Obama: Twelve months on, the star falls back to earth

There is more than criticism of Obama in the US. He is now constantly the butt of pure unadulterated bile, vitriol and plain lies.

But how is he doing as his first 12 months in office approaches? The Independent's David Usborne gives his analysis and assessment:

".......... President Obama, who seems, one year on from his election, to be hovering in the view of most Americans between competent and fumbling, notwithstanding the high esteem in which he is still held abroad and, of course, in the minds of the Nobel committee.

What is certain is that the almost-mad expectations placed on Obama that unusually warm night in Chicago's Grant Park when he delivered his victory speech last November, have given way now to a general unease about his performance in office. For sure, he has mostly avoided calamity. Not getting the Olympics for Chicago doesn't count. Nor is his administration in disarray or anything close to it. (Mr Clinton had barely arrived in office before he was instantly engulfed in mini-scandals.)"

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