Political Punch

Power, pop, and probings from ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper

« November 8, 2009 | Main | November 10, 2009 »

President Obama Heads to Asia: Trade, North Korea, Global Security to be the Focus


ABC News’ Yunji de Nies reports: When President Obama heads to Asia later this week, he goes with a wide-ranging agenda. White House officials said today the administration hopes to reach common ground with a number leaders on strengthening alliances,...

Continue reading "President Obama Heads to Asia: Trade, North Korea, Global Security to be the Focus"

November 9, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (19)

Interview with the President: Jail Time for Those without Health Care Insurance?


During an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Jake Tapper today, President Obama said that penalties are appropriate for people who try to “free ride” the health care system but stopped short of endorsing the threat of jail time for those who refuse to pay a fine for not having insurance.

Continue reading "Interview with the President: Jail Time for Those without Health Care Insurance? "

November 9, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (1796)

Interview with the President: 'This is a Health Care Bill, Not an Abortion Bill'


President Obama told ABC News’ Jake Tapper today that Congress needs to change the abortion –related language in the health care bill passed by the House of Representatives this weekend.

Continue reading "Interview with the President: 'This is a Health Care Bill, Not an Abortion Bill'"

November 9, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (17)

Interview with the President: White House Looks for Ways to Stimulate Job Growth


Faced with increasing pressure to do more for the economy as the nation’s unemployment rate jumped to 10.2 percent in October, , Mr. Obama said today that two key legislative priorities for next year are stimulating job growth and tackling the nation’s debt.

Continue reading "Interview with the President: White House Looks for Ways to Stimulate Job Growth"

November 9, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (14)

Interview with the President: NY-23 Special Election is “Important Signal” for Democrats


Obama said the main message he took from last week’s election results – with Republicans winning gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia – was that Americans are “nervous, and they’re worried and they’re anxious.”

Continue reading "Interview with the President: NY-23 Special Election is “Important Signal” for Democrats"

November 9, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (5)

Interview with the President: All Necessary Steps Will Be Taken to Prevent Another Tragedy Like Ft. Hood


During an exclusive broadcast interview today with ABC, the President reiterated that the nation is “heartbroken” by the Ft. Hood shootings last Thursday, but said there are many questions still to be answered.

Continue reading "Interview with the President: All Necessary Steps Will Be Taken to Prevent Another Tragedy Like Ft. Hood "

November 9, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (12)

Interview With the President: Afghanistan Decision and Visits to Dover Air Force Base, Walter Reed


In an exclusive broadcast interview today with ABC’s Jake Tapper, President Obama said his recent trips to Dover Air Force Base and Walter Reed Army Medical Center have had a profound effect on this war strategy decision in Afghanistan.

Continue reading "Interview With the President: Afghanistan Decision and Visits to Dover Air Force Base, Walter Reed "

November 9, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (5)

My Conversation with President Obama


I sat down with President Obama in an exclusive interview this afternoon. The conversation was wide-ranging -- on whether health care reform would allow taxpayer funds to subsidize abortions, the nation’s deficit and economic recovery, last Tuesday’s elections, and the...

Continue reading "My Conversation with President Obama"

November 9, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (4)

White House: No Af-Pak Announcement Likely Until After President Returns from Asia


Though the White House had been shooting for the president to make an announcement about his new strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan between November 7, which was to have been the date of the Afghan run-off election, and November 11, when the president was to have departed for his trip to Japan, China, Singapore, and South Korea, that window now appear to be all but closed.

Continue reading "White House: No Af-Pak Announcement Likely Until After President Returns from Asia"

November 9, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (18)

Today’s Q's for O's WH – 11/9/2009


TAPPER: If President Obama's having the Sit Room meeting (Wednesday) on Af-Pak…should we then expect that his announcement will come after the Asia trip? GIBBS: I've not been told when it's going to be, but I think it is doubtful...

Continue reading "Today’s Q's for O's WH – 11/9/2009"

November 9, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (17)

 

POLITICAL VIDEOS