MEDIA REACTION: STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS; 1/29/10; BUENOS

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000102 SIPDIS STATE FOR INR/R/MR, I/GWHA, WHA, WHA/PDA, WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC, CDR USSOCOM FOR J-2 IAD/LAMA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KPAO KMDR PREL AR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS; 1/29/10; BUENOS AIRES SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. Local media analyzed President Obama's speech with a flurry of opinion articles, although only three were written by Argentine reporters. Washington correspondents for Argentina's two largest dailies commented on President Obama's attempt to reconnect with the American public but also doubted his ability to make peace with opponents. A third opinion article compared President Obama with former Presidents Clinton and Carter during their first term, and how each president dealt with political adversity. End summary. ¶2. Largest daily Clarin published an opinion article doubting the ability of the Democrats, the Obama Administration, and the Republicans to "maintain the spirit of bipartisanship." The author, Clarin's Washington correspondent Ana Baron, highlighted the lack of Republicans applauding the President while talking about Republican-support topics such as free trade. According to Baron, "Congress is more divided than ever." Additionally, she highlights voter frustration over the large bank bailouts while the situation of the "American on the street continues deteriorating." Although President Obama discussed economic reforms during his speech, Baron questions whether he convinced the voters. She does not believe so, pointing to the decline of the stock market the day after the address. http://www.clarin.com/diario/2010/01/29/elmun do/i-02129267.htm ¶3. Silvia Pisani, second-largest daily La Nacion's Washington correspondent, wrote an opinion article focusing on the lack of foreign policy topics in the President's speech. The article notes President Obama's relative silence on foreign policy compared to former President Bush, "who always had something to say." Pisani also draws attention to opinion polls taken after the President's speech showing mediocre approval ratings and that half of Americans believe the President "paid more attention to the banks than to the middle class." http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1 227108 ¶4. Pro-government Buenos Aires Econ????mico also published an opinion article by Luis Rosales analyzing the impact of President Obama's speech on the midterm elections. Observing that the President's approval rating has descended to the "dangerous level" of below 50%, Rosales opines that the President needs to improve his public credibility and find the path allowing voters to believe in him again. The Massachusetts Senate defeat was a "red alert," but a "formidable challenge" awaits this November when there are midterm elections. Rosales believes that these elections will test whether President Obama has transformed himself into former President Clinton, with great "prestige and popularity." Or President Obama may have transformed himself into former President Carter, who had great morals but poor economic leadership. To see more Buenos Aires reporting, visit our classified website at: http://www.state.sqov.gov/p/wha/buenosaires MARTINEZ