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We decided to go back and check what President Obama has achieved since last year’s State of the Union address.
In that 2010 speech, Obama made a lot of promises, and he fulfilled many of them -- with high-profile, hard-fought successes like the passage of health-care reform, a jobs bill, the New START treaty with Russia, and the repeal of "Don’t Ask Don’t Tell." He also saw the last combat troops leave Iraq, cut out the middlemen from college loans, championed credit for small businesses, and established protections for consumers.
But he also had some failures, mostly due to bills stalling in the Senate. Those included bills to combat climate change, require more campaign-finance disclosure, and fine banks that were bailed out. And compromising with the GOP on the Bush tax cuts meant that while he kept his promise to extend middle-class tax cuts, he also extended cuts for those making over $250,0000.
The legislative branch wasn’t the only thing beyond his control -- the economy was, too. But given the sluggish economy, he didn’t fare too badly. The president promised last year to add 1.5 million jobs. But he fell a little short, with 1.1 million jobs created in 2010. And although it’s too soon to tell if he’ll meet his goal to double exports in five years, top trade officials said in July that things were looking promising.
Beyond policy, Obama also promised to change the tone in Washington, and to hold monthly meetings with both parties’ leadership, joking, “I know you can’t wait.” Turns out, they could wait -- the meetings were sporadic at best, and, of course, the rhetoric remained heated for most of the year.
Here's a list of the promises Obama kept, broke, or achieved mixed results:
Promises kept (16)
Promise: Pass jobs legislation
What Obama said: "That is why jobs must be our No. 1 focus in 2010, and that's why I'm calling for a new jobs bill tonight"
Result: Congress passed at least two jobs bills, one in March and another in August
Promise: Give small businesses credit, using $30 billion paid by banks
What Obama said: "So tonight, I'm proposing that we take $30 billion of the money Wall Street banks have repaid and use it to help community banks give small businesses the credit they need to stay afloat"
Result: The Small Business Lending Fund was passed as part of the fall's Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.
Promise: Create small business tax credit for more than 1 million businesses
What Obama said: "I'm also proposing a new small business tax credit -- one that will go to over one million small businesses who hire new workers or raise wages"
Result: Passed as part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act in March
Promise: Give tax incentives to businesses investing in new plants and equipment
What Obama said: "... provide a tax incentive for all large businesses and all small businesses to invest in new plants and equipment"
Result: Passed as part of the bipartisan tax-cut deal
Promise: Invest in infrastructure
What Obama said: "Next, we can put Americans to work today building the infrastructure of tomorrow"
Result: The two-year Recovery Act did this, as did $50 billion more on Labor Day
Promise: Give consumers protection at banks
What Obama said: "We need to make sure consumers and middle-class families have the information they need to make financial decisions"
Result: The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act signed into law in July
Promise: Freeze discretionary spending for three years
What Obama said: "Starting in 2011, we are prepared to freeze government spending for three years"
Result: Spending is currently frozen -- but by a continuing resolution
Promise: Launch a deficit-reduction commission
What Obama said: "That's why I've called for a bipartisan fiscal commission..."
Result: By executive order, Obama created this commission, co-chaired by Democrat Erskine Bowles and Republican Alan Simpson
Promise: Invest in science and tech innovation
What Obama said: "Next, we need to encourage American innovation. Last year, we made the largest investment in basic research funding in history... And no area is more ripe for such innovation than energy"
Result: The American COMPETES Act of 2010 was reauthorized in May. In July, the Obama administration awarded nearly $2 billion in conditional grants to a pair of solar energy companies that have pledged to build plants in the U.S.
Promise: Build nuclear power plants
What Obama said: "And that means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country:
Result: In February, Obama supported plans for two new nuclear reactors in Georgia, the first since the 1970s
Promise: Make college, especially community college and vocational training, more affordable
What Obama said: "That's why I urge the Senate to follow the House and pass a bill that will revitalize our community colleges"
Result: The reconciliation legislation from March cut out the banks to give direct loans; it expanded the Pell Grant program; and it capped loan repayments at 10%
Promise: Pass health-care reform
What Obama said: "Here's what I ask Congress, though: Don't walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people"
Result: The health reform passed in March
Promise: End combat operations in Iraq
What Obama said: "As a candidate, I promised I would end this war, and that is what I am doing as president. We will have all of our combat troops out of Iraq by the end of his August"
Result: The last combat troops left in mid-August, though thousand of U.S. troops (for security and training) remain
Promise: Reduce nuclear stockpile
What Obama said: "To reduce our stockpiles and launchers, while ensuring our deterrent, the United States and Russia are completing negotiations on the farthest-reaching arms control treaty in nearly two decades. And at April's Nuclear Security Summit, we will bring 44 nations together here in Washington, D.C., behind a clear goal: securing all vulnerable nuclear materials around the world in four years, so that they never fall into the hands of terrorists"
Result: The Senate ratified the New START treaty with Russia in December; the leaders at the summit adopted his goal and created a work plan to be reviewed in 2012
Promise: Invest in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
What Obama said: "That's why we're building a 21st Century VA..."
Result: In April, the president secured the biggest increase in VA spending in 30 years
Promise: Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
What Obama said: "This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are"
Result: In December, Obama signed into law legislation repealing the policy
Mixed (3)
Promise: Add 1.5 million jobs to the U.S. economy
What Obama said: "And we're on track to add another one-and-a-half million jobs to this total by the end of the year"
Result: 1.1 million jobs were added in 2010, according to Bureau on Labor Statistics
Promise: Eliminate capital-gains taxes on small business development
What Obama said: "While we're at it, let's also eliminate all capital-gains taxes on small business investment"
Result: They'll stay at 0% until the end of the year, when they revert to a previous level of 50%
Promise: Double exports in five years
What Obama said: "So tonight, we set a new goal: We will double our exports over the next five years"
Result: Too soon to tell. Exports increased by 17.7% in the first five months of 2010
Failed (6)
Promise: Continue middle-class tax cuts and end others
What Obama said: "To help working families. we'll extend our middle-class tax cuts. But a time of record deficits, we will not continue tax cuts for oil companies, for investment-fund managers, and for those making over $250,000 a year. We just can't afford it"
Result: In December, Obama signed legislation into law extending tax cuts for all income levels, including those who make more than $250,000 per year.
Promise: Propose a fee on banks
What Obama said: "To recover the rest, I've proposed a fee on the biggest banks. Now, I know Wall Street isn't keen on this idea. But if these firms can afford to hand out big bonuses again, they can afford a modest fee to pay back the taxpayers who rescued them in their time of need"
Result: The "Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee" never got off the ground
Promise: End tax breaks to companies that outsource
What Obama said: "It is time to finally slash the tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas, and give those tax breaks to companies that create jobs right here in the United States of America"
Result: Bill stalled in the Senate
Promise: Pass a comprehensive energy/climate bill
What Obama said: "And, yes, it means passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America"
Result: While the House passed such legislation in 2009, the Senate was unable to advance a bill
Promise: Require more campaign-finance disclosure after the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision
What Obama said: "I don't think American elections should be bankrolled by America's most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people. And I'd urge Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to correct some of these problems"
Result: The DISCLOSE Act failed to advance in the Senate
Promise: Change the tone in Washington; hold monthly meetings with both parties' leadership
What Obama said: "So, no, I will not give up on trying to change the tone of our politics... I'd like to begin monthly meetings with both Democratic and Republican leadership. I know you can't wait"
Result: Throughout most of 2010, the tone in DC remained harsh. As for the meetings, a few took place, but they were described as "sporadic" and didn't accomplish much
Leave a Comment:
Wow - a lot of people commenting here really have no idea what socialism is if they think Obama's a socialist. What folks don't understand is that America as a whole is slightly right of center, so when someone comes along that's in the middle, he seems very liberal. And when you have someone that's slightly left of center, they appear to be radical. There really is no true far-left in this country. Not sure there ever was.
If you are talking about corporate socialism, then yes, he is.
Forrest,
We haven't had a true free market system in a long long time.
Poor,
What do you mean by your "private life"?
Poor Tax Payer-1517767
I want less Government in my private life. More Government equals more spending, taxes, and less freedoms. Obama loves "Control". He's on TV "everyday", convincing many dim people that he knows better. I think everyone should pay their own way through life. If they can't, charities can help them. That's what charities are for, not the government. Obama's Socialism is not the answer.
As a liberal i want less government as well,
I want government to not tell a woman what she can do with her Body
I want our government to stop invading countrys that don't agree with us
i want government to stop giving my money to Israel
I want government to stop wiretapping american people
I want government to stop allowing people to show up at emergency rooms with no heath Ins and get free care.
That's what charities are for, not the government. Obama's Socialism is not the answer
Nor is our government the answer to Israel, iraq and afgans problems.
World wide welfare is not the Job of the american government, when these countrys have more money than the Pope!!!!!!
How is the government making your life more difficult than in the past, specifically?
If you're concerned about your medical records, read about HIPAA.
See when Poor Tax Payer is asked what specfically is making their lives more diffecult from the past they can't be bothered to reply and then throws out an insult. Why because they don't know because they haven't been told that information by their handlers. I agree with Jeff and his list. Poor Tax Payer you say that they want to 'RUN MY LIFE THE WAY I WANT WITHOUT THE GOVERNMENT TAKING CONTROL' but I would imagine they are against homosexual marriage.
Poor Tax Payer says 'I think everyone should pay their own way through life.' but I didn't see one mention of how people who choose not have childern (like many homosexuals) end up having to pay to educate other people's childern. Does that mean Poor Tax Payer think that 'pay their own way through life' also would include paying to educate your own off-spring without taxpayer's money?
A free market is a market without economic intervention and regulation by government except to regulate against force or fraud. What happens when many huge corporations commit fraud such as re-ordering the order in which it customers make deposit to ensure they maximize profit with overdraft fees? Or when health care coverage is suddenly dropped when you get sick even though you have always made preimum payments on-time?
Poor Tax Payer claims that others need someone to run their lives but in fact it seems that Poor Tax Payer needs someone to tell them what to think instead of find out the actual facts for themselves.
Yeah, Obama's done great things. He spent a trillion (equal to $1million a day for 1million days) and that moved unemployment from 8.1 to 9 point something. He's so smart.
Yes, he is a lot smarter than you. Without his efforts, we would have had 15% unemployment. Maybe worse.
it would be interesting to see what the actual unemployment figures are , when you strip away all the BS. My guess is its actually closer to 15% if not higher.
Your number on jobs added are not accurate. Most economists agree that 2.5 million jobs were saved by the stimulus. Add that to the 1.5 million and you get 4 million jobs.
Common sense people do not expect a President to be successful on all promises. If it were only up to a President, then, ok, he is responsible. But most presidential promises require legislation by congress, and that can't be controlled by a President.
I was not happy with everything Obama did, but think about how bad it would have been with McCain / Palin. McCain stated that he didn't understand economics well and Palin is obviously not intelligent. We would be in a depression had they won.
If legislation cannot be controlled by a president then how did that damn poor excuse of a healthcare overhaul get passed?
dadofcheese....You bring a good point, however when Obama first went into office why didn't he pass everything he promised while running for president? Remember he did have control of the House and Senate.
Do you really believe Obama saved jobs? If so at what cost? What jobs? 1.2 Trillion for a stimulas package that created what?
let the nukes fly. blessed are the peace makers!
The good news is, Politifact is now tracking the promises of the GOP leadership in Congress. It's still too early, but let's all hold their feet to the fire and make sure they get something done.
http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/gop-pledge-o-meter/
The President, meanwhile, is scoring impressively after his first two years.
http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/
Clotho.....With your last comment of already getting ready to hold the GOP to their word(s) are you then implying Obama hasn't kept his promises then? Sounds like you are!
!
Same stuff, different day.
The list of failures is NOT complete! Example: Promised to reduce the Patriot Act. Changed his mind when he thought it would make him "look: weak. (2) GITMO - Still open. (3) NASA - now in a complete mess. After this June the US will have to hitch a ride to the Space Station.
I am disappointed about the Patriot Act extension. It's up for renewal again, and I really hope he keeps his promise. As far as closing Gitmo, Congress is to blame, not the President. He ordered it closed his first day in office, but Congress has refused to provide the financial resources necessary for the closure plan. Nothing the President can do about it, except ask again.
Obama's Imagined and MSNBC Enhanced Accomplishments (I) 100%
Obama's Real Accomplishments (R) 0% ( Also Obama's credibility for those with a brain)
Obama BS Correction Formula = IxR = 100x0 = 0%
That's all folks. No story here!!
HALLELUJAH !!!
I heard there is a possibility that the Supreme Court may not appear at the State of the Union address because of the way they were treated at the last speech - and I gree with them, I hope they have the courage to not show up, what a statement that would be! I guess he should have been a lttile more civil and respectful. AND how ironic that this ignorant excuse of a president is going to call upon everyone for more civility - I guess civility is convenient now that his party had their asses kicked to the curb in November. You can't argue with Novemebers election results. History will eventually tell the story of his legacy and it will not be a good one no matter how his supporters applaud him now.
Alito is giving a speech in Hawaii - about as far away as he can get from 0bummer. I hope the rest of them sit this one out. I will be watching the Hank Haney project. The great thing about the 0bummer snub last year is that 0bummercare will make it to SCOTUS in another year or so - what do you think the chances of it getting shot down at SCOTUS will be - 99% IMHO. I think it would have been 5 - 4 anyway but now it will likely bey 6 - 3. 0bummer - 1 term Prez.
I wish more people were terrified by the Citizens United case. The Supremes have literally given permission for any private corporation to give unlimited campaign funds anonymously. They have turned elections into corporate free-for-alls. Even foreign companies may contribute, we'll never know.
I wish the President had been even more forceful in his comments about this disgraceful opinion. The DOJ has opened an investigation, as to whether some of the conservative Justices should have recused themselves, based on their personal connections.
For example, Scalia is speaking at a private Tea Party gathering at Rep. Bachmann's request tomorrow. And does everyone know about the GOP's sneak attack on Wednesday? They are going to try to fast-track a bill to kill the presidential public finance system and 100% privatize election fundraising. Is this what the righties want, to be the pawns of private corporations and billionaires?
http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/01/republican-public-financing-cantor-corporation#
"On Wednesday, House Republicans plan to rush to the floor a bill that would eliminate the federal government's presidential financing system—in the process, violating recent pledges by the GOP's leadership of increased transparency and debate in Congress. Not one hearing has been held on the legislation, nor has a single commitee debated its merits. If it passes, it will roll back more than 30 years of law born out of the Watergate scandal, eviscerating one of the few remaining protections stopping corporations from heavily influencing, if not outright buying, American elections, reform experts say."
Why no mention of closing Gitmo or Prodcasting the Health Bill debate on CSPAN?
Please read the article before commenting on it. It was about promises stated a year ago during the State of the Union.
P.S. I watched the health care debate on C-SPAN, it was really boring. And Congress refused to provide funding for the closure of Gitmo. It wasn't the President's fault, blame Congress.
I think this is a pretty friendly spin on the results of these promises by the MSNBC team:
Promises kept (16)
Promise: Pass jobs legislation
Result: Congress passed at least two jobs bills, one in March and another in August
I find it hard to call this a success with unemployment still at 9.4%, this is posturing in my opinion. The President's "laser focus on jobs" will be successful when unemployment is down near 5%.
Promise: Give tax incentives to businesses investing in new plants and equipment
Result: Passed as part of the bipartisan tax-cut deal|
Too early too tell if this is a success or not, again political posturing a bill passed is not the measure of success
Promise: Invest in infrastructure
What Obama said: "Next, we can put Americans to work today building the infrastructure of tomorrow"
Result: The two-year Recovery Act did this, as did $50 billion more on Labor Day
All those shovel ready projects that were so hard to find, I suppose that some project got done so in some measure this was a success, but some of the projects were completed at great cost.
Promise: Freeze discretionary spending for three years
What Obama said: "Starting in 2011, we are prepared to freeze government spending for three years"
Result: Spending is currently frozen -- but by a continuing resolution
This was not his choice, so how is it a success. He wanted the omnibus bill passed and this was all he could get. This is a real stretch.
Promise: Launch a deficit-reduction commission
What Obama said: "That's why I've called for a bipartisan fiscal commission..."
Result: By executive order, Obama created this commission, co-chaired by Democrat Erskine Bowles and Republican Alan Simpson
Unless the recommendations are put into legislation and supported by the Predident, then this is a hollow victory at best.
Promise: Build nuclear power plants
What Obama said: "And that means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country:
Result: In February, Obama supported plans for two new nuclear reactors in Georgia, the first since the 1970s
When the plants are producing electricity this will be a promise kept, not now
Promise: Pass health-care reform
What Obama said: "Here's what I ask Congress, though: Don't walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people"
Result: The health reform passed in March
I agree that this is a promise kept, though it failed to bring people together and there is still activity to repeal or change this bill.
Why no mention about closing Gitmo within 1 year? Or CSpan broadcasting the Heath care debate? Which is part of the whole "Greater Transparency" issue? or barring Lobbyist from serving in his Admin?
Just asking?
I'd say Obama's record is far more mixed than FR suggests. Yes, he passed all these accomplishments, particularly HCR and financial reform, but how strong were those bills really? Or were they simply watered down versions of what he wanted to get done--just enough change to annoy the righties, but not enough to effectively address the problems. IMO, the only unabashed major policy successes he had was the repeal of DADT and the shaming of Republicans into voting for health care benefits for 9/11 workers. Just about everything else involved some type of compromise that arguably weakened the policy initiative.
Healthcare will either be unconstitutional or it will be repealed after 0bummer is gone in Jan 2013.
B Hussein O kept driving down the road to his own demise. Out he goes after one term. Hurrah!!!
He promised me free health care. Where is my free stuff?
wow...another Obama media hack...is Gitmo closed?... nothing about immigration...nothing about the failure of the Stimulus bill...health bill did not include public option nor was the process 'transparent'...I'm surprised that the writer didn't blame Bush.
This article is a piece of media con that we have been subjected to for two years. Obama is a failure and there is no doubt about it. He stressed his attention would be on jobs at the last SOTU. Wrong. He did no such thing. He borrowed $800 Billion to stimulate the economy. It was wasted on his friends in the green community. They pocketed the green and we faced a huge increase in the deficit. He gave our money away to GM, AIG, Wall Street, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the congressional friends of Obamacare whose votes were bought. He is taking $500 Billion from Medicare (the old folks) to pay for 3/4ths of the Obamacare costs of setting up a new bureaucracy of approx 159 new departments and their staffs. Oh yes, new jobs, but only government jobs. He lied about Obamacare. He praised the bill while he had not a clue of what was in it. No one still does. They have to pass waivers in order for vast numbers of people not to lose their jobs. That's how much the administration knew about what was in the bill. Everyday there are new pitfalls being discovered. This President is an empty suit who has a way with words. We bought it once but shame on us if we buy it a second time around.
You missed his promise to be completely transparent - yet he's been caught having so many secret behind closed-door meetings and million dollar deals for votes that he's had to apologize several times for lack of judgement.
You also missed that he promised to show everyone who comes and goes at the WH; yet he is only now willing to show a partial list.
You missed, and this was big for my kids, that he promised to get a dog from the Humane Society. When he failed to do that, it sent thousands of families to breeders instead of the pound and thousands of dogs have died do to his failure to keep his promise. They cant vote so I guess Obama could care less.
So is this another one of those" Lets see what we can write to pus Obama pieces" You know the ones that dominated the election year when he won on the backs of the media's less than discerning view. What is the point of this. This is the same thing that Jean Dixon did every year after she made thouseands of predictions. You peice out the ones you like and forget the ones you dont like. Everyone knows that 2008 saw a all candidates go throgh the wringer except Obama. This is just more of the pluff to now try and get him elected again. The 5th estate should go back to what they used to do. Report news and not highlite themselves or their hero's. Last years election proved that whatever Obama did he went way to far and now everyonr has to spend the next two undoing his work. His promises were so unspecific that you could say anything about them now but give me a break the US is not fighting in Iraq anymore. Where in this op ed peice is the mention of Afghanistan. That one fact proves that this is all pluff.
What a way to choose a president; by his choice in where he gets his dog. Democracy in action!
LL
There are always three things that never cease to amaze me about articles like this one. I am optimistic that by many other readers feeling the same we are not doomed. One. People who are given the task of fixing the problem are the ones who originally caused it in the first place (Congress). Two. People (Obama) who claim to have solved the problem using virtually an unlimited amount of somebody's else money (Taxpayers). With a trillion dollars even 'Zippy the Chimp' can 'solve' health care. Three. Journalists that are fooled by it all. When I was in school Journalism students ranked on the intelligence scale below Parks and Recreation majors.
People it appears you don't recognize the great discipline the President has displayed keeping his goals on schedule. He has brought forth the olive branch to meet on common ground with the Republicans. He gave them the tax break in order to keep Neighbor Bob's unemployment check. You call him a socialist yet he has kept his promise before god i.e. not working on a 2nd or third wife. All of his children are under one roof. Yet you call him "liberal". We should be thankful for a balanced disciplined President . Unforturnately Big business let us down with it's Madoff mentally, meaning Government had to intervene to stabilize the economic core of the financial system. For example if let's say AIG was not bailed out , you would have to move your parents in with you. Their pensions are probably tied to AIG. It's like George told his customers in the movie A Wonderful World, your money is in xyz's house it's not here on the premise. " Those of you with a Mr. Potter Mentality want only a small percentage of the nation to live decent. You are only as strong as the weakest link . If you don't want neighbor Bob to have healthcare you expose your household to disease. If you don't want the 30 million insured then go buy face mask. If you don't want neighbor Bob's kids educated with tax money than barricade yourselves in your home with guns and food. If we educate Bob's kids that means your Sally has a good opportunity to marry someone who is on her level instead of settling. Meaning your grand children will have a chance. If you want strong solder's when the terriorist rise up it's best to have them well educated, healthy with peace of mind. Healthy educated people equal productivity.
Working Mickey
WHAT A CROCK OF BULL S***
the writers of the article "Promises Obama kept, promises he broke" Norah O'Donnell, Adam Verdugo, and Ariel Edwards-Levy are living in a complete fantasy world. To applaud obama for 16 major accomplishments over the past year and to site only 6 as unaccomplished is beyond laughable. Do they (and NBC) truly believe these outrageous exagerations? Thank God the vast majority of Americans have woken up from the media induced dream that has gripped so many for a short time period. Wake up NBC and join reality. Obama has done nothing during his two year term to help our country. With the new found strength of the conservative movement we will hopefully undo the majority of damage that has already been done!
mullerfm3, you forget this is msn, fueled by msnbc the only "mainstream media" more left leaning, cnn, so you are preaching to the wrong choir. Most of the people in this room, do believe these outrage exagerations. They also believe it was the Republicans that kept him from accomplishing more, and if you remind them the Democrats controlled the House and Senate, so the Republicans couldn't stop anything, it goes in one ear and out the other (with nothing inbetween).
It is easy for Conservatives to make up alternative historys about what would have happened if Golman-Sachs, Citibank, Fannie Mae, GM, Chrysler, and others went bankrupt. Small business was frozen out of inventory carring loans for a very short period and huge number of them would have went bankrupt if not for Obama's stimulus and the joint Obama-Bush bank rescue.
Let's all agree on the facts, not on further speculation based upon GOP/Corse theory ideology.