Obama's 100-day report card

Bloggers, activists, economists and writers grade the president's performance so far. Featuring Sen. Russ Feingold, Dan Savage, Markos, Michael Pollan, Gloria Feldt and many others.

Editor's note: Watch a video montage of President Obama's first 100 days here.

By Vincent Rossmeier, Mark Schone and Gabriel Winant

Read more: Foreign Policy, Military, Mark Schone, Economy, Opinion, Economic Policy, Economic stimulus, Barack Obama, Vincent Rossmeier, Gabriel Winant

April 29, 2009 | It has been 100 days since Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States. The 100th day of a presidency is traditionally a time for taking stock of what the new occupant of the White House has achieved -- especially when the nation confronts a crisis, as in 1933 and 2009, or when there has been true ideological regime change -- again, as in 1933 and 2009. Salon asked 21 writers, politicians, activists and economists for their assessment of the Obama presidency so far. The state of the president's report card is (mostly) strong. He earns a high GPA, though there are critics both left and right ready to give him failing grades in a few crucial areas.

DIGBY, political blogger

On the economy, I give the administration a B, if only because of the extreme difficulty and urgency of the problems they face. They deserve credit for the quick passage of the stimulus, although as Obama himself admitted, their negotiating skills were less than perfect. Unfortunately, it appears the administration still fails to see the necessity for systemic reform of the financial system, and that could derail everything.

On foreign policy and national security they would get an A+ for Obama's successful outreach to other nations and commitment to changing America's global image. They get an incomplete on the promise to withdraw from Iraq and close Guantánamo. Releasing the OLC memos is laudable, but the president's ruling out prosecutions and threatening to block inquiries, which are not subject to presidential authority, clouds his moral authority here and around the world. They get an F for expanding the Bush state secrets arguments.

Overall, I am most impressed with their recognition that post-partisanship is useful in name only, as is exemplified by their willingness to play hardball on healthcare. However, I continue to be concerned about their rumored willingness to entertain the idea of "entitlement" reform as some sort of compromise.

GROVER NORQUIST, president of Americans for Tax Reform

Economy: D. Spending too much money is not left-wing, it is stupid. Borrowing a dollar and spending it now does not create wealth or jobs or income. Killing the school choice program for lower-income children in Washington, D.C., was simply mean. His kids can wave at the plebes when they travel to prep school in style.

Foreign policy/national security: Incomplete. The Iraq occupation continues apace. Now we are going to do in Afghanistan what Bush couldn't do in Iraq. Bad ideas moved north and into the mountains don't become smarter. Obama's tone in dealing with Europe and the rest of the world is refreshing after eight years of Rome hectoring the provinces. Still, the apology tour was a tad much. Hairshirts are things you don yourself, not place on your predecessor.

Overall: Glad to see by his Cabinet picks he isn't all that concerned about rich people paying lots of taxes. Also, nice to live in a country whose government doesn't torture people.

RUSS FEINGOLD, U.S. senator from Wisconsin

When President Obama took his oath of office, it came with enormous challenges, including an economy in peril and wars in two countries. I supported the president's economic stimulus package because it was obvious that the crisis required bold action, and I give the president high marks for that. On foreign policy, however, it's more of a mixed bag. I am pleased the president has finally put a plan in place to end our involvement in the war in Iraq, although not as quickly or definitively as I would like. But I have serious concerns about the administration's Afghanistan plan, and how it will affect Pakistan.

One area where I have closely observed the Obama administration is its efforts to restore the rule of law, which was so damaged under the Bush administration. Today, I unveiled a report evaluating the administration's record so far. The president earned several A's, particularly in the area of detention and interrogation policy. The area where I am most concerned, and where the administration earned a D in my report, has to do with the administration invoking the state secrets privilege as the Bush administration did before it.

The Obama administration has made a clear break with the recklessness of the Bush administration, and the swift actions that President Obama took in his first days in office were a triumph for the rule of law. But as evidenced by the report, the job of fixing the damage done to our Constitution during the previous administration is far from finished and must continue to be a priority.

KIERAN SUCKLING, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity 

Foreign policy/national security: A-. Obama has made great strides in restoring America's credibility as respectful, coalition-oriented member of the international community. Reengaging on international solutions to global warming is a big step forward, but his commitment to withdrawal from Iraq and rescinding Bush policies on surveillance and enemy combatants has been poorly messaged and inconsistently executed.

Economy: B. Allocating significant portions of the stimulus package to development of clean, low-carbon energy technologies and infrastructure development show a strong commitment to keep a forward-looking agenda rather than falling back to quick fixes. Playing hardball with Detroit is similarly forward-looking. He has stumbled though, in presenting a confident, unified message.

Environment: C. Obama's appointments have been all over the map, which will make the development of a consistent environmental stand very difficult. Decisions to strike Utah oil leases, slow oil shale permitting, and rescind Bush Endangered Species Act regulations are positive, but issuing corporate fuel efficiency standards below those proposed by Bush, failing (so far) to rescind Bush policies preventing the protection of polar bears from global warming, stripping federal protection for wolves, and reversing himself on mountain top removal and guns in national parks are disappointing.

Next page: "You can't ask any more, but it may not be enough"