Since January 20, 2009, Americans have kept a watchful eye on President Obama. Political affiliations aside, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents have all been curious as to how our new president would live up to the tremendous expectations put before him. Upon completion of his first one hundred days in office, President Barack Obama's approval rating has been high despite being forced to face a United States economic recession, Middle Eastern military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the uncertainty that lies with both North Korea and Iran.

The Associated Press recently conducted a poll stating that President Obama's approval rating was 64 percent during his first one hundred days in office. A point to note here is that George W. Bush's approval rating was in the mid fifty percentile during his first 100 days of the Presidency. So, on paper at least, Mr. Obama is outperforming his predecessor.

The polls are split as to whether American's believe that the country is headed down the right road to prosperity. Despite being thrown into the losing side of a battle, Mr. Obama has shown tremendous perseverance, and is truly trying to deliver on campaign promises that he has made. Regardless of political party, most would say that the first one hundred days have been successful to say the least.

Several notable changes have happened during Barack Obama's first one hundred days of the United States Presidency. On January 22, 2009 he issued an order to initiate the closure of Guantanamo Bay prison. On February 17, 2009 he signed the Economic Stimulus Package into law, promising to devote $25 million of the package towards the "No Child Left Behind" fund.

Mr. Obama's approval rating has remained solid even though he has broken some promises, which include not raising taxes on non-affluent Americans (the poor). The recent Tobacco tax increase is believed to affect the poor in a negative manor. During his campaign, Mr. Obama had made promises not to sign a non-emergency bill, prior to the American people having ample time to review, but has since signed a bill that will give workers more time to sue their employers for pay discrimination. He has however, lived up to the majority of his campaign promises, which shows through his high approval rating.

Barack Obama has promised to end the Iraq War, which is materializing. Every day, more U.S. troops are coming home, as the Iraqi forces use their U.S. military training to stand on their own. The president has also tried to reach out to countries that have been previously critical of the United States, such as Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela. Recently he signed into law the cash for clunkers program, which was designed to remove less fuel efficient vehicles, and improve the overall quality of the environment.

Whether you like or dislike President Obama, his recent accomplishments have definitely reassured his campaign promise "Change".

[ EDIT (Mic à titre de validation au CMAQ)
* placed in Analysis not Communiqués (which means Press Releases)]