At this point, Americans are so divided politically that whoever in charge is going to be smeared by the opposing side, often for no good reason. Really, this has always been the case, but in the past few generations the partisanship has been further fueled by the media, and now seems to be essentially celebrated by most Americans.

Ultimately, party affiliation generally has to do with priorities. The complex arrangement of priorities determines which set of solutions appeal more to you. Particularly in economics. We are now being taught that whatever set of solutions lies opposite of ours is terribly dangerous, and we should do anything within our power to stop it. And when it is not within our power, we bitch and moan vehemently.

Also, being a president in tough times is sure to result in low approval ratings. People seem to think that one person deserves credit or blame for society's present scenario. It is easier to think that way than to really look at the root of problems.

Jealousy. If you cannot out-think, then hate. After all, it's the American way.

He's good because he sucks. As long as our economy keeps failing there is a chance Capitalism will be removed and replaced with Communism or Socialism. I'm totally cool with either.

For a democrat president, he could be a lot worse. I don't expect politicians to be the intellectual elites of society, now if you could get Noam chomsky to be president... :)

At least he doesn't want a flat income tax or "fair" tax, a flat tax on consumption, both are things that would deeply damage america by expanding wealth inequality, which results in a myriad of issues. We need a healthy middle class, and that means progressive taxation.

Barack Obama is a wonderful President who created ObamaCare that is allowing folks to afford health insurance who couldn't get it before.