Obama's First 100 Days Report Card: HuffPost Bloggers Give Their Grades

I was watching as Newt Gingrich was plugging his new book on the Reagan Years with Bill O'Reilly-both men had a real opportunity to get on Obama's case but really let him off the hook pretty easy-Both of these guys have the class and know how to realize when a person is really working hard for his Country-maybe it isn't the grade but the real effort that counts in a President. I speak as a retired teacher-never was able to fail a student that gave it their all!

The Treasury Department said it will need to borrow $361 billion in the current April-June quarter, a record amount for that period. It's the third straight quarter the government's borrowing needs have set records for those periods. Treasury also estimated it will need to borrow $515 billion in the July-September quarter, down slightly from the $530 billion borrowed during the year-ago period.
Overspending and borrowing...extending debt... F-

I give the president and A+. I'm so proud of him. He is a tireless worker and has done more in 100 days than I ever expected and handled in an intelligence, honest, and respectful way, which is very refreshing.

This is what we thought President Obama would do once he got in office (Everything he promised)! Rock on Barack!

Larry, the problem with we Americans is that of blindness from a perk in our eyes which we always fail to remove before criticizing others. Those that have problems with a President that knows what he is talking about are the same people who wants him to tackle one issue at a time so that they can tear him apart. They were not smart enough to take more than 14 credit hours in college but had enough time to drink more bottles of beer in less than an hour. They hardly understand what he stands for. They tackle him on one issue, he tosses three issues out there for them to think about. Those that don't drive never knew accurate tire pressure gives more mileage or better think it takes a village to raise a child is false. THEY DON'T GET IT.
I give the President more than A+.

While I do not agree with most of what Bush did. The last eight years were not that bad. I don't know why every one acts like it was the dark ages. My family prospered. I have no complaints. I think history will look much more favorably on Bush than on Obama. F

The woman and black male guest on your program are both brain dead. If the US banks had not been bailed out the global finacial system could have collapsed. President Obama is the right person
in power at the right time and the country better get behind him and support him 110%. The alternative is a complete financial collapse and a world wide depression.

He is just Amazin ... I give him A+ for his efforts , courage and Intelligence .....

I pray for success for our president and I wish FOX News would quit acting like spoiled children. Give Obama breathing room and wish him well.

Larry:

How will the lawmakers that voted to send us to Iraq volunteer 25% of their income retroactive until our uniformed personnel return? This will make them come up with a plan to withdraw faster. Bush and his disciples inclusive.

Larry..what is the legisation arrinna spoke of in reguard to forclosures, credit and credit card rates..when does this come before congress so we can orgainze a fight...why doesnt the media report this!

A+

Obama deserves alot of credit for looking the american people in the eye constantly throughout all the difficulties he inherited from the dangerously inept Bush administration. Has Dick Cheney been out of office so long that we forget he was " Darth Vader " hiding in the shadows??? In my opinion Obama has lived up to one of his most important promises during the campaign, TRANSPARENCY. His predecessor liked to dodge questions and became increasingly arrogant when certain reporters asked him questions he had no intention of answering in an honest and transparent way. We went from having an american dictatorship 3 months ago to a real president again. Forget all the problems this country is facing for a second...And remember this man has stuck by his word so far. It feels really good to take pride again in the dignity and prestige of the presidency. This hasnt been the case for some time. God bless President Obama. Give him the strength he needs to lead us in the right direction again.

I give him a C, the economy is still going down hill, despite the indications that are being reported. How can it be getting better when GM will layoff 21000 in a few years, we may be leaving, but it is a false bottom, Also what about us the "we the people" are going bankrupt, and foreclosing and thus will not have the credit to make any major expenditures for 10 years.....also those that have been laid off prior to 9/1 are still paying Cobra at the higher rate

LARRY
THE PRESIDENT HAS DONE A GREAT JOB. YOUR GUEST WHO CLAIMS "WHAT EVER" ABOUT GREEN JOBS DOES NOT HAVE HIS FACTS STRAIT. I LIVE IN CONTRY WITH A SOCIAL MEDICAL SYSTEM AND IT WORKS. BUT EVERY COUNTRY IS DIFFERENT AND ANY AMERICAN MEDICAL SYSTEM WILL BE DIFFERENT. THE COMMENT THAT GOVERMENT CANNOT MAKE AS BUISNESS IS A LIE. CANADA POST CORPERATION A CROWN CORPERATION OF THE CANADIAN GOVERMENT IS IN THE TOP 5 BUISENESS IN THE WORLD WITH A NET PROFIT OF 96 TO 115 BILLION NET PER YEAR.

I can’t believe how the people are spoiled…If things don’t go the way they have Predict, Avery one have there opinion. How about the past 8 years when we lose Our leadership internationally? Economy was bad over 2 years ago why every one Act like the new president bring it to them. He just got to the office; he is doing what ever he can to do what’s best for American people. I give Him “A” for all his effort.

A-

As a Canadian living less than 1 hour from the Washington State border, and working everyday with Americans throughout course of my business...I am obviously very interested in what is happening with our friends south of the border.
I can only dream of a day that Canada might have a Prime Minister half as intelligent, pragmatic and inclusive, and vision.
Difficult times is what really shows your mettle, and in these extremely challenging times the US AND the world are lucky to have such a leader.

I have renewed faith in the American people – or at least the ones that voted for Obama!

Oh, and who was that radio host clown on Larry King Live tonight who referenced our Canadian healthcare system implying it had something to with the death of Natasha Richardson – our rubbish! He should be on Fox not on CNN.

Larry, one of your guests this evening, Lars Larson, made a comment regarding health care – that Natasha Richardson died in Canada – does America want the same healthcare system? For his information Natasha Richardson did not die because of lack of effort or neglect on the part of the Canadian medical personnel. It is a well known fact that there was delay in getting her to the hospital after the accident which is unfortunate – the responsibility for this decision does not lie with medical personnel in Canada. Canadian healthcare system works well, thank you.
Obama is doing his best given the current circumstances – it is refreshing to see an intelligent person in the White House. All power to him.

Larry, about Lars Larson. Natalia Richardson did not die in Canada, she died in New York. However, even if she had died in Canada, that would be no reason to diss our system of universal health care (although it is not universal, but that is another topic). She refused our excellent health care by declining an ambulance, most unfortunately. Therefore, Mr. Larson's intentional deceit of the circumstance surrounding Ms. Richardson's unfortunate passing, betrays not only his impoversished political position vis a vis government support of health care, it displays his moral poverty in choosing to misrepresent the death of Ms. Richardson in a foreign country as a result of a health care system that supports all of the people, to score points for his political agenda. It was a cheap trick. We don't die in Canada because our insurance company, out of greed, refuses to support a type of treatment.

Karen
Toronto, Ontario

On the health issue, I beleive the general knoledge is that Canada
is totaly under the government's thum, but it's not the case, one can choose the doctor of specialist it ,and no one is left behind,but yet again everyone contributes. As far as the unfortunate death of Ms Richardson this is not a reflection of our health efficiency but rather the unfortunate alledge refusal of treatment, and by the time symptoms were obvious it was too late. We need to keep in mind that this location is remote, and Ms Richadsons needs ,required a more specialized establishment. One has to check the facilities before engaging in this type of sport regardless of beeing a pro or beginner sportsman. The Doctors complaining that this system is failing
are the ones that took advantage of our universities, and are not ready to give back to the community, the run away to make more money, leaving behind a tremendous burden on the ones behind.

Obama is the end to politics as usual. The Democrats and Obama thru their spending stimulus not the Fed, will eventually put us back on the road to prosperity. Obama is a genius, and his wife is the most beautiful person in the world. We are in this mess because the of the Republican's restraining force on the Democrats in house banking committee caused policies which led to an unsustainable housing bubble which burst into a worldwide economic recession. Consequently, the American public was wise in voting out the Republicans since this is all their fault and not the Democrats, and the good feelings evoked by Obama generate substantial tangible benefits.. Tax subsidized green jobs will benefit the economy, and greater economic efficiency will result. Increasing taxes on the right people will actually create jobs. Pursuing a strong dollar always benefits the United States as a whole by indirectly improving the balance of trade. NASA should be exempt from all national priorities, especially involving energy development. Obama's stand on immigration demonstrates his commitment to strengthening the social contract between government and its citizens, putting their interests above all else. Raum Emanuel as chief of staff is really representative of the cool administration that the public thought they were voting for in voting in Obama.

...and finally...
Obama represents a major success in democracy and proof of majority rule.

Fortunately since Obama's election the earth is not spinning, not is it tilted any longer.

Good job! I give the president an A!

We want Helen Thomas' 100th Day Report-Card on the President.

Please???

thanX, Larry

Lew Adams

Setting aside for a moment the plain silliness of passing judgment on a president after a mere 100 days in office, I'm beginning to be bothered by comments to the effect that we're moving toward socialism. Critics of Obama are using the word "socialism" as a bogeyman word, as it was frequently using in the Cold War era. They reiterate conventional wisdom about the viability of capitalism as if it were a "given." Have they not seen the outcome of unfettered capitalism in the past few months? The private sector leadership of the financial system has demonstrated the "success" of that approach. Obama's policies don't approach "socialism" even distantly...but maybe they should.

I feel the President gets an " A* . But when will the media stop shadowing his every move. Although he is an African- American
the white American world can back up and give him the same
latitude this country gave George W. Bush for eight years. Where
were all these people, panels ect. that all the media use daily,whom,
by the way were not elected to run this country. What gives these so
called expert opinions any degree of credibility. The irony of this situation is that if America had watched George Bush and if your
screeming Republicans would have put the same judgemental
tactics that the media everyday is using on President Obama then
perhaps the country would not had gotten in this terrible shape in
the first place.But the President is qualified and all of us need to stop
fighting him and give him time and our support.

One criticism of president Obama has been that he has not lived up to his promise of bipartisanship. Where has bipartisanship been for the preceding eight years? When prominent conservatives write books condemning their countrymen as "traitors" when they failed to fall into lock-step with president Bush's policies, was that bipartisanship? I don't speak for other Obama supporters, but I, for one, am not interested in extending a hand to the Right. We've seen the results of their policies, and it's time for a change.

Dear Larry,
I am living abroad, asking myself, what is wrong with the media, constantly screening every move Mr. Obama is making, comparing him
to other Leaders, who did not have to tackle the problems of today, or created them , like the Bush and Cheney people.

You also today give prime time to Mr. Cheney on CNN, where he can say
that torture is OK for him.

I believe that the President has the best intentions , not only for America but for the world. He is a gifted visionary and has the potential to be a historic leader.
Why you and CNN as the media gurus do not give more positive input.
It could be interesting and fun to watch you and your guests , but not
if there is only negative input .

I give Obama an A+ for spending our money...He has done a fantastic job of that...I give him an F for telling the truth....Don't tell me he didn't know that his back up plane was being used!!! Obama makes it his business to know everything. Something really smells fishy...over $300,000 spent in three hours.

Grade F-, Him and his liberal cronies spending unprecedented amounts of money that are no more stimulating than a stinging caterpillar... The economy could have been stimulated with a better balance of spending and tax cuts. Instead the outrages spending is an absolute certainty that taxes will need to be raised to close the deficit gap and many small business owners and citizens are saving their money instead of spending and investing. Going into a more socialized era with intent to nationalize health care, cap and trade, automotive industry, and banks is another reason for a lowest grade possible. A dozen or so campaign promises broken, etc, etc, too many to list...

George

Obama has done so well that republicants are already defecting!

Only 21% of the population still calls themselves republicants, and I think they all live below the Mason-Dixon line or work for Faux News.

Grade:
A

The President has so far done a great job. Ofcourse Bill O'Reilly and Newt Gringrich as usual was slandering the President. Newt and Bill found every little detail the President said and made it out to be wrong but that is typical of Fox News. Never a kind word have they had toward the President since he was elected. Torture is wrong period and no matter how Bill OReilly tries to condone Bush's and Chaney's wrongs, it is wrong. I'm proud we finally have a President who can restore respect back to America.

The swine flu could very well be a virus that has been dormant for centuries under tons of ice. As the ice melts from global warming migrating birds are given the opportunity to nest where ancient migrating birds once nested. Ancient migrating birds carried unknown viruses to their nesting areas to be frozen in time only to be unleashed upon modern man by our current migrating birds.

@Michael R Minor,
This is not the first outbreak of swine flu, so it has not "been dormant for centuries," maybe centuries ago it was, but not now. I do agree with your other point and have asked the same question on a number of occasions, that since the virus strain is part avian, it could have been spread by migratory birds living or breeding in close proximity to hog farms.
That is just one theory, it might also be spread by blood-sucking insects, or even vampire bats, whose range includes parts of Mexico as far south as Argentina. Still, no matter the point of origin, the key is to take precautions to lower ones risk of contracting the virus.

The swine flu could very well be a virus that has been dormant for centuries under tons of ice. As the ice melts from global warming migrating birds are given the opportunity to nest where ancient migrating birds once nested. Ancient migrating birds carried unknown viruses to their nesting areas to be frozen in time only to be unleashed upon modern man by our current migrating birds.
attachment...Testing sickly or recently deceased birds before they migrate may give us a headstart for developing a vacine.

Larry,

as a legal alien I don't have a say, I just have to pay, but that is for another night. Think that President is doing a good job so far, but it is too early to wave the flags.

As for Lars Larson, his comments about were Natasha Richardson were offensive and ill-informed.

America has the best healthcare system in the world if you can afford it. If I was not insured I would move to a "socialist" country like the UK in a heartbeat. The stress of fighting to have claims accepted, of worndering how much will be covered or even having to request pre-approval of proceedures like childbirth on the way to the hospital, is frankly bad for your health.

Andrew, CA.

Obama gets an A++ because he has done more than any President and Obama is working very hard for the American people and I thank him for that President Obama really cares for The American People.

A lot of the economic stimulus and bank restructuring criticism, i.e. AIG bonuses, is over-rated. A lot of that comes from people who don't really understand the economics and practicalities of the matter and certainly don't report the whole story.

If you want to criticize Obama it would be for appointing Larry Summers and Geithner in the first place seeing as how they played a big part in the deregulation of the late nineties. Whether they've really changed their tune and are fighting for a sane, regulated financial sector remains to be seen.

The major criticism of Obama which has gone completely under the radar should be his appointing of Ron Kirk, Mr. 'free trade superhighway through Dallas' himself as his Trade Secretary. If anything is going to save our economy in the long run it's going to be a re-examination of our trade policies. How can we expect real economic growth when our manufacturing sector has been decimated by our free trade policies with third world and communist countries who we can't possibly compete with because of their slave wages, bad healthcare and absence of labor rights?

Cheap socks at Wal-Mart are great and all but If this doesn't change then we'll just keep on being the consumption garbage disposal of the world, getting indebted to other countries just so we can buy more of their products, and I only see Obama heading in the same direction as his predecessors.

I see that the right consevative commentators use "socialist" as a dirty word and confuse it with "communist"

If you are religious and live by the bible, then you are a socialist, like it or not. The bible teaches to help the needy, to share your bread, just like Jesus did, and that is socialism! The society takes care of those who are less fortunate, however you are still free to have more if you are smart and diligent.

Communism was created by the jews, Karl Marx, Engels, Lenin, Trotzki, Luxemburg, etc. etc. were all jewish. Communism teaches that everyone gets what he needs, regardless if he works or not. Everything belongs to the people, no private enterprise is allowed.
No real communism ever existed, the Sovietunion and all other communist countries were and are nothing more than a bloody dictatorship, where the leaders have everything, the rest nothing.

So far, this President Obama has broken promises and put down this country (which Bush did on some level too...yes im not in love with Bush either)

Obama:
-He says the Iraq war pull out will be quick... put he keeps pushing back the deadline.
-He promises 'bring our troops home'... only to deploy them instead to Afganistan
-He waffles on appointing people with lobbyist connections.. (see Campbell Brown's commentary) 17 exceptions in the first two weeks in office.
-He pushes through the bloated stimulus bill without letting congress read it (its 1000 pages)
-He plays double standard on ethics and his TAX evading new hires (Geitner, etc)
-He lets those bonuses ($165 million) slip through the cracks to AIG execs... doesn't check Sen Chris Dodd on it.. people then get outraged
-He falls short on keeping his promise.. regarding calling out Turkey on the 'Armenian genocide'..
-He goes to France and calls us arrogant
-He goes and sucks up ( bows down) to the king of Saudi Arabia (you know, the place where women have no rights)
-He goes and plays footsies with Chavez
-He doesn't seem to defend us when Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega talks down to us.
-He embarrasses the CIA with the memo leaks for short term political gain..
-He tells Israel to back off on Iran, but Ahmadinejad can say "wipe Israel" off the map
-He's borrowing, borrowing, borrowing $
-He's repeating Bush's economic policy mistakes... like perpetuating mark-to-market or "fair value" accounting for banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions (see WSJ Forbes article)
-and worst of all.. Obama's fans confuse his charm with his policies... if this was Bush doing the things mentioned above.. well, you get the picture.

pAS LoCal1

I don't see why we can't be capitalists that take care of our own people. I do not mean hand-outs for the lazy. Affordable health care does not mean socialism it means affordable health care. Educating our children the best we can is not socialism, its an investment in our collective future. The wealthy paying their fair share of taxes is not socialism its egalitarian. Being more energy efficient and not ruining the world we live in is not socialism, its just plain common-sense.

If you disagree with these simple premisses it means one of two things: you are wealthy and want to be much wealthier, or you have been brain washed by the wealthy and now act as their guard dog.

There is nothing wrong with being wealthy but when the wealthy impose their will on the middle and lower class to become wealthier at any cost it becomes an aristocracy. A perfect example is the last 8 years of American history. We have suffered terribly at the hands of evil men who never gave a single thought to the good of the nation or its people; they thought only of expanding their wealth.

I've watched Larry for so long can't remember, but after the interview with the Palins new sorta in-laws, haven't been able to tune in. I never saw such stupid people, I'm sure the Palins are kicking themselves for getting involved with such stupid people. Then the way he asked them do they have a lawyer and on and on about a lawyer. He must of mentioned getting a lawyer ten to fifteen times. Made me sick. They actually acted surprised at first and why would we need an attorney. Then more less went along with it cause Larry kept brining it up. He acted like a trouble maker of the worst kind, just kept it up.
I thought Larry was above such nonsense.
I can't bring myself to tune in anymore and yes my friends are aware of it. Talked about it the next day and they agree.
Unless he makes a public apology, won't be tuning in. He looks as stupid as they are.
Upset Viewer>Teresa Stier

Straight marriage has been such a great success, Gay marriage will be the same. If you believe in equality for all you have to accept gay marriage. You can't pick and choose. The same people that are against it would be the same that felt that women shouldn't vote and the the interracial marriages would ruin the country. I wonder how pwople would like to have there rights taken away from them. Equality for everyone.

Am Christian and I know God Almighty believes choice. He could have force us to do what He wants. We cannot choose love for other people. We should be careful how we twist the word of God to suite our agenda. Its God only who can judge.
There are no special quotas and taxation for gays and lesbians. I believe they should be treated equal and also be accorded any rights for all....including marriage

I give President Obama a c+. I have no confidence in his abilities.
He will be moved from one position to another by the liberals
behind the scene. America will become weaker as a nation as the
result of his actions.

Are gays born or are they made? If there's no harm, gay marriage should be ok. I believe gays are made and young people around them will be harmed. Charles

1. Host Joy is little offensive to the host, Ann.
she needs to be nice to the hosts.

2. Gay marriage needs to be condemend- otherwise one day people may want to mary their dogs, cats, daughters, birtds, sons, sisters.............. etc. Lets start respecting the rules of the society (which are same worldwide) before it becomes dangersous and unlivable. It has nothing to with just religion.

thanks.
inna

I love Joy, but can't stand to watch this show because I can't stand the big mouth blonde with the stringy hair and big ears. She never knows when to shut her mouth. Her voice drives me nuts, sorry Joy

Finally, a president who does not let big buisness run his white house.

This president has done a great job with an approval rating of 62% after his first 100 days! Within 200 more days, in October, he will be at 90%. And three years later, even after a failed misleading war, re-elected convincingly! President Obama? No, President Bush! I have yet to see President Obama, in his first term, equaling the successful path of his glorious predecessor, George W. Bush.
Patrick

I cannot believe that tax payers are giving this guy an A+. Don't you see we are more in debit now. He has spent more money in the first 100 days than Bush did in 8 years. Wake up!

When Obama became President in a historical election I, like many, had high hopes and were behind the President! But then Obama formed a Clinton-3 administion with many Clinton aides. Now it even seems his administration is like a George W. Bush-3 administration. Continueing a lot of Bush policies (learning from past mistakes of course).

Okay there is a lot of good will. But most turned out to be vain gestures. Like shutting down Guantanamo, The Gitmo prisoners has to be placed somewhere else anyway at the cost of million$ again. This is something this administration is good at. Spending billions, trillions $$. With these amounts of money even Paris Hilton can make a change. And it will be as good as Obama's administration without Geithner. Except perhaps Paris might bail out a cosmetic compagny rather than a car factory 🙂

Still I want this administration to succeed and give it the benefit of the doubt.but it is not getting easier. Patrick

Dear Larry,
I thought I would write to you to tell you the story this government and how they have put so much grief on me. This will be a quick story so you can get an ideal of all the wrong and all the pain this has caused me. My husband was a war hero in the Koran War and he was 100% service connected and his income from the Army was $7000.00 a month tax free. He was drawing so much because the Army preformed Experimental Surgery on him for frozen feet. He passed away Feb.16th 2006 because the VAMC would not give him the equipment for proper health care. They also didn't pay any of his life insurance they owed him. They also dropped my pay from $7000.00 to $1400.00 a month and me being a Widow of a 100% veteran I should continue to draw the full amount. My house payment is $1345.00 a month. I have written every official from the mayor to President Obama. Of course he never got to read any of the letters. I have my only son to fax them to the White House every day. My son and I took care of my husband for 14 years and now he can't get a job and we are about to lose the house and everything we own! This country is in the worst way and treats people like me awful. I have photos of the soars on my husband that show how much he suffered and they would make you sick to look at them. So to sum all this up, I am about to lose everything and no one will help me at all. All I get is lies and double talk. I have tried to refinance my home to try and buy some time in hopes my son can find a job and CitiMortgage want even do that. I thought President Obama would help and that is why I voted for him but my letters never make it to him. So I thought I would write to you and I pray to God you will at least get to read this! Maybe if you get to read this you will want to know the whole story how I have and am being treated. I just don't know how long I can hang on. So I thought I would reach out to you because you are God fearing women that have a lot of power and that really cares about people!
I cry every night because I am scared to death I will be put out on the street and this is all too much for me to handle.
Can you help me please?
Thank you and God Bless.
Sincerely,
Margaret Surber