Experts Discuss Obama Administration First 262 Days

Experts gather at JSU to discuss President Obama's first 262 days in office

Scholars, Historians and Educators in Mississippi are reflecting on the first 262 days of President Barack Obama's Presidency. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

A new Gallup poll shows President Barack Obama's approval rating is on the rise. Dr. Leslie McLemore is founder of the Fannie Lou Hamer Institute at Jackson State University.

“It seems to me that what we have here is an effort by a man who clearly understands the situation that we are in as a country. And he is trying to say to us that we can actually chew gum and walk at the same time. And so he has developed a multiplicity of solutions trying to attack these problems that we’re dealing with.”

Angela Kupenda, Professor of Law at Mississippi College says she doesn't believe it's possible for President Obama to fix all the nations problem's in such a short time. But she says what he has done is create an interesting tension in the country.

“Just think people openly disrespecting the president at an official gathering. I think that this all is a part of change. If we were not to make a breakthrough in this country where we live up to the true meaning of the spirit of the constitution of equality people would not be resistant. So that resistance is a positive sign that we’re about to have a breakthrough.”

Even with the presidents rising approval rating, Steve Rozman, Political Science Professor at Tougaloo College believes some of the people who helped to get him elected are becoming disenchanted.

“That he’s waffled a bit on the healthcare issue. And that he may go into Afghanistan with more troops. And that he’s slow in closing Guantanamo. And some people feel he’s not quite forceful enough in promoting his agenda.”

While the Democratic Presidents numbers are up, analyst are not sure what impact it will have on the 2010 congressional elections. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.