“What made Obama unique was that he was the ultimate charismatic politician -- the most unknown stranger ever to achieve the presidency in the United States. No one knew who he was, he came out of nowhere, he had this incredible persona that floated him above the fray, destroyed Hillary, took over the Democratic Party and became president. This is truly unprecedented: A young unknown with no history, no paper trail, no well-known associates, self-created.”

— Charles Krauthammer

Interview with Der Spiegel http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-656501.html published on October 26, 2009.
2000s, 2009

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Charles Krauthammer 78

American journalist 1950–2018

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“I don't think that the United States are ready for a presidency as the one of Obama, at least because he would be the first black president.”

Gianfranco Fini (1952) Italian politician

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“In the course of his presidency, Obama has gone from an almost magical charismatic figure to an ordinary politician. Ordinary. Average. His approval ratings are roughly equal to what the last five presidents' were at the same time in their first term. […] He will not be the great transformer he imagines himself to be. A president like others -- with successes and failures.”

Charles Krauthammer (1950–2018) American journalist

Interview with Der Spiegel http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-656501.html published on October 26, 2009.
2000s, 2009

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Robert Aumann (1930) Israeli-American mathematician

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“Vice President Cheney has been the most dangerous vice president we've had probably in American history. The idea he doesn't realize that Article I of the Constitution defines the role of the vice president of the United States, that's the Executive Branch. He works in the Executive Branch. He should understand that. Everyone should understand that. And the primary role of the vice president of the United States of America is to support the president of the United States of America, give that president his or her best judgment when sought, and as vice president, to preside over the Senate, only in a time when in fact there's a tie vote. The Constitution is explicit. The only authority the vice president has from the legislative standpoint is the vote, only when there is a tie vote. He has no authority relative to the Congress.”

Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)

Biden at the 2008 Vice Presidential debate. Biden-Palin Vice Presidential debates http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/02/debate.transcript/, October 2, 2008
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“I applaud President Obama for his efforts on DAPA and DACA. And I think we have got to expand those efforts. … Now I happen to agree with President Obama on many, many issues. I think he has done a great job as president of the United States. He is wrong on this issue of deportation. I disagree with him on that.”

Bernie Sanders (1941) American politician, senator for Vermont

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“ISIS is honoring President Obama. He is the founder of ISIS. He founded ISIS. And I would say the co-founder would be crooked Hillary Clinton.”

Donald J. Trump (1946) 45th President of the United States of America

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“This is the worst president ever. He is the worst president in all of American history.”

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About George W. Bush, said in Los Angeles while at a Society for Professional Journalism banquet event.
Published in an article by John Bogert in the Torrance, California Daily Breeze (19 January 2003).
According to Thomas this was supposed to be off the record. The reporter (assumedly Bogert) asked for her autograph after she spoke at the event. As she signed his copy of her book, he said to her, "You look sad?" She responded by saying "Well I am. I'm covering the worst president..."
Interview by Adam Holdorf for Real Change News, (18 March 2004).

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Charles Krauthammer 78

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