“What would you say you like and dislike about Obama’s presidency so far?”

The “like” answers from both were that they liked the fact that the United States’ image around the world is better than under Bush and that Obama is attacking difficult problems in a thoughtful way.

The “don’t like” answers were generally qualified or simply non-answers: “I don’t like that Congress refused to close the camp at Guantanamo.” or “He hasn’t gotten rid of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, but he will after he fixes Health Care.”

So it’s not about what he has accomplished so far but the way he has set up his pieces for the big accomplishments to come. Can that be enough to carry him through the midterm elections? Can a first term be all about setting the table?