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Benchmarking Obama: President's First 100 Days April 29 marks President Obama's 100th day in office. It's an occasion for reflection most presidents dislike but cannot escape — and Obama is no exception. NPR News examines progress in 10 of Obama's own agenda priorities, relying on metrics the president suggested himself.
Special Series

Benchmarking Obama: President's First 100 Days

Series Overview: Assessing Obama's Agenda

NPR this week presents a series of stories assessing the Obama administration's progress toward goals set by the new president himself. Our preliminary report will focus on 10 of Obama's agenda priorities.

NPR's Washington editor Ron Elving and national political correspondent Mara Liasson join Weekend Edition guest host Lynn Neary to discuss the series.

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On The Economy, Obama Gets Mixed Marks

President Obama's most immediate challenge as he took office was finding a way to stabilize the economy. Economists assessing Obama's first 100 days in office say he has made a good effort, but it's too soon to tell whether his attempt to end the recession will be effective.

On The Economy, Obama Gets Mixed Marks

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Obama Seeks Delicate Balance Between Two Wars

President Obama ordered strategy reviews to help chart the way forward in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But changeable military and political conditions in the countries threaten Obama's strategy to shift emphasis from the war in Iraq and instead "finish the job" in Afghanistan.

Obama Seeks Delicate Balance Between Two Wars

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Obama Aims To Change World Perceptions Of U.S.

Since taking office, President Obama has attempted to present a more conciliatory, multilateral approach to foreign policy. But, as one analyst puts it, the "hard stuff is still to come," such as how Obama handles Iraq and Afghanistan, or another terrorist attack.

Obama Aims To Change World Perceptions Of U.S.

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Obama's Financial Reform Plans Draw Critics

The Obama administration is pushing for reforms in the way that Washington oversees Wall Street. It's proposing to give a single regulatory body like the Federal Reserve the power to keep tabs on the financial market as a whole. But some critics say that solution may create problems of its own.

Obama's Financial Reform Plans Draw Critics

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Obama And Health Care: Big Hurdles Yet To Come

The Obama administration has pushed through several health measures, expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program and dedicating more than $100 billion in stimulus money to health care. But the big test will come when Obama tries to get Congress to act on a bill overhauling the U.S. health care system.

Obama And Health Care: Big Hurdles Yet To Come

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Obama's Energy Plans Remain Works In Progress

The Obama administration has taken initial steps toward addressing energy and climate issues, like weatherizing homes and speeding up loans to energy research projects. But, there's no "magic switch" to changing to cleaner energy, officials say. Bigger projects and changes — like designing a new electricity grid for renewable energy — are still in the planning stages.

Obama's Energy Plans Remain Works In Progress

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Obama's Long Education To-Do List Awaits Action

In his first 100 days in office, President Obama announced a wide range of education proposals that cover learning from pre-school through college. So far, most of that agenda has yet to be implemented, and at least one item is already stirring opposition.

Obama's Long Education To-Do List Awaits Action

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Obama Struggles For Middle Ground On Abortion

One campaign promise President Obama has not managed to keep is his vow to find common ground in one of the most polarizing issues in American politics: abortion. So far, all he has managed to do is irritate both sides of the debate.

Obama Struggles For Middle Ground On Abortion

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Obama's Vow To Remake Washington A Tall Order

One of President Obama's most prominent campaign promises was to change the way Washington worked. He wanted to change the partisan tone in the nation's capital and lessen the influence of lobbyists. After more than three months in office, how has he fared?

Obama's Vow To Remake Washington A Tall Order

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Obama Faces Challenges On Budget Vows

During his campaign, candidate Obama promised to get the federal budget under control, but the economy went into a tailspin. Now, he is trying to find symbolic savings. But his pledges of greater fiscal responsibility have been overpowered by attempts to shore up the economy.

Obama Faces Challenges On Budget Vows

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