Columnist Jamala Rogers
“During the second 100 days, we will design, build and open a library dedicated to my first 100 days… I believe that my next 100 days will be so successful I will be able to complete them in 72 days. And on the 73rd day, I will rest.”
The above is excerpted from President Obama’s comedic presentation delivered recently at the White House Correspondents Dinner.
From Day One, the scrutiny of this president has been minute to minute, word by word, act by act. The president did right to make mention of the messiah tag that far too many people have ascribed to him. He’s a politician, not a magician.
Obama’s presidency in general and his first 100 days in particular have served as a civics lesson for the country. Between the media’s relentless probing and the president’s call for transparency, one of Obama’s greatest legacies may be that the American people finally learn about how the government works – or doesn’t work.
I hope that the interest stays high on what Obama is doing, because it correlates with our involvement in not just the Obama administration but in how citizen participation can make a real difference.
All over the country, groups held 100 days events. I was invited to participate in one such event by the black studies department at Temple University. I was armed with information from the Justice Institute’s 100 days event that was held in St. Louis. The highlight of most of these events focused on giving the administration a letter grade.
From what I can tell, most gave the president high marks (except for Tavis Smiley, who is still pouting from Obama not participating in his State of Black America event).
The most credible of polling companies also cited high marks for the first black president. The Gallup Poll had Obama at 66 percent approval rating while CNN had him at 64 percent. According to Gallup, no matter how you slice the demographics, Obama has solid ratings. Black folks were the highest at 96 percent.
The Justice Institute’s approach to the first 100 days was uniquely different from most events held around the country. The group mobilized around three specific issues and encouraged participants to get involved in the local organizing efforts in those respective issues beyond the 100 days.
The Institute looked at Obama’s progress and direction in health care, peace and education. Even the report card was different, attempting to weed out subjectivity by using specific criteria such as cabinet appointments, budget, forward motion through executive orders, legislation or other directives. The final report will soon be available to the public.
There will continue to be both criticism and praise for Obama and his administration. There are still mechanisms to monitor Obama’s campaign promises such as Politifact.com’s Obameter. The media and political pundits will continue to create drama to up their ratings. The right wing will continue to throw their political darts in Obama’s balloons.
For many, there’s a need to make sure the first black president is successful in spite of Rush Limbaugh. Obama has demanded that we hold him accountable. More importantly, citizens have a responsibility to get involved in issues that affect our families and communities, and to make the country live up to its creed and laws.