Obama to push healthcare, energy reform

By Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will throw his weight behind legislative bids to reform healthcare and cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions on Tuesday in his fourth White House press conference since taking office.

Obama, who has focused his first five months as president on trying to end the recession, is likely to discuss his plans to create jobs and stem unemployment, which economists expect will hit 10 percent in coming months.

The president will also be watched closely for further changes in his tone toward Iran following a contested presidential election that has sparked massive unrest.

Obama has sharpened his criticism of the Iranian government for cracking down on demonstrators while trying to avoid the appearance of meddling.

"The president wants to ensure that he doesn't become a political football that the regime uses against anybody that seeks justice in Iran," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told NBC's "Today" show.

"I absolutely think we've seen the beginnings of change in Iran," he added.

On Monday Gibbs told reporters the president would touch on the economy, Iran, healthcare and energy at his news conference, which begins at 12:30 p.m. EDT (1630 GMT).

Legislation on two of Obama's signature issues -- covering 46 million Americans who do not have health insurance and capping carbon dioxide pollution from major industries -- is currently moving through the U.S. Congress.