Sunday Sit-Down

Obama Ramps Up Media Blitz

Health-care plan discussed on five networks.

President Barack Obama is dominating TVs across the country this morning with a jaw-dropping five separate appearances on major networks—ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, and Spanish-language Univision—a record for any sitting president. The media blitz comes in response to the debate over health care, and though the president covered a variety of topics ranging from ACORN to Afghanistan, the focus stayed on health care. Obama chalked up recent tensions to fear of “big changes” rather than racial prejudice, but conceded, "Are there some people who don't like me because of my race? I'm sure there are. Are there some people who vote for me only because of my race? There are probably some of those, too." He had harsher words for the media’s role in the controversy. “Let's face it,” he said on ABC, “the easiest way to get on television right now is to be really rude,” and later sparred with Stephanopoulos over whether or not a proposed requirement to buy health insurance constitutes a tax increase. He later criticized Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus’ (D-Mont.) proposed bill, which lacks a public option promoted by Obama and many Democrats.