Okay, anyone disappointed in Obama so far?

[Anonymous]

I'm glad the guy had hope (I had it too) but I'm not seeing any positive moves - just a lot of lip service.

[Anonymous]

Passed and signed some bills, including one extremely huge one.

Signed some executive orders.

Developed and delivered a budget.

Released plans for solving several crises.

It's been a month. I think he's doing just fine.

[Anonymous]

He has a very high approval rating so far.. I saw a recent Gallup poll saying 67% of Americans approve of the job he's done so far.

I think he's doing great.

[Anonymous]

I'm with him.

[Anonymous]

I think he's been pretty effective in a short period of time. I, for one, am impressed!

[Anonymous]

Hope does not translate well into the nitty gritty every day of American politics. He did well during transition. He chose a Chief of Staff who can actually get things done. He had a few unfortunate bumps, but acknowledged them and moved ahead. He also avoided walking into a buzz saw during his first 100 days much better than Bill Clinton did. If anyone can remember back that far, Clinton was "The Man (Boy?) from Hope" back then. When Clinton came into office in 1992, we were in the midst of a different recession -- though admittedly far less onerous than this one. He got in office and took up the issue of gays in the military, got his clock cleaned, and came out with don't ask don't tell. Got bogged down in travelgate, White Water, lost a couple of appointees, and had trouble getting some forward momentum going.

Obama is doing far better than I expected. I saw him as a totally empty suit and an someone who would be completely ineffective once the media stopped treating him with kid gloves. He has stayed on message and kept moving the ball. He seems to understand that he needs to be able to do more than make a lovely speech and watch the crowd swoon at his feet. So, I for one am thankful that he is not clinging to his b.s. message of hope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think he's been pretty effective in a short period of time. I, for one, am impressed!

My husband thinks he is digging us into a huge hole that is going to cause inflation and more problems. What has he done that has been effective? Just wondering so I can tell DH that he is wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad the guy had hope (I had it too) but I'm not seeing any positive moves - just a lot of lip service.

Agreed especially after you read through all lines of his eloquent speeches. And of course his speeches tell you what you want to hear - who doesn't disagree that we'll make it out of the recession, that our troops should come home, that the banks/Detroit should be held accountable? - that is nothing new.

I wasn't thrilled how of all the pieces of legislation to tackle first, the Pres. went right for FOCA - that is just me personally. Plus, I'm not seeing a lot of "change" in Washington. The Cabinet nominees are not even held accountable (will the IRS launch an investigation, take them to court, pursue the $?). The census thing is sorta strange too. That story seemed to die so I don't even know what became of it.

To give the benefit of the doubt, however, I realize it's only been a month since Obama took office. Plus, there is quite a mess. There isn't one perfect solution and there will always be folks who disagree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think he's been pretty effective in a short period of time. I, for one, am impressed!

Same here. I don't agree with everything he's doing, but most of it.

[Anonymous]

The OP would probably be screaming at the coach to bench the quarterback 2 minutes into the first quarter. Let the kid play the game, for crying out loud. Let's have this conversation at half-time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad the guy had hope (I had it too) but I'm not seeing any positive moves - just a lot of lip service.

Agreed especially after you read through all lines of his eloquent speeches. And of course his speeches tell you what you want to hear - who doesn't disagree that we'll make it out of the recession, that our troops should come home, that the banks/Detroit should be held accountable? - that is nothing new.

I'm trying to think of a politician out there who says stuff the public doesn't want to hear.... seriously. Last one was probably Jimmy Carter.

I'm thrilled with http://www.recovery.gov. From Obama's speech:

I have told each member of my Cabinet as well as mayors and governors across the country that they will be held accountable by me and the American people for every dollar they spend. I have appointed a proven and aggressive Inspector General to ferret out any and all cases of waste and fraud. And we have created a new website called recovery.gov so that every American can find out how and where their money is being spent.

Sure other presidents may have SAID they'd root out waste and fraud, but which one made it much easier for regular citizens to actually (easily, conveniently) keep track of how their money was being spent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure other presidents may have SAID they'd root out waste and fraud

The stimulus package is the biggest waste ever and a complete fraud of the American people!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sure other presidents may have SAID they'd root out waste and fraud

The stimulus package is the biggest waste ever and a complete fraud of the American people!!

Totally disagree. Why is it a fraud?

[Anonymous]

I am personally very happy for the portion of the stimulus package that geared towards states to help pay for unemployment insurance and help fund school building repairs, and fund more Head Start programs. This money will directly impact the lives of my family and my neighbors.

[Anonymous]

Very dis-appointed at the economic moves.

You only need to watch the stock market, the best leading indicator, to know where the economy is going.