Podcast: President Obama battles pirates

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/01/23/art.cepd.cnn.jpg caption="CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from The Best Political Team."] (CNN) - In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, President Obama goes head-to-head with pirates. After a sea captain's dramatic rescue off the coast of Somalia, the president vows to crackdown on pirates and hold them accountable for their crimes. CNN White House Correspondent Dan Lothian has the commander-in-chief's reaction to the daring sniper operation rescue.

Plus: A dramatic shift in US policy toward Cuba. Listen to  President Obama usher in a new era of openness toward the island nation after 50 years of sanctions.

Also: Since he took the oath of office, President Obama has been confronted with the North Korean missile launch and the standoff involving the pirate seizure of an American ship. Do Americans trust that the president is doing everything he can to keep the country safe? CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider breaks down the latest numbers.

Finally: Arizona State University tells President Obama it's sorry. The university isn't planning to reverse course and offer the president an honorary degree, but offers up another option. Former Bush advisor Ron Christie and Democratic strategist Hillary Rosen talk about the controversy in Monday's Situation Room.

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