At the Fencepost

Obama's First 100 Days

Maps of Iraq can be seen on the wall as President Barack Obama meets with Gen. Ray Odierno at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, on April 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Millions of people jobless. Billions of dollars in bailouts. Trillions of dollars in U.S. debt. And yet, for the first time in years, more Americans than not say the country is on the right track.

In a sign that Barack Obama has inspired hopes for a brighter future in the first 100 days of his presidency, an Associated Press-GfK poll shows that 48 percent of Americans believe the United States is headed in the right direction - compared with 44 percent who disagree.

The "right direction" number is up 8 points since February and a remarkable 31 points since October, the month before Obama's election. [READ MORE]

How do you think Obama is doing?

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MULTIMEDIA

The big issues 100 days later.
Track Obama's global travel since becoming president.
First lady Michelle Obama's fashion debut.

First lady Michelle Obama speaks to children of executive office employees at the White House's annual Take Your Child to Work Day in the East Room of the White House on April 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

The Abortion Debate

The abortion debate has been in the headlines recently with the 36th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision and President Barack Obama's decision to reverse the "Mexico City policy," which was a ban on giving federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide information on the option. There are also questions regarding future openings on the U.S. Supreme Court and what justices would fill those seats.

Speaking in favor of Obama's action to reverse the "Mexico City policy," Tod Preston, a spokesman for Population Action International told the Associated Press: "Women's health has been severely impacted by the cutoff of assistance. President Obama's ations will help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, abortions and women dying from high-risk pregnancies because they don't have access to family planning."

Criticizing the move, Douglas Johnson, legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee, told the Associated Press:
President Obama not long ago told the American people that he would suport policies to reduce abortions, but today he is effectively guaranteeing more abortions by funding groups that promote abortion as a method of population control."

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Auld Lang Syne

What are your New Year's traditions?

Do you cook any special food or go any special places on Dec. 31 or Jan. 1? Do you have family rituals for ringing in the New Year?

Have some New Year's Eves been more memorable than others?

Do you make resolutions? How successful are you at following them? What are some of your resolutions for 2009?

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