President Obama to do network interview sweep today

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You’d think there was a campaign going on.

President Obama has lined up interviews this afternoon with all three evening news anchors and their counterparts on CNN and Fox News, a media blitz that usually only occurs when the president has a significant announcement to discuss. But perhaps it’s not surprising, considering how much Obama currently has on his plate: pushing the Senate to pass his stimulus bill, looking for a new nominee for Health and Human Services secretary after Tom Daschle pulled out today, fielding questions about the withdrawal of his candidate for chief performance officer.

It remains to be seen which anchor will extract the juiciest sound bite from the president. NBC’s Brian Williams, ABC’s Charles Gibson and CBS’ Katie Couric will broadcast their interviews on their respective evening newscasts. Fox News’ Chris Wallace, who is conducting that network’s first interview with Obama since his election, will air his conversation with the president at 3 p.m. PDT on ‘Special Report with Bret Baier.’ CNN’s Anderson Cooper will show his sit-down at 7 p.m. PDT on ‘AC 360,’ with selected sound bites running on the network earlier in the day.

-- Matea Gold