20 Powerful Obama Moves: Rate Each One

Rate 20 of President Obama's power moves.

Thursday - After a day of meetings at the White House, Obama will attend a fundraiser and rally for Democratic Virginia state Senator and gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds in Tysons Corner, Va.

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Rate His Moves - Since Barack Obama's inauguration, he has made a number of power moves. See each one and rate it on a scale of 1 to 5 using the radio buttons below.

Clinton Appointed - The campaign rivalry between then U.S. Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton was classic. But on Dec. 1, 2008, President Barack Obama unveiled his National Security Team and announced his appointment of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, another key piece to his cabinet “team of rivals.”

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Clinton Appointed - The campaign rivalry between then U.S. Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton was classic. But on Dec. 1, 2008, President Barack Obama unveiled his National Security Team and announced his appointment of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, another key piece to his cabinet “team of rivals.”

Meeting With 9/11 Families - When President Barack Obama signed an executive order to close Guantanamo Bay within the year, families of the victims of the September 11th attacks and the USS Cole bombing raised objections. In an unprecedented effort to reach out and explain his decision, Obama met with almost 40 families, and spoke for an hour.

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Meeting With 9/11 Families - When President Barack Obama signed an executive order to close Guantanamo Bay within the year, families of the victims of the September 11th attacks and the USS Cole bombing raised objections. In an unprecedented effort to reach out and explain his decision, Obama met with almost 40 families, and spoke for an hour.

First TV Interview - In an effort to bridge the gap between the U.S. and the Muslim world, the President chose the Arabic satellite TV network Al-Arabiya Channel for his first post-inaugural interview. Obama stressed the importance of repairing the once friendly relationship that was severely damaged by the Bush administration.

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First TV Interview - In an effort to bridge the gap between the U.S. and the Muslim world, the President chose the Arabic satellite TV network Al-Arabiya Channel for his first post-inaugural interview. Obama stressed the importance of repairing the once friendly relationship that was severely damaged by the Bush administration.

Middle Class Task Force - Classic rhetoric in Obama’s campaign stump speech was his promise to “strengthen the middle class.” In an effort to do just that, President Barack Obama created the White House Task Force on Middle Class Working Families, and appointed Vice President Joe Biden to oversee the committee aimed at “raising the living standards of middle-class, working families in America.”

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Middle Class Task Force - Classic rhetoric in Obama’s campaign stump speech was his promise to “strengthen the middle class.” In an effort to do just that, President Barack Obama created the White House Task Force on Middle Class Working Families, and appointed Vice President Joe Biden to oversee the committee aimed at “raising the living standards of middle-class, working families in America.”

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Blackberry Victory - President Barack Obama not only made history as the nation’s first African-American president, but became the first active president to use email. In perhaps the best publicity that any company could receive, Obama went on a campaign to keep his BlackBerry. “I’m still clinging to my BlackBerry,” Obama said. “They’re going to pry it out of my hands.” An agreement was reached so that the president could keep a special encrypted device to stay in touch with senior staff, family and friends.

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Blackberry Victory - President Barack Obama not only made history as the nation’s first African-American president, but became the first active president to use email. In perhaps the best publicity that any company could receive, Obama went on a campaign to keep his BlackBerry. “I’m still clinging to my BlackBerry,” Obama said. “They’re going to pry it out of my hands.” An agreement was reached so that the president could keep a special encrypted device to stay in touch with senior staff, family and friends.

Deflects Blagojevich Scandal - On Dec. 9, 2008, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on federal charges of fraud and bribery-stemming from his alleged sale of the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Obama. Just 24 hours after the charges were brought down, Obama called for Blago’s resignation, and cleared his transition office of all wrong doing in the matter.

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Deflects Blagojevich Scandal - On Dec. 9, 2008, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on federal charges of fraud and bribery-stemming from his alleged sale of the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Obama. Just 24 hours after the charges were brought down, Obama called for Blago’s resignation, and cleared his transition office of all wrong doing in the matter.

Jab at Bush Administration - Although President Obama never directly addressed Bush in his Inaugural speech, some say W. was the clear target of choice words like, “our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age,” and “false choice between our safety and our ideals.” In perhaps the final farewell to Bush, or last turn of the knife, Obama promised, “that we are ready to lead once more.”

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Jab at Bush Administration - Although President Obama never directly addressed Bush in his Inaugural speech, some say W. was the clear target of choice words like, “our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age,” and “false choice between our safety and our ideals.” In perhaps the final farewell to Bush, or last turn of the knife, Obama promised, “that we are ready to lead once more.”

Traditional First Trip - President Barack Obama visited Canada on in his first official foreign trip as commander in chief. Obama met with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss the top issues on everyone’s agenda: the economy and military. The leaders also announced a U.S.-Canadian plan to fight global warming.

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Traditional First Trip - President Barack Obama visited Canada on in his first official foreign trip as commander in chief. Obama met with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss the top issues on everyone’s agenda: the economy and military. The leaders also announced a U.S.-Canadian plan to fight global warming.

Daschle Misjudgment - President Barack Obama showed that he’s willing to live up to a high moral standard and “new era of responsibility,” when he apologized for appointing Tom Daschle to the Health and Human Services Secretary post in light of shady business relations and recent tax woes. Although he paid the IRS a whopping $140,167, Daschle withdrew from the appointment. In a series of interviews after the ordeal, Obama showed his humility by simply saying, “I screwed up.”

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Daschle Misjudgment - President Barack Obama showed that he’s willing to live up to a high moral standard and “new era of responsibility,” when he apologized for appointing Tom Daschle to the Health and Human Services Secretary post in light of shady business relations and recent tax woes. Although he paid the IRS a whopping $140,167, Daschle withdrew from the appointment. In a series of interviews after the ordeal, Obama showed his humility by simply saying, “I screwed up.”

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Closing Gitmo - On Jan. 21, 2009, Obama signed an order to close Guantanamo Bay within the year, banning the use of controversial interrogation methods by military and CIA personnel. Known as “Gitmo,” the detention center opened in 1987 to house enemy combatants and suspected terrorists.

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Closing Gitmo - On Jan. 21, 2009, Obama signed an order to close Guantanamo Bay within the year, banning the use of controversial interrogation methods by military and CIA personnel. Known as “Gitmo,” the detention center opened in 1987 to house enemy combatants and suspected terrorists.

Faith-Based Office Revamped - President Barack Obama is bringing the church house to the White House. Obama signed an executive order establishing the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, to work on behalf of Americans committed to improving their communities, regardless of religious or political beliefs. Obama appointed 26-year-old Joshua DuBois, a former associate pastor, to lead the office and to, “Bring everyone together – from both the secular and faith-based communities.

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Faith-Based Office Revamped - President Barack Obama is bringing the church house to the White House. Obama signed an executive order establishing the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, to work on behalf of Americans committed to improving their communities, regardless of religious or political beliefs. Obama appointed 26-year-old Joshua DuBois, a former associate pastor, to lead the office and to, “Bring everyone together – from both the secular and faith-based communities.

Slashing the Deficit - With high unemployment rates, banks failures and unprecedented home foreclosures, getting the economy back on track is President Barack Obama’s top priority. Obama recently outlined an ambitious goal to cut the national deficit by half in four years, warning, "If we confront this crisis without also confronting the deficits that helped cause it, we risk sinking into another crisis down the road…We cannot simply spend as we please and defer the consequences.”

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Slashing the Deficit - With high unemployment rates, banks failures and unprecedented home foreclosures, getting the economy back on track is President Barack Obama’s top priority. Obama recently outlined an ambitious goal to cut the national deficit by half in four years, warning, "If we confront this crisis without also confronting the deficits that helped cause it, we risk sinking into another crisis down the road…We cannot simply spend as we please and defer the consequences.”

Economy Rescue Plan - President Barack Obama not only sought to sell the economic stimulus plan to lawmakers, but to the American public as well. In a brief two-state tour, Obama visited Florida and Arizona to make a case for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Using the charisma and smarts that garnered him support and popularity on the campaign trail, Obama held two town-hall style meetings. He told constituents of the states that, “"I believe in hope, but I also believe in action. We can't afford to postur

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Economy Rescue Plan - President Barack Obama not only sought to sell the economic stimulus plan to lawmakers, but to the American public as well. In a brief two-state tour, Obama visited Florida and Arizona to make a case for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Using the charisma and smarts that garnered him support and popularity on the campaign trail, Obama held two town-hall style meetings. He told constituents of the states that, “"I believe in hope, but I also believe in action. We can't afford to postur

Panetta Chosen - The CIA garnered much negative attention over the past eight years due to its conduct during the war on terrorism. In an effort to bring a breath of fresh air to the agency, President Barack Obama appointed former Clinton White House chief of staff Leon Panetta to head the Central Intelligence Agency.

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Panetta Chosen - The CIA garnered much negative attention over the past eight years due to its conduct during the war on terrorism. In an effort to bring a breath of fresh air to the agency, President Barack Obama appointed former Clinton White House chief of staff Leon Panetta to head the Central Intelligence Agency.

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Stimulus Bill Signed - After a cross-country campaign and heavy Republican opposition, Congress passed President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus bill on February 13, 2009. Known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the bill promises to jumpstart the nation’s economy by giving tax cuts to the low and middle class, providing money to states to build infrastructure and create jobs, and overhauling the U.S. banking systems.

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Stimulus Bill Signed - After a cross-country campaign and heavy Republican opposition, Congress passed President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus bill on February 13, 2009. Known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the bill promises to jumpstart the nation’s economy by giving tax cuts to the low and middle class, providing money to states to build infrastructure and create jobs, and overhauling the U.S. banking systems.

Super Bowl Party - President Obama scored big when he hosted democratic and republican lawmakers on Super Bowl Sunday. Obama held a bipartisan Super Bowl party at the White House, in a likely effort of good will in the weeks leading up to the passage of the economic stimulus bill. Obama was rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the stimulus bill was later passed.

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Super Bowl Party - President Obama scored big when he hosted democratic and republican lawmakers on Super Bowl Sunday. Obama held a bipartisan Super Bowl party at the White House, in a likely effort of good will in the weeks leading up to the passage of the economic stimulus bill. Obama was rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the stimulus bill was later passed.

‘I Won’ - President Obama made sincere efforts to cross party lines for the passage of the economic stimulus, yet the two parties just couldn’t agree. During a heated debate, congressional Republicans alluded to the election race when John McCain called Obama’s economic plan “welfare.” Obama ended all discussions that day by telling lawmakers that voters obviously didn‘t agree, adding, “I won.”

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‘I Won’ - President Obama made sincere efforts to cross party lines for the passage of the economic stimulus, yet the two parties just couldn’t agree. During a heated debate, congressional Republicans alluded to the election race when John McCain called Obama’s economic plan “welfare.” Obama ended all discussions that day by telling lawmakers that voters obviously didn‘t agree, adding, “I won.”

Valentine's Day - In his first real break since his inauguration on Jan. 20, the President planned a quiet four-day Valentine’s Day weekend back at his Hyde Park home in Chicago for the wife and kids. Barack and Michelle Obama were spotted leaving the upscale southern restaurant Table Fifty-Two, doggie bag in hand on Valentine’s Day night.

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Valentine's Day - In his first real break since his inauguration on Jan. 20, the President planned a quiet four-day Valentine’s Day weekend back at his Hyde Park home in Chicago for the wife and kids. Barack and Michelle Obama were spotted leaving the upscale southern restaurant Table Fifty-Two, doggie bag in hand on Valentine’s Day night.

ATrip to Sasha’s School - Motorists took rubber-necking to new levels when straining to get a glimpse of the President and First Lady’s motorcade on the way to Sasha’s school in Bethesda, MD. The Obamas made an unofficial visit to Sidwell Friends to attend their daughter’s class presentation, leaving the White House at 8 a.m. A spokesman told the press that, “This was a non-official trip, the motorcade stopped at every traffic light.”

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ATrip to Sasha’s School - Motorists took rubber-necking to new levels when straining to get a glimpse of the President and First Lady’s motorcade on the way to Sasha’s school in Bethesda, MD. The Obamas made an unofficial visit to Sidwell Friends to attend their daughter’s class presentation, leaving the White House at 8 a.m. A spokesman told the press that, “This was a non-official trip, the motorcade stopped at every traffic light.”