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One year after being elected, has President Barack Obama done a good job?

Asked at Massachusetts Street on November 5, 2009

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Photo of Jenny Laven

“I feel he is a bit overwhelmed. I think we just need to give him more time. I still have high hopes for him.”

— Jenny Laven, stay-at-home mom, Leavenworth

Photo of Ashlee Harrison

“Yes and no … one person can only do so much … with regard to the Afghan war, he hasn’t done much to really change that.”

— Ashlee Harrison, body worker, Lawrence

Photo of Bill Reindl

“I pretty much think he’s done the best he can do … a lot of the challenges he’s faced weren’t really part of the campaign process.”

— Bill Reindl, customer service, Leavenworth

Photo of William Salt

“Not enough of a good job … he’s made good on some of his promises … but he’s not willing to give up on the idea of bipartisan support when he has enough support to get the job done.”

— William Salt, unemployed, Manhattan

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  1. autie (anonymous) says…

    I think he has done alright considering all the lack of cooperation from the nattering nabobs of negativism. You know, all the ilk like Beck, Coulter, the "you lie" guy. Yeah, given the mess left by the previous tenant he had done a pretty good job cleaning up.

  2. BigPrune (anonymous) says…

    The question should be, "After one year, do you feel less anxiety since B.H. Obama became president?"

    The defeat of the democrats in two governor races tells the story, no online poll necessary.

  3. snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…

    Look at the fantastic whoppers in the government's "saved and created jobs" figures.
    Billions of dollars have been whizzed away to repay political markers.
    The campaigner in chief is adrift. He knows less about governance than a pig knows about string theory.

  4. hitme (anonymous) says…

    Has he even quit smoking yet?

  5. snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…

    Remember remember
    The fourth of November
    The ACORN treason and plot
    And what the media did to help
    And the pig in the poke that we've got

  6. RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…

    Even though Pandora opened the jar out of simple curiosity and not as a malicious act, all the evils of mankind were released, but for hope, which remained in the jar.

  7. LarryNative (anonymous) says…

    Obama get's an F for not bringing the troops home which was a large part of his campaign. Other then that, I think he is doing as best as anyone could expect considering the difficult economic situation.

  8. The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…

    I thought this question was asked yesterday. Pepper Jack.

  9. prospector (anonymous) says…

    Not my president, Barack Hussein Obama will have us all goose stepping with the rest of hte world in his new socialist world order .... Wow, sorry, I was channeling Marion, dyslexia and all. I also love the smell of Godwin in the morning, so had to throw some in. Carry on.

  10. The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…

    "— Ashlee Harrison, body worker, Lawrence"

    ?

  11. snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…

    TOB, I prefer cheddar so sharp you could cut yourself on it.

  12. jumpin_catfish (anonymous) says…

    OK if all you wanted was inexperienced community organizer. As POTUS he's a flop!

  13. autie (anonymous) says…

    well jeez comrades. If the dog hadn't demanded to go opossum hunting so early this morning.......I need some thin pancakes.

  14. takeastand (anonymous) says…

    Let's see the dollar is worth 20% less than when he started. Unemployment raised to 10%, he owns car companies and banks and he's never even run a hot dog stand
    he did inherit a trillion dollar deficit from GW Bush, but his answer to that is raise it to three trillion.
    AND he hangs out with the scums of the earth like Bill Ayers and Malik Zulu Shabazz

    Nope D minus, The college professor is in over his head.

  15. jumpin_catfish (anonymous) says…

    And autie, he and his party controls the whole shootin' match, he don't need no stinkin' cooperation, he can just push his agenda down our "collective throats". But he and his party knows that's not what Americans vote for so they are spinnin' round trying to slip it pass the voters watchful eyes. 2010 is coming and his reich is nearing an end.

  16. mjwgoku (anonymous) says…

    Can the LJW come up with a question to stir up reaction more? Why not just Bud or Miller? I do like the big sunglasses wearing body worker. Whatever that is. Sounds good though.

  17. remember_username (anonymous) says…

    Yes, I'd give him a B, up from the C indicated because of the difficulty rating of current issues. I'm certainly less anxious with the current administration as opposed to the last.

  18. Ricky_Vaughn (anonymous) says…

    Every politician promises things that they don't deliver, unfortunately it seems to be a part of the game. I think he's done a fair job...not spectacular, not horrible.

    Unemployment is the biggest issue in this country right now, IMO. They say the economy has improved, but this is only because businesses are getting into the black by cutting employees and forcing retirements. It's nice to see the stocks go up, but the unemployment rate is a little alarming. He hasn't really created the permanent jobs he talked about.

    I'm with LarryNative on the troop issue...it would be nice to see more of them coming home, but I realize you can't just pull everyone at the drop of a hat.

    Although nothing's been done about health car yet, I think he's done a masterful job of getting the entire country talking and thinking about it. Even though his public option may never pass, I think people on both sides of the aisle can agree that some type of reform to the health care system is overdue.

    He hasn't even been in office for a year...I'm optimistic about the next three.

  19. honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…

    he's doing a good job w/ what he has to work w/. he has alot on his plate-- moreso than the last several presidents did at the beginning of their terms-- and we can't expect big time change overnight.

  20. The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…

    "TOB, I prefer cheddar so sharp you could cut yourself on it." Snap.

    Oh, yes. I enjoy superduperextra sharp cheese.

    "Why not just Bud or Miller?" mjwgoku

    Here is what I don't understand. Folks that only drink Bud Light or whatever turn up their noses at craft beers, but now that Budweiser is making Ales and Wheats they claim those beers are the newest, greatest thing ever. I feel like punching somebody or failing that, having a Free State beer.

  21. autie (anonymous) says…

    So does anybody have the slightest notion what a "body worker" does? Surely that is not anything like working at the East Lawrence Ballet. Maybe one of them folks you pay money to when the give you one of them back rubs?

  22. nbnozzy (anonymous) says…

    autie (Anonymous) says…

    I think he has done alright considering all the lack of cooperation from the nattering nabobs of negativism. You know, all the ilk like Beck, Coulter, the “you lie” guy. Yeah, given the mess left by the previous tenant he had done a pretty good job cleaning up
    --------------------------------------------------------------

    okay autie.... give me one example of what Obama has done to make the nation better than what previous tenant had done. Just one thing that shows we are better off now than just a little over a year ago.

  23. leedavid (anonymous) says…

    Obama has both houses of congress, he does not need the support of Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity or any other talk show host. No matter whose fault you think it was to cause the economic problems, the war in Afghanistan, or Iraq. They are Obama's to solve. On those issues alone, how is he doing? Well I believe he is in rival with Jimmy Carter for the worst president in modern history. He is bent on health care and climate change. The people of the nation are scared of the economy, putting food on their table, getting or keeping a job. Obama's response? He saved or created jobs that no one can come up with the same math the White House uses. Oh and I like Bud and Michelob. LOL

  24. autie (anonymous) says…

    Ford posted a profit this last quarter.

    More important than that, the duck hatch for the midwest increased to ten year high level.

  25. snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…

    TOB, having a Free State beer is almost always better than punching someone.

  26. The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…

    "Oh and I like Bud and Michelob."

    I prefer the Miller Lite in the cheap canned beer category. Ultra-cheap category... Old Milwaukee. However, I will never drink a Miller Lite Hefeweizen or an Old Milwaukee Oatmeal Stout.

  27. nbnozzy (anonymous) says…

    honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…

    he's doing a good job w/ what he has to work w/.

    {you mean like Pelosi, Reid, Rangel. Biden, Dodd, et al.?}

    he has alot on his plate—

    {and it's still full.. he's done nothing productive to empty it}

    moreso than the last several presidents did at the beginning of their terms—

    {Both Clinton and GW Bush inheirted recessions and other problems. Obama just cries about his problems and has done nothing to roll up his sleeves, use bipartisan support to fix things, and get things solved. It's his way or the highway. Not going to work in Congress.}

    and we can't expect big time change overnight

    {can we expect anything from this man? So far, he's rating a big fat F in my book. The most incompetent President in history. When this inept "leader" makes Jimmy Carter look better, we're in a world of hurt....}

  28. mjwgoku (anonymous) says…

    Bud, Michelob or Busch. With Pepper Jack and seal.

  29. sfjayhawk (anonymous) says…

    Im not sure he has done much of anything - although to be sure he is way better that the former idiot in charge.

  30. nbnozzy (anonymous) says…

    autie.....

    Ford Motor Company showed a profit because they did business as usual and didn't let the Obama government take over. Give the Lawrence boy Alan Mulally credit for knowing that when left alone in a capitalist society, to go about doing what you do best... and things usually work out.

  31. Ricky_Vaughn (anonymous) says…

    I think foreign policy is going a lot smoother than it was before as well.

  32. autie (anonymous) says…

    and the DOW is back up a couple of thousand points, oil has creeped back up so the dollar is a bit stronger, orders for manufacturing recently showed strong improvement, and the dog quit chewing the little plastic ends off my boot laces.

  33. snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…

    Axelrod's puppet has offended our allies and encouraged our enemies. Is that what passes for smooth foreign policy these days?

  34. Ricky_Vaughn (anonymous) says…

    No worse than what happened on Bush's watch. I thought everyone said "We Will Never Forget".

  35. autie (anonymous) says…

    another one better than a year ago.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/06/bus...

  36. ksfbcoach (anonymous) says…

    MGD 64

  37. jonas_opines (anonymous) says…

    C or C+ on a few pop quizzes, attendence and participation. Hasn't taken the midterm, final, or turned in the term paper yet. But still better than the last one who took a few of the pop quizzes, did very poorly, was saved by the fire drill and then responded by trying to burn down the rival school.

  38. RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…

    Funny they would ask this question during National Sleep Comfort Month.

  39. nbnozzy (anonymous) says…

    autie.... you are side stepping my statement to you.

    "give me one example of what Obama has done to make the nation better than what previous tenant had done. Just one thing that shows we are better off now than just a little over a year ago."

    The key word is "Obama".

  40. autie (anonymous) says…


    nbnozzy (Anonymous) says…

    autie…. you are side stepping my statement to you.

    yes

  41. sgtwolverine (anonymous) says…

    http://www.hulu.com/watch/99945/satur...

  42. ms_canada (anonymous) says…

    edjayhawk - if you don't like the two party system, take a look at the mess a 3 or 4 party system can make as in Canada. I wish we only had a two party system. With a 4 party system, no party has a majority to form a stable government. We don't have a four year term like you have and so if there is a minority government, a "no confidence" vote can throw them out and we have new election. One government lasted only 18 months. How the heck can they accomplish anything in that short time.
    And as for Mr. Obama, what the heck do you expect with the mess he inherited.
    Do any of you really believe that pulling your troops out of the middle east would be a good thing. Those young men and women in their graves would flip over and think to themselves. Hell, I died for nothing!!!
    And yes, I know, there will be more deaths. Democracy does not go down without a spoon full of sugar. That war should not have been allowed to go on for 8 years in the first place. It should have been oust Saddam and get out. Democracy cannot be forced upon a people who don't want it in the first place. GWB and his gang knew nothing about the mind of the middle eastern people. Just bring them democracy and they will be so happy. Bull durham.
    And Afghanistan is even worse. they are a tribal people and want nothing to do with government of the people by the people. And don't even talk about the corruption in the government. What a collosul mess. You all should get down on your knees and pray for wisdom for the govenment that you now have to get out of this mess quickly, not malign them every time you open your mouth.
    Sorry for this but I do hate whinners. You got it now suck it up.

  43. thewayitis (anonymous) says…

    My predictions came true. NO-BAMA for sure. 4 and out

  44. jonas_opines (anonymous) says…

    "Those young men and women in their graves would flip over and think to themselves. Hell, I died for nothing!!!"

    That's been my opinion since the beginning, Mrs. C. I don't see the problem as being that we finally admitted it to ourselves.

  45. tbaker (anonymous) says…

    The beating the dems are going to take in the 2010 elections will largely be governed by whether or not the recession / unemployment deepens, the value of the dollar continues to crash, oil / commodity prices spike, peoples 401K's become worthless again, terrorists attack the homeland again, inflation takes off, or Afghanistan gets appreciably worse.

    There is a disturbingly high probability any one of those things will happen which will cause the dems to lose control of congress. Regardless, the mid-term elections will seriously weaken Mr. Obama if there isn't measurable improvement in our country about 300 days from now.

    I predict in 2012 election, Mr. Obama will replace Carter as the best contemporary example of a one-term President, and reaffirm the fact the country isn't ready to move as far to the left as he wanted.

  46. Satirical (anonymous) says…

    hitme...
    "Has he even quit smoking yet?"

    The real question is what does he smoke.

  47. Satirical (anonymous) says…

    Obama: "I don't understand why problems aren't solving themselves. I have done the same thing which won me the election...I have voted 'present' on every single issue. I just don't understand."

  48. tbaker (anonymous) says…

    ....I forgot to add if the Republicans put up a candidate like Owl Gore or Bob Kerry 2012, PrezBO will get a second term.

  49. BABBOY (anonymous) says…

    Yep, yesterday, this time I checked out the ljworld and was surprised to see the had a sports question, and there were no responses. Today, an Obama question, and we have a slew of responses. What a bunch of nerds. I need to stop coming on here. It is like I am smoking "H2" or something.

    Anyway, by the way, editors, Obama has not been in office for a year. He took office in January. ljworld too stupid to realize that apparently.

    Obama has done a very good job. But, his opposition is very vocal.

    He walks into the worst economic crisis since the 1930s and LESS then a year after taking office it is improving. See Dow Jones. He has dealt with the Big Three car makers going under, banks going under, and insurance companies going under (another series of inherited problem) and did well with that because they are on their way back.

    His only screw up may be health care. He should have left that one alone from a political stand point, but took the high road by trying to do what he said he would do. But, by going all in on that issue, politically it has allowed Republican leaches looking for an issue to attack him to have one that scares the crap out of middle America (as in middle class not Kansas).

    In a nut shell, liberals and conservatives do not decide elections. What wins elections is the ability to spin it to the moderates (or the Middle). Most moderates are liberal on social issues and conservative on economic issues involving their pocket book.

    This the President needs to focus on the economy. Not on a health care system that scares the crap out of the moderates. Moderates will vote to with their pocket book over social issues when it comes to taxes. They voted for Obama for two reasons. 1. Bush tanked the economy with the war and looked insensitive with Katrina by giving the appearance of only appointing his friends and not people who do the job when needed. 2. Sarah Palin looked like a nut job on social issues and looked liked another Bush that would take care of her own.

    Now, with health care, conservatives have gift wrapped present. I do not think the moderates bought the death panel BS that the Fox nitwits put out. But, the Moderates are afraid of how much it will cost and think it will destroy the economy. They see the President as irrational in pushing for it so hard. Not that any of my demo friends are listening to me..

    tbaker, I do not disagree so much with your analysis. But, it is way too early to be making predictions.

    Lastly, it is kind of funny to see the Republicans go all like "We Won" over a couple of state elections victories

    If I had to make a prediction, it would be that we are going to back and forth wresting control between the parties with either side doing whatever and saying whatever to win with very little merit or substance resulting from it.

  50. prospector (anonymous) says…

    autie, his wisdom and calming influence has prevented the riots that were destine to happen this summer. It it were not for him, we would be taking turns taking watch on the perimeter, eating Harp seal jerky and drinking Free State beer.

  51. ms_canada (anonymous) says…

    jonas - true, all too true

  52. autie (anonymous) says…

    Well shoot, l'm all up for the harp seal jerky and Free State beer. We can do that anyway, right? And good thing about the riots. I'd fall asleep during my watch and we'd be over run and if I survived, be shot a sunrise. And I'd rather see mallards cupped in the decoys at sunrise and be the shooter and not the shootee.

  53. MyName (anonymous) says…

    Umm... I think a body work is someone who works on auto bodies.

    And for all the criticism, I think he's doing alot better than McCain would have, and I shudder to think about what would happen if McCain had a heart attack or something and we'd have Palin running our foreign policy.

  54. labmonkey (anonymous) says…

    When families are in debt, the worst thing they can do is to go into even more debt. I do not know if we can survive the 1-2 punch of W and Obama. If cap and trade passes, put a fork in the United States, we are done.

  55. tbaker (anonymous) says…

    I agree Babboy - it is too early to make predictions - but ideological bloviating is half the fun of posting.

    It is foolish for anyone to make too much of these elections though. They "tend" to indicate only one possible outcome next November. Much can and will change before the next one.

  56. sgtwolverine (anonymous) says…

    "I think he's doing alot better than McCain would have"

    Making statements that can be neither proved nor disproved: this is what the internet is all about. Especially on the subject of politics.

  57. The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…

    Prospector -

    That is true. And his quick action on Global Warming got us a cool summer which prevented the heat that the riots needed to get going.

  58. pace (anonymous) says…

    I think Obama is great. I never thought he could instantly fix the mess that resulted from Bush and Cheney running the country. Some of their mess may never be fixable. I see him as a man to guide the country on a path to recovery. We should recognize that it will be a long haul. I wish more families were being helped not just banks and corporations. I hope he stays focused and keeps fighting for solutions and bipartisan. It will take all of us to put the country on a road to recovery. The theatrics and rhetoric of hate seem a poor offering. I think we have better than that to offer. The hate is draining our energy.

  59. merrill (anonymous) says…

    1. The Reagan/ Bush Home Loan Scandal
    http://rationalrevolution0.tripod.com...

    This is what Obama walked into...

    2. The Bush/Cheney Home Loan Scandal
    http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archiv...

    3. What did Bush and Henry Paulson do with the bail out money?
    http://www.democracynow.org/2009/9/10...

    4. Why did GW Bush Lie About Social Security?( This would cost taxpayers $4 trillion and wreck the economy)
    http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archiv...

    The bogus repub party is setting records for home loan scandals that put millions out of work and deplete retirement accounts.

    Why isn't anyone on trial and going to jail?

  60. jonas_opines (anonymous) says…

    Satirical (Anonymous) says…

    "hitme…
    “Has he even quit smoking yet?”

    The real question is what does he smoke."

    I've heard his aids gave him cut-off McDonalds straws and told him that it was a synth compound called O2. Kind of like K2, but changed to be named after him.

    I've heard he still hasn't gotten the joke, either.

  61. snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…

    We need more outdated copy/paste here. Get cracking, merrill.

  62. sgtwolverine (anonymous) says…

    "Why isn't anyone on trial and going to jail?"

    Because mindless cutting and pasting isn't a crime...yet.

  63. Satirical (anonymous) says…

    snap_pop_no_crackle...

    Do you know what I used to do when people couldn't come up with original arguments, but instead just copied and pasted the same nonsense repeatedly? I followed their post with another off-topic link and copy/paste.

    For example.

    merrill...
    "Why isn't anyone on trial and going to jail?"

    Here is why -

    "Cut in half and seed squash. Place the squash halves, cut-side up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Rub the flesh with softened butter or oil, season with salt and pepper and drizzle with brown sugar, maple syrup or orange juice. Flip the squash over and roast them for 40 to 45 minutes in a preheated 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) oven. Roast the squash until the skin is blistered, browned and the flesh tender. Insert a fork or knife under the skin to test that the flesh is tender. When the squash has cooled the skin should peel off easily."

    http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Winter-Sq...

    Anyone can see how this proves all democrats are evil, right merrill?

  64. ms_canada (anonymous) says…

    edjayhawk - my answer was not to you alone. Just the first part. I don't think there is any perfect form of government except a Theocracy.

  65. puddleglum (anonymous) says…

    he needs to say f---this bi-partisan crud. lets get on with it.
    and start getting some stuff done.

    GOBAMA!

  66. JoRight (anonymous) says…

    It's hard to win a hand w/ the cards that he was dealt.

    Regardless, if Palin / McCain would have prevailed liberals would be bashing, Obama / Biden win, conservatives bash.

    It was essentially a lose lose situation. No matter who was in office, the same or similar situation would have come out.

  67. tbaker (anonymous) says…

    JORight...is right.

    Most politicians (some notable exceptions) only care about themselves and being re-elected. Its hard to tell them apart - both major parties are equally accomplished spenders, growers of government, and out-right liars. The difference (if there is one) is Mr. Obama has awakened people. He awakened the young and disaffected independents during the election, and now he has awakened ordinary conservative folks (also largely independent) with his policy choices. They will be his undoing if things do not get appreciably better in this country in the next 9-10 months.

  68. corkster (anonymous) says…

    i agree that maybe he hasn't made enough steps in the right direction, but come on, give the guy some time. we all have to realize he is human, is a new president, and like anyone else, needs time to adjust to a new home for his family, new environment, new job. granted, our president doesn't really have the luxury of that "getting used to it, learning the ropes" period, but we can't expect him to POOF! fix everything in what, 9 months??

  69. corkster (anonymous) says…

    lol at your last post satirical.

  70. sunny (anonymous) says…

    No...he has not done a good job at anything but spend tax dollars! Very sad!

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