To the Point
Obama 'All Fired Up' Again, but Is It Too Little, Too Late?
President Obama is back on the campaign trail, asking crowds to tell fellow Democrats to vote for healthcare reform. Can he rally his own party in the Senate and Congress? Will Republicans seize an advantage, either way? Also, Also, Vice President Biden pushes for renewal of peace talks. On Reporter's Notebook, are unemployment benefits becoming a new entitlement?
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenPresident Obama is back on the campaign trail, asking crowds to tell fellow Democrats to vote for healthcare reform. Can he rally his own party in the Senate and Congress? Will Republicans seize an advantage, either way? Also, Also, Vice President Biden is in the Middle East, pushing for renewal of peace talks, and unemployment payments began in the Great Depression for temporary relief. Is the Great Recession making them semi-permanent?
Banner image: President Barack Obama delivers a speech on his healthcare plan for the nation on March 8, 2010 at Arcadia University in Glenside, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesVice President Biden Pushes for Renewal of Peace Talks
Beginning a five-day visit to the Middle East, Vice President Biden said today that US support for Israel is "unshakeable." But the American effort to re-start peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians has generated "only the faintest enthusiasm." That's according to Ethan Bronner, Jerusalem correspondent for the New York Times .
Read the story8 minObama 'All Fired Up' Again, but Is It Too Little, Too Late?
President Obama is barnstorming for healthcare reform to be passed by Democrats only. But members of his own party still need convincing. Public opinion polls are not encouraging, and Republicans say, come November, any bill Democrats vote for "will be the issue in every race in America."
Read the story35 minFederal Unemployment Benefits to be Extended, Yet Again
As the Senate prepared to vote on history's longest extension of unemployment benefits, Jim Bunning (R-KY) wasn't the only one raising questions. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) asked why anyone thinks the program is helpful to the economy or the job market. The benefits are a holdover from the Great Depression.
Read the story9 min