Posted on 11/02/2009 9:30:06 AM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (AFP) – A year on from a historic election, the spirit of popular goodwill that yielded America's first black president has retreated to tepid support for Barack Obama as he presses his change agenda.
Since the November 4 poll, Obama's visage has been everywhere, conspicuously on the streets of the nation's capital where millions of foreign and domestic tourists have visited over the past year, many of them snatching up poignant souvenirs.
A quick look around downtown Washington confirms that Obama trinkets are still on sale, but several street hawkers have found little point in displaying the t-shirts, posters, and "Yes We Can" buttons bearing the new president's image.
"They stay in the truck," grumbled a vendor who identified himself as Dick, as he pointed to a rusty vehicle behind him. "They don't sell any more."
Indeed, Obama's honeymoon with the American people lasted less than six months.
In the aftermath of his inauguration in January, Obama's approval rating soared to 70 percent.
Early on, he tested Americans' faith by diving headlong into controversial programs to rescue the economy, including bailing out sinking US auto manufacturers and unleashing a 787-billion-dollar stimulus plan.
In late April, at the end of the first 100 days in office, Obama still enjoyed more positive reviews than his predecessors in the previous 20 years.
But the fall was soon to come as questions started simmering about the president's ability to pull the US economy out of a nosedive.
In July, his popularity dipped even below that of predecessor George W. Bush in the same period of his presidency.
Since mid-October, it has hovered just above 50 percent, a "significant drop" from his earlier numbers, according to Frank Newport, editor in chief of the Gallup Poll.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Houston, We seem to have a problem,, uhhh,, here..
The retro rockets uhh have ignited prematurely.. uhh,, Co-Pilot Joe thinks it just a glitch.
The flight engineer, Axelrod uhhh says it's by design and to never mind.
Please advise..
several street hawkers have found little point in displaying the t-shirts, posters, and “Yes We Can” buttons bearing the new president’s image.
“They stay in the truck,” grumbled a vendor who identified himself as Dick, as he pointed to a rusty vehicle behind him. “They don’t sell any more.”
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Betcha if ya put ‘Si Se Puede!’ on them O’Bubba buttons, they’d sell like hotcakes.
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U.S. President Barack Obama and CatWoman greet children during a reception for children of military and White House staff families for Halloween at the White House in Washington October 31, 2009. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES POLITICS HEADSHOT)
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Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel listens to U.S. President Barack Obama as he meets with the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, November 2, 2009. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES POLITICS)
What? I thought Catwoman also wore a boob belt?
I bet Obama has never dressed for Halloween in his life.
Obamao rolls along on the pride factor. There are still some people who are too proud to admit they made a mistake, but they will come around.
>> I bet Obama has never dressed for Halloween in his life.
He goes as Satan. Saves on costume costs.
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