Middle Class video and audio: WCVB's latest stories on politics

30 Sep 2009

Star Factory: Segment Four

The Boston Arts Academy is a public high school dedicated to training students in the performing and visual arts.

"… Because we were just looking at that we would have only upper middle class. Student pro five year mirrors that of other Boston schools. Majority low income African American and Latino. What's different is these students …" at 1:32

1 Spoken Highlight

4:39

30 Jan 2009

Obama Creates Middle Obama Creates Class Task Force

President Barack Obama creates a new task force aimed at helping middle - class wage earners.

"… of my cabinet to focus on policies that will really benefit the middle class. Policies to create jobs that pay well and provide a chance to say to create jobs in growing fields -- train workers to fill them. To ensure that workplaces are safe and fair as well as flexible for employees juggling the demands of work and -- I think I should. Note that when I talk about the middle class I'm talking about folks work currently on the middle class but also people who aspire to be. In the middle class. We're not forgetting the -- They are going to be front and center because. Mates who share our American -- we're gonna …" at 0:58

"… in a way out. Jobs that Will Foster a vibrant and growing middle class. Because the strength of our economy can be measured directly by the strength of our middle class. That's why -- created the task force on middle class working friends and why I've asked my vice president Joe Biden to lead. There's no one who brings to bear the same …" at 0:13

"… represent their interests. Because we know that you cannot have a strong middle class without a strong labor movement. We know that strong vibrant growing unions can exist side by side. With strong vibrant and growing …" at 2:21

4 Spoken Highlights

14:18

12 Jan 2009

Is Obama's Optimism Waning?

Those watching President-elect Barack Obama closely say his optimistic tone has changed the closer he gets to Inauguration Day.

"… Its focus of the tax cut should be on America's middle class. The backbone of democracy. We got really the -- shaft. In the past eight years. …" at 1:26

1 Spoken Highlight

2:12

8 Jan 2009

Obama Outlines Recovery Plan

President-elect Barack Obama spells out the key elements of his "American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan" that he hopes will jump start the U.S. economy.

"… families will receive 8000 dollar tax cut. The first stage of a middle class tax cut but I promised during the campaign and will include an. To help Americans who have lost their jobs and can't …" at 3:35

1 Spoken Highlight

4:11

8 Jan 2009

Uncut: Obama Economic Speech

Watch in its entirety President-elect Barack Obama's speech on his economic recovery proposal.

"… families will receive 8000 dollar tax cut. The first stage of a middle class tax cut but I promised during the campaign. And will include an. To help Americans who have lost their jobs and can't …" at 10:09

1 Spoken Highlight

17:06

6 Jan 2009

Most Hands On Deck For 111th Congress

Despite two senators on the sidelines, it was business as usual as the 111th Congress opened for business.

"… expectations. The top priority is the economy an emergency spending bill and middle class tax cuts that could -- 775. Billion. We've got to act -- and we've got to act swiftly. Democrats also promise to …" at 0:24

1 Spoken Highlight

1:37

5 Jan 2009

Obama Returns To D.C.

President-elect Barack Obama prepares to meet with Democratic leaders to forge an economic stimulus pacakge.

"… help create three million jobs and they include tax cuts for the middle class. -- cost possibly in the neighborhood of 775. Billion dollars. Lawmakers don't expect to have a plan ready until February. …" at 0:47

1 Spoken Highlight

1:30

26 Nov 2008

Uncut: Obama News Conference, Nov. 26

Watch in its entirety President-elect Barack Obama's news conference in which he appoints former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker to head new Economic Recovery Advisory Board.

"… think what speaks to is the frustration of eight years in which middle class wages have gone down. Or in real terms there family incomes -- been reduced. It's speaks to my frustration about all the …" at 5:36

"… in shape but also making sure that it's working on behalf of middle class spends. In order to do that I've tried to bring together the best economic mines. People who don't always agree with -- …" at 6:40

2 Spoken Highlights

17:26

25 Nov 2008

Obama Promises To Trim Wasteful Spending

In his second news conference in as many days, President-elect Barack Obama is pledging to eliminate unnecessary government spending and programs.

"… jobs. And what tax cuts in the pockets of the hard pressed middle class. Many of those new job will come in areas such as energy independence technology. And health -- modernization that will strengthen our …" at 0:10

1 Spoken Highlight

2:53

24 Nov 2008

Uncut: Obama News Conference

Watch in its entirety President-elect Barack Obama's news conference in which he introduces his new economic team.

"… has urged us to confront the problems of income inequality. And the middle class squeeze consistently arguing that the key do we strong economy is a strong. Vibrant growing middle class. This idea is that the -- my own economic philosophy and will be the foundation of all of my economic policies. And …" at 4:28

"… directive in network policy experts dedicated to finding solutions was struggling middle class families. She also served as chief council of the great Senator Ted Kennedy on the state Senate Judiciary Committee. Working on issues …" at 7:29

"… need to restore both confidence in the markets. And restore confidence. Of middle class families who find themselves working harder earning less and falling further and further behind. I've asked my economic team to develop recommendations …" at 9:26

4 Spoken Highlights

26:11