My father, a Republican, just said "Every time I hear [Obama] speak, it just makes me feel better." Agree/Disagree?

Give your dad a kiss for me.

Oh, I agree. Just the fact that your Dad, a Republican made that statement is evidence that he is inspiring confidence in untold ways. I second Judi, give him a hug for me.

I just found out that Obama is a distant relative of Dick Cheney so I am in a state of shock.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Dunham

I am a Republican and voted for McCain.

I hope that Obama is as fantastic as many believe he is….time will tell…..

I will be watching the Inauguration with as much excitement and pride as anyone who voted for Obama. I even scheduled my day to be parked in front of the TV…..I intend to watch the event w/ my kids. I would be doing the same thing no matter who our next President was going to be, no matter what the party affiliation.

He is my President too….I wish him all the best.

Snoopy,
You make me proud to be American. Thanks.

@Judi: (blushing)

@all: I hope that you could all say the same thing, if the situation were reversed….

@ Snoopy I too, am very impressed with your outlook. With a contrite heart, I have to say I would not be as generous if the situation was reversed. I know I would be wallowing in doom. :0)

I feel exactly as Snoopy does and I applaud her honesty. This is a tough crowd, politically speaking. My family will be watching with all the pride any American should have, and it is indeed a historic inauguration on multiple fronts. In spite of all of our issues and troubles, we are a lucky bunch to be living in America. I do not think your political affiliation should determine your pride in your country. I am hopeful, I am openhearted, and I am proud to be an American.

Part of being President is inspiring people and being a figurehead. Making them feel as though you are leading them towards prosperity whether you are or not. Every single time I saw Bush on TV I cringed because he did none of that. It literally hurt my insides to see him attempt to speak. All things remaining the same Bush had so many ways he could have improved his image and inspired his fellow Americans but he didn’t and he’ll go down as one of the worst Presidents ever. This hurts me because I voted for him, I’m from Texas and have followed his career for many many years. It’s like watching a relative flounder.

But I’m in agreement with those in this thread. Obama is our next president. He’s a young, inspiring, forward thinker and he has America’s future in his hands. I am very excited for what the future holds.

I do have to say that almost ALL Americans were very gracious to GWB after 9/11 and gave him a lot of respect and leeway. We felt like our trust was taken advantage of.
Not fair to take it out on McCain, I know, but there is a reason we would have a harder time being gracious in defeat if it had gone the other way.

definitely agree

“Are you still in Obama-mania, or are you reconsidering?’

I never was in Obamamania, and I am still not in Obamamania. Every time I heard him speak, it feels not that much different than hearing most other major party politicians speak. I just hope he does a decent job, and I wish him the best.

Remember on election night, when Obama was giving his speech, he said to all the people that didn’t vote for him, “I will be your President too”?

Every time he takes the more conservative position, every time the liberals gnash their teeth, I remember him saying this. Remember, almost half of the people voted for the other guy, and he wants to bring the country together. Nobody’s going to get everything they want, but hopefully we can all compromise and all have something that’s important to us, even if it’s not everything we dreamed about.

I am optimistic about Obama’s leadership in the years ahead, though realistic that there will be setbacks and compromises.

Optimistic and a teeny bit scared, too.

* Not of Obama, but of our collective response as a country…will we unite, or further divide?

Not yet, but I support him.

@augustlan: I think we’re all a little bit scared!

@Judi: Very, very good point. I definitely felt that we, as Americans were taken advantage of a little.

@all: It’s good to hear that most of us still have (at least some) confidence!

I try to avoid active Bush-bashing because he is the president of this country, and that is a title that affords him a great deal of respect. I feel the same about Obama. Yes, I voted for him. Yes, I felt a huge wave of relief that he won. However, all this aside, whether I agree with him or not, he will be the next president of this country and he deserves respect from every American citizen, conservative and liberal, voter and non-voter, old and young, black, white, Asian, Hispanic and everyone.

Totally. I feel exactly the same way.

McCain would have done better than we-who-didn’t-vote-for-him would have expected.
But if he had died, and Sarah P had succeeded him, we’d have been skunked, I’m afraid.

I love it that a man like Tits’ father feels Barack Obama’s quality of mind.

To clarify, my “totally” was for Tits’ dad’s statement.

@ Megan Thats a new riff on the ‘I’m with Tits’ phrasing. ‘Totally for Tits’!

Tits—I’m with you!
and I just love saying that!

I definitely find Obama’s messages reassuring. Yes, I voted for him in November, but I did not vote for him in the primary. I respect his intelligence, and his commitment to governing from the middle. I like his cabinet of rivals, and feel proud that my President is not afraid to get feedback from those he disagrees with.

I don’t expect any quick fixes. Our problems are going to take years to straighten out. But I feel confident that with Obama at the helm, we will get there eventually.

Totally for tits – and her dad!

@snoopy, i have so much respect for your answer. i was definitely for obama, and i do hope he does as he’s promised (or as much as he can, as he is human just as any other average person or president) and doesn’t let everyone down, republican or democrat or independent.

honestly i can’t lie and say i’d do the same thing in the reverse situation, but i would definitely hope for the best all the same.

I am glad that Tits can inspire everyone!

Tits answers all of life’s questions.

That’s what I’m/they’re here for!

Tit’s you have to like the pair in the White House….OK I’m a guy and just like to say tits. :0)

Sounds like your dad is looking forward to the end times. And there’s nothing wrong with that

@NowWhat
Is that what You’re doing in that hole in the ground? Waiting for the end?
Hope it’s not an elephant’s end.
Or is this a new publication? The END TIMES- all the speculative fear that’s too dumb to waste space in the NY TIMES.

@SeventhSense haha I wish I were that guy in the hole.

I like to think that every time he opens his mouth, he draws another foot of metaphorical rope. The idea of him hanging the Democratic party brings – not warmth, per se… call it a less-chilly chill – to my heart. Like a consolation prize.

Well, now that it’s 2011, is everyone satisfied? Hearing Obama speak, I cringe. I try to avoid him as much as possible. He has REALLY made a mess of things, in only 2 years! Look at all the wonderful things he’s done! Have you kept track of all the “wonderful” things he’s done? He has ripped up our flag and trampled on our Constitution every chance he’s had.

I am very pleased and am still proud every time I hear him speak. I am a little embarrassed that the same country that produced him could spew so much right wing hate speech, but it is a free country I guess.

@lindarohner “Ripped up our flag and trampled on our constitution.” Um, what?