In a bad economy, no president comes off well

[n2doc]

Steve Chapman
August 14, 2011

... But by any objective standard, Obama has plenty of achievements. He approved a daring raid that killed Osama bin Laden. He's on his way to ending the Iraq war. He brought about a health insurance overhaul aimed at fulfilling the Democratic dream of universal coverage.

He saved General Motors and Chrysler and the jobs they provide. He scrapped the military's policy against gays. He put new regulations on financial institutions and the credit card industry.

He signed a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia. He launched a major initiative to promote innovation in schools, winning praise even from conservatives. He stopped the use of torture against suspected terrorists.

Love it or hate it, this is not the record of a dithering dunce or a confused wimp. It's all in keeping with the vision Obama offered during the 2008 campaign. It's all historically significant. None of it was preordained.

But four years of economic stagnation and turmoil have an odd way of wearing on the populace. Even if most people blame Bush more than Obama, the incumbent can't escape the general taint of failure. It's almost impossible to be a successful president — or at least to be seen as one — with an unsuccessful economy.


more

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-oped-0814-chapman-20110814,0,4936968.column

The lesson for the president and commentators is simple. If the economy gains some real steam by next November, Obama's personal qualities won't matter much. And if it doesn't? Ditto.

[leftstreet]

1. You CREATE a bad economy by giving banks money belonging to the working class

[MineralMan]

2. How dare the Trib print a story that doesn't attack the President!?!!1??11!!

I'm deeply offended at this story. They clearly haven't gotten the word yet. Only stories that cast President Obama in a negative light are acceptable. :sarcasm:

[slipslidingaway]

7. Obama blocked universal HC nt

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Worked out pretty well for FDR

But then again FDR worked to turn it around. And was successful.

[edhopper]

4. In a bad economy

when you put saving Wall Street over Main Street, when you make debt reduction a priority over jobs, when you refuse to prosecute the banker criminals who collapsed the economy, when you don't fight to end the tax cuts for millionaires and then put desperately needed social programs on the table you come off bad.

FDR had the worst economy ever and did not come off bad.

[slipslidingaway]

5. "...fulfilling the Democratic dream of universal coverage..."

Both Obama and Clinton blocked discussion of a national plan that would cover all Americans, even though two-thirds of Americans were in favor of such a system as were over 50% of physicians.

During the HC debates The Third Way site 'do not mention universal HC, talk instead about a uniquely American solution' and that is exactly what Obama did.

[slipslidingaway]

6. knr for discussion nt

[GeorgeGist]

8. Puff Piece ...

aka blowjob.

[indurancevile]

9. that list is laughable.

He approved a daring raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

He's on his way to ending the Iraq war. ("on his way" = not an accomplishment. i'll believe it when it happens, & it would have to include ending the occupation.)


He brought about a health insurance overhaul aimed at fulfilling the Democratic dream of universal coverage. (the main provision of which was a universal mandate to buy private insurance which just got voted down by the supremes).

He saved General Motors and Chrysler and the jobs they provide. (he did no such thing. he colluded with gm & chrysler to stiff their workers).


He scrapped the military's policy against gays.

He put new regulations on financial institutions and the credit card industry. (what new regulations? why is credit card interest still in loan shark territory while savings accounts pay less than 1%? why are the banksters still calling the shots?)

He signed a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia.

He launched a major initiative to promote innovation in schools (innovation my foot. he launched a major initiative to destroy & privatize public ed & send the bottom 50% to test & regurgitate hell).

He stopped the use of torture against suspected terrorists. (doubt it, whatever they say)


The ones i left blank are the ones i don't know enough about to comment on. the rest are bullshit. his only major accomplishment is funneling record-breaking amounts of swag to the rulers of the universe.

[unkachuck]

10. are you sure it's not supposed to be....

....in a bad presidency, no economy comes off well....

[mmonk]

11. Budget cutting to this degree is bad ideology in an high unemployment

economy not to meantion deal making to extend the tax cuts and add some more. That is where he is coming off bad (along with the big three on the table).