Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia TomDispatch Blog #2 JULI KansasCity.com : Kansas City breaking local news, sports, entertainment, business Talking Points Memo | Breaking News and Analysis Obama’s Second Inaugural Speech MR. OBAMA: Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Today we continue a never-ending journey, to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. For more than two hundred years, we have. Through blood drawn by lash and blood drawn by sword, we learned that no union founded on the principles of liberty and equality could survive half-slave and half-free. Together, we determined that a modern economy requires railroads and highways to speed travel and commerce; schools and colleges to train our workers. It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began.
BuzzFlash - Daily Headlines and Breaking News | Progressive News and Commentary with an Attitude Former Wall Street Goldman Sachs executive Nomi Prins is back with a thoroughly documented historical account of how DC and financial barons are locked at the hip. Accessible and compelling: Buy directly from Truthout by clicking here. Obama in Strong Position at Start of Second Term Support for Compromise Rises, Except Among Republicans Overview As he prepares for his second inauguration, Barack Obama is in a stronger position with the public than he was over much of his first term. At 52%, his job approval rating is among the highest since the early months of his presidency. His personal favorability, currently 59%, has rebounded from a low of 50% in the fall campaign. Obama’s political advantage is enhanced by the poor standing of his Republican counterparts. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell are viewed more unfavorably than favorably. The Republican Party’s image, which reached a recent high of 42% favorable following the GOP convention this past summer, has fallen once again to a low of just 33%. While his personal image is strong, Obama’s current j0b rating is not high compared with other two-term presidents since World War II. Fully 82% say that Obama stands up for what he believes in; 75% said this a year ago. Other Important Findings
Obama Maintains Approval Advantage, but GOP Runs Even on Key Issues Two-Thirds Say Obama 'Fights Hard' for His Policies Overview President Obama continues to hold a substantial advantage over congressional Republicans in public regard. Obama’s job approval is back in positive territory at 51%, after slipping to 47% in March. Furthermore, a record-high 80% say Obama and Republican leaders are not working together to address important issues facing the country, and by nearly two-to-one (42%-22%) more blame Republican leaders than Obama for the gridlock. Despite GOP leaders’ poor job ratings, the Republican Party runs about even with the Democrats on leading issues such as the economy, immigration and gun control. The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center, conducted May 1-5 among 1,504 adults, finds that Republicans have particularly low regard for their party’s congressional leaders. As Obama works toward advancing his second-term agenda, the public is divided over whether he is someone who is able to get things done (49%) or not (46%).