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Yes, Obama is meeting all of my expectations. I didn't vote for him because I knew he was a socialist and would be the worst thing in the world for our country. He has not dissapointed me one bit. I wish I had been wrong, but I wasn't.

Yes he is meeting my expectations. As you said Jack, he has an enormous amount of problems to address. I can't think of anyone else with enough composure, intellegence, and good will to attack all of the issues. He is just a little over half a year into his presidency and he has passed an Energy Bill through the House, has, it seems, begun to turn job loss around, and taken up health care reform full force.

Jack,

He has surpassed them. To remain calm and focused against such tremendous odds is remarkable.

If we were to put aside the criticisms and recriminations and join in one voice and one effort to help him rebuild America instead – what an outcome that could be!

Keep on keeping on Mr. President – you have my unwavering support

Why not start with the truth? When the first Bush President pushed Medicare Health Advantage programs through eliminating Medicare as we knew it, small premiums with small deductibles and great coverage, our government now pays insurance companies $600. to $700 per MONTH for each Medicare Advantage covered person and we have larger co-pays and larger deductibles.

Why not just give us that money and let us fend for ourselves? I'm sure we would all be better off!

I find it hard to believe anyone can make a determination at this time. In fact, i have heard some comment that we continue to suffer from the actions of the Bush administration however we are already benefiting from the actions of the Obama administration. Ah, the joy of spinning data to support anything you want it to support.

Jack,

You cannot judge President Obama on his first six months in office. He is making the hard changes he promised during the election so yes he is everything I expected him to be. We voted for him to make these changes. Healthcare is such a divisive issue that It brings out the crazies. He is popular so they can’t attack him. Now they have something to publically hate.

Please ask these far right ‘Christians’…do you think Jesus would want health care for all or just those who can afford it?

President Obama is meeting my every expectation. I was certain he would con naive voters with his pretty smile and vague cotton-candy promises he could never keep, and then make excuses when he failed to fulfill those promises. After promising not to raise taxes, he now "must consider all options," which includes tax increase. He was going to bring home all troops from Iraq in a certain time span, but is now finding it more difficult than he though. He's promising health care for everybody, which will simply be redefining health care so that everybody has terrible health care. Cutting the deficit in half, but only after he raises it to record levels never before seen. His plan for ending the deficit includes more spending, which is like eating more to cure obesity. Americans are so dumb to vote this con man in, they deserve the consequences.

Exactly what I expected , I knew he would be a horrible President.
I truly think he is a dictator. He wants every thing done, and does not care about the results. He rushes every thing through.

This is our country and I feel that we are not being represented.

He is meeting my expectations since most of his life has been spent not running organizations or making tough decisions; the only decisive decision I've seen him make was the decision to take out the Somali pirates holding the American hostage - quick, decisive and an easy go/no decision.

Hi Jack. I love your show. Barack Obama is definitely an excellent motivator. He motivated me to campaign for him. However, as a gay American I wavered when he chose not to address Don't Ask Don't Tell. I was disappointed when he did not keep his promoises on legislation and transparency. I hesitated when he did not lay out his healthcare plan for the American people to review. I am perplexed regarding his current strategy to fight the lies and other falsehoods being propogated about his healthcare OPTION. Although I still back our president, I am starting to see Clark Kent, not Superman.

Yes! He took on leadership of a country facing an extreme recession and two wars, and he has already improved our standing in the world (according to polls of people's attitude towards the US), and begun a much-needed debate on substantive issues like energy & climate, health care, and the tanking economy. After 8 years of belicose, know-nothing cronyism from the Bush administration, Obama's fact-based, genuinely compassionate, and thoughtful presidency is like a spring rain washing away grey slush.

President Obama is doing a superb job of leading. You and the rest of the media a doing a superb job of obfuscating the issues instead of reporting on the facts of the case.

Obama entered the White House during an unstable period. He still faces major issues such as the economy and foreign policy with Iran, North Korea, and Afghanistan. His promises may not yet have been fulfilled but America needs to be more patient. Obama is trying his best to fulfill these promises and I believe that eventually America will be notice the change.

- Anna, New Jersey

Obama is a huge disappointment, he is not leading and appears to be a republican disguised as a democrat. From Rom Emanual to his other appointments, all appear to be bureaucrats or industry hogs perpetuating the greed on wall street with no regulation to having the insurance companies at the table on health care reform. We need to do away with the insurance companies and their profits that are robbing people blind.

I would never vote for Obama again, in fact, never vote for these gutless democrats again.

he cant be this foolish to let these "grass roots" town hall meetings to keep occurring. I don't know what the President is waiting on, but time is running out. For him to run on an open dialog platform, you'd think at least something would be said. Most of the angry mobs stones are made up of ignorance, fears and lies. its easy to believe manufactured fear... Nationalized health care in America ? like it or no Obama people are scared of change... even when they ask for it!

Jack,

If I set all politics aside, I have to admit that I'd like to see Barack Obama push healthcare reform more aggressively. He needs to use that bully pulpit he has and light a fire under the Senate and the House. On the other hand, I think he's doing a great job under some very harsh circumstances. He's already proven himself a very capable leader.

Abso-freaking-lutely. We are fortunate to have the President we have. I am honored to be a citizen during this Administration, unlike the last. It is so refreshing to have a sentient being in office, for a change. He has had, and continues to have, my vote and support.

Yes the president is meeting my expectations, he has attempting to move his healthcare agenda forward, the dems however need to do more to counter the nonsense in the public debate, for those who say he is rushing, tell that to those like my sister who has a chronic illness and no health care, her symptoms do not wait for her to have money to treat them.

Jack, the Just Say NO-bama naysayers about the Obama stimulus plan were just shut down by the Wall Street Journal which reported the recession is over and credited the stimulus plan as a major factor. The Situation Room just profiled a big insurance company whistleblower who is shutting down and exposing the Healthcare Reform naysayers for their dirty tricks. Believe me, I was very concerned about the President, but after these two reports, I'll be a dare-sayer and tell you that I believe that President Obama will prove to meet and exceed the expectations of those, like me, who voted for him.

Kimberly Krautter
Atlanta, GA

He is absolutely meeting my expectations and if the media would stop repeating these outrageous town hall meetings where the crazies reign he would be doing better.

Is anyone watching HIS townhall meetings? He is measured, responsive
and informative. What more can he be doing?

GO PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!!!!!

Yes. Obama is meeting my expectations – there are a lot of huge issues on his plate – two wars, health care reform, stabilization of a broken economy – the list goes on. Obama has consistently played to the middle – alienating both the far left and far right – and tries to approach issues pragmatically while his opponents rant absurdities that they've learned from talk-radio and cable wing-nut pundits. From day one the Republicans have waited him to fail and have proved consistently obstinate, yet Obama keeps reaching out and trying to compromise. He has already improved our standing in the eyes of the international community and I really appreciate the efforts that he has made on health care – despite the resistance he has received on that issue – health care reform is closer now that we ever have been.

Unfortunately he IS meeting my expectations. You simply cannot put a man with NO leadership experience into the hardest leadership job in the world and expect anything other that what we're getting. Sigh......

President Obama has clearly broken his promise to govern from the middle. It seems he's willing to alienate anyone, including the citizens who voted for him in order to move his agenda along.

I was very optimistic in the beginning, but it looks to me that his promises have turned up empty. He promised reform, but as we have seen it has only caused national chaos. If he wants to restore national confidence and raise his declining approval rating, he needs to rise the challenge and behave the way a President should.

Given the situation that he inherited, I think he is. However, taking on healthcare reform this early in his presidency is likely a mistake a la Bill/Hillary Clinton in 1993.

Obama is at least meeting my expectations. Real work is noisy and not very pleasant - Obama is doing real work. He is getting complaints from all sides - must mean he is on the optimum course.

Jim, Craig, CO

Yes, but he is being undermined by the republicans. How low will they go?

No Jack he is not – he has become more arrogant and acts like he has the answers – the man is becoming more threatening to the people – our rights are being taken away right under our nose.

We all wanted to give Obama the benefit of the doubt, but his inexperience and lack of leadership is beginning to show. He does not appear to want to give legitmate issues unbiased thought. He seems to be bent on pushing an agenda instead of doing what is right and this is making his Presidency an unfortunate failure. This is not the kind the change we all wanted and it looks as though a large mistake has been made.

Yes, completely. I didn't vote for him in the Democratic Primary because I thought he was too inexperienced. I frankly thought he was the least accomplished of the Democratic field. I voted for him in the general election because I really felt we needed more change than McCain would offer. In the end, yes he is giving us exactly what I expected. Let everyone else try and pull the real work together and he'll just give really good speaches. I hope the Republicans field someone that isn't Palin-like in 2012 so I can vote for that candidate instead.

NO! We are 8 months in and nothing is being accomplished. Who is going to pay for Health Care. I already pay more taxes than I can afford. Fix Medicaid and Medicare!

Jack,

Of course he is meeting my expectations. He has not broken the trust that the American people instilled within him. I trust his decisions. He is a smart guy. He does not seem to be politically motivated. He makes rational decisions. He is the anti-Bush.

He has met my expectations in the sense that I knew his policies would be bad for america. actually, he has exceeded my expectations in that regard – he has gone beyond what I believed was possible! From the stimulus that does anything but stimulate, to cap and trade, to the auto industry bailout, to his foreign policy, to his unconstitutional appointment of "czars", to this healthcare bill – all he has done is sought to hurt free enterprise and job creation while taking away our personal liberties and seeking to bankrupt the country.

I think people are finaly realizing that rethoric alone does not make one fit or competent to lead. That is why the American public is turning against his idea of healthcare reform.

Ofcourse Obama is not meeting all expectations and that is the issue.Not Obama but people's expectations.Obama has inherited an already crippled economy that needs major reform.He is doing the best he can especially trying to pass this healthcare bill. Americans need to be patient and cognizant of the fact that Obama is not a miracle maker but a leader trying to make a change.Everything else is a halo effect.

President Obama is doing his best to tackle all the problems America is currently facing, most of them inherited from the previous administration. The only glaring mistake he has made so far is to attempt to try to include the Republican party in the process of governing. This is not the party of Lincoln, Eisenhower, or even Reagan, it is a party bent on returning America to a evangelical Christian white-majority nation. Given the undeniable demographic changes taking place, their goal is simply an exercise in futility. Obama needs to completely ignore the Republican Party and accomplish as much as he can, while he still can.

He's certainly meeting, and even exceeding, my expectations. I expected him to push our country toward socialism, but I had no idea it would be this fast. He's an idealog; and his agenda is more important than the people of this great nation. Why else would President Obama have pushed so hard for Congress to pass healthcare reform so quickly, before the August break, unless he was afraid of the people studying the legislation and getting in the way of his agenda.

Absolutely!! He inherited one big mess and in the past 7 month has methodically sorted through things trying to get our country back on track. I think the media and "the polls" are not giving him the time he needs to clean up after the 8 years of the Bush/Cheney mess.
I think he is truthful, genuine in his care for this country and extremely intelligent in making this a better place for ALL.

Simply YES.

yes, he's beyond my expectations. What is wrong with making the legislative branch accountable for real issues? Some of these lefties are too scared. Let Barrack work the room.

President Obama has had my full support but the Democrats are no where near having the refined and sophisticated propaganda machine that the Replican Party utlizes with its shock tactic conservative tak shows spreading knowingly misleading accusations about Health Care reform to their constituents. Unless the Democrtas resort to such unethical practices, the Obama admisistration is doomed.

I have never seen a president under so much scrutiny in my lifetime. Obama is doing a great job. No other president has had so much on his plate at one time. Rome wasn't built in a day, Give him the chance he deserves.

I think he's doing an EXCELLENT job...it's unfortunate that the right wingers and right wing talk shows continue to pound him distorting everything he does and says...mix a bit of truth with a bit of lies with a bit of entertainment value and the public is prone to believe it...the recipe drives his approval ratings down and they're loving every minute of it...Go OBAMA, get it done...although we all know they'll find something else to lie about...

My goodness!! He's only been in office about 200 days. How much can one expect for any human being to accomlish when the country has been in such a mess for the last eight years. How much work do these high paid CEO's do in any one day in comparison who object to what he's trying to do?

NO, Jack He is not, He lost me when I saw no one from the last administration is going to Jail, What about all the Billions of dollars missing in the Forclosure crisis, Who's going to Jail? He's the same as the lot of them. There's a law for You en's and a Law for We en's.
Jerry / Iowa

Yes he is. Now I listened to Cafferties commentary about this subject.
He spoke of critics saying Obama is in a hurry, and then spoke of critics who are saying he is not doing enough.

I look at this with an old saying:

You are dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t.

We need health care reform, I if your rich you are going to be happy with the status que, but if you are poor like me, having to wait months for colonoscopy or a cat scan for abdominal pain symptoms and being scared for my very life every day, the health care system sucks!

I can say this, I feel there is hope with Obama, when I feared for my freedom with Bush.

I am a supporter of Obama, but is seems like he's still running for President. enuff with the the reterick. Its time for some action. At first I thought is was, America was against Obama because of his skin color, but now, I hate to say, It seems he's falling off. Get it together MR PRESIDENT. I still got hope.

He is exceeding the very low expectations I had for him.
I couldn't understand why so many intelligent voters were bamboozled into voting for a man to be president who had no experience at all with any issue he has to deal with as president, He never ran a city, county, town, state or business. He never managed a budget, never had to make a tough decision on spending, never had to say no to anyone when it came to giving away money, and never had to set priorities. I had no expectations that he would know how to do any of it, which is why I didn't vote for him. He is like a cross between Santa Claus and a drunken sailor, giving our money away with no accountability, concern or understanding.

It seems all the leading is being done by Nancy Pelosi and Barney Frank. As a media rep said, earlier this year, Pres. O'Bama should tell Pelosi that he is the President, not her.

not even close

The promise of a new direction and new ideas was a welcome change from the Bush Administration. The reality of what President Obama and the Democratic theives and crooks in Congress and the Senate are trying to push down everone's throat, sadly is overwhelming. I never hear of cutting any spending!! My local property taxes are up 12%, state taxes going up, federal taxes on the rise. Our family income is down slightly this year. We have cut BACK! watching every expenditure. I see no evidence at any political level. After years of waiting the Democrats have unleashed a tsunomi of spending that will take years to recover fron if ever.

Yes. When President Bush left office after two full terms, all of his supporters said that time would have to pass before we realize just how good a president he really was. These same individuals can't give President Obama one year to steer the country in the right direction. Why is that?

The President is trying to do Too Much, Too Quickly. There's an old expression that says "When Everything is Critical, Nothing is Critical." The administration is trying to juggle too many balls at once. WHY? The most important task the President has to do, by his own admission was to get the economy on it's feet. The stimulous package was intended to help do that. The President assigned VP Biden to monitor the stimulous spending and report to the American people on it's status? I'am still waiting for the first briefing! We start a lot of things but what do we finish?

Mike Molloy
Palm City, Fl

After the 8 years of the Bush administration, President Obama had such a good chance to take this country in a new direction. But the direction has turned out to be one of Socialism and not Capitalism which this country was founded. That is the problem. Hard working small business people value the chance to work hard and get ahead, not spread the wealth that they worked hard to achieve.
Socialism is NOT the answer and hard working Americans are waking up to Mr. Obama's agenda!

President Obama has been a tremendous disappointment. Instead of uniting the country, he seems to have divided it.

I think Obama has surpassed our expectations. The real problem lies in the fact that he has to deal with a political system that is too used to dragging their feet on getting things done. Obama is setting goals and trying to enforce them. Now he is being accused of jamming things down our throat. He has not even been in office one year, and you have most the critics screaming about why he isn't getting things done fast enough for us, and the other half screaming that he's trying to take on too much. This does not includ the blatant racist sentiments coming to surface from those that are still very bitter that an african american actually won the election.

Truth be told it may be to early to rate his leadership skills on the whole. On foreign policy he is proving at present to be a strong and decisive leader, as evidenced by the international approval ratings of America which have increased since he took office. Domestically though he struggles, partly because the house and senate are worthless and partially due to his regard for the way congress should work.

Obama meeting my expectations as President? NOT EVEN CLOSE! Whose team is he on anyway? What country is he fighting for?

He is indeed. What do people expect? He has kept the recession from turning into a depression; he has us nearly out of Iraq; he has accomplished a great deal in his first few months and is taking on a most necessary task in reforming health care– with the insurance lobbies, and rich Republicans scaring the bejesus out of working class people to benefit their own pockets....

Those people in Lebanon, PA have no idea what scare tactics are being thrown at them, do not know how to research an issue - in fact one of them said, in all seriousness, that the law should be written at the Jr. High School level.... Obama will get a bill through and with only a few years everyone will be happy at the good government he is accomplishing in our behalf.

Though we did not have high expectations from this new-by kid on the block, his administration is sadly failing the American people who did support him. Very few to none of his campaign promises nor his health care reform package are worthwhile.

Jack,

President Obama is meeting and exceeding my expectations. He inherited a giant mess and is dealing with all the opposition with tact and grace. He is only one person. Our nation did not get into this mess overnight and we will not get out of it overnight. I say keep up the good work.

The President is doing what we put him into office for. Change.

Texas

Obama is more than meeting my expectations. He is hindered mostly by the typical economic mess, once again, left behind by the Bush clan and the powerful forces of the conservative capitalist propaganda machine. This is nothing new. Yes We Can! Yes We Can!

President Obama, has a tough job, and has tried to tackle multiple issues all at the same time, most which he inherited from the previous administration. Give the guy a break, he's not a miracle worker, allot of this is unchartered territory. I believe in his dream, and his ability to accomplish it for all of us. and yes, he is meeting my expectations.

Yes, he is EXCEEDING my expectations, based on what we are used to from the government. He knows what the problems are, and at least attempts to correct them. People need to realize that HE is not the only one who controls the government. If that was the case a lot of what he is attempting to produce for the country would already be done. He needs to be looked at, for what he wishes for the country and is trying to accomplish. Not for what he has no control over (congress) and can't accomplish.

Sadly, yes, he is meeting my expectations....and I expected very unsound policies. He is delivering in spades. The path this nation is on is simply not sustainable. And I know that word has been bandied about a lot these days.....but THINK about it. There are promises to not raise or perhaps even cut taxes on the majority of Americans (net loss of tax revenue) and promises to provide money for every conceivable program that the left puts on the table. Less money coming in, more money going out (in buckets!) and at some point our economy will simply implode. No one will be willing to lend us a dime, we can't continue to buy our own debt (yes, we are currently doing that!), and this train has to stop somewhere! Now add a trillion dollar health care reform package as straw that breaks the camel's back.............I would be much happier if Obama were meeting my 'hopes' rather than my 'expectations'. The writing was on the wall, folks and the old adage comes to mind. 'Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it.'

Jack

I feel Pres. Obama is tryingto go in the right direction but taking the wrong road. Before Health Care can be achieved regulations need to be set first. Once price gouging is overseen, like Florida did to material suppliers after a large hurricane; health care can be more defined. What I want to know is where the hell can I get a lamans copy of this Health Care Bill?

Considering what was here when he showed up and the recent news that the disaster is slowing down seven months later, YEEAAAAAAAH!

He's exceeded my expectations, and I was one who wrote him in 2005, urging him to run. What I feared, however, is the conservative/radical right backlash that we're seeing at the so-called "town hall" meetings. All we need to make the picture complete is torches, pitchforks, and lynch mobs.

President Obama IS extremely intelligent . . . so much so that he might have underestimated the ability of Americans to turn ugly. Ignorance + right-wing talk radio + TV news cycle = perfect storm for the President's popularity.

Let the truth be told, Washington needs more than two years of Senate service. Mr. Obama and the nation finally notices that!!! I hope he learns quickly before we are doomed!!!

Dallas, TX

To be sure, President Obama is well intentioned, but he seems to be taking on too much, too soon. While this is typical of new administrations, he needs to slow down on health care reform, lest the train will derail. Many people like Obama and he has the form to be an excellent president.

President Obama is most certainly meeting my expectations. Lets not forget hes been in office 6 months and it is HIS stimulus is what will lead this country out of our economic slump and the crater of a budget the REPUBLICANS left us in. I find it funny they are the ones screaming about balancing the budget when it was them who wrote a blank check to Bush and sold us all down the river.

Repubs would love for Obama to fail, but if he fails so does America, so what does that say about them??

The health care "debate" is a sham. There is no debate that everyone has a right to health care, and those willing to let others live without healthcare should be ashamed.

Jack, Obama is more than meeting my expectations. He surprised me – I had no idea how much energy and multi-tasking he had in him. The frequent visability of this President is appreciated – I feel and see that he is working for us, the people, everyday. It goes to show us all – choose an intelligent, young person to be President if you want freshness, enthusiam and stamina to try to get things done.

My expectations have been met and exceeded. Considering where we were at when he took office, the economy has stabilized and improved, foreign relations have improved and healthcare is trying to be addressed. On top of that, we finally have an educated president that speaks proper english. How about that!

Yes he has met my expectations... I knew he would be a screw up and unfortunately, he and his moron followers are diminishing our power as a world leader... It's like we have a Don Ho without the Hawaiian shirts.

No, he's not meeting expectations as president. I know in the US and abroad in Europe, a lot of people are dissappointed in his handling of the economy, etc. People were hoping that he would be able to come in and fix problems but all he's doing is just creating more problems and adding to existing problems.

Once an elected official, especially the President has been caught in a lie, ( AARP endorsementof Helath Care Plan) its really difficult to have trust and faith in what is being said, If a business tried to sell something to its shareholders in the same manner as our own governemt is attempting to sell to the shareholders of America, they'd be laughed out into the street. At least put some thought into what it is you are doing, furthering your political carreer, or looking out for America.

I don't expect the president to perform miracles especially in light of the problems we face. He might have to walk away from healthcare because with all the talk about healthcare no one really has the answer. It's like talking about a flat tax rate or term limits. We talk about it but never do anything.

President Obama is doing a great job given the cards he has been dealt. People need to understand that it is the miscreant Party of No (Republicans) whose mission seems to be knock the president and are really not interested in taking this country out of the rut.

Yes, in fact, President Bush gets an A- in the last 7 months, compared to what former President Bush did in 8 years! President Obama uses logical reasoning skills, instead of the "SCARE TACTICS" the Bush Administration used the last 8 years and accomplished nothing economically for our country. Basically, President Obama is cleaning up what former President Bush left our country with!

Ann-Marie Clements (ex-New Yorker living in New Brunswick, Canada)

I think that President Obama is doing his job as well as he can with the non-cooperation that he is receiving from the Republicans. They go against everything that he does. Do they not remember that the healthcare and everything else President Obama has to deal with is because of how the country was run during the last eight years, by Republicans? They need to stop criticizing and try to get this country back to being a country for the people and stop thinking about what they are going to lose.

Absolutely, and then some. Barrack Obama has done more in his short time so far than the Republican administration did in five years. It's unfortunate that all the spin doctors and political pundents are driven to rile people up and keep us dissatisfied. Shame on all of you. Where were your questions when Bush blindly led us into Iraq?

He is meeting my expectations – I thought he would be terrible due to his past record and lack of governing experience and he has been terrible.

Trying to shove healthcare reform down our throats and then implying anyone who does not go along with his plan is unamerican does not win too many friends among those of us who are genuinely concerned. He continues to put his foot in his mouth from saying the police acted stupidly and claiming AARP endorses Obamacare.
What a disappoinmment!

The answer is simple, Absolutely. Greenville, North Carolina

Yes, President Obama is doing a great job in the face of soooo many challenges facing our nation today. I am VERY proud to be an American and proud to have our first Black president. What would the Republican's have done differently? They had 8 years, but Obama should get us out of this mess in 8 months? That doesn't make any sense.

People who don't pay income tax would love Democrat's Health Care plan since they'll get something for nothing. As California is going broke, so will this whole country if Obama pushes his plan through.

I dont know! we the people have'nt givin him enough time yet. Atleast we could and should give him a chance to mess up then we ( the people) can really have something to run with, but until then I think we need to just give hima chance to get it right! we werent to George Bushes back in the first year.or if so not like this.

I have every confidence in President Obama, but right now he needs to sit down at the old Underwood tonight and type up exactly what the health care bill is and go on the air and tell it like it is. Congress has no clue of what the current bills are, apparently, or they would be more aggressive at calling out the liars and reassuring the unsure. Rather than town halls, right now, members of congress need to go on local TV in their districts where they can explain things clearly and precisely without interruption, then do the town halls.

I had low expectatons and he is meeting them. Prior to the election, I looked carefully at his work history. I did not see a lot of committment or willingness to stick his neck out for the people he represented or the things he felt strongly about.

I keep thinking I must be wrong about him because he is so inspirational to others. But I don't see anything that I expect in a leader.

NO! I always said Obama was "too cool for cool" and when he was traveling all over the world as a rock star he should have been home working on healthcare and the economy. I supported Hillary Clinton during the campaign but voted for Obama in the election because he promised to tackle healthcare. Obama is superb at dazzling us with BS but take away the monitor and there's not much left.

NO NO NO .............. can't wait till he is out of there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would say that my expectation of a man who has repeatedly wanted to bring the Government into my life has been met. I have an extremely unfavorable view of this President, as well as Government having a more imposing role in my personal liberties. Government does nothing well, why create more of that?

Mike
Daytona Beach, Fl.

His inexperience and lack of leadership skills are showing badly. LET ME BE CLEAR ABOUT THIS- we need a leader who dosn't just throw stuff at the wall to try to get it to stick, but a leader who will truly explore all sides of an issue, hear he concerns of the American Public and seek alernatives that are within our means, then develop some level of consensus on solutions instead of just raming leagl junk quickly thrown together through Congress.

President Obama has had my full support but the Democrats are no where near having the refined and sophisticated propaganda machine that the Republican Party utlizes with its shock tactic conservative tak shows spreading knowingly misleading accusations about Health Care reform to their constituents. Unless the Democrats resort to such unethical practices, the Obama admisistration is doomed.

Not at all. He is just a big talker.

Yes, Obama is the Socialist I always thought he was. You should have listened to the warnings and red flags that showed up before the election. Now we are all stuck with him.

President Obama IS meeting my expectations as President because he is "dealing with the world (read: U.S.) as it is, not as he wants it to be." Every time I hear him speak, I hear a pragmatic, reasonable, logical thinker who projects optimism while acknowledging complexity and challenge. It is the best and worst representation of America that we find the flooded basement and then expect the plumber to single-handidly stop the leak, drain the water and fix the pipes all while assuring us that 'everything will be OK' very soon.

From North Carolina. The President has EXCEEDED my expectations. He has been faced with unprecedented problems with enormouse complexities and has remained focused, true to his word, and cool as a cucumber. The legacy he inherited, along with the stupid, greedy, and self centered antics of the right and their elected republic representatives are mind boggling. This country had better come to realize his agenda is the only way out of this incredible mess or we will just keep digging the hole deeper. Our children and grandchildren are already mortgaged to the hilt because of current health care practices and other stupid republic policies. The only alternative is to change our direction or it will continue to get worse.

Don't people remember why Obama was voted in. The country was in such a mess. We needed someone who would take on these hard issues. Now that he is, let's give him a chance.

So far, he is meeting my expectations. He is tackling the major issues rather immediately. The economy, foreign relations, and healthcare. I do think though he is rushing the healthcare bit. Whether his actions will work, we will have to wait and see which it seems many Americans are rather impatient and want to see immediate results. It took over 8 years to get us into this mess, it will take longer then 6 months to fix it. Which many Americans don't seem to realize. Is he perfect? No, but I do think he is better then McCain/Palin and Bush.

He's doing a great job as President and building respect for American that was damaged by the past administration. How come the Republicans didn't get health care reform pasted when Bush was in charge? Why don't you start looking into insurance companies and going after the CEO's?

The President has begun to live up to my expectations. I knew he was experienced and an amateur all along. His recent gaffes have started to pile up. Hang on america, it could be a dangereous ride!

Jack: President Obama is meeting my expectations. You have to remember, they were extremely low to begin with. He is still running for the office he holds! He has no leadership experience, has never held a job, never sponsored a bill, never hired a staff, never led anybody anywhere. He can only stand before a group of people and talk smoothly. He is the ultimate FlimFlam man.

President Obama is doing a great job as a leader in the face of massive opposition by disgruntled opponents. I'm 55. When I was young, Americans got behind their president no matter their political allegiances. Democrats liked Ike and showed respect for his office. Now, dishonest name-callers accuse the president of the United States of lying with impunity and I saw a child holding a poster to that effect. What is that child being taught about respect for the presidency? We are blessed with an intelligent, good-humored, fairly youthful leader who has a heart. If we're not careful, we will not realize what we have until he is gone. God bless and keep our president safe!. David from Indiana

In my opinion he does not know nothing about how to be the President and has this country in one hell of a turmoil. He still hasn't proven citizenship. i personnely feel that he wants to ruin this country and he sure is doing a good job at it with a few of his croonies. I didn't vote for him and i hope a lot that did regret it and the ones who did not vote feel the burn.
beaufort S.C.

Yes, there are a lot of issues facing the nation right now. Barack Obama cannot be blamed for these issues as he inherited these problems. As I remember from my school days, that Congress was to make the laws, not the President. Isn't that what President Obama doing: telling Congress there is a problem that needs to be dealt with.

Incidently, am I the only person who believes there is a "stooge" stationed at each town hall meeting to cause disruption?

Jack, I don't think any human being is capable of meeting the expectations this country has placed onto this President. And, I can't say I agree with everything that's going. However, it does seem to me that President Obama is attempting to include all the people in the health care issue, as well as many other issues, a notion with which I believe the American people are totally unfamiliar.

President Obama has really taken a fall. In his rush to do something, he has accomplished very little in the interest of the people or his campaign promises. I, like many, feel that we have been sold out to Big Business and Congress by the Obama Admin. The change that has happened was not the change I voted for.

Those who don't understand the president aren't listening to what he says. I think he is very clearabout health care, economics and all other issues that he has stepped into. It is like stepping into a pasture filled with cow piles. He has to be very careful where he steps.
The basic problems stem from the previous administration and the people who continue to support that administration. I earnestly believe that they do not want to see the president succeed in any of his endeavors.
This a sad statement about our country that party politics come before the common good of the people.

He preached all kinds of change, that he was different but now that he's in the White House he's given us exactly what we've come to expect from all our politicians. Same as usual, a lot of talk and all hot air.

Dave
Scottsdale, AZ

Obama ran unopposed. Obama is as bad as I expected.

Yes – always knew he was an empty suit, radical left-wing socialist. He has proven that in Spades....

Yes Jack he truly is. My enfatuation with the 2008 election has nothing to do with Obama himself, rather it has everything to do with actually choosing a being of color who actually has the necessary skills and education performance to truly be held leader of the free world.

And that is truly it Jack. Obama is no messiah, but the messiah was present as he/she allowed our hearts to see that colored people are not second class citizens.

I am very proud to be an Indian American.

No, he's not, and I voted for him. The president failed to take the lead on health care reform from the start and doesn't seem particularly concerned about what kind of legislation ultimately emerges from Congress. I think you could slap a sheet of paper titled "Health Care Reform Bill" on top of a phone book, and he'd sign it into law and call it a triumph.

I would like to know who thinks they could do a better job than Mr. Obama is doing! No other president in modern history has had so many problems on his first day in office. He is tackling them one by one. I may not agree with all of the things he is doing, but he is one million times more engaged than the former president-W.

President Obama is absolutely meeting my expectations as our nation's leader. He set an aggressive agenda to tackle the major issues impacting average Americans. I recall during his inaugural address that we will face many difficulties and many difficult decisions will be made to move us forward and to provide much needed change.
Maybe the media is showing the negative minority for sensationalism; but I find it hard to believe that intelligent Americans believe this country is in decline because of a few months of new democratic leadership.

Without a doubt, President Obama is meeting my expectations. In just his first 200 days. He has taken on more problems head on, than any other President before him. 2,700 more days to go. Thank you

The more I see and hear of President Obama, the more I think old George W was not so bad after all.

President Oboma won the White House because Americans were mad at $4.00 a gallon gas and the raiding of our 401K's and he talked about change "we can believe in". Now we find the change is the "same ole same ole" that we got in the last 8 years. No he's not meeting my expectations, he's proving my greatest fear, not qualified for the greatest office in the land.

Yes, very much so. I am impressed with the job he is doing thus far. This is a typical question reflective of what the media tries to do. First it elevates the man to make it seem like he walks on water, then they try to pull him down to drown him

Leaders, do not have to DO everything, they should KNOW what is going on and manage.

Yes, Obama is working effectively on multiple high priority issues just as promised. Does anyone really expect these huge issues (economy, health insurance reform, Afganistan) to be resolved in the first six months of a four year presidency? The extreme right wing of GOP is getting very shrill very quickly but nonetheless is a minority, as evidenced by election results. The outrageous lies (like death panels etc) are a sign of their desperation and disconnection with reality.

Yes and no. My husband and both voted for him because we thought
he would be the best for our country. We like everything he stands for
but he may be moving TOO fast. We want health care for all but we are
going to need doctors and clinics and hospitals to take care of everyone.
It may take years to get all this up and running, BUT IT MUST be done.
We have far too many people without insurance. Please let's have some
sanity and calm and do this right.
Jan Carson
Fort Worth, Texas

I should have added, the billion dollar insurance
companies reaped billions more of our tax dollars
while we struggle to make ends meet.

Jack,
The majority of the American people elected Barack Obama as our president, and I can only say that if you in the media focused on what he HAS accomplished; given the fact that this nation was forced to it's knees from the last eight years, you just might find something positive to talk about instead of giving the naysayers a platform to criticize this remarkable man, who from where I am sitting is doing a great job of cleaning up the biggest mess this nation has faced since the depression of 1929.
Please Jack we could all use some positive injection into the media (on a 24 hour cycle) about what a GREAT job this president is doing. The critics......... didn't vote for him anyway and they get plenty of coverage on FOX noise...........stop giving them coverage.

I think that hes doin a wonderful job, give the man a break. Hes tryin to fix the system that has been broken for years. Everyone has to remember that he didnt create this mess, hes just doing the best that he can/knows how to fix things. If he would of done nothing like George bush we would definitley be in a way worse spot in this country. So please give the man a chance, everyone thinks that change should happen overnight....

I did not vote Obama, but I have held my breath hoping that he would be a president that governed from the middle. Unfortunately, he is proving thru his actions ( porkulus not stimulus; healthcare insanity not healthcare reform) to be . He may have silky smooth words, but his actions ( if unchecked) will be catastrophic for the US economy. This is not scare tactics; this is what apolitical organizations like the CBO are reporting.

Where are you Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush? Our nation casts its needy eyes to someone like you who governed mostly from the middle.

yes he is doing an excellent job , with the situation he was given. Hats off to you MR President.

The far right wacko's say the media is Liberal....People should know when a Neo-con say's one thing it means the exact opposite. Who will benefit...? The Neo-con monied interests are useing Nuclear bombs all there stops pulled there is big ,big ,money here...expectations are decided by the far right wacko's ...it's sort of like payola in the music industry..We Will Be Told What we Like..(By the Neo-con controlled in your face on the tube far right wacko minority).

Jack. The President has not met my expectations. He ahs failed to stand up against earmarks, special interest and spending. The health care reform that he promised, as drafted by COngress, does not resemble what he campaigned om and the change that President Obama promised has been to shift out of control spending from the Republican majority to the Democratic majority.

Obama is exceeding my expectations. I really supported Hillary and did not expect Obama to "stay this cool." He is exactly what the USA needed in this time of the great divide. God bless him and God bless America.

When Obama stated that change was coming to America, at first glance I believed him. I thought with him being in office, the war in Iraq would be done, government spending would be managed better and people would feel better about the direction that the country is headed. I was wrong! He has increased our deficit, ignored the growing problem for providing continuous care to illegal immigrants, and wants to provide a health care plan that would destroy America. I now realize that maybe Bush wasn't so bad after all.

Absolutely! He had to step into the Bush/Cheney mess up to his armpits; he has to deal with mediocre congressional leaders; he can't fully explain a bill until there is actually a bill to explain. The media, including you, Jack, are on his back 24/7.

Give the guy a break and let him do his work. He's new and naive but intelligent and a quick learner. Unless you'd prefer a McCain/Palin administration.

Jeanne'

NO. President Obama is NOT living up to my expectations. He is a narcissistic egomaniac who is more concerned with his personal agenda than what is truly good for the American people.

Jack,

President Obama is not only meeting my expectations, he is exceeding my expectations. He has more crisises to deal with than any president in history. We must remember he has only been in office 6 months. Be patient, the best is yet to come!

Kevin
Dallas

If it took only a man to make and execute policy decisions for a country, then Barack Obama would exceed my expectations. Unfortunately, he has to deal with a two party congress that each side wants the other side to fail by working diligently to ensure failure of the other party regardless of the benefits of such policies to the American people. Racism, Immigration hatred of minorities who are assumed to vote democratic, and maintaining white supremacy at all cost, for selfish benefits and interests by some members of one particular political party are some of the drawbacks facing our nation.

We finally have someone in office who actually wants to do the will of the people and as usual, some of us don't know how to handle it. We are a very hypocritical nation in that we are always attempting to tell other nations how they should live their lives, but we refuse to see we are doing the exact opposite of what we preach.

President Obama is attempting to change that. For once, let's 'Do the Right Thing". We might be suprised at how much God will smile upon America.

Jack, The problems the President are facing now, WERE my expectations. It seems like everyone wants to put a period at the end of this "Obama" sentence but we've seen just the first couple of words.

I expected he would be strong in leadership, direction, and compassion. And to TRY to right some past wrongs.

The GOP does what it always done when not in power...complain. The health care issue IS a big thing and the PROCESS has really just begun. Meaning, ALL the ISSUES people have.., ALL the PEOPLE haven't or won't go through.

Other then that, yes he has!

Obama was not the author of the TAARP, the stimulus program, or the 2009 Budget. Likewise he is not the author of the Healthcare bills. As a creature of the Senate this may be deliberate, to turn legislation over to the Legislature. But it is not the way governmen works and will not be effective. The Executive proposes and the Legislature disposes. Letting Pelosi and Reid provide the programs with Obama cheerleading is not Leadership.

oh gosh jack he's done so much for me and my family. we've lost weight in my household. thanks to my being laidoff from caterpiller. inc. and now that we have less money the pesky telephone sales people have stopped calling. oh sure jack he's been very vocal in all he wants for me and my family. i can now rest assured he is working for me.... right?
thanks jack youre a peach!!

Are you kidding? Being a jr. senator he had no clue and Nancy and Harry were banking on that. Healthcare for all is great if its the exact plan that Congress has.

Yes. I expect a President to work for all of us, address issues of the day, to be forthright with his plans for the future, and to prioritize well. This President was handed more problems than most Presidents have come into office with, not the least of which are two wars & an economy which at the time he took office was the closest to a depression we have seen in this country since the 30's. He is doing fine and hope the media & hate mongers dial it back and support and work with him instead of inflicting constant criticism without offering constructive input.

Meeting my expectations is not the President's problem. His problem is that he is exceeding the expectations of those who preached Jesus was coming before January 20 because God would not permit him to become President of the United States. Now they fear he can do what he promised to do and that creates more fear in them than I have ever seen in the right-wing movement. Though his success will not destroy their bigotry, hate and greed, it may serve to offset their support enough to allow sunlight into future debates.

President Obama needs to simplify his health care reform plan and deliver that message to the people A.S.A.P. I know he can win the war going on in this country"s town hall battles. He has the ability to deliver a message as no one else can. He needs to side step all the nonsense going on at these "out of control meetings". We the people are behind him and his healthcare plan. He needs to take control and steer the battleship back on course. We need this healthcare reform more than anything else. Once this is in force everything else will follow.

Sure he is.
I was expecting him to be the worst President since 1900, and he hasn't disappointed me so far.
Although, I understand that it is impossible for him to be his own man as long as he is having Mrs. Pelosi and Mr. Reid in charge of Congress.

I think people don't want change, but it time something is done about healthcare, me and my husband neither one has insurance, can't get it and certainly can't afford it, I have heart condition, so i'm like a leopard to insurance co., and my husband has sinus condtion, so he was also a preexsisting condition!!!! We need something done NOW!!!!

Obama certainly is meeting my expectations, which is why I did not vote for him. He is the clueless, empty, sketchy totalitarian I fully expected him to be.

I believe he is doing all he can to get this country back on its foot.
The health care issue is a very difficult subject and a lot of people do not understand as of today.
I do not hear nobody mention how hard this President is working, that is something I admire from him, and we should be proud of.

Thank you,
Archie

Yes. I expected that he was a Socialist rather than a moderate as he claimed. I also expected him make Bush seem frugal. And I expected him to pick up where Bush left off in destroying the foundation on which our founding fathers built our country. Obama has exceeded these expectations, making it clear why he resisted the vetting process as a candidate and has attempted a covert Presidency- all with the help of the left-wing media. The only expectation he hasn't met is throwing average American citizens under the bus on behalf of illegal aliens. I suspect that's coming.

I am a Repubican who voted for President Obama. I would say he is meeting my expectations and has gone above and beyond to support the majority of the people who voted for him despite those angered few we have seen on the news opposing him. I am for civil town hall meetings, but feel the few who are against President Obama are finding ways to protest their feelings no matter what the subject. They want their anger to fuel others, that's their agenda. The unAmerican comments comes from those who yell and scream and show pictures of President Obama as Hitler or draw the Nazi emblems on posters and defacing property. President Obama has his hands full, thank you President Bush. Media, show civil town hall meetings.

Jack,
The President is doing an excellent job. I thankful he is leading the country. With the health care debate he has ignited the debate. This is supposed to be the way a democracy runs. It certainly beats no one caring or voting. This is a new day, a little ugly but hey welcome to democracy. The president is leading us into a new period of care and concern by the public. This is what he promised. Love it.

I feel President Obama is living up to my expectations. He is doing an excellent job. If congress does what is right for the people and the right wing republicans stop whining and distorting the truth to scare Americans about health care, this reform bill could be worked out. I believe the President is doing a great job, congress needs to stop being afraid and do their job.

dang if he does, dang if he doesn't, can't satisfy everyone, lobbyists win!!!!!
bobl Pine Ctiy, NY

Meeting my expectations? Absolutely not! I thought he might be a leader who would not hand a problem like health care over to a group of egotistic idiots ... commonly known as the Congress ... but I was incorrect. He should tell them what he thinks it should be and what pork he doesn't want in it; they should then write up the Bill. Enough with all the B.S. and the nutty Town Hall Screaming Matches which supposedly show "democracy in action" ... Ha! Give me a benevolent Dictator.

Ace – a lifelong Republican who voted for the Big O
Bullhead City, AZ

Let Me Sum It Up Jack! Our County Is A Mess!

yes he is: He is as leftwing as his voting record- He is making the mess W made into a bigger mess

The president is showing that he is not qualified for the office.
He is making one mistake after anouther. I did not vote for him beause I could see through the smoke screen. The health care debate is needed but as you can see forcing it on us is not working.

Yyes he is.The Citizens of thew USA must remember tht this mess was not created in a day athus we mus t give the president time to develop an implement strong polic strong. And to those critics out there sit and chill.

I don't think we have had a president that is faced with so much and I believe he is doing a GREAT job.

I am thouroghly happy with president Obama Jack, However it saddens me that still even though he is in the oval office it is still a question of race for most people, "How dare he stop us from making money and how dare he dictate to us who we care for.",, yes I said it, the powers that be have circled the wagons and they are using this issue to make a stand. The anger with wich the right is trying to make this Obama's 'waterloo' is nothing more than an insulent child screaming because e has to share the ball..Great job President Obama and I am enjoying being a part of history...

I can't wait until the next term!!!

GM

The simple answer is yes he is, but that in itself is the problem!!!

Are you kidding? President Obama has averted a Great Depression, restored our standing as a moral beacon in the world, enacted credit card reform, placed the American auto industry back on track, and introduced a vision of cheaper healthcare, all against a backdrop of birthers, insurance company funded screaming dupes who don't realize they will be the victims of higher healthcare costs, and the opposition of "the party of no." They should be carving his dang head onto Mt. Rushmore.
Mark Steuer
Houston, TX

He has a terrible burden on his shoulders, and has amazed me on his ability to accomplish so much in such a short period of time. I think he was placed in his postion at a time when the country needs someone of his ability. He is the man, and he only gives me an enormous amount of pride. I enjoy him and his family as much as I enjoy watching Tiger Woods perform his majic.

NO-NO-NO. He is charismatic and eloquent, but doen't listen. Just trying to shove HIS version of a "quality" United Sates.

When is the next election.

President Obama is exceeding my expectations in light of the absolute mess that he inherited from the previous failed administration. He has shown courage and humility along with patience and perseverance. Because of this, his administration is the target of typical Republican tactics: fear and intimidation. In fact, I believe that the previous administration purposefully left our country in shambles as they lined the pockets of their top supporters. I would vote for President Obama again in a heartbeat.
RJ Cates
Corpus Christi, TX

He is doing a fine job. Let's not forget that he inherited a huge mess from former President Bush that needs to be untangled. Keep in mind that Obama quit hiding the cost of the Iraq war, estimated to be about 380 billion per year, from the budget. Now that it is in the budget, for all to see, some are claiming foul and accusing him of the expenditure. I guess the truth hurts and the incompetence of the Bush administration was so overwhelming that many Americans choose to put their head in the sand rather than make an honest assessment of the state of the nation on all levels. The task ahead is overwhelming but it has to be done and Obama is doing it. If he could just get some level headed cooperation from Nancy Pelosi, and the Democrats on the hill, that would be nice. Pelosi is probably too far left to do any good.

Jack,

He is doing a far better job than his predecessor. Finally, we have a president that realizes that diplomacy is part of the job and that threatening everyone that you disagree with is not always the best option. Healthcare is a divisive issue, and wing nuts on both the left and right are having a field day, but shouting down your opposition and not allowing for reasonable dialogue on the subject reeks of the cheap stunts that we have seen in Washington for years. The President is on the right track in that we need to cover everyone with a viable health care plan. At least, he is in there pitching. What has the opposition done but scream invectives?

My expectation was dwarfed by our previous president, but all considered, President Obama is working very hard. Most of these issues were not on the table with the last government

President Obama has not only met but exceeded all my expectations up to this point.

Jack,

We can't ask anymore from this president than what he is already delivered. It's been along time since we had a president that
truly cared about the "have nots" of this country. I believe this president isdoing an incredible job, considering the mess he inherited from the previous administration. I have yet to here anyone
in the national media commneding him for the meeting
the nations challenges head on, and to his critics it could've
been worse could you imagine John McCain and Sarah
Palin governing our nation in this environment.

Yes

President Obama has done far more than other Presidents in the first 6 mos. I am most please with his intelligence and political and leadership ability.

He is doing exactly as I expected but that is not a good thing. Since taking office he has turned far left under the direction of Soros, Pelosi and Reid and other far left organizations. He has abdicated all leadership to those same individuals but I feel that has always been the idea. Many thought his personality, likeability and communication would be the ultimate sales pitch but the masses are figuring out quickly he may talk the talk but he has no substance, certainly no Jack Kennedy and he is directing us too far left and we don't want that. He certainly has no clue as to what is in the energy or healthcare legislation. I want to know when the media is going to start to hold him accountable?
Danville, VA

President Obama is meeting my expectations every1 has forgotten that it was Bush that started all of this. His secret meetings on destroying this economy for republican benefit, the media, and health insurance companies are just trying to keep the public misinformed. There are people that DO NOT WANT President Obama to succeed 1st because he is of mixed race. To all those people against him and the other Dems, stop hiding come out from behind your momma's skirt and let AMERICA see u and talk in a town hall meeting against President Obama about this health care reform in front of the cameras.

Yes. I expected President Obama to spend, spend, spend, and that's what he is doing. The world's biggest ponzi scheme are those running the federal budget. When China and Saudi Arabia quit buying U.S. bonds, Bernie Madoff will look like a shoplifter.

Jack,
No!!!!! He is acting like the rest of the Democratic leadership, trying to appease the "right " in the name of bi-partisanship. The right does not believe in bi-partisanship(remember the Bush administration?). The Democratic leadership had better wake and fight back against the "BIG LIE " machine that the right has put into action!!!!! Remember.... "You don't bring a knife to a gunfight!!!!".
Steve, Ranchos de Taos, The Great State of New Mexico!

I think Obama is doing a great job – but no, he's not perfect. The Republican response to the health care bill reminds me why I voted for Obama – even if I don't agree with all of his policy initiatives. Where are the voices of all of us who voted for change and why are they so easily drowned out by any ideas that threaten the status quo? Real change means taking a chance.

Obama is clearly working to fulfill his campaign promises. Whether one agrees with these plans or not, no one can deny him that. He is really passionate about health care reform and that is what I admire most. Health care is incredibly difficult to reform. It is really funny that 80 years later, the opposition is using the same exact fear tactics and the same lobbying tactics to thwart reform...and it still works!! History proves the strength of health care reform opposition. Times are complicated and Obama has alot on his plate. I think for one to feel he is not meeting expectations is not being fair or realistic. I think this would be a reasonable question in a year or son.

I don't envy the President. He has inherited a huge mess from the last administration, from the economy, to health care, to a failing war. And now, the American public has reached a point where "Yes We Can" is no longer acceptable. They are now calling for "Yes We Are". They want results now, not in the future of this administration. But when have you ever seen a President bring a country out of an incredible landslide in his first 200 days in office. Never. It's not going to happen overnight, or next week, or next month, or maybe even next year. He has the weight of a fed up country on his shoulders, and they want results, not promises.

Yes, because I know who my Mesiah is and he left us here to handle our own business over 2000 years ago.

Considering the number of issues, some having the same degree of urgency and importance, that his administration has had to take on since day one I think he is doing a good job.

What would help is if we as a country would criticize less, put aside political party alliance, have empathy for each other, and truly support our countries moto of "in God we trust" and trust in him to lead our President, other elected officials, and ourselves to the right solutions.

President Obama is certainly meeting my expectations. It seems trite to mention all the problems, which he inherited, and with which he is dealing quite well after only 6 months in office. His ability to understand and articulate complex issues is stunning; the results of his leadership will emerge over time. Trying to evaluate his daily performance in the context of a dumbed down 24-hour news cycle, which notoriously misses the essential, is an exercise in futility.

Considering the unprecedented mess he was faced with, he is meeting my expectations. What more do you want the man to do and please be specific?

Jack.. I totally support President Obama and am very pleased with his work so far. Lets remember where we were.. Economically after the Lehman debacle.. Bear Stearns.. Merrill Lynch.. AIG.. It's an extraordinary fix for an extraordinary problem.. Health Care? He's pushing against a wall of money from the Medical and Insurance Industry that's staggering.. He's walking a tightrope and betting his career for Health Care Reform in America. He's got lots more to attack in his program of Change but his plate is certainly full right now.

Pres. Obama is totally out of control! Not only do I fear for our Health Care System, as well as our whole economic situation, but I fear, really fear for the way he has polarized this country and the way people are turning on each other. He is WAY OVER HIS HEAD in this Presidency! And to think some Conservatives, thought (after the election) "he might just be a breath of fresh air...we'll give him a chance to prove himself." Hell....He was a Trojan Horse who was allowed to enter through the gates of Washington! God help us all!!!

M. Kelley...Scarborough, Maine

Mr obama is exceeding expectation.

Yes he is. He gets a high approval rating from me. He is the solution not problem. The Republicans and the right wing opposition are.....by the way where was all there passion the last eight years?

Most certainly yes. He is still the calm, cool and collected man I voted for.
He is tackling an issue former Presidents coudn't get to first base to. And it is only his first year of office. The last administration wouldn't even touch it.. What he is showing us is courage in the highest order. He is trying to deliver on the promise he made during the campaign...to reform health care.
I wish him the best.

I'm perfectly satisfied with President Obama's performance. Maureen Dowd, usually a shrewd observer of politics, is under the illusion that the President could quash the right wing misinformation campaign under way about health care reform and still the fears of the misinformed. He can't because we are a free society. Ms Paglia criticizes the president, if effect, for using the democratic machinery of our government, which includes Congress, in the process of developing a plan. Would she prefer the President act as a dictator and simply stipulate the provisions of a bill? Congress has a role to play, and I'm grateful the President understands the government he administers and the constraints on presidential power. The problem is not Obama; the problem lies with an unscrupulous corporate interest that feels threatened by health care reform and a formerly viable political party, the Republicans, which now serves those interests enthusiastically and embraces "market fundamentalism" as if it were a divine revelation.

Jack – Yes, President Obama is meeting my expectations as president. I expected him to be able to handle multiple difficult tasks at once, to be able to speak intelligently about the things that he's doing, and to help us restore our place in the world after a devastating eight years of foreign policy. I did NOT expect President Obama to solve the economic crisis overnight, get Republicans and Democrats to hold hands and sing songs, or earn the respect of Rush Limbaugh.

Unfortunately, the conservative movement, from Congress to radio and TV, have exceeded my expectations. I expected them to resist policies that they disagreed with, and provide alternatives. I did NOT expect them to throw themselves to the ground and kick and scream while the grownups try to get things done.

NOT YET but its still to early to judge him.

No! Today he said that AARP has endored his heath care reform bill, one day after the president of AARP stated that they have not endorsed any health care bill. President Obama and the Democratic party has lost any credibilty they might have had.

Hey, Jack, you and I are old enough to remember what a snake oil salesman is. All promises! In other words, stick with me and I'll have you wearing radishes as big as diamonds.
Big mouth, big promises, big failure!!
Big change in Washington? Isn't that what Carter promised?
Obama can't hold a candle to Carter.
He's a loser, but right now the big loosers are you and me.

Denis
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Jack;
The President can't get a break because people don't read any more. These very important topics all have to be watered down for the masses and the essense of subjects are negated by emotion rather than thoughtful consideration. We've entered a shallow, emotional period and it looks like we may have to outsource even our thinking – if we could only figure out how to do that.

I voted for the guy, but I really wanted Hillary in there. I think that he's an honest guy though and he has every intention of doing the best job that he can. I know that he will be overwhelmed with some of the most serious problems that this country has ever faced for the duration of his tenure. I would'nt want to be him, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for all of our fates.

President Obama is exactly wjhat I expected. He is a man without any experience at managing anything and David Axelrod and Rahm Emmanuel can only repackage him so many ways before his actual lack of experience showsup. The man never even managed a law office and to say that he manged a presidential campaign is utter nonsense, His handlers and advisors did all of that and his choice of Czars and Cabinet menbers already showed his lack of exoerience and expertise. His examples that he uses in discussing Health Care further exhibits his total lcak of knowlegde also typifies someone who knows nothing about the subject matter. It was said you cannot have OJT and be successful as a President when your portfolio in management was non-existent

Yes, he is performing exactly as I was afraid he would. The complete sell out of the American people and destruction of our "Nation under God" is at hand and he is enjoying our demise.
Jim

Yes, the president is meeting my expectations. After six months he hasn't started any unnecessary wars, given a tax break to the wealthiest Americans, read my emails or nominated his personal lawyer to the Supreme Court. And he's begun cleaning up W's mess. What more could you ask from President Obama after only 6 months in office?

Sure he is. Even though everyone but him on a pedestal with unrealistic expectations, but he is keeping with his word on Health Care right or wrong just as he promised during his campaign

yes,he has only been president for a short time and is taking on all the issues our past presidents were not willing or able fix. i am a 30yr old red blooded white american and i am ashamed of those people who are selfishly unwilling to accept changes are needed to better this country that we all love...

No; going downhill
Two trillion in debt, add another trillion for healthcare and another for the fantastic useless wars.
Healthcare issue is on the wrong track. Either copy a European model or do nothing. Cost will only go up with the present plan; Nobody dares to tackle the doctors and hospitals there lies the real problem; to pump in another trillion is absurd. Just force the medical industry to cut cost!!
And stop the ridiculous wars; they do not add to any better welfare in this country!!!!!!

Obama is doing exactly was he said he would. I give him an A, for his effort on health care reform. I think people are not giving him a fair chance to change things,
We have too many people that are only concerned about themselves and are not thinking about the broken health care system that must be fixed. I am on Medicare, due to renal failure and I can tell you that this public option works better than any private insurance I had while I was working.

Looking at the question as an outsider I can only say President Obama seems to be doing an outstanding job so far...
Name one other President who inherited such a mess..
However i think he should wait a little while for health care....
its a can of worms.... Expensive worms ! ! !
Yes, we have universal health care here....
but then again Canada only spends 3% of our annual budget
on the military....
While you Americans have the thankless job of being policemen of the free world.......
Thank you from all canadians....
John...
Toronto... canada.....

Yes, Obama is meeting my expectations but I am very disappointed in the incredible resistance that he has faced in dealing with the serious problems that he (and the American people)has been saddled with. Despite this resistance, I believe that Obama has shown backbone and he is continuing to do what he was elected to do. It just doesn't look like he will have much bipartisan support even though he has made much effort to seek ideas and solutions from all sides.

I voted for Obama... But, for some reason, He used the word, " CHANGE", repeatedly & this concerned me, & once He was sworn in... I started to CHANGE MY views, of him, being our presdient. He's pushing , & making his demands, made, far too rapidily, on this , so called, " Health Care Plan ". There has to be a reason, He wanted this to be passed, & yet, STILL has Not given us, the TRUE facts here. I highly agree with your comment, about, informing the people, what the results will be, as it can be narrowed down, to make sense to us. This is getting scary, for my part.. People don't like what's taking place, here, & I don't blame them.
Erla
Yuma, Az.

Why was there such a rush to get something done? I sort of think it was a great tactic to beat the criticism. It was more a race to pull one over on us on healthcare. WOndering if they really wanted to listen to the people or let anyone read it, because they knew that there will be many people once they read it who would feel like they (peter) were be getting robbed to pay Paul. Fortunately or unfortunately depending on which side of the debate you are on, it not fast enough.

This President, will not tell the American People the Truth.
This Cable Station, helps him, keep the Truth hidden.
Educate our country, don't force a view that will hurt the future.
Don't make fun of others who see things different.
Speak in clear terms, don't twist.
There are to many people speaking up for the 1st time in their live's, this is Truth, this is what our founders expected.
When "any" politician says these people are bad, or say mean things... they fear the Truth. A career in politics does not make you smarter. It makes you do and say anything to keep the job that the people gave to you, Represent, don't makeup words or agenda's.

Yes,

This Guy is not a Bush, he got American Talking about their country, from Economy to health care.
Jack, I wish People were this passionate about their lifes when Bush was President they could have saved the economy and American Soldiers
One more thing Jack, he have finally made it possible to take Washingston to the people send the Congressmen and women and Senators to talk to the electrorate, atlast Jack government for the people seems to have come back . That is a Good CEO..

I feel that the President is doing about as well as anyone could, considering the circumstances he found himself presiding over. The fact that health care reform is such a fierce battle isn't necessarily a reflection on Obama's leadership but the complexity and divisivness of the issue. He isn't exactly working on a Flag-Burning Ban.

Fort Walton Beach, Florida

President Obama is exceeding my expectations. I expected his policies would be detrimental to the future of our country, but it appears his administration is going to be a complete disaster, which would be exceeding my expectations. From the pork filled stimulus package, which has stimulated nothing, and the Cap-in-Trade legislation designed to destroy american business, to his push for a thinly disguised first step towards a government take-over of the health care industry and an expected 1.8 trillion dollar deficit (as compared to 480 billion under Bush), he is advancing us towards a future, which will be bleak indeed.

Absolutely yes, he is! The level of obstructionist opposition he faces is what's astounding to me.
I really had hoped the GOP would step up and be dignified Americans, but boy, was I wrong! The "birthers" "teabaggers" and now the town-hall invaders are exactly the same kind of people that violently opposed school integrations in 20th century. How stupid do you have to be to not know Medicare IS government-run healthcare??

Until 2000, I would never have believed this: Republican = Stupid, screechy racist white people. It's so sad.

Thanks for the party of stupid, Karl Rove!

Yes. I voted for Hillary last fall because I was sure, despite the way the press was paiting the candidates, that she was actually more liberal than Bill and Barack. i see now that I was right., especially when it comes to the economy and healthcare. All my left wing friends got taken in, but I didn't. I knew Obama was all hat and no cattle as soon as he started talking about bi-partisanship and consesus building. To be a leader you can't be a mediator - you must lead, pure and simple. Obama, charming man that he is, just doesn't know how to do that. Time for the left wing to get someone who will stand up to the corporate takeover of this country. Obama is not the man to do it.

yes. yes. and yes

Barack Obama is definitely meeting my expectations. He is doing an excellent job as president, and the conservatives only goal is to make sure he fails. The only reason the approval rating is down is because the conservative media is telling people he is doing bad, and that mainly constitutes FOX News, which has the largest viewership. These town halls are staged by special interest groups, corporate lobbyists, and the republican party, and now they are putting up disgusting Obama posters with the Joker's face on them. Yes, Barack Obama is meeting my expectations as an excellent leader, and the conservative thugs will never change my mind on that..

Yes. The president has shown that he doesn't have the backbone to stand up to rich and powerful. He spent two years preaching "change" and on his first day in office he appointed one of the largest washington insider administrations in history. In washington, money talks and the people walk.

Jack,
I am happy with the president's leadership because I am not naive enough to expect him to solve all our problems in 100 days, one year or even one term as president. We have problems that have been building for decades and it is going to take years to fix them. Americans have become a people that expects instant gratification. Well, its not going to happen this time. We are going to have to stick it out and give him time to get things done. If we don't, nothing will get fixed and we will end up worse off than we are now.

President Obama has exceeded my expections.
There has not been a President that has faced such a mutation of National problems in my lifetime.
He shows up, he is extremely smart, he works hard and he listens. We haven't had that level of involvement from an Administration in a decade.
I am proud to have him and his Staff representing the United States.

J.G.
Meridian ID

Yes, he is meeting my expectations. I expected him to not be a leader, and that is coming more to light everyday. He left to many things into the hands of Pelosi and Reid. He is trying to be a moderate, but their legislation, that he trying to back, is radical left. I expected him to talk one way, and walk another. That is proving to be the case, also. He said that he was not going to raise taxes on the middle class. What has been the talk the last few days? Raising taxes on the middle class.

he is not meeting ,my expectations but just think , if he were to tell the people that he as well as congress would also fall under the new government ran health care program, his approval ratings would skyrocket !! or perhaps he should change the heathcare reform and put all of us under the program that congress enjoys.

No He does not meet anybodies expetations. He let GM and Chrysler go BANKRUPT. What kind of person would do thqat to the American People. All those people who had GM stock lost a life time of their savings. Health Care is a Jokie. Can't wait for the next election. I did't vote for him anyways. John McCain would have been much better.
Disgusted taxpayer

Yes, President Obama is meeting my expectations. I support the Health Care Plan and have great faith in him and his administration. He's trying to do what we asked him to do during his campaign.

oh yea – he is meeting and exceeding what I thought he would be. Man, even Clinton (him or her) is looking SWEET at this point. He's a smooth one, he is!

I see a Major problem with Obama.. he doesn't seem to know what
he is saying sometimes.. oh,. that was a mis-spoke on his part re: AARP support. ( CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC bought and paid for by Obama admin)

I really think he is doing a great job... isn't easy for a president that is on the job for 6 months to be fixing the mess and trying to make things happen for americans, be fighting an trying to solve problems in all fronts ( interests abroad and domestic) with his own Party, because of special interests. I applaud his tenacity and his diplomacy and he is trying hard to delivery what he was elected for, and I'm happy that under his leadership the Congress is really working hard. Kuddos to, I believe, the best and more efficient President ever !!!!

President Obama is meeting my expectations, but the Republican leadership is very disappointing – shocking. THey do everything they can to subvert progress for their own political ends and it is a great disservice to our country.

No, but only because he hasn't been more like LBJ in the 60's. When the civil rights battles were playing out emotions were running higher than they are now but Johnson got it done.

President Obama needs to drop the "can't we all work together" line and start arm twisting and he should start with his own party.

Anyone that keeps up with politics knows that is how things really get done in Washington.