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Item: Once the ‘change’ candidate, Obama now a changed man/Steven Thomma, McClatchy Newspapers
More Info: The image of Obama as an idealistic, post-partisan leader who’d transform politics at home and abroad has given way to a more pragmatic, partisan politician, one who’s abandoned or broken promises in pursuit of deals such as health care, who no longer invites Republicans to the White House for drinks, who’s seen his outreach to rogue nations such as Iran and North Korea met with defiance.
Question: President Obama recently game himself a B+ for his performance during his first year in office. What grade would you give him? Why?
D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.
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hmoffsuite on December 19 at 8:18 a.m.
The mere fact that Obama would respond to the question demonstrates his arrogance. The fact that he gave himself a B+ grade shows his extreme arrogance. He should have said something like “its too early to tell” or “we’ll worry about that when the job is done”. Me? I would grade him with an ‘incomplete’ since he has yet to accomplish anything. If a mandatory letter grade were required, I’d look at the economy, foreign relations matters (Iran) and domestic policy and be compelled to offer a letter grade that would require Obama to repeat the course.
nic on December 19 at 8:39 a.m.
“one who’s abandoned or broken promises in pursuit of deals such as health care”
Steven Thomma forgets that health care was one of Obama’s biggest promises.
richard on December 19 at 9:04 a.m.
Obama is the height of arrogance … but his arrogance falls far short of his effectiveness.
Olympics … failure!
An end to “backroom” politics … utter failure (a health bill that likely will not lower or contain health care costs and still does not cover all Americans as example) … failure.
Diplomatic progress with Iran … failure! (they are now closer to going nuke then ever - and Iran brazenly crosses border with Iraq giving Obama the “single-digit” salute, laughing in his face)
Agreement at Copenhagen to take constructive measures to curb warming … failure! (Instead, he agrees to be held hostage by developing nations who have demanded we simply redistribute our wealth to them)
A new nonpartisan spirit in DC … failure!
Post-racial America … . failure!
A “must-have” stimulus bill to keep unemployment below 8% … utter failure!
“Hope” … failure!
“Change” … failure!
Just as so many warned prior to last year’s election, Obama is flash, rhetoric and a pretty face … and we will all pay the price!
B+! Such arrogance.
Roger_Young on December 19 at 9:19 a.m.
This clown had no experience as a Senator and was just a pretty black face that everyone rallied around when Bush 2.0 got flushed.
The two party system continues to provide us with Idiot A or Idiot B. I sure would prefer to have more than two Idiots to choose from.
Phaedrus on December 19 at 9:52 a.m.
The mere fact that Bush would respond to the question demonstrates his arrogance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__ECMoHDenY
HonestGeorge on December 19 at 9:56 a.m.
Overall C+.
B+ in that he proved that bi-partisanship is not possible when your opponent is totally intent to cause failure regardless of the cost to the nation as a whole.
D in leadership. He lost opportunities to show that the USA supports attempts of nations to overthrow tyranny by refusing to strongly support the uprising in Iran.
A - in restoring some dignity to the office of the president by studying, understanding and able to communicate complex circumstances to the nation.
C- in political courage because he folded so quickly to lobbyists in the health care debate by having the $80 billion side deal with Pharma before actual debate began.
Whippersnapper on December 19 at 12:09 p.m.
A+ for projecting weakness around the world and having Chavez and Achmedenijad laughing as they test new long range missiles.
A+ for the biggest deficit in history, which is was almost completely ineffective.
A+ for stern rhetoric against deficit spending while the Chinese president is standing behind him, then complete ignorance about it at home.
A+ for anti-industry, pro-tax and anti-capitalism warnings and threats, after which Obama was scratching his head and wondering why American business in the toilet
A+ for the health care buggering we’re prepared to receive from congress, complete with individual states paid off with hundreds of billions which we will pay for with more deficits.
A+ for a nice smile.
Charlie on December 19 at 12:15 p.m.
Obama gets an incomplete. He is in danger of flunking out in grand style.
TALKJOC on December 19 at 3:08 p.m.
A “D”…as in Debt
Sisyphus on December 19 at 4:03 p.m.
Wow all the supporters of the last president really don’t have a credible track record from which to judge so 90% of the commenters above can be safely ignored. And I continue to be so very amused that everyone of them criticize him for deficit spending when his single biggest accomplishment was avoiding economic catastrophe by utilizing it. You guys would have repeated Hoover’s mistakes. Glad we have someone educated in the White House. Someone whose not afraid to tell the press what newspapers and books he reads.
And our standing in the rest of the world hasn’t been this high since Bush squandered all that goodwill after 9/11, in the exact same fashion he squandered the bipartisanship, arrogance and ignorance.
And I’m LOL at loud for blaming him for failing to secure the Olympics in Chicago, something Republicans actively cheered.
But what’s really amusing is how all you Republicans were rooting for the president’s failure since the day after inauguration and now summon the temerity to grade him as if you had an inkling of objectivity.
Sisyphus on December 19 at 4:05 p.m.
1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier’s family
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
10. Limits on lobbyist’s access to the White House
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren’t even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
16. New federal funding for science and research labs
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
20. New funds for school construction
21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
26. US financial and banking rescue plan
27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
Sisyphus on December 19 at 4:06 p.m.
31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
44. Expanding vaccination programs
45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
46. Closed offshore tax safe havens
47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry’s predatory practices
50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
51. Lower drug costs for seniors
52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
54. Improved housing for military personnel
55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
57. Increasing student loans
58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
Sisyphus on December 19 at 4:06 p.m.
60. Established a new cyber security office
61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
66. Improving benefits for veterans
67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco
70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
74. Making more loans available to small businesses
75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
86. Held first Seder in White House
87. Attempting to reform the nation’s healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform
hmoffsuite on December 19 at 4:14 p.m.
Sis >> “Wow all the supporters of the last president really don’t have a credible track record from which to judge so 90% of the commenters above can be safely ignored.”
So, that’s the liberal spin? Obama’s approval polls indicate most people aren’t thrilled with Obama. Hence the criticism of his B+ grade he gave himself. Now …. what I want to know …. is whether that statement you gave above came from your website or some other. If you crafted that spin all by yourself, I’d go to print with it. The ‘footsoldiers’ will have lots of ammunition. Done Well. Or, better yet. Why don’t you get press secretary Gibbs’ job? He’s a joke. Or the communications director the democrats just fired.
Sisyphus on December 19 at 4:19 p.m.
No spin, just facts. Please fact check if you doubt. You’re the one imitating a top.
Roger_Young on December 19 at 4:26 p.m.
91. Gets sisyphus out of moms basement
hmoffsuite on December 19 at 4:46 p.m.
Sis >>> 21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan”
I didn’t want to take up blog space, so I just rather randomly picked a couple of your ‘Obama accomplishments’, in sequence, to address.
At what cost to build the new federal prison in Ilinois? Why Illinois? The auto industry shouldn’t have been bailed out and taken over by the government. Housing rescue plan. What housing rescue plan? Stimulus plan? What an absolute joke. Obama is saving the majority of it to spend on short term jobs just before the election in 2010. Nearly every ‘accomplishment’ on the list would be called a ‘failure’ by me. Not all, but most.
Nick_Adams on December 19 at 4:47 p.m.
Great list, Sis. Overall, I’d give Obama a B- at this point for the following reasons.
A: For progressive steps on climate change, energy efficiency, transparency and media availability.
B+: For steps taken with Guantanamo, torture, secret prisons and Afghanistan
B+: For realizing the need for massive federal spending to prevent another Great Depression, but not getting enough and not getting it out fast enough to avoid the unemployment hole we’re in as well as too little focus on small business.
B: For not realizing sooner that the Republican (with a few exceptions) were ever going to do anything more than give lip-service to bipartisanship efforts.
C: For missteps with early administration appointees and apparent surprise at the rise of the teabaggers.
mike_s on December 19 at 4:53 p.m.
Did Roger Young miss the discussion regarding the other meanings of teabagger or is his avatar just more gay humor?
nic on December 19 at 5:12 p.m.
So, that’s the conservative spin? Approval polls indicate most people aren’t thrilled with anything.
If anyone walks into the white house as president expecting high approval rating at the end of the first year is foolish, especially after the disastrous performance of our last prez. It doesn’t matter who is in office, their approval ratings would be tanked at this time. If Obama had lost last November, McCain would be facing the same low ratings.
spokelooneh on December 19 at 5:34 p.m.
I give Obama a C, but then I never had any illusions that he was anything but a centrist ON HIS RECORD, and that his rhetoric was far more liberal than his record would indicate.
He losing some support from right leaning independents, but he’s losing a lot more support from left leaning Democrats.
“At what cost to build the new federal prison in Ilinois? Why Illinois?”
-hmoffsuite
You do realize there’s already a massive maximum security prison at that site, built for over a thousand prisoners and currently housing a couple of hundred. Plans are to modify the facility quite extensively including more security.
Interestingly, one of the JAG lawyers for a Kuwait citizen currently held in Gitmo argues his client (and others) would be better off in Gitmo, from a quality of life perspective.
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091220/FOREIGN/712199862/1135