Obama's Record So Far:

[fivepoint]

I thought this clip from SNL would be a humorous way to start a discussion regarding Obama's record so far... Lets talk about where he has succeeded, where he has failed, what he has accomplished and what he has let languish. For the liberals out there, has BO lived up to your expectations for the first year? (really it's only been about 9 months) For the conservatives, have you been pleased with the 'change' BO has attempted to push through?

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/clips/obama-address/1163263/

For those of you who don't want to watch the video, here's the list provided by SNL.
Close Guantanamo Bay. No.
Out of Iraq. No.
Improve Afghanistan. No.
Health Care Reform. No.
Global Warming. No.
Immigration Reform. No.
Gays in the Military. No.
Limits on Executive Powers. No.
Torture Prosecutions. No.
Helped Japan sell more cars. Yes.
Killed a Fly on TV. Yes.

The two big accomplishments he claims? "Jack, and squat." :)

[thegoldenmackid]

I mean "Improve" Afghanistan is not really easy to judge.

Gitmo seems to be getting closed, even if they have no clue when it will be finished.
The only thing I could care about him not doing in the first nine months is DADT, given that that is one of the only issues he could solve "overnight."

[Peace]

So this "news" is based on Saturday Night Live ? A comedy show ?

[fivepoint]

So this "news" is based on Saturday Night Live ? A comedy show ?

Where did I claim it was news? I claimed it to be a 'humorous way to start a discussion regarding Obama's record so far.' Suggestion: read before you react.

[mkrishnan]

OT, but that's the saddest presidential impersonation SNL has put forth in decades.... :rolleyes:

[thejadedmonkey]

Killed a Fly on TV. Yes.

Then we've still accomplished more in 9 months then we did in the past 8 years. What can I say, being at a stand-still is still better then going backwards
:rolleyes:

On an unrelated note, did anyone see Capitalism - A Love story? It makes me dislike the dems & GOP even more!

[fivepoint]

As a fiscal conservative, I'd have to say that my biggest dissapointment with the Obama administration, although not a surprise, is their unprecedented spending binge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5yxFtTwDcc) and seeming non-shaulant attitude towards spending our money and our children's future on entitlement programs today.

For frame of reference, the 2008 deficit under big-government big-spender Bush (no sarcasm), was the largest in history at the time: $459 B. CBO's estimate of Obama's 2009 deficit: $1,845 B (http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/100xx/doc10014/03-20-PresidentBudget.pdf).

The cumulative deficit in Bush's first seven years (2001-2007): $1.5 trillion. CBO's estimate of Mr. Obama's first seven deficits (2009-2015): $7.1 trillion. (http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/federal_govt_finances_employment/federal_budget--receipts_outlays_and_debt.html)

[Peace]

Where did I claim it was news? I claimed it to be a 'humorous way to start a discussion regarding Obama's record so far.' Suggestion: read before you react.


I did read. Before you edited the post.;)

[.Andy]

I've never been a fan of saturday night live. Some stuff is funny but I've never really got it. I think it might translate poorly outside of america. A lot of the writing and delivery seems really forced. Which I don't really feel when watching british comedy for instance.

[bradl]

I mean "Improve" Afghanistan is not really easy to judge.

Gitmo seems to be getting closed, even if they have no clue when it will be finished.
The only thing I could care about him not doing in the first nine months is DADT, given that that is one of the only issues he could solve "overnight."

Which leads to my point.

A little over 9 years ago, GWB told everyone at the RNC that he was going to restore 'honor and dignity' to the White House. In fact, he won the election on that (and suing his opponent). So we let him and left to his devices to restore 'honor and dignity' to the White House. 8 years later, not only has he failed to do that, but he dragged this country into 3 different recessions, spent tons of money on a useless war, bailed out 3 banks with no oversight into how the money was spent, and turned a government surplus into a multibillion dollar deficit.

And worst of all, all of it was done over his entire 8 year period. Yet those right-wing (neo)conservatives expect Obama to fulfill all of his promises within the first 8 - 9 months of his term, and even now, they are calling him a failure. 9 months versus 8 years.

The right have no sense of delayed gratification, and are pathetic because they couldn't get the job done themselves over 8 years. They don't even deserve the moniker of 'GOP'; they lost that after Reagan.

BL.

[PlaceofDis]

I've never been a fan of saturday night live. Some stuff is funny but I've never really got it. I think it might translate poorly outside of america. A lot of the writing and delivery seems really forced. Which I don't really feel when watching british comedy for instance.

SNL is just bad. not funny anymore and hasn't been for years.

[mkrishnan]

SNL is just bad. not funny anymore and hasn't been for years.

In politics, some of their Sarah Palin stuff with Tina Fey and some of their McCain and Hilary Clinton stuff was funny during the election... this, I don't think was an issue of translation -- this was just bad -- it wasn't a compelling parody of Obama's speaking style, etc. Most of their really good political parodies hinge on picking up on one or two really funny things a politician does and amplifying them. Like the "Thousand Points of Light" and "Read My Lips" moments and a few others for George H. W. Bush, and so on. But the problem here is that if he weren't sitting in the Oval Office, you wouldn't know that the actor was pretending to be Obama at all.

[rdowns]

SNL is just bad. not funny anymore and hasn't been for years.

Even though their best years are behind them, I still Tivo it. Always good for a few laughs. This year, I haven't laughed once. Just terrible.

[Shivetya]

I mean "Improve" Afghanistan is not really easy to judge.



Yeah it is, The Taliban smell blood and fear and so are ramping up to make Obama run like a dog with his tail between his legs.

Bets are he will.

[.Andy]

SNL is just bad. not funny anymore and hasn't been for years.

Even though their best years are behind them, I still Tivo it. Always good for a few laughs. This year, I haven't laughed once. Just terrible.
What has changed? Is it the writing or are the newer comedians just not up to scratch?

[rdowns]

What has changed? Is it the writing or are the newer comedians just not up to scratch?

Yes.

[MacNut]

The celebrity family feud skit was decent last night.

[FX120]

This is a more serious look at the topic:

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/

[leekohler]

Saturday Night Live is still on? :eek: Who watches it? That show hasn't been good since the original cast. And yes, I did watch the original cast when it aired.

[andrew upstairs]

SNL is just bad. not funny anymore and hasn't been for years.People have been saying that since the second season.

It's always been hit and miss.

[Desertrat]

The list could just as well have come from any major daily newspaper. This clown has made himself look bad at every opportunity, whether it has to do with his silly shtick during the campaign or his doings while in office. Bad enough he played the race card during the Prof. Gates brouhaha, and now he's made himself look foolish with the trip to Denmark at the behest of his goodbuddy Daley.

The GM/Chrysler debacle, the clunkercash thing, the ongoing bank bailiout nonsense, hey, the list is near-endless. He's even working hard to raise the cost of living, what with his hostility toward the energy industry and the carbon-tax deal. His income tax ideas will have a serious negative impact, as well.

What's not to laugh at?

And if Bush was so dumb/stupid/bad, how come the Big O is continuing or even doing moreso of the same dumb/stupid/bad stuff? How smart is that?

'Rat

[NT1440]

The list could just as well have come from any major daily newspaper. This clown has made himself look bad at every opportunity, whether it has to do with his silly shtick during the campaign or his doings while in office. Bad enough he played the race card during the Prof. Gates brouhaha, and now he's made himself look foolish with the trip to Denmark at the behest of his goodbuddy Daley.

The GM/Chrysler debacle, the clunkercash thing, the ongoing bank bailiout nonsense, hey, the list is near-endless. He's even working hard to raise the cost of living, what with his hostility toward the energy industry and the carbon-tax deal. His income tax ideas will have a serious negative impact, as well.

What's not to laugh at?

And if Bush was so dumb/stupid/bad, how come the Big O is continuing or even doing moreso of the same dumb/stupid/bad stuff? How smart is that?

'Rat
No coffee today? You're posts are usually quite level headed without having to resort to name calling and boiling down complex situations to the point where they no longer resemble reality. I love the broad generalizations with no explanations as well :rolleyes:

[bobber205]

No coffee today? You're posts are usually quite level headed without having to resort to name calling and boiling down complex situations to the point where they no longer resemble reality. I love the broad generalizations with no explanations as well :rolleyes:

I'm pretty sure his signature is from Revelations and is seems to be referring to Obama's "Czars" (most of which have been around for a long time) .

EDIT:
Err nvm. I would have swore there was a line like that in Rev. but I googled the phrase and it's in the Dec of Independence. Guess that's what I get for not doing my research. ;)

My point stands.

[leekohler]

The list could just as well have come from any major daily newspaper. This clown has made himself look bad at every opportunity, whether it has to do with his silly shtick during the campaign or his doings while in office. Bad enough he played the race card during the Prof. Gates brouhaha, and now he's made himself look foolish with the trip to Denmark at the behest of his goodbuddy Daley.

The GM/Chrysler debacle, the clunkercash thing, the ongoing bank bailiout nonsense, hey, the list is near-endless. He's even working hard to raise the cost of living, what with his hostility toward the energy industry and the carbon-tax deal. His income tax ideas will have a serious negative impact, as well.

Income tax ideas? You mean like letting the tax cuts on the rich lapse? Why would that be negative? It's not. Those cuts did nothing that conservatives claimed they would. No big surprise there though. Trickle down has never worked.

And how is the GM/Chrysler thing a a debacle again?

And ya know- who needs a clean environment? :rolleyes:

[Iscariot]

And ya know- who needs a clean environment? :rolleyes:

So many of the anti-environment crowd are soft. Surrounded by their amenities, they've grown fat. Without the environment to sustain them, they're weak, slow… tender. And then there's people like me. Young, strong, trained, with just enough teeth for the job.

I am the monster under the bed, do you really want to turn out the lights?

[djellison]

When an entire nation has been dragged into the middle of a great big pile of crap for 8 years... getting out is going to involve through more it if, and getting some of it on your shoes.

He's the President - not a bloody miracle worker.

[bemylover]

Obama's record so far is unimpressive, to say the least. I think he should acknowledge that some of the problems he's facing can not be solved, so he should concentrate on the ones that have a chance of success. Otherwise he has a good chance of failing at every one of them. For example, war in Afghanistan is going nowhere and additional 20 or 40 thousand troops will not change that. The best he can do there is pull out US troops ASAP. Also I think it is impossible to coerce Iran to give up its nuclear program, neither sanctions nor military strikes can do that. And military strikes can cause some very unpleasant consequences, not least of which is turning Iraq into a mess once again. Iraq, on the other hand, can be a success story, so IMO, Obama has to concentrate on that.

[Desertrat]

NT1440, all I did was list some of the various items from the daily papers, since Inauguration Day. Damned sad list, for sure.

bobber205, aren't you glad you edited? :D

How did "anti-environment" get into the thread? What does it have to do with GM? The takeover was a payoff to the UAW and is already proving to be of short-term benefit. Clunkercash sold next year's cars today, so there won't be as many sales next year. Fewer sales is what got GM et al into deep doo-doo to begin with; I don't see how more of the same will help.

Iscariot, don't go to judging others by yourself, okay? I was pro-NEPA '69 before Nixon signed it. Four years of professional work for the Coastal Zone Management Program, for that matter. Soft? I live in a desert. You don't do that and be soft either physically or mentally.

Tax cuts lead to increased economic activity, which means more transactions and profits to tax. Less income per transaction, but far more transactions. So, you raise taxes and after a short-term increase, the amount of activity falls off and so does income. Sorry, folks, that's the history of the numbers. Another part of the downside is that as it raises the costs to business, prices go up--which hits those who don't pay income tax.

Carbon tax? The only argument is how MUCH your cost of living will rise. We already have been warned of refinery shutdowns.

Then there's monetary policy, which I first started griping about with Bush/Congress foolishness with such as TARP, saving their buddies at the big investment banks. To repeat: There has been no change. And just today I found an article with views from people at the Bank for International Settlements:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig10/marshall2.1.1.html

Y'all may think I've been spouting hot air with my past negativism about economic matters, but there's nothing in the article to contradict one thing I've ever posted.

But as I asked before: If Obama is doing the same as Bush--and in many areas, he is--then how is that which was said to be foolish now beocme wisdom?

'Rat

[NT1440]

This clown has made himself look bad at every opportunity, whether it has to do with his silly shtick during the campaign or his doings while in office. Bad enough he played the race card during the Prof. Gates brouhaha, and now he's made himself look foolish with the trip to Denmark at the behest of his goodbuddy Daley.

The GM/Chrysler debacle, the clunkercash thing, the ongoing bank bailiout nonsense, hey, the list is near-endless. He's even working hard to raise the cost of living, what with his hostility toward the energy industry and the carbon-tax deal. His income tax ideas will have a serious negative impact, as well.

What's not to laugh at?

And if Bush was so dumb/stupid/bad, how come the Big O is continuing or even doing moreso of the same dumb/stupid/bad stuff? How smart is that?

'Rat

NT1440, all I did was list some of the various items from the daily papers, since Inauguration Day. Damned sad list, for sure.



Funniest looking list I've ever seen. :rolleyes:

The race card? Really? Jumping to conclusions is now known as the race card because Obama is half black?

[leekohler]

How did "anti-environment" get into the thread? What does it have to do with GM? The takeover was a payoff to the UAW and is already proving to be of short-term benefit. Clunkercash sold next year's cars today, so there won't be as many sales next year. Fewer sales is what got GM et al into deep doo-doo to begin with; I don't see how more of the same will help.

Stop using the word "takeover" all the time, and maybe I'll be inclined to listen. You know damn well it's not a takeover and I've illustrated that for you before. You wanna have honest debate? Use honest terms.



Tax cuts lead to increased economic activity, which means more transactions and profits to tax. Less income per transaction, but far more transactions. So, you raise taxes and after a short-term increase, the amount of activity falls off and so does income. Sorry, folks, that's the history of the numbers. Another part of the downside is that as it raises the costs to business, prices go up--which hits those who don't pay income tax.


Uh huh. Worked real well for the last 8 years, didn't it? Great economy we had, 'rat. All those new jobs we got! Please.

[NT1440]

Uh huh. Worked real well for the last 8 years, didn't it? Great economy we had, 'rat. All those new jobs we got! Please.

B-b-but if the wealthy have to pay the same percentage they did before (its not a tax increase as Lee said, its letting the cuts expire as they were scheduled to), how will they ever be able to afford nice things and keep the economy going??:rolleyes:

Trickle down simply doesn't work, and sure as hell pisses off the lower classes.

[Iscariot]

Iscariot, don't go to judging others by yourself, okay? I was pro-NEPA '69 before Nixon signed it. Four years of professional work for the Coastal Zone Management Program, for that matter. Soft? I live in a desert. You don't do that and be soft either physically or mentally.

How did you miss that my post was a joke about chasing down and eating people in a post-apocalyptic world :confused:

[.Andy]

When you read sources like Michelle Malkin, zombie-ism and post-apocalyptic worlds don't seem parody or far-fetched.

[Gelfin]

When you read sources like Michelle Malkin, zombie-ism and post-apocalyptic worlds don't seem parody or far-fetched.

When I read sources like Michelle Malkin, I begin to suspect they've already arrived.

[Desertrat]

leekohler, what was the GM deal EXCEPT as a takeover?

The power and influence of the presidency forced a private sector CEO to resign.

The power and influence of the presidency was used to deprive bondholders of the standard--historic, way over a century--proccess of bankruptcy proceedings, forcing them to take worthless stock in a bankrupt company.

The power and influence of the presidency was used to transfer an ownership position to the UAW instead of being part of the larger share merited by the bondholders.

The Canadian government was stiffed, with their only option being to take shares for which the value must be $111 for break-even.

And to add insult to injury, the spinmeisters claimed that they had created a $48 billion entity. Er, uh, one leetlle problem: For that to be true, the stock must reach $60 per share.

I note that sales are down a mere 45%, and the last time I looked, the stock couldn't yet be traded.

So, yeah, "takeover" is a quite accurate word.

[Eraserhead]

leekohler, what was the GM deal EXCEPT as a takeover?

What else could he have done, sacrifice 2 million jobs?

[leekohler]

leekohler, what was the GM deal EXCEPT as a takeover?

The power and influence of the presidency forced a private sector CEO to resign.

The power and influence of the presidency was used to deprive bondholders of the standard--historic, way over a century--proccess of bankruptcy proceedings, forcing them to take worthless stock in a bankrupt company.

The power and influence of the presidency was used to transfer an ownership position to the UAW instead of being part of the larger share merited by the bondholders.

The Canadian government was stiffed, with their only option being to take shares for which the value must be $111 for break-even.

And to add insult to injury, the spinmeisters claimed that they had created a $48 billion entity. Er, uh, one leetlle problem: For that to be true, the stock must reach $60 per share.

I note that sales are down a mere 45%, and the last time I looked, the stock couldn't yet be traded.

So, yeah, "takeover" is a quite accurate word.

It was a bailout. As soon as they pay back the money, they're on their own again-same with the banks. Until then, we damn well have a say in how the company is run. It's our money. Unless of course, you think we should just hand companies tax payer money with no conditions and no say.

[hulugu]

....
Close Guantanamo Bay. No.

Well, while the administration is warning that it may miss it's self-imposed January 22, 2010 deadline, it's clear that a process has been established. (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/us/politics/29gitmo.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Guantanamo%20Bay&st=cse)

Out of Iraq. No.

Under the current plan, 142,000 troops will withdraw by August 2010 (http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/the-early-word-a-new-iraq-strategy/?scp=2&sq=troops%20leave%20Iraq&st=Search).

Improve Afghanistan. No.

Seriously? Someone actually expected the Obama administration to fix something that took the Bush administration seven years to get embroiled in? Fixing the COINTEL strategy in Afghanistan is going to take more than a summer.

Health Care Reform. No.

Another very hard and complex problem, this one beset by serious political opposition. Again, anyone who expected this to be knocked out before Labor Day doesn't have a clue.

Global Warming. No.
Immigration Reform. No.
Gays in the Military. No.

King Canute. Obama can't be reasonably expected to fix any of these things even in one term, much less one year.

But, for Gays in the Military, Obama has made a few symbolic strides (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/us/politics/01military.html?scp=2&sq=gays%20in%20military&st=Search) which could help legislation later in his term. Clinton famously made the mistake of dealing with this issue at first, harming his credibility with the military and possibly making it more difficult to do something about it later. Also, compared to the other issues above, this one should be on the back-burner.

Limits on Executive Powers. No.

In this, I agree, the administration has failed to take serious steps towards blunting the unitary executive. I'd like to see more.

Torture Prosecutions. No.

In August, the Justice Department was criticized for beginning an independent probe into CIA interrogations (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/us/politics/28intel.html).

As you pointed out, it's been nine months, which seems like a rather short time to complete what are major policy decisions in each case.

Now, I'm still unhappy with the administration, but I don't think it's fair to expect that the above problems, many of them extraordinarily complex and controversial, could be fixed by Labor Day. Of course, maybe my picture of what the Obama administration was going to do (or McCain's for that matter) was more realistic.

Furthermore, I have problems with administration's current view with regard to the USA PATRIOT Act, I disagree with the 'bailouts' to the major banks, and I'm still bothered by the government's 'bailout' of GM. I'm also frustrated by the lack of infrastructure development in the current stimulus, as well as the slow pace of the payments.

There are valid critiques of the administration, but SNL's list seems sophomoric.

[leekohler]

I disagree with the 'bailouts' to the major banks, and I'm still bothered by the government's 'bailout' of GM. I'm also frustrated by the lack of infrastructure development in the current stimulus, as well as the slow pace of the payments.



I disagreed with the bailouts as well. But I will not sit here and let the right characterize them as a "takeover". It's disingenuous and hampers productive discussion.

[hulugu]

...Tax cuts lead to increased economic activity, which means more transactions and profits to tax. Less income per transaction, but far more transactions. So, you raise taxes and after a short-term increase, the amount of activity falls off and so does income. Sorry, folks, that's the history of the numbers. Another part of the downside is that as it raises the costs to business, prices go up--which hits those who don't pay income tax.

This argument has been made again and again, but doesn't this sound a little like the "we'll sell it for nothing, but we'll make up for it in volume" joke.
It's clear that there's a middle ground between taxation policies and I'd argue that the Bush administration's failure to cut spending while cutting taxes has helped lead us to a difficult point. There's a balance.

Carbon tax? The only argument is how MUCH your cost of living will rise. We already have been warned of refinery shutdowns.

Possibly, although companies have made this argument for every possible policy that could affect their bottom line. The same discussion was had during the promotion of the Clean Air Act and yet, that particular policy was a boon to the US economy.

That said, I don't like the current bills coming through Congress. It's a giveaway to corporations and fails to protect our air while simultaneously creating an expensive and complicated structure of laws.

Then there's monetary policy, which I first started griping about with Bush/Congress foolishness with such as TARP, saving their buddies at the big investment banks. To repeat: There has been no change. And just today I found an article with views from people at the Bank for International Settlements:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig10/marshall2.1.1.html

Y'all may think I've been spouting hot air with my past negativism about economic matters, but there's nothing in the article to contradict one thing I've ever posted.

But as I asked before: If Obama is doing the same as Bush--and in many areas, he is--then how is that which was said to be foolish now beocme wisdom?

'Rat I think your critique is valid, although I have to ask, what should the Obama administration have done the day after Inauguration with the economic sliding into the abyss? An honest and serious question that I don't feel has been answered and while critiques may be valid, I wonder if the opposition has a real plan or it just sitting in the theater and throwing popcorn at the stage.

[PcBgone]

It was a bailout. As soon as they pay back the money, they're on their own again-same with the banks. Until then, we damn well have a say in how the company is run. It's our money. Unless of course, you think we should just hand companies tax payer money with no conditions and no say.

Really? A bailout? Are you kidding me? Chrysler is getting ready to close its doors, do you think we are going to see a penny back from the money we gave them?

[geese]

Really? A bailout? Are you kidding me? Chrysler is getting ready to close its doors, do you think we are going to see a penny back from the money we gave them?

Not quite true. The bailout enabled Fiat to take a stake in Chrysler, so they have a last chance to make it. Its a gamble, but it might just work.

[leekohler]

Really? A bailout? Are you kidding me? Chrysler is getting ready to close its doors, do you think we are going to see a penny back from the money we gave them?

Close it's doors? Link please.

[obeygiant]

It's our money. Unless of course, you think we should just hand companies tax payer money with no conditions and no say.

Really? I've not gotten any questionnaires asking me about what to do with the money.

The US government owns 50-70% of GM like when the capitalist state steps in to guarantee some of the profits and the functioning of critical industries.

Possibly similar to when Nixon created Amtrak in the early 70s.

[xlii]

Look on the bright side people! He's taken lots of cool vacations, eaten at lots of trendy restaurants... around the globe. All on the taxpayers dime. Who wouldn't want a job like that?

Plus, we didn't hire him because he was good... we hired him because his wife looks good in a sleeveless dress.

[yg17]

Look on the bright side people! He's taken lots of cool vacations, eaten at lots of trendy restaurants... around the globe. All on the taxpayers dime. Who wouldn't want a job like that?

Plus, we didn't hire him because he was good... we hired him because his wife looks good in a sleeveless dress.

And Bush never took a vacation :rolleyes:

[leekohler]

Really? I've not gotten any questionnaires asking me about what to do with the money.

The US government owns 50-70% of GM like when the capitalist state steps in to guarantee some of the profits and the functioning of critical industries.

Possibly similar to when Nixon created Amtrak in the early 70s.

You don't vote? That's your questionnaire.

When GM pays back the cash, they can do what they want. Until then, the government and the people have a say in how that money is used. Again, unless you think money should just be thrown at them with no strings.

Look- I didn't like the bailouts either, but as long as they have taxpayer money, the government has a say.

[bobber205]

Look on the bright side people! He's taken lots of cool vacations, eaten at lots of trendy restaurants... around the globe. All on the taxpayers dime. Who wouldn't want a job like that?

Plus, we didn't hire him because he was good... we hired him because his wife looks good in a sleeveless dress.

Bush spent 2 years on vacation.

[rdowns]

Bush spent 2 years on vacation in his first term.


Fixed that for you.

[Sky Blue]

Polifact has an article up on this:

Hey SNL! We've rated Obama's promises!
By Angie Drobnic Holan
Published on Monday, October 5th, 2009 at 10:03 a.m.

On Saturday Night Live, President Obama (played by actor Fred Armisen) said he hadn't kept his promises.

A Saturday Night Live skit over the weekend showed President Barack Obama admitting what he's accomplished so far: "jack" and "squat."

"There are those on the right who are angry. They think that I'm turning this great country into something that resembles the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany, but that's just not the case," said actor Fred Armisen, who plays Obama. "When you look at my record it's very clear what I've done so far and that is — nothing. Nada. Almost one year and nothing to show for it."

Armisen-Obama then went through a checklist to show all the things he hasn't accomplished, with the categories of "Done" and "Not Done." (Watch the video.)

Here at PolitiFact, however, we're tracking Obama's 515 promises with our Obameter, which rates them as Promise Kept, Promise Broken, Compromise, Stalled, In the Works and No Action.

Just for fun, we thought we'd go through Saturday Night Live's checklist and match it up with the promises we've rated on the Obameter.

• "Close Guantanamo Bay - Not Done." We've rated Obama's promise No. 177 Close the Guantanamo Detention Center as Stalled. Congress has been reluctant to fund the closure and press reports have indicated progress is not proceeding as the White House had hoped. Still, Obama gave himself a year to get this done, and that's not until January 2010.

• "Out of Iraq - Not Done." Actually, Obama did not promise to have troops out during his first year; he promised to remove them in approximately 16 months. We rated Obama's promise No. 125, Direct military leaders to end the war in Iraq, as Promise Kept and his promise No. 126, Begin removing combat troops from Iraq, as In the Works.

• "Improve Afghanistan - Worse." The promise we've rated on Afghanistan is No. 134, Send two additional brigades to Afghanistan. We've rated this Promise Kept.

• "Health Care Reform - Hell No." We rated Promise No. 433, Sign a "universal" health care bill, as In the Works. With health care legislation pending in Congress, many of Obama's campaign promises about health care reform are rated In the Works.

• "Global Warming - Not Done." One of Obama's top promises on global warming is No. 456, Create cap and trade system with interim goals to reduce global warming. Congress is considering legislation on this, so we've rated it In the Works.

• "Immigration Reform - Not Done." Promise No. 288, Provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, is rated No Action.

• "Gays in the military - Not Done." We rated Promise No. 293, Call for repeal of "Don't ask, don't tell" policy, as Stalled.

• "Limits on executive powers - Not Done." We rated promise No. 516, No signing statements to nullify instructions from Congress, as Compromise.

• "Torture prosecutions - Not Done." Obama never promised to prosecute people who tortured terror suspects. He did make promise No. 175, End the use of torture, which we rated In the Works.

Obama has also broken some promises that Saturday Night Live did not mention. There's No. 240, Tougher rules against revolving door for lobbyists and former officials; No. 234, Allow five days of public comment before signing bills; and No. 24, End income tax for seniors making less than $50,000. See the full list of promises we've rated Promise Broken.

"So please stop saying this country is on the road to socialism," Armisen-Obama concluded. "If that were actually the case, I'd be making some real changes. Instead it took me four months to pick out a dog."

Actually, we found it took Obama five months to fulfill promise No. 502, Get his daughters a puppy.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/oct/05/saturday-night-live-obama-campaign-promises/

[yg17]

Polifact has an article up on this:



http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/oct/05/saturday-night-live-obama-campaign-promises/

So let me see if I have this right....because everything Obama promised to do over 4 years hasn't been done in 10 months, he's a terrible president who hasn't kept any campaign promises.

[bradl]

So let me see if I have this right....because everything Obama promised to do over 4 years hasn't been done in 10 months, he's a terrible president who hasn't kept any campaign promises.

That's exactly what the right wants you to believe. They are so full of fail.

BL.

[BoyBach]

The two big accomplishments he claims? "Jack, and squat." :)


Did you seriously think that Pres. Obama could undo, in nine months, the fustercluck caused by the eight year Axis of Evil™ that was Bush and Cheney?

[Dagless]

Did you seriously think that Pres. Obama could undo, in nine months, the fustercluck caused by the eight year Axis of Evil™ that was Bush and Cheney?

Thems my thoughts. Sure Obama had short term plans that haven't panned out so quickly, but at least he's not going taking steps back.

[Zombie Acorn]

Did you seriously think that Pres. Obama could undo, in nine months, the fustercluck caused by the eight year Axis of Evil™ that was Bush and Cheney?

Are we really heading to undo the flustecluck or are we perpetuating it? I will believe we are on the right track once we pull all troops from the middle east and if Obama gets really crazy we might pull some from germany, japan, and a few other locations.

[Eraserhead]

I will believe we are on the right track once we pull all troops from the middle east and if Obama gets really crazy we might pull some from germany, japan, and a few other locations.

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea - we should do the same really IMO.