Ten Dems Obama should watch out for-opinions welcome

[babylonsister]

Consider the source, but interesting.

Even if Democrats don’t agree with Barack Obama on everything, who among them would challenge a president with a 73 percent approval rating?

He’ll soon find out.

Sooner or later, the bonhomie of Obama’s Inauguration will dissipate — and the novelty of having a soul mate in the Oval Office will give way to intense internal debates over the extent and substance of Democratic change.

Either that, or some people will just get on Obama’s nerves.

The president’s friends might not become his enemies. But here are 10 Democrats — and some runners-up — who could soon find themselves on the White House Frenemies List:

1. Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) — Conyers, the outspoken chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, hasn’t been shy about pressuring Obama — vowing to proceed with investigations into the Bush administration’s sacking of eight U.S. attorneys and other potential violations of federal law. Obama has said he prefers to “look forward” and not rehash the past — but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has indicated she’s open to allowing Conyers to proceed. Remember: In the 110th Congress, Conyers had to be talked down from pushing for the impeachment of President George W. Bush.

2. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) — The incoming chairwoman of the Intelligence Committee forced Obama to apologize after he nominated Leon Panetta to head the CIA without consulting her first. Feinstein is not afraid to break with her party on thorny issues, as she did recently during the Roland Burris affair and last year when she essentially declared Hillary Clinton’s presidential run over before her candidate was ready to concede. Feinstein also may be positioning herself for a 2010 gubernatorial run, a potentially bigger factor for her than making Obama look good.

3. Vice President Joe Biden — Biden survived the campaign, the transition and even Inauguration Day without any Obama-embarrassing verbal gaffes. But on the first full day of the Obama presidency, Biden made a joke — on live TV — about Chief Justice John Roberts’ fumbling of Obama’s swearing-in. Obama, who had tried to smooth over the oath of office glitch, looked visibly unhappy with his VP, touching his arm in a sign that it was time to shut up and move on. If Biden can’t button it — and encourage his wife to do the same — expect to see Obama’s pinched-face look a little more often.

4. Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.) — Waxman, who knocked off John Dingell to become chairman of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, is no party maverick: He’s an enthusiastic Obama and Pelosi supporter with a long history of defending Democratic presidents, namely Bill Clinton. But he’s also among the House’s most aggressive proponents of addressing global warming fast, and he recently promised to act “quickly and decisively” in his capacity as committee chairman. The problem is that both Pelosi and Obama have a lot on their plates and want to ring up a series of legislative victories before addressing a controversial, technically complex issue that could create a stalemate. Plus, Waxman’s push for stronger emissions standards could alienate some Rust Belt members whose states depend on coal. Runner-up: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).

more...

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=FBC0E0EF-18FE-70B2-A896768E78FE64BC

[depakid]

1. Any Dem on the gang of 14

Politico wigth its usual right wing bent is attempting to look for trouble among progressives where there isn't any.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

2. see, that's the nice thing about Obama

I bet you he could have written this article a year ago, before any of these "experts" thought he could get past super tuesday.

pish posh experts, your time is up

[babylonsister]

3. Wow. It's nice to be aligned with someone who has faith that this is

the right guy.

As for 'Super Tuesday', I saw that on Spanish C-SPAN, and only knew he didn't lose but did well. I missed all the hoopla.

[madrchsod]

4. it`s ben..what more can anyone say

[tularetom]

5. The political landscape is littered with the bodies of those who underestimated Obama

Among them Hillary Clinton and John McCain. Don't you think he's aware of these situations and hs already developed a strategy for dealing with them?

[babylonsister]

8. I sure do. I trust this man. How odd is that to say about a politician? nt

[Wetzelbill]

6. I think Biden gets a bum deal

He really isn't that bad. His supposed "gaffes" are usually just petty things, like when he used the word "clean" while describing Obama nearly two years ago. He talks alot and often, but he doesn't screw up anymore than anybody else does. I think people just say that because he has a reputation as somebody who is constantly talking. The worst gaffe machine I ever heard was McCain, yet he doesn't have that same reputation.

[Old and In the Way]

7. I agree....Matthews called him the 'Ed McMahon' of Obama's administration.

That's a nasty analogy, but I can see how that angle will get played by our liberal media.

[babylonsister]

9. I used to be annoyed by Biden's mouth. He said a lot of things he had

to apologize for. And, I agree about the pass McCain got.

Now, I like Joe much more. Yesterday, with his joy at being where he's at, and his beautiful family, I am glad he's VP. Plus, he has a great background. And, Obama likes him. I've learned to appreciate our President's instincts.