Obama's ratings

[lorene]

The news today said even though obie's team)dem's) seem ot be bailling out of politics quickly, the presidents approval ratings are still around fifty percent even with his agenda ratings falling fast sooooo...

Why has not this president been attack personally like the ones in the past would be by now had they failled to do....well...anything, in their first year of office as he has done?

Could it be because of race? Perhaps people will only say they do not like his agenda and not him because they are afraid of being called racist? Or is he as a persn really that likable that no matter how much he messes up or little he accomplishes, we still love him?

[East of Eden]

I couldn't agree more, if term limits are a good idea for the executive branch why wouldn't they be just as good an idea for the legislative branch. But of course that would be asking for them to essentially vote themselves out of a job so it isn't going to happen, just like when they vote for their own pay raises.

I meant we need term limits for the legislative branch. The last serious attempt to do so was the 1994 GOP Congress. It is ridiculous for opponents of term limits to think in a country of 300,000,000 people there are only 535 people qualified to serve in Congress.

[WinePusher]

The news today said even though obie's team)dem's) seem ot be bailling out of politics quickly, the presidents approval ratings are still around fifty percent even with his agenda ratings falling fast sooooo...

Why has not this president been attack personally like the ones in the past would be by now had they failled to do....well...anything, in their first year of office as he has done?

Could it be because of race? Perhaps people will only say they do not like his agenda and not him because they are afraid of being called racist? Or is he as a persn really that likable that no matter how much he messes up or little he accomplishes, we still love him?

I think the "fear of racism" issue might play and small, small part in his ratings, just as they play a small part in the criticisms he receives.

Also, I think it is a bit unfair to say he has not accomplished anything. Now, one might feel that some of what I will list as accomplishments are not good things, or came at too high a cost, or are not due solely or even primarily to actions and decisions by Obama, but I think it is fair to consider these for discussion.

1) He (helped) keep the economy from total collapse. This started under Bush with TARP, but Obama (reluctantly) supported TARP and has been administering it and we have gotten some of the money back already.
2) Related to 1, he helped keep GM and Chrysler from going belly up.
3) Arguably helped improve the jobs situation. I allow it is always speculative to say "what would have happened if we had not acted" but I think a reasonable case can be made that unemployment would be even higher today without the recovery act.
4) No, we don't have final passage of a health care bill yet, but we have had the most thorough debate on health care in decades and are closer to addressing the real problems presented by our health care system than ever before. At a minimum, the general public is much more aware of the problem and its details than in the past. Most actually want some form of reform to pass, even if they are concerned about the cost and many are squeamish about government involvement in the system.
5) Our standing abroad is hugely improved over a year ago. This is admittedly a subjective perception, but it does affect international politics and the cooperation that we are likely to get on a number of issues.

And of course, it is worth keeping in mind that a large part of the reason more has not gotten done is the Republicans have gone to unprecedented lengths to obstruct Obama at nearly every turn. If the dems had filibustered as much the reps during Bush's presidency he wouldn't have gotten much done either. He certainly would not have gotten his prescription drug program through.

Just out of curiosity, what DID Bush get done during his Presidency, besides fighting wars in Iraq an Afghanistan and prosecuting the war on terror? NOte that Obama is arguably successfully taking care of two of three of these items, and is attempting to wind down the war in Iraq.

Ok, stop bringing up race. People who criticize obama do it because of his policy, not because of race. While conservative try to look beyond race and at substance, ppl like u and jimmy carter continually play the race card, when u do that it denigrates the actual problem of racism this country still faces.

1) "He helped the economy from total collapse." I believe it was Obama who said unemployment would not reach 8% if the stimulus passed. Well we are at 10% unemployment and his failed stimulus package has failed. Obama has drastically increased the national debt to the point where it is unsustainable and u only have to look around to see that the economy is not saved.

2)"He helped GM and Chrysler from going belly up." Here in america we practice Capitalism, people have the right to suceed or fail on there own. This country is based on the principle of "Laissez Faire" if a company fails, it fails. It isnt the government job to take our tax payer money and use it to bail out failed companies. In america we have a right to fail, failure makes u looko back and re think the policies that were previously implemented. This Is pure SOCIALISM. The government now owns GM, that is called socialism.

3) "Arguably he has improved the jobs situation." Again, in the words of the messiah himself, "Unemployment will not rise above 8% if the stimulus package passes." Its 10%, TEN. He should be focused on jobs right now but him and pelosi and reid are to focused on their gold jewel, Universal Healthcare for America.

4) "We don't have a final healthcare bill yet and we have had a thorough debate" wow, Reid created his entire bill through back room deals, where the CSPAN cameras in the room like Obama promised, no he LIED. Is it constitutional to force americans to buy healthcare? Is it constitutional to treat states differently. Buying out Louisiana with 3 hundred million dollars, the corn husker kick back for nebraska, a new hospital for Connecticut. This is the Change We Can Believe In? This is why americans are so ANGRY with this man, nothing has changed, its the same partisan, back room deal making as before. He LIED about the CSPAN cameras and he wont even admitt it, completly shameful.

5) "Our standing abroad as improved over a year ago." The great Joe Biden said that the success in Iraq will be an accomplishment of the obama admin. HAH, if obama and biden had it their way in the senate, they would have cut funding for the troops. Our sucess in Iraq is because of Bush and the surge. When Iranians where protesting the corrupted election, our President would not even extend a few words of support for Democracy. Our Presidnet goes on an apology tour in europe and bashes America, he is no patriot, niether is his wife. Notice, Obama took over a month to make a decision on troops to send to afgan. He constantly the afgan war the war of neccesity, took him a month to make a decision, shows how indecisive he is. His Attorney General mirandizes the Christmas day bomber HAH OMFG, this is y america is so angry. He is a war combatant, not a criminal. U interrogate him with all possible methods to ensure the safty of this country, u dont mirandize him and give him an Attorney. Y wont obama call this the war on terror? Bringing terrorists to New York, OMG, allowing them to spew their hate, wat if they are Aquited.......wat if they attack while in court, think of the money that will have to go towards this. UNbelievable.

"If the dems had filibustered as much as the repubs. did now, bush wouldnt have gotten anything done" ok........ um where do i start. Bushes supreme court nominees? ok, Dems where filibustering left and right preventing a vote, the dems abused the filibuster more then any other congress at that time. AND HAVE U NOTICED that since last year, Obama has had 60 dems in the senate. Republicans cannot filibuster. It is his incompetence and democrat divison that prevents anything from getting done. OK, he had 60 Seats, a filibuster proof majority.....

"What did Bush get done during his presidency"

-No child left being
-Patriot Act
-Development of the Dept. of Homeland Security
-HE protected this country over 8 years, with obama first year in we have 3 attempted terrorist attacks on this country.

Obama has accomplished nothing.

have a nice day

[WinePusher]

All you need do is watch FOX News and you can hear them mindlessly attack the President with almost the same depth they use to praise Bush.
I sometime feel that it is business as usual after Bush bankrupt the country and bailed out banks at the last minute claiming there was no time when they had know the problem was there because they had been working on a proposal for 6 weeks.
Bankrupt the country and make sure there is no money for the mandates the president was given by the American people.

I think the President is finding out just how socialist we are towards the rich and corporations.

Yes, and all we need to do is watch CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, CNBC, HLN, and read the New York Times, The Nation, Washington Post, and The Daily Kos to see that all they do is blindly support and praise the president on every thing he does. U cannot attack FOX for being bias without also admitting that the other networks and stations also share that same bias, except towards a different orientation. If u onyl single out FOX ur argument loses all its creditbility.

U said "Fox praises Bush"

Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly have criticised the Bush Admin. just as many times as other networks did. The only person that praises bush on that network is Hannity. And I might remind u tat from 07-09 democrats held the majority in Congress so they equally share the blame with Bush

[WinePusher]

Other than that, i have seen him have nothing but a free ride from the press.

Your contention does not comport to reality.

Whether you like the man or not is your decision, and I support your rights in that regard. As you claim this man has had a "free ride" in the media, I point you to the talking heads at the Fox network.

I find your argument typical of a mindset that refuses to consider any angle but one's own. Where you've been shown factually that Obama has faced some of the very criticisms others have, and even new forms of criticism you still contend he's had a "free ride".

The President of the United States is one of the, if not the most, critiqued people on the planet. That such criticisms don't rise to a level you feel sufficient indicates to me that level would be quite high indeed, and likely unobtainable.

The "death panel" argument alone is one of the most vile, reprehensible LIES I've ever seen presented against a president or a president's position.

ur criticizing FOX? What about MSNBC, CNN etc....., what about the New York Times? are u going to criticize their bias as well?

And the death panel thing is viable, just because u dont agree with it doesnt mean its bogus. Have u heard of Rahm Emmanuels Brother, the adviser to the president on this matter. The brilliant guy came up with something called the "Complete Lives Chart." Here he determines how healthcare would be rationed according to age demograhics. an 80 year old man has lived a "complete life" so the kidney goes to the 23 year old. Who decides that, A DEATH PANEL. Obama has LIED STRAIGHT TO OUR FACES. He says CSPAN would be allowed in the rooms, where they? He lies about Immigrants being covered and Pelosi lies about abortion funding. This is Not Change We Can Believe In. its pure corruption and obama could at least admitt and own up to his short comings.

[WinePusher]

The news today said even though obie's team)dem's) seem ot be bailling out of politics quickly, the presidents approval ratings are still around fifty percent even with his agenda ratings falling fast sooooo...

Why has not this president been attack personally like the ones in the past would be by now had they failled to do....well...anything, in their first year of office as he has done?

Could it be because of race? Perhaps people will only say they do not like his agenda and not him because they are afraid of being called racist? Or is he as a persn really that likable that no matter how much he messes up or little he accomplishes, we still love him?

The president hasnt been attacked personally because the media loves him, in all seriousness. I mean, y hasnt family guy done a parody about obamas kid, y hasnt david letterman attacked obamas daughters. How come sarah palin is treated differently then obama. ppl attack her family, her down syndrome child, her character and no one dares attack obama. It probably because anyone that goes aganist this president is demonized. The Chamber of Commerce went aganist Obama and was demonized, Obama wages war on Fox just because they have a different opinion. Obama couldnt take the sam treatment that Palin gets.

[East of Eden]

The news today said even though obie's team)dem's) seem ot be bailling out of politics quickly, the presidents approval ratings are still around fifty percent even with his agenda ratings falling fast sooooo...

Why has not this president been attack personally like the ones in the past would be by now had they failled to do....well...anything, in their first year of office as he has done?

Could it be because of race? Perhaps people will only say they do not like his agenda and not him because they are afraid of being called racist? Or is he as a persn really that likable that no matter how much he messes up or little he accomplishes, we still love him?

I think the "fear of racism" issue might play and small, small part in his ratings, just as they play a small part in the criticisms he receives.

Also, I think it is a bit unfair to say he has not accomplished anything. Now, one might feel that some of what I will list as accomplishments are not good things, or came at too high a cost, or are not due solely or even primarily to actions and decisions by Obama, but I think it is fair to consider these for discussion.

1) He (helped) keep the economy from total collapse. This started under Bush with TARP, but Obama (reluctantly) supported TARP and has been administering it and we have gotten some of the money back already.
2) Related to 1, he helped keep GM and Chrysler from going belly up.
3) Arguably helped improve the jobs situation. I allow it is always speculative to say "what would have happened if we had not acted" but I think a reasonable case can be made that unemployment would be even higher today without the recovery act.
4) No, we don't have final passage of a health care bill yet, but we have had the most thorough debate on health care in decades and are closer to addressing the real problems presented by our health care system than ever before. At a minimum, the general public is much more aware of the problem and its details than in the past. Most actually want some form of reform to pass, even if they are concerned about the cost and many are squeamish about government involvement in the system.
5) Our standing abroad is hugely improved over a year ago. This is admittedly a subjective perception, but it does affect international politics and the cooperation that we are likely to get on a number of issues.

And of course, it is worth keeping in mind that a large part of the reason more has not gotten done is the Republicans have gone to unprecedented lengths to obstruct Obama at nearly every turn. If the dems had filibustered as much the reps during Bush's presidency he wouldn't have gotten much done either. He certainly would not have gotten his prescription drug program through.

Just out of curiosity, what DID Bush get done during his Presidency, besides fighting wars in Iraq an Afghanistan and prosecuting the war on terror? NOte that Obama is arguably successfully taking care of two of three of these items, and is attempting to wind down the war in Iraq.

Ok, stop bringing up race. People who criticize obama do it because of his policy, not because of race. While conservative try to look beyond race and at substance, ppl like u and jimmy carter continually play the race card, when u do that it denigrates the actual problem of racism this country still faces.

1) "He helped the economy from total collapse." I believe it was Obama who said unemployment would not reach 8% if the stimulus passed. Well we are at 10% unemployment and his failed stimulus package has failed. Obama has drastically increased the national debt to the point where it is unsustainable and u only have to look around to see that the economy is not saved.

2)"He helped GM and Chrysler from going belly up." Here in america we practice Capitalism, people have the right to suceed or fail on there own. This country is based on the principle of "Laissez Faire" if a company fails, it fails. It isnt the government job to take our tax payer money and use it to bail out failed companies. In america we have a right to fail, failure makes u looko back and re think the policies that were previously implemented. This Is pure SOCIALISM. The government now owns GM, that is called socialism.

3) "Arguably he has improved the jobs situation." Again, in the words of the messiah himself, "Unemployment will not rise above 8% if the stimulus package passes." Its 10%, TEN. He should be focused on jobs right now but him and pelosi and reid are to focused on their gold jewel, Universal Healthcare for America.

4) "We don't have a final healthcare bill yet and we have had a thorough debate" wow, Reid created his entire bill through back room deals, where the CSPAN cameras in the room like Obama promised, no he LIED. Is it constitutional to force americans to buy healthcare? Is it constitutional to treat states differently. Buying out Louisiana with 3 hundred million dollars, the corn husker kick back for nebraska, a new hospital for Connecticut. This is the Change We Can Believe In? This is why americans are so ANGRY with this man, nothing has changed, its the same partisan, back room deal making as before. He LIED about the CSPAN cameras and he wont even admitt it, completly shameful.

5) "Our standing abroad as improved over a year ago." The great Joe Biden said that the success in Iraq will be an accomplishment of the obama admin. HAH, if obama and biden had it their way in the senate, they would have cut funding for the troops. Our sucess in Iraq is because of Bush and the surge. When Iranians where protesting the corrupted election, our President would not even extend a few words of support for Democracy. Our Presidnet goes on an apology tour in europe and bashes America, he is no patriot, niether is his wife. Notice, Obama took over a month to make a decision on troops to send to afgan. He constantly the afgan war the war of neccesity, took him a month to make a decision, shows how indecisive he is. His Attorney General mirandizes the Christmas day bomber HAH OMFG, this is y america is so angry. He is a war combatant, not a criminal. U interrogate him with all possible methods to ensure the safty of this country, u dont mirandize him and give him an Attorney. Y wont obama call this the war on terror? Bringing terrorists to New York, OMG, allowing them to spew their hate, wat if they are Aquited.......wat if they attack while in court, think of the money that will have to go towards this. UNbelievable.

"If the dems had filibustered as much as the repubs. did now, bush wouldnt have gotten anything done" ok........ um where do i start. Bushes supreme court nominees? ok, Dems where filibustering left and right preventing a vote, the dems abused the filibuster more then any other congress at that time. AND HAVE U NOTICED that since last year, Obama has had 60 dems in the senate. Republicans cannot filibuster. It is his incompetence and democrat divison that prevents anything from getting done. OK, he had 60 Seats, a filibuster proof majority.....

"What did Bush get done during his presidency"

-No child left being
-Patriot Act
-Development of the Dept. of Homeland Security
-HE protected this country over 8 years, with obama first year in we have 3 attempted terrorist attacks on this country.

Obama has accomplished nothing.

have a nice day

Hopium's a heckuva drug, isn't it Winepusher?

[Clownboat]

The news today said even though obie's team)dem's) seem ot be bailling out of politics quickly, the presidents approval ratings are still around fifty percent even with his agenda ratings falling fast sooooo...

Why has not this president been attack personally like the ones in the past would be by now had they failled to do....well...anything, in their first year of office as he has done?

Could it be because of race? Perhaps people will only say they do not like his agenda and not him because they are afraid of being called racist? Or is he as a persn really that likable that no matter how much he messes up or little he accomplishes, we still love him?

I think the "fear of racism" issue might play and small, small part in his ratings, just as they play a small part in the criticisms he receives.

Also, I think it is a bit unfair to say he has not accomplished anything. Now, one might feel that some of what I will list as accomplishments are not good things, or came at too high a cost, or are not due solely or even primarily to actions and decisions by Obama, but I think it is fair to consider these for discussion.

1) He (helped) keep the economy from total collapse. This started under Bush with TARP, but Obama (reluctantly) supported TARP and has been administering it and we have gotten some of the money back already.
2) Related to 1, he helped keep GM and Chrysler from going belly up.
3) Arguably helped improve the jobs situation. I allow it is always speculative to say "what would have happened if we had not acted" but I think a reasonable case can be made that unemployment would be even higher today without the recovery act.
4) No, we don't have final passage of a health care bill yet, but we have had the most thorough debate on health care in decades and are closer to addressing the real problems presented by our health care system than ever before. At a minimum, the general public is much more aware of the problem and its details than in the past. Most actually want some form of reform to pass, even if they are concerned about the cost and many are squeamish about government involvement in the system.
5) Our standing abroad is hugely improved over a year ago. This is admittedly a subjective perception, but it does affect international politics and the cooperation that we are likely to get on a number of issues.

And of course, it is worth keeping in mind that a large part of the reason more has not gotten done is the Republicans have gone to unprecedented lengths to obstruct Obama at nearly every turn. If the dems had filibustered as much the reps during Bush's presidency he wouldn't have gotten much done either. He certainly would not have gotten his prescription drug program through.

Just out of curiosity, what DID Bush get done during his Presidency, besides fighting wars in Iraq an Afghanistan and prosecuting the war on terror? NOte that Obama is arguably successfully taking care of two of three of these items, and is attempting to wind down the war in Iraq.

Ok, stop bringing up race. People who criticize obama do it because of his policy, not because of race. While conservative try to look beyond race and at substance, ppl like u and jimmy carter continually play the race card, when u do that it denigrates the actual problem of racism this country still faces.

1) "He helped the economy from total collapse." I believe it was Obama who said unemployment would not reach 8% if the stimulus passed. Well we are at 10% unemployment and his failed stimulus package has failed. Obama has drastically increased the national debt to the point where it is unsustainable and u only have to look around to see that the economy is not saved.

2)"He helped GM and Chrysler from going belly up." Here in america we practice Capitalism, people have the right to suceed or fail on there own. This country is based on the principle of "Laissez Faire" if a company fails, it fails. It isnt the government job to take our tax payer money and use it to bail out failed companies. In america we have a right to fail, failure makes u looko back and re think the policies that were previously implemented. This Is pure SOCIALISM. The government now owns GM, that is called socialism.

3) "Arguably he has improved the jobs situation." Again, in the words of the messiah himself, "Unemployment will not rise above 8% if the stimulus package passes." Its 10%, TEN. He should be focused on jobs right now but him and pelosi and reid are to focused on their gold jewel, Universal Healthcare for America.

4) "We don't have a final healthcare bill yet and we have had a thorough debate" wow, Reid created his entire bill through back room deals, where the CSPAN cameras in the room like Obama promised, no he LIED. Is it constitutional to force americans to buy healthcare? Is it constitutional to treat states differently. Buying out Louisiana with 3 hundred million dollars, the corn husker kick back for nebraska, a new hospital for Connecticut. This is the Change We Can Believe In? This is why americans are so ANGRY with this man, nothing has changed, its the same partisan, back room deal making as before. He LIED about the CSPAN cameras and he wont even admitt it, completly shameful.

5) "Our standing abroad as improved over a year ago." The great Joe Biden said that the success in Iraq will be an accomplishment of the obama admin. HAH, if obama and biden had it their way in the senate, they would have cut funding for the troops. Our sucess in Iraq is because of Bush and the surge. When Iranians where protesting the corrupted election, our President would not even extend a few words of support for Democracy. Our Presidnet goes on an apology tour in europe and bashes America, he is no patriot, niether is his wife. Notice, Obama took over a month to make a decision on troops to send to afgan. He constantly the afgan war the war of neccesity, took him a month to make a decision, shows how indecisive he is. His Attorney General mirandizes the Christmas day bomber HAH OMFG, this is y america is so angry. He is a war combatant, not a criminal. U interrogate him with all possible methods to ensure the safty of this country, u dont mirandize him and give him an Attorney. Y wont obama call this the war on terror? Bringing terrorists to New York, OMG, allowing them to spew their hate, wat if they are Aquited.......wat if they attack while in court, think of the money that will have to go towards this. UNbelievable.

"If the dems had filibustered as much as the repubs. did now, bush wouldnt have gotten anything done" ok........ um where do i start. Bushes supreme court nominees? ok, Dems where filibustering left and right preventing a vote, the dems abused the filibuster more then any other congress at that time. AND HAVE U NOTICED that since last year, Obama has had 60 dems in the senate. Republicans cannot filibuster. It is his incompetence and democrat divison that prevents anything from getting done. OK, he had 60 Seats, a filibuster proof majority.....

"What did Bush get done during his presidency"

-No child left being
-Patriot Act
-Development of the Dept. of Homeland Security
-HE protected this country over 8 years, with obama first year in we have 3 attempted terrorist attacks on this country.

Obama has accomplished nothing.

have a nice day

Well thought out post. I would like to add that America is a Republic, not a democracy.

What ever happened to "for the people by the people". Obama is trying to grow the government, and I don't feel that is the American way. Put the money in the peoples hands, not government burocrats. GM and Chrysler earned the right to fail, it was a mistake for the government to bail them out. Had they failed, someone would have purchased their usefull assets and built a competative company with a business model that will work in our current enviroment. Now I am afraid we are stuck with future bailouts in order to keep this failed business model afloat. <-- That being the mistake in bailing them out.

I don't think the government should be able to tell us how to live our lives. If I don't want to wear a seat belt, it should be my decision, if a women wants an abortion, it should be her decision, if I want to drink soda pop, it should remain my decision... I don't want my government making decisions for me. (Keep in mind, there are exceptions to every rule, so let's not get out of hand here and say a person should have the right to murder. Let's use our common sence).

Let's keep the government out of health care. They have a hard enough time running the post office, Social Security and Medicare. Ok, so by running them, maybe I should clarify, "running them into the ground".

I'm not a democrate or republican, but I think it is wishfull and naive to think that the government is the answer. Power to the people, not power to the government people.

I think many a forfather would roll over in their grave if they were able to read this debate.

[JoeyKnothead]

Hopium's a heckuva drug, isn't it Winepusher?

Now that's funny right there, I don't care who ya are.
- Larry the Cable Guy

This should not be taken as an endorsement of any statement, policy, opinion or other notion within the referenced material. Just that when I read that, I LOLed and LOLed.

[East of Eden]

Hopium's a heckuva drug, isn't it Winepusher?

Now that's funny right there, I don't care who ya are.
- Larry the Cable Guy

This should not be taken as an endorsement of any statement, policy, opinion or other notion within the referenced material. Just that when I read that, I LOLed and LOLed.

We gotta laugh, right Joey?

[East of Eden]

The news today said even though obie's team)dem's) seem ot be bailling out of politics quickly, the presidents approval ratings are still around fifty percent even with his agenda ratings falling fast sooooo...

Why has not this president been attack personally like the ones in the past would be by now had they failled to do....well...anything, in their first year of office as he has done?

Could it be because of race? Perhaps people will only say they do not like his agenda and not him because they are afraid of being called racist? Or is he as a persn really that likable that no matter how much he messes up or little he accomplishes, we still love him?

I think the "fear of racism" issue might play and small, small part in his ratings, just as they play a small part in the criticisms he receives.

Also, I think it is a bit unfair to say he has not accomplished anything. Now, one might feel that some of what I will list as accomplishments are not good things, or came at too high a cost, or are not due solely or even primarily to actions and decisions by Obama, but I think it is fair to consider these for discussion.

1) He (helped) keep the economy from total collapse. This started under Bush with TARP, but Obama (reluctantly) supported TARP and has been administering it and we have gotten some of the money back already.
2) Related to 1, he helped keep GM and Chrysler from going belly up.
3) Arguably helped improve the jobs situation. I allow it is always speculative to say "what would have happened if we had not acted" but I think a reasonable case can be made that unemployment would be even higher today without the recovery act.
4) No, we don't have final passage of a health care bill yet, but we have had the most thorough debate on health care in decades and are closer to addressing the real problems presented by our health care system than ever before. At a minimum, the general public is much more aware of the problem and its details than in the past. Most actually want some form of reform to pass, even if they are concerned about the cost and many are squeamish about government involvement in the system.
5) Our standing abroad is hugely improved over a year ago. This is admittedly a subjective perception, but it does affect international politics and the cooperation that we are likely to get on a number of issues.

And of course, it is worth keeping in mind that a large part of the reason more has not gotten done is the Republicans have gone to unprecedented lengths to obstruct Obama at nearly every turn. If the dems had filibustered as much the reps during Bush's presidency he wouldn't have gotten much done either. He certainly would not have gotten his prescription drug program through.

Just out of curiosity, what DID Bush get done during his Presidency, besides fighting wars in Iraq an Afghanistan and prosecuting the war on terror? NOte that Obama is arguably successfully taking care of two of three of these items, and is attempting to wind down the war in Iraq.

Ok, stop bringing up race. People who criticize obama do it because of his policy, not because of race. While conservative try to look beyond race and at substance, ppl like u and jimmy carter continually play the race card, when u do that it denigrates the actual problem of racism this country still faces.

1) "He helped the economy from total collapse." I believe it was Obama who said unemployment would not reach 8% if the stimulus passed. Well we are at 10% unemployment and his failed stimulus package has failed. Obama has drastically increased the national debt to the point where it is unsustainable and u only have to look around to see that the economy is not saved.

2)"He helped GM and Chrysler from going belly up." Here in america we practice Capitalism, people have the right to suceed or fail on there own. This country is based on the principle of "Laissez Faire" if a company fails, it fails. It isnt the government job to take our tax payer money and use it to bail out failed companies. In america we have a right to fail, failure makes u looko back and re think the policies that were previously implemented. This Is pure SOCIALISM. The government now owns GM, that is called socialism.

3) "Arguably he has improved the jobs situation." Again, in the words of the messiah himself, "Unemployment will not rise above 8% if the stimulus package passes." Its 10%, TEN. He should be focused on jobs right now but him and pelosi and reid are to focused on their gold jewel, Universal Healthcare for America.

4) "We don't have a final healthcare bill yet and we have had a thorough debate" wow, Reid created his entire bill through back room deals, where the CSPAN cameras in the room like Obama promised, no he LIED. Is it constitutional to force americans to buy healthcare? Is it constitutional to treat states differently. Buying out Louisiana with 3 hundred million dollars, the corn husker kick back for nebraska, a new hospital for Connecticut. This is the Change We Can Believe In? This is why americans are so ANGRY with this man, nothing has changed, its the same partisan, back room deal making as before. He LIED about the CSPAN cameras and he wont even admitt it, completly shameful.

5) "Our standing abroad as improved over a year ago." The great Joe Biden said that the success in Iraq will be an accomplishment of the obama admin. HAH, if obama and biden had it their way in the senate, they would have cut funding for the troops. Our sucess in Iraq is because of Bush and the surge. When Iranians where protesting the corrupted election, our President would not even extend a few words of support for Democracy. Our Presidnet goes on an apology tour in europe and bashes America, he is no patriot, niether is his wife. Notice, Obama took over a month to make a decision on troops to send to afgan. He constantly the afgan war the war of neccesity, took him a month to make a decision, shows how indecisive he is. His Attorney General mirandizes the Christmas day bomber HAH OMFG, this is y america is so angry. He is a war combatant, not a criminal. U interrogate him with all possible methods to ensure the safty of this country, u dont mirandize him and give him an Attorney. Y wont obama call this the war on terror? Bringing terrorists to New York, OMG, allowing them to spew their hate, wat if they are Aquited.......wat if they attack while in court, think of the money that will have to go towards this. UNbelievable.

"If the dems had filibustered as much as the repubs. did now, bush wouldnt have gotten anything done" ok........ um where do i start. Bushes supreme court nominees? ok, Dems where filibustering left and right preventing a vote, the dems abused the filibuster more then any other congress at that time. AND HAVE U NOTICED that since last year, Obama has had 60 dems in the senate. Republicans cannot filibuster. It is his incompetence and democrat divison that prevents anything from getting done. OK, he had 60 Seats, a filibuster proof majority.....

"What did Bush get done during his presidency"

-No child left being
-Patriot Act
-Development of the Dept. of Homeland Security
-HE protected this country over 8 years, with obama first year in we have 3 attempted terrorist attacks on this country.

Obama has accomplished nothing.

have a nice day

Well thought out post. I would like to add that America is a Republic, not a democracy.

What ever happened to "for the people by the people". Obama is trying to grow the government, and I don't feel that is the American way. Put the money in the peoples hands, not government burocrats. GM and Chrysler earned the right to fail, it was a mistake for the government to bail them out. Had they failed, someone would have purchased their usefull assets and built a competative company with a business model that will work in our current enviroment. Now I am afraid we are stuck with future bailouts in order to keep this failed business model afloat. <-- That being the mistake in bailing them out.

I don't think the government should be able to tell us how to live our lives. If I don't want to wear a seat belt, it should be my decision, if a women wants an abortion, it should be her decision, if I want to drink soda pop, it should remain my decision... I don't want my government making decisions for me. (Keep in mind, there are exceptions to every rule, so let's not get out of hand here and say a person should have the right to murder. Let's use our common sence).

Let's keep the government out of health care. They have a hard enough time running the post office, Social Security and Medicare. Ok, so by running them, maybe I should clarify, "running them into the ground".

I'm not a democrate or republican, but I think it is wishfull and naive to think that the government is the answer. Power to the people, not power to the government people.

I think many a forfather would roll over in their grave if they were able to read this debate.

Most government functions would be run better privately, if that is feasible. Take the MVD. In my state it's a two hour wait there. At the private MVD Express, you're in and out in 20 minutes. There's a reason people pay a premium to go to MVD Express.

I think the Post Office should be privatized. The other day I was at one with 18 people in line and one Post Office worker. No private company could get away with that. Their government monopoly was set up before the telephone, e-mail, fax, FedEx, etc. As long as a company would serve all areas the USPS does, they should be allowed to compete.