President Barack Obama: A-, B+, or lower?

Looking Back -- From 2045

Seven elections ago, in 1992, we elected George H.W. Bush, who is now considered an average to good president.  There's a consensus on this.  Sure, Bush will get a B or B- from some historians; while others will grant a C or C+; but there's a bandwidth there.

Now imagine the year 2045, seven elections into the future.  At that point the consensus around Obama will probably be uncontested.

Below, is my own estimation, imagining the view from 2045:

I note Obama's 10 greatest hits (based on the 50-greatest list published by Washington Monthly, where I got the idea (note: my #1 is not on their list).  Following my list is the original ranking (the Monthly's center-left opinion) and a somewhat reasonable Republican's view (the 25 ***s).   The latter involves a lot fewer hits than 50, of course--Rs are generally not fans of government.

For a short run-down on each accomplishment, click the Washington Monthly link, above.  This list will be just the hits themselves, without the background information.

1. The Most Graceful Presidency Ever
2. Rescued The Economy
3. Passed Health Care Reform
4. Expanded Wilderness and Watershed Protection
5. Secured US Commitment To A Global Agreement On Climate Change
6. Ended US Combat Missions In Iraq and Afghanistan
7. Passed Wall Street Reform
8. Improved School Nutrition
9. Education: Kicked Banks Out Of Federal Student Loan Program, Expanded Pell Grant Funding, and Created The College Scorecard
10. Avoided Scandal

And what grade will history assign?  My guess: in the B to A range--in the company of FDR and Lincoln.

Washington Monthly's list (reasonable Republican ranking = ***)

1. Passed Health Care Reform (***20 )
2. Rescued The Economy (***1)
3. Passed Wall Street Reform (***7)
4. Negotiated A Deal To Block A Nuclear Iran (***4)
5. Secured US Commitment To A Global Agreement On Climate Change (***23)
6. Eliminated Osama Bin Laden (***3)
7. Ended US Combat Missions In Iraq and Afghanistan (***19)
8. Turned Around The US Auto Industry (***2)
9. Repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
10. Supported Federal Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages

11. Reversed Bush Torture Policies (***18)
12. Established Rules To Limit Carbon Emissions From Power Plants
13. Normalized Relations With Cuba
14. Put Medicare On Sounder Financial Footing (***17)
15. Protected Dreamers From Deportation (***16)
16. Established Net Neutrality
17. Protected Two Liberal Seats On The US Supreme Court
18. Boosted Fuel Efficiency Standards
19. Kicked Banks Out Of Federal Student Loan Program, Expanded Pell Grant Funding
20. Improved America's Image Abroad (***15)

21. Left His Mark On The Federal Judiciary
22. Diversified The Federal Bureaucracy
23. Passed Fair Sentencing Act
24. Revived The Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division (***14)
25. Expanded Wilderness and Watershed Protection (***13)
26. Gave The FDA The Power To Regulate Tobacco (***22)
27. Trimmed And Reoriented Missile Defense
28. Kick-Started Clean Energy Investment
29. Reduced The Threat From Nuclear Weapons (***25
30. Passed Credit Card Reforms

31. Cut Veteran Homelessness By Half (***12)
32. Enacted Government Surveillance Reform (***11)
33. Expanded Overtime Pay
34. Cracked Down On Bad For-Profit Colleges
35. Cut The Deficit (***5)
36. Created The College Scorecard
37. Improved School Nutrition
38. Expanded The Definition of Hate Crimes
39. Recognized The Dangers of Carbon Dioxide (***24)
40. Strengthened Women's Right To Fair Pay (***10)

41. Secured The Removal of Chemical Weapons From Syria
42. Protected LGBTQ Americans From Employment Discrimination
43. Reduced Discrimination Against Former Prisoners In Federal Hiring
44. Won Major Victories Against Housing and Mortgage Discrimination (***9)
45. Expanded Broadband Coverage
46. Expanded Health Coverage For Children
47. Improved Food Safety (***8)
48. Let The Space Shuttle Die and Killed The Planned Moon Mission
49. Rebuilt and Fortified The Gulf Coast Post-Katrina
50. Avoided Scandal (***6)