Political Hotsheet
By

Peter Maer /

CBS News/ August 17, 2009, 1:06 PM

A Pressure Cooker Obama Can Enjoy

(AP)
For rookie fly fisherman Barack Obama, it's the story of "the one that got away."

White House staffers who spent several hours fishing the cold waters of O'Dell Creek say Mr. Obama had some good strikes from Rainbow trout but he he did not land one of the wily fish. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had bragging rights to two Rainbows. Gibbs is now carrying pictures of the catch on his Blackberry. White House deputy chief of staff Jim Messina, a native of the West, also landed some of the fighting Rainbows. Aides say Mr. Obama relished his time away from what he has described as the White House "container."

Today the First Family is touring some of the wonders of Yellowstone National Park including the "Old Faithful" geyser. Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer had some special advice for the Obamas. Recalling the first time his own children saw "Old Faithful," Schweitzer urged the President to watch the reaction of daughters Sasha and Malia. The governor said, "Hold them close because you will never forget the feeling that you have when their eyes get as big as saucers seeing the majesty of God at work in Big Sky Country."

When then Vice President Al Gore visited the park he noted it has more geysers and hot springs than the rest of the world combined. The natural pressure cookers could have a special meaning for a president dealing with the heated debate over health care reform and the other hot button issues on his agenda.

As the Obamas spend most of Saturday at the landmark national park they may be lucky enough see some of the bison, moose elk or bears that roam the more than two million acres.

Reporters have been told not to expect much access to the First Family's day in the park. There are hints of an opportunity to see them gazing at "Old Faithful." A photo-op at the steaming geyser could redefine "pool spray," the term used for quick camera sweeps of the president and his family.
Mr. Obama is following in the footsteps of many other U.S. presidents who have visited Yellowstone.

In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the legislation that set aside the unspoiled land for what would become the world's first national park. Theodore Roosevelt was the president with the closest links to the park. He promoted the preservation of parklands at Yellowstone and other areas.

Newspapers in 1903 reported T.R. shot a mountain lion during a trip to Yellowstone. A New York Times headline proclaimed, "PRESIDENT KILLS LION IN YELLOWSTONE PARK." The Roosevelt Arch at the Northern entrance to the park carries the inscription, "For the benefit and enjoyment of the people."
One of the park's 300 geysers is named for President Warren Harding who visited in 1923.

Calvin Coolidge traveled to Yellowstone in 1927. A park worker later recalled the president known as "silent Cal" was more interested in fishing than talking.

A young ranger named Gerald Ford worked at the park in 1936. President Ford would later recall it was "one of the greatest summers of my life."
The Obamas will make their own memories on today's brief visit.

Unlike the millions of other visitors to one of the nation's most popular attractions, they didn't have to pack the car and they certainly won't wait in any lines.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
35 Comments Add a Comment
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dumascracks says:
I got Health Care, but AIG will not pay for it, they clame that their end of the year Pay Packages and helping Obama stay in Office just Cleaned them out, OPPS, SORRY ABOUT THAT!!!
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Stevenapoli7 says:
Some outside the media box facts and myths of health care: http://liberty.pacificresearch.org/docLib/20081020_Top_Ten_Myths.pdf
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reveal5 says:
President Obama enjoys a 54% approval rating as an average of all major polls at RealClearPolitics. Rasmussen has the President at 48%, The lowest number. Highest number is 58% by Ipsos/McClatchy, a highly respected polling organization.
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reveal5 says:
CBS has published a new poll that shows 66% of Amerians support a public option. By a 2 to 1 margin, America wants a true public option.
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trapbreaking says:
August 12, 2009
MORE DISAPPROVE THAN APPROVE OF OBAMA ON HEALTHCARE

Forty-nine percent of Americans currently say they disapprove of President Barack Obama's handling of healthcare policy, while 43% say they approve, similar to views expressed in mid-July.

.Gallup

Don't like Gallup? Here is Rasmussen:

SUPPORT FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEALTH CARE REFORM FALLS TO NEW LOW

Health Care Reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats has fallen to a new low as just 42% of U.S. voters now favor the plan. That?s down five points from two weeks ago and down eight points from six weeks ago.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that opposition to the plan has increased to 53%, up nine points since late June.

.
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reveal5 replies:
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2/3rds of America wants healthcare reform. The 42% is the percentage of Americans in the middle who are not concerned that the plan is either not enough or too much.
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Clearsop says:
I've accepted the fact that most conservatives will never master the cognitive skills required to spell Obama. The mental illness of conservatism isn't just pathological narcissism and paranoia. There is a element of arrested emotional development were the victim of conservative stops developing adult social interaction skills. This may explain why we have so many fifty-year old conservatives who name call like errant children trying to gain acceptance from the school thug who goes on to be a junkie.

Why are so many of you conservatives reading the bias liberal press writing about one of America's greatest presidents? Shouldn't you be at teabagging or throwing a tantrum to get your way?
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specialty8 says:
And up to now what has been productive? Bring the troops home, no. Close Gitmo, no. Transparent goverment,no. No lobbyist,no. Fiscal responsibilty, no. Pay as you go, no. No pork spending, no. Need anymore?
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specialty8 says:
It is funny, the only ones that listen to Rush are the Obamabots. Trying to learn something or do you think he will block your check and free stuff?
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specialty8 says:
Obama is dropping like a rock in the polls. People are getting on to him. Face it he was elected by the ones who thought the check was in the mail. Well the check has not showed up and they are starting to get bitter. All of the false statements made so far by this administration is catching up fast and people are seeing it for what it is.
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specialty8 replies:
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Potus, whats wrong? Has your check not showed up yet? Hint, Exxon does not care about your check. Or could it be your getting tired of the lies? "If we don't slam the stimulis through unemployment might reach 8%". "I don't want to own a car plant". "shape up America, me and ole foot in the mouth Biden are going for burgers and fries"." Well me and Turbo Timmy are just FURIOUS about all the new AIG millionaires we created", and just one more that is priceless"Pay as you go". Eeven the Obamabots laughed at that lie. Do you need more?
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reveal5 says:
God bless our new brilliant and charismatic President. The haters will never stamp out inspiration or respect or the Bill of Rights. Support good Americans who are capable of virtue and humanity and respect. Support basic human decency. Support a new day in America where compassion is seen once more as a virtue and Americans once again support their fellow man. Support basic American compassion. Support liberty and justice for all. Support the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Never again let this country be torn asunder by hate and paranoia and lies and those who spread them. Support the America of our forefathers where all men have basic guarantees of Freedom of Speech and assembly. Support the America where respect is a reasonable expectation of all men and women. Support an America where hate is not put on a pedastal as a virtue. Do not support an America where people want to pit one against another. Support freedom. Do not ever knuckle under to the mob of angry, partisan, unruly, fringe hatemongers. Rise up and fight the smears and lies and hate and racism. It is the only thing the fringe will understand. Rise up and let your voice be heard.
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