Obama is doing a terrific job

[Onlooker]

We've just come out of 25 years of the Reagan Revulsion. The fact remains that during that period a great many Democratic Congressmen and Senators drifted to the right, especially in terms of helping the middle class at the expense of the poor, rather than at the expense of the rich, and advocating a testosterone driven foreign policy. Although Bill Clinton did a great job standing up to the tide of conservatism, it even progressed under him, with such things as welfare "reform," focus on balanced budgets, and NAFTA.

Enter Obama. He enters a DC decidedly leaning to the right of center. Most of those in Congress had spent years enabling Bush and caving into the Republicans. Even after Democrats won a majority in Congress, they still couldn't get it together enough to stop Bush in Iraq, on torture, on the economy, etc. Yet, in only five months, we've seen a clear shift to the left.

The Democrats railroaded a stimulus bill through Congress that provides jobs to working people and builds up many of our public institutions. The House bravely approved cap and trade. The House and Senate appear reasonably well poised to approve the first national health care plan in our history. It may not be the best, but it's a start. On foreign policy, we've seen an obvious shift to diplomacy and negotiation, and there are early signs of progress on many foreign fronts. We are seeing regulatory reform, greedy and incompetent business leaders being pushed out, and a major drive to erase Reagan's deregulation policies.

On some issues, Obama is not moving ahead aggressively enough, such as Don't Ask/Don't Tell and federal transparency. But, I have no doubt he will get there during his first term. Right now, he is trying to keep the Democrats together while pushing a very ambitious and liberal agenda. I think Obama recognizes the likelihood that Democrats will lose seats in 2010, so he is pushing the biggest items, such as health care, trade and cap, and regulatory overhaul (a major, underrated liberal initiative) first.

It will take more than five months for Obama to turnaround entrenched conservatism, but he's off to a great start.

[Champion Jack]

1. You need to get with the program! you need to slam Obama

Just who do you think you are being all positive and smart like that?

[MoJoWorkin]

2. Thank you. n/t

[livvy]

3. I like this. knr

I'm thinking along the same lines as you. I understand peoples' impatience, and I'd like it all right now, too. It's hard to be patient when you are directly affected by the problems that need addressing, like health care, unemployment, financial turmoil, or equal rights. When I start to lose my patience, I remind myself how bad the last 8 years have been, and how much worse it would have gotten if get-off-my-lawn mccain would have won/stolen the election. So, I'm trying to hang in there, and do what I can to help get things right.

[boomerbust]

4. Very well put.

K+R

[Tommy_J]

5. Well said

K & R

[Peacetrain]

6. Nicely said..and to the point..K&R

[monmouth]

7. What a lovely OP and welcome change from the usual slams..n/t

[lamp_shade]

9. I was thinking the exact same thing.

[katandmoon]

8. Obama EMBRACES BushCo's states secrets claims. He's hardly turning them around.

[lamp_shade]

10. Oferpetessake.

[katandmoon]

12. He does embrace them. The truth hurts. But it's undeniable.

[Baltoman991]

33. What a load

of garbage. But that's typical of a post by you. Why is it you sit and wait for a nice thread to start and then feel the need to add your negative crap?

He doesn't embrace the policies of George Bush. Truth? Not sure you have grasped that concept yet.

[Cha]

21. What a stupid post..

but then you never really get it.

[Adelante]

11. Agree absolutely

:thumbsup:

[Historic NY]

13. K&R

[Clio the Leo]

14. Well said. NT

[quidam56]

15. So far Obama is Bush 44

Appalachia can't stand anymore of the progress and prosperity of the new and improved, clean, green, hybrid coal industry. http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=138 E N D M O U N T A I N T O P R E M O V A L ! ! !

[Baltoman991]

34. I just sit

and chuckle when I read "he's Bush 44" blah blah blah. Good luck with your vote in 2012, I'm sure if a Republican gets elected you'll have everything you've ever wished for as a progressive. :eyes:

[Oregone]

16. Your first example is the stimulus bill

And frankly, that sucked. I hope that doesn't stand as an illustration of Obama's approach to politics.

[WI_DEM]

17. Another achievement was his getting the climate bill thru the house by a narrow margin

it will be tougher in the senate, but Obama worked hard for that house victory.

[flamingdem]

18. gobama! Also the US is supporting Zelaya in Honduras and not the rightwing coupists

.. at least it looks that way.

[Xenotime]

19. I can only hope Obama stomps out all conservatisim.

It's a poison on this planet.

[UrbScotty]

20. Thank you for posting this!

:thumbsup:

[Stinky The Clown]

22. Healthcare is behind schedule, still mostly a mystery, and, so far, seems headed for nowhere.

Please tell us how, to quote you, "The House and Senate appear reasonably well poised to approve the first national health care plan in our history."

There are at lest six different 'plans'. Some with a public option, some not. None of them get health care to everyone right away. Some are just more of the same, with the Bigs well protected.

[Fire1]

23. Agreed. n/t

[GivePeaceAchance]

24. Exactly you have to look at the long term voting pattern the country is taking a slow swing away...

from conservatism, which has dominated for 30 years even Bill Clinton saw the congress swing back to republican. After losing a congress in the 90s various presidential elections it was more a case of can't beat 'em join 'em. Now we have to persuade them to join us and support liberal radio by progressive tv to make that happen.

[Uzybone]

25. Excellent post.

We were placed so deep in the dirt that it'll take a superhuman effort to lift us out. The President is doing an awesome job so far, and he has so much yet to do.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

26. He doesn't have a magic wand but he's off to a great start!

One has to remember what he is up against - this government is like one of those old cars. He's chipping away at the body work but it has several coats of paint and it's rusty inside. He'll get in there shortly and deal with the rust problem!

[Cha]

27. Yes he is..I'm

glad you agree!

[tavalon]

28. He is doing a great job, overall!

And he is fucking up in a couple of areas, that's all.

People seem to think that those of us who criticize him for the things he's doing wrong hate him. We don't. We're just better at not using black and white thinking.

[Number23]

29. You said, it. And I do believe that the vast majority of the world agrees with you.

Rec'd

[Laurab]

30. I say good - not yet great, but K&R anyway for a positive post!

He may turn out to have done great, although I don't think he's there just yet. The Obama-hate around here is SO disturbing to me that I find myself staying away more and more. I'm troubled by a couple of things he's done, but I don't know yet exactly why he's doing what he's doing - I think only time will tell that, and I have patience. I also know what he inherited, so for the most part, I'm quite happy with the job he's doing. Someone above called him "Bush44", and all I can think is "how quickly we forget".

So, I thank you for your post - it was so nice to see a positive post on the "Greatest" page. I was never under the assumption that I would agree with everything Obama did, but it seems a whole lot of people were. I also studied him very carefully prior to the primaries, so I had some idea of how he would govern.

What I NEVER expected was for democraticunderground to become anti-Obama underground, which is what it now seems like to me. I'd love to see more posts like yours, and less from the people who've been criticizing him from what seems like before he even took office. I haven't given up hope yet...

[trayfoot]

31. Off to a great start is absolutely true!

[Political Tiger]

32. K & R! n/t

[Kind of Blue]

35. I liked when you said

"I think Obama recognizes the likelihood that Democrats will lose seats in 2010, so he is pushing the biggest items, such as health care, trade and cap, and regulatory overhaul (a major, underrated liberal initiative) first.

Nicely wrapped up on what the man is obviously doing. You said one sentence what I couldn't articulate in 10.

[RepublicanElephant]

36. obama looks even better when you consider the repubs waiting to take back the white house...

...'cause the green party sure ain't gettin' in!

[OwnedByFerrets]

37. Give me a reason to believe we've "come out"

of the raygun revulsion. I dont see ANY reason to believe we are headed back into a positive direction. Corporations still rule everything and the unions are NOT making a comeback. The middle class, which neocons are so determined to destroy, is disappearing faster than ever.
Give me one reason to believe. And while you are at it, give me SOMETHING that is being done FOR the middle class that makes my life better. I dont see it. Open my eyes.
Shift to the left?? Where? All I see is pretty language. And yes, I read every word of your post. Regulatory reform?? Where? What greedy business leaders have been removed?
I will agree that our foreign policy statements are a good step forward. But, that doesn't put food on my table. I'm glad for it, however.
Yes, I'm glad the man I voted for won the election. But doing a terrific job?? Give me a break.

[Dr Fate]

38. I'm behind the man- and his accomplishments will speak for themselves.

Still optimistic!

[Willo]

39. K&R nt

[NYDem Observer]

40. Exactly. Great Post

[ellie]

41. Yes he is!

He is awesome!

[brentspeak]

42. Obama gave how many billions (trillions?) of our tax dollars away to Wall St.?

I didn't see that small, insignificant issue mentioned in your "There's no place like home! There's no place like home! There's no place like home...!" OP.