Spring Break
First 100 days have started to change America
Brandon Southward
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Forum
Today marks the 100th day of the Obama presidency. While this day is grossly overrated and normally is just a reason for the media to feel special by handing out their report cards, the Obama administration is playing along, holding a primetime press conference and a town hall meeting.
I will play along now, too, and offer my thoughts on Obama's first hundred days.
The clear message Obama wanted to send in his first hundred days was that a new era of foreign policy was here and the age of Obama had begun. Whether discussing Iran, Russia or outreach to the Muslim world, change has come to American foreign policy.
Obama has done more outreach to the Muslim world than any of his predecessors. His first interview as president was not granted to an American or western outlet but to Al-Arabiya, a moderate Muslim TV station broadcasted across the Middle East. In Turkey, Obama eloquently and candidly spoke of the relationship between America and Muslims and reiterated that America will never be at war with Islam.
On Russia, Obama has declared it a new beginning and at the G-20 Summit earlier this year, Russian president Medvedev and Obama agreed to work on arms reduction. They vowed to work together on important issues, especially terrorism and have agreed to visits with each other; Obama will be traveling to Moscow later this summer.
On Iran, Obama has stated time and time again that talks are needed with countries we don't like and there seems to be some hope Iran might be ready to play ball.
The public seems to be on board with Obama's foreign policy message. A Washington Post-ABC News poll shows an overwhelming majority of Americans agree with the new foreign policy Obama has laid out. 71 percent of Americans approve of his handling of Iraq while 67 percent approve of his handling of international affairs.
Obama has faced more polarizing results with economics. On the stimulus package, he received only three Republican votes in the Senate, no votes in the House of Representatives and no Republican support on his budget. On the domestic side, Obama has called for reform everywhere, from energy to education, and even the third rail of politics: our social security system.
I will play along now, too, and offer my thoughts on Obama's first hundred days.
The clear message Obama wanted to send in his first hundred days was that a new era of foreign policy was here and the age of Obama had begun. Whether discussing Iran, Russia or outreach to the Muslim world, change has come to American foreign policy.
Obama has done more outreach to the Muslim world than any of his predecessors. His first interview as president was not granted to an American or western outlet but to Al-Arabiya, a moderate Muslim TV station broadcasted across the Middle East. In Turkey, Obama eloquently and candidly spoke of the relationship between America and Muslims and reiterated that America will never be at war with Islam.
On Russia, Obama has declared it a new beginning and at the G-20 Summit earlier this year, Russian president Medvedev and Obama agreed to work on arms reduction. They vowed to work together on important issues, especially terrorism and have agreed to visits with each other; Obama will be traveling to Moscow later this summer.
On Iran, Obama has stated time and time again that talks are needed with countries we don't like and there seems to be some hope Iran might be ready to play ball.
The public seems to be on board with Obama's foreign policy message. A Washington Post-ABC News poll shows an overwhelming majority of Americans agree with the new foreign policy Obama has laid out. 71 percent of Americans approve of his handling of Iraq while 67 percent approve of his handling of international affairs.
Obama has faced more polarizing results with economics. On the stimulus package, he received only three Republican votes in the Senate, no votes in the House of Representatives and no Republican support on his budget. On the domestic side, Obama has called for reform everywhere, from energy to education, and even the third rail of politics: our social security system.
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