In November 2008, when then-Senator Barack Obama was elected president, the state of the union was not strong.
The economy was in shambles, unemployment was rising, two ongoing wars in the Middle East were unpopular, and plenty of social issues clamored for attention.
In his inaugural address, the new president called for change to come from the bottom up, “For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.”
Tomorrow night, when President Obama gives his final State of the Union Address, he’ll stake claim to a surging economy, a 5 percent unemployment rate, and a host of domestic and foreign policy accomplishments since he took office.
Most recently he’s stirred up the gun issue and spoken of his hope to close the Guantanamo Bay prison before he leaves office.
Congressional Republicans have warned the president to leave contentious issues out of his SOTU address.
Some GOP supporters have already complained about the president’s plan to leave an empty seat in the first lady’s box to honor gun violence victims.
For all it’s honorable intent, the empty chair is no doubt a bit of a dig at an infamous incident during the 2012 Republican National Convention. Clint Eastwood brought an empty chair onstage and spoke to it as though it were an imaginary Mr. Obama. His rambling speech was critical of the president and his policies.
Four years later, the president is not shying away from getting some jabs in at his opponents before he leaves office.
For a compelling history of the 2008 campaign, as told by news media, politicians, and ordinary people, see King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America.
Showing posts with label gun control. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gun control. Show all posts
Monday
Friday
On January 8, 2008: The Power of Millions of Voices
Despite predictions to the contrary, both Hillary Clinton and John McCain won their New Hampshire primary votes in 2008. And also despite predictions to the contrary, then-Senator Barack Obama lost that primary vote.
The people spoke. Just when you thought they were doing one thing, they zagged and went another way. Regardless of the outcome of that election, the point is that the people have the power to do what they want.
During tonight’s town hall on the subject of gun control, CNN announced their newest poll showing that 67% of Americans support President Obama’s recent actions to strengthen gun sale background checks.
Although the chorus of cynics is loud and dissonant, and the odds seem impossible, 67% of Americans are ready for change.
When he lost the New Hampshire primary in 2008, Mr. Obama told the disappointed crowd that he was “still fired up and ready to go.” “We know the battle ahead will be long,” he said.
“But always remember that, no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change…When we’ve been told we’re not ready or that we shouldn’t try or that we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed…Yes, we can.”
For a compelling history of the 2008 campaign, as told by news media, politicians, and ordinary people, see King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America.
The people spoke. Just when you thought they were doing one thing, they zagged and went another way. Regardless of the outcome of that election, the point is that the people have the power to do what they want.
During tonight’s town hall on the subject of gun control, CNN announced their newest poll showing that 67% of Americans support President Obama’s recent actions to strengthen gun sale background checks.
Although the chorus of cynics is loud and dissonant, and the odds seem impossible, 67% of Americans are ready for change.
When he lost the New Hampshire primary in 2008, Mr. Obama told the disappointed crowd that he was “still fired up and ready to go.” “We know the battle ahead will be long,” he said.
“But always remember that, no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change…When we’ve been told we’re not ready or that we shouldn’t try or that we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed…Yes, we can.”
For a compelling history of the 2008 campaign, as told by news media, politicians, and ordinary people, see King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America.
Wednesday
#StopGunViolence
“It’s not where you do it, it’s what you do.”
With those words aimed at gun sellers, President Obama announced yesterday morning new executive actions targeted at background-check reporting for gun sales on the Internet and in gun shows.
He also spoke directly to critics who “try to twist my words around.” “I get it,” he said, “but I also believe we can find ways to reduce gun violence consistent with the Second Amendment.”
The president became emotional when speaking of over a dozen mass shootings during his 7 years in office, in particular the shootings of first graders at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
“The gun lobby is loud and it is organized in defense of making it effortless for guns to be available for anybody, anytime,” said Mr. Obama. “Well, you know what? The rest of us, we all have to be just as passionate. We have to be just as organized in the defense of our kids.”
Tomorrow night, President Obama will appear on CNN television for a one-hour live town hall on the subject of gun control. The program begins at 8pm ET. It is titled “Guns in America.”
The gun issue will no doubt also be raised in the president’s upcoming final State of the Union address on January 12, and during the Democratic and Republican Debates to be held the last weeks of January.
Actual voters have their turn to speak starting in February when the 2016 Caucus and Primary season begins.
Source of the president's speech: Washington Post
For a compelling history of the 2008 campaign, as told by news media, politicians, and ordinary people, see King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America.
With those words aimed at gun sellers, President Obama announced yesterday morning new executive actions targeted at background-check reporting for gun sales on the Internet and in gun shows.
He also spoke directly to critics who “try to twist my words around.” “I get it,” he said, “but I also believe we can find ways to reduce gun violence consistent with the Second Amendment.”
The president became emotional when speaking of over a dozen mass shootings during his 7 years in office, in particular the shootings of first graders at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
“The gun lobby is loud and it is organized in defense of making it effortless for guns to be available for anybody, anytime,” said Mr. Obama. “Well, you know what? The rest of us, we all have to be just as passionate. We have to be just as organized in the defense of our kids.”
Tomorrow night, President Obama will appear on CNN television for a one-hour live town hall on the subject of gun control. The program begins at 8pm ET. It is titled “Guns in America.”
The gun issue will no doubt also be raised in the president’s upcoming final State of the Union address on January 12, and during the Democratic and Republican Debates to be held the last weeks of January.
Actual voters have their turn to speak starting in February when the 2016 Caucus and Primary season begins.
Source of the president's speech: Washington Post
For a compelling history of the 2008 campaign, as told by news media, politicians, and ordinary people, see King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America.
Tuesday
Ch-ch-Changes
In case anyone thought otherwise, President Obama is no lame duck just chilling until he is out of office. Yesterday, he met with Attorney General Loretta Lynch to discuss executive action to combat gun violence in America. This will no doubt cause explosive reactions from his opponents.
Back in 2008, during the New Hampshire Democratic Debate on January 5th, reference was made to a survey showing that voters saw Hillary Clinton as the most experienced and most electable candidate. But they “liked” Senator Obama more and saw him as an agent of change.
When New Hampshire voted for Mrs. Clinton that year, they must have known that “likability” really isn’t an important factor in the race for the presidency.
And after 7 years in office, President Obama surely knows that likability and change is a dicey combo. He’s opting for change.
Watch the president’s weekly address from January 1: Making America Safer for Our Children.
For a compelling history of the 2008 campaign, as told by news media, politicians, and ordinary people, see King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America.
Back in 2008, during the New Hampshire Democratic Debate on January 5th, reference was made to a survey showing that voters saw Hillary Clinton as the most experienced and most electable candidate. But they “liked” Senator Obama more and saw him as an agent of change.
When New Hampshire voted for Mrs. Clinton that year, they must have known that “likability” really isn’t an important factor in the race for the presidency.
And after 7 years in office, President Obama surely knows that likability and change is a dicey combo. He’s opting for change.
Watch the president’s weekly address from January 1: Making America Safer for Our Children.
For a compelling history of the 2008 campaign, as told by news media, politicians, and ordinary people, see King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America.
Monday
NRA Spends to Keep Obama Out of White House
In late June 2008, the National Rifle Association committed $40 million to the 2008 election, with $15 million of that earmarked for direct persuasion. Buoyed by the previous week's Supreme Court vote which overturned the 32-year old ban on handguns in D.C., the NRA intended to convince gun owners to vote against candidate Barack Obama.
"Our members understand how bad Barack Obama is
on the second amendment. We look forward to showing him 'bitter,' said NRA's Chris Cox.
For the fall, the group planned robocalls, mail pieces, pre-election editions of their three magazines, and TV, radio and newspaper ads.
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