Obama spends 100th day in Arnold

The president spoke at Fox High School in Arnold.

By Pierce Courchaine

Published April 30, 2009

President Barack Obama stepped out of the White House and into the Show-Me State to commemorate his 100th day in office at an Arnold high school.

Obama spoke to the crowd gathered at Fox High School about his first 100 days and what he planned to do in the future. Obama addressed the economy, foreign affairs and the federal stimulus package, among other issues.

"Now, after 100 days, I am pleased with our progress, but I'm not satisfied," Obama said during the speech, which The Maneater obtained from a written transcript. "I'm confident in the future, but I am not content with the present -- not when there are workers who are still out of jobs, families who still can't pay their bills".

Obama specifically mentioned how his policies were affecting Missourians. He said the federal stimulus money would be used to create more than 20,000 jobs and support new infrastructure throughout the state.

Ever since President Franklin Roosevelt introduced his New Deal reforms in his first 100 days of office, political scientists and the public alike have analyzed the first 100 days of a presidency.

According to the Pew Research Center, Obama has a 63 percent approval rating at 100 days, which was the same as Jimmy Carter at this point in his presidency. Compared with recent presidents at the same point, Ronald Reagan had 67 percent, George H.W. Bush had 58 percent, Bill Clinton had 55 percent and George W. Bush had 56 percent. According to an Associated Press poll, independents had a much lower approval rating of Obama, with only 17 percent agreeing the country is heading in the right direction.

Reflecting on the accomplishments of the new president during this time period, MU College Republicans Chairman Brett Dinkins said Obama's work in foreign affairs was one of his biggest successes.

"He has begun to establish better relationships with foreign countries," Dinkins said.

MU College Democrats Chairman Brian Roach said the increase in global cooperation on issues facing the nation was one of Obama's biggest achievements.

"He's looking to repair the broken relationships around the world," Roach said.

The two chairmen had different opinions when it came to where the president had faltered.

Dinkins said he didn't agree with the closing of Guantanamo Bay, nor the funding provided to abortion clinics, and he said many of Obama's actions were short-term solutions to long-term problems.

Roach said he would like to see health care reform passed, and he said he wanted increased attention placed on the health care debate.

In addition to foreign policy and the economy in his speech, Obama discussed improving pay for deserving teachers and higher education affordability.

"Once kids get out of high school, making college affordable is absolutely critical," Obama said.

Dinkins said college students are struggling with tuition costs, and he said this was directly related to the economy.

"Every education issue can be tied back into the economy," Dinkins said.

Obama ended his address by looking ahead to the future.

"I want to warn you, there will be setbacks," Obama said. "It will take time. But I promise you I will always tell you the truth about the challenges that we face and the steps that we are taking to meet them. I believe that years from now we are going to be able to look back at this time as the moment when the American people once again came together to reclaim their future."