1. The president has made it plenty clear with his actions that he's in favor of strengthening the current programs, not weakening them.
2. Even if he wants to, his voice is the last one you'd want on your side. The minute he comes out in support for your plans, _everyone else_ will be forced to declare themselves against it, just to protect their own jobs from their constituents.
The problem is with the general public not giving a shit about this issue, which means a grassroots campaign, not an appeal to the authorities.