He’s twisting his supporters and his political enemies in knots because he is making bold moves, bold statements and providing his detractors with little ammunition while not pandering.
I watched most of his speech today at Camp Lejuene. In what could have been a hostile environment, basically the audience was enthralled. He mixed pragmatism with optimism. When his primary political adversary, John McCain, voices support (even if it is tempered) there is a message sent that you have to listen to the guy.
Considering the mess that he is confronting you have to give the guy his due.
I know the Limbaugh crowd will dig up any excuse to be detractors and tell any lie to further their agenda but every day Obama is making them a smaller minority.
In tough times America has turned to leaders. We may have found one. I hope so because, if so, we all benefit.
This isn’t supposed to be the thread for flaming, but anyway I agree with you. It’s nice to see a strong, highly qualified personality trying to do something.
Yes, I know, and I don’t think a debate on the subject belongs in the Pit. Nevertheless, experience has shown that a statement like that will draw “flames” like flies to, well . . . whatever.
But, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, there’s nothing that the government can or should do to avert disaster. Government is the problem, not the solution. Government should be made small and drowned in a bathtub. It’s class warfare! The Invisible Hand will save us! Everybody should be free to make their own decisions, but nobody should be allowed to make decisions on behalf of everyone. Ohhh. It’s time for W to take a vacation!
He’s made a lot of speeches and God knows AF1 needed a good workout but I haven’t seen any bold moves yet. The troop withdrawal in mid 2010 would be in line with Bush’s and the Congressional stimulus package is nothing I would want my signature attached to.
I’m not actually convinced that strong leadership is a good thing in itself. If the leader is going the wrong way, then the only thing leadership accomplishes is to take everyone else the wrong way with him. It’s only strong, good leadership that is something to be valued.
That said, I do think that Obama is leading the country in the right direction (or at least, closer to the right direction than I could ever accomplish). I just think it’s dangerous to follow one’s leaders too closely.
He is the leader of the people, whom he constantly addresses, explaining the justification for his actions giving hope, and promising transparency towards accountability for reassurance showing him to be a servant rather than a boss.
I’ve never seen anything like it before. Other presidents seem to esconce themselves in an ivory tower except when electioneering.
One of the best things he can do is inspire America, and, after taking a while to find his feet, he seems to be doing just that. This speech was just the ticket.
Well, President Obama has managed to piss off radical elements on both ends of the political spectrum, so that leads me to believe he is doing something right.
Also, he’s made it clear to Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid that he, and neither of them, is the President of the United States of America and the leader of the Democratic Party, and while he wants to work with them, he’s the one calling the plays, thankyewverymuch.
He’s politely told Rush Limbaugh to go shit in his hat, which is a nice bonus (although I would have preferred that he gone on national television and told all these “conservatives”, who are suddenly whining about deficit spending, to go to hell).
He’s responding to idiots like Senator “He’s the Socialist-In-Chief!” Jim Demint by ignoring them, which is the proper response to their flighty brand of bullshit, but I would love it if he could find a way to drop The Million Pound Shithammer on Demint in particular, should the opportunity present itself.
From President Bush, I got the general sense of, “I’m doing what I think is right. End of discussion.” From Mr. Obama, its more like, “I’m doing what I think is right, for the following reasons. Got a problem with that? Speak now or forever hold your peace, 'cause the train is soon to leave the station.”
I’m scared about the economy, and the future, but I’m comfortable with President Obama running the show. Now’s the time when we all have to lock arms and try to get into the endzone.
This. I’m 60 years old, and I too have never seen anything like it from previous Presidents.
My suspicion is that starting out as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago has given him insights into how to reach people, listen to them, and get results that few other politicians of either party can even come close to matching.
i like the way we see more of him and he explains what he is doing and why. this is very reassuring. you get the idea everyone know what the game plan is and is doing their part.
i see the community organizer and the teacher side of him in his speeches and conferences. one side lays out the logic of the plan, and the other side gets people together to move the plan into action.
He’s the James Brown of government. I’m still trying to get used to a president that is busting his ass every. single. day. His energy is boundless, he’s thoughtful, intelligent, charismatic, fair-minded, and fearless. What the fuck! Pinch me…I must be dreaming!
Your President is marshalling and gathering the enormous resources of the United States in order to try and prevent a huge depression for your country and indeed for the whole world. The fact that he is doing so in an intelligent and open manner is so fucking refreshing after the last eight years. The adults are back in charge. “I haven’t seen any bold moves yet.” There are none so blind who cannot see.
Well stated! I too am scared of the economy and the future. I saw a train wreck coming but had absolutely no idea that the problem would be this monstrous.
You can’t expect a guy that is a month into a job with problems of the magnitude we are witnessing to have it solved. I can’t imagine anyone else doing a better job under the circumstances.
Uh huh. MY President signed a stimulus package passed by a Congress who didn’t read it. Despite the fact that it is the largest single debt ever passed on to its citizens it doesn’t address the real problem, which is bank liquidity. That is another pile of debt in the waiting. The only countries who will benefit from this are China and the United Emirates who are, as we speak, buying up my country’s debt and/or corporate wealth. General Motors (once the largest company in the United States) can now be purchased by a wealthy individual.
Our stock exchange is in free fall and its happening before the full brunt of the banking problem is revealed. The New York Stock Exchange has suspended it’s $1 rule which bumps stocks off the board when they go below $1. As the banking system implodes, more and more money/debt will be used to prop it up. If you think the debt of the next generation of American tax payers are going to fix your problems you’re going to be severely disappointed.
As for having “Adults” in charge, Obama has no executive experience at all. He was a junior Senator who only spent 1 year in office before he started running for President. He still doesn’t have a full cabinet in place because he can’t find enough people who’ve paid their taxes. That includes the current Treasury Secretary who is in charge of the Internal Revenue Service. His only accomplishment to date was to rush a stimulus bill through before anyone could read it. His solution to financing this bill is to tax the wealthy, which is ironic given his inability to hire such people.
So the President of the United States should have experience with running SOMETHING beyond his household budget.
He became Senator in 2005 and he offcially announced his intentions to run in January of 2007 which means he was sniffing around in 2006. WAY.
Some people think paying taxes is an image that the writers of tax policy should adhere to, especially if you’re betting the fate of the nation on increased taxes on the wealthy.