Judging President Obama on His Own Terms

Wall Street Journal via free Google link ^ | 3 Oct, 2016 | Lawrence B. Lindse

[MtnClimber]

As President Obama’s time in office winds down, the debate over the success of his economic policies has become more pronounced. This might seem difficult to objectively evaluate, given that every president inherits a unique economic situation. But there exists a fair way to judge the president: Compare the results of his policies with forecasts from his own administration.

Mr. Obama’s various budgets, which included projections for how the economy would respond to his programs, provide an excellent test. And I will only consider postrecession budgets, so this is not about the Great Recession. Likewise, the president’s defenders cannot blame some hangover from the economy Mr. Obama inherited. His economic team was aware of the past when these projections were made.

The first postrecession budget came in February 2010. By then, the three main pillars of the president’s program—the stimulus package, ObamaCare and Dodd-Frank—had either been adopted or were close to enactment. The administration was well aware of them and doubtless included their effects when making its projections.

The administration’s February 2010 budget submission projected that real growth would average 3.9% annually over the next five years, including 2010. As it turned out, real growth averaged only 2.2% a year during this period........

To err is human. To not acknowledge errors is perhaps a bit vain. To not learn from them and adjust is stubborn. But to plan to continue the same failing policies for another four years while expecting a different result is simply insane.

[MtnClimber]

Insane, yes I totally agree.

[biggredd1]

never seen video...obama saddened whites superior
http://www.infowars.com/never-before-seen-video-obama-on-race-i-am-saddened-that-whites-are-still-superior-things-could-explode/

[yoe]

To err is human. To not acknowledge errors is perhaps a bit vain. To not learn from them and adjust is stubborn. But to plan to continue the same failing policies for another four years while expecting a different result is simply insane.

The last four years should not have been except for the dunces who voted for him twice and are now contemplating another mindless vote for a "first".....

[556x45]

’ But to plan to continue the same failing policies for another four years while expecting a different result is simply insane.’

No, thats a completely incorrect conclusion. Its the electorate thats insane. What did they expect from President Selfie? He’s told us all along what he’d do yet that seemed not to matter at all.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Obamainski has done well for his cause...

[Dilbert San Diego]

The liberal view is that Obama saved the world from another great depression. And a related liberal view is that he inherited such a tragic situation, that he deserved reelection because nobody, not Bill Clinton or anyone else, could clean up the alleged mess left behind by the Bush administration in his first term.

So, I’m sure liberals and Obama apologists will say that, since Obama saved the world from a depression, that these other issues don’t matter. What more do you expect from Obama ; isn’t saving the world enough??? I can hear these liberals already making that argument.