President and First Lady Obama just finished hosting a lavish state dinner for the president of China, Hu Jintao. In attendance were luminaries ranging from music sensation Herbie Hancock, to the CEO of Coca-Cola. Also hovering in the background of this star-studded fête was... former president Bill Clinton. While he was probably glad to be there as the companion of his Secretary of State wife, Hillary -- in a delicious reversal of traditional political spouse roles -- you have to wonder if Bill did not feel a little jealous and out of sorts.
After all, Bill used to be the big shot, running the free world, saving the economy from a meltdown, and all that. Clinton has had his two terms. Now it's Obama's turn. He surely is aware of that. But seeing Clinton in his old haunt of power, cheesing at the current president while biting his lower lip makes you feel a bit sorry for him. It can't be easy giving up that kind of prestige.
And let's face it. Unless our president can create an economic miracle and generate millions of jobs in less than two years, Obama might face the same plight in 2012.
It's clear that the
top priorities for most Americans are jobs and the economy. As the GOP fights to repeal health care reform, one of Obama's most sweeping accomplishments, the president might have even less to show for himself if the Republicans suceed. The president has done a lot to help Americans in other areas -- but his many great social improvements are not related to jobs and jobs alone,
so most people just don't care. Unless he can convince the public to let him keep trying on jobs for four more years, there is a serious chance President Obama will not win.
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Recent Obama Photos
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome Chinese President Hu Jintao for a State dinner at the White House January 19, 2011 in Washington, DC. Obama and Hu met in the Oval Office earlier in the day.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
AP
BlackVoices.com
Recent Obama Photos
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome Chinese President Hu Jintao for a State dinner at the White House January 19, 2011 in Washington, DC. Obama and Hu met in the Oval Office earlier in the day.
Recent Obama Photos
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wait for the arrival of China's President Hu Jintao, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, at the North Portico of the White House in Washington, for the State Dinner.
Recent Obama Photos
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Grand Staircase as they arrive for a state dinner at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011.
Recent Obama Photos
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk back inside after greeting Chinese President Hu Jintao upon his arrival on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, DC, January 19, 2011, prior to hosting a State Dinner.
Recent Obama Photos
From left, Coca Cola Company CEO Muhtar Kent, first lady Michelle Obama and China's President Hu Jintao toast during a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011.
Recent Obama Photos
The menu of the state dinner for Chinese President Hu Jintao is seen during the dinner at the State Dining Room of the White House January 19, 2011 in Washington, DC. Obama is hosting a state dinner for Hu's state visit to the United States this evening.
Recent Obama Photos
President Barack Obama listens as China's President Hu Jintao speaks before offering a toast during a State Dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011.
Recent Obama Photos
President Barack Obama speaks before he offering a toast as he and first lady Michelle Obama, not seen, host China's President Hu Jintao for a State Dinner, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington.
Recent Obama Photos
Recent Obama Photos
Former President Bill Clinton, right, greets President Barack Obama as Obama arrives at a State Dinner in honor of China's President Hu Jintao, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, at the White House in Washington.
Recent Obama Photos
And if he does not, is it hanging around cocktail parties of the super-powerful for him, the poor fate of former president Bill Clinton? No. We know Barack Obama better than that by now. According to The Atlanta Post, President Obama already has a book deal in the can, and is poised to rake in millions from it should he lose the election in 2012. Plus, Obama has perfectly positioned himself for a post-presidency career that will be lucrative and long. Here's more:
Though several years off, President Obama's next gig is already shaping up to be a sweet deal.
He may be deep in the groove of his Presidency. But we do know he has given thought to what happens next. Before he even sat at the Resolute Desk, he inked a deal to deliver a post-presidency book, raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Millions will follow, no doubt, because after you've pulled the nation back from the brink of economic disaster, and perhaps even a second Great Depression, what you do for an encore will be worth paying for.
He'll rack up on the speakers' circuit. He's one of the world's most gift orators. So, money won't be an issue.
Neither will his age. When he leaves the White House - in either 2013, or 2017, at the age of 52 or 56, depending on the outcome of the next election - he will still have a dangerous jump-shot and a bop in his walk, and his children will still be youngsters. (The Atlanta Post)
So even if Obama doesn't win in 2012, he will remain an important and influential leader for years to come as a speaker, writer and most likely a private influencer behind the scenes. The American people might give him the pink slip, but the president still has many skills that he can parlay into multiple income streams making him financially indepedent of his employer -- us. That is a career lesson many Americans still need to learn.
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Comments: (26)
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By: Brady on 1/20/2011 1:17PM
I have to admit, Im one that doesnt care about what he has done or about his future prospects.
However its not personal.
Under Obama, My people are catching the blues, its a fact and really that simple. So excuse me if some of us, are very uncomfortable basking in the the glory of the Presidents future prospects.
Enlight of our present situation, Frankly i think its very insentive to even write such a story, but thats just my opinion.
Its a matter of priority and his doesnt match mine, or any other job seeker for that matter. I think people would rather have a job, then tobacco regulation, i think people would rather have a job, then credit card regulation. A job rather then the first lady telling folks what thier kids should eat at school. A job rather than any other liberal BS regulation they have passed. Later For that!
His liberal accomplishments are very impressive, if your a liberal. But Im not, I look at results.
And forgive me, but Im not impressed, since his "Job Saving" Stimuls Package, the Black unemployment has risen not helt steady, not slowed down, BUT RISEN. Thats a FACT!
And his home forclosure plan a complete and total bust. Thats a FACT.
These are the things that matter to me.
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By: judy on 1/20/2011 2:17PM
YAWN!! Black people are not the only people experiencing high unemployment buddy, so go peddle that "my people are catching the blues" some place else.
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By: SteveLC on 1/21/2011 8:23PM
What is sad so mant Americans have developed dementia. They've forgotten what had happen doing the Bush administration during his first six years, that is the foundations for the mess that the US is in. Bush was all for the Rich, get richer. And the majority Republicans continue to look out for the rich. Giving the tax cut break to the rich didn't create jobs during Bush tenure and will not during Obama term. But what really surprise me is that the Republicans and the Americans, and many Democrats don't mention the two unjust wars. It's these two wars that is putting the US in hock and draining the economy, and causing the death of many military personal and the murdering of many Afghanistan's and Iraq citizens.
The jobs will not return back to America, the Chinese will continuing to entice other companies and technologies to move to China, and the greedy corporate heads will go. If and when China adopts Japan's quality assurance and environment programs, manufacturing will be dead here in America.
The Tea party and the Republicans racist agenda and providing more regulations for the rich to get richer will bring the U.S.A. to its knees. The New World Order and the NAU is becoming a reality. The newly partnership of Russia, China and South America wil be the new force in the world.
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By: Carmen Dulac on 1/24/2011 2:06PM
President Obama will be re-elected in 2012 !
He is Honest, Good judgement, intelligent and first of all, he cares for all Americans. God is on His side because his Faith is true. He believes in the One who is Almighty.
Carmen
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By: LRT on 1/27/2011 1:00PM
BRADY I HAD TO RESPOND TO YOU BCUZ YOU HIT THE NAIL DIRECTLY ON THE HEAD BUDDY. WHO CARES ABOUT HIS PROSPECTS. I CARE ABOUT AMERICA'S PROSPECTS AFTER HE IS OUT OF OFFICE. WHO CARES ABOUT HIM STICKING TO BIG BUSINESS WITH REGULATIONS OR FINES,ETC. HOW HAS THAT BENEFITED ANY JOB SEEKING AMERICAN,PARTICULARLY BLACKS. IF OBAMA WAS WHITE AND REPUBLICAN WOULD BLACKS GIVE HIM A PASS ON THE STATE OF THINGS OR WOULD THEY BE SHOUTING FROM THE MT. TOPS ABOUT HIM BEING A FAILURE. I THANK GOD THAT I AM NOT A LIBERAL. I DONT CARE IF HE OR SHE IS BLACK,WHITE,GREEN,MAN OR WOMEN. I CARE IF THEY ARE GETTING THE JOB DONE. HE ISNT GETTING THE JOB DONE.TAKE A LOOK AT DETROIT AND MOST INNER CITIES AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS AROUND THE COUNTRY. THEY HAVE BEEN RUN BY LIBERALS DEMS FOR DECADE AFTER DECADE AND ARE TERRIBLE.IT'S LIKE BLACKS WANT INTENTIONS NOT RESULTS.WHEN WILL THEY OR WE HAS A PEOPLE STOP THIS BLIND FOLLOWING OF THESE TYPES. DONT BLAME THE TEA PARTY, REPUBLICANS OR CONSERVATIVES FOR THE ILLS OF OUR RACE OR IT'S PRESENT STATE BLAME OURSELVES FOR REPEATEDLY PUTTING POVERTY PIMPS IN THE POSITION OF POWER.THEY WILL DANGLE THE CARROT BUT YOU WILL NEVER BE IN A POSITION TO GRAB IT. IT IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN DESIGNED THAT WAY TO KEEP LIBERAL DEMS IN POWER. YALL KEEP TAKING THEIR CRUMBS BCUZ I AM GOING FOR THE LOAF!
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By: rudy on 1/20/2011 2:02PM
I am sure some black folks are somewhat conflict with his policy because they thought his agenda is working, Unfortunately, it didn't...I hope once his agenda are done by the time his presidency is over..I doubt he will go ahead and try to get his second term in jan 2013 ..The reason are he may not have enough money to put his campigan because now they saw how deficit almost crashed to the toilet! Many black or white)young people are having difficult to find a good job once they graduated from college and deal with their huge debt..I know it is pretty unfair for young people's dream shattered...Hopefully, Mr. Obama and his staff to work together and fix before it get worse..
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By: .HERB RHODES on 1/20/2011 2:01PM
What, How,and WHEN would you people do about the concerns you mention above?
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By: Alexis Stodghill on 1/20/2011 2:11PM
Maybe you should check out this Web site:
http://whattheheckhasobamadonesofar.com/?q=43
Obama has done a lot. I personally know people who got jobs HELPING PEOPLE GET JOBS because of the stimulus money. Black people, btw.
Also, the unemployment rate has just recently stabilized. Things were going downhill as Obama took office. Clearly the declines that occurred in the two years he has been in office are not the result of his policies. He has also had tremendous success with the Auto Industry bail out, which saved two billion companies, will make a profit for the government, and saved the economy of the Midwest.
Yes I know Bush started that, but Obama made sure it went through and administered it.
It is people like you who I address in the piece. If he can't create a miracle and change a totally shifting economy, that was going to change anyway due to decisions and forces that began before he took power, you are going to hang him out to dry.
At least he is more fiscally aware and responsible than the GOP, which is already going back on their fiscal campaign promises:
http://www.bvonmoney.com/2011/01/18/the-gop-fails-to-keep-fiscal-campaign-promises/#comments
If you would really prefer a Tea Party or GOP president, I don't know what to say. They have done nothing but tear apart the country financially to give perks and breaks to the rich, then blame Dems when things fall apart on the social level. They have no plans, and have no initiatives but to tear down everything Obama has built.
Sounds much better.
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By: BG on 1/20/2011 6:09PM
NO.
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By: Ninia on 1/22/2011 11:28PM
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU ALEX!!!!
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