Intelligent33Intelligent30Change17Good29Honest16Socialist20Confident15Liberal17Inexperienced15Great16Hope/Hopeful14Confident15 –Smart13Inexperienced13Socialist13Honest12Good12Trying12Charismatic11Smart11 Source: Pew Research Center. Sample size - Feb: 660; Apr: 742 Intelligent33Intelligent30Change17Good29Honest16Socialist20Confident15Liberal17Inexperienced15Great16Hope/Hopeful14Confident15 –Smart13Inexperienced13Socialist13Honest12Good12Trying12Charismatic11Smart11 Source: Pew Research Center. Sample size - Feb: 660; Apr: 742

Version 5	Version 6
Obama marks 100th day in office	Obama marks 100th day in office
2009-04-30 00:21:02 UTC	2009-04-30 00:31:31 UTC (10 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has been sketching out the future direction of his administration, as he marks his first 100 days in office.	US President Barack Obama has been sketching out the future direction of his administration, as he marks his first 100 days in office.
Mr Obama has addressed a town hall meeting in St Louis and is holding a primetime news conference, broadcast live on most US TV networks.	Mr Obama has addressed a town hall meeting in St Louis and is holding a primetime news conference, broadcast live on most US TV networks.
Traditionally, commentators have used the milestone to assess presidents' early successes and failures.	Traditionally, commentators have used the milestone to assess presidents' early successes and failures.
Latest polls suggest Mr Obama continues to enjoy a high level of popularity.	Latest polls suggest Mr Obama continues to enjoy a high level of popularity.
See the words American citizens use to describe Mr Obama	See the words American citizens use to describe Mr Obama
"I'm pleased with the progress we've made but I'm not satisfied," Mr Obama said.	"I'm pleased with the progress we've made but I'm not satisfied," Mr Obama said.
	We will endure as a beacon for all those weary travellers beyond our shores who still dream that this is a place where all is possible Barack Obama
"I'm confident with the future but I'm not content with the present."	"I'm confident with the future but I'm not content with the present."
Insisting that the US would see a "better day", Mr Obama repeated his familiar theme, that the US will emerge from recession as "a stronger nation".	Insisting that the US would see a "better day", Mr Obama repeated his familiar theme, that the US will emerge from recession as "a stronger nation".
"And we will endure as a beacon for all those weary travellers beyond our shores who still dream that this is a place where all is possible," he said at his news conference.	"And we will endure as a beacon for all those weary travellers beyond our shores who still dream that this is a place where all is possible," he said at his news conference.
The US Congress capped Mr Obama's 100th day in office by approving a $3.4 trillion budget for 2010 - a move the president said would help to move the economy from recession to recovery.	The US Congress capped Mr Obama's 100th day in office by approving a $3.4 trillion budget for 2010 - a move the president said would help to move the economy from recession to recovery.
Mr Obama said he was gratified that Congress passed budged "so quickly and effectively".	Mr Obama said he was gratified that Congress passed budged "so quickly and effectively".
"This budget builds on the steps we've taken over the last 100 days to move this economy from recession to recovery and ultimately to prosperity," he said.	"This budget builds on the steps we've taken over the last 100 days to move this economy from recession to recovery and ultimately to prosperity," he said.
"We have to lay a new foundation for growth."	"We have to lay a new foundation for growth."
Major emergency	Major emergency
Since taking office on 20 January, Mr Obama has, among other things, passed an economic stimulus package, ordered the closure of the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, set a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and signalled a willingness to open up a diplomatic dialogue with countries like Iran and Cuba.	Since taking office on 20 January, Mr Obama has, among other things, passed an economic stimulus package, ordered the closure of the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, set a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and signalled a willingness to open up a diplomatic dialogue with countries like Iran and Cuba.
But as the president enters his 100th day in office, he faces a major domestic emergency in the form of the swine flu outbreak.	But as the president enters his 100th day in office, he faces a major domestic emergency in the form of the swine flu outbreak.
And the economic turmoil that has engulfed America since before Mr Obama entered the White House shows little sign of abating.	And the economic turmoil that has engulfed America since before Mr Obama entered the White House shows little sign of abating.
100-DAY MILESTONES Guantanamo closure ordered Ban on abortion funds lifted Obama unveils executive pay cap Stimulus plan signed into law Obama outlines Iraq pullout plan Obama ends stem cell funding ban Iran offered a 'new beginning' Obama promotes nuclear-free world Obama publishes 'torture' memos Cuba offered 'new beginning'	100-DAY MILESTONES Guantanamo closure ordered Ban on abortion funds lifted Obama unveils executive pay cap Stimulus plan signed into law Obama outlines Iraq pullout plan Obama ends stem cell funding ban Iran offered a 'new beginning' Obama promotes nuclear-free world Obama publishes 'torture' memos Cuba offered 'new beginning'
Apart from the stimulus package, Mr Obama has also attempted to shore up the economy with plans to recapitalise US banks and salvage failing car firms.	Apart from the stimulus package, Mr Obama has also attempted to shore up the economy with plans to recapitalise US banks and salvage failing car firms.
Mr Obama swept to victory in last year's presidential election with 53% of the vote.	Mr Obama swept to victory in last year's presidential election with 53% of the vote.
The latest Gallup poll gives him an approval rating of 65%, virtually unchanged from his level of support on the day of his inauguration.	The latest Gallup poll gives him an approval rating of 65%, virtually unchanged from his level of support on the day of his inauguration.
As he finishes the first phase of his presidency, Mr Obama is now expected to focus on passing his plan to give all Americans access to healthcare coverage, and introduce a cap and trade system to reduce carbon emissions and combat global warming.	As he finishes the first phase of his presidency, Mr Obama is now expected to focus on passing his plan to give all Americans access to healthcare coverage, and introduce a cap and trade system to reduce carbon emissions and combat global warming.
Mr Obama's prospects of getting his ambitious agenda through Congress improved on Tuesday, when Republican Senator Arlen Specter announced that he was switching parties to become a Democrat.	Mr Obama's prospects of getting his ambitious agenda through Congress improved on Tuesday, when Republican Senator Arlen Specter announced that he was switching parties to become a Democrat.
If, as most people expect, the disputed Minnesota Senate race is decided in Democrat Al Franken's favour, Mr Obama's Democratic Party colleagues in the Senate will have the 60 votes they need to overturn any attempts by Republicans to block legislation.	If, as most people expect, the disputed Minnesota Senate race is decided in Democrat Al Franken's favour, Mr Obama's Democratic Party colleagues in the Senate will have the 60 votes they need to overturn any attempts by Republicans to block legislation.
WORDS TO DESCRIBE OBAMA					People were asked to describe President Obama in a word					February 2009		April 2009			Word	Times mentioned	Word	Times mentioned
WORDS TO DESCRIBE OBAMA					People were asked to describe President Obama in a word					February 2009		April 2009			Word	Times mentioned	Word	Times mentioned
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