Obama's 20 Executive Orders From 2013. Too Many? Too Much?

"The worst President in history!!! Impeach, impeach, impeach!!! He's not a leader, he's lazy, and God knows Barry the community organizer is over his head!!! Obamacare is evil. We can't afford to go to the doctor and HE wants us to have to pay for medical insurance???!!!! Tyranny!!! Absolutely the worst ever!!"

That's the way the GOP tells it. In fact, that's exactly the way the GOP has been telling it for almost 6 years.

Despite their pulling of hair, and dog whistle lamentations, the American stock market has repeatedly hit historic highs since Barack took office. History will be the ultimate judge of Obama's performance as the nation's 44th President.

Although we have a long way to go, we could have gotten much father without the blackout use by conservatives of the filibuster to block debate on any and all legislation that happens to be favored by the White House. There are plenty of other markers, economic growth, job growth, but that doesn't stop the elephants from dropping large turds all over any positive progress achieved under an Obama administration. They Just Say No.

Obama's approval numbers turning around despite world turmoil.
(The Real Nevo, 2014)

The President’s support among men has jumped 5 points since June – from 42% to 46% — and disapproval among women has dropped from 52% to 49%. His numbers among 36-50 year olds has risen 5 points to 49%. He has increased his support among Democrats from 77% to 83%, liberals (76% to 82%), moderates (51% to 53%), African Americans (76% to 91%), and the Investor Class (47% to 52%). His support among Hispanics has held steady with 65% approving and 31% disapproving.

While only 26% see the country heading in the right direction and 58% say things are off on the wrong track, Congress’ approval has dropped from 22% to 18% and disapproval has moved from 62% to 76%.

Congressional Vacation Days Only Partly Responsible For Approval Ratings
(Getty Images, 2014)

The Democrats took a beating in 2010 because of a low turnout from their base. These polling numbers today show that the President might be on the road to recovering some support from key progressive elements of his base. Perhaps the democratic candidates this cycle can build on that growth.

What we really need to see is Obama reaching out to young people, in fact, he should be doing that almost exclusively between now and November. Younger voters represented about one fifth of turnout in Mr. Obama’s two victories, but only one tenth of the turnout in 2010. The election outcome in 2014 will depend to a large degree on Millennials, who are unlikely to be voting for Republican candidates. Either they will come out to vote for Democratic candidates or they will not vote at all.

What could encourage those younger voters to vote? The economy is “improving” and for the first time, people are starting to feel some job growth. The President looks like he will act before the election on relieving the plight of illegal immigrants and issue orders relevant to global warming – two issues close to the hearts of young voters. In addition,Mr. Obama’s deliberative style and worldview is keeping the United States out of foreign adventures which polls favorably in this demographic. If he can get out there, work the town hall circuit, and press some flesh, the Dems might just stand a chance.

If every voter were to bring one other registered voter to the polls, one who wasn't planning on voting, that could double the numbers for Democratic candidates. Let's see what happens.

As we get closer to November of 2014, one of the loudest criticisms of the President coming from the right is his “imperialistic” take on governing. Acting alone. Behaving like a maverick. Using his pen like a sword to destroy personal liberty. When a policy geek hears that, our first instinct is to actually read what POTUS has put his pen to.

Congressional inaction makes for some late nights
(whitehouse.gov, 2013)

Let’s review how many Executive orders in total have been signed by President Barack Obama during his almost six years in office. 184

Number of Obama’s Exec Orders By Year

In 2009 he signed 39 Executive orders
In 2010 he signed 35 Executive orders
In 2011 he signed 34 Executive order
In 2012 he signed 39 Executive order
In 2013 he signed 20 Executive order
In 2014 he has signed 17 Executive orders

As part of our continuing six part series, we come to part four, Obama’s Executive Orders from 2013. All 20 of them.

(If you want to learn more about any order, just click on them, and it will send you directly to the actual PDF of that order)

Executive Order 13636 Signed February 12, 2013
Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity

Executive Order 13637 Signed March 8, 2013
Administration of Reformed Export Controls

Executive Order 13638 Signed March 15, 2013
Amendments to Executive Order 12777

Executive Order 13639 Signed March 28, 2013
Establishment of the Presidential Commission on
Election Administration

Executive Order 13640 Signed April 5, 2013
Continuance of Advisory Council

Executive Order 13641 Signed April 5, 2013
Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay

Executive Order 13642 Signed May 9, 2013
Making Open and Machine Readable the New Default
for Government Information

Executive Order 13643 Signed May 15, 2013
2013 Amendments to the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States

Executive Order 13644 Signed May 21, 2013
Amendment to Executive Order 13639

Executive Order 13645 Signed June 3, 2013
Authorizing the Implementation of Certain Sanctions
Set Forth in the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012
and Additional Sanctions With Respect To Iran

Executive Order 13646 Signed June 25, 2013
Establishing the Presidential Advisory Council on
Financial Capability for Young Americans

Executive Order 13647 Signed June 26, 2013
Establishing the White House Council on
Native American Affairs

Executive Order 13648 Signed July 1, 2013
Combating Wildlife Trafficking

Executive Order 13649 Signed July 15, 2013
Accelerating Improvements in HIV Prevention and Care
in the United States Through the HIV Care Continuum Initiative

Executive Order 13650 Signed August 1, 2013
Improving Chemical Facility and Security

Executive Order 13651 Signed August 6, 2013
Prohibiting Certain Imports of Burmese Jadeite and Rubies

Executive Order 13652 Signed September 30, 2013
Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees

Executive Order 13653 Signed November 1, 2013
Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change

Executive Order 13654 Signed November 21, 2013
Establishing an Emergency Board to Investigate Disputes
Between the Long Island Rail Road Company and Certain
of Its Employees Represented by Labor Organizations

Executive Order 13655 Signed December 23, 2013
Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay

We appreciate Order 13648 as an attempt to combat wildlife trafficking. Order 13649 is working on fighting HIV. Order 13653 is an active response to Climate Change. Not sure what is in here that has the GOP base so fired up, though. Do you?