Once elected, it became clear that he was an academic who had to adjust to the world of realpolitik.

How long has it been so adversarial? I mean, to this level? 1994?

Agreed. It may not be Congress's job to "acquiesce" to the president, but it is their job to do their job, and when they refuse to do ANYTHING, it makes the president's job nearly impossible.

Not sure about history, but I will view him as a guy who initially seemed to run for office because it's "what he was supposed to do." After he gave the speech in 2004 at the DNC, it was basically his turn. I don't think he ran with any particular set of ideals, as many on the Right have suggested. I don't believe he was a socialist or a white-hater. In fact, he never even really lived the "true" African-American experience (don't take that the wrong way). Great campaigner, articulate, easy to like, and good looking..

There are people in places like West Virginia and parts of Pennsylvania that would be dead without the ACA...

hmmm...

Do you think that's true? Because I really don't remember an epidemic of sick or injured people dying on the front lawns of hospitals because they were refused treatment for lack of insurance. Obamacare is more about protecting people from dire financial consequences than it is about actual healthcare.

I'm a big dumb shitlib baby

Bingo but I recall those against the ACA being painted as wanting people to die.

Do you think that's true? Because I really don't remember an epidemic of sick or injured people dying on the front lawns of hospitals because they were refused treatment for lack of insurance. Obamacare is more about protecting people from dire financial consequences than it is about actual healthcare.

Do you think that's true? Because I really don't remember an epidemic of sick or injured people dying on the front lawns of hospitals because they were refused treatment for lack of insurance. Obamacare is more about protecting people from dire financial consequences than it is about actual healthcare.

Marcey DiCaro thought she just couldn't lose that extra belly flab.

But unbeknownst to her, a 47-pound tumor was hard at work, ravaging her insides.

For instance they were never taught that Columbus was a slave owner.

Bingo but I recall those against the ACA being painted as wanting people to die.

I recall differently. I recall hearing death panels and a lot of other nonsense

Not sure about history, but I will view him as a guy who initially seemed to run for office because it's "what he was supposed to do." After he gave the speech in 2004 at the DNC, it was basically his turn. I don't think he ran with any particular set of ideals, as many on the Right have suggested. I don't believe he was a socialist or a white-hater. In fact, he never even really lived the "true" African-American experience (don't take that the wrong way). Great campaigner, articulate, easy to like, and good looking..

Winning elections is all about being opportunistic. The political landscape changes so rapidly that if you don't seize the opportunity today, it will not likely be present tomorrow. Obama had a quick succession of favorable moments with his senate and presidential campaigns. As an example of what I am saying, a few short years before he couldn't defeat a weakened Bobby Rush for congress. He was lambasted for not being sufficiently black. Four years later those same voters voted for him for a more important position specifically because he was black.

I think he will reveal in an interview some time down the road that he didn't think he was experienced enough for the office. I don't hold that against him.

Not sure about history, but I will view him as a guy who initially seemed to run for office because it's "what he was supposed to do." After he gave the speech in 2004 at the DNC, it was basically his turn. I don't think he ran with any particular set of ideals, as many on the Right have suggested. I don't believe he was a socialist or a white-hater. In fact, he never even really lived the "true" African-American experience (don't take that the wrong way). Great campaigner, articulate, easy to like, and good looking.

Once elected, it became clear that he was an academic who had to adjust to the world of realpolitik. Add to that the fact that Congress wasn't his biggest fan and not a lot got accomplished immediately.

While governing, he did little to make drastic change. His signature legislation is anything but "progressive" and, as mentioned, he continued drone strikes and attacks on American citizens without due process. The executive order thing is overblown. FDR had 6 times as many executive orders as any president in history. That doesn't mean I'm a fan of them; but that's not really a huge part of his legacy more than it is any other president.

While in office, he certainly held the position with dignity and class and, IMO, was a great representative of America to the rest of the world.

In summary, he was an academic with very few ideals who did not accomplish a lot but did hold the country together during the crisis he came into and held the office with a dignity that is about to be appreciated more than we could ever imagine on January 20th.

This is going to reach a head pretty soon.

Don't tell me you all haven't dreamt of "smoking a cigarette" with 'ole Barry.

I agree with this. I didn't see him as the "imperial" President as much as I saw him as a person great at equivocating an argument but terrible at problem solving. That is the primary reason that he was great on the stump but terrible at governing.

I also fault African Americans for failing to hold him accountable. I am actually interested in how black "leaders" will view his Presidency now that he is out of office. There was a reluctance to criticize him for anything but I wonder if that will change now that he is out of office.

I can remember as far back as Tip O'Neil and presidents having to suck his dick to get anything done. As far as the courts my first recollection of congress being asses was for Clarence Thomas.

Clearly experience doesn't matter anymore

I don't and never will. They should have done more to help.

This is going to reach a head pretty soon.

I'm a big dumb shitlib baby

Who would have guessed I would end up the biggest Obama fan on the board?

I'm a big dumb shitlib baby

I voted for him twice not so much because I thought that he'd be a good President as much as I didn't want to miss out on History. 2nd time was a little tougher but I was dealing with a woman that was planning to holdout if I didn't vote for him. Really didn't have an excuse since the polling place was right across the street from the crib. I would have voted for him anyway but the extra push didn't necessarily hurt the cause either.

Anyone who had the foresight to see that he wouldn't be able to accomplish anything.

Not that this should have any bearing on anything, but he is extremely likeable... and that's coming on the heels of two presidents who were also very likeable (personally) in their own unique ways.

This is going to reach a head pretty soon.

Who would have guessed I would end up the biggest Obama fan on the board?

Yes he is. I generally think he is a good guy that is ill suited for the cutthroat world of politics.

I'm a big dumb shitlib baby

I definitely worked and voted for him the first time primarily because he was black. I don't apologize for it either. I thought he would try to live up to the expectations he set during his 2nd term because he wouldn't have to worry about reelection. While he was somewhat better his 2nd term I am overall disappointed in the job he has done. He paid lip service to the disadvantaged but routinely screwed them to get deals done. Every real budget cut included things that the lower class needed.

This is going to reach a head pretty soon.