The American People

September 25, 2009: GOP using 'You lie' lawmaker for fundraising pitch (AP)

2009-09-25T12:42:00-00:00

GOP using 'You lie' lawmaker for fundraising pitch (AP)

"If we can raise more money than the Democrats, we'll send a message to (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi, Obama, and their friends that the American people are firmly behind the Republicans in opposition to government-run health care," he wrote in the new national plea.

September 25, 2009: Exclusive Interview: Muammar Gaddafi on Barack Obama, Israel and Chatting with Iran (Time.com)

2009-09-25T00:20:00-00:00

Exclusive Interview: Muammar Gaddafi on Barack Obama, Israel and Chatting with Iran (Time.com)

But of course, Americans, Libyans, the whole world express sympathy or regret over such tragedies. No one would be happy over such tragedies, no one would welcome such a tragedy, indeed, of course. Do the American people feel happy, are the American people happy over the killing of the Libyan citizens in 1986? And is the world happy about the Gaza massacre? By the same token none of us are happy over the tragedy of Lockerbie. Up to now, if you visit the house that was bombed in the American raid, you will find a picture of my daughter, a picture of the daughter of Jim Swire, in a frame there, and everybody goes there. Our children are all victims. I mean, these pictures, just to say the fact that we are all fathers of victims.

September 24, 2009: Nastiness Dominates Washington, Anti-Obama Movement (U.S. News & World Report)

2009-09-24T13:50:00-00:00

Nastiness Dominates Washington, Anti-Obama Movement (U.S. News & World Report)

For his part, President Obama tells friends that he believes that most Americans are rooting for him to succeed, and he feels strong support and affection from everyday people outside Washington. "I think what he's struck by, what all of us are struck by, is as you travel the country, there's so many people who offer their support and good wishes," says David Axelrod, a senior White House adviser. "There is not this sense of harsh division, and I'm always mindful of the fact that, especially in today's age, the loudest, angriest voices tend to get outsized attention because they make for better TV." Axelrod adds that a recent Washington Post survey shows that "two thirds of the people polled have warm and positive feelings about him, regardless of what they thought about his policies. I think he's got a great relationship with the American people."

September 24, 2009: Obama Bid to Curb Nuclear Arms Backed by UN Council (Bloomberg)

2009-09-24T12:08:00-00:00

Obama Bid to Curb Nuclear Arms Backed by UN Council (Bloomberg)

“We support this treaty because it strengthens theprospect of a peaceful, stable and secure world and because webelieve it enhances the security of the American people,”Clinton told the conference. “So as we work with the Senate toratify the CTBT we will encourage other countries to do so aswell.”

September 23, 2009: Excerpts from AP interview with Ahmadinejad (AP)

2009-09-23T15:03:00-00:00

Excerpts from AP interview with Ahmadinejad (AP)

"I feel that I've arrived at the United Nations. It is true that the United Nations is located in New York, but at the end of the day we are at the United Nations. Of course I care about the people of New York, and American people in general.

September 22, 2009: Arguments Abound on Pace of Afghanistan Policy (CQPolitics.com)

2009-09-22T20:10:00-00:00

Arguments Abound on Pace of Afghanistan Policy (CQPolitics.com)

"I think he's going to have a real hard time with the American people," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a member of the Armed Services Committee. "Even though the American people are skeptical about our ability to succeed right now in Afghanistan, it would be difficult for this president or any president to basically take about as blunt of advice as I've ever seen from commanders -- the guys you handpicked -- and go a different way. At the end of the day, what does he know that they don't about securing Afghanistan?"

September 22, 2009: Obama urges action on climate change (Politico)

2009-09-22T07:28:00-00:00

Obama urges action on climate change (Politico)

“Taken together, these steps represent an historic recognition on behalf of the American people and their government,” he said. “We understand the gravity of the climate threat. We are determined to act. We will meet our responsibility to future generations.”

September 22, 2009: Troops call could eclipse health care (Politico)

2009-09-22T02:40:00-00:00

Troops call could eclipse health care (Politico)

“It is a war that the great, great majority of American people supported, and my sense is members are approaching this very thoughtfully,” said Rep. Vic Snyder, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. But the Arkansas Democrat, a veteran of Vietnam, said the single-minded focus on troop levels — by his party or Republicans — was a mistake.

September 21, 2009: More U.S. troops to Afghanistan? Obama's caught in a vise (McClatchy Newspapers)

2009-09-21T16:37:00-00:00

More U.S. troops to Afghanistan? Obama's caught in a vise (McClatchy Newspapers)

The internal debate behind closed doors comes as the American people increasingly oppose the war. In one recent poll for CNN , 58 percent said they opposed the war, while 39 percent favored it. The poll was conducted Sept 11-13 .

September 20, 2009: Obama Says He Has Been âHumbledâ by Tough Health-Care Debate (Bloomberg)

2009-09-20T21:00:00-00:00

Obama Says He Has Been âHumbledâ by Tough Health-Care Debate (Bloomberg)

“There have been times where I have said I’ve got to stepup my game in terms of talking to the American people aboutissues like health care,” Obama said in an interview on ABC’s“This Week” program. “That’s been a case where I have beenhumbled and I just keep on trying harder.”
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, onCNN, warned that Obama risks “a very, very severe reactionamong the American people” if Democrats use their majorities inthe House and Senate to push health-care legislation throughCongress without bipartisan support.
“The Russians don’t make determinations about what ourdefense posture is,” Obama said. “We have made a decisionabout what will be best to protect the American people, as wellas our troops in Europe and our allies.”