Time for a REPORT CARD. What GRADE do you give Obama?

[RoadRage]

School's Almost Out... and Obama's first semester is almost over. What grade do you give him?

Gave him less then an A? Post below on what you think he can do to improve his grade next semester.

Gave him straight A's? Post below on what he's doing to get such high marks.

[lunatica]

1. He hasn't taken the final test yet....

So grading him is rather foolish since we don't know much about any outcome. Besides, what are we grading? His looks? His parenting? His humor? His policies? Shouldn't we see what happens first?

[RoadRage]

5. What exactly would be his final test?

Deleting my response.. because it no longer makes sense due to you completely changing your message above.

[lunatica]

9. OK. He gets an A in being a good looking man...

Otherwise I'd rather see some concrete outcomes to his policies before grading him.

[Old Hank]

2. A in domestic issues (economy, etc.) , C in civil liberties, B in foreign policy

That's my take.

[alcibiades_mystery]

3. Let's have one every week!

Every day!

Every hour!

NOW! NOW! NOW! NOW! NOW!

[IndianaGreen]

4. A on some, a big F on the Constitution

C plus for the average.

[RoadRage]

14. What part of the constitution

do you not think that the former Constitutional Law professor is following?

[IndianaGreen]

18. Choosing which laws to enforce is not an option for Presidents

:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."


Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.


Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.


Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articleii.html#section2

[damonm]

41. OK, I'll repeat RoadRage's question,

since you didn't answer it.
This time, please SPECIFY how the President is not enforcing the sections of the Constitution you unhelpfully cite.

[PBS Poll-435]

6. I gave him an 'A'

I would have given him an A+, but I don't like the dog and he often leaves the leash attached to the collar when Bo is running around. Not very safe.

[sarah553807]

17. and the whole mustard on a burger thing was a total turnoff

:sarcasm:

[a la izquierda]

58. Not to be snarky...

but I leave my dog's leash attached to his collar when he runs around. If I didn't, he'd run away (and he's a hunting dog, so there's no catching him)...what else should he do with Bo?

[Captain Hilts]

59. There's a nice fence around the White House. No leash! nt

[a la izquierda]

60. Yeah, I guess that's true.

I was commenting more on the comment itself. I guess I didn't see the harm in letting your dog run around with a leash on. I do it everyday, and there haven't been any major mishaps (if you ignore nearly having my shoulder separated when my dog saw a cat).


Hey, btw, sorry I didn't give you a shout when I was in DC. I was there for about 48crazy hours.

[Captain Hilts]

61. I know social schedules get tight when on the road!

Give me a shout next time!

And, yes, without a leash, you'll NEVER catch the dog!

[tridim]

7. Can we grade on a curve?

[RoadRage]

8. Absolutely...

You can set your own criteria anyway you'd like.. most teachers do anyway. ;)

[tridim]

11. Then he gets an A+

I can't think of anyone in Washington doing more good (and less bad) right now.

[Warren Stupidity]

10. B - afghanistan, torture, wiretaps, bailouts

I have problems with all of the above. On the other hand Bush-Cheney got a 0.0.

[tularetom]

12. He's pissing off the wing nuts and making them act even stupider than usual

That's worth an "A" to me anytime.

[Phoonzang]

34. My sentiments exactly... nt

[jgraz]

13. He gets an Incomplete from me.

Let's see where the torture prosecutions, health care, Iraq withrawal and bank bailouts end up.

In the meantime, we should all make sure to give him some personal "tutoring".

[The Hope Mobile]

16. Agreed! nt

[TexasObserver]

15. Two months ago, I gave him an "A" but today, it's a "B."

The president is showing weakness on a number of issues that require courage, most of them relating to cleaning up the messes of Bush. He's simply not doing what he promised to do, and now he's essentially covering for the Bush administration on important issues.

If he wants to be compared to Lincoln or FDR, he has a long, long way to go. He seems too interested in running for Mr. Congeniality, and not interested enough in addressing some very serious wrongdoing by his predecessor.

[RoadRage]

19. F-?

Seriously.. someone gave him an F-?

That would be a grade I think i'd have given to him if he totally adopted the McCain Palin philosophies.. but since he's not gone near that.. I think it's probably an unfair grade.

I'm certainly glad that poster wasn't one of my college professors.. or I would have never made my way out!

[iamthebandfanman]

30. lurker im sure ;) n/t

[ZombieHorde]

20. Are we grading on a curve?

Curve = A
No curve = C

[WhiteTara]

21. quit kicking his constituents to the curb.

fulfill his promises...the ones that got him elected; i.e., out of Iraq, single payer health care, support for workers and their families.

[FrenchieCat]

22. No such promise of single payer health care was made nor got Obama elected

But you knew that, right? :shrug:

[WhiteTara]

23. actually, the phrase was

"just like ours"

[RoadRage]

24. Did he promise single payer healthcare? NT

[freddie mertz]

25. I gave a C+, but it is really an incomplete

I think he has done a great job projecting an image as an intelligent, thoughtful leader, which is no small thing after all we have endured.

On Heath Care and the Wars, I give him generally low grades, SO FAR.

(If he blocks the public option, I would be tempted to give his entire term a fail.)

On torture and accountability, we have had mixed messages at best.

On gays in the military, a solid F.

[vaberella]

29. He's the one who suggested a public option.

His HHSS went in front of the committees to demand a public option. Why do you think he's blocking or would eve block a public option he's suggested and ran on as a candidate.

[ecstatic]

26. why is the majority so silent on this site?

:shrug:

[dionysus]

27. they don't have the stomach to argue, or, they are wise and realise it's a waste of time...

[iamthebandfanman]

31. it would appear only 15% think

hes done absolutely nothing wrong..

and 46% give less than an A

[MadBadger]

35. But 79% approve, and 5% disapprove

[RoadRage]

83. I think that 5% is REALLY loud...

'Cause every time I come here it seems like 1/2 of the threads are about how Obama is more to the right the Bush was.. :eyes:

[Old Hank]

81. What do you mean by "majority"?

I gave him a B and still disagree with him strongly on his handling of some issues, such as State Secrets invocation.

[dionysus]

28. A-

[blm]

32. C.... he needs to work on transparency and accountability. Open government is an achievable goal.

We NEED Obama to make this a priority as it effects every OTHER issue this nation faces.

[JitterbugPerfume]

33. a report card?

:banghead:

[Proud Liberal Dem]

36. A+

He's doing a great job so far and I don't have any real serious complaints. Whatever we might identify as his shortcomings and/or mistakes right now we may view differently later. Since the campaign last year, I've learned not to underestimate him and to generally trust that he has a plan and knows exactly what he has been doing. Frankly, I'm surprised that some people here are upset that he hasn't fulfilled all of his campaign promises on a lot of issues when he has only been in office nearly four freaking months! It's like some people have completely forgotten that he has had to spend the bulk of his time on economic issues so far but even so he HAS set a lot of things in motion that will, unfortunately take some time to see through to completion. I could understand some people's concern and frustration if we were going on 3-4 years and he was basically sitting on his hands (or taking multiple month long vacations) or if he came out, for example and announced that he now supports maintaining DADT instead of repealing it (which, for the record, I don't believe would ever happen). However, nobody I've talked to has reacted with quite the same level of alarm and hyperbole to any of his major initiatives/decisions as a lot of people here. Also, for anybody who believed that Obama is Progressive, well, he IS more progressive than McCain/Palin or any number of Republicans but for our purposes, sorry guys and gals, he is a CENTRIST (or maybe even slightly left-of-center- he seems a bit more progressive than Bill Clinton). Or maybe he should really be defined more as a Pragmatist- doing what he and his team believe are in the best interests of the country instead of adhering to any particular ideology. He pretty much spells everything out in terms of what his overall philosophy of politics/governance in his "Audacity of Hope" so anybody out there still struggling with understanding his *sudden* "un-progressiveness" on some issues might want to read it (or listen to it on CD- Obama narrates it himself). Saying all this may make me an "Obamabot" to some people, and that's o.k. if you think of me as such, but I definitely don't go to bed every night worrying about feeling safe in my own country again and that Barack Obama is as good of a President as we could've ever hoped for last year.

[cboy4]

37. How can someone with a rainbow flag give the person who

hasn't even stepped in over Don't Ask Don't Tell an A+?

:wtf:

You're either drunk or your head is in the sand.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

38. I think that you must have missed part of my post

I pasted it here so that it stands out a bit:

"Frankly, I'm surprised that some people here are upset that he hasn't fulfilled all of his campaign promises on a lot of issues when he has only been in office nearly four freaking months! It's like some people have completely forgotten that he has had to spend the bulk of his time on economic issues so far but even so he HAS set a lot of things in motion that will, unfortunately take some time to see through to completion. I could understand some people's concern and frustration if we were going on 3-4 years and he was basically sitting on his hands (or taking multiple month long vacations) or if he came out, for example and announced that he now supports maintaining DADT instead of repealing it (which, for the record, I don't believe would ever happen)."

Furthermore, did he ever once pledge to immediately do something about DADT- as soon as he came into office? I don't seem to recall that being something that he pledged to do more or less as soon as he came into office but if you have a link to something I might have missed, I'd be happy to take a look at it. Yeah, I think it's a terrible policy that should've never been enacted and I can't wait to see it repealed but I don't really blame Obama for not making it one of his first/top priorities and never really expected him to. Plus, I'd rather see Congress be the one to change the law so that another wingnut President like W can't come along and easily overturn it with a stroke of his/her pen. Once Congress repeals DADT and by the time somebody comes into office itching to see it repealed, too much time will already have passed and plenty of people will have seen that the military is functioning fine with gays and lesbians serving openly and there simply won't be any impetus for re-instituting DADT or an outright ban absent some kind of theocratic revolution in this country that is simply NOT likely to happen.

[cboy4]

39. Oh, so you're fine with the continuation of government-sanctioned

workplace discrimination to continue, simply because Obama hasn't gotten around to it?

What kind of stance is that?

He can sign an executive order, and then let congress catch up if they're so darned busy to deal with it right now.

A linguist has already been fired on his watch.

How many more people are you satisfied with losing their careers until the president decides to get around to it? 10? 25? 100?

Obama is dragging his feet on this. There's no question about it.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

40. Where are you coming up with this absolutist stuff?

There are a LOT of wrong and immoral policies, decisions, actions, etc. out there that need to be challenged/addressed/rectified but I'm under no delusions about how the political process works and why all or most of these injustices and outrages aren't going to get fixed immediately/overnight- not by Obama nor anybody else we might have elected last year.
Obama has pledged to support a repeal of DADT and, at least at the moment, I don't have any reason to think that he won't press the issue at the appropriate time but I NEVER expected it would happen immediately. AFAIK he NEVER promised an immediate repeal of DADT and he sure as hell knows that he can't please everybody all of the time. With some of the hatred and venom being spewed at Obama HERE on DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND, I, frankly, am GLAD that I'm not POTUS because apparently not even I would be able to satisfy every individual or group that has their own agenda and concerns (which is really every citizen if you think about it). I think that my previous post clarified- in no uncertain terms- my feelings about DADT and that I want to see it gone ASAP. But obviously Obama isn't going to do an executive order on this one for the reasons outlined in my previous post and I happen to agree that it's the best way to handle it. Once DADT is repealed, hopefully the people whom have been drummed out of the service can and will be able to re-enlist. The situation sucks and I have nothing but sympathy for the gays and lesbians whom are kicked out of the service solely on the basis of their sexual orientation but if you believe that Obama and anybody else who isn't frothing at the mouth demanding an immediate end to DADT is simply being a chickens**t and/or simply doesn't care enough about GLBT people, well then, fine, you can believe whatever gives you a healthy burst of self-righteous pride.

[Inuca]

42. You are a grown-up

(with a nice sense of humor to boot :-)). Very well said.

[cboy4]

43. You lost all credibility when you actually typed A+

A+ means he has done everything or has done something unmatched like freeing the fricken slaves or initiating the New Deal.

Obama isn't a goddam A+ president four months into office. You can't be for real.

Not only do you need to get a grip and stop making excuses for Obama, you need to start using paragraphs.

If you think what you type is easy to read, no wonder you're not concerned about putting DADT on the fast track.

[depakid]

44. Actually, it says more about the people choosing that option

for whatever reason.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

45. Well, you're certainly entitled to your opinion

Thanks for all of your positive, well-thought out, and truly heart-felt feedback! I look forward to having more conversations like this with you in the future. :hi:

[liquid diamond]

55. Did you forget the sarcasm smiley? cboy4 is acting like a real jerk.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

70. I didn't feel like I needed it.

I thought that I laid it on thick enough.

[liquid diamond]

54. Thank you for your eloquent post and patience.

I've gotten really tired of some posters throwing tantrums like fucking children because Obama hasn't used an executive order to suspend DADT. This is a law that won't be overturned overnight. Several linguists have been discharged from the military just because of their sexual orientation. Some of these people specialize in Arabic languages which we need right now. National security is more important than being obsessed with what someone does in their personal life. I'm sure congress will realize that eventually.

[Sapphocrat]

68. Yes, actually, he did.

"Furthermore, did he ever once pledge to immediately do something about DADT- as soon as he came into office?

"AFAIK he NEVER promised an immediate repeal of DADT...

Yes, actually, he did.

November 29, 2007:

“If you are elected President, what concrete steps would you take to overturn ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?’”

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL):

Fourteen years ago, the Democratic Party faced a test of leadership, and our party failed that test. We had an opportunity to be leaders on the World stage in eliminating discrimination against gay and lesbian service members, to recognize the patriotism and heroism of the hundreds of thousands of gay and lesbian citizens who have served our country. Instead, we bowed to fear and prejudice. We were told that American soldiers weren’t ready to serve next to gay and lesbian comrades. We were told that our airmen, sailors and Marines would lose their “unit cohesion” if we implemented a policy of equality. And so, rather than embracing leadership and principle, we embraced Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell — a policy that is antithetical to the values of honor and integrity that our military holds most dear. Patriotic gay and lesbian Americans are now told that they may serve their country only if they hide their true identities. They are forced to live a lie as the price of risking their lives for their country.

Fourteen years later, the United States of America lags far behind. We lag behind our military allies, who are repudiating discrimination against lesbian and gay soldiers in ever increasing numbers — in Great Britain, Canada, Israel, nearly every NATO member in Europe — all with no impact upon military readiness and performance. And our politicians lag behind the American people, who now call for the repeal of Don’t Ask,Don’t Tell in super-majority numbers. It is time for a change.

As president, I will work with Congress and place the weight of my administration behind enactment of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which will make nondiscrimination the official policy of the U.S. military. I will task the Defense Department and the senior command structure in every branch of the armed forces with developing an action plan for the implementation of a full repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. And I will direct my Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to develop procedures for taking re-accession requests from those qualified service members who were separated from the armed forces under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and still want to serve their country. The eradication of this policy will require more than just eliminating one statute. It will require the implementation of anti-harassment policies and protocols for dealing with abusive or discriminatory behavior as we transition our armed forces away from a policy of discrimination. The military must be our active partners in developing those policies and protocols. That work should have started long ago. It will start when I take office.

America is ready to get rid of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. All that is required is leadership.

http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2007/11/senator-barack-obama-pledges-to-end-dont-ask-dont-tell-and-to-help-reinstate-gays-and-lesbians-kicked-out-of-the-military-due-to-this-policy/

[LibraLiz1973]

74. I just thought the same thing, just less snarky.

[Dark]

46. I gave him an A. Yes there are some things I disagree with. But overall, I think he's doing

a magnificent job.

[springhill]

47. Really?

That many A's? I have a hard time even looking at him these days. My grade is not based on his party but on his broken promises. I think he lied to us during the campaign.

[Egnever]

69. I dont think you paid attention during the campaign.

[old mark]

48. A. IMO, he has been too soft on the GOPers, not strong enough on

gay issues and healthcare. Other than that, would have been A+.

mark

[progressoid]

49. k

edit: the "k" is for kicking not his grade. :eyes:

[Orsino]

50. Some kinda B, maybe?

I suspect that keeping his powder dry will enable him to accomplish more later on, if he is so inclined...but there is more I want done now.

He's painted himself into a corner on marriage equality, for instance. Having repeatedly stated his alleged belief that marriage should be reserved for straight couples, he can no longer lead on that issue. I'm willing to believe him benevolent enough, though, to let it happen if others will lead the way.

[Jakes Progress]

51. Incomplete. nt

[Arkana]

52. B+. He's done a lot of small things that have reversed some shitty Bush policies

and he's changed our world image almost overnight--world leaders suddenly wanted to be our friends again. Ending the federal funding ban on stem cell research and being crystal clear that science will dictate environmental policy, not the energy companies. Limiting the state secrets privilege (that's real small government, wingnuts). Lifting the abortion gag rule--and he's gonna get to name a judge to the SCOTUS, too.

I'll make it an A if we can close Gitmo and get DADT at least voted on, and an A+ if the economy completely rebounds.

[mvd]

53. B+

In diplomatic relations, economic policy, and social policy, there's been a stark departure from Bush. He will get an A if he does more on many of these items: bank regulation, gets his public option in the health care plan, torture prosecutions, scrapping No Child Left Behind, and doesn't hold detainees indefinitely without charges and gets them into the court system instead of tribunals. We can't stay in war forever; there have always been organizations wanting to do us harm.

Obama inherited a total mess, and we can't expect everything done at once.

[RoadRage]

84. he definitely has a long road ahead...

But, i'm giving him a B+ as well for the past 4 months. I only shrudder to think where we would currently be with McCain & Palin stalking around the WH. Sotomayor wouldn't even be a glimmer.... and that is more scary than anything right now.

[Fire1]

56. A.

[960]

57. Well, I don't think he's doing what he promised.

Still a vast improvement, but really disappointing. Voted C

[LibraLiz1973]

75. EXACTLY: "still a vast improvement, but really disappointing"

My sentiments as well

[RFKHumphreyObama]

62. A+

I have strong reservations about his recent stance on Guantanomo and his hesitation on holding the past administration accountable for its actions. But he's a new President coming to grips with the fallout from quite possibly the worst government in the western world since WWII and I think he's proceeding with caution and I give him credit for that. I think he'll assert his leadership in these two areas over time and America will be much better for it

Elsewhere, he's doing wonderfully. Cautious but steady and determined. He's getting adjusted to the office and will likely improve with time. And judging by how well he's done so far, I suspect we're in for a real treat

[mvd]

63. Hi, RFK!

I understand the caution, but the Guantanamo thing is one of the things where he can do better IMO. I think some things will obviously take time, but other things need more of a clean break. I do agree that he should get better over time and not worse! And very refreshing to have him in office. I like the way he has the Republicans seeming like the party of No they are. :hi:

[Zynx]

64. B+

I would have liked a more vigorous approach on the stimulus. I think almost everything else is the most you can accomplish given political realities. Find me a president who hasn't had to compromise.

[mr1956]

65. B so far

It is only the first semester. I want to see how he moves on DADT and torture. I have faith that he will earn an A from me in time.

[mvd]

66. I think there's a good chance he'll get an A from me, too

Lately I have been a little disappointed, but haven't lowered my grade yet. Because nothing he has done has really surprised me that much, except for the Geithner nomination and Iraq policy. I think he'll get less cautious as he gets more and more successes and the public knows him for a longer time. An A+ would be very hard to get on this particular subject; that would be nearly everything on my wish list including helping end the death penalty and giving everyone the necessities, fueled by much higher taxes on the rich.

[Flabbergasted]

67. I voted C but i could vote B depending on how I look at it...

On the one hand: He has, to be honest, capitulated to the corporations on virtually everything. There are a few things that I like but by and large he is not doing what I believe needs to be done to get America really back on track.

On the other hand: He really seems to be trying to do his best with the tools given to him under the circumstances. He's had some notable successes and shows promise. I could give him a bit higher grade considering this. mho.

[LittleBlue]

71. C for the credit card bill, his treatment of detainees, the bank bailouts, and

for his mishandling of Afghanistan (some day it will be a beacon of freedom in a troubled region *snort*)

[aaaaaa5a]

72. He gets an A+++++++++ from me!!!

Sometimes we have to remember that most of the people on this board are left leaning progressives. We are not the majority. If Obama adopted all of the policies required here to make DU posters happy, the Dems would get killed in 2010. And Obama would lose in 2012 for sure!



Do you want to go back to Bush?


Do you want a repeat of the 1994 Congressional elections?


Do you want President Palin or Gingrich in the Whitehouse in 2012?




I'm glad Obama is smart enough to be "center left" instead of just "left." I'll take a President and a party that is "center-left" but can stay in power any-day instead of two years trying to make some people here happy, only to lose all power completely in 2010.



As of Saturday, according to Gallup the guy is at 64%! He knows what he is doing.



I wish some posters here were more politically savvy and spent less time living in their own little world. (That goes for RM and KO on MSNBC too!)


A+++++++++++ Obama is on his way to becoming the most successful Democratic President in my lifetime!

[Hawkowl]

73. I have the Golden Gate for sale

If you're interested. I mean, if you think Obama is center left, then you pretty much will buy anything?

At this point, he makes Bill Clinton look like Ralph Nader. Yeesh. If I could have my vote back, I'd have voted for Hillary.

[jaysunb]

78. If it had gone that way (Hillary)

We'd be reliving the 90's & absolutely NOTHING else. Get a grip.
:evilfrown:

[aaaaaa5a]

82. HIllary??? Are you serious??? Not to rehash an old debate but......

Do you remember when Hillary tried to change health-care in 1993? What was the result again, I forget?


Do you remember what happened to the Dems in 1994 after just two years of Clinton control?


Do you remember what happened in the 1990s with NAFTA, minority incarceration rates and welfare reform under Clinton?


Oh yea, Hillary Clinton also voted to go to war with Iraq. How did that left wing progressive policy turn out?


Let me say it again. Obama is doing great. A President and party that can stay in power from a center-left position is much better than a party that governs from the "left" only to give rise to Gingrich and GOP control two years later.



Opinions of DU posters are not the majority. Obama is President of the United States, not DU.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

76. I will say a B.

[Tektonik]

77. I gave a B, but really I'd give him an incomplete

He still has a ton of work to do, and there are still so many issues he has not even publicly taken on yet.

[Radical Activist]

79. B+ I'll give him an A when he pushes the employee free choice act.

He also needs to commit to pulling out of Afghanistan sooner than later, and I don't think he should loan the IMF money unless they dramatically change their policies.
Otherwise, he's making quick progress in all areas of the agenda he campaigned on and is bringing much needed change we need.

[Big_Mike]

80. I grade him a C in that he

has done some about an average job. In that, I mean he made some proclamations and acted on them, only to change his mind later (All aspects of Guantanamo, secret wiretaps, ending Iraq). I see these as changes required by acquiring more information, but if he hadn't proclaimed one thing early only to change later, it would have been better, IMHO.

No outstanding successes, no tremendous errors, simply a few bobbles.

C in my book.