Advice from the Bush twins is more useful than anything their father ever said, reports Anayat Durrani Just as promised on the campaign trail, United States President Barack Obama moved quickly to show he was sworn in. Now in his second week the president remains on the go. Obama comes into office as the most popular president, declaring, "we are ready to lead once more," during his inaugural speech. Obama's speech demonstrated a sharp departure from Bush administration policies and a "new era of responsibility" to a nation largely eager for change. Obama spent his first 10 minutes in the Oval Office reading a note left on the desk by George Bush that read: "To: Number 44, From: Number 43." And there the chapter closed on the Bush administration. Bush's final approval rating of 22 per cent is the lowest since Nixon's at the height of the Watergate scandal. Obama's rank, according to Gallup, is among the best for a newly elected president since World War II. With a 69 per cent approval rating in the latest Gallup Poll Daily update, Obama holds a strong start as commander-in-chief. He is second to only John F Kennedy's 72 per cent in 1961. Not bad for a president who inherits an economy in crisis, a trillion-dollar deficit and two unfinished wars. The economy is a big issue on the minds of Americans. According to Dennis Jacobe, chief economist at Gallup, consumers' economic assessments and future expectations improved slightly in the week of the inauguration. "All of this continuing bad economic news seems to have been offset -- at least to a modest degree -- by the general national euphoria surrounding President Obama's inauguration. However, more important than the historic event itself may be the change in national and economic leadership associated with the new Obama administration that is taking power," Jacobe said. Obama wasted little time in demonstrating how much his administration represents a shift from the outgoing administration. On his first day in office, Obama declared that, "transparency and rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency." He issued a series of executive orders and policy pronouncements, from putting a freeze on the salaries of executive officials to working to close the detention centre at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, within a year. Obama told reporters on his second day in office: "First, I can say without exception or equivocation that the United States will not torture. Second, we will close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and determine how to deal with those who have been held there. And third, we will immediately undertake a comprehensive review to determine how to hold and try terrorism suspects to best protect our nation and the rule of law." He met with his generals to discuss withdrawing from Iraq. At the State Department with Vice-President Joe Biden and newly confirmed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Obama announced two new envoys to the Middle East and to Afghanistan and Pakistan. His appointment of former Senate majority leader George Mitchell as special envoy to the Middle East and former US ambassador Richard Holbrooke as special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan demonstrated his campaign commitment to rebuilding US diplomacy. Americans are counting on Obama to rescue them from economic turmoil. He is pushing for prompt congressional passage of the $825 billion economic recovery package. But how quickly do Americans expect to see results from an economic stimulus package? The Ipsos/ McClatchy poll conducted 15-18 January, shows 41 per cent of Americans want to see results within six months. But 45 per cent of Americans say they don't expect results from an economic stimulus package for more than a year. Meanwhile, Americans and the world remain fixated on the first family. Whole news stories have been written about the presidential dog. Will it be a Portuguese water dog or a Labradoodle (a mix between a Labrador retriever and a poodle)? What is known is that the first pet will most likely come from a shelter. And then there is the president's beloved BlackBerry that he wasn't willing to part with. He got to keep his now spy-proofed BlackBerry through a compromise that lets him stay in contact with senior staff and a small group of close friends "in a way that use will be limited and that the security is enhanced to ensure his ability to communicate," said Robert Gibbs, new White House press secretary. Obama will be the first serving president to use e-mail. Only a select few friends will have his e-mail address, and those who do will get a briefing from the White House counsel's office. Messages from the president will be prevented from being forwarded. But, under the Presidential Records Act, all but the president's personal e- mails will end up in the National Archives. Historians point out that if Obama serves two full terms, the public would have to wait until 2028 to view the preserved presidential records. Other stories focussed on the all-new Cadillac Presidential Limousine nicknamed "The Beast". It reportedly has armour eight inches thick for maximum protection and can seat seven people. For security reasons, other features remain confidential. There has been much fascination with First Lady Michelle Obama's fashion choices. Countless critiques have been made about the one- shouldered white gown she wore to the official inaugural balls designed by Jason Wu as well as Isabel Toledo's chartreuse coat and sheath Michelle wore to the swearing-in ceremony. Daughters Sasha and Malia (seven and 10 respectively) have also been in the news often. The girls are the first young children in the White House since the Kennedy's. Sasha and Malia received advice from the Bush twins, now 27, about how to enjoy their new home. "Just go," they wrote in a letter published last week in the Wall Street Journal. "Four years goes by so fast, so absorb it all, enjoy it all!" Being in the public eye has already had some negatives. The first lady issued a statement criticising the maker of Beanie Babies for marketing two new dolls called Sweet Sasha and Marvelous Malia, that appear to be modelled on her children. "We feel it is inappropriate to use young, private citizens for marketing purposes," Mrs Obama's press secretary said in a statement Saturday. The dollmaker, Ty Inc, denies modelling the toys after the First Kids.
