Deseret News | Is Obama making the grade so far?

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Pignanelli & Webb: Is Obama making the grade so far?

Richard Saunders | 12:51 a.m. March 29, 2009

Webb and Piganelli are partisan hacks. It's time reasonable Americans demand that they not be forced to choose between two sides of the same ol' rusted coin. I believe there are many Americans who find it hard to swallow a seven hundred dollar stimulus bill who also didn't march in lockstep with the Bush administration and don't copy-paste their opinions from Rush Limbaugh or Michael Moore. It's time this group be heard. This country won't be saved by a political party but by people who place principle above any servitude to the dogmas of our two 'major' parties.

Socialism | 1:54 a.m. March 29, 2009

My grade for Obama is a BIG FAT "F" (and I tried to give him a 120 days before I passed judgment). "F" for "F"ull of crap, "F"ull of himself, "F"ar fetched, "F"raud, "F"ar left, "F"orever lost without his teleprompter, "F"reaks in his administration, "F"unds anyone within the auto/financial/insurance businesses. Did I miss any????

Mike | 7:04 a.m. March 29, 2009

"Socialism", your handle makes it clear that you have prejudged the President. But then, most of Utah has already done that as well. You sir are not alone, ---just bitter and wrong.

Comments continue below

Robert Johnson | 7:31 a.m. March 29, 2009

"Socialism" turn off your right-wing radio. When you get your information from a know drug-addict gas bag you should understand that the information you are getting is flawed.

Marky | 7:50 a.m. March 29, 2009

Yes. I've been a teacher at many different institutions and I would give Mr. Obama an "F" in economics and an "F" in history. Mr. Obama has shown a complete lack of understanding of the most basic principles of economics and no appreciation or ability to learn from the past. A total and complete failure.

However, Mr. Obama gets an "A" in Political Science and and "A" in Psychology. He has absolute command of the political process and a svengali-like control over the mindless minions that believe in "hope" and "change" instead of practical reality.

And we would take | 10:22 a.m. March 29, 2009

Utah's opinions on the new President to heart, why?

Hopeful | 10:34 a.m. March 29, 2009

I have no grade for Pres. Obama, but I'd give the American people a solid "F" for believing that government is the answer to their difficulties. Reagan said it all when he identified the 9 most frightening words: "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." I hope the excesses of this administration and Congress will inspire Americans in the future to elect people who will acknowledge our freedom to succeed or fail by our own actions.

Hypocrisy | 10:38 a.m. March 29, 2009

This coming from the same state that gives Bush a positive approval rating... Unbelievable.

Canadiandy | 11:46 a.m. March 29, 2009

"Borrows too much, spends too much, taxes too much."

Hmmm, sounds like a Socialist to me.

Uttie | 1:38 p.m. March 29, 2009

I'll ask again. To be a conservative must one hate the government? Seems so to me.

@Marky | 3:13 p.m. March 29, 2009

I too have been a teacher in many institutions and I would give Obama an "A" in both history and economics. Today's conservatives, just like the Bob Taft Republicans in the 40s who screamed "socialism" at FDR's GI Bill, scream "socialism" at Obama, who is doing exactly the right thing, pouring funds into the marketplace for education and infrastructure for the 21st century. And the funds will get the juices flowing in a credit-frozen economy.

Why? | 3:20 p.m. March 29, 2009

Why do all those who love Pres. Obama seem to miss his failings and ineptitudes yet those who abhor him because of his failings and ineptitudes seem to be on the same side as Rush and Hannity?

rsp | 4:24 p.m. March 29, 2009

Come on Frank - you can't actually remotely compare Obama and Reagan. At least Reagan had executive experience. Obama's only experience was writing books about his favorite topic - himself (and there's some speculation that he didn't write the first book)What's done is done but it's apparent that this Administration is utterly incompetent. This cap and trade scam is going to sink our economy like the Germans sank the Lusitania. All the Democrats know how to do is spend money (at least when Republicans spend we get some cool new military hardware)but with Democrats it just goes into a big money pit

Just curious | 4:54 p.m. March 29, 2009

What are all of you windbag whiners from both edges of the political spectrum doing to get our economy on its feet again? Yeah, I thought so.

@just curious | 5:18 p.m. March 29, 2009

Well, we are just going about our lives; working hard and paying too much in taxes. Why are we paying too much in taxes? Because of the politicians and there lust for power, purchased from one group of Americans and doled out to another group of Americans, the ones who will give them the most votes.
@Marky, good points all. Sound reasoning also. Thanks.

back @ you | 7:05 p.m. March 29, 2009

well, at least you blamed all politicians. True that.

Just curious

And yes, Marky, thumbs up.

Pundit Grading | 8:06 p.m. March 29, 2009

Silly and useless. Why don't we get rid of elections and elect of ratings.

Instereo | 8:22 p.m. March 29, 2009

With Reagon, Bush, Bush, Gindrich, Limbagh, and Hannity, the R's have had years to create this mess. I'm amazed that President Obama hasn't fixed it in 120 days.

I mean anything reasonable that he'd do would be going to the left of what's been done. Putting regulations on business is not bringing socialism but undoing the deregulation that got us in this mess. Increasing taxes is just taking us back to a more responsible government before all the tax cuts failed. Increased government spending is to make up the gap that was supposed to be filled with the tax cuts but somehow got poured into corporate bank accounts and executive bonuses.

So I don't really care what a couple of newspaper men say who have agenda's to push. I think Obama's doing what needs to be done and I support him. It's going to take time to get our country back on track and to reestablish itself as the world leader.

RE: Instereo | 8:42 p.m. March 29, 2009

Socialism has NEVER succeeded! That is why most of us know Obama's agenda will not succeed! All he really wants is to get as many people as possible addicted to "free money" (other people's money) so to get them to vote for Democrats and keep them in power. He is spending so much money it baffles the imagination and is reaching clear into our grandchildren's future. All he is doing is presiding over a huge power grab, depending on most Americans to sell their soul for a "free" lunch! The only problem is, there is no such things as a "free" lunch. Never has been, never will be!

aleX | 9:40 p.m. March 29, 2009

@Instereo 8:22 "...the deregulation that got us into this mess."

Deregulation was not a root cause of the mess; it only enabled toxic assets to mix more freely with other assets.

But let's be honest about what made those assets toxic in the first place: government policies that encouraged home loans for people who couldn't pay them back. Government was pushing "affordable housing" in denial of common sense. It didn't turn out to be very affordable for anyone.

"Increasing taxes is just taking us back to a more responsible government...."

You admit, then, that it's irresponsible for the government to spend more than it takes in? Obama has put that farther out of reach in his first 120 days than the combination of all presidents who served before him.

No Ronald Reagan | 9:02 a.m. March 30, 2009

Frank, I knew Ronald Reagan. He was my friend. Obama is no Ronald Reagan!

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