A cyclical theory of modern political alignments

[Frodo]

Does anyone else here agree with the parallels between President Obama and Richard Nixon?

[Frodo]

Does anyone else here agree with the parallels between President Obama and Richard Nixon?

Yeah, I've started thinking about that with his management of the Health Care bill. Nixon campaigned as a conservative, and won with the support of the "moral majority", yet governed as a moderate or even as a liberal. It's the exact opposite with Obama.

Also, Nixon was reelected in 1972 because his opponent was perceived as too radical and erratic. the same could happen in 2012 (even though Obama won't win in a landslide).

Also, wasn't Nixon's re-election victory a lonely one, with practically all the resources that could have gone to fellow congressional Republicans instead flowing to his re-election campaign?   

[Frodo]

Is anyone else beginning to see the similarities between the 2011-12 Republican primary campaign and the 1971-72 Democratic race?  Edmund Muskie (much like Mitt Romney today) was widely seen as the establishment favorite to win the nomination (and the most likely to beat President Nixon, based on polling results) -and in the end, it was George McGovern who was picked instead.  

Could Ron Paul (assuming he doesn't become just another ephemeral 'flavor of the month') be the George McGovern-in-waiting of the Republican Party?