The African-American woman who said she was 'exhausted' with defending the president at the 'Investing in America' event
On Monday while at the "Investing in America" town hall meeting to discuss the state of the American economy a self described middle-class African American woman, Velma Hart, who is the CFO of a veteran's service organization, told President Obama:
"Quite frankly, I'm exhausted. I'm exhausted of defending you, defending your administration, defending the mantle of change that I voted for, and deeply disappointed with where we are right now. I have been told that I voted for a man who said he was going to change things in a meaningful way for the middle class. I'm one of those people. And I'm waiting, sir. I'm waiting. I -- I don't feel it yet...Is this my new reality?"
Is this the bellwether for the Obama administration from his base of middle-class America and African-Americans as well? Too many have been asking "where's the beef?"
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Amidst recent U.S. Census Bureau numbers showing income, poverty, and health insurance coverage in the United States for 2009 going in the wrong directions, and mid-term elections in November, the Obama administration is facing real challenges. The median household income in the US was $49,777; for whites, $51,861 (down -0.5 percent from 2008) and blacks, $32,584 (down -4.4 percent from 2008). In 2009 43.6 million people or 14.3 percent were in poverty up from 39.8 million or 13.2 percent in 2008. This is the largest number in 51 years for which poverty numbers are available. Of this, in 2009 12.3 percent or 29.8 million are white and 25.8 percent or 9.9 million are black.
According to the most recent Rasmussen poll numbers, "26 percent of the nation's voters strongly approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-five percent strongly disapprove, giving Obama a presidential approval Index rating of -19". According to recent Gallup numbers, "President Obama's job approval rating averaged 88 percent among blacks and 38 percent among whites in July, a 50-percentage-point difference that has been consistent in recent months..."
Velma Hart's premise appeared to be based more on economic circumstance than race. Also, she did not indicate that she would not continue to support President Obama. In the midst's of her frustration she demonstrated patience.
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