The Official Obama Scorecard Thread

[LongLiveYorke 38]

Obama, the self-focused presidentEither the president's staff is lacking seriously in brains, or the president is seriously lacking in heart. Either way this rates a -3 in my book.

Using the death of a woman by cancer as an awkward low blow against Obama. Nice.

[Pot Odds RAC 23]

Using the death of a woman by cancer as an awkward low blow against Obama. Nice.

The President standing on the Grave of a Breast Cancer victim using her death to influence Public Policy. Nice indeed.

[85suited 0]

The President standing on the Grave of a Breast Cancer victim using her death to influence Public Policy. Nice indeed.

St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Louis offers free breast exams to women who are in need of assistance.

[hblask 1]

Using the death of a woman by cancer as an awkward low blow against Obama. Nice.

The woman worked for Obama, had at least $30K in the bank at the time she first noticed symptoms, and chose to pursue Obama's political goals instead of care for herself. Obama should be really, really embarrassed that he would try to exploit her tragic death for political gain. I hardly think that the example of a rich person surrounded by powerful people who chose not to take responsibility for their own health is a good person for Obama to attempt to exploit.So no, it's hardly a low blow against Obama to point out how classless he is in this case. His lack of class in this situation should be publicized as a warning against anyone who would, in the future, attempt to lie about a tragic death for political purposes.Yes, Obama started this one.

[LongLiveYorke 38]

Yes, Obama started this one.

(Oh, I see I forgot to read the part in BG's post that quotes Obama. Never mind)

[Naked_Cowboy 0]

From the white house briefing room today, obama realized he wasn't going to be on TV enough this week so took some questions on his own:

TAPPER: Mr. President, one of the reasons Anthem said -- Anthem Blue Cross says that it's raising premiums is because so many people are dropping out of individual coverage because the economy is so bad.PRESIDENT OBAMA: Yes.TAPPER: And that leaves the people in the pool who are people who need medical care driving up costs. One of the reasons why businesses are not expanding right now, in addition to some of the credit issues you talked about, at least according to business leaders, is they say there's an uncertainty of what they need to plan for because of the energy bill, because of health care. That's what they say. I'm not saying it's true or not. But that's what they say. What do you say when you hear that?PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, the -- I think that the biggest uncertainty has been we just went through the worst recession since the Great Depression, and people weren't sure whether the financial system was going to melt down and whether we were going to tip into a endless recession. So let's be clear about the sources of uncertainty in terms of business investment over the last several years: a huge contraction, trillions of dollars of losses in people's 401(k)s, people have a lot of debt coming out of the previous decade that they still haven't worked out, the housing market losing a whole bunch of value. So the good news is that where we were contracting by 6 percent, the economy is now growing by 6 percent. The CEOs I talk to are saying they are now making investments, and I anticipate that they're going to start hiring at a more rapid clip. What I've also heard is them saying that, "We would like to feel like Washington is working and able to get some things done." There are two ways of interpreting the issue of uncertainty. One way would be to say, "Well, you know what? We'll just go back to what we were doing before on, let's say, the financial markets. We won't have the regulations that we need. We won't make any changes in terms of too-big-to-fail." That will provide certainty until the next financial crisis. That's not the kind of certainty I think that the financial markets need. The kind of certainty they need is for us to go ahead and agree on a bipartisan effort to put some rules of the road in place so that consumers are protected in the financial markets, so that we don't have banks that are too big to fail, that we have ways of winding them down and protecting the overall system without taxpayer bailouts. That requires legislation. The sooner we can get that done, the better. The same would be true when it comes to health care. A lot of CEOs I hear from will say, "Boy, we'd like you to get health care settled, one way or another," but they will acknowledge that, when they open up their latest invoice for their premiums and they find out that those premiums have gone up 20 percent or 25 percent, that's the kind of uncertainty that also tamps down business investment. So -- so I guess my answer would be this. The sooner the business community has a sense that we've got our act together here in Washington and can move forward on big, serious issues in a substantive way, without a lot of posturing and partisan wrangling, I think the better off the entire country's going to be. I absolutely agree on that. What I think is important is not to buy into this notion that is perpetrated by some of the business interests that got a stake in this, who are fighting financial reform, for example, to say, "Boy, we'd be doing fine if we just didn't try to regulate the banks." That, I think, would be a mistake.TAPPER: But just to play devil's advocate on that, a small business, let's say -- not somebody who's going to be affected by the regulatory reform, a small business -- you have proposed, you would acknowledge, a bold agenda, and a small business might wonder, "I don't know how the energy bill is going to affect me. I don't know how the health care reform bill is going to affect me. I better hold off on hiring."PRESIDENT OBAMA: Yes, the small businesses that I talk to -- and I've been talking to a lot of them as I've been traveling around the country over the last several months -- their biggest problem is right now they can't get credit out of their banks, so they're uncertain about that. And they're still uncertain about orders. You know, do they just have enough customers to justify them doing more? It's looking better at this point, but that's not the rationale for people saying, "I'm not hiring." Let me put it this way. Most small businesses, right now -- if they've got enough customers to make a profit and they can get the bank loans required to boost their payroll, boost their inventory and sell to the customers, they will do so, OK?

So... that entire first rambling first answer went: a) everything is still bush's fault. B) that said, the economy is expanding! i promise! companies i've had photo ops at after they got a ton of stimulus money said they're going to start hiring right away. i believe them, because jobs are driven by how much the government spends.c) there are two ways of looking at risk. the first is to blame banks again. i'm coming for you banks!* d) people want me to fix health care. they think their premiums are too high. we have to work together to get this legislation passed!**e) seriously, we have to get the banks. The guy reiterates his point as obama in no way addressed the topic of cap and trade and only acknowledged that maybe people are uncertain about health care. Obama responds:f) small businesses can't get loans is clearly what you mean! ***g) also, people are uncertain about demand. You see, businesses need customers to sell things to. Demand is getting better, but ****h) if businesses had more money, they could make more things that people would buy. The clear solution is for them to borrow money so that they can make more things and hope people buy them. If people got more debt, their businesses would be better, because that's how i decided both businesses and the government should work, ok?****** please ignore the other way of looking at risk. i don't understand risk because i've never studied finance or any sort of business whatsoever** the CBO estimated that both the house and the senate bills would do absolutely nothing to lower the cost drivers of health care, and in a majority of cases would increase the premiums on most people. this is a disconnect that drives me insane. forcing more people to buy more expensive insurance does not make insurance cheaper. period. stop saying it does, it's complete nonsense*** no, that's definitely not what he means**** I have absolutely no idea how to interpret the italicized sentence. he started to explain supply and demand and made a weird wrong turn***** This, like a lot of the rest of it, is such an overwhelming clusterF of reasoning. "Do not worry about the costs you might incur, just borrow the money and it'll all work itself out."In all of those words he did nothing to address the very real problem that businesses large and small across the country have, and that's "how am i suppossed to set a budget when it looks like the government wants to raise my cost of doing business? (via the two issues the interviewer asked about TWICE) If i can't figure out how my basic costs are going to change, why would I take on additional people and the additional risk they may bring if you introduce a change in payroll taxes to help pay for healthcare?"The interviewer did not pull those things out of thin air, and no matter how many times he tries to deflect onto banks or bush or anything else, those will still be things keeping people from hiring. Yes, Obama acknowledged that they need to get their act together near the end of his first answer, but that's nothing that everyone doesn't already know.

[JoeyJoJo 18]

In all of those words he did nothing to address the very real problem that businesses large and small across the country have, and that's "how am i suppossed to set a budget when it looks like the government wants to raise my cost of doing business? (via the two issues the interviewer asked about TWICE) If i can't figure out how my basic costs are going to change, why would I take on additional people and the additional risk they may bring if you introduce a change in payroll taxes to help pay for healthcare?"

Yeah, that last answer by him was really weird.

[SweetDee 0]

A comment on the above post, or maybe just a question. I wonder if one of the reasons Bush did not talk to the media nearly as much as Obama does is Bush was smart (gasp) enough to realize that for the most part the same questions would be asked, over and over, and he had no answers that the media would buy, what's more he was not articulate enough to sell the answers that he had. I think Obama believes that the more he talks, the better, no matter what he says, because he thinks he can sell it, which in my mind he has grossly over estimated, he also realizes that what he lacks in salesmanship the majority of the media will find ways to sell for him, or at least find ways to gloss over. This may be the grossest of over estimation because no one can sell this shit, the media is a nice ally and a powerful one to be sure, but it cannot make up for the overwhelming drivel coming from this mans mouth. If I was advising Obama I would tell him this: Either stop talking or weave in a few things that make sense, give me a 60-40 ratio and that can be sold. 60% of what you see on infomercials is complete bullshit but the 40% is why people still buy the bullshit. Obviously these numbers are pulled out of thin air but you get the point- people will buy lies until it becomes nothing but lies. Every player knows this, except for apparently Obama.

[hblask 1]

forcing more people to buy more expensive insurance does not make insurance cheaper. period. stop saying it does, it's complete nonsense

This is one of the reasons I can't watch Obama speak anymore. He trots out this blatant, flagrant lie at every opportunity, and an overripe cabbage with eyes painted on it could figure out how stupid that claim is. You want your polls numbers to go up? Stop saying things that are flagrant lies. Just stop.

[Pot Odds RAC 23]

This is one of the reasons I can't watch Obama speak anymore. He trots out this blatant, flagrant lie at every opportunity, and an overripe cabbage with eyes painted on it could figure out how stupid that claim is. You want your polls numbers to go up? Stop saying things that are flagrant lies. Just stop.

Maybe he isn't smart enough to know what he is saying is a lie.

[gobears 0]

Looks like Don't Ask Don't Tell will be repealed in the near future so Gays can serve openly in the military. I'll give Obama a +1 for that.

[brvheart 1,757]

Looks like Don't Ask Don't Tell will be repealed in the near future so Gays can serve openly in the military. I'll give Obama a +1 for that.

The gays won't. I think they would rather be killed by an enemy. I can't even imagine how terrible it would be to be gay in the military. Good luck gays.

[Spademan 94]

The gays won't. I think they would rather be killed by an enemy. I can't even imagine how terrible it would be to be gay in the military. Good luck gays.

What? There are already gays in the military, they don't prance around and stroke each other in the shower, but they're in the military.Repealing don't ask don't tell would do almost nothing except add some "E.O" heartache and extra boring-ass power-point classes about tolerance. My personal stance? If they openly allow gays in the military we should go to co-ed showers. Because if they expect people to be comfortable showering with people whom they know are sexually attractive to them, then there should be no hypocrisy because of the gender of the individuals.This is a principle thing and has nothing to do with wanting to shower with bi/lesbian (especially Air Force) chicks in the shower. Seriously. Nothing to do with that at all. Yup. Just a principle thing. Yup.

[akoff 0]

Maybe he isn't smart enough to know what he is saying is a lie.

or maybe he just can't help himself. He lied from the first time he took public office and never stopped. Why start now?

[akoff 0]

This is one of so many the reasons I never could watch Obama speak anymore. He trots out this blatant, flagrant lie at every opportunity, and an overripe cabbage with eyes painted on it could figure out how stupid that claim is. You want your polls numbers to go up? Stop saying things that are flagrant lies. Just stop.

i cleaned it up a little bit for you...you know i do love being correct. Some of us knew what was coming with this assclown and were mocked...yea it is good to be right!!

[SweetDee 0]

i cleaned it up a little bit for you...you know i do love being correct. Some of us knew what was coming with this assclown and were mocked...yea it is good to be right!!

I have found that in this instance being right has been pretty much worthless. With a few exceptions, and I mean very few, those who were wrong either won't admit it, or are just silent. People who argued vehemently that this man would change the world, and would be everything that anybody could ever want, now have absolutely nothing to say. People who would argue for hours about the many virtues of this man now have zero input. I was mocked endlessly at work, by people above me and below me and the whole time I stood fast, and now these pussies just vanish? The best I can come up with is it's a bit like any other cultural phenomenon that was actually plain retarded- like, say, Cabbage Patch kids. One day you realize you are a 36 year old woman carrying around a 14 inch doll born of a vegetable and you say to yourself "Let's not ever talk about this again."

[LongLiveYorke 38]

I have found that in this instance being right has been pretty much worthless. With a few exceptions, and I mean very few, those who were wrong either won't admit it, or are just silent. People who argued vehemently that this man would change the world, and would be everything that anybody could ever want, now have absolutely nothing to say. People who would argue for hours about the many virtues of this man now have zero input. I was mocked endlessly at work, by people above me and below me and the whole time I stood fast, and now these pussies just vanish? The best I can come up with is it's a bit like any other cultural phenomenon that was actually plain retarded- like, say, Cabbage Patch kids. One day you realize you are a 36 year old woman carrying around a 14 inch doll born of a vegetable and you say to yourself "Let's not ever talk about this again."

I disagree. I am still quite happy with Obama, though I would like to see more from him in certain areas. Of course there is going to be a honeymoon effect that gradually wares off. No one denies that the reality of an actual man working in the Oval Office is different than the image created by a candidate. I think the things that made people the most excited for Obama still apply. His government is still uniquely open and he is very honest with the American people. He is thoughtful and deliberate, and he allows America to see that side of him (if Bush were thoughtful, he certainly didn't show it to the public). Moreover, I am quite excited about the next three years with Obama. I think, especially recently, he has shown that his focus is on policies that will appeal to a lot of people instead of only to the left wing.I strongly approve of his policies on energy and infrastructure, on education and science, and on the environment. I'm happy that he's aiming his focus on the budget and the deficit without forgetting that we're still in a financial crisis. I'm so-so about Afghanistan, but I think he made a good decisions in the face of many bad choices. Clearly he was hurt by healthcare, but there's still hope that we could see that legislation move forward. It appears now that smaller parts will be passed that will focus on things that get biparty support (meaning they get 1 or two Republicans to support it, because that's really the most we can ask these days of the R's).I really believe that the Obama who ran for President is the Obama who is now president. Anyone who's somewhat intelligent should have been able to connect the lines between what he stood for as a candidate and how that manifested into his Presidential policies.I for damn sure think we would in no way be better off with McCain and, gulp, what's her name running things. It's somewhat off-putting to think about it.

[CaneBrain 95]

I have found that in this instance being right has been pretty much worthless. With a few exceptions, and I mean very few, those who were wrong either won't admit it, or are just silent. People who argued vehemently that this man would change the world, and would be everything that anybody could ever want, now have absolutely nothing to say. People who would argue for hours about the many virtues of this man now have zero input. I was mocked endlessly at work, by people above me and below me and the whole time I stood fast, and now these pussies just vanish? The best I can come up with is it's a bit like any other cultural phenomenon that was actually plain retarded- like, say, Cabbage Patch kids. One day you realize you are a 36 year old woman carrying around a 14 inch doll born of a vegetable and you say to yourself "Let's not ever talk about this again."

Or we have just kind of accepted that Obama is (to this point) a disappointment but are comforted by two facts:1) He still has time to get it together and his worst idea, health care, did not get done.2) That the alternative (electing an old man with health problems with the Head Tea Bag a heartbeat away.....an old man whose party/ideas seem to be completely unchanged from the ones that sucked for 8 years under Bush) would have been worse.So, sure I would admit Obama's first year was not good. It was better than Bush's first year though, as a comparison. And I dont regret voting for him. Because the alternative was worse.

[Balloon guy 158]

One thing is clear, Obama is becoming more and more like Bush with regards to foreign policy. This is the only thing he's done right since taking office.I would bet that the next time we hear about the Kahwatever Seihk Mohamed trial it will be that it is going to be a military tribunal in Gitmo.And then the transformation will be complete.

[LongLiveYorke 38]

One thing is clear, Obama is becoming more and more like Bush with regards to foreign policy. This is the only thing he's done right since taking office.I would bet that the next time we hear about the Kahwatever Seihk Mohamed trial it will be that it is going to be a military tribunal in Gitmo.And then the transformation will be complete.

Certainly the realities of Guantanamo has been one of the biggest "come down to Earth" moments for Obama. And if he becomes like Bush in terms of foreign policy, I hope he becomes Bush cerca his last year, not Bush cerca his first 7. Because those first 7 years were atrocious. His last year was half decent, and the surge worked pretty well.

[JoeyJoJo 18]

Stop saying things that are flagrant lies. Just stop.

He is very honest with the American people.

Well then.

[LongLiveYorke 38]

Well then.

See, according to some people, if person A says something and person B disagrees with that thing, then person A is a liar.I don't define the term that way.

[Naked_Cowboy 0]

I don't know how saying either piece of legislation (house or senate healthcare bills) will lower the cost of healthcare can be anything but a lie. It's not interpretation, the CBO says the exact opposite.

[LongLiveYorke 38]

I don't know how saying either piece of legislation (house or senate healthcare bills) will lower the cost of healthcare can be anything but a lie. It's not interpretation, the CBO says the exact opposite.

What does the CBO say exactly? That it will cost the government more?It's possible for either health care bill to cost the government more, but to ensure more people and to make the average person's out of pocket pay less.

[JoeyJoJo 18]

It's possible for either health care bill to cost the government more, but to ensure more people and to make the average person's out of pocket pay less.

I believe that's what they're trying to say.Here is a blog about it. I'm linking to this blog partly because it has a link to the actual CBO report.According to a report released by the Congressional Budget Office this morning, the average price of insurance premiums bought on the individual market—that is, premiums not purchased through employers—would go up by 10 to 13 percent in 2016 if Congress passed health care reform legislation now in the Senate. This tracks with state-level reform efforts, which have almost always coincided with spikes in individual insurance premiums. Nevertheless, advocates of reform will—and indeed, already are—arguing that the report shows that the bill will make health care both better and more affordable. How's that? While average insurance premium prices on the individual market would rise, new subsidies would more than cover the cost increases for the majority of people purchasing plans on the individual market. According to the CBO's estimate, 57 percent of those purchasing insurance on the individual market would receive subsidies. Those subsidies would vary by the individual's income level, but according to the estimate, on average, the subsidies would be enough to make the cost of insurance less than under current law. Basically, the argument is that, sure, insurance on the individual market will be more expensive, but taxpayers will pick up the tab for the increased costs. This strikes me as a less-than-compelling defense of reform.