Perspective Podcast - January 14, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

The President's Speech.
After five days of anguish and anger, Tucson and the whole nation were due for an emotional cleansing. 25,000 people showed up at a college arena, that seats half that many.  The heads of state and federal government were there, cabinet members, supreme court justices past and present, and the man who carried the biggest responsibility to the podium, President Obama.  More than any dark moment before, this was his night to serve as consoler and chief.  After a week of bitter political back and fourth, millions tuned in to see how the president would respond.  ABC's Chief White House Correspondent Jake Tapper has more.  

Defining Moments.
There are moments when the president becomes both a vessel for the nation's grief and if the spirit is with him, a beacon for its recovery.  Across the centuries, speeches delivered by American presidents in times of national sorrow have held certain characteristics in common.  President Obama's speech fit this template in almost every way, with one exception, the length.  ABC's Bill Weir explains.
 
Lone Wolf Killers.  
The night before his alleged crime, Jared Loughner left a voicemail for an old friend mentioning "good times".  Now that friend Bryce Tierney, told a television station that it had been almost a year since he had heard from Loughner and had no idea what had happened to him since.  By hatching his plan in reclusive secrecy, Loughner fits the kind of pattern that worries law enforcement in all corners of the country.  ABC's Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross explains why.  

Tim Pawlenty.
He was almost in Sarah Palin's shoes.  Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty was on John McCain's short-list of potential running mates in 2008.  We all know how that turned out.  But, now his name is being tossed around for the top spot on the ticket in 2012.  He just completed his second term as a governor and ABC's Terry Moran sat down with him to discuss his political future.  

iPhone Wars.
6.5 million is the number of users one expert says AT&T stands to lose with Verizon's official entry into the iPhone market.  Those are high stakes worthy of a corporate war and verbal sparring between the two has already begun.  ABC's Neal Karlinsky takes us inside the phone wars.  

Playlist:  Rod Stewart.
The year was 1971.  It had a mandolin, a great gravel voice, and a May-December love story.  The song was "Maggie May" and it turned Rod Stewart from a "Faces" frontman into a household name in his own right.  Follow-ups like "Some Guys Have All the Luck" and "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" firmly confirmed his solo star.  195 million albums later and he is still making fans swoon.  He had a chance to discuss his musical inspirations in his own words.  

Host: Cheri Preston
Producer: Jason Wesalo

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