President Obama Dips in Approval Ratings, but Portrait Still Inspires
EmailABC News' Kim Berryman reports:
For many of his erstwhile supporters, President Obama's image as almost an American savior is a distant memory, overshadowed by health-care battles and troop allocations, unemployment numbers and myriad disappointments. For at least one artist in a struggling community in the nation's capital, however, the nation's first black president and his family continue to be a powerful muse. Just blocks from the White House at the Gospel Rescue Ministries (GRM) homeless shelter in downtown Washington, a mural featuring a heroic portrait of the First Family is displayed prominently in the lobby, painted last fall by Ethiopian artist Mekbib Gebertasadik and depicting Mr. and Mrs. Obama, Sasha, Malia and even Bo, as a representation of hope and progress.
Titled "From Menelik I to Obama," the mural draws a connection between Menelik I, son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheeba, and the 44th U.S. President. The two figures are visually linked through numerous depictions of historical icons and civil rights leaders."Primarily, the clients we serve are African American and [the mural is] an inspiration to our clients of being able to dream" said Earl Murray, Associate Director for Development and Marketing for Gospel Rescue Ministries.
The faith -based shelter and drug treatment facility where the mural is displayed aims to treat their clients "physically, mentally and spiritually." When the 103 year old organization approached Gebertasadik about his paintings the artist thought the shelter would be an appropriate venue for his large, two wall mural.
"When you see good people doing hard work you get inspired to be like them so you can concentrate and work instead of abuse yourself with drug or drink" Gebertasadik explained.
In the mural, the President is looking off into the distance Gebertasadik says, as a way of saying "look beyond, look further, look to your future, and make it… stronger."
To the President's right, the artist painted First Lady Michelle Obama. In a written description of the piece, Gebertasadik writes, Michelle is "equally determined for the good deed and she is one and the same with [President Obama,] one soul into different bodies."
The painting is awash with icons, subtle symbols and overt messages from the artist. In Michelle Obama, Gebertasadik, who emigrated from Ethiopia in 2001, portrays his dream.
"My dream, in the country in which I live now…is to see equality between the sexes. I am going to see a woman president and I do not think it will take that long" he said.
Though the electorate looks to the future with looming questions regarding healthcare and job numbers, the sitting leader and his family have not lost their power to inspire.
At the Gospel Rescue Ministries, Murray says the clients have" been on the street and they're at their last chance of hope." Now, with the entry way mural of President Obama and others, "when they walk in… they can see that opportunity that they can get well and bring about change."
Change some still believe in.-ABC News' Kim Berryman
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I thought this was a joke. Sadly, the joke is on those who looked at this man as their savior.
Posted by: Axey | December 15, 2009, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
I wonder if there’s a rescue shelter somewhere that features John McCain in a kilt? Ahhhh, prolly not.
All jests aside, God bless the people of the rescue mission. May there work be fruitful, long past the presidency of Barack Obama.
Posted by: kelli | December 15, 2009, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm
Linda, the designer belt (cinched up high to accentuate her much smaller upper body) is a MUST.
Posted by: kelli | December 15, 2009, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
You’re going down down down
Going down down down
Obama is down down down
Sinking down down down down
Oh baby heading down down down
Joining Bush way down down down down
Posted by: Bruce Sprinsteen | December 15, 2009, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm
Everytime I peek through to see what’s being written about Obama in this blog, I find something ridiculous to incite the hateful bunch. I would like to know what is the purpose of this piece. I hope there’s some real strategy behind this particular blog. By the way, the “dip in approval” may not be entirely true. Well, perhaps it is. But I think I just about saw a NYT/CBS poll that indicates his approval rating @ 61%. I’d say despite the effort to incite much hatred against him the general public has not entirely abandoned.
Posted by: David | December 15, 2009, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
David..you are truly blinded by the facts if you believe he has a 61% approval rating. The 61% is the percentage of people who dont want his health care bill. He is dropping and his base is starting to distance themselves from him.
Posted by: Stan | December 15, 2009, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
Just think how low Obama’s approval would be if the MSM didn’t do everything possible to cover for him.
It looks like Rev Wright was telling the truth afterall. Obama is just a politician saying what he has to say, doing what he has to do to get elected.
What Obama said on the campaign trail about being different, changing the way Washington does business–looks like that was just a lie.
Finally the public sees that.
Posted by: hank | December 15, 2009, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
Everytime I peek through to see what’s being written about Obama in this blog, I find something ridiculous to incite the hateful bunch.
____
No kidding. Its well known that Jake Tapper’s blog attracts wingnuts, and keeps the nuttiest of wingnut comments posted. Perhaps, the folks at ABC News are hoping for another Drudge link? Or they want to give the haters something to get real snarky about? Anything to distract from investigating meaningful issues and rooting for meaningful progress.
I’m glad the artist was inspired, but I too remain suspicious of the purpose of posting a blog about it given the track record of this particular blog.
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his base is starting to distance themselves from him.
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I think you mistake Obama’s base for the progressive Democratic base. They are similar in many respects but Obama’s base is more pragmatic, and knew all along that he was, too. In the long run, it will be fine. The current situation is unsurprising given unemployment and how messy the health care reform process has been.
Posted by: Don't EVER want to go back to the GOP-driven Dark Ages | December 15, 2009, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
“For many of his erstwhile supporters, President Obama’s image as almost an American savior is a distant memory”
Jake, don’t get sucked into repeating the lie. I don’t know of any of his supporters who viewed him as a savior, and even his most fervent typically offered hopes like “he could be as good a president as Clinton!”
Posted by: jhw539 | December 15, 2009, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
Just think how low Obama’s approval would be if the MSM didn’t do everything possible to cover for him.
hank | Dec 15, 2009 3:39:49 PM
Can you cite how the mainstream media is “covering for him”? What are a few things they’ve covered up (hint – if it was on CNN’s webpage it’s hardly a cover up).
Posted by: jhw539 | December 15, 2009, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
“Can you cite how the mainstream media is “covering for him”?”
LOL!! There are hundreds of examples. Van Jones anyone?
Posted by: Chuck | December 15, 2009, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
Stan wrote, “David..you are truly blinded by the facts if you believe he has a 61% approval rating. The 61% is the percentage of people who dont want his health care bill. He is dropping and his base is starting to distance themselves from him.”
———————
I never said I believe it was…I said I saw a poll that I cited. I may not believe his approval is as high as 61% just as I didn’t the Gallup that had him below 50. You wouldn’t disagree that many just pick the polls that fit their agendas to criticize or praise the President.
Posted by: David | December 15, 2009, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
I think you mistake Obama’s base for the progressive Democratic base. They are similar in many respects but Obama’s base is more pragmatic, and knew all along that he was, too. In the long run, it will be fine. The current situation is unsurprising given unemployment and how messy the health care reform process has been.
————–
All great points! I thought that myself, although I’ve come to realize that some are pretty disappointed that things haven’t gone their ways much faster. I still think the core of his supporters are much more rational. In fact, I watch a focus group on C-Span that reaffirmed my suspicion that the noisy bunch doesn’t really represent mainstream America.
Posted by: David | December 15, 2009, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
President Obama is an inspiring man,besides of the fact that he has so much classiness in him.
He was brought up in good manners.
He is very gifted same as his beloved parents,they were talented couple too.
We are proud for the first time as Asian Americans,because finally there is a classy guy in the White House.Period.
Posted by: Carol Bautista | December 15, 2009, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
Ew, I just threw up a little in my mouth. Time for some nice well meaning minister to re-read some Biblical passages about worshipping false prophets.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Posted by: Ruh oh... | December 15, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
This mural is as a novel. Like superman or spidy. The only problem is that in someones imagination Mr. Obama is placed on some imaginative pedistal from which he will fall when the reality of his legacy to date becomes history. As an independant I voted for the candidate who promised changes to what our Federal Government had become. A year later I can see how badly mistaken I was to place my trust in this lying sack of socialist SHIP.
Posted by: pbaz | December 15, 2009, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
I may not believe his approval is as high as 61% just as I didn’t the Gallup that had him below 50.
David | Dec 15, 2009 4:12:27 PM
I’d believe his approval is below 50 in Gallup – I would expect it frankly. Both Reagan and Clinton were down there by that time and they both had easier first years (one didn’t touch health care and the other didn’t have a major recession). And like them, his approval rating bottomed out and stabilized months ago.
Posted by: jhw539 | December 15, 2009, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
Whether Obama begins to regain support or continues to fall downward is very much in his control. He needs to view America beyond his fringe base. He certainly defied his moonbat base by sending in more troops. Defense of America is just the kind of thing that appeal to moderates. Who would have thought it! Distancing himself from the public option has helped him with moderates.
In short, when/if he becomes the president of all Americans rather than just his loony base, his approval ratings will improve substantially.
Posted by: jonny | December 15, 2009, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm
Headline: “Bush Closes the Gap”
From Public Policy Polling 12/9/09:
Perhaps the greatest measure of Obama’s declining support is that just 50% of voters now say they prefer having him as President to George W. Bush, with 44% saying they’d rather have his predecessor.
Given the horrendous approval ratings Bush showed during his final term that’s somewhat of a surprise and an indication that voters are increasingly placing the blame on Obama for the country’s difficulties instead of giving him space because of the tough situation he inherited.
The closeness in the Obama/Bush numbers also has implications for the 2010 elections. Using the Bush card may not be particularly effective for Democrats anymore, which is good news generally for Republicans and especially ones like Rob Portman who are running for office and have close ties to the former President.
Posted by: tjp612 | December 15, 2009, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm
And from the washington post:
The federal government quietly agreed to forgo billions of dollars in potential tax payments from Citigroup as part of the deal announced this week to wean the company from the massive taxpayer bailout that helped it survive the financial crisis.
The Internal Revenue Service on Friday issued an exception to longstanding tax rules for the benefit of Citigroup and the few other companies partially owned by the government. As a result, Citigroup will be allowed to retain $38 billion in tax breaks…
More Obama fudgings that the MSM will not report on.
This is why Obama’s ratings are dipping… he is coddling wall st. way too much and now its starting to bob above the surface.
What a joke Obama is….
Posted by: NewIndependent | December 15, 2009, 11:19 pm 11:19 pm
Who would have thought Americans were so gullible into voting for this clown?
How has he made anything better?!!? It’s obvious people, especially the younger crowd were stupid enough to believe his lies!!!
Posted by: JV | December 15, 2009, 11:40 pm 11:40 pm
Bush was a horrible president and Obama is just plain scary.
It’s like waking up in another planet where socialist ideas get pushed through congress and every big bank gets a break.
I wonder how many organizations are in bed with this administration.
I want to see Sarah Palin take a crack at president! At least she was born in this country! Obama is hiding the fact that he isnt even a citizen.
I am so tired of crazy democrats trying to tell everyone else how to live.
We live in a day where the spoiled rich and the stupid poor rule our lives.
Its time for the middle class to make a stand.
Im not paying for any one!
Im not about to lose my rights or health benefits! I am a hard worker!
Posted by: Kelly | December 16, 2009, 12:45 am 12:45 am
Who the hell do they ask when they are doing these polls any way?
Its easy to get a good approval if you are in some democratic major cities.
No one ever asked me or my friends or family what we think.
I think all these polls are b.s.
Posted by: Kelly | December 16, 2009, 12:50 am 12:50 am
NIce portraits…downloaded and added to my collection. Wish I could buy them.
May the Obama’s continue doing good things as a family and for America. They will continue to rise above the bitter, hate-filled envious web trolls who have nothing to live for except their own failures. I bet they wish they were they were intelligent and beautiful and youthful looking like the Obamas.
This message is from a proud, employed, and financially more secure (now) professional worker and Barack Obama supporter. Looking forward to the next 7 years!
Posted by: bcs2k | December 16, 2009, 7:39 am 7:39 am
Stan; If you really believe Obama’s base is shrinking then I have a bridge between Hawaii and Los Angeles to sell you. Keep dreaming…wake up in 7 years.
Hope and Change has come. And I and many, many, many, many others are loving it!
Deal with it!
(I’m bracing for Stan’s response which will be wing-nut-ish, fear monger-ish, hate-filled, extremism, lies, distortion and blah-blah, whine-whine, and whatever else the twin fools Hannity and Beck told him lol)
Posted by: bcs2k | December 16, 2009, 7:46 am 7:46 am
I wish we could have a businessman or woman in the WH. Not someone who has never had a real job or ran a business. Our country is going downhill faster than anytime in our history.
Why couldn’t we have had Colin Powell or Condi Rice? There is a congressman in Louisiana who would have been so much better than what we have now. Our country is being sold to the highest bidders.
Posted by: vee | December 16, 2009, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm