Mr Painter:  Though not an Obama supporter, I prefer your more positive take on his presidency to the rabid distortions so often peddled by the "right." 

I have some beefs with the Obama administration:  Not closing Guantanamo; maintaining the unchecked Executive powers and secrecy built up through Reagan, the Bushes, and Clinton, which Trump now gets to wield and expand on; bailing out the banks and essentially rewarding them for their malfeasance and opportunism after the 2008 meltdown; pinning our healthcare hopes to the middle-man, rather than strengthening healthcare itself; and maintaining the surveillance and security state that has hijacked our once free country and made war and weapons our #1 export.  

Obama did his 2% course change, and, as you say, did it successfully.  Those of us hoping for something more were disappointed---But he is certainly more dignified, and a far better orator and statesman, than either Dubya or Trump.  

Now for something completely different