Obama's 100 Day Report Card: Fail

Last week, Politico highlighted “seven things the White House wants reporters to write” about Obama’s first 100 days in office…

Here’s each point, and my rebuttal.

Obama is a promise-keeper.

Now, a few bloggers, including myself, have regularly blogged about Obama’s broken promises for American Issues Project for a couple months now. There has been no lack of material for this. His broken promises range from such things as failing to recognize the Armenian genocide, despite saying he would during the campaign. Other broken promises include not taxing the poor, getting a rescue dog for his daughters, leading by principle rather than polls, cutting spending, not negotiating with Hamas, just to name a few.

And his promise for more transparency was clearly bogus as well.

This NRSC ad pretty much sums it up

Obama is a game-changer.

Obama may be changing things, but not for the better. And clearly, his belief that reaching out to our enemies would strengthen us is beyond absurd and shows no sign of producing results. Despite original reports that Obama made significant progress with Raul Castro regarding human rights, freedom of the press, political prisoners, etc., it was revealed a few days later that Obama “misintepreted” Castro’s comments. Obama, in seeking the approval of foreign leaders, resorts to blaming and apologizing for the United States for various things, undermining our moral authority.

Obama is the decider.

If Obama is the decider, then how come he claims he was unaware of the AIG bonuses shifting blame away from himself and towards Chris Dodd. If Obama is the decider, what does that say about his poor decisions in choosing his cabinet? What does that say about his lack of immediate, decisive action with the Somali pirate hostage mess? Obama has shown zero accountability in his 100 days and probably won’t ever. 

Obama’s not in the bubble.

Obama claimed to be unaware of the tax day tea parties. Obama claimed to be unaware of the AIG bonuses, which he signed into law. He has actually claimed to unaware of a lot of things recently. So, it certainly looks like he is in a bubble.

Obama is not FDR. / Obama is FDR.

Obama’s administration is desperately trying to lower expectations, while simultaneously elevating Obama to a historical greatness he cannot possibly achieve. Obama certainly won’t be as effective as FDR. but he certainly has similiar socialist ideals as the president whose policies kept our country in the Great Depression far longer than it had to. Sadly the passage of time has given the negative impacts of FDR’s policies ample opportunity to be distorted by those who want to rewrite history. But, if greatness is what Obama is going after, his incompetence, and the incompetence of those around him are making sure he will never achieve it.

Obama is one cool cucumber.

Obama’s hesistance over the Somali pirate hostage situation stands in contrast to the notion that Obama is cool under pressure.  This swine flu deal. The government’s response to the situation has been inadequate and half-assed compared to the how they’ve characterized the problem. And of course, there have been ample stories questioning whether Obama has too much on his plate, which is pathetic because he doesn’t have a greater set of problems and issues to face as any of his predecessors. The issue isn’t whether he has too much, it is whether he is handling what he has well. And he isn’t. Not at all.

AP Fact Checks Obama

Lies. Lies. Lies.

“That wasn’t me,” President Barack Obama said on his 100th day in office, disclaiming responsibility for the huge budget deficit waiting for him on Day One.

It actually was him – and the other Democrats controlling Congress the previous two years – who shaped a budget so out of balance.

And as a presidential candidate and president-elect, he backed the twilight Bush-era stimulus plan that made the deficit deeper, all before he took over and promoted spending plans that have made it much deeper still.

Sad.

White House Dumbasses

According to the latest report, federal officials not only know that the Air Force One double flyover would cause panic, but they threatened local officials with federal sanctions if word ever got out.

Federal officials knew that sending two fighter jets and Air Force One to buzz ground zero and Lady Liberty might set off nightmarish fears of a 9/11 replay, but they still ordered the photo-op kept secret from the public.

In a memo obtained by CBS 2 HD the Federal Aviation Administration’s James Johnston said the agency was aware of “the possibility of public concern regarding DOD (Department of Defense) aircraft flying at low altitudes” in an around New York City. But they demanded total secrecy from the NYPD, the Secret Service, the FBI and even the mayor’s office and threatened federal sanctions if the secret got out.

“To say that it should not be made public knowing that it might scare people it’s just confounding,” Sen. Charles Schumer said. “It’s what gives Washington and government a bad name. It’s sheer stupidity.”

Stupidity is right. That pretty much the describes the Obama administration perfectly.

Arlen Specter Bails On Republican Party

Human Events learned a little while ago that Arlen Specter was going to announce his intention to switch parties.

Politico has his statement:

I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.

When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party. But I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.

Since then, I have traveled the state, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.

I have decided to run for reelection in 2010 in the Democratic primary.

Specter has been at odds with the Republican enough to make his explanation sound legit, but I think the real reason for his departure was the fact he was polling way behind GOP primary challenger Pat Toomey.

I am not gonna shed any tears over Specter. It is time to get behind Toomey. Follow @ToomeyForSenate and become a fan on Facebook.

UPDATE: Specter said earlier this year he wouldn’t switch to maintain check and balances… just goes to show you he’s doing this for political survival…

The Democrats' War On Science: Climate Change

I’ve written about the Demcortas’ war on science before, it seems they are still at it. House Democrats apparently refused to allow a global warming skeptic to appear alongside Al Gore during a congressional hearing yesterday.

UK’s Lord Christopher Monckton, a former science advisor to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, claimed House Democrats have refused to allow him to appear alongside former Vice President Al Gore at a high profile global warming hearing on Friday April 24, 2009 at 10am in Washington. Monckton told Climate Depot that the Democrats rescinded his scheduled joint appearance at the House Energy and Commerce hearing on Friday. Monckton said he was informed that he would not be allowed to testify alongside Gore when his plane landed from England Thursday afternoon.

“The House Democrats don’t want Gore humiliated, so they slammed the door of the Capitol in my face,” Monckton told Climate Depot in an exclusive interview. “They are cowards.” 

This is rather sad. If they are confident that evidence supports their position on global warming, then they shouldn’t have any fear. Still, in the interest of facts, we should be willing to hear evidence from both sides and make an objective conclusion from that evidence. I know that facts and debate aren’t exactly the Democrats’ strong points, but when they are trying to push disastrous legislation through the politics of fear over global warming, then we need to  stand up against this.

Apparently, this whole charade has less to do with science about climate change, and more to do with a coordinated fundraising pitch for the DCCC.

Gore’s influence is felt in large and small ways — from providing his thoughts and strategic guidance to President Obama, House SpeakerNancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) to aiding his friend Al Franken in the ongoing Minnesota Senate race to fundraising for the party campaign committees.

Witness a fundraising email for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee signed by Gore set to be sent out today in coordination with Earth Day.

“I can tell you that President Obama has signaled in the strongest possible terms that he intends to take bold steps and harness innovative resources to solve the climate crisis,” writes Gore. “Not only that, but Speaker Pelosi has said she will personally shepherd climate legislation through.”

This has everything to do to more tax revenue and more campaign cash for the Democrats, and nothing to do with science…

"Dammit Janet" Napolitano Should Resign

After some amateur hour moments by Janet Napolitano, a number of Republicans are calling for her to step down.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is under fire for what critics see as a string of gaffes, with a small but vocal group of conservatives calling for her to step down. 

The outrage continues to build over a report from her department that warned of the danger of right-wing “extremists,” and singled out returning war veterans as susceptible to recruitment. 

Napolitano expressed regret for the reference to veterans — but she raised eyebrows again this week when she suggested that the Sept. 11 hijackers entered the United States through Canada, even though the 9/11 Commission determined they came to the United States from overseas. 

“I don’t know that the secretary understands the depth of the disruption that she’s caused,” Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, told FOX News on Thursday, referring to the report on extremist threats. “I think the appropriate thing to do is for her to step down and let’s move on.” 

Conservatives made a stern call for her ouster Wednesday night on the House floor. 

“Mr. President, fire that woman,” said Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, complaining that Napolitano’s comments on the controversial report were half-hearted. “To go on television and say your apology to be, ‘I’m sorry you were offended by this report,’ that’s no apology.” 

Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., also said Napolitano’s resignation is in order, and she should be brought before Congress for a hearing. 

Such incompetence ought not be tolerated, and I agree, Napolitano has got to go. She’s making a ridiculous administration look even more ridiculous, and when we’re talking about the Homeland Security Secretary, her incompetence will make us less safe.

The Obama Administration: Dumb and Dumber

I can remember a rather heated argument I had with a coworker the day after the election. I was expressing my fears for the future of this country, and I mentioned Obama’s lack of experience as one of many, many reasons why this country was in trouble.

My coworker, a rabid Obama fan, couldn’t argue on that point, but suggested that what he lacked in experience he would make up for by appointing knowledgeable, qualified, and competent people to be around him.

Well, without getting into the ridiculous number of ethically challenged nominees and withdrawn nominations, it is quite clear that Obama, who clearly lacks the experience to be president (his piss-poor performance proving such) also lacks the judgment to nominate knowledgeable, qualified, and competent people. Geithner, his tax issues aside, would do better for the economy in a coma. 

And then there’s Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who is apparently so unsuited for the job she was nominated for that she thinks veterans are a national security threat, and the 9/11 terrorists came into thins country via Canada.

Apparently Obama was determined to surround himself with the most incompetent bunch of fools. One Canadian publication questioned how Napolitano ever got the job. “She appears to be about as knowledgeable about border issues as a late-night radio call-in yahoo,” they wrote. Funny, I can say the same thing about Barack Obama with regards to national security, the economy, and pretty much all the issues of the day.

Actually, it is not funny at all. The Obama administration is full of yahoos who appear to have no idea what they are doing.

Waterboarding High Level Terrorists Kept This Country Safe

Once again. Obama and the Democrats are wrong,

The Obama administration’s top intelligence official privately told employees last week that “high value information” was obtained in interrogations that included harsh techniques approved by former President George W. Bush.

“A deeper understanding of the al-Qaida network” resulted, National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair said in the memo, in which he added, “I like to think I would not have approved those methods in the past.” The Associated Press obtained a copy. 

 Critics of the harsh methods—waterboarding, face slapping, sleep deprivation and other techniques—have called them torture. President Barack Obama said Tuesday they showed the United States “losing our moral bearings” and said they would not be used while he is in office. But he did not say whether he believed they worked.

Obama ordered the release of long-secret Bush-era documents on the subject last week, and Blair circulated his memo declaring that useful information was obtained at the same time.

In a public statement released the same day, Blair did not say that interrogations using the techniques had yielded useful information. 

CNSNews reports that thanks “enhanced techniques” of interrogation, a 9/11-style attack on Los Angeles was thwarted.

The Central Intelligence Agency told CNSNews.com today that it stands by the assertion made in a May 30, 2005 Justice Department memo that the use of “enhanced techniques” of interrogation on al Qaeda leader Khalid Sheik Mohammed (KSM) — including the use of waterboarding — caused KSM to reveal information that allowed the U.S. government to thwart a planned attack on Los Angeles.

If Obama doesn’t want to protect this country from terrorist attacks, then he should consider a different job.

Obama's Drop-In-The-Bucket Budget Cuts

By now you’ve heard all about Obama’s call to cut $100 million from the budget.

Imagine that. How bold. $100 million out of a $3.5 trillion budget. Wow. There’s the epitome of fiscal responsibility. Republicans justifiably mocked Obama’s so-called fiscal responsibility.

The GOP is not impressed with President Obama’s call to save $100 million.

The basic point is that Obama’s savings amount to a tiny portion of federal spending.

House Republican Whip Eric Cantor’s office sent out a note just a bit ago declaring, “More money has gone to Rep. John Murtha’s (D-PA) pet airport in Pennsylvania than the federal government will save over the next 90 days under President Obama.

“Money The President Says He Will Save Over The Next 90 Days: $100 Million

“Money That Rep. John Murtha Has Secured For His Pet Airport: $150 Million, Not Including The Nearly $1 Million In Stimulus Funding.”

John Boehner issued the followed statement in response to the news.

“The Administration’s new talk of trimming a meager .0025 percent from the $4 trillion federal budget just doesn’t square with its reckless record on borrowing and spending.  Washington Democrats have spent the past three months doling out more taxpayer dollars than every previous President combined, and the Administration is clearly feeling the heat.  If the Administration wants to get serious about cutting waste, it should start by taking a closer look at how millions in ‘stimulus’ dollars are being wasted on a skateboard park in Rhode Island, bike racks in Washington, D.C., highway studies instead of construction projects in Ohio, and programs led by housing agencies that routinely fail audits.

Gregory Mankiw, the former head of President George W. Bush’s Council of Economic Advisers, puts Obama’s call for $100 million in cuts into perspective:

Just to be clear: $100 million represents .003 percent of $3.5 trillion.

To put those numbers in perspective, imagine that the head of a household with annual spending of $100,000 called everyone in the family together to deal with a $34,000 budget shortfall. How much would he or she announce that spending had be cut? By $3 over the course of the year–approximately the cost of one latte at Starbucks. The other $33,997? We can put that on the family credit card and worry about it next year.

Obama: United States Is A Terrorist Nation

Okay, he didn’t say those words, but he sat idly by as Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega went on and on accusing our country of terrorism, without objection.

President Obama endured a 50-minute diatribe from socialist Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega that lashed out at a century of what he called terroristic U.S. aggression in Central America and included a rambling denunciation of the U.S.-imposed isolation of Cuba’s Communist government.

Obama sat mostly unmoved during the speech but at times jotted notes. The speech was part of the opening ceremonies at the fifth Summit of the Americas here.

Later, at a photo opportunity with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Obama held his tongue when asked what he thought about Ortega’s speech.

“It was 50 minutes long. That’s what I thought.”

Real nice. Just goes to show you that Obama, when overseas or out of the country, is on a Blame America World Tour, which may appease country’s that dislike us, but makes our country look weak and evil.

So, thank Obama for playing right into our ememies’ hands.