All Blog Posts from Political Hotsheet

SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. - President Obama traveled to the economically hard hit Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania to say, "I know times are tough."

To illustrate his message of commiseration, he suggested that joblessness hits close to home. He told a community college audience in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, "Michelle and I were talking the other day. There are members of our families that are out of work."

Mr. Obama added, "We're not that far removed from struggling to pay bills."

A White House official declined to identify any unemployed relatives of the Obamas except to say, "I don't think they are close close" family members.

Mr. Obama's stop in came as part of his economic tour across the country to discuss job creation.

Obama Takes Jobs Message to Allentown
Obama Deflects Question on Legalizing Pot, Prostitution
Photo: President Obama in Allentown

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Peter Maer is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.

A White House official says China has assured the U.S. there will be no media censorship of President Barack Obama's remarks during a three-day visit that will take him to Shanghai and Beijing.

The official told CBS News the administration secured a Chinese government promise to carry the President's remarks "as spoken." The official also said the White House would be ready to "make it a big story" if China blocks out any of the President's words.

Government censors removed references to communism and dissent from the official Chinese language translation of President Obama's January inaugural speech. The main Chinese television network also wiped out certain passages from the inaugural speech.

John Delury, Associate Director of Asia Society's Center on U.S.-China Relations, says Chinese people are very aware of government efforts to control information flow.

"There's a cat and mouse game that goes on, but the reality on the ground in China is there is pretty good access to most of the information," Delury said. "China is a pretty wired place, especially the cities and the younger generation."

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A White House official traveling with President Obama to Asia said late Thursday that Mr. Obama's decision on future war strategy for Afghanistan is expected no sooner than the first week in December.

The official tells CBS News, "there is a sense of urgency to get it right," without rushing the announcement. The official also says the president will likely wait to brief top Congressional leaders until after the Thanksgiving recess.

In a further indication of the administration's thinking, the official says announcing an immediate surge of troops would bolster Taliban claims that the U.S. plans to occupy Afghanistan.

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President Obama is telling tales out of school.

As he promoted administration education goals today, Mr. Obama uncharacteristically departed from his prepared text to share details of a First Family situation.

He told a Madison, Wisconsin school audience that his 11-year-old daughter Malia recently "became depressed" after scoring a 73 on a sixth grade science test. According to the president, that was disappointing news in a household where "our goal is 90 percent and up" on school tests.

He went into surprising detail as he recounted his daughter's complaint that the test differed from the class study guide. The president told the audience of parents, students and teachers that Malia was determined to improve. After changing her study habits she scored a 95 on the next science exam. He quoted Malia as saying, "I like having knowledge." The audience applauded the accomplishment.

The president told the crowd, "In our household with the privileges and opportunities we have, there are times when the kids slack off" and watch TV or play computer games. He said, "Part of our job as parents is not just to tell the kids what to do, but to instill in them a sense that they want to do it themselves."

He discussed the family issue to make the point that "parents must set a high bar in the household."

For the president, it was a rare public description of life in the White House family quarters. The White House Press Office and the First Lady's staff are justifiably fiercely protective of the Obama girls' privacy, so it was all the more surprising to hear the president's detailed account of Malia's study habits. Reporters were left to wonder if the president would tell Malia that he told the world about her science lesson.

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Peter Maer is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.

As Barack Obama marks one year since his historic election, one of the architects of his campaign acknowledges the president has not forged the post-partisan atmosphere that he had hoped to achieve.

Senior Adviser David Axelrod said the president "is not a magician. You don't with a wave of a wand make everything different."

The top White House aide said while the president has "extended a hand of cooperation, some in the other party made a political decision that isn't in their interest." Speaking with CBS Radio News in his West Wing office, Axelrod was hard-pressed to specify areas of cooperation with Republicans on any major issues. He pointed to relatively easy areas including national service and child health care.

But on the tough issues including health care reform he noted, "There's an awful lot of pressure from the right wing of the Republican party that has made it more difficult for moderate Republicans to step forward." The longtime Democratic strategist said, "I don't think being in the opposition on every major issue is a winning formula for the Republican Party."

Speaking before the outcome of Tuesday's elections was known, Axelrod discussed the upstate New York Congressional race that saw a moderate Republican bow out after a stiff challenge from a conservative. Axelrod said, "The Palinistas went in and staged what was essentially a hostile takeover of the Republican Party and basically went with a third party candidate and basically said to the moderates there's no place for you in our party." Axelrod said, "Ultimately, that's not a winning strategy."

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Former President George H.W. Bush told CBS News that President Obama "is entitled to civil treatment and intellectual honesty when it comes to critics."

(at left – Former President George H.W. Bush, Barbara Bush and Peter Maer)

Referring to the tone of national discourse he said, "I don't like it. The cables (TV) have a lot to do with it."

In the radio interview, Mr. Bush said the volume of criticism aimed at him when he was president was not as "day in and day out."

The Republican elder statesman said, "It's not just the right." He complained, "there are plenty of people on the left."

While he said he does not believe in personal name-calling, he singled out MSNBC personalities Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow calling them "sick puppies."

"The way they treat my son and anyone who's opposed to their point of view is just horrible," Mr. Bush said.

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President Obama's word of the day is "fight." He used the words "fight" or "fighting" nine times in a brief speech to GM workers in Youngstown, Ohio.

In a campaign-style speech laced with populist themes, Mr. Obama repeatedly reminded the plant workers that he's fighting for them.

He told his audience, "As long as you've still got an ounce of fight left in you, I'll have a ton of fight left in me."

He also touched on his top domestic priority, declaring, "We are fighting for an America where no American should have to worry about going without health insurance or fear that one illness could cost them everything."

The president also announced plans for a new national standard designed to increase gas mileage and decrease greenhouse emissions for all new cars and trucks sold in the U.S. He predicted the action would give auto companies "long-overdue clarity, stability and predictability."

The president spoke near the production line where compact Chevy Cobalts are made. To the cheers of workers who build the cars, he said the model was among the most popular cars in the recent "cash for clunkers" program that paid new car buyers up to $4,500 to purchase more fuel efficient models.

GM has boosted production of the compact car and rehired laid-off workers at the plant where the president spoke.

Obama: Automakers Getting Back In Game

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

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Peter Maer is a CBS News White House correspondent. This story was filed from Pittsburgh, Pa., where Mr. Obama speaks to the AFL CIO convention later today. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.

President and Mrs. Obama stood with heads bowed and then hands on their hearts as chimes rang out and then the mournful sound of taps filled the air. Marking his first 9/11 anniversary as president, Mr. Obama was joined by dozens of staffers including his chief of staff, the chef in his white coat, uniformed secret service guards and many others. A steady rain stopped just as the simple and poignant white house ceremony began. And as the last notes of taps echoed across the lawn, it started pouring again.

You can watch the video at left.




Special Section: September 11, 2001 - Eight Years Later
Eight Years Later, War's End Not in Sight
Exclusive: In 9/11's Wake, Anguish and Anger
Poll: Obama Gets Mixed Marks on Terrorism
On 9/11, a Day of Mourning and Service

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Peter Maer is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.

Federal health officials are turning to a high-pitched but authoritative voice with the younger set in the effort to slow the spread of the H1N1 flu virus.

Sesame Street's Elmo appears in a new public service campaign. The Departments of Health and Human Services, Homeland Security and Education worked with Sesame Workshop on the project.

The announcements feature Elmo and his friend Gordon emphasizing hygiene rules and health tips aimed at preventing the disease. Elmo reminds children to sneeze into their arms and to avoid touching their faces. Federal health officials hope young children will be exposed to the Sesame Street message and not swine flu germs. The ads can be seen at www.flu.gov. (One of them can be seen above.)

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MARTHA'S VINEYARD, Mass. -- As a heartbroken President Obama eulogizes Senator Edward Kennedy, he notes what some aides describe as "the gift" of the veteran Democrat's endorsement in the heat of last year's campaign.

In a statement released shortly after Kennedy's death, Mr. Obama said, "I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the presidency."

Today the You Tube video of that moment is "going viral" among some members of the Obama team. A White House staffer who worked on the campaign from the start told CBS News many veterans of the Obama '08 effort have been e-mailing each other to remember Senator Kennedy by looking at the video of the turning point moment in the campaign.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Ted Kennedy

They're clicking on the boisterous January 28, 2008, political rally that shows Kennedy's famous bellowing voice proclaiming, "I feel change in the air!"

With candidate Obama at his side, Kennedy said, "With Barack Obama we will close the book on the old politics of race against race, gender against gender, ethnic group against ethnic group, and straight against gay."

It was a key political point shortly after Mr. Obama won the South Carolina primary. Declaring that "it is time for a new generation of leadership," Kennedy in effect put his family's mantle on Barack Obama.

On that cold January day he revived the torch is passed theme from President John F. Kennedy's 1961 inaugural address. Kennedy told the crowd at American University, "I believe in the bright light of hope and possibility. I always have, even in the darkest hours. I know what America can achieve. I've seen it. I've lived it -- and with Barack Obama, we can do it again."

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