To the Point
Does Bipartisanship Really Matter?
Barack Obama won big, but he's been spending his first few days in the White House reaching out to Republicans. So far, they haven't reached back. Whatever ends up in the stimulus package, the economy's likely to get worse. Also, the US economy shrank last year, though not as fast as expected. On Reporter's Notebook, private jets and executive bonuses, what can the public do?
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenBarack Obama won big, but he's been spending his first few days in the White House reaching out to Republicans. So far, they haven't reached back. Whatever ends up in the stimulus package, the economy's likely to get worse. So, which side is outsmarting the other? We'll hear different answers today. Also, the US economy shrank last year, though not as fast as expected. On Reporter's Notebook, executive bonuses, private jets and other excesses of corporate managers. Can the public strike back?
Banner image: Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) (2nd L) speaks as (L-R) Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) listen during a news conference on the economic stimulus package. Senate Republicans held a news conference to voice their opposition to the package. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesDrop in Gross Domestic Product Could Have Been Worse
The US economy shrank last year, but not as fast as expected. Instead of a predicted drop of 5.1 percent, it was only 3.8. That's hardly good news. Paul Ashworth, who analyzes the US economy for foreign investors and large banks, is senior US economist at Capital Economics in Toronto.
Read the story6 minDoes Bipartisanship Really Matter?
President Obama ended his first full week in office with an appeal to America's Middle Class, appointing a task force to be headed by Vice President Biden.
Read the story34 minPublic Outraged at Wall Street Excess
With layoffs reaching massive proportions and the government spending billions to bail out financial institutions, Wall Street bankers gave themselves nearly $20 billion in bonuses. Private jets and expensive interiors are not things of the past. President Obama responded today by calling such bonuses “ the height of irresponsibility .”
Read the story9 min