ANALYSIS: THE late former United States president Ronald Reagan was known as the great communicator.

Former president George W. Bush was the self-styled decider.

And, now, President Barack Obama could easily be called the salesman-in-chief.

Mr Obama used a nationally televised news conference on Tuesday night to try to sell Americans his US$3.55 trillion (S$5.4 trillion) budget proposal and a bank-bailout plan, as well as convince US allies of the need to stimulate the global economy.

He argued that it was critical to use the budget to address rising health-care costs, to improve education and to spend money on clean-energy policies.

"That's why this budget is inseparable from this recovery, because it is what lays the foundation for a secure and lasting prosperity," he said.

As for Americans' anger at Wall Street, Mr Obama said it was justified.

But he sounded a conciliatory note, saying people "can't afford to demonise every investor or entrepreneur who seeks to make a profit" as it will require banks to start lending again to get the economy moving.

Talking up the need for joint action on the global economy, Mr Obama said: "We don't want a situation in which some countries are making extraordinary efforts and other countries aren't, with the hope that somehow the countries that are making those important steps lift everybody up."

His news conference was the latest event in a sweeping media blitz he has been on lately.

Political scientist Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia said Mr Obama was making good use of his job-approval rating to make his case.

"It's all Obama, all the time," said Professor Sabato.

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- REUTERS