CBS' Bob Schieffer, ABC's George Stephanopoulos and NBC's David Gregory traded stories, WH '12 predictions and interviewee wish lists this evening during a wide-ranging "Sunday Show Summit" hosted by the Center for Strategic and Interational Studies (CSIS).
On WH '12, Gregory named no names, but predicted, "I don't think the challenge to Obama will come from Washington. It'll come from the ranks of governors."
Schieffer said that MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) "may wind up as the strongest Republican candidate" due to his blue-collar background, his biography and his charm. "He can sometimes say the same thing that, say, Rush Limbaugh says," but say it in a way that people will nod their heads, Schieffer noted. He cautioned, though, that the GOP is "getting its leaders mixed up with its cheerleaders" right now.
Stephanopoulos said that ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney (R) looks like the strongest candidate at the moment, in part because he "went out there and got beat" in '08.
On the topic of health care reform, Stephanopoulos said that it's going to be "almost impossible" to get all Americans covered. From today's Obama presser, he noted, it is becoming clear that the president will "be willing to compromise just about anything" to get health care reform passed, including a bill without a public option.
Gregory said that Obama "needs a signature legislative achievement" on his domestic agenda, which is why health care reform has become such a priority. He added that the admin. has not been successful so far in selling the public on the notion of gov't intervention, so GOPers now have a "roadmap" to oppose Obama on health care and other proposals.
Asked to name their "most sought-after" Sunday show guests, Schieffer said he'd "love to hear from" Sec/State Hillary Clinton. Stephanopoulos and Gregory pointed to FLOTUS Michelle Obama.
And Schieffer quipped: "Even better would be that dog." That dog is Bo Obama, of course.
(FELICIA SONMEZ)
Question 12 How is your position on state secrets doctrine different from the Bush administration's?
Thinks state secrets doctrine is overly broad and should be modified.
Question 13 What is govt's role as keeper of public trusts and bonds in soon to be public cos. again?
"I think our first role should be as shareholders looking to get out. I don't want to run auto companies. I don't want to run banks. ... The sooner we can get out of that business, the better off we will be."
Believes America should have a functioning auto industry, but that there shouldn't be an umbilical cord between Treasury and the car cos.
"My job is to ask the auto industry, 'Why is it you guys can't do this?'" Obama said of lack of U.S. hybrid vehicles.
His response to those who say he only wants to grow govt: "I would love a nice lean portfolio to deal with but that's not the hand that's been dealt us. And every generaiton has to rise up to the specific challenges that confront them. ... I'm confident that we will meet these challenges just like our grandparents and forebearers met them before."
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Question 11 Communities of color harder hit by economic downturn. What will he do to help?
Extended unemployment benefits. Put in place additional dollars for community health centers. Extended the children's health insurance program. Pushed for tax cuts for working families.
"My general approach is if the economy is strong that will lift all boats."
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Question 10 Immigration reform strategy? And done in year one?
Will convene a working group to start looking at a framework of how this legislation might be shaped. Would partner with many on the matter, including Sen. John McCain. "I think he has had the right position on immigration reform," Obama said of his 2008 rival.
"I see the process moving this first year. And I'm going to move it as quickly as I can."
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Question 9 What has most surprised, troubled, enchanted, humbled him about the office?
Sobered, Obama said, by the fact that "change in Washington comes slow." "There is still a certain quotient of political posturing and bickering that takes place, even when we're in the middle of really big crises."
Enchanted: "I will tell you that when I meet our servicemen and women, enchanted is probably not the word I would use, but I am so profoundly impressed and grateful to them for what they do. They're really good at their job. They are willing to make extraordinary sacrifices on our behalf. They do so without complaint. They are fiercely loyal to this country."
Humbled: "By the fact that the presidency is extraordinarily powerful but we are just part of a much broader tapestry of American life. And there are a lot of different power centers. So I can't just press a button and have the bankers do exactly what I want. Or turn on a switch and suddenly Congress falls in line." Instead, he has to "coax folks in the right direction."
"I'm humbled last by the American people who have shown extraordinary patience and a recognition that we're not going to solve all these problems overnight."
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Question 8 On controversy over Notre Dame speech -- and whether he wants Congress to send him the Freedom of Choice Act for signature.
Obama: "I think those who are pro choice make a mistake if they suggest ... that this is simply an issue about women's freedom and there's no other considerations."
More: "The Freedom of Choice Act is not my highest legislative priority. I believe women should have the right to choose. But I think the most important thing we can do to tamp down some of the anger surrounding this issue is to focus on some of those areas we can agree on."
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Question 7 Is Sen. Arlen Specter's switch to the Dem party a game changer, as some in the GOP privately suggest?
"I think very highly of Arlen Specter," Obama said, adding that he has a record of legislative accomplishment as good as any senator.
"I'm under no illusions that suddenly I'm going to have a rubberstamp Senate," he said. Has Democrats "who don't agree with me." "And that's the way it should be." Regional differences persist. Compromise and give and take required.
"I do think that -- to my Republican friends -- I want them to realize that me reaching out to them has been genuine. I can't sort of define bipartisanship as simply being willing to accept certain theories of theirs that we tried for eight years" and didn't work and were rejected by the American people in the 2008 election.
"Probably not a good political strategy" for the GOP to oppose the administration on every front, he added.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Question 6 Renewed violence in Iraq prompting a rethinking of his timetable for withdrawal?
"You haven't seen the kinds of huge spikes (in violence) that you were seeing for a time. The political system is holding and functioning in Iraq."
Obama said the reason he called for a gradual withdrawal is that more work needs to be done to marginalize "whatever remnants of Al Qaeda in Iraq still exist."
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Question 2 on fate of automakers in trouble.
Obama noted that "the clock is ticking on Chrysler coming up with a plan." But he said he's more hopeful than he was 30 days ago that Chrysler will offer a viable solution. GM, he reminded, has another 30 days.
"I would love to get the U.S. government out of the auto industry."
Question 3 Do you believe that the previous administration sanctioned torture?
"Waterboarding violates our ideals and our values. I do believe that it is torture. ... And that's why I put an end to these practices."
We could have gotten this information in other ways, Obama added, more consistent with who we are as Americans.
"It is better for us to stick to who we are even when we're taking on an unscrupulous enemy."
Question 4 More on torture, envision a situation wherein the U.S. was in imminent danger and he would sanction enhanced interrogation tactics?
"I will do whatever is required to keep the American people safe," Obama said, but cautioned that he is unwilling to "take short cuts that undermine who we are."
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Obama said Pres. Bush's administration has prepared the country well for a possible flu outbreak -- even though the latest strain is new. He said Bush did "a good job," Obama said, adding that the country has a stockpile of 50M courses of antiviral drugs.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
