http://justinforsett.sportsblog.com/posts/11788203/my-epic-night-meeting-potus.html

"Let's just say that last Thursday night was no ordinary Thursday night. In fact, last Thursday night will forever go down as one of the best nights of my life. Why, you ask? Well, that's because I met the Presidentas in Barack Obama, the President of the United States. And now we're pretty much besties LOL!"

Cheers!
Go Bears!!!

I can't just imagine how that went down.

POTUS: Where'd you go to school
Forsett: Cal
POTUS: Where?
Forsett: Berkeley
POTUS: Ohh, great school

Bears2thDoc;842643418 said:

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http://justinforsett.sportsblog.com/posts/11788203/my-epic-night-meeting-potus.html

"Let's just say that last Thursday night was no ordinary Thursday night. In fact, last Thursday night will forever go down as one of the best nights of my life. Why, you ask? Well, that's because I met the Presidentas in Barack Obama, the President of the United States. And now we're pretty much besties LOL!"

Cheers!
Go Bears!!!

---

I'm with Justin. It must have been a thrill to meet Obama.
And not only because he's an African American but also because against great hostility and irrational opposition Obama's been a good and tireless leader in very difficult times, and he is going to eventually be recognized as one of the great Presidents, once the historians sort it out.

CaliforniaGoldenBear;842643442 said:

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I'm with Justin. It must have been a thrill to meet Obama.
And not only because he's an African American but also because against great hostility and irrational opposition Obama's been a good and tireless leader in very difficult times, and he is going to eventually be recognized as one of the great Presidents, once the historians sort it out.

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It's funny how he gets labeled and demonized by the right (who label and demonize to foment anger and consolidate outrage) when he has largely been a moderate. The GOP has reflexively obstructed his policies (would have liked to see them prove that Obama and what he "represents" is wrong by supporting him and judging the results).

As a progressive, I was disappointed just how much he had to fight up hill, how much he compromised, and how moderate he truly was. I voted for change. That said, I too think history will be kind to him...and that even those who did not support him in office will reflect kindly on his two terms.

The candidates lined up for office in this forthcoming election, are far less intelligent and fated for much worse presidencies. We might be yearning for Obama much sooner than we anticipated (left and right). We need a third and fourth viable party in order to reduce the sway of money in elections and get unique voices rather than this constant canned thinking and power plays along party lines. Frankly, I wish we would disband the parties all together and just have candidates run as independents on the strength of their own thinking and policy. The election process and system that surrounds it is the biggest challenge we face (I believe). Fix that and we can solve so much.

blungld;842643488 said:

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The election process and system that surrounds it is the biggest challenge we face (I believe). Fix that and we can solve so much.

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There is a fix. Heck, we even developed it. It is the German system. It is the best of both worlds, districts and proportional. It has served them well. We should take a look.

CaliforniaGoldenBear;842643442 said:

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I'm with Justin. It must have been a thrill to meet Obama.
And not only because he's an African American but also because against great hostility and irrational opposition Obama's been a good and tireless leader in very difficult times, and he is going to eventually be recognized as one of the great Presidents, once the historians sort it out.

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Rather sad you would inject race and politics into this. Any citizen should be thrilled to meet the president - the most impactful and powerful person in the world. I didn't vote for the guy, but it would be an honor to meet President Obama.

In terms of Obama's legacy, you're certainly entitled to your opinion - keep in mind it is an opinion and not a fact. Perhaps you should consider whether opposition is "irrational" simply because you disagree with it? That opposition was democratically elected in part because many (if not a majority) of citizens opposed his policies. There is a bipartisan lesson to be learned - if you enact major policy changes/new programs on narrow and strictly partisan lines, there will be massive blowback.

blungld;842643488 said:

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It's funny how he gets labeled and demonized by the right (who label and demonize to foment anger and consolidate outrage) when he has largely been a moderate. The GOP has reflexively obstructed his policies (would have liked to see them prove that Obama and what he "represents" is wrong by supporting him and judging the results).

As a progressive, I was disappointed just how much he had to fight up hill, how much he compromised, and how moderate he truly was. I voted for change. That said, I too think history will be kind to him...and that even those who did not support him in office will reflect kindly on his two terms.

The candidates lined up for office in this forthcoming election, are far less intelligent and fated for much worse presidencies. We might be yearning for Obama much sooner than we anticipated (left and right). We need a third and fourth viable party in order to reduce the sway of money in elections and get unique voices rather than this constant canned thinking and power plays along party lines. Frankly, I wish we would disband the parties all together and just have candidates run as independents on the strength of their own thinking and policy. The election process and system that surrounds it is the biggest challenge we face (I believe). Fix that and we can solve so much.

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Do you really believe what you write, or just hope? That is some of the most unrealistic nonsense I've read - particularly the part about the right clamoring to have Obama back. Not to mention you dismiss as less intelligent anyone you disagree with (a common tactic of progressives). I assure you that when it comes to intellect, there are plenty of other candidates who are on the same level or above President Obama. As an example, Cruz (who I don't agree with or support) is certainly very bright. That being said, the brightest recent president was probably Nixon - how did that end up? Character, common sense, and political skill matter too. Obama is a man of character - not sure he has the requisite level of the other two traits.

BearGoggles;842643533 said:

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... Character, common sense, and political skill matter too. Obama is a man of character - not sure he has the requisite level of the other two traits.

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Elect twice as President of the United States of America ... kind of indicates that he's done okay with "political skill".
There's "common sense" and "common nonsense" ... :p

dajo9;842643433 said:

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I can't just imagine how that went down.

POTUS: Where'd you go to school
Forsett: Cal
POTUS: Where?
Forsett: Berkeley
POTUS: Ohh, great school

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Forestt: You should send your daughters there.
POTUS: I will.

dajo9;842643433 said:

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I can't just imagine how that went down.

POTUS: Where'd you go to school
Forsett: Cal
POTUS: Where?
Forsett: Berkeley
POTUS: Ohh, great school

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Obama was raised by two people (his maternal grandparents) who briefly attended UC Berkeley.

PalyBear;842643547 said:

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Forestt: You should send your daughters there.
POTUS: I will.

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His daughter Malia toured the UC Berkeley campus, but no photographs were taken because, unlike Brown Unversity, Cal students aren't snitches.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3286963/Sorry-Malia-Obama-Brown-University-student-newspaper-publishes-apology-letter-pictures-surfaced-showing-daughter-partying-touring-school.html

ASUC or some other organization on campus has been trying hard the last several years for Obama to speak at commencement. Last year he went to UC Irvine so hopes are low he''ll visit another UC.

BearGoggles;842643533 said:

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Do you really believe what you write, or just hope? That is some of the most unrealistic nonsense I've read - particularly the part about the right clamoring to have Obama back. Not to mention you dismiss as less intelligent anyone you disagree with (a common tactic of progressives). I assure you that when it comes to intellect, there are plenty of other candidates who are on the same level or above President Obama. As an example, Cruz (who I don't agree with or support) is certainly very bright. That being said, the brightest recent president was probably Nixon - how did that end up? Character, common sense, and political skill matter too. Obama is a man of character - not sure he has the requisite level of the other two traits.

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Well, yes I do believe what I write...and I thought made clear in my choice of words that they were BELIEFS (as in opinions). I don't think candidates are less intelligent on the basis of their opposing opinions, but on the basis of their statements and logic. Again, this comes down to opinion, but I don't see anyone that approaches Obama in terms of raw intelligence (despite your assurances). Maybe that isn't the most important attribute in a candidate, but it's a start.

I don't think the right will "clamor" to have Obama back, but I wouldn't be surprised if many who clamored against him, will have very different views of his Presidency in hindsight.

Do you have to write your opinions/responses such as these as though already in the midst of a heated argument?

PalyBear;842643547 said:

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Forestt: You should send your daughters there.
POTUS: I will.

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He doesn't know much about public schools having probably not attended one since elementary school

CaliforniaGoldenBear;842643442 said:

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I'm with Justin. It must have been a thrill to meet Obama.
And not only because he's an African American but also because against great hostility and irrational opposition Obama's been a good and tireless leader in very difficult times, and he is going to eventually be recognized as one of the great Presidents, once the historians sort it out.

---

His legacy as a notable President rests on the future of two things- Iran deal and climate change. Both could be game changers...or not, but it's a curious situation. I give him credit for addressing both but it's not clear either one will yet change history

And his opposition hasn't been irrational, it's been very rational. Opposing him has resulted in very good things for the Republicans. The "hope and change" thing was DOA- he already knew that.

blungld;842643488 said:

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It's funny how he gets labeled and demonized by the right (who label and demonize to foment anger and consolidate outrage) when he has largely been a moderate. The GOP has reflexively obstructed his policies (would have liked to see them prove that Obama and what he "represents" is wrong by supporting him and judging the results).

As a progressive, I was disappointed just how much he had to fight up hill, how much he compromised, and how moderate he truly was. I voted for change. That said, I too think history will be kind to him...and that even those who did not support him in office will reflect kindly on his two terms.

The candidates lined up for office in this forthcoming election, are far less intelligent and fated for much worse presidencies. We might be yearning for Obama much sooner than we anticipated (left and right). We need a third and fourth viable party in order to reduce the sway of money in elections and get unique voices rather than this constant canned thinking and power plays along party lines. Frankly, I wish we would disband the parties all together and just have candidates run as independents on the strength of their own thinking and policy. The election process and system that surrounds it is the biggest challenge we face (I believe). Fix that and we can solve so much.

---

Agree with you on many points. If we are going to have multiple smaller parties that reflect idiosyncrasy, maybe we need something like a parliamentary system that requires parties to form governing coalitions to foster cooperation....yeah, that means compromise too, but it's better than gridlock.

Number 031343;842643684 said:

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Agree with you on many points. If we are going to have multiple smaller parties that reflect idiosyncrasy, maybe we need something like a parliamentary system that requires parties to form governing coalitions to foster cooperation....yeah, that means compromise too, but it's better than gridlock.

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Agree. In the old days this took care of itself. You had conservative republicans, liberal republicans, conservative democrats and liberal democrats from red and blue states. Effective leaders- Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon- could form coalitions in many ways. Now the parties are more hardened by ideology but that ideology has less to do with the country at large

blungld;842643585 said:

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Do you have to write your opinions/responses such as these as though already in the midst of a heated argument?

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Do you always make misplaced one-sided political posts on a football board without regard to the fact that it is: (i) not appropriate; and (ii) likely to produce a response? And your statements were not just conclusory - they showed a shocking disconnect with widely held majority views (e.g., twice asserting Obama was a moderate which is not a term many people outside the bay area bubble would use to describe him).

SonOfCalVa;842643542 said:

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Elect twice as President of the United States of America ... kind of indicates that he's done okay with "political skill".
There's "common sense" and "common nonsense" ... :p

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Being elected is not the sole measure of political skill. Governing is more important. Much more a mixed bag there - Obama can claim some victories, but not many.

GB54;842643644 said:

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His legacy as a notable President rests on the future of two things- Iran deal and climate change. Both could be game changers...or not, but it's a curious situation. I give him credit for addressing both but it's not clear either one will yet change history

And his opposition hasn't been irrational, it's been very rational. Opposing him has resulted in very good things for the Republicans. The "hope and change" thing was DOA- he already knew that.

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I generally agree with your post.

There are other potential legacy items, including Obamacare, the economy, and other mid-east issues (Afghanistan, Iraq and ISIS) which, as you point out, won't be assessed for many years. His most immediate legacy may be the continued expansion of executive power. For me, that should be a bipartisan issue - certainly dems won't like it if the next president is a republican and takes a similar overreaching view of presidential powers.