How would you characterize your opinion of the Obama Administration so far:

[leftofthedial]

Poll question: How would you characterize your opinion of the Obama Administration so far:

[leftofthedial]

1. I have to go with "Bait and Switch" as my dominant opinion so far.

He cleverly left many of his plans ambiguous enough during the campaign, which when coupled with his often aggressively liberal and populist rhetoric, allowed him to draw heavily from the support of liberal voters. On the major issues of "war," the economy, health care and civil liberties, he has done virtually nothing as President to justify this support. I think as a result, unless he has a turnaround or events unfold dramatically, he will face a tough go in 2012, not because liberals will vote for a repuke, but because the won't vote at all.

One HUGE caveat: his proposed policy in Afghanistan could very well destroy what's left of this country. This has quagmire written all over it--a quagmire that would make Iraq look like a brief splash in the mud.

[high density]

4. He was talking about Afghanistan during the campaign

This is not new.

[leftofthedial]

5. "new" has nothing to do with it.

His policy in Afghanistan is stupid on a level that far exceeds the stupidity of the bush cabal's policy in Iraq.

[high density]

30. So how is it bait and switch if it's not new to Obama's platform?

[leftofthedial]

35. The Afghanistan comment was a caveat, not part of the "bait and switch" comment.

If Obama's Afghanistan adventure turns out half as bad as previous attempts to bring change or order or even stability to the region, my response will become "disaster."

[CTyankee]

106. You might want to read today's NYT (OpEd) that basically argues that

the "graveyard of empires" analogy is not accurate applied to what Obama wants to do in Afghanistan. Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/opinion/28bergen.html?_r=1

Polling of the Afghan people themselves show that they fear the Taliban MUCH more than the U.S.

Let me know what you think after reading this thoughtful piece.

[Every Man A King]

6. need some examples

or are you just talking out of your ass?

[leftofthedial]

8. Disastrous Afghanistan occupation and nation-building examples:

Genghis Khan
Alexander the Great
Various Indian empires
Various Persian empires
Various central Asian empires
The British Empire
The Soviet Union

...every one of them resulting in protracted bloodbaths that failed to change the region.

I am talking out my ass, but I'm whispering. You might want to lean a little closer.

[MadBadger]

28. Are you seriously using Afghanistan as your example of a "bait and switch?"

I mean he was clear as day about his intentions there.

[leftofthedial]

33. No. I said overall I felt like a victim of bait and switch.

His policy on Afghanistan (which is more militant and less well-defined than I expected) could change my attitude to "disaster" as it unfolds.

[mvd]

40. I thought there should be only special forces there to begin with

I just hope he doesn't get mired down there - no one ever controls it. And it's not a typical conflict.

[Romulox]

12. NAFTA.

:hi:

[geek tragedy]

47. 'done virtually nothing on the economy'

There is no sense trying to please purist children.

[leftofthedial]

87. your quote is (surprise!) inaccurate.

I said he has done nothing on the economy to justify the support liberals gave him in the election.

Instead, he has directed about 80% of his economic remedies so far to supply-side bank bailouts or tax cuts (to mollify congressional repukes).

[amyrose2712]

2. I never thought he was "the most liberal" senator.

I am mixed. But, I expected to be.

[leftofthedial]

3. He was always a Clintonian, right-of-center, pro-corporate "free marketeer."

I never thought of him as remotely liberal, and I'm not surprised by his choices so far, except those related to Iraq and Afghanistan. I did think he was smart enough to recognize that without the active support of liberals he never would have been elected. I also did not think he would so blatantly abandon that constituency once elected. Now I know.

[TwilightZone]

7. So, you knew he wasn't liberal, but you're claiming bait-and-switch anyway?

The problem there isn't Obama.

[leftofthedial]

10. As I explained above, he knowingly shifted his post-primary campaign rhetoric

to appeal to liberals. He knew that he needed to energize the liberals, without whom he could not have won.

Immediately upon election though, he began naming conservatives to most posts, especially economic posts. His economic policies, "national security" (authoritarian) policies, and military policies so far are fundamentally continuations of bush policies, with little more than superficial tweaks.

His post-election actions in no way match his campaign rhetoric, thus the "bait and switch" choice.

After a generation of "Democratic" politicians' lies, I should have known better than to trust his word or his intelligence.

[geek tragedy]

53. Yeah, yeah Obama=Bush. You Nader humpers really never learn. n/t

[leftofthedial]

55. You have trouble staying on subject, don't you?

Have you tried Ritalin?

If you'd been a DUer a little longer, you'd know that I was one of DU's most rabid *critics* of Nader, you strawman and ad hominem humper.

[geek tragedy]

70. Well, you've become Nader now.

His economic policies, "national security" (authoritarian) policies, and military policies so far are fundamentally continuations of bush policies, with little more than superficial tweaks.

Anyone who calls his stimulus bill and his budget "continuations of bush policies' is fundamentally unqualified to discuss policy.

You just like to complain, and will lie to in order to justify it.

[leftofthedial]

76. actual stimulus amounts to about 15% or 20% of his economic policy so far

The rest has been supply-side giveaways to banks or tax cuts that won't stimulate anything except another round of gas price hikes from big oil.

One of us here has lied, and it ain't me.

[geek tragedy]

78. His budget proposal is an extension of Bush?

Let me guess--you don't know what's in it?

So, are you ignorant or a liar?

And, an $800 Billion spending bill is 15% of his economic policy?

LMAO.

[CreekDog]

82. payroll tax cuts to working people will be spent

you are equating these with tax cuts for the rich?

now i'm questioning everything else you are saying because the above is certainly not true.

well you had your chance to convince me, no when i read your posts i'll have to say to myself, "that's interesting, but he was so blindingly wrong, he was either lying or uninformed on the tax cut issue, so how can i trust him on what he's writing about now?"

[leftofthedial]

88. they'll be spent alright, probably on higher gas prices that big oil is already rolling out.

a $50 tax cut will disappear into oblivion when one is unemployed or losing their home.

[CreekDog]

90. now you are arguing something different about the taxes

you gonna stick with one idea and see it through or not?

[laugle]

92. Seven dollars on your

paycheck, is not my idea of a stimulus.......

[countingbluecars]

9. I am glad that you posted this poll.

It shows that most DUers support Obama.

[dflprincess]

11. As I type this, 72 people have voted.

This is an unscientific poll there's no way that number can be projected as "most" DUers.


Oh, and I select "What's New?--he represents a continuation of the same pro-corporate policies we've had for at least 30 years now".

I voted for Obama, but I didn't fall for hype and didn't actually expect much change from him and, in that respect, I haven't been disappointed.

[countingbluecars]

13. OK , so far most DUers

support Obama.

[leftofthedial]

16. Ahem. Most DUers avoid the GD-P forum like the plague.

[countingbluecars]

17. Then why post the poll here?

[leftofthedial]

18. Did you not read my previous reply to you?

I posted it here and during the day precisely because this is the prime time for and the main concentration of Obama supporters on DU.

[countingbluecars]

19. I suspect that you would find

that most DUers support Obama-any time-any forum. Most Americans do according to recent polls.

[leftofthedial]

20. as I write this post,

here in the heart of Obama love country, the (unscientific) poll stands at 62 love, 35 have mixed feelings or don't love.

Wouldn't you have expected more than 64% of those in a forum that by rights ought to love Obama more than pretty much anyplace, would express clear approval?

Aren't you a little surprised that 36% of those in that forum have reservations ranging from "disagree with some of his policies" to "disaster"?

Personally, I expected about 85% unqualified worship here.

I don't think this is a good sign for Obama. Perhaps he should reconsider the debt he owes the liberals who gave him victory in November. So far, he's been pretty fucking harsh (although less harsh than the centrists here) in his treatment of liberals.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

22. No. Of course we disagree with some of his policies. He's not for equal marriage rights for one.

But I don't hate Obama and I'm glad he's the president.

Edited to add: I voted Kucinich in the primary. But Kucinich didn't win. These were the options given. The seemingly innocuous 'there's no difference between Dems and Republicans" gave us 8 years of Bush.

[leftofthedial]

23. Is it wrong to criticize the policies with which you disagree?

(as some here would have it)

[SemiCharmedQuark]

24. There's a difference between "I disagree with Obama's policies on XYZ" & "Obama should rot in hell"

Which I have actually seen here on DU.

The latter ends up making people firmer in their belief they must defend Obama, which makes critics firmer in their belief they must criticize.

[leftofthedial]

26. I'm not a "rot in hell" kind of guy

maybe for Larry Summers...

[acmavm]

94. I would really like to see the thread where someone said Obama can

rot in hell.

Link please.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

109. I sent it in a PM.

[laugle]

95. I for one am tired

of all the bullying going on in this forum. These people need to be called out!! People being slammed, simply because they don't agree with all of Obama's policies. It's ridiculous, this is a discussion forum, not a one sided, fucking, fan club!

The people that persist in this behavior, will ensure that we all go down to defeat!

Thanks for the intelligent posts, it's just too bad people are attacking you, instead of debating the content! You must have a lot of patience............

[countingbluecars]

29. I am not surprised

that there is a range of support for Obama (other than your last two choices). But I am happy to see that most, at this count, support the president.

[MadBadger]

31. 287 people have voted in my poll on GD, with 74% approving and 13% somewhat approving

7% disapprove and 3% somewhat disapprove.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5322562&mesg_id=5322562

[leftofthedial]

32. Thanks! unscientific polls still show that the design of the poll can affect results.

"Approve" is a pretty imprecise category of attitude.

I was looking for the quality of approval or disapproval.

Frankly, I'm surprised that my poll did not register more extreme approval responses.

[geek tragedy]

75. Well, your fellow haters probably wanted to give you the result

you wanted.

Maybe they even posted a link at Free Republic for you. After all, you and the Freepers both want him to fail.


Of course, even they aren't so stupid as to think Obama=Bush.

[CreekDog]

85. i read the choices and decided i didn't like the poll

i'm sure others reacted similarly.

i think approve/disapprove is the one comparable to the poll they use nationally.

if you wanted to make it more interesting, i might have voted for "Excellent, but there is still a lot more to do"

[geek tragedy]

51. Oh, yes, you're sooo CONCERNED.

Concern trolling is so 2005.

[leftofthedial]

56. Run home now and tell your big sister that you called the mean old leftofthedial names.

Maybe she'll let you wear her panties.

[geek tragedy]

73. Ooh, a misogynist insult from the Naderite purist.

How impure of you.

Any how, your hatred of all things Obama is abundant. Perhaps you should join hands with Michelle Bachman, your ideological mirror image.

[CreekDog]

84. i haven't voted and i don't know if i will

the wording of the questions made me think it was weighted against him

[laugle]

93. I think it's a very interesting

poll. I too, was adding up that 36% which illustrates some division. It's not surprising though, considering the dem party was split down the middle during the primary.

It would be interesting to see this poll in 6-12 months.

[leftofthedial]

14. I'm glad I posted it too, although it shows no such thing.

I intentionally posted it during the day when most of the most rabid Obama suppporters seem to post and in the forum where most of the most rabid Obama supporters post.

So far, it's about 36% who do not unconditionally support Obama. The rest do. I think that's probably a pretty accurate demographic measure of the daytime GD-P forum.

[MadBadger]

27. So those who said, "So far so good, but..." they are all unconditional Obama supporters?

What planet are you on?

[leftofthedial]

34. perhaps "unconditional" is too strong for that response.

how about just "supporters"?

In which case, the results are even less pro-Obama...

[geek tragedy]

52. Yeah, only 63% say so far so good.

Just awful, considering the number of purity trolls such as yourself.

[leftofthedial]

54. 63% is roughly his approval rating among the entire nation.

Wouldn't you expect better on the most Obama-friendly forum at DU?

Calling me names does not make Obama's growing problem with the liberals in his own party go away.

If you really support him, you might try to find common ground with lefties like me instead of ascribing attitudes to me that I don't have and calling me silly names. Don't you think? I posted what I think is a fair poll here, with plenty of opportunity for his supporters to express their views. I have not attacked anyone; I've only defended my point of view, which is that Obama as President has been much further right on the economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, health care and civil liberties than he was as Obama the Democratic candidate. that does not make me a purity troll. Calling me that makes you look silly, inarticulate and afraid of discussing actual issues.

[geek tragedy]

67. You're the one who said Obama=Bush.

So, contempt is the only appropriate response.

[leftofthedial]

74. I never said any such thing.

[geek tragedy]

77. Liar, liar, pants on fire:

His economic policies, "national security" (authoritarian) policies, and military policies so far are fundamentally continuations of bush policies, with little more than superficial tweaks.

I'm guessing you were too lazy and/or apathetic to review his budget proposal, or to review what items actually made it into his stimulus plan.

Because only a staggeringly ignornant fool would claim that his stimulus and budget--you know, the economic stuff--was a continuation of Bush's policies.

And, of course, I must have missed Bush's attempts to reform health care and to take action on global warming.

[leftofthedial]

79. poor thing. You can't read. Now I understand.

I'm sorry I argued with you. I hope I didn't hurt your widdle feelings.

Nothing there says Obama = Bush.

[geek tragedy]

81. You said his policies are the same as Bush's.

So, which is it: were you willfully lying or just making shit up without bothering to educate yourself?

Also, did Bush come up with a plan to help homeowners stay in their houses?

Did he expand health care coverage for children?

Sorry, but you are simply delusional, ignorant, or a liar.

[laugle]

97. Good god, I can't believe

your patience.........your humor works well, and not taking the bait works better...........LOL

[CreekDog]

86. it shows your poll is nowhere near as good as you think it is

which should give you perspective when you jump all over someone like Obama.

i mean, what have you done? you are posting on a discussion board, and you criticize Obama? he's spent more time on the economy in the past two months than you've spent working at your job for crying out loud.

:eyes:

[cali]

38. heh heh. you calling anyone rabid is too funny, dear.

:rofl:

[leftofthedial]

57. thanks. I'll be here all week.

cleaning the spittle off the front of the stage.

[CreekDog]

83. it also shows the OP does not

quite clearly actually.

[ecstatic]

15. I am part of the 29% base. I'm not going anywhere. EVER!!! nt

[ProSense]

21. Why is this a choice: "He and his policies spell disaster for the country. "

A disaster for the country?

You were expecting freepers to vote?

[leftofthedial]

25. we do get lurking trolls

and choices like that often keep them from doing any harm

[geek tragedy]

48. 'threw liberals under the bus' is a PUMA troll talking point.

But, you yourself agree with that one.

[leftofthedial]

58. you realize there are actual issues underneath all the labels you've been memorizing,

don't you?

so which am I? Naderite? 2005-er? PUMA (whatever the hell that even is)? Purity troll?

[geek tragedy]

68. General heading of "chronic malcontents."

People who only care if it allows them to bitch.

[old mark]

36. Excellent, better than my expectations, and getting better by the week. nt

[leftofthedial]

59. In some areas, I've been pleasantly surprised.

He has been more than willing to condemn the idiot right--Limbaugh, the obstructionists, the former bush cabalists.

I think he's moving in the wrong direction on some fronts though.

Overall, I like the guy and rejoice visibly when he appears on TV. Not hearing king george is blessing worth more than I could have imagined, and I imagined a lot!

[old mark]

100. One of the fast talking afternoon news people on MSNBC Friday

mistakenly said something about President Bush instead of President Obama and I felt a short sense of dread.....



mark

[cali]

37. waiting with bated breath for more people to join you in your crusade

to take down Obama.

[geek tragedy]

49. Apparently Obama's budget and stimulus proposals were 'nothing'

to the perpetually poutraged purists.

[leftofthedial]

60. What crusade? I posted a poll with a balance of possible responses.

Did you vote, or are you just out and about pissing on trees again?

[mvd]

39. So far, so good

I like that he's done more in his first 100 days than most Presidents do. I didn't vote excellent yet, because I still want to see how much he changes the status quo. Right now, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt on many things - that he's trying a shrewd approach.

[leftofthedial]

61. He has been productive. No one can say that he isn't working hard.

He has SO many issues that need attention. He's been doing a remarkable job of addressing most of them.

[FudaFuda]

41. 1/24th of the way thru first term is too soon to say. n/t

[ZombieHorde]

42. "I agree with some of his policies, but disagree with others. "

Gay marriage, health care, and the war on drugs.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

43. Excellent

I'm proud of the fact that he is "doing too much" (of the right things)!

[empyreanisles]

44. I love Obama. Then again, I am center-left, just like he is.

Obama might even be more leftie than you think. Are you actually ready to throw in the towel after 60-70 days? He's had some big tests so far, and maybe he didn't come out exactly on your side.

Plenty more to come in 4 years. Why not do a report card then?

[leftofthedial]

62. I'm not throwing in the towel by any means.

He can still reverse course on his disastrous supply-side economic bailout, if he does it while a couple of repukes and the conservadems will still vote with him. It may be too late to inject more actual stimulus into the demand side though. I don't see him getting 60 votes in the Senate again.

[empyreanisles]

91. It think its supply side cause we are in an emergency and they hold the power.

In the short term. I truly believe he is looking for a demand-side rebirth by creating confidence in the economy.

[leftofthedial]

104. Do you think the Conservadems and a few Senate repukes will vote with him again,

say on his budget, much less if he comes back for more demand-side stimulus?

[leftstreet]

45. Obama is the perfect CEO for America!

I'd go with "continuation of the same pro-corporate policies" only because NO ONE could get even close to being elected in AmericaFuckYeah! unless s/he promised to continue those policies.

People can recognize the truth about our Fascist-y govt and WaterCarrier politicians without being haters.

[leftofthedial]

63. But they can't do it without being hated apparently.

Business pretty much as usual, under gawd, indivisible, with as much liberty and justice as you can afford. Amen.

[geek tragedy]

46. His approval rating here is lower than in the country.

Of course, it's the Nader humpers who dislike him here . . .

[leftofthedial]

64. "Nader humper." That's SO 2002.

[geek tragedy]

69. So is Naderism. n/t

[derby378]

50. Obama means well, and he's done some good things, BUT...

...why in the name of sweet Susan Sarandon is KBR still being allowed to build and troubleshoot bath and shower fixtures for troops in Iraq that have a nasty habit of electrocuting them?

Since Obama still has all of Bush's recently-assumed executive powers and hasn't relinquished any of them back to Congress or to the people themselves, you'd think he'd take on KBR within the first two weeks. Instead, I'm hearing crickets.

[leftofthedial]

65. Change we can market you into believing in.

[Name removed]

99. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

103. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[leftofthedial]

66. Yikes!

Current poll results, with 192 votes in,

Love Obama--61%
Mixed feelings to hate him--39%


Wouldn't you have expected more love?

[geek tragedy]

71. Well, there are lots of Naderite morons who think he's like Bush.

This site has its share of concern trolls, purity trolls, and flat-out extremist whiners.

[namahage]

72. I suspect that that many of the people who voted "mixed feelings"

actually love Obama, despite disagreeing with some of his positions. You might want to revise your percentages.

[geek tragedy]

80. Well, you're in the extreme 15% of Obama haters here.

To put the numbers another way.

[BklnDem75]

102. Why are there two options for mixed feelings?

You lumped people who may be highly supportive of Obama with those who aren't supportive. Even those who believe he's doing an excellent job may not agree with all of his policies. You used a pretty broad brush with that first mixed feelings option.

[LWolf]

89. 7 and 9. nt

[vaberella]

96. He's got a lot on his plate and a lot to do. However, so far he's doing it excellent. n/t

[leftofthedial]

98. Thanks for all your responses.

I'm in the midst of recording and had to bail out of DU to record some guitar parts and background vocals.

For those of you who are interested, in a standard approval poll, I'd vote "approve" for Obama. It doesn't mean I like everything he is doing, but there you have it. I don't hate him. I'm not a "troll" of any variety. I'm not a McCain supporter. I'm not a Nader supporter. I was just curious about the depth of passion DU/GD-P'ers feel about him so far.

I really wish some of you would come up with a new schtick though. Your silly insults aren't even well thought out.

Buenos noches mi amigos y amigas.

[omega minimo]

101. ,

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5345808

[Geek_Girl]

105. He's done allot IMHO to stabilize the economy

and this week judging by the housing market numbers and other indicators I would say his plans are working. If he keeps this up next year this time we'll be experiencing an economic boom.

[burythehatchet]

107. It is abundantly clear that on the major issue facing the US and the world

namely the economy, he is a bought and paid for wall street tool. He lied during his campaign when he repeatedly stated that he was not beholden to special interests. He is beholden to the most insidious of special interests, the thieves that live on Wall Street.

[ProSense]

108. Fascinating

What's New?--he represents a continuation of the same pro-corporate policies we've had for at least 30 years now. (22 votes, 8%) Vote
He and his policies spell disaster for the country. (5 votes, 2%) Vote
Never liked him and still don't. (7 votes, 3%) Vote

Freepers galore. The first category surely could simply be extreme left, but the last two are definitely freepers who didn't vote for Obama. If they did they are either liars or the biggest hypocrites on the planet.

Still, good to see more than 80% of DU willing to give Obama a chance, with 60% giving him high marks.

He is already the greatest President ever. (5 votes, 2%) Vote
Excellent! (56 votes, 21%) Vote
So far, so good, but there is still much to do. (100 votes, 37%) Vote
Mixed feelings--I agree with some of his policies, but disagree with others. (61 votes, 23%) Vote

[leftofthedial]

110. Despite all the ridiculous rhetoric and attacks on me for posting it,

I think it's a pretty interesting poll.

[Milo_Bloom]

111. He's doing EXACTLY what he said he would.

And that is both good and bad.

I certainly disagree with him on several issues, but I gave him a so far so good.