Obama held a town hall meeting in the White House Thursday. (Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (CNN) - The President is not just the commander-in-chief - he's also the politician-in-chief. And lately, we're seeing President Obama more and more in that role.
Two town halls in California last week. This week, a virtual town hall. Appearances on The Tonight Show . . . 60 Minutes . . . ESPN. Two prime-time news conferences.
Then there's door-to-door canvassing by his grass-roots supporters, and a TV ad from his supporters in the Democratic Party that urges Americans to call their members of Congress and tell them to vote for the Obama budget.
Is the President risking overexposure? You hear that criticism in the press. New York Times columnist Gail Collins wrote, "Barack Obama is going to be on television every day forever. No venue is too strange."
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/03/24/art.obamaed.gi.jpg caption=" Obama said he wanted time to think about his AIG response."](CNN) - President Obama gave a pretty tough answer to CNN's Ed Henry when asked why he waited days to express outrage on the AIG bonuses.
"It took us a couple of days because I like to know what I'm talking about before I speak," he said.
It seemed to imply the question was impertinent.
"After Ed Henry, he looked like he wanted to go home," conservative talk radio host and CNN Contributor Bill Bennett said.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/03/24/art.obamacnn.cnn.jpg caption="President Obama supports lowering the tax rate at which the wealthiest individuals are able to deduct from their charitable donations."](CNN) - President Obama's proposal on limiting tax deductions on charitable donations will not sit well with charitable organizations. Charities often raise most of their money from wealthy individuals. They say many wealthy donors could be discouraged from giving if their tax deductions are less.
He'll have a fight on his hands over this one.
(CNN) - Procurement reform is difficult because every expenditure is politically sensitive. When a president starts cutting and reforming procurements, he can make permanent political enemies.
(CNN) - President Obama needs economic growth to reduce the deficit. Tax cuts alone cannot do it. It was economic growth in the 1990's that eliminated the deficit.
The president is trying to argue his major spending proposals will lead to this needed economic growth.
(CNN) - The president appears very comfortable discussing complex issues and often performs well in these press conferences. It is no doubt reassuring to many Americans.
And take note: He is responding without a teleprompter.
(CNN) – President Obama used his first answer to critique the deregulation that was heavily promoted by both Democrats and Republicans in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
It's an argument that resonates with Main Street America.
(CNN) - I count 10 major initiatives on President Obama's agenda. Only two of them seem unpopular: bailing out the banks and the auto industry.
But nevertheless, most Americans say he is trying to do too much. His opening statement however clearly proves the president thinks every initiative is related.
Energy, healthcare, and education were all mentioned immediately. He wants Americans to think big picture.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/03/06/art.obama21.gi.jpg
caption="Why is Obama having so much trouble rounding out his team? CNN's Bill Schneider explains."]The nation's jobless rate is rising, but at least one employer's having trouble filling open positions: the Obama administration.
What's the holdup? CNN's Bill Schneider explains.
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