As the opening act of Obama’s fledgling presidency unfolded, the country — and the
world — kept a close eye on the 44th
president’s every important move.

President Obama signs the $787 billion stimulus measure he insists is critical to the nation’s economic recovery. The bill passed Congress with almost no support from Republicans, who say their input was largely ignored. “The bill that was about jobs, jobs, jobs has turned into a bill that's about spending, spending, spending,” protests House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.