St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper
PROFILE
Bill McClellan
Guest
FROM Bill McClellan
Which Way, L.A.?
President Obama's Support Is Evaporating Republicans presidential candidates dominated this weekend's political news while President Obamas approval ratings sank to their lowest point since he took office. Today it was his turn to visit Iowa , part of a three-state tour to shore up support from crucial constituencies. Obama has been denounced for filling the White House with Wall Street bankers and defended for doing the best he can with the bad hand he was dealt by George Bush and Republicans in Congress. But Independents are among those giving the President ratings so low he's vulnerable to the Republicans.
To the Point
Whatever Happened to 'Hope' and 'Change?' As the field of Republican challengers appears to be taking shape, President Obama's approval ratings are at their lowest point ever. Liberal Democrats, who expected a tough leader, say he's capitulated to Wall Street bankers and Tea Party extremists in Congress. Independents also perceive a lack of leadership and failure to keep the promise to tame Washington's mean-spirited partisanship. Defenders say Obama inherited two wars and a collapsing economy, but still got some stimulus, healthcare, and finance reform, despite Republican opposition. Does the President still have time to bring Congress together, shore up the economy and regain his credibility with taxpaying voters? Segment image: Supporters 'stand up' for candidate Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign. Photo by Michal Czerwonka/AFP/Getty Images
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To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?