American Morning
How is President Obama connecting with the American people?
This week, President Obama has taken to the road to promote his jobs legislation and many are saying that the American people are seeing a side of the president that we haven't seen since he ran for office. The president will be in Virginia later this morning trying to fire up crowds with his new catchphrase "Pass this bill."
So is Obama finally connecting with the average American again?
Today on American Morning, Michael Maslansky, CEO of Maslansky Luntz + Partners, a corporate and public affairs market research firm that specializes in language and messaging, discusses the president's jobs strategy and compares it with that of GOP candidates like Rick Perry.
Palestine to seek full United Nations membership
Just hours before two American envoys were set to meet with Palestinian leaders yesterday in an attempt to work out a deal for resumption of peace talks with Israel, the Palestinian Authority's foreign minister said that the Palestinians will seek full United Nations membership next week.
The announcement sets the stage for a showdown with the United States, who has vowed to veto a vote on full Palestinian statehood if the question comes to the U.N. Security Council.
Daniel Kurtzer, former ambassador to Israel and Egypt, explains the importance of this move on American Morning today, breaking down the potential repercussions for both the United States and peace talks in the Middle East.
House Speaker John Boehner unveils his own jobs plan – but will it work? Earth Institute's Jeffrey Sachs weighs in
With criticism mounting against Obama's "American Jobs Act," Speaker of the House John Boehner unveiled his own jobs plan yesterday dubbed "Liberating America's Economy" in an early afternoon speech to the Economic Club of Washington.
Much of Boehner's contention with Obama's plan focused on regulation and he told listeners that we need to "remove these barriers and liberate our economy."
Today on American Morning, Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, speaks with Christine Romans about Boehner's plan and weighs in as to whether or not it is a viable solution to the unemployment situation.
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Thomas Friedman weighs in on what the country needs to bring jobs back
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman recently came out with a new book, "This Used To Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back."
Within the book, Friedman outlines four great challenges facing the U.S., globalization, the revolution in information technology, chronic deficits, and a pattern of excessive energy consumption.
Describing himself as a "frustrated optimist," Friedman spends much of the book discussing the hyper-partisanship on Capitol Hill, describing Washington as being systemically paralyzed. He argues that the U.S. needs a "shock to the system" to change this system, specifically, a third party candidate.
Today on American Morning, Friedman joins Ali Velshi to place his book in context with the jobs crisis and to weigh in on what the country needs right now, both in leadership style and in legislative substance.
Talk Back: What does Jennifer Hudson's weight loss controversy say about obesity in America?
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From CNN's Carol Costello:
Since appearing on Oprah earlier in the year to discuss her weight loss, Jennifer Hudson is now down to a size zero, saying, "I'm prouder of my weight loss than my Oscar."
This is a far cry from what she said in 2007, when she stated, "I love my size, and I think everybody should have some kind of meat on their bones. I've never bought into that."
This change of heart has left many of her fans frustrated. The Cafe Mom blog writes, "...It's confusing to kids who struggle with celebrity worship and their own self-esteem, especially girls with body image issues and their own weight struggles."
Arguably, much of America is confused about body image and weight, considering that many are criticizing Hudson for her weight loss despite the fact that the public loves television shows like "The Biggest Loser."
Talk Back: What does Jennifer Hudson's weight loss controversy say about obesity in America?
Let us know what you think. Your answer may be read on this morning's broadcast.
Sen. Sherrod Brown: Congress should take a pay-cut, receive pensions at 66
The Taxpayers Protection Alliance, a non-partisan group, sent a letter to lawmakers urging them to cut their "extravagant salaries" of $174 thousand a year by 10 percent, saying the move would save taxpayers $100 million dollars over ten years.
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) supports the proposal and also introduced a bill to Congress in April proposing that members of Congress wait until age 66 to receive their pension. Currently, members of Congress can receive their pensions at age 50. Sen. Brown talks to American Morning about a potential pay-cut for Congress and delaying the age they can receive pensions.
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