comes from an old poem. Here is a relevant passage:

Ah ! well a-day ! what evil looks
Had I from old and young !
Instead of the cross, the Albatross
About my neck was hung. 

The passage is from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1798). The albatross metaphor seems appropriate to describe the deteriorating relationship between the Democrat Party and their once wunderkind, Barack Obama.

Two Key Indicators

Two key early indicators to determine whether the nation is moving closer to impeachment are the behaviors of the Democrat Party and the media. Without one or both on board, impeachment is not impossible but highly unlikely and even unlikelier to succeed.

As pointed out in one of the earlier articles, impeachment is more a political process than a legal one. It has standing in the Constitution, but practically can only be successful under the right political conditions.

Neither the Democrat Party or the media is on board at this point.

Both continue to support Barack Obama, at least superficially. He is no longer the newcomer-king upon whom adulation and praise was undeservedly poured. Much of the public no longer supports him or his policies. That puts his Democrat and media supporters in an uncomfortable position.

There is good reason for the public re-evaluation of Obama. Nothing that he has done can be called an achievement, at least a positive one. The medical system is in disarray and additional unpleasant surprises will continue as ObamaCare rolls out. The economy is not in a recovery. Joblessness (the real number) is a disgrace. Our allies are embarrassed by US foreign policy blunders and slights. Obama’s penchant for lying is now widely recognized. He is up to his neck in scandals. In short, he has gone from savior to worst president in five years.

Both Democrats and media invested heavily in the newcomer. It will not be easy for them to disengage from this alliance, but it may be necessary. The saga of Barack Obama has not worn well and both supporting groups are cognizant of that. Continuing to defend him may represent an existential threat to themselves. Neither is willing to risk that.

The most overt and ominous sign is provided by Democrats up for re-election. None want to be seen with Obama. He has acquired leper-like appeal as a result of his policies and declining poll numbers.  That was before the brouhaha raised over the latest Benghazi memo. Reaction to that is only beginning to show now. It will create more distance between him and his Party.

read more at Economic Noise:

http://www.economicnoise.com/2014/05/09/ridding-oneself-abatross/