Are you disappointed in president Obama?

[Philosoraptor]

Poll question: Are you disappointed in president Obama?

I am, I voted to end these obscene 'wars', and I voted to end the bush/cheney madness, and with each passing day that we still occupy Iraq and Afghanistan I become more disillusioned and depressed.

[MineralMan]

1. Other. It is not a binary question.

Your poll limits the response to either agreeing to all of President Obama's actions or none of them.

As such, it is a push poll, and completely invalid as an information-gathering survey.

I'm sure that, with a little thought, you could create a poll that was not just black and white. Nothing is just black and white.

[hfojvt]

11. I agree, but it's funny that other is not getting more votes

like with most DU polls though, the major response is "not voting"

[whathehell]

23. I just gave it a vote because the poll only includes "satisfied" and "very" disappointed

I think many people here fall somewhere between those two.

[Organic Warrior]

65. Very disappointed

I'm new here, but I can say that I am very disappointed in President Obama. I fear that, despite his intellect and his eloquence, he may just be another empty suit when it comes to the promise and promises he brought with him to the presidency. On so many levels he has failed those of us that believed in him. Yes, I am very disappointed and fear what the future brings (esp. the 2010 mid-term elections) as a result of his lack of leadership. I hope that I am wrong.

[whathehell]

68. I know where you're coming from and I'm "getting there" myself. n/t

[MineralMan]

25. Yup. 464 views and 115 votes.

75% of the views don't result in a vote. Worthless poll.

[mike_c]

12. I think it's entirely possible to answer whether one is, on balance...

...primarily disappointed or primarily satisfied. The problem with nuanced polls is that they leave so much room for interpretation, often inviting erroneous conclusions. I do understand your point-- push polls manipulate the data, but I don't think this poll necessarily does that. It simply has poor resolution, like squinting your eyes and seeing only basic shapes and values. That can be appropriate in politics too, IMO, as long as we don't read anything more into it.

[MineralMan]

28. Nope. The poll is simply binary, except for the Other vote.

Nothing about "primarily" in the wording. Binary polls are worthless in assessing people's actual opinions.

You might as well post a poll that asks people choose:

1. I hate Obama.
2. I love Obama.

For most people, neither is true.

[mike_c]

33. I disagree....

I see no reason why "I am generally satisfied" or "I am generally unsatisfied" are inappropriate opinions to solicit. They're simply the end points of a broader approval continuum. Would you be more comfortable with the following, which allows for other than binary responses (but cannot be accomplished with DU's poll function as far as I know):

Rank your agreement or disagreement with the following statement on a scale from one to five, with one representing complete disagreement and five representing complete agreement:

1) I am satisfied with president Obama's overall performance in office to date.

Constructed this way, the poll would allow for nuanced responses, i.e. not only the ends of the continuum, but also the middle-- but it's difficult to understand how one would interpret those middle responses. Perhaps by reporting a mean score that summarized overall approval?

[MineralMan]

36. Where does "generally" appear in the text of this poll.

It does not. If it did, I wouldn't call it a binary poll.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

27. OUR ECONOMY NEEDS WAR, SO MUCH FOR AMERICAN ETHICS

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[MineralMan]

29. This poll wasn't just limited to war issues. It's a general poll.

The war thing was just the basis on which the OP voted in the poll. Nice use of All Caps in the title, though. A great touch.

[blondeatlast]

58. +1. nt

[Catherina]

2. Rec'd

[mitchtv]

3. other... neither choice fits for me

I am not fine with the way things are going, yet not disappointed either. I saw early on he was just a politician, no more no less, and expected little , which we've gotten.

[mdmc]

4. depends who's askin

on DU - yes
if someone is all "hopey changey" then I am in full support of Obama..

[Skink]

5. I'm disappointed Gore had the 2000 election stolen from him

[Uzybone]

6. Stupid poll with black and white choices

the kind of poll FAUX news would run.

[SunsetDreams]

yes, and with a "hint" on how to answer

[MineralMan]

31. That's why it's a "Push" poll.

Screw that.

[Xipe Totec]

7. I'm disappointed I haven't won the lotto yet

I'm unhappy I don't have a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, and I'm definitely pissed that the champagne was flat last night and the caviar lukewarm.

[live love laugh]

8. I tire of the whining. No matter what he does, there are critics. Who would you replace him with?

[Bluebear]

34. Complaints about policies or war = whining. OK!

[Hissyspit]

39. Nobody's whining.

[L0oniX]

52. Oh stop your whining!

[papadog]

66. Hillary! At least she acts like she has a pair.

[Blue-Jay]

9. Other.

[jobycom]

10. Other--I want more, but he's what I expected when I voted for him.

I didn't like voting for him, but I liked voting against McCain. What I got was not-McCain, and I'm still happy with that. What I wanted was another Bill Clinton or FDR, but I didn't see one running.

So I want more, and I'm strongly disappointed in the way things are heading, but I wouldn't say I'm strongly disappointed in Obama himself. He's about what I expected. I'm disappointed he isn't more than he is. I'm disappointed Americans are so easily fooled by people who tell them they are pretty. I'm disappointed American voters can't look at a resume and see what is and isn't there. But those aren't Obama's fault. When he was elected I told people I was happy, but I would always feel like we'd missed a great opportunity. That's still how I feel.

[freespeechtv]

13. I'm moderately disappointed. Ajamu Baraka, executive director of the U.S. Human Rights Network, says

he would give Obama a "D" with regard to human rights because Obama is dressing up and continuing Bush era policies. That deepens my disappointment...
http://www.livestream.com/freespeechtv/video?clipId=flv_523cfa67-ef1b-4207-81d7-d033e071c148

[el_bryanto]

14. I'm somewhat dissapointed, that said I expected him to be a middle of the roader

And i'm baffled at anybody who didn't see that coming.

Bryant

[hfojvt]

15. are we gonna miss the August 31st timetable?

How are things going there? There seems to be a news blackout.

[L0oniX]

53. Don't hold your breath.

[Toucano]

16. Other. Yes, but not "very". Moderately disappointed

If he could learn to stop pandering to the right - who will never play nice no how - he can turn it around in my estimation.

[Radical Activist]

17. I'm getting about what I expected.

He's staying on the time-line for withdrawal from Iraq, which surprises me a little. I'm not happy with the escalation in Afghanistan but that was part of his platform. On the other hand, I'm encouraged that he seems increasingly unenthusiastic about being there and isn't backing off his goal for getting out in 2012.

My hope was to have a President that's responsive to progressives and I think he's hearing that people don't support either war. With more pressure we might be able to get out sooner than we thought.

[Fuzz]

18. 'lil bit.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

19. No.

He is ending the war in Iraq, exactly like he said he would.

He's fighting the war in Afghanistan, exactly like he said he wouldl

[Stinky The Clown]

71. So you favor the Afghan war?

That's a binary question.

[Jack Rabbit]

20. I think if you try a little harder, you can find some nuance between the first tow choices

Count me as "somewhat disappointed". I'd still vote to re-elect Obama over anybody Rush Limbaugh could get behind.

[MrSlayer]

21. I'm more disappointed in myself than in he.

I think I wanted and expected him to be something he's not. Which, considering what I know our government to be, was foolish and naive.

[EnlightenedOne]

22. I think he and we are all doing the best we can

for the most part under our current circumstances.

Bush/Cheney destroyed everything they touched and then sold us all out to the corporations before Obama ever walked in the door. Given that scenario, and the fact that he's not God, I think he was and still is the best man for the job in the present. I don't know of anyone who could have done more or better with everything he is up against. I still think and will always believe he brought us back from the brink of utter and complete disaster. 6 more months of Bush/Cheney or 1 year of McCain/Palin, it would all be over - there would be nothing left of America. There would be nothing BUT war, worse poverty and despair. I wish more people would realize that.

[napi21]

24. HELL NO I'm not disappointed! I'amazed that any human

being has achieved as much as he has despite all the opposition and disasters he's had dumped on him! unfortunately he's had to operate in fixit mode the entire time he's been in office, and he has very little help. Even some of the Dems are fighting him.

[hlthe2b]

26. Given that he was saddled with these wars, I'll be more specific

Am I disappointed that we have not moved more quickly to end the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan? (yes, but I realize there are lots of issues that have to be taken into account to get us out); that we escalated number of troops in Afghanistan to begin with? (yes). Do I believe Obama is guilty of poor decision making on these scores? (frankly I really don't have the information to judge this, having not been part of the process).

If I were asked if I was disappointed in any Democratic President, going back, and including FDR? I'm sure there are aspects that I would say yes. Even, FDR, who comes as close as any to the most impressive US President made decisions regarding Japanese internment and several other issues that I would question or denounce--certainly now, and probably at the time.

I guess this is a long way of saying I don't know how to answer in your very discrete poll. So, other...

[femmocrat]

30. Other: somewhat.

I completely disapprove of his Secretary of Education and education policies.

I would also like to see a wind-down of the wars by now.

And I supported the Public Option (and Medicare for over 55), both of which have been forgotten.

But he is still a million and one times better than the previous administration! I am grateful for that.

[Pyrzqxgl]

32. Other: I did vote to end these wars & it's not moving fast enough for me.

Politics crushes Statesmanship all too often but the alternative really scares me.

[Vidar]

35. Disappointed, yes, but it could be much worse.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

37. Disapointed? No. A centrist politician doing what centrist politicians do.

That's why I didn't vote for him.

[Blue-Jay]

38. I wrote in "Atticus Buttocks".

[lamp_shade]

40. 69 DUers Very Disappointed

[Bluebear]

41. How does that amuse you? It inspired *5* count 'em snarky smilies!

:shrug: :shrug: :shrug:

[Swamp Rat]

43. I don't think this is funny at all.

just my opinion

[Bluebear]

45. We must have a different sense of humor.

[lamp_shade]

49. Probably.

[Swamp Rat]

42. other

I am almost out of hope, but still hanging on.

[agent46]

44. The disappointments

The disappointments have not been a surprise.

[arcadian]

46. Disappointed. he could have been so much better

He had a real mandate, unlike the false mandate Bush claimed to have in 2005. Obama squandered it and will probably be a one term President now.

[G_j]

47. what "fine with the way things are going." means to me

the end of hope

IMHO...

[earth mom]

48. Wanna bet some people have more than one account & are voting twice or more to skew the poll?

They should be ashamed with themselves!

Hope they can live with their conscience about being ok with U.S. troops DYING for no good reason! :grr:

[Chisox08]

50. Yes I'm disappointed

We are still fighting needless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its wasting billions of dollars and killing thousands of our soldiers.
Health Care reform didn't go far enough.
Wall Street reform was watered down.
New deep water oil well permits allowed after the Oil Volcano.
Unemployment is still at 9.7%. with no government programs being put forth to get Americans back to work
Arne Duncan still has a job. He opened the doors to the privatization of the Chicago Public Schools.

[Dragonfli]

51. KICK

[Swamp Rat]

55. HEY YOU!!

:hug:

[Dragonfli]

73. Hi how are you doin mate?

[Dr Morbius]

54. Other: I am not "very" disappointed or "fine" with how things are.

I am a little disappointed, but I still trust the guy I voted for. Like the rest of government, I believe the old maxim "trust but verify" is sound wisdom when applied to our current President. As to the wars, I voted for Barack Obama over John McCain. My ballot had no "end the wars" option on it; it had a centrist Democrat and a once-centrist Republican gone right with age. The Democrat promised to bring one war to an end and focus on the other war; the Republican seemed absolutely committed to both wars and even starting one or two more. Barack Obama has not ended the war in Iraq but the hostilities have declined a great deal, and the number of troops involved in Iraq has declined. There does appear to me a good chance we'll be out of Iraq, cutting the number of foolish wars in half; that's something.

I tell you, elections rarely cause real change. You know what causes change? Public outrage. It was public outrage over bank failures in the 1930's which led to FDIC, and responsible banking practices which mostly lasted half a century. It was public pressure from Dr King and the movement he led which gave us the equal rights amendment. It was public sympathy after the senseless murder of James Garfield which led to long-overdue patronage reform. It was public disillusionment that led to the end of the war in Vietnam. The problem is that the people prefer to be divided rather than take charge of their government.

Disappointed in Barack Obama? A little, but overall I realize he's better than anyone else I can remember. I do NOT think everything is fine. But I see a whole lot of gray area in between here.

[JoePhilly]

56. Then you are an IDIOT.

You heard what you wanted to hear ... and are now disappointed that you did not listen.

As a simple example, you complain that we still occupy Iraq an Afghanistan ... are you stupid?? Everything Obama is doing now is what he said he would do as a candidate ... were you in a coma??????

[PBS Poll-435]

57. Just with his constant critics. nt

[SidDithers]

59. I'm "very disappointed" with some DU'ers...nt

Sid

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Blue-Jay]

69. Oh man...

[seabeyond]

61. it just isnt a yes or no question. yes there are things i wanted done, that he didnt do.

yes i wanted more from him with some of the things he has done. and yes, i see that he has accomplished more, in a short time, than people recognize or give him credit for. i also recognize that the past 8 yrs prior to his office create such a situation that expectations are unreasonable.

so, no

i cant give a yes or no.

[Beringia]

62. I think the next Democratic President

may get more done. I did not expect much from President Obama. From many reports, he has kept many of Bush's policies with the wars and foreign policies.

However if I were talking with a Teabagger, I would be defending Obama, as their understanding of the country is so immature.

[Overseas]

63. Yes but once again I am completely repulsed by the Modern GOP.

These are not your mama's Republicans-- they aren't pretending very hard to have an ounce of compassion.

They represent the party that just spent 8 years trying to prove how terrible government could be. They did an excellent job pushing our country off some steep economic, ethical and ecological cliffs.

I don't want to return there

but I detest pretending so hard that the Modern GOP has any remaining credibility. Their steadfast alliance with the Captains of Industry has failed us completely.

[SmileyRose]

64. Other - I'm being patient until he shoots the fire from his ass and lasers from his eyeballs

because being superhuman superhero is about the only way he will even begin to measure up to the expectations.

[CTyankee]

67. We liberals are never "satisfied," and I at least accept that.

However, faced with the alternative, hell YES I'm real happy with Obama.

Come on, folks, we can do this. Criticize away, that's accepted, but vote for this guy who is so MUCH better than what we were offered in the election...

Besides, I think Obama EXPECTED criticism. He's not stupid. He knows us liberals. He's lived and worked around us for all of his life!

But he's doing what is politically practical right now. I don't always agree with him. Fine. I know he is fine with that. And I know he knows I will invariably have a disagreement with him. But at least he's on my wave length...maybe not entirely,but there. McCain would NEVER be. Palin, forget about it.

Let's get real...

[gleaner]

70. I chose yes ....

I am very disappointed. He has not done much for this country or anyone in it except the rich and the big corporations.

[The Old Creak]

72. I guess

if you have 1000* posts, you can say anything:crazy:

[TheKentuckian]

74. Yes, I'm disappointed. I don't give a shit how bad BushCo was or how much worse McCain

and Palin would be.

I didn't work, donate, or vote for those moronic heathens. I don't subscribe to their policies, rhetoric, values, or world view. They have no legitimacy whatsoever in my mind and should be disbanded as a terrorist and anti-American entity.

They are not even an option, they may as well not be on my ballot.

My sole interest in the cretins is their destruction. My expectations of the Republicans is mostly isolated to an ongoing effort to undermine the government of the United States, plunder of the commons, legislative, political, and legal shenanigans to benefit the wealthy, a strident commitment to inequality, racism, xenophobia, the establishment of theocracy, absurd economics, and murdering people of color around the world.

I judge the President against no one but himself and what is required to be done with the opportunity.

Obama gives credence to the Republicans like they have a valid philosophy and executes their failed and rejected policies.

It's my thought that if you really despise the treasonous Republicans and their bankrupt ideology then some disappointment is going to be a natural consequence of paying attention.

[LWolf]

80. +1

[Catherina]

82. +1 n/t

[Curmudgeoness]

75. Other--but to be fair, instead of other, it could have been "somewhat" or "sometimes"

[OhioChick]

76. Yes, disappointed. n/t

[USArmyParatrooper]

77. NICE PUSH POLL

"No, I'm happy with the way things are going"

You don't have to be "happy" with the way things are going in order to NOT be disappointed in President Obama.

[HipChick]

78. I've worked with many Army commands..

in the course of many jobs...which make polls like this stupid...I'm not for any war but its naive to think they can just pick up and go, once they are entrenched in the occupied infrastructure..its not that simple or that black and white..

[Name removed]

79. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bo]

81. Got to love the Bush policies That are still in place....

[UTUSN]

83. Why would anybody HERE even POSE that question?11 N/T

[jillan]

84. Where's "Sometimes"????

I am disappointed sometimes but other times I am very thankful he is our President.

[JackRiddler]

85. Unfortunately not.

It's all going as one might predict based on US politics and history. To be disappointed I would have had to expect something better after the FISA and TARP votes prior to the election, the campaign promise to escalate in Pakistan (instead of Iran, like McCain, hooray), and the choices of Biden, Emanuel, Gates, Geithner, Summers, Salazar, Duncan et al. (Clinton I don't complain about because someone who wins 18 million votes should get a cabinet post, but maybe she'd have done less damage at Education than Duncan, as opposed to State which was another bad idea.)

Sotomayor was a highlight. Dawn Johnsen briefly seemed to be, but her story then turned into a parable of everything wrong.

I suppose I might have expected better on the health insurance bill - he did claim to support a public option. I suppose I might have hoped the education agenda wouldn't be quite as much No Child Left Breathing and the Billionaire Boys Charter Club. I suppose I might have had a few moments where I thought Gitmo would be shut down and John Yoo be hauled in. But not really.

And the failures to take over the Gulf from BP are just puzzling, because seizing the criminal enterprise and commandeering its resources under the command of an admiral, say, would have been a much more popular move than letting them dick around with detergent and fuck everything up worse, pretending all the time that the total cost in the end isn't going to force this evil beast into liquidation no matter what.

[cwydro]

86. Very disappointed.

Extremely so.

[cwydro]

87. Interesting results. nt

[branders seine]

88. good question. good poll.

K&R

[BlueIris]

89. I put other, because "disappointment" implies I had er, hope it would be better.

I had very few real expectations for this President. The nature of the campaign he ran, with no specific proposals for how to effect change, made expectations impossible. I am not happy with the decisions he's made since taking office, but they're not that much worse than what I had anticipated, so disappointment isn't the descriptor I'd use. Devastated would be more like it.