Who will be the next FDR-Reagan-Obama figure for both parties?

[Bo]

I used those three names because FDR, Reagan, and Obama redefined the American political landscape for a generation. FDR created many social programs and made ordinary people believe that the goal of the govt. is to help them out. Also, FDR laid the foundation for passing civil rights through his various social programs and his inclusive policies toward minority communities (except the Japanese). Reagan redefined the political landscape by making trickle-down economics and deregulation the dominant economic policies in the U.S. for nearly 30 years. He also made socail cosnervatism more mainstream and popular. Finally, Obama is essentially promoting some of FDR's old ideas and making people believe that the govt. is their friend again. Also, FDR, Reagan, and Obama changed the poltiical landscape. FDR created a coalition of poor whites, minorities, immigrants, and the middle class which lasted almost 40 years. The Democrats won 7 out of 9 presidential elections ebtween 1932 and 1964. Reagan created a coalition between suburbanites, the religious right, and blue collar workers that lasted nearly 30 years. Between 1980 and 2004, the Republicans won 5 out of 7 presidential elections. Obama also redefined the political map by competing in states where Democratic candidates were previously thought not to have a chance (Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, Georgia, Montana, etc.) and winning several of them. It also appears that this is the beginning of a new era of Demcoratic dominance in Presidential elections, even though this remains to be seen.

Who will be the next candidate (in both parties) to redefine American political thinking (and maybe the political landscape) for a generation?

[President Mitt]

[Bo]

That's Gary Johnson, right? I'm sorry, but I don't see it happening. How old is he?

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Um, Obama hasn't done anything even remotely close to "redefining the American political landscape" as FDR and Reagan did.

[Bo]

Um, Obama hasn't done anything even remotely close to "redefining the American political landscape" as FDR and Reagan did.

He ushered a new era of Democratic dominance at the Presidential level and also brought back many ideas based on FDR's back into the mainstream.

[President Mitt]

That's Gary Johnson, right? I'm sorry, but I don't see it happening. How old is he?

See what happening? Winning the Republican Nomination? Considering the current Top Tier of candidates is complete trash, I could definitely see Johnson at least putting up a good fight for the nomination.

[Bo]

That's Gary Johnson, right? I'm sorry, but I don't see it happening. How old is he?

See what happening? Winning the Republican Nomination? Considering the current Top Tier of candidates is complete trash, I could definitely see Johnson at least putting up a good fight for the nomination.

I don't doubt his ability to win the nomination. I don't see him winning the Presidency anytime in the future, though. That's what I was talking about.

[President Mitt]

That's Gary Johnson, right? I'm sorry, but I don't see it happening. How old is he?

See what happening? Winning the Republican Nomination? Considering the current Top Tier of candidates is complete trash, I could definitely see Johnson at least putting up a good fight for the nomination.

I don't doubt his ability to win the nomination. I don't see him winning the Presidency anytime in the future, though. That's what I was talking about.

He doesn't have to win the presidency to quote you:

redefine the American political landscape for a generation

[Bo]

That's Gary Johnson, right? I'm sorry, but I don't see it happening. How old is he?

See what happening? Winning the Republican Nomination? Considering the current Top Tier of candidates is complete trash, I could definitely see Johnson at least putting up a good fight for the nomination.

I don't doubt his ability to win the nomination. I don't see him winning the Presidency anytime in the future, though. That's what I was talking about.

He doesn't have to win the presidency to quote you:

redefine the American political landscape for a generation

Touche. Well, I guess he works. But I was talking about someone actually winning the Presidency. I guess I should have made that more specific.

[Alexander Hamilton]

Um, Obama hasn't done anything even remotely close to "redefining the American political landscape" as FDR and Reagan did.

He ushered a new era of Democratic dominance at the Presidential level and also brought back many ideas based on FDR's back into the mainstream.

lol no

[Bo]

Um, Obama hasn't done anything even remotely close to "redefining the American political landscape" as FDR and Reagan did.

He ushered a new era of Democratic dominance at the Presidential level and also brought back many ideas based on FDR's back into the mainstream.

lol no

Prove me wrong.

[Psychic Octopus]

rofl Obama figure. What is an Obama figure? Someone who gets a lot of hype but ultimately fails and disappoints everyone? Also, ushering a new era of democratic dominance... Just lol, after one year into the presidency it's pretty damn dumb to even remotely consider that possibility. Ask me in 5 years. The foundation may have been layed, but Obama won't be the Democratic messiah.

[Mint]

Obama is transforming the landscape, but in the opposite way he intended.

[CatoMinor]

^^^^^^^^^^^

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

That's Gary Johnson, right? I'm sorry, but I don't see it happening. How old is he?

See what happening? Winning the Republican Nomination? Considering the current Top Tier of candidates is complete trash, I could definitely see Johnson at least putting up a good fight for the nomination.

I don't doubt his ability to win the nomination. I don't see him winning the Presidency anytime in the future, though. That's what I was talking about.

He doesn't have to win the presidency to quote you:

redefine the American political landscape for a generation

Touche. Well, I guess he works. But I was talking about someone actually winning the Presidency. I guess I should have made that more specific.

If Johnson does win the GOP nomination, he has the potential to redraw the electoral map in favor of a new Republican coalition. Unlike Obama, he actually represents change.

[Lincoln Republican]

Obama certainly does not belong in the same league as FDR and Reagan, however, here are my names as to who will be the next such Presidents:

Republican               Mitt Romney

Democrat                Evan Bayh

Barack Obama could rise to this status after eight successful, productive, and life changing years for the nation in the Presidency, however, as of now, he hardly deserves such accolades.                     

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

[rebeltarian]

2008 was not a re-alignment election.  It was an even greater magnification of 2000-2004, with the swing states skewing Democrat and the solid red and blue states get even more red and blue.  2008 was, however, the beginning of the current Democrat coalition of minorities/affluent whites/unions outnumbering the aging Republican coalition of social conservatives/enterprisers/defense hawks.

[Sic Semper Fascistis]

Figures like Roosevelt and Reagan appear only once every 30 years (at least), so the next is probably unknown in the political landslide nowadays.

[Magic 8ball]

Democrat-Possibly Obama, too early to tell.
Republican- \/ \/ \/ Someone who appeals to the moderates and libertarians.  \/ \/ \/

[Mechaman]

rofl Obama figure. What is an Obama figure? Someone who gets a lot of hype but ultimately fails and disappoints everyone? Also, ushering a new era of democratic dominance... Just lol, after one year into the presidency it's pretty damn dumb to even remotely consider that possibility. Ask me in 5 years. The foundation may have been layed, but Obama won't be the Democratic messiah.

For christ sake, why don't we just call Clinton a "FDR-Reagan" figure? After all Obama (from what I have seen) is a white Bill Clinton.

[phk]

If Obama fails than Bill Clinton may as well be the new FDR-figure for the modern Dems.

[Bo]

If Obama fails than Bill Clinton may as well be the new FDR-figure for the modern Dems.

No, Clinton wouldn't become the new FDR-Reagan figure for the Dems. In that case, neither Clinton nor Obama would fit the bill. Clinton didn't redefine the American political landscape for a generation like FDR and Reagan did. FDR brought about the rise of the welfare state, while Reagan brought about the rise of trickle-down economics and deregulation. Clinton did not leave his mark on the country like FDR and Reagan did. In fact, Clinton didn't really have a lasting legacy.

[Psychic Octopus]

If Obama fails than Bill Clinton may as well be the new FDR-figure for the modern Dems.

No, Clinton wouldn't become the new FDR-Reagan figure for the Dems. In that case, neither Clinton nor Obama would fit the bill. Clinton didn't redefine the American political landscape for a generation like FDR and Reagan did. FDR brought about the rise of the welfare state, while Reagan brought about the rise of trickle-down economics and deregulation. Clinton did not leave his mark on the country like FDR and Reagan did. In fact, Clinton didn't really have a lasting legacy.

He means it in a different context, I think. The idea is that Democrats will increasingly look to Bill Clinton as their model President, which is solidified by the solid growth and prosperity during his administration. If Obama fails, the more leftist wing of the Democratic party will slowly die off, ensuring the domination of moderate Dems such as Warner and Bayh. The wing would look away from FDR and LBJ, and shift to the right even more. And what fits the bill as a successful administration, and ideal figure and model president? Bill Clinton.

True, he wasn't a FDR-Reagan figure, but he had a substantial impact on his party.

[Bo]

If Obama fails than Bill Clinton may as well be the new FDR-figure for the modern Dems.

No, Clinton wouldn't become the new FDR-Reagan figure for the Dems. In that case, neither Clinton nor Obama would fit the bill. Clinton didn't redefine the American political landscape for a generation like FDR and Reagan did. FDR brought about the rise of the welfare state, while Reagan brought about the rise of trickle-down economics and deregulation. Clinton did not leave his mark on the country like FDR and Reagan did. In fact, Clinton didn't really have a lasting legacy.

He means it in a different context, I think. The idea is that Democrats will increasingly look to Bill Clinton as their model President, which is solidified by the solid growth and prosperity during his administration. If Obama fails, the more leftist wing of the Democratic party will slowly die off, ensuring the domination of moderate Dems such as Warner and Bayh. The wing would look away from FDR and LBJ, and shift to the right even more. And what fits the bill as a successful administration, and ideal figure and model president? Bill Clinton.

True, he wasn't a FDR-Reagan figure, but he had a substantial impact on his party.

The solid growth and prosperity under Clinton's watch were mostly due to luck and market forces than to Clinton's policies. Clinton just happened to be in office during the dot-com boom--the dot-com boom didn't occur because of him. I agree with the rest of what you said, though.