President Obama Gives Himself a ‘Solid B-Plus’

[cal04]

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/obama-gives-himself-a-solid-b-plus/

So what grade does President Obama give himself after nearly a year in office?

“A good solid B-plus,” he said, answering a question from Oprah Winfrey during a television special that aired on Sunday evening.

Mr. Obama said that he inherited the biggest set of challenges of any president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but he ticked through a list of items that he called accomplishments: stabilizing the economy, withdrawing troops from Iraq, settling on the “best possible plan” in Afghanistan, improving America’s image around the world and finding international consensus on disabling nuclear weapons in Iran and North Korea.

And, he said, the goal of overhauling health care is moving closer to reality.

So what would make the year better?

“If I get health care signed, we tip into A-minus,” Mr. Obama said.

[mikita]

1. not in my book....n/t

[Drunken Irishman]

2. You gave him an A too?

We rock!

:toast:

[babylonsister]

3. Bwhaha! Me, too!

:toast:

[mikita]

4. so funny I forgot to laugh....

rock on

[Divine Discontent]

12. time to cut you off, DI!

:)

I wouldn't have answered such a question.

With all the new jobless people out there, families suffering horribly to feed and clothe their kids, and thousands and thousands dying needlessly because of a lack of being given proper health care does not allow a B+ in my book. More like C because of some success with what he mentioned.

And I guess he only takes off a half grade for continuing the Patriot Act, doing little on advancing rights causes for GLBT who deserve full equality, and cozying up a bit too much with the people who got us into the financial disaster to begin with. There's plenty more negatives, but I still give him a passing grade, which I'm sure will be attacked by some as being ridiculously low, I think there's a dozen more unfortunate decisions that could easily be tacked onto why it's been a bumpy year. Giving yourself a B+ though despite the mounting jobless claims knowing people are suffering is a bit of a reach...

[boppers]

53. Nice Username. eom

[HughMoran]

18. Yeah, I'd have given him an A- as well

You're alright! :hug:

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jefferson_dem]

73. Me either...

Solid A.

[NYC_SKP]

5. He walked into the single shittiest set of conditions since FDR. Easily a Solid B+

I'd score him higher.

[Cha]

6. It's amazing the turn around that's

happening in our country now and thankfully I hang out with people who do appreciate what we have.

[Divine Discontent]

21. yes, things are going swimmingly

CEO paychecks are higher than ever, and, the number of people filing claims for state unemployment benefits rose by 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 474,000, while the total number of people claiming benefits of any kind topped 10 million, a sign of very sluggish hiring, the Labor Department reported.

And that's not including all the other things that are troubling (like the Patriot Act invasions, lack of progress on GLBT rights, Afghanistan War's 5 additional years or more, etc)

[rollingrock]

7. Talk about audacity

or is it hubris?

[NYC_SKP]

8. You? Or the President?

:shrug:

[rollingrock]

14. This thread

isn't about me...though, I'm sure Goldman Sachs and AIG would give him an A+.

[Divine Discontent]

24. +1!

[Divine Discontent]

17. You don't need to play confused.

Unless you really are confused... ha.

[Cha]

28. Pres Obama actually stated what has been accomplished..

all you have are cheap shots over the internet.

[Renew Deal]

29. Uppity?

:shrug:

[rollingrock]

66. Playing the race card?

what a cheap shot.

[jefferson_dem]

74. Cheap shot -- as was your original post in this thread.

Stop whining.

[graywarrior]

9. A solid A from me for carrying a thousand pound sack of shit left by GWB and friends

[firedupdem]

10. +1! A sack of shit indeed! n/t

[BeFree]

22. That's just it

He's carrying that sack of shit when he should have dumped it out.

No, Obama, you get a C- grade. I could have done what you have done so far, and done more. Except I would have troops pouring out of Iraq, none going into to Afghanistan and Cheney would be all lawyered up and sweating his balls off.

You could have easily done that and more. C- at best.

[firedupdem]

39. YOU could have? Then why in the hell are you posting here?

Go get some shit done!

[BeFree]

41. Obama has failed

Don't blame me, he's the president. Do you disagree with what I would have done?

Why are you posting here? Just to sling shit and say you've done something?

[firedupdem]

45. What are you even talking about? Obama has failed at

what? Because you aren't satisfied? I don't think he's failed and if you do, go do something about it! Go figure out who you're supporting in 2012. Go run yourself since you are so capable. I don't play the argue game with people who are hell bent on pissing on any and everything Obama. You're the one slinging shit about what YOU could have accomplished. I encouraged you to get started if it's so easy. There are lots of folks here who think like you do, go talk to them.

[BeFree]

47. Go fly a kite

If you can't take me criticizing the president maybe you have a failure of your own faith?

You like that Cheney is still free? That many thousands of innocents around the world still live in fear of what the US military is going to do to them and their families?

You like that shit? You think that is a success? That sucks, and you know it. You aren't stupid. Don't be fooled.

[firedupdem]

51. Maybe in your delusional state you forgot that you responded to

my post with a list of things you could easily accomplish. I encouraged you to get started and stop wasting your time posting here if you're that powerful....now you want to argue over whether I can take your criticism of the president.

Let me help you.

I could care less about your thoughts on this subject.

[BeFree]

54. Ya know

We criticized bush for a lot of the same shit.

If you could care less, go fly a kite!

[lewiston]

76. Sometimes..

a little blood has to be spilled to BeFree.

[Number23]

46. How in the sweet Sam Hill can you claim he's "failed" before his first year in office is done?

And if that's not bizarre enough, you then add what YOU would have done better, I guess as President?? What in the world???

[BeFree]

48. So

You like Cheney running around free, shooting off his mouth?
That our bombs could be dropping on children's heads right now as we speak and more are sure to be dropped? You think that is right?

[firedupdem]

52. So crazy, that it's not even funny. Unbelievable. n/t

[BeFree]

56. Yeah crazy

There has been no real change from Bushco. Wars rage, and rumors of more wars go on and on. Cheney is still free. No real change. Fail.

[Number23]

58. I'll let you handle this one. Something seems a litle "off" if you kow what I'm sayin'...

[firedupdem]

59. Yes I do, instead of flying my kite though, I'm going to bed...LOL n/t

[BeFree]

61. Sweet dreams butter cakes

And hope to hell the terrorists don't get you tonight, they's so scary we have to fight them over there so we don't have to fight them out of your bedroom.

But Cheney is still free. But he won't bother you, he's not afraid of the likes of you. Why should he be?

[firedupdem]

64. LOL!!

Glad I took one more peek at this thread. You've got me laughing my ass off!

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Number23]

65. So you're nasty as well as clueless? That's good to know.

Not that this is all that unusual for you green-teabagger types.

(See what happens when you insult people for no reason? You get shit right back to you.)

And before you keep boring and inadvertently entertaining everyone in this thread with your 4th grade insults, I don't have a kite so please don't ask me to fly one. I mean, if that's the best you can do, why even bother?? Just bow out gracefully and call it a day.

[Lilyeye]

50. His failed yet he hasn't even finished year one of his term?

:banghead:

The "I told you so" crowd is loving that line.

[BeFree]

55. Cheney is still free

And the wars grow. That's a failure. Same as bush. Reality is a bitch, eh?

[treestar]

84. 1. Arresting CHeney is not that easy

and it's not a high priority with a bad economy.

2. Iraq is drawing down and Afghanistan is now focused, so the wars grow is ridiculous.

3. Same as bush is absurd - McWar as continuing Bush would still be pursuing Iraq and maybe even including Iran.

[Hekate]

62. That's breathtaking arrogance, that is: "I could have done what you have done so far, and done more"

Can I have some of what you're smoking?

OTOH, get out there and run for President. You show 'em.

Hekate

[BeFree]

63. Oh

So, you never criticized Bush? Hypocrisy is real ugly. Don't you think?

Do you think Cheney still free is a success? A++? gawd...

[Hekate]

68. How is criticizing Baby Caligula a problem for you? How is it hypocritical to recognize that Obama

... IS NOT EFFING BUSH?

You and all your bitter little friends... Bitter, bitter, bitter.

Hekate

[ima_sinnic]

77. he's not bush, but

he's not exactly rocking the ole bush boat is he?
I don't see bush, cheney, rumsfeld, rice, gonzales, or any of the other war criminals sweating bullets or anything--in fact, they feel free (cheney especially) to comment on and criticize Obama's policies with impunity. They know his administration will not only never do anything about their massive crimes, it will actually make it easier for them to commit them in the future. That to me is epic fail.
I also do not appreciate the way Obama has NOT resisted "health insurance" companies or neglected their bottom line, or the bottom line of the banksters and NOT advanced in any way, shape, or form a single-payer policy. For those efforts I give him a C-

yeah, I'm bitter, because I was stupid enough to believe a fork-tongued politician with a slogan about "change" who now appears to be one of the foxes robbing my henhouse. I'm bitter because I can't afford health insurance and whatever sack of shit I'm handed as my mandated, obligatory "insurance policy" isn't going to do shit other than further deplete my bank account and make all Obama's CEO friends even richer.

[Hekate]

57. My feelings exactly. I think the Prez is giving an accurate self-assessment ...

He errs a bit on the side of modesty, imo, but he is right to enumerate his accomplishments -- especially since his former friends on the left are so quick to publicly dismiss and diss the reality of those accomplishments.

Hekate

[Undercurrent]

11. I disagree with the President.

I give him an A.

[tblue]

13. Well, good for you, Mr. President. You're satisfied with the job you've done so far.

That tells me something I've been wondering about: You are accomplishing pretty much what you wanted to accomplish up to now. You're not all that frustrated, you aren't in agony, you don't feel you've really let anyone important to you down. Must be a good feeling. I'm sure you sleep well at night. Merry Christmas, sir. Sweet dreams.

[Divine Discontent]

15. it was a bit of a shock to see him give such a high grade to himself... he was better off just

saying they've done some very good things, but he shouldn't even begin to grade himself, especially when so much is left undone.

[NYC_SKP]

23. This was Oprah. It's a TV show. Some call it entertainment.

This is a non-issue.

Maybe he should have deflected the question, maybe not.

It's just Oprah.

[Divine Discontent]

26. Anything the President of the United States appears on, it is important what he says

[NYC_SKP]

35. And should he be honest, or should he agree with you?

He's entitled to be frank and honest and if he thinks he's worked his ass off and deserves a B+, who are we to expect a different answer?

[Orrex]

16. Honestly, what the hell would you have expected him to say?

[tblue]

30. "I give myself a B for effort and a C for performance, for as long as hardworking Americans go

without homes, jobs, and healthcare. I will never be satisfied with my performance while unemployment is at 10%. As long as America can do better, I can do better."

The focus of his answer should not be on himself!

I'd trust in him so much more if I thought he "got it." Self-satisfaction should never be acknowleged publicly. It's tacky and tone deaf for anyone over 12 years old. It won't endear you to anyone. Self-deprecation is infinitely more appealing.

This is not a big deal, but it does give us an insight into his thinking.

[Orrex]

33. It may give us an insight into his thinking, but it tells us nothing about his self-assessment

If he'd given himself an A, he'd have looked like an asshole. If he'd given himself less than a B, he'd have been committing political suicide.

Whatever he thinks about his job performance so far, he gave the best answer he could have given.


The mistake is in reading his answer as an indication of how he thinks he's doing.

[Cha]

34. Did you even watch it? Pres Obama was plenty self deprecating.

He knows this isn't about him..it's what's been accomplished by all the people who have been working to turn around the mess that the last administration left.

[tblue]

40. I never watch Oprah anymore. Well, good for him, giving credit to the people

around him. That sounds more his style. I never before saw him toot his own horn that.

[HughMoran]

20. Sweet dreams

It must've been in dreams where you thought he said he'd accomplish any more than he has in 1 year.

[tblue]

36. "Attempted" would make me very happy. I give lots of credit for effort.

Stop trying to tell people to lower their expectations. You can't make anyone like something they don't like.

I must have a better opinion of our president than some other people. I happen to think Obama has tremendous abilities and has much more to offer. So, yes, I have great expectations of him. I think he's worthy of them.

[Cha]

32. No, if you saw it he wasn't satisfied at all.

But, he did list what has been accomplished.

[JI7]

19. i give him an A

[Cant trust em]

25. I'd say about a B minus.

Pretty close though.

I'd have said B+ without the escalation.

[debbierlus]

31. Delusional. F.

[firedupdem]

37. You gave him that grade prior to the inauguration...... your F means

nothing.

[Hekate]

69. Bitter, bitter, bitter.

[ima_sinnic]

78. apparently believing cheap campaign slogans & realizing they were lies makes us "bitter"

well, yes it does. Some have lower standards than others, I guess, and are easily fooled by such gimmicks and don't really expect anything out of them.

[uponit7771]

79. PONY!!!!

[ecstatic]

82. You are delusional nt

[progressoid]

38. Stupid question.

Oh, wait. Oprah. Never mind.

[LibDemAlways]

42. The fact that he isn't Bush automatically gives him some points in my

book, but I'd say, overall, he's what school kids would call an "easy grader."

I'd break it down this way:

Leadership on health care.......D

Diplomacy...............................B

Afghanistan Policy..................C- (only because he did what he said he was going to do)

Assistance for the Poor and Middle Class............D

Jobs Creation/Economic Stimulus........................C-

It would be interesting to hear his reasons for giving himself a B+. He must be inhabiting an alternate universe from the one I'm living in.

[pecwae]

70. Your grading is quite good.

And it's more accurate than what the President gave himself.

[BP2]

43. No, he gets an "INCOMPLETE" until

he actually passes Health Care Reform. No more freebies until the assignment is actually turned in!

Once Barack passes it, he gets an A-.

If and when he get a REAL public option in there, then an A.

We'll talk about extra credit after the State of the Union with Amnesty and finishing Cap and Trade.

[Ninten12]

44. Those "Advisors" Have To Go!

I admire Barack because he actually wanted the job of cleaning up after Dubya but the people around him are not progressives!


http://www.thepetitionsite.com/15/president-obama-needs-progressive-advisors

[girl gone mad]

49. I guess Bush really skewed the curve.

I give him an A+ for energy, but on actual policy, I think he is coming up short of passing.

[Name removed]

67. Deleted message

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[JTFrog]

71. Can't stand Dick or his daughter, but that's out of line. n/t

[Algorem]

72. B

for Buttmunch

[asdjrocky]

75. My favorite neighbor, and good friend

has been out of work for 2 years. Yesterday they found out no one will work with them to help keep their home, so now he is jobless, thank God his wife still works, and soon they will have to find another place to live.

The people behind me, also friends, we foreclosed on two months ago.

I have to give the President a C at best right now and I feel I'm being generous.

[Clio the Leo]

80. Did people REALLY expect us to be experiencnig job GROWTH by NOW?

I was never under the impression that we'd be growing jobs faster than losing them by now. But to go from 700,000 jobs lost in January to 11,000 in November, is better than *I* expected.

One of us (either me or y'all) had some unrealistic expectations.

[Oregone]

81. The Obama admin expected under 8% unemployment now

Around 7.75% dipping from a peak in the last quarter. This certainly implies job growth was expected.


But yeah, jobs lost was a phenomenal decline. There were some massive gains in some countries (Australia and Canada)

[Phx_Dem]

83. I give him a A. When he signs a HRC bill, he'll move to A+.

[ZombieHorde]

85. The grades in this thread are not performance grades, they are popularity grades.

I am unaware of any standard objective method for applying a letter grade to a President.