American Morning
Welcome to the Tea Party: Whose party is it?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://blogs.cnn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2010/02/teaparty-gi-art.jpg caption="Protesters gather on Capitol Hill during the Tea Party Express rally on September 12, 2009 in Washington, DC."]
By Jim Acosta, CNN
Once written off by Democrats as "astroturf" (Washington-speak for faux grassroots) and a word that rhymes with "fleabaggers," tea party activists across the country are proving the skeptics wrong.
Scott Brown's tea party-infused upset in the Massachusetts Senate race stopped health care reform in its tracks. A tea party two-fer.
Still, ask around and many Americans are wondering, "who are these tea party guys?"
So that's what we did. In part one of our series, "Welcome to the Tea Party," we went to some rallies, talked to two of the major tea party outfits and zeroed in on one activist in the movement who's worried it's being co-opted by the Republican Party.
Here's what we've found. The tea party is not astroturf. It's a booming movement of conservatives and independents.
Many of the activists don't like President Obama. But some are just as mad at the GOP. Much of the anger is fueled by the bailouts and runaway deficits. And one thing is clear, the activists are not going away.
As for that activist who is worried Republican Party operatives are circling his movement – that part is true.
On Wednesday's American Morning, we've got a behind-the-scenes look at the Tea Party Express, the popular conservative bus tour that swept the nation. We're not riding the bus. Instead, we visit the group's offices, located – get this – inside a Republican political consulting firm.
Tell us what you think about the Tea Party movement. And don't forget to watch parts two and three on American Morning. Here's a two word preview: Marco Rubio.
Obama budget boosts spending for jobs, education
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/02/01/budget.gi.art.jpg caption="President Obama today announced a $3.8 trillion budget proposal that includes $50 billion to create jobs and a more than 6 percent increase in education funding."]
By Jennifer Liberto, senior writer
WASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) - President Obama revealed a $3.8 trillion budget for 2011 on Monday that tries to balance two competing goals: continued government spending to boost the fragile economic recovery and controlling the nation's deficit.
"We simply cannot continue to spend as if deficits don't have consequences, as if waste doesn't matter," Obama said at a White House presentation. "It's time to save what we can, spend what we must and live within our means once again."
The budget assumes that the nation's unemployment rate will average 9.2% in 2011 and that the nation's gross domestic product grows by 3.8% next year. It also assumes that some sort of health care reform legislation will pass.
Included in the massive package are $53 billion in tax cuts and $50 billion job-creating measures, including small-business tax cuts, as well as new investments in green technology and infrastructure programs for work on roads and bridges.
Orszag talks about president's proposed $3.8 trillion budget
The Obama administration is doing what so many families have already been forced to do: make tough choices with their money.
The president's $3.8 trillion budget is heading to Capitol Hill today. It calls for billions of dollars to create jobs, but it freezes spending for other domestic programs.
Republicans like House Minority Leader John Boehner are saying it's a good start. President Obama's budget director, Peter Orszag, joined us on Monday's American Morning.
Explainer: Obama's 2011 budget
Middle class voters react to Obama's address
President Obama says jobs will be his top priority in 2010. He reached out to the middle class in last night's State of the Union, but did he make a connection?
Our Carol Costello visited Youngstown, Ohio to talk with voters there. The city is heavily Democratic – 70% voted for President Obama.
Yesterday, residents told us what they wanted to hear from the president and today Carol is asking them, "did he deliver?"
Obama calls for 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal
Washington (CNN) - President Obama said Wednesday night he will work with Congress and the military to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bars gays and lesbians from openly serving in the armed forces.
Obama made the remark in his first State of the Union speech during a short litany of civil rights issues, which included his successful hate crimes bill, a move to "crack down on equal-pay laws" and improvement of the immigration system.
"We find unity in our incredible diversity, drawing on the promise enshrined in our Constitution: the notion that we are all created equal, that no matter who you are or what you look like, if you abide by the law you should be protected by it," he said.
"We must continually renew this promise. My administration has a Civil Rights Division that is once again prosecuting civil rights violations and employment discrimination. We finally strengthened our laws to protect against crimes driven by hate," he said.
"This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are."
Health care takes back seat to jobs
It is the pivot his critics believe President Obama should have made months ago – health care now on the back burner, the pain of a lingering economic recession front and center. CNN's Ed Henry reports.
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
On Twitter
