1/1/2010 10:54:29 PM

1/1/2010 10:54:52 PM

why the hell didn't you just post the link from dailykos like you did in the other thread.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/1/1/820494/-Where-we-were,-and-where-we-are

1/1/2010 11:19:14 PM

More accessible & significantly narrowed down. And I'd get more thread aesthetics complaints if I presented it as just a link with no content rather than the video list/titles which I think is an interesting way to look at the year in review. Some are trying to paint a meme that nothing happened in this administration's first year, which is pretty clearly incorrect. I'm not trying to say the president deserves sole credit for any of the accomplishments, but his administration has had a busy year with a hand in a lot of good works, even if there is a lot more to be done.

1/2/2010 12:28:56 AM

Obama's First Year: Has He Fallen Short?
December 26, 2009

Quote :

"[JUAN WILLIAMS:] I think, though, the question is - especially when it comes to health care and the declining approval numbers that you referred to, Scott - is that the president has not done a good job so far of selling it to the American people. Everything has been about the arguments here in Washington over the bill, over the possible negatives - things like cuts in Medicare, increased taxes to pay for the bill. So the question now is whether or not he can get out there and sell it, particularly to his base. And I think that's another part of the story, that in his first year, I think the base has occasionally been dissatisfied. For example: Don't Ask Don't Tell, gay marriage, sending the additional troops to Afghanistan, the Wall Street bailout - some people see that as helping the big guy, not the little guy - and not to mention human rights. He didn't meet with the Dalai Lama and the like. So a lot of people are questioning exactly where he's going."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121925567

1/2/2010 12:56:01 AM

I saw hooksaw posted.

I expected bold quote http:// shitposting with no additional comments.

Thread delivered.

1/2/2010 1:53:36 AM

Supplanter should know I generally respect his opinion in TSB, but this is what I get out of this:

Speech
Signature
Signature
Signature
Speech
Speech
Speech
Speech
Speech
Speech
Speech
Visit
Signature
Signature
Speech
Speech
Speech
Speech
Signature
Speech
And somewhere in there should be the Nobel Peace Prize for . . .

Most of that legislation he had no hand in and simply didn't veto what his party passed. The rest was just him talking. He had an unusually hard time filling his cabinet and the office of the Presidency has taken a (relative) back-seat in the news cycle to the legislative branch.

Now, in this man's opinion, that is the way the presidency should be, but it isn't the action of President Obama which is noticeable, it is the relative inaction. The most substantial evidence of executive decision making is the noticeable increase in the use of UAVs as a strike platform on the AfPak border.

Quote :

"Some are trying to paint a meme that nothing happened in this administration's first year, which is pretty clearly incorrect."

True, plenty happened, President Obama just didn't have much to do with it and if you talk to a lot of Democratic activists and congressional aides I think you'll find them in agreement.

1/3/2010 12:05:44 AM

I'm a dem.

I work for the democrats.

I voted for Obama.

And I cannot agree that Obama got shit done this year. Yes, I know he had a lot to deal with, but he has not been the leader that I was hoping he would be.

1/3/2010 12:17:29 AM

Giving speeches like the Cairo speech, signing legislation like the hate crime legislation & promising very publicly to end DADT, making appointments like a Supreme Court Justice, acting as Commander in Chief such as with setting a time-table (a word opposed by the right, especially during the last administration) for the inherited wars & closing gitmo, ending torture, respecting the Geneva conventions, and taking environmental considerations seriously all involve the president to some degree or another. And so far I've intentionally tried to avoid any reference to dealing with the economy/recession/recovery, which quite obviously took some attention,

Quote :

"Now, in this man's opinion, that is the way the presidency should be"

I think we are probably closer to agreement here than might be readily apparent. I think the President hasn't lived up to some obviously unrealistic expectations, and there are areas where I, as someone who voted for him, am disappointed but I think my expectations were overall realistic enough to view what has been accomplished in the first year as reasonable & good while recognizing room for growth for the new president.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/
This is an interesting site showing which campaign promises he has kept fully, where compromises have been made, which ones are in the works, and which ones were failed, and so far he is doing a decent job keeping or making work towards many of them.

1/3/2010 1:21:00 AM

Obama-meter on promises kept, broken, stalled, or in the works: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/

^ beat me by 5 minutes

[Edited on January 3, 2010 at 1:27 AM. Reason : ]

1/3/2010 1:26:36 AM

^^ & ^, I addressed that in another thread and it is almost a joke. It gives the President credit for congressional acts that happen to line up with the President's campaign promises. It is the intellectual equivalent of accusing Richard Burr of voting with the Democratic leadership 90% of the time by counting procedural votes.


^^ I'm simply opposed to the idea of an activist Presidency. The President is the executive of the nation and as such should spend his capital ensuring that the executive branch (namely every federal government bureaucracy) actually executes the laws and directives of the legislative branch effectively and efficiently.

Quote :

"Giving speeches like the Cairo speech"

The Cairo speech is rapidly fading in importance across the Arab and Islamic worlds as time goes on. Simply put, they're not seeing the intentions set forth in the speech transformed into real action and BHO is increasingly becoming GWB II for the Arab / Islamic world. I recommend the WorldMeetsUS Twitter feed if you want to read a lot of foreign opinions on the President.

Quote :

"signing legislation like the hate crime legislation"

Aside from my moral opposition to the very concept of hate crime legislation, he signed it . . . pretty much any Democratic President would sign that, no great accomplishment for him. This was and accomplishment, I suppose, but not one that took much effort on the part of the President.

Quote :

"setting a time-table"

I would prefer a set of clearly defined objectives rather than a quasi-firm time limit.

Quote :

"closing gitmo"

Nowhere close to being done, but I think the President underestimated (or ignored) the size of executing this order.

Quote :

"ending torture"

or at least the public acceptance of torture (I'm sure some still goes one). I'm actually completely for this as the last administrations flippant attitude towards an extremely grave subject should have been cause for anyone who has ever believed in Enlightenment values.

Quote :

"And so far I've intentionally tried to avoid any reference to dealing with the economy/recession/recovery, which quite obviously took some attention,"

Probably just as well. Pretty much everything this (and the last President) has done on this issue has been counterproductive and likely has prolonged the current economic situation.

1/3/2010 1:35:01 AM

Quote :

"Speech Signature Signature Signature Speech Speech Speech Speech Speech Speech Speech Visit Signature Signature Speech Speech Speech Speech Signature Speech"

I can see how if one doesn't count speeches that are advocating for positions/legislation, and you don't count signing legislation into law as valid work, and all you are left with is the less glamorous day to day meetings, decisions, & process then you might feel any given president hasn't done much.

One thing I think that is noteworthy is a more honest approach to science... although I guess depending on ones personal positions, things like supporting stem cell research might be seen as a failure rather than an accomplishment.

[Edited on January 3, 2010 at 2:59 AM. Reason : .]

1/3/2010 2:32:08 AM

Quote :

"and all you are left with is the less glamorous day to day meetings, decisions, & process then you might feel any given president hasn't done much."

The problem many Democratic legislators and activists have had with the President is the fact that he hasn't done a lot of back door work. His administrations stance on health care is, and always has been, give me something and I'll sign it. He's never advocated for a particular set of policy issues within the bill, just that he wants to sign something with "Health Care Reform" tacked onto it.

He is politically fond of criticizing "corporate fat cats" for reaping the rewards of the work of their laborers but that is essentially what he is maneuvering to do here.

Speeches extending an open hand to the Muslim world do not work when your policy in Afghanistan is to nearly double the most indiscriminate form of warfare, drone strikes, from 34 in 2008 to 53 in 2009, including 41 in Pakistan.

Now I'm not saying that this is or isn't good foreign policy, and I don't discount the value of a well crafted speech to change the dialogue . . . but the very fact that you feel compelled to create a thread to defend the President's record, which is being attacked from both the right and the left, demonstrates that this administration has fallen short of at least the admittedly grandiose rhetoric which got it elected.

1/3/2010 11:17:59 AM

We've seen in the past how far health care reform legislation has come when presidents try to spoon-feed their idea of a bill to congress. Instead he has given speeches, done town halls, done a joint session address on HCR, and spoken directly to congressional members instead of making public announcements of "this is exactly what a bill should look like"

Quote :

"the office of the Presidency has taken a (relative) back-seat in the news cycle to the legislative branch. Now, in this man's opinion, that is the way the presidency should be"

I'm a little confused that you are calling for a president that isn't so overtly involved, and then criticizing him on the basis that he hasn't sufficiently "advocated for a particular set of policy issues within the bill, just that he wants to sign something"

1/3/2010 11:44:19 AM

Quote :

"We've seen in the past how far health care reform legislation has come when presidents try to spoon-feed their idea of a bill to congress."

True, but there is a lot of middle ground between Hillary Clinton sequestering herself in a locked room and presenting a finished product to congress with the expectation that they pass it (a colossal political mistake on a vast number of levels) and, "hey guys get this done so I can sign it."

The administration has set forth few, if any, "must haves" or "must excludes" in the bill.

Quote :

"I'm a little confused that you are calling for a president that isn't so overtly involved, and then criticizing him on the basis that he hasn't sufficiently "advocated for a particular set of policy issues within the bill"

As well you should be since I am openly and admittedly speaking out of both sides of my mouth. I would like to see a Presidency that acts as a quiet executive and, for that matter, a congress that did as little as possible.

comma however

As a man who enjoys the political horse-race I'm happy to engage the debate on the grounds of what is expected of the Presidency. Additionally, as someone who is unabashedly opposed to much of what President Obama purports to stand for (and the last administration as well, since President Obama is fond of reminding us that he inherited these problems . . . as if he were unaware of their existence during the election) I take a bit of schadenfreude in pointing out the fact that he isn't, in fact, the messianic figure which Evan Thomas declared as God-like and Brian Williams genuflected towards last January.

1/3/2010 12:15:16 PM

Not everyone who voted for the guy had any gumption that he was Jesus.

I voted for him cause he had a nice smile.

Hell, I once voted for Ralph Nader cause I liked his haircut.

1/3/2010 12:20:11 PM

well no, a lot of people voted for them because they felt they had to vote for someone and he was the more preferable of the two.

That being said, it was a deliberate political strategy (and a brilliant one, since they pulled it off) to portray President Obama in a messianic light, leading his people out of the desert of the Bush years. The question is, where will he eventually wind up on the spectrum between Jesus and David Koresh?

[Edited on January 3, 2010 at 12:26 PM. Reason : And NO I am not comparing President Obama to David Koresh, or Jesus for that matter.]

1/3/2010 12:25:25 PM

Quote :

"Speech Signature Signature Signature Speech Speech Speech Speech Speech Speech Speech Visit Signature Signature Speech Speech Speech Speech Signature Speech"

Actually, that's all a president ever really does. Congress runs the country and the president just takes the heat for it when things go wrong. That's how it always has been, that's how it always will be.

1/3/2010 4:35:35 PM

Not really, the President is responsible for quite a bit, actually. Executive orders are issued all the time which dictate how agencies execute their jobs, I think an examination of those would be more telling than speeches and law signings, they're simply more boring.

President Bush had a great deal of influence in the GOP controlled congress during most of his term and actively worked with lawmakers to ensure his vision was accomplished through both legislative and executive channels. I'm not saying it is right, but that is how he operated. There has not been a similar connection between BHO and his congress, which is incidentally more solidly Democratic than GWBs were ever Republican.

BHO has not been as dynamic a leader as he has been an orator and his own party is starting to show signs of tiring of his lack of forceful leadership. That being said, the GOP isn't picking up what he is losing so it is way to early to call the 2010 election much less the 2012 election.

1/3/2010 4:58:51 PM

Why don't you embed this one, Supplanter?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2xzRMLmEoI

1/4/2010 12:21:24 AM

^Because he made this promise, and I believe he will keep it before the end of his first term:

1/4/2010 1:53:35 AM

this thread is a bag of shit. i agree with the sing, speech, speech, speech....post.

When all else fails, which it did, just sign a bunch of shit and take credit for it!

1/4/2010 12:13:14 PM

Embed this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQiNPfyunUc

1/4/2010 12:28:04 PM

Quote :

"Actually, that's all a president ever really does. Congress runs the country and the president just takes the heat for it when things go wrong. That's how it always has been, that's how it always will be."

I'm not sure I agree with that. I mean you've got his admin using the EPA like a big club to get Congress to pass some energy bill, and if not then the EPA will regulate it in an unconstitutional manner.

1/4/2010 1:32:01 PM

How would it be unconstitutional?

1/4/2010 1:40:42 PM

well, cause they aren't following the letter of the law, maybe? They will create their own ruling that they don't have to follow the 250-ton/year limit, something which was codified by law.

1/4/2010 6:57:12 PM

Wait, as in a 250 ton threshold for regulation? Citation?

1/5/2010 8:12:00 AM

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/11/19/805925/-90-Accomplishments-of-Pres.-Obama-Which-The-Media-Fails-to-Report....

"Professor Watson writes

Hi friends,

I am always being asked to grade Obama's presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama's critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.

As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.
Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).
Robert

1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending

2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices

3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women

4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB

6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information

7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family

8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act

9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible

10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House

11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration

12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date

13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan

14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research

15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research

16. New federal funding for science and research labs

17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards

18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect

19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools

20. New funds for school construction

21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out

22. US Auto industry rescue plan

23. Housing rescue plan

24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan

25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying

26. US financial and banking rescue plan

27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed

28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards

29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops

30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010

31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols

32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic

33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions

34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office

35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job

36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast

37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles

38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales

39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government

40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children

41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program

42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones

43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions

44. Expanding vaccination programs

45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters

46. Closed offshore tax safe havens

47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals

48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back

49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices

50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources

51. Lower drug costs for seniors

52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings

53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel

54. Improved housing for military personnel

55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses

56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals

57. Increasing student loans

58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program

59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy

60. Established a new cyber security office

61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.

62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts

63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness

64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient

65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced

66. Improving benefits for veterans

67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration

68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud

69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco

70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules

71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports

72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons

73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive

74. Making more loans available to small businesses

75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare

76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court

77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans

78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000

79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel

80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan

81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan

82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans

83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production

84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters

85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket

86. Held first Seder in White House

87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured

88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform

89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform

90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform

Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office!

b
Robert P. Watson, Ph.D.Coordinator of American Studies
Lynn University"

1/6/2010 9:36:39 PM

Quote :

"Wait, as in a 250 ton threshold for regulation? Citation?"

yes. per the law that founded the EPA, IIRC. if you really need a citation, google will work.
http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=EPA+250+tons

1/6/2010 10:27:29 PM

Quote :

"1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending [And is then going to massively increase the federal budget with a new entitlement ] 2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices [And is then going to massively increase the federal budget with a new entitlement ] 3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women [Congress] 4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq 5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB 6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information 7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family 8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act [citations? nope.] 9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible [that's why the health care debate was on C-SPAN. oh, wait...] 10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House [yeah, by putting them on his staff!] 11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration 12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date 13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan [Congress] 14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research 15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research 16. New federal funding for science and research labs [Congress] 17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards [wasn't that a SC decision?] 18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect [barely.] 19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools [Congress] 20. New funds for school construction [Congress] 21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out [is it?] 22. US Auto industry rescue plan [hooray, we rescued failing industries with bad business models] [Congress] 23. Housing rescue plan [hooray, we rescued failing industries with bad business models. wait, didn't Dubya do that?] 24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan [which has done... nothing. good work!] [Congress] 25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying [Congress] 26. US financial and banking rescue plan [hooray, we rescued failing industries with bad business models. wait, didn't Dubya do that?] [Congress] 27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed [only to be moved elsewhere] ... 29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops [Congress] 30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010 [Congress] 31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols 32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic 33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions [hooray, we'll fuck our economy something good over bullshit!] 34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office [hooray, he's a celebrity!] 35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job [yeah, he authorized them to do their jobs. 48 fucking hours later] 36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast 37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles [Congress] 38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales [hooray, we spent hundreds of thousands of dollars per car! wait, that was Congress...] 39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government 40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children [Congress] 41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program [Congress] 42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones 43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions 44. Expanding vaccination programs [Congress] 45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters 46. Closed offshore tax safe havens [Congress] 47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals 48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back 49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices [Congress] [Oh, and did we mention how now EVERYONE'S rates are going up? Good work, Obama!] 50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources [Congress] 51. Lower drug costs for seniors [Congress] 52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings [Congress] 53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel [Congress] 54. Improved housing for military personnel [Congress] 55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses 56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals [Really? He's done that already? ] 57. Increasing student loans [Congress] 58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program [Congress] 59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy 60. Established a new cyber security office 61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc. 62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts 63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness 64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient [He increased efficiency. By adding another bureaucrat? HAHAHAHA] 65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced [Congress] 66. Improving benefits for veterans [Congress] 67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration [And yet we still can't get access to those pesky health-care negotiations] 68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud 69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco 70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules 71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports [Yeah, now he just gets em straight from Al Gore!] 72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons [capitulation. Hot damn!] 73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive 74. Making more loans available to small businesses [Congress] [By the way, how is that working out, since the fed is now borrowing almost all the money out there to pay for the porkulous bill?] 75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare [Yes. His idea of slowing the costs of Medicare is making the States pay more for it instead. BRILLIANT!] 76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court [Hot damn, affirmative action / discrimination at work!] ... 80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan [And then ignored the new guys' recommendations for a couple months!] 81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan [after taking six fucking months to do what his new commanders told him to do!] 82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans 83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production 84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters [oh, gee, thank you, guvna!] 85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket [that's 84, dumbass] 86. Held first Seder in White House [whoopty] 87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured [Congress] 88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform [Congress] 89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform [oh joy, a speech!] 90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform [oh joy, a speech!]"

1/6/2010 10:40:35 PM

I gave Supplanter and the Daily Kos more credit than that.


Some of the more egregious ones:

5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB Families already got $100,000 up front, not including additional pay, funeral expenses, life insurance etc.

9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible ditto what ^ said . . . they attempted a media blockout of the only network openly critical of them. Silly as Fox may be sometimes, this isn't exactly "transparency"

10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House for serious?

18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect what ^ said . . . barely. Again, CONGRESS controls the purse strings, not the executive..

29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops Seriously? Body armor upgrades are ALWAYS being tested and provided as they become available

53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel ok, this is about the fourty-leventh act of congress that is being attributed to BHO. I went back to make sure they weren't referring to what congress had accomplished. Nope, this is being attributed to a President whom is conspicuously absent from the halls of congress, according to his own party.

64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient a lot of shit has been established. I can take a shit in my yard and say I've established a composting and fertilizing program . . . are there any actual means of measuring the success of this?

81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan Wait, I thought the DailyKos was opposed to the Afghan buildup?

87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system [i]Stop. Right. Fucking. There. President Obama's grand contribution has been some cheerleading and an offer to sign anything, whatever it may be, that comes across his desk looking like it might possibly have something to do with somebody somewhere and their health care plan.


This shit reads like a low grade campaign sheet, not a remotely incisive or accurate list not to mention it's fundamental either misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the political process. If it were a resume it'd be tossed in the round file immediately for containing nothing but vague assertions with no quantifiable results or evidence that the President was actually the acting party.



Again, it is telling that this is the first President in recent memory for whom people have felt it necessary point out the accomplishments of.

1/7/2010 3:04:14 AM

I do not stand fully behind this list as either 100% accomplished by the president alone, nor as 100% good things, I am only sharing the blanket list to dissuade the notion that "this administration will forever be known as a 'do nothing' administration." The problem is it is hard to find a blanket list of things accomplished by the president that isn't written by someone who is a lot more supportive of the president that myself. My only point is at least some of the list & some of the video list are good things.

1/7/2010 3:28:01 AM

"Again, it is telling that this is the first President in recent memory for whom people have felt it necessary point out the accomplishments of."

Seriously? Google list president bush accomplishments. Here was my first result, only reposting the first part b/c it was longer than the current administrations list. At the end of ones first year in office it shouldn't be surprising at all that people are making lists of what have been accomplished in the first year. Using the fact the people are making lists of what happened last year at the new year as an attack? I gave you more credit than that.

Quote :

"PRESIDENT BUSH'S AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENTS Unknown | June 30, 2004 | Unknown Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 6:33:59 PM by soozla Abortion & Traditional Values 1. Banned Partial Birth Abortion — by far the most significant roll-back of abortion on demand since Roe v. Wade. 2. Reversed Clinton's move to strike Reagan's anti-abortion Mexico Policy. 3. By Executive Order (EO), reversed Clinton's policy of not requiring parental consent for abortions under the Medical Privacy Act. 4. By EO, prohibited federal funds for international family planning groups that provide abortions and related services. 5. Upheld the ban on abortions at military hospitals. 6. Made $33 million available for abstinence education programs in 2004. 7. Supports the Defense of Marriage Act — and a Constitutional amendment saying marriage is between one man and one woman. 8. Requires states to conduct criminal background checks on prospective foster and adoptive parents. 9. Requires districts to let students transfer out of dangerous schools. 10. Requires schools to have a zero-tolerance policy for classroom disruption (reintroducing discipline into classrooms). 11. Signed the Teacher Protection Act, which protects teachers from lawsuits related to student discipline. 12. Expanded the role of faith-based and community organizations in after-school programs. "

[Edited on January 7, 2010 at 3:39 AM. Reason : .]

1/7/2010 3:32:58 AM

Here is a Clinton list:
http://www.perkel.com/politics/clinton/accomp.htm

Quote :

"CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND SECURITY FOR ALL AMERICANS * Signed the Economic Package, August 10, 1993. * The economy created 7.7 million new jobs in the first 34 months of this Administration. * Passed the largest deficit-cutting plan in history -- saving more than $1 trillion over seven years. * On track for three consecutive years of deficit reduction -- for the first time since Harry Truman. * Cut federal spending by $255 billion over 5 years. * Made new tax cuts available to over 90% of small businesses. * Unemployment has fallen from 7% when President Clinton took office to its current rate of 5.6% * Lowest combined rate of unemployment and inflation since 1968. * 1994 real GDP growth was the highest in a decade. * Proposed a plan to balance the budget while protecting critical investments in education. PROMOTING A FUTURE OF OPPORTUNITY * Increased Head Start funding by almost $760 million. * Passed the Student Loan Reform Act, August 10, 1993. * Implemented the National Service Act, September 21, 1993. * Signed the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, March 31, 1994. * Enacted the School-to-Work Opportunities Act on May 4, 1994. * Signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization "

1/7/2010 3:35:58 AM

The difference is, Bush and Clinton both had a very active hand in the Congresses which met while they were in office, President Obama does not.

Perhaps it is simply the fact that much was expected of Obama, much more than he could ever hope to deliver, but his habitual habit of apologizing for the United States (right or wrong), his conspicuous absence from the legislative process, his penchant for going out and . . . for lack of a better description . . . campaigning for himself when embattled at home, his proclivity for giving speeches which rarely are backed up with action, and the incessant attempts to attribute to him things which he had no real hand in do not portray the President in a flattering light.

Quote :

"Using the fact the people are making lists of what happened last year at the new year as an attack?"

Ok, fair enough, everyone does make lists, it is human nature, but to have a list so populated with either speeches or act of congress gives at least the appearance of grasping for anything to hold on to and hold up as Presidential "accomplishments." Meanwhile, whenever someone points out where he has fallen short of his objectives, he falls back on "well I inherited these problems from the last administration." Mr. President, if you didn't want the responsibility of dealing with these problems why did you run for office?


The Democratic party knows that, while the GOP handed them a victory in the last election by nearly a decade of perpetual incompetence, what truly pulled them over the top was the star power of BHO. Nancy Pelosi is abrasive even to many Democrats. The Senate has lost Kennedy, Dodd, Dorgan, and is probably going to lose Harry Reid. Frankly, the shining star there right now is Franken . . . but he doesn't have the pull or the power yet that any of the old names did.

Fortunately for them, they're running against a confused and schizophrenic party with little hope of putting together a coherent message in the next 8 months. Either way, BHO will face a substantially less accommodating congress in 2011 and I suspect we'll learn more about his true mettle when that happens. I have a feeling that he'll have to drop the dignified charade and start playing the only style of politics he truly knows . . . Chicago.

1/7/2010 3:59:47 AM

"falls back on "well I inherited these problems from the last administration."

The next section of the Bush list I posted above:

Quote :

"Budget, Taxes & Economy 1. Signed two income tax cuts, one of which was the largest dollar-value tax cut in world history. 2. Supports permanent elimination of the death tax. 3. Turned around an inherited economy that was in recession"

Everyone blames the last president for their problems, especially a first term, first year president following a 2 term 8 year president.

1/7/2010 4:12:47 AM

And don't forget that Clinton had a strong dollar, which helped a lot.

1/7/2010 7:28:18 AM

He may have had a busy year last year, but this one isn't starting out so well for him.

1/20/2010 12:06:10 AM

^what the hell is that about? his second year starts today.

1/20/2010 10:01:26 AM

yep. a busy year of campaigning and not doing anything and taking the credit for whatever Congress does. how fucking wonderful!

1/20/2010 11:22:14 PM

you forgot a couple big things he did this year.

1) Closed Gitmo completely by January 22, like he said he would. Oh, wait. fuck.
2) Stood up to Russian aggression in Georgia by caving in and pulling missiles out of Poland. Oh, wait. fuck.
3) Made quick decisions on Afghanistan by taking 4 months to... Oh, wait. fuck.
4) Fulfilled his campaign promise to reach across the aisle by allowing Republicans to be locked out of meetings on healthcare. Oh, wait. fuck.
5) Fulfilled his campaign promise to have all the healthcare debate on C-SPAN. Oh, wait. fuck.

1/25/2010 1:08:25 AM

1) That he responds to new information is a bad thing? As long as he stands committed to no torture, to respecting the Geneva Convention, and to closing Gitmo... I don't care about the specific date so much. You'd rather he releases everyone to Yemen right away?
2) For a president who promised to use diplomacy more than missiles this isn't so out of place.
3) Making careful decisions about war is a bad thing? Look at what less careful decisions the last president made cost us.
4) The GOP want to make healthcare his "Waterloo", they weren't exactly making it easy, especially with their skyrocketing levels of filibuster threats. And the president instructed congress to wait until the newly elected GOP Senator was seated before passing health care legislation rather than jamming it through.
5) You've got him there. But then again with the healthcare reform legislation we've seen the sausage being made on a level that is rarely seen with legislation and it isn't like it is being rush through.

1/25/2010 1:49:41 AM

1)
2) He caved in.
3)
4) They never even attempted to listen to the GOP. The GOP made their decision to be dicks after they were shut out of the process, not before.

1/25/2010 1:52:39 AM

Quote :

"The GOP want to make healthcare his "Waterloo","

More like the nervous democrat congress created more headaches for Obama over HC than did the GOP.

Barack Obama is the wrong president for these times. He is a radical socialist wolf in moderate sheep's clothing. He is eager to get his agenda through, but is ham-strung by a withering economy.
He has no inner desire to get the country rolling again, because it would mean he would have to say positive things about business and capitalism.

He has trapped himself in a populist narrative. But his entrepreneur-class enemy is actually the only people who can pull the economy around.

1/25/2010 10:43:22 AM

Quote :

"He has no inner desire to get the country rolling again, because it would mean he would have to say positive things about business and capitalism."

Okay, so he recognizes capitalism is the answer, but he wont embrace it because he has a secret desire for the economy to fail so that he doesn't have to say anything good about capitalism. Got it.

Quote :

"in moderate sheep's clothing"

Okay, so outwardly he acts like a moderate, but on the inside he recognizes capitalism is the answer. Therefore he is a radical socialist wolf.

But the linchpin that really holds this argument together is that a President whose re-election depends on the economy improving secretly wants the economy to fail.

1/25/2010 5:54:13 PM

Quote :

"but he wont embrace it because he has a secret desire for the economy to fail "

Obama thinks capitalism is the cause of our problems. Why would he want to support it? Corporations are evil. Government is the real answer. If the economy fails, he thinks the people will be willing to reject capitalism and try things his way.

Quote :

"Okay, so outwardly he acts like a moderate,"

That's the way he got elected. Remember? He was the great uniter? The calm leader of a purple nation. Once in office, he became the most partisan president I've seen in a long time..demonizing everything and everyone who disagrees with him.

Quote :

"a President whose re-election depends on the economy improving secretly wants the economy to fail."

Very astute observation, Supp. This may very well be the reason for his downfall. Unlike Clinton, Obama may refuse to chuck his core socialist beliefs aside and cheer on a capitalistic recovery. I would have more respect for the man if he did stay true to his radical beliefs and flame out in one term.

1/25/2010 6:40:53 PM

Suuure you would.

1/25/2010 10:30:46 PM

Quote :

"He has no inner desire to get the country rolling again, because it would mean he would have to say positive things about business and capitalism."

This sure makes it sound like he secretly knows capitalism is a good thing.

1/25/2010 11:06:06 PM

Quote :

"Once in office, he became the most partisan president I've seen in a long time..demonizing everything and everyone who disagrees with him."

Quote :

"I would have more respect for the man if he did stay true to his radical beliefs and flame out in one term."

So which one is it? Is he a radical pushing his agenda, or is he a moderate not getting the things he's promised done? The irony is that Obama pisses off liberals because he doesn't strong arm his agenda. And even when he doesn't, he is still vilified as a "socialist" and "radical" by people on the right even though he has yet to drastically change anything (because he's really more of a centrist than conservatives want to give him credit for). The poor bastard can't win for losing with some of you.

1/25/2010 11:22:29 PM

^

Quote :

""I'd rather be a really good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president," he told ABC's "World News" anchor Diane Sawyer in an exclusive interview today. "

1/26/2010 2:14:32 AM