Economic achievements under Obama greater than Americans recognize

Americans as a whole are probably better off than they would have been in the absence of U.S. President Barack Obama’s efforts.

His economic track record has come under renewed scrutiny as the race to replace him heats up. Republican front-runner Donald Trump has called the economy “already reasonably crippled.”

Obama, in a recent New York Times interview, argued that his administration’s achievements are greater than Americans recognize. He came into office during a severe crisis, and has had to deal with a radically obstructionist Congress.

Compared with other major advanced nations, the United States has recovered pretty well from the recession of 2008 and 2009. The Obama administration moved much faster than its counterparts in the euro zone for example, to recapitalize banks and to provide fiscal stimulus — actions that economists believe made a significant difference.

Read more: Bloomberg View