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Obama diary: The first 100 days Obama diary: The first 100 days
(about 5 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.
TUESDAY 14 APRIL - DAY 85
1404 EDT Obama's professorial economic speech
Kevin Connolly: For Barack Obama, the president who campaigned on the hope of change, every speech on the economy has to balance the optimism that got him elected with a realism that reflects the grim times through which he is leading his country.
His latest effort was long and rather professorial in tone - a lengthy dissertation on how the sudden bursting of the property bubble triggered a crisis among Wall Street bankers whose greed and stupidity (they're my words, rather than the carefully chosen words of the president) led them to invest in the ballooning housing market.
It was interesting stuff, even if Mr Obama does have a tendency to sound like someone teaching a basic economics course at an adult education college. And it was a ringing defence of what history will remember as his big idea - spending big on strategic problems like education and renewable energy with borrowed money in the depths of recession.
The bottom line? There are "glimmers of hope" but it's clear that 2009 is going to continue to be tough, with more job losses and more home foreclosures too.
This is not quite as gloomy as the talk in the first days of the Obama presidency about how we were in the midst of the worst crisis since the Great Depression, but it certainly puts into context the talk we've heard in recent weeks about how the recession might end in September.
MONDAY 13 APRIL - DAY 84MONDAY 13 APRIL - DAY 84
22:00 EDT Obama announces change in policy towards Cuba - with limitations22:00 EDT Obama announces change in policy towards Cuba - with limitations
Jonathan Beale: Once the CIA tried to bring down the Castro regime through dirty tricks - like planting explosives in Fidel's cigars.Jonathan Beale: Once the CIA tried to bring down the Castro regime through dirty tricks - like planting explosives in Fidel's cigars.
The Obama administration, though, is pursuing a very different policy. It's trying to smother the communist island with cash and love.The Obama administration, though, is pursuing a very different policy. It's trying to smother the communist island with cash and love.
President Obama allowed his press secretary to announce his "major" change in US policy on Cuba.President Obama allowed his press secretary to announce his "major" change in US policy on Cuba.
One can read too much in the choreography of the White House. But it is easy to find reasons why the president may have avoided making the announcement himself.One can read too much in the choreography of the White House. But it is easy to find reasons why the president may have avoided making the announcement himself.
US policy on Cuba is highly controversial - and has been for more than 50 years.US policy on Cuba is highly controversial - and has been for more than 50 years.
There are around 1.5 million Cuban Americans and probably as many opinions on how to improve relations. This is not a problem that can be fixed overnight.There are around 1.5 million Cuban Americans and probably as many opinions on how to improve relations. This is not a problem that can be fixed overnight.
The changes announced by the Obama administration are important - but modest.The changes announced by the Obama administration are important - but modest.
The reaction to them has been mixed.The reaction to them has been mixed.
Hardline critics of the Castro regime have condemned the easing of restrictions.Hardline critics of the Castro regime have condemned the easing of restrictions.
Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart - both Cuban Americans, and both Republican Congressmen - have called it a "serious mistake", one that'll provide succour to Cuba's ruthless dictators.Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart - both Cuban Americans, and both Republican Congressmen - have called it a "serious mistake", one that'll provide succour to Cuba's ruthless dictators.
But most seem to welcome the news. It will, after all, make life easier and more humane.But most seem to welcome the news. It will, after all, make life easier and more humane.
Who can seriously condemn the act of allowing families divided by politics the chance to meet more often?Who can seriously condemn the act of allowing families divided by politics the chance to meet more often?
Who can really criticise relatives in a richer country wanting the help those family members living across the ocean who have to survive on less than $20 a month?Who can really criticise relatives in a richer country wanting the help those family members living across the ocean who have to survive on less than $20 a month?
President Obama has in effect taken the easiest decisions and left the really difficult issues for later - how to deal with Cuba's leaders and what to do about the US trade embargo.President Obama has in effect taken the easiest decisions and left the really difficult issues for later - how to deal with Cuba's leaders and what to do about the US trade embargo.
FRIDAY 10 APRIL - DAY 81FRIDAY 10 APRIL - DAY 81
1731 EDT Obama sees "progress" on economy, but keeps mum on first puppy1731 EDT Obama sees "progress" on economy, but keeps mum on first puppy
Max Deveson: President Obama expressed optimism about the state of the US economy today , after holding a meeting with Fed Chair Ben Bernanke and FDIC Chair Sheila Bair.Max Deveson: President Obama expressed optimism about the state of the US economy today , after holding a meeting with Fed Chair Ben Bernanke and FDIC Chair Sheila Bair.
He talked about the "very significant pick-up in [mortgage] refinancings", and said that he and his team "feel very good about the progress that we're making in unlocking lending".He talked about the "very significant pick-up in [mortgage] refinancings", and said that he and his team "feel very good about the progress that we're making in unlocking lending".
"What you're starting to see is glimmers of hope across the economy," he added."What you're starting to see is glimmers of hope across the economy," he added.
He was less forthcoming on the subject of the much-anticipated new White House dog, however.He was less forthcoming on the subject of the much-anticipated new White House dog, however.
"Oh, man, now, that's top secret," he joked, when a journalist asked when the dog would be unveiled."Oh, man, now, that's top secret," he joked, when a journalist asked when the dog would be unveiled.
1004 EDT The first Seder1004 EDT The first Seder
President Obama hosts what is thought to be the first-ever Seder - a celebratory meal held to mark the beginning of the Jewish festival of Passover - at the White HousePresident Obama hosts what is thought to be the first-ever Seder - a celebratory meal held to mark the beginning of the Jewish festival of Passover - at the White House
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