First 100 days of Barack Obama's presidency

The first 100 days of Barack Obama's presidency began on January 20, 2009, the day Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States. The first 100 days off a presidential term took on symbolic significance during Franklin D. Roosevelt's first term in office, and the period is considered a benchmark to measure the early success of a president. The 100th day of his presidency was April 29, 2009. Obama stated that he should not be judged just by his first hundred days: "The first hundred days is going to be important, but it’s probably going to be the first thousand days that makes the difference."[1]

For a chronological listing of 2009 events, see Timeline of the Barack Obama presidency (2009).

This article is part of
a series about
Barack Obama
Pre-presidency
President of the United States
Policies
Appointments
First term
Second term
Post-presidency
Barack Obama's Inauguration
Barack Obama was inaugurated at the United States Capitol on January 20, 2009.

Obama began to formally create his presidential footprint during his first 100 days.[2] Obama quickly began attempting to foster support for his economic stimulus package, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.[3] The bill passed in the House on January 28, 2009, by a 244–188 vote,[4] and it passed in the Senate on February 10 by a 61–37 margin.[5][6]

Obama's accomplishments during the first 100 days included signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 relaxing the statute of limitations for equal-pay lawsuits;[7] signing into law the expanded State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP); winning approval of a congressional budget resolution that put Congress on record as dedicated to dealing with major health care reform legislation in 2009; implementing new ethics guidelines designed to significantly curtail the influence of lobbyists on the executive branch; breaking from the Bush administration on a number of policy fronts, except for Iraq, in which he followed through on Bush's Iraq withdrawal of U.S. troops;[8] supporting the UN declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity; and lifting the 7½-year ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.[9] He also ordered the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, in Cuba, though it remains open, as well as lifted some travel and money restrictions to the island.[8]

At the end of the first 100 days 65% of Americans approved of how Obama was doing and 29% disapproved.[10] According to Gallup's First quarter survey in April, President Obama received a 63% approval rating. Gallup began tracking presidential approval ratings of the first quarters since Eisenhower in 1953. President Kennedy received the highest in April 1961 with a 74% rating. Obama's 63% is the fourth highest and the highest since President Carter with a 69%. President Reagan's first quarter had 60% approval in 1981, President George H.W. Bush with 57% in 1989, President Clinton with 55% in 1993, and President George W. Bush with 58% in 2001.[11]

Historical background

During the Great Depression, Roosevelt promised drastic initiatives within his first 100 days.[12] The New Deal legislation he got passed set a standard of action that subsequent presidents have been measured against. Although it has less significance, some analysts even make comparisons of the performances of presidents during their first 100 days of the second term.[12]

Obama and previous presidents have made statements that downplayed the significance of their first 100 days. John F. Kennedy once said his mission might never be accomplished: "All this will not be finished in the first hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin."[13]

Obama's first 100 days were highly anticipated after he became the apparent presumptive nominee.[14] In his first 60 Minutes post-election interview Obama said that he had been studying Roosevelt's first 100 days.[15] Understanding the significance and symbolism of the first 100 days, Hillary Clinton's campaign strategy included mapping out a first 100 days plan.[16]

While Barack Obama began preparation for his first 100 days during the presidential transition following his election,[17] he stated that America only has one president at a time, especially for issues related to international affairs.[17] During the first hundred days in office presidents are highly scrutinised and heading into the period Obama's intention was to attempt to execute several plans that are going to be watched closely.[18][19]

Media coverage

Despite his attempt to downplay its significance, Obama's first 100 days were highly anticipated ever since he became the presumptive nominee.[14] Several news outlets, such as Fox News and CBS News, even created special portals dedicated to covering the subject.[20] Commentators particularly weighed in on challenges and priorities within the fields of domestic and foreign policy, on economic issues, and on the environment.[21][22][23][24] CNN listed a number of economic issues which "Obama and his team [would] have to tackle in their first 100 days", foremost among which was implementing a recovery package to deal with the then-ongoing financial crisis.[23][25] Even MSNBC.com, which didn't use portals, acknowledged the notability of Obama's first 100 days by including it in the titles of its stories.[26][27][28] On Obama's first day in office, BBC World Service released the results of an opinion poll of more than 17,000 people in 17 countries; it showed that 67% anticipated Obama would strengthen U.S. relations abroad, and 80% of Italians and Germans believed U.S. relations with the rest of the world would improve under Obama.[29]

Clive Stafford Smith, a British human rights lawyer, expressed hopes that Obama would close Guantanamo Bay detention camp within the time period.[22] In addition, there were speculations in Jakarta that he might return to his former home city within the first 100 days[30] after presidential aides announced his intention to hold a major foreign policy speech in the capital of an Islamic country.

The New York Times devoted a five-day series, which was spread out over two weeks, to anticipatory analysis of Obama's first hundred days. Each day a political expert's analysis was followed by freely edited blog postings from readers. The writers compared Obama's prospects with the situations of Franklin D. Roosevelt (January 16 and February 2, Jean Edward Smith),[31][32] John F. Kennedy (January 19 and February 10, Richard Reeves),[33][34] Lyndon B. Johnson (January 23, Robert Dallek),[35] Ronald Reagan (January 27, Lou Cannon),[36] and Richard Nixon (February 4, Roger Morris).[37]

Even political advocacy groups such as Amnesty International planned special strategies to leverage the strategic and political significance of the first 100 days; the group organized a 100 Days Campaign for human rights.[38]

Inauguration
Main article: First inauguration of Barack Obama

The first 100 days of the Presidency of Barack Obama began during the inauguration of Barack Obama with the conversion of Whitehouse.gov from the Bush Administration version to the Obama Administration version at 12:00 pm on January 20, 2009.[39] This was only the second presidential online portal transition.[40] At 12:01, White House Director of New Media Macon Phillips posted the website's first blog post with themes of "communication", "transparency" and "participation".[40][41]

Oath of Office
Obama retaking the oath of office on January 21, 2009

Article 2, Section 1, Clause 8 of the Constitution states: "Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:"[42] Then, Article Two of the United States Constitution sets out the language that should be used in the Oath of office of the President of the United States: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." The Vice President also has an oath of office, but it is not mandated by the Constitution and is prescribed by statute.[43]

During the inauguration, there were two matters of controversy. First, although Obama constitutionally assumed the Presidency at noon on January 20, he did not complete the oath of office until 12:05 pm.[44][45] Clinton also completed the oath about five minutes late during his first inauguration.[44] Additionally, Obama and the administering official, Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts, did not execute the 35-word oath as prescribed by the United States Constitution. First, Obama jumped in before the "do solemnly swear" phrase, which seemed to throw the Chief Justice off his stride. Subsequently, Roberts moved the word "faithfully" back nine spots, and used "to" instead of "of." That threw the president off, and he smiled and paused to collect his thoughts, then decided to follow Roberts' lead. The flaw is recorded in the transcript of the oath as follows:[44][46][47]

Roberts: I, Barack Hussein Obama …
Obama: I, Barack …
Roberts: … do solemnly swear …
Obama: I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear …
Roberts: … that I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully …
Obama: … that I will execute …
Roberts: … the off – faithfully the pres – the office of president of the United States …
Obama (at the same time): … the office of president of the United States faithfully …

According to the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution, Section 1: "The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January". Thus, Bush had relinquished the Presidency at 12:00. According to the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution, Section 3: If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President,... if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified." By Article Two, Section 1, Clause 8 of the Constitution and Amendment 20, Some feel that Obama was not able to assume the Presidency until 12:05.[48] In fact, since Biden did not complete his oath until 12:01, there was further speculation as to who was President for the first minute after Bush relinquished control.[48]

Several political and constitutional law experts questioned whether Obama was officially the president since he had not correctly performed the constitutional duty of the Oath.[45] The following day at about 7:35 pm the White House,[49] Roberts re-administered the oath in an act that White House Counsel Greg Craig described as stemming from "an abundance of caution," to quell any concerns that the President may not have been properly sworn in.[42] Both Calvin Coolidge and Chester Arthur retook the oath under similar circumstances.[42]

Administration and Cabinet
Main articles: Confirmations of Barack Obama's Cabinet, Barack Obama Supreme Court candidates, and List of federal judges appointed by Barack Obama
The Obama Cabinet
OfficeNameTerm
PresidentBarack Obama2009–2017
Vice PresidentJoe Biden2009–2017
Secretary of StateHillary Clinton2009–2013
John Kerry2013–2017
Secretary of the TreasuryTimothy Geithner2009–2013
Jack Lew2013–2017
Secretary of DefenseRobert Gates*2006–2011
Leon Panetta2011–2013
Chuck Hagel2013–2015
Ash Carter2015–2017
Attorney GeneralEric Holder2009–2015
Loretta Lynch2015–2017
Secretary of the InteriorKen Salazar2009–2013
Sally Jewell2013–2017
Secretary of AgricultureTom Vilsack2009–2017
Secretary of CommerceGary Locke2009–2011
John Bryson2011–2012
Penny Pritzker2013–2017
Secretary of LaborHilda Solis2009–2013
Tom Perez2013–2017
Secretary of Health and
Human Services		Kathleen Sebelius2009–2014
Sylvia Mathews Burwell2014–2017
Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development		Shaun Donovan2009–2014
Julian Castro2014–2017
Secretary of TransportationRay LaHood2009–2013
Anthony Foxx2013–2017
Secretary of EnergySteven Chu2009–2013
Ernest Moniz2013–2017
Secretary of EducationArne Duncan2009–2016
John King Jr.2016–2017
Secretary of Veterans AffairsEric Shinseki2009–2014
Bob McDonald2014–2017
Secretary of Homeland SecurityJanet Napolitano2009–2013
Jeh Johnson2013–2017
Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency		Lisa Jackson2009–2013
Gina McCarthy2013–2017
Director of the Office of
Management and Budget		Peter Orszag2009–2010
Jack Lew2010–2012
Sylvia Mathews Burwell2013–2014
Shaun Donovan2014–2017
United States Trade RepresentativeRon Kirk2009–2013
Michael Froman2013–2017
Ambassador to the United NationsSusan Rice2009–2013
Samantha Power2013–2017
Chair of the
Council of Economic Advisers		Christina Romer2009–2010
Austan Goolsbee2010–2011
Alan Krueger2011–2013
Jason Furman2013–2017
Administrator of the
Small Business Administration		Karen Mills**2009–2013
Maria Contreras-Sweet2014–2017
Chief of StaffRahm Emanuel2009–2010
William M. Daley2011–2012
Jack Lew2012–2013
Denis McDonough2013–2017
*Retained from previous administration
**Elevated to cabinet-level in January 2012

Twenty-two members of the Obama administration are either in the United States Cabinet (15) or are in positions considered to be Cabinet-level (7) and must be confirmed by the current Senate. The members of the Cabinet are the heads of the fifteen major departments (State, Defense, Justice, etc.), and the seven cabinet-level positions are the Vice President, White House Chief of Staff, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador to the United Nations, and Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.[50] Since Robert Gates was a member of the previous administration, his letter of resignation (a formality at the end of a President's term) was simply not accepted, and he did not need confirmation.[51] On January 19, 2009, Senate Democratic leaders requested fifteen of the twenty-two positions to be ratified by unanimous consent,[52] and seven gained unanimous confirmation by voice vote the next day: Ken Salazar, Steven Chu, Arne Duncan, Peter Orszag, Eric Shinseki, Tom Vilsack, and Janet Napolitano.[51][53] On January 21, Obama presided over the swearing in of the seven unanimous nominees.[54] Later that day, the Senate confirmed Hillary Clinton by a 94–2 vote.[51][55] On January 22, several more confirmations were approved unanimously: Susan E. Rice, Ray LaHood, Lisa P. Jackson, and Shaun Donovan.[51][56] On January 26, the Senate confirmed Timothy Geithner by a 60–34 margin,[57] and Holder was confirmed on February 2 by a 75–21 margin.[58] Of the 31 nominations that Obama has made to senior posts only 17 were approved in January.[59]

Unanimous Cabinet Confirmations
Left to right: Salazar, Vilsack, Duncan, and Chu were unanimous Inauguration Day confirmations.

At the conclusion of Obama's first week as President, Hilda Solis, Tom Daschle, Ron Kirk, and Eric Holder had yet to be confirmed, and there had been no second appointment for Secretary of Commerce.[60] Republicans were also delaying Solis's confirmation due to a perceived lack of transparency.[60] Holder was later confirmed by a vote of 75–21 on February 2,[61] and on February 3, Obama announced Senator Judd Gregg as his second nomination for Secretary of Commerce, since Bill Richardson had withdrawn amid a grand jury investigation into a state contract awarded to his political donors.[62] Daschle withdrew later that day amid controversy over his failure to pay income taxes and potential conflicts of interest related to the speaking fees he accepted from health care interests.[63] On February 12, Judd Gregg withdrew his nomination as Secretary of Commerce, citing "irresolvable conflicts" with President Obama and his staff over how to conduct the 2010 census and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.[64][65] On February 24, Solis was confirmed by an 80–17 vote.[66][67]

The same day rumours abounded that former Democratic two-term Washington governor Gary Locke would be named as the third Obama Commerce Secretary nominee.[68][69][70] Locke was formally nominated on February 26,[71] and was confirmed on March 24 by voice vote.[72]

Left to right: Shinseki and Napolitano were Inauguration Day unanimous confirmations. LaHood and Donovan were confirmed unanimously two days later.

On March 2, Obama introduced Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius as his second choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services. He also introduced Nancy-Ann DeParle as head of the new White House Office of Health Reform, which he suggested would work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services.[73] Ron Kirk was confirmed on March 18 by a 92–5 vote in the Senate.,[74] and by the end of March, Sebelius was the only remaining Cabinet member yet to be confirmed.[72]

By comparison, Bill Clinton only had one outstanding Cabinet confirmation at the end of his first day in office and George W. Bush had all but one approved before February 1, 2001. Ronald Reagan had twelve of thirteen Cabinet members confirmed before February 1, and Jimmy Carter had all eleven of his confirmed. George H. W. Bush only had seven of thirteen confirmed by this time.[60] Whereas his predecessors had to trade favours for contentious approvals such as Zoe Baird (Clinton), John Tower (G.H.W. Bush), or John Ashcroft (G.W. Bush), Obama has largely focused on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a proposed economic stimulus package totalling nearly $1 trillion.[60]

Cabinet nominations

During the presidential transition between the election and the inauguration, Obama named Bill Richardson to be his Commerce Secretary. Richardson withdrew his nomination on January 5 because of scrutiny regarding a pay to play scandal in which he was being investigated because his donors curiously received a lucrative transportation contract.[75] On February 3, Obama announced the nomination of Republican Judd Gregg in his place.[76][77]

Cabinet Confirmations
Left to right: Clinton, Geithner, and Holder were controversial confirmations during the first two weeks.

Tom Daschle was Obama's original nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary. However, he owed over $128,000 in taxes over three years, failed to report more than $83,000 in consulting fees in 2007, and owed $12,000 in interest and penalties. He also provided insufficient documentation for $15,000 of the $276,000 in charitable contributions that he and his wife, Linda, gave during the three-year period being studied by the panel. Daschle also had some miscommunications with his accountant on the $255,000 use of a luxury car service that was used 80% for personal services. Daschle paid his back taxes six days before his first confirmation hearings with the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.[78] On February 3, The New York Times called the Daschle nomination into question both for his tax issues and for his extensive private sector work in the health services industry. The editorial noted that although Daschle was aware of his tax problem in June 2008, he did not correct it until his cabinet nomination.[79] Later that day, Daschle withdrew his nomination.[80]

Though Hillary Clinton was ultimately confirmed on January 21 by a 95–2 vote, with David Vitter (R-Louisiana) and Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) in dissent,[55] Senate Republicans slowed the process due to objections over the charitable activities of Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton.[55] John Cornyn (R-Texas) held up proceedings for a day to discuss this matter. Richard Lugar (R-Indiana), the ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, expressed an interest in President Bill Clinton's foundation reject foreign contributions to avoid possible conflict of interest. Sen. Clinton contended that the foundation's disclosure plans already exceeded legal requirements.

Cabinet Withdrawals
Left to right: Richardson, Daschle and Gregg were original Obama appointees who withdrew their nominations.

Timothy Geithner, who was nominated as Treasury Secretary, also encountered tax issues.[81] He apologised to the United States Senate Committee on Finance for having overlooked paying $34,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes earlier this decade.[82] The committee endorsed Geithner by an 18–5 margin with half of the ten Republicans opposing the nomination.[83] He was confirmed despite failure to pay a total of $43,000 in taxes and penalties, which troubled the Senate.[84]

Holder was endorsed by the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary by a 17–2 margin on January 28. Dissent on his confirmation centred on his support for some of Bill Clinton's controversial pardons and commutations of sentence.[85] Republican Cornyn had sought a pledge from Holder that he would not prosecute intelligence agents who participated in harsh interrogations, but Holder, who if confirmed will have to review Justice Department officials who may have violated the law for possible prosecution, refused to give such a pledge.[86]

Obama had nominated Nancy Killefer for the position of Chief Performance Officer, but Killefer withdrew on February 3 after it was revealed that she had failed to pay the unemployment compensation tax for a household employee for a period of 18 months.

Late Cabinet Confirmations
Left to right: Solis was confirmed on February 24 and Gary Locke was confirmed as the Commerce Secretary on March 24. Kathleen Sebelius was confirmed as the Health and Human Services Secretary on April 28. Sebelius was the last Cabinet nominee to be confirmed by the Senate.

The vote on Hilda Solis for Secretary of Labor had originally been scheduled for February 5, but she faced delayed confirmation hearings due to her pro-labor activities as a board member of American Rights at Work and because of $6,400 in unpaid tax liens against her husband's auto repair business.[87] Both Solis, who was uninvolved in the business, and her husband claimed not to have had any knowledge of the 16-year-old liens prior to their disclosure by a newspaper, and they paid it when notified.[88] Delays were however exacerbated due to Solis' perceived unresponsiveness to questions.[89] On February 11, the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions voted by voice vote to endorse Hilda Solis as the Labor Secretary,[88][89] with the only dissenting members of the 22-person committee Republicans Tom Coburn and Pat Roberts.[90] Solis was later confirmed on February 24.[91]

On February 12, Senator Judd Gregg withdrew his name from consideration as United States Commerce Secretary. Judd cited policy differences between himself and the Obama administration as his primary reasons and noted that unlike earlier withdrawals he was not having difficulties with the vetting process. He had reservations about the stimulus package and about the changes being made in the United States Census Bureau as his primary concerns.[64][92][93]

Gregg has a track record of opposing funding for the Census, that is highlighted by his tenure as the Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on the Budget. The Congressional Black Caucus and National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials both expressed disappointment at Gregg's nomination because the United States Department of Commerce oversees the Census. The White House subsequently said it take control of the 2010 United States Census, but then backpedaled saying that they would "work closely" with the United States Census Director. Republicans were alarmed by the foreshadowing of "backroom deals" by the White House and Rahm Emanuel.[94][95]

While pundits puzzled over U.S. Trade Representative-designate Ron Kirk's failure to be confirmed by March 2009, it was reported on March 2 that Kirk owed over $10,000 in back taxes. Kirk agreed to pay them in exchange for Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus's aid in speeding up the confirmation process;[96] he was later confirmed on March 18.[74]

On March 31, Kathleen Sebelius, Obama's nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, revealed in a letter to the Senate Finance Committee that her Certified Public Accountant found errors in her tax returns for years 2005–2007. She, along with her husband, paid more than $7,000 in back taxes, along with $878 in interest.[97]

Notable non-Cabinet positions

Appointees serve at the pleasure of the President and were nominated by Barack Obama except as noted.

1Appointed by George W. Bush in 2006 to a five-year term
2Appointed by George W. Bush in 2001 to a ten-year term

Policy

One of the first acts by the Obama administration after assuming control was an order signed by Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel that suspended all pending federal regulations proposed by outgoing President George W. Bush so that they could be reviewed. This was comparable to prior moves by the Bush Administration upon assuming control from Bill Clinton, who in his final 20 days in office issued 12 executive orders.[98]

Due to the economic crisis, the President enacted a pay freeze for senior White House staff making more than $100,000 per year.[99] The action affected approximately 120 staffers and added up to about a $443,000 savings for the United States government.[100]

Obama also announced stricter guidelines regarding lobbyists in an effort to raise the ethical standards of the White House.[101] The new policy bans aides from attempting to influence the administration for at least two years if they leave his staff. It also bans aides on staff from working on matters they have previously lobbied on, or to approach agencies that they targeted while on staff. Their ban also included a gift-giving ban.[102] However, one day later he nominated William J. Lynn III, a lobbyist for defence contractor Raytheon, for the position of Deputy Secretary of Defense.[103][104] Obama later nominated William Corr, an anti-tobacco lobbyist, for Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services.[105]

In his first week in office, President Obama signed an executive order suspending all the ongoing proceedings of Guantanamo military commission and ordering that the detention facility would be shut down within the year.[106][107][108] He also signed an order requiring the Army Field Manual to be used as guide for terror interrogations, banning torture and other illegal coercive techniques, such as waterboarding.[109] Obama also issued an executive order entitled "Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel," setting stricter limitations on incoming executive branch employees and placing tighter restrictions on lobbying in the White House.[110] Obama signed two Presidential Memoranda concerning energy independence, ordering the Department of Transportation to establish higher fuel efficiency standards before 2011 models are released and allowing states to raise their emissions standards above the national standard.[111] He also ended the Mexico City Policy, which banned funds to international groups that provide abortion services or counselling.[112][113]

In his first week he also established a policy of producing a weekly Saturday morning video address available on Whitehouse.gov and YouTube,[114][115][116] much like those released during his transition period.[117][118] The first address had been viewed by 600,000 YouTube viewers by the next afternoon.[119] The policy is likened to Franklin Delano Roosevelt's fireside chats and George W. Bush's weekly radio addresses.[118][119]

The first piece of legislation signed by Obama was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act on January 29, which promoted fair pay regardless of gender, race, or age. Lilly Ledbetter joined Obama and his wife, Michelle, as he signed the bill, fulfilling his campaign pledge to nullify Ledbetter v. Goodyear.[120]

On February 18, 2009, Obama announced that the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan would be bolstered by 17,000 new troops by summer.[121] The announcement followed the recommendation of several experts including Defense Secretary Robert Gates that additional troops be deployed to the strife-torn South Asian country.[122]

Nine days after his speech on Afghanistan, Obama addressed Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and outlined an exit strategy for the Iraq War. Obama promised to withdraw all combat troops from Iraq by August 31, 2010, and a "transitional force" of up to 50,000 counterterrorism, advisory, training, and support personnel by the end of 2011.[123]

On March 10, 2009, Barack Obama, in a meeting with the New Democrat Coalition, told them that he was a "New Democrat", "pro-growth Democrat", "supports free and fair trade", and "very concerned about a return to protectionism."[124]

On April 5, 2009, Barack Obama promoted the goal of a nuclear-free world.[125]

Policy review

The stimulus package passed in the House of Representatives on January 28 without a single Republican vote. The Republicans developed opposition without developing consensus on an alternative plan.[126] Conservatives who have been supportive of Obama have come out against the plan.[26] The Wall Street Journal has questioned whether the $825 billion package is well designed.[127] However, Duncan notes that one of the largest components, $140 billion earmarked for education, is well spent.[128] Christopher Dodd is credited with inserting the last-minute pay limit into American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The pay restrictions included prohibition of bonuses in excess of one-third of total salary for any company receiving any money from the plan and was retroactive to companies that received funds under Troubled Assets Relief Program. The limit was a significant alteration of the administration's plan and caught Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Economic Council Chairman Lawrence Summers by surprise.[129]

After Obama announced deadlines for the phased withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq, Congress broadly endorsed the president's plan and agreed to legislate the stated timetables, though some in the Democratic Party balked at the 50,000-head figure for the transitional force and many in the Republican Party criticised the deadlines' rigidity. Arizona Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee in the 2008 election, voiced support for his former rival's plan.[130]

Other notable events
Barack Obama preparing for his weekly address

On March 19, Obama became the first sitting president to appear on a late night talk show when he was a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[131] On April 2, Obama attended the G-20 London Summit. On April 17–19 he attended the 5th Summit of the Americas where he met Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, a longtime enemy of Washington, who shook his hand and gave him the book Las venas abiertas de América Latina (Open Veins of Latin America) of Eduardo Galeano while media was present.[132] On April 28, day 99 of Obama's presidency, Senator Arlen Specter (a former Democrat who switched to the Republican party in 1966) returned to the Democratic Party. Specter increased the Democratic senators to 59, one short of a filibuster-proof majority.[133] At the conclusion of the first 100 days, over 100 federal judgeships remained vacant.[134]

See also

References
  1. Reid, Tim (November 1, 2008). "Barack Obama lays plans to deaden expectation after election victory". The Times. London. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  2. "Jumping the gun". The Economist. The Economist Newspaper Limited. December 4, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2008.
  3. "Obama: 'Dramatic Action' Needed Now to Fix Economy". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 17, 2009. Retrieved January 17, 2009.
  4. Calmes, Jackie (January 28, 2009). "House Passes Stimulus Plan Despite G.O.P. Opposition". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  5. Phillips, Kate (February 10, 2009). "Senate Passes Stimulus Bill, 61-37". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  6. Ahrens, Frank (February 10, 2009). "Senate Passes Stimulus Bill, 61-37". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  7. "Obama Signs Equal-Pay Legislation". The New York Times. January 30, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
  8. King: Second 100 days will be bigger test for Obama, CNN, John King
  9. In First 100 Days, Obama Flips Bush Admin's Policies, ABC News, Huma Khan, April 29, 2009
  10. "At 100 Days, Obama Approval Broad as Well as Deep". Gallup.com. April 29, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  11. "Obama Averages 63% Approval in His First quarter". Gallup.com. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  12. Schuster, David (May 2, 2005). "First 100 days of the second term: President Bush has reached an important milestone". NBC News. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  13. Meacham, Jon (January 18, 2009). "How Will He Govern? Watch the First Day". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  14. Dorning, Mike (May 28, 2008). "Obama's priorities for first 100 days". The Swamp. Tribune Interactive. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  15. Chernus, Ira (December 16, 2008). "The First Hundred Days or the Last Hundred Days?". The LA Progressive. Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  16. "Clinton sketches her first 100 days agenda: Says Bush-Cheney era would be over in name and in practice on day one". NBC News. April 15, 2008. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  17. Shear, Michael D. (January 17, 2009). "Obama's "one president" gambit". Washington Post. Retrieved January 17, 2009.
  18. Cilizza, Chris (January 9, 2009). "Wag the Blog Redux: Obama's First 100 Days". Chicago Tribune. The Fix. Retrieved January 17, 2009.
  19. Greenberg, David (January 16, 2009). "Fearless Leader". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved January 17, 2009.
  20. Examples of "100 days"–portals:
  21. Hall, Ashley (January 21, 2009). "Domestic issues to dominate Obama's first 100 days in office". ABC Online, Australia. Retrieved January 21, 2009.
  22. Naughton, Philippe (January 21, 2009). "Barack Obama calls halt to Guantanamo trials". The Times. London. Retrieved January 21, 2009.
  23. Sahadi, Jeanne (January 20, 2009). "First 100 days: Obama's burden". CNN. Retrieved January 21, 2009.
  24. West, Larry (January 20, 2009). "Obama's First 100 Days: An Environmental Agenda for Obama's First 100 Days". About.com. Retrieved January 21, 2009.
  25. "The 44th President: First 100 days". CNNPolitics.com. Cable News Network. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  26. Montanaro, Domenico (January 30, 2009). "First 100 days: Selling the stimulus". MSNBC. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  27. Montanaro, Domenico (January 27, 2009). "First 100 days: Heading to the Hill". MSNBC. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  28. "First 100 days: Obama vs. Wall Street". MSNBC. January 30, 2009. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2003.
  29. Thomas, Archie (January 20, 2009). "World watches Obama inauguration: International audiences have mixed views". Variety. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  30. Murray, Lisa (January 22, 2009). "Jakarta schoolchildren cheer for the rise of a former student". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved January 21, 2009.
  31. Smith, Jean Edward (January 16, 2009). "How F.D.R. Made the Presidency Matter". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
  32. Smith, Jean Edward (February 2, 2009). "Obama, F.D.R. and Taming the Press". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  33. Reeves, Richard (January 19, 2009). "Kennedy's Words, Obama's Challenge". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
  34. Reeves, Richard (February 10, 2009). "Missile Gaps and Other Broken Promises". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  35. Dallek, Richard (January 23, 2009). "L.B.J., Obama and Reassuring a Worried Nation". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
  36. Cannon, Lou (January 27, 2009). "Obama's Reagan Transformation?". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
  37. Morris, Roger (February 4, 2009). "The President Behind the Mask". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  38. "100 Days Action!". Amnesty International USA. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2009.
  39. Schonfeld, Erick (January 20, 2009). "Whitehouse.gov Has A New Face, And a Blog". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  40. Vargas, Jose Antonio; Sarah Cohen (January 21, 2009). "Democracy Online: WhiteHouse.gov Turns the Page". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  41. Phillips, Macon (January 20, 2009). "Change has come to WhiteHouse.gov". Whitehouse.gov. White House. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  42. "Obama retakes oath of office after flub". NBC News. 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
  43. "Oath of office in the US : Title 5, 3331. Oath of office". Law.cornell.edu. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
  44. Mears, Bill (January 21, 2009). "Obama re-takes oath of office at the White House". Political Ticker. Cable News Network LP, LLLP. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
  45. Knowles, David (January 21, 2009). "Is Obama Really President After Oath Flub?". Political Machine. AOL, LLC. Archived from the original on March 25, 2009. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  46. "Obama, Chief Justice Roberts Stumble in Recitation of Presidential Oath: Chief Justice John Roberts officiated over his first inauguration Tuesday by swearing in President-elect Barack Obama as president of the United States". Fox News Network, LLC. January 20, 2009. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
  47. Montanaro, Domenico (January 20, 2009). "About That Oath Flub". MSNBC. Archived from the original on January 21, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
  48. Beaujon, Andrew (January 20, 2009). "Remember When Biden Was President?". Washington City Paper. Creative Loafing Media. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  49. "Obama retakes oath of office after Roberts' mistake". CNNPolitics.com. Cable News Network. January 22, 2009. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  50. Daniel Guarnera (December 19, 2008). "Obama's Cabinet Full ... Except for Drug Czar". Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  51. "The Obama Cabinet: Confirmations & Nominations". National Public Radio. January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  52. Rushing, J. Taylor (January 19, 2009). "Senate considers unanimous-consent on Obama Cabinet". The Hill. Capitol Hill Publishing Corp. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  53. "Senate confirms 7 Obama Cabinet nominees: Vote on Clinton delayed a day after Cornyn's objection". The Houston Chronicle. January 20, 2009. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
  54. Knowlton, Brian (January 21, 2009). "On His First Full Day, Obama Tackles Sobering Challenges". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  55. Meyer, Josh; Paul Richter (January 21, 2009). "Hillary Clinton confirmed for Cabinet, but Eric Holder delayed". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  56. Phillips (January 22, 2009). "More Obama Cabinet Nominees Confirmed". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  57. "Geithner confirmed, sworn in at Treasury: Obama cites urgency of acting quickly". Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. January 27, 2008. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  58. "Holder confirmed as attorney general". Cable News Network. February 2, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  59. Kamen, Al (February 2, 2009). "The Nomination Express, Stuck in First Gear". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  60. Weisman, Jonathan (January 24, 2009). "Delays in Cabinet Nominations Demonstrate GOP Resolve". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  61. Senate confirms Holder as first black AG
  62. Zeleny, Jeff (February 2, 2009). "Obama Set to Add Republican to Cabinet". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  63. Daschle withdraws as nominee for HHS secretary
  64. Kady, Martin II; Jonathan Martin (February 12, 2009). "W.H. 'blindsided' by Gregg withdrawal". The Politico. Capitol News Company LLC. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  65. Gregg withdraws nomination to become commerce secy
  66. Phillips, Kate (February 24, 2009). "Senate Confirms Solis as Labor Secretary". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  67. Fletcher, Michael A. (February 24, 2009). "Solis Confirmed as Labor Secretary". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  68. Baker, Peter (February 23, 2009). "Official Says Ex-Governor Is New Commerce Choice". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  69. Bandyk, Matthew (February 24, 2009). "What You Should Know About Gary Locke, Obama's Potential Commerce Secretary". U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News & World Report LP. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  70. Cillizza, Chris (February 24, 2009). "Locke Called Commerce Pick: Former Washington Governor Was a Clinton Supporter". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  71. Former Gov. Gary Locke nominated for Commerce secretary
  72. Wheaton, Sarah (March 24, 2009). "Locke Confirmed as Commerce Secretary". The New York Times. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  73. CQ Transcript: President Obama Announces Nomination of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to Head HHS
  74. Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk confirmed as US trade representative
  75. Mitchell, Andrea (January 6, 2009). "Richardson withdrawal leaves cabinet gap: New Mexico governor insists he will be cleared in a grand jury probe". NBC News. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  76. Bandyk, Matt (February 3, 2009). "Judd Gregg To Be Commerce Secretary, Stick Out Like Sore Thumb In Obama Cabinet". U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News & World Report LP. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  77. Bandyk, Matt (February 3, 2009). "Judd Gregg: The Anti-Commerce Secretary?". U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News & World Report LP. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  78. Connolly, Ceci, Paul Kane and Joe Stephens (January 31, 2009). "Daschle Owed Back Taxes That Exceeded $128,000". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved February 2, 2009.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  79. "Editorial: The Travails of Tom Daschle". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. February 3, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  80. Henry, Ed and Kristi Keck (February 3, 2009). "Daschle withdraws as HHS nominee". The 44th President: First 100 Days. Cable News Network. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  81. Obama's promise of ethics reform faces early test, International Herald Tribune, February 3, 2009
  82. Flaherty, Anne (January 22, 2009). "Senate confirms Clinton as secretary of state". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  83. "Geithner Gets Senate Committee Approval For Treasury". CNBC. CNBC, Inc. January 29, 2009. Archived from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  84. Cho, David (January 27, 2009). "Taking Office at Treasury, Geithner Vows Swift Action". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  85. "Senate set to confirm Holder as AG on Monday". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. January 29, 2009. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  86. Margasak, Larry (February 2, 2009). "Holder debate turns partisan". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved February 2, 2009.
  87. Tax problems delay vote on Hilda Solis, UPI Online, February 5, 2009
  88. Rhee, Foon (February 11, 2009). "Solis nomination clears committee". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  89. Fletcher, Michael A. (February 11, 2009). "Solis Nomination Sent to Full Senate". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  90. Allen, JoAnne (February 11, 2009). "Obama's labor nominee advances despite tax problem". Reuters. Thomson Reuters. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  91. political ticker
  92. Zeleny, Jeff (February 12, 2009). "Gregg Withdraws as Commerce Secretary Nominee". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  93. Murray, Mark; Ken Strickland (February 12, 2009). "Judd Gregg withdraws nomination". MSNBC. Archived from the original on February 14, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  94. "Gregg Withdrawal Complicates Plans for 2010 Census". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. February 13, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  95. "Political Fight Brewing Over Gregg, Census". WMUR-TV. Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc./The Associated Press. February 13, 2009. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
  96. Trade nominee Ron Kirk agrees to pay back taxes Archived March 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  97. Another Obama Nominee Has Tax Issues, CBS News, March 31, 2009
  98. "Obama halts all regulations pending review". Associated Press. January 20, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
  99. "Obama's first day: Pay freeze, lobbying rules". NBC News. January 21, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
  100. Kravitz, Derek (January 22, 2009). "Adding Up the White House Pay Freeze". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
  101. Memmott, Mark (January 21, 2009). "Obama freezing pay of top staff; signs ethics rules". USA Today. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
  102. Loven, Jennifer (January 21, 2009). "Obama freezes salaries of some White House aides". Yahoo! News. Yahoo! Inc./The Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 5, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
  103. "Obama breaks his own rule". CNN. January 23, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  104. Obama Nominee Runs Into New Lobby Rules, Washington Post, January 23, 2009
  105. "Promises, Promises: No lobbyists at WH, except ..." Associated Press. February 2, 2009. Archived from the original on February 5, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  106. Mazzetti, Mark; Glaberson, William (January 21, 2009). "Obama Issues Directive to Shut Down Guantánamo". NY Times. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  107. "Closure Of Guantanamo Detention Facilities". Whitehouse.gov. January 22, 2009. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved January 27, 2009.
  108. "Obama signs order to close Guantanamo in a year". USA Today. January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2009.
  109. Obama Reverses Key Bush Security Policies, The New York Times, January 22, 2009
  110. "Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel". Whitehouse.gov. White House. Archived from the original on June 23, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2009.
  111. "From Peril to Progress". Whitehouse.gov. White House. January 26, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
  112. "Obama ends funding ban for abortion groups abroad". Reuters. January 23, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  113. Obama reverses Bush abortion-funds policy January 23, 2009
  114. "President Barack Obama's Weekly Video Address". Whitehouse.gov. White House. January 24, 2009. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
  115. "Official White House YouTube Channel". YouTube, LLC. January 24, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
  116. Baker, Peter (January 24, 2009). "In Effort to Build Support, Obama Details Stimulus Plan". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
  117. Bleeker, Andrew (November 15, 2008). "Your Weekly Address from the President-elect". Change.gov. The Office of the President-elect. Archived from the original on January 26, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
  118. Vargas, Jose Antonio (November 14, 2008). "The YouTube Presidency". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
  119. Rutenberg, Jim; Adam Nagourney (January 25, 2009). "Melding Obama's Web to a YouTube Presidency". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
  120. "A Wonderful Day". Whitehouse.gov. White House. January 29, 2009. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
  121. Hodge, Amanda (February 19, 2009). "Obama launches Afghanistan surge". The Australian. Archived from the original on February 19, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2009. (If you receive a 403 "forbidden" error using the previous link, try this one instead)
  122. "Gates: More Troops For Afghanistan". The New York Post. January 27, 2009.
  123. "Obama outlines Iraq pullout plan". BBC News. February 27, 2009. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
  124. Obama: 'I am a New Democrat'
  125. Obama promotes nuclear-free world April 5, 2009
  126. Barabak, Mark Z.; Janet Hook (January 30, 2009). "Republicans lack a party line on economy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  127. "A 40-Year Wish List: You won't believe what's in that stimulus bill". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, Inc. January 28, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  128. Quaid, Libby (January 29, 2009). "Education chief: Schools crucial to recovery". New York Post. NYP Holdings, Inc. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  129. Solomon, Deborah; Mark Maremont (February 14, 2009). "Bankers Face Strict New Pay Cap: Stimulus Bill Puts Retroactive Curb on Bailout Recipients; Wall Street Fumes". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company. p. A1.
  130. Flaherty, Anne (February 28, 2009). "Consensus emerges in Congress for Obama Iraq plan'". Associated Press.
  131. The Associated Press: Maria Shriver: Obama Special Olympics 'joke' hurts
  132. "Story". The StarPhoenix. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  133. "Statement by Senator Arlen Specter". Specter 2010 Election website. Citizens for Arlen Specter. April 28, 2009. Archived from the original on May 1, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  134. Cholke, Sam. "DuSble Forum reflects on Obama's 100 days". Hyde Park Herald. p. 12.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.