EDITOR’S NOTE: The combined reporting and brain power of the entire Military.com/Defense Tech/DoD Buzz team was brought to bear last week to compile a report card for President Barack Obama’s first 100 days as it related to the military and national security. I invite you to read the excerpt here and continue with the comprehensive story on Military.com. And I’d also be interested to read your opinion on his performance so far.
In his campaign for president, Barack Obama pledged a swift end to the war in Iraq, a new commitment to the defeat of al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, a strong emphasis on veterans’ care and military families and a critical look at Pentagon spending, strategy and conduct in the war on terrorism.
Since his inauguration 100 days ago, Obama has made good on his promise for sweeping change in the military, a new tone in the White House’s relationship with troops and a personal investment in easing the burden of military service.
But so far his record has been met with controversy, both for its marked consistency with the policies of George W. Bush and for its radical break from the past that some see as reckless.
Obama was quick to apologize for American conduct in the war on terrorism and relations with some of its allies during his trip to Europe in early April. He called for “mutual respect” toward Iran, which commanders in Iraq say supplies deadly roadside bombs to insurgents. And he has agreed to the release of reportedly gruesome photos of the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal, an action that some insiders claim will worsen morale in a military service only now recovering from the tarnished public perception stemming from that terrible chapter.
Likewise, in his first 100 days Obama has met several times with veterans organizations to assure them of his personal investment in their care. He’s taken on the largest defense firms with a sweeping Pentagon budget reform that slashes costly programs at a time of economic turmoil. And he’s proven immensely popular with troops in the field; for instance, last month he was given a standing ovation from those serving in Iraq even as he asked them for continued long-term commitments to Afghanistan.
And Obama hasn’t needlessly rocked any boats during his first 100 days either, keeping Robert Gates as Defense Secretary, holding off needless controversy over a hasty repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” sexual orientation policy, and continuing the Bush administration’s controversial strategy of fighting al Qaeda and Taliban forces with covert Predator drone strikes in Pakistani territory.
– Christian, Colin, Bryant, Greg and Bryan
I personally think he has done an admirable job given all of the economic stresses we as a nation currently find ourselves in.
The fact that he has gone around apologizing for America’s past transgressions will strike some as weak, which I can agree with to an extent. But I think it has been done as a result of the heavy handedness of the past administration. Hopefully we can get the apologies out of the way and work to get the world straight again.
Keeping Robert Gates was a necessary move. He is pushing the military to transform itself and how it conducts business (literallY). I don’t know how many times we have heard from how many adiminstrations that they are going to change the procurement processes.
It also seems to me that he cares more about veterans and their care than any other adiminstration. Hopefully he will continue to take care of those that served and lost something in the process.
With regards to the prisoner abuse issues and pictures. They were going to come out some time or another. Might as well get all the dirty laundry aired out so that we don’t have these issues popping up any more. I think that was his (and Gates) reasoning on this matter. When I hear about Abu Ghraib my thoughts linger on the people that lost their careers (or dignity) because nobody of authority wanted to admit these soldiers were ordered to do these things. That goes for the female Colonel (I believe that was her rank) forced to retire to Ms. England that was only doing what she was told.
We have a long ways to go in his tenure as President. At least he isn’t going about things ignorantly like Clinton did.
DC2
Needlessly rocking boats, eh? How about releasing hundreds of “interrogation photos?” We all know that the politically-inspired release of these photos will ingnite anti-American Islamic extremism and will translate into more American deaths on the battlefield needlessly. Perhaps even inspire a few more 9/11’s. Now why would a president want that?
Oops– I tried to get in before the emotionally invested Obama Cheer Apologist Squad, who will explain how his Weakness is actually Strength, or something…too late; the the usual suspects have chimed in already.
Whatever. So okay, Obama worshippers, tell us how his draconian cuts of the military, as well as his public embrace of DICTATORS will result in anything but a weakened military and thus the rise of anti-democratic movements worldwide. Go ahead, tell us.
Specificaly: what more “shovel ready” program exists than the F-22?
Instead ACORN gets $5 billion.
When you get your Third World cesspit, I hope you enjoy it.
It’s all Bush’s fault!
This is nothing more than chum for the wackos that log on here.….
He’s right about Iran: without that mutual respect all you’re going to get is a war — and the Iranians don;t want one any more than the US.
He’s right about Abu Ghraib: that boil has to eb lanced, and those pictures will come out sooner or later. Better do it now, just whent he page has been turned.
And he’d right about the defense budget: anyone who thinks these are ‘draconian cuts’ needs a reality check.
So far, so good. But when you inheirit this lot, it’s going to be an uphill struggle every inch of the way.
“But when you inheirit this lot, it’s going to be an uphill struggle every inch of the way.
Posted by: Wembley at April 29, 2009 10:55 AM“
“It’s all Bush’s fault!
Posted by: Wes at April 29, 2009 10:14 AM”
“This is nothing more than chum for the wackos that log on here.….
Posted by: CR at April 29, 2009 10:36 AM“
Typical liberal: demonize your enemy. If they don’t march in lock step with Leftist ideology, they must be mentally deficient. Thoughtcrime, anyone?
That is the difference between Liberals and Conservatives: we think you are wrong, you think we are evil.
Wes,
ACORN will NOT get $5 billion stimulus money
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/does_the_stimulus_bill_include_a_52.html
@John Moore
After everything that’s happened in the last 100 days, the only thing you can think of is that he’s a bad gift-giver and requires a teleprompter? Now that’s some substantive criticism.
@vision
The idiocy of your argument is astonishing. The fact that we tortured people was already well known. If you go to any part of the Muslim world and ask them about Guantanamo Bay/Abu Ghraib/etc. you’re going to get an earful about the evil Americans. So Obama takes steps to close Guantanamo, acknowledges our history of torture, and makes a clear break from the ridiculous arguments that were used to justify it, and somehow that’s going to INCREASE Anti-Americanism? And you call the release of the torture memo “politically-inspired”. How about “humanity-inspired”? It’s downright immoral, if you know people were being tortured needlessly, to keep your mouth shut about it.
@West
During the Cold War, when Russia was threatening annihilation of the US with a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons, and working actively to subvert US interests all over the globe, US Presidents routinely met with Russian leaders and (gasp!) shook their hands. Compare that to Hugo Chavez, who has no nuclear weapons and no military capability to harm the US. A handshake does not mean “I agree with everything you stand for.” It’s the bare-minimum token of civility necessary to start the diplomatic process.
Also, I laughed out loud when you said there’s no more “shovel-ready” program than the F-22. How about hurricane preparedness on the Gulf Coast, repairing our crumbling infrastructure, drought relief projects, new roads, new bridges, new schools, new hospitals? You know, those things require actual shovels. The only “shovel-ready” part of the F-22 program involves piles of taxpayer money and a giant firepit.
I give him generally good marks, but I
Wes,
I guess I have to reveal that I’m a registered Republican…am I still a ‘typical liberal’?
Smart…paint with a broad brush…good job!
Obama does not even know where his own plane is.… Sorry, but I think it goes down hill from here. Defense is not one of his pet projects.
I know this about politicans both sides can not be trusted it should be up to the people to run the government not the government to run the people.
I love my country but hate the government we have they have thrown out the constution and put there own agenda in place.
Oh where to start…
For the religious Chrisitan voters that he somehow deceived: One of his early acts was to allow funding for abortions, and secondly allowing federal funding on embryonic stem cell research. So much for him being the second coming of the Messiah…
So far he has provided major support for the Palestinians. He bowed to the Saudi King, then lied about it. He has been very anti-Israel and has earmarked federal funds for Hamas. He even banned the phrase, “Global war on terror”. Did anyone check his birth certificate??
He has been pushing to take guns out of American hands with the weak excuse that we are supplying the Mexican drug cartels with weapons. He even lied there too about the percentage of weapons that have been found in Mexico that came from the US. He wants a national registry of guns and wants to place serial numbers on bullets so when they do grab guns, they know exactly who has them.
He totally ignored the nationwide Tea Parties, claiming he knew nothing about themm. He has place “Janet Reno the Second” in charge of the Department of Homeland Security, to keep an eye on all of you right wing vet terrorists that want to stand up for your constitutional rights.
Last, but not least, he made the power hungry Hillary Clinton the secretary of state.
God save us all.…
Boy with a screen name like “9/11, I still remember” you must be a REAL American…
I’m a New Yorker…
And CR means Certified Retard?
“The combined reporting and brain power of the entire Military.com/Defense Tech/DoD Buzz team was brought to bear last week to compile a report card for President Barack Obama’s first 100 days as it related to the military and national security.“
Please keep the discussion on military and national security, not domestic politics.
“Certified Retard”…ouch.…boy that hurts…you know how to land a zinger I tell you.…nicely done again!
@subnuc
If the pirate situation had ended badly, you would have screamed bloody murder that Obama was responsible. Since it turned out well, you say he’s “taking the credit”. No matter what Obama does, people like you will never be happy.
“I guess I have to reveal that I’m a registered Republican…am I still a ‘typical liberal’?
Smart…paint with a broad brush…good job!
Posted by: CR at April 29, 2009 02:20 PM“
Arlen Specter was a registered Republican too.
Yeah, then he wised up Wes.…
Wes and Valcan,
You guys really crack me up. You will defend all of the conservatives of this great nation, including W. And you will attack anyone that has thoughts other than yours to no end.
Do you really think Obama would be POTUS or even allowed to run without providing a birth certificate? REALLY? That is just lame and does not focus at all on the topic of this post. I guess your conspiracy theories only apply when it is the diabolical liberals running the show. Look at the posts on this blog. The only people that believe in intimidation and deception are the hard line right wingers.
One thing that nobody is discussing, and I hope Christian starts a post on it, is Abu Ghraib. There were I believe 8 enlisted soldiers court martialed or reprimanded in some way because of torture and inhumane treatment of prisoners. One of those soldiers is still in prison today. General Karpinski was reduced in rank to Colonel and forced to retire. All because they did things approved by the Justice Dept in classified memos or were unaware of what was going on. This didn’t happen when a Democrat was President.
You say that it is the liberals that don’t care about the military and hate those that serve. Again, I counter that it is a bipartisan feeling. W didn’t care about those serving any more than Obama does. The fact that he let these soldiers go through this ordeal without revealing the truth or saving them from prosecution is a prime example.
I guess in your eyes if you have a ® after your name and you throw money at the Defense Dept then you are American.
Amazing.
DC2
If money is to be thrown at anybody…yes, let it be the military rather than lazy welfare loosers or ACORN.
Excellent point DC2…but don’t forget you have to wear a flag pin on your lapel…otherwise you’re a traitor.