Posted by BEN BEAUMONT – On the eve of President Obama’s 100-day anniversary in office, Newsweek columnist Jonathan Alter visited the Clinton School today to discuss the beginning of Obama’s Administration as it compares to his predecessors, namely Franklin Roosevelt.
The author of the bestselling book, “The Defining Moment: FDR’s First Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope,” Alter recounted the flurry of legislation championed by FDR in his first 100 days such as the institution of farm price supports, the start of the first civilian service corps and the first bank deposit insurance program. Obama’s stimulus plan, progressive budget, numerous executive orders and other legislation have given him a similarly active first 100 days. In fact, his public investment is much larger than Roosevelt’s, Alter said.
On public service, Alter compared FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps, which put thousands of young people to work planting trees across the country, to Bill Clinton’s AmeriCorps program, which was recently expanded in Obama’s Serve America Act.
Speaking to a crowd of more than 200, Alter also touched on the future of print media in America, the impact of Senator Arlen Specter’s switch to the Democratic Party and a coming redesign of Newsweek, among other topics. Video of his speech will be posted tomorrow at www.clintonschoolspeakers.com.
Jonathan Alter (left) of Newsweek sitting next to Clinton School student Ali Turro, who introduced him Tuesday at the Clinton School.