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Obama marks first 100 days with speech on prime-time TV
Paul Thompson28 Apr 2009
Barack Obama will mark his first 100 days in the White House by holding a press conference on prime-time television.
Although senior officials attempted to play down the significance of the event tomorrow, the US President plans to outline his accomplishments so far.
Buoyed by a 65 per cent approval rating, Mr Obama will use the occasion to impress on the American people the progress his administration has made in tackling the economic crisis and problems overseas.
The hour-long press conference will also be President Obama's opportunity to outline how he plans to steer the US to recovery from the worst slump since the Thirties.
He will also address the swine fever outbreak and preventative measures being taken by health authorities.
Aides say the President's first 100 days have been as productive as any since President Franklin D Roosevelt's in 1933, with the global financial crisis the defining challenge so far.
But they also admit the next 100 days could have an even greater impact on the first term of his presidency.
Over the next three months his middle-class tax cuts will begin to take effect and it will become much clearer if it has encouraged spending to boost the economy. Billions of dollars from the recovery plan will also become available, with the aim of creating two million jobs.
The Treasury Department will also hold the first auctions to purchase banks' "toxic assets".
Last month Mr Obama announced a public-private partnership to remove bad assets from the banks' balance sheets in an overhaul of the US financial system.
The success - or failure - of that effort will be crucial to the presidency, according to economists.
"The moment of truth is at hand," said Mr Obama's economic adviser Mark Zandi.
"We should see some benefit from the administration's policies in the next 100 days. If we don't, policymakers have to think about plan B - quickly."
Three of the US TV networks have agreed to show the press conference, the third this year, during the prime-time 9pm slot but Rupert Murdoch's Fox TV has decided against re-arranging its schedule.
Crime drama Lie to Me, starring British actor Tim Roth, will go out at 9pm as planned with ABC, NBC and CBS all agreeing to screen the Obama press conference.
Fox and its Right-wing hosts are among the most critical of President Obama and his policies.
Reader views (8)
Could Barack Obama love himself any more than he already does? It's like a 2 year old seeking attention.
- Alison, New York, NY, 29/04/2009 17:59
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what is Obama going to do aboutSOMALI PIRATES, I think he should recognise Somaliland, it is a new country which is located on the horn of Africa. Somaliland is the north of Somalia and and if he gave Somaliland a recognition he would be more successful at dealing with this issue instead of shooting the pirates on sight.
- Mahad, london, 29/04/2009 09:55
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Murdoch strikes again. I suppose they would have us believe it is "just business" that Fox will not air Obama's speech. Sure tired of all the politics in the media.
- Pat Stanco, Novato, CA, 29/04/2009 03:05
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Hey, Virginia, give me a break! No bias? There isn't a non-conservative they have on who is even allowed to speak.
Rob, at least he can read. Not like the last guy.
London Eye, he'd never keep a job at IHOP.
Wake up. Evolve.
- John, Centreville, VA, 29/04/2009 01:34
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He makes me want to vomit.
- Frank, ex-England, 29/04/2009 00:46
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Fox News is broadcasting the President's prime time speech - it is the local Fox networks that will be airing their regular programming; thus allowing the public to have a choice. Fox covers the President’s numerous daily speeches and has representatives from both sides of the issues that are being covered. I live in the States and it is the only network that presents both sides without bias. I’ve seen the hosts ask probing questions of both sides requiring the representatives to make their case. That, I believe, is known as responsible reporting.
- Virginia, Houston, TX, 28/04/2009 17:04
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is it just me or does Obama appears to have a speach for all occassions
oh Lord does he waffle or what??
- London Eye, uk, 28/04/2009 13:12
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I hope the teleprompter is ready. Best have a couple of spares on standby...
- Rob, Canary Wharf, 28/04/2009 10:49
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