Obama is indeed still highly popular in Europe; but even in Europe his popularity is waning. However, when looking a little more closely, it becomes clear that Obama is only genuinely popular in Western Europe. The countries of eastern and central Europe view him in a much more lukewarm way. Many countries in the region are critical of Obama’s “reset” policy towards Russia. The cancellation of the missile defense sites in Poland and the Czech Republic did not go down well either. Moreover, the countries of eastern and central Europe – new Europe according to Donald Rumsfeld – were courted by the Bush White House and thus never were as critical about the U.S. during George W. Bush’s two terms in office. Thus only Western Europe has fallen in love with Obama while the rest of Europe is still making up its mind. And now even Western Europe has become unsure whether or not its love is being reciprocated by the White House.

Well, speaking as an outsider concerned with global rather than regional concerns, and given the record of his predecessor, he has got to be seen as an enormous improvement.

Sure,... he's made mistakes, and will in all probability make plenty more, but those mistakes are relatively minor when stacked up against the previous administration. In fact, I fail to see how he could do much worse, short of starting a nuclear war.

I agree. He's made some mistakes but overall I think he's alright.

Disagree. He was held up by the lefties in this country as the one who would save our country. He has done nothing but allow the deficit to balloon.

Federal Debt Chart
Fiscal Years 1995 to 2015
Year GDP-US
$ billion Federal Deficit -fed
$ billion

Year GDP-US Federal Deficit-fed
2000 9951.5 -236.24 a
2001 10286.2 -128.24 a
2002 10642.3 157.75 a
2003 11142.1 377.59 a
2004 11867.8 412.73 a
2005 12638.4 318.34 a
2006 13398.9 248.19 a
2007 14077.6 160.94 a
2008 14441.4 458.55 a
2009 14258.2 1841.19 b
2010 14728.8 1258.44 b
2011 15499.8 929.41 e

Legend:
a - actual reported
b - budgeted estimate in US fy10 budget
e - out-year estimate in US fy10 budget

http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/...olor=c&local=s

If my math is correct from 2008 to 2009 GDP is expected to drop by 2% (From 14441.4B To 14258.2B) and the national debt is expected to increase by just over 400% (From 458.55B To 1841.19B). I wonder how my children are going to pay for this?

How much of that is bailout money?

Originally Posted by A Can of Man

I agree. He's made some mistakes but overall I think he's alright.

It's too early too tell...I still haven't seen any improvement...just fan's talk bout how great he is...we'll have to wait and see at the completion of his one year presidency..

Overrated is one thing I can agree with. As with everything, it's going to take some time to REALLY know.

Originally Posted by HokieMSG

Disagree. He was held up by the lefties in this country as the one who would save our country. He has done nothing but allow the deficit to balloon.

Would you go so far as to call him a socialist?

Originally Posted by Naddoður

Would you go so far as to call him a socialist?

In his books he said he sought out Marxists in college & refered to working in the private sector as being in the enemy camp as 2 examples of someone who is @ least an anti capitalist in view.

People do a lot of stupid stuff in college.
Though I won't agree on his views of the private sector, the latest behavior by the private sector, namely banking, has been less than flattering.