Nation hopeful about Obama policies
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WASHINGTON - Most Americans are optimistic about the policies that Barack Obama will pursue when he becomes the country's 44th president next month, according to a new
Majorities want Obama to help improve the healthcare system, enact new energy policies, and institute a moratorium on home foreclosures. There are also high hopes that he will end US involvement in Iraq and turn around America's image abroad. But there is little consensus about where he should focus his efforts first, setting up a potentially contentious period of initial lawmaking.
Obama and the Democratic leadership in Congress have indicated that the first legislation offered in the new year will focus on the nation's flagging economy, an issue on which two-thirds of those polled said the new president and Congress should concentrate. A similar proportion, 65 percent, support a large stimulus package.
Large majorities want Obama to pursue a wide range of issues besides the economy, including 84 percent who want him to drive an effort to require electricity companies to increase the use of renewable energy sources.
A majority want Obama to make big changes to the country's healthcare system, with 63 percent of Democrats and 52 percent of independents saying they want the changes right away. Republicans in the poll are less apt to say he should do so immediately.
Most Democrats and independents want Obama to pull out most US combat forces from Iraq in his first 16 months.
WASHINGTON POST
That's just a sample of the items forbidden from President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration for security reasons. And while many people say the inconvenience is a small price to pay to witness the swearing-in of the nation's first black president, others are scratching their heads, trying to figure out how they will sit, snack, carry diapers, or transport tired tots.
Some older people are backing out of their inaugural plans, partly because of a no-chair rule for the parade route. Parenting blogs are abuzz with complaints about the less-than-child-friendly restrictions. Thermoses, coolers, and backpacks are out at the Capitol and the parade route.
Sunny Chanel, a San Francisco-based contributor to Babble.com, a parenting website, said, "They're definitely not making it easy for parents with smaller children to go."
The tightest rules are reserved for the lucky 240,000 ticket holders who get to sit closest to the Jan. 20 swearing-in ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol. There are understandable prohibitions on weapons and pepper spray. But you also can't carry an umbrella. And don't think about holding up any "Yes We Did" signs, because posters are not allowed.
Turnout estimates vary widely, with Mayor Adrian M. Fenty saying 2.5 million to 3 million people are a possibility and the National Park Service planning for at least 1 million.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Obama, who campaigned as an advocate for Main Street against the influence of lobbyists and special interests, hasn't staffed his Cabinet with a single person who has executive business experience.
"It is a void that the folks that the president-elect has selected seem to be overly biased toward government service or regulatory activities," said Peter Morici, a business professor at the University of Maryland.
The lack of business representation in the Cabinet reflects the difficulties of aiming for a speedy confirmation process while subjecting appointees to the new realities of more intensive financial disclosure, said James Lucier, managing director of Capital Alpha Partners LLC in Washington.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
