The Washington Times
  • Subscribe
  • Times News Services
  • RSS
  • Mobile Headlines
  • e-edition
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • REGISTER
  • LOG IN
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • WELCOME
  • Your Profile
  • Log Out

  • Front Page Image
  • Classifieds
  • Autos
  • Real Estate
  • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Customer Service
  • Home
  • News
    • World
    • National
    • Politics
    • National Security
    • DC Area
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Investigations
    • Faith
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Headlines
    • Citizen Journalism
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • NFL
    • NBA/WNBA
    • MLB
    • NHL
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsports
    • Soccer
    • NCAA
    • Olympics
    • Outdoors
    • Other
  • Culture
    • Home & Living
    • Family & Kids
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Washington Visitors
    • Books
    • Military History
    • Life
    • Auto
    • TV Listings
    • Movie Listings
    • Death Notices
    • Entertainment
  • Themes
  • Communities
  • Shopping
    • Stores
    • Coupons
    • Daily Double
    • Promotion
    • How It Works
  • Videos
    • Two Guys
    • Birnbaum on Washington
    • Liz Glover
    • Amanda Carpenter
    • Morning Briefing
    • Documentaries
    • Joe Giganti
    • Video Game Minute
  • Podcasts
    • About Headlines
    • Audio and Radio
    • America's Morning News
  • TWT BLOGS: Latest
  • Staff blogs
  • Create a blog

Our patience is what Obama needs

By Jay Speights on Dec. 11, 2008 into Interconnections

  • Subscribe

 

Have you noticed that in general people are in a fearful state?  There is a lot to be fearful about ranging from the economy, terrorism and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some are even fearful of President-elect Obama. I don't know why because he has inspired a lot of hope in this country and around the globe.

Let me tell you what scares me these days. There are two things. First, it's these know it all talking heads and pundits, who have to fill volumes of endless airtime. They have already decided what problems are going to arise with Mr. Obama's cabinet picks and how he will handle the economy and the wars. I guess since the election is over they have to stay employed and need something to talk about. It's funny, very few of these know it alls predicted an Obama win. So why should we listen to any of their predictions about his ability to govern and handle the nation's business.

I say wait and see. Patience is what is needed here. Part of a President's job is to inspire hope and be the great national cheerleader. He is the Commander-in-Chief of National Morale not a magician.

This brings me to the second thing that is troubling me.  I fear that we will demand and expect too much right away from our new President. The economic problems, wars and other pressing domestic and international demands he will face immediately are extremely large in scope and to some extent unprecedented. They did not develop overnight and certainly won't be solved overnight. If you recall, he warned us about this in his victory speech on November 4th, when he earnestly said,

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem."

So, what we need to do is turn off the boys and girls on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News  or any of the other talking heads from other news shows and channels the minute they start to over analyze and prognosticate about what our new President will or will not do. There is a point when this stuff becomes toxic.

President-elect Obama also said in his victory speech, "Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long". That's right, I am saying that sometimes our talking head friends can be given to toxicity and immaturity in their comments.

Finally, right now, all The President-elect has to offer until he is sworn in is hope, inspiration and a glimpse at his judgment by his cabinet choices and the conduct of his transition. And, that should be enough for us at this time. We elected him to do a job. Let him do it before we start criticizing.

 

- - -

You can learn more about me at http:/.blog.jayspeights.com/ .  And be sure to buy my book, "Harmonious Day."

  • Bookmark and Share
  • Comment

The following Reader Blogs are neither edited nor endorsed by The Washington Times. These bloggers are responsible for their own content.

There are 0 Comments

Please login or register to post a comment

Advertising Links
TWT Store
  • e-edition
  • Print Edition
  • Weekly Washington Times
TWT Affiliates
  • Middle East Times
  • Golf
  • UPI
  • Arbor Ballroom
  • Washington Times Global
  • About TWT
  • Press Room
  • F.A.Q.
  • Work for TWT
  • Advertise
  • Sponsors
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

All site contents © Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC.