Has Obama Kept His Campaign Pledges?To a degree that may be surprising, President Obama has largely stuck to the script promised by candidate Obama. (subscribers only)
Obama Finds Reality Is MessyIt hasn't been the finest of first years in office for Barack Obama. Nor has it been, by any means, the worst. (subscribers only)
The Impotence Of HopeIt's hard to identify an area where President Obama can pursue action that would change the political dynamics. (subscribers only)
Abortion: Health Care Reform Outcome Will Determine ProgressPercentage Complete: 33* Obama's reputation as an advocate for abortion rights will likely rest on health care reform, despite his progress thus far in fulfilling related campaign promises.
Civil Rights: Obama Sends Mixed Signals On Gay RightsPercentage Complete: 32* Advocates remain unclear on the president's direction.
Defense: Former Obama Adviser Gives President A-Percentage Complete: 15* Following through on his promises to break with Bush administration policy hasn't proved easy, and Obama has been criticized from the left and right.
Diversity: Obama Eyes Stronger Ties With Tribal NationsPercentage Complete: 100* In his first year, Obama kept his campaign promise to appoint a senior policy adviser for Native American affairs.
Economy: Economic Promises Will Be Difficult To KeepPercentage Complete: 42* Candidate Obama kept his goals modest, but trouble still looms.
Energy And The Environment: Obama Yet To Tackle His Biggest PledgesPercentage Complete: 22* Despite Senate inaction on comprehensive climate-change legislation, Obama managed some forward motion on his promises in this area through executive orders.
Foreign Policy: Delays Hamper EffortsPercentage Complete: 24* Obama took two months to appoint a Sudan envoy and 10 months to tap a new head for USAID.
Health Care: Obama Makes Gains On Campaign GoalsPercentage Complete: 47* After a year in which the compromises of Congress required him to bend and sway on the specifics of reform, he's probably glad he didn't make any more promises than he did.
Immigration: Future Of Immigration Reform UncertainPercentage Complete: 16* The climate may be hostile. The recession has driven unemployment to double digits. And Congressional Democrats, already nervous about the 2010 elections, may not be ready to stake out positions that could prove unpopular.
Labor: Unions Expecting More After Favorable StartPercentage Complete: 24* Top union leaders are largely happy with what they got from Obama in 2009. But where labor's signature issue is concerned, 2010 is definitely a new year.
Public Service: Administration Boosts Volunteerism In First YearPercentage Complete: 71* President Obama has followed through on most of his campaign promises involving new incentives for public service.
Science And Technology: Obama Appoints First WH CTOPercentage Complete: 55* Obama appoints a CTO, but his other goals in this category won't yield tangible results so easily.
Taxes: Deficits, Entitlements And Health Care Present ChallengesPercentage Complete: 36* Aside from a few promises stalled or flatly broken, the administration has made at least token progress on most of the promises in this category.
Urban Affairs: Obama's Housing Promises See Mixed ResultsPercentage Complete: 47* The White House made moves to stem the mortgage crisis, but "cram-down" and other measures went nowhere.
Veterans Affairs: Obama Fulfilling Promises To VeteransPercentage Complete: 62* Boost in VA funding highlights White House's commitment.
Read more about Obama's progress fulfilling his campaign promises.
* "Percentage complete" refers to the average progress made completing each promise in this category -- not the percentage of promises that have been completed. If Obama has made no effort to complete a promise, he gets 0 percent for that promise. If he's taken some identifiable steps short of legislation or an executive order, he gets 25 percent. If legislation has been introduced or significant progress is apparent, he gets 50 percent. A 75 percent mark is awarded if most elements of completing a promise are in place but more work needs to be done. A 100 percent mark is given when the promise has been fulfilled.
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