Obama Interview

Anderson interviews President Obama


Fifteen days into his presidency, President Obama is pressing Congress hard to have a stimulus bill on his desk by mid-month. Anderson will sit down with the President at the White House today to talk about the economy and a range of issues. For the full interview tune in to AC360° tonight at 10pm ET.

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Obama not smoking at the White House

50 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is having at least some success in his plan to quit smoking in office.

Obama told CNN's Anderson Cooper he hasn't had a cigarette on the White House grounds. But he acknowledged that quitting has been difficult.

Cooper did not ask if Obama had smoked outside of the White House grounds since he was sworn in on Jan. 20.

Another thing not happening on the White House grounds right now? Dog walking.

Obama said the first family will select a dog in the spring, when daughters Sasha and Malia would be more enthusiastic walking a pet. They have not yet selected a breed.

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Obama: US choosing words carefully in terror war

By Lolita C. Baldor – 55 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — When talking about terrorism — words matter, President Barack Obama said Tuesday.

Asked in a television interview why he hasn't used the oft-repeated "war on terror" phrase coined by the Bush administration, Obama said he believes the U.S. can win over moderate Muslims if he chooses his words carefully.

"Words matter in this situation because one of the ways we're going to win this struggle is through the battle of hearts and minds," Obama said in an interview with CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360."

The Associated Press reported Saturday that Obama has used the catch phrase just once, in contrast to its repeated use by the Bush administration in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Instead, Obama has spoken broadly of the "enduring struggle against terrorism and extremism" and pledged to "go after" extremists and "win this fight."

"I think it is very important for us to recognize that we have a battle or a war against some terrorist organizations," Obama said Tuesday. "But that those organizations aren't representative of a broader Arab community, Muslim community."

He added that he believes the U.S. can convince Muslims "that we should be working together to make sure that everybody has got a better life."

Former President George W. Bush launched his war on terror just hours after planes piloted by terrorists slammed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the Pennsylvania countryside. "America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world and we stand together to win the war against terrorism," he said, warning days later that, "this war on terrorism is going to take a while."