A full hour of “The Early Show” on CBS will be devoted to a national – and virtual — “town hall” on Thursday 5/12/11 with President Barack Obama. It’s virtual because there is no specific town, nor is there a hall. Citizens will be able to participate via YouTube.
“Face the Nation” anchor Bob Schieffer and “The Early Show” co-anchor Erica Hill will be on hand, as will CBS News Business and Economics Correspondent Rebecca Jarvis, who will be the go-between bringing Obama and the YouTube participants together.
The event will be held from 8AM-9AM eastern. The Newseum in Washington DC will be the venue used for the broadcast.
Selections from the broadcast will appear on “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric” later on the same day, as well as on the 5/15/11 edition of “Face the Nation.”
CBS has put its polling apparatus to work in support of the event, to determine which questions generate the most interest among US citizens. Nonetheless, members of the YouTube audience will be able to pose their own questions.
CBS will repeat the format in June, once again focusing on the economy, but will feature a guest from the Republican Party.
