A-

My grade for the first 100 days.

1. Obama showed us he's presidential material. You look at the man, and whether you agree or disagree with him, you easily say that he looks presidential.

2. He's restored confidence in America at home and abroad.

- At home. Americans finally feel that their country is heading in the right direction. 50% of Americans today, versus 19% in the last days of the Bush administration just three months ago. Look at the right direction/wrong direction numbers from the past year, and tell me Obama hasn't given the nation a renewed hope.



- Abroad. America is respected again. The world no longer hates our leader, and indirectly our country and our people. The world no longer thinks we are led by an idiot. In fact, much of the world seems mesmerized by our president. And while Americans like to say that they don't care what the world thinks of us, in fact we do.

3. The Economy.

Again, regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the steps Obama has taken to avoid our country going into a depression, you cannot say that Obama has been nothing but talk. He passed a massive stimulus bill - historic in its proportions - aimed at staving off an even greater economic crisis. I happen to think the bill was imperative. But regardless, it was more than just talk.

4. Iraq. Obama has set a timetable for our withdrawal. 180 degree change from the previous administration, and again, something he promised and is now delivering on.

5. Global Warming. Our government is finally acknowledging that the problem even exists. Ridiculous that this is even considered noteworthy, but after the past eight years of denial, it is.

6. Oversight. Salmonella anyone? Chinese poison wallboard? Wall Street run amock? We finally have a president who doesn't believe that his job entails ignoring every problem that arises, and letting the market solve all of our ills.

7. Torture and Geithner. Yes, I'm disappointed with Obama's position on investigating the torture abuses of the Bush administration. But I understand his position, even if I don't entirely agree with it. Politically, Obama sees nothing to be gained by the torture inquiry, and he risks alienating independents who may, or may not, wish him to hold Bush et. al. accountable. But sometimes leadership is about more than just polls, and more than just politics. It's about doing what's right. If we truly as a nation committed war crimes, how can we ever reclaim the mantle as the shining city on the hill until we find the truth and cleanse our national soul? So I understand where Obama is coming from. I just fear where our nation has gone, and is heading.

And Geithner. Chris has written a lot about our illustrious Treasury Secretary. His ties to Wall Street. And his buddy Larry Summers. Obama needs to diversify the field of economic advice he is getting. He doesn't have to accept everything Paul Krugman and Joe Stiglitz say as truth. But it would be nice to know that someone in the White House at least recognizes that there are other voices, and other ideas, beyond the too-close-to-Wall-Street clique that seems to have the president's ear.

So for all of that, Obama gets an A-. Yes, we aren't entirely happy with him on every issue. But I don't think either Joe or I expected to be, whether the president was named Obama, Clinton (Hillary), or Edwards. The point is that our country is finally starting to move in the right direction. And for that, our president has earned our praise.