Subscribe to Breaking NewsWithers: What does 100 days mean?
Today I’m glad I live a TV free life. If I had to listen to talking heads go on and on and on and on about President’s Obama’s first 100 days there would be damage done to my person-hood. I’m perplexed by the arbitrary nature of the number and don’t know what it means in a president’s overall term. Will these days be talked about 2 years from now? Tend to doubt it, but the game is being played so might as well get my shots in.
Time magazine has a handy dandy grade-card. The First Lady’s grade surprises. Isn’t she Stokely Carmichael in a dress? Robert Gibbs, White House press secretary, earned a grade inflated A- (no one is asking but I would give him a B-) and Tim Geithner’s ranking, seems about right.
Of course if President Obama and his team was being graded by some of you here, there would be a lot of Fs. It’s not saying anything new that when it comes to gay stuff, the president has been slow. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is still in place and from all indications it looks like it will be around for awhile. Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, penned an op-ed asking the Commander-in-Chief to abide by his campaign promise.
A fair request, but gay Democrats have to be honest that when it comes to fulfilling promises to gay voters the Democratic party has a checkered hisotry at best. One-hundred days is too short of a time to judge a president, but can we really be surprised that thus far the rhetoric has not matched the reality when it comes to gay issues?
Okay, I understand that lgbt issues are important to all of us, but you can’t deny that there are tons of issues the president is currently dealing with. Things such as the war, economy, and health care seem slightly more important right now.
Person Said: “Okay, I understand that lgbt issues are important to all of us, but you can’t deny that there are tons of issues the president is currently dealing with. Things such as the war, economy, and health care seem slightly more important right now.”
Always some excuse for putting human rights on the back burner. Always some crisis thats more important and “god” knows these people can only handle one issue at a time. I’m so sick of this stupid excuse I am ready to scream.
@ Person
I missed the President’s press release when he suggested he was too busy to deal with the gay population’s rights.
The President has a large staff AND cabinet. I think he’s more than capable of delegating too. A president doesn’t have the right to say I’m too busy to do my job. Especially on issues that he promised to take care of while campaigning. Like DOMA.
This is my 2¢: James, I think you’re right on with your evaluation of the first 100 Days, “Will these days be talked about 2 years from now? Tend to doubt it, but the game is being played so might as well get my shots in.” I personally think that 100 days is way too early to judge a President’s performance (okay, I was humming a different tune with King Busy); it’s almost analogous to judging a long-term relationship by the first date. Admittedly, I would like the President to work faster and fulfill his campaign promises on LGBT issues—sooner than later. But, I realize there are other pressing issues that are just as important. From all that I’ve seen so far, I still believe the campaign promises will be carried out—I’m not ready to “throw-in the towel” and yell “foul” just yet.
Screw Obama. Gavin Newsom is the only politician in the history of this country to make the rubber hit the road when it comes to gay civil rights. I support him wholehartedly for governor, and I would support him for president in 2012. Change my fat ass.
I’m glad you all have your party president. He has cocktail hours and seemingly lives like a rockstar. Is that racist?
But why should anyone make an excuse for him? You can’t judge someone by 100 days? Why not? Do you situate a relationship from 100 days of knowing each other? One hundred is a lot of days to do things and what has been done? Obama seems like a bigger celebrity than before and an even worse president.
@ Jeff, Gavin Newsom is a breath of fresh air. I live in Houston but he certainly has my attention.
It is absolutely ridiculous to judge his presidency after little over 3 months – especially considering what he handed on his way in the door from teh utterly pathetic and incompentent (and increasingly out of touch with reality Republican Party). The fact that public support remains quite high for him shows that he is doing an exemplary job under the circumstances. People who are hating him now either always hated him or weren’t going to give him a real chance anyway. Screw those people, they aren’t a patr of the solution – they’re a part of the problem!
We need to be the ones to put the pressure on the administration. Letter writing, calling emailing. We cannot wait for them to do it, it is our job.
I can give Obama an “A” at bowing. I wonder how long it will take until he’s holding hands with the Saudi’s as W used to do.
By the way ….. 100 days and no movement or comment on any gay and lesbian issue.
And during his press conference he talked specifically and knowledgably about what the administration has done in regards to the economy, both wars, swine flu, international relationships, and more. He’s had a level of success in all those efforts.
He didn’t mention Gay people.
His speech and presidency gets an F
Obama was all promises when he wanted money and votes. He is not a friend of the GBLT community. I feel sorry for those of you who haven’t figured this fraud out yet.
Person, I tend to agree. It would be wonderful to have everything we want just handed to us on a rainbow platter, but reality just doesn’t work that way. The economy in the tank, hundreds of thousands out of work, hundreds of thousands more about to be out of work, and the entire economy caving in on itself far outweighs Bob & Joe getting married, and having it recognized all around the country.
I don’t like Obama, I don’t think he is doing a good job, but he is the Commander in Chief, and we must follow his lead even if we don’t agree with it. That statement alone is going to make most of the drama queens here recoil in horror, sharpen their pitchforks and light the torches, but oh well. Let the man do his job, or at least attempt to appear to do his job, and lets see if he comes through.
I have to add that the little stunt about flying AF1 so low in NYC was totally wrong, and he needs to answer for that. Even if he wasn’t on board, he has to take the blame for it. Not to mention, I think the cost was somewhere around $330,000 for that little stunt. Way to waste more money. It might be just a drop in the bucket, but if you get enough drops you have a monsoon.
I am a gay American man who is married to a Canadian. Until Obama reverses DOMA (which we can thank Clinton for, not the terrible Bushes) I am forced to reside in Canada. Sorry if I can’t see how there are other more important issues right now, this legislation effectively bans me from my country. 100 days of a cold Canadian winter/spring is a bitter daily reminder.
I guess being invited to the “Easter Egg Roll” does not impress me as civil rights progress! Being an American who had to leave his entire life behind in the US 3 years ago just to not be separated from his foreign born partner of 14 years, I just do not buy the “other priorities” argument. In a time where people are loosing their jobs and health insurance left and right, gay people and gay couples need their equal rights more than ever. Our President has had many opportunities to speak out on our behalf but he has preferred silence. I need my equal rights now, I do not need to roll Easter Eggs!