Before you give up on Obama remember that Feingold voted for Ashcroft

[WI_DEM]

One of the few Dems to do so. He also was the only vote against the Patriot Act. We can't give up on a man over one vote. Most Senators give the president lee-way in who they want to serve in their cabinet.

[quiet.american]

1. Low on poli-cap, too?

There seems to be an unofficial understanding, too, that Obama, as a junior senator, is too low on "political capital" to vote no on pretty much anything at the moment.

Do you think this is a valid perception? And I wonder what exactly would be the political cost to him and the state of Illinois if he were to oppose Bushco nominees a/o major bills.

[cry baby]

7. He can't do anything in the light of day - I expect good things from

him in the future. I think you are right.

[GOPFighter]

2. Obama is going to be a quiet insurgent

He's not going to start out by making waves or alienating the opposition...yet. I really think he wants to be a uniter, a compromiser, bring the country back together. It's a tough task and I think there's a pretty good chance he'll get burned before realizing that the GOP is not ever going to compromise. Winning is everything to them.

[rehema]

3. well -said

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. Let's also not forget:

Who was the last "fighter/renegade" that was elected President?

GW Bush was not perceived as such.
Clinton was not at all.
GHW Bush was not.
Reagan was not.
Carter was not.

The list goes on.

Like it or not, we need a few of those people who voted for Bush to switch sides. You don't get that to happen by being a constant gadfly. That's why we have people like Byrd, Kennedy, and Kucinich.

[quiet.american]

5. Interesting point. n/t

[Telly Savalas]

6. But some people here think Feingold is a member of the John Birch Society

because of that vote.

[Zhade]

8. ????????????

NT!