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When asked about how she felt about President Bush’s inaugural address, Kesha Carlis frowned painfully. Carlis, a 33-year-old single mother from Tulsa, Oklahoma, said she was disgusted by second-term President George W. Bush’s speech, during which he spoke of freedom, ending tyranny and national unity – so disgusted, in fact, that she joined TulsaPeace, a local organization that held a protest during the inauguration. “I couldn’t stomach half of his lies,” Carlis told BlackAmericaweb.com. “I think he is profiting from the war in Iraq, and the people are suffering.” Carlis’ sentiments were felt by many blacks who said Bush’s inaugural speech meant back to business for this Bush administration globally and at home, particularly with the war in Iraq and his relationship with blacks. “He ignores black people like they don’t matter,” said Carlis, speaking of Bush’s failure to meet with the NAACP last year. “If he’s ignoring our leadership then he’s ignoring our voices.” Bush spoke for 21 minutes, about the work needed to protect America and of a world moving toward liberty. He mentioned overhauling Social Security and spoke in sweeping terms about keeping the world safe. Never did he mention Iraq or Afghanistan. [more]

Only about one in five non-Hispanic blacks (22%) approve of Bush, compared with a majority, 56%, of non-Hispanic whites. The combined January polling average shows that a slight majority of Americans, 52%, approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president. [more]