Will Obama and McCain retire together?

Okay, 4 years ago Obama and McCain both competed for the presidency. Since then they have had a cordial relationship, but one marked by disagreements (the latest being the possibility of Amb. Susan Rice becoming Secretary of State). However I noticed that Obama's term as president expires in January 2017 and McCain's term in the Senate expires that same time. Obama is not allowed to try for any more presidential terms, so he will most likely retire from politics when his term ends (unless he tries to run for other political offices such as Congress or Illinois Governor, but usually ex-President's don't do that). Considering that Senators serve 6 year terms and McCain is an old man, I think it's quite possible that he won't run for re-election in 2016 and will probably retire.

So what do you think, will Obama retire from politics four years from now? Will John McCain retire in four years, or will he seek re-election in 2016 and then serve until 2022?

They'll retire together, they'll hold hands and they'll make out in front of the cameras.

They'll retire together and then fly off to their own private island together to spend the rest of their days in each other's tender embrace and indulging the secret passion that they carry for one another. A passion that they cannot act on now because of their positition in the public eye.

They'll retire together and then fly off to their own private island together to spend the rest of their days in each other's tender embrace and indulging the secret passion that they carry for one another. A passion that they cannot act on now because of their positition in the public eye.

worlock77

What a way to improve on my roughly presented idea! I salute you, kind sir!

They'll retire together, they'll hold hands and they'll make out in front of the cameras.

LordQuorthon

I suspect that Obama will follow Clinton's example. I wouldn't be surprised to see Michelle Obama follow Hillary's. I hope McCain retires, and whether or not he does or not will probably depend on the likelihood of another Republican being elected to hold his seat.nocoolnamejim

As for Michelle, you think she'll run for the Senate or something, or maybe try for President (I doubt she'de be elected as President, but she could probably win a Senatorship or Governorship in Illinois).

They'll retire together and then fly off to their own private island together to spend the rest of their days in each other's tender embrace and indulging the secret passion that they carry for one another. A passion that they cannot act on now because of their positition in the public eye.

worlock77

As far as Biden goes, he'll probably drop out of politics once Obama's term expires or maybe he'll try to run for president (though I don't foresee him winning). So most likely in 2017 Obama and Biden will both be retired.

Paul Ryan on the other hand will probably still be in the House for four more years, and he may eventually run for governor once Walker is done, or maybe Paul Ryan will run for the Senate (perhaps in 2018 he can defeat Baldwin, and maybe in that same year the Republicans will regain the senatorship they lost in Indiana).

Massive prediction post:

• Barack retires in 2017, moves to Chicago, gives major addresses at the 2020, 2024, 2028 DNC's.
• Michelle simply retires with Barack, but doesn't run for any public office after.
• John McCain retires in 2017, will be replaced by another Republican (but it'll be hotly contested), and he dies by 2025.
• Joe Biden runs for President for the hell of it, cuz God damnit, he's Joe Biden.

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"]I suspect that Obama will follow Clinton's example. I wouldn't be surprised to see Michelle Obama follow Hillary's. I hope McCain retires, and whether or not he does or not will probably depend on the likelihood of another Republican being elected to hold his seat.whipassmt

As for Michelle, you think she'll run for the Senate or something, or maybe try for President (I doubt she'de be elected as President, but she could probably win a Senatorship or Governorship in Illinois).

Massive prediction post:

• Barack retires in 2017, moves to Chicago, gives major addresses at the 2020, 2024, 2028 DNC's.
• Michelle simply retires with Barack, but doesn't run for any public office after.

Maniacc1

On the other hand I wonder if minority turn-out will be lower in 2016 if both parties run white candidates? Also will young voters come out in big numbers to support the Democratic candidate in 2016 like they did in 2008 and 2012. It seems unlikely, by 2016 the people who first voted in 2008 may well have outgrown their "Obamania", the youth voters who will first vote in 2016 may see Obama as old and outdated and the youth voters who first voted in 2012 may not show up in 2016 now that their precious won't be running anymore.

[QUOTE="Maniacc1"]

Massive prediction post:

• Barack retires in 2017, moves to Chicago, gives major addresses at the 2020, 2024, 2028 DNC's.
• Michelle simply retires with Barack, but doesn't run for any public office after.

whipassmt

On the other hand I wonder if minority turn-out will be lower in 2016 if both parties run white candidates? Also will young voters come out in big numbers to support the Democratic candidate in 2016 like they did in 2008 and 2012. It seems unlikely, by 2016 the people who first voted in 2008 may well have outgrown their "Obamania", the youth voters who will first vote in 2016 may see Obama as old and outdated and the youth voters who first voted in 2012 may not show up in 2016 now that their precious won't be running anymore.

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"]I suspect that Obama will follow Clinton's example. I wouldn't be surprised to see Michelle Obama follow Hillary's. I hope McCain retires, and whether or not he does or not will probably depend on the likelihood of another Republican being elected to hold his seat.nocoolnamejim

As for Michelle, you think she'll run for the Senate or something, or maybe try for President (I doubt she'de be elected as President, but she could probably win a Senatorship or Governorship in Illinois).

Probably if there is any major natural disaster in the U.S. or abroad, Obama and Bush might go on tv (maybe with Clinton too) and raise money at the request of the next President, just like Bush Jr. and Clinton did with the Haiti earthquake and Clinton and Bush Sr. did with Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Tsunami.

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="Maniacc1"]

Massive prediction post:

• Barack retires in 2017, moves to Chicago, gives major addresses at the 2020, 2024, 2028 DNC's.
• Michelle simply retires with Barack, but doesn't run for any public office after.

nocoolnamejim

On the other hand I wonder if minority turn-out will be lower in 2016 if both parties run white candidates? Also will young voters come out in big numbers to support the Democratic candidate in 2016 like they did in 2008 and 2012. It seems unlikely, by 2016 the people who first voted in 2008 may well have outgrown their "Obamania", the youth voters who will first vote in 2016 may see Obama as old and outdated and the youth voters who first voted in 2012 may not show up in 2016 now that their precious won't be running anymore.

As far as minorities growing demographically, I think that is true for Hispanics and Asians, but I think the black percentage of the population is shrinking.

[QUOTE="Maniacc1"]

Massive prediction post:

• Barack retires in 2017, moves to Chicago, gives major addresses at the 2020, 2024, 2028 DNC's.
• Michelle simply retires with Barack, but doesn't run for any public office after.

whipassmt

On the other hand I wonder if minority turn-out will be lower in 2016 if both parties run white candidates? Also will young voters come out in big numbers to support the Democratic candidate in 2016 like they did in 2008 and 2012. It seems unlikely, by 2016 the people who first voted in 2008 may well have outgrown their "Obamania", the youth voters who will first vote in 2016 may see Obama as old and outdated and the youth voters who first voted in 2012 may not show up in 2016 now that their precious won't be running anymore.

Also there are rumors that Obama may appoint John Kerry as Secretary of Defense. If Kerry gets does get the job, then there will probably be a special election in Massachusetts to replace Kerry in the Senate. Who knows, maybe Romney will make a last hurrah and end up getting elected to the Senate, though I think the more likely scenario is that Scott Brown would end up getting elected (would that make him MA's senior senator or junior senator?).

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"][QUOTE="whipassmt"] Yeah Obama probably will get a big speaking slot at the 2020 DNC, maybe 2024, I'm not so sure about 2028 though, that is 20 years after his election, he may be old news by then. But then again Clinton gave a big address in 2012, which is 20 years after his election.

On the other hand I wonder if minority turn-out will be lower in 2016 if both parties run white candidates? Also will young voters come out in big numbers to support the Democratic candidate in 2016 like they did in 2008 and 2012. It seems unlikely, by 2016 the people who first voted in 2008 may well have outgrown their "Obamania", the youth voters who will first vote in 2016 may see Obama as old and outdated and the youth voters who first voted in 2012 may not show up in 2016 now that their precious won't be running anymore.

whipassmt

As far as minorities growing demographically, I think that is true for Hispanics and Asians, but I think the black percentage of the population is shrinking.

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="Maniacc1"]

Massive prediction post:

• Barack retires in 2017, moves to Chicago, gives major addresses at the 2020, 2024, 2028 DNC's.
• Michelle simply retires with Barack, but doesn't run for any public office after.

Maniacc1

On the other hand I wonder if minority turn-out will be lower in 2016 if both parties run white candidates? Also will young voters come out in big numbers to support the Democratic candidate in 2016 like they did in 2008 and 2012. It seems unlikely, by 2016 the people who first voted in 2008 may well have outgrown their "Obamania", the youth voters who will first vote in 2016 may see Obama as old and outdated and the youth voters who first voted in 2012 may not show up in 2016 now that their precious won't be running anymore.

As for youth voters, I think the ones who first voted in 2008 will probably be a bit more conservative in 2016 (they may very well have careers and families by that time), voters who would first vote in 2016 won't fall for "Obamania" (afterall they would've been like 10 or so when Obama first ran) because Obama will be old news for them. People who first voted in 2012 may still be enamoured of Obama, but they might not turn out to support the next Democratic candidate in 2016 because they'll be bummed that their precious won't be in office anymore.

Also there are rumors that Obama may appoint John Kerry as Secretary of Defense. If Kerry gets does get the job, then there will probably be a special election in Massachusetts to replace Kerry in the Senate. Who knows, maybe Romney will make a last hurrah and end up getting elected to the Senate, though I think the more likely scenario is that Scott Brown would end up getting elected (would that make him MA's senior senator or junior senator?).

whipassmt

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"] It's possible that minority and youth voters might vote in lower percentages, but in greater overall numbers. They're growing demographic groups. They could vote less as a percentage of their group, and still have a larger impact on future elections because they will be larger in total size. Typically, the likelihood of voting increases with age, so I have a hard time thinking that voters who first went for Obama in 2008 and then again in 2012 will be LESS likely to vote in 2016 though.nocoolnamejim

As far as minorities growing demographically, I think that is true for Hispanics and Asians, but I think the black percentage of the population is shrinking.

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"][QUOTE="whipassmt"] So you mean Obama won't seek anymore political offices, but will try to stay in the public eye, campaign for Democrats and maybe try to wield influence on the Democratic Party?

As for Michelle, you think she'll run for the Senate or something, or maybe try for President (I doubt she'de be elected as President, but she could probably win a Senatorship or Governorship in Illinois).

whipassmt

Probably if there is any major natural disaster in the U.S. or abroad, Obama and Bush might go on tv (maybe with Clinton too) and raise money at the request of the next President, just like Bush Jr. and Clinton did with the Haiti earthquake and Clinton and Bush Sr. did with Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Tsunami.

don't forget Jimmy Carter. No ex-president has done more than Carter. Carter among other things has all but erradicated Guinea worm disease(one of the most horrific things you can google image search).

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"][QUOTE="whipassmt"] Maybe, not so much less likely to vote at all, but less likely to vote for the Democrat. It seems in general that people get less liberal as they mature.

As far as minorities growing demographically, I think that is true for Hispanics and Asians, but I think the black percentage of the population is shrinking.

whipassmt

I suspect that Obama will follow Clinton's example. I wouldn't be surprised to see Michelle Obama follow Hillary's. I hope McCain retires, and whether or not he does or not will probably depend on the likelihood of another Republican being elected to hold his seat.nocoolnamejim

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"] Pretty much. I suspect that Obama will also do charity work like Clinton and Bush Sr. have done. I don't think Michelle would go directly for the presidency, but I could see her running for an open Senate seat in a blue state somewhere.Audacitron

Probably if there is any major natural disaster in the U.S. or abroad, Obama and Bush might go on tv (maybe with Clinton too) and raise money at the request of the next President, just like Bush Jr. and Clinton did with the Haiti earthquake and Clinton and Bush Sr. did with Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Tsunami.

don't forget Jimmy Carter. No ex-president has done more than Carter. Carter among other things has all but erradicated Guinea worm disease(one of the most horrific things you can google image search).

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"] Black percentage of the electorate continues to rise as well. I think you're right that voters tend to be more likely to vote Republican as they get older, but I also think that the young voters of 2008 and 2012 have had their political inclinations shaped pretty firmly by now. The contrast between the Bush Jr. years and Obama was pretty stark in most cases. I don't see their political inclinations changing all that much in four years time.nocoolnamejim

3. Just because the economic decline happened when Bush was president, doesn't mean he caused it. Some of the collapse may be due to non-political factors as well as to policies of previous presidents as well as Congress. Bush did try to regulate the GSEs but Congress wouldn't pass the legislation.

McCain should've retired a while ago, he's nothing more than a cranky, bitter old man at this point which is sad to watch

I don't know what Obama will do after his second term - probably a much needed vacation then who knows.

I suspect that Obama will follow Clinton's example. I wouldn't be surprised to see Michelle Obama follow Hillary's. I hope McCain retires, and whether or not he does or not will probably depend on the likelihood of another Republican being elected to hold his seat.nocoolnamejim

McCain should've retired a while ago, he's nothing more than a cranky, bitter old man at this point which is sad to watch

I don't know what Obama will do after his second term - probably a much needed vacation then who knows.

-Sun_Tzu-

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"]I suspect that Obama will follow Clinton's example. I wouldn't be surprised to see Michelle Obama follow Hillary's. I hope McCain retires, and whether or not he does or not will probably depend on the likelihood of another Republican being elected to hold his seat.Serraph105

Massive prediction post:

• Barack retires in 2017, moves to Chicago, gives major addresses at the 2020, 2024, 2028 DNC's.
• Michelle simply retires with Barack, but doesn't run for any public office after.
• John McCain retires in 2017, will be replaced by another Republican (but it'll be hotly contested), and he dies by 2025.
• Joe Biden runs for President for the hell of it, cuz God damnit, he's Joe Biden.

Maniacc1

:lol: +1

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"]

McCain should've retired a while ago, he's nothing more than a cranky, bitter old man at this point which is sad to watch

I don't know what Obama will do after his second term - probably a much needed vacation then who knows.

whipassmt

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"]

McCain should've retired a while ago, he's nothing more than a cranky, bitter old man at this point which is sad to watch

I don't know what Obama will do after his second term - probably a much needed vacation then who knows.

-Sun_Tzu-

[QUOTE="Serraph105"][QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"]I suspect that Obama will follow Clinton's example. I wouldn't be surprised to see Michelle Obama follow Hillary's. I hope McCain retires, and whether or not he does or not will probably depend on the likelihood of another Republican being elected to hold his seat.whipassmt

[QUOTE="whipassmt"]

[QUOTE="Serraph105"] I really hope that Obama follows Clinton's example and still be a huge part changing the world after he finishes being president. We need more people like that in the world honestly.Serraph105