Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAn alternative look at Obama’s 5th year
An alternative look at Obamas 5th year
By Steve Benen
When books are written on Barack Obamas presidency, its unlikely that his fifth year will be celebrated as the pinnacle of his tenure. On the contrary, its a year White House officials almost certainly consider a disappointment.
But Im not sure its been quite as disastrous as advertised.
For much of the Beltway, that the year was an abject disaster is a foregone conclusion. Little seems to have gone right for the White House in 2013, Politico noted this morning in a piece asking which administration had the worst fifth year. Obama had the worst year in Washington, the Washington Post concluded last week. 2013 has been a pretty terrible year for the president, BuzzFeed argued.
This has been Obamas year from hell, The New Republic said. When Beltway pundits arent comparing Obamas 2013 to George W. Bushs 5th year, theyre comparing it Richard Nixons 5th year.
Even the most enthusiastic Obama supporter would probably balk at heralding 2013 as a success, but the premise of these analyses seems a little excessive. Consider:
Obviously, the Affordable Care Acts open-enrollment period got off to a dreadful start, though theres ample evidence that the system is the midst of a dramatic turnaround. Besides, two months of website troubles do not a year make.
- more -
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/alternative-look-obamas-5th-year
By Steve Benen
When books are written on Barack Obamas presidency, its unlikely that his fifth year will be celebrated as the pinnacle of his tenure. On the contrary, its a year White House officials almost certainly consider a disappointment.
But Im not sure its been quite as disastrous as advertised.
For much of the Beltway, that the year was an abject disaster is a foregone conclusion. Little seems to have gone right for the White House in 2013, Politico noted this morning in a piece asking which administration had the worst fifth year. Obama had the worst year in Washington, the Washington Post concluded last week. 2013 has been a pretty terrible year for the president, BuzzFeed argued.
This has been Obamas year from hell, The New Republic said. When Beltway pundits arent comparing Obamas 2013 to George W. Bushs 5th year, theyre comparing it Richard Nixons 5th year.
Even the most enthusiastic Obama supporter would probably balk at heralding 2013 as a success, but the premise of these analyses seems a little excessive. Consider:
* Twice congressional Republicans threatened debt-ceiling default; twice Obama stood his ground; and twice the GOP backed down before Congress did real harm. The presidential leadership helped establish a new precedent that will benefit Obama, his successors, and the country.
* Congressional Republicans shut down the government to extract White House concessions. Obama and congressional Democrats stood firm and the GOP backed down.
* The Obama administration forged an international agreement to rid Syria of chemical weapons, struck a historic nuclear deal with Iran, and brought Israelis and Palestinians to the table together for the first peace talks in years.
* The economy has steadily improved, and 2013 is on pace to be the best year for U.S. job creation since 2005 and the second best since 1999.
* The scandals the media hyped relentlessly in the spring proved to be largely meaningless, and while the presidents poll numbers have dropped, his standing is roughly at the same point as two years ago.
Obviously, the Affordable Care Acts open-enrollment period got off to a dreadful start, though theres ample evidence that the system is the midst of a dramatic turnaround. Besides, two months of website troubles do not a year make.
- more -
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/alternative-look-obamas-5th-year
Add the nuclear option, resulting in numerous confirmations. Frankly, the pundits spent most of the year creating the impression that the administration would achieve nothing, and the last two months attempting to declare Obamacare dead. All BS.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
3 replies, 530 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (5)
ReplyReply to this post
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
An alternative look at Obama’s 5th year (Original Post)
ProSense
Dec 2013
OP
onehandle
(51,122 posts)1. Yeah, but I bruised my knuckle at the gym yesterday.
Thanks, Obama!
ProSense
(116,464 posts)2. Kick! n/t
ProSense
(116,464 posts)3. Another! n/t