african-american voters. the president alluding to the employment crunch during his third annual back to school speech here in washington, d.c. >> more than 60% of the jobs in the next decade will require more than a high school diploma. more than 60%. that's the world that you're walking into. >> some black voters say the president has let them down when it comes to education and job creation. the obama campaign is trying to address those concerns as the election gets closer. let's turn to dan lothian. he's got more on this part of the story. >> president has always when talking about race and his policies, taken a big picture view, saying what he does helps not just african-americans, but all americans. well, this has not gone unnoticed and now as the president is courting black voters key to his success in 2008, some are frustrated. >> 9:00 a.m. -- >> on 95.5 fm, one of washington, d.c.'s top urban radio stations, darian morgan serves up music, edgey talk and commercials. but off mike, there's a more serious tone when asked about president obama. >> there's expectations however is higher for him to quote unquote help us. that being said, i still think lots of people are very supportive of president obama. >> in his sering piece in the "washington post," courtland molloy wrote -- referring to the conservative republican hopeful. the managing editor of "the root," a daily online african-american magazine, has heard the exasperation. >> there's a segment of the community who felt he could have targeted more efforts toward the african-american community. >> one big criticism, that the president has not addressed the high unemployment rate among blacks. which the bureau of labor statistics puts at 16.7%. much higher than the national average. >> for african-americans, it has been absolutely devastating in the last four or five years. you know, as badly as the majority community, the white community has been affected, it's been even worse for black. >> courting his base, the president sat down for a one-on-one interview with b.e.t. and gave a speech to the congressional black caucus, where he acknowledged the economic crisis had taken a toll on already heart-hit communities. >> you've got to be a little crazy to have faith during such hard times. >> maxine waters was pleased. >> that's extremely important that people understand that the president gets it. >> but a little air leaked out of that warm feeling when the president seemed to chastise african-american leaders in the same speech. >> i expect all of you to march with me and press on! take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes. shake it off! stop complaining! >> representative waters found the comment, quote, curious, and speculated mr. obama had gone off script. a white house official confirmed it was ad lib, but insisted it was meant as a rallying cry. while some may be frowning at the president, they aren't smiling at the options, which is why morgan, who voted for mr. obama, remains optimistic. >> i think they'll come back again. it's about engaging them. it's about speaking to them directly or indirectly about what issues affect them. >> of course, the question is, will president obama be able to generate the same kind of enthusiasm that sent a lot of young black voters to the polls in 2008 if it is in fact a tight race. some believe that could be the difference. >> could be a key difference in a state like north carolina, which the president barely won in 2008. by about 14,000 votes. he's really got to energize that base including the african-american communities, so what's the strategy over there at the white house? >> they never like to break down their strategy? terms of what they're going to break down a particular race. you've seen initiatives through this white house that's gets the president out talking to black reporters. also as i pointed out, they're sitting down in those one-on-one interviews. he raeldealizes this is a criti group. >> thank you. let's get more on race in the presidential campaign with republican candidate, herman cain. he's enjoying a new shot of momentum after his upset win in a florida straw poll over the weekend. and herman cain is joining us now from atlanta. doing well in the polls right now, but let me ask you about the african-american community. why is the republican party basically poisoned for so many african-americans? >> because many african-americans have been bra brainwashed into not being open minded. not even considering a conservative point of view. i have received some of that same vito tri ol. so, it's just brainwashing and people not being open minded. >> that's a strong word, brainwashed. >> two third of them, wolf, that is the case. now, the good news is i happen to believe that a third to 50% of the black americans in this country, they are open minded cht cht. i meet them every day. so, this whole notion that all black americans are necessarily going to stay and vote democrat, vote for obama, that's simply not true. more and more black americans are thinking for themselves and that's a good thing. >> you've suggested that if you were the republican nominee, you think a third of african-americans would vote for you? >> i do believe a third would vote for me based upon my own an ek doe tall feedback. now, they won't be voting for me because i'm black. they'll be voting for me because of my policies and because of what i'm offering to fix this economy starting with my 999 plan. that's what they're responding to. >> let's talk about some of the issues like health care, for example. could you support mitt romney, who when he was governor of massachusetts, supported a mandate for health care? >> no, i could not. i do not support a government mandate and i wouldn't have sporlted a mandate in romney care. no, i happen to believe there are better, market drif p, patient centered solutions out there that were not considered. that's the approach that i would take in order to first repeal obamacare and then let the market determine and let patients and doctors determine what's best for the patient and the doctor. >> what i hear you saying, correct many if i'm wrong, if he wor the republican nominee, you wouldn't be able to support him? >> well, i wouldn't say i wouldn't be able to report him. if he stuck to that commitment, i could support him, but if any way, he wanted to compromise and go for a mandate, i couldn't support him. but i believe that he is backed off of that and that he's saying that he would. >> if you were to repeal obamacare, right now, there are 15 million uninsured people in the united states. they'll get insurance under what you call obamacare. what would you do with those 15 million? >> first of all, they are not going to be without health care. everybody in this country will get health care. hospital ks not turn you away. if we look at the early rollout of obamacare, more and more people are becoming uninsured. more and more companies are being forced to drop their health care coverage because obamacare is just that bad. look at the fact that over 1300 companies have asked for a waiver because when they look at the details of obamacare, they're better off to stay with that they have or put everybody on the government program. the plan simply does not work. >> are you with rick perry when he says that he supports in state tuition for children of illegal immigrants in texas? >> absolutely not because i happen to believe that that puts in children of illegals in front of citizens, in front of soldiers. i don't agree with that. we must first secure the border for real. that's the real problem we need to make sure we solve, then decide later. i agree it's a state's issue, but i don't believe in putting children of illegals in front of citizens. >> could you support rick perry if he were the nominee? >> today, i could not support rick perry as the nominee for host of reasons. him being soft on securing the border is one of the reasons. i feel strongly about the need to secure the border for real, the need to enforce the laws already there. the need to promote the path to citizenship, but more importantly, empower the states to enforce the national federal immigration laws because the federal government didn't do it, can't do it and never will do it, so that's the where i think he and i have a difference of opinion. >> you surprised a lot of people when you won the florida straw pole, clambering for chris christie. is that insulting to you and other republicans in the race? >> it's not as insulting as much as it is a disservice to the american people. christie has said for a long time he wasn't interested. unfortunately, the media is trying to create a story by sucking chris christie into this race just like they tried to create a story of sucking rick perry into the race. now, he had to make his own decision and i respect that, but the fact they continue to ignore those people that have already declared, focus on the people that have already declared and i believe that would do a better service to the american people if they get an opportunity to find out more about what we are about. that result in florida last weekend where i won that straw poll, it sent two dissint messages. number one, the voice of the people is more powerful than the voice of the media, with all due respect. secondly, it says that the american people are going to make that decision and this movement is more powerful than we thought. message is more important than money and i believe that's what's happening when you look at the results like those that happened in florida. >> good to have you. good luck. >> thanks a lot. wolf. my pleasure. >> rick perry has been getting a lot of flak for his stand on in state tuition for whirn of illegal immigrants, but now a very prominent politician is coming to the defense. and michael jackson's doctor on trial. new testimony today on the panic and chaos when the pop singer died. nothing helped me beat arthritis pain. until i tried this. it's salonpas. pain relief that works at the site of pain... up to 12 hours. salonpas. an accident doesn't have to slow you down. with better car replacement available only with liberty mutual auto insurance, if your car's totaled, we give you the money for a car one model year newer. to learn more, visit us today. responsibility. what's your policy? jack cafferty's here. >> the public's trust in the federal government is at an all-time low. no big suprise now, is it? they're lucky in washington the citizens haven't marched on the place yet. there's a new poll out today that shows just 15% of americans say they trust the government in washington to do what's right always or most of the time. 15%. 77% say they trust the federal government only some of the time. and 8% say they never trust the government. last year, 25% of americans felt they could trust the federal government always or most of the time and before the watergate scandal in the '70s, majorities of americans felt this way. the only time americans have had such trust in the government since the 1970s was after 9/11. meanwhile, as both parties appeal to their bases and continue to emphasize their differences with the opposition, another new poll suggests what americans really want is compromise. a gallup poll shows for the first time, a majority of americans say it's more important for politicians to compromise than to stick to their beliefs. tea party members are the exception. they say it's more important for the politicians to stick to their beliefs. again, no surprise there. all this comes as the federal government just barely averted another shutdown. this time, over a few bucks for disaster relief funding. last month, our lawmakers took us to the brink of default on our national debt obligations as they argued over an increase in the debt ceiling and you can bet when this super committee comes out, they're doing it all behind closed doors, there will be lots more ugly partisanship from our leaders. it seems to be all they know how to do. here's the question -- go to cnn.com, post a comment on my blog or go to our post on "the situation room's" facebook page. time for an american spring, wolf. >> maybe you're right. thanks very, very much. jack's been talking about the broken government for a while. jack, i also want to drill down on some of those numbers you've been showing us in our latest polls. only 15% as you say of americans. say they trust the government in washington just about always or most of the time in contrast. back in 1958, '58, 73%, 73% of the time thought they could trust government in washington about always or most of the time. let's get to the embattled front-runner in the race for the white house. we're talking at the texas governor, rick perry, he's now apologizing for suggesting last week that anyone who opposed tuition breaks for the children of illegal immigrants quote did not have a heart. the new york city mayor michael bloomberg is always weighing in, sitting down with john king. listen to this. >> you watch what's happening now. have a republican debate playing out for president. and rick perry's losing steam because he doesn't support a border fence and because he supports in state college tuition breaks for the children of illegal immigrant. >> he happens on right on both, but i think you've got to differ between what may be good politics within the beginning of a primary race as opposed to what happens when the biggest states get involved in the primary race or what happens in a general election and then there's another minor problem here. whether it's good politics or bad politics, you're an american and what's questions what's right for the country, even if it doesn't help or hurt your career. >> for much more of john's wide ranging interview, tune into john king u.s.a. tonight, 7:00 p.m. eastern here on cnn. meanwhile, there's another battle being fought on the campaign trail. this one not being waged by the republican presidential front-runners, but this one, their wives. here's joe johns. >> in iowa, anita perry quickly made it clear she wasn't kidding around about her husband's run for president or his main rival for the nomination, suggesting mitt romney was perhaps a little too slick because he's run for president before. >> some candidates may be a little bit more polished in their presentation, but no candidate is more principled than rick perry. he has a right record to lead this country. >> as if to put a finer point on it, anita perry's guy is in her view, the real deal, suggesting the other guy is not. >> it's great to be back to people who are authentic and genuine like you are because he is. >> we asked a political consultant what she thinks of her bold approach. >> i didn't think it was out of line. it was squarely right in the middle. equally effective was her discussion about his debate performance. not only did i think it was appropriate, i thought it was well executed. >> mitt romney's wife said she doesn't go after candidates, but is known for -- >> mitt mentioned we met when i was just 16 and it was that summer he said to me, this is a great pick-up line for any of you young enough out there. he said, my father's governor of michigan, i knew that. how about, would you like to go up to mackinaw and stay in the governor's mansion with my family. >> mary madeleine says there is no right answer to which approach to a campaign is the right one. >> every wife, every spouse, be clear, this is not a agenda r r issue. has to behave in a way that feels authentic and sustainable to them. >> while it's fun to compare wo wives on the campaign trial, madeleine makes the point that momentum michelle obama's style of campaigning makes any of the spouses look tame. >> we're also keeping a close watch on the trial of michael jackson's doctor. stand by for the latest testimony and sanjay gupta will 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jackson's home in the hours before his death. we heard from michael williams. this is michael jackson's personal assistant. he was on the stand most of the day today and prosecutors questions d him and what happened when he first got the call. he wasn't at the house, but they detailed everything that happened and two things that prosecutors harped on, which they wanted to get out of this witness, the first was when dr. murray called from the house to him, it was during this state of panic and prosecutors asked did they ever tell you the call 911. the answer was no. he left a message on williams' voice mail. same question. did he say call 911. the answer was no. one other thing that they got out of williams, murray's behavior at the hospital. after jackson had died, williams said he walked up to him in a hallway and asked for a strange request to get back to the house. >> we were making small talk about how horrible this is and both of us, tearing, he asked, he said that there's some cream in michael's room or house, room, that he wouldn't want the world to know about and he requested that i or someone give him a ride back to the house to get it so the world wouldn't know about the cream. >> to get the cream so the world wouldn't know about it? >> yes, sir. >> clearly, what they were trying to insinuate to the jury that murray wanted to get back to the house to clean up the propofol. in the cross-examination, murray's lawyers tried to point out it took him a month to come up with this story. they're going through a series of other witnesses, but this is just day two of a very long trial that's family was here today. still people outside the courthouse as well. joe jackson just left for the day. a few minutes ago, saying quote, justice for michael and that's all he said. clearly, we're still in the very early stages. >> you say a long trial. three, four weeks? is that what they're predicting, ted? >> yeah, the judge told jurors to clear their scheduled through 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