Straight From The Horse's Mouth…

The president traveled Friday to Baltimore, Md., to deliver a speech and answer questions at the GOP House issues conference. I was quite unsure that this was a good idea if the true interest of the president were to develop a bipartisan relationship. It would seem to me that the best way to make sure there was real discussion and dialogue would have been to engage the GOP in a closed-door session. Evidently, both the Republicans and President Obama wanted their discussion to be open to the American public.

Shining the camera lights on the president's speech and the questions he took gave a rare glimpse into a discussion that is really quite different than one at a standard press conference. Someone even suggested that the questions were so good and detailed that perhaps the press should yield their seats to the president's political opposition and let them ask questions at the daily briefings and press conferences.

The president not only came out swinging, but also showed that he has an in-depth knowledge of the concerns that Republicans have. He also proved that he has read their legislation. President Obama took the jobs program and the stimulus package head on and was able to quote a current CNN poll saying "Americans disapprove of stimulus but like every policy in it." President Obama then said, "If you broke it down into its component parts, 80 percent approved of the tax cuts, 80 percent approved of the infrastructure, 80 percent approved of the assistance to the unemployed." The president also did not let the Republicans paint him with the job loss. He knew the numbers and was able to articulate what happened right before he took office and in the two months after. He defended the stimulus plan by quoting statistics that exposed what numbers would have been like if there had not been a stimulus package.

Always the orator, Obama was also able to poke right back at the Republicans on issues such as what happened with infrastructure money that many of us know as "shovel-ready projects." He ribbed at the Republicans saying, "A lot of you have gone to appear at ribbon cuttings for the same projects you voted against." He did not take the bait when asked if he would consider supporting across-the-board tax relief as President Kennedy did. He offered to take a look at what the Republicans were proposing and said that what they may consider to be a across-the-board tax cuts could be greater tax cuts for people who are making $1 billion. He said he might not agree to a tax cut for Warren Buffett.

The White House press corps was admonished for bringing up the issue of not having coverage of the health-care bill on C-SPAN. The president took down and hit that out of the ballpark by saying that so many of the hearings on the health-care bill were broadcast. He also stated that, as president, he took responsibility for not having structured the discussion in a way that it took place in one setting where it could have been filmed. The performance of the president made me wish he would come out daily and answer questions. Perhaps the questions would be tougher, but the answers would come directly from the horse's mouth.

On the health-care issue, the president was well-versed. He had read H.R.3400 and said it was important to put any bill to the test. Lowering health-care premiums, tort reform and selling insurance across state lines had to really work, not just be boilerplate fixes. He also pointed out that purchasing insurance across state lines might result in cherry-picking, leading to the healthiest being able to purchase insurance and others somehow getting left out of the process.

For policy wonks and average citizens, we were treated to something that you don't see in a presidential press conference, a State of the Union speech or in the spin room afterwards, and you certainly don't see in the daily press briefings at the White House or in the Congress. We ought to ask for more of these, just like the British do during prime minister's questions. That's the time when people making the laws get to ask direct questions of the government. We saw how it worked Friday, and hopefully we'll be fortunate to view much more of this. If at least two of our three branches of government have a lively and honest discussion, then just maybe our great democracy will become richer in the process.

Wanted -- Straight Talk At The State Of The Union

President Obama must tell the American people that he was elected to not just give good news but true news.

Every president has his portrait painted early on in his first term. The figurative portrait of President Obama the public sees is the gilded orator who can give a great speech but fails to produce the necessary action. It doesn’t matter if that is the full truth about the president it is how he has been painted by public opinion. President Obama must address that perception in his State of the Union speech on Wednesday night. His address needs to be an action speech.

The president must outline his plan to get America working again. It has to be bold and specific. He must acknowledge that while the stock market has begun to rebound there are too many people under-employed or unemployed. He needs to propose legislation and then tell the Republicans that if they have a plan, it cannot be just a “cut taxes and wait plan,” but it must be a real plan. He ought to announce that he will be holding office hours at The White House over the next four weekends. He should then invite Republicans to come over and present any plans and legislation they have.

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Reach Out And Rebuild Haiti

Many of us have been glued to our television sets this week watching the earthquake disaster in Haiti. It is incomprehensible that the kind of devastation and damage could take place so close to the United States where we have so much. We hear from television anchors day in and day out how Haiti is the poorest country in our hemisphere. Some of the news people are saying that the damage would not have been as extensive if the buildings had been engineered and built to be earthquake proof. That may or may not be, as the United Nation's area was completely devastated. It was not hardened like a U.S. embassy, but it wasn't a poverty building, either. They lost many people including the secretary-general's main Haiti envoy.

Having seen the devastation firsthand after Hurricane Katrina, I know that it takes years to rebuild. Right after Hurricane Katrina, the Methodist bishop of Mississippi said it would be 10 days of emergency, 100 days of relief and 1,000 days of recovery. Most of what the bishop said has been true, although it has taken more than 1,000 days of recovery. The Hurricane Katrina disaster happened in our country, with relative wealth compared to Haiti. It is very clear that the emergency phase is going to be more than 10 days. The emergency phase will be more like 100 days. Relief will take many months. Recovery will take many years.

Many of us know how very long it has taken to rebuild one small patch of New York after Sept. 11. We know about the stories of loss and pain that families have had to endure. People in Haiti have to attend to rescuing who they can and, at the same time, deal with loss of friends and family. Having to function at that level, given the amount of loss, is a testament to human strength.

Because of how busy our lives are, we may forget Haiti relatively quickly. Having witnessed on a month-by-month basis recovery of our Gulf Coast, it will need concentrated effort and giving by many of us who have resources and those of us who don't have many resources at all. What is different about this disaster, because of the poverty, is that every little bit helps.

Getting people food, shelter and clothing is one piece of the current emergency work. Helping people to recover emotionally is something that is not being talked about. Post-Katrina, it has taken years for emotional recovery. The Lutheran Church came to the Gulf Coast the summer after the storm and made a huge difference in children's lives. They sponsored Camp Noah, which encouraged children to tell their stories to a stuffed animal they had chosen. The process of telling their stories allowed the staff at the camp to be able to find children who needed immediate intervention. Most of the staff were not trained in mental health or caring individuals from the community. It was relatively easy to find children who needed help and intervention to get their lives back on track.

What concerned Americans need to do now, is to raise money and send supplies, clothing and whatever else is needed. What needs to happen in the long run is that Americans, who care about our brothers and sisters in Haiti, come up with creative and long-term solutions. From a Camp Noah type of intervention to helping develop quick housing and perhaps micro-enterprise solutions, we need to develop ideas that can help the Haitian people. We have so many people out of work in this country that perhaps there is a way of taking some of their time and energy and having them spend time in Haiti developing the kinds of solutions that can make a difference.

Almost every faith-based group in this country has a volunteer effort. Unemployed people with skills can offer their help. Families can give up their vacations to help in Haiti, and even little children can have their lemonade stands send a few dollars to our southern neighbors. Americans are compassionate. With our understanding that the Haitian recovery is going to take years of our help and ingenuity, we can show the world how great America really is.

Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner Gives Her Predictions For 2010

We are beginning the second decade of the millennium. We'll see congressional elections, the winter Olympics and a few Republican candidates beginning the Iowa and New Hampshire slog toward the nomination for president. Some of the year is highly predictable, while the wild card of the weeks and days will bring entertainment, sadness and joy as we move through the next 365 days. So, without the benefit of a crystal ball or being able to discern the stars, here is what I predict.

1. Health care passes the House and Senate within a week of the State of the Union address. The plan might be to get it done before the State of the Union, but it will be passed within a week in either direction of the congressional speech. The president's address will be used as the rallying cry.

2. The November midterm elections will have the Democrats losing a maximum of 23 seats in the House, but not more. They will lose three seats in the Senate. This loss will prompt the Republicans to once again see this as a mandate and move to the conservative wing of the party. Unless Newt Gingrich rises to the top as the potential nominee, the party will begin to support right-wing candidates who do nothing except increase President Obama's chance for re-election.

3. We discover more water on other planets and even see the precursors for life on some of these. The possible discovery of water on the moon and Mars has increased the chances of sustainable life in many far away lands. "That we are not alone" is becoming more and more of a reality. Not exactly the bar scene from "Star Wars," but on a microbe level we are not the only actors.

4. We impose sanctions on Iran. I do not need to be a soothsayer to predict this, but all indications lead to imposing sanctions. The trouble is that without the help of some of the Arab countries that trade with Iran such as UAE, there is not much help that sanctions could work.



5. After the sanctions are imposed, there will be a significant, internal change in Iran, which will make the Obama idea of possible communication a reality – although the neo-cons will be furious.

6. Consuming less and giving more becomes the consequence of the poor economy. As Americans have less and reassess their values, blatant consumerism will reduce. Charitable giving will increase among middle-class donors.

7. Americans will become more aware of the drug trade from Mexico. It has been something that has been lost in the immigration debate. Mexico as a "failed state" will become more of a headline.

8. Afghanistan will calm down, and it will look like Gen. Stanley McChrystal's plan is working. The Taliban will be waiting for its moment and will wait us out. We will declare victory and with the exception of few headlines down the line when the Taliban and the warlords take back their territory. By that time America is on to new concerns and does not even register a blip.

9. Meg Whitman wins the race for governor of California. Former Gov. Brown and San Francisco Mayor Newsom don't make the final cut with the people of California.

10. Prevention in health becomes the buzzword. The insurance lobby, freaking out that it can't drop subscribers, turns to the only thing it knows works: getting Americans healthier. It works with governors and states to help fund tobacco prevention and healthy diet programs.

11. Unusual state taxes get voted on. California will tax medical marijuana, and other states find ways to tax Internet purchases and develop sin taxes.

So there you have it readers. I invite you to send me yours, and we will look at my track record in a year! Have a wonderful New Year and may God bless you and your family.

White House Gaggle With Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

Iraq Bombing:
Gibbs said that the administration condemns the violence and that the leaders in Iraq who have moved democracy forward and who have made elections possible are overcoming those who have caused the violence. Gibbs added that the bombers are trying to send a message that most Iraqis won’t hear because they are focused on electing leaders.


Economy/President’s Speech:
Gibbs said that the administration will continue to look at what options there are and will try to help the private sector create more jobs. Gibbs said that the administration will continue to take in ideas. Gibbs said there is no silver bullet, and that 7-8 million jobs have been lost since the start of the recession. Gibbs said the administration wants to target ideas that can move the country positively in the direction of new jobs. He said the recession is “deep in length” and it’s sad to see “how much we’ve fallen.” Gibbs said the possibility that TARP may be $200 billion less, “gives us flexibility.” Gibbs said the administration will try to create twice as many projects, but without twice as much money. “Even shovel ready projects take time to get underway,” he said. If there are things that can be done in terms of using TARP funds to spur small business lending, that is something the administration will look at.


Supreme Court Ruling On Campaign Laws:
Gibbs said this is an important case for the American people and that the administration is concerned about special interests controlling the political process. Gibbs reminded reporters that the President talked about this issue during his campaign. The administration will wait to see if the high court delivers a ruling today.

Oslo:
On whether or not the President will give away his charity money, there is “no clarity yet on the charity,” said Gibbs. The President will also address sending troops into battle as he accepts the Nobel Peace Prize.


Healthcare:
Gibbs was asked about the reimportation of drugs and said the President still supports the reimportation of drugs, but there are safety concerns that still need to be addressed. “Safety is the number one concern,” said Gibbs.


Iran Sanctions:
Asked who will make the decision about Iranian sanctions, Gibbs said the Iranians will, but added, “we’re not at that point.”


Poll Numbers:
Asked about the latest poll numbers, Gibbs dismissed the Gallup numbers at 47%. He called the Gallup daily trend meaningless. Gibbs also said that if he was a patient and Gallup was his doctor, he would get a new doctor.