Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Unposter]

While I agree that 2008 was Obama's election to lose because of astronomical mess W made of the world (Wars, economy, Anti-Americanism that spread throughout the world including traditional allies - I mean he left about as big a mess as has ever been left by a US President!), McCain did a pretty good job of losing the election as well (Palin being high on my list - Would you really feel safe with her a heartbeat away from the Presidency?)

Personally, I can't imagine why anyone except sadists would miss W considering how much of a mess he made. I mean even "mess" is really too nice of a word. He trashed the country; he bankrupted it; he tarnished its image; and I don't want to even think about all the victims of the Iraq War or why he allowed Afghanistan to fester and concentrate on Iraq - Did he really use the US Army to settle a "personal" vendetta?

Now, Obama has had about the world's worst job. The world economy is going to get any better anytime soon. And, obviously it is a lot harder to end a war than it is to start one.

I don't think everything Obama has done has been bad. He has had some historic legislation including health care reform and allowing gays to openly serve in the military. His financial reform is pretty mixed in my opinion and I think that has much to do with his leadership style.

In fact, I think Obama's presidential leadership will be discussed for a very long time. He has had a very laisse faire (sp?) attitutde toward Congress. He has given them some directions (health care, financial reform and the budget) but he has not much in providing details or engaging in debate. He has pretty much been hands off. I would call it "textbook" government.

He has let the legislative branch legislate with little interference. In some ways, Obama really has concentrated on international affairs - repairing America's image abroad and directing military policy. You don't hear Obama talking about Supreme Court decisions nor do you hear him suggesting Constitutional ammendments.

But, I think Americans would like a more comforting President. Clinton did a good job of sharing our pain and celebrating our joys. For whatever reason, people liked W - the spin was always that he was a great guy to have a beer with (but I suspect that was mostly spin but maybe it all is. At least, it was effective spin.) But, you get the idea that you would get a Professor's lecture from Obama.

Obama lacks the persona to deal with the psyche of the American people. Americans need fireside chats not lectures. Obama needs to say more warm fuzzy things.

[sirius black]

I do not miss W one iota. He took us from having a lot of sympathy from 911 and incredibly made us hated much more than we were prior...and trust me, we weren't popular prior.

He and Cheney took away many of our civil liberties. Started his presidency with a surplus and gave us a debt that may be insurmountable. The OP said you knew where he stood. Is that so great? Germans knew where Hitler stood as well. I would vote for either Republican or Democrat depending on the person or election (local, state or federal). W turned me off completely from the Republican party who went along with Bush when many knew he was wrong just for the sake of party. Republicans like to be this uber American but in reality they are only loyal to their party. They see their party and America as one.

Obama is far from perfect but he's much, much better than Bush. Nixon was better than Bush. Both sucked and comitted impeachable offenses but Nixon at least signed some of the most progressive legisation at the time and recognized China and was ending his war. I can't think of a president worse than Bush actually. Grant had a corrupt administration but he was honest at least.

Bush has only one notable good legacy and that is the spending on HIV/AIDS in Africa. Unprecedented and it should be applauded but he made America much worse domestically and internationally. He single handedly ended the 'empire'.

[Kuros]

[No_hite_pls]

[alwaysgood]

W was a terrible president, maybe the worst ever.

http://www.netrootsmass.net/hughs-bush-scandals-list/

[everything-is-everything]

[ThingsComeAround]

Bush was the kind of guy that, although you knew he was a screwup and didn't deserve his post, he was also charming in a Forrest Gump kind of way.

But- he did know how to lead. He did not compromise- he told people the way he wanted things done and most of the time he got his wish, a quality Obama lacks.

[sirius black]

[Steelrails]

[alwaysgood]

[Steelrails]

[ThingsComeAround]

[lithium]

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Kuros]