Quote:
Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna
A couple of posters above are critical of our yet-to-be inagurated President because he is describing the difficulties faced by the country instead of how he would make good on his campaign promises. Managing expectations they call it.
Lest we forget, the campaign lasted almost two years. As recently as three months ago President Bush and John McCain said that our econmy is strong. Then 10 days before the election all financial heck broke loose--the worst financial crisis in 75 years became evident. Fannie and Freddie failed followed by several big banks and America's largest insurance compay; the final debate was almost suspended because Congress was meeting to craft a bailout bill; our banking system froze up and remains frozen today; the U.S. auto industry declared that they will go bankrupt and had to be temporarily bailed out (another financial emergency involving them will happen 3 months into the new administration); Israel invaded Gaza trying to take advantage of political support from the outgoing U.S. administration; and just since the election over 2 million more people have lost their jobs and the economy has grown even weaker; and on and on.
Yet some people are critical because the President-elect is speaking to the public frequently--12 full blown press conferences and major speech just since the election--telling them how the situation is worsening and explaining the plans he and his administration are putting together to address the problems. I guess the critics would prefer the President-elect to tell the American public that everything is OK and all these problems being written aren't as bad as the media makes them out. Of course what Obama is explaining to the country is different from the campaign rhetoric--just as much as President Bush's agenda changed after 9/11. The only difference is the problems have cropped up just before the President-elect's inaguration rather than shortly after he assumes office.
I might say that this is a pleasant change from our current President, who went months between press conferences and "managed" the public's understanding of things by making sure that everyone in his administration gave out the same message, crafted by Karl Rove, every day. Do we remember "mission accomplished", "the economy remains strong", "Brownie, you're doing a helluva job", "we will re-build New Orleans", "waterboarding is really OK and not torture", and "Don (Rumsfeld), you've done a great job; we're sorry to see you go"? Would you rather have another four years of that, or a President who is willing and able to explain the problems and the alternatives for solving them to the people?
Some people only hear, see and interpret situations with pre-conceived conclusions. They mostly look backward and when they do look to the future, it's with negativity and no specific thoughts or ideas on how things might be done differently or better. They assume that their worst fears will be fulfilled. For me, I'm willing to give our new President some time to see if he can get things turned around. We'd all better hope that he can.
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YES....I have pre conceived notions about the President Elect, despite what it says I will not apologize for them. I backed them up with good solid information during the primary and the election. I have NO problem with his speaking to all of us often....I actually think it is a good idea !!!!!
I simply agreed with BTK and noted that this kind of rhetoric is exactly what has been trained to do as a community organizer. Does that mean he is lying or doing something wrong....never said that or even implied it.
OF COURSE you have chosen to do what it seems like all Obama supporters do.......first IT IS NOT HIS FAULT..nothing ever is....AND.....bash Bush either implicitly or by inferrence...it absolutely never fails and I expect that from you we will hear this on and on for years to come....anything bad can be traced back to Bush !!!
As an American I will hope and pray that President elect Obama succeeds...of course, folks like you who worship him will not accept that...it is either all adoration or nothing, but to turn this thread into a bash Bush seems a bit out of line.