Reply #13: We all should make progress reports (that's what I consider them so far)

[mvd]

Grades from me:

Appointments: B-

(the C rationale wasn't mine at all. Yes, Obama loses a few points for withdrawals, but I could care either way about Gates. My B- is for Vilsack, Duncan, Salazar, and not bringing in a fresh economic team. Hillary is a big bright spot, and there are some other real bright spots in the cabinet like Solis and Shinseki. I'm not sure I agree with Chu on nuclear power (I live near a plant, and even looking at it is unpleasant), but he's very intelligent.

Domestic/economic policy: B

(stimulus plan good, education plan not so good, SCHIP good, stem cell research good, global warming plan good, budget deficit good for this economy, tax plan good but unfinished, bank plan leaves me wary (but not understanding all the details, I'll see what it does), health care plan will be better without having to overcome a filibuster, automaker policy maybe not good for all (as they are not one), would like to see NAFTA worker-safety provisions and I'm not sure I'll get that, drug plan should be more open to marijuana legalization, good vision for transportation and energy use, needs to do more on spy program and Patriot Act.)

Foreign policy: B

(Diplomacy has been brought back, and we are forging ties again all around the world. We no longer isolate those we don't feel are worthy - ignoring them does not help. Some deals with companies like Halliburton will be ended. Has ended torture as a practice. Think withdrawal from Iraq should go much more quickly, but at least he still has an end date. I don't think increasing troops in Afghanistan will help - the surge itself didn't help in Iraq - it was the different factions being able to work together. And Iraq isn't near the rosy place painted by the media. Closed Guantanamo Bay prison and released torture documents.)

Being president: A

(How could you not give him an A after Bush? Aside from a couple minor missteps, he has brought honor and intelligence back to the office)

Overall grade: B+ with my curve