Obama to hold live web chat during Iowa caucuses

By: Peter Maer
Topics: White House ,; Campaign 2012

President Obama.

(Credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

He may not be able to recapture the euphoria of his 2008 Iowa caucus win, but President Obama will have a role as the first votes of the 2012 presidential campaign are cast next Tuesday.

The Obama campaign is mapping out plans for the president to speak to his supporters via live web chat at locations across Iowa Tuesday night. A campaign official told CBS News the effort will use technology that was not available four years ago. Screens will show the president, in Washington, communicating with people simultaneously at various gathering places in the Hawkeye State.

Mr. Obama can be expected to sound some of the same appeals on "middle class" issues that he has used in recent speeches and his statements during the year-end fight over extending the payroll tax cut.

While the president is trying to stay above the fray for as long as he can heading into the campaign year, the Iowa remarks will offer an early preview of his 2012 script.

Paid staffers and volunteers have been working to bolster the same voter base that propelled Barack Obama to his 2008 caucus and election victories in Iowa. The caucus night meetings will be another opportunity for the campaign to gather names of supporters for the long drive to November.

Beyond next week's caucuses, Iowa will be a key Midwest battleground target for both parties. The Obama campaign has reason to hope that the Republicans' political bloodletting in Iowa will be the start of a of a long and rough primary season.

As his campaign team firms up plans for the early stages of the 2012 battle, Mr. Obama has had the incumbent's advantage of re-charging his batteries in his beloved Hawaii. He'll return to Washington next week for that Iowa web speech and the start of what will either be his final year in office or the prelude to a second term.

Peter Maer
Peter Maer is a CBS News White House Correspondent.
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by lg144 January 3, 2012 12:14 AM EST: GOP = GREEDY ONE PERCENT

99 Reasons To Snub Republicans In 2012

We Snub Republicans 2012; Reply to this comment

by insightig December 30, 2011 4:18 PM EST

The Economy is not Obama's fault. Correct me if I'm wrong on how Bills and Policies play out... but, are we not still in the Bush error of Bills and Policies, and, Obama or anyone else can't change something that has been approved and signed into law? Such, as a war (which Bush took us into with no way of paying for it but to borrow not only from SS but from China). People want to blame Obama but if you really took the time and found the facts you would see... Obama's Bills and Policies really don't take hold until next year. So, to blame billions on his healthcare plan today is crazy, to blame him for a "Do nothing Congress" is not his fault, and to blame him for bailouts... well, you have to deal with the hand that is dealt to you... He did what all specialist told him to do... he just doesn't wake up in the morning and decides to give money away... and for welfare... we have always had welfare... what we have not had in a very long time is "no jobs" so common sense tells me those families who can't find a job but need to feed their children + welfare going up. Oh, and Jobs... talk to your congress and Bush... point the finger to those who deserve it. I was a Republican... Voting Straight Dem Ticket in 2012.

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by insightig December 30, 2011 4:22 PM EST: I'm sorry President Obama. I won't be able to listen because I live in Iowa and I will be at the Democratic Caucuses... I will be holding up your sign. Good Luck in 2012. Prayers are with you and our Nation.


by EliminateUnionsNow December 30, 2011 3:45 PM EST: "Your" Socialist President Odumbo says vote for me in 2012 and I'll put you further in poverty.

(1) I will increase foodstamp participation by another 43%

(2) I will visit all fifty seven states again

(3) I will learn to speak "Austrian"

(4) Those living in poverty in Souith Carolina, I promise you that
your mailboxes will still be worth more than your home and
freezers are empty of food.

(5) I will continue to travel the world and insult American
workers and suck up to my fellow dictators.

(6) High school drop outs will continue to get special treatment
by are dues steang unions.

(7) If you Liberals keep swallowing what I say, I can continue to
to be the dumbest human being on earth.

(8) I will continue to insult the rich while my wife wears $1,000
dresses and $500 dollar shoes and take lavish European trips
while you lose your homes and suffer.

VOTE ODUMBO!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by RobAla December 30, 2011 9:07 AM EST: Does he want to "chat" about the 120 Sear and K-Mart stores which have been announced for closure, or will he "chat" about President Obama's request to bump the national debt limit another $1.2 trillion? I doubt President Obama will "chat" about his plan to stop the massive deficit spending - because he has no plan.

I know that President Bush contributed $4.4 trillion in deficit spending in 8 years, but President Bush is no longer in office. I am talking about the $4.4 trillion in only 3 years under President Obama - and President Obama IS in office. I am talking about the additional crippling expenses and regulations imposed on private sector business during times of high unemployment and economic hardship.

The failed policies of President Obama and progressives in Washington are a disaster. Many progressives mean well, but their policies are not practical. During times of economic crisis, we need practical solutions which have been proved to work in the past - not experiments on the American people. We know what works.

To those who continue to state that Reaganomics did not work, here are some figures:

Forbes 07/27/11: Louis Woodhill
"Whether in Greece or in the U.S., the impact of government policies shows up first and fastest in total employment. Judged by jobs, Reaganomics worked. During the first two years of the Reagan recovery, total employment increased by 7.2 million. Given that Obamunism is the exact opposite of Reaganomics, one might expect that it would produce a terrible jobs situation — and it has.

In terms of total employment, the U.S. lost 0.7 million jobs during the first 24 months of Obama's recovery. The nation has never before had an economic expansion where total employment after two years of recovery was lower than it was at the end of the recession. In June 2011, America had 2.9 million fewer people working than when Obama was inaugurated. (By the same point in Reagan's presidency, our total number of jobs had increased by 0.7 million, equivalent to 1.0 million jobs after adjustment for today's higher population.)"; Reply to this comment


by tsigili December 30, 2011 9:01 AM EST: Let Obama chat with himself. The citizens have little use for talking with someone who is totally deceitful, and a deliberate liar.

Citizens don't like to talk to those who appear to be involved with organized crime, either, and this President appears to be very much tied to the Chicago Mob.; Reply to this comment


by dlaldhkTtmq December 30, 2011 8:50 AM EST: http://youtu.be/zXKV78VERio; Reply to this comment


by zadok426 December 30, 2011 8:38 AM EST: hey guys, did u watch the video??
http://youtu.be/zXKV78VERio; Reply to this comment


by Light_in_Loafers December 30, 2011 7:24 AM EST: What a phony Obama is using technology to show him in Washington instead of on the beach in Hawaii on a lounge chair sipping on Blue Hawaiians in his Hawaiian shirt and swimming trunks?
It appears old Barry is worried about being a one term president and hopefully can't enjoy his undeserved 4 million dollar vacation.; Reply to this comment


by Demoserver December 30, 2011 3:37 AM EST: I am so sickened by the people who are willing to bash Obama and pay no attention to what the snakes that are running the nation in Congress are doing, the good old boys who are fattening their wallets and voting down every thing that would really help this wonderful country. For those who support the crooks like Newt when he failed so miserably when he was in office, along with all the others wanting to get on the gravy train now. I cannot believe so many people have their heads in the sand and refuse to face reality about what needs to be done.WAKE UP AMERICA!; Reply to this comment