Live from the White House: Local TV stations granted ‘unique’ access to Obama, aides on jobs

[bigtree]

Monday, October 31, 7:38 PM

WASHINGTON — The White House is giving nine local TV stations and the Hearst Television network a day of special, behind-the-scenes access Tuesday, including on-air time with President Barack Obama to talk up his $447 billion jobs bill and how the stalled plan would benefit their communities.

“Live at the White House” presents Obama with another opportunity to try to rally public support for the proposal, which got an unwelcome reception on Capitol Hill. Senate Republicans blocked action on the bill over objections to the president’s call for more direct federal spending and a new tax on millionaires to help pay for it . . .

The highlight of the day will be the brief interviews each news anchor will conduct with Obama. Besides interviewing the president, the anchors will get to discuss the bill with the Cabinet secretaries who oversee education, homeland security, housing and transportation.

The White House also has arranged special access for the anchors, including a chance to ask press secretary Jay Carney a question at his daily briefing, lunch with senior adviser David Plouffe, an interview with a White House staffer from their home market, an on-camera tour of the State Floor of the White House and a tour of Michelle Obama’s garden on the South Lawn with assistant chef Sam Kass.

The anchors will close the day by broadcasting the evening news live from the South Lawn.


read: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/live-from-the-white-house-local-tv-stations-granted-unique-access-to-obama-aides-on-jobs/2011/10/31/gIQAibu9ZM_print.html