# Can Barack Obama possibly meet these ridiculous high expectations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 19, 2009, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041 "2009-01-19T21:31:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/21 "2009-01-20T04:27:41Z")
There was a letter in the local paper yesterday that said that Obama “needs” to unite Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Given the letter came from a Reverend someone, one can only conclude he’s assigning greater powers to Obama than to his, and their, own god. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/22 "2009-01-20T04:29:43Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > If Obama keeps the debt below 40 Trillion, does not invade Canada, and pronounces most of his words correctly, I will consider his term in office to be a success. I’ll skip the words, and insert Iran for Canada, but yes. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/23 "2009-01-20T04:43:10Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > If Obama keeps the debt below 40 Trillion, does not invade Canada, and pronounces most of his words correctly, I will consider his term in office to be a success. Me too, and I’m prepared to give him a pass on invading Canada. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/24 "2009-01-20T05:47:54Z")
Obama is darn good at writing speeches, though. This one should be a corker. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/25 "2009-01-20T05:59:53Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > does not invade Canada Hey, bring it on, Obitcha. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/26 "2009-01-20T06:49:38Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > If Obama keeps the debt below 40 Trillion, does not invade Canada, and pronounces most of his words correctly, I will consider his term in office to be a success. Are you Canadian yourself, or did I miss some other reason people ought to hope he doesn’t invade our neighbors to the north? I think expectations are a bit high, but starting tomorrow he gets a chance to show (or not) that he can do something besides speak. I wish him the best of luck. ---
**Author:** ![Ocean\_Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8797f3/32.png) [@Ocean\_Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ocean_Annie)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/27 "2009-01-20T06:54:17Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Rick Warren, for one. That was a decision that was absolutely tone-deaf. The man compares us to child molesters! He spent months lying about us to the voters of California and (voila!) Prop 8. > > Bishop V. Gene Robinson, the gay bishop of New Hampshire, did the opening prayer for the concert last night. The inaugural committee relegated it to the “pre-show”, which meant that HBO did not cover it in their free concert telecast. > > It’s not that he’s actually DONE anything TO us. It’s just that we’re starting to feel like an afterthought, if we’re thought of at all. Rick Warren is a questionable choice, but in Obama’s defense, he is trying to lead by example. I can’t think of a better way to disarm the opposition than by reaching out a hand in friendship. Obama reached out to Warren to hopefully build a bridge of understanding and compromise. The ideological division in the U.S. has become grossly dysfunctional and irrational. Someone has to take the first step. And Obama never wavered on his positions or convictions. Hey, Rick Warren did take down an offensive comment on his website as a result of his relationship with the President; it’s a good start. I know Obama isn’t technically the President yet, but man it feels good to say it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/28 "2009-01-20T13:04:24Z")
> [@Ocean\_Annie](#): > > Rick Warren is a questionable choice, but in Obama’s defense, he is trying to lead by example. I can’t think of a better way to disarm the opposition than by reaching out a hand in friendship. Obama reached out to Warren to hopefully build a bridge of understanding and compromise. > The ideological division in the U.S. has become grossly dysfunctional and irrational. Someone has to take the first step. And Obama never wavered on his positions or convictions. Hey, Rick Warren did take down an offensive comment on his website as a result of his relationship with the President; it’s a good start. > > I know Obama isn’t technically the President yet, but man it feels good to say it. 🙂 People like Rick Warren and Pat Robertson and Focus on the Family are never going to extend their hand in friendship. Their entire existence and current income depend on them stoking the anti-gay fires in their following. Never gonna happen, even if Obama invited Fred Phelps to give the invocation. Never. Gonna. Happen. And Warren took down the comment after the media attention over it began due to his being chosen for the invocation, not _because_ he was chosen. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/29 "2009-01-20T13:33:30Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > And Warren took down the comment after the media attention over it began due to his being chosen for the invocation, not _because_ he was chosen. Exactly so. The best way to deal with people like Warren is to shine a light on them, not to cast them into the outer darkness. They _breed_ in darkness. In the light, they wither and burn. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/30 "2009-01-20T13:37:17Z")
Obama has both the ability and the opportunity to be a truly great President. America and the world are in dire straits and his ability to inspire is what is needed. I hope he will not falter. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/31 "2009-01-20T13:44:12Z")
As important as anything he achieves for me, is the manner in which he does it. I don’t expect him to undo all the problems created by his predecessor, but I DO expect him to lead in an example that puts the rest of our world leaders to shame with his openness and honesty. I know they are strange words to be associating with politicians, but you’ve got to have at least a little hope. ---
**Author:** ![Auntbeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Auntbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntbeast)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/32 "2009-01-20T17:46:32Z")
It seems as high as our expectations are for him, his expectations of each of us is much higher. I hope we live up to his ridiculously high expectations. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/33 "2009-01-20T17:51:15Z")
> [@Auntbeast](#): > > It seems as high as our expectations are for him, his expectations of each of us is much higher. I hope we live up to his ridiculously high expectations. In order to accomplish what he wants and the country needs, we’re going to have to. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/34 "2009-01-20T17:53:37Z")
Well, [the White house website](http://www.whitehouse.gov/) is meeting and exceeding my expectations so far. It seems that he has very high expectations for himself and his cabinet. The executive branch is to conduct all significant business in public with the people either able to see it in person or via broadband. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/35 "2009-01-20T18:01:00Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Are you Canadian yourself, or did I miss some other reason people ought to hope he doesn’t invade our neighbors to the north? \ Would you like some Muktuk? ---
**Author:** ![Ocean\_Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8797f3/32.png) [@Ocean\_Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ocean_Annie)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/36 "2009-01-20T18:22:51Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > People like Rick Warren and Pat Robertson and Focus on the Family are never going to extend their hand in friendship. Their entire existence and current income depend on them stoking the anti-gay fires in their following. Never gonna happen, even if Obama invited Fred Phelps to give the invocation. Never. Gonna. Happen. > > And Warren took down the comment after the media attention over it began due to his being chosen for the invocation, not _because_ he was chosen. Fair enough-- I agree with you. The fundamentalist movement is not rational and compromise is not in the jargon. I didn’t think Warren was a fundamentalist like Dobson or Robertson, but I know very little about him. I think Obama’s hand of friendship will help expose the hypocrisy of fundamentalism. Rick Warren took down the comment about gays on his website because of media attention, but he would not have had the media spotlight if President Obama had not invited him to the inauguration. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/37 "2009-01-21T02:55:57Z")
[quote=“jayjay, post:6, topic:482041”] The fact is that this is a _historic_ presidency, no matter if Obama disappoints. He’s the first African-American POTUS, and that’s an accomplishment that he’ll be remembered for no matter what he actually does. I think that’s what the headline is talking about with the “chiseled in marble” phrase. QUOTE] One would really hope that after 4/8 years of presidency, you’d be remembred for something you DID rather that some protein on your skin and some genes for a deadbeat dad. > [@Quartz](#): > > Obama has both the ability and the opportunity to be a truly great President. America and the world are in dire straits and his ability to inspire is what is needed. I hope he will not falter. I keep hearing about inspiration…Edison said that perspiration was the key. Inspiration won’t last a secind if things don’t go well. > [@Auntbeast](#): > > It seems as high as our expectations are for him, his expectations of each of us is much higher. I hope we live up to his ridiculously high expectations. ## Come on…are you his girlfriend? Let’s all hope he’ll do a good job and not be deluded by (mostly) empty praise from around the world. All those non US politicians speaking of “the great hope” he brings won’t doubt a femtosecond to kick him in the nuts. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/38 "2009-01-21T03:14:18Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Rick Warren, for one. That was a decision that was absolutely tone-deaf. The man compares us to child molesters! He spent months lying about us to the voters of California and (voila!) Prop 8. > > Bishop V. Gene Robinson, the gay bishop of New Hampshire, did the opening prayer for the concert last night. The inaugural committee relegated it to the “pre-show”, which meant that HBO did not cover it in their free concert telecast. > > It’s not that he’s actually DONE anything TO us. It’s just that we’re starting to feel like an afterthought, if we’re thought of at all. No offense, but you are a member of the only group that openly celebrates or parades their sexuality, sometimes to the extreme. I realise you’ve been oppressed and all that, but how do you really expect a bunch of fuddy duddy( to be kind to them.) religious leaders to act, when they frown upon sex out of marriage, nevermind anything beyond the Missionary Position? But, at the same time, if they are trying to impinge on your way of living, which harms nothing but the sensitivities of the wilfully ignorant prude, then fuck 'em. But don’t get mad, get even. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/39 "2009-01-21T03:19:01Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > I honestly feel a little sorry for Obama. He’s got high expectations, historical weight, and a massive slew of problems to solve on bearing down on him. I expect him to work had, try many things, and perhaps solve a few problems, if only temporarily. Enough to make his supporters wonder 'What if he’d come along when things weren’t so bleak? How would he have handled 911?" As it is, I am much to pessimistic about his chances for real change. I think it would be massively difficult to keep things at the state they are in now. Even under GWB, the economy still improved from the internet bubble/9-11 crash all the way until the mortgage crisis. By simple virtue of coming in at the bottom, he’s fairly well guaranteed to succeed. He would need to be the reincarnation of Bush II or Carter to fail. ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041/40 "2009-01-21T03:33:20Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > No offense, but you are a member of the only group that openly celebrates or parades their sexuality, sometimes to the extreme. Definitely drifting into hijack territory here, but: I would submit that the only reason you don’t think heterosexuals openly celebrate or parade their sexuality is because you’ve been inured to it and treat it as background noise. Turn on MTV. Watch the cheerleaders at a football game. Hell, pick up a bridal magazine. Heterosexuals openly celebrate their heterosexuality all the time, it’s called “society”. They’re just not beaten up or shamed for it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-barack-obama-possibly-meet-these-ridiculous-high-expectations/482041.md?page=3)