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Obama diary: The first 100 days Obama diary: The first 100 days
(about 2 hours later)
Barack Obama was elected on a message of change. Now he is in office, change is expected both in foreign and domestic policy. Here the BBC's team in Washington tracks developments in the first 100 days of the Obama presidency.Barack Obama was elected on a message of change. Now he is in office, change is expected both in foreign and domestic policy. Here the BBC's team in Washington tracks developments in the first 100 days of the Obama presidency.
MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY DAY 21MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY DAY 21
1330 EST Indiana town hall meeting
Richard Lister: President Obama is back on the campaign trail trying to re-build public momentum for the stimulus package after a week dominated by Republican criticisms of it.
There was no talk today of "changing the tone" in Washington, or reaching out to Republicans - quite the opposite in fact. He again lambasted the "failed ideas" which he said created the current crisis.
He made clear that the audience hadn't been screened and he would take any questions - something that was potentially risky in the county with the highest unemployment rate in America. In the end, he took eight questions - and none of them directly criticised the stimulus bill.
The president said little that was new, but round one of this week's PR battle was his. He was able to use the event to send a message to his Congressional opponents: I won the election, I have the country behind me - get over it.
He also hinted that the Congressional battle was not over - despite having won sufficient Republican support to get this bill through.
He made clear he didn't like the education cuts in the bill that brought those Republican Senators on board, and would fight to get them back in before the final bill comes to his desk.
1200 EST Obama on the road1200 EST Obama on the road
Kevin Connolly: A quick thought on language. American politicians and the media have settled into the habit of referring to the various economic plans being considered on Capitol Hill as "stimulus programs".
The White House, sensing that Americans are wearying of all the gloomy talk of recession, prefers to speak of "reinvestment and recovery packages".
It's worth bearing in mind that what they're all talking about are all really variations on a conventional scheme - borrowing large amounts of money to increase government spending - both directly and in subsidies to the private sector.
That borrowing is being undertaken by a country with a growing budget deficit and a colossal national debt. That's not to say the strategy won't work - merely a reminder of the stark reality behind the political rhetoric.
These are desperate times in America, and they're certainly getting desperate measures
Adi Raval: I'm here in Elkhart, Indiana where President Obama is holding a "campaign style" town hall meeting with residents to try to sell his fiscal stimulus package. The pressure is clearly on the White House to help the likely Senate version marry up with the House version.Adi Raval: I'm here in Elkhart, Indiana where President Obama is holding a "campaign style" town hall meeting with residents to try to sell his fiscal stimulus package. The pressure is clearly on the White House to help the likely Senate version marry up with the House version.
So Mr Obama will hold two other events just like this one in economically hard-hit areas of America.So Mr Obama will hold two other events just like this one in economically hard-hit areas of America.
Elkhart has an unemployment rate above 15%. Some people waiting outside told me they want to hear exactly how the package will lead to more jobs in this area.Elkhart has an unemployment rate above 15%. Some people waiting outside told me they want to hear exactly how the package will lead to more jobs in this area.
Tom Kavanagh, who runs Job Works, an organisation that helps the unemployed, gives the president "much credit for coming to a typically Republican area" but what he is concerned about is how long the stimulus package will take to create jobs.Tom Kavanagh, who runs Job Works, an organisation that helps the unemployed, gives the president "much credit for coming to a typically Republican area" but what he is concerned about is how long the stimulus package will take to create jobs.
Some Republicans have organized a small demonstration outside the event with cardboard signs cut outs of pigs with signs "Take out the pork of the stimulus."Some Republicans have organized a small demonstration outside the event with cardboard signs cut outs of pigs with signs "Take out the pork of the stimulus."
Census workers were shouting to anyone who could hear that jobs are available for the census for this year. But alas, those jobs would be temporary.Census workers were shouting to anyone who could hear that jobs are available for the census for this year. But alas, those jobs would be temporary.
Obama diary: Days 1-10Obama diary: Days 1-10
Obama diary: Days 11 - 20Obama diary: Days 11 - 20