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December 9, 2009 11:20 AM

Statue of Ten-Year-Old Obama Erected in Indonesia

(AP)
A bronze statue depicting a ten-year-old Barack Obama clad in shorts and a t-shirt has been erected in a park in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Mr. Obama lived in Indonesia from 1967 to 1971, when he was a boy. He lived and attended elementary school not far from where the statue now stands.

The statue, at left, shows the child version of the president smiling as he looks at a butterfly poised on his thumb.

It was erected with the goal of inspiring Indonesian children.

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Tags:
Obama ,
Statue ,
Indonesia
Topics:
Barack Obama
December 9, 2009 10:22 AM

Cheney Calls Obama "Radical," Says 9/11 Trials a "Huge Mistake"

(AP )
Former Vice President Dick Cheney on Tuesday continued to press against President Obama's plans to fight terrorism both domestically and abroad.

Appearing on Fox News, Cheney said the administration's decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the other men allegedly behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in a civilian federal court was a "huge mistake."

The trial would allow Mohammed an opportunity to "generate a whole new generation of terrorists,'' he said, and make him "a hero in certain circles, especially in the radical regions of Islam around the world."

As for the president's decision to escalate the level of troops in Afghanistan and to potentially begin withdrawal in 2011, Cheney said the plan was "better than withdrawal now" but still vindicates Al Qaeda strategy that "if you kill enough Americans, you can change American policy." Senior Obama administration officials have repeatedly insisted the 2011 goal is not a deadline for the war and that the U.S. wants to start transferring responsibilities to Afghan forces at that time.

The former vice president also repeated his previous assertion that he thinks Mr. Obama is a "more radical'' Democrat than he first appeared to be. Cheney gave similar criticisms of the president during an interview with Politico as well as in earlier interviews.
Tags:
Dick Cheney ,
Sept 11 ,
Barack Obama
Topics:
Cheney
December 9, 2009 10:18 AM

Obama Summons Top Bankers to the White House

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
President Obama plans to pressure top bankers next Monday to increase lending to the nation's small businesses.

A White House official confirms the president has summoned bankers and other financial industry CEOs to meet with him early next week to discuss his efforts to grow the economy and create an environment for more hiring in the private sector.

The meeting will follow yesterday's speech in which he announced a number of proposals to create jobs in the face of government numbers showing 15.4-million unemployed nationwide. Half that number lost their jobs since the recession began two years ago.

One proposal would use some of the $200-billion in unspent money from the TARP bank bailout fund as loans to small businesses, to help them expand and hire new employees.

Mr. Obama will also use Monday's meeting to push for more support of his proposal to create a new regulatory system for the financial industry – which opposes the idea. The plan has so far made little progress in Congress.


(CBS)
Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here. You can also follow him on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/markknoller.
Tags:
Barack Obama ,
White House ,
Bankers ,
Wall Street ,
Small Businesses
Topics:
Economy
December 9, 2009 9:14 AM

President Obama's Schedule Today (12/9/09)

In the morning, President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office.

Mr. Obama will then hold a bipartisan meeting in the Cabinet Room with members of Congress to discuss the economy and creating jobs. The Vice President will also attend.

Expected attendees include:
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., Majority Leader
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Majority Whip
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Vice Chair of the Democratic Conference
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Secretary of the Democratic Conference
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., Chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Republican Leader
Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., Ranking Member, Budget Committee
Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Ranking Member, HELP Committee
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Ranking Member, Finance Committee
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., Majority Leader
Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., Majority Whip
Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Assistant to the Speaker
Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif, Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman
Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, Republican Leader
Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., Republican Whip
Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., Republican Conference Chair
Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., Ranking Member, Ways & Means Committee

Following the meeting, the president will make a statement to the press in the Diplomatic Reception Room.

In the afternoon, Mr. Obama will make a Recovery Act announcement on community health centers in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Later, he will meet with business and environmental leaders regarding the Copenhagen conference in the Roosevelt Room.

In the evening, the president and the first lady will travel to Oslo, Norway, for the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony.

Here's the Full Schedule from the White House (all times Eastern):

9:35AM: President Obama and Vice President Biden receive the Presidential Daily Briefing

10:50AM: President Obama and Vice President Biden meet with bipartisan members of Congress

11:50AM: President Obama makes a statement to the press

12:20PM: President Obama makes a Recovery Act announcement on community health centers

2:00PM: President Obama meets with business and environmental leaders

7:15PM: President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama depart The White House en route Andrews Air Force Base

7:35PM: President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama depart Andrews Air Force Base en route Oslo, Norway
Tags:
Barack Obama
Topics:
President Obama's Schedule
December 9, 2009 8:58 AM

Politics Today: 60 Senate Votes for Health Care?

Politics Today is CBSNews.com's inside look at the key stories driving the day in politics, written by CBS News Political Director Steve Chaggaris:

** Democrats strike a deal on health care...

** Obama looks to past Nobel Peace Prize winners for inspiration for his speech...

** Martha Coakley gets the Democratic nomination for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat...

(AP)
HEALTH CARE: "Senate Democrats reached what Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) called a 'broad agreement' Tuesday night that could remove a major obstacle to the massive healthcare bill," report the Los Angeles Times' Janet Hook and Noam N. Levey.

"Under the compromise developed by a group of conservative and liberal Democrats, the Senate legislation would no longer include a new government-run insurance program, or 'public option,' for Americans who do not get coverage through their employers.

"Instead, the government would essentially contract with a nonprofit insurer to provide a nationwide plan that would serve as the public option, according to officials briefed on the discussions. Combined with a vote earlier in the day that rejected efforts to tighten restrictions on public money for abortion, the compromise kept the Senate moving toward Reid's goal of voting on the healthcare bill before Christmas.

"Reid's office issued a statement saying he was 'confident' that he could sell the plan to the Democratic caucus. 'This has been a long journey,' he said. 'We have confronted many hurdles, and tonight I believe we have overcome yet another one.'"

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Tags:
Barack Obama ,
health care ,
jobs ,
climate change ,
Martha Coakley
Topics:
Politics Today
December 8, 2009 6:06 PM

GOP Slams Obama Jobs Plan, Calls for Lower Taxes and Free Trade

(CBS)
Republicans in Congress came out swinging today against President Obama's new new multibillion-dollar stimulus and jobs proposals, calling for completely different measures to revive the economy.

"Clearly, the president is trying, yet again, to get Americans back to work... he essentially announced a 'stimulus II' program," House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (Va.) said at a press conference today, CBS News Capitol Hill Producer Jill Jackson reports. However, he added, "I absolutely disagree that we can spend the way out of recession."

Cantor was joined by freshman Republican members of the House today to criticize Mr. Obama's plan. They said it would be more effective to cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent, permanently eliminate the death tax, pass free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea, and to reduce the deficit.

The president's proposals today included new spending for infrastructure projects like highways, deeper tax breaks for small businesses and tax incentives for energy-efficient home improvements.

"Instead of passing another big spending bill, we should keep government out of business, keep taxes low and expand trade," said Rep. Lynn Jenkins (Kansas). "It's time to empower entrepreneurs and small businesses instead of the federal government."

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Tags:
economy ,
jobs ,
Barack Obama ,
GOP
Topics:
Economy
December 8, 2009 3:12 PM

Obama's Line in the Afghan Sand

(White House/Pete Souza)
As Abe Lincoln watches, President Obama met with U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry, left, and General Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, in the Oval Office on Monday.

The general and the ambassador are testifying before Congress today on the situation in Afghanistan, while the president shifts his attention to the economy and jobs with a speech at the Brookings Institution.

But the parsing of Mr. Obama's July 2011 timetable for troop withdrawals given during his Afghan war speech last week at West Point continues unabated as Secretary of Defense Robert Gates meets in Kabul with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

During his December 1 speech at West Point, speaking of the addition of 30,000 American soldiers, as well as NATO troops, to the Afghan front to secure the "common security of the world," Mr. Obama said:

"Taken together, these additional American and international troops will allow us to accelerate handing over responsibility to Afghan forces, and allow us to begin the transfer of our forces out of Afghanistan in July of 2011."

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Tags:
Barack Obama ,
Robert Gates ,
Karl Eikenberry ,
Stanley McChrystal
Topics:
Afghanistan
December 8, 2009 12:59 PM

Poll: Approval for War Strategy Jumps After Obama's Speech

(CBS/ AP)
Public support for the war in Afghanistan jumped nine points in the past three weeks, according to a new Quinnipiac poll, showing an increase of support following President Obama's nationally broadcast address laying out his new war strategy.

Mr. Obama plans to address his Afghanistan strategy in Olso this week, when he accepts his Nobel Peace Prize -- a prize most voters say the president does not deserve, according to the Quinnipiac poll.

Fifty-seven percent of American voters said fighting the war in Afghanistan is the right thing to do, while 35 percent said it is not the right thing to do, according to the poll, conducted Dec. 1 through Dec. 6. By contrast, a Nov. 18 Quinnipiac poll showed only 48 percent of Americans said fighting in Afghanistan is the right thing to do. Mr. Obama delivered his address outlining his new strategy on Dec. 1.

The new poll also shows Americans are now split over their approval of Mr. Obama's handling of the war, with 45 percent approving and 45 percent disapproving. His approval rating for the war has increased seven points from the Nov. 18 poll.

Taking The Measure of Stanley McChrystal
McChrystal: Mission "Undeniably Difficult"
Special Report: Afghanistan

"President Barack Obama's nationally televised speech explaining his policy and troop buildup has worked, at least in the short term, in bolstering support for the war effort and his decisions," Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said in a statement.

Sixty percent of voters said they approve of the president's plan to begin withdrawing troops in July 2011, but 45 percent said they do not believe he will be able to keep that promise.

Meanwhile, 66 percent of voters said Mr. Obama does not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize, which he will receive on Thursday. In fact, the president said himself he did not feel he deserved it.
Tags:
Afghanistan ,
Barack Obama ,
poll ,
Nobel Peace Prize
Topics:
Afghanistan
December 8, 2009 11:38 AM

Text: Obama's Speech on Jobs

Updated 1:26 p.m. ET

Below is the transcript of President Obama's speech on the economy and job creation ideas, as delivered at the Brookings Institution in Washington and released by the White House:

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Thank you so much, Strobe, for your extraordinary leadership here at Brookings, and thanks to all of you in attendance.

Almost exactly one year ago, on a frigid winter's day, I met with my new economic team at the headquarters of my presidential transition offices in Chicago. And over the course of four hours, my advisors presented an analysis of where the economy at that time stood, accompanied by a chilling set of charts and graphs, predicting where we might end up. It was an unforgettable series of presentations.

Christy Romer -- who's here today -- tapped to head the Council of Economic Advisers, as well as Larry Summers, who I'd chosen to head the National Economic Council, described an imminent downturn comparable in its severity to almost nothing since the 1930s. Tim Geithner, my incoming Treasury Secretary, reported that the financial system, shaken by the subprime crisis, had halted almost all lending, which in turn threatened to pull the broader economy in a downward spiral. Peter Orszag, my incoming Budget Director, closed out the proceedings with an entirely dismal report on the fiscal health of the country, with growing deficits and debt stretching to the horizon. Having concluded that it was too late for me to request a recount -- (laughter) -- I tasked my team with mapping out a plan to tackle the crisis on all fronts.

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Tags:
Barack Obama ,
jobs ,
TARP
Topics:
Economy
December 8, 2009 9:04 AM

President Obama's Schedule Today (12/8/09)

In the morning, President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing and the Economic Daily Briefing in the Oval Office. The president will then meet with senior advisers in the Oval Office.

Later, Mr. Obama will deliver remarks on the economy at the Brookings Institution.

In the afternoon, the president and the vice president will have lunch in the Private Dining Room. They will later meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Oval Office.

Here's the Full Schedule from the White House (all times Eastern):

9:30AM: President Obama and Vice President Biden receive the Presidential Daily Briefing

10:00AM: President Obama and Vice President Biden receive the Economic Daily Briefing

10:30AM: President Obama meets with senior advisors

11:15AM: President Obama delivers remarks on the economy

12:10PM: President Obama and Vice President Biden have lunch

1:15PM: President Obama and Vice President Biden meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Tags:
Barack Obama
Topics:
President Obama's Schedule

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