Home | News Briefs | U.S. | World
| Celeb Buzz | Entertainment | Sports | Business | Health | Sci / Tech | Politics | Weird & Offbeat
--- Advertisment ---
Amid Declining Approval Ratings, Obama Holds First Cabinet Retreat
July 31, 2009 9:59 a.m. EST
--- Advertisment ---
Kris Alingod - AHN Contributor
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - All 22 Cabinet-rank officials of President Barack Obama's administration will hold a retreat beginning Friday evening at Blair House. The event comes less than two weeks after Obama's sixth month in office and amid polls showing declining support for the President. The White House has denied reports that the gathering aims to correct the policy of the past months.
The President and Vice President Joe Biden host a meeting with the 16 members of the Cabinet and the six Cabinet-rank officials of the administration at 6:00 pm ET at the Blair House, the official guest house of the president across the street from the Oval Office.
The retreat includes a dinner on Friday and policy discussions on Saturday.
"This is something that's long been on the docket. This has happened with virtually every President since Eisenhower," Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a Thursday briefing.
"It's an opportunity for the President, the Vice President, senior White House staff, and Cabinet officials all to get together and talk about the agendas both past and forward," he added. "How we can continue to work together to make progress. But it's not a mid-course correction or a report card or -- it's just an opportunity for everyone to get together on hopefully a little bit less hectic pace."
The retreat comes as Obama faces an increasingly uphill battle to pass a healthcare reform bill in Congress, marks the first six months of his administration and sees his approval ratings drop.
A new NBC / Wall Street Journal poll says Obama's overall job approval rating is at 53 percent, down from a high of 61 percent in April. Approval of his performance on the economy has slipped from a high of 56 percent to 49 percent.
On healthcare, 41 percent approve and 46 percent disapprove of the President's work, despite the nearly daily speeches Obama has been giving on why reform should be passed now and how this will affect the current system.
A Pew Research Center poll likewise says there were "major declines" in the President's job approval ratings. Overall, his rating has fallen from 61 percent in June to 54 percent. On the economy, Obama has lost 22 points, his approval now is at 38 percent, from 60 percent in April.
On healthcare, 42 percent approve of his work, down from 51 percent. But more significant, disapproval of his performance on the issue has risen 17 points, to 43 percent.
The White House maintains healthcare reform was never expected to be easy, and that coverage of the President's agenda has not been balanced or accurate.
"The President gave strong lift to things that I think in all honesty probably haven't gotten a lot of coverage -- insurance reforms, not allowing insurance companies to discriminate based on preexisting conditions, not allowing insurance companies to drop their coverage if somebody gets too sick," Gibbs said on Thursday, referring to Obama's two town halls the previous day.
"The President is an able communicator, to say the least," he added. "I think there has been a lot of misinformation about the legislation, I think some of it unintentional; some of it... I think somewhat intentional... The President isn't fixated on the ups and downs in polling. If we were, we'd have quit two years ago this summer, if ever even run for President."
Copyright © 2003 - 2009 AHN - All rights reserved.Redistribution, republication. syndication, rewriting or broadcast is prohibited without the prior written consent of AHN.License AHN news for your website, business, digital signage network or publication.
Home | News Briefs | U.S. | World | Entertainment | Sports | Business | Health | Sci / Tech | Politics | Weird / Offbeat
© 2009 AHN
Client Login |
Submit News |
Privacy Policy |
Terms of Use
|
Contact
| Content Services
All Rights Reserved
Other News on Friday, 31 July 2009 British Iraq war inquiry will call Blair: chairman
Majorca lockdown after car bomb kills police
Iran police clash with protesters on mourning day
New jobless claims higher in past week
With a few beers, Obama tries to patch up a race furor
Energy giant Shell profits slump on weak oil prices
Taliban call for boycott of Afghan polls, 'jihad'
Custody deal agreed for Jackson's children: statement
Taliban threaten Afghan poll, deadly month nears end
| International
|
ExxonMobil profit slumps 66%
China committed to enforcing North Korea sanctions: U.S.
| International
|
Israel says investigating 100 Gaza war complaints
| International
|
Airbus recommends speed sensor switch after crash
| International
|
Nigerian Islamic sect leader killed in detention
| International
|
Cuba to create agency to fight corruption cancer
| International
|
Iraq acknowledges deaths at Iran exile camp
| International
|
Motorola rebounds, posts profit
Videogame industry looks for second-half comeback
| Technology
|
iPhone vulnerable to hacker attacks: researchers
| Technology
|
US to release young Afghan detainee from Guantanamo
Yahoo gets hard look from investors following deal
| Technology
|
New jobless claims higher in past week
Senate passes energy and water bill
American Samoa gov. seeks help with minimum wage
Correction: Hawaii Health Insurance-Glance
Jury hands man life sentence in Arizona shootings
India inflation in negative terrain for 7th week
Taiwan's TSMC Q2 net profit soars
Mazda posts net loss in Q1, but cheers record China sales
Pakistan's forex reserves fall to $11.77 bln
Japan's NEC announces Q1 loss
Japan's Fujitsu sees red
Softbank outshines DoCoMo in Japan's cellphone battle
Pakistani c.bank closing forex window for diesel
Just A Minute With: Ashley Tisdale on her rising career
| Entertainment
|
Moore's credit crunch film tops bill in Venice
| Entertainment
|
Albania to allow gay marriages: PM
Photographer Leibovitz sued for breach of contract
| Entertainment
|
Singapore visitor arrivals down 11.5% in first half: govt
Taiwan bans international match-making services
Update: Baby Cut From Mother's Womb Found Alive In New Hampshire, Robber-Killer Arrested
Rain, smoking bans dampen German beer sales
White House Beer And Chat Moved To Rose Garden
Reconciliation falters in Kenya's explosive Rift Valley
NASA Defends New Moon Mission Rockets Before Panel
East German Stasi feared Michael Jackson Berlin gig
| Entertainment
|
Pregnant Women To Get First Shot At Swine Flu Vaccine
Obama's Approval Rating Slipping; Economic, Healthcare Approval Declines
Wanting Clean Bathroom, Man Gets Hazmat Team, Trip To Hospital
White House Names Stephen Hawking, Jack Kemp, Sidney Poitier As Medal Of Freedom Recipients
Men at Work loses first stage of copyright lawsuit
Report: Goods In Canada Only 6.8 Percent More Expensive Compared To U.S.
Poll Finds Californians Turning Away From Schwarzenegger, Obama
Alexander Becomes First Republican Leader To Support Sotomayor
Computer giant Dell fined in Taiwan over consumer dispute
Fast new Internet link slow in reaching African users
Motorola rebounds, posts profit
British govt: we did not do enough for troops
Briton wins landmark ruling on assisted suicide
Myanmar court delays Suu Kyi verdict to August 11
| International
|
US military reviews use of social networks
Eurofighter deal to be inked: sources
Japan LDP tries to steal opposition policy thunder
| International
|
Iran police clash with protesters on mourning day
MySpace launches myspace.com email
German regulator says HRE rescue saved banks worldwide
U.S. envoy says Sudan sanctions should be eased
Microsoft CEO 'surprised' by market reaction to deal
Iran police break up memorial for protest victims
| International
|
Pfizer, Nigeria sign $75 mln settlement in drug suit: official
Pirate Bay website banned in Netherlands
Iraq says 11 dead in Iran camp as Amnesty seeks probe
Israel military holds criminal probes over Gaza war
Honduran rulers insist Zelaya cannot be president
| International
|
Presidents meet for security summit in Tajikistan
Comets probably won't cause the end of life as we know it: study
Nigerian militant leader shot in police custody
| International
|
U.N. council extends mandate of Darfur peacekeepers
Police car blown up during summit in Tajik capital
| International
|
CORRECTED
Japan kid payouts may win votes, not up birthrate
| International
|
US insists on six-way talks for NKorea
Myanmar delays Suu Kyi verdict to Aug 11
Drum roll for the first robotic gamelan orchestra
| Technology
|
Yahoo gets hard look from investors following deal
| Technology
|
Obama backs Philippine peace push
YouTube wedding video sends Chris Brown to charts
| Technology
|
US envoy warns of possible new sanctions on North Korea
Hazardous Chemical Fire Causes Evacuation Of Bryan, Texas
Microsoft CEO surprised at Yahoo deal reception
| Technology
|
U.S. jobless claims rise, but trend seen slowing
Schipper snags fly gold ahead of Olympic champ Liu
Judge Orders Release Of One Of Youngest Gitmo Detainees
GOP senator tamps down hopes for health care bill
EBay says no changes to Skype IPO plans
| Technology
|
U.S. Treasury sanctions North Korea trading firm
Update: White House Four-Way Beer And Chat Takes Place
Foxconn suicide turns spotlight on China counterfeiting
| Technology
|
Heavy rains flood Shanghai: state media
House panel goes back to work on health care
Thai PM warns against royal pardon petition for Thaksin
SD court overturns Alaska man's death sentence
Australia's Watson lands opening blows
Taiwan reports first death from swine flu
Japan's Mizuho Financial posts small Q1 loss
Japanese unemployment hits six-year high
S.Korea buys dlrs to cap won's gains -traders
Korea Hot Stocks
South Korea bonds steady early as key data awaited
Japan's jobless rate hits six-year high of 5.4 pct
Seoul shares rise; Samsung Elec up, eyes on data
Suzuki says no plans to exit Canada plant venture with GM
Jackson mother gets custody, Rowe gets visits
| Entertainment
|
Funny People laughing loudest at box office
| Entertainment
|
Swine flu scanner at Indonesian president's house
Hamas sponsors mass wedding in Gaza
Hollywood stars visit Havana amid U.S.-Cuba thaw
| Entertainment
|
New Michael Moore film in Venice film fest line-up
HBO renews Hung, True Blood, Entourage
| Entertainment
|
Organist wins share of 'Whiter Shade of Pale' royalties
Zuma's daughter lands role in South African soap
Last minute concert tickets hot items in recession
| Entertainment
|
Gaza kids seek kite world record in uplifting moment
YouTube wedding video sends Chris Brown to charts
| Entertainment
|
Black Eyed Peas set record on U.S. singles chart
| Entertainment
|
Bald Songbird Discovered In Remote Area Of Laos
'Radical' Jet To Take Tourists To Space
Wanting Clean Bathroom, Man Gets Hazmat Team, Trip To Hospital
Amy Winehouse's Father Faked A Heart Attack In Attempt To Scare Her Off Drugs
London Fog Airbrushed Gisele Bundchen's Baby Bump Out Of Her Latest Ad Campaign
Queen Elizabeth Delighted By School Kids' Underwear Designs For Her Majesty
Saudi Bank Officials Get Flack For Dance Video
Officers Suspended For Running Background Check On Obama
Energy-Burning 'Brown Fat' Discovery May Help Combat Obesity
Strong Perfume Prompts Panic At Texas Bank
Medvedev in Central Asia to bolster Russian clout
Bombs kill at least 28 near Baghdad mosques
| International
|
Afghan clash 'kills 11 militants, one policeman'
Organic food not healthier, says British study
Eurozone deflation deepens as prices fall 0.6%
US drones to target Taliban in Afghan war: report
U.S. troops killed in deadliest month of Afghan war
| International
|
Michael Jackson's Autopsy Results Delayed Indefinitely
BA announces £148m loss, says outlook uncertain
Iran's Ahmadinejad warns rivals their plans will fail
| International
|
Men Arrested Over Home Sneak-In Of SJP And Matthew Broderick's Surrogate
Cuba's Communist Party postpones key congress
| International
|
Sony Taps Google To Offer 1 Million E-Books
Bus crash involving Dutch tourists kills six in Spain
Katherine Jackson Gets Custody Of Michael's Kids; Debbie Rowe Agrees On Visitation Rights
Pakistani court says Musharraf trampled constitution
| International
|
China says Xinjiang riot media openness a success
| International
|
Men At Work Loses First Round Of Plagiarism Lawsuit
Ex-Soviet states meet for 'Russian NATO' summit
Former Jaipur Queen Gayatri Devi Dies At 90
U.N. experts ask Azerbaijan to stop free speech curbs
| International
|
Afghan war spreads to residential areas: U.N. report
| International
|
Nepal Gurkhas name beauty spot after 'Ab Fab' star
British hacker loses bid to avoid US extradition
Japanese unemployment hits six-year high
Beer flows as Obama tries to cool down a hot furor
British hacker loses U.S. extradition appeal
| Technology
|
One-child policy debate reignited in China
Texas chemical fire forces evacuation of 72,000
Emotional reunion for long-lost mongrel 'Muffy'
Reid says more cuts ahead for Yucca Mountain
Australia says Uighur leader is no 'terrorist'
Future of McNair's charity work is questionable
Indonesian 'sex cult' leader jailed: report
Obama to award Presidential Medal of Freedom to 16
US mulling European missile defense alternatives
S.Korean fishermen face N.Korea probe
Russia starts building major Asian gas pipeline
Japan's MUFG first quarter profits soar 48%
US GDP will offer clues on end of recession
23 films vie for Venice's Golden Lion
Seoul shares up 1.5 pct, post 12 pct rise in July =2
China July new loans below 500 bln yuan: report
Thailand's wine gets a woman's touch
Japan's ANA flies into red with $300 mln loss
Fall in SKorea industrial output eases in June
Pakistani stocks up over 3 pct on IMF loan hopes
S.Korea won at 9-1/2-mth closing high on stocks
Meryl Streep emerges as summer box-office sensation
| Entertainment
|
'Gilligan's Island' actress has auction in Idaho
Ashley Tisdale breaks out of 'High School' mode
Ang Lee attends NY screening of 'Taking Woodstock'
Photographer Leibovitz sued for breach of contract
| Entertainment
|
UK court rules in favor of Procol Harum organist
Update: Space Shuttle Endeavour Lands Safely In Florida
ESPN reporter complains of harassment in 911 call
Update: Space Shuttle Endeavor Cleared To Land; Begins Deorbit
Amid Declining Approval Ratings, Obama Holds First Cabinet Retreat
Emmy changes: Some awards to be taped
U.S. Economy Shows Sign Of Recovery As Q2 GDP Contracts By 1.5%
Ruling delayed on `Brutal Legend' release
House Panel May Finish Healthcare Bill Friday; Progressives Warn Against Compromise With Blue Dogs
Space Shuttle Endeavour Prepares For Friday Landing
Americans Spending Billions Out-Of-Pocket On Alternative Medicine
Update 2: After White House Beer Summit, Prof. Gates And Sgt. Crowley Agree To Meet Again
House Passes $636B Defense Budget Without F-22 Funds
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights