The Whiner-in-Chief?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

One year on, Obama cites struggle with Bush legacy

MADISON, Wis. (Reuters) - A year after his historic election, President Barack Obama sought to remind Americans on Wednesday the biggest problems he is grappling with -- from the economy to the war in Afghanistan -- are the legacy of his predecessor, George W. Bush.

With his approval ratings down from once-lofty levels and Tuesday's Democratic election losses raising questions about his political clout, Obama held no special ceremony to mark the anniversary of his election as America's first black president.

He instead traveled to Wisconsin to appear before a friendly audience in a school gymnasium and promote education as a pillar of his economic recovery efforts.

Obama was elected on a promise of sweeping change after eight years under Bush, but many Americans are increasingly expressing impatience that his pledge has yet to bear fruit.

He used the preamble of his speech to insist his administration had indeed had important successes and also to remind Americans of the litany of daunting challenges he inherited when he took office in January.

"One year ago, Americans all across this country went to the polls and cast ballots for the future they wanted to see," Obama said.

But he said his administration was also confronted with a "financial crisis that threatened to plunge our economy into a Great Depression, the worst that we've seen in generations."

"We had record deficits, two wars, frayed alliances around the world," Obama added.

http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/id...-43692420091104

He said his administration had acted swiftly to save the economy from "imminent collapse."

"While we still have a long way to go, we have made meaningful progress toward achieving that goal," he said.

Nine months into his term, Obama's Republican critics have accused him of overplaying the "blame card" against Bush, a Republican who left office with one of the lowest poll ratings of any modern president.

Obama has seen his own approval numbers fall to the 50 percent range from above 70 percent as he struggles to push through a healthcare overhaul, reverse massive job losses and decide whether to send more troops to an increasingly unpopular war in Afghanistan.

He took another hit to his political standing on Tuesday when voters elected Republicans in state governors' races in Virginia and New Jersey despite his personal campaigning for the Democratic candidates. The White House denied the election losses were in any way a referendum on the president.

http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/id...04?pageNumber=2

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Please, we know who the Whiner-in-Chief is:

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

A cry baby posting a cry baby?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

"We had record deficits, two wars, frayed alliances around the world," Obama added.

Is any of that factually wrong? Is it out of style to speak about the facts?

A cry baby posting a cry baby?

yawn...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

"We had record deficits, two wars, frayed alliances around the world," Obama added.

Is any of that factually wrong? Is it out of style to speak about the facts?

Bill just likes to whine about what he perceives as others whining. There's a lot of irony right there.

[nowhereman 1]

I'd say at first Obama legitimately blamed the Bush administration for the pile of fecal matter he inherited, but as time passes Obama should take more responsibility for the state of the nation. Recent polls suggest that Americans believe this as well, as they now blame Obama nearly as much as Bush for the problems we face as a nation.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

"We had record deficits, two wars, frayed alliances around the world," Obama added.

Is any of that factually wrong? Is it out of style to speak about the facts?

I think Americans want to see more results, and less excuses. If Obama can't do the job, he should step aside, and give Joe a chance.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'd say at first Obama legitimately blamed the Bush administration for the pile of fecal matter he inherited, but as time passes Obama should take more responsibility for the state of the nation. Recent polls suggest that Americans believe this as well, as they now blame Obama nearly as much as Bush for the problems we face as a nation.

If you're talking about public perception, I would tend to agree. However, people misinterpret legitimate criticism with assigning blame. In fact, I don't even think the word 'blame' is really appropriate, but rather assigning responsibility. I know to some, they don't see any difference....but to them I'd say - try that with your spouse. See if they respond better to you outright blaming them vs. holding them accountable for what they were responsible for.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I'd say at first Obama legitimately blamed the Bush administration for the pile of fecal matter he inherited, but as time passes Obama should take more responsibility for the state of the nation. Recent polls suggest that Americans believe this as well, as they now blame Obama nearly as much as Bush for the problems we face as a nation.

If you're talking about public perception, I would tend to agree. However, people misinterpret legitimate criticism with assigning blame. In fact, I don't even think the word 'blame' is really appropriate, but rather assigning responsibility. I know to some, they don't see any difference....but to them I'd say - try that with your spouse. See if they respond better to you outright blaming them vs. holding them accountable for what they were responsible for.

I take it you will be sleeping on the couch tonight?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I'd say at first Obama legitimately blamed the Bush administration for the pile of fecal matter he inherited, but as time passes Obama should take more responsibility for the state of the nation. Recent polls suggest that Americans believe this as well, as they now blame Obama nearly as much as Bush for the problems we face as a nation.

Right on!

A Commander cannot afford to stand around with his thumb up his #######, assigning "responsibility" to his predecessors.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'd say at first Obama legitimately blamed the Bush administration for the pile of fecal matter he inherited, but as time passes Obama should take more responsibility for the state of the nation. Recent polls suggest that Americans believe this as well, as they now blame Obama nearly as much as Bush for the problems we face as a nation.

If you're talking about public perception, I would tend to agree. However, people misinterpret legitimate criticism with assigning blame. In fact, I don't even think the word 'blame' is really appropriate, but rather assigning responsibility. I know to some, they don't see any difference....but to them I'd say - try that with your spouse. See if they respond better to you outright blaming them vs. holding them accountable for what they were responsible for.

I take it you will be sleeping on the couch tonight?

[nowhereman 1]

I'd say at first Obama legitimately blamed the Bush administration for the pile of fecal matter he inherited, but as time passes Obama should take more responsibility for the state of the nation. Recent polls suggest that Americans believe this as well, as they now blame Obama nearly as much as Bush for the problems we face as a nation.

If you're talking about public perception, I would tend to agree. However, people misinterpret legitimate criticism with assigning blame. In fact, I don't even think the word 'blame' is really appropriate, but rather assigning responsibility. I know to some, they don't see any difference....but to them I'd say - try that with your spouse. See if they respond better to you outright blaming them vs. holding them accountable for what they were responsible for.

Yea blame has a negative connotation so I see your point. The Right Wing loves to gloss over the fact that Bush was an awful President & "blame" Obama for everything. Likewise the Left Wing loves to "blame" Bush for everything & give Obama a pass. Like most things reality is somewhere in between: there is the Right Wing version, the Left Wing version & the truth.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'd say at first Obama legitimately blamed the Bush administration for the pile of fecal matter he inherited, but as time passes Obama should take more responsibility for the state of the nation. Recent polls suggest that Americans believe this as well, as they now blame Obama nearly as much as Bush for the problems we face as a nation.

If you're talking about public perception, I would tend to agree. However, people misinterpret legitimate criticism with assigning blame. In fact, I don't even think the word 'blame' is really appropriate, but rather assigning responsibility. I know to some, they don't see any difference....but to them I'd say - try that with your spouse. See if they respond better to you outright blaming them vs. holding them accountable for what they were responsible for.

Yea blame has a negative connotation so I see your point. The Right Wing loves to gloss over the fact that Bush was an awful President & "blame" Obama for everything. Likewise the Left Wing loves to "blame" Bush for everything & give Obama a pass. Like most things reality is somewhere in between: there is the Right Wing version, the Left Wing version & the truth.

Oh, don't forget Clinton and Carter. There were many prominent Republicans openly blaming both Clinton and Carter for the economic fallout during Bush's presidency. Nah, Bill just likes to whine by matter of convenience.

[Jasman0717 9]

It's always the other guy's fault isn't it

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

To deny an administration - any administration - the opportunity to put it's actions into proper context is ridiculous. They don't operate in some vacuum but rather shape policy based on where we come from, where we are at any given point in time and where it intents to go from here. When you inherit an economy in free fall and then operate on an unreasonable expectation that the economy is to grow strongly within a few months of taking office, it apparently needs reminding the public what the situation was when you took office. For all those that haven't noticed or chose not to notice, the economy is no longer in free fall.