What do you think is an acceptable time frame before people start questioning Obama's judgment?

[mtnsnake]

Personally, I think the bottom line is how he and his administration perform, once in office, and that is going to take at least a certain amount of time.

[1corona4u]

1. I think SOME people already have...

:eyes:

Acceptable; 6-8 months after he takes over. Provided there are a few reasons...

[stray cat]

2. Never crazy about mindless rants - but questioning an action can occur after an action

which I don't believe he can have until Jan 20.

[NC_Nurse]

3. I chose never.

:silly: Mainly to be obnoxious.

I just can't get interested in all the argument about this stuff lately. NOTHING has happened yet people. Geez!

[DevonRex]

5. Pretty strange, isn't it? I don't check in as often as I used to, that's

for sure.

[DevonRex]

4. Somewhere between 6 months and a year I guess. It kind of depends

on when we see results from his decisions. Some may take a relatively short period of time and others may take longer.

I'm interested in seeing how many people here declare him a failure because they don't like his decision on a specific issue, rather than assessing his overall performance. And after watching people tear him limb from limb here in the last week, I fully expect the same people to judge him an utter failure one month into his first term.

As a matter of fact, I'm wondering about my own mental stability since I keep coming here to read all of the attacks.

[Starry Messenger]

15. People used to go to the asylums on Sundays to visit. :)

I'm hoping things settle down after Thanksgiving. Nice to see you posting!

[liberal N proud]

6. We are supposed to have free speech

We have spent 8 years blasting the crimes of the bu$h regime and putting up with them condemning us for our differing opinions.

If we believe in free speech, then we have to accept the criticisms, like it or not.


But for those who criticize his administration must first remember what the bu$h regime has done to America and 2 they could have had McCain and Palin, then maybe they will reconsider harsh criticism of Obama.

[Hatchling]

7. Other.

I spent my "questioning his judgement" time during the primaries. Since the GE I learned to respect a man I had earlier villified. Every decision he made during his campaign turned out to be golden. He instilled hope in this cynic. Can he do everything he promised during the campaign? I doubt it, I hope I'm wrong. Will he try? Hell yes!

I'll suspend questioning his judgement until a decision he has made actually proves to have been a mistake. I'm waiting until I can judge his performance. If he screws up, then I question.

[polichick]

8. imo posters discussing an appointment choice has more to do with...

...trying to understand Obama's thinking/strategy than questioning his judgment. That's the kind of conversation that makes message boards worthwhile.

[LiberalFighter]

9. Republicans.... NEVER

Others... Critical discussion before Obama makes a decision.

Positive questioning if the point is to obtain answers.

Negative questioning if there are obvious questions about his judgment.

[Runcible Spoon]

10. Chastizing anyone for criticizing a POLITICIAN is undemocratic and frankly not a little bit scary

Do what is in your own conscience, but the minute that means passing judgment on the CIVIC DUTY we have as voters and citizens to remain vigilant and involved in the political process (JUST AS OBAMA WANTS, BTW), you are walking a dangerous line to advocating authoritarian rule.

[mtnsnake]

16. Of for sure, but not giving Obama & his admin a chance to prove themselves is a bit scary, too

Some people are just acting like they've already passed judgment on him or his choices when the Obama administration hasn't even had a single day in office with which to prove themselves yet.

No one is trying to take away your civic duty. Jeesh. The guy hasn't even been sworn in yet and already some are judging him as if he's been President for a while.

[Runcible Spoon]

17. with high hope comes high expectation. I think that is what's going on here.

Only a tiny fraction of people here actually want Obama to fail, or think he is destined to fail for whatever reason. Whatever the nature of the criticism is aside, I think it is WONDERFUL that people are engaged and paying attention. That in itself it worth anything that is leveled against Obama. Cabinet appointments are very important, and I don't think we should be advocating how people react to his decisions at ANY time, unless those reactions are violent and threaten his life. Yes, some people ARE trying to take away my civic duty, and HAVE BEEN for the last 8 years. They might not be on DU, but the message is clear: do not question your leader. It didn't sit well when we had Bush, just because Obama may be more "benevolent" or wise doesn't mean complacency should over. I would argue that this is why Clinton passed a lot of things like NAFTA, Don't Ask Don't Tell, welfare "reform" etc while we weren't looking because we were caught up in complacency, comfort, and the cult of personality.

[cliffordu]

11. IIRC some folks questioned his judgement when he started running for President...

[TahitiNut]

12. I can disagree with Obama without attacking his judgment. (Is that a rare skill?)

Why is a discussion and possible disagreement on DU always conflated with an attack on the individual and that individual's intellect, judgment, or character?? Is it really that difficult to distinguish between message and messenger?

:banghead:

[Motown_Johnny]

14. yes, if you disagree it implies you think he is wrong. How can you say he is wrong

without attacking/questioning his judgment?




Just like right now, I am disagreeing with you. Does that look to you like I am attacking/questioning your judgment? If so, then translate that into policies and decisions that matter, instead of these silly posts.

Edit to add, I meant .... Yes... as in yes it is a rare skill

[Motown_Johnny]

13. At least one full year, Bush had that and he is an idiot. I would say 18 months is reasonable

[Runcible Spoon]

18. Bush did NOT get that, not HERE. In fact, that is the whole reason for DU's birth!

There will be thousands of threads like this as time goes on, but one thing won't change: we will ALWAYS comment on politics. What else are ya gonna do on DU? You can only post pics of your kitties for so long (OK there ARE exceptional people here who can post about their cats all day, god love em :evilgrin:)

18 months, huh. Does this mean you're going to be criticizing other people who want to speak their minds now or does this only apply to your opinions?

[saltpoint]

19. With each new group of folks for a government there comes the chance

of dramatic, world-changing chemistry that no one can predict or foresee prior to their actually taking hold of the wheel.

Barack Obama, we feel, could be very good in many ways for our nation and for our relationship with other cultures and countries, but he may turn out to be better than we imagine. That possibility remains.

There is also a new mix in the 111th Congress and a revivified party presence in places like Indiana and North Carolina. There's a greater enthusiasm quotient than prior Dem presidential candidates had in place, and that's not only our partisan advantage, but also a palpable lift for the men and women Bush has abandoned for the last 8 years.

In quiet tones at our own table in the cafe, we blue voters can wrangle long into the night over favored particulars. But against the Limbaughs and Hannitys and Kristols and other far-Right fixers and thugs, I think it is a now-and-always reflexive response to prefer our people to their people.

If yur own kid or grandkid fucks up, ya say damn, I wish he hadn't, but from the deep bone and blood ya say, He's still my kid or grandkid and I'm comin' to bat for 'im.