Posted on 04/26/2009 5:46:25 AM PDT by IbJensen
OUR OPINION: First months reveal a poised, disciplined, pragmatic politician
President Barack Obama has run a fast race thus far. His first 100 days in office have been remarkably productive, particularly for someone who was serving in the Illinois state Senate only five years ago. A successful start augurs well for the rest of his tenure, but critics have reason to remain skeptical. Huge deficits, a seemingly limitless agenda and Washington's enduring partisan divide are just some of the challenges that could trip up this presidency.
In truth, the 100-day test is an artificial political construct. It is too little time to measure results or predict long-term performance. Still, it has become a convenient political device, pushed by the media and anticipated by the public. So far, Americans like what Mr. Obama is doing. Polls show that for the first time in five years, more Americans believe the country is headed in the right direction than vice versa. That, in itself, is an achievement. But here's the perspective: Mr. Obama's 62 percent approval rating is exactly where George W. Bush stood at this point in his own presidency.
Shows political skills
President Obama's accomplishments in the first 100 days reflect his discipline, energy and political skills, though the economic crisis undoubtedly helped to persuade lawmakers to move swiftly in support of his sweeping plans. A partial accounting includes:
• A huge stimulus bill designed to reignite the economy.
• An order to close the Guantánamo Bay military prison.
• A related order putting an end to the use of torture.
• A scheduled troop withdrawal from Iraq and reallocation of forces to Afghanistan.
• A law making it easier for women to sue for job discrimination and an executive order relaxing a ban on stem cell research.
• Approving extended health coverage for children.
• Extending an olive branch to the Muslim world as part of a dizzying travel schedule that included trips to Canada, Europe, Turkey and Latin America.
• Setting aside huge tracts of wilderness for federal protection.
• Moving to ease tensions with Cuba.
So far so good, but a successful presidency consists of more than a catalogue of laws and executive orders.
One test is whether a president has the Big Ideas that are required to cope with the challenges of the moment. On this score, Mr. Obama passes with flying colors. Whether the issue is energy, healthcare reform, economic recovery or a realignment of diplomacy, Mr. Obama knows where he wants to take the country, and a vision of how to get there.
The next test is whether a president can inspire confidence in his leadership. Here, the record is mixed. As noted above, polls indicate that most Americans support his political program, but the partisan divide is remarkable. A recent survey by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center found Mr. Obama with high approval from Democrats and independents, but dismally low approval among Republicans. He has the most polarized early job approval ratings of any president in the past four decades. Not all of that can be blamed on the GOP because the White House also has engaged at times in the divisive politics Mr. Obama has condemned. One example: His spokesman mocking commentator Rush Limbaugh as the GOP's titular head.
The dilemma of democratic politics is being able to translate vision and ideas into practical policies. Here, too, the record is mixed. For all his talk of healthcare reform, for example, Mr. Obama still does not have a secretary of health and human services, the point person on the reform effort. This is a failure that Mr. Obama could have avoided with more careful vetting of candidates. As for the critical economic issue -- banking and housing rescue -- it is too early to gauge results.
Challenges to agenda
Ultimately, as the writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes declared, the race is not to the swift. Mr. Obama has had a good start, but time and chance will undoubtedly challenge his ambitious agenda. His biggest achievement may well be to have changed the formerly prevailing attitude, as expressed by Ronald Reagan, that government is the problem, not the solution. At the moment, Mr. Obama is both the promoter and beneficiary of the idea that government is indispensable and here to stay. This will last only as long as government can deliver on its promises.
America hasn't time for the Original Amateur Hour; especially when the amateur is a devout, America-hating Marxist!
So far Obama has accomplished NOTHING worth doing, and he has no plans for solving any of our economic problems.
“OUR OPINION: First months reveal a poised, disciplined, pragmatic politician”
MY OPINION: Whoever you are, you just gotta stop sniffing that airplane glue.
I knew it. They put it last just make us think that it wasn't all that important but I bet this IS the Miami Herald's number one reason for the lovefest.
I am trying to recall, isn’t the Miami Herald a McClatchy newspaper, and isn’t the owner (whoever it might be) trying to sell out? I wonder why.
The irony is completely lost on these people.
He has accomplished plenty - the destruction of our economy and the weakening of our national security. What you are seeing in the MSM (and most Americans and the world) is a delusion. They actually see the list in this article to Obama’s account as all good.
I don’t wonder why at all. I hear that swirling sound clearly from here.
“America hasn’t time for the Original Amateur Hour; especially when the amateur is a devout, America-hating Marxist!”
I wouldn’t necessarily go as far as America-hating, or Marxist. There no evidence of that.
There’s plenty of evidence, however, for a weak, socialistic, lying, stealing (via wealth redistribution), appeasing, inexperienced young politician with grandiose ideas about changing America for the worse, in any sane person’s view.
Keep the change.
GOP 2010!
This article illustrates one of the many reasons why.
Hah, and some laughed at my claim that journalists constitute the bottom 20% of the SAT scorers.
A huge stimulus bill designed to reignite the economy. FAIL
• An order to close the Guantánamo Bay military prison. FAIL
• A related order putting an end to the use of torture. FAIL
• A scheduled troop withdrawal from Iraq and reallocation of forces to Afghanistan. FAIL
• A law making it easier for women to sue for job discrimination and an executive order relaxing a ban on stem cell research. FAIL
• Approving extended health coverage for children. Irrelevant. Everyone has health coverage. This is as bad as global warming. FAIL
• Extending an olive branch to the Muslim world as part of a dizzying travel schedule that included trips to Canada, Europe, Turkey and Latin America. FAIL
• Setting aside huge tracts of wilderness for federal protection. FAIL
• Moving to ease tensions with Cuba. FAIL
Hmm... Don’t know. Seems like an “F” to me. However I will give Obama the benefit of the doubt. He gets an “A” on Change. He has successfully changed this country into a third world nation in 100 days or less.
Ooooh... Book title. Audacity of the Presidency or “How to Change America into a Third World Country in 100 Days or Less”
To hell, in a big hurry.
Good catch. I never would have been able to read down that far.
Who are they kidding! If this is just the first 100 days I can’t wait for the next 100 days. Everyday it’s something else that he throws out to either distract or make people turn it off because they can’t cope. I really fear for my children.
of muslim persuasion.
LLS
Keep your eye on the ball!
Intentions are what count, not results. This list is a joke when you analyze each one.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.