'He's the Only 1 We've Got'; Obama at 8 Months

[elleng]

They've heard it all before -- the tanking economy, the bleeding of jobs, the creeping hardship that never seems to ebb. And the desperate hope that hangs over everything and whispers that maybe, just maybe, tomorrow might be a tiny bit better.

In the river valley where Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia meet, the anticipation of change never really goes away. Because of that, it seems, people still are willing to give Barack Obama a chance as he maneuvers through the murkiness of a nation in transformation.

''No one is feeling satisfied with the state of the country,'' Derek Duffee says from behind his coffee bar's counter in Pennsylvania's Washington. ''I don't know if what he's doing will work, but he's trying,'' says Miyoshi Braxton, an Obama fan smoking on a park bench outside her downtown apartment building in Steubenville, Ohio.

And this from antique dealer and Obama skeptic Bob Yocum in Wheeling, W.Va., who is sticking with the president for now: ''He's the only one we've got.''

He is seen as a bridge that leads toward the country's next era -- a guide into the new unknown.


http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/09/08/us/AP-US-Obama-the-Bridge.html

[liberal N proud]

1. Haven't seen much change?

''I haven't seen much change,'' said Mark Wheitendorf, 51, a golf pro from Westlake, Ohio, who didn't vote for Obama. Still, he added as he finished breakfast: ''I hope he does well. He is the president.''


WOW, this guy lives in a city that is still thriving and as a suburb to Cleveland, that is saying a lot!

I work in Westlake, and see the change all around, the city is building new roads and storm sewer projects. It is a high end area where several Cleveland pro athletes and many Cleveland Clinc doctors live. There is not much industry here, never was.

They have a high end shopping center that keeps expanding.

This guy isn't looking in he hasn't see much change.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. But For The Average Joe/Jane, Things Have Gotten Worse

Fiscal policies have overwhelmingly favored the privileged few. The rich and powerful continue to get away with everything. And the Democrats are triangulating.

I think the average person sees no change in their perception of the country, other than the exploding unemployment rate.

[Doctor_J]

3. Maybe MSRNC should show these sane pragmatists

once in awhile, instead of focusing on the nutty Palin/Beck segment of America.

[elleng]

4. Yes they should.

Happy to read this for that reason, same with Montana Repugs who resigned.