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Obamamania Needs Reality Check

Posted by JERRY REMMERS, Columnist in Politics, Society.
Dec 4th, 2008 | Comments

Barack Obama hasn’t even been sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.

Yet, a myriad of public opinion polls reflect Obamamania to its ultimate fantasy conclusion: He can save the economy; he can wean us off foreign oil; he can restore America’s good will and leadership throughout the world; he can …

Even the U.S. Mint in Connecticut has pressed a commemorative coin in Obama’s name — and selling it for a discount TV price of $9.99.

The feel-good notion list goes on and on.

Earth to Planet Obama: He ain’t done nothin’ yet.

Yes, it is true the president-elect has filled the power vacuum in Washington while the lamest duck in recent memory takes a hiatus.

And, it is also true his transition team has set the stage to accomplish Obama’s goals of righting our sinking ship of state.

Oh, if only consumer confidence could be restored in the economy as so many have expressed in Obama’s abilities.

The problem is the goals are set so high that failure lurks on the other side of the bar.

As long as the fun lasts, take a look at the commissioners of Perry County, Alabama.

They have voted the second Monday in November “Barack Obama Day” in which county offices will be closed and its 60 employees a day off with pay.

Perry County is predominantly black and presented Obama a strong majority vote in the Nov. 4 election.

Said Albert Turner Jr., the county commissioner who introduced the resolution passed by a 4-1 vote: “This holiday will remind people at least one time a year that we do have hope to overcome obstacles in our lives that people say are insurmountable.”

He said he hoped the school board and local officials in Uniontown and Marion, the largest towns in Perry County, would soon pass similar resolutions.

Never has expectations so high been thrust on the shoulders of a man so unproven at this stage of his political career.

cross posted on The Remmers Report

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T-Steel

Obama's win has taken on mythic proportions within the black community. In my own family, black folks who were apathetic to politics and just this country's affairs in general are now intensely engaged. I went to my barber today (which I will write about) and they were discussing Obama's cabinet picks IN DEPTH. That has never happened. I may not be ALL INTO the "Obamamania" but I understand regarding the black community.

christoofar

I think people are reacting favorably to him appearing to be ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING towards starting work on Jan 20th, 2009. He is addressing the core issues that all of us are worried about, by installing an experienced Cabinet. He is talking to us via weekly addresses.
What's the current Prez up to these days? We only see him at turkey pardonings & hear of his great behind the scenes attempts at pushing thru "right of conscience" rules, etc.
Obams is ENGAGING us, something I find thrilling & missing from the political landscape for a very long time. We do not know if anything that he attempts to do when in office will succeed, but at least he is TRYING.

christoofar

Yo, "QUEEN", switch to de-caf, willya, your yelling is deafening.
I think people are reacting favorably that Obama appears to be preparing to go to work on Jan 20th, 2009, surrounded by a solid Cabinet. He is actively addressing the most serious challenges, and is communicating to & engaging the people - something this country hasn't had in quite some time.
What's the current Prez been up to, beside pardoning turkeys & and stuff like doing back door "right of conscience" rules to allow medical professionals to put their personal beliefs ahead of the health & welfare of others?

christoofar

sorry for the double post, Disqus harfed up hairball on my first one

GreenDreams

His election in notoriously racist America has taken on mythic proportions globally, and that has major benefits for our country in many ways. As for "the bar" or "expectations" or other worries about his ability to live up to "the myth" I'm not buying it. We were willing to let our expectations of our government slip to such absurd depths, that Obama has already overperformed, just in showing basic competence in choosing a team and running a transition. For all of you worriers and concern trolls too, remember this:

http://www.bobcesca.com/blog-archives/2008/09/a...

warning: link is to uncensored "f-word" containing humor

archangel

dear greendreams: well said. Pithy analysis.

"We were willing to let our expectations of our government slip to such absurd depths, that Obama has already overperformed"

T-Steel

QUEENOFDREAMS comments removed due to comment spam and over-solicitation.

mikeyes

Come on, the US Mint didn't press a new coin with a living person's image on it, that would be illegal. It was an enterprising private mint trying to look like the US Mint (I guess it fooled you) and fool some of the people.

As for the rest, they will eventually be disappointed since no one can control everything.

kritt11

The problem is that the current administration performed so abominably that just by offering hope for change, Obama came off as the Messiah that will lead us out of Egypt.

Expectations have become so high and our problems are so challenging, that he's bound to displease 50% of Americans by any chosen course of action.

I think many on the right knew that whoever won would be stepping in it, and so were almost relieved when McCain lost, giving them a chance to sit back and throw rocks while mounting the next assault for 2012.

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