[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/21/art.obama.signs.gi.jpg caption="Are expectations too high for Obama?"]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
There are high hopes for big change when Barack Obama becomes President of the United States in about two months. The expectations for this man are approaching euphoria and that could be setting the stage for a big disappointment. We've got big problems in this country and no one is going to wave a magic wand and fix them in a matter of weeks or months. It's likely going to take several years.
Some of the president-elect's advisers want to make sure Americans realize this and they're speaking out. One of Obama's top economic advisers Robert Reich, who was Labor Secretary under Bill Clinton, says Obama isn't going to solve the country's economic problems in his first 100 days in office. He told Chicago's CBS2: "This might be a long haul...2009 is going to be a very hard year."
Obama's chief campaign strategist David Axelrod is also cautioning the overly-optimistic. He says: "We are inheriting an array of problems unlike any [a] president has faced, maybe since Franklin Roosevelt in 1932. It's not going to be easy, not going to be quick."
In other words, great hopes and expectations are going to have to be accompanied by patience.
Here’s my question to you: Are expectations too high for Barack Obama’s presidency?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Lynn from Boise, Idaho writes:
I don't think our expectations are too high. We all know how smart he is and that he is in for some great challenges. Those of us who supported him understand he can't save the world single-handedly overnight. Although, I do expect complaining from the other side that he isn't living up to what he has promised if there isn't an immediate turn-around.
Aaron from Champaign, Illinois writes:
Perhaps, but at least he is aware of it. In every speech Mr. Obama has given since he first earned the Democratic nomination for the presidency, he has openly stated that there will be difficulty ahead, that setbacks will occur, and that solutions will not always be crystal clear.
Brian from Fort Mill, South Carolina writes:
That's a really tough question. On the one hand, we're expecting him to save us from the economic abyss, as if he could part the Red Sea. On the other hand, he beat both Hillary and Bill, and then went on to get them to support him in the general election, which resulted in a landslide win. If he performs one more miracle, then he will be eligible for sainthood.
Jason from Florida writes:
Maybe they're a bit high, but if we set the bar low, we're sure to reach it. Let's aim high, work hard, and not judge the results too quickly.
Dave from Granville, Ohio writes:
How could they be? In his own words, he came from Krypton to be "The One" and save planet Earth from all its perils.
Peter writes:
No, we know how much Bush messed things up. We will be realistic. We will be patient. We will work with him. We are not asking what he can do for us. We are asking him what we can do for this country.