Obamarama

[Govinda]

Is George W. Bush Still President?


Discuss.

My favourite bit was Aretha Franklin's hat. I want one just like it now.

[Rikkuffx]

I missed the whole Aretha Franklin bit I was probably playing Bingo on Iwon when she was on LOL. Anyway,I think he delivered a good speech now we just need to see if he can perform what he says. Saying is easier than doing. I didnt vote for him,heck I didnt vote at all but during the whole inauguration I was teary. I dont know why,I imagine it has to do with Bush finally being out of office. Although Bush did sign for 3 more years in iraq so I think it will be hard for Obama to get us out. Well,maybe he can start. I think Michelle did look beautiful and the style of the dress was appropriate but I find its ince it was gold and sparkly that it seemed more appropriate for the evening instead of the day time,but thats just me I suppose,although alot of people I have talked to say the same thing. I am curious as to what she will wear for the ball.

I am looking forward to this new "era" I think Obama really does believe that this country is great and that he will do everything that he can to restore America and we do need someone like that. But only time will tell.

[Sinister]

I, too, loved her hat. Very chique.

But to be honest, I don't think booing Dubya was tasteful. Albeit, I'm super-glad the man is out of office. I liked Obama's speech, btw. Very becoming. Sasha looked very cute and happy. I'm glad the grandmother is moving in to look after the kids, as well.

This is the grand moment of "We'll see" that I was looking forward to. Now...let's see...

-Sin

[Jin]

I feel sorry for this guy. There's no possible way he can live up to the lofty expectations that this obamania has produced.

He seems like a practical guy to me. There's not going to be as much change as many think, I predict. Getting out of Iraq, heh. If he can actually accomplish that smoothly, I'll be dumbfounded.

But who knows.

[Sinister]

I feel sorry for this guy. There's no possible way he can live up to the lofty expectations that this obamania has produced.

He seems like a practical guy to me. There's not going to be as much change as many think, I predict. Getting out of Iraq, heh. If he can actually accomplish that smoothly, I'll be dumbfounded.

But who knows.

Depending on what you expect, that's very true. I was talking with Daniel, my roommate, who seems to think "change" will happen within three months.

I expect that Obama will be better than John McCain and that he is already better than George Bush.

Sometimes it's not about change or hope...sometimes it's about minimalism and damage control. So long as you accomplish damage control, everything else is gravy.

-Sin

[Walter Sobchak]

I feel sorry for this guy. There's no possible way he can live up to the lofty expectations that this obamania has produced.

It really is the complete opposite. Because of the situation Bush left, Obama can do a passable job and be labeled a great President.

American History is full of average Presidents (Jefferson, Roosevelt, Reagan) who looked great because of what they inherited.

[Jin]

Were they as hyped as Obama? I see your point, but all I see is the hysteria that he has produced crashing down when he falls short of perfect.

Then again, I don't live in America, so maybe the expectations aren't as high as the media makes it out to be.

[Walter Sobchak]

Were they as hyped as Obama? I see your point, but all I see is the hysteria that he has produced crashing down when he falls short of perfect.

Then again, I don't live in America, so maybe the expectations aren't as high as the media makes it out to be.

The hysteria is what will help him along. His most ardent supporters (me), would not criticize him if he killed an infant, and since Obama supporters are so passionate, that will help him in the long run.

[Jin]

Are you saying there's going to be an American Mao Zedong? Awesome. No, sorry, I didn't realize that the loyalty directed towards him was unconditional. I figured people were just counting their chickens before they hatched. It'll be interesting to see how a cult of personality plays out.

[Furore]

I won't lie and say I know a ton about US politics, but if they're anything like Australian politics, I don't see jack shit happening myself.

The mainstream politics of today don't ever seem to do anything as spectacular as some charismatic, villainous or otherwise outstanding individuals (often outside the law) who do something with a bang that has a damn strong impact. Hell, most things they decide to introduce take half a decade of pointless chattering, and observing Australian politics via the plastic/glass window when I was younger, I decided it was quite similar to a primary school classroom full of delinquents. A lot of swearing, yelling contests and similar behaviour. And some of the guys on the outside were clearly able to sleep through it. I'd say they were either deaf or superhuman.

[Sasquatch]

Depending on what you expect, that's very true. I was talking with Daniel, my roommate, who seems to think "change" will happen within three months....I expect that Obama will be better than John McCain and that he is already better than George Bush.

He's been in office for less than one day, how is he "better" than Bush? What has he done? He gave a good speech, screwed up on the Oath, and that's the extent of his Presidency. Here you are talking down about your roommate for thinking Obama will make a huge difference within three months, and you say that he's made a difference within one day.

It really is the complete opposite. Because of the situation Bush left, Obama can do a passable job and be labeled a great President.

So, so, so true. Not so much because of the situation Bush left, but because of the ignorant populace's pure hatred of Bush, no matter how ignorant it is, that any Democrat could step into that office and be praised.

American History is full of average Presidents (Jefferson, Roosevelt, Reagan) who looked great because of what they inherited.

Reagan didn't inherit much, but he made quite the difference. If you want a recent example of a poor-to-average President praised over what they inherited, look at Clinton.

Then again, if you want a recent example of a poor-to-average President insulted over what they inherited, look at Bush. Weak and struggling economy, vulnerable national security, looming housing market crash ... granted, Bush didn't do much to fix some of it, and even made some of it worse, but there's no doubt that Clinton dropped quite a bit into Bush's lap.

The hysteria is what will help him along. His most ardent supporters (me), would not criticize him if he killed an infant, and since Obama supporters are so passionate, that will help him in the long run.

Don't forget about playing the race card and insulting anyone who dares speak against him. That'll happen a lot, too.

[Rikkuffx]

I feel sorry for this guy. There's no possible way he can live up to the lofty expectations that this obamania has produced.

He seems like a practical guy to me. There's not going to be as much change as many think, I predict. Getting out of Iraq, heh. If he can actually accomplish that smoothly, I'll be dumbfounded.

But who knows.

Bush signed 3 more years in Iraq, like a month or two ago so its going to be really hard for him to try and get us out. I dont think he can do much about it cause Bush was the president when he signed the papers for the 3 more years but I guess we will have to wait and see,I really hope he can bypass the 3 more years or something,my bro is going over again for the 3rd time it really sucks.

[Jin]

Reagan didn't inherit much, but he made quite the difference.

I hate to bring this thread off topic, but I'm curious. What exactly did Regan do to make a difference? I've never understood this claim. And don't say he defeated communism, because that's a damn lie. Star Wars?

[Sasquatch]

Bush signed 3 more years in Iraq, like a month or two ago so its going to be really hard for him to try and get us out.

Why should we not spend more time in Iraq to stabilize the country?

I dont think he can do much about it cause Bush was the president when he signed the papers for the 3 more years but I guess we will have to wait and see,I really hope he can bypass the 3 more years or something ...

Would you want the new leader of the country's first move to be backing out of a treaty that the last leader passed?

... my bro is going over again for the 3rd time it really sucks.

Which branch? If he's in the military, he signed up with full knowledge of what's going on, and still volunteered.

I hate to bring this thread off topic, but I'm curious. What exactly did Regan do to make a difference? I've never understood this claim. And don't say he defeated communism, because that's a damn lie. Star Wars?

Well, other than defeating Communism and bringing about the downfall of the Soviet Union -- which isn't a lie -- he brought prosperity back to America, attracted business, strengthened our military and intelligence networks (and thus, our national defense), intimidated our enemies, and helped to ensure the liberty of millions of people worldwide.

Star Wars was just one of his many accomplishments.

[lottiepop]

I liked it when Obama fumbled one of the lines, it made him seem more human and made me go "awww bless"!

I really do hope he does bring change, though I know very little about his policies I'm ashamed to say.

[Jin]

Well, other than defeating Communism and bringing about the downfall of the Soviet Union -- which isn't a lie -- he brought prosperity back to America, attracted business, strengthened our military and intelligence networks (and thus, our national defense), intimidated our enemies, and helped to ensure the liberty of millions of people worldwide.

You're a smart guy, Sasquatch, but you know nothing about the Soviet Union if you think it needed an external force to collapse. The Soviet Union defeated the Soviet Union, not Regan. He just had good timing.

Regarding the rest, can you be more specific? This isn't meant to be a trap or anything, I'm really just curious.

Why should we not spend more time in Iraq to stabilize the country?

That's a trick question you're asking. The obvious answer would be that it's not your country, however, you and I both know that it's not that simple. No doubt you'll disagree on why Iraq is screwed up, but nonetheless, the situation there is screwed up. If you stay, you run the high risk of staying there forever, if you leave you leave behind an unstable power vacuum that will no doubt come back to bite you in the ass. For Obama's sake, I hope those supporters are as loyal as you say, James, because it's a lose-lose situation, from a strategic standpoint.

[Sinister]

He's been in office for less than one day, how is he "better" than Bush? What has he done? He gave a good speech, screwed up on the Oath, and that's the extent of his Presidency. Here you are talking down about your roommate for thinking Obama will make a huge difference within three months, and you say that he's made a difference within one day.

I didn't say he made a difference. You need a Sinister's Reading Comprehension 101 course. That's okay. I don't mind taking the time to help. Here's how we do it:

I expect that Obama will be better than John McCain and that he is already better than George Bush.

There is no implication either explicit or implicit in there that equals "difference." I know the small details may escape you. But to say that he is already better than Bush doesn't mean he has made a difference. Bush made a tremendous difference and Obama hasn't. That much is true. Which is better, the difference Bush has made and the difference Obama hasn't, is opinion. Perhaps the purport of my words is beginning to hit you. Difference=/Better If not, I can't help you further. But opinions are like you guys...everybody has one.

Also, I wasn't talking down to my Roommate. Daniel is a bright and gifted individual and I like him. I highly suspect he is far more intelligent than you are. Even if he isn't, at least he has yet to twist words and dutifully attack people for their opinion.

-Sin

[Zargabaath]

Obama does have high expectations but the funny thing that those who voted for him did not account for: Nancy Pelosi and the House of Rep. and Harry Reid and Senate being subservient to a junior senator. Lol. Silly people. Congress has more power than Obama; he is not a puppet though. Obama may a charismatic charm to the populace but to Congress he is nothing.

[Walter Sobchak]

Obama does have high expectations but the funny thing that those who voted for him did not account for: Nancy Pelosi and the House of Rep. and Harry Reid and Senate being subservient to a junior senator. Lol. Silly people. Congress has more power than Obama; he is not a puppet though. Obama may a charismatic charm to the populace but to Congress he is nothing.

Joke reply, right? Pelosi is completely subservient to Obama and Reid needs him in order to help re-election. Congress has not had more power than a President since Lincoln.

Unless you are getting paid to say these things, I fail to see the point in espousing them.

[Secret Weapon]

Obama is setting America's standards high because he wants to change the ones we are in now & follow up to those expectations. I voted for him (not because he is half black & I'm black) but because he is seeing that we are tired of hope.

Bush has trialed us with that hope stuff at 9/11 in catching Osama Bin Laden, the oil & gasoline policy speech he spoke of, & a couple other accounts (Hurricane Katrina) we as Americans were looking for Bush to hold us up on. Not saying he was a FAIL President, it's just he grew that populace of Americans loathing him because of him instilling hope behind his expectations to fall through with his promises.

Obama knows the hope isn't what the US needs right now. He's looking further into the future & current utmost matters. Stabalizing our economy (#1), trying to get us out of this war (I'm in the National Guard so I'm going to do my part for this country anyhow), foundating new jobs for the next generation (For my son & daughter so that's a plus ), stop trying to stick our noses in other countries affairs & focus on US, and most other things that all of us (as Americans) are going to have to come to think of & act about.

Obama is looking straight in the direction I'm focused on so, his morales/expectations/standards for us checks out in my book.

[Zargabaath]

Pelosi, Reid and the rest of the high-profile democrats are not taking orders from Obama; they are well secured in their power. They won't allow a junior senator, a newcomer to boss them around as president.

[Walter Sobchak]

Pelosi, Reid and the rest of the high-profile democrats are not taking orders from Obama; they are well secured in their power. They won't allow a junior senator, a newcomer to boss them around as president.

You already said that. Do you have any evidence whatsoever?

Modern Presidents have far too many executive powers to be subservient to a Congress. One of the masterful aspects of Reagan's Presidency was his ability to communicate directly with the people in order to get his initiatives through a Democratic Congress. While Congress is unpopular, Obama is still broadly popular, and he used that in the stimulus debate.

[Clint]

Obama does have high expectations but the funny thing that those who voted for him did not account for: Nancy Pelosi and the House of Rep. and Harry Reid and Senate being subservient to a junior senator. Lol. Silly people. Congress has more power than Obama; he is not a puppet though. Obama may a charismatic charm to the populace but to Congress he is nothing.

Since the legislation branch of government is Article I of the U.S. Constitution, and the executive branch is Article II, I'd say you're right about Congress possessing more power. While the president does have a lot of power, he's only one person. Congress is many people, and therefore, can trump presidential decisions. They'll be subservient to Obama to an extent, as they are with all presidents, however, the majority of Congress is democratic, and being as nearly all politicians in the same political party are practically identical and always support the decisions of politicians with higher authority in their party, I'd say he pretty much controls Congress at this point.

[Sasquatch]

While the President is the most powerful man in the country, he still does not have more power than Congress as a whole -- though there are ways to get around that.

The interesting point is that, since Congress has a dismal approval rating, and liberals are clamoring over Obama like he's the next messiah, Congressional Democrats will do whatever Obama wants them to do. Right now, they don't want to be the ones that are known for going against Obama.