# So...is this Obama guy doing a good job? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 13, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103 "2010-08-13T00:17:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/61 "2010-08-14T18:25:53Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > But no. Instead, I have to have health insurance or get taxed. That’s right, folks, my decision to not participate in interstate commerce gives the government the right to tax me. Bwuh?😕 How else can you mandate insurers cover pre-existing conditions without bankrupting them in the process? Insurers need young, healthy people signing up to make money, and the primary reason young, healthy people sign up for insurance is to cover for low-probability, high-cost conditions that might develop. Once you mandate insurers cover your pre-existing conditions, then huge amounts of healthy people will opt to leave the insurance pool, only coming back in if they develop high-cost conditions. I think single-payer would’ve been a better alternative, but there’s no way you could’ve passed that (_gasp_ Socialism!) through congress. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/62 "2010-08-14T18:56:13Z")
> [@](#): > > And compare how Hillary is running the State Department as compared to how Barack Obama is running his office. No contest there. Well, Obama’s appointing her to the office was a brilliant move. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/63 "2010-08-14T21:15:00Z")
> [@Anduril](#): > > Anybody who lost a campaign is seen by the naive as incompetent. Name recognition and massive campaign funds are no match for a media that all but completely supports your opponent. Her loss in the primaries doesnt’ mean anything. > > With Barack, up to that time, aside from winning elections, what has he really accomplished? His legislative accomplishments in the State Senate were gifted to him. He was practically a non-practicing lawyer with no achievements in that field. His stint as an educator was as a “guest lecturer” and assistant professor, and in both capacities did not distinguish himself. He was with the US Senate for less than two years before deciding to run. Surely Hillary’s track record was superior to this. > > And compare how Hillary is running the State Department as compared to how Barack Obama is running his office. No contest there. Oh I get it now. You came here for a different argument. Hey, 2008 called. It wants its Democratic primary fanboy factional infighting back. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/64 "2010-08-14T21:55:41Z")
In [typical Obama style](http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41069.html), he’s already backpedaling on his mosque support comments. Guess someone just whispered into his ear that he just pissed off about 70% of the voting public. Mid-term elections are only going to be the start. This guy is toast in 2012 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/65 "2010-08-14T22:04:30Z")
He may have had to modify or back off his original statement given that some people are trying to make this into ‘either you’re against the mosque or you’re with the terrorists,’ but that’s life. I’m sure we can all agree that a local land issue in which the federal government has no standing in the first place is a very pressing issue for Obama. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/66 "2010-08-14T22:09:22Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > He may have had to modify or back off his original statement given that some people are trying to make this into ‘either you’re against the mosque or you’re with the terrorists,’ but that’s life. I’m sure we can all agree that a local land issue in which the federal government has no standing in the first place is a very pressing issue for Obama. Will he ever learn not to wade into issues where his input is not needed. One would think after the Cambridge fiasco last summer (where the wheels came flying off his cart never to reappear) that he would have learned not to do that… ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/67 "2010-08-14T22:09:23Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > In [typical Obama style](http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41069.html), he’s already backpedaling on his mosque support comments. Guess someone just whispered into his ear that he just pissed off about 70% of the voting public. > > Mid-term elections are only going to be the start. This guy is toast in 2012 But those predictions of his imminent demise have been made before. Two things have to happen. The economy has to remain in the pits. I don’t think this is likely. And the Republicans have to get their act together and nominate presentable, non crazy candidates. I don’t think this will happen til 2016. Initially, Meg Whitman looked promising, assuming she could get the Cali job. But she can’t get past old Jerry Brown, even as she spends her ginormous personal fortune. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/68 "2010-08-14T22:13:40Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > > [@Marley23](#): > > > > He may have had to modify or back off his original statement given that some people are trying to make this into ‘either you’re against the mosque or you’re with the terrorists,’ but that’s life. I’m sure we can all agree that a local land issue in which the federal government has no standing in the first place is a very pressing issue for Obama. > > Will he ever learn not to wade into issues where his input is not needed. One would think after the Cambridge fiasco last summer (where the wheels came flying off his cart never to reappear) that he would have learned not to do that… Unforced errors is what they’re called in sports. He makes an appalling number of them. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2010, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/69 "2010-08-14T22:21:05Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > > [@Marley23](#): > > > > He may have had to modify or back off his original statement given that some people are trying to make this into ‘either you’re against the mosque or you’re with the terrorists,’ but that’s life. I’m sure we can all agree that a local land issue in which the federal government has no standing in the first place is a very pressing issue for Obama. > > Will he ever learn not to wade into issues where his input is not needed. One would think after the Cambridge fiasco last summer (where the wheels came flying off his cart never to reappear) that he would have learned not to do that… Unlike his predecessor, who never stuck his foot in his mouth, he does have the unfortunate habit of occasionally addressing the public as if it was composed of reasonable adults. (He’s said a couple of stupid things as well.) That’s come back to bite him a couple of times, but the idea that this has been a lasting issue is silly. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2010, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/70 "2010-08-15T05:17:24Z")
[The White House says it is not “backpedaling” in any way on the previous comments.](http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0810/Burton_Not_Obamas_role_to_pass_judgment.html) ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2010, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/71 "2010-08-15T05:51:26Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > Well he just signed a bill today adding 1000 new BP agents and granting a great deal more money and other resources to that area. Happy now? We’ll see. It’s a much-needed start. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2010, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/72 "2010-08-15T06:27:35Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Socially, there’s been 0 progress made. We’re on year 2 and _still_ illegal immigration hasn’t been fixed. “Social progress” does not mean what you seem to think it does. ---
**Author:** ![Anduril](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c0e974/32.png) [@Anduril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anduril)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2010, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/73 "2010-08-15T17:33:17Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > > [@Anduril](#): > > > > Anybody who lost a campaign is seen by the naive as incompetent. Name recognition and massive campaign funds are no match for a media that all but completely supports your opponent. Her loss in the primaries doesnt’ mean anything. > > > > With Barack, up to that time, aside from winning elections, what has he really accomplished? His legislative accomplishments in the State Senate were gifted to him. He was practically a non-practicing lawyer with no achievements in that field. His stint as an educator was as a “guest lecturer” and assistant professor, and in both capacities did not distinguish himself. He was with the US Senate for less than two years before deciding to run. Surely Hillary’s track record was superior to this. > > > > And compare how Hillary is running the State Department as compared to how Barack Obama is running his office. No contest there. > > Oh I get it now. You came here for a different argument. Hey, 2008 called. It wants its Democratic primary fanboy factional infighting back. I was responding to a comment that said that there were no one else to vote for other than the Messiah. Apparently, you don’t want to hear that like everyone who voted for him, you were bamboozled into voting for an empty suit. I just want you to admit it. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2010, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/74 "2010-08-15T18:35:11Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > [The White House says it is not “backpedaling” in any way on the previous comments.](http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0810/Burton_Not_Obamas_role_to_pass_judgment.html) Or the WH is backpedaling on the backpedaling. The President made a statement but it should not be construed as an opinion. This is just another [NASA-mission-to-mecca](http://www.sfexaminer.com/politics/NASA_s-Muslim-outreach_-Al-Jazeera-told-first-98058674.html) [re-statement according to Gibbs](http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66B6MQ20100712). It just makes sense that Charles Bolden imagined the whole thing when he when he made the statement to Al jazeera in Doha Qatar while on a special trip to the Mideast. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2010, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/75 "2010-08-15T19:02:23Z")
> [@Anduril](#): > > > [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > > > Oh I get it now. You came here for a different argument. Hey, 2008 called. It wants its Democratic primary fanboy factional infighting back. > > I was responding to a comment that said that there were no one else to vote for other than the Messiah. Apparently, you don’t want to hear that like everyone who voted for him, you were bamboozled into voting for an empty suit. I just want you to admit it. Messiah, empty suit…Sure, lets discuss like you are not slanted and a right wing nut. Why try? ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/76 "2010-08-15T19:35:33Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > > [@Anduril](#): > > > > I was responding to a comment that said that there were no one else to vote for other than the Messiah. Apparently, you don’t want to hear that like everyone who voted for him, you were bamboozled into voting for an empty suit. I just want you to admit it. > > Messiah, empty suit…Sure, lets discuss like you are not slanted and a right wing nut. Why try? I think Anduril’s a Hilary die hard. Okay with the policies, but not with the guy who’s implementing them. This: > [@](#): > > Oh I get it now. You came here for a different argument. Hey, 2008 called. It wants its Democratic primary fanboy factional infighting back. But definitely slanted. Lacking a firm enough grasp on contemporary US politics to make a reasoned argument. Once you make a claim like this: > [@](#): > > Name recognition and massive campaign funds are no match for a media that all but completely supports your opponent. Her loss in the primaries doesnt’ mean anything. you’ve pretty much disqualified yourself from serious political discussion. ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2010, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/77 "2010-08-16T03:02:10Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > [Doesn’t mean the POTUS has to “Strongly Support” - the chosen location, and planned dedication date, is nothing but a flagrant middle finger to the survivors and the family’s of those lost in the attack. The President said he “Strongly Support[s]” putting the mosque at that site as opposed to someplace else? And this was a deliberate act of hostility toward the 9/11 victims rather than a disregarding of their feelings for the sake of a principle? > [@](#): > > Those who think this an innocent action are sorely mistaken. Elaborate, please. > [@](#): > > Here again, the POTUS has missed an opportunity to gain serious positive points by not trying to negotiate a change of venue to a non-sensitive location. So instead of expressing his views on what is in reality a local zoing issue, he should have gotten _how_ deeply involved? ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2010, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/78 "2010-08-16T03:08:37Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > His support for the NYC mosque, despite 70% of Americans opposing it? That’s called leadership, and it’s what Presidents are supposed to do. It’s one of the better moments of his term so far. So when Bush acted in defiance of popular opinion, that was “leadership” as well? Bucking popular opinion is not on its face evidence of “leadership.” In fact, now that Obama has made his wishy-washy “won’t comment on the wisdom” statement, this is starting to look like Beer Summit II. This is one of the dim spots of his term, and even rabid Obama fans ought to recognize this. You know what Obama should have said, if he wanted to show “leadership”, when asked about the mosque? “The President of the United States should not be involved in zoning disputes. I’ve got more important stuff to worry about. Period.” ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2010, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/79 "2010-08-16T03:14:00Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > > [@DoctorJ](#): > > > > His support for the NYC mosque, despite 70% of Americans opposing it? That’s called leadership, and it’s what Presidents are supposed to do. It’s one of the better moments of his term so far. > > So when Bush acted in defiance of popular opinion, that was “leadership” as well? > > Bucking popular opinion is not on its face evidence of “leadership.” > > In fact, now that Obama has made his wishy-washy “won’t comment on the wisdom” statement, this is starting to look like Beer Summit II. This is one of the dim spots of his term, and even rabid Obama fans ought to recognize this. > > You know what Obama should have said, if he wanted to show “leadership”, when asked about the mosque? > > “The President of the United States should not be involved in zoning disputes. I’ve got more important stuff to worry about. Period.” True. This is a lesson he repeatedly refuses to learn. I think it’s the smug puritanism showing through. Really, Barry. Be presidential, and STFU. ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2010, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103/80 "2010-08-16T03:14:51Z")
I’d like to see a list of problems Obama has actually _caused_, rather than ones he has failed to solve or purely political missteps. I mean, Bush certainly _caused_ a lot of problems. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-obama-guy-doing-a-good-job/550103.md?page=5)