Obama: We've Begun Remaking America

President Marks End Of 100 Days; Says He's "Pleased" With Progress But "Not Satisfied"

(CBS/AP)  President Barack Obama touted the accomplishments of his first 100 days in office, telling a Missouri town hall audience "we've begun to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off" and "we're working to remake America."

Still, the president added: "We've got a lot of work to do."

Appearing at the campaign-style event in Arnold, Mo., Mr. Obama told the crowd he was "pleased with the progress we've made but I'm not satisfied."

"I'm confident with the future but I'm not content with the present," the president added.

In office just three months, the Democrat enters the next phase of his new presidency with a high job approval rating and a certain amount of political capital from his history-making election last fall. But he also faces a thicket of challenges as he seeks to move ahead on multiple fronts both foreign and domestic amid recession and war. He will need continued public support to accomplish his lofty goals.

Thus, Mr. Obama used the anniversary - some aides derided it as a "Hallmark holiday" - to press his case.

He defended his ambitious, costly plan, saying: "These challenges could not be met with half measures. They couldn't be met with the same, old formulas. They couldn't be confronted in isolation. They demanded action that was bold and sustained."

Mr. Obama also took the opportunity to counter critics who said he's taking on too much, as he works to turn around the recession while revamping energy, education and health care in the United States.

"The changes we made are the changes we promised," Obama said. "We're doing what we said we'd do."

Mr. Obama began his day officially welcoming Sen. Arlen Specter, the veteran Pennsylvania Republican, into the Democratic party - a development the president said he was "grateful" for. Vice President Joe Biden, who had long encouraged his former Senate colleague to become a Democrat, also attended.

The president then left for the town hall meeting before planning to return to Washington in the afternoon to prepare for a prime-time news conference, his third since taking office.

Darrell West, director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution, said the White House is smart to try to take control of the message on the 100th day.

"It's always good to play offense," West said. "If you create a vacuum, someone else is going to fill it."

Spending at least part of his 100th day on the road is keeping in step with Mr. Obama's penchant for getting out of Washington. While debate raged on Capitol Hill over his massive economic stimulus bill, Mr. Obama took his case directly to the American people, holding town hall meetings in Indiana, Florida and Illinois. When Congress passed the bill, Mr. Obama opted out of a White House signing ceremony, choosing instead to sign the bill at a Colorado science museum.

Like most of the 12 states Mr. Obama has visited in his first 100 days, Missouri is politically important. A traditional bellwether in presidential elections, Missouri went to Mr. Obama's opponent, Republican John McCain, by just a few thousand votes in 2008. Not only will Mr. Obama be eyeing Missouri in 2012, but Democrats see an opportunity to pick up another Senate seat there in 2010 when long-serving Republican Sen. Christopher Bond retires.

Playing up to the crowd, the president told the crowd it was "great to be back in Middle America, where common sense reigns."

Fielding questions about the struggles of U.S. automakers, Mr. Obama said it isn't clear whether Chrysler LLC will be able to meet the government's Thursday restructuring deadline.

He urged Chrysler's bondholders to "make sacrifices" to help keep the company out of bankruptcy protection. Mr. Obama also said that the automaker's unions have made "enormous sacrifices, enormous sacrifices to try to keep the company going" and it is now up to Chrysler's creditors to do the same.

On education, President Obama said the U.S. must convince students it's "cool to be smart" as he expressed worry that the country is losing its love of learning.

Mr. Obama said that parents and communities can help foster that attitude by paying as much attention to science award winners as they do to basketball stars, for instance.

Mr. Obama's efforts to fix the nation's economy have drawn comparisons to President Franklin Roosevelt, who is largely responsible for the 100 days phenomenon. Roosevelt launched many of his New Deal programs during that period and, with backing from Congress, signed 15 major bills into law.

"There was a strong bipartisan effort in Congress to follow the president's lead," said David Woolner, senior vice president of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute.

Mr. Obama hasn't had that support. His biggest legislative accomplishment - the $787 billion economic stimulus bill - passed Congress with scant Republican backing.

Woolner said the political parties have changed since Roosevelt's day, making it difficult for presidents to achieve the same level of bipartisan support Roosevelt enjoyed. Still, he said, the first 100 days remains a relevant benchmark.

"Presidents who have been successful in this period have done a good job in setting an agenda for the coming years," Woolner said.

As the president spoke, the House on Wednesday adopted a $3.4 trillion budget outline that endorses much of his ambitious agenda while permitting the national debt to continue to spiral higher.

While a welcome victory for Democrats, the 233-193 House vote approving the House-Senate compromise budget is only a first, relatively easy step toward Mr. Obama's goal of providing health care coverage for all Americans. Next would come arduous negotiations among lawmakers, the Obama administration and a vast array of interest groups.

Not a single Republican voted for the measure; 17 Democrats, mostly from GOP-leaning districts, voted against it.

The Senate will vote on the measure Wednesday afternoon.

While Mr. Obama may lack bipartisan support, he reaches his 100th day with strong public backing. A CBS News/New York Times poll found that 68 percent of Americans approve of Mr. Obama's job performance and 41 percent believe the country is headed in the right direction. The "right direction" number is up 18 points since February and 34 points since October.

[american_11-2009]

Our government does more harm & is an more serious threat to American Citizens & the future of this Nation than any of the terrorist organizations or diseases like Mexican Swine flu!

Our Politicians keep telling us our Immigration laws are broken and we need an comprehensive solution, which are code words for Amnesty, our Immigration Laws are not broken, what is broken is our Political system when we elect Corrupt/Pandering politicians that puts votes ahead of American Citizens or the future of this Nation!

Our government fails the most basic and primary task of government, to protect this Nation and its Citizens from invasion and enforce its laws.

They refuse to abide by our Constitution, refuse to enforce our Immigration Laws and refuse to honor their Oath of Office!

Our Government, past & present, Republican & Democrat, have allowed the invasion of 20 to 40 million criminals and uneducated peons which is the largest invasion of any Nation, at any time, by any means & in direct violation of Article IV, Section IV of our Constitution. This refusal to abide by our Constitution or enforce our Immigration Laws should be classified as Treason of the most foul kind, & is grounds for impeachment & trials for Treason!

Not only have they allowed the invasion, they force American tax payers to pay Billions on Billions of dollars to provide Welfare, Prison cells, Educate the invaders numerous children, and free medical care, at the same time the invading horde break numerous laws and massive document fraud, & are destroying our schools, hospitals, communities, culture and standard of living while Robbing, Raping, Killing & Assaulting American Citizens at an rate the terrorist can only dream about.

Recent statements in Mexico from both President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary something needs to be done. "Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers, and civilians," she said.

But no mention or concern that their refusal to stop the Massive Invasion of Illegal Aliens pouring across our borders or enforce our immigration laws causes an estimated 25 Americans to be killed per day and 10,s of thousands victims of Assault, Robberies, Rapes, Identify thief, and other assorted crimes committed by the invading horde of Illegal Aliens from Mexico on American citizens each year!

Most of our Politicians in Wash. DC are wading knee deep in innocent American blood and suffering because they put Politics ahead of the welfare of American Citizens & the future of this Nation! The Welfare vote for the Democrats to further their Socialist Agenda and the Slave Labor for their Pay Masters in the Chamber of Commerce & Business for the Republicans & either party cares about the American Citizens paying the price for their ambitions!

This government & most of the Politicians in Wash. DC have for years demonstrated an complete lack of concern for the devastation and havoc caused by the Massive invasion from Mexico and South American, on American citizens! Indeed, most have worked much harder on the behalf of the invading horde than they have for the American citizens that elected them!

[omega39-2009]

Who runs the Teleprompter that tells Obama what to say?
Posted by hawksprings at

Wow, are you cons getting lazy or did you just exhaust your quiver of lies, smears and rumors?

[searingtruth]

I'd always hoped Obama would start rebuilding America by restoring the foundation of our nation, our Constitution.

But unfortunately Obama is simply saying one thing, and doing something completely different.

He has in fact not only continued to fight in court for the "right" to continue Bush's policies of secret prisons, illegal rendition without charge or representation, institutionalized torture and murder, and universal surveillance, but he is even attempting to expand his unconstitutional "powers" with a new novel and terrifying claim he calls "sovereign immunity".

Put simply, he has stated, as has been widely reported and fought against by Amnesty International and the ACLU, that he now has the "right" to spy on any US citizen he wishes so long as the illegal information gathered isn't disclosed to the public.

Which is one heck of a wicky-wacky Orwellian claim.

And civil libertarians trying to restore our constitutional government are aghast, and afraid.

Fellow citizens, the cult of personality that Obama has created is allowing him to commit horrific violations against our Constitution and rule of law so egregious that even Bush and his henchmen would not have forwarded them.

You can call Amnesty International and the ACLU to verify the truth of what I am saying, and here's a good link to a story about it:

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Obama_Administration_quietly_expands_Bushs_legal_0407.html

I had great hopes for Obama, but it turns out that he is truly the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing.

For our last great hope is doing the same as our last great tyrant.
ST


"We elected those who had stolen our freedom to restore it."
SearingTruth, March 2008

A Future of the Brave

[tincup356]

no he likes fish sticks
Posted by HoraceP-McTitties at 5:26 PM : Apr 29, 2009

...in his mouth
Posted by _LawyersGuns-n-Money_ at 5:30 PM : Apr 29, 2009 ........Must be a gay fish.

[democracy1]

Remaking America?
Into what?

A place where 80% of the population is on the government dole supported by the remaining 'rich' 20%?
A place where businesses are owned and run by the government?
A place where our leader bows to a king from a middle east Muslim country?
A place where our leader goes to Europe and apologizes for our country?

Just what is Obama remaking us into?
Posted by hawksprings at 5:52 PM : Apr 29, 2009


1. Did you ever consider that part of the reason that the rich are so rich is because they have most of the say in terms of who gets paid how much and that they are more (surprise!) willing to put the big money into their pockets while paying the rest of us pennies on the dollar?

Now there are many wealthy people that DO work hard to earn what they are paid. However, take as a case in point the CEOs of companies that tanked who still walked away with multi-million dollar bonuses (and this was occurring long before Obama got into office, so don't even bother to use that excuse.

Also how many times do you see a well-paid exec in your company show up at 11, take a 2 hour lunch and leave at 4? And then they take off Wednesdays to go golfing! Meanwhile, their assistants (who make about 10-20%) are the ones who are there at 7:30, eat at their desks and leave at 6 with work to take home.

2. Businesses are only having to deal with government interference if they are taking bailout money from the taxpayers. Don't you think that we should have the right to put some limits and contingencies on how they do business if we are pulling their buns out of the fire? Some of these businesses wouldn't have any "business" to run if it weren't for bailout funds. We therefore have a say in how they conduct their business, at least until they get back on their own feet.

3. Oh please! Get a life, Bushie was all kiss kissy and hand-holding with the Saudi and you never complained about THAT, hypocrite.

4. How do you construe anything Obama said in Europe as an "apology" for America as a country?

[cxa4466]

"Hope and Change"

renamed

"Change you cannot Fathom:"

[hawksprings]

Who runs the Teleprompter that tells Obama what to say?

[hawksprings]

Has Obama made it to all 57 states yet?

[kaylag04]

"Obama: We've Begun Remaking America"

A man of mixed race and a difficult upbringing makes a path to college and law school through hard work and dedication to his goals. He earns respect within his community and state. He becomes a United States Senator, successful author, and President of the United States. It appears that our President grew up in a unique and outstanding nation, where anyone can achieve anything by working to capitalize on talent and hard work. Can someone tell me what needs remaking? What needs "change"?

[hawksprings]

Remaking America?
Into what?

A place where 80% of the population is on the government dole supported by the remaining 'rich' 20%?
A place where businesses are owned and run by the government?
A place where our leader bows to a king from a middle east Muslim country?
A place where our leader goes to Europe and apologizes for our country?

Just what is Obama remaking us into?

[HoraceP-McTitties]

gravy pants where your sidekick biscuit boots

[julesarcher1]

Keep the train going.
Posted by julesarcher1 at 5:36 PM : Apr 29, 2009

Gravy train?
Posted by _LawyersGuns-n-Money_ at 5:42 PM : Apr 29, 2009


It's the love train. Coming to your house. Climb aboard. Barry White would be proud.

[HoraceP-McTitties]

when im alone in my room sometimes i stare at the wall, in the back of my mind i hear my conscience call,tellin me i need a girl as sweet as a dove..............name that tune

[julesarcher1]

Keep the train going.

[HoraceP-McTitties]

Come on, let Baggy decide...
Posted by gravypants at 5:32 PM

yall leave him alone his agent orange is actin up

[HoraceP-McTitties]

LMMFAO I was tryin to be subtle...
Posted by gravypants at 5:31 PM : Apr 29, 2009
+ report

uh..i wasnt

[HoraceP-McTitties]

...in his mouth
Posted by _LawyersGuns-n-Money_ at 5:30 PM : Apr

see we got at least 1 south park fan here

[HoraceP-McTitties]

Oh Bagdads...You're so inspirational, so inspiring...Piping hot gravy? Where da ya want it?
Posted by gravypants at 5:29 PM : Apr 29,

he wants a gravy pearl necklace

[julesarcher1]

. Allah akbar.Allah akbar.Allah akbar...
Posted by BaghdadsHere10 at 5:22 PM : Apr 29, 2009

Speaking in tongues, are we? Never figured you for a fundamentalist.
Posted by _LawyersGuns-n-Money_ at 5:26 PM : Apr 29, 2009


I think that was a line from Lawrence of Arabia.

[HoraceP-McTitties]

Although not a group, there's always Kanye.
Posted by _LawyersGuns-n-Money_ at 5:24 PM :


no he likes fish sticks