New York Times (August 25)
President Obama should push to see that underwater homeowners, whose home values are less than the balance of their loans, are able to refinance their mortgages at lower rates. There will be opposition, but “the public benefit from fewer defaults and foreclosures—along with the impact of more consumer spending—should trump any benefit derived from squeezing every last penny of interest from homeowners.”
Tags: Consumer spending, Economy, Homeowners, Mortgage, Obama, U.S.
Financial Times (May 24)
Barack Obama’s visit to the UK has called attention to the long standing alliance between the two countries. While some say this relationship has been weakening, “the two countries’ interests are aligned on the most pressing questions.” These priorities include resolving conflict in Afghanistan, reaching a solution in Libya, and moving Israel and Palestine towards peace.
Financial Times (March 22)
America needs to get its fiscal house in order. “Halfway through the current fiscal year, the US still has no budget and shows little sign of getting one.” In a sign that Congress is unable to make progress on its own, 64 Senators asked President Obama to directly intervene. The Financial Times believes he must try. He alone “might sway the country and break the impasse.”
America needs to get its fiscal house in order. “Halfway through the current fiscal year, the US still has no budget and shows little sign of getting one.” In a sign that Congress is unable to make progress on its own, 64 Senators asked President Obama to directly intervene. The Financial Times believes he must try. He alone “might sway the country and break the impasse.”
Time (February 7)
Inspiration comes from the unexpected, as President Obama’s growing interest in Ronald Reagan illustrates. “At a glance, it’s hard to imagine a President who had less in common with Reagan than the Ivy League lawyer from Hawaii who seeks larger federal investments, a bigger social safety net and new regulations for Wall Street and Big Oil.” Yet Obama is looking to Reagan as a role model because of the persona he was able to create and the transformational change he was able to realize.
USA Today (January 27)
Americans gave “high ratings to President Obama’s State of the Union Address,” according to a USA Today/Gallup Poll. During his third annual address to Congress, Obama focused on jobs, the budget deficit, bipartisanship and foreign policy. His address was rated positively by 65% of those surveyed, versus 28% who reacted negatively.
Tags: Congress, Obama, State of the Union, U.S.
Washington Post (January 23)
President Obama will give his third State of the Union address on Tuesday. The speech is the right moment “for President Obama to pitch fiscal responsibility.” The Post calls on him to take a “bold” stance by supporting tax increases, cuts in spending and entitlement programs, and a higher retirement age.
Tags: Obama, Retirement, Spending, Taxes
New York Times (December 23)
Congress overcame partisanship to make this lame duck session one of the most productive in memory. Successes included the New Start nuclear arms treaty with Russia that is designed to reduce nuclear stockpiles. All in all, things have shaped “up to be a remarkably successful legislative agenda for President Obama’s first two years.”
Times of India (November 9)
Barack and Michelle Obama made a positive impression in India with their “air of informality” when interacting with the public and the press. The Times of India laments that Indian politicians are too often bound by formality and protocol, adding ““Our politicians would do well to take a cue from the Obamas.” President Obama also made an impression during his 45-minute address to parliament. Obama’s speech was interrupted more than 36 times by applause. The Times notes the speech hit “all the right notes.”
Tags: India, Obama, Politicians
Washington Post (November 2)
Whenever unemployment is high, the party in power is “going to take a beating.” It comes as no surprise that President Obama’s Democrats suffered major losses in the election. The Post writes “We believe Mr. Obama’s first two years were better than he’s getting credit for.”
Tags: Democrats, Obama, Unemployment
The New York Times (October 16)
Fearing deflation, the Federal Reserve appears poised to adopt quantitative easing measures. The Fed is widely expected to print new money and buy Treasury bonds, hence increasing the money supply. The Fed can’t, however, succeed alone. The New York Times calls on President Obama and Congress to adopt new stimulus measures to kick start the economy. “To put millions of Americans back to work, a lot more needs to be done. Mr. Bernanke can’t do it alone.”
