Thread: Obama's First 50 Days a Wild Ride/Poll

Obama's First 50 Days a Wild Ride
http://news.aol.com/main/obama-presiden ... ays/376700

posted: 1 HOUR 36 MINUTES AGO comments: 1621filed under: Political News, The Obama Presidency(March 10) --

The media makes a big deal about a president's first 100 days, using that span of time to gauge how effectively a leader wields his new power. But given the historic nature of Barack Obama's presidency and the economic turmoil that is rocking the nation, many commentators are examining his performance after just 50 days in office.

Obama made a big move on Monday, day 49, by reversing former President George W. Bush's ban on using taxpayer funds for stem cell research. When Bush signed the ban six months into his presidency, it was considered one of his most significant acts in office. But given the problems facing the country now, Obama's reversal was little more than a "blip on the radar screen," notes Baltimore Sun columnist Thomas F. Schaller.

What’s Your Take?
What’s your assessment of the first 50 days of Barack Obama’s presidency? Share your comments here.

How do you rate Barack Obama's job performance so far?
Poor 49%
Excellent 25%
Fair 14%
Good 12%

Will Obama be able to turn the country around in the next four years?
Probably not 59%
Probably 31%
Not sure 10%

Which best describes your feelings about the nation's prospects for the next 10 years?
Pessimistic 36%
Optimistic 33%
Mixed 31%

Schaller praises Obama for choosing his top advisers based on skill and competence rather than loyalty. He also looks at president's "transformative" economic plan for the country, which includes massive spending in an effort to jolt the economy back to good health. And he lists the wide range of issues that Obama has acted upon in the past seven weeks, including the war in Iraq, troop increases in Afghanistan and the treatment of terrorism suspects.
"Every week seems to bring more major announcements," Schaller writes.
The Associated Press notes that the Obama administration has garnered a distinction no leader wants -- the worst-ever stock market performance for a new president.

"The Dow Jones industrial average has fallen 21 percent during Obama's first seven weeks in office," the story says. "Count back to Election Day and the results are even bleaker: That afternoon, the Dow closed at 9,625. Now it stands at 6,547, a loss of 32 percent."

What's going on? It depends on whom you ask. The AP said some investors blamed the Bush administration for passing along a lousy economy to the new president. Others said Wall Street has been disappointed by Obama's $787 billion economic stimulus plan, as well as the ongoing financial bailouts for troubled sectors of the economy.
In its examination of Obama's first 50 days, the BBC compares him to Franklin Roosevelt, who took office during the Great Depression and managed to get Congress to pass 15 major pieces of legislation in his first three months. The piece also draws favorable comparisons between the two leaders' demeanor and communication skills.

"Mr. Roosevelt ... was relentlessly upbeat," the BBB says. "Mr. Obama -- coming to power at a time when many voters are bewildered by a financial collapse they barely understand -- radiates competence and confidence. He grasps the importance of looking presidential, and already plays the role convincingly. "

Several news organizations are tracking Obama's performance throughout his first 100 days and beyond. Fox Newsoffers an easy-to-digest list of daily highlights from the Obama presidency. The Wall Street Journal has a feed of all of its blog coverage of the administration.
And the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times' PolitiFact project follows Obama's progress on more than 500 promises it says he made during the campaign. The tally so far: He has kept 17 pledges and broken two (on allowing five days of public comment before he signs bills, and on creating a $3,000 tax credit for businesses that create jobs).

Looks like the Honeymoon is over.

How do you rate Barack Obama's job performance so far?
Poor 49%

Excellent 25%

Fair 14%
Good 12%

Total Votes: 244,856


Will Obama be able to turn the country around in the next four years?

Probably not 59%
Probably 31%
Not sure 10%

Total Votes: 236,862


Which best describes your feelings about the nation's prospects for the next 10 years?

Pessimistic 36%
Optimistic 33%
Mixed 31%

Total Votes: 165,819

Obama is no President, he's an imposter, citizen or not.

Deleted by me (MW).