And I think he's doing a very good job on foreign policy issues in keeping things under control with minimal intervention. He might be the best we've had in that respect over the last 60 years. I can't understand why most people aren't over the moon for him in that respect.

But he's still a corporatist. Probably impossible to get a non-corporatist elected president given our campaign finance laws. But I'm realistic about him.

The VA problems, Iraq breaking down, the influx of refugees from central America, the whole Bergdahl thing that he has been relentlessly attacked over and the overall lack of government progress on anything because of a deadlocked Congress...

Its a damn shame too, its like Obama is suppose to fix all this by himself, Congress isn't doing shit to try to chip in on the business of governing with any kind of good faith. Instead they sit around and yell at him over it.

not be good. The worse could be very horrible. History has always shown segregation by race/religion/ethnic groups/class, never works.

I think the Republicans do a great disservice to America, to all Americans by their constant criticism and outright disrespect of our President. The social segregation promoted in the USA by all these political groups (& a lot of regular citizens), poisons everything.

the republican's have only gotten worse in my adult life (the 90s to now).

They have totally dropped the pretense of even trying to have some bullshit "moral" foundation to what they do, they simply just scamper around from issue to issue screaming bloody murder even if their position totally contradicts their prior positions.

For 7 years you dare no question the commander in chief, cause we had troops in the field, and NO WAY could you try to prosecute them for lying the country into Iraq because "it would tear the country apart!"

The moment Barrack Obama took office, the whole not questioning the commander in chief thing went out the window and it has been open sedition, breathlessly murmering impeachment while opposing him on EVERTHING regardless of how damaging it is to the country.

And, the media has also given up the pretense of being an unbiased third estate.

I was bewildered how they were with Clinton in the 90s, just did not get it, and somehow they even worse now with a media that just follows their lead like 8 month old puppies.

Still wanted him to do more to reign in the NSA and wish he would take more unilateral action for immigrants, but other than that I think he's been doing a good job of keeping potentially explosive things calm and am rather bewildered why his approval ratings aren't so high (the Fox effect perhaps). I actually think he's doing a better job now than when he first took office, he's certainly more aggressive about going around Congress and supporting social issues.

he has a good internal process and only by the grace of god can a human being withstand the never ending, relentless and blood thirsty shit storm the republicans have thrown at him from day one with the "liberal" media gleefully doing their bidding and rarely let it throw him off.

MUCH bigger man than me in that regard.

He has pretty much everything stacked against him ...

I have to remind myself there is more than one kind of anger. One is about people being hurt other than oneself; the other is the ego kind that is focused on oneself.

I believe he is acutely aware of all that is going around him at a remarkable level and yet is not deterred from his goal of doing the best for the most people.

It's not about him, and he's said repeatedly that it isn't. I love that part of him.

Is there anything to be done about this?

We need to keep the Senate this fall.

I've kind of given up on the American people. We've defunded public education and made higher education out of reach for so many. We just seem like a country of sheeple, who can be led around easily by every huckster and sham billionaire out there.

in giving up on the American people.

We are far to comfortable and affluent in our lifestyles, and as such gleefully willing dupes to the bullshit that is advanced by corporatist interests.

People are people, and always prone to an us vs them and there is some boogyman out there rhetoric. Only when times are REALLY, REALLY tough and people's basic survival is on the line can they in mass cut through this kind of stuff, and we just are not even close to that.

The republicans are even WORSE than they were in the 90s when I was in bewilderment about how bad they were, and have completely given up on even trying to have a veneer of "moral authority." They just go from one thing to another screaming bloody murder even if it contradicts what they were screaming about a minute earlier, and the "third estate" has totally given up trying to have a pretense of impartiality.

DICK FUCKING CHENEY gets a column in the WSJ and a never ending litany of tv cameras to say about THIS president that never has a president been so wrong about things and hurt so many people, and the media just gives him free reign to do it and no one thinks twice.

THAT is how far gone this country is.

To think that one of our most "popular" was Reagan. Explain THAT one to me.

On NPR last week they said that most people AGREE with Obama's positions and policies, but disagree with his leadership. Just the opposite for Reagan. I finally agree with that many have said about the dis-ingenuousness of much of the media. It seems like they are just looking for a gory car wreck. They don't see their role as being constructive. Definitely not what our founders contemplated during that heady, revolutionary time.

sums up why people aren't in love with his leadership.

They know this about what they are doing, the scream enough, the make a big enough fuss, people will just tune out and do the "they are all the same."

I swear to god, THAT is why Jr. won his first term.

The mushy middle was so tired of them screaming and dipshit has just enough superficial affability they elected him to shut the Rs up after they spent the entire 90s screaming about whatever bullshit they were screaming about at the time.

Up until Barrack Obama developed into the front runner, their focus was 100 percent on Hillary, and they managed to get everyone in the media in line with the "she is divisive" meme, which was another way of saying it is here fault republicans are jackasses.

Once it was clear BO was likely to win, they suddenly were OK with Hill and turned to him.

On the first Wednesday in November, they will VERY quickly shift all of their focus from him to her again.

It isn't just looking for a gory wreck, for the most part they gleefully suck republicans arses and take joy in tweaking democrats.

When dipshit was president the merrily went along with the "he may be wrong, but you have to respect his decisiveness" crap about Jr., all the commander in chief bullshit ... Totally different now with BO, all too happy to earnestly ask in question form whatever mean spirited, snarky shit they say about this president.

"what do you say to those who would say this president is a weak leader?"

"He has thus far kept the world from exploding in the many hot spots;"
Really?
Ukraine threw out its elected government and is on the verge of civil war.
Libya is in total chaos as a direct result of his intervention
Iraq is exploding by anyone’s definition.
Syria exploded into civil war on his watch.
Boko Haram became uncontrollable.
Eygpt rejected revolution and returned to military dictatorship.

"he approaches international conflict in a serious, restrained, adult manner;"
Certainly better than Bush

"he has ushered in an end to "don't ask don't tell,"
Good, but hardly earth shaking in a “world order” sense

"complete domination by the medical insurance industry,"
Wait. I can’t really argue the point, since everyone is now required to purchase from the medical insurance industry, but “complete domination by the medical insurance industry” is a good thing? How is that not a bad thing?

"and has advocated to erase income inequality, for sensible gun control, and investment in infrastructure."
He’s advocated for these, but not with any real vehemence, and has done damned little to make them happen. Income inequality has worsened during his watch, gun control has had zero progress, and damned little infrastructure has been built. Whether or not the lack of progress is his fault, you cannot call it an "“ccomplishment"”when nothing has actually been done. The working class cannot put his talk on their tables and eat it.

May I begin my reply by pointing out, ironically, it is your state legislature that has put impeachment on the table. My condolences!

I stand by my statements, all of them, those both articulately, and inarticulately, put.

He HAS thus far managed to keep things from exploding, to the extent we have influence. Sec. State Kerry, as well. What happens in the future - near and far - remains to be seen. But in the face of many explosive situations, things have not unwound to their logical conclusions...yet. Whether or not they will, or whether much of it is pressure release, I am glad he is restrained in his response. We don't control the rest of the world, nor do I think many of us want to, that is, how much of our treasure and blood can we sensibly commit to these centuries-old struggles?

I am for single payer. I am also really relieved that we now can't be denied health insurance due to pre-existing conditions. We are taking steps in the right direction under Pres Obama's leadership. It could have been better, and the outcome is disappointing. He probably could have played it better. But I believe in his commitment.

We have a government of checks and balances. Pres Obama is facing obstruction of historical proportions, in large part, I believe, due to his lack of connection to our country's power elite. He is the quintessential outsider, due to his personal family background and race.

Oh - and I left out his meaningful actions on the environment. Good there, as well.

although I'm not blind to the few missteps. He woulda, shoulds, coulda - hindsight is always 20/20. Maybe my expectations are too low with this Congress, but I'm amazed that he could achieve as much as he has.

have an awfully rough time.

That common belief is now bearing fruit.

Extraordinary man. When greed and corruption and immature mewlings of selfishness seems to be the playbook for decades now, he stands tall as one with true integrity and strength.

And always the smartest guy in the room, hands down.

Unfortunately, the theatrics over his foreign policy management are not limited to the right-wing. I've been a bit surprised and dismayed over the string of posts here in recent days that make it sound like President Obama is ramping us up for another invasion/occupation of Iraq despite his track record of restrained declarations and limited deployment of troops/advisors. Many people, I'm sure, are concerned on the basis of the past history of mistakes made by our country's leaders, especially in regards to Iraq, but President Obama seems like the person least likely to repeat them. I'm sure as heck a lot more grateful for the fact that we have him- along with John Kerry- instead of John McCain or Mitt Romney.

I think the only logical thing to do at this point is to either provide aid to the Shiites who are rising up against the al-Queda-backed ISIS militants while pressuring Maliki to have a government with a good representation of Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds. The problem is the Shiite majority was badly oppressed under Saddam Hussein and it's only natural that they now want to absorb as much power as possible. However, the country cannot and will not be stable until these three groups can live together.

Not saying this will work, and I still believe Iraq will eventually splinter into three countries. But we have to at least try to stop a pro-al-Queda government from gaining power in any nation (as what occurred with the Taliban in Afghanistan).

I have heard reports though too that although ISIS is moving swiftly through Iraq, there is some suggestion that they may not be staying around long enough to hold on to their territory and that their extremism could alienate would-be supporters. Nevertheless, we have to offer a little aid and assistance to try and create space for a political solution.

You and I agree on a lot of things.

No doubt that President Obama is good and hard working man. He wants to remain U.S at top position in whole world. I am also agree with his foreign policy but I want to know that why he is not sending forces in Iraq for peace. If civil war in Iraq remains continue then the Islamic terrorist groups will powerful & make a strong hold in whole middle east. They can become danger for America & Europe. It seems that Obama is doing politics of raw Oil & gas in Iraq. I can wrong in this but America(George Bush) is responsible for this present situation in Iraq.

how involved do you think the US should be in Iraq? Do you think we can in the end have a meaningful impact? And how many civilians would we end up killing in the process? Won't this ages long tribal conflict just revive again and again any time we leave? Can we - should we - stay there forever? What about every other conflict around the world? Look what our previous involvement there did to shred our economy, not to mention our reputation around the world.

We will revolt. It's that simple - there has been no end in sight in the middle east for many years. The people that voted for him . . . we will revolt.

Years ago Joe Biden suggested splitting up Iraq into three zones - and I believe the Iraqi people could accomplish that on their own if they can find the will to do it.

And our party in general -

But his approach to foreign relations - he has my trust and respect.

He does a little thing called "think" and he "acts" rather than reacts.

I am very satisfied with him as our President, he has done an excellent job under very difficult conditions. Thank you President Obama for a great job!

No politician has my COMPLETE confidence. I don't trust anyone enough to make that statement.


I don't really take much stock in poll numbers, either. They always go up and down.
Just because they are low, it doesn't mean Obama is doing a poor job. Or vice versa.

And it's not that I don't think he makes political calculations, or that he doesn't takes actions that are at least in some measure abhorrent to me (drone strikes / civilian casualties).

I think he operates from a very sound moral stance, has the best interest of all involved - to the extent possible - at heart, and yet makes necessarily expedient decisions given all factors.

I believe his support for our military service persons is not only genuine, but deep.

I can't say the same (high level of confidence and trust) for many other politicans. Maybe only Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, at this point.

Warren and Sanders. Yes, like Obama, they have done great things, but don't trust or have complete confidence in them either.

Will we fight back?

I don't give a flying fuck what anyone says! Period! All the racism and hatred. The double standards. Incredible odds and unrealistic expectations. Increasing the bars. THE BLACK TAX! I could keep going, but I won't. No president has ever had so much placed on his shoulders.

And the hatred. Ahhhh... the fucking hatred! They can mask it any way they see fit. I know what the fuck it is. We all know what the fuck it is.

I stand with this president with the full knowledge that he knows what he's doing. He's smart. He's competent. And he doesn't need DU or anyone else to tell him or lecture him about what he should be or could be doing. If you know so much, then goddammit, YOU RUN FOR FUCKING PRESIDENT!!!!!!!

....and good luck with that fucking shit!!!

President Obama has to be three times as good as his Republican detractors and he still gets criticized. I happen to know for a fact that it is because of ignorant racism. He's the best President in my lifetime, 51 years.

And how about the latest on all the chemical weapons stockpile out of Syria?

How much play is this getting in the mainstream media?

This is what I'm talking about...