Presidential Report Card: What is Obama´s greatest shortcoming, as President?

[Toucano]

In a nutshell - Leading the Senate.

The White House needs to do a better job wrangling Senate Democrats, possibly even getting Harry Reid replaced with a stronger figure.

The super-majority was squandered while the Nelsons and Landrieus et al went in their own direction (and opposed the man who brought the super-majority about in the first place).

Landrieu and Nelson think, "I´ve been here longer than you, and I´ll be here when you´re gone."

The response from the President should be, "Oh, really? Don´t be so sure about that..."



Obama´s played the game in Chicago. He has to take a page from that chapter in his experience and get those people on board.

Threats, promises, backroom deals...I don´t care. Just make it happen.

We need Health Care Reform, Consumer Financial Protection, and a decent Job stimulus program (that likely involves amending trade agreements and the tax code). The Senate is the key to everything.

D.C. is dirty. That´s not going to change. Does he have the stomach to do what it takes?

[willing dwarf]

1. Playing it cool

He's smart, we know that. But I'll bet you that when he's new into something, he plays it a little cooler, afraid to make mistakes. If he's aware of his image, he needs to forget his image and just play ball. This hanging back thing is getting old....

[Johonny]

2. I think that's the general thing I hear

Obama has been a poor advocate for his own agenda. For being a great communicator he has done a poor job getting out in front and being the face of his own agenda. Perhaps you are right on why it has been so. I've heard they were afraid too much face time would make him grow "Old" with the American people.

[Toucano]

9. I agree.

Step up to the plate and swing, for the love of god!

[Frustratedlady]

3. I think Obama is too nice and doesn't like offending anyone.

I'm hoping that in the second year, he says, "OK, I tried to work with everyone, but to those who wouldn't participate, see ya!" I hope he and the Democrats fly through the second year with all kinds of improvements. The banks didn't want to go without their bonuses? Fine! Tax them! Enforce the regulations and/or make them stronger until they holler "Uncle!" Same with Wall Street. Same with the insurance industry.

He surely realizes that the public would be behind him. They are waiting for him to say "Enough!"

If all of these factions come out yelling, tough! If the Repugs scream and yell, "What's new! You had 8 years, what did you do to improve the country?"

Obama has put up with name-calling, accusations against him and the First Lady, against them living in the White House. The second year is payback time.

He needs to know we are behind him.

For those Monday morning Dem quarterbacks who are criticizing him, what have you done lately to improve the country? This young couple has worked their hearts out to make things right and they deserve our respect and support.

There! I've said it and I feel better.

[Toucano]

18. "I hope he and the Democrats fly through the second year with all kinds of improvements."

Yes, that´s the point.

The primary opposition to his agenda has come from Democrats, especially in the Senate.

What would you have him do to get them to back his policies?

[Frustratedlady]

23. Call them in...either Obama or the Dem leadership...

Support the program or don't expect any support from headquarters. Isn't that how it's supposed to be played? Why are they in the Democratic party if they aren't going to be supportive. This orneriness is uncalled for.

Take off the gloves and state the facts. I don't think most of those who held back their support would have the cajones to face Obama and/or the Dem leadership if they were called in one by one.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe that would make the Dems fall into the same garbage pit the Repugs are in. I just get so angry supporting what I thought was a strong party when I see a few can make it bad for the many.

[Toucano]

27. I agree. But tread lightly.

What´s to stop Landrieu or Nelson (NE) from simply switching parties?

The DINOs give us control of committees and, though I hate them, they know they have value.

For health care, we blatantly bribed Nelson to the point he should be ashamed.

I think what is in order here would be promotions. Ambassadorships of small, pleasant, peaceful countries. Get them out of the Senate.

But that depends on how they get replaced...hmmm...it is quite a pickle, no?

[Tailormyst]

4. Personally I think he doesn't have the right people around him

I also think he has to little control over the funds that have been given out so far. They have been badly spent and in the long run won't be as effective as we had hoped. Two examples of what I mean:

Economic stimulous money

Huge wind farm- this combines renewable energy and jobs right? But the windmills are being made in china and bought with our tax dollars. They could have been made here, putting people to work in good jobs who spend money HERE and pay taxes HERE.

Rebuilding big historic bridge- this combines infrastructure and jobs right? But again, the steel is being shipped here from china. They could have been made here, putting people to work in good jobs who spend money HERE and pay taxes HERE.

This is a management issue and someone in the WH has to get control of things. Imagine the reaction if Obama's governing had put thousands of steel workers and factory workers back on the job, bringing to life areas of the country that have been ruined by job losses. Imagine what he could do!

[Frustratedlady]

7. He did put money into a wind turbine plant in Ft. Madison, Iowa.

It came thru a couple weeks ago and will allow them to hire more people.

I think a lot of this is going on behind the scenes, but he isn't out tooting his own horn. Maybe he will tonight.

[Tailormyst]

15. I believe it has to go further

I believe that any more stimulous money given out should require that money be spent here, stimulating this economy. I am not knocking what he has done, I just want him to go further, in regards to these things.

[Frustratedlady]

24. What do you mean spent here? Ft. Madison is here.

They were making great progress, but with the economy, their orders (far ahead into the future) were put on hold. They are there...ready to increase productivity for use in the US. I don't understand what you mean.

[Tailormyst]

28. Beyond that one plant

They need to require stimulous money be used to buy US windmills and US steel. We need to stop the bleeding. Yes the Madison plant is a GOOD thing, but in other areas the money is being spent to stimulate OTHER countries economies. I think that needs to be reigned in.

[Vinca]

5. Obama has been crippled by his need for bipartisanship.

He's got to wake up and smell the hatred coming from the right. It's not going to change. He needs to get on with the program and ignore them.

[Toucano]

11. +1

Are there any signs he´s abandoning the failed strategy of cooperating the people who have more to gain by failure than success?

[tavalon]

6. Timerity and lack of interest in using his bully pulpit

He was a fair better campaigner than governor. He appears to be risk averse and that is not what we need in a leader in these perilous times.

[Name removed]

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[tranche]

17. He's the leader of the Democratic Party

Stop blaming daddy. There's big problems with this party and the prevailing ideology in this country. Accusing Obama of being a GOP operative when his governing style fits perfectly with the Democratic party ideals is weak.

[QC]

10. His aversion to conflict.

Unless something changes dramatically and soon, that will prevent him from being great, or even good.

[Toucano]

13. Would you please go shake him by his shoulders and tell him that for me.

I would be ever so grateful!

LOL!

[QC]

30. I wish someone close to him would do that. n/t

[lame54]

12. Bi-partisanship

[peacetalksforall]

14. His greatest problem with me is extending and continuing all of the Cheney-Bush-Baron war mongering,

killing, torture, bombing, destroying, threatening. I have seen no change, absolutely none. This is heartbreaking.

The second is his staff, his nominees, and the people he trusts.
He doesn't trust us. Ramming Rahm told hom not to.

[MindPilot]

16. I believe he should quit navigating and be a captain.

I don't think he has taken a leadership role with the American people. He is very good at managing, but he really needs to engage we the people with some specific call to action.

I want him to say "the state of the union is pretty bad and if y'all want it fixed, all y'all are gonna have to pitch in and help. We can't have any more of this right vs left bickering; we got serious problems to solve."

[yurbud]

19. Reid isn't weak, he's bought. I don't think he gives a shit about regular people.

[Toucano]

20. Either way, he´s ineffective.

Why do we always choose Senate leaders who are so bland?

We never pick a tiger, always a tabby.

[Winterblues]

21. Holding no one accountable for horific actions.

Whether in our economic or military areas..Everyone gets a free ride.

[Nite Owl]

22. Lack of leadership

Leaving things up to Congress=a really bad idea.

[yurbud]

25. he clearly agrees with the Landrieus, Nelsons, Baucuses, and other DLC filth

that are making our elections a choice between whole wheat and white corporate bread.

[RedCloud]

26. He even fails at placating racists in government!

He should have just said on election eve, "Thank you motherfuckers who worked tirelessly to get me elected despite all the racist shit you had to endure. Now I am going to kiss those racist asses from one side of infinity to the other. Fuck you and anything you had hoped for!"

[Retrograde]

29. trying to deal with Congress as if they were rational human beings

rather than members of Congress.

I think Obama, being a rational person, sincerely thinks that if he just explained things to the other side (or his own side) in a clear, concise manner then they'd understand what he was trying to do and agree. But they all have their own agendas, and getting re-elected is high on most of their lists, and they're going to respond from their guts rather than their brains.

He's got Rahm as an attack dog: he should set him loose more often.

[Nye Bevan]

31. The fact that he still opposes gay marriage

and the fact that he could suspend DADT with the stroke of a pen, and hasn't.

[blueworld]

32. he whistles thru his teeth like Jack Lemmon in the Out of Towners

Seriously, I think it's wonderful that he's brought DIGNITY & CLASS back to the WH, but I agree with those who say his efforts at bi-partisanship have gone too far.

I'd like to see him kick some GOP ass in a classy way more frequently from now on.