President Obama’s first 100 days

Restore confidence – check. Pass a stimulus bill – check. Reset American leadership abroad – check. Take action to shore up the faltering banking and auto industries – check. Get a new puppy – check. Ever since Franklin Roosevelt passed a dizzying number of bills during the first 100 days of his presidency in 1933, commentators and others have used that time frame to grade a new president’s early performance. Last week it was Barack Obama’s turn and by most accounts, he has made a remarkable first impression. On a scale of 1-10, I would give him a solid 9. There’s always room for improvement. But, looking ahead to the next 100 days and the massive challenges facing our nation, I don’t see the President’s job getting any easier.

Presidential leadership cannot be fully measured against a check list of promises made and promises kept. We need to also look at the decisions our Commander-in-Chief makes during a sudden crisis, as well as the steps he takes to ensure that his policies benefit every citizen. The President’s swift action to protect Americans on the high seas against Somali pirates and his mobilization of government resources to prevent the spread of swine flu qualify as effective actions against unforeseen enemies. But, much more must be done to ensure that the President’s economic and social policies are as inclusive as possible. Let me briefly touch on three areas of concern.

First, while I applaud the President’s aggressive tackling of the economic crisis, including the passage of the $787 billion stimulus package, I believe he needs to lead an interagency effort that also involves unions and the construction industry to ensure that the Green Jobs seen as key to the recovery do not by-pass Black America.

Second, this Administration must do more to reinvigorate the nation’s commitment to civil rights which has been eroded over the last eight years. Just last week we learned that Supreme Court Justice David Souter is retiring in June, giving the President his first opportunity to place his stamp on the High Court. We trust he will pick a successor who shares his own progressive views on civil rights, equal opportunity and color-blind justice.

In addition to a new Supreme Court Justice, President Obama faces a tough battle over his nomination of Maryland Labor Secretary, Thomas Perez to head the civil rights division of the Justice Department. Opposition is already lining up to challenge the President’s choice of Perez and the Administration’s plans to more aggressively tackle employment discrimination, hate crimes, voter suppression efforts, racial profiling and a host of other civil rights issues.

Finally, while we applaud the President’s attention to racial and gender diversity in filling White House and cabinet positions, we believe that more must be done at the sub-cabinet and agency levels to ensure that his administration \”looks like America\” from top to bottom.

With high marks all around and a public approval rating of 68 percent, we congratulate the President on an impressive first 100 days. In the next 100 and beyond, we urge him to stay focused on serving all the people in pursuit of his progressive agenda for change.