Obama's First 100 Days

It was a glorious day. Americans laughed, they cried. They saw history. At the balls, they danced all night.

And now, reality waits. Barack Obama was as plain as he could be on Inauguration Day that the challenges are vast and urgent. “Nation in crisis” was right there in the morning-after headlines. And he’s called for action.

So, how do we get started? On war, energy, health care and – most urgently of all – the economy? They say there’s a plan for the first hundred days. So, what’s in it? This hour, On Point: Emergency, and Obama’s agenda, right out of the gate.

You can join the conversation. What do you expect first, in the first hundred days, from this president, President Obama? What’s most urgent for you?

Guests:

Jonathan Alter, senior editor and columinst for Newsweek.  His 2006 book "The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope" was a national bestseller.  His latest piece in Newsweek examines the keys to success for President Obama's early agenda.

Ken Walsh, chief White House correspondent for U.S. News & World Report and author of the "The President" blog at the magazine's Web site.  He looks at President Obama's inaugural address and the direction he indicated for his administration.

Ezra Klein, associate editor and blogger, The American Prospect magazine.  He looked at President Obama's Inauguration speech in his blog.

Further reading:

The Wall Street Journal and New York Times look at the tough economic challenges ahead for President Obama.