# Obama supporters: what's the first major mistake you expect him to make in office? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 11, 2008, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224 "2008-11-11T19:06:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/41 "2008-11-13T01:41:38Z")
His mistake will be in not pressing his advantage by immediately ripping out the Conservative jugular: FOX Broadcasting. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/42 "2008-11-13T15:25:40Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > His mistake will be in not pressing his advantage by immediately ripping out the Conservative jugular: FOX Broadcasting. Exactly how might he do that and still be in compliance with the First Amendment? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/43 "2008-11-13T15:39:05Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > You think President-Elect Obama’s father is an outstandingly competent person of the ilk of George H.W. Bush? No, I think he is a thrice-divorced, dead, legless socialist drunk who abandoned Obama when Obama was two years old. [Cite](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_Sr.), if you really need one. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/44 "2008-11-13T15:46:55Z")
I think Obama will open up negotiations with iran, and the PLO. this won’t sit well with certain folks, who will make their displeasure quite evident. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/45 "2008-11-13T16:12:34Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > No, I think he is a thrice-divorced, dead, legless socialist drunk who abandoned Obama when Obama was two years old. [Cite](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_Sr.), if you really need one. I need no such cite. My point was that Senator Obama is not likely obsessed with either proving himself to or showing up such a man–in contrast to President Bush, who by many accounts is moved by needs to do both in regards to former President G.H.W. Bush. ---
**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:** [November 13, 2008, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/46 "2008-11-13T16:28:00Z")
I think his first mistake is likely to be in the selection of the “wrong” people for one or more key posts. Don’t know who, don’t know when, but I can easily see it. But he won’t put HRC in charge of healthcare reform - that ship sailed and sank over a decade ago. I also think he’s going to clash with the Democratic Congress, who will wrongly assume that because he’s a Democrat he’ll rubberstamp anything they send him. There’s a risk that he’ll get bogged down in squabbling with them and he’ll either have to buy them off with porkbarrel spending (which will go down badly with the public in current economic conditions) or fight to get every bill passed (which will eat up time, attention and goodwill). Ironically I think he’d have somewhat better luck with Hillary Clinton as Senate Majority Leader. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/47 "2008-11-13T17:36:29Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > I think he may have already made it, by chosing Rahm Immanuel for his Chief of Staff. I don’t think it sends the unifying message to the other team that he has been promoting since the start of his campaign. I like that he is being forceful and aggressive, but I hope he will make good on his promise to listen to the other side. IMHO, that was a brilliant move. What better way to give the middle finger to all the idiots who said he’d be bad news for Israel? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/48 "2008-11-13T17:52:23Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > IMHO, that was a brilliant move. What better way to give the middle finger to all the idiots who said he’d be bad news for Israel? Remember, though, part of Rahm’s middle finger is missing… :d&r: ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/49 "2008-11-13T18:34:32Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > Remember, though, part of Rahm’s middle finger is missing… :d&r: Are you claiming that Rahm is Frodo Baggins? ---
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/50 "2008-11-13T18:45:08Z")
naming a position “car czar” ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/51 "2008-11-13T20:00:17Z")
When he changes water into wine, he will make a fine Pinot Noir but unfortunately it will be during the fish course. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/52 "2008-11-14T00:50:23Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Are you claiming that Rahm is Frodo Baggins? Well, have you ever seen them in the same room? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/53 "2008-11-14T00:51:43Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > Well, have you ever seen them in the same room? Frodo always leaves when he knows I’m coming. It’s like he thinks I’m this murderous despot intent on ruling the world or something. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/54 "2008-11-14T01:18:00Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Exactly how might he do that and still be in compliance with the First Amendment? Use of the FCC & the Patriot Act. Applying the definition of ‘Terrorism’ to those who act to intentionally try to create fear domestically. ie, FOX News. That and a goodly dose of Signing Statements, backed by the Bush Doctrine of “If the President does it, its legal.” Not that he would… ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/55 "2008-11-14T01:25:02Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Use of the FCC & the Patriot Act. Applying the definition of ‘Terrorism’ to those who act to intentionally try to create fear domestically. ie, FOX News. > > That and a goodly dose of Signing Statements, backed by the Bush Doctrine of “If the President does it, its legal.” > > Not that he would… I believe you missed the requirement that he remain in compliance with the Constitution. I am reasonably sure that, unlike President Bush, soon-to-be-ex-Senator Obama has read that document. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/56 "2008-11-14T01:28:56Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to Great Debates. ---
**Author:** ![IClaudius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c37758/32.png) [@IClaudius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IClaudius)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/57 "2008-11-14T02:14:57Z")
I’m going to buck the trend here of fishing for an affirmative mistake, and go with a shortfall in terms of necessary efforts to truly clean up government. For example, I reckon he’ll be too concessionary and follow the standard presidential succession détente by not fully investigating and prosecuting Bush people who are guilty of serious crimes in authorising torture. He’ll be unlikely to really purge the ideologues and Liberty University hacks who have been embedded in the public service. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/58 "2008-11-14T02:24:13Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I believe you missed the requirement that he remain in compliance with the Constitution. I am reasonably sure that, unlike President Bush, soon-to-be-ex-Senator Obama has read that document. I know that & You know that. But couldn’t you have waited a day or so until you posted to let the rat-bastards sweat a little…? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/59 "2008-11-14T02:39:59Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > [QUOTE=Captain Carrot] > Remember, though, part of Rahm’s middle finger is missing… :d&r: Are you claiming that Rahm is Frodo Baggins? [/QUOTE] Since the alternative is that he’s Sauron, let’s hope so . . . ---
**Author:** ![Rich\_Mann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@Rich\_Mann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rich_Mann)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224/60 "2008-11-14T11:06:01Z")
I would guess that Obama’s first misstep that is _percieved_ as a misstep will be quite a while in coming. I believe that, because of his ‘mandate’, his popularity, and the majority of his party in both houses, he will be given an extraordinary amount of leeway at first. Of course, it is inevitable that at some point he will have used up his ‘gimmees’, and it only remains to be seen how long that will take. However, I don’t expect him to be surprised when this happens. He seems to be smart and skillful and I wouldn’t be surprised if he turns his first defeats to his advantage by choosing battles that can be won by appealing to the people. He said, “Yes, we can”, and the voters agreed, “Yes, we can”, so the Congress will look bad if they say “No, you can’t.” I expect that his first real mistake will involve his expectation that the media will treat him fairly. A lot of the ‘kid gloves’ he’s been benefited by will be taken off the moment he is sworn in. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224.md?page=4)