Weeks before midterm elections, US poverty on track for record gain in 2009 on Obama’s watch
By Liz Sidoti, APSaturday, September 11, 2010
US poverty on track to post record gain in 2009
WASHINGTON — The number of people in the U.S. who are in poverty is on track for a record increase on President Barack Obama’s watch, with the ranks of working-age poor approaching 1960s levels that led to the national war on poverty.
Census figures for 2009 — the recession-plagued first year of the Democrat’s presidency — are to be released in the coming week. Demographers expect grim findings.
It’s unfortunate timing for Obama and his party just seven weeks before important elections when control of Congress is at stake.
The anticipated poverty rate increase — from 13.2 percent to about 15 percent — would be another blow to Democrats struggling to persuade voters to keep them in power.
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