German Newspapers Say President Obama Underestimated Frustration in Country, Base of Latinos, Blacks has Evaporated

The German armchair quarterbacks are giving their two cents about the state of politics in America and the rise of the Tea Party. Many have opined that President Obama is in over his head and the love affair is over. Personally, I don't blame just President Obama for his spinelessness in some regards, but Congress shoulders a lot of the blame for the ire of the public. That goes for both Democrats and Republicans. I am amazed at how quickly the American people have forgotten that the bottom fell out under the watch of a Republican president, who was given a rubber stamp by Congress for just about every hair-brained scheme he and his posse could concoct. Here are some excerpts from some German newspapers on the state of American politics and Obamaism (whatever that is!):

The center-right Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung writes:

"The spectacular successes of the grassroots conservative movement could turn out to be a political boomerang for the opposition Republicans, whose chances for the midterm elections were looking good or even very good. The Republicans will now be drawn further and further towards the right, meaning that they will no longer be an option for non-ideological voters who are disillusioned with the Democrats. In this way the Republicans could jeopardize their own future success. The Democrats' best campaigner isn't Obama, but rather the anti-establishment front of its opponent."

The conservative daily Die Welt writes:

"This sort of nomination is intended as a putsch against the Republican establishment, but it doesn't solve the Democrats' problems. They are threatened by a massive loss of support in the midterm elections, where the whole House of Representatives and a third of the Senate and a large chunk of the governor posts are up for grabs. But the Republicans' goal is to regain the majority in both houses of Congress. If they fail to accomplish this double whammy, the Democrats can breathe a sigh of relief."

The business daily Handelsblatt writes:

"Glen Beck, Sarah Palin and the Tea Party are part of an opposition movement outside of Congress which is moving mountains. This is a revolt against 'Obamaism,' which is seen as representing big government, more taxes, a higher deficit and not enough 'Americanism.' Day by day, it puts more and more pressure onto those at the top."

"In the US, people ... spend time and money supporting the Republicans. Unlike in Germany, in America, which never had a Hitler, being 'right-wing' is not taboo. 'Right-wing' represents Reagan, religion, the free market, individualism, patriotism and small government. In reality, it is an impossible mixture: National pride, God and tradition are conservative 'us' values. The profit motive, competition and a weak state are 'me-first' sentiments ... . But this mixture of conservative values and neoliberalism works well in America, where it transcends social class -- that's the difference to Germany."

The center-left Süddeutsche Zeitung writes:

"The success of the Tea Party candidate Christine O'Donnell does not bode well for the Republicans, nor for the Democrats (even if they see it differently at the moment), nor for the whole American political machine."

"Obama has underestimated the frustration in the country and the power of the Tea Party movement, which gives the prevailing disillusionment a platform and a voice. It is by far the most vibrant political force in America. Obama's left-of-center coalition, which got young people and intellectuals involved and which appealed to a majority of women, blacks and Latinos, has evaporated into nothing." Source: Der Spiegel

I will concede the point that Obama's base is on shaky ground right now. I voted for him, but I was never completely won over because I don't agree with many of the issues the Democratic Party holds true, which are also issues President Obama agrees with. The notion of big government is the cure-all for what ails this country is ridiculous. I hate to say it, but President Obama comes across as aloof and yes, a little elitist in talking to the American people. I don't think he really, really gets it and I suspect that has something to do with his inner circle. There is talk that Gen. Colin Powell could replace Rahm Emanuel as his Chief of Staff. That would be a good move.