1 yr after the election, how's President Obama doing?
A poster of then President-elect Barack Obama as Superman is seen on November 5, 2008 on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, California, one day after Obama won the election. (PHOTO CREDIT: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It's been one year since President Obama defeated John McCain and rode into office promising "change we can believe in."
So - what has he done in the first year?
Some say Mr. Obama's biggest accomplishments have been keeping the financial crisis from becoming worse... and improving America's image abroad.
Democrats credit the $787 billion economic stimulus package with rescuing the economy... although Republicans call it a big waste... and with nearly 10 percent unemployment, the country is still waiting for the jobs to come back.
The president and Congress have spent most of the first year wrestling with health care reform and if we get anything at all - it's probably going to fall far short of meaningful reform.
Meanwhile President Obama has done nothing to regulate Wall Street or close the nation's borders. The deficits are beyond absurd. The wars continue - as does most of the government secrecy left over from the Bush administration.
And the president's policy of engaging our enemies hasn't produced many results yet when it comes to countries like Iran and North Korea.
Even his liberal supporters don't think he has delivered on issues like don't ask-don't tell, climate change and education reform.
You could make the argument Superman couldn't have done this stuff in a year either.
Here’s my question to you: One year after the election, how's President Obama doing?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
John from San Jose, California writes:
Jack, As an independent, I walked away from Obama because he did nothing to solve the real problems of corruption and transparency of politics and Washington. Instead he and his handlers are playing politics like no other before him. All that I can hope as he moves forward is that he does something to change Washington because so far, Washington has changed him. The grade I give him so far is a D-.
Juan writes:
I do not have a college degree, yet I have a great, secure job making a mid-forties salary. I have a great house in a safe area with a great public school district. My mortgage is up-to-date. My credit score is in the 750s. My 401K is solid and growing. And, my wonderful health insurance just became $100-per-month cheaper, without any reduction in benefits. So, in my opinion, President Obama is doing a tremendous job helping a little guy like me get ahead, so I can take care of my family. I fully support his re-election.
Janie from Springfield, Massachusetts writes:
I think he is starting to look too much like Jimmy Carter: indecisive, unsure, weak, ineffective. He needs to make some decisions now. I thought hell would freeze over the day I agreed with Rush Limbaugh, but I do agree with his comments from this weekend: Obama is looking and acting inexperienced. He needs to turn this around immediately before he becomes a "lame duck."
Jim from Dayton, Ohio writes:
It's a very big ship and it was going in very much the wrong direction, on just about every issue that mattered. The president has grabbed the wheel and is wrestling this mammoth beast, but moving it is a slow process. Gentle pressure relentlessly applied will eventually get us turned around and I think soon we will begin to reap the benefits of that.
Eric from Wilmington, Delaware writes:
In my humble opinion, there is a huge chasm between Candidate Obama and President Obama. I've been very disappointed.
Bob writes:
I think Pres. Obama is doing what I expected. I’m looking forward to the "Change We Can All Afford" in 2012.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
I give President Obama an A+. He would really have to be SuperMan if citizens of the USA thought that he would fix this MESS that was left from 8 years of corruption done by the last administration.
I think it is absurd for people to have expected our nation to be completely turned around after 10 months in office. The mess we ourselves created, we now want him to make disappear with the wave of a magic wand. All of this, while dealing with impossible Republicans, that are going to buck everything, just to prove they can. How sad that we can't work together. Our morals are so far gone, I don't even know if there is hope.
not well at all
Jack,
We get to answer that question on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 ... and since President Obama will be eligible to run for his second and final term, so far, I am voting for him again !
But please bare in mind, the electoral map will change again after the 2010 census.
-Matt, Boca Raton, FL
Given what Obama has on his plate, and the childish obstructionism from the "conservatives" who apparently only really feel patriotic about their country when one of their own is in charge, I think Obama's done a good job. With the magnitude of the problems he's facing, you can't reasonably expect them to be solved in a year, you can only look for progress... and I believe we're seeing that. Foreign relations are much better than they were a year ago, my 401 K and my stock investments are going up when they consistently went down under Bush, and it looks like we'll be getting some kind of health care reform, even if it's not perfect. And, overall, America's image is being restored. So, as a work in progress, I think Obama's doing an outstanding job so far.
Obama bailed out Wall Street just like Bush did before leaving office. Given the high unemployment we have today I don't see how it was justified, too much of that money went straight into the pockets of executives. As for health care, only time will tell how successful his reforms are.
On foreign policy though, I commend Obama for changing the tone in a dramatic way. When Bush was in office America was truly hated around the globe, not just by a select few nations. Obama is going follow through with actual change, but I believe the world is willing to give him some time.
I'd give him a straight A. He is transforming our international relations. He is a terrific role model for everyone, from parents to citizens to public leaders. He inherited a terrible mess that we all knew would take YEARS to improve. Would like to see more resources put into job creation.
President Obama is doing about as well as an exceptional person can do given the B.S. that was left for him to deal with! I think that Big Business is not a fan of our President which leads me to believe that they will do everything to make sure that the economy is in the toilet until Nov 2012. That means not hiring more employees while making the people that they do keep work twice as hard. I say we stop buying their unnecessary crap until they change their attitudes.
Dee
Houston,TX
Hi Jack. Mr. Obama is doing exactly what I voted for him to do. He said during the campaign, "It won't be easy... Washington status quo will push back." Boy, did he hit the nail on the head. He knows how hard his job is, and he's getting a TON of stuff done and it's only been 9.5 months. The media just doesn't cover it, go figure.
You're right, Jack, even Superman couldn't have fixed everything that needs fixed, even with the help of all the other Superheroes. Obama didn't say he would or could fix everything in a year or even four years but at least he knew that many things need fixing. George Bush couldn't or didn't even seem to know that there was much that needed fixing. When things are tough, it's hard to be patient until we can tell that the future is looking brighter. I, for one, however, will give this good, decent, bright man the time he needs.
Shelia Hensley
Tampa, FL
You said it best ... "You could make the argument Superman couldn't have done this stuff in a year either."
Things continue down hill from my perspective even if Wall Street continues to party. Our deficit is what will get us in the most trouble moving forward and there seems to be no real agenda to solve the problem.
A lot of people warned to watch out for the empty promises just to get elected. So far it seems you could say he's proving them right...
I voted for Obama, and I'm not happy at all. I started to feel that hi is a great person, a great SALES person, but a horrible CHIEF in COMMAND. He can't control his own party, he seems no been able to pass the health care reform, he has not push for any stronger control over the financial market yet, no immigration reform, him and HIS congress are spending money like crazies, the bail out money have not improved the economy at all...
As you can see he was very good with promises and rhetoric, but not with the delivery...
And please, the time to blame it on Bush's mess is way over.
Prior to the election, Obama's critics painted him as a far left radical and woefully lacking in the experience to be President. A year after his election, his critics have been proved right.
what has Bush done after his first 9 months in office! President Obama has inherited the worst financial situation in over 80 years, two wars and a looser Rep Party who doesn't think of country first!
I have full faith in him and I know he will deliver!
I am on the personal opinion that Obama is taking on too many issues at once thus weakening his ability to effectively handle any of them. Partially his own fault for biting off more then he could chew and partially just plain bad timing. He was given a real bad situation and told to make it all better. I do not envy his position as I don't see a single politician in this country that could handle it and come out looking good.
I believe President Obama was our best choice in the last election. That said, he has to much on his plate and it seems he has not prioritized his issues and focused his energies on the most urgent. It is impossible to score a win when you are running all over the field.
I am sure that President Obama has not been able to do all he had hoped at this point in his presidency. However, when looking back at the past year, I think he has done an outstanding job.
When comparing President Obama's accomplishments in one year to the eight-year presidency of President Bush, I would absolutley say he has done a super job.
From Dayton, Ohio ...It's a very big ship and it was going in very much the wrong direction...on just about every issue that mattered. The President has grabbed the wheel and is wrestling this mammoth beast, but moving it is a slow process. Gentle pressure relentlessly applied will eventually get us turned around and I think soon we will begin to reap the benefits of that. So yes, I am disappointed at the progress to date...like every American, I want more and I want it now...but realistically ...I think the President is doing the best he can...probably as well as any one could have...he just needs to keep up that relentless gentle pressure !
Jack- I am afraid that the President is in the process of systematically dismantling much of what has made America great. I simply do not know if he is doing the dismanteling on purpose pursuant to a grand scheme or by accident pursuant to many grand blunders.
He's done more to harm the country than help it. He is allowing Pelosi to run the country and she is spending money that we don't have at a rate that will bankrupt the county if he doesn't grow a set and stop her soon.
He has done more to harm race relations than anyone I have ever known. He used his black and white heritage to get elected, but soon after the election he showed his true colors. Is he 1/2 white? Wasn't he raised by his white mother and grandparents? You would think he would acknowledge his white heritage at least as much as his black; I guess that's not popular and doesn't allow for the playing of the "race card" whenever needed.
He is too quick to apologize for our great nation. I know we are not perfect, but where would the rest of the world be without us there to help whenever and wherever we're needed. Think about this one for a while.
I could go on and on, but since I'm sure most of your readers are going to decide I'm a racist since I disagree with "the great one" I'll give up for now.
God bless our great nation!
Give the man a break Jack! He's working on George Bush's 8 years of neglect and total incompetence.
He'll get many of these issues handled – be patient and cut him a little slack.
honestly, I think he is beign brought down by hubris. During the election, he talked about bi-partisanship, but it seems like business as usual. The only exception is that a new team is up to bat. If they continue their "my way or the highway" approach to things like healthcare reform and rebuilding the economy, we will end up with nothing. Add to that his sudden indecisiveness on Afghanistan, and we have literally made no progress in the past 10 months. Top all of that with the fact that we have not addressed the issues that caused the economy to tank in the first place, and I am wondering if he is ever going to complete any task. I think he needs to do a better job of prioritizing, (Jobs before healthcare, for one) and then learn to follow through.
Well he was able to finally find some cabinet members without tax problems, I guess that counts for something.
I'm amazed at how people seem to dismiss the Stimulus package as having had little or no effect when survey after survey suggests otherwise. No one had a road map for how to handle circumstances like those President Obama inherited, so please give him credit for learning from history and not doing nothing!
Jack, he's doing the best that can be hoped for in the circumstances that he inherited. Eight years of mind-numbing imbecility, secrecy, abuse of power, a lack of ethical and moral backbone masquerading as righteous patriotism cannot be changed in a few months or even a single year. The Presidency is not a job that anyone can train for except on the job. But the first year in this case is not only learning the ropes, but trying to keep the country from collapsing under the weight of the arrogant errors in judgement and dubious legality that Obama inherited. And when the number of areas that were corrupted under the Bush regime are as staggeringly numerous as they are, no one could have turned the entire scenario around in one year. While I am not foolish enough to literally compare Barack Obama to Abraham Lincoln, the catastrophic mess that Lincoln inherited is worth looking at – especially in the context of Lincoln's first year. Did he save the Union immediately? No. Did he avert the impending civil war? No. Did he make mistakes? Certainly. Could anyone have predicted the greatness that was to come as Lincoln learned what was necessary to keep the country from collapse? I doubt it quite seriously. Give the man at the helm a full term before we try to second guess the abilities of the one to whom we have given the world's most difficult job. If, by the time his second campaign for the job begins, he hasn't fulfilled the promise, then we the people will vote him out of office and give someone else a chance.
Should we judge a college graduate solely on his first year in college?
Jack, it's a marathon not a sprint. I think the President is getting his footing. But for this "simply add water" instant gratification nation, it's a hard pill to swallow. Most don't complain that trees take a long time to grow when they admire the beauty of a forest. I think things will be better by the end of the term.
I think he is doing an excellent job. People seem to think just because he isn't making snap decisions on things that he isn't doing anything. These are huge decisions he is having to make and they take time and thought to make the right ones. Everyone wants the things that Bush and his cronies broke to be fixed right away but it takes time to clean up messes like the ones that were created over the last eight years. Don't forget, he said it would take time to get this done and one year just isn't enough time to undo all of the damage from the Bush years.
Well, the President has received a Nobel Prize which even he admits he has not earned. He's taken his wife to New York for a very expensive date night when ordinary citizens are suffering due to the economy. He's conducted the famous "Beer Summit" to bring peace to a dispute no President should have even acknowledged much less commented on and after months of deliberation managed to select the First Pooch.
Consistent with his record as a former U.S. Senator he hasn't done a lot in terms of getting any meaningful legislation passed and hasn't really told the American people what his personal vision for Health Care Reform is – or even precisely why it is needed. Other than that he's really done a lot........................................
I would like to say that he has done a great job, but I cannot. I can, however, say that he has done a better job than his predecessor. And, in all fairness to the President, it is hard to get anything done when both parties continue to act like spoiled brats, more interested in furthering their own agendas than that of the American people.
President Obama, I admire your calm and rational demeanor, but it is time to take the gloves off and hold our representatives accountable. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!
Aloha Jack,
I'm sure he's stressed but that comes with the job! I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
Here's the REAL point! Americans can't just show up on election day, mandate change and go back to "business as usual" and wait for Barack the chosen one (or whoever) to save us. We have to be part of the change. It ain't happening in Congress!! Case in point, the so called regulation of credit card companies. A slap on the wrist for the most blatant extortionists of our time who got trillions in bailout money. 150 million Americans should cut up their cards and say "We ain't paying." Rosa Parks said "NO" and changed a nation. We need to stop looking to Washington for change and do it ourselves by collective, bold yet peaceful action.
He's doing great! Who could have even imagined that, in just one year, a President and Congress could accelerate so substantially the rate at which our debts and deficits increase? Change I couldn't have imagined.
I believe that President Obama is doing a very good job, considering the circumstances. He inherited a failing economy, two wars, and skyrocketing healthcare costs from Bush (who managed to destroy the booming economy he inherited). He has since passed the stimulus package through congress, saving countless jobs and the economy, pulled our troops out of Iraq, and is trying to reform heathcare. If conservatives like John Boehner would stop trying to kill every single bill Obama wants passed, maybe things would move faster and people could stop complaining.
I think he CAN be doing well, but he is really dragging his feet. I think he needs to take a lesson from W and start throwing his weight around to get things done – this is the ONLY way he should be like GWB. Keep in mind, that just about anyone is a HUGE improvement over the last president.
Jack,
he's done nothing.
But compared to the last guy, nothing is brilliant.
He made alot of promises and seems to certainly be a charismatic politician. Whether he is a leader or not is yet to be determined. So far, he has bailed out big business and promised health care reform without personally putting up any plan of his own. And he is continuing the same programs in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo. Up to now he is Bush Lite.
Well Jack, to begin with, he speaks the King's English! That in itself speaks volumes after the Bush debacle. He has kept this country afloat, financially. He has restored our standing in the international community. He is trying his best to get a health care bill that will help millions of people. He could do so much more, however, the right wing loons have injured him politically. And then there is always his race, hiding in the closet. I think his first year has been amazing, in that he's still standing!!
I am please with President Obama thus far. I think there is plenty more that needs to be done but he is tackling many huge issues that I don't think anyone could solve in just 1 year.
Personally I think he is doing fine under the circumstances. He was handed a mess and the Republicans will keep saying he cannot continue to blame the previous administration. But that is the fact. They took budget surplus and turned it into a huge deficit by giving tax relief to the rich. They started two wars one of which was unnecessary, they imprisoned and tortured people leaving us with legal mess to clean up. They could not handle a Hurricane on our shores. They gave the drugs companies a profit windfall by not getting a discount when they bought drugs for Medicare.
They did not do anything about health insurance my rates have been going up 8% per year plus the deductible tripled from $500 to $1500 in four years.
This is a daunting task. Thank goodness he does not watch Fox or he would go crazy listening to them blaming him for everything and miss-representing the facts.
well Jack, I think he has done well considering what he had on his plate, I don't think he promised it would all be done in 10 months
President Obama has done nothing so far because he is still in campaign mode..........re-election???
This is year one of four, I don't think very many presidents make a huge impact in their first 9 months in office. The recession was on its way in with full force even as Obama took the Oath of Office, and we were already at war, so he has the weight of preloaded on his shoulders.
His remaining time will show us what he really will do.
Judging from WHAT President Obama inherited from previous administration, I truely believe he is doing a excellent job.....Cinque/ U.S. Virgin Islands
Well, he's continued to do a lot of campaigning. He's done a lot of traveling. Too bad he's done very little Presidenting. He's a lot of talk, but little action, unless you consider him wasting time and tax payer's money to make a trip to pitch an Oylmpic bid. Oh well. Only a few more years til another election.
If he only had Bush's boldness, he would be much better. He needs to get us back to pre-Reagan policies and implement single payer Health care!
Tax the rich like they used to get taxed. The middle class will come back, once we do that.
First of all he hasn't been in office a year. He took the oath the third week in January. We haven't climbed out of the muck-rake of the last eight years. Let get out of that first. And the Republicans still haven't acknowledge that they lost the election. Some one needs to wake them up and let them know.
I wonder how anyone can say he has brought change.
No decison on Afghainstan
No jobs
No Health Care Reform
No CHANGE!!!!
Oh wait he did change his mind on Gitmo, he did change his mind on the public option, opps he changed his mind on ACORN. Im sorry President Obama....you are a man of change!
I for one couldn't be happier with our President. He always told us that this change requires time. Sorry folks, there's no such thing instant gratification when you're running a country that was run into the ground under the last president.
Give the man some time and breathing room. I think he'll do us all proud.
I love the fact that Obama lovers run around whinning about the woes that poor Obama has had to endure. President Bush, endured much more than any other president ever has. A terroist attack on our soil and one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit US land.
There were many things that were done incorrectly during both of these times, but I would hate to see where we would be right now if a democrat was in office during 9/11.
Not Good. What has he DONE except talk alot , I mean really talk a lot. Change could have been good , but it's turning out bad. This is exactly what happens when you send a rookie to the White House. How can anyone say the economy has improved? It will turn around ,but it would have with or without Obama!
Jack, we'll hear plenty from people who'll continue to look back fondly on the past 8 years as to the reason for all our misfortune. At some point they'll have to ask themselves: "If things haven't changed. . . was there really change?"
Hopeless. This presidency is a failure, we are looking at a one-termer. Absolutely hopeless!
Obama has done great. The guy had a stacked deck against him coming in. At least I feel like we have a thoughtful, intelligent individual running the country. Not to mention someone who is attempting to help some of the poorest americans in our country. What do you think the McCain/Palin ticket would have done by now? I shudder to think what the country would be like right now.
One year after the election, Barack Obama has done as well as can be expected from a new president. There is an enourmous learning curve there, and I think considering the economic situation that this country has faced among other things, has added considerable pressure to that. Moreover I believe the expectations placed on Obama due to his message of change have been overly presumptuous; as I understood it to be within his full term, not a full year. I do think to Obama's credit, he has restored a sense of integrity and purpose to the presidency and the nation as a whole. It took eight years to destroy, one year to re-establish. He still has my confidence!
Well he hasn't saved the country yet. He hasn't been acting like an Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, John F Kennedy to be.
Yes, it is unrealistic to expect Obama to have turned everything around by now but...
When running for election Obama let expectations get inflated. He didn't ask for any sacrifices. He actually wasn't too specific on many issues either. So a lot of people voted for BO because he stoked their expectations in order to gain office. Now we get the BO supporters telling us that image was unrealistic and anyway, compared to Bush, he's incredible. Yet even BO supporters know what some of us knew then. Barack Obama is a politician like the others. A year has shown us that.
just remember way better than bush/cheney,,,rumsfield wolfowitcz,rice,rove libby and all the crap that put us thru to get here,,,hey he obama hasn't taken a real vacation yet,,,,,,bush lived on his vacation ranch.,,so he's workin
President Obama is too nice to the not so loyal opposition. He needs to be more forceful with the republicans, so that he can get more things done. They are not going to help him, no metter what.
I find that the people who still support Mr. Obama are just uninformed. Plain and simple. The long term damage he is doing to our economy AND international relations is staggering and frightening. But we'll just keep talking about Bush and 'the last 8 years' while Obama slowly and methodically takes over every aspect of our country and weakens us internationally.
Looking back at the Bush years, I would say that President Obama is doing a great job considering what a mess he has had to deal with.
After hearing reports that Bush spent the first 9 months of his presidency on vacation, Obama doesn't seem too shabby. He is making an effort at fulfilling his promises. Although he is not able to connect on many, he's giving it his all.
When Obama was elected president, the (barely) majority voted him in on the assumption that he was going to make significant changes to "right the wrongs" of the Bush administration and the fiscal irresponsibility of Congress (regardless of party). Well, we certainly got change from Bush's policies, but I can't say it was for the better. Obama critics complained that Obama was the most liberal senator in recent history. If anything, Obama has proven all of his critics right on that count. If this Administration and Congress were any further left, Communists the world over would complain that they weren't considered to the right of Obama. I can't think of a single campaign promise that Obama hasn't broken. I can't think of a single statement he has made and then not done exactly the opposite. Our country has simply accepted the premise that it's "okay" for politicians to flat out lie in our faces and do whatever they please. God (yes, that's right...GOD)help us!
Jack,
With both Democrats and Republicans waving Kryptonite in President Obama's face while protecting their own sacred cows, his options are limited.
The very first piece of legislation the President should have pushed is public funding of all campaigns with the abolition of special interest contributions. Once the money is drained from the Congressional cesspool, the peoples interests and the President's agenda can proceed.
We can not afford Obama. We will never be a ble to pay off our debt. Out country will someday be reduced to a second class society. Its is not the country I enjoyed twenty years ago. My grandchildren will never be able to have the life I have had. Very sad.
i think if you elect a movie star you get one. bush wasnt a great pres. no one is arguing that. but inheriting a debt and trying to fix it with more debt is ridiculous. and giving the money to people that have money , come on. he promised to help the people but we didnt know he meant the rich people. everyone expected him to help the little people but thats where he has fooled us all. i see him spending most of his time trying to pass a health care bill He approves of. and he'll get it passed however He can. he is working on the issues he chooses to. you get what you pay for. congratulations democrats.
Put it like this...if he were a pizza delivery guy and was supposed to get it to you within 30 minutes or you'd get a free pizza, you'd be getting a free pizza.
He's reached the point where he can no longer blame the last administration. None of the promised change has happened, unemployment is worse, and the deficits are now at mind-boggling levels. Now is the worst time to learn once again that socialism sounds wonderful in theory but fails miserably in practice.
He has shown that a minority can become President and receive the support and respect given other Presidents, be criticized as a person and not a stereotype, be as foolish and wise as any other man or woman.
Unfortunately he seems not to live up to campaign pledges or go into action to back up rhetoric. On the other hand he does not cry war at the first response, does not distort opinion to mislead others, thinks does not act taking easy or expedient solutions, does not torture, comes as close to FDR's privileging people over the economy as anyone and is sincere trying to work with others. Working with others is impossible here, for example, to call final directives funding funding for death squads is disgusting obfuscation for people of good will. He should call the Republicans out and see if they are competent to understand English.
for allthe people saying he is doing a good job i would like to know how we are going to pay the 10 trillion dollars that we will spend in next ten yearsthat is from cbo
Obama is doing fine , it's the rest of the democratic party that needs to step up and get things done.
President Obama is not " Superman ", so considering the monumental mess he inherited after his election, I personaly think congratulations are in oder. We can thank his political machine for saving our country of another four years of republican strategies that got us in this mess in the first place. We should be asking ourselves why has the president no gotten more done. You can thank the ancor " democratic conservatives" and the bowling ball tied to his foot " all republicans" as he tries to swim through the myriad of problems before him.
Seems to be okay to me physically. You would be too if you've done absolutely nothing in getting your agenda implemented.
I would give him C. He has not moved the earth. I am unemployeed since last August. There are no white colour jobs and no one is in a
hurry to hire anyone. He has created lots of job in the blue colour area
I am not a construction worker, or move heavy equipment. I really don't see anything spectacular.
Our president has stated that he must handle all the problems that this country has, i.e. health care, Immigration; the two wars; the economy. deficits, etc.
I believe he is doing a great job; it is unfortunate that the opposition has decided to play hardball politics. Not one Republican Congessman or Senator to agree with the Democrats on HealtCare? what are their proposals- and not piece meal solutions.
It has been 1 year since the election. However, it has NOT been 1 year he took office... that didn't occur until January. So, he has only been in office about 9 1/2 months, a little over 3/4 of a year. In that time, he has done everything possible to include everybody in coming up with the best plans for America, particularly regarding health. Despite a Congressional majority, he has negotiated with Republicans, who are refusing to negotiate on the same level. The far-right alarmists (Beck, Limbaugh, Palin, etc...) are doing everything they can to paint all of his successes as failures. The 8 years prior to his election was nothing but a spiral downward for this country. That CANNOT be fixed in 9 1/2 months. He is not pushing the desires of the left which suffered TREMENDOUSLY during the downward spiral known as the Bush-Cheney years. Instead, President Obama is trying to bring everybody together and get this country on one page, moving forward. He listens even to those who hate him, interrupt him with lies shouting "You Lie!" and such right-wing antics to disrupt his attempts to unite this country. President Obama is doing a miraculous job to this point, and I wouldn't expect anything less. Unlike the Bush years following 9/11, the country is now actually going in the right direction and is respected by other countries.
Steve Levine
Tallahassee, FL
President Obama has done more for this country than Bush has done in the last 8 years. Let's be real it would be impossible for him to fix all of our nation's problems in 10 months, but he has taken action towards making a better tomorrow for the citizens of this country. It's so funny how the folks who oppose Obama sat so quietly when Bush & his crew (aka the Republic Party) was running this country into the ground, but now what to criticize everything our President does.
He has accomplished nothing. He has burdened us with more debt , made government larger, and emboldened all the third world dictators. Obama, God love him has done more harm than all the Presidents put together since Reagan and he has only been at it a year. I am seriously fearful of the damage that 4 years will show.
GREAT JOB!! He has the right tact, tenacity, tempermant and vision to take us where we need to go as a nation. Dont forget who made this mess.
Even FDR needed years to get America moving forward after 20 years of that era's republican stagnation. It's the same thing all over again. Give the man credit for what he has already put in place and how he has changed the dialouge in this country. He is moving us forward on Healthcare and Wall Street reform, and clean energy independence but he has to have our help and the help of everyone in congress!
I voted for Obama and other democrats because I believed that they had a better understanding of the economy and what it was going to take to fix our nations economy. There are times I wish I could take that vote back. After criicizing his predecessor about all the mistakes his administration committed the Obama administration has not done any better. When Bush signed a stimulus package into law and watched it become a wasteful spending bill without much oversight, the Obama administration turned around created one bigger and just as wasteful. Obama signs a law ordering Gitmo to close without any plan in place. Orders a troop withdrawal in Iraq, then is deciding on sending them to afganistan. Oh and didn't even read the stimulus plan that was created before signing it. All in all this adminstration has shown it is no better than the previous and Obama has shown his complete lack of understanding for the presidency. He will not get my vote in 2012!!!
first of all, he hasn't been in office one year ... please recall he was sworn in ... like all recent presidents have been ... on january 20th.
briefly, very briefly
internationally
he's worked very hard to raise the position of the united states in the view of the rest of the world and,for the most part, he's succeded quite well. there's more I could say ...
domestically
he's turned the tide of the recession. 1/3rd quarter results actually show growth in the economy, and, while, unemployment is still high, it will come down. no one expected or believed it would be a fast/easy fix. again, there's more I could say.
just these two items are enough to show he's done well enough
i should also point out that the ones who are actually holding him back are the republicans ... those who continuously vote "no" without reasonable justification. I, personally, hold the republicans responsible for the limit that president obama has accomplished. if the republicans had tried to be part of the solution rather than the part of the problem they currently are, we would be farther ahead.
This 84 year old veteran of WWII and a lifetime Republican who voted for Obama is greatly disappointed. I was most concern with our foreign policy and was hoping that he would get us out of the mideast mess which does not appear to be the case. I was against attacking Iraq from the word go since in no way did they pose a risk to the U.S. and they certainly were not involved in 9/11 contrary to previous coments by Dick Cheney. We ostensibly went into Afghanistan to get Bin Laden. Now the mission seems to be to create a peaceful democracy and provide security for the local populace with very litle mention made of Bin Laden. The Obama administration as with the past administration seems to believe that it is incumbent upon the U.S. to police the world without any thought given to costs both in terms of human life and resources. This course of action can only lead to ultimate disaster if one is to pay attention to past history.
I think we need to give him more time, it hasn't even been a year yet and Obama inherited the worst mess of any President ever when he took office. As far as the Republicans claiming the stimulus package was wasted money, what about their own President Bush a year ago throwing a huge chunk of bailout money to these failing giant companies that literally WAS wasted on the greedy CEO's and upper management??? It never ceases to amaze me how stupidly hypocritial these Republicans are. Don't they realize that eveyone notices the hypocrisy except their own shrinking base??? Don't they realize that maybe that's why their numbers are shirinking??? Decent people don't want to be associated with that stuff.
Jack:
There are two sides to the coin. Whether or not the President is to be judged as a superman, will only be chronicled in the history books. But for the immediate, I think your comment on the health care reform is dead wrong. Regardless of whether or not the change is agreeable to all or beneficial to all, no one can deny it is a better situation than we've ever had, despite the efforts of presidents past. Yes, I would like to have seen more closure in the two wars, but if it had been easy, then it would have been done long ago. I think the "don't ask, don't tell" issue, while extremely political, could be accomplished with one swipe of the pen. Damn the politics, this policy is just wrong. And finally, the financial condition this country finds itself in is horrible still, but realistically are we not better off today than we were this time last year.
One year into the most difficult job on the planet should not be judged by such a short window.
Sincerely,
Harold D. Anderson
Los Angeles
I am a registered Democrat. I voted against Obama. Not that McCain was a much better choice.
Obama is charging forward with his own agenda, spread the wealth.
This in spite of what America needs or what the American people want. His focus on the Healthcare bill at this time is absurd. Only a financially healthy nation could ever dream of such a bill.
The only thing he has done is continue to campaign. I have yet to see a President in him, just a figurehead full of his own ego. I can only hope his agenda will be stopped and the damage caused by his administration to America can be repaired.
I voted for Obama and so far I've been disapointed with his progress so far as our President. Mind you I wasn't expecting this huge mess we've got (the wars, healthcare, etc) fixed within a year (I gave 2yrs), but I was expcecting SOME progress being made.
His next big issue will be the job situation in the U.S., and if he can't lower the unemployment rate by half of what it is now I feel he'll be a one term president.
It's past time for you to LEAD Obama. You don't always have to be nice to everyone. Sometimes the job just needs to get done and if someones toes get stepped on, SO BE IT.
I think that Obama put too much on his plate during his campaign.
He can not possibly get everything done that he wants to. I also believe that his priorities are all wrong, too much emphasis on health care right now, whats the hurry. I believe that creating jobs should have been the first thing on his agenda. As it turned out Gitmo was first, that was not a priority and he did it without a plan. Not a good start.
The President is doing a great job and if folks would stop putting everything he does under a microscope..News Flash ..We the people knew that he couldn't possibly get us out of this mess in a years time and for those who thought he could well that goes to show you how out of touch they were with reality..If we are lucky just maybe by next year we will start to see things turn around. President Obama needs to be steadfast in his efforts, stick to his game plans and dont let people like Rush, Hannity and Beck cause him to take hia eye off the prize..
Jack,
I find it absurd that the American people don't hold politicians to their word. Of course not even Superman could fix everything that is wrong with our country in just 10 months. However, if you were listening to the campaign rhetoric in 2008, it sure sounded as though Mr Obama thought he could. He had an answer for everything. It's also rather convenient that one of the major accomplishments the Administration is claiming success with, the prevention of the economy from being even worse, is something that can't be quantified. Who knows if it could've been worse or not? There's no way to determine that one way or the other.
Tim F.
Danville, CA
Good evening Jack,
As a 27 year-old, this was the first election and administration I have followed intently and had high hopes for. The United States had tumbled away from being a world leader and a great country in my opinion, and I wanted to be part of the generation that helped right the ship. I think the President has done an outstanding job so far with whats been put in front of him. Hey we love "checks and balances" and all the other cliches, but how overrated is "the most powerful man in the world" title given to the president of this country. I feel sorry for the guy becuase apart from a few in his cabinet, we've been electing incompetent morons into to Congress for years. These people didn't have a clue what was going on when the economy was in collapse mode, and don't have any idea how our health care system operates. They don't have the intelligence to understand, they rely on others to explain legilslation to them, if it fits between the $30k per month lunches they're taking on Capitol Hill. The president can only do so much, it comes down to Congress and thats the scary thing. "Change We Need" can't come to fruition until we wake up as a nation and get these idots out and replace them with people who want to actually work instead of squabble and choose sides, there's a concept in Washington, I see it first hand. I fear that won't happen in time to allow this administration to make a real difference.
Based on Obama's sinking poll ratings, it appears that the public is realizing that emperor is wearing no clothes.
Obama is working harder and doing more in his first 9 months than most modern presidents, and he gets credit for nothing, blame for everything. He handled a pirate situation, brought the economy back from the dead, signed legislation for hate crimes and equal pay, allowed for embryonic stem cell research, improved our standing in the world making us the most admired country up from the 7th, and other things I can't think of right now. All this while being accused of being a secret Muslim/Marxist/Communist/Socialist who's not even a U.S. citizen. Not bad for his first 9 months in office.
reading these comments its truly amazing how asleep people really are, I guess the kool-aid still hasnt worn off. He will go down as the as the president with the largest deficits in history with second place no where in site and he is still spending. I cant wait for 45% taxes, and for what? How has your life personally changed? All of that stiumuls do anything for you other than that extra $13 a week (which was a tax cut, a republican idea). What a fiscal nightmare, wake up people, big government is always a disaster.
Jack we are a family of independents. It was the independents who elected this man. I can tell you how we feel. We do not support the present health care initiatives or his budget busting spending. He has more than doubled our deficit and approaches foreign affairs with the inexperience of Jimmy Carter. We are not voting for him again nor the democrats in 2010. Without the independent block he will be a one termer like Carter.
He also said that those who were responsible for the financial crisis would go to jail. Instead they are in charge of our highest financial offices, and their corpoarate headquarters just made over $3 billion this quarter. And speaking of secrets, have you noticed how little is said of the $24 trillion that has gone out through the back door of the Fed to those same criminals. Yea change is correct, the greed has intensified.
How's President Obama doing? If the presidency had been vacant the past year, we'd be far better off. Mr. Obama believes the government is the solution to all our problems. To paraphrase a very great man, "Government is not the solution – it is the problem." Get the government off our backs. Let our fundamental pioneering spirit and the rule of law solve the problems. But wait...what am I thinking? We lost the rule of law during the Clinton years. And our pioneering spirit is on welfare. We're doomed...
There is no excuse for the lack of regulation on Wall Street – something should have been done on that front months ago. I want to give the President the benefit of the doubt but right now I am not seeing our money's worth from this stimulus. It seemed simple to me – just invest in the infastructure of our country. Improve the roads, bridges and start laying fiber optic cable that would creat jobs and make the US an even stronger country. I have no idea what we are getting out of this stimulus. And finally – I am a moderate independent – I am tired of the extremem liberal and extremem conservatives running this country – we need a moderate in office. Politics today is exhausting and leads to the American people not trusting the government. We need to vote them all out if things don't change.
Obama is finding that it's much easier to be a great orator who reads carefully crafted speaches written by his speachwriters from a teleprompter than it is to actually govern.
You're right, no one could have accomplished all of that in ten months, but it was his executive inexperience that led to him attempting to, instead of focusing on one or two doables.
In one year Obama has done a lot more than a republican president could have done. In criticizing Obama people tend to forget the dire strait of the economy that he has inherited from the GOP president. Now that the economy seems to be rebounding in some ways is a credit to Obama presidency. But I think he may be a bit slow in his decisions about the war with terrorist groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He should deal with those government of those countries more decisively to destroy the terrorists roaming wild. I am not sure the leaders of those countries are doing enough to help us with getting this done inspite of the huge financial support we are giving them. What are they doing with it?
So far, Obama handled a pirate situation, brought the economy back from the dead, signed legislation for hate crimes and equal pay, allowed for embryonic stem cell research, improved our standing in the world making us the most admired country up from the 7th, and other things I can't think of right now. All this while being accused of being a secret Muslim/Marxist/Communist/Socialist who's not even a U.S. citizen. Not bad for his first 9 months in office.
Politicians are more speak than do, but this Pres is all speak and blame. This administration continues to blame. What they don't get is that's why they were elected. We knew there were problems, but he was elected to fix them. All he's done is re-state the problems.
Ever hear of "buyers remorse"? Tommorows elections in Virginia, New Jersey and NY-23 will be the start of the correction. Obama has been a complete failure and needs a change in the House and Senate Majorities to put him on the central path, just like Bill Clinton for him to be an effective leader...
Jack,
Considering the president is and can be nor more effective then our congressional and senatorial leadership. Everyone seems to forget that they are the ones that pass leglislation and laws, not the president. In my book, the president is doing all he can do, he is severly ham strung by all those in the congress and senate that for some reason can not cut their speical interest and lobbyist groups loose and for once do what is right for America. The president is NOT failing or doing a POOR job, our congress and senate is. For some reason in my opinion this is the worst year I have seen when it comes to our congress and senate doing what is right for America. They are all spineless, that keep bickering like school yard children and accomplish not a darn thing. Bainard and Lieberman are the two worst in the lot. Me I say, fire them all, every darn one of them and lets vote some new blood in that really cares about American and can intelligently and in an adult like manner debate and come to a concensus and pass laws and legislation that is good for America.
The difference between great Presidents and dark Presidencies is the courage of conviction. The more principled the President, the more risks they've been willing to take to push forward: FDR, Truman, even John Kennedy, but particularly Reagan; each pushed forward boldly and without doubt. Mr. Obama isn't an evil man, just weak: He resembles Hoover in 1929 and Carter in 1979; they all lack(ed) the depth necessary to lead.
We voted for Hope and Change and got Hype and Chump Change.
Liberals give him an A+ Conservatives give him an F+ Next question?
I give President Obama a standing ovation. I think given the sink hole he was handed that he is doing a stand up job. After all he's not Superman but he's the closest thing to it.
Here is the point: SUPERMAN WOULD NOT HAVE PROMISED ALL OF THOSE THINGS IN THE FIRST PLACE. First, Superman has super-wisdom to know that he couldn't deliver on the promises. Second, Superman has super-honor to know that he shouldn't make promises he couldn't keep. Third, Superman knows that Government is not the answer anyway. He spends all his time cleaning up messes the government has failed to clean up and stopping forces the government has failed to stop. At the same time, Superman has super-accountability so he doesn't blame problems on others – like ex-superheroes.
Hey, why not Superman in '12?!? I can believe in that!
He is changing America as promised. Are his changes good? Not in my opinion. As somebody else noted, his goal is to make us a communistic or socialist country – he is going to take our freedoms that everybody fights so hard for and toss them aside like old cheese. He wants to change health care for 15% of the nation while it is working for the other 85%, he is giving too much cash away, he is trying too hard to make peace with everybody, he refuses to defend Israel, he lies and calls himself a Christian, he cannot keep up with his own office and is just trying too hard to make everybody like him.
He has done nothing except rack up more and more debt for my children and their children... outlook now is worse than when he took office if you ask me... his health care is garbage, and the cap and trade bill he wants is even worse for the economy
walton n.y. americans are too impatient ,please give the president some slack .We need to realise 8 yeare of stupidty can't be over come in 10 months.
The President gets a strong B........
He has slowed the downward spiral America was in......We saved the patient, now it's time for rehab(i.e. job creation, deficit reduction, etc.) libs need to relax, don't ask don't tell, climate change, and immigration reform is next........This administration gets all the blame and no credit.....sheesh.
Compared to the last administration, he's the bees knees. Compared to the ideal, he lacks a lot to be desired.
We want health care for all. We want corporations regulated and have their personhood revoked. We want progressive energy and climate control policies.
We do not want the government paying insurance agencies to insure more of us. We do not want the "invisible hand" of the malevolent magician called Wall Street guiding the market. We do not want energy and climate control policies where profit rules.
He has proven that he was not ready to manage the job. Due to his lack of ever managing anything other than community service projects, nothing good has gotten done. He has appointed his far left buddies, and given them full power to dictate... without the approval of congress. The Democrats own congress, and the fact they cannot get anything passed is the fault of the Democrats, not those "bad Republicans". Most of Bush's mess was due to the Democratic Congress he had to work with, and now Obama has the problem.
And, who cares what the rest of the world thinks of us? If that is all he has accomplished while we are having such problems here, it is time for him to refocus.
Absolutely Great!
What most Americans do not realize is that there are no quick fixes here, no silver bullet... real change, across the board, is going to take time, in fact, several years from today: 02.11.09!
There are many issues being dealt with at many different stages; many, if not most Americans simply cannot and do not understand that employment is not ever going to be back at 2007 levels... as sad as that situation is for America, it is what it is, as millions of jobs have been outsourced overseas, and they are not coming back; most employers have cut jobs and are realizing that they can be just as efficient and make more profits, with the loss of up to 50% of their workforce....
The America that I knew as a youth is simply not coming back; no matter who is in power ( D or R) this country is going to be in significant decline, especially in regard to unemployment for many years to come.
My suggestion: DEAL WITH IT!
Change you can "believe in", I don't believe there has been much change in anything of concequence.
I still see that some people like to blame Obama's inability to get things done on the Republicans. Sort of funny when you look at that Democratic majorites. Democrates can't work with Democrates. Why do you expect the Republicans to work with Democrates?
Fantastic, if you consider the alternative.
A+. I'm voting for him in 2012
He has done well. I appreciate the fact that he makes his case (on health reform) to the American People to convince them that changes aer needed and that the status quo so not acceptable. Hopefully, the people listen and will decide on how is best to move forward. Not the ideologues in each party.
Considering he didn't follow through with anything he campaigned on I would say pretty bad!!
In my opinion, he has done a horrible job. The debt he has accumulated will take my generation and future generations decades to pay off! Seems to me the only people who really enjoy Obama's policies is the media!
The Emporia has no clothes.
Today’s question should be: How many years does one have to stop paying taxes in order to get a job with this administration? We have a lot of Americans that could use the work. Perhaps this should be a question for U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y or United States Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner
Most Presidents don't accomplish *anything* in their first year. They use the excuse that they're getting up to speed. True or not, Mr. Obama has accomplished much and started turning around the global image of America. The seeds are being sown and more are to come. I am nothing if not even more excited today than I was then. From my seat, the hatred comes from people who are primarily still bitter that their candidate didn't win. A shame, really.
Like Obama has said, 'Judge me by the company I keep'. Not at all impressed, so far, Jack.
He's doing a heck of alot better compared to John McCain had he won the election last year....
Dear Jack,
Although Obama has not done much, it is going to get much more difficult for him to accomplish his goals if he loses control of the house and senate. With total control (unblockable majority), little is being accomplished (healthcare, gay marriage, climate change,illegals becoming citizens).
If people continue to become fed up with the massive amounts of spending and the defecit, mainting the majority in Congress will be difficult, and hence much more difficult for obama to pass his agenda in the second half of his term.
Michael
Let's see, a wild budget filled earmarks full of wasteful spending, a public review of the budget that he promised during the campaign but did not deliver in his presidency, a healthcare reform that was going to be televised on C-SPAN is actually behind closed doors and is morphing into higher taxes rather than any kind of reform, an Iran and S. Korea that just mocks us on our shifting stance of nuclear arms, a climate treaty that will be signed by BH Obama in December will transfer the wealth of this country to third world countries without the voice of the American people, a GITMO that is closed on paper but still open for business, a beer summit that does not address Obama's knee-jerk reaction to racism and stereotypes of the police force, a failed Chicago Olympic bid, a Peace Prize in which the Norway judges admit, he didn't accomplish anything in merit...and the real peacekeepers in Iraq and Afghanistan, US Armed Forces, largely ignored by this administration that uses them only for photo-ops. Thumbs down! hopefully, Hillary will run in 2012.
My daughter's first grade class has 24 children in it, not the 48 it might have if the school district had to fire teachers. My police officer friends are happy to have kept their jobs, and I'm happy their on the job keeping me safe. I'm replacing my drafy windows with energy efficient windows using the tax credit. The sales rep for the widow company says he's never been busier, and the people in the factory and the installers are happy about their jobs.
We are closer to health care reform than ever before.
Troop levels have been drastically reduced in Iraq.
I say he's doing a very good job.
Hello Jack. Well i think that he has done a very good job compared to the mess the last administration left this country with. People are inpatient and want results yesterday, however reality is this could be along slow grind before we see any real significant change. The worse thing we can do is believe the newly fiscal thinking conservatives have our backs that is all just political rhetoric. We really know who they support that's big money , wall street and giant corporations. We must keep pushing for change Regardless whether democrats or republicans want to go along with it.
Someone said at least he "speaks the King's English". The way he's governing this country we're going to end up being ruled by kings!!! Seriously! He's dipping this country into socialism and heavy-handed, overspending government policy! Might as well go back and live under King Henry the VIII!
When are people going to figure out that his lack of experience as a politician, business owner or anything else of substance should have prevented him from ever becoming the President. The only thing he is good at is spending our tax dollars with new entitlements and a larger government. If you voted for him your getting what you deserve. It is the rest of us I feel sorry for.
To everyone who mentioned Bush, or thought about mentioning Bush, all that needs to be said is, "Stop looking backward, the troubles we face are up ahead."
There are only three things that matter: deficit, debt, and default. Do any of the people here have any idea what happens when/if we go into default. Right now the only reason the situation is even manageable is because we're borrowing money at close to 0% interest rate (which is a gigantic worry of its own, with this much money being poured into the economy there should be inflation, but there isn't, which means everyone is too scared to spend a nickel). If the economy is capable of recovering under the current management, then inflation and interest rates will begin ticking up, and servicing the debt will crush all future growth. We are between a rock and a hard place: default or multi-generational debt.
And quit looking backward, none of the rocks we're headed for are back there ... they are all up ahead.
It hurts to read all this. What can one mortal man achieve during one year? What kind of criteria is drawn? I think he is doing absolutely terrific job and people somehow keep forgetting the ‘gloom and doom’ mood about our falling economy a year ago, stock market falling through the roof and absolute panic. If keeping economy up and giving the stimulus which improved it is not enough, (and of course it is not over yet), what about stem-sell research uplifting, canceling torture, uplifting educational system and day to day decisions which may not be noticeable immediately, but all are steps in the right direction. He changed the international image, I am not afraid to go to Europe anymore and say that I am an American. Couple of years ago everyone had the same question ‘how you guys could elect him a second time?” We learned again a long-forgotten word ‘diplomacy’ which is different than just bullying the countries from the position of force. He made a lot of good international decisions. But I know for many people it is not important. What is really disappointing is that media likes spicy matters and any tiny mistake will be blown out of proportion, but serious events will not be noticed. And yes he is trying hard to push the health reform, Wall Street regulations and etc working each day so patiently. Do not you guy see this??? But can one single human do more? And if it be only in his power to make changes! But we know that there is such a strong resistance because of armies of lobbies who bought the House and Congress, sometimes it seems to be simply hopeless. I wish only one thing – that the President would follow his instincts and do not compromise so often.
It hasn't been a year yet, it's been just a few days past nine months since Obama took over the mess from President Cheney. Maybe that's splitting hairs to some, but I think three months is a lot of time, so quit "Rushing" him. Obama's had only 3/4 of a year to undo the damage done by Cheney and vice president Bush during eight years of ineptitude and swaggaring pig-headedness. Maybe he hasn't met all his goals, but the only reason Obama hasn't accomplished more is because RNC Chairman Limbaugh and his party of No are more interested in opposing anything and everything he tries to implement than they are in seeing the country improve.There has not been one thing they have said or done that has been in the best interest of the country. The Republicans and Fox Olds have proven that it's very easy to sit back and criticize, oppose, undermine, hamper, nitpick, browbeat and just plain malign someone and then blame that person when they don't quite attain perfection. I used to be a Republican, now the idea of having been associated with them makes me sick to my stomach.
funny how we compare him to Bush. Both were failures and its fulish for us to blame the current problems on Bush. Bush didnt make anything disappear or better. Everyone knew this was coming, why did gas goto $5/gallon and then drop?
Obama was suppose to be about hope and change. He has brought neither. Obama is alot like Bush IMO, one failed and the other is also.
People bring up international perception. Who cares what they think about us. Do any of them care what we think? Where is our we're number one attitude? People are too PC these days. As far as Im concerned the whole international community can get in line.
-Right behind us where they belong...
Wow – I can't believe someone just compared the job of the President to a pizza delivery guy.
As for me, I couldn't be happier to call the man my President & given what's been handed to him, I think he is doing better than I expected. A+, Mr. President!
I'm amazed that everyone is talking about the "Mess" left for him. The mess was caused in part by the Democratic House and Senate as well as Bush. And now Obama wants to make the mess bigger by spendig MORE of our money. How quickly everyone forgets that they tried to push a HUGE health care bill through without reading it. And so much for transparency, everyone here should be sick and tired of people spendng our money foolishly, Dems and Repubs. Rember they work for us, and frankly all of them should be fired. Term limits for all.
I would also give the President an A. He acted swiftly to keep the country from sliding into a Depression, restored the use of diplomacy vs unilateral aggression and as a result he won the Nobel Prize for peace. I believe he will go down in history as a great man who responded well to very difficult times.
President Obama is like a bad dream that keeps repeating night after night. When do we wake up! He seems to be in love with his own words and I bet every time there is a mirrow, He looks at himself. He doesn`t care about us, The U.S.A .Oh no it"s what the outside world is thinking, that is what worries him. For Heavens sake we voted him into office and if he is not careful He will be voted out.
Overall, I have to say that I'm impressed...not with Obama but with all the comments.
Its been a year since the election and people are still complaining about the last president. At some point, they're going to have to stop blaming the past (which is easy) and look at the present (which is hard).
At what point are people going to take off the tunnel-vision glasses and look at things for how they are? Things have not gotten better. More and more people lose their jobs. This stimulus plan that created jobs is artificial. Once the money is used up, the states will just lay off those workers again and there is no clear direction for anything.
The hype and whimsical fancy of electing Obama is over. Look at things for how they really are.
Obama made America a paper tiger joke to our enemies, and unreliable to our friends around the world. Can't even make up his mind w/o considering how it will affect him politically, about supporting our troops in Afganistan. While our troops are getting killed, he is trying to appease his left wing nut bag base. We have an expert Obama appointed in Afganistanm, General McChrystal, and he is second guessing. Obama is no commander in chief. He is indecisive. Iran, N Korea and Al-queda are laughing at us and nit wit Obama, because Obama is spineless.
So far, he has spent more time behaving like a Hollywood celebrity, than addressing the needs of the country.
There has been so little done, that there really isn't much, worth mentioning.
We needed an aggressive doer, not a Hollywood celebrity.
I'm amazed at how many people ONLY blame Bush and the Republicans for this mess. Yet, they fail to remember that the big problems didn't come to light until after the Democrats took control of both houses of Congress after the 2006 midterm elections. And your "Superman" was a member of that Congress!
Obama hasn't done anything to change this country. He's just like most of the politicians - all he cares about his himself. Until the country understands that we need to get him and the vast majority of Congress out and bring in new people that actually listen to the people, we are going to continue down the same spiral that we are on now.
I own a small business, so far the nothing has been offered to help me expand my business. I pay for my employees health care, I am worried our so called "Reform" will only mean I can no longer afford to do so. President Obama is far to left of where he lead me to believe him to be during the campaign. The White House is being led down a very bad road by the far left and the I see no hope or change coming.
I only hope a real voice for change to help us trying to build businesses here in the Midwest will emerge from the Republican Party in time for the next election.
Brent – Missouri
He is a supperman,with what he is facing for the last 10 months?
And he still keeps his cool.
He will be critisized no matter what he is doing,so I wish him good luck because he needs it with all these crows that are ready to tear him appart.I go to different paper in other Countries and have seen the changes he has made .Before every one hated Americans and now slowly slowly are getting mellow towards Obama.
he is doing the best under the circumstances.. he has a lot on his plate.. at some point though as the prez it will totally fall on his lap and we hope he has the cajones to deal with it as best he can .. you know full well that if he is even remotely successful the wing nuts will find fault somewhere because they listen to their savior limbaugh and like sheep they will go on his very word. what i worry now is the war in afganistan.. tough decision there . me thinks we should bring the troops home ,totally,totally destroy the poppy fields again and again to keep their revenue in check . it may surprizingly work..
[...] And the president's policy of engaging our enemies hasn't produced many results [...]
It sure has, Jack, it sure had – just weeks ago Russia together with Bielorussia conducted war games near the Polish border, on the scenario of an atomic strike upon that country, invasion following.
Yes, we can – the same, if not more enemies, but for sure less friends and trustful allies.
I wish you guys would stop commenting on everything he does, please give him time and let him do his job without so many opinions.
He really needs to get the ball rolling on health care, otherwise he's a bust.
Difficult school – first years:
Economy: C
Unemployment: C
Health care: C
Afghanistan: D
Middle East: C –
May improved, but need lot of tutoring and education. Recommendation, concentrate for every trimester only for one subject.
I think we're all a little naive if we think the President runs this country. It's Congress that runs it and both sides are more concerned about their power base, than they are about the issues of "the people"
Imagine how much better we'd be if Congress stopped their bickering and united for the common good...
I think its too early to tell. We're not gonna see any real recovery for a few years. It certainly doesnt help that half of Washington wants to see Obama fail. Personally, I think he should really say whats on his mind. Stop censoring himself to come accross as nice or diplomatic.
The Conservatives never seem to bite thier tounge so why should the Liberals. Now is the time for the hard truths to be spoken.
If I could give the president some quick notes, heres how I would summerize them. . .
Cap N' Trade = big no!
More money for Banks = NO!!
Health care = Single payer
Wars = No
auto bailout = No
No offense, Jack, but he hasn't done JACK! 🙂
He started out okay: reversing many of former President Bush's idiotic actions by signing Executive Orders.
Then the gaps between positive actions seem to have widened.
How about: instead of 'change we can believe in', we have 'change we can SEE'!?
–Stephen Fox
Panama City, Florida
Worse than I ever imagined possible.
Why are we so worried about paying trillions of dollars when it benefits all people but we were not worried about trillions when Bush spend on wars. Obama would do better if he had more politions supporting him.
I'm a 50 y/o male who works hard for a living. Although my feelings about the current future and direction of our wonderful country are hours long, I feel President Obama has done moreto address America's issues in the last 10 months that G.W. did in 8 years.
G.W sat on his butt for 7 minutes after we were attacked on 9/11.
President Obama hit the ground running on his first day of office.
Give the man time. Even without the problems he inherited from the previous admin. it will take years to fix the other issues we are facing now.
he has been David against a Goliath, yet expected to use his slingshot without any stones. Never-the-less, I'm impressed! He's got the other 'stones' we needed for the job.
Very similar to the other "change" cantidate Jimmy Carter. Promises, promises but little delivered. Majority in both houses and still unable to get anything done.
President Obama is doing a stellar job considering what was dumped on him from the previous administration. It took us at least eight years to get in the mess we are in. It very well could take eight more years to work our way out. Our country was in sad shape when Obama took charge, and that is exactly what he has done. Take charge.
Randy
Mukilteo, WA
Jack,
Change it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fall that's all
But the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners, they all flown in the last war
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again
Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss....
Jack,
I have him failing. Here's why ... while he says he's fixing the problems, he's really not, he's only putting bandages on the symptoms.
Healthcare is NOT the problem, it's a symptom. Sure, there is reform that needs to take place in the Healthcare industry, but they can be done in smaller, less costly patches, rather than a sweeping, expensive, "never going to work" overhaul.
The #1 thing that needs to be fixed is the education system ... it's completely broke. Unless we can fix this, soon, we'll never get people off of government funded healthcare.
Our quality of education for K-12 is dropping. HS dropout rates are rising, and there is no consistency from state to state. There needs to be a better relationship between vocational schools, community colleges and K-12.
There's a lot of real problems with our country right now, unfortunately we have a bunch of idiots in Washington on both sides of the fence.
He has done enough, what else people expect from him. those Americans that blame obama for not doing enough they need to increase their global knowledge today we are living in a globlized world and for us to
understand the global politic is a must in order to be able move forward whtever we are doing. It took 8 years to destroy everything so it's foolish to expect everything back in normal in jst a year while we know to destroy is much easier than to rebuild.
Jack,
Obama took on the perfect storm of problems and he is working with a Congress that cannot find its way out of a paper bag. The Democrats can't get it together in any substantive way to support Obama and his policies and the GOP is so confused as to who it wants to associate themselves with that they are willing to put up a black man, against all their better judgment, to head the RNC just so they can say – "see, we like black people too". Obama is smart and unfortunately most Americans are not. We elected him to office to do exactly what he is planning on doing and the unfortunate part is that it is going to COST US! We have not spent money to repair any of these problems – energy, education, health care, infrastructure etc in decades and now the time has come all at one time to do what needs to be done and Obama is heading it up. America needs to be realistic...this is going to be painful. As for job...we all know they take longer to come but they will once Obama can replace the useless jobs of the past with progressive jobs of the future. We cannot continue to walk the road of the past and pound our chests at how wonderful we once were. We are no longer that America and its time we woke up.
It is clear to me he does not know how to lead, only how to campaign. Leading requires making hard decisions and reaching out and listening to both sides of an issue. Mr. Obama has a political agenda – socialism and doesn't understand how capitalism works. Consequently he has accomplished nothing to date.
Sadly, he hasn't lived up to the hype. His lack of experience coupled with his reluctance to work with both sides of the aisle in Congress have led to his huge drop in public opinion polls. Worse, he has not figured out what the American people really want nor does he seem to care.
Obama is doing better in his first year than George Bush did in ANY of his years. I still have my job. When George Bush left office, I didn't think I would be able to say that!
I think President Obama has a lot of pressure on him, but the American people are waiting. President Obama's promises to the American people must be fulfilled.
Kelvin Armstrong,
Louisiana
Pres. Obama has done more to help the sorry state of this country in the 10 months he has been in office and has never even been to his ranch yet!
Jack,
It's easier to destroy than to build. If it took 8 years to get the country's economy into a near depression, why do people think that one year is enough to fix it.
The Preside3nt is doing great...the economic indeces show that; jobs are always the last inde3x to improve during recovery from an economic down-turn. We should all take a deep breath and have a little patience.
I think our President is doing a great job. He has not had much help from the public. Instead of praising his efforts, we have negative reporters including Limbaugh causing extreme anxiety among people. I guarntee if we all become more positive and encouraging, we will be just fine. We are Americansnot haters. God Bless America!
I think Obama is yet another politician that talks a good game, but falls short when push comes to shove. Maybe someday he will actually make a decsion that is not political benefitual to Him & his party. Last time I checked, that's what true Presidents have to do from time to time! So overall..crappy.
People are far too impatient. We live in a society where everyone demands results yesterday. People need to stop and realize that recovery will take time....
-Danny in Iowa
If you call 3 million foreclosure good for housing inventorty, he doing great, but if your looking into your child eyes as the sheriff put your stuff on the curb as your children watch, he is doing worst than horrible.
I did know that the "change we could believe in", was the Joe Kennedy method of stealing as much money as possible in 1929, then taking that money and buying off Chicago. America once again has fall in love with the Camelot Prince but this time it not just Marilyn who singing happy birthday and getting caked, and at the end, getting set out on the curb. Can you say "tricked"!
Hey, it took us atleast 8 years to get in these messes, it's going to take a little more then 1 year to get out of Bushes catastrophy. Obama's doing good.
So-so! Maybe if he would quit campaigning, he could do more. I voted for him but probably won't next time. I am tired of listening to what he wants to do. I had rather listen to what he has done. Being a military mom, I resent the grandstanding.
well, a year ago many of us wisely predicted "he couldn't/wouldn't do all that he was promising" .. have yet to see the "yellow brick road" roll out.. Many of us are just as wise, or wiser than we were a year ago. Can't help but wonder how much longer it will take the hypnotized masses to catch up.
He's done what no American President has been able to do – win a Nobel Peace Prize during his first 9 months in office. Unprecedented!
jack ,he is doing well,it took 8 years for bush to put us to put us in this mess,so we should be alittle patient.and in the end i believe we will smile again.
Priorities... no leader can get everything done if everything is equally as important as the next. President Obama's priorities may not be in line with everyone in the USA but, I know his intentions are as genuine or more than any previous president of the past 40 years. Quit being so impatient America... give him the 4 years he deserves. His first year has been the toughest first year of any President and he has done an excellent job.
I think the bigger question is why do americans always think along party lines. Every politician is owned and Obama is no different. There is enough ineptitude in both parties to share the blame.
Maybe we should stop electing lawyers and failed busssinessmen/women.
jack, I went to school with people like Obama, Everybody liked him so he always got by, never really did anything on their own, copied other peoples papers,always showed up. But never really did anything. Jerry/ Iowa
Nada, Jack! The problem has been that he wants to accomplish too many things at the same time and that has lead to "0" fixes for our country! Our main problem is the economy and creating jobs, the rest could have waited. Besides, health care could have been fixed by getting people back to work and helping those who couldn't afford it.
Miami, Florida
President Obama, like President Bush, has proven to be yet another puppet working to serve the private federal reserve bank, the military industrial complex, the U.N, and the corporate interests. No we don't expect him to have turned the country around in one year, but we did hope he would start serving the American people, not the elitist interests. RON PAUL 2012!
The President is doing absolutely Great! The man inherited a Mountain of Problems that did not become the burdens that they are today Over night! Their are no quick fixes, only Time!
Ok, so the economic mess he inherited is being worked. The medical insurance problem is somewhat of a political football. Mr. President, forget about bi-partisanship and please concentrate on getting a health-care plan in place.
In regard to foreign affairs, the President has done a good job in promoting good will and in raising the image of the United States throughout the globe. However, nothing of substance has come out of the White House regarding Afghanistan.
The generals want a military solution to what amounts to be a political problem. A few weeks ago General McChrystal made public what should have been a private consultation report to the President for his evaluation and then reporting to the American public.
President is still studying the situation as it continues to get worse. "Bite the bullet" Mr President, and make a decision. Forget politics. If it is really in our interest make a decision.
It took George W. Bush eight (8) years to put our ox in the ditch and President Obama isn't going to be able to get it out in one year much less four. Bush left our country is such a god awful mess that it'll take a long time to get back to normal. At least Obama is doing something which is much better than "the decider", "the I'm never wrong", "head in the sand" Bush did in all the years he was in office!!! He is trying. Lets give him credit for that. Ever stop to think what condition we would be in if he hadn't? huh?
It took Bush and his buddies 8-years to run us aground. It's not surprising that it takes a little time right the ship.
Please stop back on January 21, 2010 and ask how has President Obama done since he took office. Let's face it, Jack, can you name one thing he could have done between election day and inaugural day?
President Obama in my opinion rates a D- in his performance thus far as President of the United States. He has done little, exept he and Michelle are finding new and unusual ways of spending our tax dollars... while having extreem difficulty making decisions. I think his priorities are very questionable.
I think President Obama is doing an excellent job in trying to work to fix what he inherited. He is everything I expect in a president in terms of his leadership ability; his ability to articulate well; his ability to have conversation with foreign leaders to work out world problems; and his open and direct communicatin with us the American people.
My God, Jack give the man a chance. He is only one man
He is trying more can I say about Bush. You and the News
Media can't be satisfied at Nothing!!!!!!
I think the President is doing a spectacular job. Bush drove this country into the ground for 8 years and left him with a huge mess.President Obama does not have a magic wand. He has done what he said he would do.The stimulus saved our local Police forces and teacher jobs, as well as funding many projects. It's unthinkable that the recession can be ending so quickly, yet the stock markets are stabilized. The economy is getting better slowly but surely. He is getting us out of Iraq and I don't see him likely building up in Afghanistan, on the contrary. He is supporting our troops by instating SCHIP and reinstating the GI Bill. He is working for human rights not only in the US but all over the world. He working for Health Reform and Green Energy. I am proud to be an American, and support the President fully We are on our way to a new day and a wonderful future.
I think is doing a pretty good job considering what he had to walk into
I think he needs to get going on "Don't Ask Don't tell". I have been told that he could suspend it with the strok of a pen.
In 10 months the amount of effort, thoughts, and ideas that have been devoted by this president is unprecedented. It speaks of his and his team's devotion for the cause for the country. I didn't see this kind of genuine reform oriented effort from previous presidents in a along time. People who still criticize him are those who are used to seeing empty politics and talks from prior presidents, hence, got overwhelmed this time.
Considering a few things, he is doing the best he can:
1) the mess left by the Bush /Cheney debacle
2) the financial situation that he walked into
3) the "oppositionists" who stonewall ANY attempt by this administration to do anything even if it is the right thing
4) our political and economic lack of willingness to be held accountable
5) the fear of change either for the sake of change or because the change will prevent the few getting rich
I wouldn't want to be in his shoes
The toughest thing is not to make someone quit smoking, but to make them believe and create a hope that they CAN!.
Same is with the US population... we are in a state of shock, fear and distress.
What President Obama has done– He has taken us on a path that most us were not mentally ready to go on. We were still on the slide, but he has brought in the aspect of positivity, which is intangible in some ways but tangible by being a sustainable force to drive the economy.
I read somewhere, "Geniuses are like thunderstorms. They go against the wind, terrify people, cleanse the air." and that is what a leader like Obama is doing.
Thank you,
Best,
Rahul Pruthi
Recent MBA Graduate from Thunderbird School of Global Management
To the people who know that the wheels of government ( largely due to the amazing foresight of our founding fathers) turn deliberately slowly, he's done a lot thus far.
To those of us who believe that all our problems can be solved by a cowboy riding in on a horse and shooting everything up, he hasn't made any progress at all.
I should point out that, prior to running for office, neither Reagan nor Bush were cowboys–their publicists simply dressed them that way.
President Obama is doing the best he can do. I think he is right on track.
I think our President is totally confused . . . He has tried to listen to every point of view from the Left and is undecided which one gets the next check from the government. Meanwhile, he can't make up his mind whether he will send help to our troops in Afghanistan.
First Of All, I Support The President I Help Get Elected 1 Year Ago...And I Believe. Unlike Some Who Choose To Whine And Pout Whenever They Don't Get Their Way, When They Want It. It Didn't Take A Years Time To Get Into The Problems The President Had To Fix, And It Won't Take A Years Time Get It All Fixed.
Keep your shirt on, Jack. He has managed to turn our ship of state around in just 10 short months. We are no longer heading over the falls. I like his tendancy to be humble and soft-spoken without all the chest thumping we've become used to. He's got my vote in 2012.
I think President Obama is doing a good job. In his words, we still have a long way to go. Hearing him say that manufacturing jobs, construction jobs are up, even though traffic in alot of places are jammed up because the american recovery act is in action, it;s worth it if it's getting americans back to work!
Besides apologizing for our courage to fight terror, tripling the annual deficit, fumbling on Afghanistan, health insurance witch-hunts, hiring tax cheats and wasting taxpayer millions on shopping trips for his family, he's done well....kids picked a cute dog, he's played more golf and hoops than his predecessor, kicked Hillary out of the way, and lets's Vice President Malaprop do his comedy routine. L minus.
Obama's report card reads:
A – Effort Expended to Keep our Economy from Collapsing
A – Improved Image Abroad
A – Pushing Health Care Reform
A – Opening the White House to the Community
A – Restoring Healthy and Wholesome Family Image
I am behind our President 100%!!!
Jack, how well Obama is doing is relative to the alternative - McCain. What would our hope be if McCain were elected? It is doubtful McCain would have won the Nobel Peace Prize, broadened the perspective of jurisprudence on the Supreme Court, gave a second thought before sending 40,000 more Americans to war, consider a public option health care plan as a way to solve the failed free market only system, and still have the same vice president he entered office with. Obama is doing great!
I definitely think he is doing a superb job, especially in since the Republican conservatives have done nothing but roadblock his every move. We voted for him to do exactly what he's doing. And it's only been 10 months, not a year. It took George Bush 8 years to tank this country. Let's give this President Obama our support while he tries to undo that monumental mess!
It took GW 8 yrs to demolish the economy, tarnish the good image and blew billions on Iraq and Afghanistan. My friends Rome wasn't built in a day. It will take a while to recover from the extreme damage. I'll give Husseine Obama a "B" for actually tackling the problems.
The more important questions is most certainly; how's is the state of the office of the president. The constant disrespect and complete lying on the part of Obama's opponents has weakened the office of the president and in doing so, our standing in the world. As usual the republican's have miscalculated how badly their single-mindedness about getting back political control, will backfire in creating what will soon be a mock position in world politics.
Following the atrocities of the previous administration, I reckon most Americans were blinded with hope, thinking Obama would create instant change... All in all I feel a bit let down myself with this inability to get the health care issue resolved among other things. But the let down I feel comes more so from the realization of how backwards this country has become, not just the government but the citizens as well – what the hell happened to our backbone, our compassion, our constitution!?
Jack.
This country went down the toilet. This president is down the toilet and we still have another 2 years with this huckleberry.
F-
America voted for Obama because of "words" not deeds. He was elected just as people vote for "Dancing with the Stars", doesn't matter if they can dance, as long as they're popular. America WAS in better shape with George Bush.
Putting all cynicism and party loyalty aside, Americans should wake up to the fact that this President and his administration is doing an outstanding job. Rather than moan and groan and do what they do best, critics and cynics should consider the daunting challenges this President and his administration inherited and work along WITH him to try to make America a better place for all of us. Playing monday morning quarterback is easy for all of us but does nothing to change the results of the actual game.
Dal
Atlanta, GA
He's doing as well as one could ask with the mess that Bush left behind. He's only been in office for 9 months! Does anyone even remember what Bush did in his first nine months?
superman couldn't have done any better,let him keep it up to bring us out of this mess!! lets say it loud OBAMA!!!!!!!!!
I give him an F. Stop blaming Bush, Republicans and Conservatives. He made promisis and he hasn't followed through on them. His administration spends more time attacking Fox than making policy about Afghanistan. It IS his own fault and should be held accountable, for not keeping promisis he made to the American people.
Fine, just fine. He is an extraordinary individual, but he does not possess the powers of that character who could wiggle her nose and get results. In my lifetime I have never seen a President take on the substantial issues he has taken on and make any progress, let alone have a chance of making real progress. If anyone expected after one year we would have real health care reform in place, they were delusional. It really irritates the hell out of me for people to put that Superman cape on this man. It's as bad as painting Michele Obama with an AK-47 under her arm. We are so quick to judge and then we individually sit on our hands and do nothing, waiting on someone else to do it all, criticizing anyone and everyone around us except ourselves.
How's President Obama doing? Much better than I thought. To be honest I expected far more push back from the conservatives and Americans at large. And despite the relatively intense grumbling from the likes of Boehner, Limbaugh and many other Republicans/conservatives, I believe the man is doing quite well. As you indicated, could Superman have done any better? I frankly don't think Ronald Reagan with a red cape could have done any better!
Jack, I say ask this question after his first term. You don't judge how someone does on an exam when they're a fourth of the way through. Give him time. In my opinion, reversing economic meltdown and improving our image abroad are huge accomplishments, enough for one year in office. Jobs are always slow to come after a recession. As for health care, it's pretty clear that private insurance companies have proven their incompetence. The people who accuse him of being a socialist should try Googling the word before they use it.
Jack : I think president Obama has done aa damn fine Job, with all the ball in the air he inherited. Finiancial instituions' going under and threating to collapse; housing inthe tank; auto industries in the tank and so on the list is too long to list.
KEEP GOING Pres, Obama
The President has worked his butt off to solve the problems the nation is faced with. He is a very, very intelligent person and I stand with his judgment in the solutions he has proposed. With the help of Congress and the American people, he can turn this country's fate around from what he inherited.
aloha from Honolulu, Hawaii.
Since the president has spent most his time cleaning up the
mess that Bush left him and has not had any time for his own agenda I would give him a B he would have gotten as A if he
would have stood up more against the lies and hyprocrisy of the republican party who spend the past 8 years creating the mess that President Obama has to focus most of his time on
Santa Monica, CA
Jack,
George Bush must have bought an Obama costume for Halloween and he is still acting as Commander in Chief! I don't see any change at all, except some brief bright spots on Wall St. Our elections have become just a popularity contest and that's what scares me the most. We're replacing one bad egg with another who seems to want to take our country further down the wrong road. I hate to be negative, but this is reality. People are hurting. Is there's someone out there with experience and the courage to fight for our country who cannot be corrupted?
He's focusing on the wrong issues. Unemployment. Illegal immigrants that raise health care costs. Aghanistan & Iraq. Unemployment. Regulations on greedy CEOs. Did I mention unemployment? Get some jobs in this country... bring the jobs back over here instead of sending them elsewhere and stop bringing in foreign workers. How do you stimulate the economy? Give people jobs and THEY will stimulate the economy.
I believe President Obama has done an exceptional job. No one person can fix all of America's problems and they certainly can't do it in 10 months. To even suggest that he should have fixed this mess in such a short amount of time is unreasonable and unrealistic. So far he has made significant progress with leading the country in the right direction and has begun to turn things around in many areas. There is still a lot of work to be done but he is definitely the man to do it.
I think this question would be a fair question to ask 3 years from now.
At this point he has my VOTE!
If, within the span of 4 years, the Obama administration can make concrete progress on most of the fronts you've mentioned, I will be very happy. For having been at the helm only 10 months, I think he's doing a tempered, sober job. If the Democrats push for too much, too fast, there will be a backlash in the mid term elections. Any improvement in healthcare will be meaningful, especially considering that during the many years that the Republicans controlled the Legislative and the Executive branches of government we saw not only zero improvement in healthcare, but substantial retrograde. The same could be said for our international security, as well as for our standing in the international community's opinion.
Jack,
compared to the runnaway train we were on when elected, I'd say Obamas doing good enough! As long as he keeps rubbing Palosi and Reed the wrong way then I'm good with that! When one has to respond to the bush "old school" method of scare tactics that whack job who is more afraid of taxes than terrorists. I like to see her say that to the face of a 9/11 family.. what a shame! and she is an elected official! glad I ain't a part of that.
President Obama is doing an amazing job. Seldom have we Americans had a president with such youth, energy, intelligence and judgement. I am continually in awe as he tackles these megaproblems is such a thoughtful manner. He has my approval to keep on working for us. We all need a president in our (the people's) corner, for a change.
it's like following my favorite football team. I'm really excited about the potential. I hope with all my heart that things will go well. I watch with much anticipation every event concerning our success or failure. but in the end I am realistic that this might just not be a championship season. that doesn't mean I'm ready to cheer on another team. after all we have the only guy who is worthy of such a superstar analogy!
thanks
Art
Vero Beach, FL
From a perspective which considers the previous 8 years then the last 9 mos. have been presidentially superb. But the best is yet to come. The results have been what I expected, from situations which were totally unexpected.
The analytical intelligence which has so sorely been lacking heretofore, applied liberally to Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan as well as the myriad of other foreign and domestic problems will result in pragmatically effective policies which will undo the unbelievable damage done by the previous administration.
The disaffected point to the failure to achieve solutions to all problems by 1 Mar 09 as ultimate failure and the pundits and the media have to shoulder their share of the blame for this irrationality.
Tucson, AZ – Nine months after beng sworn in, Mr. Obama has done as well as can be expected with only 58 votes in the US Senate. The Presidency of the United States is a "weak" Presidency – the only sole powers the President has are to command the sworn officers of the United States and to meet with foreign dignitaries. Without an overwhelming caucus in both House and Senate, the White House is at the mercy of the Congressional system for anything that either costs or spends money. The President has submitted proposals on all the relevbant issues, has made important adminstrative changes which are not "newsworthy", and set a new tone that has actually made some small progress in relations with Iran. If Mr. Obama has not lived up to the expectations of the media, it is because those expectations are unrealistic. The first actual Obama budget will be submitted in January – this entire year is inertia and process, Whatever changes Mr. Obama has made so far will take effect in due time – patience, everyone, change in the United States government is slow, andf still moves at a seventeenth century pace, not the pace of the 24 hour news cycle.
I, too, voted for Obama, and even have an Obama bumper-sticker on my car to prove it. That bumper-sticker, however, is slowly starting to embarass me, I'm sorry to say. The President got off to a bold, promising start, but then quickly left the spotlight for the back stage, where he's been phoning it in ever since (at least when it comes to health care legislation). Regarding health care, I was under the impression, during the campaign, that Obama had a plan distinct from that of Hillary Clinton, but now, it seems, Hillary may as well have been elected instead. Perhaps he's taking an Eisenhower "hidden hand" approach to governance. The people who voted for him, however, were led to expect a Roosevelt / Kennedy approach instead, one in which he (1) knew where he stood, (2) used the bully pulpit to eloquently articulate where he stood to in order to move public opinion, and (3) used all of the levers and influence at the disposal of his office to affect parliamentary results. I'm now afraid that the young people who voted for him so enthusiastically are beginning to loose faith.
It took almost two years from the day Mr. Obama he announced his candidacy for the President of the United States to get elected. He has been officially in office since January of this year. Anyone who honestly expect Mr. Obama to solve all or even half of the problem that has been created over eight year by previous administration that was only looking out for themselves needs a H1N2 shot cause they have stupid flu. The president is making progress even with a gutless Congress, but most importantly he has instilled confident again in the government that was missing for years.
As many others have already noted, President Obama inherited a terrible mess. There were so many things wrong with what had been happening, that there is no way that he could rectify in 10 months what the Bush/Cheney clan did over 8 years. I am impressed with how he has handled the situations. I think the USA is looking better in the world, rather that the appearance of not caring what other people thought, or even if we cared what they thought. It will take time. If he had inherited just one problem, that would have been a different story. You can't just apply a bandaid when so many things were broken. I think we are judging prematurely.
I'd give Obama a B+.
Economy – His handling of the financial crash was absolutely brilliant, anyone who things otherwise should both take some economics courses and consider the alternative. Yes, the deficit and debt ballooned, but that was a necessary by-product of dealing with the biggest financial crisis since the depression. A+
Health Care – He should have controlled the debate more and controlled his own party better. B
Foreign policy – great job of changing the tone, and the world's impression of the US. Not worth a Nobel Prize however, but he's taking too long to decide what to do in Afganistan B+
Would like him to make the really hard choices and jack up the tax rate on those making more than $100K and start dealing seriously with the debt and deficit. Eventually government workers pension plans, which are far more generous than private ones, will have to be addressed.
Let's see. The choices were John McCain and Barack Obama. Hm... Nah, I picked right. At least our skyscrapers are still standing and we are not at war with Iran.
How can Obama repair the damage that George Bush and Uncle Dick in nine monthes?
Obama is doing a terrific job. Ten months certainly isn't enough time to judge a President's accomplishments, but he has proven to be a multi-dimensional, thoughtful leader who can hold his ground yet listen to all sides of an argument. I am grateful for his constraint in reviewing the request for additional troops, admire his stalwart position on the economy and believe a year from now things will look more positive, and love that the rest of world views us more positively than during the Bush era.
President Obama has started many projects and until they are complete no one can give them a grade. We still don't know enough about the health care reform to know it is good or a complete disaster. The detainees haven't all been handled so we don't know how that is going to work. He has decided what to do about Afghanistan and we're not completely out of Iraq so that has an incomplete for a grade. He seems to be handling everything like he's jack of all trades and master of none.
Jack, considering the trouble the country was heading to , I consider he deserve a standing ovation. It took them eight years to dig the grave we're in so it will more than a year to restart the economy on the right track
Not all of my expectations have come to pass... he has turned out to be more of a traditional politician than i expected... some of his moves (or lack thereof) have been frustrating... but i'd still have to say he's done pretty well so far.
It's kind of hard to do a lot when your own party won't help you out. I really think the house and senate should be replaced. The president can't do it all by himself and they are not helping. I really think he is doing what he can under the circumstance;, however I wish he would repeal the Don't Ask Don't Tell for the armed forces.
Did you judge Bush after only 10months in office? I have to add that I donot understand why the Obama administration gave the credit card companies so much time to do so much damage!
I'd give Mr. Obama a F-. He was elected to bring change and all he has done is spend money that we don't have. He has turned Pelosi and Reed loose to dramatically increase the number of entitlement programs that we can't pay for instead of reining them in and getting them working to balance the federal budget and pay off the national debt. He's done noting to improve the situation in Iraq and is making Afghanistan into another Iraq. To me he's on track to becoming the worst president ever!
Wall Street and the Banks love him, but on any real changes, there has not been any that I can see, except the goverment is further in debt than ever before. But he is a good speaker -if that accounts for anything.
Obama has been a do-nothing President. Everything he's tried to do has led only to failure.
That's actually a good thing. The man's been a financial disaster as it is–a few "successes" in areas like health care "reform" would bankrupt us even further than we already are.
I give President Obama an A+ considering the mess he inherited from 8 years of the Cowboy President Bush. Who decided to go to war unilaterally against Iraq. America lost most of the confidence of our allies and the world. Obama has restored much of that lost confidence in less than a year!
He only gets 4 years and to date he has used up approximately 25%. So using this as a measuring guide, it stands to reason that he has done nothing (unless you count the JOBS SAVED....LOL). He has twisted the GNP numbers to fit his own views and is still trying to cram health care reform down our mouths.
Votes got him in office and votes will get him and his FREINDS out of office.
President Obama is doing a superb job! In our local community, we've benefitted from the actions he had taken to bring the so-called 'off-shore' jobs (the ones that are getting federal dollars) back.
I'm looking forward to the improvement (reduction of our health insurance premium) after the Health Care Reform gets implemented.
I think his excellent performance so far has boosted the confidence of the American people across race and color. The international community finally are persuaded that the term 'Ugly Americans' no longer apply. The humility and maturity President Obama has presented himself won approval and cooperation of foreign powers.
The President is doing as well as can be expected. Maybe at some point he and his worshipers will stop using attacks on Bush as a crutch.
He's doing fine. It's funny how we suddenly raise the standard when a "thinking" President is in office. Can anyone even name any of the initiatives that GW Bush put forward during his first year? ........My point exactly.
Jack;
As far as I am concerned that man have done nothing for me. Oh, yes; he did. He gave me a $250.00 check, so did Bush.
Many of the areas where Obama promised change – government secrecy, illegal wiretaps, invasions of privacy, the deterioration of civil rights and the growth of Executive power – take nothing to reverse but an executive order.
Making Britain do the work – and take the political fallout – in investigating torture and other alleged war crimes from the prior administration is probably clever, but the coward's way out.
It is a truism that once one has power, voluntarily surrendering it is virtually impossible – but we have a continuation of many of the policies of the Bush administration that Obama wholeheartedly condemned as a candidate.
"Change you can believe in" my old lardy butt.
One word: Mediocre. Take, for example, health care. This is supposed to be his top domestic agenda where he literally puts almost all his chips on the table and it's not going very well so far in spite of having majority in both houses of congress.
The dollar loses more than 10% against 6 major currencies since he takes office. Unemployment at near double-digit with expanded of government. And who are all these powerful czars that he appointed with enormous power but without any confirmation hearings?
He tries too hard to appease and as a results has made a few gaffes here and there.
I am also not impressed with how he and his Chicago advisers try to marginalize with people who have opposing views with his administration. And please, stop blaming on the previous administration already. It's getting a little old.
On the job just a little more than 9 months, I believe Mr. Obama is showing the nation something we have not seen for a while - the courage and restraint to lead for the long term., not making rash decisions. Gone is the cowboy diplomacy of the Bush administration running off to war, risking the lives of our sons and daughters for an unclear mission and assessment of troop strength to task. Despite pressure from the public and politicians to rush mindlessly to a decisions because the people have been stirred up by the likes of Rush Limbauh, Mr. Obama has held steady. Nine months is too soon to judge. My money is on Mr. Obama's steadiness and focus. History will show he is making some of the best long term decisions for our nation that we've seen in a long time, not based on seeing which way the wind is blowing at the minute.
While such monitoring the wind is the role of the media, it is not what we need from our President. The problems he has inherited are an ocean liner, not a speedboat. Nine months is too soon.
Jack, you were right when you said "that Superman could'nt have done this in a year either", but the best way to measure the success of Obama's efforts so far would be to compare his abilities to tackle what are the most daunting challenges our country has faced in its history, all at once, with other leaders. Only a few previous presidents could have tackled some of the problems, as a few had in the past, but to really measure where we are now is to consider where we might be had Senator John McCain and his strange choice of V.P. won the election.
We must thank our collective lucky stars and efforts in democratically choosing the smarter, more educated candidate who carefully and methodically assembled the very best team possible to tackle each of these massive problems. Contrast that to the former President Bush choosing his friends who went on to destroy our country and fail over and over, most devastatingly with " Brownie's" screwup in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
If we can pressure the ones who are now doing everything they can to get in the way of progress and solutions, such as health care, which would save lives, families, homes, and avoid further impact on personal and national economic downturn and continued foreclosures and job losses.
Jack, with the mess that was handed him, Mr. Obama has done a great job. Mr. Obama must work with Congress and it is Congress that passes legislation. Rep. Boehner set the tone for the “hard ball” divisive politics 20 minutes after the Presidents Inauguration acceptance speech. The Republicans have held on to that position. Regarding Health Reform, it is amazing the number of Congresspersons who are being influenced by the major insurance companies. These companies are fighting hard to limit competition.
The “Boehner Gang” is using scare tactics to control the public debate. Frankly, most people I know are not buying their argument.
Again, Mr. Obama is doing a great job. How do you rate the Republican Party in working to seek a consensus so that the issues that concern Americans most can be voted upon.
He can't get a single Republican vote on anything. He must be doing everything right.
Mountain Home ID
I feel like all Obama has done in the first year since the election is panic and lobby back and forth with congress. There hasn't been much at all involved with getting an exit strategy together for Iraq and no real strategy in Afghanistan. I'll be graduating from college in a year, and still won't have an equal chance to get a job because of the mass amounts of people still without a job, but what has Obama done about that? Nothing I can see.
Mr. President,
Please stop campaigning. You won the election, it is time to do the job of President of the USA. Three times to NJ to stump for Corzine? I do not recall a President doing so much stumping for a governor in the recent past. And the bid for the Olympics, another absurd waste of his time. He is the President of the country, not of Chicago.
And the blame game on the GOP and the prior administration. It has gotten absurd, to the point of blaming the GOP for the state budget mess in NJ. Take a history lesson Mr President. The Governor has been a Democrat since 2002. Six years should have been enough time to at least undo some of the issues.Time for the blame to stop. It is now your adminstration's time to step up to the plate and see what you can do.
I may not agree with everything you propose. But we need you to start putting some of your plans into action, particularly regarding the Wars. I don't agree with your plans, but I would like to see something implemented, and if it works for the people of this country, even better!
Considering what he stepped into, he is doing fine. Americans are an impatient lot. There is no vision to see that there are investments being made now for our future whether it be: economic stimulus, green energy production, foreign relations, etc. It should be no surprise jobs are not here yet. Have people forgotten so quickly that then candidate Obama DID say it would take time (1 to 2 years) to effect a recovery and that EVERYONE would have to sacrifice to some degree?? It also does not help that the media keeps highlighting something we all know EVERY DAY, that the jobs are not back yet. QUIT ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE and for crying out loud, EXERCISE SOME PATIENCE!!!
I give him an A. I would have given and A+ if he had stood back and let the dogs go after Bush/Cheney.
The more the right wing hollers, the better job President Obama is doing. Change can sometimes be painful if you are ultra right.
He promised so much and has delivered so little. His version of health care reform is a disaster. He should concentrate on the wars and the economy – not health care.
Jack – you are our one breath of fresh air daily – keep it up.
thanks
I guess it depends on type of country the United States one believes it should be. If you believe that the country should be like France or Canada, one with slow growth centrally-planned economy, naturally high unemployment, environmentally forward thinking, progressive and liberal, than you would probably give the Prez an A.
If you think that the US should be the beacon of freedom, a country that doesn't take crap from anyone, stands up for injustices around the world, values life and liberty, believes the purpose of government is to only serve as protector the rights afforded under the Constitution, then you would probably give the Prez a C or D.
He's a failure. He's Bush in a Democrats skin. Bush destroyed the economy and Obama is just continuing with the destruction. Health Care reform is great, we don't need the Government getting involved though. How well have they run, say... the Post Office. Tell me your thoughts on the IRS. Are these excellent government institutions? NO! When the governement does something they make a mess of it. It doesn't matter if it's a democrat or republican administration. The government is one huge entity of waste. He is spending American tax dollars like it grows on trees. Too bad there's not a way to opt out of paying taxes that in the end are wasted on things like Presidential Helicopters, Auto Bailouts, Financial Bailouts, all this "Green" nonsense.
Disappointing. As someone who voted for Obama, I truly thought he would bridge the gap and unite people of both parties. Instead – we continue to have a fragmented country, lack of communication from our "leaders" and politicians who serve their own interests.
I don't blame him for not getting things done in less than a year. These are some major problems. But he does get an "F" in his approach to working with people and communicating with his constituents.
Jack – the real question is not "how's President Obama doing" one year later but WHAT'S President Obama been doing for the past year. I see no evidence of leadership on any level. He needs to stop trying to be all things to all people because that is a sure path to nothing to no one. Come on, Mr. President, start acting like an executive instead of a legislator.
I am happy to say that my friends from other countries around the world like our new President and International attitudes toward him are 100% better than toward President G.W. Bush at any time! The world has a more positive attitude toward the USA, because of our new President.
jack tha big change we can bolive on was nothin but of joke ,people are staring to realze tha big mistake they made on 11/06 2008
If your house hadn't been cleaned in 8 years, it either will need to be torned down and rebuilt . President Obama is rebuilding our Nation brick by brick and he's doing a great job.
He's done great if you want to be a socialist nation like France in 5 years. Viva la revolution!
I believe Obama has done pretty good so far, but I think he could do better. The econmy has grown, even if it's a little bit, it's better than nothing. I'm also amazed that most that growth came from the auto industry, my father works at Ford, and it makes me happy to know that he still has his job. Obama has so much on his plate, and America needs to understand that the change he promised can't happen overnight, it takes time, and it may be years before America can get back on it's feet. I hope he can fullfill the rest of his goals, and turn this country around.
Health Care is taking up too much time, I blame that on the Dem Congress not Obama. Bush and the Republicans destroyed our country in 8 yrs. You expect Obama to fix everything in nine months.
Jack
I give President Obama an B+. He is not a Superman, nor is he Marlin the magician. He is not a magic man that can do magic just by waving of a magic wand.But so far he has done an outstanding job in only 10 months. He has done what President Bush could not do in 8 years.
Mike of Brownsville, tx.
I would give him an F. The Stimulus package had to be rushed through so unemployment would not go above 8%, its now 10%. 3 million new jobs were supposed to be created by the end of his 1st yr, there hasnt even been close to that. Gitmo will remain open. He will not raise taxes on the middles class,,, good luck passing your unpopular healthcare bill without raising taxes. Tranparency? Please.....CIT went bankrupt over the weekend,, thats 2 billion down the toilet. He has quadrupled the dept,,,which is unsustainable....he is more concerned about discounting his critics than he is about making a decision on Afganistan. I am highly disappointed in him,,, but what did we expect? He has 0 executive experience, and his administration is proving it. No earmarks, no lobbyists,, all broken promises. Yeah,, we got change,,, change from bad to worse. I struggle to find anything he has accomplished except his relentlest blaming of the former admin for all his current problems. Obama, Axlerod, Gibbs, Jarret, Emanual, Biden, Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Frank, Rangel, Holder, Dunn,,, all of them are more concerned about party. I've never felt stronger, that this is all about party power, and whats best for Americans is secondary. We need a Reagan,, we got the Obama reality show. The USA is now the US of Entertainment. When is the press going to hold these people responsible? The press should be ashamed of themselves.
All things considered,i think Pres.Obama has done reasonably well in his first nine months in office.What has been unreasonable is the expectation that he would have attended to and solved all the problems of the various special interest groups and the country at large,in nine months.He has certainly done better in his first nine months, in most areas, than the former president did in eight years.It appears he is held to a higher standard than previous presidents.
Hi Jack,
The President is trying to undo eight years of damage done by George Bush. He has only been in office for one year, Jack. He is respected around the world; not just for what he has done, but for what he is trying to do. The Republicans have no solutions to any of the world's problems. They only know how to say negative things about people who can speak in complete sentences.
Give the President a Chance,
Isborne
(A Proud Vietnam Vet.)
President Obama is doing an excellent job. From improving our image abroad to taking aggressive actions to staving off the dying economy.......he has and is doing an excellent job. Jack from your stint back here in KC.........you should remember how farming works. It is very hard to say in the spring how well the crops are doing. It happens with doing the right things in the spring, nurturing the crops, killing the weeds and getting a break from the weather. This President is doing the right things and in a year or less we will be the beneficiaries of an abundant harvest!!!!
He has done great considering all the distractions that he inherited. I give him an A+ and the last nut an F-. So glad Mccain did not get elected, we would have war after war. The people need to quit being a pessimest and quit listening to the stupid Right tongues. I would not listen to the Repubs and would bring our troops home from both wars, that Bush started.
All talk, no substance! His lack of experience is definitely showing.
I believe that the mess that Obama inherited from the previous administration plus the resistant of the Republicans to cooperate with the current administration, makes it almost impossible to believe that this can be fixed in one year.
Even if Obama acts as planned will take years to go back on the right track.
The questions should be. How much more time does the republicans need to cooperate and work together as a team with the current administration and rebuilt this country?
Are they willing to do so? or just want power to make it worse than the Bush aministration.
Jack, naturally he isn't going to look too good under the circumstances. Maybe there should be a follow up question, "Would the nation be in better shape with Republican John McCain?"
Some sentences in my comments above got twisted. I meant to say that Let us give credit where credit is due. Last week, there was the news of a 3.5% growth in economy.
Am I the only one who did not have the unrealistic expectations of President Obama? Whether he said what he said just to get elected or really sincerely wants to to do all he says, once you get to DC you hit a brick wall and nothing gets done. I am glad he was elected but do not hold him as the only one accountable to change this country. The American people need to stop being brain washed by extreme views and help bash down the brick wall.
Dear Jack, I am a registered Republican who voted for Obama, and am still waiting for him to accomplish anything, except for the health care bill, and I hope that fails!
Jack
Definitely!
The President may be taking his time over Afghanistan but at least he doesn't see "weapons of mass destruction" where they are not.
Terry
Kelowna, BC
he hasnt done anything at all he might be a good person but not a good president bill clinton was the best president i think in my time anyways...
courtney from alabama
Jack,
After a year he didn't do anything: the real estate market is a disaster, everybody is stuck with their houses, nobody can sell and foreclosures continue to raise.
He bailed out wall street and did nothing for mainstreet.
He hasn't even end the wars, boths wars are useless.
More troops to Afganistan...are you kidding me? Even my niece can undestand that we could be for centuries in that part of the war!
Abouth healthcare reform he can't even get his party together to pass reform. Overall I am very dissapointed and I want my vote BACK!
Obama is not a leader. He seems more interested in pleasing his corporate donors.
He has continued a lot of the Bush era policies–mountaintop mining, rendition of terrorist suspects, supressing torture photos, etc.
He is in constant campaign mode, and has hired Wall Street veterans Emanuel, Geithner, Summers, and Rubin to run our economy. On every substantive issue from health care reform to climate legislation, he has failed to lead.
Good leaders take a stand and work hard to get legisislation passed that will serve the common good. Unfortunately, Obama's mantra seems to be "make no waves."
I wonder what the state of the US wwould have been if President Obama had not taken the actions he did. With a overflowing plate he is demonstrating leadership and calmness.
Worse than Bush so take it from there.
Jack, given the party of NO he has to work with, and the Hell of a mess they left him with, I think he's done a remarkable job. I think the road back is going to long and difficult.
Absolutely excellent job, Obama. Keep it up!
After a 4 year term these people will still proclaim that the mess isn't his fault and it's SO hard to fix. So tell me, you Obama supporters, at what point DOES this become his responsiblity?
Expecting Obama to fix the mistakes of the last 20 years is superridiculous. Those who already blame him for everything that is not going right shall ask themselves honestly if the "GOP" in its recent condition would have done it any better. Obama may do some mistakes, but his efforts are going in the right direction. In terms of energy policy, those attempts of the "GOP" to tie us down to fossil energy usage forever will turn us to a poor, under-developed country in not too distant future.
Jack,
I am proud of our president and am willing to give him one full term before passing judgment. I believe he is a good and honest man trying to do the right thing. I am 39 years old and in my lifetime I have not seen a politician with such a gift for communication.
Aric – Mountain View CA
He's done nothing but continued to add to our growing problem to the beat of a different sounding drum.
No one realizes that he's not saving the economy by throwing more money at it. That's like a band-aid on a war wound. It'll patch you up for a short time, but it'll still kill you in the end.
Real change has yet to come to Washington.
mon.nov.2nd,2009
Dear Jack,
My reaction about how obama is doing is great. He is doing fantastic better than what Bush did. Bush was the worst president in america. Obama cares for everybofdy and hge amnd I are the same age.
Carl J.Friedman from lasvegas nevada
I give him a solid A. He inherited a mess and has done the best job he can in the short amount of time he has been in office. I have serious concerns about how the House and Senate are performing though. In my opinion that is just a social club for the rich and extremely crooked and dishonest. I think we just need to fire them all and start over.
A year ago I was busy working on the presidential helicopter replacement program. Now I'm unemployed for the first time in 28 years. Enough said.
Lynne
Owego NY
Granted he has accomplished very little while he has been president.
It is early, the economy is bad, and we have two wars. But at some point in time all the troubles of the world are not the fault of George the II.
For what ever reason he has elected to deffer to the one group that has lower rankings then George the II, congress.
He is a great saleman, but he may turn out to be a light weight.
Time will tell if he is more then a great salesman.
He didn't deliver for what he promise. we know it is a hard job, but if you can't do a job for us then you shouldn't be there in the first place. I don't think our president have done a good job.
from BOSTON-MASS
I pity our children and grandchildren who will be saddled with the debt being incurred.