American Morning
Small business owners make big sacrifices
While some of Wall Street's richest are getting paid handsomely for their failures – many small business owners are making huge sacrifices – cutting their own salaries so they can keep others on the payroll.
What sacrifices are you making during this current economy? Share your story.
Look who's asking
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The New York Times: No. Washington Post: No. No. Ebony Magazine: Yes.
When the President was asked about the drug war in Mexico and homelessness, the questions didn't come from the mainstream media. And last night's news conference seems to indicate a trend for this president... reaching out to voters wherever they get their news.
A correspondent from Univision asked the President whether the drug cartel violence on the Mexican border posed a national security threat to the United States. The plight of the poor was raised by a correspondent with Ebony magazine. Spending on national defense and veterans care came up in a question from a correspondent with the military newspaper Stars and Stripes.
The President took questions from niche reporters at his first news conference when he called on a correspondent from the Huffington post. That reporter wasn't called on this time. But a correspondent from new media newcomer Politico was.
Political observers say this is a savvy way for the President to sell his message by going over the heads of the mainstream news media. Tomorrow, the President has plans to take questions on the economy directly from Americans on the White House web site.
Jobless react to Obama's pitch
The group was made up of people from different backgrounds and professions.
What they have in common – they're all unemployed.
They also share strong opinions on what they wanted to hear from the President.
Are you unemployed? What are your opinions on the President's news conference? Comment below.
Fast Forward
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The stories that will be making news later today:
This afternoon – President Obama makes the pitch for his 3.6 trillion dollar budget to Senate Democrats. Its a tough sell – a lot of top Democrats are worried the new budget could add seven to nine trillion dollars in new debt.
The crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery is preparing to depart the International Space Station. Discovery scheduled to undock from the space station at 3:53 ET this afternoon. It will perform the traditional fly-around of the station before heading home. Discovery will return to Earth on Saturday.
Cycling legend Lance Armstrong is expected to undergo surgery at 7 o'clock CT on his broken collarbone. Armstrong said in a Twitter post last night that the injury was more serious than doctors first thought. He says tests showed multiple pieces of broken bone. Armstrong crashed Monday during a race in Spain. The seven-time Tour de France winner plans to get back on the bike by May.
What’s on Tap – Wednesday March 25, 2009
What’s on Tap – Wednesday March 25, 2009
The Best Political Team is up early, breaking down the president’s big sell in prime time. Some of his biggest supporters and toughest critics will face off, from James Carville to Former Presidential Candidate Fred Thompson.
Plus – a special adviser to the U.N. Secretary General, says President Obama’s new bank bailout plan is bogus.
After a distasteful joke on Leno and some awkward laughter on “60 minutes”, a lot was riding on this appearance. There were tense moments. CNN Contributor Bill Bennett said the president walked into a “murderer’s row” in the White House East Room, but the president was able to stay on message, focusing on the budget and the economy.
We want to know if he answered your questions. Call 877-MYAMFIX with your reaction. We’re also asking a few recently unemployed workers about their sacrifices, and whether President Obama made them feel better about their future. The President said the country is moving in the right direction. Let us know what do you think.
Foreclosure hits renters
From CNN's Deborah Feyerick
ROOSEVELT, New York (CNN) - When Lisa Brown moved into her rental house on Long Island last summer with her three daughters, she says, it felt like a new beginning.
After living in apartments, the spacious house got her attention immediately. "It was bigger than what I had lived in," she says. Brown was also won over by the neighborhood with its tidy homes and good school district. "I wanted to come here, and I wanted to see my kids graduate from this school district."
But they hardly had a chance. Instead, fighting back tears, she says, "I have to get out."
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