U.S. President Barack Obama is working to shore up confidence in his
administration's economic policies amid a chorus of criticism of his
plans to rescue financial institutions and stimulate the U.S. economy.
Mr. Obama granted a lengthy interview to the CBS television program "60
Minutes," scheduled for broadcast Sunday evening. Last week, he
appeared on "The Tonight Show," a popular U.S. late-night program.
The president has been trying to address public anger caused by the
disclosure that the giant insurance company AIG was rewarding its
executives with large bonuses at a time when the company is getting
government money to stay in business.
In excerpts from the "60 Minutes" interview, Mr. Obama defended the
performance of embattled Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. He said
it would take time to solve the country's greatest economic crisis
since the Great Depression.
Mr. Obama also responded to recent criticism of his security policies from former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Cheney said the Obama administration's decision to close the Guantanamo
Bay detention center will make America less safe and more vulnerable to
another terrorist attack.
President Obama responded by saying his predecessor's detention
policies were -- in his words -- "unsustainable" and fueled
anti-American sentiment abroad.