My totally useless and irrelevant evaluation of President Obama up to this point ----> .

[kentuck]

I think he was handed an impossible task, that of trying to save our country and our economy at the same time. We should never underestimate the gigantic difficulties he inherited. In intelligence, he is miles ahead of his predecessor. However, it is that same intelligence that makes him cautious and prevents him from daring to make the changes his heart tells him needs to be done. If he were reckless like his predecessor, he would follow his gut and damn the torpedoes. But recklessness is not part of his nature. He is a calm, thoughtful, and patient person.

But with so many different dilemmas handed to him at one time, he felt he had to delegate the responsibilities out to competent and experienced leaders. That is why he handed the military decisions off to Secretary Gates and the economy decisions off to Timothy Geithner and the Federal Reserve. He would stick to mostly domestic issues, such as health care, and let them make the decisions they thought were best for the country. I don't think that was a wise decision on his part. But I don't know who could have handled it better?

He is an eternal optimist but I don't think he truly understands the depth of the situation with our economy. In a way, he is much like Herbert Hoover, who was also very intelligent but overly cautious, whose biggest mistake was in not being daring enough for the situation he faced. But the times were very different then. I doubt that FDR could take the present situation and push thru the same reforms he did in the 1930's. Perhaps President Obama needs a Harry Hopkins to advise him?

All that said, I haven't given up on him. I like to think he is turning the big ship around very slowly, but turning it nonetheless. He needs our support.

[Cant trust em]

1. I'm not going to compare Obama to Hoover. nt

[kentuck]

2. That is my opinion up to this point..

However, it has not been one year yet. Hopefully it will change before the end of next year?

[Cant trust em]

5. I think that if the economy suffers further collapse...

and massive amounts of people wind up sleeping in shanty towns, then I'll start thinking about it.

Until then, I'll find someone other leader to compare to.

[gateley]

3. I'm not sure he's "handed off" the decisions, but rather soliciting input and

deciding himself what to do when he has the info he needs (like Afghanistan).

Repeatedly he's surprised me by being stronger, smarter, "getting it" more than I think he is/does. I may be just hoping, but it's my sense that when he NEEDS to damn the torpedos he will.

Another example -- read where the WH is readying a Health Reform plan. Again, maybe just my fantasy, but I'm hopeful that after this farce has ended, he'll come out and say "you had more than enough time, you didn't accomplish anything meaningful, the American people need help and here's what it's gonna be..."

I think he gives the impression of turning the big ship around very slowly, but is feverishly working behind the scenes.

I hope I'm right.

[DJ13]

4. I think Obama's only real problem is that he surrounded himself

with advisers, confidants, and staffers who have been pushing him to be a political leader instead of a leader.

A political leader is someone who doesnt allow his personal beliefs to interfere with his need to obtain compromise to find a common ground with his enemies in crafting solutions to problems as they arise.

A leader is someone who takes his personal beliefs and gets other people to take his side in dealing with problems he's confronted with.

I believe Obama's own inclination is to be a leader, but those around him have their own agendas that are better served by making him be a political leader instead.

[kentuck]

6. Very possible...

I think I would like to see him change a lot of those leadership positions after the mid-term elections.

[DJ13]

12. I would too

Maybe even before the midterms next year, whenever he gets his sea legs and can stand up against them.

I dont begrudge his leaning on other people after taking office, thats expected.

[kentuck]

14. It seems almost like Bush and the Repubs tore down every part of our government?

The American people are foolish to vote for anyone that despises the government, expecting them to do a good job looking out for the interests of the people, who are the reason the government was formed to begin with...

[panader0]

7. An extremely difficult task, but not impossible

"He would stick to mostly domestic issues, such as health care" I think he passed health care off to the Congress. But his administration is still young. Only half of the stimulus money has been spent. The economy is showing small signs of life.
I am still a fervent Obama fan, and there is no comparison between him and the bush era crooks and liars.

[Tippy]

8. K&R.....It is so nice to read a post like yours kentuck keep them comming....

I have not given up on him and won't...when I look at what we had and see what we could get it scares the hell out of me...but then we all need to remember he has only been in office for about nine months.

[kentuck]

9. Thank you Tippy...

Everybody should be scared about what we could get. It might be worse than what we had before. The bets are that it would be much worse, with little compassion for those left behind. Their primary focus will be on more taxcuts for themselves and their friends. They believe that is the primary purpose of government.

[timeforpeace]

10. He'll get health care with public option, cap and trade and card check passed, and we will wonder

what we were worried about.

[kentuck]

11. If he could get health care reform passed with a public option...

It would do a great deal for our Party. It would be good for entire country, actually. It may be the key to getting us out of this funk in the economy?

[HamdenRice]

13. I would add that as a Black professional, he uses "protective coloration"

That's a phrase that a white friend -- a white woman with decades of experience in southern Africa -- once used for Black Americans and Black South Africans.

Because rw'ers are going apeshit over just the fact that a Black man is in the White House, everything he does "looks" to certain segments of the population more radical than it actually is. Black professionals have a tendency to over-compensate for this -- trying to make White people feel comfortable with stuff they would ordinarily already be comfortable with if a White person were doing it.

I think his excessive caution comes from that to a large degree.

[kentuck]

15. I think that is very perceptive.

And I agree with you about the over-compensation for not wanting to appear "radical"..

[HamdenRice]

16. As is your OP in case I forgot to mention it! nt

[villager]

17. I expect you may be right, HamdenRice

Look how nutty the rhetoric is already over Obama's essential "moderation," so far....