Summers: “It’s A Long Road” For The Economy
Appearing on NBC’s Meet The Press, Larry Summers said of the economic situation: “But it’s a, it’s a long, it’s a long road and it’s going to take time. It’s going to take creating jobs again. That’s why the recovery bill was so important. It’s going to take supporting the financial system, because without a flow of credit you really can’t even begin to get the economy going again. That’s where our main focus is.”
Obama’s Day
President Obama spent the morning in Trinidad and Tobago, at the fifth Summit of the Americas. He attended an 8 a.m. ET multilateral meeting with SICA (Central American Integration System), a 9:10 a.m. ET Leaders Retreat, and held a news conference at 11:45 a.m. ET. He left Trinidad at 1 p.m. ET, and is scheduled to arrive back at the White House at 6:15 p.m. ET.
Obama Sees Positive Signs From Cuba And Venezuela
At his news conference today, President Obama said that he had seen positive signs for Cuba and Venezuela. “I do believe that the signals sent so far provide at least an opportunity for frank dialogue on a range of issues,” said Obama, “including critical issues of democracy and human rights throughout the hemisphere.”
GOP Senator Blasts Obama For “Laughing And Joking” With Chávez
Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union, Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) blasted President Obama for “laughing and joking” with Hugo Chávez at the Summit of the Americas. “This is a person who is one of the most anti-American leaders in the entire world,” said Ensign. “He is a brutal dictator and human rights violations are very, very prevalent in Venezuela. And you have to be careful.”
Axelrod Worries About Potentially “Unhealthy” Tea Parties
Appearing on CBS’ Face The Nation, David Axelrod expressed concern about the Tea Parties: “I think any time that you have severe economic conditions, there is always an element of disaffection that can mutate into something that’s unhealthy.” He then walked back a bit: “Well, we’re — this is a country where we value our liberties and our ability to express ourselves. And so far these are expressions.”
NYT: Obama Takes Softer Stands
In a new Sunday piece, the New York Times says that President Obama has been taking softer stands compared to his campaign rhetoric. “In some of his earliest skirmishes, Mr. Obama eventually chose pragmatism over fisticuffs,” the paper says. “Congressional Democrats effectively killed his proposal to slash farm subsidies by nearly $1 billion a year, and forced him to retreat partially on a plan to require private insurers to pick up more of veterans’ health costs.”
Napolitano: Report Did Not Say Veterans Are Extremists
Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union, Homeland Security Sec. Janet Napolitano clarified the recent controversial department report on right-wing extremist groups. “The report is not saying veterans are extremists, far from it,” said Napolitano. “What it is saying is returning veterans are targets of right wing extremist groups that are trying to recruit those to commit violent acts within the country. We want to do all we can to prevent that.”
Boehner: Idea That Carbon Dioxide Is Harmful “Is Almost Comical”
Appearing on ABC’s This Week, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said the following when George Stephanopoulos asked what the GOP’s position is on carbon emissions: “George, the idea that carbon dioxide is a carcinogen that is harmful to our environment is almost comical. Every time we exhale, we exhale carbon dioxide. Every cow in the world, you know, when they do what they do, you’ve got more carbon dioxide.”
