I give Obama a "B" grade so far. Keep in mind that the "B" grade is not the same "B" grade our kids get in school, thanks to grade inflation. "B" means "above average" -- certainly better than our last president.

His strongest point in my opinion has been his leadership and foreign policy. He has demonstrated a willingness to use diplomacy and work with our allies towards consensus, as opposed to the previous administration's "either your with us or against us" policy of absolutism. You can either extend your hand open or with a clenched fist. I think the open hand is more effective, since you can either shake their hand or slap them, depending on the response you get when you extend it!

And leadership ... I can't applaud him more on this issue. Sure, George Bush stood on the ashes of the World Trade Center. But so would any President when faced with such an enemy. It is pretty clear-cut on how to deal with things like Al Qaeda. But when hurricane Katrina slammed New Orleans, where was George? When the economy was in free-fall, the markets in a panic, and people's life savings evaporating before their eyes, where was George? It seemed that when complex problem arose -- problems with no obvious response --the Bush administration ran for cover and Bush disappear from view. At least Obama has been able to stand up and face the American people instead of hiding in the White House in a state of indecision or paralysis.

As for Health Care, I think he is going about it all wrong. Asking the drug companies, insurance companies, and corporate hospitals to reform is like asking a drug addict to design his own rehab plan. What Obama should be doing is looking at other countries that have universal health care and seeing what works, what doesn't, and how to fund it. He should also be asking the doctors, clinics, and patients that are on the front line what the big problems are ... screw the executives and lobbyists. If socialized medicine is the answer, then so be it. The greedy health care industry only has themselves to blame if it comes to that.

As for the economy, I think he has done better than Bush, but not spectacular. The economy is stabilizing, thanks to intervention in the banking sector, but the economic stimulus package is too expensive and not focused on the right things. He still must face the exploding federal debt load. Will he have the courage to try to reform Social Security/Medicare? Will he have the discipline to reign in Congress and their spending habits. The American public has collectively tightened their belts during this recession -- when will he push government do the same? And what about the debt, inflation, and living standards? Our labor costs are so high that we cannot compete in the global market. Allowing our currency to lose value through inflation will make debts easier to pay and our labor more attractive, but it will lower our standard of living. Something has to give, and we can't keep living at the level we have been. Will he balance the use of devaluation of the dollar with the inevitable loss in living standards?

Does he have the courage to do the RIGHT things and not the things that will get him re-elected? That remains to be seen. I would personally rather be a one-term president that did the right things and left a positive legacy than a two-term president that left negative legacy.

I give him the lowest grade is for prioritization of issues -- I think that he is trying to do too many things at once. Get the economy on the right path first, then tackle health care. Don't try to be Superman, Mr. President.