Obama Days 101 to 200

So much is made about taking stock of a new president upon the completion of his first 100 days in office. This arbitrary period of 3 months and 10 days has been a benchmark since FDR threw down the gauntlet and met with Congress for the first 100 days of his administration. Congress granted him every request he made during that time but even now it is debated whether those first strands of the New Deal hastened, delayed or had no effect on the recovery from the Great Depression.

President Barack Obama has also received congressional approval on all of his requests, although it took 2 attempts for the Stimulus Bill and several others were Executive Orders rather than votes brought before Congress.

Most commentators are largely positive about the amount of action President Obama has taken during his first 100 days and almost unanimously impressed with how much he has heaped onto his plate. Opinions on the specific actions taken and their impact range widely, but tend to be positive and optimistic.

Even though there have been some curve balls in this first 100 days (Somali pirates, Swine Flu, etc.), a lot of what the Obama Administration has been able to do was planned or being organized even before the Inauguration. This is much like a pro or college football team that scripts their first 15 to 20 offensive plays. The real challenge is starting to happen in the 2nd 100 days.

The bailouts for the financial and auto industries have been put in motion and the Stimulus Package has started to be distributed. Results will start to be expected. Pakistan and Afghanistan will take on more prominent roles in our daily collective consciousness and the potential for a deadly quagmire beyond the scope of Iraq is very real. Iran and North Korea continue to show that they want to remain in the spotlight among volatile regimes. Unemployment will hit 10% during the heat of the summer and that does not bode well for several inner-city locations. Health Care reform will be engaged and that is unlikely to be a smooth ride.

The really tough stuff is just beginning. So, it is comforting to know we have a President who can keep his cool, roll up his sleeves and drain 17 footers with ease.