Am all for Obama's doing all he can to protect the environment, because that is one of the reasons he was elected, and environmentalists are a numerous and important constituency.Have written several times that door remains open for Hillary Clinton in 2020 if only she will show some derring do, humility and lose that hubris. Two suggestions. Thanks to KRISTOF and others, we r aware of the killings of citizens of Darfur in the Sudan, and their killers are the militia known as the Janjaweed. Why not arrange a visit in person, request a sit down with these mercenaries, and ask them how can the killings be stopped?DT would have a hard time topping that "coup de theatre,"and it would be for a good cause, to put an end to the slaughter of innocents. Second,as I have mentioned, HRC should be down with the folk in low income, high crime housing projects, rent an apartment ,render a public service by teaching a class or two in political history at a local high school. Finally,as I have said "maintes fois,"HRC should be seen buying her clothes at Robert Hall, Mays.Later for Vera Wang. Americans r fair minded, sentimental, and willing to vote for her in 2020 if they believe that her heart is in the right place.Politics is her life, and although she has been unsuccessful twice in campaigns for the Presidency,three may be her lucky number. But her actions must come from the heart, and she must prove herself to be, not the old,Hillary, but the new HRC,"une femme du coeur!"
2
Good. Every little bit of resistance to Trump's agenda helps, and the president is in a position to at least help delay that agenda. May as well start the struggle now.
11
I am so gratified that I posted comments here right beside the photo of a confused, depressed, frightened Trump, with body language revealing his lack of suitability, and bulging in his unbuttoned cheap looking suit, wrinkled in the arms, his pants way too short---- and if you enlarge the original larger picture of this meeting---- you can see he wears lifts in his shoes.
11
It is frankly hard to understand why this is even newsworthy. The cureent occupant of the White House (not for much longer, thankfully) continues to act with the same lack of competence and common sense that has characterized his unfortunate eight year tenure. Hopefully the new administration will focus on the great challenges facing our nation and not be distracted by this mischief.
10
i approve of all of his recent actions and wish he could do more. you're in the minority mr h.
16
This country that we love is in for a hard landing once the bumbling, feckless and ineffective Trump minions start their dismantling of the US to the highest bidder. Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy and their group will now collude with Trump and set their so called "Republican agenda?" Do they have a clear position on what this agenda is other than to blame President Obama even when he leaves office?
Just recall that the Republican leaders of McConnell and Ryan remain, the same do nothings who voted for JASTA in 2016 and then blamed Obama for their vote when he objected to passage of the law and then McConnell wanted to reverse the law. This is the same leadership where Joe Wilson yelled out "you lie" to POTUS Obama during a joint Congressional address. What will happen when all of those who were complicit with Trump's racism, misogyny, sexual predator nature take office? Once he implodes and destroys the country, these same conservatives will blame the intelligent, sane POTUS44 who has left the building. Stop normalizing Trump and all of his isms. He owes Russia, particularly Putin and will be his lapdog to the detriment of all of us. SAD!
Just recall that the Republican leaders of McConnell and Ryan remain, the same do nothings who voted for JASTA in 2016 and then blamed Obama for their vote when he objected to passage of the law and then McConnell wanted to reverse the law. This is the same leadership where Joe Wilson yelled out "you lie" to POTUS Obama during a joint Congressional address. What will happen when all of those who were complicit with Trump's racism, misogyny, sexual predator nature take office? Once he implodes and destroys the country, these same conservatives will blame the intelligent, sane POTUS44 who has left the building. Stop normalizing Trump and all of his isms. He owes Russia, particularly Putin and will be his lapdog to the detriment of all of us. SAD!
16
Trump's casual dismissal of Russian hacking deserves scrutiny. As in, What Is Up With That? What is he sniffing?
It would appear dangerous for America that a code tied to the Russian hacking systematic plan referred to as Grizzly Steppe by our administration was detected right in the system of an electrical utility in Vermont, according to U.S. officials.
Wake up delusional Trumpettes.
It would appear dangerous for America that a code tied to the Russian hacking systematic plan referred to as Grizzly Steppe by our administration was detected right in the system of an electrical utility in Vermont, according to U.S. officials.
Wake up delusional Trumpettes.
9
President Obama should be remembered for selflessly putting his reputation on the line many times by utilizing the 'art of compromise' to salvage workable solutions to myriad problems for the good of the ENTIRE country.
And that shall be an admirable legacy indeed.
And that shall be an admirable legacy indeed.
20
One thing O should do in his remaining days is intercede with Putin on behalf of the latter's hackers. They're probably facing a firing squad by now or a long train ride beyond the Urals.
Think of it: they miscalculated the popular vote by three million (counting illegals who are permitted to vote in my home state, for example, by presenting a driver's license which, yes, they are permitted to obtain)!
Arranging Donald's victory through three critical states by tiny margins was either incredible stupidity or incredible derring-do. Even a risk-taking showboat like Putin was bound to hate that.
Think of it: they miscalculated the popular vote by three million (counting illegals who are permitted to vote in my home state, for example, by presenting a driver's license which, yes, they are permitted to obtain)!
Arranging Donald's victory through three critical states by tiny margins was either incredible stupidity or incredible derring-do. Even a risk-taking showboat like Putin was bound to hate that.
1
How's this for how President Barack Obama is aiding President elect Trump during the transition of power?
George W. Bush Unemployment Rate 2000-2008 increase from 4.2 to 7.8
Barack Obama Unemployment Rate 2008-2016 decline from 7.8 to 4.6
George W. Bush private sector jobs created 2000-2008: negative 462,000
Barack Obama private sector jobs 2008-2016: positive 11,092,000
Dow Jones, George Bush: dropped from 10.5 to 8.5 negative 2.0
Dow Jones, Barak Obama: rose from 8.5 to 13.5 positive 5.0
George W. Bush Unemployment Rate 2000-2008 increase from 4.2 to 7.8
Barack Obama Unemployment Rate 2008-2016 decline from 7.8 to 4.6
George W. Bush private sector jobs created 2000-2008: negative 462,000
Barack Obama private sector jobs 2008-2016: positive 11,092,000
Dow Jones, George Bush: dropped from 10.5 to 8.5 negative 2.0
Dow Jones, Barak Obama: rose from 8.5 to 13.5 positive 5.0
18
Maybe before he leaves office President Obama can pardon the in-coming First Lady so she can be in the U.S. legally.
10
“Obama and John Kerry are like tenants who trash a place as they are being evicted,” Actually Obama and Kerry are just getting the White House ready for the trailer trash that is moving in on the 20th.
13
How will Trump fit time for the presidency? Insiders say his elaborate comb-over takes four hours along with repeated mirror inspections.
That spray tan must be applied with time to dry.
Tweeting on Twitter is another 5 hours. And he must watch every cable news talk show to make sure he is mentioned.
His biographer said he watched tv the entire time he interviewed him, commenting every time he was mentioned.
That ego needs 15 hours of tending. No wonder he never sleeps
That spray tan must be applied with time to dry.
Tweeting on Twitter is another 5 hours. And he must watch every cable news talk show to make sure he is mentioned.
His biographer said he watched tv the entire time he interviewed him, commenting every time he was mentioned.
That ego needs 15 hours of tending. No wonder he never sleeps
11
The big question for 2017. Will the White House become Trump's cottage away from home; his retreat from the exhausting work of making America Great Again?
4
Trump working hours each day on something that is not as much fun as a TV show? And no huge deposit into his bank account immediately afterwards? Seriously doubt that is what Trump has on his mind. He looks more like: "Four years of this? How do I get myself out of this quagmire?"
13
“Obama and John Kerry are like tenants who trash a place as they are being evicted,” said Erick Erickson. But it's the exact opposite. Obama and Kerry are actually building a fortress to protect the house from BEING trashed by the squatters who are about to come in and trash the place. And we, the American people, are very grateful to Obama and Kerry for doing that. I think the Palestinians, and many other oppressed peoples around the world, are grateful, too.
13
Squatters? Well John, perhaps you should refresh your knowledge regarding Presidential elections. I would have loved to see liberals and their heads explode if we would have had an electoral tie.
Please appoint Merrick Garland to the SCOTUS.
The bizarre selections Trump has made for cabinet, etc. are frightening. Will we really have a national security advisor who spends his time on scurrilous Twitters attacking a pizza parlor? This is madness.
Let's not lose our Supreme Court to these wackos.
The bizarre selections Trump has made for cabinet, etc. are frightening. Will we really have a national security advisor who spends his time on scurrilous Twitters attacking a pizza parlor? This is madness.
Let's not lose our Supreme Court to these wackos.
16
So with less than three weeks before the Obama White House is history, the president is focused on one thing only, and that of course is to cement his legacy.
And for a president such as Obama this makes perfect sense because the whole of his presidency was based on actions that would add to his legacy, and not acting based on what was most important and urgent, which is what the position of president is actually about.
And because he saw his mission not to serve the interests of the American people, and the western world at large, but instead to serve his most selfish of interests, building a legacy for himself, he failed to lift a finger in regard to world altering events that happened on his watch, such as much of the middle east turning into a war zone, and Syria becoming a killing field in which 500,000 lost their lives.
Years before Russia, or even Iran, were involved in Syria and the whole of the world was looking for US leadership, Obama completely ignored the issue and instead focused on winning the prize for achieving a peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians. His priority to resolve a conflict which was of no urgency, instead of putting a stop to a raging war, which spread to Iraq, gave birth to ISIS and killed half a million people was for one reason only.
And that was that serving his legacy was allot more important to him than doing his job as president, which is to deal with and resolve the most pressing issues of the day.
And for a president such as Obama this makes perfect sense because the whole of his presidency was based on actions that would add to his legacy, and not acting based on what was most important and urgent, which is what the position of president is actually about.
And because he saw his mission not to serve the interests of the American people, and the western world at large, but instead to serve his most selfish of interests, building a legacy for himself, he failed to lift a finger in regard to world altering events that happened on his watch, such as much of the middle east turning into a war zone, and Syria becoming a killing field in which 500,000 lost their lives.
Years before Russia, or even Iran, were involved in Syria and the whole of the world was looking for US leadership, Obama completely ignored the issue and instead focused on winning the prize for achieving a peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians. His priority to resolve a conflict which was of no urgency, instead of putting a stop to a raging war, which spread to Iraq, gave birth to ISIS and killed half a million people was for one reason only.
And that was that serving his legacy was allot more important to him than doing his job as president, which is to deal with and resolve the most pressing issues of the day.
11
Uhmmm, the Bush-Cheney administration fanned the flames in Iraq, which gave rise to ISIS. Obama inherited their mess.
13
At least we know that Trump won't be worried about his legacy. He'll be worried about his brand.
9
I stole this important summary from Check Reality vs Tooth Fairy In the Snow: http://tinyurl.com/gr7geym
History will show these men destroyed the democracy of America.
At a Republican retreat, at the Library of Congress, right before Obama’s 2009 inauguration, Mitch McConnell said:
“there are enough of us to block the Democratic agenda-as long as they all marched in lockstep.”
“As long as Republicans refused to follow his (President Obama’s) lead, Americans would see partisan food fights and conclude that Obama had failed to produce change.”
January 20, 2009 Republican Leaders in Congress literally plotted to sabotage and undermine U.S. Economy during President Obama's Inauguration. In Robert Draper's book, "Do Not Ask What Good We Do: Inside the U.S. House of Representatives" Draper wrote that during a four hour, "invitation only" meeting with GOP Hate-Propaganda Minister, Frank Luntz, the below listed Senior GOP Law Writers literally plotted to sabotage,
Rep. Paul Ryan(R-WI)
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA),
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX),
Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX),
Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI)
Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA),
Sen. Jim DeMint (SC-R),
Sen. Jon Kyl (AZ-R),
Sen. Tom Coburn (OK-R),
Sen. John Ensign (NV-R) and
Sen. Bob Corker (TN-R).
Non-lawmakers present Newt Gingrich
The senior GOP plotted to bring Congress to a standstill regardless how much it would hurt the American Economy by pledging to obstruct and block President Obama on all legislation.
History will show these men destroyed the democracy of America.
At a Republican retreat, at the Library of Congress, right before Obama’s 2009 inauguration, Mitch McConnell said:
“there are enough of us to block the Democratic agenda-as long as they all marched in lockstep.”
“As long as Republicans refused to follow his (President Obama’s) lead, Americans would see partisan food fights and conclude that Obama had failed to produce change.”
January 20, 2009 Republican Leaders in Congress literally plotted to sabotage and undermine U.S. Economy during President Obama's Inauguration. In Robert Draper's book, "Do Not Ask What Good We Do: Inside the U.S. House of Representatives" Draper wrote that during a four hour, "invitation only" meeting with GOP Hate-Propaganda Minister, Frank Luntz, the below listed Senior GOP Law Writers literally plotted to sabotage,
Rep. Paul Ryan(R-WI)
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA),
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX),
Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX),
Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI)
Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA),
Sen. Jim DeMint (SC-R),
Sen. Jon Kyl (AZ-R),
Sen. Tom Coburn (OK-R),
Sen. John Ensign (NV-R) and
Sen. Bob Corker (TN-R).
Non-lawmakers present Newt Gingrich
The senior GOP plotted to bring Congress to a standstill regardless how much it would hurt the American Economy by pledging to obstruct and block President Obama on all legislation.
31
Republicans putting party before country and party before the people. A political party dedicated to destroying the political system.
15
Look at the picture for this article. To me it shows what confident looks like sitting next to the glazed over lost look of confusion. It's going to be an interesting 4 years once Trump moves into his cottage office in Washington called the White House.
14
I view this as Obama helping to cement America's legacy, not his own, before Trump gets in to destroy everything we've worked decades to achieve and makes us the laughing stock of the world!
18
“Obama and John Kerry are like tenants who trash a place as they are being evicted,” Erick Erickson, the author of a prominent conservative website, said on Twitter.
Obama is still the president and Kerry is still Secretary of State. Would the conservatives and the GOP have them act in any other way and leave the country open to attack or worse? Did the GOP give Obama the courtesy of a hearing on his Supreme Court nominee after Scalia died in February? Did the GOP support any of Obama's moves to help all Americans? All the GOP and its supporters did for 8 years was to stonewall Obama, block every little or big thing he wanted to try, say and write traitorous and racist things about him, and claim that he refused to work with them when it was the other way around.
The GOP's actions have left us with a crumbling infrastructure, lousy jobs, a joke of a social safety net, identity politics that are divisive, and a country that is becoming an unbearable place to live. They voted against actions and regulations that could have benefitted every one. The Democrats, unfortunately for America, have never been effective at fighting the type of lies the GOP specializes in. They fail to explain why paying taxes helps every American. The GOP doesn't have that problem: they appeal to our greed and our prejudice.
Obama is still the president and Kerry is still Secretary of State. Would the conservatives and the GOP have them act in any other way and leave the country open to attack or worse? Did the GOP give Obama the courtesy of a hearing on his Supreme Court nominee after Scalia died in February? Did the GOP support any of Obama's moves to help all Americans? All the GOP and its supporters did for 8 years was to stonewall Obama, block every little or big thing he wanted to try, say and write traitorous and racist things about him, and claim that he refused to work with them when it was the other way around.
The GOP's actions have left us with a crumbling infrastructure, lousy jobs, a joke of a social safety net, identity politics that are divisive, and a country that is becoming an unbearable place to live. They voted against actions and regulations that could have benefitted every one. The Democrats, unfortunately for America, have never been effective at fighting the type of lies the GOP specializes in. They fail to explain why paying taxes helps every American. The GOP doesn't have that problem: they appeal to our greed and our prejudice.
19
Anything that will make Chump's job difficult is a good thing. Pile it on, President Obama!
15
Just remember one thing, a successful real estate agent is one that is able to convince a buyer that what he is selling is the best ever and what he bought was the worst ever. You could see that on day one of the Trump candidacy. The suckers in all of this are the buyers, the American voters who think that his expertise is fixing things, when it is wheeling and dealing that made him rich.
13
Trump has long made money by passing on bad debts to other people.
4
I hope that President Obama has the gumption to make a recess appointment to the Supreme Court. What would be especially delectable...would be appointing Hillary Clinton.
13
What is bizarre is that on issue after issue, from maintaining the solvency of Social Security (raise the contribution income threshold level), to gun control (do background checks at gun shows), to eliminating corporate welfare payments to big oil, etc., etc., the majority of Americans support these policies. I think they would have been accomplished by Congress in some form during the past 8 years if Obama had been white.
15
Or if congress had been more black.
Is it good or bad that we live in a country where an illegal alien can still buy an assault weapon with no questions asked?
Is it good or bad that we live in a country where an illegal alien can still buy an assault weapon with no questions asked?
1
Trump has turned a page in American politics by taking it to the lowest level ever. Now the highest office in the land is nothing more than a reality show where people turn on the news each day to find out what new outrageous statements have been made by our Celebrity Apprentice. On January 20th that apprentice takes over as captain of ship and has vowed to take us into uncharted waters. What can go wrong?
10
Obama's problem is that he should have been doing this sort of governing for eight years. The fact that he has decided to finally do some governing in his last three weeks of employment is hardly a major success. It only amplifies how little he did over his term. He wasted eight years. Kind of pathetic.
8
No.
Republican obstruction wasted all those years.
Consider Merrick Garland.
Consider McConnell's Day 1 promise.
And so much else. Obama inherited two unfunded wars and a crashing economy. He made an effective deal that actually cut back on Iran's nuclear capabilities, which is going to be trashed, which will put them back on track for getting nuclear weapons.
Trump is a walking talking recruiting poster for ISIS.
Stop blaming Democrats for what Republicans did. Don't blame victims for what perps did.
And get ready for the worst kleptocracy the US has ever seen, along with buddying up to Putin. Trump probably owes to much to Russians to do anything else. Let's see his tax returns."
Republican obstruction wasted all those years.
Consider Merrick Garland.
Consider McConnell's Day 1 promise.
And so much else. Obama inherited two unfunded wars and a crashing economy. He made an effective deal that actually cut back on Iran's nuclear capabilities, which is going to be trashed, which will put them back on track for getting nuclear weapons.
Trump is a walking talking recruiting poster for ISIS.
Stop blaming Democrats for what Republicans did. Don't blame victims for what perps did.
And get ready for the worst kleptocracy the US has ever seen, along with buddying up to Putin. Trump probably owes to much to Russians to do anything else. Let's see his tax returns."
20
Agree with Susan--The Republican party wasted all of those years for all of the people of America. What might have been accomplished if they had been willing to work constructively?
4
He's doing things now unilaterally. Meaning, he's making strong decisions and making changes IRRESPECTIVE of a blocking majority in Congress. Doesn't that indicate he could have been doing a lot of this all along?!
Blaming Congress for Obama's failures is off the mark. A good president knows how to deal with such obstacles (like Clinton?). Obama's current flurry of successful activity only supports the view that he has been too passive for the last 8 years.
Blaming Congress for Obama's failures is off the mark. A good president knows how to deal with such obstacles (like Clinton?). Obama's current flurry of successful activity only supports the view that he has been too passive for the last 8 years.
1
“There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.”
― John Adams
Reading these comments I see this as absolutely true!
“We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
― Benjamin Franklin
― John Adams
Reading these comments I see this as absolutely true!
“We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
― Benjamin Franklin
14
Funny how Trump calls foul when Obama does things to try to cement his legacy from someone vowed to dismantle everything he has done, while at the same time he can trash his opponents through lies without impunity and oppose decisions of our President before having the power to do so.
11
Obama's acting like a petulant kid on the playground who wasn't selected first so he's taking his ball and going home.
5
Dear Terry:
Right idea, wrong person. "Tis Trump's name whom you should have inserted in place our President's.
DD
Manhattan
Right idea, wrong person. "Tis Trump's name whom you should have inserted in place our President's.
DD
Manhattan
11
It's more like Obama is trying to save the playground from construction of another Trump-branded apartment building.
7
A recess appointment to the supreme court would be a really nice guft!
13
T'is the season for nice gufts.
1
If these things were worth doing, why did he wait until the last minute?
5
He has been busy all along and he's still on the job. Are you suggesting that his actions are not worth taking?
2
It's too bad Obama never figured out how to work with congress. Might have accomplished something.
It's pretty clear he needed Rahm to get things done.
It's pretty clear he needed Rahm to get things done.
6
You mean the Congress that promised even before he was sworn in to obstruct and oppose him on all things, and then proceeded to do so?
16
Republican opposition to Obama was so implacable that if he'd only suggested taking actions the Republicans favored they'd have been forced to adopt the Democrat's positions.
4
We need President Obama to do all within his powers in his remaining days as President to thwart Trump. He is a clear and present danger, He is an unstable incompetent whose bizarre ideas on governing defy credulity.
I sympathize with some Dems who believe all those poorly misinformed simpletons who voted Trump should be taught a lesson and that President Obama and the Dems should just let these hideous Republicans and Trump have their way.
But that would be wrong and completely selfish. For the good of the nation the Dems need to do all they can to prevent the demagogic policies Trump promises to be put forth. We can no longer just laugh this jerk away. Come January 20th he will be the most powerful person in the world. Trump is the last person anyone of sound mind should endow such a nincompoop with such enormous responsibilities. Dems do your job, for the good of the country.
DD
Manhattan
I sympathize with some Dems who believe all those poorly misinformed simpletons who voted Trump should be taught a lesson and that President Obama and the Dems should just let these hideous Republicans and Trump have their way.
But that would be wrong and completely selfish. For the good of the nation the Dems need to do all they can to prevent the demagogic policies Trump promises to be put forth. We can no longer just laugh this jerk away. Come January 20th he will be the most powerful person in the world. Trump is the last person anyone of sound mind should endow such a nincompoop with such enormous responsibilities. Dems do your job, for the good of the country.
DD
Manhattan
16
"those poorly misinformed simpletons who voted Trump"
Thanks for insulting 63 million Americans. You'll probably be really upset when the simpletons reelect Trump in 2020.
Thanks for insulting 63 million Americans. You'll probably be really upset when the simpletons reelect Trump in 2020.
5
They will be so devastated by Trump policies there will be riots. The disappointment and betrayal will be a sight to behold.
And likely in DC, so you can watch the angry marchers
And likely in DC, so you can watch the angry marchers
4
And include the progressive wing of the party otherwise , you will loose again.
Please stop soliciting reaction from Newt Gingrich. He had his time in the spotlight. He got to write the narrative long enough. He is a mean-spirited, smart-aleck has-been who just keeps pumping poison into our national discourse. He belongs in the Fox den. Keep him out of the henhouse.
12
Newt Gingrich--The man who hosted a movie about the Pope, featuring Newt Gingrich.
2
There is no principled distinction between what O is doing and what the outgoing Republican governor of North Carolina, and the Republican legislature, are doing.
Some argue that this is "false equivalence"--the left's pet cri du jour. They argue that O is trying to maintain, after he is no longer President, policies and statutes he helped enact, while the NC governor is trying to limit his successor's powers.
This is a distinction without a difference, and indicative of the extent to which the left seeks to be judged by a different standard than it imposes on the right. Both are realpolitik, and O would do what the NC Republicans are doing in a heartbeat, if he had the power and Congressional backing. And liberal commentators would applaud him wildly.
In any event, as Harry Reid and the Democrats will discover, changing the rules (in this case, of the Senate to filibuster non-Supreme Court appointments) can backfire when the gamecard lineup changes. Ah, the law of unintended consequences.
Some argue that this is "false equivalence"--the left's pet cri du jour. They argue that O is trying to maintain, after he is no longer President, policies and statutes he helped enact, while the NC governor is trying to limit his successor's powers.
This is a distinction without a difference, and indicative of the extent to which the left seeks to be judged by a different standard than it imposes on the right. Both are realpolitik, and O would do what the NC Republicans are doing in a heartbeat, if he had the power and Congressional backing. And liberal commentators would applaud him wildly.
In any event, as Harry Reid and the Democrats will discover, changing the rules (in this case, of the Senate to filibuster non-Supreme Court appointments) can backfire when the gamecard lineup changes. Ah, the law of unintended consequences.
2
If Obama really wants to solidify his legacy and throw a monkey wrench into the Trump administration, I hope he appoints Garland to the Supreme Court on Jan. 3 when Congress goes into recess. It would also be great if he would appoint the other 100 or so district and appellate judges that Congressional Republicans have blocked over the last 4 yrs.
11
President Obama is not merely cementing his legacy, he is protecting the legacy of our children and grandchildren. We all -- regardless of party or ideology -- have a stake in protecting our natural resources, addressing social inequities, shielding human rights, and doing all we can as a member of a world community to be constructively involved in international events. The photo accompanying this story speaks volumes -- we need a President who is engaged and interested, not one who is closed-minded and dismissive.
14
Republicans want Democrats to turn the other cheek and put up with their obstruction and hateful accusations.
Democrats are *not* to blame for what Republicans have done.
Democrats need to stop fighting with each other. I know you all like to talk with people who are open-minded and willing to think about other people, but we are not each other's enemies.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Unless we learn to work together for the good of all, the haters and dividers, the looters and exploiters, will win in the new kleptocracy.
Democrats are *not* to blame for what Republicans have done.
Democrats need to stop fighting with each other. I know you all like to talk with people who are open-minded and willing to think about other people, but we are not each other's enemies.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Unless we learn to work together for the good of all, the haters and dividers, the looters and exploiters, will win in the new kleptocracy.
8
Unfortunately, the way presidential politics are played these days, all's fair in love and war. And presidential politics is war. Any one who welcomes enemy hackers into our elections deserves what he gets. Anything Obama can do to slow down a would be dictator is OK by me.
9
It is not too early for Trump to start the process of voiding everything associated with Barry Soetoro and returning him to the nothingness from which he was invented by the Fake News corporate propaganda machine
3
Yes it is. He must be sworn in to have that authority which, given his early meetings and deal making with heads of state, he doesn't know or care. The dude has a definite problem with boundaries.
2
False. http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/birthers/studentid.asp
"the ID card pictured above is not a real Columbia University student ID issued to Barack Obama (under any name) in 1981; it's simply an altered version of a Columbia University ID card issued to another student in 1998:
"Aditionally, the pictured card couldn't possibly have have been a Columbia University student ID issued to Barack Obama in 1981, as the digital ID card format it uses wasn't introduced at Columbia until 1996.
"Finally, the pictured ID card is obviously a forgery, as the photograph it bears is not a picture of a 20-year-old Barack Obama from 1981; it's a picture taken several years later, during or shortly after Barack Obama's time at Harvard Law School (1988-1991)."
Last updated: 30 September 2015
"the ID card pictured above is not a real Columbia University student ID issued to Barack Obama (under any name) in 1981; it's simply an altered version of a Columbia University ID card issued to another student in 1998:
"Aditionally, the pictured card couldn't possibly have have been a Columbia University student ID issued to Barack Obama in 1981, as the digital ID card format it uses wasn't introduced at Columbia until 1996.
"Finally, the pictured ID card is obviously a forgery, as the photograph it bears is not a picture of a 20-year-old Barack Obama from 1981; it's a picture taken several years later, during or shortly after Barack Obama's time at Harvard Law School (1988-1991)."
Last updated: 30 September 2015
2
This is sick and evil. Fake is not true. (Kathleen, by responding and allowing the lie to pass, you enable this monstrous repetition.)
2
Obama has presided over 8 years of roadblock to the detriment of the American People and American Ideals. Fortunately, that's all over!
6
What a vicious act by Mr. Obama. I can not for the life of me ever believe I voted for him 4 years ago. What a tragic error. How much more damage can he do in just 3 short weeks? No, don't answer it.
9
What specific damage has Obama done? I hear these meme over and over but never see soecifics
4
Everything Obama has done has been legal and entirely within his rights. And how on earth is that vicious? I, too, would like to hear specifically what damage you think is being done.
6
To Gingrich I say congratulations for surviving 8 years of President Obama ... a man who the GOP was determined to thwart every day of those 8 years. A man who you declared Day One the GOP should obstruct every bit of legislation regardless of merit. A man who McConnell said Day One he would work to make a one-term president. A man who Trump accused Day One of not being born in the U.S. A man who rose above petty political vindictiveness to successfully contain the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. A man who worked to bring affordable health insurance to millions of uninsured Americans. Obama is a class act; Trump is not fit to carry his shoes. He will be missed.
19
I sum it up like this. Obama will go down in history as America's last great president.
7
Ah, his enemies are at the gates but our Emperor will not cease his oppresive reign. The majority of Americans (excluding California) have totally repudiated most of which he stands for. Now the petty tyrant will do all, in his power, to thwart the change the voters want. When I think of his pathetic legacy, I see a crippling of American business by his senseless out of control regulations, political correctness so strong as to stifle free speech, a middle east totally in flames, and health policies with such large deductible that many cannot afford to pay. The Emperor has no clothes but he refuses to believe it.
12
The majority of Americans voted for Obama and what he stands for in 2008, the majority of Americans voted for Obama and what he stands for again in 2012, and the majority of Americans voted for Clinton and what she stands for in 2016. Obama's approval rating is the highest for any departing President in a long time. Trump has the lowest approval rating of any President-elect...ever. Facts, reality...and some pretty comfortable clothes for Obama to be wearing.
10
My thought to the naysayers who claim that Obama did nothing in office in general and nothing to deal with the hacking (I seriously doubt that's true - the White House isn't going to broadcast official activity around this right now for obvious reason): check the number of insureds in this country now since Obama entered office (even people in states who CARRIED Trump have scrambled in recent weeks to sign up for the Affordable Healthcare plan); check the lower unemployment rate; check the oil drilling bans, etc; and check his approval rating. Do you think you stood to do a better job cleaning up the mess of the last administration, in spite of the gridlocked cesspool of a Congress?
14
The naysayers aren't interested in facts, Gayle. They are slanderers and their aim to slander. They think it serves some useful purpose and if you consider the fact that Donald Trump will be our next president, and if you think that's a good thing (hard to contemplate, I know, but for the sake of argument), then they may be right.
3
"the White House isn't going to broadcast official activity"
Really? This is the administration that used taking out Osama Bin Laden as a photo op and who rolled out Bowe Bergdahl's parents for a White House photo op before it became apparent Bergdahl was a deserter.
Really? This is the administration that used taking out Osama Bin Laden as a photo op and who rolled out Bowe Bergdahl's parents for a White House photo op before it became apparent Bergdahl was a deserter.
6
You said it all, and I agree. And it is hard to believe that after his first two years - a time during which many good Bills were past - that people voted for a Republican House; basically, passed a paddle, and said "Spank me".
- Peter
- Peter
1
"Mr. Obama’s most permanent action may be his order banning oil drilling off the Atlantic coast, a decision rooted in a 1953 law that experts say will be legally difficult for Mr. Trump to reverse."
Trump has a Republican Majority in the House and Senate. Unity of Congress and the President makes for easy changing of law.
John
Trump has a Republican Majority in the House and Senate. Unity of Congress and the President makes for easy changing of law.
John
5
DT is not even in office and we can see already that his technique for manipulation and keeping attention on him is to say he has information that he will release in the next day or two. He's done this on at least three occasions now. He's full of hot air -- on everything. He never "reveals" anything of importance except what a master lying manipulator he is. Why newspapers continue to report these non-statement statements eludes me.
15
Good for Obama! I hope he continues making moves like this until January 20th. He was voted in by a majority of Americans and is still our president whereas the real estate guy is not yet president, didn't even come close to a majority, and he is the most disliked future president ever. Go O!!!! We will miss you.
18
Just remember one thing, a successful real estate guy is one that is able to convince a buyer that what he is selling is the best ever and what he is buying is the worst ever. You could see that on day one of the Trump candidacy. The suckers in all of this are the buyers, the American voters.
Never forget that Obama's legacy is truly one of imprisoning journalists and pushing through the Supreme Court an edict that all citizens must pay private companies. Those will truly last longer than any of these gestures he makes now. Even the wars he lost, all five of them, will be forgotten long before the damage from his assault on journalism and the empowerment of corporations.
9
And thank God. Trump and his cronies would destroy the world if some of what he says he would do goes through
9
Trump believes that he and his cronies have a mandate to destroy the world. And, he always delivers on his promises.
Let's remember that the GOP was determined from the beginning of President Obama's terms in office to block every effort he made. For those who think Obama was indecisive, please remember that every decision was undermined by a petulant, childish party of opposition causing gridlock. That includes plans for infrastructure hiring. Further, it is shocking to me that the incumbent shouts from the bleachers as if he is already in office. And I wonder why I am staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m.
9
The best "legacy" any president could leave (to the American public) is a budget surplus from professional Treasury management. There is indeed a legacy here: $20 Trillion in national debt, which costs over $1 Billion per day in interest alone. http://www.usdebtclock.org/. Whatever one's ideology or political position, the last several administrations especially, ran the Treasury like teenagers with a credit card. The current one even doubled down in overdrafts. Happy New Year.
5
Amazing how a number of American believe the interests of the United States; our safety our military, our treasury, should be guided by ISRAEL. Olivia believes no other outgoing president behaved this way? (abstaining from UN Resolution to fault Israel for settlements. No they did not and look what it brought us. Middle East war under George W. Bush. Americans dying in that war not Israelis. Our President stepped up for American Interests. He is to be commended for resisting the Israeli lobby..
12
The change is the essence of the Democracy. For eight years the world received a very significant example of administration linked with the enviromental cares, honesty, diplomacy, human right, , etc. President Obama leaves his legacy. A very good legacy, in my opinion, and in the opinion of a lot of people around the world. But the history must go on. The American people made his choice. And now is the time of Mr. Trump write his name on the book of the History. Let's wait that the way he writes be the better one for US and for the world. Good luck, America. Have a happy New Year.
3
I hope that Obama offers us a platform of continued leadership to function from. For instance an organization that would allow us to implement change with dollars we spent at the local level. A platform where business proliferates at the local level instead of centralized corporations dictating policies and controlling markets. In order to strengthen the middle-class we need to decentralize the economy. Diversify and remove people like Trump and the 126 families that own most everything from power. If history continues President Obama may very well be recognized as one of the best political leaders the world has ever seen.
10
So what date prior to the end of the elected presidential term would the Republicans establish to extinguish his or her full authority as holder of the highest office in the land? Watch out now, their guy will soon be in office (:
2
Trump is a hateful, ignorant liar. January 20th will be the worst day in my life as an American citizen. Anything President Obama can do before then to mitigate the disaster is welcome. Keep it coming!
27
I suspect you would encourage him to call out the troops to surround the capital, declare martial law and indefinitely postpone the inauguration.
4
Can Obama use eminent domain to take over Trump's businesses? This would be in the national interest and public benefit to resolve the most massive conflict of interest on the planet starting in only 20 days. Trump could buy back his empire at cost when he leaves office.
Now that would be an amazing legacy to leave!
Now that would be an amazing legacy to leave!
5
I only wish that President Obama had been as resolute early in his term.
6
Most of the things he's doing and being criticized by the propaganda enterprises for, are either things he's doing to try to protect the country from what's coming...the legacy of the majority of Americans who voted for him twice and for Hillary Clinton in November...and things Presidents normally do at the end of their terms (add protected lands and seas...like the Bushes also did.)
4
He was, and did a great number of bills that past during those two years when it was Democrat in the House, and Senate. But, for some reason, enough voted for Repubs. in the House in 2010.
- Peter
- Peter
Until last week I was inclined to think Trump's worst enabling kleptocrats and ensuring climate change will get a lot worse (which will hurt everyone). But now I see he's bent on promoting worldwide conflict and buddying up to dictators. He doesn't want to be king, he wants to be god. And his worshippers are eager to make him their golden calf. (See also: Aesop's Frogs Who Wanted a King)
"his mode is recklessness, a self-admiring belief that unpredictability is the path to national salvation.
"appointment of a national-security adviser whose temperament resembles those of the unhinged generals in “Dr. Strangelove”; a keeper of the environment who denies the science of climate change; a chief strategist and senior counselor who ran a Web site laced with racist poison and bogus “news”; an Attorney General who regards the Voting Rights Act as “intrusive” and once referred to a subordinate as “boy.”
"contrary to Trump’s vow to “drain the swamp,” ... a new, improved version of the swamp, in which the super-wealthy and the oil and gas industries are vested with singular authority. ... a background of brewing scandals, myriad conflicts of interest, the gleeful humiliation of longstanding foes, and a President-elect who refuses to show even a measure of curiosity about the possibility that Russian intelligence agencies meddled in a national election." http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/trump_daily_bankruptcy_israel_am...
"his mode is recklessness, a self-admiring belief that unpredictability is the path to national salvation.
"appointment of a national-security adviser whose temperament resembles those of the unhinged generals in “Dr. Strangelove”; a keeper of the environment who denies the science of climate change; a chief strategist and senior counselor who ran a Web site laced with racist poison and bogus “news”; an Attorney General who regards the Voting Rights Act as “intrusive” and once referred to a subordinate as “boy.”
"contrary to Trump’s vow to “drain the swamp,” ... a new, improved version of the swamp, in which the super-wealthy and the oil and gas industries are vested with singular authority. ... a background of brewing scandals, myriad conflicts of interest, the gleeful humiliation of longstanding foes, and a President-elect who refuses to show even a measure of curiosity about the possibility that Russian intelligence agencies meddled in a national election." http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/trump_daily_bankruptcy_israel_am...
21
Trump's New Year's greeting to his purported enemies is utterly chilling.
4
Trump's New Year greeting was nothing of the sort. Every politician--Democrat or Republican--conceives of himself as having "enemies". Given the extraordinary ridicule and calumny that he endured, and continues to endure, using that word is a huge non-issue.
It reveals deep-seated pathology that is Freudian in nature, and screams loudly of his unsuitability for the position of the presidency.
Fully unfit.
Fully unfit.
4
BHO's greatest quality is a charismatic candidate for POTUS. He is an inspiring speaker. His intellect and elite education are obvious to all. He gave us reason to hope. That was the theme of his campaign in 2008.
However, the recession of 2008 crashed on the shore of the US simultaneously with Election Day. The last 8 years have been a series of struggles to recover from the recession.
Obama has had great difficulty being a DECISIVE leader. Were the Presidency a buffet dinner, Obama would have a bit of this or that on this plate, with long pauses as he decides which appetizer to place on an almost empty plate. The plate would have large areas entitled "golf" and "Affordable Care Act." Picture a large plate dominated by a large spoonful of golf and another large spoonful of ACA and tiny appetizers scattered in the vast white plate.
That is what this is. He realizes he was a mere apostrophe in the last 44 presidencies. He thinks he deserves a greater legacy than he accomplished.
There he is, pushing the zoom button on the image of his Presidency. A pathetic legacy of a minimalistic 8 years. It has been a protracted intermission in an opera of 43 scenes. There were 43 scenes, and a long, yawning Obama Intermission.
Obama is bitter and knows his contribution is tiny. That is what this is. A bitter exit.
However, the recession of 2008 crashed on the shore of the US simultaneously with Election Day. The last 8 years have been a series of struggles to recover from the recession.
Obama has had great difficulty being a DECISIVE leader. Were the Presidency a buffet dinner, Obama would have a bit of this or that on this plate, with long pauses as he decides which appetizer to place on an almost empty plate. The plate would have large areas entitled "golf" and "Affordable Care Act." Picture a large plate dominated by a large spoonful of golf and another large spoonful of ACA and tiny appetizers scattered in the vast white plate.
That is what this is. He realizes he was a mere apostrophe in the last 44 presidencies. He thinks he deserves a greater legacy than he accomplished.
There he is, pushing the zoom button on the image of his Presidency. A pathetic legacy of a minimalistic 8 years. It has been a protracted intermission in an opera of 43 scenes. There were 43 scenes, and a long, yawning Obama Intermission.
Obama is bitter and knows his contribution is tiny. That is what this is. A bitter exit.
8
President Obama made the mistake of doing something when nothing was the better thing to do.
2
If Obama had been so ineffective the Republicans and Donald Trump wouldn't be so worked up about having to undo so much of what he has accomplished.
The Republicans and Donald Trump are about to burn down the opera house.
The Republicans and Donald Trump are about to burn down the opera house.
9
Trump is clueless as to what he'll do. Just look at the picture you typed that beside.
4
President Obama is continuing the same work that he has undertaken throughout his Presidency, to ensure as many Americans as possible have healthcare, our environment is cared for and we have done all we can to ensure peace in the world. He has not curtailed Donald Trump's ability to govern boards or make appointments, as was the case in North Carolina, essentially very petty moves. Republicans may not agree with his actions but they were in keeping with Obama's principles, not schemes to enrich himself, his friends or his creditors. When Trump is in the White House there will be many doubts as to his motives and his true loyalties. This atmosphere is going to be very poisonous to our country. His inability to tell the truth at the most basic level is going to be the most difficult problem our country has ever had to deal with. A leader that tries to protect his country is one thing, but a leader with a hidden agenda that is as obvious as Trump's is will be absolutely ruinous. He may think he's conning the public, but he's not. If our institutions don't support basic ethical and moral guidelines the public believes are important, our democracy will suffer.
12
Trump's chiseling business methodology has already infected the US, to its utmost detriment.
7
The vote gap an important distinction, however in practical terms it's irrelevant for the moment. It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
The bigger issue is that roughly 40% of the eligible voters didn't bother to do so. That is a much bigger calamity to our precious democracy. Apathy is the enemy, you should probably focus your vitriol on that threat.
The bigger issue is that roughly 40% of the eligible voters didn't bother to do so. That is a much bigger calamity to our precious democracy. Apathy is the enemy, you should probably focus your vitriol on that threat.
7
Having the Democrat party crash and burn under his watch (pretty much what he did to the country BTW), President Irrelevance says he is now going to step up to the plate and lead.
A day late and a dollar short.
A day late and a dollar short.
11
Technically, Obama was President of the United States and not Chair of the DNC. He had more important responsibilities than managing the Democratic party. This is in contrast with what seems to be the prevalent Republican view now, which puts Party before Country.
In any case, the disorder in the Democratic party will pale in comparison to the chaos that will engulf the Republican party.
In any case, the disorder in the Democratic party will pale in comparison to the chaos that will engulf the Republican party.
4
Erick Erickson thinks President Obama is "trashing" the place? And what was his response to Gov. Mccrory and the legislature in No. Carolina and their tantrum? They get a pass because they're Republican?
16
Even treason is OK when Republicans do it to get elected president.
9
BEST PRESIDENT of my almost 69 years, and the WORST PRESIDENT, in the history of the United States of America, and one of the worst people to ever call himself an American. It's shocking.
7
It would be hard to imagine a group of sore losers that could rival Obama, the progressives and the Democrat Party. Very clearly this is because they can only hear their own voices. It was this false superiority over ordinary Americans that got them ushered from power, and likely will keep them out of power for years to come.
For 8 years, Obama has ignored the voices of all but the most zealously progressive Americans. He has such great disdain for those who oppose his policies that he has exceeded the bounds of his Constitutional powers or pushed those powers to their absolute limit. Only progressive arrogance could mouth the argument that it was appropriate to proceed with radical and hotly disputed executive actions on climate, immigration, and Iran because Congress would not do what "King Know It All" wanted. Sorry King, we have three branches of government.
For months now we have had to put up with the liberal narrative that Trump ran a divisive campaign. In reality, the true legacy of President Obama will be how his brand of identity politics and by-any-means-necessary progressivism divided our country. Fortunately, he has taught ordinary Americans to never again allow political correctness to force them out of the debate on essential government policies and priorities.
The sore loser progressives are now forming a self-satisfied resistance movement to oppose Trump on everything. So who exactly are the polarizers and dividers in this country?
For 8 years, Obama has ignored the voices of all but the most zealously progressive Americans. He has such great disdain for those who oppose his policies that he has exceeded the bounds of his Constitutional powers or pushed those powers to their absolute limit. Only progressive arrogance could mouth the argument that it was appropriate to proceed with radical and hotly disputed executive actions on climate, immigration, and Iran because Congress would not do what "King Know It All" wanted. Sorry King, we have three branches of government.
For months now we have had to put up with the liberal narrative that Trump ran a divisive campaign. In reality, the true legacy of President Obama will be how his brand of identity politics and by-any-means-necessary progressivism divided our country. Fortunately, he has taught ordinary Americans to never again allow political correctness to force them out of the debate on essential government policies and priorities.
The sore loser progressives are now forming a self-satisfied resistance movement to oppose Trump on everything. So who exactly are the polarizers and dividers in this country?
15
Someone should give Trump a calendar and a copy of the relevant passages from the Constitution and laws about the succession. Obama is President until noon on January 20, 2017. He is completely within his rights to issue various executive actions and directives as well as pardons or commutations of sentences. It is Trump who, as usual, is breaking with tradition and the norms of political actions by his tweeting and informed comments. Unfortunately, he will be free at noon on January 20th to do and say whatever he wishes I regard to both foreign and domestic policies. Until then, he should begin to inform and educate himself on the state of the world and take the time to read the daily briefings.
8
"Erecting Policy Roadblocks"...as well he should! Obama DID have a landslide win, twice, and is currently enjoying a very high public opinion -- much greater than EITHER of the choices we had for his successor. I call that the voice of the American people. No one else seems, at this time, to be able to protect our democracy and the gains it has made over the last 50 years (not to mention the rescue from the abyss of total economic annihilation). If only deep investigation into Trump's unethical and possibly illegal activities and his obvious mental and emotional instability could put his taking office on hold, and we could somehow have Obama as the interim president with a new election -- OK, I know. But a person has to dream in order to hold on to sanity in these insane times. So hold strong Mr. President (the REAL one), and let us hope that at least there are enough people still in power who have your intelligence, thoughtfulness and prerogatives to divert us from disaster!
11
His legacy was cemented on Nov. 8. It was on the ballot. Remember. Legacy now lives in trash can with Edsel and other mammoth failures.
6
Just home from your minimum wage job?
2
Obama should use everything in his power to support his legacy.
6
Is this all that a president aspires to? A legacy?
11
Is that all?
1
If you have to "work" to "cement" your legacy, then you don't have one.
15
Current circumstances notwithstanding, all presidents do this at term's end as a way of finishing the business at hand. Whether or not Obama crosses every last agenda item off the list, his exemplary legacy will not soon be forgotten.
4
Eight years after the wrecking crew of Bush/Cheney left us with two wars and the great recession we are better off. Much better off. That's his legacy.
13
The sad truth is that almost all Obama's legacy is at the mercy of Trump, and this is because Obama adamantly refused to fight back against Russian hacking, the one way as POTUS could have made the biggest difference in the closing months of the election. He failed to protect us from Russian machinations, and this is the result, as I write here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/first-russo-american-cyberwar-how-obama-l...
2
Why did Obama hurt Israel at the UN after Trump ? Is it because he wants to protect his legacy?
Sad to learn that Obama is such a petty person.
Sad to learn that Obama is such a petty person.
13
Obama? What about Mr. Netanyahu's little election-year trip to Congress?
I support Israel but the settlements have to stop. They are cruel and provocative and it's about time the US stopped blindly supporting Bibi's right-wing regime.
I support Israel but the settlements have to stop. They are cruel and provocative and it's about time the US stopped blindly supporting Bibi's right-wing regime.
9
We give Israel billions of $$$$. We didn't chop down $38b considering the Israeli PM disses our POTUS whenever he likes. If Trump is so wonderful (sure SIL is pulling those strings) then he can do what he wants once POTIUS. Note : in the interim ONE President at a time.
3
Too little, too late.
Where was he when Joe Biden was considering making a run for it?
Where was he when Joe Biden was considering making a run for it?
7
Having read this column and many of the comments, I must agree with Thomas Frank who wrote that liberal members of the Democratic party live in a bubble, in an echo chamber. Drive through the rural areas of the mid-west and Pennsylvania as I have done, and you will see economic devastation caused in large part by Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. This is why Mr. Trump won these states and after the years of desperation these voters turned to their best alternative.
14
If this is those states' "best alternative," buckle up fellow citizen because we may be in for a ride.
3
People in those rural areas needed to move to more vivacious areas and to upgrade their skills. To engage in opportunities with local community colleges and business partnerships. It takes initiative.
Not wanting to leave your high school buddies has left many behind the job arena.
The steel industry died in the 1980's. Those jobs aren't coming back.
But there are tons of jobs in technology, health care services, and university services. You either be the spark for your future, get help, or rust away.
Hillary Clinton had lots of these initiatives to offer.
Not wanting to leave your high school buddies has left many behind the job arena.
The steel industry died in the 1980's. Those jobs aren't coming back.
But there are tons of jobs in technology, health care services, and university services. You either be the spark for your future, get help, or rust away.
Hillary Clinton had lots of these initiatives to offer.
3
Obama is criticized so much these last couple of weeks and that he could do so much more. Give him a break, he is all the way in Hawaii enjoying his vacation.
3
I dislike this expression that Obama is "protecting his legacy." He's protecting the country.
28
Thank you, President Obama. I wasn't always in your corner wanting you to be stronger and make the Democrats fight too-- what a disappointment the party was to not support you fully-- however as you depart office please do whatever you can to provide measures that will not allow Trump to bulldoze over process and protocol in Washington. We see that the GOP will let him and try to manage the blow-back later if they fell anyone "cares." The structures of government were designed to provide protection from such egos in office. Trump's serious narcissistic illness will manifest itself more prominently as he encounters push-back. He needs his family and the support of others who know him i.e., his inner circle and loyalist because he fills their pockets with his wealth, and can endure his insecurities and idiosyncrasies. They've been protecting him like writing speeches he doesn't know about or agree with when finding out, taking his phone, etc. Like he states, but doesn't fully believe: America First; not Trump first. What kind of President he is going to be will show up early.
Trump has risen to his level of incompetence and America can ill afford him to be President for long. He speaks out of both sides of his mouth and only recognizes people who have wealth as people of substance. He will use every manipulation to make himself appear great!
Your greatest challenge may be this one as you exit the door. Thanks for your leadership. You'll be missed! How much we'll soon know!
Trump has risen to his level of incompetence and America can ill afford him to be President for long. He speaks out of both sides of his mouth and only recognizes people who have wealth as people of substance. He will use every manipulation to make himself appear great!
Your greatest challenge may be this one as you exit the door. Thanks for your leadership. You'll be missed! How much we'll soon know!
9
Trump will likely be the worst President we have had in many years. But you still have to ask why didn't Obama do all these things sooner? i.e before the election?
I would like to know why people are so reluctant to criticize a President (Obama) who has done so many bad things like vigorously pushing the most vile treaty ever written, the TPP, offering to cut Social Security before the Republicans even brought it up(!), prosecuted more whistle-blowers than all past Presidents combined, approved two other pipelines while putting on a show about DAPL and so on? He also waited too long to intervene in DAPL - a number people had to get hurt first, before we stopped violating another treaty with Native Americans and endangering precious water supplies for millions. Any doubts? Search the NY Times for the clear evidence.
Many years after Trump has come and gone, men and women will look back and see that behind all the excuses and showmanship, Obama was a poor President, whose timidity in some things and aggressiveness in others helped continue the decline in the middle class that Reagan started and paved the way for a disastrous Trump victory.
At the very least President Obama could have spoken out much, much more strongly against Republican injustice instead of making being liked the most important thing. One can also wonder how much he quietly agreed with them, and used them as a cover for his support for the 1%.
I would like to know why people are so reluctant to criticize a President (Obama) who has done so many bad things like vigorously pushing the most vile treaty ever written, the TPP, offering to cut Social Security before the Republicans even brought it up(!), prosecuted more whistle-blowers than all past Presidents combined, approved two other pipelines while putting on a show about DAPL and so on? He also waited too long to intervene in DAPL - a number people had to get hurt first, before we stopped violating another treaty with Native Americans and endangering precious water supplies for millions. Any doubts? Search the NY Times for the clear evidence.
Many years after Trump has come and gone, men and women will look back and see that behind all the excuses and showmanship, Obama was a poor President, whose timidity in some things and aggressiveness in others helped continue the decline in the middle class that Reagan started and paved the way for a disastrous Trump victory.
At the very least President Obama could have spoken out much, much more strongly against Republican injustice instead of making being liked the most important thing. One can also wonder how much he quietly agreed with them, and used them as a cover for his support for the 1%.
3
Still working on that elusive legacy? Better to leave early and work on your golf game.
12
Two words Mr. President: Supreme Court. Please do not fail us with this opportunity.
11
Trump will recommend his spray tanner/hairdresser for the Supreme Court, since they don't want to move to DC
1
President Obama will have a fine legacy, even if the GOP temporarily stop it. Don the Con's likely disastrous presidency and his terrible administration of deplorables will cement Mr. Obama's place in history.
13
All I gotta say is if you invested $100 in the DOW in Jan 21 2009, you would have made quite a bit of money today.
Now do that same calculus with any Republican president, and you will see the one truth why they should never win any office.
Are Democrats that bad they cannot catapult this truth effectively? Nothing makes my blood boil when the truth is not effectively communicated - pure laziness and sellout.
Now do that same calculus with any Republican president, and you will see the one truth why they should never win any office.
Are Democrats that bad they cannot catapult this truth effectively? Nothing makes my blood boil when the truth is not effectively communicated - pure laziness and sellout.
10
The legacy of Obama for me is I doubt I will ever vote for another Democrat......
the ramp up of the present cold war with nuclear power Russia is leaving us all at risk; the overthrow of the democratically elected Ukraine government that started the fiasco in Ukraine/Crimea; the regime change in Libya; regime change agenda in Syria; support for Saudi Arabia's bombardment in Yemen; $38 billion to Israel when we have serious needs here; and a Democrat who put cutting Social Security on the table, no government option in health insurance; and more. I expect this comment will be censored.
the ramp up of the present cold war with nuclear power Russia is leaving us all at risk; the overthrow of the democratically elected Ukraine government that started the fiasco in Ukraine/Crimea; the regime change in Libya; regime change agenda in Syria; support for Saudi Arabia's bombardment in Yemen; $38 billion to Israel when we have serious needs here; and a Democrat who put cutting Social Security on the table, no government option in health insurance; and more. I expect this comment will be censored.
9
The only "power" Obama is using is the Executive Order. Easily undone, so it is not a legacy maker. More of a desperation maker.
6
Obama's legacy will be one of extraordinary support for the middle class-- from the largest tax cut the middle class ever received in the stimulus to ACA which protests the middle class from sickness and bankruptcy to stabilizing an economy on the cliff.
With his billionaire cabinet, Trump has already signaled that he will continue the GOP goal of protecting the wealth of the rich. We will soon look at Obama's administration with a deep sense of loss.
With his billionaire cabinet, Trump has already signaled that he will continue the GOP goal of protecting the wealth of the rich. We will soon look at Obama's administration with a deep sense of loss.
14
How about the legacy of the American voter who re-elected the wrecking crew of Bush/Cheney and then passed on their unprecedented mess to one of the most serious men ever elected in the White House. Not only he took care of them but he solved health care that went unsolved for a century. But apparently he wasn't perfect for many whiners so they elected next a carnival barker that themselves find him unfit for office but channels their anxieties. Let's talk about that legacy of petulance and extremism.
28
All this posturing, while in the best interests of the country in the short term, will lead to blowback into the future. The hurdles that Obama is setting up will be the excuses that Trump will point to as to why he has/ hasn't been able to do something. If the economy goes south: it was because of Obama's last days. If we get into a war: it was of because of Obama's last days. Running the United States is a very difficult task which requires an exceptional individual. The world is a dangerous place with or without people and events tend to test both individuals emotional and rational personalities. So far, Mr. Trump has tried to be as abstruse as possible and when something doesn't go his way, it was because of someone else. On January 20, he and the Republican Party will own all problems. Let's hope that Mr. Obama doesn't provide fodder for the Republicans to deflect blame onto someone else as they have shown in the past.
4
I see your point, but Trump will find a way to blame virtually everyone else, including Obama, when he crashes and burns. That will not change regardless of what Obama does or doesn't do now. Might as well make use of the last few days we have of a sane person in office.
5
Too bad as his final actions he isn't creating jobs and doing s omething to secure our boarders. Now that's something ALL the American people could get behind.
7
Still thinking those coal mining jobs are coming back OR automation won't be eliminating more jobs? People need skills, not expecting to work in a union, not getting job at the local factory and still expecting goods and services in US to be cheap. I am happy to buy American and pay slightly higher or significantly more for that. However, I hear many people complain about interacting with companies who lower costs by using cheap offshore labor, but when I mention would they mind paying more for US based resources,they fall silent. You can't have it both ways.....
3
Trying to build a legacy in the last months of an administration that hasn't achieved much isn't helping the country.
Maybe Turkey will implode before Obama leaves office and he can add them to the list of ones he successfully ruined.
Maybe Turkey will implode before Obama leaves office and he can add them to the list of ones he successfully ruined.
10
To Obama a smooth transition means leaving his last minute proclamations in place after January 20. There is no doubt that Clinton would not challenge most of what Obama is setting up as he leaves the presidency. The Times article points out that much of what Obama is doing is being done to hinder Trumps ideas being put in place. I hope the Times continues to have articles that present the issues in a fair way as this one does.
5
Obama needs to make a recess appointment of Garland to the Supreme Court.
23
Forget Garland. If Obama can make a recess appointment, it should be the most Liberal person he can find.
3
There are just a few more things to do before leaving.
1. Remove all the letters T from the computer keyboards in the White House.
2. Leave a note in the top drawer of the president's desk as follows: If I had a third term option, I would have whomped you.
P.S. Rubio was right about your hands.
1. Remove all the letters T from the computer keyboards in the White House.
2. Leave a note in the top drawer of the president's desk as follows: If I had a third term option, I would have whomped you.
P.S. Rubio was right about your hands.
7
Securing a legacy is an act of self-aggrandizement. Legacy policies are enacted in furtherance of one's personal reputation. Endless accounts of Obama's legacy building suggest that his actions as he leaves office are motivated by his concern for his personal reputation and the quality of his presidential library. But that view is all wrong. There is no evidence of selfish motivation in Obama's closing acts. Rather, he is doing what he can do to promote policies he has supported since day #1.
2
Face it Trump is dangerous and as many road blocks the President can make are good for the country and all the people of the United States not just the rich ones.
11
Obama rush to "cement Legacy" especially the abstention at the UNSC , appears more and more as a student who's failed previous exams, rushing in the last minute to do something, be it as furtive, vindictive and ultimately useless as in the UNSC case only to have the personal satisfaction of getting back at the examiners who failed him.
4
Any comparison of Trump to a child is doing a great injustice to children.
9
President Obama should do something to protect the "Computer" before he leaves office. The incoming president is likely to ban the use of computers in federal government as he is concerned that it is vulnerable to hacking!
The Times should stay out of the muck of imputing psychology and motive to the actions of President Obama. It encourages readers to channel their inner soap opera, which is getting a little fatiguing (as is encouraging people to think they are having some national version of PTSD). Tossing bouqets at the curtain call is not what legacy is made of.
The news might be if there was something of real significance, like yesterday's article on how candidate Nixon sabotaged the Viet Nam peace talks so that peace could not happen and Johnson/Humphrey would be seen as failing - (not new news: it is discussed in Johnson biographies). Is any of this on that level?
The news might be if there was something of real significance, like yesterday's article on how candidate Nixon sabotaged the Viet Nam peace talks so that peace could not happen and Johnson/Humphrey would be seen as failing - (not new news: it is discussed in Johnson biographies). Is any of this on that level?
4
Here he goes again. Once again President Obama is setting a negative precedent that will infuriate liberals when President Elect Trump does the same when he leaves office. Liberals will cry foul and attempt to say what Trump is doing has never been done before. Obama is just continuing to be more concerned with his own legacy than the state of national and world affairs. Somewhere along the line the liberal progressive party started to believe that they, and they alone, were the holders of all the answers. Opening public restrooms, open trade, open borders, government paid abortions, women being drafted into military service, ignoring violence by social justice groups, job crushing regulations made law to appease climate change doomsayers and many others were issues that the left thought they were somehow appointed the final authority. President Obama gave little to no thought to what would occur when an opposite party member holds office and does the same. If the reaction by the left to the change that voters voted for is any indication of what the reaction will be when Trump uses his powers in the same manner as Obama has then ulcer medication should be a booming business by the time the left wins back the White House. Someone should have explained to Obama that what goes around usually comes around. But for now the left seems to keep relying on their non-valid argument that Clinton won more votes in the popular vote. Neither ran to win popular vote.
10
The way this article quotes and identifies Erick Erickson is dangerous. Haven't we learned not to legitimize extremist views by treating them as worthy of respect? And the quote itself--that the outgoing administration is being evicted, rather than that their term ended. Why was that appropriate to embed in the midst of so much serious information? This should be a teachable moment between this article's author and a senior editor.
9
If all of these policy changes are so important, why is Obama making them as he walks out the door? Wouldn't it have made more sense for them to have been made 8 years ago as he was just entering office?
7
Did you forget that the financial apocalypse was happening 8 years ago wrapped in a pretty bow for him to solve? Think he was busy....
6
Except for Obama Care which was achieved without a single Republican vote thereby setting up a acrimonious partisan relationship with congress and also having passed by "budget reconciliation" rather then straight up vote, his legacy is by the stroke of his pen through executive orders. The new Congress will repeal Obama Care, and Trump and Congress will "executive order" his legacy away. So much for a President, though personally popular, will not have achieved any lasting results other then a significantly depleted Democratic Party, a disaster in Syria, Russia influence in the mid east, rampant terrorist killings and ISIS. So much hope but in the end, a year from now, so little accomplished.
10
But remember that Romneycare-Obamacare is the brainchild of the conservative Heritage Foundation. I am sure that if Obama was a white Republican, the GOP would consider him to be the best President in generations.
6
The ACA passed "without a single Republican vote" not because he ignored Republicans, but because Republicans decided a priori that they would vote against ANY kind of health care reform, in order to weaken Obama. Even when Obama adopted Republican ideas, the GOP instantly disowned them. They pressed him to "start over" while people were dying at the mercy of insurance company abuses. It's disingenuous to paint the party-line vote on the ACA as a Democratic failing. The Republicans decided that it was better to demonize and block any form of reform than to cooperate. Unfortunately, it worked.
4
President Obama is not a lame duck. Time will prove his legacy as one of our greatest Presidents. If President-elect Trump achieves half of what Obama accomplished, notwithstanding the entire Republican party establishment and Congress obstructing Obama's policies and scorning him during his two terms of office, then perhaps we don't have to worry as much as we are worrying about the Man Who Tweets and doesn't bother with intelligence briefings, who will ascend in weeks from Trump Tower, Mar-a-Lago and inhabit the Oval Office. A prayer for the New Year - may there be peace in unpeaceful places in our country and around the world, and may the sweet values of American democracy abide during Donald Trumps' administration. Wishing this man - who has a difficult row to hoe - good luck. We had Barack Hussein Obama's back for 8 years, and now that the rubber has met the road, we - Americans all - must have Trump's back.
4
Mr. Obama's legacy will be his inexplicable ability to give great speeches, yet his seemingly disinterest in leading the fight for those speeches. A disconnect largely ignored by the press, given a pass by the Democrats and exploited by an aggressive Republican leadership. After eight years of Bush, the country was just thankful to have someone who could speak in complete sentences. But looking back, what's really changed? The wars have continued. We are actually bombing more countries now. The banks are bigger. The ACA? A conservative Heritage Foundation idea implemented as Romney Care at the state level and now, thanks to Obama, on a national scale.
6
“Obama and John Kerry are like tenants who trash a place as they are being evicted,” Erick Erickson, the author of a prominent conservative website, said on Twitter.
Should't that read "...Legally trashing the place..."
Should't that read "...Legally trashing the place..."
3
Very few respect Erickson
2
Cemeting a Presidential legacy occurs with accomplishment over the couse of the terms in office served. Cramming in the last 3 weeks as President Obama is his right and serves the people who supported him for better and for worse. Unfortunately the worse has occurred with the US abatainining on the Isreali settlements votes at the UN, throwing Isreal, its closest ally in the Middle East under the bus and clearly disappointling his ardent Jewish supporters in the US. Not all Presidents leave towering legacies, but President Obama does leave a legacy to some and a first as a black President to all. Only time will tell if it's a durable Legacy.
1
President Obama was attacked from all sides. Attackers had vastly different motivations among themselves.
Motivation ran the gamut from some version of "I want him to fail regardless of right or wrong for Country" to "he's not acting like the far left puppet I wanted him to be".
There were textures and shades running end to end in the motivation gamut. Some motivations more toward the noble, some more toward the the irrational and/or mean.
And sometimes he just wasn't cutting it and he needed to be told. So sometimes regardless of motivation the criticism and push-back or push-forward was factually warranted.
What is not cricket is when leaders or the media have as THEIR OBJECTIVE ensuring failure of a duly elected leader regardless of consequences and rightness or wrongness of actions/policy. For examples see these UNamerican declarations:
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell: "The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."
Rush Limbaugh: "I hope he fails."
Rep. Michele Bachmann: "we're hoping that President Obama's policies don't succeed."
Nor when the opposition Party thwarts actions that would help Americans when they are down and need help just to make the President seem less effective:
Say when the Republicans tried to kill over 7 million government related jobs jobs during the height of the major recession. When asked about the potential for more job losses, Speaker John Boehner said, "so be it".
Motivation ran the gamut from some version of "I want him to fail regardless of right or wrong for Country" to "he's not acting like the far left puppet I wanted him to be".
There were textures and shades running end to end in the motivation gamut. Some motivations more toward the noble, some more toward the the irrational and/or mean.
And sometimes he just wasn't cutting it and he needed to be told. So sometimes regardless of motivation the criticism and push-back or push-forward was factually warranted.
What is not cricket is when leaders or the media have as THEIR OBJECTIVE ensuring failure of a duly elected leader regardless of consequences and rightness or wrongness of actions/policy. For examples see these UNamerican declarations:
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell: "The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."
Rush Limbaugh: "I hope he fails."
Rep. Michele Bachmann: "we're hoping that President Obama's policies don't succeed."
Nor when the opposition Party thwarts actions that would help Americans when they are down and need help just to make the President seem less effective:
Say when the Republicans tried to kill over 7 million government related jobs jobs during the height of the major recession. When asked about the potential for more job losses, Speaker John Boehner said, "so be it".
12
I believe he is still President Obama until the inauguration....why are you referring to him as Mr. Obama?
6
Lets develop the Oil and Gas reserves on the continent of Africa because they have amore stringent Environmental laws than the USA. So does South America for that matter. We have to keep the jet fuel coming so the Liberals can take there European Vacations.
4
We've all heard the expression "gracious in defeat". But the Donald, with his recent tweets blasting those that didn't vote for him, has created a new expression: " ungracious in victory" The man doesn't have an ounce of class, just like the decor in both his gaudy Trump Tower, and even gaudier Mar a Lago estate.
10
Appoint Merrick Garland.
8
Even better: Appoint Michelle Obama!
1
Wasn't Trump going to reveal the plan by which he would eliminate all of his conflicts of interest by December 15?
9
So of course all the readers here who are applauding this executive action will be cheering when Trump does the same thing on his way out the door? Correct? Process matters! Unchecked power of the executive matters. If you cheer this, because "your guy" is doing it, you are enabling "their guy" to do it as well.
Can you imagine if Harry Reid had not invoked the "nuclear option" and some of Trumps idiotic cabinet appointments could have been stopped?
PROCESS MATTERS!
Can you imagine if Harry Reid had not invoked the "nuclear option" and some of Trumps idiotic cabinet appointments could have been stopped?
PROCESS MATTERS!
3
Why claim Obama is protecting "his legacy"? I believe his is protecting, as best he can, the good works he brought to Americans in so many ways, while he served as President.
It is word abuse to label his actions "protecting his legacy". He is not so self centered as to be concerned about his legacy. He is trying to salvage the great social advantages he brought to America to make their lives better.
Don't you know your own president better than to claim he has selfish reasons for his current actions.?
It is word abuse to label his actions "protecting his legacy". He is not so self centered as to be concerned about his legacy. He is trying to salvage the great social advantages he brought to America to make their lives better.
Don't you know your own president better than to claim he has selfish reasons for his current actions.?
12
On balance I think President Obama's Presidency mostly failed. I'm also very afraid that the day is rapidly coming when he won't be in office.
2
Barack Obama was elected for four years. Republicans refused to even consider the Supreme Court nominee he made months ago.
They exercised their power to deprive him of his. That's all he is doing now, and they are in no position to complain.
I write this as someone who thinks any president should get most if his cabinet picks and the Senate should pass bills with 51 votes no matter who controls it -- the public should get what it elects. But it elects people for full terms.
They exercised their power to deprive him of his. That's all he is doing now, and they are in no position to complain.
I write this as someone who thinks any president should get most if his cabinet picks and the Senate should pass bills with 51 votes no matter who controls it -- the public should get what it elects. But it elects people for full terms.
4
Great idea. Please appoint Judge Garland To the Supreme Court. It is your right.
6
Obama is hardly being the gracious predecessor aiding in the transfer of power that he promised to be. He mentioned his extreme gratitude for George W Bush and his staff during a similar time, but as usual, Obama says one thing and does another
9
So Obama is attempting to "cement his legacy" in the last few weeks? What "legacy" ? The one that Hillary Clinton said she wanted to continue? The one that fanned racial resentment, supports open borders, Obamacare, the Iran deal, sanctuary cities, , infrastructure repair, transparency in government, contempt for every day working Americans with their "guns and their religion and their antipathy to people who are different than they are" talk of his grandmother being a "typical white person" and the list goes on...
Obama's "legacy" is the collapse of a Democratic party now run by a cynical, far left minority bent on killing any joy, pride, optimism, hope for this great country we live in. American people throughout the country "got it" and saw this president for what he is--a mediocre student getting by on c's and d's only to cram all night before finals to try for an A.
Please stop with the Obama "legacy"" stuff. It is one of failure. And your desperate efforts to revise and re-interpret his character and "achievements"
is a useless exercise now.
Obama's "legacy" is the collapse of a Democratic party now run by a cynical, far left minority bent on killing any joy, pride, optimism, hope for this great country we live in. American people throughout the country "got it" and saw this president for what he is--a mediocre student getting by on c's and d's only to cram all night before finals to try for an A.
Please stop with the Obama "legacy"" stuff. It is one of failure. And your desperate efforts to revise and re-interpret his character and "achievements"
is a useless exercise now.
12
I just wish Obama had been so "effective" during the previous eight years! The contrast with Trump is that Trump will bully his way to policy effectiveness. That is what Obama is doing now.
1
This guy is so incompetent. Reminds me of a teenager that maxed out his parents credit cards, used their Jet for personal vacations, trashed their house, took away tens of millions of peoples healthcare and replaced it with a tax, and now throws temper tantrums.
9
President Obama has my enthusiastic support to do whatever he can to protect his and some previous administrations' policies from being ruthlessly overturned in order to benefit a very tiny segment of America's citizenry. Kudos to President Obama, our beloved current president!
10
Mr. Obama is “appropriately reading that as full steam ahead,” Ms. Tanden said.
We will have "full steam ahead" when Mr. Obama makes his recess appointment of a Supreme Court justice. Until then, nada.
We will have "full steam ahead" when Mr. Obama makes his recess appointment of a Supreme Court justice. Until then, nada.
1
Obama: same behavior, different issue.
5
All Mr. Obama does is make the act that President Trump will sign a few days in wholesale-reversing Mr. Obama's actions a few lines longer.
6
Adding extra 10 trillion National Debt is what Mr. Obama's 'greatest' legacy he left.
8
And the difference between what O is doing and the outgoing Republican governor of NC is doing is...what? Don't obscure the issue by gesticulating that everyone knows that Obama is doing the right thing to hamstring a vicious megalamaniac, while the NC governor is trying to curtail a Democrat who is on the side of truth and light.
Hazard a principled distinction.
Hazard a principled distinction.
11
Trump thinks he is already President. I am so happy that the real president...President Obama is doing all of these things. I really wish he had been much more aggressive in these ways, but better late than never. Trump is going to have that little pea brain swirling in so much ego, ignorance and incompetence...he won't even know what to do first. Maybe Ted Nugent can give him some tips.
8
"To many conservatives, Mr. Obama is acting out of spite as much as conviction."
And that's who the conservatives are today. What they see is not what is there, but what they are. If ever there was a political party that deserved "spite" it's the GOP. If ever there was an outgoing president who would be justified in acting out of spite, it's Obama. But that just isn't who he is. That the Republicans and conservatives don't know that after eight years is attributable to the fact that they spent those eight years acting to damage this president and keep him from doing his job. They can't imagine anyone acting out of conviction or based on principles because they have none of their own -- excpet the raw pursuit of power.
And that's who the conservatives are today. What they see is not what is there, but what they are. If ever there was a political party that deserved "spite" it's the GOP. If ever there was an outgoing president who would be justified in acting out of spite, it's Obama. But that just isn't who he is. That the Republicans and conservatives don't know that after eight years is attributable to the fact that they spent those eight years acting to damage this president and keep him from doing his job. They can't imagine anyone acting out of conviction or based on principles because they have none of their own -- excpet the raw pursuit of power.
10
Obama must appoint Judge Merrick to the Supreme Court before Jan 3 as is his constitutional right. Merrick can serve one year under this executive order.
9
This week's most embarrassing news about Barack the Brittle is that he enacted tens of billions of dollars' worth of new regulations in a single day.
It could take a month for the people's elected representatives to remove every new regulation enacted by this dangerous man but that month would save maybe ten million jobs and give the country a burst of optimism.
Then there are a solid thousand new political operatives stuffed into the DOJ.
Time for the polygraph machines.
It could take a month for the people's elected representatives to remove every new regulation enacted by this dangerous man but that month would save maybe ten million jobs and give the country a burst of optimism.
Then there are a solid thousand new political operatives stuffed into the DOJ.
Time for the polygraph machines.
13
Obama could have left with grace, dignity and elegance.
His goal in pushing the rather fake news of the Russian hacking was to tie the hands of our next American President, not Putin's.
The "Waters of the United States" rules, drilling bans in the Arctic and Atlantic, sabotaging the Mideast and the land-grabs in Utah and Nevada are all excessive with more expected in the coming three weeks.
What a small, vindictive, man Obama turned out to be.
His goal in pushing the rather fake news of the Russian hacking was to tie the hands of our next American President, not Putin's.
The "Waters of the United States" rules, drilling bans in the Arctic and Atlantic, sabotaging the Mideast and the land-grabs in Utah and Nevada are all excessive with more expected in the coming three weeks.
What a small, vindictive, man Obama turned out to be.
16
How ironic that it's Obama, not Trump, who has totally lost his cool and is lashing out spitefully at Trump, and that it's Trump, not Obama, who has acted above the fray and won't let Obama get under his skin.
Nobody is doing a better job than Obama undermining his own legacy by acting out his bitterness and inability to accept the rejection of his vision in the election. Who but the most extreme partisan can respect his attempt to cast all possible doubt on the legitimacy of the incoming President, and his implicit threat to stick around Washington to undermine the new President however he can?
Did Jimmy Carter do so when Reagan took over? Did George H.W. Bush do so when Clinton took over? Did any President ever do so in modern history?
Only Obama has proven to be so contemptuous of the democratic process, and the succession of Presidents.
Nobody is doing a better job than Obama undermining his own legacy by acting out his bitterness and inability to accept the rejection of his vision in the election. Who but the most extreme partisan can respect his attempt to cast all possible doubt on the legitimacy of the incoming President, and his implicit threat to stick around Washington to undermine the new President however he can?
Did Jimmy Carter do so when Reagan took over? Did George H.W. Bush do so when Clinton took over? Did any President ever do so in modern history?
Only Obama has proven to be so contemptuous of the democratic process, and the succession of Presidents.
14
Those happy to the point of gloating over Obama's recent actions, and excited about the potential for more in the next 3 weeks may wish to think about the certainty that four or eight years from now Donald Trump may be equally active in cementing his legacy, tweeting that he had an outstanding teacher.
5
THIS is the Barack Obama that I voted for twice, it is too bad that he waited until his last month in office to take these much needed actions.
Too bad President Obama decided to work with the Republicans, it did not get him or the country very much. As a result he left us hoping for change instead of giving us actual change.
President Obama is an honorable man, as long as he is making these changes for the betterment of this country he has my full support. He always did.
Too bad President-Elect Donald Trump ranks the betterment of this country as a very low priority. Most likely things are only get worse for us in the 99% once the new administration takes over.
At this rate 2017 may actually end up being worse than 2016!
Too bad President Obama decided to work with the Republicans, it did not get him or the country very much. As a result he left us hoping for change instead of giving us actual change.
President Obama is an honorable man, as long as he is making these changes for the betterment of this country he has my full support. He always did.
Too bad President-Elect Donald Trump ranks the betterment of this country as a very low priority. Most likely things are only get worse for us in the 99% once the new administration takes over.
At this rate 2017 may actually end up being worse than 2016!
11
Speaking as an outsider and onlooker from afar, the thought came to me: What are we going to call this period when we look back at the 8 years of Obama? Camelot was the Kennedy period and for some reason it springs to mind when I think what the next 4 years are going to do to the planet, to me living far away in Australia and of course to the most powerful nation in the world.
Some say that for all his charm, this President hasn't really done much to advance America.
I think the mere fact that he got elected advanced America, a black man, the leader of the Free world. That's some powerful stuff right there.
Now we have almost the diametric opposite about to take the reins and I think everyone now is living with a secret fear that'll it'll all end in tears.
I'm hopeful the GOP realists will reign in the 45th Presidents more brash and unthinking policies and that Americans keep engaged with their politics for their own sake and for mine.
Some say that for all his charm, this President hasn't really done much to advance America.
I think the mere fact that he got elected advanced America, a black man, the leader of the Free world. That's some powerful stuff right there.
Now we have almost the diametric opposite about to take the reins and I think everyone now is living with a secret fear that'll it'll all end in tears.
I'm hopeful the GOP realists will reign in the 45th Presidents more brash and unthinking policies and that Americans keep engaged with their politics for their own sake and for mine.
14
Obama is embarrassing himself and our country. Israel...??? No other outgoing president has behaved the way he is - small and petty. Not presidential.
13
Obama is like the child who lost the game and punctures the ball to not let the others go on playing.
17
The arrogance of the lawyer Barack Obama is without limits. And he misuses the power of the President od the United States to give it the most uncontrolled expressions acting during these days as if he would live as President 8 more years.
Shame on him !
Shame on him !
12
You can hardly blame the guy after enduring 8 year of an obstructionist republicans in congress and taking the blame, from republicans, for Bushes disastrous economic policies. Having said that, while he had (overall) good intentions and goals in foreign affairs, execution was a disaster under Obama.
3
You mean 6 years. In his first 2 he dismantled the health care industry.
1
All this stuff about Obama "leading the nation" is just pure hogwash. Tell that to the folks in Aleppo when he failed to keep his 'red line' with Assad. Or failed to follow up in Libya to help them establish a stable government after overthrowing Khadaffi. (sp). Or, helping ISIS to be formed by leaving Iraq before the Shia figured our that they needed the Sunni to govern effectively.
And the reset with Russia sure worked out well, indeed. Let us see what Trump might do. It could be that nobody can deal with Putin, who knows?
In general, our allies have been stunned at the loss of American leadership in the world. They wonder what comes next.
Here's a piece on our loss of leadership and its consequences: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/thanks-to-no-drama-obama-america...
And another here: Obama's Middle East Delusions
by Efraim Karsh
Middle East Quarterly
Winter 2016
So, don't blather to me about the leadership of Obama. He has zero clue what they means as he had not led anything of major consequence before he became President with his glib tongue, beguiling the easily beguiled Left, including the media, and he didn't learn as President, either.
Will Trump do better? I don't really know. At least he has accomplished something before he became President Elect. The contrast in achievement is stunning. Happy New Year, all!!
And the reset with Russia sure worked out well, indeed. Let us see what Trump might do. It could be that nobody can deal with Putin, who knows?
In general, our allies have been stunned at the loss of American leadership in the world. They wonder what comes next.
Here's a piece on our loss of leadership and its consequences: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/thanks-to-no-drama-obama-america...
And another here: Obama's Middle East Delusions
by Efraim Karsh
Middle East Quarterly
Winter 2016
So, don't blather to me about the leadership of Obama. He has zero clue what they means as he had not led anything of major consequence before he became President with his glib tongue, beguiling the easily beguiled Left, including the media, and he didn't learn as President, either.
Will Trump do better? I don't really know. At least he has accomplished something before he became President Elect. The contrast in achievement is stunning. Happy New Year, all!!
14
Finally, someone who isn't a delusional petulant child supporting petulant administration with a bat in hand in a china shop.
I am so grateful for President Obama.
12
As a citizen of these United States of America in good standing, and being of sound mind and of an analytical bent, I would like to offer my sincere thanks and everlasting gratitude to my President, Barack Hussein Obama.
Mr. President, your service to our Country will be written in the annals of history as exemplary of one of the finest periods of Presidential influences and positive, proactive efforts in my lifetime, if not in the entire history of our great Nation.
Thank you, Sir, for your impeccable service in the face of seemingly insurmountable opposition, and may the days to come bring to you and your family ease, peace, and continued grace.
Respectfully,
Davitt M. Armstrong
Mr. President, your service to our Country will be written in the annals of history as exemplary of one of the finest periods of Presidential influences and positive, proactive efforts in my lifetime, if not in the entire history of our great Nation.
Thank you, Sir, for your impeccable service in the face of seemingly insurmountable opposition, and may the days to come bring to you and your family ease, peace, and continued grace.
Respectfully,
Davitt M. Armstrong
34
Very well said mr. Armstrong
4
President Obama: you have my full support in any and all actions you see fit to take prior to January 20th.
Every additional minute spent solidifying rational and well-justified policy choices will equate to dollars, and even lives, saved during the tumultuous years to come. Keep fighting the good fight.
Every additional minute spent solidifying rational and well-justified policy choices will equate to dollars, and even lives, saved during the tumultuous years to come. Keep fighting the good fight.
27
Trump wrecked Obama, the Clintons, the Bushes and everyone else who got in his way. A lightweight citizen like Obama will be in 3 weeks, is no match.
11
Thanks Obama!
We're going to miss you so much.
We're going to miss you so much.
21
The majority of US voters, by some 3 million votes, voted for Mrs Clinton, and essentially 4 more years of Obama. He is doing what the majority want hiim to do. Continue the policies we endorse, as long as he can.
27
I guess Trump is already in the White House. Does'nt he know we have one President at any given day. FYI Trump - Inauguration is Jan. 20!!
5
You gonna remind Obama of that fact on January 21?
Didn't think so.
The Left are such hypocrites.
Didn't think so.
The Left are such hypocrites.
3
Trump is already in the white house because we have been carrying water for a corpse, you know how it goes, someone who did nothing all their lives but used up precious oxygen, because they are dead, can't say bad things about the dead, digging for positive things here and there, can't let him go, though really in a couple of weeks, we will shake it all off....move on .... and the real sad thing is people will say things aren't so bad in fact they are way better... that is the real fear of the left... that he will not be missed, that Trump has greater positive imprint as president... that is the real fear here that is why it is difficult for any here to give Trump a chance.
Sort of embarrassing what President Obama is doing at the last minute. What he could not achieve in a normal legislative manner, he does by executive order. More of an indication of an inability to win bipartisan support or just ineffective leadership. History will not judge him kindly in my opinion. Somebody called him a lame duck or political corpse. Slapping Israel out the door and Russian sanctions that are impotent that have even his supporters spit laughing.
19
you can not win bipartisan support if one party blocks everything out of spite, regardless of any merit of the proposal.
Obama should have used this approach earlier.
Obama should have used this approach earlier.
3
Executive orders have been used since the administration of George Washington. As for bipartisan support is has been the party of the opposition that flat out refused to work with Mr. Obama. Republicans pointedly refused to attend social gathering with the President to show their disdain. From my perspective he has done a decent job. Bin Laden is dead, ISIS leadership is dead, my portfolio has recovered and the economy has been restored, the promise clean alternative sources of energy are being realized and 20 million Americans now have medical insurance. I applaud his efforts to ensure that the nation's children will have a clean environment in which to raise their children. He takes the long view and has always put country ahead of party. If you think history will not judge him kindly because of these accomplishments, then yours is a world view that I cannot begin to agree with nor comprehend.
5
Embarrassing was the Senate's refusal to even hodl hearings on teh Garland nomination. Embarrassing and shameful.
4
Thank you President Obama for your steady hand in leading our country out of a crippling recession. Thank you for the respect you showed towards you adversaries. We are proud of you and the respect you and your family brought to the office entrusted to you by the citizens of our nation.Thank you for your continued effort during your final days as president to secure our environment, national security and the welfare of the people you served during your presidency. You will be missed.
31
Just to pick one example of Trump's multiple declarations of war, he's clearly declared war on the environment. Obama's actions are fully appropriate and necessary. Godspeed, Barack. Do all you can.
30
I totally agree. Barack Obama will go down as a great.What he has put up with all the Republicans is absolutely deplorable
8
The entire notion of a president having a "legacy" is preposterous. Presidents work for the people; they are not kings and queens who operate on their own. No president should try to "cement his legacy" over doing what is right for the country as a whole. There is no such thing as a president acting (legitimately) outside the public interest. There's no such thing as a president's right to leave a mark.
13
Of course, Obama should shape the government the way he wants. That's why he was elected. Are Republicans in their immense hypocrisy going to criticize him for doing what he has legal, political and moral right to do. Remember, that these are the people who denied him the naming of a Supreme Court judge so that their own man would have the chance to do so. I find the tone of the article unbalanced. Rather than slanting it toward hindering Trump, it should be presented as completing Obama's program. He has the absolute right to do so and it would be failing in his duty not to do it.
34
As the saying goes, better late than never. To all applauding Obama "using all his powers" just wait until Trump uses his. Unfortunately, his powers have been vastly expanded by his two predecessors. We have seen nothing yet.
4
If Obama has legacy it's one of comprehensive mediocrity.
16
Mediocre you say? They said the same about Jimmy Carter, some even worse. But in hindsight we now know he avoided a war with Iran. God only know how many lives he saved, both here and in Iran. They say it takes courage to go to battle. It takes even greater courage to stand for peace. Obama's legacy will speak for itself in years to come
3
Other than the stock market soaring the unemployment dropping the auto industry saved 26 million people insured.
Any republican president did that and you'd be telling me he was the best since Reagan. Only he raised taxes 13 times increased the deficit and armed Iran
Any republican president did that and you'd be telling me he was the best since Reagan. Only he raised taxes 13 times increased the deficit and armed Iran
2
Too little too late for this legacy thing.
6
These are historical times. The US is about to inaugurate a narcissistic sociopath as President. Hateful, manipulative, dishonest, and utterly incapable of normal human feelings, Trump is the closest this country has ever come to collective suicide. Let's hope something of American democracy survives, we will need luck, lots and lots of luck.
31
And you got your degree in Psychology from where?
4
For a moment it appeared that you were speaking about Hillary Clinton.
3
Mr. Obama is at last revealing for all his true spiteful, vindictive character.
17
Obama policies around the world have left more in peril since WW 2
14
Pundits speak dismissively of Obama's "legacy" as if it were some self-aggrandizing vanity project. In reality, it is is the tangible fruit of his vision combined with remitting work on behalf of the American people over the past eight years. He is leaving the country better off in innumerable ways precisely because he focused on making gains for the common good rather than promoting himself.
Now Trump comes along and vows to undo every one of Obama's accomplishments, irrespective of their merits. Given this wrong-headed, indiscriminate assault, the president is doing exactly the right thing in defending achievements that are supported by the majority of Americans
Now Trump comes along and vows to undo every one of Obama's accomplishments, irrespective of their merits. Given this wrong-headed, indiscriminate assault, the president is doing exactly the right thing in defending achievements that are supported by the majority of Americans
39
Liberal democrats seem to have missed the point of the recent election whereby Obama's so-called merits were not good enough to elect a candidate that would have carried them forward. Turns out Americans didn't want a king, and still don't.
3
It is a small pleasure, but a pleasure indeed, to know that Mr. Obama can simultaneously assist in transition, and "stick it " to the classless, purveyor of falsehoods, Mr. Trump. Enjoy yourself Mr. President, and thank you!
31
I didn't know "sticking it" to the next President was part of the job description. Thanks for letting us know.
3
Special circumstances warrant special actions
2
Never before has a president attempted to make such dramatic policy changes during the waning days of his administration. Most maintain the status quo pending inauguration of their successors. That is the orderly process. Obama, in contrast, is trying to stuff all of the items of his radical left agenda that he did not have the courage to pursue before the election because Hillary Clinton would have suffered huge popular vote losses. That by itself is a sign that he no longer has a popular mandate and that his actions lack public support. That will surely lead to their undoing under the Trump administration.
15
He's pathetic his admin full of sore losers. He's the smartest guy in the room 100% of the time. Everything will be reversed and then some. Especially his foreign policy - pretty much a complete disaster. And the progressives can spend all of 2017 lamenting the fact of the lost election .
4
Whatever is good in America that survives will be Obama's responsibility; whatever dies will be Trump's. And yours, J.S. May you both be called to account for that.
8 years in office and nothing to show for except those celebrity filled soirées in White House. The only thing he had was some class and now, his lame duck tantrums are showing even that was an act. What a shame!
15
Imagine all he could have accomplished if the republicans didn't thwart his every move.
But still unemployment is half of what it was, the stock market is more than twice of what it was and 26 million people have insurance. He saved the auto industry. And halted the loss of 800,00 jobs a month when he took office.
If Mitt or McCain did that you'd be telling me that either was the best president ever.
But still unemployment is half of what it was, the stock market is more than twice of what it was and 26 million people have insurance. He saved the auto industry. And halted the loss of 800,00 jobs a month when he took office.
If Mitt or McCain did that you'd be telling me that either was the best president ever.
3
President Bush did not try to undermine Obama after the election.
Obama said he would do the same, but his actions prove otherwise.
It is so obvious that Obama wanted to do certain things but he didn't want to endanger the democrats chances in the general election.
How did that work out?
Obama said he would do the same, but his actions prove otherwise.
It is so obvious that Obama wanted to do certain things but he didn't want to endanger the democrats chances in the general election.
How did that work out?
16
I think we were all quite confident that mrs Clinton would win the election, including president Obama. As president Obama has higher approval ratings than trump and the popular vote significantly outweighed trump, I don't think what President Obama is doing is radical. He's trying to protect us from a buffoon.
4
Obama spent his transition and a lot of personal good will supporting tarp legislation and encouraging democrats to vote for it. Had he not, bush would have left office with even more if an economic meltdown.
2
I recognize that what I am about to comment is not related to the article, but I just feel a need to reiterate that Trump' extremely limited vocabulary which is mostly four letter superlatives still shocks me. After all, he is going to be the next President of the USA. He truly does needs others to translate his first grade responses into something meaningful and substantial that adults can relate to. For an America president this is embarrassing and pathetic.
23
@Celine,
Did you hear Okie doke?
Did you hear Okie doke?
Obama, whose famous quote is that elections have consequences, seems to be contemptuous of the voters when his party loses, which has been often during his reign.
He seems to have become a Constitutional law professor so he could master new ways to subvert that document.
He seems to have become a Constitutional law professor so he could master new ways to subvert that document.
18
Maybe he is thinking of the popular vote.
1
He is still president and entirely within his rights. Meanwhile the Senate completely shirked their constitutional duty to consider the Garland nomination.
4
The United States was supposed to be the best of us. But Donald J. Trump will be the worst of us.
23
Does the "best of us" include the dems rigging the election through the DNC and super delegates. Senator Sanders discarded by progressive elites. Amazing hypocrisy and of course Hillary with her less than honest, some might say @crooked" best of us performance.
4
You hit the nail on the head. Could not havesaid it better
Bring it on, Mr. President! We have twenty days, and all too soon it will be high noon.
29
The Republican congress prevented a supreme court appointment, because they could. President Obama should appoint one, because he can. I think that is a useful parting shot to the "do anything to make Obama fail" congress.
38
Bravo!!!
1
Nothing that can't be undone or circumvented.
6
As soon as POTUS 45 drops the sanctions on Puttee, everyone will know who pulls whose strings. I'm from Missouri show me the income taxes. Don't you agree?
14
Obama has already cemented his legacy as the worst President this country ever had. There is nothing he can do in 3weeks to undo that fact.
10
Legacy? More wars. Banks bigger than they have ever been. Suspension of habeas corpus. The unprecedented use of the Espionage Act. Trade deals that hurt working Americans. A national Romney Care plan. An anemic and decimated Democratic Party infrastructure. A feral criminal justice system. Trump. Legacy? Let's hope Mr. Obama's legacy is reversed.
13
The opposition is acting as it has for the last eight years. Even if President Obama brought peace to the Middle East, there would be criticism. While I do not consider Obama the best president ever (only time will tell), there is no doubt that he is far more suited to the presidency than Donald Trump. The Republican Party's disdain for President Obama & his policies will continue to be the driving force that clouds good judgment & good governance to such a degree that McConnell & Ryan & Co. fear retaliation from the narcissist sociopath who leads the Republican Party.
16
Trump and Gingrich, now there's a pair!
Newt Gingrich, frequently described as what stupid people think is smart. And then we've got Don the con Trump, who — with all due respect — smart people clearly know is stupid.
Newt Gingrich, frequently described as what stupid people think is smart. And then we've got Don the con Trump, who — with all due respect — smart people clearly know is stupid.
23
Bill Clinton is not a stupid man........and he praised Newt Gingrich: http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2011/11/28/nr-bill-clinton-praises-gingrich...
And if your definition of stupid can stretch to include someone who turned an inheritance of a million or so dollars into billions, then you have a vivid imagination.
And if your definition of stupid can stretch to include someone who turned an inheritance of a million or so dollars into billions, then you have a vivid imagination.
3
The gains of the 8 years under President Obama is President Obama's legacy and not the odious President-elect's. If President Obama is acting this way - it is because he is aware of what is best for America, the American people and the rest of the world.
23
When I woke up this morning and saw our incoming POTUS's "Tweet of the Day" : “Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don’t know what to do," I honestly thought it was a joke.
The more Mr. Obama can do to safeguard our country in the final days of his administration, the better. Mr. Trump is a moron.
The more Mr. Obama can do to safeguard our country in the final days of his administration, the better. Mr. Trump is a moron.
42
RECESS Appointment to SCOTUS and the many other courts. NOW!
29
I sorely wish article writers- opinion pieces; editorials would cease framing their "words" around the notion that what President Obama is doing these last days of his administrations as; trying to "Cement His Legacy". It takes many years and much analysis to determine a Legacy.
What I see is a lot simpler and more practical: Trying to create a Bulwark around (and against) the oncoming onslaught of mind binding assaults on Democracy- come Twelve Noon January 20, 2017.
What I see is a lot simpler and more practical: Trying to create a Bulwark around (and against) the oncoming onslaught of mind binding assaults on Democracy- come Twelve Noon January 20, 2017.
35
why does the NY times think Obama is correct and the governor of North Carolina wrong. journalism should be objective and editorials should not be page 1. in addition where is the objective analysis that none of Obamas actions anticipated the reactions of either putin or Theresa may. if foreign policy is a chess board America may have been relegated to novice
3
bw: You are quite aware, your comparison is false. President Obama is using the current Powers of the Presidency; Not Stripping an incoming President of any Power according him/her by changing the laws.
5
Obama's legacy is President Trump together with the deconstruction of the Democratic Party.
20
No, that's Trump's legacy, along with the destruction of our country.
2
The world has confidence that Obama does the right thing. He is highly revered for his integrity and wisdom. We cherish every moment he remains in office, because once he leaves on January 20, we don't know how low the US will sink under Trump.
59
You mean: Stabbing Israel in the back? Enabling the Syrian dictator to murder hundreds of thousands of his own people after crossing the red line? China to take over the South China Sea and threaten our Allies' and our own security? Betray the Ukraine and Russia to advance its hegemony without a "boo" from BO? Yes, great wisdom and wisdom.
5
And you speak for The World from what platform?
4
Obama should be concerned about his legacy as President for 2 terms.
The inexplicable wars are still ongoing and he rarely brought that up as a topic in his press releases. When he did, it was to keep the wars going and throw money into the war machine.
Snowden and the NSA debacles are part of his legacy. Obama could have offered a nuanced explanation of those NSA revelations; instead he wanted to prosecute Snowden and said little else about the matter.
And let's not forget his odd delays on gay civil rights because he was still "evolving" (his words). That was galling. Obama waited for the Supreme Court to do something and he did literally nothing except offer a confused personal statement. That is not a great president.
200 years from now history will look at Obama's 2 terms as a "holding pattern of the status quo." The truth is that Obama's politics are more like a moderate Republican from the 1990s, than any kind of Democrat. We all know Obama was roadblocked but does that excuse everything he didnt do as president for 8 years? He could have spoken out to the press many many times even if he couldn't make any changes. But he didnt.
20
Oh, the irony. The GOP has been trying to declare Mr. Obama no longer president since last spring when they refused to consider his Supreme Court pick. Since the election, Trump has been stepping in where he, as President-elect, has no right to be verbally pushing Mr. Obama aside and communicating with world leaders ('just ignore him, I'll be president soon, so he doesn't count').
The GOP in North Carolina made a pointed and concerted effort to strip an incoming Democratic governor of several of his powers. Now the GOP whines because Mr. Obama continues his job, which he has legally until Jan 20, right up to the end?
Oh, and he is not "being evicted" - his second term is coming to an end. The language continues their disrespect for Mr. Obama (and his family) and their long held desire to erase him from history.
The GOP in North Carolina made a pointed and concerted effort to strip an incoming Democratic governor of several of his powers. Now the GOP whines because Mr. Obama continues his job, which he has legally until Jan 20, right up to the end?
Oh, and he is not "being evicted" - his second term is coming to an end. The language continues their disrespect for Mr. Obama (and his family) and their long held desire to erase him from history.
64
Mr. President, please appoint M. Merrick. Please!
49
Notwithstanding the electoral collage vote, the popular vote was given by the people of 2.5+ million people. And Obama's approval ratings are higher than Trump's ratings.
And Obama is still President until January 20, so he has the right to run the country. I'm sure Trump won't cede his Presidential powers to his successor, even though the Republicans led by McConnell, unconstitutionally failed to hold hearings for Obama's Supreme Court nominee during Obama's term. They're no ethically legal angels.
Finally, in response to Gingrich's criticism about Obama, as noted about former President Bush, former Presidents have done nothing different than what Obama is doing.
I'm still waiting to see that the Republicans follow Trump's promise to cut middle and working class taxes, and maintain social security and medicare as it stands, despite Republican legislation filed to decimate those programs for those who need them the most, while granting the wealthiest Americans the vast bulk of tax benefits and cuts, increasing the inequality Trump promised to protect.
And Obama is still President until January 20, so he has the right to run the country. I'm sure Trump won't cede his Presidential powers to his successor, even though the Republicans led by McConnell, unconstitutionally failed to hold hearings for Obama's Supreme Court nominee during Obama's term. They're no ethically legal angels.
Finally, in response to Gingrich's criticism about Obama, as noted about former President Bush, former Presidents have done nothing different than what Obama is doing.
I'm still waiting to see that the Republicans follow Trump's promise to cut middle and working class taxes, and maintain social security and medicare as it stands, despite Republican legislation filed to decimate those programs for those who need them the most, while granting the wealthiest Americans the vast bulk of tax benefits and cuts, increasing the inequality Trump promised to protect.
48
So if she won by 2.5 million votes, those Russian hackers must not be very good at hacking.
3
What's termed as the Obama legacy decisions are essentially the common aspirational goals of the American society that any administration in power has to strive for under the oath of office, and as the constitutional obligation to the American people. Any reversal by the successive administration would be not only tantamount to going against the national interests but also an extremely partisan view dictated by personal disliking for Obama.
38
Okay so does that mean the left will be quite as Trump does the same thing when his term is up? After all he was elected President the same as Obama. The popular vote is irrelevant since neither candidate campaigned for such. Considering Hillary campaigned to win the Electoral College and was surprised at losing, one has to wonder what the results would have been had Trump campaigned for popular vote. Trump out campaigned Hillary and won the office.
2
Yes. Thank you, Prof. Sharma.
The horrible truth is that the objectives of Trump and most of the GOP, though masked by industrial amounts of casuistry, are actually driven by white supremacy and misogyny. These two illnesses were thriving, unopposed, in the era Trump points to when he claims that he'll make America great again.
Disgracefully, a great many American citizens secretly long for that era, too. But not the majority.
The horrible truth is that the objectives of Trump and most of the GOP, though masked by industrial amounts of casuistry, are actually driven by white supremacy and misogyny. These two illnesses were thriving, unopposed, in the era Trump points to when he claims that he'll make America great again.
Disgracefully, a great many American citizens secretly long for that era, too. But not the majority.
3
Trump is a dangerous vengeful conscienceless shallow ego-obsessed fool, bent on selling our country for thirty pieces of silver, without regret and without knowledge of the destruction he plans.
I doubt there is much Obama can do to prevent the coming dangerous degradation of American, which is about to be made small and mean and broken.
God help us all (and I'm an atheist).
I doubt there is much Obama can do to prevent the coming dangerous degradation of American, which is about to be made small and mean and broken.
God help us all (and I'm an atheist).
85
Those 30 pieces of silver: make the US safe for kleptocrats.
Admiring dictators.
Hate crimes on the rise.
Promoting international conflicts.
Admiring dictators.
Hate crimes on the rise.
Promoting international conflicts.
37
I applaud your political trainers for heaping every bit of anger & fear they had right into your heart. And you were created to be an independent, reasonable person able to deal rationally with real issues.
You seriously need to change your reading sources for news. Try places that actually make money in the media biz.
We could tell long ago that your parting admission was the truth.
You seriously need to change your reading sources for news. Try places that actually make money in the media biz.
We could tell long ago that your parting admission was the truth.
3
Susan, Susan....
Relax, babe.
Trump "knows things that other people don't know".
We're all good here.
Relax, babe.
Trump "knows things that other people don't know".
We're all good here.
2
Nice to read what President Obama is doing instead of just what the president elect is saying.
Thank you for starting the new year off right, for example, for our environment, women and our health. Keep working to the end!
Thank you for starting the new year off right, for example, for our environment, women and our health. Keep working to the end!
93
Obama's Legacy: Disastrous policy on troop withdrawals from Iraq (Obama claimed in the 2012 elections that he ended the war in Iraq and left it with a stable government, his words) and ignored the warnings of the rise of ISIS - the "junior varsity" in his eyes .
Homegrown ISIS attacks in the US.
Destabilization of Libya leading to the ISIS presence there and Christians being beheaded.
Meddling in Syria that added to the deaths in their civil war - a line in the sand was drawn.
A renewal of the Cold War with Russia, that reset button really did the trick leading to a Russian military presence in Syria.
The children's surge across the southern border of the US (forget about what the Mexican government says about the net flow of immigrants back to Mexico).
Meddling in local police activities and staring the racial pot. Good job.
Homegrown ISIS attacks in the US.
Destabilization of Libya leading to the ISIS presence there and Christians being beheaded.
Meddling in Syria that added to the deaths in their civil war - a line in the sand was drawn.
A renewal of the Cold War with Russia, that reset button really did the trick leading to a Russian military presence in Syria.
The children's surge across the southern border of the US (forget about what the Mexican government says about the net flow of immigrants back to Mexico).
Meddling in local police activities and staring the racial pot. Good job.
55
And bin Laden is still alive too--oops wait a minute. He was killed at Obama's command. My bad.
6
Let's hope we will survive Trump's legacy.
6
Must not be able to read and no knowledge of actual facts. It was Bush that set the timeline for withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Despite the American people wanting out of Iraq by that time Obama actually tried to negotiate keeping some troops in Iraq but Iraq also didn't want us there. The rest of your comments are just absolute right wing garbage. The Middle East is a rough neighborhood and hindsighted armchair quarterbacking isn't helpful to anyone. But you're going to get your dream team with Trump and a Republican congress so we'll all get to see how things play out in four years. Oh but wait. Didn't we basically have that team for the eight years prior to president Obama?
15
Grand Old Party? Donald Trump remaking GOP in his image (WP). Narcissism: self-centeredness arising from failure to distinguish the self from external objects, either in very young babies or as a feature of mental disorder. Virus: When it comes into contact with a host cell, a virus can insert its genetic material into its host, literally taking over the host's functions. An infected cell produces more viral protein and genetic material instead of its usual products.
The United States has a narcissistic virus taking charge.
Doctors have figured out how viruses conspire to make you feel lousy. Thwart the insidious game plan and you’ll get sick less often and bounce back faster. So look at the sad, sniveling life of a common virus and take the necessary steps to kill the virus.
Your Best Defense: Clean Hands. Viruses are passed from infected person to another person by touch or in the air.
Incubation: Soon after entering, the virus fools the special receptors that act as doorways, then walks on in and makes itself comfortable — and you miserable.
Infection: After attacking a cell, the virus injects its genetic material inside and copies itself.
Illness: All the copies the virus made now break out of the host cell and look for other cells to infect. This period is when you’ll feel worst.
Get Out: An army of cells destroy the virus. Your body’s works to clean up the mess left behind leaving memory cells. This will protect you from that same virus.
Trump/ Anosognosia
The United States has a narcissistic virus taking charge.
Doctors have figured out how viruses conspire to make you feel lousy. Thwart the insidious game plan and you’ll get sick less often and bounce back faster. So look at the sad, sniveling life of a common virus and take the necessary steps to kill the virus.
Your Best Defense: Clean Hands. Viruses are passed from infected person to another person by touch or in the air.
Incubation: Soon after entering, the virus fools the special receptors that act as doorways, then walks on in and makes itself comfortable — and you miserable.
Infection: After attacking a cell, the virus injects its genetic material inside and copies itself.
Illness: All the copies the virus made now break out of the host cell and look for other cells to infect. This period is when you’ll feel worst.
Get Out: An army of cells destroy the virus. Your body’s works to clean up the mess left behind leaving memory cells. This will protect you from that same virus.
Trump/ Anosognosia
21
Clarify for us, please: Are you describing Donald Trump or Barack Obama, or both Trump and Obama?
1
Southern Education Hu!
I live in the South.......but I graduated from a top school, second in my class, magna cum laude, with a degree that demands you actually learn because you must pass a national exam before you can work.
Northern Education Brain Freeze!
Northern Education Brain Freeze!
1
The president-elect has been party to some 4,000 lawsuits over the last 30 years and is currently facing 75 active lawsuits involving open cases of fraud, unpaid bills, contract disputes and sexual discrimination.
Mr Trump has settled arguably the most embarrassing three lawsuits - over the now-defunct Trump University - which centered on former students claiming they were charged tens of thousands of dollars for courses that promised to unlock the secrets of real estate entrepreneurship - and didn't. He has always denied the claims but settled for $25 million.
Mr Trump is also defending lawsuits tied to his campaign. In New York State, Republican political consultant Cheryl Jacobus filed a $4 million libel lawsuit claiming he "destroyed her career" by calling her "a dummy" on Twitter.
In another case, scheduled for 29 November in Chicago, it is alleged Trump's campaign violated consumer protection laws by sending unsolicited text messages to "Help Make America Great Again!"
If you’ve been anywhere near Facebook or Twitter in the past several months, you’re probably aware that there is a case working its way through the courts that accuses Donald Trump of raping a 13-year-old girl in 1994.
Trump will nominate a SCOTUS that will let him off.
Mr Trump has settled arguably the most embarrassing three lawsuits - over the now-defunct Trump University - which centered on former students claiming they were charged tens of thousands of dollars for courses that promised to unlock the secrets of real estate entrepreneurship - and didn't. He has always denied the claims but settled for $25 million.
Mr Trump is also defending lawsuits tied to his campaign. In New York State, Republican political consultant Cheryl Jacobus filed a $4 million libel lawsuit claiming he "destroyed her career" by calling her "a dummy" on Twitter.
In another case, scheduled for 29 November in Chicago, it is alleged Trump's campaign violated consumer protection laws by sending unsolicited text messages to "Help Make America Great Again!"
If you’ve been anywhere near Facebook or Twitter in the past several months, you’re probably aware that there is a case working its way through the courts that accuses Donald Trump of raping a 13-year-old girl in 1994.
Trump will nominate a SCOTUS that will let him off.
59
I stay at least 10 feet away from Facebook and 12 feet away from Twitter. But I do read newspapers, and do fact check with sources such as Snopes.
You will need to follow the bouncing ball to view the ups-and-downs of the allegations that Trump raped a 13 year old girl. From Snopes:
"A woman who had accused Donald Trump of raping her when she was a 13-year-old girl has once again dropped her lawsuit against the Republican presidential candidate. Thomas Meagher, an attorney for the complainant (known only by the pseudonyms "Jane Doe" and "Katie Johnson"), filed a voluntary dismissal in district court in New York on 4 November 2016, two days after the putative victim was a no-show at a scheduled press conference."
http://www.snopes.com/2016/11/05/trump-rape-lawsuit-dropped-again/
You will need to follow the bouncing ball to view the ups-and-downs of the allegations that Trump raped a 13 year old girl. From Snopes:
"A woman who had accused Donald Trump of raping her when she was a 13-year-old girl has once again dropped her lawsuit against the Republican presidential candidate. Thomas Meagher, an attorney for the complainant (known only by the pseudonyms "Jane Doe" and "Katie Johnson"), filed a voluntary dismissal in district court in New York on 4 November 2016, two days after the putative victim was a no-show at a scheduled press conference."
http://www.snopes.com/2016/11/05/trump-rape-lawsuit-dropped-again/
2
Since the United States is a part of this world and everyone in the world is going to be affected by Global Warming how will the rest of the world act when the United States doesn’t abide by the Paris Agreement and increases its use of coal and oil? At what point will a large portion of the world see the United States as being a threat to their survival and goes to war with the United States in an attempt to stop the United States from continuing to create its extreme levels of carbon pollution? If the world does go against the United States, what will be the first strike?
23
What about China and Japan among other countries that ignore global warming.
4
So we will be attacked over an agreement that has yet to be ratified?
1
Um, China is definitely NOT ignoring global warming and is, in fact, becoming a leader in environmental technology. It is ahead of its goals under the Paris agreement.
1
Sore loser. Put up all of the roadblocks a little boy on the playground can muster. The throne is ours.
The left is out. We have the Senate and the House because of your failed administration.
The left is out. We have the Senate and the House because of your failed administration.
50
Unfortuately, Trump is promoting policies that a majority of Americans don't actually support. And certainly neither party's establishment. In my mind, there were no winners here.
3
"The throne?" Did we crown Trump King of America? Or do you mean his gold plated bathroom "throne"?
11
The "throne"?? Lol.
3
I hope that President Obama makes public what is know about Trump's interests vis a vis Russia and Putin. Trump has declared those who oppose(d) him to be his enemies. I consider myself and millions upon millions of Americans to be his declared enemies, which makes him a domestic enemy of the United States of America and a clear and present danger. To that end, he should not be sworn in to office until every one of his, his family and his appointees' interests with Russia and Putin are known, vetted and publically disseminated and found entirely free from conflicts of interest.
Otherwise, we all lose our republic on January 20, 2017.
Will the military carry out unlawful orders? Will Trump unlawfully place us under martial law?
It certainly will be an agenda of, by and for Russia/GOP and will be unConstitutional, in violation of the BIll of Rights, and a clear break of the oath of office. Trump has promised this, and he has been entirely consistent in acting accordingly.
Otherwise, we all lose our republic on January 20, 2017.
Will the military carry out unlawful orders? Will Trump unlawfully place us under martial law?
It certainly will be an agenda of, by and for Russia/GOP and will be unConstitutional, in violation of the BIll of Rights, and a clear break of the oath of office. Trump has promised this, and he has been entirely consistent in acting accordingly.
53
I hope President elect Donald Trump makes public obamas ties to ISIS and George Soros, now that would be news worthy.
5
Everyone else here seems to think he's a liar. Which is it? Is he a liar or will he follow through on the threats you perceive that he has made?
2
You should have been around in the 1950's, you'd of loved the hammering Russia took in the press then.
2
“He’s doing all this stuff as his legacy,” said Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, comparing Mr. Obama to a petulant god in a Wagner opera. “If he goes through three more weeks of this stuff, who is the country going to think is the extremist? Trump or Obama?"
Actually, Newt, I'll always see you as an extremist and a traitor to our country. You were one of the leaders of the degradation of civility in the daily workings of Congress. Calling Pres Obama an extremist is laughable. Trump isn't extreme, he's just a petulant incompetent child who doesn't even know much about the office he's about to hold. And the contribution you made to distrusting and hating the government played no small part in him landing the job.
Actually, Newt, I'll always see you as an extremist and a traitor to our country. You were one of the leaders of the degradation of civility in the daily workings of Congress. Calling Pres Obama an extremist is laughable. Trump isn't extreme, he's just a petulant incompetent child who doesn't even know much about the office he's about to hold. And the contribution you made to distrusting and hating the government played no small part in him landing the job.
78
Perhaps, if Trump had been a "community organizer" and served as counsel to those wonderful folks at ACORN, he would be as smart as Obama in your estimation.
3
Absolutely agree!
Gingrich should look in the mirror if he wants to call somebody an extremist.
49
Newt Gingrich was not seen as an extremist by Bill Clinton: Clinton worked well with Newt Gingrich and the country benefited by the process.
http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2011/11/28/nr-bill-clinton-praises-gingrich...
From Politico - As president, Barack Obama was not as successful as Bill Clinton: "Were he inclined to be a careful student of Clinton’s successes — which the record suggests he is not, particularly — Obama might take comfort from the reality that 20 years ago, Clinton was widely mocked by many in his own party (and among the opposition) as weak and waffling (or at least cynical) for his compromises with the Republicans. By the end of his tenure, no less a critic than Gingrich adjudged him “the best tactical politician, certainly of my lifetime,” and today he is remembered, for better and worse, as the kind of president who could close the deal. " http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/barack-obama-bill-clinton-113553
http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2011/11/28/nr-bill-clinton-praises-gingrich...
From Politico - As president, Barack Obama was not as successful as Bill Clinton: "Were he inclined to be a careful student of Clinton’s successes — which the record suggests he is not, particularly — Obama might take comfort from the reality that 20 years ago, Clinton was widely mocked by many in his own party (and among the opposition) as weak and waffling (or at least cynical) for his compromises with the Republicans. By the end of his tenure, no less a critic than Gingrich adjudged him “the best tactical politician, certainly of my lifetime,” and today he is remembered, for better and worse, as the kind of president who could close the deal. " http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/barack-obama-bill-clinton-113553
1
Thank you, Mr. President, for giving this American hope and inspiration. Was enjoying earlier the remarkable photos taken of you and your legacy by Pete Souza. The ones of you with children of all ages made me smile and feel joyful.
Sending my deep appreciation to you and your loved ones. Wishing you all a happy and bright New Year.
Sending my deep appreciation to you and your loved ones. Wishing you all a happy and bright New Year.
58
Thank you president Obama for stepping up and thank you New York Times for publishing.
Both did your jobs!
Both did your jobs!
54
Just one other thing. Regarding Mr. T's Happy New Year tweet:
"Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!"
Somebody has to tell you, so it might as well be me. You have to work with a tutor and an editor. A tutor will teach you about developing an inner monologue. An editor will coach you on tone and suggest more appropriate word choice. If I had been working with you, I might have suggested adversaries or opponents. Enemies is too loaded and, frankly, it sounds weird.
You're going to have to trust me on this. That's what you pay me for. Oh, I forgot; we pay you.
"Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!"
Somebody has to tell you, so it might as well be me. You have to work with a tutor and an editor. A tutor will teach you about developing an inner monologue. An editor will coach you on tone and suggest more appropriate word choice. If I had been working with you, I might have suggested adversaries or opponents. Enemies is too loaded and, frankly, it sounds weird.
You're going to have to trust me on this. That's what you pay me for. Oh, I forgot; we pay you.
54
Obama is President until the 15th.Obama is President until the 15th.Obama is President until the 15th.Obama is President until the 15th.Obama is President until the 15th.Obama is President until the 15th.
After that many of us are very scared.
After that many of us are very scared.
19
20th, please.
20
I'm on your side in this issue but I just have to ask, who's in charge between the 15th and the 20th?
4
The government freebies are going to come to a close, having to work for a living might scare you at first but you will get used to it.
1
We have Comrade Trump injecting his nose in the country as President-elect, when prior to this President-elect's did not inject themselves in the current countries affairs until after they were inaugurated, understanding we only have one President at a time.
Now, we have Trump taking sides with Putin and Russia in thanking Putin the Butcher for not retaliating against the United States with sanctions.
Just what country was Trump elected to represent, Russia or the United States?
I wonder how many American's are going feel comfortable with a President like Trump, that is Putin's hip pocket willing to side with him against the United States?
I know Trump feels like he owes Putin a large debt of gratitude in assisting him during the election, but I can guarantee one thing, that if Trump keeps up this love affair with Putin and Russia, his stay in the Whitehouse will be short lived; even if the Dysfunctional Do Nothing Republican Congress can overlook and tolerate this bromance with Putin, the American people will not!
Now, we have Trump taking sides with Putin and Russia in thanking Putin the Butcher for not retaliating against the United States with sanctions.
Just what country was Trump elected to represent, Russia or the United States?
I wonder how many American's are going feel comfortable with a President like Trump, that is Putin's hip pocket willing to side with him against the United States?
I know Trump feels like he owes Putin a large debt of gratitude in assisting him during the election, but I can guarantee one thing, that if Trump keeps up this love affair with Putin and Russia, his stay in the Whitehouse will be short lived; even if the Dysfunctional Do Nothing Republican Congress can overlook and tolerate this bromance with Putin, the American people will not!
61
The plural is Presidents-elect. Not that anyone expects Leftists to know what they're trying to talk about.
2
"I know Trump feels like he owes Putin a large debt of gratitude in assisting him during the election,"
Hey, an information provided about HRC was useful in determining her suitability.
Hey, an information provided about HRC was useful in determining her suitability.
1
Let me guess.
You moved to NH from MA?
The Congress should not tolerate peace and friendship with Russia?
The Democrats have turned into the war party. Of course, they are better at starting wars and destroying other peoples' countries than actually winning a war, but they seem to like it anyhow.
You moved to NH from MA?
The Congress should not tolerate peace and friendship with Russia?
The Democrats have turned into the war party. Of course, they are better at starting wars and destroying other peoples' countries than actually winning a war, but they seem to like it anyhow.
1
I am grateful to President Obama for allowing us to see how his mind works, how his thoughts, ideas and feelings impact his governance, this map of logic and practical consideration helping us to be steadfast companions whether we agree or disagree with his decisions. With him we are part of the process. Donald Trump is way, way out there, on his own, and in his own emotional Twitter space - we're not invited to be a part of his universe - he dictates in a crazy language - and I sure don't want to be a part of his world after witnessing such immaturity, and such a misunderstanding of what leadership means.
63
Thank you, Sarah. That was a fresh and insightful comment.
3
Obama wasted too much time early in his term trying to appease Republicans who kept moving the bar. Too bad he didn't govern this way when the Democrats had both the House and Senate.
56
Obama wasted his time of having House and Senate by pushing through the shaky ACA. He was more worried about his legacy at this early period of his terms than to take on a more liberal agenda to appease his party. Trump, unfortunately for the left, will not make this mistake. The left realizes this and see the missed opportunity.
I adore Obama and voted him for him twice. But I have to ask: What took him so long?
29
With all due respect to President Obama, for whom I voted, the last president to leave a marked, lasting "legacy" was LBJ.
19
If you are referring to the start of our massive debt spiral and accelerating the most brutal misguided war since WW2, I would have to agree.
2
Pres.Obama will be a fine ex-president. With just 3 wks left before he leaves the WH there is not much left to cement his legacy which has been a mixed bag. Overall though I don't regret campaigning for him in 2008 and being absolutely delighted that he won. Even though the US now has a debt of 20 trillion $s, he spearheaded the economic recovery and that will be his legacy. There was nothing comparable to 911 under his watch on US soil and so one can conclude he kept the USA relatively safe from overseas terrorists. His getting Obamacare or ACA though congress in principle to provide healthcare insurance to millions who did not have any insurance before he took office is commendable but somewhat flawed in its execution from the beginning. Even though it has been called the craziest system in the world by none other than the former pres. Bill Clinton, Obamacare has 2 provisions that will have to remain in any alteration or replacement of Obamacare. The 2 provisions being no refusal of insurance based on previous medical history and coverage of all persons up to the age of 26, if required on parent's insurance coverage. On the world scene past 8 years will be remembered for vigorous attempts at regime change with US influence and arms supply to rebels in Libya, Syria, Yemen and diplomatic support to opposition in Tunisia and Egypt resulting in good bad and ugly effects. Turkey is destabilized and terrorized. The strategic partnership with India will remain his legacy.
18
You forgot one... No lifetime cap.!!
3
A destabilized Libya, Iraq and the rise of ISIS (remember Obama stated in the 2012 elections that he ended the war in Iraq and left it with a stable government), beheadings of Christians in Iraq and Libya by ISIS and the homegrown attacks by ISIS within the US are all part of his legacy. He claimed ISIS was contained on the morning of the attacks in Paris. Good job.
Oh yeah, and race baiting local police departments, forgot that one.
Oh yeah, and race baiting local police departments, forgot that one.
5
I'm going to say something that I haven't ever heard anywhere else.
I like them both.
Each man seems to have a wonderful family that fully believes in him. I think each of them was brilliant in how they managed to get themselves elected.
I think Obama has done a great job given the circumstances. I expect Trump to surprise a lot of people and do a decent job as well. Even though he's nuts.
Happy New Year.
I like them both.
Each man seems to have a wonderful family that fully believes in him. I think each of them was brilliant in how they managed to get themselves elected.
I think Obama has done a great job given the circumstances. I expect Trump to surprise a lot of people and do a decent job as well. Even though he's nuts.
Happy New Year.
18
Obama must appoint Merrick Garland to fill the vacancy, even if it only lasts till the end of 2017.
86
Go ahead and try to tell a sitting President what he "must" do. See what kind of reaction you get.
1
Obama had eight years to build a "legacy". Instead he chose to remain aloof, even from his own party. Now he realizes that his legacy is Republican control of the Presidency, the Senate, the House, the Supreme Court, The majority of Governorships, most Counties, most State Legislatures, and untold Municipalities.
This is what happens when the Democratic party abandons the working class in favor of statisticians, pundits, identity politics and a cult of Obama/Clintonism.
This is what happens when the Democratic party abandons the working class in favor of statisticians, pundits, identity politics and a cult of Obama/Clintonism.
45
As a parting gesture, President Obama should release Trump's tax returns as the President is empowered to under 26 U.S. Code § 6103 - Confidentiality and disclosure of returns and return information
125
Obama should also release the net worth of him and his family.
5
Yessss!!!
3
As well as his (Obama's) school records, please.
3
Meanwhile, ISIS (aka the junior varsity of international terrorism) continues to wreck havoc, and Syrians continue to be slaughtered. So, by all means Mr. Obama, please continue to focus on political gamesmanship.
27
President Obama has done his job and he only has 3 weeks left until the end of his second term. I don't believe that he can really do too much more before handing it over to Mr. Trump. Also, the grammar in the last sentence of your comment is incorrect.
7
Thanks Gabe. I'm just an everyday working man. But I appreciate elitists like you who think they have a license to go around proving their intellectual superiority by policing other people's grammar.
6
You are five times more likely to be struck by lightning than to be killed by a terrorist. Maybe you should criticize Obama's lack of focus on lightning.
2
President Obama is President until the second trump is sworn in. Obama is a President twice elected with a mandate given by a majority of the popular vote and the electoral college, unlike trump with his pathetic 24% of those eligible to vote. Dear President Obama, if Garland is willing, please make the appointment: you know the Republicans would do it. Let them challenge it in court; let it make its way to SCOTUS for a final ruling; otherwise, having forced this precedent Republicans will use it to their advantage forevermore. Force them to stand before the highest court in the land and legally justify their reprehensible behavior. Don't let them get away with stealing this appointment.
65
Obama realizes what the consequences of such an action would be. If you think the Republicans would not respond tenfold than you have been in a coma recently. That is not a battle the left could possibly win in the long run. Say what you will about Obama but the man is not an idiot. The left will just have to do the best as they can under Trump just as the right had to do under Obama.
President Obama told Mr. Trump that a smooth transition to power was necessary and traditional and that he would assist Mr. Trump in this effort.
Mr. Trump said he understood and thanked the President for his counsel. He then promptly transferred power to Putin and Russia.
Happy New Year.
Mr. Trump said he understood and thanked the President for his counsel. He then promptly transferred power to Putin and Russia.
Happy New Year.
35
I just hope those in charge of codes and buttons and things are having serious discussions about what they would do in the event of receiving Captain Queeg/Jack Ripper-like orders. Are they prepared to follow orders? Have they developed a protocol in the event they find themselves unwilling to follow catastrophically ill-advised orders? Is there a line they have agreed upon they will not cross? Can our institutions and political structures withstand major psychological/physical upheaval and resultant civil unrest?
None of this stuff we built our government on came from the sky. A bunch of guys dreamed up a pretty workable outline. It's had to have some tweaking over the years, fights over interpretation. But at this juncture it's not like there's some impenetrable wall keeping us on safe ground. We can cross through the looking glass and end up on the other side looking back. We'll be able to see where we were, but we won't be able to get back there.
They say you can never miss what you never had. But, I don't believe that. I'll always miss what could have been. And I regret where we're going. Sorry, but that's how I see it.
Au revoir, President Obama and staff. Thank you for your service.
None of this stuff we built our government on came from the sky. A bunch of guys dreamed up a pretty workable outline. It's had to have some tweaking over the years, fights over interpretation. But at this juncture it's not like there's some impenetrable wall keeping us on safe ground. We can cross through the looking glass and end up on the other side looking back. We'll be able to see where we were, but we won't be able to get back there.
They say you can never miss what you never had. But, I don't believe that. I'll always miss what could have been. And I regret where we're going. Sorry, but that's how I see it.
Au revoir, President Obama and staff. Thank you for your service.
29
Every everything that Trump may or will overturn only highlights them. He won't be able to hide his actions with tweets. May we all pray that he gets impeached before he does irreparable harm to our nation, our government and our environment.
34
now he finds the power of the presidency? considering the stakes? he should have started with this in 2009.
10
If the recent past is window to the future then Trump's tweets will likely be, "Laws, we don't need no stinkin laws...."
23
I hope that President Obama will appoint Judge Garland to the Supreme Court since the Senate Republicans have shirked their constitutionally-mandated duty to advise and consent. Such an action would have a lasting impact and help cement his legacy. I imagine it would take a lot of possibly unsuccessful legal wrangling to undo that appointment in the next four years. Even if it establishes a precedent for Republican retribution at another time, it would be well worth that risk now.
57
Joe Biden supported having the incoming president make the nomination to fill the vacant seat. Is he wrong too?
3
There are two things that Newt Gingrich and Donald Trump fail to realize, that Barack Obama is the President and that it is unmanly to whine.
44
Reading a lot of articles about President elect Donald Trump you would think he was in office for at least two years already
I really dislike Trump.But I pray he doesn't fail for the sake of the people of this country. Forward Every Backwards Never.
6
American people want to work again I am hoping the jobs are going to come back to U.S.
1
The key to blocking much of the GOP agenda lies in the Senate.
It takes 60 votes to over come a filibuster.
The GOP has 52 Senators.
Maybe McConnell will end the filibuster.
Maybe the GOP will try to use "reconciliation which only requires a simple majority.
I think parts of ACA can be repealed by reconciliation but I don't think Social Security and Medicare can be.
I think McConnell knows if ACA is repealed with no replacement or if Social Security and /or Medicare benefits are slashed with Ryan's voucher nonsense the GOP will lose the Senate in 2018.
And McConnell wants to remain majority leader.
It takes 60 votes to over come a filibuster.
The GOP has 52 Senators.
Maybe McConnell will end the filibuster.
Maybe the GOP will try to use "reconciliation which only requires a simple majority.
I think parts of ACA can be repealed by reconciliation but I don't think Social Security and Medicare can be.
I think McConnell knows if ACA is repealed with no replacement or if Social Security and /or Medicare benefits are slashed with Ryan's voucher nonsense the GOP will lose the Senate in 2018.
And McConnell wants to remain majority leader.
15
Evidently you are not aware of what Senator Harry Reid did to the filibuster to gain a momentary advantage for the left. As was told to liberals then, it was sure to come back and bite them. Oh, it will.
President Obama should do all that is possible to fill the promise of his elections in these remaining days. Mr. Trump will have his time after.
32
Better late than never. Anything Obama can do to thwart, impede , obstruct, negate, prevent , stymie, check, crimp, curb, counter or baffle Trump and the republican party from the havoc they are about to impose on the country is welcomed, and the more the better.
Obama's great miscalculation: that he could govern cooperatively with the Misanthropes, can no longer be salvaged; but he needs to do anything and everything He can possibly do at this point to minimize the impending destruction. For certain, it will not be enough. But anything is better than nothing.
Obama's great miscalculation: that he could govern cooperatively with the Misanthropes, can no longer be salvaged; but he needs to do anything and everything He can possibly do at this point to minimize the impending destruction. For certain, it will not be enough. But anything is better than nothing.
93
The saddest part of the last 8 years is the GOP showing that they care more about their party, enriching the ultra-wealthy and capitalism more than the country. I would like to think that they'll reap what they have sown one day however, it is so vile what they have wrought that none of us deserve this next four years.
31
Angry much? Get over yourself. Hillary lost. Sorry. Game over. Enjoy the ride.
16
That's where you are wrong. Anything is not always better than nothing.
If we choose not to declare war, we have done nothing. If we choose to declare war, we have done something.
Doing nothing is better than doing something stupid.
If we choose not to declare war, we have done nothing. If we choose to declare war, we have done something.
Doing nothing is better than doing something stupid.
11
I think Donald will find it much easier to chat with Don King at Mar a Lago, than handle the 24/7 demands of the presidency
75
And don't forget Kayne West.
17
I believe that's located just south of Key Largo.
1
People seem to have let themselves be misled. These action are not taking place because of the end of his presidency this is him doing his job. If he had 4 more years he would be doing the same things.
It is the republicans who do nasty things to us the people to get back at the DEMs when they lose.
It is the republicans who do nasty things to us the people to get back at the DEMs when they lose.
51
I'll be forever grateful for the grace and tempered elegance the Obama's brought to the White House and our nation. Trump's legacy is already written. He won the presidency by promoting fear and racial anxiety. I can only hope his time in office will be as short lived as possible.
171
A perfect comment. You are not alone on thinking the same thing. Applause!
27
Stephen —
If you were looking for a ray of hope, consider how ecstatic the people of Alaska must've been when Sarah Palin quit her job as governor halfway through her first, and only, term.
If you were looking for a ray of hope, consider how ecstatic the people of Alaska must've been when Sarah Palin quit her job as governor halfway through her first, and only, term.
4
"Grace and Tempered Elegance" - hardly effective tools in foreign policy.
His executive branch edicts in his last few days in office will be judged by historians as petulant and adolescent. It appears that he wants to try and tie the hands of the incoming president. Like a spoiled child who has been punished for his horrible behavior, Barack Obama will go down in history as a misanthrope who could not relate to people in either party. Pretty sad.
21
Isn't he doing just what republicans have done for the last 8 years? anything he has accomplished has been without the help of the GOP. They didn't even have the decency to give Obama's supreme court nominee a hearing. For 8 years they have failed to fulfill what they swore to do under their Oaths of Office.
24
Why praise Obama for "cementing his legacy" while castigating NC Republicans for their work to do the same?
16
Simple difference: Obama is exercising power judiciously. Republicans in North Carolina have abused theirs, which no concern for the grave cost to democracy.
5
The President is not the same thing as the NC Congress in our form of government.
10
Because suppressing an American's right to vote is illegal and un-American.
19
What is it with Republicans that they just simply cannot be, accept, or deal with goodness and decency?
Aint it funny how the GOP blames Obama for Iraq and Daesh when it is all them?
Your own list points up the lie in your premise;
“He has banned oil drilling off the Atlantic coast, established new environmental monuments, protected funding for Planned Parenthood clinics, ordered the transfer of detainees from Guantánamo Bay, criticized Israeli settlements and punished Russia for interfering in the recent elections through cyberattacks.”
There is nothing ideological in any of those things. Every one of them is based on rational science and Gitmo common decency.
The Gitmo situation is plainly obvious, the prison and what the GOP had done there is a crime against humanity and always has been.
Its only the cowardly tough guys in the GOP whom know full well how easy it is for bad people to undermine our system because that is who they are and what they do, who object to holding our prisoners in a proper prison inside the US.
Aint it funny how the GOP blames Obama for Iraq and Daesh when it is all them?
Your own list points up the lie in your premise;
“He has banned oil drilling off the Atlantic coast, established new environmental monuments, protected funding for Planned Parenthood clinics, ordered the transfer of detainees from Guantánamo Bay, criticized Israeli settlements and punished Russia for interfering in the recent elections through cyberattacks.”
There is nothing ideological in any of those things. Every one of them is based on rational science and Gitmo common decency.
The Gitmo situation is plainly obvious, the prison and what the GOP had done there is a crime against humanity and always has been.
Its only the cowardly tough guys in the GOP whom know full well how easy it is for bad people to undermine our system because that is who they are and what they do, who object to holding our prisoners in a proper prison inside the US.
40
So Obama has fulfilled his campaign promise from back in 2008 that he would close the prison at Guantanamo Bay?
8
Let's remember that Clinton won the presidency by almost 3 million votes and would be president were it not for the distorting effect of the obsolete electoral college. President Obama is doing the will of the people as best he can before the Pretender takes over and tries to subvert this country with his ignorance, crudeness, and the appointment of racist Stephen Bannon and his ilk to positions of power.
46
"Clinton won the presidency by almost 3 million votes and would be president were it not for the distorting effect of the obsolete electoral college."
Of course if the situation were reversed and Trump won the popular vote but lost the electoral college vote I seriously doubt that you would be calling the electoral college "obsolete".
Of course if the situation were reversed and Trump won the popular vote but lost the electoral college vote I seriously doubt that you would be calling the electoral college "obsolete".
17
But I thought the Russians caused her to lose by hacking the election.
How could this be the case if she won the popular vote?
How could this be the case if she won the popular vote?
12
It was gerrymandering in states and their decisions to allocate all elector votes to one candidate rather than allow them to split the votes based how many votes each party received as was done in Maine that led to the distorted effect of the electoral college.
9
What ˆI wish for is Mr. Obama is to make an interim appointment of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. It is feasible constitutionally with the provision that it could only last for one year. There is also a precedent because that is how Chief Justice Brennan received his appointment. On a smaller scale, if he won't consider it, I'd at least like to know why not.
90
Please, Mr. President. Make that appointment! Trump still gets his choice--he just has to wait for it. Meanwhile, our nation has another year to stave off SCOTUS catastrophe. Besides, given our soon-to-be President's ADD, he may have forgotten all about it by then.
36
Linda
He doesn't care what you think.
He doesn't care what you think.
3
Brennan was an excellent Justice, but never Chief Justice.
I supported Obama twice but I do not agree with his many policies and decisions made during the past eight years, especially policies toward Russia, China, and Middle East. I did not support Trump but I hope he could do a better job for many Americans during his presidency. This is my New Year resolution.
8
Almost no resolutions are kept beyond 30 days..........
10
Has anyone else looked at the photograph at the beginning of this article? It is deeply unsettling. The man seated at left appears as emotionally and mentally unstable, and severely unsure of himself, pushed into a suddenly unexpected leadership role- any reputable doctor of psychology could easily diagnose this from the photo image alone in a few seconds; while conversely the man seated at right appears as poised, happy, trustworthy, intelligent, and confidently knowledgeable about his duties as commander in chief. What does this tell us?
3
Republicans:
You are the party of birtherism, one of the most spiteful lies ever put out there by any party. And your leader spearheaded that movement.
You lost the popular vote by almost 3 million votes, yet you refuse to meet the other side halfway. The president-elect ran on faux-populism and now is putting as many plutocrats into positions of power as possible, as well as an alt-right guy and a man to run national security who tweeted links to fake news about Hillary Clinton and sex crimes.
You lost the two previous presidential elections by nearly 10 million votes and 5 million votes respectively, yet you did everything you could to undermine President Obama when he was elected by overwhelming majorities of the voters.
One of these days you will lose, in spite of your gerrymandering and your voter suppression. I will do everything I can do to make that day come sooner rather than later.
You are the party of birtherism, one of the most spiteful lies ever put out there by any party. And your leader spearheaded that movement.
You lost the popular vote by almost 3 million votes, yet you refuse to meet the other side halfway. The president-elect ran on faux-populism and now is putting as many plutocrats into positions of power as possible, as well as an alt-right guy and a man to run national security who tweeted links to fake news about Hillary Clinton and sex crimes.
You lost the two previous presidential elections by nearly 10 million votes and 5 million votes respectively, yet you did everything you could to undermine President Obama when he was elected by overwhelming majorities of the voters.
One of these days you will lose, in spite of your gerrymandering and your voter suppression. I will do everything I can do to make that day come sooner rather than later.
172
Thank you! Right there with you.
18
You claim the republicans lost the last 3 elections yet claim "one day you will lose".
Which is it? Have they lost or will they lose?
I'm confused by this and also, if the Russians hacked the election, how did Hillary still win by 3 million votes? They must not be very good hackers.
Which is it? Have they lost or will they lose?
I'm confused by this and also, if the Russians hacked the election, how did Hillary still win by 3 million votes? They must not be very good hackers.
8
She lost the Electoral College vote by a very slim margin. Dim witted tweet elect would never have gotten even close to being elected without repeated interference from FBI, email sever exploitation and faux news. TRump squeaked by... without hacking, she would have won the electoral college.....
5
We gone from a double Ivy League educated attorney and Constitutional law professor, to a reality tv host who is actively settling fraud suits for $24M a pop.
Our incoming First Lady faked her entire academic background, worked in the U.S. with the wrong passport and poses full frontal nude.
Our incoming First Lady faked her entire academic background, worked in the U.S. with the wrong passport and poses full frontal nude.
68
And steals words from the current First Lady on TV like no one would know. Idiocy.
15
You had me at "we gone".
7
Mitch McConnell and the Republicans are not the only ones who can play political games. They blocked as much as they could. President Obama is getting a bit back, as he should do.
35
From best to worst in just 20 days.
48
If Obama could do anything different, in his own mind?
He would have allowed the Public Option to go through on Obama care. He had the votes had he ordered Max Baucus to do it. But he, along with his brain trust, decided that it would be too much of a risk.
They were running scared of Harry and Louise from 1993. In 2009, that was a question of fighting the battle from the last war.
With the Public Option in place, when the low balling private insurance companies started hiking rates and/or pulling out of exchanges in 2015-2016, thus creating a temporary bump in the road for Obamacare, the Public Option could have stepped right into the breach and the momentum for Obamacare in particular, and single payer in general, would have picked up an unstoppable momentum.
This was a mistake in judgment, which was pointed out at the time, and not just with 20-20 hindsight. Indeed, Clinton's campaign in 2008 had insisted on it; she would not have backed off once she was in office, as Obama did. Not just on the Public Option, but, in the other direction, on the mandate, which Obama, with David Axelrod's advice, demagogued against during the primary campaign in 2007-2008, but accepted once in office.
The Public Option could have been a sine qua non with strong leadership.
Unfortunately, despite the achievements of Obamacare, Obama led the Democrats from behind on this one, and Tom Price and Donald Trump may just be able to end it, and then, with perverse logic, blame it on Obama.
He would have allowed the Public Option to go through on Obama care. He had the votes had he ordered Max Baucus to do it. But he, along with his brain trust, decided that it would be too much of a risk.
They were running scared of Harry and Louise from 1993. In 2009, that was a question of fighting the battle from the last war.
With the Public Option in place, when the low balling private insurance companies started hiking rates and/or pulling out of exchanges in 2015-2016, thus creating a temporary bump in the road for Obamacare, the Public Option could have stepped right into the breach and the momentum for Obamacare in particular, and single payer in general, would have picked up an unstoppable momentum.
This was a mistake in judgment, which was pointed out at the time, and not just with 20-20 hindsight. Indeed, Clinton's campaign in 2008 had insisted on it; she would not have backed off once she was in office, as Obama did. Not just on the Public Option, but, in the other direction, on the mandate, which Obama, with David Axelrod's advice, demagogued against during the primary campaign in 2007-2008, but accepted once in office.
The Public Option could have been a sine qua non with strong leadership.
Unfortunately, despite the achievements of Obamacare, Obama led the Democrats from behind on this one, and Tom Price and Donald Trump may just be able to end it, and then, with perverse logic, blame it on Obama.
10
He did not have the votes for the public option. Senator Joe Lieberman of the insurance state of Connecticut threatened to not sign the bill and cost us a public option
4
Might I remind you that it was Joe Lieberman, a turncoat Dem who shifted to the GOP in order to placate the Insurance Industries that hold power in his state, who actually pulled the Public Option. Oh, how I wish Bernie had made the final two...things might be a lot different. But what is, is. I just hope we can hold onto our democracy and keep it intact.
2
I find it sad ... The President had 8 years .. it's over. Thinking HRC was going to be the next President he gave up his last 6 months ... It's been like watching a Basketball game.
Sorry -- The vote against Israel would have never happened had HRC won .. nor would any action against Russia.
Sorry -- The vote against Israel would have never happened had HRC won .. nor would any action against Russia.
14
What action against Russia?
Sanctions, like the ones we imposed after the Russians annexed Crimea?
Ooooh! Please don't sanction Russia!
Sanctions, like the ones we imposed after the Russians annexed Crimea?
Ooooh! Please don't sanction Russia!
4
I expect, in fact I am certain, we will see buyer's remorse in the next year or two at most. Unfortunately, since Trump and his staff are mostly billionaires and all that matters in this country is money, it will be very difficult to get him out.
25
What is Trump whining about? The poor guy can't even decide what his take is on any issue. He isn't even president and has changed his mind on his campaign issues, probably doesn't understand the issues anyway.
Hillary being charged, repeal Obamacare and the Mexican wall? Everything he tweets or comments upon is all about "me" not the country, not America but how great he is. Narcissistic?
Hillary being charged, repeal Obamacare and the Mexican wall? Everything he tweets or comments upon is all about "me" not the country, not America but how great he is. Narcissistic?
30
Every time that the so-called president-elect, Republican politicians and those who salivate at the sight of Trump claim that this guy won, they have to be reminded quickly that Trump won that humpty-dumpty, undemocratic antique called Electoral College, but Trump won this legacy of slavery only modestly, and he lost the popular vote by almost 3 million votes, so neither Trump nor the Republicans in the Congress have Carte Blanche to do everything they please. We have to be vigilant and pinpoint this fact time and time again.
24
What does the popular vote have to do with things going forward? Do you think Trump or Congress is going to say, "well I didn't win the popular vote, so I guess we really shouldn't make these decisions." People need to learn acceptance.
8
I hate to tell you this but his party controls the house and the senate. He pretty much does have carte Blanche irrespective of what the popular vote was.
12
At last. Good for the president! All that bad, nasty talk from people who would't handle their constitutional responsibility to give his SC nominee a hearing. They had written the president off in early 2016. Barak Obama is president until Jan 20. I guess they forgot to read the Constitution. As if it really mattered to them, unless they wanted something from it.
27
The Obama legacy cemented is perhaps the most graceless exit of an American President in modern history. This is a peaceful transition in name only and offers a glimpse of ideological governance much like the Clinton trashing of the White House a scant 16 years before. What is apparent is a directionless foreign policy intended to undermine not just the incoming President, but more certainly the security of the nation, by creating further instability in the Middle East and with Russia.
Obama has no achievements other than a reckless disregard for the rule of law in exercising Presidential powers with Congress in recess. It is this arrogance which cost the Democratic Party the recent election as politicians are exposed as feckless echo-chambered narcissists more concerned with their imagined place in history than the people they are granted the privilege to serve. This arrogant display of power will be remembered, but not fondly.
Obama has no achievements other than a reckless disregard for the rule of law in exercising Presidential powers with Congress in recess. It is this arrogance which cost the Democratic Party the recent election as politicians are exposed as feckless echo-chambered narcissists more concerned with their imagined place in history than the people they are granted the privilege to serve. This arrogant display of power will be remembered, but not fondly.
20
I beg the differ. Obama is still the president until the final minute. In terms of achievement don't be naive. Do you remember the recession? Do you remember how high unemployment was? Do you remember the kind of mess Obama inherited? I would rather you don't say anything if you have no position opinion to share. Please weigh in properly by considering all the positive contributions Obama has graced this country with. Thank you.
61
But I thought those obstructionist republicans stopped him from doing anything.
7
In the conservative bubble, they have forgotten it all.
The recession. The bank bail outs. Somehow none of it happened, or Obama caused it.
They don't realize that none of the hysterical warnings that they crowed about happened- Obama never came for their guns, had a "brown shirt army"...I even remember reading that re-education camps were coming. They still believe he is a secret Muslim, although why it would be a secret is a mystery. They believe he is hiding something in his college transcripts. I could go on.
I guess what I'm saying is that when you ask them to be realistic about his accomplishments, you are asking too much. There's no reality there.
The recession. The bank bail outs. Somehow none of it happened, or Obama caused it.
They don't realize that none of the hysterical warnings that they crowed about happened- Obama never came for their guns, had a "brown shirt army"...I even remember reading that re-education camps were coming. They still believe he is a secret Muslim, although why it would be a secret is a mystery. They believe he is hiding something in his college transcripts. I could go on.
I guess what I'm saying is that when you ask them to be realistic about his accomplishments, you are asking too much. There's no reality there.
5
All I can picture is Democrats working to build something great, a legacy for all Americans, while Republicans shot holes in it and try to tear it down as quickly as they build while not having any other blueprints for something to replace it. It's so hard to imagine Republicans building anything for the common good. I don't even know what that would look like. All I can see is them pushing for destruction (of affordable health care, entitlements, and even feeding the hungry with SNAP benefits) and justifying it with propaganda talk of "free market" and "tax cuts." I feel sad for the regression we'll see over the next 4 years. I hope that serves as a wake up call for the next election. Maybe we have to lose some of our hard-won building to the destruction in order for people to stop taking it for granted. (But for now, I just think of the people who will suffer the loss of food and health and even life in the meantime. And that makes me sad.)
19
All of Obama's actions at the end of his presidency seem to be okay with the liberal left. His actions are within his rights. And I expect the lebiral left to give Trump the benefit of the same rationale when Trump makes his decisions, expecially at the end of his presidency.
5
Hopefully, his presidency ends very shortly. Unfortunately, we'll then be saddled with Pence, the failed governor of Indiana.
5
We on the left will give President Trump all the support that the republicans with their birther nonsense gave President Obama. I would love to see cross aisle cooperation and discussion but that isn't possible with republican intransigence
6
Scott K
Then will you explain why many of these "liberal left" are actually Republicans [such as McCain and Graham] in the House and Senate?
Then will you explain why many of these "liberal left" are actually Republicans [such as McCain and Graham] in the House and Senate?
1
Trump praises Putin and criticizes Obama. Explain to me why that is not wrong.
57
Well, if history is true to itself, whereas Mr Trump may have difficulty or even impossibility to dismantle President Obama's legacy, that's no big problem actually. Trump can just do what he does best, lie about it.
9
Some people are equating Obama's actions here with those of the North Carolina legislature, as both are essentially putting limits on what their successor or incoming Governor will be able do, but there's an important difference to keep in mind:
With the North Carolina law, it's taking power away from the Governor in one area by transferring their control of the state elections board over to the state assembly (or more specifically to a bipartisan body within the assembly of both Republicans and Democrats.) That's why Governor-elect Roy Cooper sued calling it an unconstitutional infringement on the separation of powers, and just yesterday a judge responded to the case by temporarily blocking the legislation.
With Obama however, he's not actually changing what the President can or can't do as permitted by the law. He's merely enacting executive orders and appointing officials as a President naturally does; some of which Trump won't be able to change, while many others he'll be able to overturn with varying levels of difficulty. Having to deal with the actions set by your predecessors is just how our government works--you can't just erase their legacy with the snap of a finger. But again, that's a big difference from actually taking power away from Trump's role as President, as the North Carolina legislature is trying to do with the Governor.
With the North Carolina law, it's taking power away from the Governor in one area by transferring their control of the state elections board over to the state assembly (or more specifically to a bipartisan body within the assembly of both Republicans and Democrats.) That's why Governor-elect Roy Cooper sued calling it an unconstitutional infringement on the separation of powers, and just yesterday a judge responded to the case by temporarily blocking the legislation.
With Obama however, he's not actually changing what the President can or can't do as permitted by the law. He's merely enacting executive orders and appointing officials as a President naturally does; some of which Trump won't be able to change, while many others he'll be able to overturn with varying levels of difficulty. Having to deal with the actions set by your predecessors is just how our government works--you can't just erase their legacy with the snap of a finger. But again, that's a big difference from actually taking power away from Trump's role as President, as the North Carolina legislature is trying to do with the Governor.
28
Thank you for explaining this fine point for the lot of folks who are incapable of grasping a concept that is longer or more complex than 144 characters.
11
Sad but the guy coming in basically needs the bowling alley blockers up prohibiting a "guttered ball" country. Let's hope Trump learns how to bowl.
8
Gutter is an appropriate word for the direction we are heading under a Trump administration.
10
The voters rejected Obama's legacy and Hillary at the polls in November, it's too late to save it now. Besides, it wasn't such a great and grand legacy anyway.
18
What votes? the popular vote or the electoral college?
13
The only one that count.
8
President Obama has renewed our standing in the eyes of the world. Nice work. DJT will be more than the republicans bargained for I'm afraid, because unlike most politicians, he will operate without an eye on reelection, and will not fund raise for anyone who crosses him. It will be crazy, but it will be different. Happy New Year.
3
Please! Keep it going Mr. President. Do whatever it takes because the
next one is not ours. He should not walk in the footsteps of Lincoln.
Over the hill on Cape Cod!
next one is not ours. He should not walk in the footsteps of Lincoln.
Over the hill on Cape Cod!
17
Four years of Trump, if he lasts that long, will cement Obama's legacy.
25
shaver : " If he lasts that long " sounds rather ungracious - to say the least .
6
But realistic given conflicts and lies.
4
Meaning if he is not impeached by then.
6
Folks
The picture and the artical make a very clear ,real, photo.
Obama ,the Irish man, is awake and aware.
Donny the saleman, swedish apparently until 1964, sits bored by facts. Just talk baby! Bigly facts.
Folks look, look, and look again.
If you want a 144 character President, you bought it.
Adios
The picture and the artical make a very clear ,real, photo.
Obama ,the Irish man, is awake and aware.
Donny the saleman, swedish apparently until 1964, sits bored by facts. Just talk baby! Bigly facts.
Folks look, look, and look again.
If you want a 144 character President, you bought it.
Adios
17
What a bunch of sore losers. And all this ridiculous, 11th hour, attempt to blame the Russians for Clinton's off-the-mark, uninspiring, "vote for me because I have the experience" presidential campaign. The Democrats should look self-critically instead of all this ridiculous evasion. McCarthy is laughing in his grave. The liberals now agree with him and the conservatives don't.
18
At this point Trump would be the pro-McCarthy guy.
9
All our intelligence agencies blame the Russians. Trump in denial. What does Putin have on Trump?
14
In 2008 Donald Trump Jr. gave a talk where he said his family had a lot of money pouring in from Russia, and the largest number of their assets were in Russia. He called it a "disproportionate amount of assets."
American banks refuse to lend to Trump, he is a bad risk.
Trump has big loans from China, Germany and Russia.
American banks refuse to lend to Trump, he is a bad risk.
Trump has big loans from China, Germany and Russia.
My comment is on the photo: Mr. Trump looks shell-shocked, lost, terrified. He was in it all along for the competition, not to actually be President. His puerile antics over the last two months reflect not confidence but ambivalence and fear. He is in for a very rude awakening.
39
I made my end of year charitable donations today. Usually I donate to family support charities, but this year gave to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Center for Investigative Journalism, Earth Justice, and Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio.
On each website, I made the donation in the name of someone I know who voted for Trump -- a sister in law, a cousin, the husband of a niece, my uncle Tom in Georgia.
On each website, I made the donation in the name of someone I know who voted for Trump -- a sister in law, a cousin, the husband of a niece, my uncle Tom in Georgia.
39
Good idea! It's not 2017 here on the west coast... some relatives will be getting some nice donations in their names before midnight! Happy New Year
1
Perhaps last but critically important on President Obama's bucket list of legacy-enhancing political achievements would be to fill the Supreme Court slot stolen by Mitch McConnell and the GOP-controlled Senate. The Senate refused to carry out its constitutional responsibility and therefore defaulted on its political obligation. Obama would be right to correct this dereliction of duty.
Let the judiciary determine the outcome of the inevitable lawsuits that would follow. Win or lose, the clear message of resistance to political theft should be sent.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
Let the judiciary determine the outcome of the inevitable lawsuits that would follow. Win or lose, the clear message of resistance to political theft should be sent.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
36
All presidents do what they can to not go gentle into that good night. Some do it with highly questionable final-instant parsons and emptying the White House of furnishings; and some do it with legal maneuverings that depend for their permanence on interpretations of poorly-constructed law.
In the end, if the next president and Congress want to torpedo the efforts, they can and do. Obviously, some administrations are sufficiently forgiving to ignore a White House stripped of possessions; but, somehow, I don't feature Trump as so tolerant. Give him and Congress 90 days to undo it all.
In the end, if the next president and Congress want to torpedo the efforts, they can and do. Obviously, some administrations are sufficiently forgiving to ignore a White House stripped of possessions; but, somehow, I don't feature Trump as so tolerant. Give him and Congress 90 days to undo it all.
6
What is Gingrich complaining and the Republicans freaking out about? Trump and the GOP have already vowed to trash everything Obama has accomplished starting a noon on January 20th.
Besides, whose side is Trump really on - America's or Russia's? Do you know Mr. Gingrich? Do the Republicans?
Besides, whose side is Trump really on - America's or Russia's? Do you know Mr. Gingrich? Do the Republicans?
43
What I'd really like to see an end of the drone program and an end to the unchecked power of the President to launch nuclear weapons.
14
Try not to dwell on it. It will all be over in an instant.
1
Certainly the choice of picture to accompany an article is a form of editorializing, but I have seen and looked closely at the photographs that document this meeting. President Obama's face is animated, his eyes alert. Yes, he is in his own home, comfortable as possible with the press, but the vacuousness of Trump's eyes, his blank expression, may foretell something about this country's future. Trump is an incurious and arrogant man, completely unsuitable to represent what we like to believe is the best of our country. The only way to make America great evaporated on November 8. Too bad we have term limits for the President and not for the legislative branches. Too bad we don't have a literacy test for presidential candidates.
116
Or for comment writers
3
You mean HRC was the leader we needed? Get a grip, please!
7
Cheap shot.
1
He will be remembered among many as one who blamed Russians for leaks that actually indicated that the nation had very high chances to have president-elect not Mr. Trump, but Mr. Sanders.
12
These last-minute orders will take rhe Trump administration a while to negate. However, Obama is giving Trump a great template for tying up a potential Democratic successor in 2024. Harry Reid did the same when he suspended the filibuster. Poor Democrats, they never learn the toothpaste can't be put back in the tube....
15
Trump should stop complaining. He'll have something to blame for the failure of his unrealistic promises and over sold platform. He's already hedging by taking credit for gains he had nothing to do with and initiatives that are little more than publicity stunts. A cabinet full of like minded billionaires with no government experience will attenuate the disappointment of those bilked into believing anyone could have delivered on what Comrade Trump was selling. He'll appreciate having the current administration to blame when sea water can't be turned into gold.
23
Is there no-one with access to Trump's tax returns patriotic enough to 'leak' them at whatever cost to his own skin? We are told that US banks will not extend him credit, but his businesses continue to grow. How does that work? Where does the money come from?
12
Do you believe everything you are told?
Did you know the word "gullible" isn't in the dictionary?
Did you know the word "gullible" isn't in the dictionary?
3
After all the ignorant, racist trick (birther) Trump pulled on our first non-white president, anything Obama does is fair game. I hope Obama rides him all the way to Trump's impeachment.
88
Ok, yet another sore loser. Got it.
You're forgetting, WJC was the first Black president.
Now if only Trump can do something about the homegrown ISIS attacks that started under President Obama - or were they workplace violence?
Now if only Trump can do something about the homegrown ISIS attacks that started under President Obama - or were they workplace violence?
Good man Obama.
Is there any chance at all that the NYT will restrain itself re Trumps tweets over the next 4 years?
Im so sick of Trumps opining, all we need to know is what is actually going to happen rather than his knee jerk reactions to every change in air pressure.
Is there any chance at all that the NYT will restrain itself re Trumps tweets over the next 4 years?
Im so sick of Trumps opining, all we need to know is what is actually going to happen rather than his knee jerk reactions to every change in air pressure.
23
Obama : No legacy for you !
Obama's legacy, established through executive orders, are like footprints on a beach sand, about to be erased by the Trump wave.
Obama had a great (and the only) opportunity for a true legacy -- universal health care with public option. He sold out to the insurance companies, and betrayed those who voted for him, and zilched any chance for a legacy.
Obama's legacy, established through executive orders, are like footprints on a beach sand, about to be erased by the Trump wave.
Obama had a great (and the only) opportunity for a true legacy -- universal health care with public option. He sold out to the insurance companies, and betrayed those who voted for him, and zilched any chance for a legacy.
20
How did he sell out to insurance companies? Curious.
4
@Mew,
Why do you think he did not go for single-payer, or even include a public option ? Because the insurance companies were against it. He thought he knew better than many democrats, including Pelosi, who advised him to keep the public option. That would have set Obamacare in stone, and made it political land mine for Republicans to weaken it.
Why do you think he did not go for single-payer, or even include a public option ? Because the insurance companies were against it. He thought he knew better than many democrats, including Pelosi, who advised him to keep the public option. That would have set Obamacare in stone, and made it political land mine for Republicans to weaken it.
3
Trump knows he'll be impeached by March, so no wonder he's trying to stretch out his wretched debacle of a presidency by pretending he's in office already.
15
Could you add a "by" date to your forecast so I can see if there any wagering action? Many thanks.
2
Impeached by a republican congress? Well, ok, then we have Pence who's far more conservative.
4
This another prediction like a Clinton landslide?
The trouble with a President who declines to engage with Congress, and who instead issues decrees by "pen and telephone" while sitting on the throne in the White House, is that he has built his legacy out of sand. Anything lasting needs to be cemented by being enacted by Congress and signed into law by the President.
When the tide comes in all his sandcastles will be washed away leaving barely a trace of his eight years in office. The frenzy in the White House and building more and more sandcastles won't change that.
When the tide comes in all his sandcastles will be washed away leaving barely a trace of his eight years in office. The frenzy in the White House and building more and more sandcastles won't change that.
22
And what's the trouble with a congress that declines to engage with the president? We've all seen that trouble.
With no clear idea of what he wants to accomplish, let alone how he will accomplish it, Trump will have a tough time working with a Republican congress. Trump has trashed Reagan, George HW Bush, George W. Bush and conservative thought. Congress isn't going to shove coat hangers up their eyeballs to please Trump and his surly gang of followers.
With no clear idea of what he wants to accomplish, let alone how he will accomplish it, Trump will have a tough time working with a Republican congress. Trump has trashed Reagan, George HW Bush, George W. Bush and conservative thought. Congress isn't going to shove coat hangers up their eyeballs to please Trump and his surly gang of followers.
7
You need to re-read Federalist No. 70 on the need for energy in the Executive Branch. The burden is on the President to provide the leadership that 535 separate Members of Congress cannot.
"Energy in the Executive is a leading character in the definition of good government. It is essential to the protection of the community against foreign attacks; it is not less essential to the steady administration of the laws; to the protection of property against those irregular and high-handed combinations which sometimes interrupt the ordinary course of justice; to the security of liberty against the enterprises and assaults of ambition, of faction, and of anarchy....
A feeble Executive implies a feeble execution of the government. A feeble execution is but another phrase for a bad execution; and a government ill executed, whatever it may be in theory, must be, in practice, a bad government."
"Energy in the Executive is a leading character in the definition of good government. It is essential to the protection of the community against foreign attacks; it is not less essential to the steady administration of the laws; to the protection of property against those irregular and high-handed combinations which sometimes interrupt the ordinary course of justice; to the security of liberty against the enterprises and assaults of ambition, of faction, and of anarchy....
A feeble Executive implies a feeble execution of the government. A feeble execution is but another phrase for a bad execution; and a government ill executed, whatever it may be in theory, must be, in practice, a bad government."
1
Trump epitomizes the worship of force and the practice of cruel intolerance, an ugly spirit now emerging and taking hold in the US. It is the antithesis of securing a national minimum of civilised life ... open to all alike, of both sexes and all classes, by which we mean sufficient nourishment and training when young, a living wage when able-bodied, treatment when sick, and modest but secure livelihood when disabled or aged.
34
To paraphrase a real President, "We have have nothing to fear.........except Trump himself." His conduct is shameful.
29
The idea that any of these moves will be difficult for Trump to negate holds about as much credence as the media-incited uncertainty about the outcome of the Electoral College vote...
Here's the thing...
Obama - increasingly too clever by half - is thinking that these are all nucleating sites for continually-festering back-bencher lawsuits, endless legal maneuvers, and 2018 Congressional campaigns...
All Trump has to do is to defund - or delay - enforcement...
Of anything he wants...
Obama himself tried to play this game, delaying the financially calamitous aspects of Obamacare...
Thinking that once Clinton got in - they'd strong-arm a single-payer system through...
For clarity - lots of pluses for single-payer...
(BTW - go read up on the Israeli national health care system)
But - to progressives - just one more excuse to redistribute wealth...
All Trump has to do is drop enforcement of the individual mandate...
The insurers would be smart enough to understand what that'd mean...
Even if progressives don't have a clue...And Ryan - like Boehner before him - is more fixated on incumbency than prosperity...
If successful - and I think it's a bit more than a coin-flip that Trump will be successful - he'll be doing as much deal-making with Schumer as McConnell...
Final thought - all this maneuvering will succeed in doing is emphasizing the importance of Trump's future SCOTUS appointments...
Forget the social issues - just get the government out of our way...
Here's the thing...
Obama - increasingly too clever by half - is thinking that these are all nucleating sites for continually-festering back-bencher lawsuits, endless legal maneuvers, and 2018 Congressional campaigns...
All Trump has to do is to defund - or delay - enforcement...
Of anything he wants...
Obama himself tried to play this game, delaying the financially calamitous aspects of Obamacare...
Thinking that once Clinton got in - they'd strong-arm a single-payer system through...
For clarity - lots of pluses for single-payer...
(BTW - go read up on the Israeli national health care system)
But - to progressives - just one more excuse to redistribute wealth...
All Trump has to do is drop enforcement of the individual mandate...
The insurers would be smart enough to understand what that'd mean...
Even if progressives don't have a clue...And Ryan - like Boehner before him - is more fixated on incumbency than prosperity...
If successful - and I think it's a bit more than a coin-flip that Trump will be successful - he'll be doing as much deal-making with Schumer as McConnell...
Final thought - all this maneuvering will succeed in doing is emphasizing the importance of Trump's future SCOTUS appointments...
Forget the social issues - just get the government out of our way...
5
The VA is single payer. Is that ideal?
3
"Tout cela, c'est peu de chose!"In less than a month Obama will be on his way to becoming a relic, and Trump will be in the catbird seat. Recall hotly contested election of 1976 when Carter narrowly defeated Ford.Loser held a press conference some weeks afterwards, to which not one reporter showed up. Obama's main struggle after 20 January will be to remain relevant. As the fatalistic Gen. Salan would say if he were here today--he was fatalistic because he spent so many years in the Orient defending the Empire--"C'est ainsi!"Notice that more and more left wing talking heads are tryng to get a position with Fox News: a sign of the times.
7
Trump will truly be in the catbird seat since he stole his way into the White House nest.
5
@proffexpert: Remark like that says more about you than it does about Trump.who played by the rules, won the Electoral College vote which is the only one that counts.Never realized what poor sports many on the Left are until now.Hillary lost because she was too smart by half, and thought she could really get away with calling us "deplorable!" Just like the best letters are often the ones not sent, the best insults are those that are never offered. Door is still open for her for 2020, but in the meantime she must show some derring do,humility and must lose that hubris.
4
He's like a bad tenant who wrecks the furniture and destroys the carpet on the way out
21
Handing off a workable economy is exactly NOT that.
Unlike what Bush handed off.
Update the files.
Unlike what Bush handed off.
Update the files.
27
20 trillion in debt. More people leaving the work force than ever in our history. His signature plan based on lies and complicit mendacity with the media and costing more and more each passing day. His policies have been rejected every time they had to stand without his charisma. He was so bad we elected a man without political experience to avoid a third term of his disastrous policies. A growth rate that is more like anemia than growth. Take the blinders off.
8
not quite.
2
Most Russians will remember him as a grinch who stole New Year celebrations from at least about 30 Russian kids.
5
The poor little Russian kids ought to be thinking about the poor little Syrian kids, most of whom don't have food, water or a roof over their head.
13
Glad you mentioned it. They actually do. There was an informal movement through whole Russia where Russian kids assembled personalized New Year gifts for the kids of Syria. As result millions of New Year gifts were distributed in Syria.
3
Not so. Those poor little Russian kids will have their parents back home.
With a little more time, the American people will be able to deliberate on the consequences of cutting a health care program that impacts 30 million people, half of whom voted for Trump. Buy the time Trump is ready to do away with the ACA, he may be impeached anyway for any number of violations, not the least of which is the The Emoluments Clause. Trump's will be the shortest president in American history- never short enough!
46
But is Pence going to be any better. I am on the fence with this scenario.
4
"... Trump's will be the shortest president in American history"...
So, what, we can elect incompetent, lying, duplicitous, criminal politicians who allowed people on their watch get killed........like Hillary?
So, what, we can elect incompetent, lying, duplicitous, criminal politicians who allowed people on their watch get killed........like Hillary?
5
Based on the criteria you use to criticize Hillary, maybe you should add Nixon, Reagan, and both Bushes to your list of political criminals.
6
The hyperpartisan Obama, who often appealed for "cooperation" before ramming his agenda down the country's throat with a pen and a phone, is now busy "cementing" his legacy. One of the commentators made an apt observation: he should work on cementing, because much of that agenda will be sleeping with the fishes in about 20 days, and the cement will fittingly keep bad ideas submerged.
16
Clearly you have no grasp of facts or history, given the intention of stymying Obama on day one by the cadre of country club racists in Congress.
3
Apparently "false news" is clearly what does not coincide with the official Left narrative of how poor BO, with a majority of both houses of Congress for the beginning of his administration, so managed to alienate the AMericaan people that they stripped him of one and then the other chamber, which of course did not incline the great Barack to pursue compromise but rather to "cement his legacy" by administrative diktat.
How did Newt Gingrich, disgraced as an adulterer and forced to resign from his Speaker of the House position become the ubiquitous source of quotes for all things Obama in the NYT? Are there are no alternative sources available for the consistently negative quotes from Gingrich? At the very least, how about seeking a rebuttal of the Gingrich nonsense from some creditable source?
111
How did Bill Clinton, an impeached President, a convicted perjurer, a serial adulterer and disbarred attorney become the voice emeritus of the Democratic party.
6
OK, I rebuttal.
At last to see someone else who thoroughly dislikes the very unlikeable Newt Gingrich!
2
Barack Obama will never need to worry about his legacy. Statements from Newt Gingrich don't even make sense.
Donald Trump will be able to do what he pleases in a few weeks and everyone knows it. He chooses to not even get security briefings.
In the meanwhile President Obama will lead this country like a President, not like a tweet and twiiter teenager.
Donald Trump will be able to do what he pleases in a few weeks and everyone knows it. He chooses to not even get security briefings.
In the meanwhile President Obama will lead this country like a President, not like a tweet and twiiter teenager.
505
I almost enjoy Newt Gingrich when he speaks to the press because almost every sentence of his glaringly contradicts his previous sentence in some way. He could be a comic character in a Dickens novel but unfortunately he is part of our govt.
2
Why would obama want to lead now he has been playing catch up politics for 8 years.
Shudder to think what Trump's legacy will be.
28
Trump should keep keep his big mouth shut until 1-20. Show some respect and decency. Or maybe this is too much to ask for ?
52
More importanly, newspapers should stop covering his every brain fart.
Deprive his meanderings of oxygen and just report the facts, imv.
Deprive his meanderings of oxygen and just report the facts, imv.
20
The decency train left a long time ago, and sadly for Americans, Trump was not on board. Whether he's flapping his gums or tweeting with his thumbs, we're in for a lot more of his nonsense that will likely lead us down a dark, strange, dangerous path.
I recall presidents in years past working to make their legacies last, but Obama has so much to protect from Donald that it seems even more noticeable. I'm sorry and saddened that other commentors feel that Obama's protecting women's healthcare, preventing drilling in pristine land, and punishing Russia is out of bounds -- indeed, that thinking got us into this mess in the first place -- but I'm grateful that we still have a president who is able to act presidential. Our president-elect is, to use his own limited vocabulary, SAD!
I recall presidents in years past working to make their legacies last, but Obama has so much to protect from Donald that it seems even more noticeable. I'm sorry and saddened that other commentors feel that Obama's protecting women's healthcare, preventing drilling in pristine land, and punishing Russia is out of bounds -- indeed, that thinking got us into this mess in the first place -- but I'm grateful that we still have a president who is able to act presidential. Our president-elect is, to use his own limited vocabulary, SAD!
29
Way to go, President Obama! Do as much as you can to preserve our country and our environment before the next administration trashes them both.
89
Obama needs to protect the Grand Canyon. and fast.
30
Let's congratulate Obama for trying to keep years of legislation to protect the American people and world in place. Let's hope that Obama and Biden stay around and keep Trump on the right track.
16
"Let's congratulate Obama for trying to keep years of legislation to protect the American people and world in place."....
You're joking, of course.....
You're joking, of course.....
5
The President's Legacy. The fact he has to try and create one in his final weeks says a lot about the one he could have created over the last eight years. Or explains why he's having to work so hard so late.
16
Actually your post says that you havent been paying attention like a lot of Americans - he has done bucketloads despite GOP obstructionism.
15
Nice of you to keep an eye on us from safely across the ocean. Keep us posted on Brexit.
4
It isn't in my nature, but lately I have felt Democrats should use the Republican playbook and obstruct at all costs. Republicans blocking the Supreme Court seat alone is reason enough.
58
How quickly high principle dissolves in the face of defeat.
5
You know what Trump won't have to do? Pardon any of the war criminals and hundreds of banksters Obama threw in jail. He also won't have to try to undo the phenomenally successful single payer health insurance system Obama fought tooth and nail to get passed, or even the public option that drove down health insurance costs, making everyone happy. He won't have to expand the war on terror: Obama did that for him. He won't have to leave Iraq and Afghanistan as failed states, ensuring further military intervention. Check. He won't have to expand illegal spying on civilians. Obama did that for him, too. He won't have to fight to reclaim a Republican majority in Congress or even fight to win the support of the working class. Obama handed those to him on a silver platter. Obama has been the best friend a frightening, incoming authoritarian right-wing President could ever ask for.
5
I'll just start with this....
:...the phenomenally successful single payer health insurance system Obama fought tooth and nail to get passed..."
Do you read the news? Have you been paying ANY attention to the rapid, spiraling collapse of the ACA? Don't you know that the mass majority of major insurance companies are abandoning ACA? Hellooooooo!?!?!?! * raps on screen *
:...the phenomenally successful single payer health insurance system Obama fought tooth and nail to get passed..."
Do you read the news? Have you been paying ANY attention to the rapid, spiraling collapse of the ACA? Don't you know that the mass majority of major insurance companies are abandoning ACA? Hellooooooo!?!?!?! * raps on screen *
3
I'm pretty certain that what you are reacting to was intended as sarcasm.
2
Irony is not your strength.
1
Trump can undo some of President Obama's accomplishments on paper, but in our mind and heart, his many accomplishments will go on forever. We will always remember President Obama, as an educated, competent, regal, caring, polite, man, and much more. Many millions of us will miss him, but also happy for him and his family to have some peace. But, we will always remember Trump as an individual, who hates women, immigrants, journalists, people with special needs, who can only relate to people by tweeting, rather than face to face. One with unbelievably limited vocabulary, and extremely unhappy person. Must I say more.
67
As I have asked my Democrat friends, without, I might add, any response.....
Name ONE substantive, consequential accomplishment achieved by Barak Obama during his ENTIRE political career......
....and after 20+ years, I'm still waiting....
Name ONE substantive, consequential accomplishment achieved by Barak Obama during his ENTIRE political career......
....and after 20+ years, I'm still waiting....
3
Turned around the recession he inherited in 2008
12
1.Brought America back from the ditch that the GOP drove it into, while giving consumers financial and credit protections, which is why the rate of your credit card isn't sky high, nor your rate jacked up bogusly.
Good luck without these protections.
2. Helped your investments with the market up hugely.
When George W Bush left, Dow Jones was 7000 points.
It is three times that practically. And it was high before Trump The Grifter claimed his insane credit.
Good luck without these protections.
2. Helped your investments with the market up hugely.
When George W Bush left, Dow Jones was 7000 points.
It is three times that practically. And it was high before Trump The Grifter claimed his insane credit.
2
President Obama should pardon Edward Snowden. Snowden did more to force a discussion of domestic surveillance and electronic privacy--albeit a limited discussion--than anyone else. Many or most of the things that he disclosed should have been disclosed previously; that's obvious. Some things that he released probably should have remained secret; that's the price of having one person copy the documents and make the decisions. The balance is clearly far on Snowden's side. He should be pardoned and allowed to come home, if he wishes.
6
Putin maneuvered things so Obama can't really pardon him.
1
3 January 2017 is the day on which Mr. Obama may make the recess appointment to the Supreme Court - just as Mr. Eisenhower appointed Justice Brennan, so can Mr. Obama appoint Justice Garland. We know that Mr. Obama will be discussing matters with the Congressional Democrats on the 4th - wouldn't it be nice if he were able to announce the appointment then as well?
63
Unfortunately, that needs the approval of Congress, which Democrats do not control.
1
Sorry - not for that one day. It is the day when the last Congress officially ends, and the day before the next Congress officially begins. Unlike a mere holiday recess, which the Republicans have been keeping open technically thru the use of pro forma attendance, that one day is the day on which Congress is, utterly, completely shut. A recess appointment made on that day requires nothing but a Presidential signature. I bet that Mr. Obama, the Congressional scholar, is well aware of this fact. Now you are too.
7
Hear hear. I have signed every petition regarding this action. I just hope they do it. There is no reason not to and every reason to do.
8
Legacy? What legacy? Two major pieces of legislation: Dodd-Frank and Obama Care. The former completely ineffective and the latter a disaster awaiting repeal. Everything else was by way of executive order, which can be easily undone (thankfully). This reminds of when the NYT was writing about Hillary's "mandate." Writing about something doesn't make it so...or even make it exist. What color is the sky in your world?
14
Obama's legacy will not only be measured in his legislation, or even in his saving our country from financial disaster (created by the Republicans: fact, Bush et al). He was our first non-white leader, and he did a stellar job, even when all the bitter old white men fought him, often irrationally, for eight long years. We have not had a president like him since Kennedy, and I fear we will not see his like for some time. Bush...Trump. What a house of losers.
8
So you admit he is the worst non-white head of state we have ever had.
Like I care what Newt Gingrich and Erick Erickson think....NOT.
36
Yes! Why quote these two biased, bitter and hypocritical political hacks?
7
It's quite possible that the Republicans in Congress obstructed President Obama simply because they did not want to see him succeed. Otherwise, they would have given him free reign and watch his programs fall on their own merit.
By obstructing, all the Republicans had to do was bad mouth, infer, and spin repeating key words incessantly until untruth became truth. The very, very lukewarm compliments given the President for killing bin Laden is indicative of how weak and wimpy Republicans have been for eight long years.
By obstructing, all the Republicans had to do was bad mouth, infer, and spin repeating key words incessantly until untruth became truth. The very, very lukewarm compliments given the President for killing bin Laden is indicative of how weak and wimpy Republicans have been for eight long years.
29
Almost all of this is wholly reversible. Yes, that would take some minimal competence. But it would also take (a few of these round objects. ('Temerity' just doesn't cut it.))
If Trump has got what it takes to tell the country these are bad ideas after all, welcome to him. Until then, he'll just have to find a way to be President despite America's disagreement with just about everything he says.
If Trump has got what it takes to tell the country these are bad ideas after all, welcome to him. Until then, he'll just have to find a way to be President despite America's disagreement with just about everything he says.
9
And Americans don't disagree with Obama???
4
More agreed than not; that is why he was re-elected. Remember? By landslides. Remember? Trump LOST the popular vote by almost three million. Write that down so you won't forget.
6
The popular vote is totally irrelevant.
Write that down so you won't forget.
Write that down so you won't forget.
Good. Keep going until the final bitter moment. Anything to stem the tide of the incoming tsunami of incompetence.
47
...leaving a legacy of incompetence, indifference, condescension, and abject failure......
6
Reschedule cannabis to 2 thru 4, doesn't matter. Just reschedule it and you will be remembered forever.
5
Yes. Because stoners are known for their long term memory.
After calling President Obama an un-American, Kenyan, Muslim, terrorist sympathizer and pledging on day one to stymie him at every turn, it is quite humorous to listen to the crying from the right wing.
Don't worry, righties, Putin, I mean Trump, will be in office soon enough.
Don't worry, righties, Putin, I mean Trump, will be in office soon enough.
103
Who is crying?
1
Geesh, Newt: methinks you doth protest too much. Departing Republican presidents have done throughout history precisely the same thing.
And what about North Carolina? Abridging the governing authority of an incoming Democratic Governor? President Obama isn't limiting or redefining Trumps powers, just continuing to lock in his achievements.
It's legal, it's customary, and its legitimate. It's hardly "trashing" the place.
Republicans only scream like stuck pigs when they have done unto them what they've done to their opponents, with impunity, for years.
It's less about substance than about the fact they can't do anything about it. Stop whining, Republicans!
You're about to ram your agenda down the throats of the majority who did not vote Trump and you'll get your turn to pass lots of last minute stuff when Trump leaves.
Hopefully in four years.
And what about North Carolina? Abridging the governing authority of an incoming Democratic Governor? President Obama isn't limiting or redefining Trumps powers, just continuing to lock in his achievements.
It's legal, it's customary, and its legitimate. It's hardly "trashing" the place.
Republicans only scream like stuck pigs when they have done unto them what they've done to their opponents, with impunity, for years.
It's less about substance than about the fact they can't do anything about it. Stop whining, Republicans!
You're about to ram your agenda down the throats of the majority who did not vote Trump and you'll get your turn to pass lots of last minute stuff when Trump leaves.
Hopefully in four years.
29
"In mid-December 2008, President George W. Bush signed a multiyear status-of-forces agreement with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of Iraq that called for all American troops to be out of Iraq by the end of 2011. "
They Bush/Cheney administration also supported placing the scheming al-Maliki in power in spite of the fact that he received fewer votes than a more unifying opponent,
Then the Republicans blamed Obama when al-Maliki refused to modify the terms of the Bush status of forces agreement, leading to the withdrawal of all American troops at the end of 2011.
They Bush/Cheney administration also supported placing the scheming al-Maliki in power in spite of the fact that he received fewer votes than a more unifying opponent,
Then the Republicans blamed Obama when al-Maliki refused to modify the terms of the Bush status of forces agreement, leading to the withdrawal of all American troops at the end of 2011.
27
This was already talked about below. Bush tried but failed to get that extended. He took the best deal he could.
1
alan,
He did have the choice not to sign an agreement at all.
He did have the choice not to sign an agreement at all.
1
The question that President Obama's critics should ask is whether he would have acted any differently in the final weeks of his presidency if Hillary Clinton had been elected. The answer would seem to be no, since Obama would have wanted to use every day of his final term to promote his progressive agenda. Donald Trump will have an opportunity soon enough to take the nation on a different course, and he will be able to act all the way up to Jan. 20, 2021--assuming he lasts in office for a full term. In the meantime, he and his supporters should stop whining just because Obama continues to do his job.
247
He is obese and not in good health. Not four years.
2
He'll quit after the all the celebration and ballyhoo over his becoming president palls and he has to get bogged down in the petty details of actually governing set in.
1
I'm betting that he won't last an entire term.
So what he is working to do is to undermine the Democratic System in the USA. Yep, he is the anti-american. Obama's underbelly is his arrogance, determined people will undo his sabotage much faster than he thinks, if he is thinking.
7
Obama is more popular than Trump.
4
No damage done that can't be easily undone except of course, the damage to himself. A picture of Hillary Clinton earlier today of her breakfasting solo tells a similar story. Kerry shouting out his speech, one that turned out to be a rant is another case in point.
Democrats are psychological wrecks and it's showing. Fault's not with Trump, but with the Democrats that they are underlings. Anyway, all these manic acts played out on the national stage are very, very sad. Let's hope they all get help, seek the therapy they so desperately are crying out for.
Democrats are psychological wrecks and it's showing. Fault's not with Trump, but with the Democrats that they are underlings. Anyway, all these manic acts played out on the national stage are very, very sad. Let's hope they all get help, seek the therapy they so desperately are crying out for.
13
It's high time our President who handily won both the popular and electoral vote stands up for what the majority of voters want. Oh sure the right way to go is bipartisan compromise, but the Republicans have foreclosed that option. The most recent glaring example is Trump's failure to acknowledge that he lost the popular vote and instead appointed the most extremely rightwing cabinet in recent memory. Had this been reversed, Clinton would have installed a bipartisan cabinet. It takes two to create civility and bipartisanship. It's time to stop being the only party to take the high road. No more false equivalency. Let's hope Obama's actions in the remaining weeks of his presidency will serve as a model for how the Senate and House Dems will behave in the coming years.
18
President Barack Obama is too big to consider his legacy. He is a great President. Creating a "legacy" is always brought up by Republicans, like Newt Gingrich and the press that have nothing else to write about.
17
President Obama may not know exactly what Trump has in store for us but he surely has first hand knowledge what a Republican majority in both the House and Senate will do with a rubber-stamping, orange puppet.
He knows that they will do everything they can to defund Planned Parenthood, drill wherever with no concern for the environment, renege on the Paris Accord and the Iran Nuclear Deal. As far as the ACA is concerned, the 7 year scream to repeal it is now a whimper since they have no workable plan.
Conservatives may tear their hair out over the UN Resolution but they seem to have forgotten that we have given Israel 38 billion. Now, the head of their party is an isolationist stating that our NATO allies should pay up or we leave them high and dry. You can't have it both ways.
While Trump may be unpredictable, his cabinet picks are not. All evidence is clear, Trump's "really good brain" turns to silly putty with the slightest bit of flattery, Obama is doing everything he can to look out for our country and the world .
Last order of business, Merrick Garland. We can always hope.
He knows that they will do everything they can to defund Planned Parenthood, drill wherever with no concern for the environment, renege on the Paris Accord and the Iran Nuclear Deal. As far as the ACA is concerned, the 7 year scream to repeal it is now a whimper since they have no workable plan.
Conservatives may tear their hair out over the UN Resolution but they seem to have forgotten that we have given Israel 38 billion. Now, the head of their party is an isolationist stating that our NATO allies should pay up or we leave them high and dry. You can't have it both ways.
While Trump may be unpredictable, his cabinet picks are not. All evidence is clear, Trump's "really good brain" turns to silly putty with the slightest bit of flattery, Obama is doing everything he can to look out for our country and the world .
Last order of business, Merrick Garland. We can always hope.
46
"White House aides note that many of the president’s last-minute actions were put in motion months or even years before the outcome of the election was clear."
So why hide this key point in the middle of the story that is headlined and written as if these are roadblocks schemed up in the last couple of weeks to block Trump?
So why hide this key point in the middle of the story that is headlined and written as if these are roadblocks schemed up in the last couple of weeks to block Trump?
30
When Mr. Trump chooses to accept the norms and accepted practices of our political and social system in the US, he will have earned the right to express concern about these last minute initiatives. When will the media collectively stop allowing him to control the narrative? This enablement must stop and the headlines need to express the facts.
443
'When will the media collectively stop allowing him to control the narrative? This enablement must stop and the headlines need to express the facts.'
YES YES YES. Havent they learnt yet after virtually handing Trump the presidency
YES YES YES. Havent they learnt yet after virtually handing Trump the presidency
1
Most of these fictional article writers would not know a fact if it hit them in the face.
In this new Trump reality show called the Presidency, the star gets to call the shots and the media only provides the response of critics. It's all about ratings from the folks that watch Fox News and CNN.
Obama's legacy, as the smartest, sharpest, most decent and most consequential President of my lifetime is not in doubt, no matter what his distractors whine about. Obama knows he has the backing of majority of American voters, regardless of all the racism his success has unearthed.
Trump's election is nothing other than DNC's foolish gamble in thinking they can shove Hillary Clinton down our throats. The lesson to be learned is: the road traveled before you get to announcing your candidacy matters, who you slept with figuratively, matters.
Obama, and now Trump have shattered the notion that you need to kiss up to certain groups to be elected. American voters proved it to be a myth 3 times in a row.
Trump's election is nothing other than DNC's foolish gamble in thinking they can shove Hillary Clinton down our throats. The lesson to be learned is: the road traveled before you get to announcing your candidacy matters, who you slept with figuratively, matters.
Obama, and now Trump have shattered the notion that you need to kiss up to certain groups to be elected. American voters proved it to be a myth 3 times in a row.
15
Great post!
I wish there were a way for him to get Merrick Garland onto the Court. Now that would be an accomplishment worth celebrating.
46
Garland is hostile toward the second amendment, otherwise he probably would have gotten a vote in the senate.
2
I am sure you mean Garland is hostile to the NRA's perversion of the Second Amendment.
12
I agree with Erick Erickson that "Obama and John Kerry are like tenants who trash a place as they are evicted.". Obama Administration's Russia-bashing is unnecessary, irrational and extremely dangerous. I believe, in order to successfully confront Islamic terrorism and Chinese conspiracies we need Russia's cooperation.
8
They're not being evicted.
3
That is what Russia would like you to believe. Why would you trust them?
9
But should Americans be Russia's lapdog? That's what Mr. Trump appears to be, and he appears intent on dragging the rest of America with him into subservience to Mr. Putin.
6
President Obama takes lawful actions to limit his predecessor before he leaves office. Fair enough. The government in North Carolina similarly passes laws and the left cries foul. Lame duck acts are a part of politics. President Obama is within his rights to continuing fulfilling the duties of his office as he sees fit, but the same goes for the governor of North Carolina.
64
Great theory, but it didn't happen for the SC nominee. The obstructionist GOP wouldn't even have a hearing 8 months before the election. So how does that "full term duty" go again?
1
Obama is not writing new laws to limit the presidency.
5
not the same alex..... the republicans in north carolina acted to remove powers routinely granted to the governor. obama is not making any moves to restrict the power of the presidency as an institution.
5
I hope he pardons Leonard Peltier.
10
President Obama has one final act to take before January 20th: APPOINT MERRICK GARLAND TO THE SUPREME COURT (yes, I am shouting in the biggest capital letters I can type).
347
Still would have to be approved by a Republican majority Congress, so that's a nonstarter.
1
President Barack Obama's legacy was secure a long time ago.
A President, any President is elected for a full four year term. That means that he or she is the protector of the Republic for the full amount of time, while thinking about every American.
Will the incoming President do anywhere near the same ? Really ?
A President, any President is elected for a full four year term. That means that he or she is the protector of the Republic for the full amount of time, while thinking about every American.
Will the incoming President do anywhere near the same ? Really ?
74
We've got the maniac trifecta. Trump, Pence and Ryan. I hope the Republicans in office give them a reality check. I hope the mayors and governors across the country are united to deal with the chaos Trumps flailing and reactive alligator tail will stir up
7
This sums it up: logo
Latest Election News
Bill Clinton knocks ‘awful legacy’ of last 8 years
Latest Election News
Bill Clinton knocks ‘awful legacy’ of last 8 years
If Trump should undo President Obama's actions it will show exactly where he stands on such things as the environment and Russian meddling in our internal affairs. Obama should go one step further and make a recess appointment of Judge Garland to the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Perhaps it may not stand but it woud force a hearing about how Republicans have failed in their Constitutional duty to review Presidential appointments to that body.
perhaps President Obama has delayed taking some of these actions until now as he thought Hillary would do the job. But as Trump takes office we can only depend on Trump to be a Putin poodle and to be a science denier in the classic Republican mold. President Obama's polls are up because most of the American people are already looking to his administration with nostalgia as a time of stability that will soon only be a memory. Republicans will say what stability, but our hectic past time will look like perfect peace and order compared to what is about to descend on us.
perhaps President Obama has delayed taking some of these actions until now as he thought Hillary would do the job. But as Trump takes office we can only depend on Trump to be a Putin poodle and to be a science denier in the classic Republican mold. President Obama's polls are up because most of the American people are already looking to his administration with nostalgia as a time of stability that will soon only be a memory. Republicans will say what stability, but our hectic past time will look like perfect peace and order compared to what is about to descend on us.
586
Another country meddling in our affairs? Horrors. Thank God we never would do just a thing.
To that point, how do you know it was Russia hacking? Oh, America's intelligence agencies, the wonderful folks who brought us WMD's, told you. Obama has proof, but he can't show us.
To that point, how do you know it was Russia hacking? Oh, America's intelligence agencies, the wonderful folks who brought us WMD's, told you. Obama has proof, but he can't show us.
1
Please stop denigrating poodles. They are intelligent animals, capable of leaning over 200 words, unlike...
2
I have read that he can confirm the justice on one day only, January 1, 2017. I hope he does so!
Can we agree on a point of principle or qualification for any Republican who is critical of President Obama's actions in the last few days of his presidency?
Can we require those critical of him to first state their: 1) accomplishments; 2) attendance record?
Something like an AA meeting: Hi, my name is Marco Rubio and I pulled off the one bill I had put forward because of likely impact to my presidential ambitions. Also, I only attended office for 80 days in the whole year and was absent on 50% of the votes...
That would be helpful in showing the American voters the contributions of these, er, patriots...
For the rest of the full time armchair professional critics, can we NOT call on those who've been described by Nobel laureates (say Paul Krugman) as ‘A Stupid Man’s Idea Of What A Smart Person Sounds Like’...
Can we require those critical of him to first state their: 1) accomplishments; 2) attendance record?
Something like an AA meeting: Hi, my name is Marco Rubio and I pulled off the one bill I had put forward because of likely impact to my presidential ambitions. Also, I only attended office for 80 days in the whole year and was absent on 50% of the votes...
That would be helpful in showing the American voters the contributions of these, er, patriots...
For the rest of the full time armchair professional critics, can we NOT call on those who've been described by Nobel laureates (say Paul Krugman) as ‘A Stupid Man’s Idea Of What A Smart Person Sounds Like’...
37
I know it's not going to happen, but wouldn't a recess appointment of Merrick Garland be delightful?
135
Congress is not in recess, and won't be until the new Congress is in session.
1
Are you listening My Mr. President?
2
Mr. Obama acting out of spite?
Are you kidding me?
The Republicans and Mr. Trump are the kings and queens of spite.
Are you kidding me?
The Republicans and Mr. Trump are the kings and queens of spite.
234
And Obama acting like the god of spite.
Cements legacy? As the Mafia did? Stick it in concrete and drop it in the river. A fitting end to a very useless and destructive presidency.
14
We will always remember how contemptuously you treated this President, this decent man and his family. We will never forget.
262
You're right Chuck.
We're going to remember that every single time Trump tries to make a decision!!
Every. Single. Time!
We're going to remember that every single time Trump tries to make a decision!!
Every. Single. Time!
16
you better be careful about how you regressives define destructive because when REAL destructive policies and people wreak havoc upon the republic its likely that no one will believe you, like the boy who cried wolf.
Destructive? Really?
Destructive? Really?
14
Has there ever been a president this obsessed with his legacy at the end of his term? Has the media ever been so obsessed with a president's legacy at the end of his term?
Harry Truman left office in 1952 with an approval rating below 30%. Today historians judge him as one of our finest presidents.
Obama's legacy will not be truly known until 20 or 30 years from now, when the dust has cleared, and historians and review his presidency with clarity.
Please. Enough of these Obama legacy articles.
Harry Truman left office in 1952 with an approval rating below 30%. Today historians judge him as one of our finest presidents.
Obama's legacy will not be truly known until 20 or 30 years from now, when the dust has cleared, and historians and review his presidency with clarity.
Please. Enough of these Obama legacy articles.
28
Oh Please. George Bush openly blabbered about whether he was Winston Churchill or Ronald Reagan all during his time as President.
Neither, it turned out.
Neither, it turned out.
26
Oops I clicked recommend in error. I would like lots more of these Obama legacy articles.
7
Harry Truman as one of our finest Presidents? Really!
1
You convieniently forget that Bush had been trying to extend American forces in Iraq for several years before. He took the best deal he thought he could get to ensure stability. We should have nEver gone there in the first place!
Kerry and Obama have poked the Russians and Israelis needlessly in the eye. The British prime-minister even called them out on their verbal tirades. Obama calling Russia a second rate economy that only produces weapons of war, well they also produce manned space craft, something we have not been able to do for a while. And guess what our number one export is, yup, weapons of war. He is issuing all types of regulations in a feckless attempt to dictate policy to the next administration. Good luck on that one! Him and Kerry should just fade away before more damage is done. They look like petulant children to the world.
Kerry and Obama have poked the Russians and Israelis needlessly in the eye. The British prime-minister even called them out on their verbal tirades. Obama calling Russia a second rate economy that only produces weapons of war, well they also produce manned space craft, something we have not been able to do for a while. And guess what our number one export is, yup, weapons of war. He is issuing all types of regulations in a feckless attempt to dictate policy to the next administration. Good luck on that one! Him and Kerry should just fade away before more damage is done. They look like petulant children to the world.
6
Russians have not produced anything serious for years. They are behind Italy as and industrial power. If not for their gas and oil they would be way behind Turkey. All they are doing is taking apart and putting back together their tanks, aircraft, etc.
As for the Brits, President Bush had his so called "lapdog"-that is what the Brits called him-then premier Tony Blair. President-elect Trump will have his, Theresa May.
As for the Brits, President Bush had his so called "lapdog"-that is what the Brits called him-then premier Tony Blair. President-elect Trump will have his, Theresa May.
4
Yea LCG, just parrot your man Obama. Sorry, they produce aircraft, trucks, spacecraft and yes, weapons of war. Stop reading slate and read real news.
Go read economic reports of OECD, etc. Stop dreaming. Spcacraft, weapons of war do not feed the population or curb alcholism.
Why on earth would anything Newt the washed up politician of yesteryear have to say matter to anyone? It's Dec. 31, not Jan. 20, Newt. One president at a time. You are neither the current president or the president-elect.
73
Pathetic. 8 years and now he decides to do things. Hopefully, this desperate nonsense will all be undone quickly. January 20th can't come soon enough.
18
January 20, 2021 can't come soon enough.
4
January 20th, 2024. Have I got that right?
1
Decides? He has decided to do a lot of things, only to be OBSTRUCTED at every turn, and now you regressives dare to assert that he has done nothing, period. AND that he is divisive, obstructive and destructive. Well, it is clear to the rest of us that you are wrong.
3
President Barack Obama is a constitutional lawyer who knows the extent of his powers as president. This is the time to use every one of those powers not only to protect the American people but to protect the people of the world and even the planet. The man who will take office on January 20, 2017 is the most dangerously unqualified, temperamentally unsuited individual our nation has ever elected president. This has nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with the survival of all that we believe our nation to be.
I urge President Obama to spend these next weeks doing everything in his power to stymie the disastrous policies the 45th president plans to enact. This is not the time to worry about what his opponents say; it is the time to act with all due haste. Our survival hangs in the balance.
I urge President Obama to spend these next weeks doing everything in his power to stymie the disastrous policies the 45th president plans to enact. This is not the time to worry about what his opponents say; it is the time to act with all due haste. Our survival hangs in the balance.
433
If mr obama is such a great expert on the constitution, how is it that so many of his executive orders have been overturned by the courts ?
The photo accompanying this article says it all:
Prez: completely and unequivocally comfortable in his role, despite the election results.
Trump (thoughts): "What on earth have I done? Now what do I do?"
Trump and his minions are like the dog that's finally caught the car, but now has no idea what to do.
Prez: completely and unequivocally comfortable in his role, despite the election results.
Trump (thoughts): "What on earth have I done? Now what do I do?"
Trump and his minions are like the dog that's finally caught the car, but now has no idea what to do.
123
You can tell what someone is thinking by looking at a picture?
Wow! You are indeed impressive.
Wow! You are indeed impressive.
@ Guitar Man
Yes, I had exactly the same reaction when I saw that picture of a baffled-looking Trump sitting with the President in the Oval Office. I, too, even considered the analogy with the dog that caught the car.
But the problem with that comparison – as I quickly realized – is that when the dog caught the car the dog knew he was in trouble but Don the con is now, and forever will remain, absolutely totally CLUELESS! He has no idea how far in over his head he is!
I'm afraid the situation is more like high school day at City Hall.
Yes, I had exactly the same reaction when I saw that picture of a baffled-looking Trump sitting with the President in the Oval Office. I, too, even considered the analogy with the dog that caught the car.
But the problem with that comparison – as I quickly realized – is that when the dog caught the car the dog knew he was in trouble but Don the con is now, and forever will remain, absolutely totally CLUELESS! He has no idea how far in over his head he is!
I'm afraid the situation is more like high school day at City Hall.
2
The picture speaks volumes. The easy going attitude, the casualness, the coolness, the openness, the absolute uniqueness of the man. The other person in the picture; the complete opposite. The uneasy going attitude. The un-casualness. The coldness. The close off-ness. The scowl. I will miss the former.
92
Do you really want a President who has an easy, carefree attitude about the world? I'm sure our enemies do.
4
Don't worry, we'll probably see more of him after than we ever did before. He's got the Chris Rock style down pretty good now, I can easily see a new career for him. Maybe even hosting the Academy Awards, since he's good giving them out and knows everybody there.
Even the photograph of them together is striking, a child on the left, a man on the right. Trumps immaturity is a stark contrast to Obama's enlightened and deep perspective on problems and solutions. They've elected a 4 year old to the presidency. I have never grieved in a presidential transition, but for weeks now the grief, the personal feeling of being stricken, is impossible to ignore.
364
We didn't elect a 4 year old. We elected a criminal, some more in the mold of Al Capone (tax evader, etc.) rather than Shirley Temple. When the NY Attorney General is finished we'll find that djt and his kids were stealing from his charitable foundation.
27
Excellent observation. Trump looks asleep; Obama, wide awake. Never mind politics, which of these two men would you most trust to drive you or your daughter home in a taxi? (Just look at their faces.)
12
"They"? The GOP plotted for 16+ years to take over. Their final play: institute voter restriction laws in 30 states, to that they effectively controlled 70% of electoral votes. With the help of hack-able insecure voting machines--it was easy for the Russians to put the election in play. I don't for one minute think that Trump had enough support to get "legitimately" elected.
The current POTUS is acting like a spoiled child and is a worldwide embarrassment. Elections have consequences. And he and the Democrats lost.
It is in his right to rule by executive order while golfing on vacation in Hawaii, but if this is the 'legacy' he has been obsessing since 2014...
The fact that other Presidents have done the same before him does not change a iota. This is akin to Bill Clinton taking out the letter 'w' from the typewriters in the White House before vacating it.
It is in his right to rule by executive order while golfing on vacation in Hawaii, but if this is the 'legacy' he has been obsessing since 2014...
The fact that other Presidents have done the same before him does not change a iota. This is akin to Bill Clinton taking out the letter 'w' from the typewriters in the White House before vacating it.
11
Yea right! Lost by 2,5 million extra votes! Get yourself a math teacher.
Really?
Or Myth Romney vacation the Massachusetts state house with his computer hard drives?
Better be careful who you call and what you consider an embarrassment. What will you do when a REAL embarrassment exists?
Or Myth Romney vacation the Massachusetts state house with his computer hard drives?
Better be careful who you call and what you consider an embarrassment. What will you do when a REAL embarrassment exists?
2
Bill Clinton also left $120 billion surplus. Guess who trashed that and tens of billions more taking into unnecessary wars.
Bush, Jr. left us an economy in ruins, the worst since the Great Depression. Guess who fixed that?
Obama leaves a solid economy and a healthcare system that works, even if it does need tweaking. Guess who's going to trash that? And get us into WWIII?
Bush, Jr. left us an economy in ruins, the worst since the Great Depression. Guess who fixed that?
Obama leaves a solid economy and a healthcare system that works, even if it does need tweaking. Guess who's going to trash that? And get us into WWIII?
6
"Ms. Tanden said Mr. Obama’s actions were bolstered by approval ratings significantly higher than Mr. Trump’s, a historical oddity."
Mr. Obama's successor also received more votes than Mr. Trump, who is going to be president because of a few thousand votes in 3 states. Mr. Trump is also inheriting a much more stable economy than Mr. Obama inherited. So even aside from the obvious personality issues, it may be odd but not surprising.
Mr. Obama's successor also received more votes than Mr. Trump, who is going to be president because of a few thousand votes in 3 states. Mr. Trump is also inheriting a much more stable economy than Mr. Obama inherited. So even aside from the obvious personality issues, it may be odd but not surprising.
15
To the 54% of voters who showed up and did not vote for this foolish embarrassing man it feels like President Obama is erecting the barricades before the Republican killing machine ends the Departments of Housing, Energy, Education, Labor, State, Treasury, Justice, Defense and the rest at the guillotine. At that point in time we will join Trump his wall street cabinet and factual news challenged minions in the return of the 18th Century Reign of Terror POTUS 45.
32
Those who do with a pen and a phone are undone with a pen and a phone.
The presidents and a constitutional executive authority to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed." They have no authority to legislates in that per "The Constitution, "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States,".
His legacy law, the ACA which was passed without a single Republican vote was condemned by Bill Clinton and did not make health care more "Affordable" to a working person. Now the America has given us a Republican president, Republican majority in the Senate and a Republican majority in the congress, at least in part to repeal it.
His executive authority ends on Jan 20, and so can anything he did through it.
Again, that which is done with a pen and a phone, can be undone with a pen and a phone. This includes refusal to enforce immigration laws, and perhaps a refusal to properly vet refugees for safety and a willingness to assimilate.
John
The presidents and a constitutional executive authority to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed." They have no authority to legislates in that per "The Constitution, "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States,".
His legacy law, the ACA which was passed without a single Republican vote was condemned by Bill Clinton and did not make health care more "Affordable" to a working person. Now the America has given us a Republican president, Republican majority in the Senate and a Republican majority in the congress, at least in part to repeal it.
His executive authority ends on Jan 20, and so can anything he did through it.
Again, that which is done with a pen and a phone, can be undone with a pen and a phone. This includes refusal to enforce immigration laws, and perhaps a refusal to properly vet refugees for safety and a willingness to assimilate.
John
3
Good reads before picking up another pen or phone:
Mastering the Craft of Writing: How to Write With Clarity, Emphasis, and Style by Stephen Wilbers
The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steven Pinker
Mastering the Craft of Writing: How to Write With Clarity, Emphasis, and Style by Stephen Wilbers
The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steven Pinker
1
all presidents tend to end up trashing the white house just like bad tenants. That is why the constitution blocks Obama from having a third term. Once Obama leaves office, Trump will have an opportunity to clean up the trash and score some free points. Then in 4 or 8 years we will be glad when Trump leaves.
4
Trust me, the sooner Trump leaves, the happier all of us will be.
51
I think your idea of cleaning up is definitely opposite of majority of Americans think about cleanliness.-:)))))
1
Want to bet that Trump will be impeached within two years?
2
Mr. Obamas attempt to "cement" his legacy is simply a sign of arrogance.
If Obamacare was so great, no one would want to dismantle it.
If the Iran deal were so great, no one would want to get rid of it either.
Maybe his "accomplishments" are nothing of the sort.
If Obamacare was so great, no one would want to dismantle it.
If the Iran deal were so great, no one would want to get rid of it either.
Maybe his "accomplishments" are nothing of the sort.
16
Using your logic, if Trump were so great he would have gotten three million more votes than Hillary, instead of the reverse.
10
It is Repuplicans who want the get rid of the Iran deal. All Allies wanted the deal. Otherwise they were getting rid of the sanctions against Iran. Do you think that sanctions would have worked with only USA and Isarel!
You don't even know what arrogance is. Wait until Trump's reign.
You don't even know what arrogance is. Wait until Trump's reign.
5
If.......then?
Have you any conception of logic? Can you conceive of ANY reason anyone would want to dismantle something that works?
Follow the money all the way to insurance executives.
Have you any conception of logic? Can you conceive of ANY reason anyone would want to dismantle something that works?
Follow the money all the way to insurance executives.
6
Gingrich cracks me up. He has the nerve to call the President extremist when, among many other examples, the Republican Congress refused to even give his moderate candidate for the Supreme Court a hearing. What hypocrites the Congressional Republicans are.
287
Gingo knows the word game. Label someone extremist and there will be a lot of people somewhere who for any reason will believe you.
5
"I'm hearing" that following Rick Perry's successful transition from a reality tv star to Trump's cabinet many republicans are now looking to copy that strategy.
So, Gingrich, Christie, and Giuliani are expected to feature in the next season of "The Biggest Loser"...
So, Gingrich, Christie, and Giuliani are expected to feature in the next season of "The Biggest Loser"...
4
President Obama's legacy is of a do-nothing president. In many ways a continuation of president W. Bush; same Socialism of bail outs for the rich / Wall Street (with impunity) and Capitalism for working people.
President Obama preserved the same system that devastated the middle class since Regean/Clinton, and increased inequalities to new highs. As 90% of growth still goes to the top 1%, leaving millions to struggle.
Same perpetual wars all over the Middle East and Africa, expanding the misery and mayhem first introduced by Mr. Bush.
The politician who promised to bring change and hope brought everything but; His healthcare, written for and by big insurance companies, concerned only with their huge profits, is failing. His climate change deal is weak, non binding and was sponsored by big oil companies.
Poverty and despair in rural white communities with ever decreasing life expectancy and premature deaths, poverty and despair in African-American communities, whose members are still shot by law enforcement. Crumbling infrastructure, hopelessness in the Rust Belt and 70% of Americans who think that the country been going the wrong direction.
No doubt, President Obama's legacy is Donald Trump.
President Obama preserved the same system that devastated the middle class since Regean/Clinton, and increased inequalities to new highs. As 90% of growth still goes to the top 1%, leaving millions to struggle.
Same perpetual wars all over the Middle East and Africa, expanding the misery and mayhem first introduced by Mr. Bush.
The politician who promised to bring change and hope brought everything but; His healthcare, written for and by big insurance companies, concerned only with their huge profits, is failing. His climate change deal is weak, non binding and was sponsored by big oil companies.
Poverty and despair in rural white communities with ever decreasing life expectancy and premature deaths, poverty and despair in African-American communities, whose members are still shot by law enforcement. Crumbling infrastructure, hopelessness in the Rust Belt and 70% of Americans who think that the country been going the wrong direction.
No doubt, President Obama's legacy is Donald Trump.
24
Getting handed a giant mess and handing off an intact economy and good job growth= Thank You President Obama.
That the GOP tore the place, got us in wars, and got their panties in a bunch because you didnt fix it alone and fast enough was always part of their mendacity.
103
Trump the birther, misogynist and race baiter Obama's legacy? You're kidding. Trump is the legacy of an intransigent congress that wanted to make Obama a one term president, a vast smear campaign against a highly qualified female candidate, Putin's hackers, gerrymandering, vote suppression and Comey.
38
Plus when Obama was elected, the GOP pledged to do all they could to block his every initiative -- even if his proposal would help the nation. Now it's their turn. Let's see if they can make things better.
5
Obama has always had a nasty streak just below the polished veneer.
With Trump we will have a more real personality with his feelings out front (and often divisive), but his heart always for America.
With Trump we will have a more real personality with his feelings out front (and often divisive), but his heart always for America.
13
Not so. Narcisstic personality disorder. He's all about Donald.
24
Name ONE thing Trump ever did for "America" that didn't involve him making a personal profit.
That's right. Zero.
He has a "heart" for America but a grasping hand for America's pocketbook.
That's right. Zero.
He has a "heart" for America but a grasping hand for America's pocketbook.
36
How can anyone say that Mr. Trump's heart is "for America" after watching and listening to how he treats American women, American contract employees, American immigrants and American Gold Star families--all while refusing to pay his share of income tax and patting himself on the back for avoiding it. America is great now, despite what Mr. Trump has said, and despite his apparent intention to bring it down several notches.
11
Can we please stop seeing the words "...said Newt Gingrich" in the New York Times? The man has nothing to offer, other than lies and hypocrisy. In the future, please find someone with integrity to provide an opinion, please.
143
That would leave out all Republicans....!
5
I agree, Sam. WHY does any media pay this obnoxious man, driven from the Speakership he was so corrupt, by the way, any attention. NO one cares what Newt says. Give us some news!
4
The last eight years of indecisive, ponderous and uninspired leadership provided by our vaunted President Obama led in great part to where we are today. His lack of conviction, commitment, and common sense proved what people thought at the very outset, that he didn't have the experience or skills to be president. Historians will look back at that lackluster legacy and describe it with two words: Donald Trump.
123
More likely 2 words: "Delusional GOP"
17
Historians will describe it with two words ECONOMIC RECOVERY after the worst recession ever for the US in 2008 caused by the so called smart but clueless Republicans. President Obama saved our economy and the US. Donald Trump will be the doom of this great economy that Obama worked so hard for. Donald Trump is a know nothing and will only do something for his favorite country Russia and his puppeteer Putin.
22
Are you SERIOUS?!?! He got so much cooperation from your Republican conspirators, your right, should have got A LOT more done.... perhaps HE shouldn't have shut down the government, you people really are beyond the pale!! That weasel McConnell and his brethren took every opportunity (and invented many more) to do ANYTHING to obstruct President Obama... from day ONE, they openly, loudly announced they would de legitimize his presidency and that's exactly what they've done. You can try to re-write history, however, there were to many witnesses for that to fly this time.... that pig you elected is going to show you folks just what he's made of and I can't wait.
12
Go for it President Obama. No crying Republicans. We saw what happened in North Carolina.
40
This sounds all very amicable, I'm sure. But if I were Trump I'd have a private investigator sweep the White House for IEDs before I moved in. I miss the days when opposing parties just shot at each other in the streets with dueling pistols. It was so much more honorable, back then.
4
I have not yet read this article because I have been so taken with this photo of President Obama and Donald Trump, and see a world of difference between the two men.
President Obama is animated and lively, intent on someone off camera who perhaps has asked a question. We can see intelligence and thoughtfulness in his expression.
Trump, on the contrary, appears to be disassociated from his surroundings, his expression immobile and devoid of interest or intent. He is a lump of emptiness.
While an instance only, this photo shows us what we will miss and what our future will be for the next four years. Too bad for us or, as Trump would say, so sad.
President Obama is animated and lively, intent on someone off camera who perhaps has asked a question. We can see intelligence and thoughtfulness in his expression.
Trump, on the contrary, appears to be disassociated from his surroundings, his expression immobile and devoid of interest or intent. He is a lump of emptiness.
While an instance only, this photo shows us what we will miss and what our future will be for the next four years. Too bad for us or, as Trump would say, so sad.
66
Great interpretation. A picture can be worth a thousand words.
2
And quite possibly a man in the midst of decompensation - from either disease or self-inflicted. The symptoms are pretty obvious.
4
Unburdened by political pressures from Democrats as well as Republicans, Obama is carrying out many of his wishes and policies that he was unable to do before the election.
He's made an excellent start. Here are a few on my wish list:
1) Recognition of a Palestinian State
2) Additional restraints on trading with Russia.
3) Pardons for Governor Don Siegelman, Leonard Pelletier, Chelsea Manning, and Ethel Rosenberg (posthumously).
4) Recess appointment of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court on January 3rd.
As former Prime Minister Harold Wilson said, "A week is a long time in politics." Three weeks could be an eternity.
He's made an excellent start. Here are a few on my wish list:
1) Recognition of a Palestinian State
2) Additional restraints on trading with Russia.
3) Pardons for Governor Don Siegelman, Leonard Pelletier, Chelsea Manning, and Ethel Rosenberg (posthumously).
4) Recess appointment of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court on January 3rd.
As former Prime Minister Harold Wilson said, "A week is a long time in politics." Three weeks could be an eternity.
19
Obama is one arrogant guy who is destined to have no legacy. Trump will do whatever he has to and will reverse out most of these executive decrees. You may not agree with Trump but I would never underestimate the man. Obama is going after a scorched earth policy and that serves no purpose to anyone. This is very sad.
13
Thank you for these four years President Obama, I speak for all of us when I say we will miss you.
83
Wow!
The opposition is shocked by the President's actions?
This from the people who obstructed the President from his first day in office, as their governing game plan?
We support you Mr. President.
The opposition is shocked by the President's actions?
This from the people who obstructed the President from his first day in office, as their governing game plan?
We support you Mr. President.
181
Obama's legacy -- one of the worst Presidents in history.
He has shown that socialism doesn't work in a country built on capitalism. He's a community organizer at heart, not a businessman. What he doesn't realize is that without business and a thriving economy, there is no community. There is no country.
Even small business people know that. Anyone running a household economy knows that. There's no community, and not much of a family either, unless that community, that family, is making a living -- and has the potential of making an even better living.
For all his faults, President-Elect Trump knows how vital that is to our way of life. American know-how, American drive, American success stories.
He has shown that socialism doesn't work in a country built on capitalism. He's a community organizer at heart, not a businessman. What he doesn't realize is that without business and a thriving economy, there is no community. There is no country.
Even small business people know that. Anyone running a household economy knows that. There's no community, and not much of a family either, unless that community, that family, is making a living -- and has the potential of making an even better living.
For all his faults, President-Elect Trump knows how vital that is to our way of life. American know-how, American drive, American success stories.
15
First, learn what "Socialism" is about. Then write. Second, President Obama is far from being a Socialist. He is a centrist. Period.
As for thriving business, did he takeover a thriving economy from President Bush II? No. He inherited a serious recession thanks to Republican administration of eight years. We are lucky that a sensible president like Obama brought us thus far.
As for thriving business, did he takeover a thriving economy from President Bush II? No. He inherited a serious recession thanks to Republican administration of eight years. We are lucky that a sensible president like Obama brought us thus far.
21
Socialist? Obama is to the right of Nixon on domestic policy. we haven't had a Democratic president since Jimmy Carter, but those of you of the Dickensian persuasion can't see it.
18
The worst prez by far of my lifetime was George W. Bush. The data are clear on this. Two unfounded wars with poor outcomes and thousands of good young men lost. Tens of thousands of Americans dead every year because of lack of access to health care. A Great Recession that ruined the finances of 10s of millions. But right wing extremists like you dwell in your fantasy land of Obama being a horrible president. We're out of the wars Bush created. We have saved lives by giving 10s of millions access to health insurance. The GDP is growing again. Wages are growing again. Unemployment is now as low as it has been in about two decades. Thanks to Obama this has happened. Keep watching FOX News, bud, and live in your dystopian fantasy bubble.
22
President Obama gets hit by Republicans no matter what he does or doesn't do. Here, he is acting decisively and independently, for which he gets called an extremist.
He spent 8 years reaching across the aisle and found no Republicans to act in good faith with him, and then he gets accused of weak leadership.
Forget trying to please them, President Obama, and do those things that are best for America!
He spent 8 years reaching across the aisle and found no Republicans to act in good faith with him, and then he gets accused of weak leadership.
Forget trying to please them, President Obama, and do those things that are best for America!
132
So what else is he going to do? Open the prison doors? As absurd as it sounds it would not be out of character. He has had 8 years to destroy the country and still has a bucket list? He needs to stop wasting time, preserve what is becoming a tarnished legacy and relax in the Hawaiian sun.
11
JN's comment reminds me of a Dawkins quote which finishes with the admonition, "go away and learn how to think."
12
Did Mr. Trump get the votes of majority of US citizens?
9
President Obama would have won in a walk against Donald Trump. They know it and we all do too. The only reason the President--there's only one at a time--has not done more is that Republicans decided from the moment he was elected to block absolutely everything he tried to do. As for Donald Trump, he was busy declaring bankruptcy, starring in a TV show for airheads about firing people and trying to prove that the President, who just happened to be black, was born in Africa. Let's hope that instead of relaxing in his actual birthplace, Hawaii, President Obama places every possible policy impediment in the way of Donald Trump and what is shaping up to be one of the most reactionary, plutocratic governments in American history.
16
Obama is merely doing what he can to defend the rights of the majority of voters who disapprove of Trump's agenda and whose views are about to be ignored for 4 years.
831
Clinton won the popular vote by 3mn votes but won the popular vote in California by 4mn. Thank God we have an electoral college
3
No he is not, he wants to start trouble for President elect Donald Trump and it is not going to work.
2
@Padfoot
That must be why the democrats have so few politicians in office...
That must be why the democrats have so few politicians in office...
2
President Obama was elected twice by a majority of voters, unlike He Who Shall Not Be Named. And he was elected to serve until his term is complete. So he is obligated to continue fighting what he believes is the right fight. Those who say he should back off and stop being spiteful are the spiteful ones. They are the ones who refused to even hold a hearing on the people's President's pick for the Supreme Court. Check the Constitution. And perhaps, He Who Shall Not Be Named, read the Constitution.
111
Our petulant President's legacy is one of poor stewardship.
13
That is not completely correct, since he is still technically "president-elect"! You can restate that point after January 21, 2017.
8
Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, comparing Mr. Obama to a petulant god in a Wagner opera.
A fat, white guy married three times shouldn't bring up Wagner characters as an insult. Newt's just singing to the choir. He didn't get a job from DJT. Maybe he's auditioning for Brunehilde's spot as the fat lady who sings when it's all over.
A fat, white guy married three times shouldn't bring up Wagner characters as an insult. Newt's just singing to the choir. He didn't get a job from DJT. Maybe he's auditioning for Brunehilde's spot as the fat lady who sings when it's all over.
363
Since I know Wagner's operas pretty well, I'm still trying to figure out which "petulant god" Newt is talking about. I suspect he knows nothing about Wagner.
10