President Obama

Stateside: Second inaugural addresses throughout history

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:34:54 +0000

The following is a summary of a previously recorded interview. To hear the complete segment, click the audio above.

Today, President Barack Obama delivered his second inaugural address.

According to Gleaves Whitney, many second addresses are somber and straightforward.

Whitney directs the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University, and he spoke with Cyndy about the history of inaugural addresses.

“I think that Eisenhower was the first and only president to write his prayer into the inaugural address,” said Whitney.

George Washington’s second inaugural speech was the shortest in history, said Whitney.

“Second inaugural addresses usually occur after the president has been chastened by experience. The lofty optimism that often characterizes first inaugural addresses is missing," he continued.

For the entire interview, listen to the above audio.

There are two ways you can podcast "Stateside with Cynthia Canty"

President Obama at Dearborn campaign stop: "Part of what makes us great is making stuff"

Sarah Cwiek — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 03:55:22 +0000

President Obama made a broad, impassioned case for his re-election in Metro Detroit Wednesday.

The President resurrected the “change” theme of his 2008 campaign.

He said change is a slow process. But he touted some milestones of his first term, including health care reform and the resurgence of the US auto industry.

“If we work on behalf of our higher ideals…we will finish what we started in 2008,” the President told a crowd of enthusiastic supporters.

The President also paid homage to his surroundings—the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. He said it shows that “part of what makes us great is making stuff.”

“That’s what this museum reminds us of," Mr. Obama said. "Of what it means to build. It’s time we start taking the money we’re spending on war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use half of it to build our nation here at home.”

The President contrasted that with what he called Republicans’ “you’re on your own economics.”

“Their philosophy is that we’re better off if a few are doing well at the top, and everybody else is fending for themselves," Mr. Obama said. "And they’re wrong.”

The Henry Ford hosted the first of two Metro Detroit fundraisers for the President. He then moved on to a private fundraiser at the Bingham Farms home of businesswoman Denise Ilitch.

The top price for a ticket there: $40,000.

How does Michigan rank in college affordability?

Jennifer White — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:02:20 +0000

President Obama spoke at the University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus today.

He spoke about his concerns over the cost of higher education and called for a college affordability report card.

The Center for Michigan's Bridge Magazine published its own report card with the affordability rankings for every Michigan university.

Michigan Radio's Jennifer White spoke to Ron French, Bridge Magazine's Senior Writer.

Reaction to President Obama's Speech, A Tiny Step Forward

Jack Lessenberry — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:27:56 +0000

Well, the week is over, and it’s time for a little quiz. First of all, who said last night: “It’s time to stop the political circus and actually do something to help the economy.“

Not surprisingly, that was President Obama, in his nationally televised speech on jobs. Okay, now, who said this a few minutes later: “We are in a crisis, and cannot afford to waste time on unproductive political posturing and partisan fighting.

“It’s time to make the tough decisions needed to reinvent the United States.” This time, that wasn‘t the president, but our own Republican governor, Rick Snyder. His response to the president’s speech sounded much more cooperative than confrontational.

And that attitude might just contain a tiny sliver of hope. Now, I know that Rick Snyder is not Speaker of the House John Boehner.

Nor does every Michigan Republican think the same.

In Detroit, President Obama says unions can help "fully restore the middle class"

Sarah Cwiek — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:50:46 +0000

Speaking to union members and supporters at a Labor Day rally in Detroit, President Obama says his biggest concern is to “fully restore” the country’s middle class.

The President will outline a jobs agenda to Congress on Thursday. He drew a disbelieving groan from the crowd when he said he still believes “both parties can work together.”

Levin: Forget budget deficit, focus on debt ceiling

Steve Carmody — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:58:54 +0000

Michigan Senator Carl Levin wants all sides to give up trying to tie increasing the federal debt ceiling to a major cut in federal spending. The budget talks have stalled as President Obama and Congressional Republicans have been unable to agree on closing tax loopholes.

Levin says tying budget cuts to increasing the debt ceiling has been a bad idea.

“Frankly never should have been combined. We have no choice but to raise the debt ceiling. We ought to reduce the deficit. And we will. But, whether we can do that in time to avoid a real calamity here which will occur if out debt ceiling is not raised is just anybody’s guess.”

Congress has until August 2^nd to agree to increase the federal government’s debt ceiling. After that, the government could possibly risk going into default.

Federal government to jumpstart manufacturing in Michigan

Tracy Samilton — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 19:32:05 +0000

Michigan is playing a starring role in a new federal initiative designed to spark the creation of new manufacturing jobs as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership. The federal government will spend $500 million to jumpstart manufacturing research and development projects.

President Obama says the government played an important role initially in projects that led to the creation of the internet, cell phones, and companies like Google. He says this investment can do the same for manufacturing.

Obama to visit Chrysler plant in Toledo next week

The Associated Press — Thu, 26 May 2011 10:49:45 +0000

President Barack Obama will visit a Chrysler plant in Toledo, Ohio, next week to discuss the car maker's repayment of a federal loan that saved the company from financial disaster two years ago.

The White House says Obama will visit the auto plant on June 3.

Chrysler announced Tuesday the repayment of $5.9 billion in U.S. loans and $1.7 billion in loans from the governments of Canada and Ontario. It covers most of the federal bailout money that saved the company after it nearly ran out of cash in 2009 and went through a government-led bankruptcy.

The company recently posted its first profit in five years and has bolstered its lineup of Jeeps and cars.

Time running out to avert partial government shutdown

Zoe Clark — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 10:47:51 +0000

Less than 24 hours remain for President Obama and Congressional leaders to avert a government shutdown. A deal to fund the federal government through September must be reached by midnight tonight to keep the government fully operating. President Obama and legislative leaders met again last night to narrow their differences over how much to cut the federal budget but no agreement was made.

NPR: GOP, Democrats Shift Blame As Shutdown Looms
The New York Times: No Accord in Budget Talks as Policy Fights Hamper Deal
The Washington Post: Budget Deal Continues to Elude Congress
Wall Street Journal: Dickering on Budget Goes Down to the Wire
Politico: White House Meeting Narrows Differences, But Still No Budget Deal
TheHill.com: Obama Cites Progress But 'No Wild Optimism' Ahead of Deadline

Senator Levin restates support for U.S. military action in Libya

Zoe Clark — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:28:46 +0000

Michigan Senator Carl Levin (D), along with Arizona Senator John McCain (R), made opening statements this morning before the Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on Posture of U.S. European Command and U.S. Strategic Command. In his statement, Levin, the Chairman of the Committee, said President Obama was right to use U.S. military force in Libya.

The Senate hearing comes a day after Obama addressed the nation about the role the U.S. was playing in Libya. As the Associated Press reports:

Levin said Obama has taken a thoughtful and deliberate approach to avert a bloodbath in Libya. McCain, Obama's 2008 rival for president, said Obama's decision to intervene was right and necessary.

You can read Senator Levin's full remarks here.

President Obama's address: Reactions and analysis

Zoe Clark — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:04:31 +0000

President Obama defended U.S. military action in Libya during an address to the nation last night. The President explained that the U.S. intervened in Libya, “to prevent a slaughter of civilians that would have stained the world's conscience and 'been a betrayal of who we are' as Americans,” the Associated Press reports.

The AP noted that the President, “ruled out targeting Moammar Gadhafi, calling that a mistake that would be as costly as the war in Iraq. Obama announced that NATO would take command over the entire Libya operation on Wednesday, keeping his pledge to get the U.S. out of the lead fast. He offered no estimate on when the conflict might end and no details about its costs.”

Reactions and analysis of the President's address came out quickly:

The Washington Post: Obama vigorously defends Libya intervention
NPR: Unyielding President leaves some unswayed
The Wall Street Journal: Opinion: Obama, Libya, and the GOP
Politico: Analysis: Obama's BAM! ZAP! and POW
The New York Times: Editorial: President Obama on Libya
The Washington Times: Editorial: The President's Speech
The Associated Press: Fact Check: How Obama's Libya claims fit the facts

President Obama to address the nation tonight

Zoe Clark — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:45:04 +0000

President Barack Obama will address the nation tonight about the military role the U.S. is playing in Libya. It's been just a little over a week since the President ordered U.S. forces to protect Libyan rebels from Moammar Gadhafi's regime.

The President will speak from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. at 7:30 p.m. You can hear live coverage of the address on Michigan Radio beginning at 7 p.m.

Here's a roundup of what various media organizations are saying about the upcoming address:

The Washington Post: Flush from a NATO victory, Obama presenting fuller account of his Libya strategy to nation
NPR: Obama to define Libya mission in Monday's speech
Bloomberg: Obama confronts congressional questions, public skepticism in Libya speech
Politico: Obama faces hard Libya Sell
National Journal: Let him be clear: What Obama wants to tell us

President Obama speaks about Libya

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 19:22:45 +0000

President Obama gave a statement today regarding the ongoing situation in Libya.

From ABC News:

President Obama today gave an ultimatum to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi that he must immediately implement a ceasefire in all parts of Libya and allow international humanitarian assistance or risk military action against his regime.

Secretary of State Clinton presses the United Nations on Libya

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:48:56 +0000

According to NPR, Secretary of State Clinton claims that pro-Gadhafi forces have been and continue to use violence against Libyan protesters:

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accused Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi of using "mercenaries and thugs" against his own people Monday as rebels said they thwarted an attempted aerial bombing of an eastern city.

"Gadhafi and those around him must be held accountable for these acts, which violate international legal obligations and common decency,'' Clinton told the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

"Nothing is off the table as long as the Libyan government continues to threaten and kill Libyan citizens."She called on Gadhafi, who has ruled the North African nation with an iron fist since 1969, to leave power "now, without further violence or delay."

Meanwhile, Gadhafi himself refuses to step down, claiming "all my people love me."

Secretary Hillary Clinton's remarks are some of the strongest yet from President Obama's administration regarding the recent protests and unrest in Libya.

General Motors Wins a Star

Jack Lessenberry — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:18:37 +0000

Two years ago, when President Obama decided to spend billions to prop up General Motors, and then to guide it through a cushioned, “soft landing” bankruptcy, there were a lot of doubters. Many thought nature should have been allowed to take its course, and that the once-mighty General should have been allowed to die.

At the time, a commentator on NBC News said “As the GM bailout goes, so goes the Obama presidency.”