New President! What do you think?

So we're about to get a new President of the United States, and boy, is he going to have a LOT of work. Agree or disagree, admire or dislike, I think we can all agree that there have been some huge changes in the last 8 years!

Although it is the Sandbox, I think the best discussions will have less emotional stuff like "I hate Bush" or "Obama is going to ruin everything", and a clear understanding of fact and opinion, and keeping the two separate. Keep it mature and respectful, or don't take part in the discussion.

For example (not necessarily my opinion, btw)
Fact: Cheney was an unusually hands-on Vice President, and his influence on Bush's decisions have been mentioned by GWB himself. He has a very strong neo-conservative agenda.
Opinion: Cheney was the real brains and the real power in the White House, Bush was just his puppet. I think the war, 9/11, and the failing economy are all GWB's fault, but Cheney is the real bad guy.
See the difference? OK, that's 5th-grade stuff you guys should be way beyond that...but I don't like to assume... :)

Remember: just because a post is there doesn't mean you have to make a comment... I know a lot of you aren't too interested in a big discussion of this stuff, and that's ok, it doesn't need to be in-depth or have a big global/political perspective. I'm just interested to hear what you think, your hopes and fears, regarding a new President.

SO
What are you most excited about? What are your hopes for the new President?

What are you feeling doubtful about? What are your fears regarding the new President?



I'll start by saying I'm very excited to see a First Family that isn't "white" in the White House :) , and I know Obama has some good intentions to fix things that are wrong in the system. Even though he has a fairly short political history, I see signs that he will be fair, not too terribly partisan, and, I hope, will listen to his more experienced advisors.

I have many concerns...I think all the biggest troubles will take most of his energy--the Wars in Irag and Afganistan, the economic crisis, and the Mid-East escalation--but are also (unfortunately) the ones that will be the hardest to make headway on. I think if he keeps his head down and starts on small important changes, he will do more for the country than using most of his energy to try and solve something that is way beyond his ability to solve, like the "Israel vs. almost everyone else in the MidEast" problem, or Iraq.
I'm concerned that corruption in Washington runs too deep and will be hard to overcome. I'm afraid that he will be just like so many other politicians, who try to make people happy with tax-cuts, but then we pay for it later in other ways, or make major changes without a long-term plan on how to make sure it stays what it was intended to be.

I'm a "hope for the best, try to be ready for the worst" type of person. The glass is half-full AND half-empty.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Um...I have a question...We call Obama the first "Black" President. Why do we call him "Black"? Only one of his parents is of African decent. So why don't we call him "White"?

Now, as for Obama as the President. Whats the big deal? So he looks different from every other President we've had before. Who cares about that. We shouldn't be worrying about the color of his skin, but whether or not he can get the job done. And by done, I mean done WELL. Time will tell i suppose. Anyways, I suppose my biggest fear is that being from Illinois......I just hope he hasn't been tainted as almost every Illinois politician has by the beast of corruption...Whatever higher powers there may be, please spare us from having another Blagojevich...

To be honest he was not the first 'black' president. After the revoluntary war, and before the constitioun was made. the was a Black President before Washington well, not exactly presiden, but Washington wasnt the first in charage of the country.

erhm.....back to topic

Well, he has already taken steps in closing down Gautomono Bay as he promised, so I believe that he'll keep his word on the rest of his promises too

Obamas ancesters were from Ireland county Offaly town Moneygall! they are all crazy down there! :P

anywho years ago african americans were slaves on cotton farms and dont start with the Ku klux clan (they look like ghosts :P)
but now to see a black president is history in the making sniff :)