While many conservatives dispute the success of President Barack Obama's presidency, Justin Haskins, contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog, praised the outgoing president for five aspects of his administration that, according to Haskins, deserve compliments regardless of his political affiliation.
Obama was always level-headed, Haskins wrote. "A president's demeanor matters, and few presidents in recent memory have appeared as cool and collected as Obama."
He spoke directly to everyday Americans. "Most Americans still believe Obama cares about them, a difficult feat for any president to accomplish after two full terms in office."
He changed the way presidents communicate with citizens, using social media. "Obama took advantage of the Internet in ways other presidents had yet to do," according to Haskins.
After the government bailouts, Haskins pointed out that Obama set up pay caps for executive compensation to businesses that took bailouts from the government.
Obama signed into law the Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights, one of a small number of bipartisan legislations that got passed in 2016.
"Obama's decision to sign these important protections for women into law deserves praise from all Americans.," he wrote.
The writer remains critical of the outgoing president, however. On Monday, he wrote in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that Obama had failed to deliver on campaign promises.