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

[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.

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.

It's all about perception. It's all about perception. Sure, that may be true, but look at all the other bogus things people think Presidents do? Like the idea that JFK was one of the greatest presidents, or the one that Hoover caused the great depression? (I could go further, but what's the real point).  Sure, they really didn't do those things, but since when has the public noticed?

[Derek]

I think John Thune, Scott Brown, and Mitt Romney would be good candidates for the GOP. Obama is not on the level of Reagan. He only won because he was the furthest candidate from President Bush. Bill Clinton was a better speaker than Obama is today. For example if Clinton's telepromter fell, he would be able to wing it. Great speakers have lost in the past.

[Psychic Octopus]

I think John Thune, Scott Brown, and Mitt Romney would be good candidates for the GOP. Obama is not on the level of Reagan. He only won because he was the furthest candidate from President Bush. Bill Clinton was a better speaker than Obama is today. For example if Clinton's telepromter fell, he would be able to wing it. Great speakers have lost in the past.

Well, when his teleprompter malfunctioned, he freaked out and said there's something wrong. But, it got going again.

[Padfoot]

Shouldn't we wait until the conclusion of his presidency before we start lumping Obama in with Roosevelt and Reagan.  Although I voted for him and I wouldn't change my vote knowing what I know now, I remain unconvinced that Obama will be heralded as one of our great presidents by future generations.  His election will definitely be marked as an important milestone in American history but we still have no idea what the rest of his presidency will look like.

[Psychic Octopus]

Shouldn't we wait until the conclusion of his presidency before we start lumping Obama in with Roosevelt and Reagan.  Although I voted for him and I wouldn't change my vote knowing what I know now, I remain unconvinced that Obama will be heralded as one of our great presidents by future generations.  His election will definitely be marked as an important milestone in American history but we still have no idea what the rest of his presidency will look like.

Exactly. We don't even know if he'll win a second term, and he has accomplished nothing so far.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

While it is too soon to tell, even a one-term Obama could be a defining figure for the Democrats, tho I doubt it.  Heck, the zero-term Bryan was a transformative figure for the Democrats that saw the Democrats be transformed from being the more conservative of the two parties to being the more populist of the two.