NAFTA

President Obama says he wants to double U.S. exports in five years as part of his plan to generate new jobs. It is an admirable and ambitious goal, but, to put it mildly, many trade experts are not buying it.

The last time the United States doubled its trade it took three times as long. From 1994 to 2009, according to Department of Commerce data, the value of U.S. exports of goods and services increased 97 percent.

In the midst of the swine flu outbreak, President Obama heeded the advice of his health officials and did not close the U.S. border with Mexico. "From their perspective, it would be akin to closing the barn door after the horses are out," he said in a press conference commemorating his 100th day in office.