President Obama Media Blitz | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Monday, September 21, 2009

The President sat down Friday for 5 interviews that aired Sunday morning on ABC, NBC, CBS, and the cable networks CNN and Univision. The interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos got testy at times, particularly when Stephanopoulos claimed that a mandate requiring individuals to buy health insurance amounted to a back-handed tax increase.

President Obama said: "My critics say everything's a tax increase. My critics say I'm taking over every sector of the economy. You know that, George."

George Stephanopoulos said: "But you reject that it's a tax increase?"

President Obama said: "I absolutely reject that notion."

On every network he was asked if the hardening opposition to his health care plans was racially motivated: "Part of it is that the opposition has made a decision that they're just not going to support anything. For political reasons.", said President Obama.

But the President's Sunday media blitz didn't appear to sway Republican critics.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) SOUTH CAROLINA said: "He can be on every news show until the end of time if he doesn't get Republicans and Democrats in a room and get off TV we're never gonna solve this problem."

After health care, the war in Afghanistan was the next most-discussed issue. The president flatly stated his reasons for keeping troops there

President Obama said: "We're there because Al Qaeda killed 3,000 Americans."

But the president said he wants to wait to determine the best strategy for US forces in Afghanistan Before considering whether to send more throops there.

President Obama said: "I have to exercise skepticism any time I send any man or woman in uniform into harm's way. Because I am answerable to their parents if they don't come home."