Aiming to assert control over the nation’s economic debate, President Barack Obama warned Americans eager for good news that “by no means are we out of the woods” and argued his broad domestic agenda is the path to recovery. In a speech at Georgetown University, Obama aimed to juggle his recent glass-half-full takes on the economy with a determination to not be stamped as naive in the face lingering problems. Obama summarized actions his administration has taken to steady the limping economy and coupled that with a fresh overview of his domestic goals.
The speech, which key aides had signaled in advance would not contain any major announcements, came as Obama nears his symbolic 100-day mark in office, important because that has become a traditional marker by which to judge new administrations. “There is no doubt that times are still tough,” Obama says. “But from where we stand, for the very first time, we are beginning to see glimmers of hope. And beyond that, way off in the distance, we can see a vision of an America’s future that is far different than our troubled economic past.” Obama’s message came on a day of conflicting economic indicators and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s suggestion that the recession may at last be bottoming out.
