It’s hard to believe that it has already been 100 days since President Barack Obama took the Oath of Office. During his campaign, he promised to create jobs, make health care affordable, improve foreign relations and promote a more green economy. So has he lived up to his promises?
ESSENCE.com hit the streets to ask readers how well you think President Obama has done thus far. Read on to see what folks had to say.
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 36
City: Bentsville, South Carolina
“I’d give him an A on addressing important issues, like getting the stimulus package together, because he is really focusing on the people first. Then, when you think about our communication with the rest of the world, he is really reaching out to these people and letting them know that this is a new era in America. I think he is doing an excellent job.”
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 33
City: Brooklyn
“It’s tentative for me to give my opinion on how he’s doing, but from what I see, he has flip-flopped on everything. Now, I know it may take time and I have to be patient, but I want to see what his plans are for the country’s health care issues. He spoke about making health care affordable for everyone but when is he going to start putting a plan into action? I want to hear him talk about things he was speaking about before he was elected.”
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 40 Something
City: Durham, North Carolina
“President Obama is attacking all the problems that he said he would in a very thoughtful manner. He promised that we would immediately pass legislation to get the economy going, and he’s done that. He promised that he will take into account what’s happening in the Iraq war and Afghanistan, and he’s clearly done that. He has visited the troops and taken deliberate measures to figure out how to help American consumers. As far as I’m concerned, he’s delivering on his promises.”
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 25
City: Bronx, New York
“I think it’s still too soon to judge. He has a lot of work that still needs to be done. I do see that he is really trying to create opportunities with this whole green movement that he is doing, but honestly, I have nothing negative to say about President Obama.”
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 38 (right)
City: Brooklyn
“President Obama has had a lot to deal with, and you can’t fix it in 100 days. He’s restoring America’s image by going to different places around the world. He’s reaching out to those who were harshly criticizing America. He’s not just putting a band-aid on the problems other countries have with us but showing that he’s different from other presidents in the past.”
Lesley-Ann Hosein (left)
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 35
City: Queens, New York
“The president is doing a fantastic job. He has been able to pull a lot of people together. During the election, I feel like there was a lot more negative tension between people, but right now it seems as if he’s moving the country in the right direction.”
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 20
City: Brooklyn
“I don’t think you can really justify how his performance in 100 days. Sure, he’s doing a good job, especially with how he brought attention to the credit card crisis. I have credit card bills along with other bills and I don’t even know what I’m paying for anymore.”
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 26
City: Tacoma, Washington
“Communication is key, and if you aren’t a good public speaker, it’s really hard for the public to relate to you. President Obama speaks so clearly that everybody can relate and understand what he is trying to say. I think he is doing great.”
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 30
City: Brooklyn
“He is handling everything with tact and diplomacy. He’s showing to be a true leader and seems to be covering all bases from Guantanamo Bay to the Swine flu. I feel pretty confident that if something ever happens to our country, President Obama will be on top of it.”
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 27
City: Brooklyn
“There is a lot of attention on the President right now and I like that he has this whole thing about doing community service, which is really important to me.”
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 45
City: The Bronx, New York
“As far as the health situation is concerned, I think he is doing the best he can do. He is trying to make it pretty much equal for people with low incomes and high incomes in this recession.”
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 28
City: New York, New York
“President Obama is making progress. For example, he is making an attempt to create jobs and working on the budget for the economy. I’m proud that he is bringing everyone together, which is where I believe he’s made the most impact.”
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 24
City: New York, New York
“He is living up to the highest potential. He is doing a good job when it comes to international relations and trying to help other countries feel comfortable with the United States.”
A timeline of President Obama’s first 100 days in office »
Age: 26
City: Decatur, Georgia
“Well, with each presidency there is an ebb and flow where there are policies that need to be implemented and reversed from the previous administration. It’s not the most popular move for him to be spending all this money-I’m not a big fan of that, but I understand why he is doing it. I’m happy with him just taking action because for the past eight years there was none of that.”
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How do you think President Obama has done in his first 100 days in office? Tell us what’s on your mind below.
By Jenisha Watts and Chinyere Osuala
