Last night my die-hard republican father-in-law

[Dappleganger]

and I were discussing the political scene, and he remarked that while he didn't vote for Obama he wished now that he had. He said the he'd never seen a guy with whom he had so many philosophical differences make so many wise decisions. But what impressed him most of all about the president was the fact that even when Obama made a gaffe or a wrong choice, he was 'man enough to admit it and change.' Clearly he's quite impressed and wants to give him a chance.

You know, that's what has been missing from the White House for a long time--someone who has the character to own their mistakes and try to do better. We're so used to the 'my way or the highway' mentality, constant pushing under the rug of terrible decisions or blaming somebody else. Finally we have someone in leadership with enough strength of character to not just act like a President, but to BE the President.

[babylonsister]

1. Nice to see some rethugs actually using the brain they were born

with. Kudos to your father-in-law.

[rhett o rick]

13. There are a lot of good and smart Republicans out there that we need to

be on "our" side in our populace movement. We are not doing ourselves any favors by continuing the polarization of Democrats vs. Republicans.
That is just playing into the hands of the ruling CorpAmerica. And I am including myself because I am among the worse at denigrating republiCons (see). But I have an excuse, I am terribly bitter. Here is where you quote my signature line back to me.

There are really two parties, the corporate-capitalists (I call CorpAmerica) vs. the populace, both Democrats and Republicans.

[Joe Chi Minh]

26. Shouldn't that be Rhett O'Rick? Or is "o" the initial of your second name?

[havocmom]

31. Shouldn't that be Ho Chi Minh?

Don't you love it when some stranger tries to tell you how to spell your (screen) name?

[Joe Chi Minh]

34. No. Ho was always a copy-cat. We fell out about it long ago. We were cousins. On my

father's side, of course.

[rhett o rick]

33. Honestly hadn't put that much thought in it. Yours could be Chach Chi Minh. just sayin nm

[KharmaTrain]

2. Refreshing, Isn't It...

Kudos to your FIL for being open minded enough to see realities from politics. Many are so polarized (including on the left) to close their eyes to the hard choices a President has to make.

I think it's refreshing to see a President who is in command of issues and astute on how the system works. It's a far from the cartoon character and war criminal of the past 8 years whose "executive style" was to make the messes and let the hired help clean it up.

Character does matter and it's been a long time since we've seen a man of such intelect and integrity leading this country. No knock on Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter as President Obama has had to handle a far bigger mess and appears to know how to play the beltway.

[Dappleganger]

8. Yes, character does matter

[Historic NY]

3. In other words he isn't a phony. Wow isn't that refreshing.

[barbtries]

4. and it's great to hear

that there's at least one republican willing to acknowledge that. how die-hard can he be at this point if (as it appears) he's a reasonable person?

[Psychic Consortium]

5. The temperament, intellect, and moral compass to be a leader.

A very welcome change and will be the standard
for 21st century leadership.

[sellitman]

6. Better yet...

My 95 year old father in law voted Democratic for the first time in his life when he pulled the lever for President Obama.

Now that is really neat.

Congrats to you though....that is a real accomplishment!

[Dappleganger]

7. Now that IS something!

Big kudos to him as well--it must have been very hard for him to change, but when someone does that it shows the depth of their own character, IMO.

There are times I could really kick the f-i-l in the ass for some stupid things he says, but he's always been very sympathetic to the unemployed and the underemployed since he was laid off so many times before he was able to retire. There are some of these republicans out there (usually moderates) and we need to keep the conversation going so that we can bring them into the light. :D

[sellitman]

9. Part of his choice was his dislike for McCain

And that's ok if that is what it took.

[Patiod]

10. My 85-yo somewhat racist Dad feels the same way

He's better than a LOT of his peers, who still use the term "schwartzers" and are casually and visciously anti-semetic, racist, homophobic and/or misogynistic in everyday conversation. But he's 85, and still retains a lot of old prejudices.

He voted for Obama, but I think it was more a vote against "Old Man" McCain and the Bush years. He won't admit it, but I think he wondered of "the black guy" could really handle it.

But he's every day more impressed with Obama's steady temperament, intelligence and good judgement.

Not impressed as in "wow, pretty good for a black guy" but as in "wow, we haven't seen someone this good in many, many years. Thank God he's the right guy for these times".

[DCKit]

12. That's what was pissing me off about how everyone was patting themselves on the back...

for electing "the black guy". We didn't elect "the black guy", we elected the right guy for the job. You know how I can tell? It's all the Republics running around like Chicken Little on crack, tail feathers on fire and the shadow of a hawk following them - and nobody's taking them series. Oh noes!1!!!1!!11
:yoiks::woohoo:

[calimary]

14. Maybe that was another testament to how bad it was - that some people might even

feel compelled to set their long-held prejudices aside to vote for him.

What's thrilled me most about it isn't necessarily that more people decided to vote for the "black guy" - but that they decided to vote for "OUR guy"! I remember dancing around the house all the next day after that epic Election Night, and giggling to myself about "President-Elect OUR Guy!"

[OmahaBlueDog]

11. I think even many who oppose Obama's policies would admit that he's more "Presidential"

Put another way - Obama is not constantly sticking his foot in his mouth.

[Joe Chi Minh]

25. My cat's more presidential. But then cats are very dignified. At least, they think they are.

Me much less than him. Come to think of it, Barak's one cool cat.

[flygal]

15. He must not watch Fox news

My inlaws are hopeless - they have it on all day as father-in-law is on unemployment. He has plenty of time for that and tea parties and stuff. I swear the republicans are drilling this stuff into the unemployed older white men all day. And my mother-in-law works for the govt. They still don't see the irony of protesting for rich people to get tax cuts x(

[Tab]

16. It's called "Personal Responsibility"

and integrity and intelligence.

We haven't see that combination in a long time.

Congratulations to your FIL for seeing the light.

I hope we've turned a page in American politics.

[pasto76]

17. would have been nice if Bush had just said "wow I fucked up on Iraq"

but he never did.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

24. What he said was, "I made a mistake relying on my intel people about WMDs"

Which is a non-mistake mistake, since your error was the fault of other people. The news people wet themselves that Bush had "admitted to having made a mistake" when he didn't.

[havocmom]

32. GOP pols: so good at non-apology apologies

It is ALWAYS somebody eles' fault.

As in:

'I am sorry if YOU were offended by my remarks'

Same method:
'I know the people who are supposed to inform me screwed up'

[PittDem]

18. Wish that was my father and/or father-in-law!

I don't think we are there yet for them. Nice for you!

[burning rain]

19. Lot of people mindlessly make a virtue of "sticking to one's guns"...

"not flip-flopping": putting it ahead of trying to be right, willing to recognize and correct errors.

[Sandrine for you]

20. I really love your president. He is so bright !! nt

[InfiniteThoughts]

21. hear! hear!

can you convey my kudos to your FIL? I have met very few folks who have the humility of accepting their mistakes and your FIL was man enough (like the POTUS) to admit a mistake when he saw one.

[keitai]

22. Don't forget...

You know, that's what has been missing from the White House for a long time--someone who has the character to own their mistakes and try to do better. We're so used to the 'my way or the highway' mentality, constant pushing under the rug of terrible decisions or blaming somebody else. Finally we have someone in leadership with enough strength of character to not just act like a President, but to BE the President.

Oh dear...
Didn't you know that's leadership?! Believing the same thing you believed on Tuesday, no matter what happened on Wednesday. It's called being steady. ;)

[AllenVanAllen]

23. That's great to hear!

I wish I could say the same about my "conservative" father. Unfortunately it's unlikely he will ever open his mind or heart to a different way of thinking.

[southernyankeebelle]

27. COOL - HOWEVER

THERE ARE MANY MORE WHO THINK EVERYTIME HE MAKES A MISTAKE AND ADMITS SAY SEE HE IS AN IDIOT. OF COURSE THERE IS MY EX DAUGHTER-IN-LAW FATHER WHO WOULD NEVER VOTE FOR OBAMA BECAUSE HE IS BLACK. IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT HE IS TAKING CARE OF HIS FINANCIAL INTERESTS. HE BLACK AND THAT IS IT. HE CAN'T BELIEVE HIS DAUGHTER VOTED FOR OBAMA. HER MOTHER DIDN'T VOTE FOR OBAMA EITHER. BUT SHE SEES HE IS TRYING NOW AND WILLING TO GIVE HIM A CHANCE.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

28. I think that Pres. Obama will have a deep affect on our society in much needed ways

the kind of change that takes time, but I've thought many times that his example will change many ignorant attitudes; that he will be an inspiration to many to improve their behavior/attitudes (the WWOD factor) I've done this myself, even!

[Toucano]

29. Every future president will have to have "community organizer" on their resume.

Listening, finding common ground, pushing both sides a little and making everyone feel like they have a stake in the decision are vital skills.

Are ya' listening, Sarah?

[spinbaby]

30. I've heard the same thing

A friend of mine--Republican, but not fanatical--says that even though she voted for McCain, she's really glad now to have Obama for president.