Obama at 100 days: Taking stock
Well, it’s 100 days into the first Obama term, and the reviews are pouring in. At the New York Post, they’re listing Obama’s 100 mistakes in 100 days. For example, Mistake #9:
“Turkey tried to block the appointment of Anders Fogh Rasmussen as new NATO secretary general because he didn’t properly punish the Danish cartoonist who caricatured Mohammed. France’s Nicolas Sarkozy and Germany’s Angela Merkel were outraged; Obama said he supported Turkey’s induction into the European Union.”
The Wall Street Journal editorial board recounts all the major shifts in policy undertaken by Obama, noting that “the only two comparable moments in the last century were 1965, which gave us the Great Society, and 1933, which bequeathed the New Deal. Mr. Obama’s goals are at least as ambitious, resuming the march toward the European welfare state that was stopped by what Democrats like to call the Reagan detour.”
“In a mere 100 days, the Democrat has silenced eight years of criticism about the Imperial Presidency. It is once again the liberal hour in American politics, and the media and political classes now see energy in the executive as a national asset,” the board writes. Curiously, however, the board also concludes that “one lesson from the first 100 days is that the President doesn’t like to do things that are politically difficult.”
The most important verdict, of course, is that rendered by the American public. In a new poll, the folks at Gallup report that “At 100 Days, Obama Approval Broad as Well as Deep: Solid majorities of everyone but Republicans and conservatives approve.”
“The new president’s approval rating at the 100-day mark is notable in that nearly all major demographic categories of Americans are pleased with his job performance, as evidenced by approval ratings above the majority level,” Gallup reports. “Only in terms of political and ideological categories does Obama have a significant proportion of detractors; a majority of Republicans and self-described “conservatives” disapprove of his job performance.”
Two data points jump out at me from the Gallup numbers. Among independents, the approval/disapproval numbers are 64/27, a very healthy spread. And even among conservatives, 42 percent approve and 53 percent disapprove.
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163 comments Add your comment
ByteMe
April 29th, 2009
12:05 pm
Conservatives and Republicans thought Hoover was right, too.
Truth hurts them.
ByteMe
April 29th, 2009
12:09 pm
Michele Backmann took stock of Obama’s 100 days and compared him to FDR and Carter, claiming he signed the “Hoot-Smalley” anti-trade bill and perpetuated the last global flu epidemic. Totally f@cked up, but it’s a “Hoot” to watch typical Republican stupidity in action:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/04/historian-michele-bachmann-blames-fdrs-hoot-smalley-tariffs-for-great-depression.php
Please don’t stop doing what you’re doing, GOP. No wonder that Jon Stewart wasn’t worried he was going to run out of material with Bush out of office.
AmVet
April 29th, 2009
12:15 pm
The only shred of hope for the neo-conned is that BHO gets a hummer from an intern…
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
April 29th, 2009
12:15 pm
100 days to unwind all the good and great things this nation accomplished in the 85,035 before.
The only way in which President Ob-amateur could become more subservient to the degenerate European welfare state, would be to ask Sarkozy for a golden shower. Perhaps such a request that is why the lovely Mrs. Sarkozy, who has been bedded more often than Holiday Inn, pulled away from our President so abruptly.
I Report/ You Whine
April 29th, 2009
12:16 pm
Curiously, however, the board also concludes that “one lesson from the first 100 days is that the President doesn’t like to do things that are politically difficult.”
He let Pelosi write the porkulus, is what I believe they meant.
And how come bookman doesn’t share the low poll numbers on Obozo’s policies?
Oh, yeah, because they’re low.
jt
April 29th, 2009
12:24 pm
“Obama at 100 days: Taking stock”
Watch what the R&D does to yours.
Mrs. Godzilla
April 29th, 2009
12:27 pm
Hot Damn!
We’ve had a great 1st 100 days, and I see even better days in the future.
Mind you he ain’t perfect, but I give him a 93.
I can’t wait to read the rad-right comments to come, chuckles are always
welcome!
jt
April 29th, 2009
12:30 pm
“Taking stock”
Haven’t they taken enough?
Class of '98
April 29th, 2009
12:31 pm
So Jay, you’re saying the media loves Obama? I’m shocked!
Bosch
April 29th, 2009
12:31 pm
I give the new Prez an A minus. I think he’s doing a good job.
Mrs. G.,
I quoted you downstairs. You’re a woman of wisdom:
“Birthers. Teeheehee”
Taxpayer
April 29th, 2009
12:31 pm
Anything Obama does to continue making the right wing fringe cringe is good by me. May Obama have many more 100 day reviews with comparable results.
AmVet
April 29th, 2009
12:34 pm
I’m still chuckling at the fate of the Vandy Nazi.
Alas and alack, the ever-disappearing base of Reich-wingers loses another fine foot soldier in their delusional war against everything and everyone. That’s three in three months here at JB’s.
Man that’s a shame…
Mrs. Godzilla
April 29th, 2009
12:36 pm
Bosch
Thanks.
Birthers are terribly silly. More so than flatearthers, but they are our fellow Americans and we can’t ship them off to an undisclosed location.
@@
April 29th, 2009
12:39 pm
Damn! Turkey is one policy where I agree with Obama, jay. Cautiously optimistic.
The Europeans need to get the heck over themselves.
The Armenian issue was mentioned. Obama said it was among one of the world’s greatest atrocities. In this case his words DID matter and he chose them carefully.
Jury duty calls.
Mrs. Godzilla
April 29th, 2009
12:47 pm
“Countless media outlets are paying close attention to the benchmark of President Obama’s 100th day in office. Not as many are focusing on the first 100 days of Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele. ”
More here:
http://www.senateguru.com/diary/684/michael-steeles-first-100-days-a-retrospective
ALSO – it’s being reported that the RNC is going to be putting some
“restrictions” on Mr. Steele…..
Jake
April 29th, 2009
12:48 pm
B. The Good – Ended elitist government for the rich, maintains high visibility, responds to issues. The Bad – Big budget, Big government, Big deficit, may be a little soft on foreign policy.
Bosch
April 29th, 2009
12:59 pm
Mrs. G.,
TnGelding
April 29th, 2009
1:03 pm
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
April 29th, 2009
12:15 pm
Good and great? Must not have been very many if he has already unwound them or else he’s a miracle worker.
Carter had the prudence to sell the presidential yacht. I’d like to see Obama do the same with the AF1 fleet, or reassign it to ferry the troops to the Middle East in style. Until they could be brought back home for good, of course. The sooner the better. Ditto for Japan, S. Korea and Europe. We need those GI “bills” to rebuild our economy. But where to house them after BRAC?
Susan Myers
April 29th, 2009
1:04 pm
President Obama is off to a great start and I believe he has the courage and stamina to continue engaging and improving the herculean agenda he has inherited thanks to the selfish policies of his predecessor.
Redneck Convert
April 29th, 2009
1:08 pm
Well, this Obama done just awful in the first 100 days. It’s what you expect from a alien that was born in Africa and got the Hawaii guvmint to make up a fake birth certificate for him. I don’t know how he done it, seeing as how he couldn’t talk when he was born. If this keeps up us rednecks won’t have nobody to look down on and the Republican party won’t have no way of making it. What’s the good of working your way up the chain if a guvmint is going to act like there’s no diffrence between you and some welfare bum or illegal or Those People? I’m so disgusted I won’t even tell you to have a good day.
N.J,
April 29th, 2009
1:10 pm
I think the Europeans have actually behaved like adults, compared to the rather juvenile behavior exhibited by the previous administration, which treated other nations like slaves who had to obey the orders of the president of the U.S. The difference? When the previous presidents father needed a coalition to deal with Iraq and Saddam Hussein, it was Germany and France that picked up the lions share of the cost.
The last president had a coaltion of the willing, but a large and under reported part of the Iraq war expense was the increased foreign aid given to those who joined the coalition of the willing, and the cuts to those who did not.
In the first case, Europe largely paid the economic cost of the Gulf War, in the second case the United States paid other nations to take part, a very expensive coalition.
N.J,
April 29th, 2009
1:11 pm
Interesting that the largely conservative supreme court ruled that Obama’s birth certificate was legitimate. Bush’s owe appointees voted to throw the cases over Obama’s birth certificate out of court as “frivolous”
TnGelding
April 29th, 2009
1:12 pm
I’d give him a B+, but only because he’s allowed himself to get caught up in the extravagant and wasteful lifestyle. Somebody needs to get the word out that the federal government is broke and only maintains its AAA credit rating the same way AIG, GE and the others did; through a corrupt credit rating system.
Paul
April 29th, 2009
1:16 pm
100-day mark: ’bout where one would expect. Give it time. His personal numbers may be high – but if the economy doesn’t go in the direction, as fast, as people want and you start seeing those numbers go down while the ‘unhappy with (policy) go up… but the Pres already knows that.
Which is why he isn’t pacing himself and waiting for a second term to address some issues. Much to the consternation of the party members who run for reelection every two years.
In many areas we’ve seen act one: engage with a new tone and build relationships. Results? Iran: nil. Europe: nil. NATO: nil. N Korea: nil.
So what’s act two? More of the same? Or more reversion to the predecessor style (”Hey, I asked, I invited, you wouldn’t go along, so now we do it ourselves”). Already seems to be the style with Afghanistan.
Well, ‘they’ liked Sally Field, too. But at least she got an award.
david wayne osedach
April 29th, 2009
1:16 pm
He has done a lot more than he promised. He’s making changes daily. Good work President Obama!
Paul
April 29th, 2009
1:18 pm
NJ
[[When the previous presidents father needed a coalition to deal with Iraq and Saddam Hussein, it was Germany and France that picked up the lions share of the cost.]]
Actually, I believe that would be the Saudis.
And the no matter how cordial the interactions, the Europeans are still in Nancy Reagan mode: “Just say No.”
Bosch
April 29th, 2009
1:25 pm
Paul,
From yesterday – there are things that Obama has done that I’m not comfortable with, but there’s a big difference between what you say in the campaign and dealing with reality.
Obama seems to be making good decisions based and seems to be methodical about collecting facts before making any decision. So, why it seems that he is going along with Bush’s policies, I feel that he is acting cautiously – and not acting in response to what he said he’d do in the campaign, but making the best decisions for the present time. Those could still change, but I feel confident that he’ll make much, much better decisions about anything than his predecessor.
This morning I heard Valerie Jarrett on CNN talking about the photoshoot. She said the President was furious and is ordering an inquiry into it BEFORE he does anything. I think that’s very wise not to just fly off the handle and start firing people – you need to make sure you are firing the right person who bungled it – and that person may not even be one of your own. I like that.
RB from Gwinnett
April 29th, 2009
1:27 pm
Taxpayer bill for the AF1 fly-by was only $300K. It’s not like that’s real money or anything.
ty webb
April 29th, 2009
1:31 pm
Amvet,
My money is that Obama gets one from Jay before an intern.
getalife
April 29th, 2009
1:33 pm
While cons criticize his every move and want him to fail, he is doing what he said he would do in his 2 year campaign.
After his two terms, has has moved our country in the right direction and raised the bar for future Presidents to do the same.
Bosch
April 29th, 2009
1:36 pm
ty,
One what?
Paul
April 29th, 2009
1:36 pm
Bosch
Remember how I said, in response to the Ayers and Reverend talk, that I rather agreed with Krauthammer – here we have a president who will embrace those who can help him, then ruthlessly cast them aside when it’s over. I rather think those are good qualities in a pres – especially when dealing with foreigners.
I also think Presidents are pretty constrained in much of what they do. There is, in many respects, an historical American policy that transcends what a president of a particular party wants to do, which is why I had to have a bit of fun with “Obama, in many respects, appears very similar to Bush.”
It’s no secret I like his reasoned, deliberative approach. Much of what I’ve read – even by critics who’ve dug deeper – indicates Bush was also one to push for details and challenge. But somewhere along the line Bush seems, to me anyway, to have fallen down on the follow-through, or to have reached a point where he deferred to the bureaucracy.
I heard the other day that the White House Military Affairs Liason used to be a general or an admiral. Until Obama. Then it became a political appointee. Take it away from the military professional, give it to the politician, watch it screw up in a few months, eh? Somehow, I don’t think a fix will be to restore a general to the position!
But yeah, I too like his style. And I like the engagement and the willingness to try something new. But that is tempered with a sobering look at the results. And that’s where, in spite of all the examples I’ve given, that I think 100 days is still a bit soon.
md
April 29th, 2009
1:37 pm
“”Obama seems to be making good decisions based and seems to be methodical about collecting facts before making any decision.”"
Isn’t vetting his cabinet choices part of being “methodical”? Ony the washed refuse to see.
N.J,
April 29th, 2009
1:40 pm
Actually the Europeans picked up a huge amount, and our current problems with Turkey stem from the costs to THEIR economy for supporting the Gulf War, which was responsible for their reticence to take part in the attacks by George Bush in 2003
Kuwait as a single nation picked up the largest SINGLE cash amount for the Gulf War 15 billion. Saudi Arabia picked up 12 billion plus provided 3 billion ‘in KIND (equipment, bases, troops) Germany and Japan together provided more than either Saudi Arabia and Kuwait did, about 20 billion, though they had absolutely no interest in the region.
Payments were made in one of two ways: with financial assets (”Cash”) and with services such as sealift and airlift (”In-Kind”)
As of March 1992, there was a shortfall in receipts compared with commitments. The total amount committed was $54 billion but only $52.9 billion had been received. The shortfall was $1.1 billion.
Saudi Arabia provided the US Military with fuel, food, water, local transportation and facilities, accounting for the “In-Kind” assistance. This accounted for 25% of the Saudi commitment to the US Military presence and was 71% of all “In-Kind” contributions.
The US paid roughly $7 billion, less than 12% of the total US cost and less than half what Saudi Arabia and Kuwait paid.
Along with the large scale engagement of international forces (the US had over 500,000 troops while non-US Coalition forces were roughly 160,000 or roughly 24% of all forces), the large international contributions to defer the cost of the war for the US deployment provides an indication of how deep international support for that war was, at least amoung those countries wealthy enough to provide the contributions.
In the end, the war cost the US only $7 billion, less than 12% of what the war might have cost the US.
Along with this Germany also provided in kind payment and 25 percent of the troops that fought in Iraq were not American. The international cooperation allowed the U.S. to defer 88 percent of the total cost of the war.
Again, the consensus was that Iraq should be removed from Kuwait even though the only reason that Kuwait is separate from Iraq is that the British stole it in 1899..before that it had been a part of Iraq for millenia)
ty webb
April 29th, 2009
1:40 pm
Bosch,
see amvet’s post at 12:15.
ByteMe
April 29th, 2009
1:41 pm
Paul: The White House Military Office is headed by a former Secretary of the Army. Not sure what you heard that was different from that, but he’s definitely a military man through and through.
Bosch
April 29th, 2009
1:44 pm
ty,
A hummer? You think Jay might buy Obama a big SUV before an intern does? That’s weird.
AmVet
April 29th, 2009
1:45 pm
There ya go, ty!
Then the “loyal opposition” can resurrect Bob Barr and Newt’s political careers and go after the mulatto with guns blazing!
I believe BHO deserves a low B or high C.
He scores very well by over-turning quite a few of the anti-science, anti-reality BushCo “rules”. Yet he has also upheld numerous other neo-con policies.
He garners an F though, for advocating that we send two more divisions to Quagmire Part Deux, aka Afghanistan.
And his corporate-friendly actions indicate he is not going to seek economic justice for we the people nor implement widespread prosecutions against the criminals on Wall Street and K Street.
I’d give him another F in this area.
And with the albatrosses Pelosi and Reid around his neck it is hard to say how he will try to adroitly avoid single-payer health care reform. He likely is going to do next to nothing. Wouldn’t want to upset Big Pharma or the Insurance cabal would we, Mr. President?
His fiscal policy including the economic “stimulus package” is one helluva unknown at this point. And it as much as anything will ultimately determine his real grade.
Yet with all of the above he is still infinitely better to date, than the previous clown…
ByteMe
April 29th, 2009
1:45 pm
NJ: See here http://www.investorsinsight.com/blogs/john_mauldins_outside_the_box/archive/2009/04/09/obama-s-strategy-and-the-summits.aspx for why Obama is backing Turkey over Europe and why @@ is supporting this strategy when she won’t support most anything else Obama is doing.
Paul and Bosch: Was reading this over the weekend (http://www.2000wave.com/article.asp?id=mwo041009) and now I’m worried that mid-2010 through end of 2012 will not be a good time for the economy… which means not a good time for Obama and crew.
ty webb
April 29th, 2009
1:46 pm
Bosch,
yeah, that too. ha!
Paul
April 29th, 2009
1:53 pm
ByteMe
Yeah, and that’s a civilian job, too. Mostly done by those who are politically connected. Caldera’s a bright guy – West Point, a few years’ service – but that does not, even with a stint as Secretary – give him the same perspective or attitude as a general officer who’s been around for 30 years.
Haven’t been able to confirm it, but it still doesn’t take away from the point that this administration chose to take a serving military guy out of the directorship and change the billet to a civilian-politician.
I Report/ You Whine
April 29th, 2009
1:53 pm
President Barack Obama has been in office less than a month, and already his proposed stimulus plan to get America out of the recession is meeting expectations. The plan was approved by the Senate late Friday night by a vote of 60-38, and now only needs Obama’s signature to make it law.
Signing the measure at a location far removed from the politics of Washington, Obama called the legislation “the most sweeping economic recovery package in our history.”
Sing and rejoice, brainwashed, Obozo has “saved” us, yay!
WASHINGTON (AP) — The economy shrank at a worse-than-expected ~~~~~~6.1 percent~~~~~~~ pace at the start of this year as sharp cutbacks by businesses and the biggest drop in U.S. exports in 40 years overwhelmed a rebound in consumer spending.
Hello Depression.
Gee, thanks, Obozo.
ew
ty webb
April 29th, 2009
1:55 pm
I think it’s too early to give him a grade either way. So far he has an incomplete.
Susan Myers
April 29th, 2009
1:56 pm
After GWB’s first 100 days, he had only worked 52; 48 were spent clearing brush and choking on pretzels.
Bosch
April 29th, 2009
1:56 pm
ByteMe,
Yeah, I agree. I feel that Obama would benefit over the next three and a half years to be honest and keep the public informed of what’s going on and what the plans are to help the economy.
Paul
April 29th, 2009
1:56 pm
Bosch
Jay drives an 80 Toyota and the AJC’s broke, so I don’t think he’ll be the source for a Hummer for Obama. Then again, you can buy them one year old for, what, about $1.37 so I guess anything’s possible.
’sides which, the Pres has those neat armored Suburbans. Chevy’s still going strong, Hummer’s going out.
AmVet
Ditto!
just had to say that….
Paul
April 29th, 2009
1:59 pm
ByteMe
Pres Obama’s already said he has until 2011. We’ll see if the Gods of Fortune smile.
But even then, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Dems will lose the White House.
Susan Myers
April 29th, 2009
1:59 pm
A very productive 100 days!
President Obama has already restored much of America’s lost optimism. Consumer confidence is up, and an astonishing 43% believe that our country is on the “right track,” up from a dismal 9% in the closing days of the Bush administration.
Change!
Ray
April 29th, 2009
2:00 pm
Bookman,
Fanning the fires again? Why don’t you advance a topic that is on the other side of the chasm that separates the left and the right? You remind me of the race baiters Sharpton and Jackson. They incite their followings with abundant rantings about how bad whitey is….. you do it by allowing your lemmings to rant and rave about how bad Bush and company were, emphasis on were, and how anyone with a distaff opinion is a bottom feeder. Are AJC ratings so bad that your bosses think it best to hold onto quasi debate at any cost? That’s not journalism…. far from it. You call yourself a journalist…. try to introduce something of interest to all of your readers, not just the ranting liberals on this blog. And then sit back and listen…. you might learn something.
Mrs. Godzilla
April 29th, 2009
2:04 pm
Nathan Deal is gonna’ run for Gov!
Easy pickens…..