Recap: Two Weeks of a New President

After two weeks of the new term, it's time for our first check-in on our Commander in Chief.

President Obama hit the ground running with an executive order calling for the closing of the naval detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, an executive order making Presidential records available to the public, and a pay freeze for all White House senior staff to save on operating costs in light of the economy, all within two days of the inauguration. Since then, he has approved legislation providing health insurance to children of low-income families, created a task force to restore the stability of the middle class, called for relief to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, imposed limits on compensation for executives in companies that will receive bailout money, and fought for an updated economic stimulus package.

However, even in the early days of his term, the President cannot avoid controversy. Tom Daschle, the President's appointee to Secretary of Health and Human Services, withdrew his nomination on Tuesday amid outcry over his unpaid taxes. Timothy Geithner, Secretary of the Treasury, had a similar problem, but was confirmed by the Senate. Obama's previous nominee for Treasury Secretary, Gov. Bill Richardson, withdrew his nomination on January 4th ecause of an investigation into his conduct.

Still, Obama and his administration have handled the transition into office fairly smoothly, with the majority of cabinet positions filled and the business of government continuing to function well. As part of a commitment to clear communications with the public, the White House is now posting all executive orders and presidential memoranda on its website, along with a blog of government affairs and a weekly video address, all of which can be accessed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing_room/.