March | 2009 | The Hot File

Hotfile Intv on BBC Radio 5

March 31, 2009 at 5:59 pm | Posted in Barack Obama, G20 | 3 Comments

Obama Arrival

March 31, 2009 at 4:46 pm | Posted in Barack Obama, G20 | Leave a comment
Tags: G20, London, Marine 1, Michelle Obama, Regents Park

Headed over to Regents Park tonight to watch Obama’s arrival by helicopter. A sizable crowd gathered to watch and take pictures. After Marine 1 landed, we gathered on the corner of where the Outer Circle of Regents Park feeds into Park Road. I heard a lot of American accents and when Obama’s motorcade pulled out, the crowd cheered and waved. One American girl said she saw the First Lady wave back. Here are a couple pics from tonight:

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Obama to Europe: I’m Coming to Listen

March 31, 2009 at 10:16 am | Posted in Barack Obama, Economy | Leave a comment
Tags: BBC 5, Euro Trip, G20 Summit, Germany, Gordon Brown, Merkel

From what I gathered during my interview this morning on BBC Radio 5, global heads of state are a bit leery of Obama’s visit, anticipating a leader who will push for deficit spending against the will of major European leaders, namely Chancellor Merkel of Germany. But, those who think Obama wants a world wide spending spree should consider his most recent tough love response to the auto industry.

If Obama is willing to let 2 major U.S. institutions go under if each fails to refinance and show real viability within 1-2 months, that is good indication he’s not the spender-in-chief many at G20 are anticipating to meet. Plus, White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs emphasized today that “the president and America are going to listen in London, as well as lead.” It seems the international community has been so badly bludgeoned by Bush hubris over the past 8 years, they find it hard to believe an American president is capable of sitting back and listening.

Hotfile on BBC Radio 5

March 31, 2009 at 1:09 am | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

I’ll be on BBC Radio 5 around 8 am London time tomorrow talking Obama, G20. Tune in!

Obama’s Tough Love Plan for GM, Chrysler

March 30, 2009 at 7:47 am | Posted in Barack Obama, Economy | Leave a comment
Tags: auto industry, Bailout, Chrysler, Fiat, GM

Neither auto company deemed viable for bailout $
O admin demands GM GEO resigns, gets “working capital” for 60 days during restructing period
Chrysler gets $6 bn if it reaches deal with Fiat within 30 days
O to deliver remarks on plan at 11:30 a.m. EST

The Plan: Obama Administration’s New Warrantee Commitment Program
Fact Sheet: GM, Chrysler
Viability Assessment: Chrysler
Viability Assessment: GM

McCain on Palin 2012

March 29, 2009 at 1:21 pm | Posted in McCain | Leave a comment
Tags: 2012, John McCain, Meet the Press, Sarah Palin

Sunday Paper

March 29, 2009 at 1:08 pm | Posted in AIG, Economy, Sunday Reading | Leave a comment
Tags: American Prospect, Ezra Klein, George Stephanopoulos, NewsHour, The Guardian, Tim Geithner

George’s Bottom Line: Geithner Says We Have $135 bn Left in TARP Money
The Guardian: Full Coverage of G20 Summit
The NewsHour: Intv with Richard Holbrooke and Gen. Petraeus
American Prospect: Don’t Trust the Regulators
TPM: Did Cassano Shut Out AIG Risk Officers?