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
W spent most of his first year on vacation, it's about time we have somebody working for us.
After entering office less than 12 months ago, Obama has done his best to turn the country away from the disastrous path of Bush – Cheney and the right-wing controlled NO Party Repubs.
Obama's honesty and integrity throws the former president and VP into the shadows of history and pushes them toward being flushed down the toilet of history.
This registered Republican has become totally disgusted with the policies or my party, their lies, hypocrisy, and arrogant attempts at Nation Building. If the best they can come up with are people like Palin, Boehner, Steele, Bachmann, and sundry other liars, I might switch to being an Independent.
President Obama deserves an A+++++++ for standing up to silly, babyish and worthless Republicans.
Good for them. It is high time the USA realized what a visionary, hardworking, intelligent, knowledgeable and focussed President it has. Every other country in the world, including Canada, woud love to have him as President
Wow, a "pub" actually gave a Dem a good grade....I'm flabbergasted!
Obama deserves every word of it, he gets in there & gets the jobs
done. He's not a cry baby nor a whiner. And all those folks who have
doubts about him better look at it again and try not to let your
racist feelings show. I love Obama, I love what he is trying to do for
our country & our people. He is soooo misjudged. And, our
friendly, helpful "pubs" who constantly try to drag him down, just
ain't gonna! Rock on President Obama, you can do it!
Being fair is one thing, but telling the leader of the opposition to "hang in there" is quite another.
I'm not surprised, though, given the demographics of Arnie and Bloomie's domains. Maybe they're also positioning themselves for federal aid if CA and NY finally go over the fiscal cliff.
From these and other comments Mr. Schwarzenegger has made recently, it is obvious the Governator did not stray far field from mainstream when he run as a GOP candidate. I have always thought the GOP and those to the right blindly oppose and would say things even they don't believe or mean just so to say they had their say. Truth always lies in the middle where those who dare speak it are to me the real men and women of politics because they are driven not by idiotic soundbites repeated endlessly from the party headquarters talking points but in stating things the way they are notwithstanding how irksome that is to some of their followers. Keep it up the Governator and the likes of you Democrats operating in enemy territory.
lol, he(Arnold) might as well go ahead and switch party's now lol,by the time Rush and Palin get done with him(giving Oboma high marks is failing the party purity standers im sure). At least there is still some moderates left in the Repulican party and there is still hope for the party of Lincon, and would like to see it survive but that will take more then one party member to make that happen.
Thank you Gov. Schwarzenegger: Thank you for being Man Enough to speak up and say what you think. No one is going to agree with everything the President say's or does. Both Dem and Rep will disagree with his policy at one time or another, But to just put him down no matter what would seem very strange, but we know the true reason why they are the way they are!!!! As a resident of California Gov. Schwarzenegger I'm proud of you. It takes a Real Man To Say what you said!!!
The President is doing a great job considering all the things he has going on. It is nice when people give you credit for your efforts, instead of criticizing. Maybe one day the United States will be like China and work together. It will nice to get World Peace as a Christmas Present.
I wished the "Terminator" was around when I made every effort to attend my classes in college.
He's no Republican....period.
The Republican party and its cadre of politicians are all souless. They like corporate welfare yet care not for our fellow American citizens what hypocrites! Take Palin back to hell where she belongs! and let the representatives voted in by the people carry on the tough and difficult work Sarah palin quit to go make money! The country is in a Recession and you quit the post you got voted into and you are hoping you will be given an even higher post/responsibility? No. It will never happen!
Typical "California-think", grades for effort instead of results.
Does anyone remember how he/she was feeling at this time last year?
For some, of course, things have gotten worse, because they actually have. For others, things got worse immediately, because that's what they wanted America to believe. The imminent collapse of the world economic system did not occur. The loss of American prestige in the world did not occur. The socialist takeover, and destruction of free enterprise have not occured.
Considering what the man stepped into when he took office in January, we're not in bad shape. Let's hope the "Loyal Opposition" can do something besides voting "no" in lockstep. That might help.
The Party of No will not like this. Chairman Limbaugh may try to get Arnold booted out. Can't have anyone who can think for themself.
Who cares what arnie's opinion is, he's a complete failure! And who still thinks he's a republican?
I too have to admire President Obama's guts and persistance. I don't agree with everything he's doing–I have my doubts about the current form of health reform–but this president just keeps moving toward the goal line. He's not obsessed with his poll numbers, which I have to admire. He even willing to consider not running for reelection if it means getting things done for the nation.
I have a lot more respect for politicians/individuals when they acknowledge the successes of other politicans regardless of their party affiliations.
One liberal approves of another liberal.
Go figure. I would have never guessed.
Wow, this is from one broke chief executive to another. Spend what you do not have and be a leader. The public better wake up soon or their future are spoken for, debt as far as the eyes can see.
Hurray!! Voices of reason amongst all the noise.
Has the RNC named the chairman of the Defeat Schwarzennegger Committee yet?
I think the president has good intentions and
I feel like he's driving us down a paved road...
Agreed!