Political Punch

One last thing:

The one big mistake all Obama's detractors are making is that he is a liberal.

He is trans-partisan, I believe, and am looking forward to being amazed!

This guy is the one, the leader I've been looking for since 9/11.

We should soon know.

re Mike_C's comment.
(his comments are in quotes.)

"It is ALWAYS easy to be very critical of theose current running the show, but until you sit in that chair, you do not realize the limitations that you are presented with."

Until he sits in the chair why don't you reserve judgement.

"I just wonder if the liberals in this country will be as critical of him as they were of Bush. Many of you are whining and ctying even now about how unfair people like me are being by already judgeing him."

A) I'm not a liberal & I'm not whining.
B) I voted for Bush last time & actually like him, but he's been very incompetent.
C) If Obama shows incompetence, THEN you can whine.
Doing so now is a very premature. You're just airing your assumptions about the man.

"Now no one is making those kinds of claims, but we are pointing out things you don't like"
I don't see anything you "pointed out" that I don't like.

"he has ZERO expereince(sic) at forming a government."

So did many successful presidents. Why don't you judge him by the government that he actually forms rather than what you think about his ability to do so.

"He has already discovered that you cant just throw a bunch of far left screwballs up there and make things work. "

What the h*ll are you talking about?
Most people say his war cabinet is center to right.
I see no "far left screwballs" anywhere in his cabinet.
No Kucinich (sp?), Nader, etc.

"Some people dont want to deal with the simple fact he was WRONG about the surge."

OK he didn't call that one right...who cares...he was right about the war.

"He has come to grips with it enough to realize that Gates has a good handle on things and is the best person to head up the completion of things in Iraq."

How do you he has "come to grips"....I'd say he wanted Gates all along.

"Now, that little fact alone upsets many liberals."

I thought it was a great decision. (But then I'm not a liberal)

"Add to that a Speaker of the House who already thinks that SHE is the one really running the country, and he will have hands full every day just trying to keep things moving. Remember, Republican or Democrat, this is Washington...and Washington is self-leaking with a purpose."

Well, lets wait & see, hmmm?

"I honestly hope he can bring things together and be succesful, but I do not believe he can do it if he actually tries to fulfill his campaign pledges."

Mike, I'm glad to hear it.

I've given up commenting....too much work, so bye y'all
wintermute

Wintermute,

There is no debate about the fact he ran a great campaign. No question at all. My point is he is discovering the same thing EVERY politician discovers. It is ALWAYS easy to be very critical of theose current running the show, but until you sit in that chair, you do not realize the limitations that you are presented with.

I just wonder if the liberals in this country will be as critical of him as they were of Bush. Many of you are whining and ctying even now about how unfair people like me are being by already judgeing him. Hey, if the shoe fits.....I vividly remember Bush being soundly attacked by liberals right from Day 1. For the first four years, we were always hearing "he stole the election", "he is not the real president".

Now no one is making those kinds of claims, but we are pointing out things you dont like. Guess what, He is learning, and just as we all said during the campaign, he has ZERO expereince at forming a government. He has already discovered that you cant just throw a bunch of far left screwballs up there and make things work. Some people dont want to deal with the simple fact he was WRONG about the surge. He has come to grips with it enough to realize that Gates has a good handle on things and is the best person to head up the completion of things in Iraq. Now, that little fact alone upsets many liberals.

I think some of these appointments show he may have the ability to make things work. But everyone who is all excited that he has all these egos in one room better understand that it will not be an easy task to keep them all in check.
We have big issues to deal with on many fronts, and these people are all used to being the one who has most influence in a given situation. Now on a daily basis, soem of them will have to give in to others who have at times been considered the "enemy" in many political battles.

Add to that a Speaker of the House who already thinks that SHE is the one really running the country, and he will have hands full every day just trying to keep things moving. Remember, Republican or Democrat, this is Washington...and Washington is self-leaking with a purpose.

I honestly hope he can bring things together and be succesful, but I do not believe he can do it if he actually tries to fulfill his campaign pledges.

proteapal wrote:
"1. Obama's appointment of Gates and Clinton means, let me translate for you, "Bush was right'. Right about going to war in Iraq (Clinton voted for it and unlike others did not take it back) and right about the surge (started in 2007 by Gates and opposed by every Dem including Nobama)."

So are you complimenting Obama (or Nobama as you so affectionately call him)? And stop looking backwards. Who cares about Bush now. Time to look ahead.

Mikec wrote:
"You really are in a dream world, if you think just by his "devine presence" that Obama is going to change the way things work in the real world!

Actually, by the looks of some of these appointments, he is realizing that you can yap about CHANGE on the campaign trail, but actually implementing CHANGE is completely different ball game. The world does not just stop so you can "experiment" with how to run a government."

I get it Mike...you don't like Obama.
To wit:
"devine (sic) presence",
"yap", "the way things work in the real world", "dream world"

He's not even in office & yet you're saying what he can't do. I'll bet you thought he couldn't win!

Whatever good he does ( which I think will be quite a lot) will come from his incredible intelligence, vision, his cool approach, his "team of rivals".

Seems like you'd want him to suceed...he IS our next commander -in-chief...there's quite a bit at stake.

You just sound like a sore loser.

The country is done with ideological extremes and the endless gridlock which arises out of the washington blame game and the press's obsession with same.

People finally realized this is not some obscure drama but a system of decision-making that affects their lives. They want pragmatism and results. They don't care if those results are delivered through the execution of liberal ideas or conservative ideas; the message is simply to produce. Meaning that you will have to produce a viable alternative.
--------------------------

Ray,

Wake up....Wake up....your dreaming boy!

You really are in a dream world, if you think just by his "devine presence" that Obama is going to change the way things work in the real world!

Actually, by the looks of some of these appointments, he is realizing that you can yap about CHANGE on the campaign trail, but actually implementing CHANGE is completely different ball game. The world does not just stop so you can "experiment" with how to run a government.

Mike_C,

Nice try but he admitted no such thing. Gates, on the other hand, by staying and therefore agreeing to implement Obama's plan, is admitting that Obama's plan in Iraq is the correct one. Surely you don't think an honest man like Dr Gates would stay on to implement something if he didn't think it was a good idea. You do see Gates standing right next to the PE when the PE says 'it will be my vision that gets implemented', don't you?

-------------------------------

LOL...Just as much as you agree that Obama was WRONG on the SURGE in Iraq, and by keeping Gates and the success that he has helped bring about, Obama is admitting that he was WRONG!

Heard Jake's ?s on NPR this am driving to work. Thought they were good talking points. Would have left out the private assurances part, though. Was this terrorist action the tipping point in the dispute between India and Pakistan? This was not the first incident. On the other hand, Pakistani national/citizen involvement does not imply Pakistani government support. 10 guys! Was there some dissident infrastructure to this attack within India? How would Obama see Indian aggression against/into Pakistan? We've got two wars going on, and can afford neither. "Soft" diplomacy has a role here to push Pakistan toward getting rid of terrorist training camps within its borders. What if this conflict escalates?....With respect to the differences of opinion, can this Unit/Union stay together? For how long? Lincoln cabinet of former opponents didn't stay together. How will Obama keep the group together and unified despite differences? I want to know answers to these ?s. Thanks Jake, keep up the good work.

Private assurances? Really? This is just sad. It's almost as if the media wants drama. Do you or anyone else for that matter, really think that this team of highly experienced and professional people, are just going to go off the reservation and start implementing their own foreign policy ideas instead of the President's? At a time like this? Yeah, right. I thought not.

Why not ask a relevant question---maybe, how long will Gates remain on board. Or, does Rice's appointment signal that the US will have a greater role in fighting genocide---I'm sorry, those types of questions are not sexy enough for our dear "journalists" looking for the next gotcha story.

proteapal wrote:
"...I would have asked Obama about his trip in 1981 to Pakistan, when Obama was 20 and perhaps coming back from a trip to Indonesia to see his mother. Like everything else about his life Obama does not want you to know about, he doesn't mention this in the books he has "written."
He spent three weekes in Pakistan? Again, why???"

I say what's your point?

Seems like you belong on World Net Daily or Limbaugh's site.

I applaud Obama on what he has done so far. The U.S. won't leave Iraq until the nutcases in Iran are neutralized.

Ray makes me laugh.

Even presuming Jake - ooh whoo holding my side - was conservative is bad enough.

But saying that a journalist must "produce a viable alternative" before asking questions!!

The country is done with ideological extremes and the endless gridlock which arises out of the washington blame game and the press's obsession with same.

People finally realized this is not some obscure drama but a system of decision-making that affects their lives. They want pragmatism and results. They don't care if those results are delivered through the execution of liberal ideas or conservative ideas; the message is simply to produce. Meaning that you will have to produce a viable alternative.

Don't like Obama's picks? Fine. But the country will demand you name alternatives or you will be ignored. Tapper is just haning on a political reality that died on Nov. 4th. Wonder when he'll realize that.

1. Obama's appointment of Gates and Clinton means, let me translate for you, "Bush was right'. Right about going to war in Iraq (Clinton voted for it and unlike others did not take it back) and right about the surge (started in 2007 by Gates and opposed by every Dem including Nobama).

2. Well, Jake, I think I would have asked Obama about his trip in 1981 to Pakistan, when Obama was 20 and perhaps coming back from a trip to Indonesia to see his mother. Like everything else about his life Obama does not want you to know about, he doesn't mention this in the books he has "written."

He spent three weekes in Pakistan? Again, why???

Obama's plan in Iraq and Gates plan is a distinction without a difference thanks to victory in that beleaguered country both military and now political.

Obama has had numerous plans and rationales none of which though were predicated on a victory or the achievement of any ends, only speedy withdrawal though he let it be known that internecine genocide or imminent AQ takeover would stymie his plans.

So NOW while the drawdown has only begun from pre-surge levels it is in a radically different environment. Not a perfect one - there are ongoing terrorist acts and nonsensical Sadrist intrigue. But a strong democratic Iraq with a Parliament as contentious as can be, but committed to solving their problems within the system.

18 months is doable but 2011 is more reasonable considering the development of Iraqi air and naval contingents, and Obama's plan always provided for a 25000-50000 remnant which means NOT a complete withdrawal from this vital region.

That my friend Question is what Obama and Gates and Petraeus have decided on - because other regions from Af-Pak to Darfur to God knows where are calling for our attention.

Mike_C,

Nice try but he admitted no such thing. Gates, on the other hand, by staying and therefore agreeing to implement Obama's plan, is admitting that Obama's plan in Iraq is the correct one. Surely you don't think an honest man like Dr Gates would stay on to implement something if he didn't think it was a good idea. You do see Gates standing right next to the PE when the PE says 'it will be my vision that gets implemented', don't you?

I am taking Jake's side on this one. People are acting all intimidated and everything by the Obama-Hillary duo. They deserve the snark; they did put on a great show of rivalry so they need to explain how they now intend to work together. Besides, Obama does keep on saying its HIS vision that gets implemented, but really what's his assurance on that? I actually think that line of questioning helps him more than anyone else. He gets to deliver that line about it being his vision; the line is as much a message to us as it is to the people under him (Hillary, Gates, Biden etc.)

I'll give Obama credit for admitting he was wrong about Iraq and other foreign policy issues. These nominations prove that.

Yeah, Im sure at the Daily Kos & MoveOn thay are pulling thier collective hair out! Its ok folk just hedd to SF and take a few more b@ng hits, you will feel sooo much better!!!

I'll give Obama credit for admitting he was wrong about Iraq and other foreign policy issues. These nominations prove that.

Yeah, Im sure at the Daily Kos & MoveOn thay are pulling thier collective hair out! Its ok folk just haed to SF and take a few more bong hits, you will feel sooo much better!!!

there was a reporter in the group who had his clock cleaned by obama with his snarky question...anyone want to take a guess who? Were is Helen Thomas, bring her back to the front, and put Mr. Snarky question on the back row.

I think our country is going to be in good hands again.

the nightmare is almost over.