BIG AUDIENCE FOR OBAMA IS NEARLY HIS SMALLEST

More than 32 million viewers tuned in to 11 broadcast and cable outlets Tuesday night to hear President Obama’s remarks about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, according to Nielsen research. While any program drawing 32 million viewers would automatically become a candidate for the top-rated show of the year, behind only the Super Bowl and the Oscars — the numbers were well off those for other Obama appearances. In fact, in terms of audience numbers, it was his second-worst fireside chat ever.