Pamela Gentry and Michelle Obama during the 2008 campaign in Chicago.

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Politicial Analyst

Dec. 29, 2009 – It look like first lady Michelle Obama has won the approval of the American people and managed to be a political winner in 2009. 

A new Gallup poll released Monday showed that most Americans believe Mrs. Obama along with former first lady Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are two of the top political “winners” for 2009.

Gallop surveyed 1,025 adults December 11 – 13, and found 73% of Americans believe Mrs. Obama is a political “winner,” compared to 21% who believe she is a political “loser.”

Former first lady Clinton wasn’t far behind with 70% who said she is a political “winner,” as Secretary of State while 25% said they feel she is a political “loser.”

Sen. Hillary Clinton and Pamela Gentry in South Carolina during the 2008 presidential campaign.

While “winners” and “losers” are both subjective, Mrs. Obama’s numbers indicate she was able to revive her popularity from the early days of the 2008 campaign and improve her overall appeal as “mommy-and-chief. ”  These efforts have won favor with her fans and her  critics.

 With Mrs. Obama and Clinton topping the list, 57% of Americans believe Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is a political “winner,” with the commander-in-chief, President Barack Obama coming in with 58% of those surveyed who said he was the political winner of 2009. 

 What do you think?

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

Senior Advisor to President Obama David Axelrod told me a year ago today the team was getting ready for the move to Pennsylvania Avenue.

Dec. 15, 2009 – President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were gracious host to hundreds of journalist attending the White House Christmas party Tuesday night.  I was fortunate enough to get one of the coveted tickets for this year’s soiree, and it was not disappointing.

I’ve attended the holiday party at the White House for several years and some things are marked by tradition and don’t change; but there were a few changes this year.  First, we entered a different White House gate, my name was triple checked against “the list,” the buffet included sushi and the ticket distribution process was handled oddley.

But the food, the atmosphere and a photo with the first couple found members of the media pleasant and primed for conversations with White House notables, David Axelrod, Valerie Jarrett, Robert Gibbs and others who mingled throughout the evening.

Desiree Rogers (center) following the event with Lois Dyer of CBS News and Pamela Gentry.

I enjoyed the evening of fine dining and a few “off the record” conversations with White House staffers.  But I must admit the highlight was speaking with White House social secretary Desiree Rogers.  She ran a tight ship for the night’s events and was clearly “managing” every detail. 

As the evening was winding down I was able to chat with Rogers.  We exchanged pleasantries and discovered mutual acquaintances.  It only goes to show; in Washington six-degrees of separation can be cut in half.

I did stop to place a wish on the White House “Wishing Tree.”   I won’t disclose the wish I made and secured on the nine foot , slotted tree. 

One other memoriable moment of the evening was walking through the public halls of the  White House and seeing its walls filled with photographs of the first family;  it was surreal.

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst 

Feb. 16, 2008 – When President Obama signs the $787 billion stimulus package into law Tuesday, Black Americans could see the impact in their communities — sooner rather than later.  But it’s not a magic bullet; some things take more time.  

Last week Black lawmakers made a point to express their pleasure with the spirit of the final bill even with some minor cuts to favored programs.  Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) said, the package remains “the largest economic stimulant in history.”  

And the dollars in it will be welcome back home. “We lined up the initial package with the needs of the people we represent then we measured it along with what we were able to give them.  The people we represent can feel comfortable with this package.  What we wanted in this package is what made it.”

Cleaver‘s district isn’t alone when it comes to meeting the “need” this economic surge of cash will deliver.  House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) one of the Democratic leadership responsible for moving the bill forward said, “We are pleased President Obama focused his tax cuts on the poor and middle class.”

New York Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) said, “People in our communities see their salaries and they see their paychecks and notice a lot is missing.  People are working hard every day and still can’t afford to pay their bills and now we have a President that can help them.”

The bill will offer up hope for folks struggling in the tight job market.  Of the 3.4 million jobs projected in the legislation thousands of these jobs will be in states with large minority populations.  For example, Missouri, Cleaver’s state could see an estimated 70,000 new jobs; South Carolina 50,000; and New York 215,000. 

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act estimates on job creation were derived from an analysis conducted by the Council of Economic Advisers and the chief economist for the vice president.

According to their state-by-state analysis states like Michigan, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania will see upwards of 150,000 new jobs statewide.  

“We’re proud we can take home a real solution to the constituents in our communities who have been waiting for a hand up from the government,” Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) said.  Her state could see close to 400,000 new jobs.

But this is just the beginning Waters said, “We made sure that there is a continuation of stabilization funds for foreclosures in this bill.  We asked for $4 billion, we got $2 billion and we’re going after TARP next!  We’re on our way to correcting serious ills in this country.”

Along with jobs the bill now awaiting the president’s signature will also help extend unemployment benefits, prevent teacher lay-offs, provide for school repairs, infrastructure repairs to roads and public transit as well as provide foreclosure assistance.  

Waters summed it up, “We can say to our constituents we took care of you.”

What do you think is needed in your community?

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer  

COLUMBUS (Nov. 2, 2008) – With only 48 hours remaining in the race for the White House, the battleground state of Ohio both presidential candidates are pressing their argument about why undecided voters should do more than “lean” their way. They want their vote.  

The Midwest, working-class state is a “must-win” state for Sen. John McCain, and Sen. Barack Obama would like to see it turn blue.  Ohio sealed the deal for President Bush in 2004, and Obama’s road to Pennsylvania Ave would be easier with Ohio in the win column.  

That’s why I’m in Ohio. 

I’ll be watching and waiting here in Columbus to see first hand which way one of the most critical states swings.  Both Obama and McCain raced around Ohio this weekend with hopes of luring any remaining undecided voters.  

Obama traveled to Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus on Sunday.  “We’ve got to want it more,” he told folks gathered at a rally in Cincinnati.  Throughout the state, he warned supporters not to become overconfident. And before a crowd of 60,000 in Columbus, he told voters, “Don’t believe for a second that this election is over.”  In Cleveland, with rocker Bruce Springsteen, he told a another crowd of  80,000, “We can’t afford to slow down, sit back, or let up for one day, one minute, or one second in these last few days.”

In the final 48 hours, McCain brought some star power of his own on to the Buckeye State.  California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared with McCain in Columbus at the Nationwide Arena. Schwarzenegger questioned Obama’s readiness to lead and told the crowd of 10,000, “Ladies and gentlemen, I only play an action hero in the movies. John McCain is a real action hero.”

McCain also campaigned in Pennsylvania, another state in the “toss-up” column.  McCain would like to turn this blue state red.  Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) carried Pennsylvania in 2004. “My friends, I’ve been in a lot of campaigns. I know when momentum is there,” McCain said in Wallingford, Pa. “We’re going to win Pennsylvania and we’re going to win this election. I sense it, and I feel it, and I know it.”

With some polls saying 6 percent to 8 percent of voters are still undecided, neither candidate can take a break.  I know the next 48 hours will feel like the longest since this journey to the White House began some 21 months ago.