February 2, 2010 11:18AM 

# Debate: Is Obama Failing? 

By [David Boaz](https://www.cato.org/people/david-boaz) 

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At the *Economist* website, I’m debating the question, “[This house believes that Barack Obama is failing](http://www.economist.com/debate/overview/164/Obama).” I’m taking the affirmative. Readers are allowed to vote, and the *Economist*’s typically left-leaning readers are voting for Obama by about the same margin that Americans are rejecting his health care plan. So feel free to mosey on over there, read both sides of the argument, and cast your vote. My bottom line:

> When your policies aren’t working, the voters have noticed and your transformative ideological agenda is moving broad public opinion in the other direction, it’s safe to say you’re failing.

Rebuttals and closing statements will follow in a few days. But don’t delay! [Visit today](http://www.economist.com/debate/days/view/457)!

##### Related Tags 

[Government and Politics](https://www.cato.org/government-politics) 

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