Was Obama one of the most consequential presidents in American history?

[Virginiá]

At least give this article's central arguments a skim first before voting

http://www.vox.com/2015/6/26/8849925/obama-obamacare-history-presidents

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I think there is something to be made of this point. Given the difficulties in taking away social programs, it might be that for all PPACA's flaws, it has effectively moved the debate on the issue for good and made providing affordable (or better) healthcare access an obligation of the federal government:

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[Mr. Smith]

He's a road paver for something much greater a bit of a ways down the road, but paving roads mean the old road still exists.

Which matters to you more? Therein lies your answer to the question.

[Santander]

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Anyone who says this isn't even trying to be fair. The world is on fire.

[TDAS04]

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Anyone who says this isn't even trying to be fair. The world is on fire.

Arguably, the world has always been on fire, since there is always something going on somewhere.  Obama was fixing many problems, especially domestically but also globally, in the cautious and competent way necessary.

It's bizarre that Trump supporters think Obama and the Democrats were the cause of major problems, and the suddenly we were "on fire" and that Trump was what we needed to save the day and "make America great again" or whatever.

America was getting greater under Obama, and it is thanks to Trump and his supporters the the country and world are wittnessing new and unusually grave troubles.

[Virginiá]

He's a road paver for something much greater a bit of a ways down the road, but paving roads mean the old road still exists.

Which matters to you more? Therein lies your answer to the question.

That's true. Obama has always kind of come across as a "paved road president" to me. I like that he has brought liberal ideas back, but I always felt his actual policy was in many cases not quite the liberal policy I was looking for.

However, I'm not entirely sure that this excludes him in this question. We could have just as easily gotten another less-liberal president who didn't push for the same things. Plus, I've always thought Obama has had quite a unique effect on the Millennial generation. Not all presidents are like this, regardless of their ideology. While we might not see it right now, especially with the state-level losses suffered under Obama, we may owe some of political successes down the road to the coalition Obama helped cement during his tenure.

Anyone who says this isn't even trying to be fair. The world is on fire.

Of all the Democrats after FDR, where would you rank Obama then?

Truman
Kennedy
Johnson
Carter
Clinton

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

First voter to choose Option 3.

[dead0man]

The "towering figure of Progressives" dropped 26,000 bombs his last year in office.  Yep, sounds about right.

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oh yeah?  cite?

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That was a "dovish" Democratic administration?  Sheesh!  I suppose if your hero is LBJ, Obama was a super dove....but what was all that sh**t I heard during Dubya's turn?

[Phony Moderate]

A smooth and calculating politician who was not a good party leader (despite election victories) due to overseeing historic declines at the local level. Underachieved in many ways, but will be regarded quite highly for various social reforms (even if he wasn't directly responsible for most of them). There are some parallels with a certain UK PM here.

[Boomer sooner]

No. He was good but didn't change the issues we talk about enough

[Zioneer]

All I know is my gut says maybe.

[DC Al Fine]

The "towering figure of Progressives" dropped 26,000 bombs his last year in office.  Yep, sounds about right.

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oh yeah?  cite?

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That was a "dovish" Democratic administration?  Sheesh!  I suppose if your hero is LBJ, Obama was a super dove....but what was all that sh**t I heard during Dubya's turn?

Maybe we're getting to the point where many of the writers at places like Vox are too young to remember the Bush

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

No, certainly not "officially."

[Prosperum]

Yes

[Mr. Reactionary]

The Pres. Ulysses Grant of our time. Sooooooooo consequential guys.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

The "towering figure of Progressives" dropped 26,000 bombs his last year in office.  Yep, sounds about right.

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oh yeah?  cite?

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That was a "dovish" Democratic administration?  Sheesh!  I suppose if your hero is LBJ, Obama was a super dove....but what was all that sh**t I heard during Dubya's turn?

It's all relative. Compared to most democrats and republicans, Obama is a dovish sceptic of armed intervention. I highly recommend the Atlantic's profile of his foreign policy (which isn't a hagiography, but a critical analysis). It is very hard to argue against the fact that compared to his predecessor (or successor) Obama is a "dove" (though I dislike the term).

[Vosem]

The article's premise is not wrong but American history is sufficiently broad enough and the future unclear enough that I don't think we can say yet (and voted "no (non-D)"). There have been obviously much more consequential administrations (and even among post-WW2 Democrats I think Obama takes a back seat to both Truman and LBJ).