On Wednesday’s CBS Early Show, co-host Julie Chen spoke with Obama supporter Julio Asegueda, who attended the president’s economic town hall in Florida on Tuesday: "President Obama took his economic stimulus message to Fort Myers, Florida yesterday. And in the crowd of 1,500 he heard real stories of economic struggle and hardship, including from 19-year-old college student Julio Asegueda." By contrast, the Early Show reacted quite differently when Joe the Plumber dared to question Obama during a campaign stop last October.
In his question to Obama, Asegueda complained about being stuck in a job at McDonald’s for the past few years. Chen asked Asegueda: "I want to know what happened after you voiced your problem to the president?" He replied: "When I voiced my problem to the President of the United States, I was so shocked at the answer he gave me. The answer that he gave me was so -- so sincere and so motivational to me that it just -- I had such a surreal feeling that I've never had in my life." In reality, Obama simply offered talking points about tax credits for college students, hardly "motivational." [audio excerpt available here]
At the end of the segment, Chen asked Asegueda about job offers after the Tuesday event: "I understand you're a college student, you're studying broadcasting, and you got some job offers after you spoke up? What happened?" Asegueda explained: "First I was offered an internship at a local radio -- top 40 radio station. On the other hand, a local baseball team owner called me up and asked me to -- wants me to broadcast the very first home opener game for the season." Chen remarked: "Wow. Aren't you glad you got picked on by the president?" Asegueda replied: "Oh, it's such a blessing."
Here is the full transcript of the segment:
7:12AM TEASE:
JULIE CHEN: Up next, people in Florida with real problems talk to President Obama yesterday. Now, one young man talks to us.
7:16AM SEGMENT:
JULIE CHEN: President Obama took his economic stimulus message to Fort Myers, Florida yesterday. And in the crowd of 1,500 he heard real stories of economic struggle and hardship, including from 19-year-old college student Julio Asegueda.
JULIO ASEGUEDA: I've been at the same job, which is McDonald's, for 4 ½ years, because of the fact I can't find another job.
CHEN: And Julio Asegueda joins us this morning from Cape Coral, Florida. Julio, good morning.
JULIO ASEGUEDA: Good morning. It's such a pleasure to be on your show, how are you doing today?
CHEN: I'm doing very well, but I want to know what happened after you voiced your problem to the president?
ASEGUEDA: When I voiced my problem to the President of the United States, I was so shocked at the answer he gave me. The answer that he gave me was so -- so sincere and so motivational to me that it just -- I had such a surreal feeling that I've never had in my life. I mean the answer was such a-
CHEN: What was it? What did he say?
ASEGUEDA: What he said was that, you know, 'for somebody like yourself -- individuals like Julio, that have been working so hard to be able to, you know, work there for that long,' the stimulus package is going to include hopefully some tax cuts that will help benefit me, and at the same time it would also, being a college student, there was hopefully going to be a $2,500 refundable tax return given to those students that go to college.
HARRY SMITH: Julio, Harry Smith here. Very -- working at McDonald's for more than four years, trying to go to college, trying to get a degree in communications, what do you know about the struggle of ordinary Americans, just like yourself, that maybe some of these folks in Washington don't understand?
ASEGUEDA: Well, the thing is, really -- even though the economy is currently striking us down, that is -- at this point in life, you should just keep trying hard. I mean, don't quit, don't stop. Because the end is not near at all. You know, success is around the corner, and it's very, you know -- just got to keep trying.
CHEN: Julio, in the final 30 seconds or so, I understand you're a college student, you're studying broadcasting, and you got some job offers after you spoke up? What happened?
ASEGUEDA: First I was offered an internship at a local radio -- top 40 radio station. On the other hand, a local baseball team owner called me up and asked me to -- wants me to broadcast the very first home opener game for the season.
CHEN: Wow. Aren't you glad you got picked on by the president? Julio Asegueda-
ASEGUEDA: Oh, it's such a blessing.
CHEN: Yeah. Thank you so much and good luck to you.
ASEGUEDA: Thank you so very much. God bless you.
CHEN: Same to you. Cute.
