1. If you had to describe Obama's first 100 days in one, two words, what it would be and why?

2. If you compare Obama's election promises with what he had done in first days of his presidency, is there a big difference or is he keeping his promises up to now?

3. Obama is very media-effective president and all his steps are very well communicated. Is there something he did what didn't receive very big media attention but you still think is very important?

Answers:

George Edwards, Professor of Political Science, Department of Political Science, Texas A&M University, Visiting Fellow, Nuffield College, University of Oxford

1. He is intelligent, analytical, and prudent. He is a careful and engaged decision maker who reaches out for options and information. He then filters these options through a screen of political realism.

2. He is largely keeping his election promises, although he has been prudent in dealing with the detainees and interrogations. He is working on keeping his promises on domestic policy, pulling troops out of Iraq while sending them to Afghanistan, freeing up stem cell research and the like, and listening to our allies.

3. There are very few secrets these days, so nothing comes to my mind.

Richard Conley, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Florida

1. Reckless; dangerous

It took George W. Bush 8 years to double the budget deficit; it’s taken Obama less then 4 months. His reckless budget politics have included ‘bailouts’ for corporation in which the government is now the largest shareholder, and members of his own party ensured these very people who caused the financial collapse receives ‘bonuses’ for their misdeeds. It is not traditionally the role of the federal government in the US economy and it is verging on the European-style socialism. Moreover, the outrage over his handlings of the economy is growing significant proportions.

Releasing documents about the Central Intelligence Agency’s interrogation techniques, and then suggesting the justice department will prosecute former bush administration officials, smack of political retribution and gives terrorist information they can use to harm the US. This is major error in the judgment on Obama’s part.

His recklessness in foreign policy is also visible in his commitment to close Guantanamo Bay without having thought through exactly what he plans to do with the enemy combatants being held there – we know that 10% or so of those released so far go back to the Middle East to fight with insurgents, al-Qaeda, and the remnants of the Taliban. Many fear he plans to allow these people to come to the US!

2. His major theme was the ‘change.’ We have gotten plenty of that, particularly with respect to the federal government printing massive amount of money and taking over corporations. Now we await his plans to ‘reform’ health care. It’s very disconcerting for conservatives

3. Not that I can think of it.

Stephen Wayne, Professor & Director of the MA in American Govt., Georgetown University

1. Professional, progressive, and problem-solving

2.He is trying to keep his promises to change policy and politics, but thus far has only been successful with the policy part. He continues to pursue his campaign promises, but they will take time to achieve.

3.No, they are extremely good at trumpeting their own success.