Obama heads into speech with high marks

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President expected to outline more of economic agenda in address
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Obama-heads-speech-high-marks/story.aspx?guid=%7BC474BDAC%2DDCF0%2D4AEB%2DA813%2D5058690A55D0%7D&dist=hplatest

President Barack Obama heads into his first address to Congress this evening basking in the glow of high poll numbers, but facing a public anxious to hear about how his agenda will help the struggling economy recover from the recession.

In a speech scheduled for 9:01 p.m. Tuesday evening, Obama is expected to lay out more of his economic agenda, including how he wants to make health care more accessible and expand use of alternative energy. Just two days ahead of releasing his budget outline for 2010, he will also propose some spending cuts.

Tuesday's speech comes as Obama enjoys high popularity in two separate polls. The latest New York Times/CBS News poll shows Obama's job approval rating at 63%, and the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll is even higher, at 68%.

Obama will take the podium in the Capitol building Tuesday night amid persistent fears about the economy from workers and markets. Having gotten the stimulus package through Congress, Obama will now turn to longer-term challenges including health care and stabilizing Social Security.

Obama said the stimulus plan would save or create 3.5 million jobs over the next two years, and poll respondents are showing faith in the huge spending and tax cut package. In the Post-ABC poll, 58% said they were confident that the plan would make the recession less severe than it would be otherwise. In the Times/CBS poll, 53% said they thought the stimulus would improve the economy.