American Morning
What challenges does President Obama have when facing the African-American community?
With his poll numbers slipping among African-Americans, President Obama is launching an outreach campaign to the black community.
Over the weekend, Obama delivered a fiery speech before the Congressional Black Caucus, and he sat down for an exclusive interview with Black Entertainment Television (BET) last night in a special that the network called "The President Answers Black America."
However, the President is also making it clear that he will not specifically target assistance toward the African American community, saying, "That's not how America works. America works when all of us are pulling together, and everybody is focused on making sure that every single person has opportunity."
Robert Traynham, former Republican adviser, and James Peterson, director of Africana Studies at Leigh University, weigh in on president's outreach to the African-American community on American Morning today.
What is the extent of the damage at the Washington Monument? Natl Parks Spokesperson explains
Yesterday, the National Parks Service released video recorded on a security camera inside the observation deck near the top of the Washington Monument during the August earthquake. The video shows debris falling within the monument and visitors falling down and running for safety.
The monument has been closed since the earthquake and a mountaineering and rope-rigging ranger from Denali National Park in Alaska will join four engineers to rappel down the sides of the monument to conduct a closer inspection this morning.
Bill Line, spokesperson for the National Parks Service, joins American Morning live from the Washington monument today to discuss the extent of the damage and to explain when the monument might re-open.
Baby bears in a wrestling match – need we say more?
We're never ones to shy away from adorable animal videos. For your viewing pleasure this morning: A pair of baby bears stop traffic as they wrestle in the middle of a road in Yosemite National Park.
Minding Your Business for Sept. 27, 2011
This morning on American Morning, Christine Romans reports on the morning business news headlines.
Today we're watching:
* Efforts underway to secure another bailout for Greece.
* More banks are ditching free checking accounts.
* Retail giant Macy's announcing it expects to add 78,000 temporary jobs for the holiday season.
Tune in to American Morning at 6am Eastern every day for the latest in business news.
Talk Back: Is President Obama's new fiery persona resonating?
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From CNN's Carol Costello:
Hit with polls showing low approval ratings, President Obama has recently been kicking up his fiery rhetoric and appealing to his liberal base, who have been frustrated with him for seeming weak in the face of Republican attacks.
The new assertive Obama first appeared during his jobs speech to Congress, when he blasted the rich for not paying their share of taxes. On Saturday, the president delivered another passionate speech before the Congressional Black Caucus.
"I expect all of you to march with me and press on. Take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes, shake it off, stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying," the president said to the CBC. "We are going to press on, we've got work to do."
Talk Back: Is President Obama's new fiery persona resonating?
Let us know what you think. Your answer may be read on our broadcast.
UCLA student fights for Libyan rebels
Chris Jeon, a 22 year old math student at the University of California, Los Angeles, didn't exactly have your typical summer vacation.
Jeon bought a plane ticket from Los Angeles to Cairo, took a train to Alexandria and then took buses to Libya to fight with the rebel forces. Speaking no Arabic, Jeon stayed with fighters and families in the area and joined the revolution.
Today on American Morning, Jeon discusses his experience and explains what inspired him to travel to Libya to join up with the rebels in their fight against Moammar Gadhafi.
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