The Obama Years: Assessing the President's Successes And Shortcomings

Plus, A Look At The State Of The Economy, Politics And Campaigns, And Race Relations [NPR Politics] Chuck Kennedy/AFP/Getty Images Barack Obama has just one more day as president. It’s an open question how history will judge him, but the first black president presided over a transformative time in American history, demographically and socially. Obama came into office with the country in crisis – America was on the precipice of a potential Great Depression and in the midst of two wars. Today, the [economy has recovered]. The country is less entangled in Iraq and Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden is dead, but the nation faces new challenges from ISIS, [something critics argue happened because the U.S. pulled out of Iraq precipitously]. And his signature legislative achievement, [the Affordable Care Act], remains embroiled in controversy. Politically, Democrats have seen [massive losses], [from Congress to state legislatures] and are at their lowest point of power in nearly a century. Supporters point out that Obama faced unprecedented opposition from Republicans, which meant that despite a career launched on hope and trying to bring unity to fractious Washington, [he wasn’t able to accomplish that foundational goal]. So how will he be judged? We take a look. --------------------------------------------------------------- Colin Marshall/NPR [Scorecard For A Departing President: Assessing Obama's Successes And Shortcomings] We look back at the legacy the Obama administration might leave after the past eight years. [Read More →] --------------------------------------------------------------- PRESIDENT OBAMA'S LEGACY Charles Dharapak/AP ON THE ECONOMY [NPR Website] President Obama inherited an economy that was cratering, the worst recession since the Great Depression. Slowly, but surely, things have turned around. [NPR] Rick Gershon/Getty Images ON CAMPAIGNS [NPR Website] In some cases, the 2008 campaign was their first venture into politics; for many, it hasn't been their last. [NPR] Scott Olson/Getty Images A FAREWELL ADDRESS [NPR Website] Even as Trump threatens to roll back some of his signature proposals, President Obama gave a hopeful farewell speech. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images ON POLITICS [NPR Website] Nearly half of all Americans think Obama will go down in history as an "outstanding" or "above-average" president, but Democrats are much more likely to take that stance. Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images ACROSS THE COUNTRY [NPR Website] How has America changed after eight tumultuous years under President Obama? --------------------------------------------------------------- FROM CODE SWITCH Chelsea Beck/NPR ON RACE [NPR Website] Code Switch asks how much race or racism drove the way the first black president was treated and how he governed. --------------------------------------------------------------- A LOOK BACK AT #MEMEOFTHEWEEK Patrick Smith/Getty Images FROM THE INTERNET [NPR Website] President Obama and Vice President Biden have long been open about their friendship, so much so that the POTUS bromance has come to be known as a "BROTUS." [Facebook] [Facebook] [Twitter] [Twitter] [Instagram] [Instagram] NPR | 1111 N. Capitol St. NE | Washington, DC 20002 | [Privacy Policy] This message was sent to {EMAIL} based on your NPR email subscriptions. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you may [unsubscribe] at any time. [NPR]