"Speaking to Oprah Winfrey, President Obama gave himself a 'good solid B+' for his first eleven months in office. Talking Points is not surprised by Mr. Obama's posture; he's always been a confident man who believes he is fighting the good fight. But the president has to know that many Americans are losing confidence in his administration. The latest Rasmussen daily tracking poll says that 42% of American voters 'strongly disapprove' of the president's job performance. In addition, 52% of Americans now say that global warming is not caused by human activity, so another big Obama cause is sliding. On '60 Minutes,' the president expressed anger with 'fat cat bankers on Wall Street.' The Obama administration wants more regulation over banking and financial transactions. In theory that sounds good, but remember the Barney Frank/Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac debacle. The feds do not have a great track record in the financial arena. It is important to be fair to Barack Obama, who has done some things correct. However, two huge problems loom - out-of-control spending and the Iranian nuclear threat. Those issues, along with the health care chaos, will most likely define Barack Obama in 2010."

The Factor welcomed former Bush advisor Karl Rove, who was unsurprisingly critical of President Obama's tenure. Rove's presidential report card looked like this: Economy, C-: "The economy is going to come out of recession," Rove declared. "The question is whether the president's policies impeded or sped up the recovery, and I think they impeded it." Afghanistan, B-: "He did the right thing, but it took him too long and he was too cute about it." Foreign policy, C: "He hasn't changed the relationships with North Korea, Iran, Russia or Europe. They're happy to have him around but they don't seem to respect him." Rove also gave President Obama a D- when it comes to keeping promises. "This is a guy who ran as a centrist and said he would control spending, but he has governed from the very far left wing of his Democratic Party. But I would give him an A- in personal behavior; he has been a good example of what we would like to see in our chief executive."

Fox News political analyst Brit Hume also graded the president, beginning with temperament: "I'd give him an A," Hume said. "I think he has a superb temperament for the job and an extraordinarily appealing personality, although he continues to blame his predecessor for all that isn't going right." Hume was far less generous in other aspects of the Obama presidency. "On foreign policy, I'd give him an incomplete. His 'apology tour' didn't work very well, and we're now beginning to see signs that he may recognize the unique role that America plays in the world. And on domestic policy I give him a D. The principle issue confronting this president when he took office was the condition of the economy, and the $787 billion stimulus package was one of the most reckless pieces of legislation I've ever seen." The Factor disagreed with Hume's assessment of President Obama's persona. "I'd give him a C+ on temperament - he's a guy who really takes it personally when you criticize his policies."

After actor William Shatner mockingly recited passages from Sarah Palin's new book on "The Tonight Show," Palin herself strolled on stage and - to the delight of the audience - read sections of Shatner's book. Using that winning TV appearance as an example of Palin's appeal, The Factor offered this exposition: "The far left would have you believe that Governor Palin is some kind of bumpkin, a woman with little frame of reference in the real world. But it's obvious that the governor wins most of the battles she wages. Even though the media is again trying to run her down, her book is a fabulous success. Sarah Palin would now be wise to figure out exactly how to exploit the momentum. If she considers herself a viable presidential candidate in 2012, she'll have to start raising money and raising awareness of her belief system. But no matter what happens, Sarah Palin has once again trumped the liberal media that despises her."

Fox News analysts Mary Katharine Ham and Juan Williams entered the No Spin Zone and evaluated Sarah Palin's future. "She's an extremely charismatic, popular and powerful figure," Ham declared. "I think she'll give speeches, she'll raise money for folks, and she's positioned herself as a 'validator-in-chief' for right-of-center activists. Her approval numbers keep going up, even with independents." Williams suggested that Palin's popularity and power will be tested next year. "She's a celebrity, and she is like catnip for white male Republicans. But we're going to know the real take on Sarah Palin in 2010 - if she backs candidates and her candidates win, she will be bigger than she is today." The Factor used book sales to illustrate Palin's appeal: "All of my books have sold more than a million copies, but I had to work it. She sold more than a million copies in three weeks! The folks like Sarah Palin."

Late-night comedians have taken off the gloves and are regularly getting laughs at President Obama's expense. The Factor welcomed comedy writer Buddy Winston, who compared the treatment of Presidents Bush and Obama. "Bush was ridiculed," Winston said, "while Obama is being taken to task. And the floodgates aren't open yet - people are making fun of him, but this is just the beginning." The Factor pointed out that most TV comics lean to the left: "You don't have any conservative comedians, there is no one who would get indignant about a $12 trillion debt."

The Factor began Check with the stunning decline in Tiger Woods' public image: "According to a Washington Post poll, 42% of Americans now view him favorably - in 2005, his favorability was at 85%." Larry Summers, one of President Obama's top economic advisors, has declared the recession over, but advisor Christina Romer forcefully disagreed. The Factor's Check: "Confused? Let me clear it up: We are still in a recession, but things are improving a bit." The Factor added this Check about his beef with "Law & Order" creator Dick Wolf: "Actor Michael Moriarty, who helped make the 'Law & Order' franchise a monster hit, is sticking up for me. He says the program 'is tumbling downhill into the ever-deeper waters of America-bashing.' I appreciate Michael watching my back."

Monday's Patriot: Writer Stephen King, who is footing the bill for 150 Maine National Guardsmen to come home for the holidays. And the Pinhead: Roseanne, who characterized Sarah Palin as "a slave to these right-wing men."

Nancy Terrell, New Iberia, LA: "Mr. O, you and Glenn Beck together make no sense whatsoever. Sorry."

Terry Barone, Rochester, MI: "Take a chill pill, Bill. Your extreme reaction to 'Law & Order' seemed ridiculous since the character that was spewing all the nonsense about Fox News was a bad guy."

Amy Barber, Garden City, NY: "My jaw nearly dropped when I saw that 'Law & Order' segment. If I needed another reason to dismiss NBC, I have one."