Behold the mavericks

[cherdano]

However, my experience is that there seems to be an anticipation of a huge amount of "Obama-specific" change on the horizon, and that's the part that I don't see. I certainly agree with you strongly that as an eloquent speaker and charismatic person, he'd do a much better job than many other Democrats would at getting non-Democrats on board with certain proposals, and to the extent that that's a large part of his support, I agree. I see him as someone who delivers the majority Democratic platform in a very marketable way. Which is what launched him in the first place, in the form of his 2004 DNC speech.

 

The perception I have of a huge portion of his supporters, however, is that their perception of him is different; it is of someone who has and will bring forth revolutionary positions and ideas not found in the rank & file Democratic party. That's the part I don't agree with, and that's what I was commenting on.

I expect Obama will be a president

- with a good taste for advisors, opting for competency and constructive discussions over unquestioning loyalty

- who will make careful and deliberate decisions, while being conscious of his own and his administrations decision-making process, trying to improve it whenever possible, and

- a president with good base of common sense.

Unfortunately, this is rather radical change, and by now also seems to be quite a contrast to the alternative...

 

I also hope he will be able to sell common sense ideas as common sense, rather than them getting lost in ideological debates.. So yes I do think his rhetoric matters.

[Lobowolf]

However, my experience is that there seems to be an anticipation of a huge amount of "Obama-specific" change on the horizon, and that's the part that I don't see.  I certainly agree with you strongly that as an eloquent speaker and charismatic person, he'd do a much better job than many other Democrats would at getting non-Democrats on board with certain proposals, and to the extent that that's a large part of his support, I agree.  I see him as someone who delivers the majority Democratic platform in a very marketable way.  Which is what launched him in the first place, in the form of his 2004 DNC speech.

 

The perception I have of a huge portion of his supporters, however, is that their perception of him is different; it is of someone who has and will bring forth revolutionary positions and ideas not found in the rank & file Democratic party.  That's the part I don't agree with, and that's what I was commenting on.

I expect Obama will be a president

- with a good taste for advisors, opting for competency and constructive discussions over unquestioning loyalty

- who will make careful and deliberate decisions, while being conscious of his own and his administrations decision-making process, trying to improve it whenever possible, and

- a president with good base of common sense.

Unfortunately, this is rather radical change, and by now also seems to be quite a contrast to the alternative...

 

I also hope he will be able to sell common sense ideas as common sense, rather than them getting lost in ideological debates.. So yes I do think his rhetoric matters.

I find this to be an atypically rational assessment of what he brings to the table.

[Al_U_Card]

I would suggest that his potential and his orientation will depend on how he deals with the first approach by the PTB. Should he cave, he will be like Bill Clinton and be a competent and obedient president. Should he resist, the consequences are less than inspiring....

[mike777]

Add in the likely 60+ Democrats in the Senate meaning they should be able to pass whatever they want.