Obama First 100 Days

Take a look back at President Obama's first 100 days in office.

100 Days in Office - It has been 100 days since President Barack Obama assumed office as President of the United States of America.

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100 Days in Office - It has been 100 days since President Barack Obama assumed office as President of the United States of America.

Breaking Bread - Twenty-four hours before he became the 44th President of the United States, Obama, who pledged to be a uniter once in office, took a big step in his Republican charm offensive when he dined with several of the nation's most prominent conservative columnists one day before his inauguration. He broke bread with William Kristol and David Brooks at George Will's house. That move set the stage for a number of other outreach to Repbulicans that some critics say have backfired.

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Breaking Bread - Twenty-four hours before he became the 44th President of the United States, Obama, who pledged to be a uniter once in office, took a big step in his Republican charm offensive when he dined with several of the nation's most prominent conservative columnists one day before his inauguration. He broke bread with William Kristol and David Brooks at George Will's house. That move set the stage for a number of other outreach to Repbulicans that some critics say have backfired.

Change Comes to America - On Jan. 20, 2009, the inauguration of Obama took place.

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Change Comes to America - On Jan. 20, 2009, the inauguration of Obama took place.

Record Attendance - The inauguration set an attendance record for any event held in Washington, D.C.  With his inauguration as President of the United States, Obama became the first African American to hold the office, the first President born in Hawaii and the third President to hail from Illinois.

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Record Attendance - The inauguration set an attendance record for any event held in Washington, D.C. With his inauguration as President of the United States, Obama became the first African American to hold the office, the first President born in Hawaii and the third President to hail from Illinois.

All Eyes on Obama - According to Nielsen Media Research, 37.8 million TV viewers watched the inaugural coverage – an audience larger than any presidential inauguration in 28 years.

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All Eyes on Obama - According to Nielsen Media Research, 37.8 million TV viewers watched the inaugural coverage – an audience larger than any presidential inauguration in 28 years.

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A Must-See TV Event - Overseas, Barack Obama's inauguration was must-see TV for Europeans. Some 11 million Germans watched coverage and things were similar in France, where half the evening's TV audience – more than 7 million people – was glued to the screen.  In Britain, the BBC said 5.1 million viewers tuned in for the inauguration while 6.5 million watched the highlights on the BBC's 6 p.m. evening news.

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A Must-See TV Event - Overseas, Barack Obama's inauguration was must-see TV for Europeans. Some 11 million Germans watched coverage and things were similar in France, where half the evening's TV audience – more than 7 million people – was glued to the screen. In Britain, the BBC said 5.1 million viewers tuned in for the inauguration while 6.5 million watched the highlights on the BBC's 6 p.m. evening news.

Obama HBO Concert - HBO also posted big numbers inaugural weekend. The "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" concert aired three times on the premium cable network, garnering a healthy 4.1 million viewers among its subscribers, with another 700,000 views on HBO.com.

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Obama HBO Concert - HBO also posted big numbers inaugural weekend. The "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" concert aired three times on the premium cable network, garnering a healthy 4.1 million viewers among its subscribers, with another 700,000 views on HBO.com.

Team of Rivals - In choosing Cabinet members, Obama embraced the "Team of Rivals" approach. He appointed his former opponent for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, to the Secretary of State post. Obama also retained Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is popular with both parties and able to temper Obama’s ambitious campaign pledge to get out of Iraq in 16 months.

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Team of Rivals - In choosing Cabinet members, Obama embraced the "Team of Rivals" approach. He appointed his former opponent for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, to the Secretary of State post. Obama also retained Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is popular with both parties and able to temper Obama’s ambitious campaign pledge to get out of Iraq in 16 months.

Obama's Hawk - The choice of James Jones, a retired Marine general with deep Washington roots, will help Obama to establish his own national security identity in a town wary of his military inexperience. He selected Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as Homeland Security chief, among other new members of his cabinet.

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Obama's Hawk - The choice of James Jones, a retired Marine general with deep Washington roots, will help Obama to establish his own national security identity in a town wary of his military inexperience. He selected Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as Homeland Security chief, among other new members of his cabinet.

Obama's Money Man - Barack Obama stood by his money man, saying a $42,702 tax mistake by his pick to run the Treasury Department - and IRS - is embarrassing, but not disqualifying.  Team Obama says Tim Geithner didn't pay taxes on work he did for the International Monetary Fund from 2001 to 2003, believing the agency was withholding payroll taxes when it wasn't.  “It was an innocent mistake," Obama said. "It has been corrected. He paid the penalties."

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Obama's Money Man - Barack Obama stood by his money man, saying a $42,702 tax mistake by his pick to run the Treasury Department - and IRS - is embarrassing, but not disqualifying. Team Obama says Tim Geithner didn't pay taxes on work he did for the International Monetary Fund from 2001 to 2003, believing the agency was withholding payroll taxes when it wasn't. “It was an innocent mistake," Obama said. "It has been corrected. He paid the penalties."

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Core Vision - In making his choices, Obama said he sought foreign policy pragmatists who may not agree with one another but who “share a core vision.”

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Core Vision - In making his choices, Obama said he sought foreign policy pragmatists who may not agree with one another but who “share a core vision.”

Financial Fiasco - Obama came into office during the worst financial fiasco since the 1929 crash. Major financial institutions that had been building their wealth on a house of cards saw everything come tumbling down. We, as a nation, were on the brink of complete ruinations. He moved quickly, with a specific plan, garnered support and passed an expensive stimulus package through Congress.

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Financial Fiasco - Obama came into office during the worst financial fiasco since the 1929 crash. Major financial institutions that had been building their wealth on a house of cards saw everything come tumbling down. We, as a nation, were on the brink of complete ruinations. He moved quickly, with a specific plan, garnered support and passed an expensive stimulus package through Congress.

Stimulus Plan - Congress struck a deal on a $787 billion economic stimulus package proposed by President Obama, aimed at creating millions of jobs through massive new investments in energy, transportation, education and health care projects, while reviving social safety-net programs that have been shrinking for nearly three decades.

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Stimulus Plan - Congress struck a deal on a $787 billion economic stimulus package proposed by President Obama, aimed at creating millions of jobs through massive new investments in energy, transportation, education and health care projects, while reviving social safety-net programs that have been shrinking for nearly three decades.

Pressing Forward - There were and still are critics who say he’s doing too much, too fast.  But the president pressed forward with deliberation and calm. His forceful, yet soothing approach to one of the most difficult times in modern American history was reassuring to many.

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Pressing Forward - There were and still are critics who say he’s doing too much, too fast. But the president pressed forward with deliberation and calm. His forceful, yet soothing approach to one of the most difficult times in modern American history was reassuring to many.

Closing Guantanamo - With the stroke of a pen he eliminated the embarrassment known as Guantanamo Bay detention camp, a horrible holding cell for those simply suspected of being terrorists.  The president also eliminated several executive orders of the Bush administration that were obviously anti-union.

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Closing Guantanamo - With the stroke of a pen he eliminated the embarrassment known as Guantanamo Bay detention camp, a horrible holding cell for those simply suspected of being terrorists. The president also eliminated several executive orders of the Bush administration that were obviously anti-union.

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HIV/AIDS Fight - Obama has also made a renewed commitment to fight HIV and AIDS. He is about to wade into the swamp of health care reform with the bold – perhaps impossible – goal of universal coverage.  He restored and helped increase health insurance for those most vulnerable: young children.

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HIV/AIDS Fight - Obama has also made a renewed commitment to fight HIV and AIDS. He is about to wade into the swamp of health care reform with the bold – perhaps impossible – goal of universal coverage. He restored and helped increase health insurance for those most vulnerable: young children.

Going Green - He is reversing Bush policies on conservation, green energy and climate change. The president realizes that the environment is important and abusing it is wrong. He knows our food sources need to be better regulated. And he insists that there be a higher standard of ethics among those who lead this nation.

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Going Green - He is reversing Bush policies on conservation, green energy and climate change. The president realizes that the environment is important and abusing it is wrong. He knows our food sources need to be better regulated. And he insists that there be a higher standard of ethics among those who lead this nation.

Car Industry Action - He has already taken action that will save (or doom) the U.S. car industry

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Car Industry Action - He has already taken action that will save (or doom) the U.S. car industry

On the Right Track - He has announced plans for a high-speed rail system.

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On the Right Track - He has announced plans for a high-speed rail system.

Easter Egg Roll - The president provides signs of hope by opening the Easter Egg Roll at the White House to gay and lesbian parents.

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Easter Egg Roll - The president provides signs of hope by opening the Easter Egg Roll at the White House to gay and lesbian parents.

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All the Laughs - He showed us a lighter side of him by making “March Madness” selections and appearing on late night TV shows. The president had a foot-in-the-mouth moment when he compared his bowling skills to the Special Olympics, upsetting some advocates for the disabled.

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All the Laughs - He showed us a lighter side of him by making “March Madness” selections and appearing on late night TV shows. The president had a foot-in-the-mouth moment when he compared his bowling skills to the Special Olympics, upsetting some advocates for the disabled.

Taking Europe by Storm - President Obama’s tour of Europe with first lady Michelle during the G-20 conference helped restore faith in America once more by giving hope to the world that the United States is here on this planet to help not hurt, to lead not dictate, to assure not threaten.

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Taking Europe by Storm - President Obama’s tour of Europe with first lady Michelle during the G-20 conference helped restore faith in America once more by giving hope to the world that the United States is here on this planet to help not hurt, to lead not dictate, to assure not threaten.

Surprise Visit - President Obama made a surprise visit to Iraq where he addressed cheering American troops saying it is time for Iraqis “to take responsibility for their country and for their sovereignty.”

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Surprise Visit - President Obama made a surprise visit to Iraq where he addressed cheering American troops saying it is time for Iraqis “to take responsibility for their country and for their sovereignty.”

Better Relationships - On the foreign front he has moved to 'reset' relations with Russia, Iran and Cuba. President Obama’s trip to Mexico showed his concerns over the horrible drugs wars. His most recent encounter with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez also signals that we might begin a new relationship with our neighbors to the south.

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Better Relationships - On the foreign front he has moved to 'reset' relations with Russia, Iran and Cuba. President Obama’s trip to Mexico showed his concerns over the horrible drugs wars. His most recent encounter with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez also signals that we might begin a new relationship with our neighbors to the south.

Just the Beginning - There is much more work ahead, but after 100 days, President Barack Obama, has shown us signs of hope.

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Just the Beginning - There is much more work ahead, but after 100 days, President Barack Obama, has shown us signs of hope.