Comments on: Obama: plus ça change?

By: G

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:15:51 +0000

This article paints a lovely picture of what could potentially come…the most salient point being that people’s expectations are not necessarily tempered by a realistic outlook of the challenges that Obama faces.

Nonetheless, despite the “cure” mentality that many hold concerning Obama, the voter choice in the election represented the only choice that had the realistic potential for a positive outcome. McCain and Palin would have only furthered the disastrous course Bush set the U.S. on.

Separately, I’m very tired of hearing that Bush succeeded in stopping a terrorist attack on U.S. soil again, as if after 9/11 any other President would have ensured that a second attack occurred. Please. The man had few successes and an endless list of failures.

To the question of: does Barack Obama bring to the White House a vision for change in foreign affairs which will so fundamentally re-jig the puzzle?

Time will tell; but it is certainly a positive thing to hope. The real lesson here is that people need to properly manage their expectations if their hopes are not fulfilled.

By: Ian Kemmish

Ian Kemmish — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:43:29 +0000

Even without the situations you describe (and I do hope history remembers me for preventing a wild elephant stampede through MY home town!), would he even want to change? Even during his primary campaign, he frequently referred to (and I paraphrase), America “regaining” its “rightful” place leading the world. It would appear that the notion of “manifest destiny” is alive and well, and just as obnoxious to the foreigners with whom Obama will need to work as it ever was.

By: Spooky

Spooky — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 03:36:49 +0000

Did Obama’s supporters consider all of these issues when they voted for him? Unlikely.

These issues will be answered one way or the other. And not all of Obama’s supporters are going to be happy with what happens.