How has your opinion of President Obama changed in recent months?
Posted at 5:00 AM on August 3, 2010
by Eric Ringham
(68 Comments)
Filed under: Politics/Government
A Star Tribune poll finds that President Obama's approval rating among Minnesotans has fallen to 44 percent. Today's Question: How has your opinion of President Obama changed in recent months?
Comments (68)
I did not vote for Mr. Obama. In my opinion he has greatly disappointed his people as the first. He has not left any good mark to commemorate his appointment in history except being the first.
The office of president is a historical memory that one should leave a mark with. Too bad he will be remembered as the first and last as he did not fulfill any of his promise's. This has all become too commercialized to be for the people by and the people anymore.
I'm usually the type of person that supports their president through thick and thin.
I voted for Obama because I expected CHANGE..
Not much has changed, yea I give Obama some credit for try'n to get people health care and a few other small things.,but in my perspective Obama is not much different than Bush :( I mean just look at the policies
Then Americans aren't left with much of a choice when it comes to picking our elected officials. The choice is vote for BAD, our vote for WORSE..
It seems that both Parties are just as bad..
Sorry, Pete, but I'm extremely frustrated with the lies and distortions of right-wing hot-heads and impatient with the large number of folks who believe blatant falsehoods. Same goes for far-left hot-heads, but their lies and distortions don't seem to be gaining traction like the far-right's these days.
In your earlier post, you wrote, "The government's never-ending encroachment into the lives of citizens and businesses scares me." I interpreted the phrase "never-ending encroachment" as referring to a long-term trend, or at least something that's been going on longer than a mere two years. It is factually incorrect (not to say, a lie) that the long-term trend in this country has been toward more regulation. The sad thing is that too many Americans have such a myopic view of history that the experience of the last two years can be thought of as a "never-ending" trend.
Regarding your enumerated points,
1. There's no way to know what would have happened without the "stimulus." It's equally valid to surmise that the rise of unemployment to nearly 10%, despite the stimulus, shows that the economic mess we were in was much worse than we thought.
2. A significant fraction of those who opposed the new health care law (myself included) thought it didn't go nearly far enough. We've still got a system based on extracting profits from sick people, not on promoting health.
3. America does have much to apologize for. We are justly proud of much of what America has done in the world, but America is not guiltless. The end of slavery was not the end of our faults. We are hated more than we deserve, but the world does have some legitimate complaints against us.
4. Bush and the Republicans did precisely the same thing when they were in control of two branches of government. In context of history (the last 30 years, not two), the Democrats are not pushing a far-left agenda, but a centrist one that only looks far-left by comparison with the Bush era.
Perspective. Critical thinking. Sense of history. Healthy skepticism. All are sadly lacking in American political discourse, and we are worse off for it. Not every opinion is equally legitimate. Until we, the people, make it socially unacceptable for ideologues to manipulate public opinion with lies and distortions, it won't stop.
To Steve the Cynic and cc: everyone else:
There can never be a meaningful dialogue about anything when the first words out of your mouth do nothing more than insult the person with whom you disagree. Clearly you disagree with my point of view and I with yours. But your arguments lose credibility immediately when you start them by asking me what planet I'm from. And frankly this type of response makes me feel as though my time would be better spent elsewhere than responding to questions on MPR.
You cite nothing in your arguments about deregulation and reregulation. And by the way, I am not talking (primarily) about the past 30 years but rather the past 2. To me, even the Clinton years seem like the good old days compared to now.
It seems to me that in the past 2 years, our leadership in Washington has
1. Authorized nearly a trillion dollars of spending on "stimulus"; yet we see nearly double-digit unemployment as well as a horrific housing market put on life support briefly by a tax incentive.
2. Imposed a far-reaching healthcare reform bill that, as I understand it, was opposed by a majority of the American people.
3. Apologized for America to the rest of the world rather than promoting her unique contribution to freedom and opportunity...a contribution, I hasten to add, that has certainly been sullied by the horrific practice of slavery...but which is nonetheless real.
4. Seized upon its opportunity to govern (control of at least two branches of government) to push through an agenda with an efficiency I frankly have never seen in my life. The Democrats have acted as though they had a mandate far beyond the one whose breadth I think will be seriously clarified this coming November.
No amount of government control or regulation will ever make us completely safe or completely eradicate greed and corruption; unfortunately greed is an inevitable characteristic of a fallen humanity...of which I think the government itself is guilty.
Pete, what planet have you been living on for the last 30 years? Beginning with Reagan, and continuing through the next three administrations (including Clinton), deregulation was increasingly applied to all sectors of the economy, until the banking system ran amok, finally crashing in 2008. Government "encroachment" has not been increasing. Quite the contrary. We had foxes guarding the chicken coops. The cats went away and the mice began to play. I'll grant you that there was generally too much regulation when Reagan took office, but deregulation has been taken way too far since then. I'm glad to see the pendulum swing back toward the center with some intelligent re-regulation of key sectors of the economy, such as the banking system.
I am more disappointed than ever, and frankly frightened by the direction our government is headed under the leadership of Obama, Reid, and Pelosi.
Forget his middle name. Forget where he might or might not have been born. Forget the issue of race - I am white but would gladly support a black president that provided the leadership and guidance that I believe we need.
Yes, of course he inherited a mess. He knew that when he ran.
The government's never-ending encroachment into the lives of citizens and businesses scares me. I love my country. It stands for liberty, for the freedom to live and breathe and work and love. I feel that freedom being choked out by a thickening smog of regulations, taxation, and control. And what do we have to show for it?
Perhaps many of those who hope Obama fails are motivated not by racism or a desire to obstruct, but because they genuinely think his policies are ill-advised.
I know that my views are in the minority on this particular forum (MPR), but I also believe that this forum does not accurately represent the views of the nation as a whole. I hope not.
My opinion of Barry has dropped somewhat. I was deeply suspicious of his persona to begin with, him being a Chicago politician, who has a race-baiter as a minister, and a bomb-throwing revolutionary as a business associate.
So, my opinion could not drop a lot once his sheer inexperience and incompentence at leadership was demonstrated.
My admiration for the right-wing propaganda machine has soared. The health care law that Obama managed to get passed (or "crammed down our throats," according to some) is remarkably similar to what Republicans proposed in response to "Hilary-Care"-- a set of market-based policies that studiously avoids putting the government directly in control of any more of the the system than it already is. And yet, the right-wing media have successfully convinced large nunbers of gullible Americans that it amounts to socialized medicine and that Obama is a marxist. I am truly amazed.
I am also greatly impressed by the stubbornness of the Republicans in Congress. It seems their knee-jerk reaction is to say no to anything Obama suggests, just because he's the one who suggested it. If Obama were to suggest that the ocean be considered wet, they'd call it another step toward socialism.
My opinion of President Obama hasn't changed--however: if I ever believed that a president leaped tall buildings in a single bound, those days ended long before President Obama entered office.
I knew that President Obama's call for bi-partisanship (during the campaign) was nonsense. Too many Republican careers depend upon disagreement with the opposition. People usually don’t throw themselves off the cliff for someone else’s idea of harmony.
I was amazed at the amount of angst that went into the passage of the healthcare bill. I find our aversion to any outside ideas just incredibly juvenile. Do you really need to have your child dying before your eyes before the advantages of socialized medicine occur to you? The answer, apparently, is yes. Perhaps a future administration should have move to have all Americans genetically tested. We really need to know how much inbreeding goes on in America!
As for independents, well I can understand why they find American political culture tedious and disheartening; it is tedious and disheartening. But to believe that the answer is to throw out, without thought, whatever party is in control is just a little too kneejerk a reaction. Rather you need to accept that whatever an administration does is going to be done very slowly. Slow, contentious tedium is part of the beauty of the American system! Electoral temper tantrums every two years only throw sand in the gears of a machine that doesn’t run all that well under the best of circumstances.
It hasn't changed. I can't imagine trying to deal with the brick wall he constantly runs into. My opinion of the Republican party and its members in Washington has changed immensely, and negatively. I see them only as being interested in party tactics, as opposed to any concern at all about our nation, its people, international relations, or certainly the environment.
It hasn't.
My opinion has become even more in support of our President. I have nothing but respect for him and his administration. We all should be considering ourselves very lucky to have him steering the ship. He is brilliant. His everyday life must be so frustrating from running into "walls" everywhere he turns. I am behind him 100%.
I'm still very impressed. How many presidents have faced the series of crises that he has, in such a short time after taking office, and have done so well?
As a recent article in the Huffington Post points out, even the media have noticed the gap between Barack Obama's amazing achievements -- health care reform, financial reform and preventing a depression -- and his seeming inability to win credit for them.
Why is Obama being blamed and not praised for these achievements? The right wing slander machine might have quite a bit to do with it: the fact that people take it all in uncritically, ready to believe the lies that Fox News excels in.
And there's the unrelenting nastiness, and lack of patriotism, of the Rush Limbaugh types who want everything the President does to fail, so that Democrats will do worse in the fall.
Throw in a certain amount of racism -- we've even seen Confederate flags being flaunted here in Minnesota -- and it's amazing the President's approval rating is as high as it is.
yeah - its changed .... for the better. now if the question is how do I feel about american business leaders and banking/financial leaders - (I say get rid of that ill mannered arrogant, "its somebody elses fault-ists"... Cash in their "portfolios" . sell off their mansions, rescind their bonuses, eliminate their perks and cut their salaries in half. do the same for the "board members". Like Mr Houseman used to say in the old Smith Barney adds ... "earrrrrrrnnn it!" and I define "earn it" as keeping a company thriving and people at work. - shareholders investing in stocks of companies that only know how to increas value through layoffs and accounting shenanigans are buying a pig in a poke.
I think he had a great opportunity during the Oval Office speech to support Industrial Hemp, Legalize Cannabis...and to address the issue of the unconstitutional criminalization of Hemp and relabeling it "marihuana/marijuana" (quite a story there). Green matter, energy and time (for a change).
http://www.votehemp.com/
He's doing his best and we can help him do better.
Nancy C - EXACTLY and DITTO!
Dick, obviously Hussein is the man's middle name. The constant, rhetorical use of "Hussein" is designed to associate him with "the enemy"in the minds of uncritical xenophobes. Alas! They vote, too.
Tim.... That is his middle name..... Or did you not realize that?
Obama is doing fine. My concern is more toward the Republicans. I do listen to them, but they have not come up with one creative idea to move the USA is a positive direction. The only Idea’s they have are from the Bush era. I’m not going back to that!
My opinion of President Obama has not changed, and frankly, I'm annoyed at the supposition that it has.
Do I wish the economy was booming, that the unemployment rate was 0.5%, that world peace suddenly broke out, and that everyone (including those on Wall Street and in Congress) started living by the Golden Rule? Yes, of course. But I don't blame President Obama for any of those things not happening.
I know of no one I'd rather have leading the charge and working on our behalf than our current president.
I'm still behind him. I've never seen a president forced to waste so much of his time dispelling disinformation. When people can't discredit a man on merit they turn to fallacies, lies and threats. Just look at some of today's posts - "Don't Tread On Me", Barrack "Hussein" Obama and "birther" references to Kenya. Seriously? At least our president uses critical reason.
Obama has exceeded my expectations. I never thought he'd get health care reform and financial reform passed, or the big 20 billion dollar aid from British Petroleum. And while several people didn't like the bank and auto bailout, job losses have halted since then at 10%, and the federal government has recouped some of the bailout money back from the bankers and the auto industry. What has disappointed me most is the American people. I guess they expected wonders specifically tailored to their view in a year or so, but the Presidency has rarely worked that way. If this economy turns around and Afghanistan goes better, I'd say he was one of the more successful American Presidents.
If find President Obama's eloquence has faded. A few of his primary campaign speeches were truly great and today his public statements have predictable rhetoric and routinely adopt a lecturing or preaching tone. Also, President Obama doesn't do sarcasm well. When he criticizes opponents with sarcasm he diminishes himself as much as he does his opponents.
My opinion of President Obama has changed very little, he is working hard for the change most Americans wanted, despite Republican opposition. I wish he pushed a little harder for a climate change/energy bill. However, what has changed is my opinion of his policies and programs. We are a better country for the change in policies regarding Iraq, Russia, China, and health care and banking regulation and worse off for the legislation that has failed.
My opinion has remained the same.
He said " I am going to fundamentally change America". Yup, I would say socialism is change.
He has changed my feelings toward the Tea Party movement..... They have a new MPR contributor member:-)
I remain amazed that he keeps his cool. It demonstrates that he is an intelligent and reasonable individual.
There are many people that seemed to think that he could work miracles and when he did not they were unhappy.
There were many people that have one goal, to have him fail. And he has not failed.
He has gotten a lot accomplished. Much of it is not as progressive and liberal as I would like, but positive change is being made.
I am a left-wing liberal progressive and border-line Socialist. President Obama is not left-wing. He is not liberal. He is not a Socialist. I do believe he is a progressive.
He has improved how people in many countries view and trust the United States.
I remain proud that he is President and proud that I voted for him.
The longer President Obama is in office,
the more I respect, trust and am impressed by him.
He is doing what he said he would do. What I thought we elected him to do.
What are our other elected officials doing to help or obstruct?
If only Obama could also juggle flaming torches while simultaneously fighting two wars, facing global climate change, managing the oil spill, trying to fix an economy the Right won't agree to save from its free-fall (just to win some elections), and engaging the immigration crisis.
Look, he's doing as good as job as anyone could do in this situation. It took 8 years for Bush to get us in to this recession, why do people think Obama can get us out in 2?
My opinion of President Obama has not changed. He is a great president. If only the media and the Republicans were not so intent on having him fail. The media plays down all his accomplishments but plays up all the criticisms. He was dealt a very bad hand, he deserves credit for all he has done. But the media doesn't report any of that.
My opinion of Obama has not changed.
My opinion of Fox news and republicans has taken a tank to levels well below that of the nine levels of Hades.....
Way to much spin 'doctoring' the truth.
Personally Fox News should be changed in name to Fox Gossip.... They do not report news, and they point out on so many of their shows its 'entertainment' so they are not governed by the same rules are news organizations.
Obama inherited the economy by Bush's failed economy policy and his pandering to the rich greedy people in power. Rather then look to help 'America' when it came to economic policy.
It seems the war in Iraq, which we should never have been in. There were no weapons of Mass destruction, and Chenney's manipulation of intelligence reports shows who had intent to go no matter what. And guess what?
Chenney's company Haliburton and its baby companies reaped huge profits from it.
The gulf oil spill? It was the removal of standards of security under Bush. It was done with the 'off the record, but highly noted' meeting between Chenney and the 7 Sister Oil companies. And guess who did the work on the drill? You guessed it Haliburton!
Haliburton pandered to Chenney when he was in intelligence, and it was Chenney's actions that allowed it to take over a lot of Military jobs, jobs that the Millitary was doing at top notch. Chenney back then became a instant millionaire when he left, which helped him get the ears of more in washington.
This all proves reforms are needed in washington.
That what is and has been happening has been in play long before Obama too the reigns.
Reference Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_Federal_Debt_as_Percent_of_GDP_by_President.jpg
Note the debt was scheduled to be eliminated under Clinton, then Bush ran up the debt. And it accelerated at the end term even faster.....
I think B. Obama is the savior this country needs. If only he had the slightest bit of help from the opposite side. He has changed the whole tone of
government in so many ways. Thoughtful, sensible decisions instead of gut reactions.
I would have liked to see him go after the Bush-Cheney criminal acts but I think he's right that would only be a distraction and there was too much to do. He had to move on.
Those accusations of socialism and Marxism are just paranoid and ridiculous.
My opinion of President Obama has not changed since the election. I voted for Obama, but did not expect any miracles. Obama has had many problems to correct, and these are problems that cannot be resolved in 18 months. He has had very little cooperation from House and Senate Republicans and yet has passed health care reforms, banking reforms, a semi-effective economic stimulus which has kept our country out of a possible catastrophe. His only mistake has been his lack of focus on creating jobs, but for that there must be a very broad effort to rearrange our economy. There is no possible way our problems will be resolved by 2012. This need for things to immediately get better is a symptom of our unwillingness to suffer for the betterment of our country. Our problems can never be solved when both our citizens and politicians lack the will to sacrifice their short term needs for their long term goals.
President Obama inherited a recession that almost rivals the depression; two wars, one of which (Iraq) was totally unnecessary (the Bush administration had to lie to the American people to get their war); a culture of laissez faire, above all in regard to government regulations; and a political culture that favored the very wealthy at the expense of the middle class, the working poor, and the destitute. No president since FDR inherited a greater mess than President Obama did. Unfortunately Republicans in Congress decided they would do everything possible to oppose, block, or undermine every initiative of Obama administration. Does everyone remember the Republican congressman who said, We'll make health care his Waterloo?
Considering what Obama has had to deal with, I thing his performance has been brilliant. I have two criticisms: I don't think he should have tried to cooperate with Republicans in Congress (they would never collaborate with him), and I think he should have simply declared we're pulling out of George Bush's war in Afghanistan. If I were to give Obama a grade, it would be an A-. That's a higher grade than I would give to any other president of the last thirty years.
My opinion hasn't changed at all. I think he's doing a pretty good job considering the mess he walked into when taking the job. I don't understand people who voted for him being unhappy with him now. He's been working at doing what he said he was going to do.
Oh, forgot a couple.......
If we didn't vote for the "porkulous" package, unemployment might reach 8%!
Gitmo was going to close.
Afghanistan is out of control.
We've had the underwear bomber, Times Square bomber, the Fort Hood shooting........ I thought the angry Muslims were going to like us now?
Maxine Waters and Charles Rangel, corruption, corruption, corruption!
My opinion is that left wing liberals feel G.W. Bush is to blame for EVERYTHING bad and poor Mr. Barak Hussein Obama has just had such a plate full from him. Since BHO has taken office he has shoved Health Care down our throats (back / closed door deals) and bailed out private businesses (with our children’s tax money).
At this rate the smooth talker will have us slaved to pay taxes for all the programs he has created by the end of his one term.
We need less governmental control and more personal responsibility.
Our founding fathers would have impeached him for his actions.
When the phone rings at 3:00AM ( and it will) what will he say?
I think he is doing a steady sometimes great job just like all of our lives. He reminds me of JFK in his intelligence and tremendous energy. He is very focused and has done a good job the Bush administration has given us. I like that he likes to keep moving and has not lost touch with people. He is tightly wound but is a sports fanatic as well as athletic himself and he has a wonderful family. Things are improving slowly just hang in there!
My opinion has changed drastically of Pres Obama. I voted for him thinking he would govern this country from center-right, instead the most liberal president ever.. He has had a socialist's agenda from day one. He is tone deaf as to the plight of the American people and the damage he has done is unbelievable. He has an arrogant attitude pushing through his policies through lying, backroom deals, bribes or any way he can--Chicago style politics. He has pushed through policies that the majority of the country disapprove of, thus his low ratings, and dropping even lower. He has been in constant campaign mode and ignores the economy, immigration (ignores the wish of a the majority of Americans and puts them in danger by suing AZ instead of fixing the problem) and he seems to lie so easily about everything. People are tired of him blaming Bush and he now owns this terrible economy. Nice man but totally incompetent as president.
For a community organizer from Kenya he is doing the job I would expect.
DTOM
My opinion has improved quite a bit in recent months. Last summer, during the healthcare debate, the administration seemed to have left the rails, but now things seem to be back on track. I don’t agree with a lot of his positions, but in spite of that, I think he’s turning into a fairly good president.
He has not changed at all...he is doing the same thing he was doing before he became president.
CAMPAIGN!! His agenda includes 3 things really...campaigning to try and hold his head above the poles (but people who elected him are seeing through that smoke at this point), throwing parties and playing golf while at the house white, and going on vacation every month, although he didn't go with his wife and daughters this month (which went to Spain instead of anywhere in the US...very poor judgment).
He has fallen flat on anything he preached he would do when running for office...he will go down in history as our worst president and this country will suffer for it.
Bush left with the economy in a shambles, two wars badly executed, and important government oversight structures essentially disassembled. President Obama has had eighteen months to fix all that. The republican senators have clearly decided on a strategy of obstructing ALL action, and are unified in that strategy, slowing or stopping every effort to take some positive action. I think Obama is doing a terrific job of working in this terrible environment, slogging through one horrible problem after another, trying to build some consensus in this divided country. I support him entirely.
My respect, even awe, for President Obama has grown with his steadiness and strength in every new crisis. No president has ever faced such multitude of serious problems and catastrophes. Not to mention the deep going Bush legacy and the most ruthless, mindless obstruction by the rival party--a wall that rivals the Iron Curtain--ever devised.
I do not agree always with Obama's decisions, but I trust that he has done the best he could do in the Washington DC enviornment.
President Obama is doing okay. The challenge he faces is the difference in being a candidate looking at the world through rose colored glasses and being the President where reality takes hold. I feel sorry for those who, during the campaign, looked at former President Bush as the devil in carnage and then candidate Obama as the savior deity. Being a candidate is far different than the leadership, required to make tough decisions. For example, President Bush was assaulted for his direct comments about the axis of evil (Iran, Iraq and North Korea). Candidate Obama stated he would sit across the table with Iran's president with no pre-conditions. Now that he is president, what is one of the biggest thorns in his side? Do people really think he would have such a meeting today? Ditto with North Korea.
I'm disillusioned,,, I took care of him now he suppose to take of me. I still have to pay to put gas in my car AND pay my mortgage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P36x8rTb3jI
My opinion has remained the same. He's fantastic!!
So refreshing to have someone who is competent in office to clean up the mess W and the Republicans left us.
No, I still support the President. Bush checked out about 3 months before the end of his term and left nearly every facet of government and life in a shambles. People have to understand it will take time to get back on our feet. And we are getting NO HELP from Republicans. It wouldn't matter what the president proposed, they would block him and offer next to nothing as an alternative.
I think Obama is doing a great job. Part of the reason his poll numbers might be so low is that he does not seem to be as vocal as he could be about successes. So far, he is doing everything he promised he would do when running. Congress is tying his hands on many issues, and I would like to see all of the incumbunts thrown out the door.
After observing the voting behavior of certain members of house (and I get the update every week), I don't understand how so many of them only know the word no. It's one thing to constantly vote no- but where is the alternative plan? THEY HAVE NONE.
I feel badly for Obama that he has to put up with such partisan, getting ready for the November elections politics.
I often wonder how much race might have to do with this.
I think he is one of the best Presidents we have had. I think hindsight will prove this.
I continue to support the President. He has proven himself to be a thoughtful, intelligent man. I TRUST him.
My opinion has remained the same. I supported Obama from the beginning and continue to support him. I think he has done a remarkable job with running this country considering the mess inherited from Bush. I also find myself feeling impatient with the economic recovery because its not going as quickly as we all wish it was, but ultimately, i think that given the circumstances inherited and the current economic stagnancy, Obama is doing a great job. And like others have already mentioned, look at the great things Obama has done so far; healthcare reform, financial reform, economic stimulus. All things that the Bush admin. chose to ignore.
"How has your opinion of President Obama changed in recent months?"
Not at all - like others, I realized Obama was an incompetent and inexperienced amateur from the "git-go". A disastrous one term wonder, the second coming of Jimmy Carter. And he still is. So, no change.
President Obama is doing well. He's accomplished a lot of things that seem to slip under the radar screen, like signing his first day in office the torture bill. Too many people watch FOX news and want a crisis around every corner. I think business is holding back from hiring so the unemployment numbers stay high so Obama looks like he is failing.
Congress - both sides. - overall a D, individual Republicans - D - individual Democrats - C/D and the American people's understanding of how to live in a democratic society...D. The weather - D. My friends and family - A. My neighborhood and City - A. The Twins B/A, and yes, the world is going to H in a hand basket but hasn't it always been like this...I think my grandpa said this too! :)
I'm an independent and my opinion has not changed at all, I think he's doing a good job.
It's a difficult and/or dysfunctional system we have with congressional politicians more interested in keeping their current job, than doing any job.
President Obama - B- grade
Congress (democrats) - D- grade
Congress (republicans) - D- grade
I did not vote for him and therefore my expectations were already low. He had no experience running anything, was a U.S, senator for only a few years and lived in an idealistic world where his visions do not translate well to the real world.
He talks of working with republicans but in the end takes orders from the unions, pelosi, ACLU and other far left groups.
As I always expected, obama and the democrats overreached and the result will be election losses in November 2010. Obama will pay the price as a one term president, unless he can figure out how to make 18 million illegals citizens prior to 2012.
I have even more respect for Mr. Obama. Considering what was dropped on his plate. He has had to deal with incredibly difficult issues and I feel he has accomplished more in this short time than many thought possible. Just thankful the gulf oil disaster happened on his shift...we all saw how the reps handled Katrina!
My opinion of President Obama has continued to grow. As we all get over the "honeymoon" stage of his historical election and inauguration, he has really gotten down to business and accomplished the tough things that no one else has had the courage or power to deliver: reforming health care and the financial systems, restoring our international image, and trying to bring the economy back from the brink. All these things take time, and I think that people's reduced opinion has to do with the fact that the economy will take time to recover. It will, and history will look very kindly upon President Obama.
My opinion of Obama has steadily improved. I did not vote for him because he was black, but because he was a great man with great ideas. He warned us when he got into office that things would get worse before they got better, and that's exactly what has happened, although people forget easily and blame him for our present mess. Despite all the obstructions and delays, this has generally been acclaimed as one of the most productive legislative session ever. Obama promised to bring us change--in health care, business practices, our world prestige, international cooperation, ending the wars, education and the environment. He has worked tirelessly and doggedly on all of these problems with partial success--in fact rather remarkable success in a mere 18 months. He has nothing but my admiration and support. A president like this comes along only once in a century.
My opinion of him has improved, if anything. He has not shown one sign of wavering on his resolve to "fix" the economy, health-care, endless wars, and all under the scrutiny of a scary lynch mob mentality Tea Party, many times without the help of his own party, and in a time where both houses of congress are fraught with bitter, vicious bi-partisan bickering.
I support him. I support his efforts. Despite what you might say about conjecture, I seriously doubt we'd be better off with McCain & Palin at the helm. In fact, I shudder to think.....
My admiration has grown a bit. He's at least trying to get this country back on track, not only economically but also diplomatically. The previous admin. spent 8 years alienating us from the rest of the world. Pres. Obama has restored some of that trust.
It is Congress, and specifically the GOP, that has been the biggest disappointment. Blocking legislation simply for the fact it comes from Pres. Obama is sickening.
Correction,
My U of MN professors told me Keynesian economics DOES NOT work.
People said he was a marxist during the campaign and we found out he is.
People said he lacked managerial experience during the campaign and we clearly see that he does lack managerial experience.
He talked about transparency and we now know that is bull excrement.
He is alienating our allies and empowering our enemies.
He took a bad economy and doubled down on bad economic policy. From my Economics classes at the U of MN in the late 80's told me that Keynesian economics does work. Someone should have told the Dems that.
It's a good thing that at least the Dems won't have power in the House next year and possibly the Senate. Two more years and he's gone.
He is trying to dismantle the greatness of the United States of America one piece at a time and will speed up its demise.
Greece is the word. And Spain, and Portegal, and Ireland. Why are we trying to be like those countries?
My opinion of President Obama has increased in admiration for him, as he shows an amazing gift of dignity and grace under fire. Anyone thinking he is failing in his efforts to move our country out of the Bush era either has accepted the lies of the right or lacks an adult attention span. Nobody said the mess he inherited could be fixed in less than two years.
My opinion has not changed one bit about President Obama. Unlike most of the voting public, my mind does not change with the wind. President Obama has the single most difficult job on the planet and he has to clean up over 20 years Republican rule and neglect, two wars that were miss-handled from day one, an economy that was already in a nosedive, and constantly fight with Republican obstructionists. I am going to give the President a little bit of slack this time around.
With right-wingers trying to pin the label of socialist on him and left-wingers complaining that he's clearly not a socialist, it's hard to know what to believe. Still, if people on both extremes dislike him so much, he must be doing something right.
My opinion of him hasn't really changed. I realize that there is a lot of things he has to deal with right now, more than any other president in my time, and nothing on the list is can be done instantly.
I think people need to realize that it takes time. The only other recent president who dealt with a recession close to the one we're in now was Reagan. Althought he also didn't have to deal with 2 wars on top of it, it still took him 2 1/2 -3 years before we pulled out of it - I would give Obama the same time frame before I pass judgement.
It has lowered somewhat. I felt he was to lacking in experience to handle the job as president and still feel that way. Some of his recent decisions seem to reveal a lack of direction and purpose. He has made statement and later contradicted them, also his many appointments in this first eighteen months have, at times, revealed a lack of proper checking of the persons qualifications. I feel this has hurt him considerably.
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