Changes

==Declining popularity==

==Declining popularity==

In the wake of the [[Financial collapse of 2008]], Obama initially enjoyed the goodwill and moderate approval ratings of Americans.  The growing perception of Obama's [[socialism|far left]] agenda marked a reversal of trends particularly after the "Gates flap."  Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr. of Yale was arrested on [[misdemeanor]] disturbance charges.  Prof. Gates told the arresting officer, "Do you know who I am?"  Gates was a personal friend of Obama.  When asked about the incident at a Press Conference, Obama charged the arresting officer with "acting stupidly."  Polls shortly after revealed Obama's personal popularity and approval declined significantly across the board, on every major subject and among all demographic groups.<ref>http://people-press.org/report/532/obamas-ratings-slide</ref>

In the wake of the [[financial collapse of 2008]], Obama initially enjoyed the goodwill and moderate approval ratings of Americans.  The growing perception of Obama's [[socialism|far left]] agenda marked a reversal of trends particularly after the "Gates flap."  [[Harvard]] Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. was arrested on [[misdemeanor]] disturbance charges.  Prof. Gates told the arresting officer, "Do you know who I am?"  Gates was a personal friend of Obama.  When asked about the incident at a press conference, Obama charged the arresting officer with "acting stupidly."  Polls shortly after revealed Obama's personal popularity and approval ratings declined significantly across the board, on every major subject and among all demographic groups.<ref>http://people-press.org/report/532/obamas-ratings-slide</ref>

The growing perception of Obama's favoritism toward influential and powerful elites was revealed in polls, with the greatest declines among poor people, the very group

The growing perception of Obama's favoritism toward influential and powerful elites was revealed in polls, with the greatest declines among poor people, the very group