I think I may see a pattern developing

[Highway61]

Last week this time, history was being made. I was happy yet nervous. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster. I read and felt hopeful then read some more and felt anxious and scared. Why? After the past eight years, I admit, all I read, saw and felt was an atmosphere of doom and gloom. Why would ANYONE consider McSame and (I'm still pinching myself) Knucklehead (Palin) Smith? Bill Maher said it best, "Americans are anti intellectual. They don't want to vote for someone who is smarter than them." That was it. That's why I was so damn nervous.

Well here we are. I have been on cloud 12 ever since. Obama is intelligent and polished. Americans voted for someone smart...I mean REALLY smart. Intelligence is "in" and stupid is "out". That ship has sailed.... (one way back to Alaska).

But wait, I am starting to hear questions whether Obama is making all the right choices...all the right moves. First and foremost, it's only been a week. However, it reminds me of this little ditty from history.

There was a man from a very humble background running for president of the United States. He was an exceptional politician, constantly shaping and balancing public opinion and a genius at getting rival groups to work together toward a common goal. In fact, those who opposed him, he appointed to his cabinet when he got elected. Sounds a little familiar doesn't it? Well, Lincoln is justly considered our greatest president to date. (Team of Rivals by Doris Kearn Goodwin...a great read)

Why bring this up? It's like this. Not everyone is going to be 100% happy all of the time. That's impossible. Is Obama going to make all the right decisions all the time? I doubt it. He will misstep. But I will proudly stand behind this bright and polished man who is stepping in the RIGHT direction to bring America back to the greatness it once was. He represents me and I am very proud of that.

Let's not ever forget who represented us for the past eight years. Talk about missteps...culminating to stumbling down at the Olympic Games.
America deserves better, we voted for better and I believe Obama will make a lot of right decisions for America and to improve the quality of life for all of us. Will he make mistakes? Most likely. However, if I were to bet on my future now than how dismal I felt about it over a week ago...my money is on Obama and his decisions.

[blondeatlast]

1. Many people aren't familiar with the roles of Admin staff. the questioning is healthy--

and educational (and I have yet to do any questioning of it).

Many have learned from it--take Obama's choice of Emanuel for CoS. Liberals don't like him, many don't trust him--but they've learned his ass-kicking ability may be the very best thing for the Obama agenda.

[nini]

2. I take my cue from the republican reaction

They are appalled are Emanuel - therefore the decision is wise :evilgrin:

[Highway61]

5. as the saying goes...

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer

[me b zola]

21. A quote from Doris Kearn Goodwin's 'Team of Rivals'

I'm quoting from memory, so may not be exact: It's better to have someone inside the tent pissing out then to have them outside the tent pissing in.

This was the first thought that came to mind when I heard Rahm's name floated for CoS.

[moodforaday]

24. This is a vacuous, cliche argument

By that reasoning Obama should appoint only Bush/PNAC loyalists and make Joe Lieberman his chief of staff. I mean, if you have to use this kind of zero-content argument, you are running short on excuses.

Here, read about Larry Summers, the guy who might become Obama's Secretary of Treasury, read it and weep. "The economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that. (...) Only the lamentable facts that so much pollution is generated by non-tradable industries (transport, electrical generation) and that the unit transport costs of solid waste are so high prevent world welfare enhancing trade in air pollution and waste."

The next time you repeat that tired cliche, ask whose enemies those people are. Because Larry Summers seems to be my enemy, and yours.

[blondeatlast]

6. Yup!

:thumbsup:

[tazkcmo]

10. lol Yep

That's one of my "red flags"! If the R's like it, I look ALOT closer at it, and visa versa.

[Homer Wells]

3. Excellent Post!!!

I Totally agree!!!!

K&R

:kick:

[Highway61]

15. Thank you

[mac56]

4. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Labors of Hercules]

7. Obama is so close to Lincoln in so many ways...

He has studied Lincoln with the depth of a biographer.

He even resembles Lincoln physically more than any other president.

I don't think it's possible to overemphasize the comparison. It will be a huge part of what will allow Obama to join Lincoln as one of the greatest presidents in history.

[Highway61]

11. I agree

I just have this gut feeling that he is heading to being one of the "greats"...I hope I am right.

[FatDave]

22. He's going to be our Reagan.

That is to say he's going to set the country on a 30-year leftward trajectory (though the big changes will happen slowly) and will be the one we talk about for decades.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

23. I got goosebumps here

I feel something so powerful and inspiring about Obama....I love his brains, I love his presidential demeanor, I love his thoughtful approach, I love his emulation of Lincoln.

looks like most of the world can sense something powerful and good too.

Of course I intend to scrutinize as we go; it would be dumb to allow my hero worship (god, I've wanted a hero for so long!--and haven't we all) to have complete control.

[NatBurner]

8. self-delete

oops

[tazkcmo]

9. No, you can't satisfy 100% of the People all of the time

All a President can do is strive to accomplish those goals he/she deems in the country's best interests in a manner consistent with the Constitution.

What I'm inferring from your post is that some folks have been critical or have second-guessed some of PE Obama's recent decisions, with the Rahm appointment being a prime example.

With all due respect, I cherish and hold above ALL other rights granted to me by the meer fact that I live and breath, the right to voice my dissent. It has been a Republican mantra during these last LONG 8 years to call dissenters of their President un-patriotic, traitors, etc. Now this chant has been popping up here, substituting un-patriotic with concern troll or Freeper.

You see, I have also been seeing a pattern. While I agree with everything you say about Obama's intellect, judgment, method and so on, I have also real disagreements on some issues with him. So, when I exercise my dis-agreements with PE Obama, and there will be some, this does not trump my over all support, respect, and confidence for and in him.

[blondeatlast]

12. I'd love to recommend your post. I'll add that many are learning that some roles

in the Admin are not about politics (CoS being the best example).

DUers have learned a lot about the roles the staff members and cabinet play. While I haven't had any real concerns yet about whom Obama has chosen, I'm sure I will--but understanding what roles they play will help me even when I get royally pissed off in the beginning (as I did when Eeamnuel was chosen!).

[Highway61]

14. Believe me

I am learning a LOT and have a lot more to learn...I have never been so involved in an election as the likes of this one. Thanks for the rec.

[blondeatlast]

17. Hate to break it to you--but I said I'd rec tazkcmo's.

We need to have this discussion because for one thing, civics isn't taught much in schools anymore (I have an 11 year old son; thatnks to NCLB, they barely covered the election process this year).

While I trust Obama's judgment, I see no harm in discussing his choices (even if I don't choose to particiapate).

Lots of people on this board learned a lot from the Rahm Emanuel choice. I don't like
Emanuel's agenda--but he won't be pushing his own. He'll be pushing Obama's.

And if anyone can get Obama's staff in line, Emanuel can. He's an ass-kicker and head-butter of the first order. That's just what the CoS needs to be--a consummate asshole.

Emanuel is that and then some--just look at how the RW took the choice (they HATED it).

[Laurab]

20. No matter, I recommended YOUR post!

and there's no need to thank me because you said what I'd like to say.

I trust Obama's judgement, and although he won't always do what I want him to do, I will at least wait until he's acting as President to find fault with his actions. After the last two years, I just want to enjoy this piece of history for a while.

[moodforaday]

25. How about 50%?

How about 20%? So far, *all* the presumed nominees range from risky to all-out lamentable.

[BlooInBloo]

13. Atrios laughs at all of the "Obama should do X" fools...

And I laugh with him.

http://www.eschatonblog.com/2008_11_09_archive.html#4799065803735997402

"I find myself to be really not in the mood to nitpick every move and personnel decision Obama makes. Ultimately the policies and results matter, not the aesthetics of every move and nature of every hire.

I'm not saying that those things are of no importance, but I've been rolling my eyes at all the "WHAT OBAMA NEEDS TO DO" editorials and discussions on the teevee. Sometimes I roll my eyes over the substance ("govern from the center!"), but often I'm rolling my eyes over the fact that they're doing it at all.

Not saying this is a criticism-free zone, just that there's still a bit of time before the guy actually starts doing stuff."

[nichomachus]

16. We hired him to do a job

He impressed the hell out of us during the job interview -- now we have to make sure he lives up to his resume and his interview.

If you don't evaluate your employees' performance right from the start, you can end up very disappointed.

[goclark]

18. K and R ~ We love to be the Monday morning quarterbacks

Me included but since we don't have a seat at the table we need to comment - sure, be disappointed when our person isn't selected -sure,
think that as bad as Traitor Joe has stomped on us, wonder why Obama sees TJ's role in a different way than we do - sure.

We can wonder, we can be disappointed, we can cry if we want to but for me -- I'll put my faith in Obama. He took us through some mighty evil waters to get rid of the Rethugs, mighty evil waters.

Obama ---- YOU WON THE RIGHT TO BE THE BOSS!

[mopinko]

19. speaking of olympics, i think that pres obama makes

chicago a shoe in for 2016. or at least i hope so.