Surprise Presidential Check-in During Popular Chicagoland Radio Show

President Barack Obama made a surprise appearance and spoke candidly during an interview Tuesday June 28, 2011 to the Chicagoland listening audience on the Doug Banks Show, WVAZ 103.7 FM.

Mostly the interview reiterated the president's stance on troop draw down, the economy and his newest GOP golf partner. The informal interview was a catch-me-up of sorts as the president recounted the success found with Seal Team Six and the Osama bin Laden killing. Being that the president is from Chicago, radio listeners are interested and appreciate that personal touch from the president.

"Their forces are weakened. We've got them on their heels...it's difficult to project terrorist attacks on the homeland," the President said.

He continued by saying that America is doing so well in Afghanistan, troop withdrawal can begin thanks to a changed war strategy two years ago. Ten thousand troops will be removed from Afghanistan by the end of 2011 and by the end of next July; another 33,000 more will be home with their loved ones. There will only one-third left of total troop involvement in Afghanistan but a steady draw down will bring them home as well.

"We have stepped up our counter terrorism efforts so we are just as safe," Obama said.

President Obama will be on the campaign trail, talking about his economic and manufacturing platform. He said whether it seems like it or not, the unemployment rate has dropped. President Obama said when he took office, the country was in a terrible spot but since then, his administration has added two million jobs to the private sector--which is great since the financial crisis and the housing market tumble was a one-two punch to the worldwide economy.

The president said that America needs to deal with the fundamentals of the American economy by asking: "How do we start back making things in America with American workers?"

He answered that question with showing how investments in worker skills upgrades by way of local community colleges is working and investing in math and science initiatives at the high school level helps.
Obama also pointed out how many in the GOP wanted to cut the auto industry loose when they ran into trouble but that he did not.

"We gave them help but in exchange we asked them to restructure how they do business by improving car design, increasing fuel standards and making clean energy cars--and also skills upgrades for the auto worker," he said.

"GM and Chrysler were going to be liquidated but now they are profitable. It shows you can turn around sectors of the economy with competitive advantages and investments in science and technology," the president said.

"We can get back to making stuff here, as opposed to making stuff in China," he said.

However, these economic sector turnarounds take time, as it is rather delicate work. The radio host, Banks, who conducted most of the interview, said he tells people all the time there is no instant gratification in the economic turnaround process but the President was a little more understanding, considering he and First Lady Michelle Obama finished paying off school loans shortly before being elected to the White House.

"A lot of people understand there is no overnight solution but it's harder to understand when you're suffering and struggling," the president said.

"Telling folks that all the steps we have taken have made it better but not good enough, will only get them so excited," he said.

Comparing the policy of his administration to the Republican policy, Obama pointed out that the student loan improvements, clean energy initiatives, infrastructure improvements and putting people to work rebuilding America, has added to the number of new jobs created. The GOP tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires--while cutting benefits for the poor and working class when they need it most--has not worked.

As for the now famous bipartisan golf game where Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman John Boehner (OH-8) and the President were paired; Obama said it worked out fine.

"He is a better golfer than I. That is why I put him on my team. He was winning money on the golf course."

Source: WVAZ Radio 103.7 FM

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