Good morning...
You won't hear the phrase "Drill, baby drill," but that's what President Obama will propose when he announces plans to open new areas for offshore oil and gas drilling. The remarks are set for 11:05 during a visit to Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington.
Obama called for offshore drilling in the 2008 campaign; he says it’s part of an overall energy strategy that also includes nuclear, solar and wind power. Areas he wants to open include coastal Virginia and other parts of the mid-Atlantic, Alaska & Gulf of Mexico. But some areas he wants to keep off limits to drilling: Alaska’s Bristol Bay, and Calif., Oregon and Washington state through 2017.
Obama also wants the U.S. military - the biggest consumer of oil in the United States - to use fuel more efficiently; he sees energy security helping effecting a "trifecta" of concerns - national security, the economy and environment.
The military is such a huge consumer of fuel, that if it changes its buying habits, it can create, singlehandedly, a vast new market for renewable energy, spurring entrepreneurs to serve it. It's kind of a reverse "Field of Dreams" thing, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus tells National Defense: "If we come, they will build it." The legendary DARPA - the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - is encouraging this; in fact, WWR predicts the Pentagon will be a key driver of America's pivot towards a green energy economy.
In the afternoon, the President meets with the family of civil rights legend Cesar Chavez on what would have been his 83rd birthday, as well as leaders of the United Farm Workers (UFW) that Chavez co-founded. Obama will then sign a proclamation designating March 31, 2010 as Cesar Chavez Day.
Obama ends his day with remarks at the closing session of the "Forum for Workplace Flexibility." No, not stretching and bending, but rather how companies can better create work environments to help employees do the work-life balance thing.
The Schedule
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
11:05AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on energy security
Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington
2:40PM THE PRESIDENT meets with the Chavez family and signs a proclamation in honor of Cesar Chavez Day
Oval Office
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at closing session of the Forum for Workplace Flexibility
EEOB South Court Auditorium
*****
Obama's Mail
You may have heard that President Obama gets 20,000 letters and e-mails a day. He reads 10 of them - and responds. The Washington Post has a fascinating look at what Obama calls his most important daily reading material.
http://bit.ly/a0xI6W
Presidential Quote
"I have never been hurt by anything I didn't say." - Calvin Coolidge
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
President's Schedule: Tuesday, March 30
Good morning...
The President is squeezing as much mileage as possible out of his health care law, which the White House political operation sees as ultimately helping Obama at the polls. (see below for an early read on how that's working). At 11:05, at Northern Virginia Community College, he'll sign the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
WWR thinks you know what the health care law is by now (don't you?). But what about the education part of the bill? It centers around how the federal government will give aid to college students. Essentialy, it ends the process of subsidizing private banks which give out federally insured loans. These loans will now be administered by the Department of Education. It also ups the value of Pell Grants. Starting in 2014, students who qualify will be able to cap the amount they must spend on loan repayment each month to 10% of their discretionary income, down from 15%. Obama hopes this will ease the debt burden on graduates as they enter the work force. It'll also be easier for borrowers to be "forgiven" their loans after 20 years of they've made timely payments during that time.
After lunch with Vice-President Biden and his weekly meeting with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Obama meets with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Look for Iran (where Sarkozy is talking tough on sanctions) Afghanistan (where he's reluctant to provide more troops) and, to a lesser extent, Europe's fiscal issues to top the agenda. They'll also hold a short news conference in the Rose Garden (or East Room if it's raining). In the evening, the Obamas and Sarkozys will have dinner together - fashionistas eagerly await pictures of Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in their stately attire.
The Schedule
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
11:05AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks and signs the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
Northern Virginia Community College
12:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
12:20PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
2:45PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
3:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with President Sarkozy of France
Oval Office
4:45PM THE PRESIDENT and President Sarkozy hold joint press availability
Rose Garden
6:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY host dinner for President Sarkozy and Mrs. Bruni-Sarkozy
Private Residence
Briefing Schedule
2:15PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
Polls: Short-Lived Bounce?
In the days immediately following passage of the landmark health care law, it looked like Obama's numbers were turning around. But some polls have since flattened out or dropped again, a troubling sign for the President.
Gallup, for instance, has Obama’s approval 48% (rolling three-day average), near his all-time low of 46% percent. Obama had been up to 50% when the bill passed.
“People thought Obama might get a significant uptick,” Gallup's Frank Newport tells Politico. “Obama’s approval seems to have moved up a few points during and slightly after passage. Then it fell back down again.”
CNN-Opinion Research, however, shows Obama's gains holding for now. The President jumped from 46% to 51% approval as health care passed - with jumps registered from two key voting blocs: lower-income households and union members.
*****
On This Day
1981: President Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt after being shot by John W. Hinckley Jr. Exiting a Washington hotel after giving a speech, Reagan was hit by one bullet, which entered through his left armpit, grazed a rib and lodged in his lung, stopping nearly an inch from his heart. Two police officers and Press Secretary James Brady were also wounded. The President was rushed to George Washington University hospital, immediately underwent a three-hour operation - he remained in the hospital for 13 days and made a full recovery.
Presidential Quote
"Honey, I forgot to duck." - President Reagan to his wife after the assassination attempt.
The President is squeezing as much mileage as possible out of his health care law, which the White House political operation sees as ultimately helping Obama at the polls. (see below for an early read on how that's working). At 11:05, at Northern Virginia Community College, he'll sign the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
WWR thinks you know what the health care law is by now (don't you?). But what about the education part of the bill? It centers around how the federal government will give aid to college students. Essentialy, it ends the process of subsidizing private banks which give out federally insured loans. These loans will now be administered by the Department of Education. It also ups the value of Pell Grants. Starting in 2014, students who qualify will be able to cap the amount they must spend on loan repayment each month to 10% of their discretionary income, down from 15%. Obama hopes this will ease the debt burden on graduates as they enter the work force. It'll also be easier for borrowers to be "forgiven" their loans after 20 years of they've made timely payments during that time.
After lunch with Vice-President Biden and his weekly meeting with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Obama meets with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Look for Iran (where Sarkozy is talking tough on sanctions) Afghanistan (where he's reluctant to provide more troops) and, to a lesser extent, Europe's fiscal issues to top the agenda. They'll also hold a short news conference in the Rose Garden (or East Room if it's raining). In the evening, the Obamas and Sarkozys will have dinner together - fashionistas eagerly await pictures of Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in their stately attire.
The Schedule
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
11:05AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks and signs the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
Northern Virginia Community College
12:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
12:20PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
2:45PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
3:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with President Sarkozy of France
Oval Office
4:45PM THE PRESIDENT and President Sarkozy hold joint press availability
Rose Garden
6:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY host dinner for President Sarkozy and Mrs. Bruni-Sarkozy
Private Residence
Briefing Schedule
2:15PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
Polls: Short-Lived Bounce?
In the days immediately following passage of the landmark health care law, it looked like Obama's numbers were turning around. But some polls have since flattened out or dropped again, a troubling sign for the President.
Gallup, for instance, has Obama’s approval 48% (rolling three-day average), near his all-time low of 46% percent. Obama had been up to 50% when the bill passed.
“People thought Obama might get a significant uptick,” Gallup's Frank Newport tells Politico. “Obama’s approval seems to have moved up a few points during and slightly after passage. Then it fell back down again.”
CNN-Opinion Research, however, shows Obama's gains holding for now. The President jumped from 46% to 51% approval as health care passed - with jumps registered from two key voting blocs: lower-income households and union members.
*****
On This Day
1981: President Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt after being shot by John W. Hinckley Jr. Exiting a Washington hotel after giving a speech, Reagan was hit by one bullet, which entered through his left armpit, grazed a rib and lodged in his lung, stopping nearly an inch from his heart. Two police officers and Press Secretary James Brady were also wounded. The President was rushed to George Washington University hospital, immediately underwent a three-hour operation - he remained in the hospital for 13 days and made a full recovery.
Presidential Quote
"Honey, I forgot to duck." - President Reagan to his wife after the assassination attempt.
Monday, March 29, 2010
President's Schedule: Monday, March 29
President Obama's trip to Afghanistan ended as it began - shrouded in fog. Air Force One was wheels down at Andrews AFB at 8:52 this morning, but a thick, pea-soup mush grounded Marine One, forcing the Secret Service to drive Obama back to the White House.
Obama spent 27 1/2 hours in the air on the 14,000 mile trip, which began in secret Saturday night, after he was flown in secret from Camp David, where he was supposed to be spending the weekend.
The President today has a light schedule: at 4:00pm, he'll participate in a credentialing ceremony for foreign ambassadors. Tonight he'll host a Passover Sedar for White House staff and friends.
A look ahead at the President's week:
Tuesday: signs the Health Care & Education Act; PM: meets French President Sarkozy, and later he and Mrs. Obama will host, a private dinner for their French counterparts.
Wednesday: visits Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility, and later holds a forum on Workplace Flexibility.
Thursday: health care event, Portland, Maine, and a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Boston.
Friday: jobs/economy event in Charlotte, NC.
Obama spent 27 1/2 hours in the air on the 14,000 mile trip, which began in secret Saturday night, after he was flown in secret from Camp David, where he was supposed to be spending the weekend.
The President today has a light schedule: at 4:00pm, he'll participate in a credentialing ceremony for foreign ambassadors. Tonight he'll host a Passover Sedar for White House staff and friends.
A look ahead at the President's week:
Tuesday: signs the Health Care & Education Act; PM: meets French President Sarkozy, and later he and Mrs. Obama will host, a private dinner for their French counterparts.
Wednesday: visits Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility, and later holds a forum on Workplace Flexibility.
Thursday: health care event, Portland, Maine, and a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Boston.
Friday: jobs/economy event in Charlotte, NC.
Friday, March 26, 2010
President's Schedule: Friday, March 26
Good morning from the White House press room...
A quiet day to end a historic week. Obama has his weekly meeting with Secretary of State Clinton; he'll then receive his intelligence briefing (officially called the the Presidential Daily Briefing, or PDB). Both meetings are in the Oval Office.
In the afternoon, the President will travel to Camp David.
Health Care
The Senate and House have both made their final adjustments to the new health care law, so now it is finally over. Until the Fall midterm elections, which are already underway. So it's not really over.
Housing Program
Another plan to help homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages is being rolled out. It'll require lenders to lower mortgage payments and principal for many homeowners who are unemployed. And TARP funds (the $700 billion program from 2008) will be used to help borrowers to refinance up to 115% of their home's value.
The move reflects the shifting causes of foreclosures. The initial wave of foreclosures a few years ago was driven by subprime mortgages; now it is joblessness. In the future, however, it may be two entirely new causes: Alt-A and Option Adjustable mortgages, which threaten, according to some data, to be as damaging as the initial subprime tidal wave. All told, an estimated 14% of all mortgages in the U.S. are "underwater," meaning the homeowner owes the bank more than the home is worth.
The Schedule
EDT
9:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
PM THE PRESIDENT departs The White House en route Camp David
South Lawn
Briefing Schedule
10:45AM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
On This Day
In a 1979 White House ceremony, the historic Camp David accords were signed between Egypt and Israel, ending three decades of war. The peace treaty, negotiated with President Jimmy Carter as the middleman, sparked outrage in much of the Arab world. For their efforts, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat won the Nobel Peace Prize - but Sadat was then assassinated. The Camp David agreement is generally regarded as the high point of the Carter administration.
Presidential Quote
"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth." - George Washington
A quiet day to end a historic week. Obama has his weekly meeting with Secretary of State Clinton; he'll then receive his intelligence briefing (officially called the the Presidential Daily Briefing, or PDB). Both meetings are in the Oval Office.
In the afternoon, the President will travel to Camp David.
Health Care
The Senate and House have both made their final adjustments to the new health care law, so now it is finally over. Until the Fall midterm elections, which are already underway. So it's not really over.
Housing Program
Another plan to help homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages is being rolled out. It'll require lenders to lower mortgage payments and principal for many homeowners who are unemployed. And TARP funds (the $700 billion program from 2008) will be used to help borrowers to refinance up to 115% of their home's value.
The move reflects the shifting causes of foreclosures. The initial wave of foreclosures a few years ago was driven by subprime mortgages; now it is joblessness. In the future, however, it may be two entirely new causes: Alt-A and Option Adjustable mortgages, which threaten, according to some data, to be as damaging as the initial subprime tidal wave. All told, an estimated 14% of all mortgages in the U.S. are "underwater," meaning the homeowner owes the bank more than the home is worth.
The Schedule
EDT
9:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
PM THE PRESIDENT departs The White House en route Camp David
South Lawn
Briefing Schedule
10:45AM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
On This Day
In a 1979 White House ceremony, the historic Camp David accords were signed between Egypt and Israel, ending three decades of war. The peace treaty, negotiated with President Jimmy Carter as the middleman, sparked outrage in much of the Arab world. For their efforts, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat won the Nobel Peace Prize - but Sadat was then assassinated. The Camp David agreement is generally regarded as the high point of the Carter administration.
Presidential Quote
"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth." - George Washington
Thursday, March 25, 2010
President's Schedule: Thursday, March 25
Good morning from the White House press room...
The health care bill isn't quite done yet. Senate Republicans will be able to kill language in a measure altering President Obama's bill, meaning it has to go back to the House for final House approval.
This doesn't appear to be a big deal. Democratic leaders say the language in question concerns Pell Grants for college students; the changes won't affect the health care bill itself - or the grants, for that matter. Final House approval is likely before the weekend.
"The parliamentarian struck two minor provisions tonight from in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. But this bill's passage in the Senate is a big win for the American people," said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Meantime, thought you were done hearing the President speak about health care? Au contraire. He heads to Iowa City today (which coincidentally is in Iowa), where he'll talk up his new health insurance reform bill, which Obama says will lower costs for small businesses and families.
Obama chose Iowa City because that's where he first announced his health care plan in May 2007; the University of Iowa Field House holds just 3,000 people and yesterday afternoon White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said there had been some 16,500 requests for tickets.
"We're going to need a bigger boat!" Gibbs tweeted.
The Iowa trip eats up most of Obama's day. He leaves right after his daily intelligence brief and senior staff meeting.
Iran Setback
WWR has mentioned previously that U.S. efforts to get tough sanctions against Iran appear to be going nowhere - and that Tehran, in fact, has successfully called America's bluff over its nuclear program. The Wall Street Journal reports this morning that the administration is watering down its efforts to put the screws to Tehran, in hopes of winning support from Russia and China.
Just Tuesday, Secretary of State Clinton said the U.S. wanted "biting" sanctions that would hurt Tehran. But the Journal says the White House is scrapping efforts to choke off Tehran's access to international banking services and capital markets, and closing international airspace and waters to Iran's national air cargo and shipping lines.
The U.S. worries Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons and is determined to prevent this. Iran says its nuclear activities are peaceful.
Arms Control Deal
But it looks like Obama will have one foreign policy success to crow about. The President and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, are set to announce an agreement on a new START treaty that would slash each country's arsenal of strategic nuclear weapons. Expect an official announcement shortly. The treaty, which of course requires Senate approval, would be signed by both leaders next month in Prague, the Czech capital.
The Schedule
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
CDT
1:00PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on health care reform
University of Iowa Field House, Iowa City
Briefing Schedule
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs will gaggle aboard Air Force One
*****
On This Day...in 1933, President Herbert Hoover accepts the newly commissioned USS Sequoia as the official presidential yacht. For 44 years, the Sequoia served as an occasional venue for recreation and official gatherings for eight U.S. presidents. - courtesy of History.com
Presidential Quote
"The revenue of the country, levied almost insensibly to the taxpayer, goes on from year to year, increasing beyond either the interests or the prospective wants of the Government." - Franklin Pierce
The health care bill isn't quite done yet. Senate Republicans will be able to kill language in a measure altering President Obama's bill, meaning it has to go back to the House for final House approval.
This doesn't appear to be a big deal. Democratic leaders say the language in question concerns Pell Grants for college students; the changes won't affect the health care bill itself - or the grants, for that matter. Final House approval is likely before the weekend.
"The parliamentarian struck two minor provisions tonight from in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. But this bill's passage in the Senate is a big win for the American people," said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Meantime, thought you were done hearing the President speak about health care? Au contraire. He heads to Iowa City today (which coincidentally is in Iowa), where he'll talk up his new health insurance reform bill, which Obama says will lower costs for small businesses and families.
Obama chose Iowa City because that's where he first announced his health care plan in May 2007; the University of Iowa Field House holds just 3,000 people and yesterday afternoon White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said there had been some 16,500 requests for tickets.
"We're going to need a bigger boat!" Gibbs tweeted.
The Iowa trip eats up most of Obama's day. He leaves right after his daily intelligence brief and senior staff meeting.
Iran Setback
WWR has mentioned previously that U.S. efforts to get tough sanctions against Iran appear to be going nowhere - and that Tehran, in fact, has successfully called America's bluff over its nuclear program. The Wall Street Journal reports this morning that the administration is watering down its efforts to put the screws to Tehran, in hopes of winning support from Russia and China.
Just Tuesday, Secretary of State Clinton said the U.S. wanted "biting" sanctions that would hurt Tehran. But the Journal says the White House is scrapping efforts to choke off Tehran's access to international banking services and capital markets, and closing international airspace and waters to Iran's national air cargo and shipping lines.
The U.S. worries Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons and is determined to prevent this. Iran says its nuclear activities are peaceful.
Arms Control Deal
But it looks like Obama will have one foreign policy success to crow about. The President and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, are set to announce an agreement on a new START treaty that would slash each country's arsenal of strategic nuclear weapons. Expect an official announcement shortly. The treaty, which of course requires Senate approval, would be signed by both leaders next month in Prague, the Czech capital.
The Schedule
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
CDT
1:00PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on health care reform
University of Iowa Field House, Iowa City
Briefing Schedule
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs will gaggle aboard Air Force One
*****
On This Day...in 1933, President Herbert Hoover accepts the newly commissioned USS Sequoia as the official presidential yacht. For 44 years, the Sequoia served as an occasional venue for recreation and official gatherings for eight U.S. presidents. - courtesy of History.com
Presidential Quote
"The revenue of the country, levied almost insensibly to the taxpayer, goes on from year to year, increasing beyond either the interests or the prospective wants of the Government." - Franklin Pierce
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
President's Schedule: Wednesday, March 24
Good morning from the White House press room...
After yesterday's historic signing of the health care bill - a "big (expletive)-ing deal" as Vice-President Biden was overheard saying - it'll be a much quieter day at the White House. The President has no publicly-scheduled events on his agenda. He'll sign an executive order this afternoon limiting the use of federal funds for abortion. This was, of course, the deal he made with Michigan Congressman Bart Stupak to secure the winning votes for the health care bill.
Meantime, the first polls are in on passage of the health care bill. USA Today says 49% of Americans say passage of the landmark bill is a "good thing," while 40% say it's a "bad thing." Republicans, who failed to stop the bill in Congress, are now rolling out Plan B: an effort to "recall and repeal" the bill through legal challenges at the state level.
Obama also meets with Senators John Kerry (D-Ma.) and Richard Lugar (R-In.) this morning on START talks (reduction of strategic nuclear arms) with Russia; a recent START pact with the Kremlin expired in December and both Washington and Moscow have indicated that agreement on a new pact is near. Kerry and Lugar would help win Senate approval of the treaty.
The president also will sit down with Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Ct.), Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, and Congressman Barney Frank (D-Ma.), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, in the Oval Office to discuss financial reform.
Strained Ties
On the foreign policy front, yesterday's health care hoopla overshadowed a low-key West Wing visit by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. A 3 1/2 hour meeting came and went with no comment from either side. No media coverage, not even the usual pool photo of the leaders chatting in the Oval Office. This is no accident: Netanyahu's last visit here, in July, was also kept as low key as possible.
Netanyahu - descrbed last night as looking somber - has been blasted by U.S. officials over plans to construct housing in East Jerusalem. White House efforts to stop it show the limits of American power over its closest Mideast ally, casting an ever-darkening shadow over efforts to forge a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. The United States sees such a deal as crucial to a broader regional effort to sway Arab/Muslim opinion, tamp down terrorism and bolster America's national security. But Netanyahu bluntly rejected U.S. demands to end the housing project.
Unspoken, at least publicly, during the Netanyahu visit is what to do about Iran. Israel sees Iran as a mortal threat - Iranian leaders have taunted that Israel should be wiped from the map - and has made no secret about contingency plans for a possible strike against Iranian nuclear facilities. The U.S. dilemma is a difficult one. Washington also says Iran will not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. But it desperately wants to avoid military action against Tehran. At the same time, its preferred tactic - ratcheting up economic sanctions against Iran - seems to be going nowhere. The Chinese aren't on board and say they won't be, and recent comments from the Kremlin indicate that the Russians are skeptical of American efforts as well. Diplomatic spats between Washington and Moscow over anti-missile sites in Europe, and between Washington and Beijing over the Dalai Lama, arms sales to Taiwan, and trade and currency matters aren't exactly inducements for China and Russia - which hold veto power in the U.N. Security Council - to help the Americans.
*****
The Schedule
EDT
9:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Kerry and Senator Lugar
Situation Room
9:35AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:15AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Dodd and Representative Frank to discuss financial reform
Oval Office
2:30PM THE PRESIDENT signs an executive order reaffirming the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s consistency with longstanding restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortion
Oval Office
Briefing Schedule
12:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
Presidential Quote
"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have."
- Thomas Jefferson
After yesterday's historic signing of the health care bill - a "big (expletive)-ing deal" as Vice-President Biden was overheard saying - it'll be a much quieter day at the White House. The President has no publicly-scheduled events on his agenda. He'll sign an executive order this afternoon limiting the use of federal funds for abortion. This was, of course, the deal he made with Michigan Congressman Bart Stupak to secure the winning votes for the health care bill.
Meantime, the first polls are in on passage of the health care bill. USA Today says 49% of Americans say passage of the landmark bill is a "good thing," while 40% say it's a "bad thing." Republicans, who failed to stop the bill in Congress, are now rolling out Plan B: an effort to "recall and repeal" the bill through legal challenges at the state level.
Obama also meets with Senators John Kerry (D-Ma.) and Richard Lugar (R-In.) this morning on START talks (reduction of strategic nuclear arms) with Russia; a recent START pact with the Kremlin expired in December and both Washington and Moscow have indicated that agreement on a new pact is near. Kerry and Lugar would help win Senate approval of the treaty.
The president also will sit down with Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Ct.), Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, and Congressman Barney Frank (D-Ma.), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, in the Oval Office to discuss financial reform.
Strained Ties
On the foreign policy front, yesterday's health care hoopla overshadowed a low-key West Wing visit by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. A 3 1/2 hour meeting came and went with no comment from either side. No media coverage, not even the usual pool photo of the leaders chatting in the Oval Office. This is no accident: Netanyahu's last visit here, in July, was also kept as low key as possible.
Netanyahu - descrbed last night as looking somber - has been blasted by U.S. officials over plans to construct housing in East Jerusalem. White House efforts to stop it show the limits of American power over its closest Mideast ally, casting an ever-darkening shadow over efforts to forge a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. The United States sees such a deal as crucial to a broader regional effort to sway Arab/Muslim opinion, tamp down terrorism and bolster America's national security. But Netanyahu bluntly rejected U.S. demands to end the housing project.
Unspoken, at least publicly, during the Netanyahu visit is what to do about Iran. Israel sees Iran as a mortal threat - Iranian leaders have taunted that Israel should be wiped from the map - and has made no secret about contingency plans for a possible strike against Iranian nuclear facilities. The U.S. dilemma is a difficult one. Washington also says Iran will not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. But it desperately wants to avoid military action against Tehran. At the same time, its preferred tactic - ratcheting up economic sanctions against Iran - seems to be going nowhere. The Chinese aren't on board and say they won't be, and recent comments from the Kremlin indicate that the Russians are skeptical of American efforts as well. Diplomatic spats between Washington and Moscow over anti-missile sites in Europe, and between Washington and Beijing over the Dalai Lama, arms sales to Taiwan, and trade and currency matters aren't exactly inducements for China and Russia - which hold veto power in the U.N. Security Council - to help the Americans.
*****
The Schedule
EDT
9:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Kerry and Senator Lugar
Situation Room
9:35AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:15AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Dodd and Representative Frank to discuss financial reform
Oval Office
2:30PM THE PRESIDENT signs an executive order reaffirming the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s consistency with longstanding restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortion
Oval Office
Briefing Schedule
12:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
Presidential Quote
"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have."
- Thomas Jefferson
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
President's Schedule: Tuesday, March 23
Good morning from the White House press room...
"People with low or moderate incomes do not get the same medical attention as those with high incomes," the President said. "The poor have more sickness, but they get less medical care. People who live in rural areas do not get the same amount or quality of medical attention as those who live in our cities."
It was true when these words were spoken - by President Harry Truman on Nov. 19, 1945 - and they are true this morning. But this is about to change. At 11:15, President Obama will sign the Health Insurance Reform bill, perhaps the most significant piece of domestic legislation in half a century. It is certainly the biggest transformation of the American health care system in decades.
Such a momentous piece of legislation can only be signed in one place: the grand confines of the majestic East Room, site of some of the most momentous events in American history. After the 11:15 signing, the President heads to the Dept. of the Interior, where he'll thank members of Congress and other guests who helped get the bill passed.
At 3:00, Obama will meet Senators Lugar and Kerry in the Oval Office. The subject: ongoing START talks (strategic nuclear arms reduction talks) with Russia. A prior agreement expired in December, and Washington and Moscow are said to be nearing agreement on a new pact to reduce the number of nuclear warheads.
Obama's last appointment of the day will be at 5:30: a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. It may be contentious. The U.S. is unhappy with ongoing Israeli plans to expand housing in disputed areas of Jerusalem, so there will not be the usual "pool spray" by the White House press. Another topic is also on the table: Iran.
*****
The Schedule
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
11:15AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks and signs the health insurance reform bill
East Room
12:05PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on the health insurance reform bill
Department of Interior
3:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Kerry and Senator Lugar
Oval Office
5:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel
Oval Office
*****
Presidential Quote
"What kind of nation we will be, what kind of world we will live in, whether we shape the future in the image of our hopes, is ours to determine by our actions and our choices." - Richard Nixon
"People with low or moderate incomes do not get the same medical attention as those with high incomes," the President said. "The poor have more sickness, but they get less medical care. People who live in rural areas do not get the same amount or quality of medical attention as those who live in our cities."
It was true when these words were spoken - by President Harry Truman on Nov. 19, 1945 - and they are true this morning. But this is about to change. At 11:15, President Obama will sign the Health Insurance Reform bill, perhaps the most significant piece of domestic legislation in half a century. It is certainly the biggest transformation of the American health care system in decades.
Such a momentous piece of legislation can only be signed in one place: the grand confines of the majestic East Room, site of some of the most momentous events in American history. After the 11:15 signing, the President heads to the Dept. of the Interior, where he'll thank members of Congress and other guests who helped get the bill passed.
At 3:00, Obama will meet Senators Lugar and Kerry in the Oval Office. The subject: ongoing START talks (strategic nuclear arms reduction talks) with Russia. A prior agreement expired in December, and Washington and Moscow are said to be nearing agreement on a new pact to reduce the number of nuclear warheads.
Obama's last appointment of the day will be at 5:30: a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. It may be contentious. The U.S. is unhappy with ongoing Israeli plans to expand housing in disputed areas of Jerusalem, so there will not be the usual "pool spray" by the White House press. Another topic is also on the table: Iran.
*****
The Schedule
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
11:15AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks and signs the health insurance reform bill
East Room
12:05PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on the health insurance reform bill
Department of Interior
3:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Kerry and Senator Lugar
Oval Office
5:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel
Oval Office
*****
Presidential Quote
"What kind of nation we will be, what kind of world we will live in, whether we shape the future in the image of our hopes, is ours to determine by our actions and our choices." - Richard Nixon
Monday, March 22, 2010
President's Schedule: Monday, March 22
Good morning from the White House press room...
It is difficult to overstate the significance of last night's dramatic health care showdown in the House of Representatives. Capping a year of debate, divisiveness, anger and confrontation, the 219-212 vote lays the foundation for what would be the biggest transformation of the American health care system in decades. It is also likely to be the one achievement that, for better or worse, ultimately defines the legacy of the Obama administration.
"We proved that we are a people capable of doing big things," the President said in a late-night appearance in the White House East Room. "This legislation will not fix everything that ails our health care system, but it moves us decisively in the right direction."
Mr. Obama added: "This is what change looks like."
Not yet. Tuesday, the Senate takes up revisions to the legislation approved by the House. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he has enough votes to keep the Republicans from derailing the Democratic train - though Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to do just that, with what Obama last night called "another siege of parliamentary maneuvering."
As Senate Republicans review the reconciliation bill, one - New Hampshire's Judd Gregg - has identified at least one provision that he thinks could bring the entire bill crashing down. Gregg, who sits on the Budget Committee, thinks that a new tax on high-cost insurance policies would violate reconciliation rules by impacting the Social Security trust fund.
But Reid says Democrats will be able to keep the train moving along. Assuming this is so, the Senate will approve the House revisions - setting the stage for a historic bill signing by Mr. Obama this week. Look for this to happen not in the Rose Garden, but in the far grander confines of the East Room, where historic legislation is often signed, such as Lyndon Johnson's Civil Rights Act of 1964.
And what IS that change anyway? This is what the bill intends to do, courtesy of the unbiased fact-checkers at Politifact.com, which has checked hundreds of claims about health care reform and selected 10 facts that you should know:
1. "The plan is not a government takeover of health care like in Canada or Britain."
2. "Insurance companies will be regulated more heavily. They will be told the minimum services they must cover, including preventive care. They will have to pay out a certain percentage of premiums for patient care. By 2014, when the exchanges open, insurers won't be able to deny customers for pre-existing conditions."
3. "Everyone will have to have health insurance or pay a fine, a requirement known as the individual mandate."
4. "Employers will not be required to buy insurance for their employees, but large employers may be subject to fines if they don't provide insurance."
5. "The vast majority of people will not see significant declines in premiums."
6. "The plan might or might not bend the curve on health spending."
7. "The government-run Medicare program will keep paying medical bills for seniors, but it will begin implementing cost controls on health care providers, mostly through penalties and incentives."
8. "Medicaid, a joint federal-state program for the poor, will cover all of the poor, instead of just a few groups the way it currently does."
9. "The government won't pay for elective abortions."
10. "No one is proposing new benefits for illegal immigrants."
There are more details for each of these ten points. Go to Politifact.com for more. It's in their "Truth-O-Meter" section. Leave yous bias, pro or con, at the door.
*****
As for the President's schedule today, it is light, with just one item - an 11:30 session with his senior advisors - on the schedule. Obama was supposed to have been in Asia this week, so the West Wing schedulers are filling in the calendar. There is talk the president will meet Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
EDT
10:00AM Pool Call Time
11:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Briefing Schedule
12:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
On This Day
1933: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Beer and Wine Revenue Act, which levied a federal tax on alcohol to raise money for the federal government.
Presidential Quote
"A president's hardest task is not to do what is right, but to know what is right."
- Lyndon B. Johnson
It is difficult to overstate the significance of last night's dramatic health care showdown in the House of Representatives. Capping a year of debate, divisiveness, anger and confrontation, the 219-212 vote lays the foundation for what would be the biggest transformation of the American health care system in decades. It is also likely to be the one achievement that, for better or worse, ultimately defines the legacy of the Obama administration.
"We proved that we are a people capable of doing big things," the President said in a late-night appearance in the White House East Room. "This legislation will not fix everything that ails our health care system, but it moves us decisively in the right direction."
Mr. Obama added: "This is what change looks like."
Not yet. Tuesday, the Senate takes up revisions to the legislation approved by the House. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he has enough votes to keep the Republicans from derailing the Democratic train - though Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to do just that, with what Obama last night called "another siege of parliamentary maneuvering."
As Senate Republicans review the reconciliation bill, one - New Hampshire's Judd Gregg - has identified at least one provision that he thinks could bring the entire bill crashing down. Gregg, who sits on the Budget Committee, thinks that a new tax on high-cost insurance policies would violate reconciliation rules by impacting the Social Security trust fund.
But Reid says Democrats will be able to keep the train moving along. Assuming this is so, the Senate will approve the House revisions - setting the stage for a historic bill signing by Mr. Obama this week. Look for this to happen not in the Rose Garden, but in the far grander confines of the East Room, where historic legislation is often signed, such as Lyndon Johnson's Civil Rights Act of 1964.
And what IS that change anyway? This is what the bill intends to do, courtesy of the unbiased fact-checkers at Politifact.com, which has checked hundreds of claims about health care reform and selected 10 facts that you should know:
1. "The plan is not a government takeover of health care like in Canada or Britain."
2. "Insurance companies will be regulated more heavily. They will be told the minimum services they must cover, including preventive care. They will have to pay out a certain percentage of premiums for patient care. By 2014, when the exchanges open, insurers won't be able to deny customers for pre-existing conditions."
3. "Everyone will have to have health insurance or pay a fine, a requirement known as the individual mandate."
4. "Employers will not be required to buy insurance for their employees, but large employers may be subject to fines if they don't provide insurance."
5. "The vast majority of people will not see significant declines in premiums."
6. "The plan might or might not bend the curve on health spending."
7. "The government-run Medicare program will keep paying medical bills for seniors, but it will begin implementing cost controls on health care providers, mostly through penalties and incentives."
8. "Medicaid, a joint federal-state program for the poor, will cover all of the poor, instead of just a few groups the way it currently does."
9. "The government won't pay for elective abortions."
10. "No one is proposing new benefits for illegal immigrants."
There are more details for each of these ten points. Go to Politifact.com for more. It's in their "Truth-O-Meter" section. Leave yous bias, pro or con, at the door.
*****
As for the President's schedule today, it is light, with just one item - an 11:30 session with his senior advisors - on the schedule. Obama was supposed to have been in Asia this week, so the West Wing schedulers are filling in the calendar. There is talk the president will meet Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
EDT
10:00AM Pool Call Time
11:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Briefing Schedule
12:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
On This Day
1933: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Beer and Wine Revenue Act, which levied a federal tax on alcohol to raise money for the federal government.
Presidential Quote
"A president's hardest task is not to do what is right, but to know what is right."
- Lyndon B. Johnson
Friday, March 19, 2010
President's Schedule: Friday, March 19
Good morning from the West Wing press room...
As WWR tweeted last night: Beware the pundits. The narrative of many of them, through yesterday, was "Obama's on the ropes." The President, after all, was forced to cancel an important trip to Indonesia and Australia because he lacked the votes for his $940 billion health-care plan. And his poll numbers continue to sink. Yesterday, Gallup said Obama's approval rating hit the lowest point of his presidency, 46%, with 48% disapproving.
But look for this narrative to change, perhaps as early as Sunday, driven by what is now becoming apparent: that the President will, in fact, get the magic 216 votes he needs. So the "Obama on the ropes" theme will morph, for some, into "The President stuck to his guns and got the job done." This is how it's looking as the sun comes up this Friday morning.
In fact, the discussion appears to have shifted from "Will Obama and Pelosi get the votes" to "Which Democrats will be allowed to vote no?" There are many Dems on thin ice this November. But the ice is thinner for some than others, and they will be allowed to vote against the health-care plan.
The President this morning will make one more final pitch for his plan, an 11:35 rally at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. It will be his 54th major health-care event since taking office and you won't hear anything new. Today's event is designed to show that Obama is fighting to the very end - this plays into the coming change of narrative that WWR predicts will soon occur.
Deal on Guantanamo Near
Obama failed to deliver on another major campaign pledge, to close the Guantanamo Bay prison within a year. But within a year-and-a-half? That seems doable. The administration and a bipartisan group of Senators are close to a deal that would shut the prison and put more detainees on trial before a military commission.
The military commission route is a reversal of stated administration policy. Originally, the White House intended to try 9/11 plotter Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other suspects in a civilian court.
Of course, the Gitmo naval base itself stays open. The U.S. has been there since 1903 and with an annual rent of around $4,085, the price is right. WWR highly recommends a visit. The bachelor officer's quarters on leeward is the place to stay - but look out for the big iguanas in the road.
The President's Schedule
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
11:35AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on health insurance reform
George Mason University’s Patriot Center
1:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
*****
On This Day
2003: The war in Iraq began. The U.S. and its allies - primarily the British - invaded, promising to bring down the government of Saddam Hussein, who was suspected of building weapons of mass destruction. No WMD were ever found, and after 7 years, more than a trillion dollars and (as of today) 4,385 American lives, the United States is pulling out. Saddam is long gone and a new Iraqi government is emerging from the rubble. When Bush said "Mission Accomplished" on May 1, 2003, that clearly wasn't so - but Iraq, which WWR has visited, is now increasingly stable, has held a series of highly successful elections and holds much promise for the future.
Presidential Quote
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." - John Quincy Adams
As WWR tweeted last night: Beware the pundits. The narrative of many of them, through yesterday, was "Obama's on the ropes." The President, after all, was forced to cancel an important trip to Indonesia and Australia because he lacked the votes for his $940 billion health-care plan. And his poll numbers continue to sink. Yesterday, Gallup said Obama's approval rating hit the lowest point of his presidency, 46%, with 48% disapproving.
But look for this narrative to change, perhaps as early as Sunday, driven by what is now becoming apparent: that the President will, in fact, get the magic 216 votes he needs. So the "Obama on the ropes" theme will morph, for some, into "The President stuck to his guns and got the job done." This is how it's looking as the sun comes up this Friday morning.
In fact, the discussion appears to have shifted from "Will Obama and Pelosi get the votes" to "Which Democrats will be allowed to vote no?" There are many Dems on thin ice this November. But the ice is thinner for some than others, and they will be allowed to vote against the health-care plan.
The President this morning will make one more final pitch for his plan, an 11:35 rally at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. It will be his 54th major health-care event since taking office and you won't hear anything new. Today's event is designed to show that Obama is fighting to the very end - this plays into the coming change of narrative that WWR predicts will soon occur.
Deal on Guantanamo Near
Obama failed to deliver on another major campaign pledge, to close the Guantanamo Bay prison within a year. But within a year-and-a-half? That seems doable. The administration and a bipartisan group of Senators are close to a deal that would shut the prison and put more detainees on trial before a military commission.
The military commission route is a reversal of stated administration policy. Originally, the White House intended to try 9/11 plotter Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other suspects in a civilian court.
Of course, the Gitmo naval base itself stays open. The U.S. has been there since 1903 and with an annual rent of around $4,085, the price is right. WWR highly recommends a visit. The bachelor officer's quarters on leeward is the place to stay - but look out for the big iguanas in the road.
The President's Schedule
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
11:35AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on health insurance reform
George Mason University’s Patriot Center
1:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
*****
On This Day
2003: The war in Iraq began. The U.S. and its allies - primarily the British - invaded, promising to bring down the government of Saddam Hussein, who was suspected of building weapons of mass destruction. No WMD were ever found, and after 7 years, more than a trillion dollars and (as of today) 4,385 American lives, the United States is pulling out. Saddam is long gone and a new Iraqi government is emerging from the rubble. When Bush said "Mission Accomplished" on May 1, 2003, that clearly wasn't so - but Iraq, which WWR has visited, is now increasingly stable, has held a series of highly successful elections and holds much promise for the future.
Presidential Quote
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." - John Quincy Adams
Thursday, March 18, 2010
President's Schedule: Thursday, March 18
Good morning from the West Wing...
The President still lacks the 216 House votes he needs to get a health-care bill, but he is getting closer. Wednesday, two key Democrats moved into the Obama column: Ohio's Dennis Kucinich, who had previously opposed the bill, and Dale E. Kildee of Michigan, who had been among a group seeking more restrictions on insurance-covered abortions. But analysts say the White House still appears to be about 10 votes short of that magic 216.
What happens next? Everyone is waiting for the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office to come out with its estimate of the bill's price tag. House Democratic leaders have said that when the estimate comes out - maybe today - lawmakers will be given 72 hours to review the legislation before voting. This suggests a final vote could take place on Sunday. If the House approves the President's bill, the Senate could then pass a reconciliation bill next week.
Mr. Obama is still scheduled to leave for Asia on Sunday. His departure was supposed to have been today, but was delayed to give him more time to work on health-care.
The Schedule
The President has one public event on his schedule today: he'll sign the HIRE Act in a Rose Garden ceremony. HIRE is a bill designed to spur job growth and strengthen the private sector by encouraging businesses to hire new workers and invest in their companies and communities.
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
11:20AM THE PRESIDENT signs the HIRE Act
Rose Garden
1:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Briefing Schedule
Sunny and 70, that's the forecast. So Robert Gibbs will hold today's press briefing (at 12:30) in the Rose Garden. It's the first time a regular briefing has been held there in years. Not that there are any roses there this time of year. WWR will bring the frisbee.
Stand Up Joe
If this politics stuff doesn't work out, Vice-President Biden may have a career as a nightclub comic. He brought down the house - not that house - at last night's Radio-TV Correspondents Dinner at the Washington Convention Center. A sampling:
..."trying to negotiate a lasting make peace between the Palestinians and Israel is tough. But it's a hell of a break from health-care."
..."The Republicans are wrong when they say the stimulus hasn't created one job. Well, tell that to Scott Brown."
..."The health care bill's (too long)...just ask Sarah (Palin). That's a hell of a lot to write on the palm of your hand."
..."Liz Cheney has been on a tear. Now she's questioning whether Tom Brady's a real patriot."
But Biden, in case you haven't heard, had no gift of gab at a prior event - a St. Patrick's Day reception at the White House where the guest of honor was Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen. Paying tribute to the Prime Minister's Mother, Biden said "God rest her soul." Just one problem: Mr. Cowen's mother is very much alive. The Vice-President quickly realized his error, noting that it was Mr Cowen's father who had recently died. Biden then corrected himself, saying "God bless her soul" in reference to Mr Cowen's mother.
On This Day
1837: Grover Cleveland was born. He is the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms. He was the 22nd president from 1885 to 1889 and the 24th president from 1893 to 1897.
Presidential Quote
"National honor is a national property of the highest value." - James Monroe
The President still lacks the 216 House votes he needs to get a health-care bill, but he is getting closer. Wednesday, two key Democrats moved into the Obama column: Ohio's Dennis Kucinich, who had previously opposed the bill, and Dale E. Kildee of Michigan, who had been among a group seeking more restrictions on insurance-covered abortions. But analysts say the White House still appears to be about 10 votes short of that magic 216.
What happens next? Everyone is waiting for the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office to come out with its estimate of the bill's price tag. House Democratic leaders have said that when the estimate comes out - maybe today - lawmakers will be given 72 hours to review the legislation before voting. This suggests a final vote could take place on Sunday. If the House approves the President's bill, the Senate could then pass a reconciliation bill next week.
Mr. Obama is still scheduled to leave for Asia on Sunday. His departure was supposed to have been today, but was delayed to give him more time to work on health-care.
The Schedule
The President has one public event on his schedule today: he'll sign the HIRE Act in a Rose Garden ceremony. HIRE is a bill designed to spur job growth and strengthen the private sector by encouraging businesses to hire new workers and invest in their companies and communities.
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
11:20AM THE PRESIDENT signs the HIRE Act
Rose Garden
1:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Briefing Schedule
Sunny and 70, that's the forecast. So Robert Gibbs will hold today's press briefing (at 12:30) in the Rose Garden. It's the first time a regular briefing has been held there in years. Not that there are any roses there this time of year. WWR will bring the frisbee.
Stand Up Joe
If this politics stuff doesn't work out, Vice-President Biden may have a career as a nightclub comic. He brought down the house - not that house - at last night's Radio-TV Correspondents Dinner at the Washington Convention Center. A sampling:
..."trying to negotiate a lasting make peace between the Palestinians and Israel is tough. But it's a hell of a break from health-care."
..."The Republicans are wrong when they say the stimulus hasn't created one job. Well, tell that to Scott Brown."
..."The health care bill's (too long)...just ask Sarah (Palin). That's a hell of a lot to write on the palm of your hand."
..."Liz Cheney has been on a tear. Now she's questioning whether Tom Brady's a real patriot."
But Biden, in case you haven't heard, had no gift of gab at a prior event - a St. Patrick's Day reception at the White House where the guest of honor was Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen. Paying tribute to the Prime Minister's Mother, Biden said "God rest her soul." Just one problem: Mr. Cowen's mother is very much alive. The Vice-President quickly realized his error, noting that it was Mr Cowen's father who had recently died. Biden then corrected himself, saying "God bless her soul" in reference to Mr Cowen's mother.
On This Day
1837: Grover Cleveland was born. He is the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms. He was the 22nd president from 1885 to 1889 and the 24th president from 1893 to 1897.
Presidential Quote
"National honor is a national property of the highest value." - James Monroe
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
President's Schedule: Wednesday, March 17
Good morning from the White House press room...
With what could be a final showdown on the President's health-care plan just days away, the White House is still fighting an uphill battle. The latest pothole: Some Democrats are now complaining about an overhaul of the student-loan program, which party leaders plan to include in a companion bill.
Meantime, a fresh NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows Obama's massive communications blitz on health-care failing to gain traction. In October, 45% of Americans supported the president on health-care, with 39% opposed. Today, 46% support, but 45% oppose. And when asked if overhauling health-care is a "good idea" or a "bad idea," the gap is even wider: 48% call it a "bad idea," and 36% a "good idea."
The same poll, by the way, says Congress' approval rating is near an all-time low. Just 17% of Americans approve of the way lawmakers are doing their job, while 77% disapprove. Looking ahead to November, 45% prefer a Democratic-controlled Congress, 42% Republican (but different Democrats and Republicans, of course). WWR predicts most incumbents will be re-elected as usual, anyway.
The Schedule
It's the wearin' o' the green at the White House on this Saint Patrick's Day. After the usual intelligence and economic briefings, the President meets with the Taoiseach (or Prime Minister) of Ireland Brian Cowen. After that it's off to Capitol Hill for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Friends of Ireland Luncheon at the Capitol - and, maybe just a wee bit of lobbying for healthcare.
In the evening, the President and the First Lady will host the Prime Minister and Mrs. Cowen at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Reception held in the East Room. There'll be the usual Shamrock Ceremony and entertainment. This year it comes via the Keltic Dreams, an after school Irish dancing troupe from Public School 59 in the Bronx; the City of Washington Pipe Band will also perform.
And look for the fountain on the North Lawn to turn green, like it did last year.
At 5:15PM, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius hosts a live video chat on the health-care reform through Ustream, the White House’s first major engagement on the platform, with questions taken in advance from Yahoo! News and live through Ustream’s social stream chat feature. The chat will happen at http://www.ustream.tv/whitehouse.
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:45AM THE PRESIDENT meets with the Taoiseach of Ireland Brian Cowen
Oval Office
12:35PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at Speaker Pelosi’s Friends of Ireland Luncheon
The Capitol
7:25PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY host St. Patrick’s Day reception
East Room
*****
On This Day
1972: In order to achieve school desegregation, President Nixon asked Congress to halt student busing.
Presidential Quote
"I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessing on this house (the White House) and on all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof!" - John Adams
What's YOUR Question for the President?
Send to: Westwingrpt@gmail.com. It COULD be asked at the next White House news conference!
With what could be a final showdown on the President's health-care plan just days away, the White House is still fighting an uphill battle. The latest pothole: Some Democrats are now complaining about an overhaul of the student-loan program, which party leaders plan to include in a companion bill.
Meantime, a fresh NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows Obama's massive communications blitz on health-care failing to gain traction. In October, 45% of Americans supported the president on health-care, with 39% opposed. Today, 46% support, but 45% oppose. And when asked if overhauling health-care is a "good idea" or a "bad idea," the gap is even wider: 48% call it a "bad idea," and 36% a "good idea."
The same poll, by the way, says Congress' approval rating is near an all-time low. Just 17% of Americans approve of the way lawmakers are doing their job, while 77% disapprove. Looking ahead to November, 45% prefer a Democratic-controlled Congress, 42% Republican (but different Democrats and Republicans, of course). WWR predicts most incumbents will be re-elected as usual, anyway.
The Schedule
It's the wearin' o' the green at the White House on this Saint Patrick's Day. After the usual intelligence and economic briefings, the President meets with the Taoiseach (or Prime Minister) of Ireland Brian Cowen. After that it's off to Capitol Hill for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Friends of Ireland Luncheon at the Capitol - and, maybe just a wee bit of lobbying for healthcare.
In the evening, the President and the First Lady will host the Prime Minister and Mrs. Cowen at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Reception held in the East Room. There'll be the usual Shamrock Ceremony and entertainment. This year it comes via the Keltic Dreams, an after school Irish dancing troupe from Public School 59 in the Bronx; the City of Washington Pipe Band will also perform.
And look for the fountain on the North Lawn to turn green, like it did last year.
At 5:15PM, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius hosts a live video chat on the health-care reform through Ustream, the White House’s first major engagement on the platform, with questions taken in advance from Yahoo! News and live through Ustream’s social stream chat feature. The chat will happen at http://www.ustream.tv/whitehouse.
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:45AM THE PRESIDENT meets with the Taoiseach of Ireland Brian Cowen
Oval Office
12:35PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at Speaker Pelosi’s Friends of Ireland Luncheon
The Capitol
7:25PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY host St. Patrick’s Day reception
East Room
*****
On This Day
1972: In order to achieve school desegregation, President Nixon asked Congress to halt student busing.
Presidential Quote
"I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessing on this house (the White House) and on all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof!" - John Adams
What's YOUR Question for the President?
Send to: Westwingrpt@gmail.com. It COULD be asked at the next White House news conference!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
President's Schedule: Tuesday, March 16
Good morning from the White House press room...
A few weeks ago, President Obama was asked what he would do if a healthcare vote didn't go his way. His reply: "I always have a Plan B." But he gave no details.
Now we know. Plan B would be a non-vote vote.
Huh?
The non-vote vote would involve a procedural manuever that would allow House members to vote on fixes to the Senate healthcare bill; Speaker Nancy Pelosi could then declare that lawmakers "deem" the healthcare bill to be passed.
If you're not a master of House procedures, this tactic - known as a "self-executing rule" or a "deem and pass" - is used quite often, though never for something as big as an $875 billion healthcare bill. Speaker Pelosi says there is an added benefit as well: the "self-executing" rule could politically shield lawmakers from having to support the full-blown healthcare bill publicly in an election year.
"I like it," Pelosi said during a chat with bloggers yesterday. "Because people don't have to vote on the Senate bill."
There's no question that such a tactic wouldn't even be floated by the House Speaker if she and the President had the House votes they need. In Ohio yesterday, where he gave his 53rd major healthcare speech of his presidency, Obama told ABC's Jake Tapper he would have the votes, and the White House is openly predicting that a healthcare bill will be a done deal by this weekend.
*****
The President's Schedule
As the healthcare drama rolls on, the President will be out of sight today, with no public events on his schedule.
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
12:00PM THE PRESIDENT and DNC Chairman Kaine have lunch
Private Dining Room
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
Briefing Schedule
1:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
On This Day
1751: James Madison was born. He served as the fourth President, serving between 1809-17. Madison is also regarded as the "Father of the Constitution." As a member of the first Continental Congress in 1779, he and helped pass the Articles of Confederation. Then, with the help of Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, he then published the "The Federalist Papers," a series of articles that successfully argued for ratification of the Constitution in 1787. Although installments of "The Federalist Papers" were published under the pseudonym "Publius," it is estimated that Madison wrote at least half of the articles.
- thanks to the History Channel.com
Presidential Quote
"The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted." - James Madison.
What's YOUR Question for the President?
Send to: Westwingrpt@gmail.com. It COULD be asked at the next White House news conference!
A few weeks ago, President Obama was asked what he would do if a healthcare vote didn't go his way. His reply: "I always have a Plan B." But he gave no details.
Now we know. Plan B would be a non-vote vote.
Huh?
The non-vote vote would involve a procedural manuever that would allow House members to vote on fixes to the Senate healthcare bill; Speaker Nancy Pelosi could then declare that lawmakers "deem" the healthcare bill to be passed.
If you're not a master of House procedures, this tactic - known as a "self-executing rule" or a "deem and pass" - is used quite often, though never for something as big as an $875 billion healthcare bill. Speaker Pelosi says there is an added benefit as well: the "self-executing" rule could politically shield lawmakers from having to support the full-blown healthcare bill publicly in an election year.
"I like it," Pelosi said during a chat with bloggers yesterday. "Because people don't have to vote on the Senate bill."
There's no question that such a tactic wouldn't even be floated by the House Speaker if she and the President had the House votes they need. In Ohio yesterday, where he gave his 53rd major healthcare speech of his presidency, Obama told ABC's Jake Tapper he would have the votes, and the White House is openly predicting that a healthcare bill will be a done deal by this weekend.
*****
The President's Schedule
As the healthcare drama rolls on, the President will be out of sight today, with no public events on his schedule.
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
12:00PM THE PRESIDENT and DNC Chairman Kaine have lunch
Private Dining Room
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
Briefing Schedule
1:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
On This Day
1751: James Madison was born. He served as the fourth President, serving between 1809-17. Madison is also regarded as the "Father of the Constitution." As a member of the first Continental Congress in 1779, he and helped pass the Articles of Confederation. Then, with the help of Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, he then published the "The Federalist Papers," a series of articles that successfully argued for ratification of the Constitution in 1787. Although installments of "The Federalist Papers" were published under the pseudonym "Publius," it is estimated that Madison wrote at least half of the articles.
- thanks to the History Channel.com
Presidential Quote
"The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted." - James Madison.
What's YOUR Question for the President?
Send to: Westwingrpt@gmail.com. It COULD be asked at the next White House news conference!
Monday, March 15, 2010
President's Schedule: Monday, March 15
Good morning from the White House press room...After more than a year, 52 major speeches by President Obama, a battle royal with Congressional Republicans, angry town halls, the public option, doughnut hole, doc fix, insurers, doctors, big pharma, premiums, deductibles, co-pays and - well, you get the picture - the battle over health care reform will apparently climax this week. The White House predicts the House will pass the Senate version of health care by this time next week and that the President will sign into law a bill that has eluded his predecessors for more than half a century.
"I think we will have the votes," White House advisor David Axelrod said yesterday on CNN.
"Guess what?" asks House Minority Leader John Boehner. "They don't have the votes."
We'll find out as early as Friday; that's when the House could vote. There are 253 Democrats in the House; 216 votes are needed for passage. But some Dems are critical of abortion provisions (saying the bill isn't restrictive enough), immigration (the bill doesn't let illegals buy coverage on newly created insurance exchanges), and the bill's overall cost.
To paraphrase Bette Davis: Buckle your seat belts...
Meantime, the President makes what looks to be his final public pitch for health care today, when he travels to Strongsville, Ohio for his 53rd major speech on this issue.
The Schedule
1:05PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on health care reform
Walter F. Ehrnfelt Recreation and Senior Center
Strongsville, Ohio
4:15PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Latest Presidential Approval Polls
Gallup: 49% Approve, 44% Don't (month ago was 41%-41%)
Rasmussen: 46% Approve, 53% Don't (month ago: 48%-51%)
Associated Press/GfK: 53% Approve, 46% Don't
RealClearPolitics.com average of all polls: 49.1% Approve, 45.8% Don't
On This Day
...from the History Channel.com:
1965: President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed a joint session of Congress to urge the passage of legislation guaranteeing voting rights for all.
Using the phrase "we shall overcome," borrowed from African-American leaders struggling for equal rights, Johnson declared that "every American citizen must have an equal right to vote." Johnson reminded the nation that the Fifteenth Amendment, which was passed after the Civil War, gave all citizens the right to vote regardless of race or color. But states had defied the Constitution and erected barriers. Discrimination had taken the form of literacy, knowledge or character tests administered solely to African-Americans to keep them from registering to vote.
"Their cause must be our cause too," Johnson said. "Because it is not just Negroes, but really it is all of us, who must overcome the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice. And we shall overcome."
On August 6, 1965, Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act, which made it illegal to impose restrictions on federal, state and local elections that were designed to deny the vote to blacks.
Presidential Quote
"Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." - George Washington
"I think we will have the votes," White House advisor David Axelrod said yesterday on CNN.
"Guess what?" asks House Minority Leader John Boehner. "They don't have the votes."
We'll find out as early as Friday; that's when the House could vote. There are 253 Democrats in the House; 216 votes are needed for passage. But some Dems are critical of abortion provisions (saying the bill isn't restrictive enough), immigration (the bill doesn't let illegals buy coverage on newly created insurance exchanges), and the bill's overall cost.
To paraphrase Bette Davis: Buckle your seat belts...
Meantime, the President makes what looks to be his final public pitch for health care today, when he travels to Strongsville, Ohio for his 53rd major speech on this issue.
The Schedule
1:05PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on health care reform
Walter F. Ehrnfelt Recreation and Senior Center
Strongsville, Ohio
4:15PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Latest Presidential Approval Polls
Gallup: 49% Approve, 44% Don't (month ago was 41%-41%)
Rasmussen: 46% Approve, 53% Don't (month ago: 48%-51%)
Associated Press/GfK: 53% Approve, 46% Don't
RealClearPolitics.com average of all polls: 49.1% Approve, 45.8% Don't
On This Day
...from the History Channel.com:
1965: President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed a joint session of Congress to urge the passage of legislation guaranteeing voting rights for all.
Using the phrase "we shall overcome," borrowed from African-American leaders struggling for equal rights, Johnson declared that "every American citizen must have an equal right to vote." Johnson reminded the nation that the Fifteenth Amendment, which was passed after the Civil War, gave all citizens the right to vote regardless of race or color. But states had defied the Constitution and erected barriers. Discrimination had taken the form of literacy, knowledge or character tests administered solely to African-Americans to keep them from registering to vote.
"Their cause must be our cause too," Johnson said. "Because it is not just Negroes, but really it is all of us, who must overcome the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice. And we shall overcome."
On August 6, 1965, Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act, which made it illegal to impose restrictions on federal, state and local elections that were designed to deny the vote to blacks.
Presidential Quote
"Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." - George Washington
Friday, March 12, 2010
President's Schedule: Friday, March 12
Good morning from WWR...the President turns his attention to foreign affairs today. A long meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan will be held in the Situation Room beginning at 11am, and the entire national security and foreign policy leadership will participate - some via a secure video link. Obama last got major updates on "Af-Pak" on Feb. 17th and Jan. 5.
Expected attendees include:
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
Ambassador Susan Rice, Permanent U.S. Representative to the United Nations
Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg
Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (via videoconference)
Karl Eikenberry, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan
Anne Patterson, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan (via videoconference)
Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
General James E. Cartwright, USMC, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
General David Petraeus, U.S. Central Command
General Stanley McChrystal, U.S. Commander in Afghanistan (via videoconference)
Admiral Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence
CIA Director Leon Panetta
General James Jones, National Security Advisor
Tom Donilon, Deputy National Security Advisor
John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security
Lieutenant General Douglas Lute, Special Assistant to the President for Afghanistan and Pakistan
In the afternoon, the President will meet with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in the Old Family Dining Room.
The Schedule
EST
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
11:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with his national security team on
Afghanistan and Pakistan
Situation Room
4:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with the President’s Council of
Advisors on Science and Technology
Old Family Dining Room
Briefing Schedule
1:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
Speaking of Gibbs, the press secretary will wear the hockey jersey today! This is to make good on that Olympic hockey bet with the spokesman for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "It is in the White House," Gibbs said yesterday. The bet stipulated that if the U.S. lost the gold medal game, Gibbs would wear the jersey at an on camera press briefing within two weeks. Those two weeks are up today. WWR can't wait.
On This Day
...from The History Channel:
1933 - President Roosevelt gave his first "fireside chat." Broadcast directly from the White House just eight days after he took office, FDR began the national radio address by saying: "I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about banking." He went on to explain his recent decision to close the nation's banks in order to stop a surge in mass withdrawals by panicked investors worried about possible bank failures. The banks would be reopening the next day, Roosevelt said, and he thanked the public for their "fortitude and good temper" during the "banking holiday."
At the time, the U.S. was at the lowest point of the Great Depression, with between 25 and 33 percent of the work force unemployed. The nation was worried, and Roosevelt's address was designed to ease fears and to inspire confidence in his leadership. Roosevelt went on to deliver 30 more of these broadcasts between March 1933 and June 1944. They reached an astonishing number of American households, 90 percent of which owned a radio at the time.
Journalist Robert Trout coined the phrase "fireside chat" to describe Roosevelt's radio addresses, invoking an image of the president sitting by a fire in a living room, speaking earnestly to the American people about his hopes and dreams for the nation. In fact, Roosevelt took great care to make sure each address was accessible and understandable to ordinary Americans, regardless of their level of education. He used simple vocabulary and relied on folksy anecdotes or analogies to explain the often complex issues facing the country.
Over the course of his historic 12-year presidency, Roosevelt used the chats to build popular support for his groundbreaking New Deal policies, in the face of stiff opposition from big business and other groups. After World War II began, he used them to explain his administration's wartime policies to the American people. The success of Roosevelt's chats was evident not only in his three re-elections, but also in the millions of letters that flooded the White House. Farmers, business owners, men, women, rich, poor--most of them expressed the feeling that the president had entered their home and spoken directly to them. In an era when presidents had previously communicated with their citizens almost exclusively through spokespeople and journalists, it was an unprecedented step.
...courtesy of The History Channel.com
Presidential Quote
"If anyone tells you that America's best days are behind her, they're looking the wrong way." George H.W. Bush
Expected attendees include:
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
Ambassador Susan Rice, Permanent U.S. Representative to the United Nations
Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg
Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (via videoconference)
Karl Eikenberry, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan
Anne Patterson, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan (via videoconference)
Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
General James E. Cartwright, USMC, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
General David Petraeus, U.S. Central Command
General Stanley McChrystal, U.S. Commander in Afghanistan (via videoconference)
Admiral Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence
CIA Director Leon Panetta
General James Jones, National Security Advisor
Tom Donilon, Deputy National Security Advisor
John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security
Lieutenant General Douglas Lute, Special Assistant to the President for Afghanistan and Pakistan
In the afternoon, the President will meet with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in the Old Family Dining Room.
The Schedule
EST
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
11:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with his national security team on
Afghanistan and Pakistan
Situation Room
4:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with the President’s Council of
Advisors on Science and Technology
Old Family Dining Room
Briefing Schedule
1:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
Speaking of Gibbs, the press secretary will wear the hockey jersey today! This is to make good on that Olympic hockey bet with the spokesman for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "It is in the White House," Gibbs said yesterday. The bet stipulated that if the U.S. lost the gold medal game, Gibbs would wear the jersey at an on camera press briefing within two weeks. Those two weeks are up today. WWR can't wait.
On This Day
...from The History Channel:
1933 - President Roosevelt gave his first "fireside chat." Broadcast directly from the White House just eight days after he took office, FDR began the national radio address by saying: "I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about banking." He went on to explain his recent decision to close the nation's banks in order to stop a surge in mass withdrawals by panicked investors worried about possible bank failures. The banks would be reopening the next day, Roosevelt said, and he thanked the public for their "fortitude and good temper" during the "banking holiday."
At the time, the U.S. was at the lowest point of the Great Depression, with between 25 and 33 percent of the work force unemployed. The nation was worried, and Roosevelt's address was designed to ease fears and to inspire confidence in his leadership. Roosevelt went on to deliver 30 more of these broadcasts between March 1933 and June 1944. They reached an astonishing number of American households, 90 percent of which owned a radio at the time.
Journalist Robert Trout coined the phrase "fireside chat" to describe Roosevelt's radio addresses, invoking an image of the president sitting by a fire in a living room, speaking earnestly to the American people about his hopes and dreams for the nation. In fact, Roosevelt took great care to make sure each address was accessible and understandable to ordinary Americans, regardless of their level of education. He used simple vocabulary and relied on folksy anecdotes or analogies to explain the often complex issues facing the country.
Over the course of his historic 12-year presidency, Roosevelt used the chats to build popular support for his groundbreaking New Deal policies, in the face of stiff opposition from big business and other groups. After World War II began, he used them to explain his administration's wartime policies to the American people. The success of Roosevelt's chats was evident not only in his three re-elections, but also in the millions of letters that flooded the White House. Farmers, business owners, men, women, rich, poor--most of them expressed the feeling that the president had entered their home and spoken directly to them. In an era when presidents had previously communicated with their citizens almost exclusively through spokespeople and journalists, it was an unprecedented step.
...courtesy of The History Channel.com
Presidential Quote
"If anyone tells you that America's best days are behind her, they're looking the wrong way." George H.W. Bush
Thursday, March 11, 2010
President's Schedule for Thursday, Mar. 11
Good morning from WWR...the search for healthcare votes continues today, with the President meeting with members of both the Congressional Black and Hispanic Caucuses. As of this writing, the White House appears short of the votes needed for passage. Obama made his case yet again during a speech in Missouri yesterday - the 52nd major address on health care of his presidency. Number 53 is scheduled for Monday in Ohio.
But healthcare isn't the only thing on the minds of the 43-member black caucus, which has a bone to pick with Obama on another issue: jobs. The CBC says the president isn't doing enough to bring down the unemployment rate, which for blacks last month was 15.8%, according to Labor Dept. figures.
He is "not listening" to black lawmakers, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) tells POLITICO.
Obama today will also address the Export-Import Bank’s Annual Conference at a local hotel, where he'll outline his ambitious goal of doubling American exports. Obama will also meet with Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in the Oval Office to get an update on their efforts toward producing a bipartisan bill to fix the nation's broken immigration system.
Obama will also hold his weekly meeting with Secretary of State Clinton.
But there's also a bit of entertainment on the President's schedule. He and the First Lady will host a preview screening of HBO’s new series, “The Pacific,” in the White House Movie Theater. The series tells the story of the Pacific front during World War II. Expected attendees include members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, National Security Advisor General Jim Jones, Members of Congress, and members of the VFW and the Women in the Military Service for America Memorial. Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Steven Spielberg, and HBO President Richard Plepler are also expected to attend.
The Schedule
EST
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
11:15AM THE PRESIDENT address the Export-Import Bank’s Annual Conference
1:45PM THE PRESIDENT meets with members of the Congressional Black Caucus
State Dining Room
3:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Schumer and Senator Graham
Oval Office
3:45PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
4:15PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
5:05PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY host screening of “The Pacific”
White House Movie Theater
6:20PM THE PRESIDENT meets with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
State Dining Room
Briefing Schedule
1:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
On This Day
1941 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the Lend-Lease Act, which authorized the act of providing war supplies to the Allies.
Presidential Quote:
"There is nothing wrong with America that the faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot cure." - Dwight D. Eisenhower
But healthcare isn't the only thing on the minds of the 43-member black caucus, which has a bone to pick with Obama on another issue: jobs. The CBC says the president isn't doing enough to bring down the unemployment rate, which for blacks last month was 15.8%, according to Labor Dept. figures.
He is "not listening" to black lawmakers, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) tells POLITICO.
Obama today will also address the Export-Import Bank’s Annual Conference at a local hotel, where he'll outline his ambitious goal of doubling American exports. Obama will also meet with Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in the Oval Office to get an update on their efforts toward producing a bipartisan bill to fix the nation's broken immigration system.
Obama will also hold his weekly meeting with Secretary of State Clinton.
But there's also a bit of entertainment on the President's schedule. He and the First Lady will host a preview screening of HBO’s new series, “The Pacific,” in the White House Movie Theater. The series tells the story of the Pacific front during World War II. Expected attendees include members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, National Security Advisor General Jim Jones, Members of Congress, and members of the VFW and the Women in the Military Service for America Memorial. Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Steven Spielberg, and HBO President Richard Plepler are also expected to attend.
The Schedule
EST
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
11:15AM THE PRESIDENT address the Export-Import Bank’s Annual Conference
1:45PM THE PRESIDENT meets with members of the Congressional Black Caucus
State Dining Room
3:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Schumer and Senator Graham
Oval Office
3:45PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
4:15PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
5:05PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY host screening of “The Pacific”
White House Movie Theater
6:20PM THE PRESIDENT meets with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
State Dining Room
Briefing Schedule
1:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
On This Day
1941 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the Lend-Lease Act, which authorized the act of providing war supplies to the Allies.
Presidential Quote:
"There is nothing wrong with America that the faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot cure." - Dwight D. Eisenhower
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
President's Wednesday Schedule
Good morning from WWR...the President takes his healthcare pitch on the road today, this time to the key swing state of Missouri. The trip is also combined with two fundraisers for Sen. Claire McCaskill. McCaskill isn't up for re-election until 2012, but her thin 2006 victory over then-incumbent Jim Talent - with just 49.6% of the vote - has Democrats more than nervous.
Before leaving for the Show Me State, Obama has his usual intelligence and economic briefings in the Oval Office. He'll also meet Haitian President Preval; their first visit since that devastating earthquake leveled much of the Caribbean nation. In attendance will be Members of Congress; representatives of non-governmental organizations and foundations involved in the relief effort; Haitian-American community leaders; U.S. government personnel who served in Haiti in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, including from the USNS Comfort, International Medical Surgical Response, and Disaster Assistance Response Teams; and members of Urban Search and Rescue teams from Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Fairfax, and Virginia Beach.
The Schedule
EST
9:45AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:15AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefin
Oval Office
10:45AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
11:20AM THE PRESIDENT meets with PresidentPréval of Haiti
Oval Office
11:55AM THE PRESIDENT and President Prévalmake statements to the press
Rose Garden
CST
3:50PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on health insurance reform
St. Charles High School
7:00PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at fundraising dinner for Senator McCaskill, Renaissance Grand Hotel
7:25PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at grassroots fundraising reception for Senator McCaskill, Renaissance Grand Hotel
...the President then returns to the White House.
Vice-President Biden, meantime, continues his 5-day Mideast swing. Here's the pool report:
He began the day meeting with Quartet representative Tony Blair at his hotel. He said good morning to the press but would not answer any questions. He then visited staff at the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem. He then took the long, round-about, bypass road to Ramallah, traditionally taken by U.S. officials and met with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad at his office. Fayyad was asked about Israel’s housing announcement in east Jerusalem yesterday. “It's damaging for sure,” Fayyad said. “This is a moment of great challenge to the effort led by the United States to get the political process going again. We definitely appreciate the strong statement of condemnation by the administration vis-a-vis this action which definitely undermines confidence in the prospects of the political process.’’ Biden made no comment except to acknowledge that he had climbed four flights of stairs to get to the meeting room.
Latest Presidential Approval Polls
Gallup: 49% approve, 43% don't (month ago: 51%-41%)
Rasmussen: 44% approve, 54% don't (month ago: 48%-51%)
Latest Health Care Approval Polls
RealClearPolitics.com average: 40.3% approve of Obama & Democratic plan, 50.3% don't
On This Day
1864...President Lincoln signed Ulysses S. Grant's commission to command the U.S. Army. Grant, a Major General, was promoted to lieutenant general, and given the task of leading all Union troops against the Confederate Army. The rank of lieutenant general had not officially been used since 1798; at that time, President John Adams assigned the post to former President George Washington, in anticipation of a possible French invasion of the United States. Grant, of course, went on to became the 17th President of the United States himself in 1869.
Presidential Quote
"Popularity, I have always thought, may aptly be compared to a coquette—the more you woo her, the more apt is she to elude your embrace." - John Tyler
Before leaving for the Show Me State, Obama has his usual intelligence and economic briefings in the Oval Office. He'll also meet Haitian President Preval; their first visit since that devastating earthquake leveled much of the Caribbean nation. In attendance will be Members of Congress; representatives of non-governmental organizations and foundations involved in the relief effort; Haitian-American community leaders; U.S. government personnel who served in Haiti in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, including from the USNS Comfort, International Medical Surgical Response, and Disaster Assistance Response Teams; and members of Urban Search and Rescue teams from Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Fairfax, and Virginia Beach.
The Schedule
EST
9:45AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:15AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefin
Oval Office
10:45AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
11:20AM THE PRESIDENT meets with PresidentPréval of Haiti
Oval Office
11:55AM THE PRESIDENT and President Prévalmake statements to the press
Rose Garden
CST
3:50PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on health insurance reform
St. Charles High School
7:00PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at fundraising dinner for Senator McCaskill, Renaissance Grand Hotel
7:25PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at grassroots fundraising reception for Senator McCaskill, Renaissance Grand Hotel
...the President then returns to the White House.
Vice-President Biden, meantime, continues his 5-day Mideast swing. Here's the pool report:
He began the day meeting with Quartet representative Tony Blair at his hotel. He said good morning to the press but would not answer any questions. He then visited staff at the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem. He then took the long, round-about, bypass road to Ramallah, traditionally taken by U.S. officials and met with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad at his office. Fayyad was asked about Israel’s housing announcement in east Jerusalem yesterday. “It's damaging for sure,” Fayyad said. “This is a moment of great challenge to the effort led by the United States to get the political process going again. We definitely appreciate the strong statement of condemnation by the administration vis-a-vis this action which definitely undermines confidence in the prospects of the political process.’’ Biden made no comment except to acknowledge that he had climbed four flights of stairs to get to the meeting room.
Latest Presidential Approval Polls
Gallup: 49% approve, 43% don't (month ago: 51%-41%)
Rasmussen: 44% approve, 54% don't (month ago: 48%-51%)
Latest Health Care Approval Polls
RealClearPolitics.com average: 40.3% approve of Obama & Democratic plan, 50.3% don't
On This Day
1864...President Lincoln signed Ulysses S. Grant's commission to command the U.S. Army. Grant, a Major General, was promoted to lieutenant general, and given the task of leading all Union troops against the Confederate Army. The rank of lieutenant general had not officially been used since 1798; at that time, President John Adams assigned the post to former President George Washington, in anticipation of a possible French invasion of the United States. Grant, of course, went on to became the 17th President of the United States himself in 1869.
Presidential Quote
"Popularity, I have always thought, may aptly be compared to a coquette—the more you woo her, the more apt is she to elude your embrace." - John Tyler
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
President's Tuesday Schedule
We won't be seeing much of the President today. He'll make one public appearance tonight at a reception with Greek Prime Minister Papandreou to mark Greek Independence Day. But their meeting in the Oval Office - where topics like Afghanistan and Greece's market-shaking debt crisis will be discussed - is closed press.
The President also meets with a bipartisan group of Senators to discuss energy/climate legislation. Along with healthcare and education, this is one of Obama's top three priorities. The House has passed an energy/climate bill, but a similar bill is bogged down in the Senate. Obama has hinted that the thorniest part of the Senate bill - cap-and-trade - could be taken out of the bill. Expected to attend are:
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH)
Senator John Kerry (D-MA)
Senator George LeMieux (R-FL)
Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN)
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)
Also on the President's agenda today: another lunch with a group of CEOs. The White House will get their credit card numbers and charge them for their meal. The President will also talk with his Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the Roosevelt Room, and thank them for their work.
The Schedule
EST
9:30AM Pool Call Time
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
12:15PM THE PRESIDENT has lunch with business leaders
Private Dining Room
2:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Prime Minister Papandreou of Greece
Oval Office
3:10PM THE PRESIDENT greets and thanks members of the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Roosevelt Room
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with a bipartisan group of Senators to discuss energy, Cabinet Room
5:30PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at reception honoring Greek Independence Day
East Room
Briefing Schedule
1:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
The President also meets with a bipartisan group of Senators to discuss energy/climate legislation. Along with healthcare and education, this is one of Obama's top three priorities. The House has passed an energy/climate bill, but a similar bill is bogged down in the Senate. Obama has hinted that the thorniest part of the Senate bill - cap-and-trade - could be taken out of the bill. Expected to attend are:
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH)
Senator John Kerry (D-MA)
Senator George LeMieux (R-FL)
Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN)
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)
Also on the President's agenda today: another lunch with a group of CEOs. The White House will get their credit card numbers and charge them for their meal. The President will also talk with his Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the Roosevelt Room, and thank them for their work.
The Schedule
EST
9:30AM Pool Call Time
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
12:15PM THE PRESIDENT has lunch with business leaders
Private Dining Room
2:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Prime Minister Papandreou of Greece
Oval Office
3:10PM THE PRESIDENT greets and thanks members of the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Roosevelt Room
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with a bipartisan group of Senators to discuss energy, Cabinet Room
5:30PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at reception honoring Greek Independence Day
East Room
Briefing Schedule
1:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
Monday, March 8, 2010
President's Monday Schedule
Good morning from WWR -
Another day, another talk on healthcare. The President travels to Glenside, Pennsylvania, for a talk at Arcadia University. Obama then returns to Washington, where he'll welcome the University of Alabama men's football team to the White House and congratulate them for their BCS championship.
Later today, Obama meets with President Funes of El Salvador; he and the First Lady will also deliver remarks in the East Room in honor of International Women’s Day.
In the evening, the President will meet with Senator Schumer and Senator Graham in the Oval Office to get an update on their efforts toward producing a bipartisan immigration reform bill.
The Schedule
EST
11:00AM
THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on health insurance reform
Arcadia University, Glenside
1:50PM
THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at event welcoming the BCS National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide to the White House (East Room)
3:00PM
THE PRESIDENT meets with President Funes of El Salvador (Oval Office)
4:30PM
THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY deliver remarks at International Women’s Day reception (East Room)
5:30PM
THE PRESIDENT meets with Senators Schumer and Graham (Oval Office)
Briefing Schedule
Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton will gaggle aboard Air Force One.
Meantime...
...Vice President Biden is in the Middle East. He arrived in Israel this morning and will also visit the Palestinian Authority and Jordan. A traditional stop on these trips, Egypt, has been postponed because President Mubarak is out of the country. The Veep returns to Washington Friday night.
...SecDef Gates is in Afghanistan on a surprise visit. This as preparations begin for a widening of the U.S. and ISAF offensive to assert Afghan government control over Kandahar, spiritual home of the Taliban. The 30,000 additional U.S. forces President Obama ordered to Afghanistan are now arriving and most will be in place by summer.
On This Day
1874: Millard Fillmore died. He was the 13th President, serving from 1850 until 1853. Fillmore was never elected; he was VP and took over upon the death of President Zachary Taylor.
1930: William Howard Taft died. He was the 27th President, serving from 1909-1913. He later became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court - the only person to have served in both offices.
Presidential Quote
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace." - George Washington.
What's YOUR question for the President?
E-mail WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com - it COULD be asked at the next White House news conference! And follow us on Twitter: WestWingReport!
Another day, another talk on healthcare. The President travels to Glenside, Pennsylvania, for a talk at Arcadia University. Obama then returns to Washington, where he'll welcome the University of Alabama men's football team to the White House and congratulate them for their BCS championship.
Later today, Obama meets with President Funes of El Salvador; he and the First Lady will also deliver remarks in the East Room in honor of International Women’s Day.
In the evening, the President will meet with Senator Schumer and Senator Graham in the Oval Office to get an update on their efforts toward producing a bipartisan immigration reform bill.
The Schedule
EST
11:00AM
THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on health insurance reform
Arcadia University, Glenside
1:50PM
THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at event welcoming the BCS National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide to the White House (East Room)
3:00PM
THE PRESIDENT meets with President Funes of El Salvador (Oval Office)
4:30PM
THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY deliver remarks at International Women’s Day reception (East Room)
5:30PM
THE PRESIDENT meets with Senators Schumer and Graham (Oval Office)
Briefing Schedule
Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton will gaggle aboard Air Force One.
Meantime...
...Vice President Biden is in the Middle East. He arrived in Israel this morning and will also visit the Palestinian Authority and Jordan. A traditional stop on these trips, Egypt, has been postponed because President Mubarak is out of the country. The Veep returns to Washington Friday night.
...SecDef Gates is in Afghanistan on a surprise visit. This as preparations begin for a widening of the U.S. and ISAF offensive to assert Afghan government control over Kandahar, spiritual home of the Taliban. The 30,000 additional U.S. forces President Obama ordered to Afghanistan are now arriving and most will be in place by summer.
On This Day
1874: Millard Fillmore died. He was the 13th President, serving from 1850 until 1853. Fillmore was never elected; he was VP and took over upon the death of President Zachary Taylor.
1930: William Howard Taft died. He was the 27th President, serving from 1909-1913. He later became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court - the only person to have served in both offices.
Presidential Quote
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace." - George Washington.
What's YOUR question for the President?
E-mail WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com - it COULD be asked at the next White House news conference! And follow us on Twitter: WestWingReport!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
President's Schedule This Week
From the White House Press Office:
Schedule for Week of March 8, 2010
On Monday morning, the President will travel to the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area to discuss health insurance reform. After returning to Washington, DC in the afternoon, he will welcome the BCS National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide to the White House to honor their 13th championship and their undefeated 2008-2009 season. The President will then meet with President Funes of El Salvador at the White House. Later, in honor of International Women's Day, the President and the First Lady will deliver remarks at a White House reception honoring women from around the world and their achievements.
On Tuesday, the President will meet with Prime Minister Papandreou of Greece at the White House. In the evening, the President and the First Lady will host a reception in honor of Greek Independence Day at the White House.
On Wednesday, the President will meet with President Préval of Haiti at the White House. He will later travel to the St. Louis, Missouri area to discuss health insurance reform. He will also deliver remarks at a fundraiser for Senator McCaskill.
On Thursday, the President will address the Export-Import Bank's Annual Conference in Washington, DC, where he will reiterate his commitment to doubling exports in five years, which he proposed during the State of the Union address. Media interested in covering the President's remarks can request credentials HERE.
On Friday, the President will meet with the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology at the White House.
The media access for the President's meetings with foreign leaders will be announced early next week.
Schedule for Week of March 8, 2010
On Monday morning, the President will travel to the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area to discuss health insurance reform. After returning to Washington, DC in the afternoon, he will welcome the BCS National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide to the White House to honor their 13th championship and their undefeated 2008-2009 season. The President will then meet with President Funes of El Salvador at the White House. Later, in honor of International Women's Day, the President and the First Lady will deliver remarks at a White House reception honoring women from around the world and their achievements.
On Tuesday, the President will meet with Prime Minister Papandreou of Greece at the White House. In the evening, the President and the First Lady will host a reception in honor of Greek Independence Day at the White House.
On Wednesday, the President will meet with President Préval of Haiti at the White House. He will later travel to the St. Louis, Missouri area to discuss health insurance reform. He will also deliver remarks at a fundraiser for Senator McCaskill.
On Thursday, the President will address the Export-Import Bank's Annual Conference in Washington, DC, where he will reiterate his commitment to doubling exports in five years, which he proposed during the State of the Union address. Media interested in covering the President's remarks can request credentials HERE.
On Friday, the President will meet with the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology at the White House.
The media access for the President's meetings with foreign leaders will be announced early next week.
Friday, March 5, 2010
President's Friday Schedule
Good Morning from WWR...
The closely watched unemployment report comes out this morning at 8:30 Eastern, and it is expected to move up slightly from January's 9.7%. The White House has been busy all week pre-spinning the report, saying recent blizzards and other bad weather in much of the country depressed hiring. A look at prior blizzards and the impact on the labor market seems to bear this out. The President will mark the report by visiting a small business in Arlington, Virginia, where he'll tout clean energy jobs.
That's the only public appearance on Mr. Obama's schedule today. As for the President's weekend plans, we'll get word from the White House later today.
The Schedule
EST
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive
the Presidential Daily Briefing, Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors,
Oval Office
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive
the Economic Daily Briefing, Oval Office
11:25AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on clean
energy jobs, Arlington, Virginia
12:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
Briefing Schedule
12:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
On This Day
1877 - The term "First Lady" was used for the first time to describe a President's wife. The First Lady in this case was Lucy Hayes.
1933 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered a four-day bank holiday in order to stop large amounts of money from being withdrawn from banks.
Presidential Quote
"Nothing brings out the lower traits of human nature like office seeking." - Rutherford B. Hayes
What's YOUR question for the President?
E-mail WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com - it COULD be asked at the next White House news conference! And follow us on Twitter: WestWingReport!
The closely watched unemployment report comes out this morning at 8:30 Eastern, and it is expected to move up slightly from January's 9.7%. The White House has been busy all week pre-spinning the report, saying recent blizzards and other bad weather in much of the country depressed hiring. A look at prior blizzards and the impact on the labor market seems to bear this out. The President will mark the report by visiting a small business in Arlington, Virginia, where he'll tout clean energy jobs.
That's the only public appearance on Mr. Obama's schedule today. As for the President's weekend plans, we'll get word from the White House later today.
The Schedule
EST
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive
the Presidential Daily Briefing, Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors,
Oval Office
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive
the Economic Daily Briefing, Oval Office
11:25AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on clean
energy jobs, Arlington, Virginia
12:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
Briefing Schedule
12:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
On This Day
1877 - The term "First Lady" was used for the first time to describe a President's wife. The First Lady in this case was Lucy Hayes.
1933 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered a four-day bank holiday in order to stop large amounts of money from being withdrawn from banks.
Presidential Quote
"Nothing brings out the lower traits of human nature like office seeking." - Rutherford B. Hayes
What's YOUR question for the President?
E-mail WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com - it COULD be asked at the next White House news conference! And follow us on Twitter: WestWingReport!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
President's Thursday Schedule
Good morning from WWR -
After yesterday's healthcare hoopla, the President has a lower-key day today. After his usual intelligence and economic briefings, Obama will sign the bipartisan Travel Promotion Act, a $100-million effort aimed, as the name implies, at boosting travel to the United States. That $100 million will be funded, by the way, by charging $10 for foreigners participating in the new U.S. visa waiver program. It's also seen as a boost to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who wants more people to visit Nevada. Reid, of course, is up for reelection this year but well behind in the polls.
In the afternoon, the President meets with Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner.
The Schedule
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receives
the Presidential Daily Briefing, Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receives the
Economic Daily Briefing, Oval Office
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors, Oval Office
11:35AM THE PRESIDENT signs the Travel Promotion Act, Oval Office
3:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Treasury Secretary Geithner, Oval Office
On This Day
Presidents used to be sworn into office on March 4th, until the 20th Amendment to the Constitution changed it to January 20th. Three memorable inaugural quotes from March 4th are below.
Presidential Quote:
1801: "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none." - Thomas Jefferson
1865: "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." - Abraham Lincoln
1933: "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself." - Franklin Roosevelt
What's YOUR question for the President?
E-mail WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com - it COULD be asked at the next White House news conference! And follow us on Twitter: WestWingReport!
After yesterday's healthcare hoopla, the President has a lower-key day today. After his usual intelligence and economic briefings, Obama will sign the bipartisan Travel Promotion Act, a $100-million effort aimed, as the name implies, at boosting travel to the United States. That $100 million will be funded, by the way, by charging $10 for foreigners participating in the new U.S. visa waiver program. It's also seen as a boost to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who wants more people to visit Nevada. Reid, of course, is up for reelection this year but well behind in the polls.
In the afternoon, the President meets with Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner.
The Schedule
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receives
the Presidential Daily Briefing, Oval Office
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receives the
Economic Daily Briefing, Oval Office
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors, Oval Office
11:35AM THE PRESIDENT signs the Travel Promotion Act, Oval Office
3:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Treasury Secretary Geithner, Oval Office
On This Day
Presidents used to be sworn into office on March 4th, until the 20th Amendment to the Constitution changed it to January 20th. Three memorable inaugural quotes from March 4th are below.
Presidential Quote:
1801: "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none." - Thomas Jefferson
1865: "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." - Abraham Lincoln
1933: "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself." - Franklin Roosevelt
What's YOUR question for the President?
E-mail WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com - it COULD be asked at the next White House news conference! And follow us on Twitter: WestWingReport!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
President's Wednesday Schedule
Good morning from WWR -
The end game on healthcare reform will dominate the agenda today. This afternoon, in the East Room, President Obama will tell the nation how he'll move this divisive issue - the legislative centerpiece of his young administration - into what the White House calls "the final stage."
This stage seems apparent. Democrats will use a parliamentary device known as "reconciliation" that would allow them to pass healthcare legislation with a simple majority vote in the Senate - 51 votes - rather than subjecting the bill to the 60-vote requirement to overcome a Republican filibuster. Republicans have attacked the idea, with Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell saying it will wreak "havoc" on the democratic process. If the Democrats “jam” it through Congress, McConnell said, “it will be the issue in every single race in America this fall.” WWR: It'll be an issue in every race whether the Democrats pass it or not.
Meantime, Mr. Obama will try at least one final time to reach out. In a letter to Congressional leaders of both parties Tuesday, the President said he was open to exploring four specific Republican ideas on healthcare, which were raised by the GOP during last week's Blair House forum. Among them: increasing payments to doctors who treat Medicaid patients, greater use of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and the use of "undercover patients" to root out waste and fraud.
Later, Obama meets with the National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Bobby Barrera, who will present the President with an award for his work on Advance Appropriations. The President will later meet with Commander of the American Legion Clarence Hill to discuss his veterans and wounded warrior policy agenda for the year.
In the evening, Obama hosts a reception for Members of Congress in the Blue Room to thank them for their efforts to restore statutory pay-as-you-go. WWR is pretty sure we won't be seeing Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning (who voted against PAYGO before touting its virtues during the debate over extending jobless benefits).
The Schedule
EST
9:45AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
1:45PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on health care reform
East Room
3:05PM THE PRESIDENT meets with National Commander of the
Disabled American Veterans Bobby Barrera
Oval Office
4:35PM THE PRESIDENT meets with American Legion Commander
Clarence Hill
Oval Office
5:30PM THE PRESIDENT hosts reception for Members of Congress to
thank them for their efforts to restore statutory pay-as-you-go
Blue Room
On This Day
1845: Congress overrode a presidential veto for the first time. After President John Tyler had vetoed a bill denying him the power to spend federal funds on revenue-cutter ships without Congress approval, lawmakers - with the necessary two-thirds vote - overrode Tyler, a parting gift to the president as he left office. Tyler used the presidential veto 10 times on a variety of legislation during his administration; the frequency of his use of the veto was second only to that of Andrew Jackson, who employed it 12 times during his tenure.
Presidential Quote:
"As to the Presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it." - Martin Van Buren
What's YOUR question for the President?
E-mail WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com - it COULD be asked at the next White House news conference! And follow us on Twitter: WestWingReport!
The end game on healthcare reform will dominate the agenda today. This afternoon, in the East Room, President Obama will tell the nation how he'll move this divisive issue - the legislative centerpiece of his young administration - into what the White House calls "the final stage."
This stage seems apparent. Democrats will use a parliamentary device known as "reconciliation" that would allow them to pass healthcare legislation with a simple majority vote in the Senate - 51 votes - rather than subjecting the bill to the 60-vote requirement to overcome a Republican filibuster. Republicans have attacked the idea, with Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell saying it will wreak "havoc" on the democratic process. If the Democrats “jam” it through Congress, McConnell said, “it will be the issue in every single race in America this fall.” WWR: It'll be an issue in every race whether the Democrats pass it or not.
Meantime, Mr. Obama will try at least one final time to reach out. In a letter to Congressional leaders of both parties Tuesday, the President said he was open to exploring four specific Republican ideas on healthcare, which were raised by the GOP during last week's Blair House forum. Among them: increasing payments to doctors who treat Medicaid patients, greater use of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and the use of "undercover patients" to root out waste and fraud.
Later, Obama meets with the National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Bobby Barrera, who will present the President with an award for his work on Advance Appropriations. The President will later meet with Commander of the American Legion Clarence Hill to discuss his veterans and wounded warrior policy agenda for the year.
In the evening, Obama hosts a reception for Members of Congress in the Blue Room to thank them for their efforts to restore statutory pay-as-you-go. WWR is pretty sure we won't be seeing Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning (who voted against PAYGO before touting its virtues during the debate over extending jobless benefits).
The Schedule
EST
9:45AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
1:45PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on health care reform
East Room
3:05PM THE PRESIDENT meets with National Commander of the
Disabled American Veterans Bobby Barrera
Oval Office
4:35PM THE PRESIDENT meets with American Legion Commander
Clarence Hill
Oval Office
5:30PM THE PRESIDENT hosts reception for Members of Congress to
thank them for their efforts to restore statutory pay-as-you-go
Blue Room
On This Day
1845: Congress overrode a presidential veto for the first time. After President John Tyler had vetoed a bill denying him the power to spend federal funds on revenue-cutter ships without Congress approval, lawmakers - with the necessary two-thirds vote - overrode Tyler, a parting gift to the president as he left office. Tyler used the presidential veto 10 times on a variety of legislation during his administration; the frequency of his use of the veto was second only to that of Andrew Jackson, who employed it 12 times during his tenure.
Presidential Quote:
"As to the Presidency, the two happiest days of my life were those of my entrance upon the office and my surrender of it." - Martin Van Buren
What's YOUR question for the President?
E-mail WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com - it COULD be asked at the next White House news conference! And follow us on Twitter: WestWingReport!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
President's Tuesday Schedule
Good morning from WWR -
It's Georgia on his mind...as President Obama continues his "White House to Main Street" tour today with a trip to Savannah. Obama will tour a workforce development program at Savannah Technical College and deliver remarks on creating jobs and strengthening the economy. Look for Obama to tout the construction of two nuclear plants - the first in the U.S. in three decades - which will bring thousands of new jobs to the Peach State. The plants are being backed with $8.3. billion in federal loan guarantees. Daily bit of trivia: Today's visit to Georgia is the 31st state Obama has visited since taking office.
The President returns to Washington in the evening. Wednesday, of course, is the much anticipated announcement of "next steps" on healthcare. The betting is that Obama will announce that he will seek a healthcare bill by using "reconciliation" in the Senate. This is a parliamentary procedure that means he only needs 51 votes to win.
The Schedule
9:15AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the
Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
11:55AM THE PRESIDENT tours Savannah Technical College
Savannah, Georgia
12:30PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on jobs and the economy
Savannah Technical College
1:20PM THE PRESIDENT tours a local manufacturing facility
Savannah, Georgia
2:50PM THE PRESIDENT tours a local small business
Savannah, Georgia
Presidential Quote:
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." - John Quincy Adams
What's YOUR question for the President?
E-mail WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com - it COULD be asked at the next White House news conference! And follow us on Twitter: WestWingReport!
It's Georgia on his mind...as President Obama continues his "White House to Main Street" tour today with a trip to Savannah. Obama will tour a workforce development program at Savannah Technical College and deliver remarks on creating jobs and strengthening the economy. Look for Obama to tout the construction of two nuclear plants - the first in the U.S. in three decades - which will bring thousands of new jobs to the Peach State. The plants are being backed with $8.3. billion in federal loan guarantees. Daily bit of trivia: Today's visit to Georgia is the 31st state Obama has visited since taking office.
The President returns to Washington in the evening. Wednesday, of course, is the much anticipated announcement of "next steps" on healthcare. The betting is that Obama will announce that he will seek a healthcare bill by using "reconciliation" in the Senate. This is a parliamentary procedure that means he only needs 51 votes to win.
The Schedule
9:15AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the
Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
11:55AM THE PRESIDENT tours Savannah Technical College
Savannah, Georgia
12:30PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on jobs and the economy
Savannah Technical College
1:20PM THE PRESIDENT tours a local manufacturing facility
Savannah, Georgia
2:50PM THE PRESIDENT tours a local small business
Savannah, Georgia
Presidential Quote:
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." - John Quincy Adams
What's YOUR question for the President?
E-mail WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com - it COULD be asked at the next White House news conference! And follow us on Twitter: WestWingReport!
Monday, March 1, 2010
President's Monday Schedule
Good morning from WWR -
The President today has one event, a morning appearance at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he'll deliver remarks at The America’s Promise Alliance Education event. The organization, formed by General Colin Powell and his wife Alma Powell, is the nation’s largest partnership organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth. Obama will unveil new steps in the Administration’s effort to improve the nation's schools.
Obama also has his usual intelligence, economic and staff briefings; in the afternoon he'll meet with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
A quick look at the rest of the week. Tomorrow Obama heads to Savannah GA for a town hall meeting; Wednesday through Friday he'll have meetings at the White House. The big economic event this week is Friday's report on February payrolls. The consensus estimate is for a loss of 50,000 more jobs and an uptick in the U3 unemployment rate, currently 9.7%.
The Schedule
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:10AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at The America’s Promise
Alliance Education event
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
10:45AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
11:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senior Advisors
Oval Office
3:45PM THE PRESIDENT holds a meeting with Secretary LaHood
Oval Office
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT holds a meeting with Secretary Gates
Oval Office
On This Day
1845 - U.S. President Tyler signed the congressional resolution to annex the Republic of Texas.
1961 - The Peace Corps was established by U.S. President Kennedy.
1974 - Seven people were indicted in connection with the Watergate break-in. The charge was conspiring to obstruct justice.
(Courtesy: On-This-Day.com)
Presidential Quote:
"Truth is the glue that holds governments together. Compromise is the oil that makes governments go." - Gerald Ford
What's YOUR question for the President?
E-mail WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com - it COULD be asked at the next White House news conference! And follow us on Twitter: WestWingReport!
The President today has one event, a morning appearance at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where he'll deliver remarks at The America’s Promise Alliance Education event. The organization, formed by General Colin Powell and his wife Alma Powell, is the nation’s largest partnership organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth. Obama will unveil new steps in the Administration’s effort to improve the nation's schools.
Obama also has his usual intelligence, economic and staff briefings; in the afternoon he'll meet with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
A quick look at the rest of the week. Tomorrow Obama heads to Savannah GA for a town hall meeting; Wednesday through Friday he'll have meetings at the White House. The big economic event this week is Friday's report on February payrolls. The consensus estimate is for a loss of 50,000 more jobs and an uptick in the U3 unemployment rate, currently 9.7%.
The Schedule
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
10:10AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at The America’s Promise
Alliance Education event
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
10:45AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
11:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senior Advisors
Oval Office
3:45PM THE PRESIDENT holds a meeting with Secretary LaHood
Oval Office
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT holds a meeting with Secretary Gates
Oval Office
On This Day
1845 - U.S. President Tyler signed the congressional resolution to annex the Republic of Texas.
1961 - The Peace Corps was established by U.S. President Kennedy.
1974 - Seven people were indicted in connection with the Watergate break-in. The charge was conspiring to obstruct justice.
(Courtesy: On-This-Day.com)
Presidential Quote:
"Truth is the glue that holds governments together. Compromise is the oil that makes governments go." - Gerald Ford
What's YOUR question for the President?
E-mail WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com - it COULD be asked at the next White House news conference! And follow us on Twitter: WestWingReport!
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