Change has come to America in 2009, bringing with it a slew of economic and financial problems facing our country. But during these challenging times, we have a new man to look to for hope: President Barack Obama. Many of you are confident that he’ll be able to effectively solve the nation’s problems, no matter how great they seem. In fact, many teens are pleased already with some of the major issues he’s addressed, including passing the economic stimulus package and withdrawing American troops from Iraq. Find out why teens still feel confident despite America’s hardships.
Generally speaking, how do you think President Obama is doing so far? Were you always an Obama supporter?
“With his experience, President Obama is doing a really good job. It would have been hard for anyone to come into this presidency [with] the mess the economy is in. I was one of those people who thought he may be a little too inexperienced, but I believe he’ll do a great job.”
—Marissa Snyder, 19, Boston, Mass.
“Obama is doing a pretty good job so far. I’m happy that he’s been doing some great things, including bringing about the stimulus package, announcing that he’ll close the prison at Guantanamo Bay and declaring that U.S. troops will be out of Iraq by August 2010. I’ve always been a big Obama fan, so I expected this from him.”
—Jill Weiss, 18, Ardsley, N.Y.
“Obama has done a good job. There’s more hope in this country than there was just a year ago. Having hope can [make] us want to achieve.”
—Alieza Schvimer, 17, Evanston, Ill.
“I respect that Obama represents a new period of idealism. I feel like it’s impossible to judge a leader before much of his term is completed, but I really do hope for the best. After all, if our leader fails, we do too.”
—Elizabeth Kirshner, 15, Oak Park, Mich.
“I was never positive about whom I wanted in the White House, but with Obama I welcome the change and feel it’s necessary.”
—Harrison Kashkin, 15, Tenafly, N.J.
“I was always an Obama supporter. He was put in a sticky situation that would be difficult for anyone to untangle, but he’s doing a great job with what he was given.”
—Lauren Silva, 16, Sarasota, Fla.
“Obama is doing an excellent job so far. I definitely agree with mostly everything he’s been doing. In his speech to Congress, he addressed the economy beautifully by telling Americans what he plans to do to improve it.”
—Emily Schenck, 17, Richmond, Va.
Do you still remain excited about change in the U.S. despite the current economy?
“There’s no better opportunity than a crisis to instill change in the way government is conducted. I appreciate that he’s taking a proactive stance on handling the economy and that he’s trying to pare down on spending while ramping up the deficit to cushion the recession.”
—Jason Gerson, 17, Marietta, Ga.
“I still remain excited about the change in the U.S. because I believe Obama can fix, or at least improve, most of our nation’s problems. After the last eight years, the only place we can go right now is up.”
—Emily
“It’s amazing that we have a new person leading our country. Even though we’re in a recession, this is exactly what our country needs in a time like this. This is a new start and a new beginning for the U.S. It’s not Obama’s fault that our economy is bad.”
—Jill
“Part of the problem with being excited about change is that so many people have such high expectations for Obama in office. Those high expectations can only harm Obama’s presidency because the first time he screws up or doesn’t do something he promised, everyone’s going to point a finger and read the worst possible thing into it. It will only hurt his popularity.”
—Alieza
How do you think President Obama is handling the economic crisis so far? He recently signed into law a $787 billion economic stimulus package. Do you agree or disagree with his decisions about our current recession?
“Signing the stimulus package was a great move, and he’s making decisions that are going to get us out of the recession.”
—Jill
“Obama isn’t going to get us out of the recession—we will. Obama will be the one to help us achieve that goal.”
—Arielle Davis, 16, Miami, Fla.
“Obama is taking a very tough stand on the economy and not hiding anything from the public. He’s telling us the brutal truth. During the election, Obama promised that when he took office, he would immediately begin working on fixing the economic situation. One of the first things he did in office was sign the stimulus bill, so he stayed true to his promise.”
—Rachel Leamon, 20, Boston, Mass.
“I do not agree. Any plan that’s in the billions is too risky.”
—Chava Sneiderman, 15, Newark, Del.
“It’s a very touchy matter that’s hard to judge until the effects become more evident.”
—Lauren
“I agree with his decisions about our current recession. The stimulus is necessary to get our economy back on track; [it] was basically our only option.”
—Emily
“[The stimulus package] just baffles me. Most Americans don’t understand it.”
—Alieza
How do you feel about President Obama’s plan to withdraw American troops from Iraq? He recently declared that combat operations in Iraq will end within 18 months.
“His Iraq plan feels appropriate—not too conservative, not too shortsighted; [it’s] just right.”
—Jason
“It’s important to end the war, so I agree with his withdrawal plans.”
—Lauren
“This is a great move because we need to get our troops out of Iraq as quickly as possible so we can focus on our own economic problems.”
—Jill
“I hate that we went into Iraq, but pulling out in 18 months might be a little too fast. We definitely have to pull out, and I don’t know how long it should take, but that just seems like too short of a time to really figure everything out and pull out peacefully.”
—Alieza
Do you agree with President Obama’s cabinet picks? Why or why not?
“President Obama made some really great decisions in his cabinet picks. He chose some truly great minds. It was a very wise choice for him to choose Republicans and Democrats to have a nicely rounded cabinet, and the choices allow [for] different opinions.”
—Marissa
“Although I wish there had been fewer snags with his nominees, they’re amply qualified and uniquely competent to pull us out of this financial crisis. With that said, I’m absolutely confident in President Obama’s ability to lead our country.”
—Jason
“I love Obama’s cabinet picks because he has mostly Democrats, but he also threw in a couple of Republicans to keep the partisanship aside. I also love Hillary Clinton, so I’m glad she was given the opportunity to be part of Obama’s cabinet.”
—Emily
“I like that he’s surrounding himself with supporters of Israel. For all the people who doubted his position on Israel, the majority of his cabinet members are a testament to his future plans.”
—Alieza
“I definitely agree with Obama’s cabinet picks. I was so happy that he appointed Hillary Clinton secretary of state because I really admire her. I also really like that he chose a Jew—Rahm Emanuel—as chief of staff, because this really sets the precedent for Jews leading the country.”
—Jill
Are you confident in President Obama’s ability to lead our country?
“I’m sure Obama knows what he’s doing, but I need it to translate into everyday actions before I can really be confident.”
—Chava
“I’m extremely confident in Obama’s ability to lead America. He’s a very confident person, and he has a good head on his shoulders. He knows what’s best for America and what direction we need to go in.”
—Emily
“Even though with him there’s a lot of talk, he can accomplish at least a little of what our country needs, which will put us in a better position than during the past eight years. There’s also a lot to be said [about the fact] that when he speaks and addresses the nation, he talks specifics.”
—Alieza
“Obama is a very strong person who will do [his] best to get us out of the recession. I’m glad he won the election because he’ll do whatever he can to make this country stronger.”
—Jill
What do you think? Post your comments now.
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