President Obama Concludes First Day Of West Coast Trip Following Leno Appearance
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Supporters and protestors alike showed up as President Barack Obama's motorcade concluded it's first day in the Southland at the Hilton Hotel in Woodland Hills.
The president's day in Los Angeles was highlighted by an anticipated appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
President Obama was the only guest on the show and addressed topics ranging from international terrorism to domestic programs.
Headlines were made earlier in the week when a number of U.S. embassies across the middle east and Africa were ordered to evacuate in light of Al-Qaeda threats.
When Leno asked how significant the threats are, the president answered, "Significant enough that we're taking every precaution."
"We had done a lot to bolster embassy security around the world," the president said. "But especially in the middle east and North Africa where the threats tend to be highest, and whenever we see a threat stream that we think is specific enough, that we can take specific precautions within a certain time frame, then we do so."
A number of domestic issues were also brought up, including the controversial health care plan.
"On October 1, people are going to be able to sign up if they don't have healthcare. If you have healthcare you don't have to do anything. The only thing that's happened for people who have healthcare right now is that you've been able to benefit from the fact that we've put in place a law that insurance companies have to spend 80 percent of your premiums on healthcare, and if they spend it on administrative costs and high CEO salaries, they've got to send you a rebate, and that's been affecting people."
The president was greeted at LAX by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcett shortly after 3:15 p.m.i. The two met just outside of Air Force One and carried on a lengthy conversation before the president proceeded to Burbank.
President Obama is expected to take part in an online conversation on Wednesday on www.zillow.com, discussing housing and addressing the issue of getting people back on their feet after the recession.
The motorcade is expected to head south on Wednesday as President Obama plans to visit Camp Pendleton before concluding his West Coast trip.
Although routes or security operations surrounding presidential visits are never officially provided, the Los Angeles Police Department has provided a list of areas that motorists should try to avoid between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, including:
• Sherman Way and Hayvenhurst Avenue
• Victory Boulevard and Canoga Avenue
• Canoga Avenue and Burbank Boulevard
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