Given the economic crisis Obama inherited, he has done about as well as can be expected. We have also seen some encouraging signs in the foreign policy arena but it is still too early to say if there will be any substantive change.

What are your views?

Thank you

Sally Phillips

Hi Sally

A very large part of our opinions of Barack Obama is tinged by the fact we were all so desperate to see the back of his predecessor. As such it doesn't take very much for us to go easy on him when judging the first 100 days.

Looking at what he has bequeathed : 2 wars, a trillion dollar deficit, the worst recssion in all our lifetimes and a very poor standing in the global community. I'd say he's doing as good a job as anyone could.

At least he gives the impression of dynamism and being in control, unlike certain politicans closer to home.

Barry

I take my hat off to him for bringing back some pride to America!

Long may it continue!

And one good thing the missus has done is to knock pictures of Princess Di off the front pages of the English newspapers.

They will print one on any excuse but now they have missus Obama to worship and she gets all the column inches (much to the chagrin of certain French and Italian leaders' wives)! What did you say she is wearing today? Must dash out and get one.

Julie

He sure is a breath of fresh air

I can only wish him well and hope that he succeeds because if he doesn't, what then?

How many people writing here today could have taken up the challenge and faced into the worst economic situation since the Great Depression with an aura of optimism.

Let's be utterly frank, we need a leader, a real leader and Obama stands heads and shoulders above everyone else for now.

He inherited a near depression...so this is not going to be easy or fast.

Stuart!

YES!!!

The belligerence of the Bush era has been swept aside.

Openings have been established with most of the countries the USA should have engaged with over the past decades - Iran, Latin America, Middle East, Cuba, Russia.

Much has been achieved in 3 months, and it does look like he will build on all of those during 2009.

On the domestic front, he was left with a toxic economy in freefall, with absolute panic in the markets, the banking system and the trading systems.

He has managed to keep a lid on it and restore a reasonable degree of confidence that the USA can work through this.

There is no question of changing overnight either Israel's special status in the US or Israel's occupation and repression of the Palestinian people. Washington's tone towards Israel is notably cooler, and that's an essential first step. Arab leaders have been given greater access to the White House, and finally it is listening to more than one voice.

The jury is still out on this, but I am very hopeful!!!

Matthew