What does this whole "Obama needs to *slow down*" meme mean exactly?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

I was reading the Slate article detaining conversations with so-called "Independent Voters" (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8564720) and was wondering exactly what these voters want President Obama to do? What exactly do they want him to "slow down" on and why? There are so many things that need to be dealt with and I can't believe that these people would want him to be more *casual* or "slow" about dealing with them. Plus, I imagine that they would be among the first people bitching and moaning about President Obama moving too slow or not doing enough if he wasn't seen as being more active. President Obama was handed a humongous national mess from the last (P)resident, somebody who spent a large portion of his time in office NOT attending to his duties, which ultimately resulted in a massive tragedy (9/11), somebody who started a major invasion/occupation that was unncessary (Iraq) and, in the process, created unnecessary diplomatic conflicts with other countries as well, and somebody whose inaction created a big disaster for a major American city (New Orleans)

The last President left office unashamedly with TWO serious military conflicts ongoing, as well as the most *lovely* parting gift of all, a royally f****d up economy to boot. President Obama came into office probably having more to attend to than nearly any President other than maybe FDR and IMHO he has risen to the many challenges quite admirably, first by focusing all or most of his attention on helping restore our economy (or at least keeping it from getting even worse), including, most recently, focusing on health care reform, which he could've just as easily avoided right now and kicked down the road a bit with everything else going on. He has also done a good job, in league with SOS Clinton, helping to start the process of mending fences with other countries, not to mention practicing some "tough love" with some of our allies (Israel) that most recent Presidents haven't been willing to confront in such a bold manner. He has also begun the process of curtailing/ending some of the excesses and abuses of the previous (mis-)administration. Not enough yet and not fast enough IMHO but headed in the right direction.

I could understand people's concern about him moving too fast or doing too much if it seemed like he had an adult case of ADHD and was wearing himself thin and not really handling everything as well as he seems to be but so far, I don't get the sense that he is- and I, frankly, appreciate the fact that he is not *slowing down*. There is lots for him (and us) to do and the sooner that we start facing what we need to do and doing them the better off it will be for everybody and kudos to President Obama for hitting the ground running!

I wonder if some people's expectations, after years of "do nothing" or "do little" Presidents (with the exception of Bill Clinton), have been lowered too far and that they expect way too little from Presidents and can't understand what is going on when they suddenly realize they now have a POTUS who is a real "work horse" and is trying to get important things done. What exactly do they expect him to accomplish or do better if his COS were to, as our very own *lovable* Zell Miller recently suggested, "glue" him to his chair in the Oval Office?

[LiberalMuslim]

1. Apparently...

In Washington DC, if you're able to stall a bill, you could kill it! Its even a bipartisan fact! Both parties do it all the time I read.

[firedupdem]

2. Makes no sense to me either...

slow down? Unbelievable. It seem as if there is some grand plan to just post "anything" negative and see if it will stick. That is about the dumbest complaint ever. Slow down? He gets bashed for taking his kids out for icecream...and they want him to slow down?

[FrenchieCat]

3. The Media got it from the GOP who pulled it out of their ass.....

then it was repeated adnauseum, and now it's "Conventional Wisdom".....aka, shit pulled out the the GOP's arses.

[Enthusiast]

4. That is the real key here.

It has become conventional wisdom. Like when the oil industry bought the rights to the 100 mpg carburetor. Repeat something often enough....

[annabanana]

5. They also think that the public option will get LESS popular

over the recess.

[NecklyTyler]

6. It means with 60 Senators and a majority in the House, the Republicans are irrelevant

We have the Republicans on the run, now is the time to steamroller them.

We need to put the Republicans in the corner, and pass our legislation without their help.

[Number23]

7. Every independent I know (including myself) is thrilled with Obama.

Not scientific, but you know. Counts for something, don't it?? :)

[Bluenorthwest]

8. That is not the case in my life

If you knew any GLBT Independents you'd be hearing a different story. Or anti-war people or those who support justice for war crimes. Those groups are certainly not 'thrilled' I'd say it is more like trying to not give up. I don't know anyone who would stand there and say they are thrilled to see 260 plus service members fired for being gay. Are you 'thrilled' about that?
Discrimination, such a thrill.

[Number23]

9. I'm thrilled with Obama. If you're not that is certainly your prerogative.

I could not care less about your personal opinion of the man, to be honest with you. And I know independents/Dems of every political and cultural stripe. And we are all THRILLED.

[Prism]

10. For many, all of that isn't a bug - it's a feature n/t

[Proud Liberal Dem]

11. I agree. He needs to move faster on SOME issues (i.e. GLBT issues)

I can't think of ANYTHING he needs to "slow down" on though!

[Flying Dream Blues]

12. Isn't "the President needs to slow down' just a more subtle variant of "the President is

out of control?" Just seems to be another vague complaint meant to tug at some people's unease.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

13. I forgot that somebody recently mentioned that he was "out of control"

Typical GOP "projection" (remember, they ARE the masters of it)

[Bleacher Creature]

14. "Slow down" is a GOP strategy for killing the bill.

It allows them to spend more time and money attacking the President's plan. Remember, it's a whole lot easier to throw a bunch of crap and lies at the policy and hope something sticks, as opposed to walking people through an honest policy argument as part of a strategy to sell the program. Hence, opponents will always have an easier task.

The problem is that the talking point can have appeal to people who aren't that well-informed, since it sounds nice and "responsible."

[donco6]

15. +1