Why Obama Will Need to Show He Is a Fighter

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I think that Obama has something going against him that frankly we're all guilty of advancing, and that is HIGH EXPECTATIONS. For the last eight years the Bush administration made an art-form of keeping expectations low, so that when something went wrong it was somewhat expected and when something went well we all collectively fell over in disbelief and then started a party. Obama has a higher standard, and his limbo poll is much closer to the ground. Every mistake he makes is going to be a disappointment if we don't start recognizing that though he has been inspirational, he really is just another politician (perhaps a different breed, but nonetheless the same species) and he's prone to make political decisions and sometimes political mistakes. What's refreshing is that he's at least willing to own up to them. He's out there saying "I screwed up", what more can we ask for? Do we really need to roll him in the coals because he DIDN'T duck in cover??
Anyway, Obama does have a tough road ahead, this is one hell of a time to be President, and he knows it. He knows that if this stimulus bill doesn't get passed, and more importantly if it doesn't work in the space of three years, everything he hoped to do will be over in 2012. He'd be a one-term president and the nation will turn their back on the idea of change and instead embrace the "comfort food" of old politics and older politicians. Give the man some credit, this is a tough road to travel and his success or failure may well be our own.

Etherplain of CA 1:11PM February 04, 2009

I do not think that,consensus is nearly as important to the country as the programs as outlined to the electorate by President Obama.Trying to appease people such as Mitch Mconnel,who was always more interested in how much money he could squeeze from the lobbyists then the welfare of his country will only delay the implementation of the programs to get this country on the right track.Take a page from HST's book.Give 'em" hell and get on with progress.

J.Richard Gove of MS 5:37PM January 26, 2009

i'm so glad to have beone of the people to welcome the leadership of Mr.Obama.now being the president of the united states of america.on behalf of the people of Eritrea once again i would like to congratulate Mr.Obama.

fitsum of CO 3:35AM January 26, 2009

I'm just as happy as the next person that we finally have a president that will make a change on capital hill. Him becoming the first black president is not only historical, but has shown that America truly is the melting pot of the world. I just hope that he will follow through with what he says. America has been lied to and mislead by so many political figures in the past that any more could falter the citizens faith in our government. No one is ever truly ready to take on being the President of the United States so I understand that everything that he promises may not come to be. I just want him to be humble enough to change direction if a plan isn't working, yet wise enough to know when to take a necessary chance to get the job done. And above all else, always be open and honest with every single American citizen

Mitchell Harmon of KY 1:51AM January 26, 2009