“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena … and who … if he fails … fails while daring greatly.” – Teddy Roosevelt.

I was greatly dismayed by my fellow Democrats’ defection from our president during the 2014 elections. I, too, wavered. Now, thanks to the words of Joe Klein in Time magazine, and Klein’s awarding of the “Teddy” for political courage to President Obama, comes much deserved recognition.

“But he [Obama] deserves the lead Teddy … because his policies remain moderate, sane and humane. And by and large, they’ve worked. His executive action on immigration was not just legal but also surpassingly moral, allowing the parents of American citizens to stay with their children. His response to the Ebola crisis, the decisions to send American troops to save lives in the African hot zone. … His health care plan quietly brought coverage to millions. His stimulus plan, which prevented a depression, paid belated dividends as the economy began to soar. … His stubborn sanity is hereby recognized.”

Of course, the haters will still hate.

Janet Callen

Coeur d’Alene