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Has Obama been a good President?

Has Obama been a good President?

  • Total voters
    75
PW4000 said:
The OP Poll assumptions themselves demonstrate the problem with politics in the United States. I did not vote in the poll because there was no respondent available other than those who see Left/Right Politics as the only input to the question being asked.

There was no: I am fully independent non-party affiliated optimistic centrist who does not lean.

Parties and party affiliation have been the death nail of functional government. We no longer have functional government precisely because of extreme party dogma being supported, even when those extreme positions are bad for the country or not for the greater good of ALL American Citizens. To answer the central question without "leaning" in any direction the answer is a resounding, yes. This president has not only been a good president, he's been one of the most conscientious and thoughtful presidents that my generation has seen. And, under the massive weight of circumstance prior to entering office, he's also been the most productive president in my generation - relative to the fallen state of the union prior to his entering office. Did he achieve all of his campaign goals? No and no president would have under the same set of fallen state of the union conditions prior to entering office.

Under the pre-entry circumstances, what this president did achieve was nothing short of a miracle - especially given the extremist within the right wing who never had any pretense about supporting anything this president did, no matter how good it might have been for the country. The extremist have politicized anything and everything they could, in an attempt to cause this president to fail. In that regard, the extremists place politics ahead of the Citizens best interest. And, they continue to play politics with some of the most sensitive and important issues in America, as the exchange of Bergdhal for illegally detained Gitmo hostages suggests.

President Obama, has done a lot to restore at least some international dignity to our country as well. The previous administration under George W. Bush, was nothing short of a dictating cabal whose only interest was obtaining access to Iraqi oil, no matter how many lies they had to tell (and they told many) to get there. That administration caused the United States more international loss of integrity than anything a sitting U.S. president had done in quite a while prior.

I could run a list a mile long showing what this president has done that would more than qualify his presidency a resounding success in light of what the absolute mess the previous president left behind for him to clean up. So much so, that on this very board I used to call Obama, Janitor in Chief. Not as a derogatory term, but as a way of describing the garbage collection and waste handling this man has had to do, in order to at least try to restore some semblance of governmental stability in the wake of the outgoing George W. Bush, who in my opinion was THE worst president this nation has produced.

Success is not merely in the eyes of the beholder. Success is actually measurable. This president has been so successful that his extremist political antigens in Washington, have done absolutely nothing but criticize his every (solitary) move and every single executive measure the man has taken up as president.

What I don't like:

- He did not officially close Gitmo
- He took too long to press executive authority the people gave him when republicans showed no desire to work with him very early on
- He did not abandon the notion of Federal Government's electronic intrusion into the lives of American Citizens early enough
- He drew red lines in the sand publicly while not doing a good enough job in explaining why he changed course (which was the right thing to do)

Overall, however, this has been a very successful president given the conditions he found extant when taking office. He's been thoughtful, intelligent, articulate, aware, conscious, well reasoned, consistent and as reliable as any modern president can be with a completely dysfunctional congress.
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I agree with the part in bold, but I'm flabbergasted by the rest.
 
dang the bro killed bin laden (biggest criminal since hitler to America) and that aint good enough!!!!! ran more illegals out than any president!!! got women equal pay in gov jobs!!! Obama is hated because of his color first and being a demo second....no reason to put our heads in the sand about it
 
Really? Obama is hated because of his color? Not the countless number of scandals, the disrespect to our military, the rapid welfare, the furthered wussification of America? Yeah, I doubt it.
 
plutonium said:
dang the bro killed bin laden (biggest criminal since hitler to America) and that aint good enough!!!!! ran more illegals out than any president!!! got women equal pay in gov jobs!!! Obama is hated because of his color first and being a demo second....no reason to put our heads in the sand about it
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Obama did not kill Bin Laden. Navy Seals killed hi. Obama merely sat back at the white house and watched the video feed. The remainder of your post was not worth commenting on.
 
plutonium said:
dang the bro killed bin laden (biggest criminal since hitler to America) and that aint good enough!!!!! ran more illegals out than any president!!! got women equal pay in gov jobs!!! Obama is hated because of his color first and being a demo second....no reason to put our heads in the sand about it
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That is an ignorant post. There are many reasons to dislike Obama the President, and they have nothing to do with his color but his policies. Just because he did accomplish a couple of things does not mean other people have to agree with him or believe he was a good president.

I don't think he was the worst president either, but certainly not what I would consider a very "good" president.
 
I didnt vote....no option fit.

My answer would be 'meh.'

And much much better than the last deadly clown.

Thousands dead and maimed in Iraq...for no reason.
 
ChrisL said:
That is an ignorant post. There are many reasons to dislike Obama the President, and they have nothing to do with his color but his policies. Just because he did accomplish a couple of things does not mean other people have to agree with him or believe he was a good president.

I don't think he was the worst president either, but certainly not what I would consider a very "good" president.
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I quite agree. But the obsessive hate for him is disproportionate to anything he's actually done. People hated Wild Bill huge, but nothing like this.
 
US Conservative said:
Its 2014, and we now see the results of over 5 years of the Obama administration. POTUS is not only the executive in chief, he is also the leader of the nation and arguably the free world. His policies, especially if they are signed into law can have profound effects on citizens, as well as people of the world.


Has Obama been a good president to this point?

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Considering what he's had to deal with, I'd say yes, except for the ACA, which is a biggie. But overall, he's done a good job. Brought his intelligence and cool decision making to the Oval Office in a chaotic time, when we bordered on another Great Depression, the collapse of the economy (caused by deregulation), and enormous debt (in no small part caused by multiple wars not paid for and at the same time giving handouts to the wealthy in the form of large tax cuts), and almost total obstructionism by the opposing party (instead of working to help the country out of the mess). Many would not have done as well. So, yes. We were lucky when we got his cool head in that office.
 
Boo Radley said:
I quite agree. But the obsessive hate for him is disproportionate to anything he's actually done. People hated Wild Bill huge, but nothing like this.
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Do you think the hate for Obama is more than it was for Bush? I don't think so, especially not in the media.

What do you think about the insurgency happening in Iraq now? Negative for Obama?
 
I really cant think of one positive he has brought to this nation. Nothing.
 
ChrisL said:
Do you think the hate for Obama is more than it was for Bush? I don't think so, especially not in the media.
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The obvious answer anyone who has any historical and political perspective of the US.....is YES.

This is true not just in the shear number of those that oppose him with intense dislike/hatred, but the type of people that hate him. We are talking about the extreme US RW, the vast numbers of militant, armed to the teeth groups that were identified by the Bush administration at the the end of W's last term. The US right wing is is much more organized because that is the very nature of right-wing authoritarianism. They also have no qualms about displaying the level of militancy they hold to, from the gun toting at numerous bagger protests to their gatherings at Clive Bundy's. Again, it is not just the number, it is the intensity of it made up by gun toting racists that can barely contain themselves with the thought of a Black man in the White House.

Stormfront, the vast numbers of militias, the border vigilantes, they are barometers of the intensity of the hatred. It was bad during Clinton, the groups spawned the OKC bombing, and I think the only reason we have not seen any really big events like that is because of the expanded surveillance keeping both international and domestic terrorism in check.
 
Gimmesometruth said:
The obvious answer anyone who has any historical and political perspective of the US.....is YES.

This is true not just in the shear number of those that oppose him with intense dislike/hatred, but the type of people that hate him. We are talking about the extreme US RW, the vast numbers of militant, armed to the teeth groups that were identified by the Bush administration at the the end of W's last term. The US right wing is is much more organized because that is the very nature of right-wing authoritarianism. They also have no qualms about displaying the level of militancy they hold to, from the gun toting at numerous bagger protests to their gatherings at Clive Bundy's. Again, it is not just the number, it is the intensity of it made up by gun toting racists that can barely contain themselves with the thought of a Black man in the White House.

Stormfront, the vast numbers of militias, the border vigilantes, they are barometers of the intensity of the hatred. It was bad during Clinton, the groups spawned the OKC bombing, and I think the only reason we have not seen any really big events like that is because of the expanded surveillance keeping both international and domestic terrorism in check.
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You have no idea why people may or may not dislike Obama. I would think the majority of people dislike him because of his policies and dislike the man as a president, NOT as a human being.
 
ChrisL said:
You have no idea why people may or may not dislike Obama.
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Why? I wasn't focused on WHY.....I was commenting on the INTENSITY. Part of the WHY is obviously racist in nature, there are lots of studies looking at internet commentary for levels of negativity toward the Obama, and it is most intense in areas that have high levels of militias.




I would think the majority of people dislike him because of his policies and dislike the man as a president, NOT as a human being.
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Sure they dislike him because he is portrayed as this "liberal/socialist/communist/not Amurucun!!", but underlying it all is the obvious fact.....that he is also BLACK. It is additive to the LEVEL, the INTENSITY of hatred.
 
Gimmesometruth said:
Why? I wasn't focused on WHY.....I was commenting on the INTENSITY. Part of the WHY is obviously racist in nature, there are lots of studies looking at internet commentary for levels of negativity toward the Obama, and it is most intense in areas that have high levels of militias.
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I'm not denying that there are SOME groups out there that would definitely hate Obama because of his color. We are all well aware that those white supremacy groups do in fact exist. However, I'm pretty sure they make up a relatively SMALL minority of those who disagree with Obama policies. Most of the people who disagree with him do so for legitimate reasons that have nothing to do with the fact that he is a black man. In fact, a lot of the dissatisfaction comes from the left. Some liberals are very disappointed in Obama too. Surely, no one can be so dense as to believe it is due to his skin color in today's United States of America? :roll:



Sure they dislike him because he is portrayed as this "liberal/socialist/communist/not Amurucun!!", but underlying it all is the obvious fact.....that he is also BLACK. It is additive to the LEVEL, the INTENSITY of hatred.
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It's pretty obvious by this statement above that you harbor quite a bit of hatred yourself. Pot meet kettle.
 
ChrisL said:
I'm not denying that there are SOME groups out there that would definitely hate Obama because of his color. We are all well aware that those white supremacy groups do in fact exist. However, I'm pretty sure they make up a relatively SMALL minority of those who disagree with Obama policies.
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Your original question was:

(is) the hate for Obama is more than it was for Bush?

Again, the obvious answer is YES, and it is due in large measure because the intensity of the hate is caused by racism expressed by the right wing.


Most of the people who disagree with him do so for legitimate reasons that have nothing to do with the fact that he is a black man.
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I would venture that many of those do not have a level of feeling reaching what would be described as "hate". Hate is very high level of irrationalism.

In fact, a lot of the dissatisfaction comes from the left.
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Are you seriously going to say that a lot of the left HATE Obama with the same intensity as the right wing?

Some liberals are very disappointed in Obama too.
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But don't hate him......you are forgetting what you asked.

Surely, no one can be so dense as to believe it is due to his skin color in today's United States of America? :roll:
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Straw, I never said those that are "disappointed" with Obama are racists, you are moving the goal post on your own question......but then you seem to thrive on dishonest discussion.

Your question was:

(is) the hate for Obama is more than it was for Bush?

Don't try to change what you asked, it remains on the page.







It's pretty obvious by this statement above that you harbor quite a bit of hatred yourself. Pot meet kettle.
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I am proud to admit that I have very strong, intense dislike for right wing extremism, I dislike the ideology, the authoritarianism of it and have studied it to understand it for years. It is a great domestic threat to the Constitution, our Democracy and it has a strong foothold in the US and its psyche.
 
Gimmesometruth said:
Your original question was:

(is) the hate for Obama is more than it was for Bush?

Again, the obvious answer is YES, and it is due in large measure because the intensity of the hate is caused by racism expressed by the right wing.


I would venture that many of those do not have a level of feeling reaching what would be described as "hate". Hate is very high level of irrationalism.

Are you seriously going to say that a lot of the left HATE Obama with the same intensity as the right wing?

But don't hate him......you are forgetting what you asked.

Straw, I never said those that are "disappointed" with Obama are racists, you are moving the goal post on your own question......but then you seem to thrive on dishonest discussion.

Your question was:

(is) the hate for Obama is more than it was for Bush?

Don't try to change what you asked, it remains on the page.







I am proud to admit that I have very strong, intense dislike for right wing extremism, I dislike the ideology, the authoritarianism of it and have studied it to understand it for years. It is a great domestic threat to the Constitution, our Democracy and it has a strong foothold in the US and its psyche.
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:lol: Oh really? And what special instrument are you using to gauge intensity levels of people's personal hatred for another? What a silly claim.
 
ChrisL said:
:lol: Oh really? And what special instrument are you using to gauge intensity levels of people's personal hatred for another? What a silly claim.
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Wait a minute.....you originally asked:

(is) the hate for Obama is more than it was for Bush?

and YOU answered your own question with:

" I don't think so"

So lets work this out together, you have made a determination of the level of hatred using SOME kind of measure and found that the hate is not as intense......but somehow, I, me, cannot POSSIBLELY have some kind of "special instrument" for measuring this hatred.

Apparently, you seem to think you have a lock on such measurements. Apparently I can turn around and ask you, snidely:

What special instrument are you using to gauge intensity levels of people's personal hatred for another?

So again, cut the crap, stop with the dishonest and hypocritical posting.

We can and do have methods of identifying hate groups, we can monitor where they are, we can look at their websites to see the traffic, we can monitor tweets......there are lots of ways to measure not only the LEVEL.....but the INTENSITY.
 
I could not respond to the poll, because I am a moderate american. I am fiscally conservative, socially progressive. I lean right on some issues, and left on others. I'll give Obama a B so far. I'll keep watching to see how Obamacare turns out in a couple of years. It's too soon to tell IMO.
 
Gimmesometruth said:
Wait a minute.....you originally asked:

(is) the hate for Obama is more than it was for Bush?

and YOU answered your own question with:

" I don't think so"

So lets work this out together, you have made a determination of the level of hatred using SOME kind of measure and found that the hate is not as intense......but somehow, I, me, cannot POSSIBLELY have some kind of "special instrument" for measuring this hatred.

Apparently, you seem to think you have a lock on such measurements. Apparently I can turn around and ask you, snidely:

What special instrument are you using to gauge intensity levels of people's personal hatred for another?

So again, cut the crap, stop with the dishonest and hypocritical posting.

We can and do have methods of identifying hate groups, we can monitor where they are, we can look at their websites to see the traffic, we can monitor tweets......there are lots of ways to measure not only the LEVEL.....but the INTENSITY.
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That's because, as I stated before, the media hatred for GWB. They absolutely fawned over BHO for the most part. That is just the truth, so in actuality, we heard a lot MORE about the hatred for Bush from the left on the news and by pundits constantly IMO.
 
ChrisL said:
That's because, as I stated before, the media hatred for GWB. They absolutely fawned over BHO for the most part. That is just the truth, so in actuality, we heard a lot MORE about the hatred for Bush from the left on the news and by pundits constantly IMO.
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Again, YOUR question was:

(is) the hate for Obama is more than it was for Bush?

and YOUR "special instrument".....is now "the media".......whereas up to now, we have been talking primarily about PEOPLE, all Americans.

Do you seriously think that "the media" is a true representation of the HATRED a portion of America has for Presidents?

Do you really think "the media" is a "special instrument" that accurately reflects the amount of hatred some Americans feel for a POTUS?

I don't.
 
Gimmesometruth said:
Again, YOUR question was:

(is) the hate for Obama is more than it was for Bush?

and YOUR "special instrument".....is now "the media".......whereas up to now, we have been talking primarily about PEOPLE, all Americans.

Do you seriously think that "the media" is a true representation of the HATRED a portion of America has for Presidents?

Do you really think "the media" is a "special instrument" that accurately reflects the amount of hatred some Americans feel for a POTUS?

I don't.
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They totally fuel the fires of hatred, yes. Many, many people are influenced by what they hear on their news programs. :roll:
 
I really can't vote in the poll, because there is no answer to where I stand on this.

It's all relative, if you ask me - compared to what we've had in MY past (ie: guys like Reagan, Bush senior, etc.), I'd have to say no.

However, if things go the way I think they will go in the not too distant future of my lifetime (in 20-30 years, say), I'd answer yes. Personally, I believe that we'll all be begging for Obama in the relatively near future. I hope I'm wrong....

Call me an optimistic pessimist or whatever, but that is where I stand on this.
 
I have to say that, in light of the newest events that have occurred in Iraq, my opinion of President Obama is even worse now. Did he have NO IDEA that any of this was going to occur? Were there were no warnings?
 
ChrisL said:
They totally fuel the fires of hatred, yes. Many, many people are influenced by what they hear on their news programs. :roll:
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Sure, they can....but again, how is that manifest in society? Did the media create the large numbers of right wing militias, right-wing hate groups?

No.

Again, your question:

(is) the hate for Obama is more than it was for Bush?

and the conversation surrounding it, the context, was about how much people hate these 2 POTUS's. The punditry exists on both sides, the intense personal dislike by Americans of Obama exceeds what was expressed for Bush. We did not have large numbers of displays of guns and rifles by left-wing protesters during the Bush terms.
 
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