Does Obama risk media overexposure?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
President Obama will hold his fourth prime time news conference tonight - after only six months in office. That's the same number that Former President George W. Bush held in eight years.
As the president takes his pitch for health care reform directly to the American people - much like he did for the economic stimulus package - some are wondering if we're seeing too much of him. Politico suggests the challenge for the White House in the coming weeks will be not to overuse the president.
And it's not just press conferences - President Obama has held more than a dozen town hall meetings in eight states, along with one in France. He has also been out with major addresses on everything from the economy to detainees and torture policy, Iraq, and America's relations with the Muslim world. In fact - hardly a day goes by that President Obama isn't on television talking about something.
By one count, President Obama has given more interviews to TV networks than any recent president at this point in his first term. The risk is that people will start to tune him out.
When asked about the president's nine health care speeches in nine days - press secretary Robert Gibbs says: "I don't think he can probably say enough."
That will be for the American people to decide. The president's approval ratings have begun to trend down and are now at the lowest point of his presidency - 56 percent.
Here’s my question to you: Does President Obama risk overexposure in the media?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
What will delaying vote on health care reform do to its chances?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
As President Obama gets ready to address the nation tonight about health care reform... he should keep in mind it's not just Republicans who need convincing.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer now says if there's no consensus, the House could leave for its month-long August break without voting on health care - something which Mr. Obama wanted both houses to do before the Congressional recess. Hoyer says he doesn't think it's necessary for the chamber to stay in session into August to keep working on the legislation. God forbid anything interfere with their vacation.
Democratic Congressman Charlie Rangel, a top committee chairman, was overheard saying: "No one wants to tell the speaker that she's moving too fast (on healthcare reform) and they damn sure don't want to tell the president."
This all sounds a lot different from last week when Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman said "We quite frankly can't go home for a recess" unless both houses pass health care bills.
But the Democrats are not all on the same page. Conservative Democrats are worried about the costs of the plan - which the Congressional Budget Office says would add $239 billion to the deficit over 10 years. Also, first-term lawmakers are worried about tax increases and long-time Democrats are against the government selling insurance in competition with private companies.
Here’s my question to you: What will delaying the vote on health care reform until after the congressional recess do to its chances?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
What message is sent if U.S. Surgeon General is overweight?
President Obama announced Dr. Regina Benjamin as his nominee for Surgeon General in the White House Rose Garden last week. (PHOTO CREDIT: TIM SLOAN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
In a nation where more than one-third of adults are obese - the president is coming under fire for his selection of an overweight surgeon general.
ABC News reports that Although Dr. Regina Benjamin has been praised for her top credentials - like creating a medical clinic for the poor after Hurricane Katrina - many believe that Benjamin's appearance sends the wrong message as the nation's top doctor. It is estimated that Benjamin is as much as 40 pounds overweight.
The Department of Health and Human Services insists that Benjamin is highly qualified, saying: "She is a role model for all of us, and will be an outstanding surgeon general."
And supporters suggest her job is to make health care decisions - not to look good. They say her size might help her better understand the problem of obesity. Some health experts highlight studies that show it's possible to be fat and healthy, while others say the president himself - who still smokes cigarettes - isn't the best role model for good health either.
But - there's no doubt obesity is a growing crisis that's costing the U.S. billions of dollars a year. Fat people are at higher risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer among other things. Critics also point out that Benjamin could set a better example for the black community - where obesity is even more prevalent.
Here’s my question to you: What message does it send if the surgeon general of the U.S. is overweight?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Government services you're willing to see reduced or eliminated?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Almost every state in the nation is hurting financially. More unemployed people along with cuts in consumer spending mean states are collecting a lot less in taxes - and that means bigger and bigger budget shortfalls.
Protesters demonstrate against cuts to social services that aid people with disabilities and the poor at the home of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Financial Times reports one estimate shows tax collections dropped by almost 12 percent during the first quarter of this year... with 45 of 50 states reporting declines. Early numbers for April and May are even worse - showing declines in tax revenue of almost 20 percent.
Some are also questioning how effective the federal stimulus package has been - if states are spending billions of these stimulus dollars and still can't close budget shortfalls. There are only two choices when it comes to this: either raise taxes or cut expenses.
Many states have made cuts to school districts, health care, programs for the disabled, the prison system and state employees... California has even been issuing IOUs for things like welfare checks.
The bad news is this may not be a temporary situation. These cuts to state budgets may be the new reality going forward... Almost two-thirds of states are projecting budget gaps for 2011... and at least 15 states already foresee gaps as far out as 2012 - when the federal stimulus money will have dried up.
Here’s my question to you: What government services are you willing to see reduced or eliminated?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Political stakes for Obama when it comes to health care?
President Obama has a lot riding on his health care reform plan-and at this point it's too close to call. The president insists the legislation isn't about him or about politics... but rather about a health care system that is breaking America's families, businesses, and economy.
President Obama delivered remarks this morning about health care reform legislation in the Rose Garden at the White House.
Not everyone's buying that argument and the Republicans smell blood.
South Carolina Republican Senator Jim DeMint said that stopping the president's push for health care could be his "Waterloo." Conservative columnist Bill Kristol has urged opponents of the president's plan not "to let up on their criticism."
Republicans are screaming about the costs - pointing to a report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that these plans won't pay for themselves - and instead will wind up increasing the budget deficit.
The chairman of the Republican Party calls Obama's plan socialism.
And - it seems like the Republicans are gaining traction. Approval of the president's handling of health care is slipping, and Mr. Obama has been forced to take his case directly to the American people - with a prime-time news conference tomorrow followed by a town hall on Thursday.
Health care reform was a major part of the president's campaign platform; and if he doesn't get it through Congress now, it's likely to be much more difficult, if not impossible, to get it done later - once Congress starts pandering to voters for the midterm elections.
Here’s my question to you: When it comes to health care reform, how big are the political stakes for President Obama?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Govt. cover up research on cell phones & driving?
(PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Here's another example of government transparency. Not. Using a cell phone while driving is dangerous; but for some reason the government didn't want the American people to know about it. The New York Times reports that in 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration withheld hundreds of pages of research on the hazards of cell phone use while driving.
The former head of the agency says he was urged not to release this information so as not to upset members of Congress who wanted the agency to stick to gathering safety data... He says he was told the agency might lose billions of dollars if Congress thought they were lobbying states.
But critics say not sharing this information with the public has cost lives; and allowed people to get used to multi-tasking while driving. Some experts consider the practice as dangerous as drunken driving.
Researchers wanted to recommend that drivers not use cell phones - including text messaging - while driving, except in an emergency. They also warned that hands-free laws might not be the answer - since it's the cell phone conversation itself - not just holding the phone - that can distract drivers.
It's estimated that in 2002, cell phone use by drivers caused 955 deaths and 240,000 accidents.
Here’s my question to you: Why would the government suppress research about the danger of cell phone use while driving?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
How committed are you to U.S. continuing war in Afghanistan?
The war in Afghanistan could soon become a real test for the young Obama administration. The Taliban has posted a video online of a young Idaho solider captured there.
Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl shown here in a video made by his captors, members of the Taliban.
In the video - Bowe Bergdahl is prompted by his captors to beg for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, saying the U.S. is wasting time and lives there. The 23-year-old says he misses his friends and family and is scared he won't be able to go home.
The U.S. has condemned the video as a violation of international law.
Meanwhile - after eight years of war in Afghanistan - a new Gallup poll shows 36 percent of Americans say the U.S. involvement there was a mistake; compared to the 58 percent who say our involvement in Iraq was a mistake. 54 percent of those surveyed say things are going well for the U.S. in Afghanistan.
But public support may not last forever. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says U.S.-led forces must show progress there by next summer; otherwise the American people will believe the war has become un-winnable.
Gates says victory in Afghanistan is a "long-term prospect," and that after the Iraq experience, the American people won't have the stomach for a "long slog" in another conflict: "The troops are tired; the American people are pretty tired."
The U.S. recently sent an additional 21,000 troops to Afghanistan - after a year that saw a significant increase in extremist attacks against U.S. and NATO troops.
Here's my question to you: How committed are you to the United States continuing the war in Afghanistan?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Fair to soak the rich to pay for health care reform?
As the debate over paying for health care reform takes center stage, it seems like the rich could wind up with the heaviest burden. Democrats want to hit the rich with even higher income taxes to pay for the proposed overhaul; along with limiting deductions that wealthy families take for mortgage interest and charity contributions.
Taxing the rich to pay for health insurance would mark a significant difference from how this country has paid for safety net programs. For example, both Social Security and Medicare are funded by payroll taxes that affect all Americans.
It’s estimated a single taxpayer making $450,000 a year would pay $7,100 a year more in taxes, while a family making that much would pay an additional $1,000. Meanwhile - a single taxpayer making $5 million a year would pay $452,000 more in taxes; while a family at that income level would pay $443,000 more.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she wants to soften the proposal by making it apply only to families that make $1 million; and individuals that make more than $500,000.
Republicans are pushing back big time. They say some taxpayers would wind up facing tax rates above 50-percent when you combine federal and state taxes.
The White House has problems on this issue. A new poll shows approval of the president's handling of health care has fallen below 50 percent for the first time.
Here’s my question to you: Is it fair to soak the rich to pay for health care reform?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
What should U.S. do if violence continues to escalate in Iraq?
Iraqis stand outside a destroyed building the morning after two car bombs were detonated within minutes of each other on the outskirts of Mosul. Nine people were killed and 22 wounded in the blasts that came just over a week after U.S. forces pulled out of Iraqi towns and cities. (PHOTO CREDIT: MUJAHED MOHAMMED/AFP/Getty Images)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
This has been a particularly deadly week in Iraq.
Today was the third day of deadly violence in a row. Bomb blasts and even a drive-by shooting have left 75 people dead and more than 200 wounded across the country. This is the worst violence there since U.S. troops pulled back from major cities on June 30th.
It only took one week for the violence to flare up, and some say it was expected. The U.S. military wanted to keep combat troops in Mosul past the deadline for withdrawal but the Iraqi government said no. There would be no exceptions to the security agreement they had with the U.S.
The State Department also raised concerns following the handing over to Iraqi authorities by the U.S. military of five Iranian officials, who have been held since 2007 for allegedly helping Shiite insurgents. They are seen as potential troublemakers.
There are still 130,000 U.S. troops in Iraq but most of them are on bases outside the major cities with only a few assigned in the cities for training Iraqi personnel. All American military forces are scheduled to be out of Iraq by the end of 2011. Then what?
While some Iraqi's are glad to no longer have U.S. troops patrolling their streets, others fear the kind of violence that has reappeared over the past few days.
Here’s my question to you: What should the U.S. do if violence continues to escalate in Iraq?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 5pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
Can New Haven firefighters derail Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
There's an old saying: "Payback's a bitch." Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor ruled against a promotion test for firefighters in New Haven, Connecticut because not enough minorities scored well enough to qualify. Last week the Supreme Court overturned that decision and now it's the firefighters' turn.
Republicans plan to call two of the firefighters who didn't get promoted to testify during Sotomayor's confirmation hearings next week. The white one who originally claimed reverse discrimination, and the lone Puerto Rican one who joined the lawsuit and incidentally scored very well on the test.
This will make equal opportunity the focus of, at least, part of the confirmation hearings and will no doubt serve as a source of some embarrassment to the nominee. The hope is to establish that appellate judges may be influenced by personal and political views such as a belief in racial preferences for minorities.
The GOP also has 12 other witnesses on their list. It should be standing room only.
Democrats are planning to call 15 witnesses, many of them Republicans, in hopes of defending critics and convincing the 19 member judiciary committee that Sotomayor is a mainstream judge worthy of becoming the first Hispanic and third woman to be seated on the high court.
Here’s my question to you: Can firefighters from New Haven, Connecticut, derail Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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