Obama Evaluation Matrix: Logical, Clear, Evolutionary

I am going to keep this absolutely civil.

Two elements:
What, exactly, do you think are the problems facing America today? Specifics.

What, exactly, do you think Obama will "change"? I want specifics not mindless platitudes.

E.g. "Obama will withdraw American troops from Iraq by the end of 2009" or "Obama will reduce poverty in America by 2% by 2011"

Every six months from Jan 2009, I will evaluate those assumptions, enabling us to track the performance of Obama against the perceptions of those who supported him. It will also enable me to test my hypotheses that those who voted for Obama do not actually know what they want from him, apart from some mindless dog-salivating-feel-good messages about change and progress, and that those who believe America is in trouble don't actually know what that means.

I ask that we avoid any attacks in this thread, and simply keep to the criteria mentioned.

Obama represents a renewal of the spirit and a rekindling of a hope in the American dream.

You can't graph that.

Here's what the Chairman where i work calls a BIHAG (Big hairy audacious goal).

Problem: Global warming.
Changes: Reduced emissions by the USA. Contribution by the USA to global reduction in emissions.

What does the American dream mean?

I can also mouth mindless platitudes: "I will take New Zealand forward into ageless glory."

There you go - good enough?

I asked for specifics. You haven't given any.

Vads right now you could learn something from Mr McCain

try and retain some dignity from this defeat

Isnt that why most people vote?

Some people did get a bit ott (resist) but hey, good to see people passionate about politics for once, especially in a country that has such poor voting rates.

I dont think the specifics are what matters tbh. What most people expect him to do is to start shifting America into more responsible domestic and foreign policy.

The other added bonus for him/america/western world is that this could be seen as a bit of a fresh start for relations with middle east/other rouge nations. Its hardly a 'all is forgiven' type renewal but its a bit of a step.

If the democrats get the supermajority then we might see some more

the herald says "He has said he will try to withdraw US troops from Iraq in 16 months, and has called for a new opening to US adversaries, such as Iran and Cuba"
So theres some concrete goals to evaluate him on.

1) Universal Healthcare for Americans by the end of his first term. (A huge problem in America right now - 45 Million Americans can not get access to medical care with the system in it's current state)

2) Tax Cuts for 95% of Americans by the end of 2009. (Freeing up money for the middle class will help the global economic crisis)

3) A solid exit strategy for Iraq, with full troop withdrawal before the end of his first term. (Iraq is considered by some to be the worst piece of foreign policy since Vietnam)

4) Meet with the leaders of foreign countries, to re-establish America's stance as a country of peace by the end of his first term. (Foreign Relations with other countries, especially those that are a possible threat to the free world have been ragged and tattered under the leadership of Bush)

Increase US Troop numbers in Afganistan
Increase attacks into Pakistan

I think Obama will own at foreign relations, but only because people despised bush. I will certainly be curious to see how he goes, but certainly not swayed yet.

See dude, not so hard when you actually put your noggin to it. All good points, and if he achieves 1) I may even change my perception of him.

Would be amusing if this happened.

he's said he'd increase numbers in Afganistan and also that he supported the incursions into Pakistan... I would assume he also supports incursions into Syria for the same reasons

showing his total disregard for international law, welcome to washington mr president

Obama is probably in for a few surprises come his first CIA briefing...

So far:
1. Pakistan has threatened him (so the whole increase in troops may be delicate)

http://www.change.gov/ - There you go vads. Some measurable goals.

"We were just tired of being in the White House," the president candidly told the gleeful second-graders at Capital City Public Charter School.

already??

Deteriorating economy keeping Obama up at night

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10555129

not all it's up to be huh?

oh well there's always next time

Stratfor quotes re Munich Security Conference

What was interesting about Biden’s speech was how little change there has been in the U.S. position and how much the attendees and the media were cheered by it


Biden’s position did not materially shift the Obama administration away from Bush’s foreign policy,


Obama’s first foray into foreign policy via Biden indicates that, generally speaking, he understands the constraints and pressures that drive American foreign policy, and he understands the limits of presidential power. Atmospherics aside, Biden’s positions — as opposed to his rhetoric — were strikingly similar to Cheney’s foreign policy positions.

change of face yet same ol same ol

advantage Obama has over Bush and co - the public and media thus far love him

His big test of course is Israel-Palestine, and there was never even the slightest possibility that we'd see major changes to US's stance on that issue :/

I reckon over the course of obamas first term there will be a significant shift with israel, though much of it will be slow and behind the scenes.

depends on who wins the elections, could be Israel will finally have a govt that fdoesn't say one thing whilst doing the other - which could lead to the US backing away from such close (and expensive) support

meanwhile Obama is focused on Afganistan/Pakistan and doing everything wrong IMO

he might have had a chance if he hadn't inherited such a fucking mess... but hey