More cynical Democrats - What's the upshot of an Obama presidency?

[Omniscient]

I’m going to skip over the point by point questions you ask and simply give my opinion on why Obama can have a positive effect on the US and world through his election.

Obama is a great orator. That could be his greatest use right now.

The red tape and gridlock in Congress and Washington in general will make getting laws passed that are clean and effective difficult and any that do get passed could take time to have any real noticeable effect. Nevertheless, it’s difficult to quantify and measure the emotional impact the President can have on the people. Much was made of Reagan’s optimism and ability to inspire Americans. That optimism and sense of security can have real positive effects on our economy and our sense of national security.

I think Obama could help us in a similar way. By delivering speeches and addresses that carry a certain weight of thoughtfulness and surety the people might react positively. It might remove much of the fear economically just by changing public perception. Perception in many cases becomes reality. His ability to articulate his ideas and his goals positively regarding bills and proposals on the floor could mean that it becomes more unpopular for members of Congress to oppose them out of simple partisan dogma.

Obama’s ability to speak boldly and inspirationally could greatly raise our credibility internationally. Other nations and other citizens could begin to perceive us one again as just and moral. The majority of people don;t know or understand the nuance of policies and the ability to shape their opinions is sometimes more important than how they are actually implemented. If our intent is seen as good other nations could be more forgiving when they get cocked up.

We live in a different world. It’s a connected world that has full access to video and audio of speeches. Appearances are more important than ever, and Obama is in a whole other stratosphere when compared to Bush and McCain. Cynics have said that Obama is just a bunch or hot air and great sound bites, and that is true in many ways, but it dismisses the fact that these days those sound bites and that hot air is useful, effective and a real part of governing.

[furt]

Cynical libertarian, here, but I’ll offer:

3. Do the Democrats in congress bear any responsiblity for the current economic crisis? If so, how are Obama’s policies going to turn the tide?

I’ll give two answers: #1 – There’s plenty of blame to go around. Anyone saying otherwise is an idiot. #2 – There’s nobody to blame, in the sense that economies are cyclical and we were due for some tough times, in some form or another. Developed economies don’t get to have a good year every year forever. By 2012, things will be probably coming around, whether we elect Obama, McCain, or Zippy the Wonder Mutt.

4. Is this really the most important election in your lifetime (phrase that makes me :rolleyes: ), or are we, like I said before, just choosing between a Giant Douche and a Turd Sandwich?

It should make you rolleyes; it’s marketing bullshit that the campaigns use to fire up their bases. The truth of it is that you can’t know ahead of time which ones are important because you can’t know the future. 2000 was probably the most important election of my lifetime, but nobody knew it at the time.

Obama might get eight years of peace and prosperity. He also might get a world war dropped in his lap. Presidencys shape history, but they are also very much shaped by it.

And FWIW, I don’t think our choices are that bad this time around (even though I’m not voting for either). I’d take either of these guys over either one in 2004. And 2000, actually.

Oh – and Omni’s post is terrific.