Barack Obama's First 100 Days: Economy, Tim Geithner, Torture and More

In a world where viewpoints about our leaders are skewed ever more dramatically right or left, it seems impossible to find an impartial scorecard on achievement in the political arena. Perhaps, with President Barack Obama's "first 100 days" evaluation on the horizon, it's a good time to secure the opinion of an independent voice.

Let's examine initially the time-honored "first 100 days" benchmark for a president. The first 100 days is largely considered to be a time when an administration can set a tone, define it's personality, and demonstrate it's will to make substantive change, if substantive change is indeed warranted.

For instance, FDR made 15 major changes in his first 100 days in the presidential chair, and laid the groundwork for a "can do" presidency, though there is some question as to the actual intention of all that activity. "It was very much a seat-of-the-pants operation," said Jonathan Alter, author of The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope. "There was no blueprint."

Regardless of the game plan then, a rather gaudy report card resulted, and all presidents since have had to be compared to it. Add to that pressure the perfect synchronization of this "first 100 days" template with the American society of today that demands all information in the form of sound bites, Tweeter messages, and Facebook posts. America is counting down furiously like they might in Times Square on New Year's Eve, waiting impatiently to slap a grade on the new president.

So, everyone would agree, the pressure is on President Obama to perform quickly in his first few months. Here's a few thoughts on some topical hot button issues from the apolitical corner.

Economy - Lack of experience doesn't have to a presidency-killer, but it sure does appear that President Obama is a bit overwhelmed by an overwhelming task. While he inherited a mess, there is something to be said for not making a mess messier. On one hand, he berates the greed of Wall Street and big business, then he signs off on enormous bail outs leading to the AIG situation and others like it. Right wing or left wing, all would have to at least consider he looks clueless and duped by those so capable of duping...heck, they've had enough practice.

Tim Geithner - This issue is enough to drive one toward the apolitical side. It points so emphatically to the lack of trustworthiness and integrity of the people we elect. The country heard endless John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King inspired speeches from Barack Obama for a year. Everything will be different now, a new era, a new dawn. And then he appoints a man who cheated on his taxes to lead America out of a horrific economic crisis. Let's all be fair, even if he didn't cheat, does anyone in these times want even a whiff of impropriety?

Torture - One would have to be a barbarian to declare that the tactics employed by the prior administration at Guantanamo Bay adhere to the American ideal. But you also have to follow some logic. We weren't employing this strategy years ago when these heathens were plotting and carrying out terrorist acts. President Obama's claim that torturing them inflames their hatred is patently absurd...they hate us as much as ever, not more, not less. Perhaps you can't be civil with barbarians.

General Demeanor - One can understand appearing calm and presidential, but President Obama sure does seem like he's on vacation. From the ubiquitous ear to ear grin, the televised completion of his NCAA bracket, and a comedic turn on Leno, it sure doesn't seem like the economy is top of mind.

Having stated all of the above, let 's all agree that 100 days is a ridiculously short time to gauge anyone's performance, let alone a president with more on his plate than a sumo wrestler after a three day fast. And he still has the glow of hope shining on him, beautifully packaged by the previous president, who elevated buffoonery to an art form.