WASHINGTON (AP) ? The White House is giving nine local TV stations and the Hearst Television network a day of special, behind-the-scenes access, including on-air time with President Barack Obama about how his stalled $447 billion jobs bill would help their communities.
Tuesday’s media day gives Obama another opportunity to try to rally the public around the plan. Republicans have blocked the bill over objections to the president’s call for more direct federal spending and a new tax on millionaires to pay for it.
Besides Obama, the stations will discuss the bill with the Cabinet secretaries who oversee education, homeland security, housing and transportation. They’ll get sessions with other senior officials, tour the State Floor of the White House and cap the day with a live, evening news broadcast from the South Lawn.