The Obama Timeline

Television ratings for Obama’s news conference (28.8 million viewers) drop dramatically from his appearances on February 9 (49.5 million) and March 24 (40.4 million). Bill Clinton’s 1993 news conference on the economy drew about 64 million viewers (but there were far fewer alternative programs for viewers in 1993). [2609]

On Obama’s 100th day in office the House of Representatives passes his massive budget (with a price tag of $3.44 trillion) by a vote of 233 to 193. Thirteen Democrats and all Republicans vote against the bill. Approximately one-third of Obama’s budget is deficit spending. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) says, “It spends an awful lot of money, it raises a lot of taxes, and it puts all of this debt on the backs our kids and grandkids.” The Senate passes the budget later the same day, by a vote of 53 to 43. All Republican Senators vote against the budget; Democrat Senators Bayh, Byrd, Nelson, and Specter vote against it; Senators Kennedy, Sessions, and Rockefeller are not present to cast votes. [2578, 2580, 2588]

With no Republicans in the House or the Senate voting for the budget, Obama and his fellow Democrats now “own it.” If the economy turns around, the unemployment rate falls to normal levels, tax revenues rise, and the deficit starts declining, Obama will be entitled to take credit. But if there is no quick turnaround, Obama will have no one else to blame.