Obama earns a strong B-plus for first year

I would grade President Obama's first year in office a strong B-plus as opposed to George W. Bush's consistent C-minus and eventual D over eight years. Obama has tackled the big problems he inherited without shirking or failing to act.

Whatever mistakes Obama has made all come back to trying to be a centrist in a deeply divided, partisan nation. He made the mistake of believing he could actually get any support from the right. He's been a very moderate president, yet they still call him a socialist/commie/Nazi.

From the start, Obama should have tried for a much more progressive agenda. He's gotten less than zero support from Republicans anyway, so he would give up nothing by doing this, and he could be more effective.

Carol Sheerling

Cedar Rapids