Obama made a big move on Monday, day 49, by reversing former President George W. Bush's ban on using taxpayer funds for stem cell research. When Bush signed the ban six months into his presidency, it was considered one of his most significant acts in office. But given the problems facing the country now, Obama's reversal was little more than a "blip on the radar screen," notes Baltimore Sun columnist Thomas F. Schaller.
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Schaller praises Obama for choosing his top advisers based on skill and competence rather than loyalty. He also looks at president's "transformative" economic plan for the country, which includes massive spending in an effort to jolt the economy back to good health. And he lists the wide range of issues that Obama has acted upon in the past seven weeks, including the war in Iraq, troop increases in Afghanistan and the treatment of terrorism suspects.
"Every week seems to bring more major announcements," Schaller writes.
The Associated Press notes that the Obama administration has garnered a distinction no leader wants -- the worst-ever stock market performance for a new president.
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"The Dow Jones industrial average has fallen 21 percent during Obama's first seven weeks in office," the story says. "Count back to Election Day and the results are even bleaker: That afternoon, the Dow closed at 9,625. Now it stands at 6,547, a loss of 32 percent."
What's going on? It depends on whom you ask. The AP said some investors blamed the Bush administration for passing along a lousy economy to the new president. Others said Wall Street has been disappointed by Obama's $787 billion economic stimulus plan, as well as the ongoing financial bailouts for troubled sectors of the economy.
In its examination of Obama's first 50 days, the BBC compares him to Franklin Roosevelt, who took office during the Great Depression and managed to get Congress to pass 15 major pieces of legislation in his first three months. The piece also draws favorable comparisons between the two leaders' demeanor and communication skills.
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"Mr. Roosevelt ... was relentlessly upbeat," the BBB says. "Mr. Obama -- coming to power at a time when many voters are bewildered by a financial collapse they barely understand -- radiates competence and confidence. He grasps the importance of looking presidential, and already plays the role convincingly. "
Several news organizations are tracking Obama's performance throughout his first 100 days and beyond. Fox Newsoffers an easy-to-digest list of daily highlights from the Obama presidency. The Wall Street Journal has a feed of all of its blog coverage of the administration.
And the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times' PolitiFact project follows Obama's progress on more than 500 promises it says he made during the campaign. The tally so far: He has kept 17 pledges and broken two (on allowing five days of public comment before he signs bills, and on creating a $3,000 tax credit for businesses that create jobs).
The president isn't the only Obama who has had a frenetic 50 days. The video below, from CBS' 'Early Show,' takes a look at what the past several weeks have been like for the president's wife. "Michelle Obama has created a stir like no other first lady," CBS declares, calling her a "celebrity who embodies a new generation."
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When you're done reading up on the Obamas' first 50 days, test your knowledge of the historic nature of the young presidency in the quiz below.
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Obama Making History
Barack Obama made history by becoming America's first African-American president. Which of these other prominent African-Americans did NOT run for president before him?
- Jesse Jackson
- Colin Powell
- Al Sharpton
Obama is the first sitting senator to win the presidency since John F. Kennedy. How many have there been total?
- 4
- 6
- 8
Malia and Sasha Obama will be the new first daughters come January. Sasha will be the youngest child in the White House since ___ lived there.
- Chelsea Clinton
- Amy Carter
- Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr.
Obama is the first Democratic presidential candidate since ___ to win Virginia.
- Bill Clinton
- Jimmy Carter
- Lyndon Johnson
True or false: Obama will be the first U.S. president born outside the continental U.S.
- True
- False
