I know this is a controversial topic and there's a lot of debate surrounding this question. After all, some folks think Obama is a great President for championing the cause of the poor with Obamacare, while others argue he should be remembered in history for being the first black President, while yet others believe his open endorsement of gay marriage will be what he is best remembered for. How do you think history will remember him?
People will miss that it once meant something to be Southern or Midwestern. It doesn't mean much now, except for the climate. The question, “Where are you from?” doesn't lead to anything odd or interesting. They live somewhere near a Gap store, and what else do you need to know? - Garrison Keillor
I honestly think it's too early for legacy talks. A lot of his accomplishments will be moot if he fails to win reelection. Then with a second a term, he'll be concerned with legacy and not reelection, so I expect him to govern somewhat differently than he has been. I think it's anyone's guess as to what his legacy ultimately will be at this point.
However I do find it funny how some people debate whether Obama was even the first black president since he's half white. There's no pleasing some people.
You’re right, there is no pleasing some people. And that’s America! When it comes to keeping people down, anyone with African ancestry is automatically “black.” Unless they do something good for society in which case they are suddenly “part white.” And really, very few African Americans can claim to have no European ancestry at all. Its our messed up notion of “purity and pollution” that categorizes these people as just “black.” In fact, it was a retired federal judge with one African American parent and one Irish American parent that challenged the Census on its definition of racial categories. This is what resulted in the option to select more than one race on the census. I heard an interview on the radio with him once. Awesome dude!Originally posted by Blide
But I digress. I suspect the healthcare legislation, the true effects of which will not be felt for some time, will be his defining accomplishment, but if he gets another term, who knows what could happen or what's on the agenda. I think there is the possibility of some interesting international developments in the coming years.Black man, black woman, black baby
White man, white woman, white baby
White man, black woman, black baby
Black man, white woman, black baby
From Public Enemy “Fear of a Black Planet”
The purpose of life is a life of purpose
Unless there is change in the remainder of his term, or he wins a second term and can bring about change, I think Obama will be viewed as one of the "middle of the pack" presidents. A faltering economy and political opposition have kept him from achieving much. In fact, you could argue that the opposing party has had a strategy of keeping the economy from improving as a means to help them get elected in 2012.
Anyone want to adopt a dog?
That strategy might be backfiring. Have you seen the recent polls on Obama vs. congress and Romney?
Having the stones to find and kill Osama bin Laden. (Obviously, he didn't pull the trigger in the literal sense, but he most certainly did in the figurative.)
Closed second: Saving GM.
Third: Gigantic expansion of clean energy using the Repubs-hated successful stimulus.
Too soon to say with Affordable Care Act.
I have seen
old ships sailing
like swans asleep
It depends on if he wins reelection and what he does second term. Currently I find no reason whatsoever that he would be ranked among the greatest presidents.
Children in the back seat can cause accidents - and vice versa.
He was America's first black president..... Other that that, he will rate on the same level as Jimmy Carter.
When compassion exceeds logic for too long, chaos will ensue. - Unknown
You mean a moral, decent, Christian man-right?
When did I go from Luke Skywalker to Obi-Wan Kenobi?
Yep.... And had no real understanding of the economy, job creation, foreign policy, domestic policy, or fiscal responsibility.
When compassion exceeds logic for too long, chaos will ensue. - Unknown
Ya know, I could refute your talking points but it's like getting into a shouting match with a deaf person.
When did I go from Luke Skywalker to Obi-Wan Kenobi?
Bottom third-half of the middle-of-the-pack. "Greatest President" surely is a gimmick to get someone to read the thread, as there is no evidence for the assertion.
If he changes his basic nature and plays the game properly, he can change direction in his second term and do some things to fix this mess, but I don't see how an enraged Right and plutocrat-funded TeaPurty will allow that.
-------
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.
Surely. Sadly that someone did not care to grace us with 'her' presence this timeOh well.
People will miss that it once meant something to be Southern or Midwestern. It doesn't mean much now, except for the climate. The question, “Where are you from?” doesn't lead to anything odd or interesting. They live somewhere near a Gap store, and what else do you need to know? - Garrison Keillor
As there has been zero evidence presented to defend the "Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrreatest Prrrrrrrrrrresident Evvvvvvvvvvvvvvahah!!!!!!1one!!" assertion, one must go with the 'gimmick' speculation. Smart money, yasee, mark to market..Surely. Sadly that someone did not care to grace us with 'her' presence this time
-------
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.
The first illegal alien and Muslim President with ties to terrorism.
Boo. I thought it would be better.... very disappointed.
A common mistake people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. -Douglas Adams
Personally and endearingly, I like how he at his core seems likes a normal person, someone I can relate to. Check out this pic of him playing with a toddler. Too cute!
http://officialssay.tumblr.com/post/...d-by-a-toddler
Nuther ones:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteho...in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whiteho...in/photostream
Ruling the country, tho, needs moar, "I got this!" <Note: Linkypoo NSFW>
Lolz!
Agreed. That was quite disappointing.
People will miss that it once meant something to be Southern or Midwestern. It doesn't mean much now, except for the climate. The question, “Where are you from?” doesn't lead to anything odd or interesting. They live somewhere near a Gap store, and what else do you need to know? - Garrison Keillor
I do have to give him credit. He is great with kids on a personal level, and I think that he is a great dad to his little kids. I also think that in his heart, he genuinely wants to do the right thing for this country.
You are such a troll sometimes...
When compassion exceeds logic for too long, chaos will ensue. - Unknown
With the exception of George Washington, great Presidents are those who change their mind a lot. Straight line rhetorical Presidents are easily forgotten, as are rhetorical bosses in the workplace.
Psychotics are consistently inconsistent. The essence of sanity is to be inconsistently inconsistent.
-Larry Wall
He's proven he has some fine pipes. He did Al Green proud. He plays a mean game of hide and seek. Killed the then-reigning champ. Showed Pakistan up for what it is.
He hasn't yet shown greatness. Not sure if he has it in him.
Greatest president is a hard role to fill. Washington, Lincoln, and the two Roosevelts are in that realm. Jefferson was a great patriot, thinker and real estate speculator, but not really a great president. Kennedy was cut down before he could be judged on that regard. Reagan has been over-valued in that regard IMO.
"I am very good at reading women, but I get into trouble for using the Braille method."
~ Otterpop ~
Obama's stimulus doubled U.S. renewable energy production, so I think years down the road (when global warming becomes ever more apparent) his environmental initiatives will be an integral part of his legacy.
Quote
