What leadership? He is a great delegater and let's congress do all the work............but why does that surprise anyone? After all he is known for his "present" vote on many issues. The media needs to get past their awe for Obama and start asking the hard questions we want answers to.

I did not vote for President Obama and it was because I felt he was "weak". I still feel that way and I dont think I was wrong.

However, everything taken into consideration, he is doing an above average job. Our country should be pleased w/ him as our prez.

Sometimes, I think our "media" ( the headlines Mr. Gergen refers to) do far more damage to us than the actual events that happened.

As everyone around the globe found out with the mortgage meltdown, the end results can be catastrophic when everyone goes all in a perceived good thing.

Barack Obama has been the next perceived good thing since he spoke at the Democratic National Convention; unfortunetly, his scant accomplishments hardly warrant the accolades.

He came along at the perfect time and has been hand delivered opportunities to lead, however, it's just not in his nature.

His inability to make firm and timely decisions, his penchant for surrounding himself with lousy company and his desire to make everyone happy while pleasing no one will lead to his ultimate downfall.

How can Obama address any of these concerns when Congress will effectively hamstring anything the President tries to pass because they are more concerned with money than anything else?

I have never seen a more harshly treated President. Ever. And I have been alive to see Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr, Clinton, The Shrub, and now Obama.

Its a no-win situtation and Obama is in the middle of a war zone. I'm sure he'd love to be harsher on climate change, but this country is so resistant to anything resembling real useful change that he has NO CHOICE but to bent further than he'd like.

The way the people in this country behave is completely and utterly incomprehensible. They want change, but they don't want to pay for any of it. They know that the country is failing as it is, but they're so scared of the possible future that they aren't willing to consider anything else. And that is AFTER hiring a President that stands on change.

He's trying. But if he goes very far left at all, he can't get anything done and Congress will put a stop to it because the people of the country won't actually fight for anything Obama stands for.

And THEN they blame him for it when its THEM thats stopping HIM from accomplishing whats needed. Unbelievable.

This new bill is over 1600 pages and the Democrats won't let anyone read it. WHY? What are they trying to hide? What kind of "controls" are they giving the Government over us? Are there thousands of PORK Projects in this bill too?

Is this the bill where the Government controls our home thermostats? Why are we, the Citizens of the United States given rules about what we can and can't do, but the Government doesn't have to follow them? Doesn't this upset anyone else?

Nancy Pelosi flys in a 200 passenger jet that costs over 6 million dollars per year just for gas alone. She doesn't like the smaller jet that was given her to fly back and forth from Washington to California. We, the taxpayers, pick up this cost.

When we are made to drive around in pop cans, because the bigger cars get too bad of gas milage, do you think the Government will be driving pop cans? Nancy Pelosi warns against leaving "Carbon Footprints", how large a print do you think this 757 jet leaves?

The "left" controls the media and these inflated polls, do you think the "honeymoon" may be over? Maybe the Citizens in the United States are getting fed up with the lies the media has been reporting?
Maybe we aren't as stupid or naive as they think!

Frankly speaking, all the people sitting back criticizing Pres. Obama should take a deep breathe and reflect on all the presidents within the last 20 years and their contributions, good or bad, and see whether or not they had so much to say about their leadership. Let's be real, the main reason, if they were truthful, is that he is the first African American President, not to mention one with intellect, and they can't handle it. They can't wrap their heads around the realness that African Americans can and do lead! Why do you think that the Republican Party continues to be in opposition? They are still under cover in their bigotry. Fear has a way of gripping the best of them!

My only comment is, I think the President is doing a terrific job, next time let the writers of those columns try to give real solutions and not just criticism. I do have something I would like to say however, I think we need to quit talking about the failure of the Clinton administration to get health reform passed in his administration. The times were very different then. Since President Clinton was in office health care in America has continued to spiral down and the costs have soared up. Back then, not over 70% of the American citizenry thought that public health care was a good idea, only liberal Democrats thought that then, now the majority of Americans think so. We need a public option not just for our health, but also for our economy. Get this thing passed.

I smell jimmy carter all over again

The "Fly in the White House" incident was funny but I saw President Obama's behavior as telling. President Obama does not posture ineffectively and past leaders. He acts decisively after weighing all options and "cleans up after himself".

Taxes , taxes, taxes Obama,s words are just that Words. He is taking the USA on a joy ride to lower eveyone into a socialistic state.
I am over seventy and happy that I lived my life in freedom. I do feel sorry for the kids .

I'm alittle nerves about the North Korea problem we have and how he is handling it. I have no doubt that his plan will work here to energy , health care and other things. But Kim is whole other problem. I know he will look to his advisors to guide him through this. But I think they have made so bad moves.

Personally I believe the media in all corners have been very generous to Obama. His placement into power was very well organized by his party, out of the corruption of Chicago he rose like royal jelly in a world where the honey bee is threatened by colony collapse. The sparklers were dusted off and the stage made ready for the prince to arrive.

His stand, as a well spoken person when it comes to public display, rates an Oscar for best outstanding performance by a male lead to date. Yet, his ability falls far short of the promised land.

If we do not find any form of transparency in our congress and their actions, all the pay for play activity on the capital grounds we will remain a nation that fell from being a lender to a nation in debt and owned by the BONDage of China. Only the first wave of our collapse has arrived and as some may recall the small child running out on the beach to catch the fish when the tide went out as onlookers screamed for him to run and we all watched as the water swept him away, the real wave has not arrived. The numbers have not been counted and the bottom not hit.

Obama has yet to evolve into an erect leader, one with backbone, one with courage, or one with strength. It has nothing to do with anything other than his lack of skill, his lack of experience, his lack of a real record. I did not care for Nixon, Carter, Reagan, or even Nancy when she ran the country, Clinton kind of blowed and both Bush cowboys are better left in Texas kicking rocks and fishing.

Weak? I disagree. Did we not have enough war the last eight years?!
Enough of saber rattling from the warmongers on the far-right?

Diplomacy, and a cool level head is not weakness, its brilliance. Since WWII the U.S. has been the policeman of the world, and what has that gotten us? Enemies and the name, arrogant.

President Obama is an intelligent man, that inherited a disaster from 8 years of what....... "strong leadership"?! Iraq was and is a mistake! And it will continue to cost our citizens countless trillions. Seven years later, we are still paying a price for Bush's war!

And then there was McCain with his "bomb...... bomb..... bomb Iran"! What a hypocrite! One day he wants to bomb the people who are now demonstrating in the streets, the next he wants to support them!

One can hardly judge and condemn a president after SIX months in Office, especially considering the disaster he inherited from Bush!

Mr. Gergen, most of the periodicals you quoted are conservative. What can we expect but more of the same?

I support President Obama, he is right in not interfering with Iran. He has to be cautious with N. Korea, after all, N. Korea is China's biggest ally and guess what? China OWNS us, thanks to ......... Bush!

People are upset over the press because they are getting on Obama a little bit, what about what they did to Bush? Nobody seemed to mind that.
Our congress were the ones who wouldn't let Bush do any of the things he needed to do and the masses were all mad at Bush because he wasn't doing what was best for the country

When are the people in our country going to get everybody now in government out and start anew. I for one am sick of our congress and both parties. We need new parties in our government or our country will go down the tubes.

I still do not know if Obama's economy plan is going to work so jury is still out on that. I do know that environmentalists were given to believe that Obama and his administration would help conserve our mountains by strictly controlling and over time abolishing mountaintop removal mining – instead he put a few more review steps in the process of obtaining a permit but the mountaintop leveling will continue on – it will just take a little longer. This was a big flip-flop long-term and made me start looking at what Obama has done and hasn't done. Seemingly he tries to keep his campaign promises – he puts something out there to keep this promise or that and then when his premise is questioned he pulls it back. If this pattern continues nothing will get changed and Obama will hopefully be limited to 1 term. I am hoping though that he is going to change things as he said during the campaign and that this time next year we will all be more pleased with his performance and results.

Excellent articel Mr. Gergen. One thing I have noticed with Pres. Obama is that people constantly under-estimate him and he has always taken a careful and patient approach to all the things he has doen regardless of the critisicm coming from.

For e.g in this instance, in the past both energy bill and health-care bill never even left the drawing board, and I believe that President wants to get something rolling with concessions and then bring amendments later (which is always much easier). Because once some positive comes out of these bills, people cannot question it later and it would be hard press for the congress to allow it to fail, which they passed.

And as everyone would know, it does not matter what the president thinks, it has to go through both congress and it is hard to convince 500 people to the same line of thinking.

I applaud President Obama and his staff for their leadership and for their ability to effectively get things done within a very complex and difficult government arena. I can only imagine this to be a herculean task. I would like to comment on the healthcare system and the necessary restructuring.

I only fully understood the multiple factors effecting our healthcare system when I was in graduate school. I had already been an RN for several years and still had not grasped the severe problems facing our healthcare system. Our system is clearly broken. I am certain there are a number of improvements and solutions being volleyed around on capital hill, but this is the one that has been on my mind.
Why not an incentivized healthcare system?

Why not offer rewards for those who obtain and maintain good health?
We do it for car insurance and for life insurance, why not health insurance.? Of course, it would have to be measured objectively, such as, blood pressure, weight, cholesterol etc. I recall being sure to keep my grades up in high school so that my parents could get a "good student" discount on my car insurance. I firmly believe people would be motivated to improve their health, to receive a discount on their health insurance. What are your thoughts on this?

Why is anyone surprised at this news? The man is very young and has never led anything in his life. I could see this coming many, many months ago. He is a brilliant speaker. Thats it. No More. He will learn in time, but we'll be very over leveraged as a country by that time. The problem with being older and wiser is that you are old. I know that too.

David ,You’re in the tank with President Obama! Just look at the stimulus package approved in the early days as a rush job for $786 billion and of that only $20 billion is deployed when the nation is in a massive recession. Our president should have learned from Chinese stimulus. I’m not sure if you were this generous with the President Bush..
Pls highlight any decision of president Obama you disagree with. To date president Obama’s decisions have been disastrous for the nation and it’s about time you’re noticing it, as you call it by foreign press. And I hope President Obama modifies and stops electioneering and leads the nation to real Change.thx,.

"Two defenses of President Obama seem in order"

Gee, a "journalist" defending 0bama. How novel.

I, like most people in Europe, thought what a great opportunity for the USA to regain some of their credibility with Obama at the helm. I am not saying he is doing a bad job in most cases, but, I for one believe some of the gloss has worn off after he condemned the Honduran uprising outright and quite forcibly.
Its easy for him to condemn a little island which poses no threat, yet standing by and watching millions of people being tortured and slaughtered in Darfur, Zimbabwe, Iran, Tibet, Myamar, to name some.
Problem is, Obama fears he may upset China and God forbid that. Obamas halo has slipped and the rhetoric is proving true. Maybe he will organise an invasion of Cuba, or maybe Bermuda to regain his popularity which, I understand has fallen below 50%

It's not a matter of Obama's leadership, it's that Obama himself has finally caught on that demanding the impossible leads only to disaster.

Even a government can't spend the same dollar more than a couple of times and these stimulus things, expensive energy policies, universal health care, and on and on are just beyond the current capacity of the US economy.

Perhaps it is because the World Media doesn't see the President in the same light as the US media with rose colored glasses. I am guessing the world media is probably asking the same question about our media. What is this undeserved love affair between US media and this President.

First, one should recognize that the Financial Times and the Economist are both notably right-of-center publications. That is admittedly center-right by British standards, but the point remains.

Also, one should take a brief look at the Constitution – it's the role of the *legislature* to make laws. The president enforces them. Obama is bringing the presidency away from the imperial role that has dominated since Nixon, and returning it to a role more along the lines envisioned by the founding fathers.

Do I like the energy bill? no – it's way too week. However, it has been created in precisely the way envisioned by our forefathers.

Melissa are you a nut? This President doesn't even belong to be president. He does not deserve it. What has he really done to prove that he knows anything about economics or anything else for that matter? He was a Community Leader, what did he balance? He's lucky if Michelle lets him get near their checkbook. He was a Senator for a short time that voted "present" way too many times because he knew it would be on his record. He hung around with anti-American people and was elected by the media. And you say people are harsh to him? Give me a break.

Goodness, Gergen, you are bought and paid for by the Obamabots. Praise he richly deserves? For what?

1. Spending us into a future economic collapse?
2. Basically ending the War on Terror?
3. Pushing for cap and trade that is going to kill the middle class in this country.
4. Weakening our missile defense in the face of direct threats from North Korea?
5. Getting the federal government into the banking, financial, auto business?
6. Refusing to lead and take a stand for the protesters in Iraq however quickly critical of the overthrow of a dictator in Honduras (puts Obama and Chavez in the same camp).

Well, I am waiting – which is it? Just what does Obama deserve the praise that you and the other fawning journalists heap on him on a daily basis ad naseum.

I think the fact that two "business" publications voice concern is saying alot. The Global Economic poles are starting to shift and the "old Economic Guard" is lining up to take a serious hit in their wallets. The whole Tehran thing truly comes down to "business". (Sure some want freedom for the mass of Iranian dissidents, but when I see all those Iranian protestors, all I can see is designer sunglasses and signs in English?) The media really pushed the Iran thing harder than any news story I have read in ages, heck CNN developed a whole new section to their front page, just to forment public opinion into supporting some sort of "intervention". Well I'm one American who does not fear Iran, therefore I feel we need not intervene. Democracy begins at home.

Since the US Media isn't going to do their job. Perhaps US citizens can ask media outside the US why we just past Cap & Trade during a recession in the so-called energy bill.

Harsh Press???? This President doesn’t even belong where he is. He does not deserve it. What has he really done to prove that he knows anything about economics or anything else for that matter? He was a Community Leader, what did he balance? He’s lucky if Michelle lets him get near their checkbook. He was a Senator for a short time that voted “present” way too many times because he knew it would be on his record. He hung around with anti-American people and was elected by the media. And you say people are harsh to him? Give me a break.

The man was a senator for a scant 143 days, never did a single thing except pass a bill to preserve democracy in the Congo and name a post office in Illinois, and you wonder why he isn't taking the bull by the horns and leading this country to the same peace and prosperity of the 90's? Oh please! 56 million of us woke up before the election and tried in vain to save this country from the nightmare of an Obama administration, how much more do we need to see before the Kool Aid stupor wears off? Inept , inexperienced, and in over his head are much too kind in describing this administration. For the Kook Aid drinkers who voted this idiot in office, enjoy the total, abject misery you are about to experience courtesy of Barack Obama. You earned every bit of it and you deserve every bit of it. Unfortunately, the other 56 million of us have to suffer too thanks to your complete and total stupidity.

The lefty newspapers are protecting the President. The honeymoon will be over in 8 years. Get used to it. We are concerned about his leadership and the climate bill while we continue to import millions of barrels of oil a day from countries who hate us and plot our demise. Where are our prioritites? We should establish a goal to reduce foreign oil imports by 75% in 10 years and figure out a way to meet that goal with a combination of off shore drilling, solar, and nuclear. If the president wants to show leadership, how about a Foreign Oil Independence day celebration 10 years from this July 4th?

To Genesis Slaughter: Why must every criticism of the President be met with "you're a racist"?
To Melissa: You've never seen a more harshly treated President? You must have been in a cave for the previous 8 years. George w. Bush was called everything from "traitor" to "the devil", and it's only reinforced by your calling him "the Shrub".
President Obama does defer to Congress too often, that's how you end up with almost 1300 add-ons to the stimulus package. He needs to step forward and take a stand, and not just on the easy things.

Only 3 1/2 more years, only 3 1/2 more years.....

Hi Anderson,
As a Democrat, I am very dubious as is most of America about Obama's policies. Let's take the Energy Bill for example. I wonder why no journalist questions the fact the report from the EPA was suppressed. Why not one journalist was interested enough to read the "draft" copy that CEI released today. I am just an American.

"By far the best single explanation for global temperature fluctuations is variations in the PDO/ENSO. ENSO appears to operate in a 3-5 yr cycle. PDO/AMO appear to operate in about a 60 yr cycle...pg iv."

There are graphs that prove the Earth is now in a cooling trend. The height of global warming was 1998. It also states CO2 has very little impact because it shows (graphs) that the C02 levels have gone down!
.66 in 1940-1979 to today's current C02 of -.14.

So my challenge to you, as a journalist: WHO QUASHED THE REPORT? Which allowed the biggest tax hike in US history.

Who exactly is 'defending' the president. I know CNN is a liberal media outlet, but surely even you liberals with some common sense would agree our media is way to slanted in favor or against our governemnt. This will surely be big factor in the downfall of America. The media needs to be un-biased...period.

And the criticisms are true and accurate; personally I'm glad obama is not pushing harder for his poor legislation; I do not feel its just, workable or a good for America.

David Gergen may be mainstream, but the Fiancial Times and the Economist are both right of center. In light of the Administrations's Health Care proposal and the Environmental initiative, it is not surprising that these two organs of business have selected a different way to attack the President. Saying someone cannot lead is often a way to attempt to discredit someone who is actually leading well. I am surprised Gergen fell for this ruse.

So, who is surprised? During the runup to the election when the financial problems surfaced, who was it that continued campaigning, said 'call me if you need me'? It was clear then that Obama had no ideas and was going to rely on someone else to tell him how to vote.

When will the Republican Do Nothing but criticize party get off Obama's back? For God's sake the man has not been in office for more than six months and everyone wants miracles. The Republican Party presidents in the past 12 years did nothing but spend money on wars, alienate us from the world, and preach NeoCon democracy.
At least Obama has a brain, can spell and pronounce English words and has made clear that we as a nation don't think we have all the answers and that we want to work with the other nations of the world. He is highly regarded by anyone who realizes that nothing happens in a democracy or international affairs without compromise and without listening to the views of others. We do not need Senators like McCain who should know better that pushing Iran with his ideas will not solve anything, and will just add fuel to our opponents. I am pleased that Obama thinks and acts sensibly. Lets give the man some room to work and get off his back.

Obama IS weak...it is inconceivable to me that with North Korea drastically accelerating its nuclear arsenal, testing nuclear weapons and threatening to use military force if its ships are inspected, that Obama has been absolutely SILENT. Two of the biggest threats our world has faced are being virtually ignored. IRAN??? You have to be an IDIOT at this point to believe that SANCTIONS mean ANYTHING to Iran. But he mouths them. On top of this, energy prices are starting to climb, working for Iran's edge. WHERE IS JOHN BOLTON WHEN WE NEED HIM?? Bolton said: "talk for three months and then use military means if necessary." Obama is leading no one...even his economic razzle dazzle has not been panning out. I feel he is a DANGER to the U.S. and to the EU–he coddles up timidily to Iran and North Korea, and bludgeons Israel with "demands"–does he think he is Emperor?? Who is he to determine the security needs of Israel, which is under the threat of annihilation if Iran develops nuclear weapons?? Moreover, a nuclear Iran will see radiological devices passed on to its proxy terror groups. Iran is emboldened and getting even more aggressive now. I see Obama as vacuous, as opaque, with no strong fixed values at all that I can discern. He blows in the wind-and his only real talent is........rhetoric and "acting presidential." Its both laughable and frightening to me.

Genesis Slaughter you are part of the problem we have with race in this country if you seriously think that all criticism of Obama is based on his race. It is possible to disagree with Obama's policies and for it to have nothing to do with race whatsoever. Once the press realizes this we'll start to get some real reporting on what he's done and what he wants to do. Right now the press is scared of getting black leaders mad at them, combined with the fact that the majority of the mainstream press voted for Obama and the coverage is lacking.

BO talked about change from day one. Change can be good and I am all for possitive change. However, BO's staff are nothing more than Washingtin retreads. Everyone of them held positions in the Clinton administration.

He has no idea what economics, diplomacy, and liberty are all about. He should go back and study US history all over again.

In his first hundred days he has managed to saddle our grandchildren and great grandchildren with more debt than can ever possibly be paid off in 100 lifetimes. He is rapidly turning the greatest country on this planet into another Socialist/Communist failure.

Give him enough time and rope, he'll turn the United States into what Schwarzenegger has done to California.

It's my hope and prayer he is only a one term president.

Lisa: I think it is a great idea to reward people for maintaining their good health but what about senior citizens who may live solely on SS and who already have many health problems that it is too late to reverse? Your suggestions might work if you start with young people when they get their first insurance. However, you'd need to make an exception for people who have heriditary diseases, etc, that they can do nothing to prevent. They shouldn't be penalized.

After 8 years of having a very decisive, hardheaded, go-by-the-gut president who pretty much ran this country into the ground, I think we need to give the Obama style a chance.

Obama is nothing but the second coming of Jimmy Carter. And like Carter, he's completely ineffectual. The man has absolutely no capacity for leadership whatsoever.

If it hadn't been for an extraordinarily unpopular Republican President (GWB), an absurd Republican nominee (McCain) and the press carrying water for Obama (as made plainly obvious by this apologist piece by Mr. Cooper), this guy would have never made it the first round in the nominee selection.

Obama has never been anything more than an empty suit with a flair for eloquent oratory. Unfortunately, that ain't what it takes to lead a nation.

Oh...let's talk about foreign oil.

USGS survey: BAKKEN Foundation of South Dakota and Montana holds 3.6-4.3 Trillion Barrels of recoverable oil.

Saudi Arabia sits on 250 Million. Recoverable oil means using Existing Technology...there are already a few oil rigs on site. No spending billions in research...already one of the largest oil supplies in the world. No need for oil shale technology...oh...and don't forget the other billion in Tenn.

So isn't fair honest reporting supposed to be the entire story, and NOT just a president's talking points?

The only people who were the Presidents or worked together with presidents are qualifying to say about Obama's performance.
All other have no idea what are they talking about.

I think he's doing great when it comes to world affairs. Maybe it's time for some of our western allies to start picking up a little bit more of the slack. They complain about Iran, but don't realize that almost every great democracy was built on the blood of its own people. As far as domestic affairs go, I'm a little indifferent on some things but you know what?.....You can't make everybody happy. Another positive during Obama's term is the fact that Congress is finally talking (working) whether we like what's being passed or not, they are doing something. That's a start.

This hand wringing about Obama is nonsense. His list of legislative accomplishments are impressive by any measure all ready. He has successfully stabilized an economy in a free fall tail spin. He has done more in 6 months to undermine international terrorism and empower democracy in the Mid East than Bush did in 8 years with his extraordinary speech in Cairo. To criticize him for doing too much is absurd because there is a heck of a lot that must be done. After all, he not only inherited a mess, caused by the every nincompoops criticizing him now, but he is taking on tough issue after tough issue that has languished for decades even with a bunch of cry baby just say no republicans. That is called LEADERSHIP. Don't look now, but Al Franken will soon be given his rightful Senate seat and the Dem's will have 60 in the Senate and then we will see who has the leverage. Speak softly and carry a big stick. Remember when every one was bellyaching about Tim Geitner? Where are they now? Remember when everyone bellyached that Obama was too soft and too nice on Clinton and McCain in the campaign? Where are they now? I will put my money on Obama any day of the week and mark my words. When it is all said and done they will put this guy on Mt. Rushmore.

Don't get me wrong, I am for being environmentally conscious...but those light bulbs that are supposed to last 5 years? Has anyone ever READ the warning? They are filled with mercury. No wonder they have them made in China! However, break one in the house? You are supposed to get everyone out of the house, open all the windows and air out the house for 15-20 minutes, then wear gloves, use solvent to clean up after...and throw away your clothes.

What is wrong with this environmentally-friendly picture?

Where's the birth certificate? A certificate of Live Birth is NOT a birth certificate.

read the constitution – the congress writes legislation, not the executive branch

look at the author, a former advisor to president clinton...... enough said

jim in florida you are incorrect about everything you said.

this is great.. FINALLY one of these articles has people responding to the sad truth that obama is inept, and has no business leading the country. his presidency was doomed from the beginning.. the media will slowly realize they put a hack into office, just as the general US population is slowly realizing as well..

yeah only 3/12 more years and then we can laugh at the Republicans even more than we did this time. The rep are a dying breed.

Republican comedy show:

Rush Limbauh, Bill Oreilly, Glen Beck, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, Ann Coulter, John McCain, Tim Pawlenty, Dick Cheney & his daughter. etc, etc.

I honestly feel sorry for the republican party. They have nothing to look forward to.

BO is getting critiscm the old fashioned way–he eaaaarned it! My gosh, whatever Bush did he was lambasted for it ...even on the few things he got right! How dare someone criticize the POTUS–that takes.....um...er,,,,,,um....for lack of a better word,,,,,,,AUDACITY!!
In any event, BO doesnt care about those 2 rags, he has plenty of poll data to keep him occupado...

It sounds like the republican puppets have all of their talking points in order.

Obama is doing just fine, and I look forward to 7 1/2 years more of the same.

Honestly, I don't think any one U.S. President is capable to making any type of change, unless the public is welling to follow. We as the people speak above all. If Obama tells you to do something, but you don't give a hoot, the policy is going no where. Just by looking at some of the comments here, I don't think we are moving anywhere soon.

Find out who Obama really is............

Google this...............

Barack Obama + Raila Odinga

I have always considered David Gergen as a right of center guy. So, how come he has become a proponent of progressive issues like Climate change, Health Care, and other legislation? These conservatives are becoming unprincipled in their opposition. They oppose the president both from the right and left.

Jim Hanson has an excellent track record over 25 years? Please name some major predictions Hanson has made and been correct on. If you can't, then stop repeating the nonsense you hear from his like.

Why is this news so "jarring"? Did you really believe Obama's numbers would continue to be as high as they were?

Obama got elected on emotion and hype rather than objectivity, so it is absolutely no surprise to me whatsoever that people are starting to see the issues with his leadership. As you would imagine, those closest to him (and Obamabots in general) will be the LAST ones to see a problem due to their huge emotional investment, but those more objective are already starting to see issues.

To repeat, no surprises here. It's just that some Obama groupies refuse to believe how anyone could NOT see Obama as "above all of us, almost like a god" (per one reporter's phrasing). Most people are more objective.

Mr. Gergen:

Is it not Obama who is insisting that huge bills be rushed through Congress without even enough time for the legislators to read what's in them?

What do you expect to get, if not a massive pork-laden bill?

Genesis Slaughter: Anyone who makes a reasoned critique of President Obama is guilty of "bigotry"? Wow. That's one way to silence the dissent, but hardly democratic, liberal, or reasonable. Please read George Orwell's Animal Farm before your next posting.

It's about time that America has awaken from its stupidity to allow Barrack Hussein Obama to become our 44th President. It is nice to see that there some news organizations recognize BO's poor leadership.

This guy makes Bill Clinton look acceptable and Bill was impeached.

We American's should tke a lesson from the Iranians and stand up against the fraudulant election of November 4th, 2008.

This Saturday July 4th – our Independendence Day, please take a moment to reflect on all of your Freedoms that the Democrats want to take away from you: Healthcare, Limited Taxes, Energy & Happiness.

Let's take America back.

gee, what a surprise! Gergen is lavishing praise on Obama. Again. Gergen is a complete Obama toady and hasn't provided any useful analysis since beginning his post as Head Presidential Cheerleader. Not a shred of objectivity left – how does he survive in the business?

Gergen, Gergen. From conservative to commie.

Melissa, did you REALLY say

"I have never seen a more harshly treated President. Ever. And I have been alive to see Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr, Clinton, The Shrub, and now Obama."

????

Seriously??? You don't think our last President got worse treatment???

Obama is being treated with kid gloves and given softballs to hit by virtually everyone. When he gets a tough question he just walks (or jogs) away and nobody challenges him on it.

To say that Obama is being treated harshly is simply and utterly ridiculous, and shows you have NO objectivity whatsoever.

Obama is failing us. i did not vote for him and glad i didn't.

tom wrote, "Who exactly is ‘defending’ the president. I know CNN is a liberal media outlet, but surely even you liberals with some common sense would agree our media is way to slanted in favor or against our governemnt. This will surely be big factor in the downfall of America. The media needs to be un-biased…period."
=--–
I think the problem with the media is that they're cowering (perhaps with good reasons) to the pressure of Fox News. What they fail to say is that Fox News is 24 hour propaganda. When the mainstream news media try to stay in the middle they're called liberal by the likes of Hannity, O'reilly, Limbaugh, Beck, and other right wing nuts. The problem is, we live in a society where the loudest voices are passed for truths.

A country divided in the middle like the United States will always find it hard to make progress regardless of what major issues are facing it. When there is a 50-50 split, while some might have a workable vision and try to push forward, to the rest, status quo etc, fear might prevail, forcing those most likely to lose in the short term to drag everyone back with them. IN the end nothing is achieved, but the nation slips back as infrastructure breaks down, health care worses, and less people are educated. Wake up America, the country is falling behind.

Eight years from now, Americans might look back and thank this adminstration, because at least they will be able to assess and tell how some of the enacted legislation impacted thier lives, if the environmental and health bills are passed that is.

Ahh, once again the web postings are dominated by those who made up their minds somtime in 2005 and haven't changed their tune. First, the Economist and Financial Times, while right of center, have long championed actions to take on climate change and in fact advocate taxing carbon directly and have also supported alternative energy sources. As for Iran, we know that our leverage there is limited, just ask John Bolton and George Bush. $500 million toward regime change since 2001 and the Mullahs are still there, just like Castro is still there after 50 years of advocating "regime change". Want Iran to collapse? Get yourself some solar panels, give up your V8, turn the heat down to 68, the ac up to 76 and watch the Mullahs get overthrown. But no, that's too hard for us here. Much easier to send our army half way around the world, right? Funny how those who would support sacrifice on foreign fields find some compromise at home intolerable.

Since Obama was voted President, I have heard more nasty racist remarks than ever. I live in Georgia and all they talk about is buying guns because the fear that people of color will be treated "fairly" and that terrifies people. Actually, it has gotten worse since Obama was elected and he spends to much time worrying about people thinking they he favorites "Afro Americans", when the truth we have benefitted less than anyone. Fifteen percent unemployment for African Americans isn't anything to brag about. Of course, I live in a time warp in the South.

Conservatives are the most incompassionate people I have ever seen. With all the "God fearing" they preach, they really are not very socially conscience regarding humans. I see people who cares more for animals (I love animals too, but I also love the elderly) than people. I paid taxes for many things I did not like in the Bush administration (wars....wars....wars) and they did not seem to care about what my wishes were so, now, these same people should be more tolerant and stop the hypocrital whining about the President wanting to help people. Our gap in wealth has increased in the last 8 years. I am a college graduate and I seem to have stood still in the last 8 years.

Maybe we can all be a little more socially conscious (not the "S" word, socialism) but socially conscious of the elderly, handicapped and any hard working American who has run into hard times.

"Two defenses of Obama seem in order." Of course they seem in order for a journalist fawning in the lap of this impotent president. The media has become a joke.

What can you expect from a man who seals the records on his college grades, how he funded his way through two highly expensive colleges and will not reveal the names of his donors. To me, it seems like he is hiding something. An honest person would not object to revealing his past.

Mr Gergen is one of the people who would normally say that US Presidents don't need to be concerned with what Foreigners think, wouldn't he? Curious he is so concerned now.

Obama is weak and he is no friend to democracy – in Iran he defers and waits and finally jumps to get in on the right side. In Honduras, where the Army was following the orders of the Supreme Court to uphold a country's constitution, we find our President lining up with Chavez and Castro on the side of a dictator. Where is the news coverage on the EPA's staff memo calling global warming into? Perhaps Gergen believes two (or three or four) defenses are in order. Heaven forbid a sitting President should have to defend himself.

Maybe YOU (CNN) think it's jarring that people are not too fond of Obama. His poll numbers are not higher than those in the last decade. I don't know where you got those numbers from. His poll numbers are above average according to Gallup. Get with it and get out of the tank.

People want change until they hear the details of Obama's hairbrained schemes. Spending trillions on 'stimulus' in order to 'create or save millions of jobs' while predicting unemployment would peak at 9% has worked out real well as we just passed 9.6% unemployment and are on our way to 11%. Spending trillions on a scheme to mitigate climate change a non-existant problem to start with and has no hope of succeeding is shear insanity. Spending trillions to contain the spiraling costs of health care is equally insane. The Federal government already controls Medicare, Medicaid, Gov't Employees and Veterans healthcare.

My advice to Obama is to try out his healthcare "cost containment schemes" on existing Federal programs, show us how they work and then let's talk about how they might be applied to the public sector. There's absolutely no need for big bang healthcare reform other than to further bloat the Federal bureaucracy.

Could you just bend over a little bit further? I don't think your butt is sticking up high enough...

He has been terrible so far. Do we really have 3 more years of this crap?

Comrade Obama, in his first 6 months, has boldly taken our country where it has never gone before ... suffocating debt. He has diminished our country in the eyes of the world with his continual apologies. He has lectured us (along with his attorney general) as if we were children. He is creating a generation of people with their hands out wanting something from the government. He is slowly destroying the "can do" attitude of the American people. He is leading us down the path to socialism. I don't know which surprises me more ... that CNN actually posted this article or the Europeans don't love him.

This nation is in sad shape and not even Obama the one who walks on water can save it from its selfish nature.

GOOD!!! There is still time to block much if not all of the socialist agenda of da'Obamaman. As for other things, has anyone noticed that he is just George W. Bush (with a tan)? Same no-win wars, same spy programs on Americans. Someone should just mail da'Obamaman a copy of the Constitution. Especially the 10th Amendment. We are no longer going to follow illegal and unconstitutional nonsense. Pass away. Pass any ridiculous bs you want. If it's unconstitutional, it'll be IGNORED!

What global temperature fluctuations ??????

Not sure why Obama thinks it's his job to "give us the right to choose our own doctor." The man is trying to pass too many radical bills all at the same time. Congress should also be limited in the length of its bills. When they reach 1000s of pages and give impossible deadlines (to read the bill), they do nobody good. All politicians who subscribe to this "write a massive bill, hide stuff in it, and give ourselves and out" should be hauled off to jail.

Didn't vote for Obama but he is my President and at least he is trying to get something done. The question is why do we not have have term limits, like the President, for all other elected officials in goverment. We do not need professional politicians that are worried about their ass, but willing to do the right things. I would like to throw everyone out and start over with a goverment that works. The President is not the problem but our other elected officials who do nothing but complain with no solutions except pork spending.

I support Obama. If we kept doing things the same way as the last administration the results would have been even worse. He's had to wade knee deep through the mess that was left behind. How soon we forget.Give him a chance.

You guys realize its only been 6 months? Were you expecting Obama to move mountains in this short a time? Things take time to stabilize, time to be reformed. I think America's addiction to instant gratification shows strongly here.

David

You pander too much for any real credibility. This president (amateur) is delusional, naive, not very well informed and a lot dishonest. Honest critique of him would be more helpful to his hoped for success. I travel a lot and follow a lot. I don't hear any good words for Emperor Obama except from some of the elite press. Honesty would be helpful to all and especially those who pay the bills; and, I don't mean Congress or Obama.

Obama is a complete wus. Would not stand up to the Iranian dictator as innocent people are slaughter, but will defend a Socialist who is trying to take over the Honduran govt. He just wants to buddy up with Chavez, Castro, and the nut case in Iran..

Also I wish everyone would drop the stupid "liberal media" byte. It only shows how ignorant you are.

When the Cap and TAX bill passes, it will be far more beneficial for us (me) lower middle class people to quit working, do the welfare thing, and let all you rich (upper to middle – middle class) folks support my family. I thank you all in advance for helping raise my kids since I can no longer afford to.

The guy is basically swimming up-stream with about 5 anchors around his neck. And those "anchors" were either created by Republicans or increased in size due to Republican neglect.
Amazingly, Obama is actually making some progress, despite the spiteful and disagreeable Party Of No trying their best to impede him.
I don't expect the "Family Values" party to support him.....they're too busy thinking of trips to Argentina or listening to their drug-addicted "leader" on AM radio.
But polls show that the majority of average, moderate Americans can see that this is a smart, decent guy who doing a great job.
If we can get at least 20 or more years of Democratic leadership, the country may be able to get behind all the damage Republicans have done to this country.
Plus it will force the Republican party to be more responsive to normal Americans and to start ignoring the nutty ones that are leading it right now.

Gergen – two bad press reviews do not constitute news (this is the presidency we are talking about – not a Broadway play).... I voted for him (crossing party lines) and I look forward to 2010 – I will make it a point to vote out the incumbents in the primaries – if they win their primaries I will cross party lines in the general election to vote them out.

This is not a democrat or republican issue – this issue is about a group of men and women who have spent too much time in D.C. and think it's o.k. to cheat on their spouses, accept bribes, listen to lobbyists instead of the American's who elected them, they have forgotten who they serve. ( After the stimulus last minute amendment to allow the bonuses – why wouldn't anyone of these "Representative's" stand up and ask for more time to read a 300 page amendment added in the dark of night......first time, shame on you – second time, shame on me...the word's of the WHO, "I won't get Fooled AGAIN"....)

It's sad that you seem to think I am concerned about President Obama's popularity abroad – even sadder I wasted time to respond.

Weak. What is 'weak'? Meddling with other country sovereignty with the taxpayers' money is considered as 'strong'. When will GOP understand we should respect other people country on their internal affairs, right or wrong. Only their citizens can determine the fate of their country. Not us.

In regards to our government,
Whether we like to admit it or not- we have lost our country to the lobbyists. I have never ever seen our country so divided now and it is up for grabs to the wealthy. I voted for Obama and feel that he is trying to do his best. No other President has had so much on his plate so early. At the same time, I am about to give up on a country that use to work together for the "good of the people". Now it is the left or the right fighting and the war continues. No wonder nothing gets done! Has anyone ever seen what it takes to get a bill out of committee? I am worried about our country. One can see how divided we are as a nation- reading the above emails Debate is healthy but continued division isn't. I think all of us need to view what is the most important and try to compromise or we will go down. A house divided will not stand.

Our country was designed so that the Congress had the power to enact legislation. Formally, the President merely has the job of seeing that the will of the people (as displayed by Congress) be executed in an efficient manner, thus the name, executive branch. To suggest that he is not doing his job by giving more power to Congress is ridiculous and absurd. By giving more leeway to Congress, Obama is giving power back to politically active individuals. You want something done? Don't beg Obama to do it, write your Senator and your Representative. Do we really want a dictator? No. I voted for Obama because he taught Constitutional Law and he knows what is appropriate for a President to do. All these comments about him being "weak" are merely rhetorical frosting.

David G is the new "pitchman" for President Obama, let us not miss the words of fawning affirmation that he "richly" lathers on the new President.

Based on the contents of this article and many of these comments, there are way too many people in America (including the media) that are straight-up stupid! Most of you folks don't even know what you are talking about, but just like any fool (educated or not), you still open your mouth! For shame!

Melissa June 29th, 2009 3:03 pm ET
QUOTE
"How can Obama address any of these concerns when Congress will effectively hamstring anything the President tries to pass because they are more concerned with money than anything else?

I have never seen a more harshly treated President. Ever. And I have been alive to see Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr, Clinton, The Shrub, and now Obama." UNQUOTE ..... My Dear Melissa, the "Shrub" was a U.S. military man AND a U.S. citizen... two things The current usurper cannot testify to.

Train wreck.

The only thing this man is doing is driving this country into the ground.
He is spending money that we do not have and our children and grandchildren will still be trying to repay at the end of their lives.
Those of you who follow him must be lazy, non working, non taxpaying leeches. He rushes bills through Congress with the help of the wicked witch of the West, Pelosi. Together they are disgraceful.
We should all be ashamed of having let such a person get elected to office and we should begin now to take steps to right this wrong.

Obama's Cap and Trade (Energy Bill)

Do you understand that China, India, etc.--–will NOT have to follow the same rules/regulations as businesses in the US???

Do you understand that this means that more and more US businesses will begin closing their doors-–and moving to China, India, etc., where they will also not have to follow these rules/regulations??

Do you understand that Obama does NOT want increased tariffs placed on imports coming in to our country from places such as China, India, etc (where they will not be following the same laws, which will mean that their goods will be cheaper).

Do you understand that US businesses will NOT be able to compete with these foreign businesses countries that will NOT have to follow the same reguluations??

Obama is a weak leader and it is apparent, people see that so they will write about it. I am glad I saw it before he "won" the election (like Bush, in FL his win excluded voter's votes and the vote did not reflect what the people truly voted so his "win" is questionable) and like with Bush, I can truly say that I did not vote for him.

Perhaps Mr. Obama rightly feels that the Congress is SUPPOSED to be the preeminent body in the United States government?

The Founding Fathers quite obviously felt that way as investing an executive with too much power might create a new "King George" on this side of the Atlantic. (Hey that pun works on so many levels!) The President has to lead the country, but why do we expect him to do everything? Do we WANT a King of the US? I personally enjoy Mr. Obama's style of leadership because it recognizes and respects certain fundamental principles of American politics. Everyone in the government should be involved in crafting legislation. He can't have everything he wants. Congress passes the laws, he is merely supposed to administer them.

Criticism. Criticism. It is not easy to be President of the United States. No matter what he does, people always criticize him. Act too fast. Act too slow. Put yourself into President's shoes. What would you do? send troop and beat the crap out of the dictators of Iran and N. Korea. Just say it. You guys can not handle US has the first African American president who can lead and is resilient. By the way, I am not a black. i am just stating a neutral fact. that is ugly.

Just because he doesn't gloat like W doesn't define him as weak. On the international front, he's already put himself into the Middle East - something that W didn't do and many of the European Leaders have failed to engage in for DECADES. He handled the pirate issue quietly and with decisiveness. He has made some unpopular choices re:the world economy. They may not have been the best decisions, but at least he's moving forward.

I believe that remaining reserved on the Iranian front is the correct course of action at present. Rather than let Iranian leaders engage the US as meddling, we're trying to let them implode. I also believe Obama is working with some of Iran's ME peers to present US policy in a more receptive wrapper.

I am very content with Obama. He's taken on a very shaking situation on a number of fronts. I think he has generally handled it all very well.

Two conservative journals now equals the world press? I think Mr. Gergen is giving these organs' opinions too much weight. And the comments from those on the right in this thread make me ever more glad their views are increasingly marginalized. Thank goodness the grown ups are in charge of the country now.

The thing people forget is, President Obama is capable of learning. I agree that he needs to do better. But, just because the last guy didn't learn a thing in 8 years doesn't mean that Obama won't.

You can't have it both ways. On one hand you have people saying he's doing too much and on the other you have people saying he's not leading.

On Iran: Polls show American's agree with the president on his stand on Iran.

On Iraq: US forces are pulling out of key cities and Afganistan will start receiving their much needed reinforcements. BTW, even McCain agrees with that.

On Healthcare: Polls show Americans want a government option.

On the Economy: Economists agree that the economy is showing signs of recovery and by the end of this year we should be on track for recovery.

I can go on and on, but our last president couldn't accomplish in 8 years what Obama has done in 6 months. I think the bar has been set so high people forget that the leadership we used to have led us down the wrong path.

. . . . . and the only person with all the correct knowledge and answers is Sarah Palin.

"What time does the next swan leave?" – - asked Robert Benchley, glancing at his wrist watch.

If I remember my political science class correctly, the legislative branch of our government was designed to be the preeminent branch. Congress should be doing all the work; at least that was the intention of the founders. Obama could certainly be more assertive, but I like his approach. Let Congress screw all this up, then come in with legislation that trumps anything they've done. That's what I would do.

Um ...I just read that someone said
"the main reason, if they were truthful, is that he is the first African American President, not to mention one with intellect, and they can’t handle it. They can’t wrap their heads around the realness that African Americans can and do lead! Why do you think that the Republican Party continues to be in opposition? They are still under cover in their bigotry. Fear has a way of gripping the best of them!"

So, if I am black and I don't like Obama or didn't vote for him then I am a bigot? That is crazy! I am an educated black male graduated top of my class at FSU and an officer in the Armed Forces. I don't like his politics and I don't like that he does a lot of talking and no action. It has nothing to do with color, but everything to do with ACTION.

I think it is time to stop pulling the race card and give credit when credit is due, but this is definitely not the time for credit..action is needed.

Our biggest problem in America is not Barack Obama but the delusional thought processes of the conservative's. They will continue to be obstructionists and will continue to put America down. President Obama is showing all of us how to lead but the conservatives have been so bad at for so long they they can't see straight. All you have to do is listen to the right to know just how wrong they are. God bless Barack Obama.

Well all I can say is that for the first time in my life I am ashamed of my country. The USA no longer stands as a beacon for the oppressed that they may see the hope of Liberty and Freedom. Obama has turned the light out on Iran because he didn't want to meddle and then in Hondorus because he did want to meddle and no one reports it no one questions him on it he gets a pass from the media and we are supposed to believe the media is not biased not a form of Pravda that has destroy the first ammendment? I just don't get it, he illegally fires IG's that are doing their jobs because they find corruption with our tax money but since that corruption involved friends of his and Michelle he gets away with it. His administration illegally supresses EPA studies that show global warming is not man caused and is not a dire threat, He says he won't tax middle class America and then he lauds the Congress when they pass the biggest carbon tax that will effect every American and he denies that it will impact famlies same way that he said unemployemnt would not reach 10 percent and then said we guessed wrong. Guessed wrong. Why is there no true jounalist investigation into these issues. Enough, Obama was not elected with a mandate to do these insane things that the country may never recover from and may bankrupt us.

Of course he's failed us all.....
He's made us respected again....
We've been singing that beatle classic "Loathe me do" far too long...

Obama hasn't really done anything.
I like that in a Democratic president.

Leadership is not voting "present." You got what you voted for...a President that can read a teleprompter and sign the extreme liberal agenda into reality. Unchecked liberalism is a disaster of unintended consequences borne out of emotional decisions without rational discussion. Couple that to a compliant media and you have...disaster.

Each week the Obama administration becomes a bigger disappointment. I am surprised about the passive leadership. I understood that he was a conciliator, but didn't understand what that really meant in terms of the domestic agenda. He is obviously better than Bush, but nothing special, as we believed. Less time in press conferences and being interviewed by the talking heads and more time with Congress would serve us all a lot better.

The appointment of Tim Geithner should have been the red flag that business was as usual. Delegating is good, but strong leadership is what we need. What a disappointment.

Some comments here are simply mind boggling. I did not vote for Obama because I did not think he was strong enough/had enough experience. I think what he is doing for America's image is fantastic though. But that and a quarter will get you nothing, as demonstrated by N. Korea and Iran. Now, some of those people that only listened to the media are starting to realize that rhetoric doesn't match experience. To the people that think this is racial...get over it. That is not the reason. It's his ideas, not the color of his skin

There are certain things about the Presidency that are learned...One is how to manage the counter-accusations by our enemies..The other is how to interpret what's on the other side of door number three...Door #3? Yes, that's the door every President goes through the day he takes office. On the other side of that door are the answers to who killed Jack Kennedy and whether or not Aliens exist on Planet earth...i think was can all agree that there are definitely Aliens in the Middle East, North Korea and the Langley, Virginia among other places...

There's that old Peter Principle - that people rise to the level of their incompetence. I stand by Obama and his leadership style. Before I retired, I had risen to the level of my incompetence....but I had a wonderful, wonderful staff who, when left on their own without miromanagement by me, developed great programs and ideas. Maybe this Congress will realize that Obama is not meddling in their constitutional duties. They will straighten up if he keeps his fingers out of the pie!

it's funny how these polls seem to be in his favor,liberal polls i guess.
i never participated in such polls,david.i guess thats because my opinnion of mr. obama is less than stellar.

Jimmy Carter : the Iranian Revolution, passiveness during the Iran Contra, sky high oil prices, enlarged, inefficient,and non effective government programs, environmental protection laws that stifle economic growth, the death of Elvis the King of Rock and Roll from pills.

Barack Obama: the Iranian Revolution, passiveness during the Iran crackdown on dissent, sky high oil prices enlarged, inefficient, and non effective government programs, environmental protections laws, the death of Michael Jackson from possibly px pills.

Dear Mr. Gergen,

Good article. Your political and moral compass always speaks truth to power. Those so-called venerable media outlets you mentioned along with the European critics are used ot the old style of American presidents. Obama has not only inherited a plethora of problems, but he is also conducting a clean-up along with rolling out new initiatives on climate change, healthcare and the like.

The REpubs are chomping for less governent intervention so they can resume their stream of income and to hell withthe rest of folks. Well, keep chomping. I am an independent and can wait longer than 6 months for the nation to turnaround.

Financial TImes, Economist, cut the president some slack. Is your readership so low you have to invent problems to increase your readership?

It's funny that Obama preceded the most criticized President in recent memory.. yet nobody wants to turn the magnifying glass on him?

I'm a white, middle-class conservative who rides his bike to work (by choice), doesn't own a gun (by choice) and is all for gay marriage (again, by choice). If you guys can't understand that check-and-balance is crucial for our government, and that stereotypes don't apply across the board, we're doomed.

You don't have to be one or the other, you just need to look at both sides of the argument. Political journalists are no longer doing this, and some of you are no longer doing your homework.

Read something you disagree with- it might be enlightening.

If President Obama TRULY wanted a big drop in 'greenhouse gases', he'd champion a program to replace all of the coal-fired power plants with nuclear plants that reprocess their fuel, as is done in France (85% of their grid is nuclear and no greenhouse gas production), which could wean us off OPEC, create a LOT of REAL jobs and make carbon-free electric cars a realistic option; if President Obama wanted to help our citizenry with health care, he would sign legislation to stop 'nuisance' lawsuits and encourage Medical Savings Accounts. HOWEVER, his campaign supporters in the Environmental and Trial Lawyer communities would likely pull their support from him in 2012. During his recent 'Health' TV Special on ABC, he was asked if HIS healthcare plan would be a part of the new legislation that he was proposing for the rest of the US population, and he waffled. THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME.

It's no wonder that Obama is relying on Congress to draft legislation. The last President in essence told Congress they were irrelevant. Obama will not get any reform legislation through Congress unless he lets them actively participate in the process.

I personally think he's the right guy for the job. I know everyone is worried about the deficit crisist which as largely impact mind set and our wallets. I'm jsut 17yrs old and think it won't hurt if we make quality investments in our infrastructure. I live in hartford ,connecticut and i can tell you it's a shame to see the deteriorating streets, drains, and utility pose.
Just 3weeks back around the corner from were i live the top of a utility pose broke off in the road and cause an accident. When i look a the pose I can see that it was rotton(deteriorated)

Is it safe to say that most americans would rather no deficit at all than having safe bridges, roads, sewers, and electric grid which have been around since THE 1950s!!!! We are now in 2009!!!

Obama's response to North Korea and Iran is the same it was to the Russian/Georgia conflict last summer during the campaign... do nothing for a few days until he sees the polls about where public opinion stands on the issue. He seems very uncomfortable when it comes to leading foreign policy. God forbid we are attacked, because we know Obama will not act swiftly and decisively. Wish we had a real leader in the WH.

GDK – thanks for your comment. it seems to be the pattern that if someone does not like or disagrees with this administration that they must be racist. sure there are some that feel that way but the majority arre disgusted with the direrction this country is taking and the lack of real leadership and and agenda of spending and tasixing that defies description.

After inheriting a non-fllushed commode. I think the guy is doing pretty well. I think people should understand that leaders lead in different ways and Barack Obama is leading in his way...Remember he won!

Sorry, but I find too many things that I am concerned about, including the federal deficit.

In the end though, jobs will be the one single thing, that Obama will be measured by, and based on the jobs that have been lost, with almost none created, that measure may get very critical, very soon.

I am also very disappointed, that after saving the major banks, there seems to be no one watching the store, as the management continues to demonstrate wasteful compensation to management, and an arrogance in behavior, that is rather incredible. We have to question whether saving them, was really good for the country.

I am so sick of people saying that us conservatives are "angry and scared" (of a Black President) because we are critical of this President. I promise you, we are not scared of his race. If you really knew the conservative mentality, You would understand that we only want one thing..."a preservation of the Union as we know it." NO, that doesn't mean any racist past. We acknowledge it, along with acknowledging that the WHOLE WORLD has a racist past. We want to keep this system of government that produces freedom and opportunity EVEN for those who did not have it when it began 200 years ago.

I have a message for anyone who takes this point of view. Please refrain from your hate towards me for just a second and think about this:

I realize you are angry at the past this country has. It is a past that it shares with the rest of the world, and it has come (and still is work in progress) out of that past. BUT be careful who and what you support, because this American Dream that you are aggresively pursuing and your ancestors and your people were kept from, is fragile. If we are not careful in that pursuit, you might find that when you get there...it has vanished...from all of us.

Please think about that for a bit.

Weak is cheating on your wife.

Weak is our political leaders making racist jokes and not being able to maintain a sense of professionalism.

Weak is apoligizing to radio personalities for disagreeing with them.

Weak is the fearful of this country picking up their guns and becoming domestic terrorists.

Weak is not being able to have your own opinion and just regergitating talking points.

Weak is torturing somebody because you hate them.

Weak is not progressing in eight years.

Our country was at the brink of total disaster just a few months ago. President Obama has stayed cool and in control and has brought about enormous change and confidence in such a short time. I am happy that I voted for him and hope to continue to support him for the next eight years.

*sighs* 5 months into Bush's term, he was still getting his butt kissed by everyone. 5 months into Obama's term and people are being jerks.

There is a difference.

Yes, Bush got called a traitor and worse BECAUSE HE WAS ONE. But he didn't get called that until his second term. Obama has been in office 5 months and doomsayers won't shut up about how horrible he is because he isn't kissing their butt.

I am dismayed with his stance at present...
He came in with a bowl full of ideas that now sit on a teaspoon.
He is sacraficing his convictions for 'friendship' and that is the true test of a man....it's early yet...perhaps a good nights sleep and some prayer on his knees will put this back in perspective.
I'm glad the media is now taking the courage to challenge things...question things...nothing is really status quo..it's just a perception.

The Legislature's job is to draft legisltation – make laws. The President's job is to ADMINISTER and EXECUTE the laws that the Legislature makes. The President can suggest that the Legislature draft certain laws and he can appeal to the American public to help push the Congress in the way that he would like them to go (incidentally, he get criticized for doing just that, by people saying he's in perpetual campaign mode). His job is not to TELL Congress what to do and how to do it (Remember that little balance of power thing?). Jeesh, we need a Civics 101 class for the entire nation, especially the press corp! Obama is doing a great job! Stop trying to find fault. The financial gurus and energy moguls are crying fowl now because they know that they're time is up! Change has come and it is a whole heap of alot better than what we've have the last 8 years!!

Thank you President Obama. Keep doing what you are doing!

Regardless of what I believe or my political standpoint
being critical is key.. it cant all be good...right?
it is vital that we hear complaints and newspapers need to write critical pieces on Obama, his decisions, and whatever.
I do believe however that I wouldnt want to live in a country where my President couldnt be questioned or critiqued.
Its good- oh and we need more of it! dah?