Obama’s First 100 Days

Well. Let’s see how “Hope”, “Change we can believe in!”, and “Yes we CAN!” are working out.

I wanted to write this “First 100 Days” for Obama ahead of time, knowing it would take several hours to work up. For that reason, and because time will be shorter for me later in the week, I want to publish this today, April 26th, even though his official 100 is not “up” until Wednesday. I doubt much will happen in the next 3 days, but who knows with Barry. Should anything significant happen, I will add it to the list.

Barry will talk to the nation on Wednesday, and I really doubt he will cover any of this below with the honesty you will get here.

Be sure to remember the poll at the end…

Jan 20- Obama appoints many cabinet members. One noteworthy one? Janet Napolitano. She’s an attorney, and politician. Wouldn’t it have been nice to have someone in there that was actually involved in real security issues, with a background in something useful, like defense, or intelligence? Basically, her only qualification for being in this position that I can tell is her involvement in the Oklahoma City bombing as a US Attorney; and her involvement as an attorney for Anita Hill when she tried to “Coke can” Clarence Thomas. Surely such loyalty to the liberal cause must be rewarded someday, even if you are not qualified for the position. Of recent import were her great contributions were stating that the Canadian border was like and needed to be treated like the Mexican border; that the 9-11 hijackers came through Canada; and that right wing extremism might be on the rise, perhaps enticing our military vets into radical para-criminal activity. As we can see, great start for Barry.

Jan. 22- Obama orders the closure of the military prison at Guantanamo, to be effective an complete within a year. “Where will they go?” Don’t know. “Will they be tried?” Don’t know. “Will other countries take them?” None volunteering so far. Bright move, dipstick. Make a commitment, have no solution how to “get there from here.” Sounds like some of his other starry eyed proposals. Add to that the fact that his administration is now talking about using Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan for the same purpose we now use Guantanamo. Amazing.  Read more on this here.

Jan. 23- Obama rescinds “Mexico City Policy” on abortion. Previously placed by Ronald Reagan, then removed by Bill Clinton, and then reinstated by Pres. Bush II, this policy prohibited American taxpayer money from going to agencies in the world who provided information on abortion or performed them. Now, with all the liberals in the world crying constantly about how much we could feed people in our own country if we stopped fighting wars in other countries, it is amazing that liberals ARE willing to send taxpayer money into the hands of other governments and agencies to fight the war on live babies in the womb.

Jan. 26- Obama’s tax cheat nominee Timothy Geithner is confirmed to watch over our money. Don’t worry, more tax cheats to come!

Jan. 27- Obama reaches out to Muslim’s with the Nation’s first ever Presidential interview on an Muslim television news channel, Al Arabiya. Expressing that “American’s are not your enemy”, this is the first of many awkward apologetic and unnecessary attempts to kiss the ass of the world. Not only was this the first interview on a Muslim channel, but it was also Obama’s first overall… including of course, any US channels. In it, he said he wanted to address the Middle East peace process immediately. Wow. Immediately must mean “sometime after the Tonight Show”.

Jan. 29- Obama signs first bill, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Yawn.

Jan. 30- Health and Human Services nominee Tom Daschle’s tax problems emerge. Wait. Is the word “problem” big enough, considering that bastard was $100 THOUSAND in arrears?

Feb. 3- Daschle bows out due to tax ‘problems’. Wait! So does Nancy Killefer, who was to fill the newly created “Chief Performance Officer” position. Sen. Judd Gregg nominated for Secretary of Commerce. Barry had a busy day. Barry must work hard. But, please don’t hold your breath, yet…

Feb. 4- Obama signs S-Chip. One more Government tit program which will expand the leverage to obtain votes for big government, i.e., the Democrats. Cancels leases on 100,000 acres worth of oil and gas projects, thus increasing our need to be “over there” spilling American blood “for oil” (as “they” put it), instead of getting our own. Begins to impose strict, sometimes punitive guidelines to companies who took bailout money. Many companies start saying “no thanks, we don’t want your money then.” This seems to create a quizzical look on the faces of many of us, who wonder why, if companies can simply say no and survive, if they reeaallly ever needed this “brilliant” stimulus plan?

Feb. 9- Obama has first televised news conference. People begin to notice he is Max Headroom, a talking figure head who relies on the teleprompter to a degree no other so called slick talker ever has.

Feb. 10- Senate passes stimulus package 61-37. Three Republicans vote for it. Obama and Senate Democrats call this ‘bi-partisan’. Conservatives know better. Even NPR calls the Republican backing “scant”. Thus begins the dismantling of this Country’s economic and political future, expanding both the debt to future generations and government backed jobs.

Feb. 11- House and Senate reach deal on stimulus.

Feb. 12- Obama speaks at Caterpillar plant. In his speech he claims that the stimulus is necessary, and will make it possible for the Caterpillar company to rehire some of the people they had laid off. The Caterpillar CEO counters this later in the day and says no, more layoffs will likely be necessary even with the stimulus.

Feb. 13- House passes Stimulus Bill. This is done in a rushed, unscreened manner. Almost 1100 pages, voted on within hours of compromise. This is in violation of Obama’s promise that every bill will have ample time for scrutiny both by the members of congress and the public. Apparently, the broken promise is due to the extremely urgent matter that the bill addresses, implying that days, maybe even hours, could make the difference. But the rush disappears immediately after passage, and Obama signs it FOUR days later. Judd Gregg withdraws amidst concern that the Census will be mismanaged, as well as his dismay regarding the stimulus and other economic policy that had been implied.

This is the beginning of the end of the promise of bipartisanship.

Feb. 19- Obama takes first foreign trip. Canada. Good idea. I like it. Start small. Baby steps. Everything else is going so damn well for you so far.

Feb. 23- Obama pledges to reduce deficit in half by the end of his first term. Yes, that deficit. The one he just doubled. In effect, he is saying “I will get you back to where you were before I was elected, 4 years from now.” Thanks Barry. Obama also assigns VP Joe Biden to be the “Sheriff” of the stimulus provisions. Personally, I think this is one of those “give the overactive mouth something to do so he will shut up” moves.

Feb. 24- Obama’s first address to a joint session of Congress. Once again, we hear about how he is not one to pass the buck, and is in charge, but, alas, feels it is imperative to note that he “inherited” this or these problems. Hmmmm… I thought EVERY President inherited all the good and bad of the previous administration. We all know what you inherited (like a safe country), but we all also know that your hand is up the puppets ass so far now with that stimulus bill you just burdened us with that the problem you “inherited” you now “own”, and you just made it worse.

Feb. 26- Obama reveals 2010 budget. The ringmaster in the spotlight screams out to the eager crowd in the seats, “Watch as he implements universal comprehensive health care, all at the same time promising to cut a multi trillion dollar budget in half by 2013!!!”

Feb. 27- Obama claims end to Iraq combat by Aug. 31, 2010. That’s good, Barry. Way to be bold. Most of it is already done. Job well done! Basically all Barry said was that we won’t be doing the fighting, but Iraqi’s will. He did not say all the troops would be home. In fact, he has found that most of his promises about Iraq are untenable, and will have to leave tens of thousands of troops in Iraq past that point, which will in effect, break his campaign promise. “Man, this President stuff is soooo much harder than that Candidate stuff!”

Mar. 2- Obama Administration releases the first of an assault on the previous administration’s views and positions on how to conduct the war on terror, in the form of legal memos and opinions. The claim also states that the CIA destroyed tapes of interrogations. This will not be the last of the information released – selectively in their favor – by the new White House. Even classified information will be in peril in the future.

Mar. 3- Obama releases 28 billion of the stimulus for building and repairing highways, bridges, etc… This is claimed to be in order to create of save 150,000 jobs by the end of 2010. Funny thing there, though, is the money comes with strings attached, which favor Union’s and their workers getting the government contracts. Hmmm- fishy. Unions support Democrats heavily. One would think job creation would be non-partisan. Obama also meets with his first really big wig- Prime Minister Gordon Brown. He showers the major world leader with the first of many awkward gifts to come- a 25 CD compilation of classic American movies. Wow. Who did we elect? My nephew???

Mar. 4- Obama shares plan to cut wasteful spending. The plan will save $40 billion a year, by NOT hiring contractors to do jobs that government employees could do. What is the problem with this? Well, two things. One- when the HELL did the government ever do anything as affordably and efficiently as the private sector? Two- he just, once again, “grew” the government. Obama also unveils a homeowner assistance plan, which creates cries from millions of homeowners who made wise decisions, insisting that those who made poor decisions were being bailed out. Once again, the government, trying to make everything right for everyone, instead of letting survival of the fittest weed things out and settle the dust, has put their hand in and mucked things up even worse.

Mar. 9- Obama lifts restrictions on stem cell research. In his statement, he takes a swipe at faith based people’s convictions on the issue, saying the White House policy office should work toward “restoring scientific integrity to government decision making.”

Mar. 11- Obama breaks another promise, this one concerning reducing and eliminating earmarks. He signs a $410 billion bill chocked full of them. One claim as to why? Well, this was last years business, mostly. Mostly, it was worked up under Bush. Hmmm. I thought the pen was in YOUR hand now, ass??? Oh wait. You haven’t inherited “responsibility” yet, just the finger pointer. Well, hopefully that will come soon. He promises that he will work to make sure future earmarks have a legitimate and worthy purpose. Wow. That is a long way from eliminating earmarks. Instead of eliminating, as promised, you are instead going to just make sure they meet YOUR criteria for necessary. I feel comforted.

Mar. 16- Obama pushes tax cheat Timothy Geithner to “pursue every legal avenue” to prevent AIG from disseminating any of the money it received for bailouts, for bonuses. We begin to see the Orwellian nature of taking money from Big Brother. We warned you…

Mar. 18- Amidst an outcry over AIG bonuses, Obama defends Geithner. Did you read on this blog that Geithner had his hand in the original (TARP), and second stimulus package? Did you read that he actually not only was aware of the lack of controls on such bonuses, but recommended that the government stay out of that line of regulating?

Mar. 19- Obama authorizes energy department to provide $2.4 billion in order to promote research and development of hybrid electric cars and their batteries. Actually, I applaud this. What I think it ludicrous is, the green minded dipshits that run around this country currently in their vintage peace, love, and hippie beads Volkswagen vans think that all we need then is more plugins in our houses. 60% of the energy in this country comes from COAL burning power plants. Solar panels in the desert or wind turbines in the canyons or coastlines are not going to fuel 400 million electric vehicles. And, battery production is FAR from a clean business. This is not the pipe dream they promote it to be. A little more nuclear promotion (hell- ANY), and I might start perking up to the idea. Adding to his incredibly focused schedule, he makes an appearance on the Tonight Show, and inadvertently makes fun of special olympics participants by stating he bowls like they might. The perils of no teleprompter.

Mar. 20- Obama throws out another ham handed apologetic overture to the world in the form of a video to Iran. Very unsettling. Very un-presidential. Secondly, on this day, the President states guidelines to the States regarding how they can use stimulus money. As the States dig through these limitations and regulations in the coming weeks, they will start to sound like some of the banks, and Ford, and state “we don’t think we want this money, now… thank you!” More attempts to support democratic party agendas under the guise of “prudent guidelines to prevent waste”.

Mar. 23- Obama and Geithner unveil their “plan” for banks to deal with toxic assets. One, it is not a new plan, yet one that was proposed months before. So why did it take the smokey genius Timmie G. so long to come up with a plan that already existed? Well, you decide- read about that here. Two- this plan does not take care of the toxic assets and relieve the burden from the American taxpayer. Read about that here.

Mar. 24- Obama sends more troops to a decaying porous Mexican border tormented by illegal gun running, drug traffic and drug lord wars, and kidnapping. Yes, this is the same border which the ever excellent Homeland Security Secretary Janet No-brain-itano claimed was the same as the Canadian border. This move is necessary and long overdue, and I highly doubt it would have happened (either by republican or democrat legislative overture) without the drug lords. So I thank the drug lords for our border security. Read about that here.

Mar. 26- Obama holds “virtual” Town Hall Meeting on internet. Here he talks about his virtual plans, and tries to prop up his virtual competence. He stressed that we need to continue to support, via virtual money, failing institutions- namely, the virtual banks and virtual auto manufacturer, GM.

Mar. 27- Obama sends 4000 more troops to Afghanistan. This is in addition to the 17,000 additional troops he already sent there. Much of the left raises and eyebrow, and many troops begin to understand that “ending the war in Iraq” doesn’t necessarily mean “you are coming home for good.” I personally think the move is not worth criticism. I just point it out as some of what Obama does falls in that category of “it is harder to campaign for President, than it is to BE President.” To be fair, Obama has said consistently that Afghanistan deserved more attention.

Mar. 29- Obama gets in the business of running American business, by firing General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner. Hello, George Orwell. Like so much of what Obama has done, this runs counter to the principle of less government control that conservatives feel is the foundation of individual’s ability to strive to achieve the promises set forth in the Declaration of Independence. You know them, or should. This example of GM is a perfect example for every freedom loving American that emphasizes that, when the government supports you, gives you monies, a handout, or a program- they OWN   >you<.

Apr. 1- How fitting. April fools day, Obama gives the Queen of freakin ENGLAND an iPOD! I suppose that beats Lego’s. Crap, we really DID elect an inexperienced kid.

Apr. 3- Obama shares the first of several unnecessary analogies of America’s faults of the past. This one is in Strasbourg France, where Obama stated “there have been times where America’s showed arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.” Those on the left would defend this by pointing out that Obama did in fact point out flaws of the Europeans, when he went on to say ”But in Europe, there is an anti-Americanism that is at once casual but can also be insidious. Instead of recognizing the good that America so often does in the world, there have been times where Europeans choose to blame America for much of what’s bad.” Seriously? So, let me get this straight. It is OK to talk down the US, as long as you talk down the other guy too. Hmmm. Just really doesn’t seem very Presidential. I prefer much more a position of taking the high ground, pointing to the future, laying a foundation of goodwill that looks only forward… like the shining city on a hill. I don’t know who is writing his speeches, but someone in that group has the flaw of “apologize to your colleague in order to show you are human and humble”. It is not necessary, and should not be part of a President’s reperotoire.

Apr. 6- Obama does it again, speaking abroad. This time he reflects on American history concerning native Americans and slavery. Obama stated “The United States is still working through some of our own darker periods in our history. <snip> Our country still struggles with the legacies of slavery and segregation, the past treatment of Native Americans.” What? We are? We do? Really? And you are an example of that? A black man (half black) standing there saying we are working through our own darker periods of our history, like slavery, and you are President? I for one disagree totally. We are not struggling, we are thriving in spite of it. The glass is not half empty, as you and people like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton might like to paint it, but half full.. more than half full. I guess Reverend Wright really didn’t have any effect on you. Not at all.

Apr. 7- Obama makes his first trip to Iraq as President. He thanks the troops for their “extraordinary achievement”. What does that mean? Victory? No. Not in his vocabulary. Obama also stated “You will be critical in terms of us being able to make sure Iraq is stable, that it is not a safe haven for terrorists, and we can start bringing our folks home.” Huh? What is that you said? Terrorists? According to the left, there ARE no terrorists in Iraq. As far as bringing you folks home, some of you will be going to Afghanistan. I hope Obama has his mission accomplished banner ready.

Apr. 12- Obama has his first big boy John Wayne moment, even though it is a no brainer. Somali teenagers with guns take U.S. freighter Capt. Richard Phillips. Navy Seals pop three caps in the pirates heads. Now, let’s get back to Iran, North Korea, and Mexico.

Apr. 15- With a decaying situation on the Mexican border,  Obama appoints Alan Bersin as Border Czar. Keep in mind, though, that his boss, Janet I-wish-I-had-a-brain-o, has all but stated clearly that the US was going to stop deporting illegals if that meant we had to break up their families. More on that here.

Apr. 16- Obama administration releases memos from 2002 and 2005 which illustrate enhanced interrogation techniques. Obama calls this a “dark and painful chapter in our history”, and indicates that CIA officials would not be prosecuted for having followed the legal guidance in the memos. This is a nice distraction for a President that would really like to talk about a lot of other things other than the economy, bailouts, idiotic claims to cut a deficit he just doubled in half four years from now, but that is all it is. This is red meat for his rabid left, and will keep the press off his ass for weeks, maybe months, to come. In the end, absolutely NOTHING will come of this regarding the prior administration, and no, Bush or Cheney will NOT be charged with anything. While there is no violation of US or international law here, this will not stop the frothing at the mouth hate Bush left from gnashing their teeth for some time to come. By the way- the release was of classified documents, and, the Administration only released selected memos which make their case. No memos released make the case that the interrogations were necessary and effective. Vice President Cheney knows there are memos which do provide that proof, but I doubt they will see the light of day. Am I saying the end justifies the means, ergo, torture is ok? No. I am saying waterboarding is does not meet the definition of torture that is defined in the laws that apply to it. Period.

Apr. 20- Obama asks agencies to cut $100 million in spending. Wow. $100 million. That is about 30 cents for every American. He just proposed and passed a 3.4 trillion budget. $100 million is like me asking a kind on a beach to reduce the sand by one dump truck full. Way to be aggressive there, Barry. Now you’ve proven to all of us that you really ARE fiscally conservative!

Apr. 21- Obama says that those at the Justice Department who authorized harsh interrogation techniques might not be immune from prosecution. More to come, I’m sure.

Apr. 23- Obama begins to strong arm the credit card companies. While many of the things that credit card companies do are maddening, it IS an elective choice whether or not to take credit; who you take the credit from; and you don’t always have to stay with that card company. This is just another of those nanny state, let me hold your hand and protect you feel good schemes that sounds like he is some knight in shining armor, but what he is really doing is crippling freedom and capitalistic principles. Interference, regulation, burdens… Ultimately, much of what is attempted here, if successful, will create unintentional backlashes that will make us all go “what the HELL was he THINKING?”

Summary

• He has handled promises poorly, breaking many.
• He has shown incredibly poor vetting procedures for cabinet members, and even MORE egregious, actually followed through on the appointments of people who should not have been allowed to be considered in the first place.
• He has rushed things which deserve far more attention and scrutiny and caution.
• He has ruined any chance of bipartisanship, changing the tone in Washington, mostly by his handling of the stimulus package, but he has contributed to that with several other actions which flaunt his arrogance and have undermined our position on the world stage. I find this to be his largest mistake, as he lost a lot of opportunity to move the country ahead, right there, in trade for ramming through a far left agenda. His second largest mistake derailing bipartisanship could still grow to be #1; releasing the documents concerning Bush administration interrogation procedures.
• He has had high ambitions for foreign policy changes and greater cooperation with Europe and others, only to come away with little more than an opportunity to give conciliatory, apologetic speeches and glad hand with people we should be stern with. The G20 and South American Summit showed that people loved to meet our new rock star, but he really did not seem to carry much “gravitas”. I think Bono from U-2 might have had more impact.
• He has shown himself to be a pretty boy propaganda hype driven candidate that knew more about how to get American’s to vote for him than he actually did about the “facts on the ground” concerning many of the items he listed that he would “change”. Several very glaring examples of this head in the clouds ignorance have come to show that he knew little about the reality and effect of such changes on the United States.
• On domestic policy, all he has really done so far is ceremoniously attack principles with pen by taking down executive orders, many of which are slaps in the face of people of faith all over the Country.
• Obama is leader by proxy. He has shown that he doesn’t like to get his hands dirty, so he hands the reigns to the congress, which is ‘led’ by zealots from the left. At least then, he can blame them, stating it was the best that the officials elected by the “American people” could give him at the time, and therefore, he “inherited” any problems which might arise from their legislation.

Overall, I have to give Barry a big fat C-, as in “Carter”. Not a strong start. But be worried… he has a lot of days left.

For a rating on Campaign Promises, see the following website:

Politifact.com

RATE OBAMA

 Loading …

Be Sociable, Share!

•