The Obama administration and U.S. politics

Warm up questions

How did Obama win?

Current situation, issues, ratings

U.S. presidential elections are held once every _____ years.

A. Two

B. Five

C. Eight

D. Four

What are the current major national political parties in the United States?

A. Whig and Tory

B. Democratic and Republican

C. Conservative and Liberal

D. Evangelical and Democratic

What animals represent the Republican (GOP) and Democratic parties respectively.

A. Turkey and Lion

B. Bald Eagle and Racoon

C. Elephant and Donkey

D. Dog and Cat

Members of the House of Representatives are elected every _____ years.

A. Two

B. Five

C. Eight

D. Four

How long are the terms served by U.S. Senators?

A. Two years

B. Four years

C. Six years

D. Eight years

What is the fastest growing segment of American voters?

A. Hispanics

B. African Americans

C. Women

D. White men

How did Obama win?

good grasp of voters, mindsets, slogan of change

mobilized two groups with historically lower participation in politics: youths and minorities

Democratic Party was generally able to maintain unity. Hillary campaigned vigorously for Obama after losing nomination

was successful in making use of the internet, web2.0,Twitter, Facebook, email

personal charisma

Key Issues for 2008 U.S. Presidential Election

VOTER TURNOUT

African-American voters, youth organization efforts, a citizenry that responded to a message of change, and a deep recession all conspired to produce both a 2008 Obama victory and the highest general election voter turnout since 1960. According to a report released by American University’s Center for the Study of the American Electorate (CSAE), 131,257,542 Americans voted for president in 2008—nine million more than cast their ballots in 2004—with 63 percent of eligible voters participating.

Election Results

Turnout compared to Norway?

‘Preregistered voters!!!!

Current situation (poll as of Feb.12,

2010)

Nine months until midterm elections

Opinions of the Republican Party have improved significantly, and for the first time in years the GOP’s favorable ratings nearly equal the Democratic Party’s.

Voting intentions neck and neck

Kennedy’s death, election of Scott Brown

Bipartisanship

What do people care about?Pew, Jan.25, 2010

Domestic approval ratings

How’s he doing?

REUTERS/Brennan Linsley/Pool

Bestsyndication.com

Executive Orders

Delivering on campaign promiseshttp://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/rulings/promise-kept/

The OBAMETER

The Truth-O-Meter

International Approval Ratings

Branches of U.S. Government

The Legislative Branch

• The Law Makers• Senate – 50 Senators, 6 year terms• House of Representatives – 435 Representatives, 2 year terms

The Executive Branch

February 2010: Photo of the DayShow Gallery Info

Check out the White House Photo Office's picks for Photo of the Day in February of 2010.

• Enforces the laws of the United States•Headed by the President and the Vice President• President and Vice-President are the only officials chosen by the entire country

The Judicial Branch

• Supreme Court is highest court in the U.S.• Has nine justices, with “jobs for life”•Presented more than 7,500 cases per year, but accepts only 80 – 100 of them

Health Care

"I suffer no illusions that this will be an easy process. It will be hard. But I also know that nearly a century after Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform, the cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and the conscience of our nation long enough. So let there be no doubt: health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year."– President Barack Obama, February 24, 2009

Health Care: a case study

Campaign promise to extend health care to more Americans

Goal is to get the bill passed by March 26, 2010, when Congress ends its session

What’s the problem?

Two versions of bill, one passed by House of Representatives, one by the Senate – difficult to combine

Election Day attitude when public is not won over

State of the Unionhttp://stateoftheunion.onetwothree.net/

State of the Union GWB