KWAME HOLMAN: The crowded presidential agenda was fully on display this morning, starting with turning around the economy. Mr. Obama announced a White House forum next month on jobs.

U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: It's important that we don't make any ill-considered decisions, even with the best of intentions, particularly at a time when our resources are so limited. But it's just as important that we are open to any demonstrably good idea to supplement the steps we have already taken to put America back to work. That's what this forum is about.

KWAME HOLMAN: Moments later, the president left the White House to begin a nine-day Far East trip full of its own challenges. He will begin tomorrow in Japan, where new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is asserting some independence from...