What would it take to make you say, "You know what? Obama WASN'T the right man for the job"?

Question

All the hyperbole and fawning over Obama is starting to get on my nerves. I didn't vote for the guy, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for the next two years and see what he can do with (essentially) a blank check from a Democrat-controlled Congress.

But I'd like to know -- particularly from the most fervent fans of Obama: what would it take for you to change your mind and say that he had FAILED as a president, even after all the hype and promises?

A recession that lasts longer than two years?

Another terrorist attack on American soil?

Or is your faith in your president SO unshakable that NOTHING could ever change your mind about him?

And if that's the case, can you really claim that reality is informing your opinions about him any longer?

Answer 1

My faith in my president is of course not so unshakable that nothing could ever change my mind about him. I really do believe the man cares about our country, our people, and our future, and that's inspiring. We've been so tired of Bush for so long...we're just excited to have a chance at change, Rev, that's all. I do plan on still making sure my opinion is an informed one. After all, what kind of atheist would I be if I had blind faith in someone? :oD

Answer 2

I even have 2 favourite " Obama-isms " a million) In 2004 whilst Obama instructed the Chicago sunlight circumstances ' I even have basically been elected Senator and understand that i can't have adequate journey by 2008 to competently function as President , for this reason i can't run for President in 2008 " 2) In 2008 whilst Obama reported in a marketing campaign speech ' the U. S. is between the terrific international locations interior the international and at the same time we are able to alter that ! '

Answer 3

Well, instead of being bogged down in imagined disappointment I'm going to enjoy having a competent man in office for a change. Face it, Rev. He was the right man for this job. Why not give President Obama some support instead of looking for reasons to be bitter and disillusioned over imagined mistakes?



Jeez man, lighten up. You know that you ate actually complaining because a wounded nation has found a leader to rally around? I've watched my country slide down the toilet for nearly a decade and if I want to be glad for once that things might not look bleak and hopeless for my child's future, I will. If you can't handle that, that is your damage.





I was proud of my country for the first time in a long time yesterday. My daughter jumped up and down and we sang the national anthem in our living room.



I'm not afraid to hope for the days ahead. Why are you?



To hope is not to ignore that the worst could happen. It is just not to be afraid of any outcome while striving with lifted spirits for the best.



The recession will last longer than two years. Terrorists may attack. Those things are givens for me. I do not expect a president to magically fix those things in such a short period of time. I expect him to begin to turn this tide, not to turn it all together. That is something we will all be doing for another generation.



He's just a man. He's only a politician. Of course he could fail. He could disappoint my expectations. That goes without saying. I never agreed with his every policy anyway. We could not be farther apart on education reform. I’d like him to be more socialist where healthcare is concerned. Screw civil unions, I’m all about gay marriage. Whatever, he’s still the best I could have ever hoped for.



I see a promise in him that I have never seen in a president in my lifetime and I am thrilled.

Answer 4

I think I understand your reservations - and as a skeptic I have been waiting for the opportunity to answer that question TO MYSELF.



I found myself watching the inauguration yesterday with tears running down my face. I still choke up. For the better part of the last 8 years, I have been wondering when we're all gonna die. It seems like we skated under the bullets and made it here.



Or is this just marketing? I mean really? What is my relief going to cost me?



So to answer - The man NOT for the job would...



1) continue the war in Iraq and proceed with the unspoken plans to make it a war in Iran.

2) Continue on spying on Americans and say that real Presidents don't need laws.

3) work on demonstrating that "we the People" really meant "We the right kind of People" and the rest of you can f@(k off - very much like Sarah Palin promising that there are Real Americans she will be representing and the rest of us she will NOT, and will define that sometime later...

4) Insist that if we are right white Christian and basically amenable to believing everything he said, we are represented and "free".

5) Run up astounding debts for his friends to rake in cash benefits from the rest of us.



Of course, there are people that enter government and religion so they don't have to do a real job. I plan on evaluating the Obama administration with the same meter I measured the past 8 years with.



I have maintained that if we are to adhere to a Two Party system of government, we NEED two parties to do that. Absurd as it sounds, we have had only one. The Republicans, when they owned the trifecta - house, senate, and courts - locked out dissent. One party - unity over logic! (See Terry Shaivo affair for a good show of that one. They debated in messing with a family for their own political gains while 4 spending bills went un-debated, unexamined and un passed underfunding every social service and function of the government.)



In the Clinton years, dissent was not locked out - but it was limited to the President's sexual habits where there were MANY legitimate complaints about Clinton - all drowned out by the Impeachment/bl0wj0b story.



Right now, the Republicans have reduced themselves to a traction-less position. As an example, on Drudge's front page (www.drudgereport.com mouthpiece for right-wing news) he's bellowing about $170 million spent on the Inauguration. in other days there might be outrage about that; but in the wake of the Republicans GIVING money away - $12 BILLION on a pallet in Baghdad handed out to warlords - we think maybe - and just GONE. 12 BILLION. In the wake of screw jobs like that, the Republicans have NO VOICE cause what's $170 mil compared?



I will not regret or defend my tears of relief. There has been a bottled rage against the Republicans that needs expression. As The Rude Pundit said standing in the packed crowd booing Bush and Cheney on the podium yesterday "Sometimes a man deserves to be booed by a couple of million people."



Right now, he's someone standing up in front using complete sentences - let the people have their pleasure for a few seconds will ya?

Answer 5

Him failing, would convince me that he failed. He hasn't even really begun yet, so I don't see the point is laying out what he could do wrong. If it arises, I'll make my decision then.



I have no problem changing my opinion on anyone or anything. I'm kinda bothered that you assume anyone who voted for him must have been starry eyed and naive, instead of making an informed decision.



Will you change your mind about him if he walks the walk? Or will your dislike cloud your judgement and will you find reasons to continue not to like him? Same accusatory tone as your questions. Difference is, I'm not serious. But then, maybe you aren't either.

Answer 6

The hole that the Bush's presidency dug us into will take at least four years to fill, that's if we are lucky to recover at all, you are right about hyperbole of Obama, but I do think he has the character to do the best he can, unfortunately the damage done by the financial Intuitions may hand over the first world power to the Chinese, who are probably better suited for it than we are.

Answer 7

What 'would' it take? How about what 'did' it take?



Well, when he opposed the surge which succeeded so spectacularly and then, rather than acknowledging his error, proceeded to give Gen. Petreaus advice on how to proceed.



Then there were his views on taxes which, to anyone with any knowledge, experience and education was a blatant shell game. He's going to 'stick it' to those evil corporations by taxing them all the while knowing his followers would never catch on to the fact that it was they who were actually being taxed in the form of higher prices.



Then there were his comments about his going through every line of legislation and rejecting any wasteful spending. Apparently this Constitutional lawyer was not aware that as president he does not have the line item veto. Or, perhaps he was aware, but again knew that his followers were not.



Then, how about Gitmo and his suggestion that we close it down. Now either we close it down and move these maggots some place else which means we've essentially accomplished nothing or we release them 'back into the wild' to participate in more murder and mayhem. But, again, to his followers, this was hunky dory.



Lastly, it was admission to supporting a direct redistribution of wealth. A position that punishes industry, success, achievement and everything else that has served to make America the strongest nation in the history of the planet. But why would that 'be a bad thing'?



Nah, this guy 'proved himself' to me months ago.

Answer 8

The American public voting him in office is already improving our image to foreigners (which does influence our economy) and he's picking cabinet members from both Republican and Democratic sides. I always thought he was modeling himself after Lincoln and so far, he has.

My opinion of him would get negative if he 'switched' sides partway through his term and started acting on his 'blank check' status the same way 'W' did. But, he's got quite an education and despite the Democratically held govt, he still has chosen Republicans to be on his advisory board.

You sound like my mother. He hasn't done anything to offend anyone but b/c some group of monkeys you know reacts badly, he gets the blame.

Answer 9

If he started another war against another country based on false premises and misleading rhetoric, that would probably do it. Also if he flatly denied global warming is occurring and failed to take any remedial actions to mitigate potential damages, that might be discouraging. If he refused to sign legislation permitting scientific research which could lead to life-saving medical advances, based purely on his religious convictions, I'd probably be disgruntled.



Basically, if he acts in any way similar to the horrific policies of the previous administration, I would lose some respect for him. I can't expect him to work miracles and cure a recession or prevent every potential terrorist attack. If it appears that he could have done something in either of those instances but failed to act out of pure negligence, that would be another story.

Answer 10

I hear ya. But do understand the hyperbole, given the last 8 years of embarrassment.



Many of us are going overboard, but I for one am proud to be positive about the future once again.



I know that Obama will likely make many mistakes, but right now he is inspiring me to work harder and take pride in my country, and feel like we are once again members of the world community, instead of playground bullies.



I expect hard times ahead, but as long as he keeps me inspired to work harder and do my best to increase benefit for humanity, then I am willing to give some of his mistakes a pass.



An Obama failure to me, would be him giving up on us and regressing into partisan politics like Bush did.



I don't expect him to do it, but will call him out on it if he does.



Great question.

Answer 11

A terrorist attack on America again like 9/11 would sink his presidency big time, Especially seeing how liberals downplayed and ridiculed the accomplishment of Bush keeping us safe for 7 years after 9/11 as no big deal . A terrorist attack would no doubt be the deal breaker for him and the ignorant folk who voted for him .



As you were soldier

God bless

Answer 12

Anyone who corporate America allows to go far enough in politics to run for president is already compromised. Obama was just the best amongst the realistic choices.

Answer 13

agreed Soleil – good question and apparently by the few real answers given it would take Him acting like a freedom loving American or anti-socialists for the Libs to turn on him. Oh well this might actually turn out to be fun in some ways. Though I wont hold my breath with Obama coming to his sense’s I will pray for it

Answer 14

He'd have to screw up worse than Dubya -- and let's face it, that would take an AWFUL LOT!



Remember: I'm from Texas, so I got to see what Bush did to US before the Republicans decided he should bankrupt the nation, as well.

Answer 15

I have read and responded to many of your posts in the R&S forum and while we don't agree religiously I don't think I have read a more intelligent question on this forum today!!



Not because I did not vote for Obama or because I disagree with his politics but because you are calling people out for thier blind lust for a man when many have no real political reason for worshipping him.



Well said Soleil, well said!

Answer 16

The following would make me consider him a failure:



If he leaves us in Iraq, doesn't go into Afghanistan, leaves Gitmo open, continues the military tribunals, doesn't reform energy policies, doesn't get rid of don't ask don't tell, keeps Bush's tax cuts...man I could go on and on.

Answer 17

But Rev, Wait!?!!!





He's all for loving the muslims.

He's all for funding stem cells in Frankenstein labs.

He's all for ending the war, at least in Iraq

He's all for putting those backa@s fundies in their place

He's all for letting gays wed and adopt and warp kids

He's all for playing nice with Iran, Russia and everyone else,





why are YOU so harsh on him? He's right up your ally.

Answer 18

Whoa... Reverend... I think that is now 2 things that we agree with...



I give it a year though before the "honeymoon" is over.

Answer 19

If he lies to me.

Answer 20

Don't blame me, I voted for McCain.

Answer 21

Oh, taxing me more and giving it to lazy people who won't work.

That would do it for me...