Sunday shows: Obama abroad

This week’s Sunday Shows will have a distinctly international flavor as
President Obama is currently in Lisbon, Portugal, for the NATO Summit.

Discussions will likely center around the U.S.-led effort in
Afghanistan as well as the role of NATO in a world that increasingly
looks to Asia, Latin America and Africa for economic growth.

{mosads}NBC’s “Meet the Press” will feature Secretary of State Hillary Rodham
Clinton and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), who likely discuss his new
book “Leadership and Crisis” and take shots at the Obama administration
for its handling of the Gulf oil spill. Also scheduled to appear are
Author Richard Wolffe and Rep.-elect Allen West (Fla.), who will soon become
the first Republican member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Clinton speaks up again on CBS’ “Face the Nation” along with House
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). Hoyer will likely address the
leadership tussles that embroiled the Democrats this week after Rep.
Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) challenged outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi
(D-Calif.) for leadership of the caucus. A compromise engineered by
Pelosi also helped avert a showdown between Hoyer and Rep. James
Clyburn (D-S.C.) over minority whip that threatened to divide liberal and centrist Democrats.

Clinton makes the administration rounds on a third show, speaking on “Fox News Sunday”
with Chris Wallace. Also on the show will be incoming Republican
Governors Association chairman Rick Perry of Texas, whose name has
emerged as a potential contender for the GOP presidential nomination in
2012.

Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Adm. Mike Mullen turns up twice
Sunday, first on ABC’s “This Week” and also on CNN’s “State of the Union”
with Candy Crowley. Mullen will be joined on ABC by Democratic
strategist Donna Brazile, Ed Luce of the Financial Times, Robert Reich
of The American Prospect and columnist George Will.

“State of the Union” will also feature TSA administrator John
Pistole, who will doubtless be forced to address the growing
controversy surrounding the agency’s procedures for checking passengers
during airport security. With more critics now charging that TSA’s use
of full-body scanners and pat-downs is invasive, Pistole will be under
pressure to justify measures that increasingly appear draconian.

Also appearing is Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), the ranking member on the House Transporation and Infrastructure Committee, who will outline his reform plans for the TSA.