The Turning Point For His Presidency

(CBS)  Weekly commentary by CBS Evening News chief Washington correspondent and Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer.

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For all the time the president was on television last week, our problems are so severe that there was still not enough time in our interview to ask all the questions that needed to be asked.

With so much attention on the economic crisis, he didn't get a single question about Iraq and Afghanistan during his one-hour news conference on Tuesday.

Yet, when he announced his plan to send more Americans into harm's way, it was a turning point in his presidency - Afghanistan, for better or worse, became his war.

Other presidents have told me that not until they are elected does there come a point when they fully realize the awesome responsibilities of the office.

As I sat with the president, I wondered if some day he'll look back and say last week was that point for him.

[eroosevelt08]

By and Large, I think that President Obama has made shrewd choices for his cabinet . For example, Geithner is faced with a huge task, but I think he can do the job if anyone can. His background is just right. . All the talk about his tax problems is overblown. People often underreport their income without meaning to, and tax preparers can make innocent mistakes too.

Tax law is not all black and white or easy to understand, either, although most people I know try to do their best to report their income correctly.

I like what I am seeing of the new administration so far. President Obama is tackling multiple problems every day. He is actually working at the job! I know I could not keep up with him!

[ozus]

chuckstats,

They said that in 1932, 1964, 1976 and 1992. You had better duck your head when the pendulum swings back.

[chuckstats]

Rebublican = dying breed.

[ozus]

bobbyduck1 ,

The Democrats had the Presidency and 2/3 control of both houses in the 60s and look at the mess they made then. Pendulums can swing very quickly.

[ozus]

To me the turning point has been his disastrous Cabinet appointments. No President in history has had so many cabinet appointments canceled so early, because they were forced to withdraw for various improprieties.

As well, if Hillary's area of expertise is health, why was she appointed Secretary of State.

[jimmyc1955]

aaabee1 - He his not closing Gitmo and in fact is probably going to keep it as is for some time to come. He renamed the prisoners but he has made no effort to close it. Abu Grab was closed years ago. The economy was partially the responsibility of Democrats who pushed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to give loans to people with no income and no assets - which created the start of the collapse. If you don't believe it there are hours of CSPAN 2 footage on YouTube showing the congressional hears where Maxin Waters and Barney Frank attack republicans for asking for more oversight into the two mortgage giants.

Obama's team has made so many foriegn policy blunders it is almost as if it was intentional. Giving the Russians a button that says "overcharge" in Russian. Sending Iran a video of Obama that was essentially insulting. Giving the Prime Minister of Great Britain a set of DVDs as a gift and no dinners in his honor. Then telling the press that our historical best ally was "nobody special". Not to mention Hillary telling the Chinese that human rights are just not that important right now he knows more about building cars than anybody.

I am not impressed.

His solution to the economic crisis is to spend so much that he eclipsed the cost of the Iraq war in just 5 months. He Treasurey secretary can't come up with a plan anybody likes and NOw

[FreddyBartholomew]

Schieffers political leanings are well known. He long ago lost any credibility he may have once had as an objective journalist. Sad.

[renonv5]

The media put this administration in office.

Nonsense, the people of the United States voted him into office. I was not one of them, however, I am willing to give him more than two freaking months to try and fix the awful mess Bush and cronies left after 8 years.

[aaabee1]

Whether Obama has the support or denigration of the national media, he will work on to recoup the integrity and solvency of this nation.

And, saddled with the disdain and the finger-pointing of conservatives who were so silent and accommodating for the past 8 years on these topics, he will work on to close down both Abu Graib and Iraq, while fighting the real war in Afghanistan where we should have stayed, and won, from the beginning.

And while being derided for using the same tools that Bush brought into use, Obama will work to keep our economy from dropping lower down the well.

And the only people calling Obama a messiah are conservatives, the rest of America knows that Obama?s just this guy, ya know.

Look at the economy Clinton left Bush, then look at the economy Bush left Obama. I am already amazed at the mountains this man is climbing, while the monkeys ride screeching on his back.

v/r

[stevador39]

Obama promised to get us out of Iraq. He lied. There is no money for health care because Obama is spending it on the Iraqi/Afghani Wars and the bail out of Wall Street billionaires.