Obama Announces Re-Election Bid

On April 4, 2011, President Obama announced via his official website and other social media avenues that he is running for reelection in 2012. I have noticed that people tend to either love him or hate him; there seems to be no in-between with voter opinions about Obama. There are three major hurdles he'll have to overcome to win over more votes. The only way this will happen is with research and education on each topic.

Employment Rates

Despite the fact that last month, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 216,000 in March, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 8.8 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today," voters may see the unemployment rate as a failure when looking at a glance. Generally, it is not heard on the news those numbers of people are ow working; just reading the actual rate itself is more common.

The US unemployment rate is hanging at 8.9 percent; this is seen as a failure to voters, especially those not working. However, at one point during Obama's term, the unemployment rate topped off at 10.10 percent. That was in November 2009. When looking at the numbers that way, a huge improvement indeed is seen. Unfortunately, many voters don't dig that deep, just seeing the surface.

Obama's Spending

When Obama became president, his spending on programs and reforms is what seemed to scare people the most. All that could be seen was a man coming into office spending and spending at a time when the economic future wasn't bright. First impressions mean a lot in any situation. This impression has held steadfastly with voters.

U.S. Treasury figures from Sept. 30, 2008, show the national debt was $10,024,724,896,912.49. As of Sept. 30 last year, it was $13,561,623,030,891.79. That is an increase that will stick in people's minds and wallets. There are different reactions to this, though. Some say it takes money to clean up the mess Obama walked into, while others at the opposite end of the spectrum feel as if Obama has no cap on his spending limit.

Improving Education and the NCLB Laws

Obama did launch a campaign called "Educate to Innovate." He is in the progress of trying to rehabilitate the No Child Left Behind standard, but plenty are unaware of this since it is "in progress." As of March, President Obama released his"ESEA Re-authorization Blueprint," and it certainly looks promising. Finally, a program that makes sense and long-term knowledge and performance key, not just numbers from a school assessment test. However, we won't know until it has been in effect for some time. There are plenty of voters who don't look at the in between and progress. Rather, they see promises not kept.

There is definitely promise in Obama's plans, but they do take time to enact and then reap the rewards. These days, many people can't help but think of the right now instead of later because they themselves are unemployed or underemployed and struggling. These are huge hurdles to overcome.

Sources:
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0. first paragraph of the Employment Situation Summary
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/monitoring-the-economy/Pages/Monitoring-the-Economy.aspx
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/blueprint/publicationtoc.html
http://www.barackobama.com/

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