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Teddy Roosevelt, the Middle Class and Barack Obama
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Teddy Roosevelt, the Middle Class and Barack Obama

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Progressive Democrats are applauding the campaign themes laid out by President Obama this week in Kansas. Liberals are asking, "Where’s the beef?" Has he put Republicans on the defensive? How will he sound to the centrists who decide elections? Also, all of Europe, except Britain, signs a treaty to shore up the Euro. On Reporter's Notebook, Amazon's latest assault on traditional retail.

Banner image: President Obama delivers remarks in Osawatomie, Kansas. Official White House photo, Pete Souza, December 6, 2011

Making News

All Europe, Except Britain, Signs Treaty to Shore Up the Euro ()

The European Union summit of 27 countries has come up with a plan to save the Euro unanimously, except for Great Britain, which doesn't use the Euro anyway. France and Germany call it a "breakthrough." Poland and some other countries say they're not so sure. Steven Erlanger is in Brussels for the New York Times.

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Main Topic

The Obama Record, His Re-election Campaign and the Middle Class ()

After a first term full of disappointments, some progressive Democrats are saying that President Obama finally found his voice this week in Kansas. Obama's carefully crafted speech invoked Republican President Theodore Roosevelt, who made a speech in the same town more than 100 years ago, calling equal opportunity the cornerstone of democracy. In his first major effort to lay out the themes of next year's re-election campaign, Obama picked up on the rhetoric of the Occupy movement, denouncing Wall Street and supporting "the 99 percent." But, does his record match his rhetoric? Will centrists see him as the champion of the Middle Class or an advocate of more government regulation? How does his re-election agenda stack up against the crowded field of Republicans? We get a range of opinions from across the political spectrum.

 
 
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Reporter's Notebook

Amazon Outrages Brick and Mortar Stores with New Price Comparison App ()

Amazon has a new, smart-phone strategy for competitive pricing. Traditional stores are outraged. Starting tomorrow, the online retailer is offering discounts to shoppers who use its smart-phone app to scan bar codes in brick and mortar stores and then buy the products from Amazon. Is all fair in love, war and retail?

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