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Where is Obama going? - 9/5/2009 10:34:07 AM

Kirata

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Back during the campaign, people who knew Obama at Harvard commented that they were never sure what the hell he really thought. It was observed, for example, that in debates, both sides would come away with the impression that he was on their side.

And today, when people point to things Obama has said in the past to various groups, half of them are worried that that's what he's trying to do as President, and the other half are starting to feel cheated and angry because it's not what he's doing!

What does he really want? According to Frontline, he chose the church he attended because it was where he could rub shoulders with the movers and power brokers in the community. And that seems to be the trend. I'm beginning to think that all he ever really wanted in his life has been to feel admired and powerful.

Well, he's got that now. The question is, what's he going to do with it. He doesn't need to play for admiration or power anymore. Will he play for more, or will he relax and let his humanity show? Who is Barack Obama really? What does he really think and feel? That's what we're going to find out, and maybe what he's going to find out now too.

Personally, I've decided to write off everything he ever said and just watch and see.

K.

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RE: Where is Obama going? - 9/5/2009 10:46:35 AM

Sanity

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What happens when a community agitator gets to the top?

quote:

Obama, the Mortal

By Charles Krauthammer

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RE: Where is Obama going? - 9/5/2009 1:21:16 PM

tazzygirl

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im with you, Master Kirata. time will tell. i have a feeling many could be (yes, could be, not is) underestimating him.

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RE: Where is Obama going? - 9/5/2009 1:25:28 PM

Musicmystery

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quote:

Personally, I've decided to write off everything he ever said and just watch and see.

This is a solid approach to every new President.

We are finally seeing troop levels in Afghanistan where the commanders want them. I'm hopeful that mess can be put behind us in time. I'd like to see us with firmer plans for stabilizing and leaving Iraq.

Addressing health care is an economic necessity. I'm watchful on that issue as well.

We'll see.

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RE: Where is Obama going? - 9/5/2009 10:54:14 PM

TheHeretic

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It's a very good question, Kirata. My automatic smart-ass answer is "back to Chicago in January of '13," but there is a lot of ground to cover between now and then.

I think we are getting a good look at his default solutions. Throw money and governmental regulation at the problem... I disagree with him about that method of problem solving.

On national security, President Obama has shown a willingness to be pragmatic and flexible, even when it comes into conflict with his preconceived notions and rhetoric. I certainly hope that will continue.

Beyond that, I still have more questions than answers.

He stepped very clumsily with the Gates Gaffe. Is that kind of mistake going to made again? I mean, it's fun to play with and all, but very distracting.

Is Rahm Emanuel scared of Pres. Obama when the door is closed?

How is a man who has never held power before, coping with holding the office he was elected to fill? I really wonder about that one.

Does he really think that whole corral of czars is going to be more worth more than the chaos they'll drag into his house?

You're right, Kirata. We shall see. God help us and him!

edit for syntax cockup

< Message edited by TheHeretic -- 9/5/2009 11:42:21 PM >

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RE: Where is Obama going? - 9/6/2009 6:38:17 AM

DomImus

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Kirata
Personally, I've decided to write off everything he ever said and just watch and see.

He hasn't seemed to learn how to vet his staff candidates very well after having stumbled over the process again and again.

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RE: Where is Obama going? - 9/6/2009 7:18:02 PM

pahunkboy

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Obama IS George Bushes 3rd term.

He is controlled by the banksters.

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RE: Where is Obama going? - 9/6/2009 7:19:54 PM

pahunkboy

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Just look at how many troops came home!

Obama is a mass hypnosis NLP puppet.

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RE: Where is Obama going? - 9/6/2009 7:29:03 PM

ThatDamnedPanda

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quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

He is controlled by the banksters.

PA, that is a fantastic word. Is that yours?

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RE: Where is Obama going? - 9/6/2009 7:46:05 PM

ThatDamnedPanda

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Kirata

Back during the campaign, people who knew Obama at Harvard commented that they were never sure what the hell he really thought. It was observed, for example, that in debates, both sides would come away with the impression that he was on their side.

And today, when people point to things Obama has said in the past to various groups, half of them are worried that that's what he's trying to do as President, and the other half are starting to feel cheated and angry because it's not what he's doing!

What does he really want? According to Frontline, he chose the church he attended because it was where he could rub shoulders with the movers and power brokers in the community. And that seems to be the trend. I'm beginning to think that all he ever really wanted in his life has been to feel admired and powerful.

Well, he's got that now. The question is, what's he going to do with it. He doesn't need to play for admiration or power anymore. Will he play for more, or will he relax and let his humanity show? Who is Barack Obama really? What does he really think and feel? That's what we're going to find out, and maybe what he's going to find out now too.

I'm becoming increasingly concerned that you're exactly right, that even Barack Obama does not really know who Barack Obama is and what motivates him. With each passing week, it becomes more and more difficult to see any sort of consistent internal compass guiding this man's decisions and actions.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Kirata

Personally, I've decided to write off everything he ever said and just watch and see.

Ditto. The man is a completely blank slate in my eyes; President Tabula Rasa, an entirely unknown quantity. In retrospect, I wouldn't have - couldn't possibly have - voted any other way last fall, but at the same time I do feel very strongly that I was badly misled about the man for whom I was voting, and that I erred in my own evaluation of the man as well. He is definitely not who I thought he was; my biggest concern at this point is - just how far off was I? I'm not looking forward to finding out, frankly. The trends he's showing thus far are not at all encouraging.

< Message edited by ThatDamnedPanda -- 9/6/2009 7:48:08 PM >

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RE: Where is Obama going? - 9/6/2009 8:48:42 PM

SpinnerofTales

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quote:

Ditto. The man is a completely blank slate in my eyes; President Tabula Rasa, an entirely unknown quantity. In retrospect, I wouldn't have - couldn't possibly have - voted any other way last fall, but at the same time I do feel very strongly that I was badly misled about the man for whom I was voting, and that I erred in my own evaluation of the man as well. He is definitely not who I thought he was; my biggest concern at this point is - just how far off was I? I'm not looking forward to finding out, frankly. The trends he's showing thus far are not at all encouraging. ORIGINAL: ThatDamnedPanda

I hate to inject a note of optimism into the conversation, but I don't think Obama quite as rudderless as the above postings seem to indicate. I do think that he is a big change from what we have had for the last eight years and that is jangling people. George Bush, agree or disagree with his policies, was very much the "My way or the highway" executive. If not being able to have things done as he wanted them done, he was willing to stay in place and out stubborn the opposition. Obama's managerial style, however, seems quite well summed up in his oft stated comment "We must not let the perfect become the enemy of the necessary." Coming from an environment where changing one's mind on any issue or action was branded "flip-flopping", this can lead to an unsettling image of inconsistency.

Next, I think a good deal of the perceived problem with who Obama is may be related to the differences between running for the office of President and serving in the office of President. I think this would be the same if he had been a longer serving senator or even a governor. Bill Clinton, for example ran into a complete inability to lift the ban on gays in the military, settling for the "don't ask, don't tell policy" and couldn't pass any bill pertaining to healthcare. Other than his tax program, Bush was unable to advance his agenda in any major way until 9/11 gave him a short lived mandate.The office of the presidency is such a unique position that only after attaining office can it's intricacies be discovered.

On the positive side, I think that Obama is a very intelligent man. While one might argue that he desires government to do too much, I think he is truly interested in correcting some problems he views in the way the economy is run, the way healthcare is administered and our diplomatic situation with the rest of the world.

On the negative side, I think he is used to coalition building. This doesn't work as well from the Oval Office as it does from a state or national senate seat. This seems to have resulted in difficulties not only with republicans, but with the congressmen and senators in his own party. I think a lot of the prospects for his successful presidency depend on him learning when to grow a set and at least whip his own troops into sake.

I think he has good intentions. I think that he may or may not be able to live up to them. I also think this country needed a course correction left after eight years of hard right. Whether Obama will bring us back into center remains to be seen. If not we may need a correction right in four or eight years.

And so it goes.

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