Obama gets an 'A' for effort from Schwarzenegger
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/12/20/art.boarnold1220.gi.jpg caption="'He’s a great speaker, a great communicator,' Gov. Schwarzenegger said of the president."]
Washington (CNN) – Not every Republican is a critic of President Obama. At least one thinks the president is doing a fine job – at least when it comes to the effort involved in being the country’s chief executive.
Asked to give Obama a grade as the end of the president’s first year in office approaches, Arnold Schwarzenegger, California’s Republican governor, gave Obama high marks.
“When it comes to effort, [Obama] should get a straight A,” Schwarzenegger told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King in an interview that aired Sunday on State of the Union.
“He’s out there with tremendous energy and he’s selling his ideas. And he has great enthusiasm there. He’s a great speaker, a great communicator.”
The one-time Hollywood action star also had some advice for Obama as the president tries to push his agenda through Capitol Hill’s partisanship.
“He has to hang in there,” Schwarzenegger told King, “be tough, just continue on, never give up, eventually he’s going to get all those things done.”
The California governor was echoing the sentiments of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg who joined Schwarzenegger in the interview on State of the Union.
Bloomberg, a identified Independent and longtime Obama ally, was more circumspect in his assessment of the president’s first year.
After noting several challenges Obama has been facing since taking office, Bloomberg said he would give the president “a pretty high grade.”
“I hate to use letters,” Bloomberg said. “But [Obama] is working very hard and trying. And he’s got enthusiasm and drive. And I would just urge him to don’t – if he doesn’t get everything he wants – don’t get beaten down, don’t go back into your shell.”
Related video: Schwarzenegger and Bloomberg weigh in on the economy
He's right...we haven't had a President who has put this type of effort and thought into every step he makessince the beginning of this country.
A free thinking Republican a last. Amen. Were all in the same boat.
Arnie and Barry both need to learn that you cannot keep huge deficits up. Both have record breaking deficits. Both have to stop blaming others and take responsibility for their own bad choices....BALANCE THE BUDGET!!!! THE CALIFORNIA BUDGET AND THE FEDERAL BUDGET!!! GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!
I agree. President Obama has done a tremendous job on being President of the United States of America. I voted for him in 2008 and will be voting for him in 2012. Given the situation in which he inherited from the previous administration and my non fastfood desire to have change. He is methodical, intelligent and his foresightedness is brilliant for a position of this caliber. Good luck Mr. President and continue with the great job that you are doing thus far.
Speaking as an independent voter, It's so refreshing to hear positive remarks from the right. But I'm afraid for the majority of Republicans there is nothing – absolutely nothing – Obama could do that would please them. I hope he has the stamina to continue to rise above the negative spin and innuendoes, and find his way around the roadblocks. Americans should be thanking their lucky stars for this man's willingness to tackle the horrendous mess left by his predecessor.
Who is arnie trying to please? Anyways, Obama is really is trying hard if one stops to think about it. And he should. Because, from the way things are looking, dems have a very short time to all of their agenda on the table and passed. Come Nov. 2010, Libs wont have near the power they need to get any sweeping "change" made. I have a prediction. After 2010, the conservative controlled house and senate will tackle this healthcare problem wholeheartedly. They will definitely not want a repeat of a legislative push that would near certainly put us on par with the likes of venezuela, cuba or some other socialist or communist state.