Latest Obama Poll

I read an article that dissected the lastest poll about Obama from Times/CBS. It found that more than two-thirds of the poll’s respondents call Mr. Obama a different kind of politician, while just 1 in 4 say he is a typical politician. When those who called him different were asked what sets him apart, most said it was more a matter of his style of governing and his personal qualities than his policies.Like with everything, partisonship does come into play- a broad majority of Democrats and independents say Mr. Obama is different, compared with fewer than half of Republicans. Republicans and conservatives are among the most likely to view Mr. Obama as a typical politician, with more than 4 in 10 saying so.

College Asks Donors to Meet Financial Aid Need

I read an article on the NY Times website that would interest us as college students.Colleges and universities now are appealing to donors to help meet the huge demand for financial aid. Hampshire College in Massachusetts raised its financial aid budget 7.5% to 21.5 million because of donations from fundraisers. At this school and many others across the country, the financial aid demand for the 2009 has increased. Chapman University in Orange County said that their financial aid increased 88%.In some cases students will send letters to the donors telling them of their finanical needs and dreams. In other cases galas are held where money is raised.At the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, fund-raisers are telling potential donors that some $30 million in requests for aid remain outstanding. The endowment is down 25.6 percent, and Governor Perdue has proposed cutting state financing to the University of North Carolina system by 5 percent. They are now trying to get donors to increase their donation. I think it is a good idea. There are plenty of people in this state that could help colleges out.Every donation counts for something and will add up.If it means that 10 more students can go to school, I think it is a success.

Mad About Michelle-The Nation

I read an article by Katha Pollitt talking about controversy over our first lady, Michelle Obama. The author thinks that the reason there is so much obsession with her being different is that some of us are threatened by her. She has beauty and poise. She works at homeless shelters and feeds the hungry and she is also six feet tall.Then the author slams this piece in an article written by David Samuels:
"There are clear limits to Michelle's ambition. She went to excellent schools, got decent grades, stayed away from too much intellectual heavy lifting, and held a series of practical, modestly salaried jobs while accommodating her husband's wilder dreams and raising two lovely daughters. In this, she is a more practical role model for young women than Hillary Clinton, blending her calculations about family and career with an expectation of normal personal happiness."
Pollitt concludes that Michelle Obama made almost 300,000 last year as as head of community affairs for the University of Chicago Hospitals. That is almost twice as much as President Obama as an senator. I think everyone needs to accept Mrs. Obama. Yes, shes different than what we have seen before but this is the twenty-first century. First Ladies can show a little arm or leg and wear Versace and it shouldn't be a big deal. You would think people would be more worried about the economic situation than what she is wearing.