Do you think that the Obama administration will help with...

[LynzM]

The "it doesn't matter to me" feeling that seems to pervade much of America?

So many people seem to believe that it's "just politics" - that it has no bearing on their own lives. Now with the struggling economy, job losses, bank failures, environmental issues, etc., etc., etc., do you think that the Obama administration has a somewhat unique opportunity? If they can motivate people, get or keep people informed, and manage to turn around the issues that people are really struggling with, do you think Americans might finally wake up to the importance of paying attention to electing leaders who represent their interests, and then keeping tabs on what those leaders actually do?

Hey, a girl can hope, right? :D

[Stinky The Clown]

1. I actually think he can. He has the ear of 70% or more of the country.

And most people like him. I think he can break through.

Plus, even the "it doesn't matter to me" crowd is worried, deep down inside. They'll listen. Further, his message is broadly appealing.

[Wapsie B]

2. Yeah I agree.

I think he can do what needs to be done.

[Donnachaidh]

3. He needs to EDUCATE the people who listen to Limpballs, etc.

The entire country needs to stop with the anti-intellectual propaganda that has been shoved down their throats by the blowholes of the right.

Just WTF is WRONG with being smart? THAT needs to be addressed head on. It's NOT cool to be ignorant.

Let's hope we have enough people who will take his presidency as a return to sanity - a return to striving for GREATNESS. I sincerely hope Obama hoists the bar back up - to make it OKAY to strive for something.

[Andy823]

6. That won't be easy!

Those who listen to the likes of Rush are not going to come around to "logical" thinking any time soon. As long as Rush and the other talking heads spew their hate and venom, those people will keep on believing what they say. I know, my mother in law and brother in law are in that group, and logic is not in their vocabulary!

What I think he needs to do is get some of the more liked republicans on his side, only they can change the view of those people. Some republicans have already come out against what Rush does, and I think there will be more who also speak out, but for 8 years Rush has spewed the hate and gotten away with all kinds of things, it will take time to get his followers back from the "dark side"!

[frebrd]

8. The "Rush-listeners" need therapy, not education....

they'll never be reached with logic.

[Andy823]

4. A lot of people

Think that they can do nothing to change things, but election Obama showed them that was not the case. Now many out there still just feel they can't do anything, and after 8 years of Bush doing as he pleased and to hell with the people of this country, I can relate to that kind of thinking. What Obama has to do is convince the american people that he is serious about change and is willing to take on things like lobbyists, health care, and justice. I think he can do it, but it will take time. Some seem to think he is not doing "enough" after three days in office, and that's the wrong kind of thinking. We need to keep sending e-mails, letters and phone calls to our members of congress to let them know how we feel. I say give him some time to work on things, and for right now the economy is his number one priority. People need to realize that Bush has done a lot of damage not only to the economy, but to so many other things in this country and around the world.

We need to support Obama, give him time to get to all the issues, and we also need to understand that what we think is a priority may not be as high on his list as it is on ours. I trust him, and I am willing to be patient!

[grannie4peace]

5. when people see he is different the other ones

[applegrove]

7. I think "being informed" will become a movement for obama supporters.

And I believe he will succeed in crossing the divide and get support from former GOP supporters. And they will want to become informed too. So those progressives who already read about and care about the rest of the world will have much company.