Poll: Obama more popular than ever, despite a few speed bumps

January 18th, 2009

Posted: 09:12 AM ET

From Paul Steinhauser
CNN Deputy Political Director
WASHINGTON DC (CNN) — A new national poll suggests that Barack Obama is more popular than ever, regardless of recent speed bumps on the road to transition.
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Sunday morning also indicates that most Americans see Obama’s inauguration as a chance for the nation to come together.
Eighty-four percent of those questioned in the survey say they approve of how Barack Obama is handling his presidential transition. That is up two points from the middle of December and up five points from the beginning of December.

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Obama’s somber ceremony

January 18th, 2009

Posted: 01:57 PM ET

(CNN) — On his first full day back in Washington, President-elect Barack Obama visited Arlington National Cemetery on Sunday, where he took part in a ceremony alongside Vice President-elect Joe Biden.
The two — along with their families and a huge crowd — will attend a celebratory concert Sunday afternoon at the Lincoln Memorial.
Obama’s arrival in Washington on Saturday evening marked the end of his three-day train tour from Illinois.
It’s all part of the drum-up to Tuesday, when Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States.

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Obama to meet with with military Wednesday on Iraq

January 18th, 2009

Posted: 03:36 PM ET

From Ed Henry
CNN Senior White House Correspondent
WASHINGTON — Incoming President Barack Obama is planning to meet with top military leaders on Wednesday to discuss the war in Iraq and move to begin implementing his campaign promise of removing all combat troops within 16 months, according to two transition officials familiar with the matter.
The meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other top military commanders is to be held on Obama’s first full day in office, which suggests the president-elect wants to signal supporters that, despite his heavy focus on the financial crisis, he will address Iraq early in the new administration.
In an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” shortly after his election victory, Obama said he would move quickly to begin withdrawing troops.
“Well, I’ve said during the campaign, and I’ve stuck to this commitment, that as soon as I take office, I will call in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, my national security apparatus, and we will start executing a plan that draws down our troops,” Obama said. “Particularly in light of the problems that we’re having in Afghanistan, which has continued to worsen. We’ve got to shore up those efforts.”

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