General Discussion

Cosmocat

(15,465 posts)

133. Be honest

Mon Jul 21, 2014, 07:09 AM

Jul 2014

and consider the below question ...

First, I will note, I agree that he has been a disappointment with education, being too cozy with big business and allowing the NSA to run rampants. I disagree on health care, the man got the first health care reform in 4 decades done, bit the bullet and used all of his political capital to do it. WE may not like it, but it was a small step in the right direction and the very best that could get done. I think he has been exceptional in foreign affairs.

I don't know about an A-, but Krugmans point in grading him such stands - the only president who has come close to the level of deranged partisan hatred and flat out sedition from the opposition party is Clinton.

I think he has been a good president, not putting a specific grade to it.

But, the question is ...

What could ANYONE have done any differently the last 6 years with the same virulent opposition from the republicans, the media EAGERLY lapping up and advancing their bullshit and democratic pols leaving the POTUS out there all alone with no one supporting the POTUS or fighting to push forward any kind of progressive legislation to counter the endless stream of republican witch hunts ...

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Highlight:

Professor Paul Krugman gives the President an A-; says he's the most consequential since... [View all] Hekate Jul 2014 OP

No flames from me. Control-Z Jul 2014 #1

You are most welcome. Hekate Jul 2014 #3

Nor me--I agree w/him. nt MADem Jul 2014 #176

Krugman is correct. Millions of lives will be positively affected..by ACA Stuart G Jul 2014 #2

Great Simple Assessment DallasNE Jul 2014 #22

In 100 years, Reagan and Obama will be remembered for sure yeoman6987 Jul 2014 #30

Obama has indeed carried on the Reagan agenda Doctor_J Jul 2014 #103

He sure is a big Reagan fan. NealK Jul 2014 #110

Reconcile This: "the Republican approach I think has played itself out" DallasNE Jul 2014 #116

That's correct. Obama NEVER said that he agreed with Reagan. BO bashers here twist catbyte Jul 2014 #173

Reagan and Bush's and the U.S.'s downward spiral marias23 Jul 2014 #162

millions? there aren't THAT many insurance executives Doctor_J Jul 2014 #96

An excellent post mcar Jul 2014 #4

Thanks, I needed to see this after reading this dreck: CurtEastPoint Jul 2014 #5

Lotta dreck out there this morning. Like "spineless", with 61 enthusiastic Recs Hekate Jul 2014 #6

Yeah, from that insipid gossip right-wing rag Amonester Jul 2014 #101

Thanks for posting this, Hekate! greatauntoftriplets Jul 2014 #7

He's a waaay better president than Bush! deafskeptic Jul 2014 #8

Incidentally, Krugman's "grade" included Obama's environmental actions. Hekate Jul 2014 #9

Obama gets an A from me on the envioronment; I understand energy science and challenges. NYC_SKP Jul 2014 #69

. Doctor_J Jul 2014 #104

I gather, then, that you're a Hillary Clinton supporter. NYC_SKP Jul 2014 #109

And, he and his wife enjoy vacations where they bike in France's countryside... CTyankee Jul 2014 #87

Give me a break. OK. If he can't have any vacations, then neither can you. PatrickforO Jul 2014 #130

Thanks for sharing; nice to hear that babylonsister Jul 2014 #10

Ha! Hekate Jul 2014 #11

thanks heaven05 Jul 2014 #12

I agree. Unfortunately (and Obama would probably agree with me on this) JDPriestly Jul 2014 #13

Agree with you about Rahm Emmanuel Larkspur Jul 2014 #15

K&R Cali_Democrat Jul 2014 #14

Here is the segment... CTyankee Jul 2014 #16

thank you for the link lovemydog Jul 2014 #24

you are welcome...it's a good day when I can see my hero, Paul, on TV... CTyankee Jul 2014 #29

Same here. And yes, he looks thinner. lovemydog Jul 2014 #56

I wonder if his doc said "lose some weight..." CTyankee Jul 2014 #99

My Grade For O Is C- At Best - By Comparison - Bush Rates A F- cantbeserious Jul 2014 #17

You're very wrong about Krugman, cantbeserious. He is a Liberal all the way Hekate Jul 2014 #23

Economists By Profession - Are Lackeys For The 1% - Even Krugman Was Surprised By Piketty cantbeserious Jul 2014 #25

Krugman is very progressive, a thorough Keynesian, and thought we should have universal CTyankee Jul 2014 #31

Then Why Was He Surprised By Piketty - Krugman Is For Sharing Table Scraps Of The 1% cantbeserious Jul 2014 #34

It has been a little bit since I read his long piece reviewing Piketty and given my aging CTyankee Jul 2014 #41

In An Interview With Bill Moyers - If Memory Serves - He Admitted That He Was Surprised cantbeserious Jul 2014 #43

"surprised" without more could be misleading, don't you think. Surprised by what, exactly? CTyankee Jul 2014 #47

He Admitted Surprise About The Corrosive And Negative Impact Of Generational Wealth cantbeserious Jul 2014 #50

I think you are mis-framing this ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #85

In His Moyers Interview - One Has The Sense - That He Completely Underestimated cantbeserious Jul 2014 #89

Not sure what you mean by "surprised". PK's review of Piketty is very positive. DanTex Jul 2014 #45

Yes - But He Was Surprised By The Influence And Corrosive Impact Of Generational Wealth cantbeserious Jul 2014 #48

Oh I see. Well, he was "surprised" because Piketty presented novel material. DanTex Jul 2014 #53

Yes - However, He Has Not Advocated For Wealth Redistribution - Only Reform - That Is Table Scraps cantbeserious Jul 2014 #54

I'm not sure what you mean. DanTex Jul 2014 #58

On An Arbitrary Scale He Is Progressive - However, He Is Hardly A Champion Of The Kind Of Change cantbeserious Jul 2014 #61

Paul has moved on from Princeton, exactly for the reasons you have missed here... CTyankee Jul 2014 #65

WikiPedia Says Otherwise - See Link Below cantbeserious Jul 2014 #67

hmm, lemme see, wikipedia vs. nobel prize winning economist???? CTyankee Jul 2014 #68

Ah Yes - A Logical Fallacy - Ridicule The Information Without Refutation cantbeserious Jul 2014 #70

Krugman to leave Princeton for CUNY Orangepeel Jul 2014 #79

Seems He Is Still Listed As A Princeton Professor cantbeserious Jul 2014 #82

You really aren't serious erronis Jul 2014 #165

Thank You For The Denigrating Remarks - Now We Know You Are Not Serious cantbeserious Jul 2014 #169

He is for now...he doesn't start at CUNY until either later this year or 2015... CTyankee Jul 2014 #175

his biography at NY Times says something different steve2470 Jul 2014 #73

he hasn't left yet...he assumes his post later, I forget when, but later in the year or maybe early CTyankee Jul 2014 #75

Noted Economist Paul Krugman to Join Graduate Center Faculty in 2015 steve2470 Jul 2014 #77

He said it was what he wanted to do...to teach non-affluent city kids... CTyankee Jul 2014 #78

he's been attacked for his $250K salary but I think that's fair... steve2470 Jul 2014 #80

He is on the forefront of income equality and is living it professionally... CTyankee Jul 2014 #81

BINGO! imthevicar Jul 2014 #148

you can't be serious. Voice for Peace Jul 2014 #39

Satire Is Lost On You? cantbeserious Jul 2014 #40

aha, now I KNOW you can't be serious. Voice for Peace Jul 2014 #42

Aha - Now We Know - That You Are Incapable Of Comprehending Satire cantbeserious Jul 2014 #44

you keep referring to satire but have provided none, so your posts aren't making sense (to me.) Voice for Peace Jul 2014 #46

My User Name - Which Was Denigrated cantbeserious Jul 2014 #66

was denigrated how, exactly? Voice for Peace Jul 2014 #71

Your Post # 39 cantbeserious Jul 2014 #72

gosh Voice for Peace Jul 2014 #74

Just Pointing Out - That's All cantbeserious Jul 2014 #84

Argues for 2+ hours ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #156

I still don't know where the satire is. Voice for Peace Jul 2014 #160

K & R Iliyah Jul 2014 #18

No flames for you! calimary Jul 2014 #19

I agree steve2470 Jul 2014 #20

Obama has done everything in his power to make the economy revive Cooperstown Jul 2014 #21

A- sounds about right. Rex Jul 2014 #26

Thanks for posting wryter2000 Jul 2014 #27

the reality based thinking people should like BO GusBob Jul 2014 #28

K&R BumRushDaShow Jul 2014 #32

yes, many good points. Voice for Peace Jul 2014 #35

Thanks. I remember when Obama made an analogy to the USA as a huge ship that needed careful steering freshwest Jul 2014 #52

aha. we had a mind meld. I KNEW it!! Voice for Peace Jul 2014 #60

Ditto Iliyah Jul 2014 #38

thanks Professor. Thanks Hekate. Voice for Peace Jul 2014 #33

"the many disasters" BumRushDaShow Jul 2014 #59

thanks for that list. Voice for Peace Jul 2014 #62

I don't know where he gets the energy. nt BumRushDaShow Jul 2014 #63

Reminds me of a remark by Howard Dean in 2009 after the inauguration DFW Jul 2014 #137

No flamefest here! Duval Jul 2014 #36

Krugman qualified it correctly... harun Jul 2014 #37

Everyone knows Krugman is a DLC/corporatist/Fascist Capitalist lackey wyldwolf Jul 2014 #49

Missing sarcasm tag? n/t liam_laddie Jul 2014 #83

intentionally left off... like The Onion. :) wyldwolf Jul 2014 #94

Some in this thread are totally in agreement, even if you are in jest Hekate Jul 2014 #106

Better believe it. SunSeeker Jul 2014 #126

President Obama has pushed the envelope... DCBob Jul 2014 #51

Just wait until the Obama generation comes of age Politicub Jul 2014 #55

I believe this too hueymahl Jul 2014 #135

I think A- is fair, and glad he takes in the difficulty factor DesertDiamond Jul 2014 #57

I agree with his grade Knicks007 Jul 2014 #64

What??! That damn know-nothing Krugman. Why I just read on DU that we must not repeate the "terrible Number23 Jul 2014 #76

Please tell me you're kidding. They wanted Paul? Barr? Palin? PUTIN? freshwest Jul 2014 #88

Have no fear. DFW Jul 2014 #138

Actually I know who posted one of those and it wasn't in jest. redqueen Jul 2014 #139

There's a scary thought. n/t DFW Jul 2014 #141

Yep, that's what he said ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #158

DFW, I invoked your name here, can you help us with a question? freshwest Jul 2014 #142

Hope that helped! n/t DFW Jul 2014 #152

You did! Eerie about sounding the same. I thought Sarah could only see Russia, not hear it! freshwest Jul 2014 #154

Sadly, DFW... neither one of those comments was made in jest. Number23 Jul 2014 #163

That is rather depressing to hear n/t DFW Jul 2014 #168

And ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #157

I know. Isn't it the darndest thing? How many "former" Republicans are running around DU Number23 Jul 2014 #164

My Mom always told me ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2014 #170

Excellent thread Hekate.... sheshe2 Jul 2014 #86

I have and have read PK's book sadoldgirl Jul 2014 #90

Aside from his columns, PK has authored "The Conscience of a Liberal" (2007). Here's a link Hekate Jul 2014 #107

K&R Jamaal510 Jul 2014 #91

Excellent. blue neen Jul 2014 #92

Hey Hekate.. thanks for reporting the news of Paul Krugman's assessment of Cha Jul 2014 #93

one of our few liberal journalists has jumped the shark Doctor_J Jul 2014 #95

I think Krugman has nailed it. He's a realist. But he is also someone who wants a better, CTyankee Jul 2014 #97

He used to be in favor of public education, uhc, the environment, fair wages, Doctor_J Jul 2014 #98

I don't know where you are coming from with his...read his blogs on the NYT website... CTyankee Jul 2014 #100

I have been reading Krugman for 20 years Doctor_J Jul 2014 #102

are you sure you are reading Krugman? CTyankee Jul 2014 #105

>sigh< profound disconnect, but he's not alone in that nt Hekate Jul 2014 #108

Be honest Cosmocat Jul 2014 #133

are you factoring in the obstruction from the criminal treasonous republicans? certainot Jul 2014 #147

I'm in agreement with Krugman! rury Jul 2014 #111

Is it necessary to call Krugman "Professor?" JEFF9K Jul 2014 #112

He is one, and was asked to give a "grade" so it seemed appropriate.... Hekate Jul 2014 #114

It's enough to call him Paul Krugman. JEFF9K Jul 2014 #117

Kick! Cha Jul 2014 #113

President Obama has proved to be a great president, prompting outrage and infuriating mikekohr Jul 2014 #115

I cannot +100 this post enough Number23 Jul 2014 #118

Ditto Iliyah Jul 2014 #121

One is known by one's enemies. Especially if they join forces. And they have done so since 2010. freshwest Jul 2014 #144

If you love Trickle Down Reaganomics, Corporate ConservaDem, bipartisanship to a fault, BHO is an A+ blkmusclmachine Jul 2014 #119

Given the vandalism from the GOP..... Prophet 451 Jul 2014 #120

Remember when the GOP/fake news complained that disrespecting the President Iliyah Jul 2014 #122

Unfortunately... nikto Jul 2014 #123

What does Krugman know???! rpannier Jul 2014 #124

eeeps. Good think you remembered the sarcasm thingie. Hekate Jul 2014 #125

I agree. Thanks for the post, Hekate. nt SunSeeker Jul 2014 #127

Interesting. Major Hogwash Jul 2014 #128

Yeah, not so much Cosmocat Jul 2014 #134

Considering he is the first African-American President... PatrickforO Jul 2014 #129

KICK! Cha Jul 2014 #131

Definitely consequential Android3.14 Jul 2014 #132

"We elected a president, we did not anoit a king" mikekohr Jul 2014 #136

The "without perspective" observation is not a little deal DFW Jul 2014 #140

that's the left's fault, for continuing the worst mistake in political history- ignoring RW radio certainot Jul 2014 #146

I'd ask him to define "consequential" stupidicus Jul 2014 #143

correct grade considering circumstances. could have done a lot more if certainot Jul 2014 #145

Love that the people who did not buy the hype in 2008 McCamy Taylor Jul 2014 #149

I am a fan of the professor but if the NSA overreach, the race to the bottom in education, blowing TheKentuckian Jul 2014 #150

well, as you've likely noticed stupidicus Jul 2014 #151

If you listen to the interview (the link is in this thread) and read columns by Krugman you will see Hekate Jul 2014 #153

My mentions of other Presidents was not that Krugman had but rather a rhetorical question to him TheKentuckian Jul 2014 #166

DU rec for pissing off all the right people...nt SidDithers Jul 2014 #155

Yes, her evil plot worked! Major Hogwash Jul 2014 #159

Bwa-ha-ha-ha >rubs hands together< Hekate Jul 2014 #161

why would anyone get "pissed off" stupidicus Jul 2014 #171

I've been posting here for 12 years. I don't do it to annoy -- that comment was a joke. Hekate Jul 2014 #172

well stupidicus Jul 2014 #174

thanks for this. :) n/t BlancheSplanchnik Jul 2014 #167

By those parameters, I'd give him A, too-- and I think he's been a huge disappointment. Marr Jul 2014 #177

Post removed Post removed Jul 2014 #178