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Is President Obama Too Busy?
Published by Pamela Gentry on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 12:34 am.By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst
Oct. 1, 2009 – The president held a meeting with his national security team Wednesday to discuss the progress and the challenges the U.S. is facing in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Today he’ll leave for Copenhagen to plug the U.S. as the host of the 2016 Olympics.
First lady Michelle Obama stops to talk to waiting reporters as Pat Ryan, third right, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chicago 2016 looks on. Mrs. Obama meets with International Olympic Committee (IOC) members in Copenhagen,Wednesday as part of the Chicago 2016 bid team who are competing with Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro for the right to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The OIC will vote on Friday, Oct. 2, in Copenhagen. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Critics this week have charged the president is spreading himself too thin and that he needs to stay put and worry about health care reform, two wars and the economy.
Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, told reporters Tuesday, “I think at a time of recession, at a time where Americans have expressed rather significantly their concerns and frustrations over the course of the spring and summer about health care, about the economy, about a host of domestic issues, even international issues, I think that this trip, while nice, is not necessary for the president.”
But the White House disagrees. During Wednesday’s press briefing, Robert Gibbs, the president’s press secretary, was asked if all the issues with Iran, Afghanistan, and health care created an “extraordinary week.” Gibbs said, the administration has been juggling a number of issues since taking office on January 21, and this week was no exception.
“I think this has been an extraordinary eight months. What did we wake up to on the 21st of January? An economy that was sliding off the cliff; a banking system that your paper had written about that could fail; any number of international challenges,” Gibbs said.
On Wednesday, House Minority Leader John Boehner added his voice to the chorus of critics. “Listen, I think it’s a great idea to promote Chicago, but he’s the president of the United States, not the mayor of Chicago.
“And the problems we have here at home affect all Americans and that’s where his attention ought to be,” Boehner said.
One of those important issues is how the U.S. deals with al Qaeda. It was the topic of a closed door meeting with the president and his national security team. Few details were released, but the White House released a brief summary stating, “As the U.S. aggressively confronts al Qaeda and its leadership around the world, the President has set a clear goal in Afghanistan: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and their extremist allies.”
“When it comes to decisions as important as keeping this country safe and putting our troops into harm’s way, the President has made it clear that he will rigorously assess our progress.”
The president will join the first lady in Copenhagen Thursday, but it’s doubtful his critics will go away. It’s also doubtful his absence for a few days will be more than symbolic in asserting he isn’t working on other issues at hand.
What do you think? Should the president be promoting the Olympics coming to the U.S. or minding the store here in Washington?
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I NEVER THOUGHT I SEE THE DAY WHEN GOOD OLD AMERICAN APPLE PIE, HOT DOGS , DEEP DISH PIZZA AND THE OLYMPICS GETS A THUMBS DOWN FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. IT’S A NEW LOW FOR THE HATERS OF MR OBAMA HIS WIFE AND MS O. IF MR OBAMA GETS THE NOD FOR THE GAMES TO COME TO AMERICA, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY’S POPULARITY TAKES ANOTHER HIT, THE DEMOCRATES CLIMB UP ANOTHER NOTCH AND MR OBAMA IF HE IS STILL PRESIDENT CATERS TO THE WORLD LEADERS. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MANY DEALS THE WHITE HOUSE STAFF WILL MAKE WITH THE VISTING WORLD LEADERS.
“Sigh”…
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President Obama , Can Multi-Task . He’s a Brilliant ! Economic & Social Engineer ! Peace & Blessings , Power To The People !
Obviously he is not too busy since he is flying to Norway to bid for Chicago which doesnt need the olympics. They need to fix the crime and money problems there.
Please let Mr. Obama be the President. If he wants to go to Copenhagen to advocate for America,so be it.He is a competitor.He has all kinds technology and staff to support him whereever he is.He is never out of touch.
I think there is nothing wrong with President Obama and Mrs Obama working to get the Olympics coming to the U.S. Our country needs the promotions, because we have lost the prestige we once had and just maybe the Olympics may help us SOME to regain the love and respect most countries had for us. As for the store here in Washington we all know our beautiful country is never ON PAUSE.
I would rather see Obama chase the Olympics than continue to destroy the Economy and Healthcare.
rednblack i think the republicans have done that already. the last eight years
congress was a majority of republicans not democrats. so all the things you mention was done on their watch. quite listening to haters like you, who have lied for so long until they believe what they say. the problem we are having is a white male thing. he is doing more than congress, he has sense enough to be advise and discuss things. most of the congressmen
are not doing that. he is capable of doing many things , rather than focus on one thing at a time. in that job you have to multitask something these
congressmen are not doing. remember kennedy was trying to get them to
do something about healthcare for thirty years.so if we can get the games
here i am all for it.
is president do to much ,no he do what he suppose to do? and i think afghanistan ,pakistan ,taliban difficult countries all need to work on it seriouxly then obama do what he suppose to do with all the rest of leaders around the world. uk ,europe and canada ect. good night everyone nice to talk to you..
This is what he excels at and is excellent at it and not to mention his eye is on the United Nations President seat!!!!!!!………!!! Go Obama!!!!!
President Obama Is a Brilliant , Economic & Social Engineer The Olympic In Chicago Will Bring Many , Many , Many Job’s To Chicago and The USA ! The Lord Is Really Using President Obama , To Heal America’s Economic & Social Problems . Thank You Jesus ! Job’s , Education , Fair Wages , Decent Housing & Universal Health Care ! Peace & Blessings , Power To The People !
Red N black you have got it all wrong! Instead you should have stated that you enjoy seeing the president multitask while focusing on his agenda to bring health care to the majority of uninsured Americans. Also, I hope that you do not consider yourself a wannabe republican. In most cases, true republicans are quite wealthy individuals.The other half of so-called republicans are unhappy that their life didn’t turn out so good. Another way of putting it is that these individuals are from the south, uneducated and normally fall in a very low income bracket. I am pretty sure that you fit either one or more of the categories that I have just previously mentioned. With that said, let’s support Obama’s initiative for Universal Care for everyone who is not making at least 200,000 a year. This call for support includes white, black yellow, brown pink or whatever. in closing, as plantation mentioned so eloquently, now is the time for Universal health for everyone who is not rich, including “Red N black”.
magine a time where you can visit the doctor without worrying about medical costs. Imagine a time when you don’t have to worry about being fired from that job with perfect medical care benefits. Imagine a time when you don’t have to listen to your parents constantly asking you if you have health insurance or not. Imagine a time where you can visit an actual hospital instead of a dirty clinic for absolutely nothing. Imagine a time when you can take that extra money that you spend on health insurance each month and use that additional cash to get your car fixed. Imagine a time when you don’t have to worry about your check being garnished due to overdue medical bills. Do you FEEL ME OUT THERE! Does anyone feel like I do?NOW IS THE TIME FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE!!
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@maggief; The only thing Obama has shown any profficiency in has been his ability to bend over for two-bit dictators
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@ask one; Envy is one of the seven deadly sins, you seem to wear that one well
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@essay one; imagine responsibility as opposed to free loading off others
Obama & Michelle REJECTED in the first round!!!!!
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It is a sad day in America when the world laughs at our weak President.
Be advised Red Back that universal medicare does not necessarily mean that you are a freeloader. It just means that a country has medical care system in place to take of its citizens who need it the most. Also, this is not a black or a white thing, due to the fact that their are a lot of poor white people in America without medical care as well. You are also not in the realization that it is not easy for everyone to get access to a descent health care plan. For the most part, All jobs in the U.S. do not offer medical insurance. Another factor is that an individuals salary may not be high enough to cover a private medical insurance plan. It is quite hard for me to understand exactly what do you mean by freeloading when your up against wall, and you don’t have many alternatives because of an ineffective medical care system. In addition, please note that the U.S. is the only first world country without a universal health care plan for their citizens. Does that many that nearly every citizen in the European Union, UK and Canada are freeloaders? I certainly doubt it. I am a well traveled individual with friends in Europe and that UK; they all express gratitude for their governments initiative to look after their citizens. Why can’t we do same? I don’t mean any offense red neck, but I somehow feel that your an uneducated and disappointed individual. Personally speaking, I think you should try going back to school, and try exploring the world as well. This may help you to understand others, and the root of all of our current problems that were previously created by the Bush administration.
ps: In a addition to your last comment. This is not United States of Michelle and Obama. This is the United States of America. That is if you still live in this great nation. With that in mind, you should realize that we as Americans as whole lost the bid. This is taking into account those individuals who are currently holding U.S. citizenship.
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