1. Clif Soulo wrote:

GREAT ARTICLE!!! And it really breaks down how the Prez has been doing his thing in office. Still a looong way to go, but I tip my hat to our president Mr. Obama. As much pressure that he has on his shoulders, he’s only slipped a few times, nothing too major.

2. Al From Bay Shore wrote:

Not so fast Marc. Some of us Black folks (not African Americans) see the “first 100 days” for what it really is – Presidential politic’s version of exhibition games in the pre-season. Success in the pre-season does not automatically translate into success in the regular season. The opposite is also true. The team that takes the field on opening day is often different from the one seen at the All Star break.

3. econwhat wrote:

uh, Al From Bay Shore, the lovely Melissa Harris Lacewell wrote this article not Dr. Hill.

4. Al From Bay Shore wrote:

econwhat, though the author is different from whom I directed the comment, my point continues to remain valid. Measuring the first 100 days is still a silly practice. It takes decades, at the very least, to develop a sensible evaluation of an administration. Thirty years down the road, we are finally seeing the disatrous results of Jimmy Carter’s ill fated foreign policy. I am willing to give Obama the benefit of applying this method of evaluation even though his approach to foreign policy resembles that of Jimmy Carter.

5. econwhat wrote:

uh, Al From Bay Shore, letting a decade go by without seriously evaluating/holding accountable/measuring/adjusting the “ish” is where ish can fall into a hellish descent. and although President Obama stated that 1000 days would be a better or fairer measuring gauge…we ain’t got time gotdammit…lol..like I tell my ees, I don’t pay you to eat, do that ish when you get home or before you come to work…ish…j/k…no seriously, I’m trying to insert a little humor in a sorry situation!

I know you were directing your comment to the author, I just wanted to hat tip the lovely Melissa Harris-Lacewell!!!!

6. Al From Bay Shore wrote:

econwhat, no harm no foul…
Humor is always welcome since, in my opinion at least, political discourse and their oft occurring disputes are abnormal. Normal conversations usually entail beer, nachos, a sporting event on the flatscreen, and the hot chick at the other end of the bar. Having said that, I’ve decided to boycott the notion of the supposed validity of the 100 day evaluation marker. It is akin to the last day of the exhibition baseball season where one’s favorite team mopped the opposition. Many a fan has indulged in the folly of creating a hollow optimism in the face of an impending season in which not one of the 164 games has yet to be played. I am no fan of Obama’s politics in any way, shape, or form BUT I wouldn’t be caught dead finding glee in the right’s grading Obama’s 100 day report card as being below average.

As mentioned earlier, the full breadth of Carter’s foreign policy continues to take form nearly 30 years after his presidency. The “first 100 days” are more a political tool for both sides of aisle than a useful method of evaluation. It will take several years, at least, for the Obama presidency to play out and after that it will take several more decades for anyone to completely grasp its signifigance and importance. Even within the last decade, people are beginning to view Adam’s presidency in a new light. Our light speed soundbyte culture rushes to judgement at the behest of partisan pundits and we don’t even know it. Having said that, maybe its time for us to let Iraq and Bush play out as well.

7. jordan wrote:

@Al from Bay Shore: baseball metaphors make me vomit in my mouth a little. Just sayin’.
Melissa Harris-Lacewell is wicked smart and I think this article is not meant to be a ringing endorsement of the Obama administration based on the first 100 days. I doubt she, or others like Marc, will fail to call out or criticize the Obama admin going forward and understand his legacy is very much unwritten. I also don’t think she, as Obama likes to put it, is “engaging in hypotheticals.” She’s not arguing that he’ll be great, because he’s been great. But, I think in the article she really captures the optimism that surrounds Obama, which is partially the policy decisions he’s made, but also the way he generally handles himself. The sense of confidence he carries, his governance thus far, and the way, well, he’s managed to be a black man in public and not have that mocked, questioned or ridiculed. I was totally fist under chin smiling at the TV last night during the press conference and I’m not even black.

8. Al From Bay Shore wrote:

“Wicked smart”? Oh no. You’re a “Sawx” fan aren’t you? Guess what my team is…