Barack Obama has been president of the United States for 100 days now. While 100 days is a milestone in a presidency, it has no official status. If anything, 100 is nothing more than a nice round number that gives people a chance to voice their opinion on how well a new president is doing thus far. Obama's first 100 days have seen him battling the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, shifting the US military posture in Iraq and Afghanistan, and showing the world a different face of America as its first black president. As if that were not enough, he now faces a deadly new challenge in the form of a swine flu outbreak that health authorities fear could explode into a global pandemic. Saudi Gazette surveyed a number of citizens and residents of the Kingdom to get their views on Obama's 100 days. I think over all President Obama has done a good job; however there was very poor oversight of the Wall Street bailout – none of it should have ended up as bonuses for the Wall Street people who created the problem. Although, so far, the bailout seems like a continuation of the Bush administration agenda of transferring funds from the taxpayers to the wealthiest Americans, I hope that soon President Obama will be taking steps to ensure all Americans have health insurance and whatever assistance they need to get us through the current economic crisis. I believe he cares about the well-being of everyone (and not just the wealthiest, which makes him a great improvement over Bush); and his efforts to address global warming, stem cell research, and a more reasonable foreign policy are also a very welcome change from the previous administration. – Jim Bristol, American, Pilot, Saudia Airlines Congratulations to President Obama for restoring the good name of the United States on the world stage and for returning the country to the “rule of law” under the US Constitution. – Mrs. Marisa Wilson, American, a resident of Jeddah. I think President Obama is doing very well, not because of his nationality or religion, but as a person. We haven't seen such a straightforward person for a long time. He is doing what he says he is going to do. He is a person of his word and I hope he will continue like this. He is addressing the peace process in Palestine, and I really hope that he can make it fair for both parties. This will solve a lot of other problems going on in the world. – Amer Al-Khaldi, Saudi businessman in Riyadh. The 100 days is not long enough to judge President Obama. At this point, the world should give him a chance to achieve the changes he envisioned. He has not done much in changing the American political landscape. He has the same people in the departments of state and defense. The pro-Israeli lobbyists are still there; and the old American policy in the Middle East is very much alive. He should reach out now to the leaders of the Arab World; he must consider Saudi Arabia's leadership in the region and he must start a dialogue with all the factions, whether Hamas or otherwise. – Abdul Mohsen Al-Moushegah, CEO of the Al-Moushegah Group of Companies in Dammam. I cannot give judgment or assessment with finality. But I believe Obama is doing his best to deliver what he promised. Indications are that he is decisive in pursuing a much better American leadership. – Dr. Eduardo P. Malagapo, educator and CEO of Reem of Bahrain, a management consultancy company. I am very impressed with Obama's performance during the last 100 days. His economic stimulus programs are working for the good of the global economy. He reached out to the Islamic World, to Cuba, and Europe. What he has accomplished in 100 days has not been done by other US presidents in years. – Aravind Pillai, Business Development Director of one of the largest engineering companies in the Kingdom. Obama's achievements during the last 100 days in office are unprecedented. He is a president in a hurry. I hope he will not stumble. The hurdles are many – the global economy, terrorism, growing assertions by the Taleban, etc. These are blockades for a president in a hurry. – Ed P. Solar, managing director of an EPC company in Dammam. I would give a ‘very good' rating to President Obama's first 100 days in office. Unlike his predecessor was successful in building bridges of understanding around the world during his first 100 days. President Obama fared very well during his international tour of Europe and other countries, when he proved his mettle by using his communication skills in dealing with world leaders including the recent G20 meeting. However, the real challenge for President Obama lies ahead in delivering what he has promised. The people may have been too optimistic and excited regarding the new beginning and the change that he promised to bring, he said. – Ihsan Bo-Holaiga, a leading economist, Riyadh. I believe that President Obama during his 100 days in office was able to correct the image of the country. America being the only superpower in the world misused its power by violating international law. I am satisfied with what President Obama has done so far. However, we are still hopeful that he will put his words into action. We are also happy to see a change in American foreign policy, particularly on the Middle East issue. – Dr. Tala'at Wazna, Director General, Medical Services, Ministry of Social Affairs, Riyadh. One hundred days is not enough to evaluate the performance of any public servant. However, I am not very clear about President Obama's policies, particularly when he speaks of good relations with the Islamic World and US troops are still present in Afghanistan and Iraq, and there is no headway in the Middle East peace process. – Dr. Abdullah Al-Homeidan, former dean, College of Languages and Translation, King Saud University, Riyadh. I am satisfied with the first 100 days of President Obama in the White House. It seems to me he is doing a good job – better than his predecessor. A president's performance should be assessed after a year. However, during his first 100 days in office, President Obama was a little slow in his approach to the Middle East peace process. – Lutfi Al-Madani, a prominent lawyer. I am satisfied with what President Obama has done so far. I appeal to him to stay cautious against certain lobbies, which are very strong in the US, which might influence and try to detract and derail him from his economic and foreign policies. The procedures of the US visa issued to Saudi nationals under President Obama's Administration has also been very smooth. One of my friends has recently received the US visitor's visa from the American Embassy in Riyadh without too much questioning and with dignity. It seems that Saudis and Arabs have started to receive better treatment from US officials. – Fathi Al-Madani, ex-Aramco employee. Many of my Pakistani countrymen read the news reports with concern about US Drone attacks that have killed several innocent people in my country. After Barack Obama was elected president we were optimistic about peace and stability in Pakistan. But so far nothing positive has happened. We want to see America show an understanding of the situation in Pakistan's tribal areas and try to understand the customs and traditions of the people living there. – Muhammad Nadeem, a Pakistani limousine driver in Riyadh. __
