Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Today in the West Wing: Wed. May 26
Maybe you’ve heard how calm President Obama tends to be. Doesn’t get excited or emotional about stuff. There’s even a term for this: “no-drama Obama.”
So it comes as a surprise that the President had an outburst in the Oval Office – sparked by his anger and frustration over the oil spill. In the meeting, with staffers, he reportedly cut one of them off midsentence:
“Plug the damn hole.”
And this was a month ago, just after the spill first occurred. He must be ready to blow his top now.
This as the hole remains very much UN-plugged, still gushing as much as a million gallons of oil a day, according to some estimates.
Obama travels to Louisiana on Friday; it’s his second visit to the oil-soaked region since the “Gulf Gusher” began.
Border Security
Meantime, the President is moving to plugging a different kind of leak: America’s porous border with Mexico. In a contentious meeting with Senate Republicans, Obama said he wants $500 million in supplemental spending, and up to 1,200 National Guard troops sent to the region. Some Republicans – notably John McCain, who’s in a tough re-election fight - want a lot more than that.
California Dreamin’?
Obama wakes up this morning in San Francisco, where he was the star attraction at three Democratic fundraisers - and the target, again, of a heckler who wants him to move faster on "Don't Ask Don't Tell."
This morning Obama visits a solar power factory, Solyndra, before heading home. He'll use it as an opportunity to tout renewable energy, which is looking more attractive to many Americans in the wake of the oil spill.
But when will Obama put those solar panels back onthe White House? WWR has asked the President this question on three different occasions over the past year; Obama has always said it's a good idea but it hasn't happened yet.
*****
The Schedule
PDT
9:35AM THE PRESIDENT tours Solyndra, Inc
Fremont, California
Pooled Press
10:20AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on the economy
Solyndra, Inc
Open Press
Obama then returns to Washington.
*****
Odds & Ends
...Obama will talk about the BP with reporters on Thursday.
...The First Family will spend Memorial Day weekend in Chicago.
...Paul McCartney - winner of the Gershwin Prize - will be honored June 2.
*****
On This Day
1868 - President Andrew Johnson escaped conviction on impeachment charges by one vote after a two-month Senate trial. The House impeached Johnson on two charges; and in both cases Senators voted 35 guilty and 19 not guilty - one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed to remove the President from office.
1924 - President Calvin Coolidge signed an Immigration Law that restricted immigration into the U.S.
1994 - President Clinton renewed trade privileges for China, and announced that his administration would no longer link China's trade status with its human rights record.
Presidential Quote
"Legislation can neither be wise nor just which seeks the welfare of a single interest at the expense and to the injury of many and varied interests." - Andrew Johnson
So it comes as a surprise that the President had an outburst in the Oval Office – sparked by his anger and frustration over the oil spill. In the meeting, with staffers, he reportedly cut one of them off midsentence:
“Plug the damn hole.”
And this was a month ago, just after the spill first occurred. He must be ready to blow his top now.
This as the hole remains very much UN-plugged, still gushing as much as a million gallons of oil a day, according to some estimates.
Obama travels to Louisiana on Friday; it’s his second visit to the oil-soaked region since the “Gulf Gusher” began.
Border Security
Meantime, the President is moving to plugging a different kind of leak: America’s porous border with Mexico. In a contentious meeting with Senate Republicans, Obama said he wants $500 million in supplemental spending, and up to 1,200 National Guard troops sent to the region. Some Republicans – notably John McCain, who’s in a tough re-election fight - want a lot more than that.
California Dreamin’?
Obama wakes up this morning in San Francisco, where he was the star attraction at three Democratic fundraisers - and the target, again, of a heckler who wants him to move faster on "Don't Ask Don't Tell."
This morning Obama visits a solar power factory, Solyndra, before heading home. He'll use it as an opportunity to tout renewable energy, which is looking more attractive to many Americans in the wake of the oil spill.
But when will Obama put those solar panels back onthe White House? WWR has asked the President this question on three different occasions over the past year; Obama has always said it's a good idea but it hasn't happened yet.
*****
The Schedule
PDT
9:35AM THE PRESIDENT tours Solyndra, Inc
Fremont, California
Pooled Press
10:20AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on the economy
Solyndra, Inc
Open Press
Obama then returns to Washington.
*****
Odds & Ends
...Obama will talk about the BP with reporters on Thursday.
...The First Family will spend Memorial Day weekend in Chicago.
...Paul McCartney - winner of the Gershwin Prize - will be honored June 2.
*****
On This Day
1868 - President Andrew Johnson escaped conviction on impeachment charges by one vote after a two-month Senate trial. The House impeached Johnson on two charges; and in both cases Senators voted 35 guilty and 19 not guilty - one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed to remove the President from office.
1924 - President Calvin Coolidge signed an Immigration Law that restricted immigration into the U.S.
1994 - President Clinton renewed trade privileges for China, and announced that his administration would no longer link China's trade status with its human rights record.
Presidential Quote
"Legislation can neither be wise nor just which seeks the welfare of a single interest at the expense and to the injury of many and varied interests." - Andrew Johnson
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
West Wing Report: May 25, 2010
BP may be driving the White House crazy. But there’s little that anyone can really do, it seems.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is so "frustrated" and "angry" with BP that he’d like to "push them out of the way." Tough talk, but outgoing Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen, who’s been dealing around the clock with BP since this nightmare began five weeks ago, asks simply:
ALLEN: “To push BP out of the way would raise the question: ‘Replace them with what?’”
Not that BP is the expert here:
ALLEN: “I think it’s further away from their central business competency. These guys are drilling for oil. This is an oil spill response.”
If that’s the case – if BP isn’t competent at plugging a leak - then why NOT let the Feds take over? The White House has said that the government ALSO lacks the expertise and equipment. This is – if you’ll pardon the pun – uncharted waters.
And that, Admiral Allen says, is why this is taking so long:
ALLEN: It’s very difficult, it’s five-thousand feet below the surface and it’s never been done before.
*****
U.S. Ups the Stakes with North Korea
The Pentagon will conduct naval exercises with South Korea in response to the sinking of a South Korean patrol ship by North Korea. Washington says it stands firm with South Korea and is fully committed to its defense. In Beijing, Secretary of State Clinton calls the situation "highly precarious;" she's urging Pyongyang not to escalate the crisis.
"Don't Ask Don't Tell" Compromise
President Obama and lawmakers have reached a compromise that could pave the way for repealing the military's policy of banning gays and lesbians from serving openly in the armed forces.
*****
The Schedule
After his usual staff meetings, Obama hosts a group of small business owners from around the country in the Rose Garden. Then it's off to Capitol Hill and into the lion's den: the Senate Republican Caucus, where the President will discuss his legislative agenda.
Back at the White House, Obama meets Italian President Napolitano, who surely must be related to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet.
Obama then heads to San Francisco for fundraisers. Tonight's recipients: Sen. Barbara Boxer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Obama will spend the night in San Francisco.
EDT
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:15AM THE PRESIDENT hosts award-winning small business owners from around the country; delivers remarks on small business jobs proposals
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 10:15AM – Final Gather 10:45AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
12:05PM THE PRESIDENT addresses the Senate Republican Caucus
U.S. Capitol
Closed Press
2:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with President Napolitano of Italy
Oval Office
Closed Press
PDT
6:00PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a fundraiser for Senator Barbara Boxer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Fairmont Hotel
Travel Pool Coverage
6:30PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a fundraiser for Senator Barbara Boxer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Fairmont Hotel
Travel Pool Coverage
7:50PM THE PRESIDENT attends a reception for Senator Barbara Boxer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Private Residence
Closed Press
*****
Odds & Ends
...Obama will talk about the BP with reporters on Thursday.
...The First Family will spend Memorial Day weekend in Chicago.
...Paul McCartney - winner of the Gershwin Prize - will be honored June 2.
On This Day
1961: President Kennedy to work toward putting a man on the moon before the end of the decade. The speech, coming just weeks after the Soviet Union launched the first man into orbit, had a sense of urgency. Kennedy tied the space program to the political and economic battle between democracy and communism, saying America should "go into space because whatever mankind must undertake, free men must fully share."
Presidential Quote
"Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day."
- Harry S Truman
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is so "frustrated" and "angry" with BP that he’d like to "push them out of the way." Tough talk, but outgoing Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen, who’s been dealing around the clock with BP since this nightmare began five weeks ago, asks simply:
ALLEN: “To push BP out of the way would raise the question: ‘Replace them with what?’”
Not that BP is the expert here:
ALLEN: “I think it’s further away from their central business competency. These guys are drilling for oil. This is an oil spill response.”
If that’s the case – if BP isn’t competent at plugging a leak - then why NOT let the Feds take over? The White House has said that the government ALSO lacks the expertise and equipment. This is – if you’ll pardon the pun – uncharted waters.
And that, Admiral Allen says, is why this is taking so long:
ALLEN: It’s very difficult, it’s five-thousand feet below the surface and it’s never been done before.
*****
U.S. Ups the Stakes with North Korea
The Pentagon will conduct naval exercises with South Korea in response to the sinking of a South Korean patrol ship by North Korea. Washington says it stands firm with South Korea and is fully committed to its defense. In Beijing, Secretary of State Clinton calls the situation "highly precarious;" she's urging Pyongyang not to escalate the crisis.
"Don't Ask Don't Tell" Compromise
President Obama and lawmakers have reached a compromise that could pave the way for repealing the military's policy of banning gays and lesbians from serving openly in the armed forces.
*****
The Schedule
After his usual staff meetings, Obama hosts a group of small business owners from around the country in the Rose Garden. Then it's off to Capitol Hill and into the lion's den: the Senate Republican Caucus, where the President will discuss his legislative agenda.
Back at the White House, Obama meets Italian President Napolitano, who surely must be related to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet.
Obama then heads to San Francisco for fundraisers. Tonight's recipients: Sen. Barbara Boxer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Obama will spend the night in San Francisco.
EDT
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:15AM THE PRESIDENT hosts award-winning small business owners from around the country; delivers remarks on small business jobs proposals
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 10:15AM – Final Gather 10:45AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
12:05PM THE PRESIDENT addresses the Senate Republican Caucus
U.S. Capitol
Closed Press
2:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with President Napolitano of Italy
Oval Office
Closed Press
PDT
6:00PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a fundraiser for Senator Barbara Boxer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Fairmont Hotel
Travel Pool Coverage
6:30PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a fundraiser for Senator Barbara Boxer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Fairmont Hotel
Travel Pool Coverage
7:50PM THE PRESIDENT attends a reception for Senator Barbara Boxer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Private Residence
Closed Press
*****
Odds & Ends
...Obama will talk about the BP with reporters on Thursday.
...The First Family will spend Memorial Day weekend in Chicago.
...Paul McCartney - winner of the Gershwin Prize - will be honored June 2.
On This Day
1961: President Kennedy to work toward putting a man on the moon before the end of the decade. The speech, coming just weeks after the Soviet Union launched the first man into orbit, had a sense of urgency. Kennedy tied the space program to the political and economic battle between democracy and communism, saying America should "go into space because whatever mankind must undertake, free men must fully share."
Presidential Quote
"Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day."
- Harry S Truman
Monday, May 24, 2010
Today in the West Wing: May 24, 2010
Full damage control: the White House is pulling out all the stops on the BP spill as a new gusher erupts: a gusher of criticism over what even some Democrats say is an insufficient response – or at least the appearance of one – to the crisis.
Press secretary Robert Gibbs disputes the notion that the White House is behind the curve on the BP catastrophe - he appeared yesterday on the CBS program "Face the Nation:"
"I don't think anybody could credibly say even as frustrated as they are, and as frustrated as we are, that the government has stood around, done nothing and hoped for the best. We were activated the moment that this oil rig exploded, this has been on the President's agenda ever since that happened and we have mobilized every aspect that we possibly can in our government. There have been calls to every sector of our government to ask for help."
But in a sign of defensiveness, Gibbs called White House reporters into the West Wing Friday and criticized them for asking too many BP questions.
He’ll get a lot more today – when he appears with Admiral Thad Allen – the Coast Guard Commandant who’s been working with BP these last few weeks. As for President Obama – he’ll hold a noon conference call with Gulf Coast Governors to discuss the latest developments.
North Korea Tensions Increase
Dramatic late night developments concerning that sinking of a South Korean warship, which killed 46 people. South Korea, which formally accuses North Korea of the attack, is demanding an apology and the punishment of those responsible.
The White House, early this morning, issued a statement saying President Obama fully backs South Korean President Lee in the matter:
"Specifically, we endorse President Lee’s demand that North Korea immediately apologize and punish those responsible for the attack, and, most importantly, stop its belligerent and threatening behavior. U.S. support for South Korea’s defense is unequivocal, and the President has directed his military commanders to coordinate closely with their Republic of Korea counterparts to ensure readiness and to deter future aggression."
The tough message is undoubtedly meant to both reassure South Korea and, perhaps, more importantly, send a message to North Korea. The Communist North has threatened "all out war" in the matter if it comes to that.
Officially, the Korean War - which took 36,000 American lives in just three years - has never ended. A truce was signed - but not a peace treaty - back in 1953.
There are some 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. A U.S. diplomatic source in Seoul tells WWR the atmosphere is "noticeably more tense" today.
*****
The Schedule
EDT
9:00AM In-Town Travel Pool Call Time
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:20AM THE PRESIDENT attends a reception for the Federal Judge Association
State Floor
Closed Press
11:05AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
12:00PM THE PRESIDENT participates in the daily briefing call with Gulf Coast Governors on the BP oil spill
Oval Office
Closed Press
2:30PM THE PRESIDENT welcomes Prime Minister Saad Hariri of Lebanon to the White House
Oval Office
Pool Still Photographers Spray at the Bottom (Pool Gather Time 2:10PM--Brady Press Briefing Room)
4:00PM THE PRESIDENT host a reception to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
East Room
Pooled Press (Pre-Set 2:00PM //Final Gather 3:30PM—North Doors of the Palm Room)
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
3:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and United States Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen
*****
Presidential Quote
"I reject the cynical view that politics is a dirty business." - Richard Nixon
Press secretary Robert Gibbs disputes the notion that the White House is behind the curve on the BP catastrophe - he appeared yesterday on the CBS program "Face the Nation:"
"I don't think anybody could credibly say even as frustrated as they are, and as frustrated as we are, that the government has stood around, done nothing and hoped for the best. We were activated the moment that this oil rig exploded, this has been on the President's agenda ever since that happened and we have mobilized every aspect that we possibly can in our government. There have been calls to every sector of our government to ask for help."
But in a sign of defensiveness, Gibbs called White House reporters into the West Wing Friday and criticized them for asking too many BP questions.
He’ll get a lot more today – when he appears with Admiral Thad Allen – the Coast Guard Commandant who’s been working with BP these last few weeks. As for President Obama – he’ll hold a noon conference call with Gulf Coast Governors to discuss the latest developments.
North Korea Tensions Increase
Dramatic late night developments concerning that sinking of a South Korean warship, which killed 46 people. South Korea, which formally accuses North Korea of the attack, is demanding an apology and the punishment of those responsible.
The White House, early this morning, issued a statement saying President Obama fully backs South Korean President Lee in the matter:
"Specifically, we endorse President Lee’s demand that North Korea immediately apologize and punish those responsible for the attack, and, most importantly, stop its belligerent and threatening behavior. U.S. support for South Korea’s defense is unequivocal, and the President has directed his military commanders to coordinate closely with their Republic of Korea counterparts to ensure readiness and to deter future aggression."
The tough message is undoubtedly meant to both reassure South Korea and, perhaps, more importantly, send a message to North Korea. The Communist North has threatened "all out war" in the matter if it comes to that.
Officially, the Korean War - which took 36,000 American lives in just three years - has never ended. A truce was signed - but not a peace treaty - back in 1953.
There are some 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. A U.S. diplomatic source in Seoul tells WWR the atmosphere is "noticeably more tense" today.
*****
The Schedule
EDT
9:00AM In-Town Travel Pool Call Time
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:20AM THE PRESIDENT attends a reception for the Federal Judge Association
State Floor
Closed Press
11:05AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
12:00PM THE PRESIDENT participates in the daily briefing call with Gulf Coast Governors on the BP oil spill
Oval Office
Closed Press
2:30PM THE PRESIDENT welcomes Prime Minister Saad Hariri of Lebanon to the White House
Oval Office
Pool Still Photographers Spray at the Bottom (Pool Gather Time 2:10PM--Brady Press Briefing Room)
4:00PM THE PRESIDENT host a reception to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
East Room
Pooled Press (Pre-Set 2:00PM //Final Gather 3:30PM—North Doors of the Palm Room)
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
3:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and United States Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen
*****
Presidential Quote
"I reject the cynical view that politics is a dirty business." - Richard Nixon
Friday, May 21, 2010
Today in the West Wing: Friday, May 21
You can't fire me, I quit.
That's the essence of how the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Dennis Blair, is leaving his job today.
The "DNI" offered to quit yesterday during a phone call with Obama; who accepted the offer. Obama had floated the idea of replacing Blair earlier this week, and wanted him to stay on until a replacement could be named. But Blair refused. It is the highest ranking departure to date of the Obama administration.
Aside from the usual statements to the media that are meant to downplay these departures - Obama: Blair "performed admirably and effectively at a time of great challenges to our security;" Blair: "with deep regret I informed the President today that I will step down;" - it's worth noting that Blair has been the third person to hold the job since it was created in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. There is growing talk that the DNI job, the way it is structured and so forth, is flawed and doesn't help the U.S. combat terrorism.
Or it could just be that Blair wasn't the right fit for the job. Obama loyalists cite political missteps and a failure to connect the dots that might have prevented the Christmas Day scare on that Detroit-bound jet, or the fizzled car bomb in Times Square.
The fact that no replacement has been named suggests a lack of coordination by the White House. With terrorist threats mounting, the country's top intelligence job is vacant, and because a new replacement must be approved by the Senate, it'll be vacant for weeks to come.
Financial Reform Moves Ahead
Meantime, Obama is hailing Senate passage of a bill that would dramatically overhaul regulations of the financial industry - the biggest changes since the 1930s.
This isn't a done deal. The Senate bill passed last night by a 59-39 vote must now be combined with a similar House bill - and then both the House and Senate must vote again on that combined measure. But the President and Congressional leaders seem confident this will happen.
The bill aims to rein in the kind of risky Wall Street practices that nearly caused the U.S. economy to collapse two years ago. It would 1) set up a new consumer watchdog agency to oversee things like mortgages and credit cards; 2) banks would be required to spin off their derivatives businesses - the murky, lightly regulated instruments that helped spark the downturn; and 3) prevent banks from being bailed out in the future by taxpayers.
Opponents - practically all Republicans - say it doesn't do anything about mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which were bailed out in 2008. They also say small banks and businesses will be burdened with new rules that'll make it harder to operate.
Electric Cars
We'll hear from the President at 10:45, when he unveils new measures to increase fuel efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas emissions for cars and trucks beginning in 2017.
A big part of the fuel-effiency drive is electric cars. Obama wants to move away from oil-based fuels as quickly as possible. He sees a trifecta of benefits for national security, the economy and the environment.
Last month the administration rolled out mileage goals for 2012-2016 model year vehicles: 35.5 miles per gallon, nearly 10 miles per gallon more than now.
*****
The 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
Closed Press
10:45AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks and signs a Presidential Memorandum outlining the next steps in his vision for cleaner, more efficient vehicles
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 9:40AM – Final Gather 10:10AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
12:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
Closed Press
*****
Presidential Quote
"Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder." - George Washington
That's the essence of how the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Dennis Blair, is leaving his job today.
The "DNI" offered to quit yesterday during a phone call with Obama; who accepted the offer. Obama had floated the idea of replacing Blair earlier this week, and wanted him to stay on until a replacement could be named. But Blair refused. It is the highest ranking departure to date of the Obama administration.
Aside from the usual statements to the media that are meant to downplay these departures - Obama: Blair "performed admirably and effectively at a time of great challenges to our security;" Blair: "with deep regret I informed the President today that I will step down;" - it's worth noting that Blair has been the third person to hold the job since it was created in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. There is growing talk that the DNI job, the way it is structured and so forth, is flawed and doesn't help the U.S. combat terrorism.
Or it could just be that Blair wasn't the right fit for the job. Obama loyalists cite political missteps and a failure to connect the dots that might have prevented the Christmas Day scare on that Detroit-bound jet, or the fizzled car bomb in Times Square.
The fact that no replacement has been named suggests a lack of coordination by the White House. With terrorist threats mounting, the country's top intelligence job is vacant, and because a new replacement must be approved by the Senate, it'll be vacant for weeks to come.
Financial Reform Moves Ahead
Meantime, Obama is hailing Senate passage of a bill that would dramatically overhaul regulations of the financial industry - the biggest changes since the 1930s.
This isn't a done deal. The Senate bill passed last night by a 59-39 vote must now be combined with a similar House bill - and then both the House and Senate must vote again on that combined measure. But the President and Congressional leaders seem confident this will happen.
The bill aims to rein in the kind of risky Wall Street practices that nearly caused the U.S. economy to collapse two years ago. It would 1) set up a new consumer watchdog agency to oversee things like mortgages and credit cards; 2) banks would be required to spin off their derivatives businesses - the murky, lightly regulated instruments that helped spark the downturn; and 3) prevent banks from being bailed out in the future by taxpayers.
Opponents - practically all Republicans - say it doesn't do anything about mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which were bailed out in 2008. They also say small banks and businesses will be burdened with new rules that'll make it harder to operate.
Electric Cars
We'll hear from the President at 10:45, when he unveils new measures to increase fuel efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas emissions for cars and trucks beginning in 2017.
A big part of the fuel-effiency drive is electric cars. Obama wants to move away from oil-based fuels as quickly as possible. He sees a trifecta of benefits for national security, the economy and the environment.
Last month the administration rolled out mileage goals for 2012-2016 model year vehicles: 35.5 miles per gallon, nearly 10 miles per gallon more than now.
*****
The 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
Closed Press
10:45AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks and signs a Presidential Memorandum outlining the next steps in his vision for cleaner, more efficient vehicles
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 9:40AM – Final Gather 10:10AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
12:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
Closed Press
*****
Presidential Quote
"Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder." - George Washington
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Today in the West Wing: Thursday, May 20
"The Arizona law, I think, expresses some of the frustrations that the American people have had in not fixing a broken immigration system and, frankly, the failures of the federal government to get this done. I’m sympathetic to those frustrations; I share those frustrations."
That frustration, President Obama said at yesterday’s news conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, extends to Capitol Hill, where there's not enough support for an immigration reform bill - at least the one he wants:
"Here’s the challenge that we have politically. The political challenge is, is that I have confidence that I can get the majority of Democrats, both in the House and the Senate, to support a piece of legislation of the sort that I just described. But I don’t have 60 votes in the Senate. I’ve got to have some support from Republicans."
Perhaps not in this election year, but there is widespread support in general for a bill that would overhaul what everyone agrees is a broken system now. In a bipartisan effort a few years ago, Arizona Sen. John McCain and the late Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy got enough Senate votes for a bill, but it fell short in the House.
Meantime, Obama made this claim:
"Illegal immigration is actually down on the borders, not up. I know that’s not the perception out there, but that’s the fact."
The White House provided no proof of this. But there is anecdotal evidence that the economic slowdown is causing some potential illegals to stay away.
As for those who are here illegally, Obama wants what he calls accountability:
"That means they need to pay a fine, they need to pay back taxes. I believe they should learn English. I believe that it is important for them to get to the back of the line and not in the front, but that we create a pathway so that they have an opportunity, if they are following the rules, following the law, to become legal residents and ultimately citizens of this country."
*****
The Schedule
EDT
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
3:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of the Treasury Geithner
Oval Office
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
1:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
On This Day
1862: President Abraham Lincoln signs the Homestead Act, which opens government-owned land to small family farmers ("homesteaders"). The act gave "any person" who was the head of a family 160 acres to try his hand at farming for five years. The individual had to be at least 21 years old and was required to build a house on the property.
Presidential Quote
"As the term of my relief from this place (Washington, D.C.) approaches, its drudgery becomes more nauseating and intolerable. - Thomas Jefferson
That frustration, President Obama said at yesterday’s news conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, extends to Capitol Hill, where there's not enough support for an immigration reform bill - at least the one he wants:
"Here’s the challenge that we have politically. The political challenge is, is that I have confidence that I can get the majority of Democrats, both in the House and the Senate, to support a piece of legislation of the sort that I just described. But I don’t have 60 votes in the Senate. I’ve got to have some support from Republicans."
Perhaps not in this election year, but there is widespread support in general for a bill that would overhaul what everyone agrees is a broken system now. In a bipartisan effort a few years ago, Arizona Sen. John McCain and the late Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy got enough Senate votes for a bill, but it fell short in the House.
Meantime, Obama made this claim:
"Illegal immigration is actually down on the borders, not up. I know that’s not the perception out there, but that’s the fact."
The White House provided no proof of this. But there is anecdotal evidence that the economic slowdown is causing some potential illegals to stay away.
As for those who are here illegally, Obama wants what he calls accountability:
"That means they need to pay a fine, they need to pay back taxes. I believe they should learn English. I believe that it is important for them to get to the back of the line and not in the front, but that we create a pathway so that they have an opportunity, if they are following the rules, following the law, to become legal residents and ultimately citizens of this country."
*****
The Schedule
EDT
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
3:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of the Treasury Geithner
Oval Office
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
1:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
On This Day
1862: President Abraham Lincoln signs the Homestead Act, which opens government-owned land to small family farmers ("homesteaders"). The act gave "any person" who was the head of a family 160 acres to try his hand at farming for five years. The individual had to be at least 21 years old and was required to build a house on the property.
Presidential Quote
"As the term of my relief from this place (Washington, D.C.) approaches, its drudgery becomes more nauseating and intolerable. - Thomas Jefferson
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Today in the West Wing: Wednesday, May 19
America has a "special relationship" with Britain. Its largest trading partner is Canada. And China its biggest rival.
But as Mexican President Felipe Calderon arrives for a State visit this morning, the White House says "there is no more important relationship for the United States."
It's also perhaps the most complex. A 2,000 mile border across which billions of dollars in trade flows - but also drugs, weapons and illegal immigrants.
President Obama and Calderon have discussed all this before - this will be their fourth bilateral meeting in just a year-and-a-half - but what's new now is that controversial law in Arizona that cracks down on those illegals.
Calderón will tell Obama, obviously, that he opposes the Arizona law - as does Obama. But you won't hear him say that the issue is a personal one, since he has relatives in the U.S. - some of whom came here illegally.
As for the drug trade - a staple of chats between Mexican and American Presidents for decades - Obama and Calderon are sympatico, but there appears to be a perception in Mexico that Calderon is cracking down too hard, and a perception here that Obama isn't doing enough to stench the flow of drugs - or illegals.
The two men will see each other often today. After the welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn - a full-blown affair with all the ruffles and flourishes - the Presidents will meet in the Oval Office and hold a Rose Garden news conference. And tonight, a gala State Dinner, just the second of Obama's Presidency.
You may remember what happened at the first State Dinner one back in November: two people walked in, uninvited and mingled with guests - even meeting the President himself. The faux pas cost then-White House social secretary Desiree Rogers her job. Asked Monday whether the White House was confident thus wouldn't happen again, press secretary Robert Gibbs said: "We are."
The Schedule
EDT
8:30AM In-Town Travel Pool Call Time
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT, THE VICE PRESIDENT, THE FIRST LADY, and DR. BIDEN welcome President Calderón and Mrs. Zavala to the White House
South Lawn
Open Press (Pre-set 6:30AM – Final Gather 8:30AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT holds a bilateral meeting with President Calderón
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:55AM THE PRESIDENT holds an expanded bilateral meeting with President Calderón and Official U.S. and Official Mexican Delegations
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:50AM THE PRESIDENT and President Calderón hold a joint press conference
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 10:50AM – Final Gather 11:20AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
3:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Lou Susman
Oval Office
Closed Press
4:15PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
Closed Press
6:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY welcome President Calderón and Mrs. Zavala
North Portico
Open Press (Pre-set 5:00PM – Final Gather 5:30PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
6:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY take official photo with President Calderón and Mrs. Zavala
Grand Staircase
Pooled Press (No pre-set, Final Call 6:10PM--North Doors of the Palm Room)
7:10PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY attend the State Dinner with President Calderón and Mrs. Zavala; THE PRESIDENT and President Calderón will each deliver a toast
East Room
Pooled Press for toasts by President Obama and President Calderón (No pre-set, Final Call 6:40PM--North Doors of the Palm Room)
8:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY attend the State Dinner Reception with President Calderón and Mrs. Zavala
South Lawn
Pooled Press (No Pre-set, Final Call 8:05PM--North doors of the Palm Room)
*****
On This Day
1962 - Marilyn Monroe performed a sultry rendition of "Happy Birthday" for President Kennedy at New York's Madison Square Garden.
Presidential Quote
Nothing brings out the lower traits of human nature like office seeking." - Rutherford B. Hayes
But as Mexican President Felipe Calderon arrives for a State visit this morning, the White House says "there is no more important relationship for the United States."
It's also perhaps the most complex. A 2,000 mile border across which billions of dollars in trade flows - but also drugs, weapons and illegal immigrants.
President Obama and Calderon have discussed all this before - this will be their fourth bilateral meeting in just a year-and-a-half - but what's new now is that controversial law in Arizona that cracks down on those illegals.
Calderón will tell Obama, obviously, that he opposes the Arizona law - as does Obama. But you won't hear him say that the issue is a personal one, since he has relatives in the U.S. - some of whom came here illegally.
As for the drug trade - a staple of chats between Mexican and American Presidents for decades - Obama and Calderon are sympatico, but there appears to be a perception in Mexico that Calderon is cracking down too hard, and a perception here that Obama isn't doing enough to stench the flow of drugs - or illegals.
The two men will see each other often today. After the welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn - a full-blown affair with all the ruffles and flourishes - the Presidents will meet in the Oval Office and hold a Rose Garden news conference. And tonight, a gala State Dinner, just the second of Obama's Presidency.
You may remember what happened at the first State Dinner one back in November: two people walked in, uninvited and mingled with guests - even meeting the President himself. The faux pas cost then-White House social secretary Desiree Rogers her job. Asked Monday whether the White House was confident thus wouldn't happen again, press secretary Robert Gibbs said: "We are."
The Schedule
EDT
8:30AM In-Town Travel Pool Call Time
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT, THE VICE PRESIDENT, THE FIRST LADY, and DR. BIDEN welcome President Calderón and Mrs. Zavala to the White House
South Lawn
Open Press (Pre-set 6:30AM – Final Gather 8:30AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT holds a bilateral meeting with President Calderón
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:55AM THE PRESIDENT holds an expanded bilateral meeting with President Calderón and Official U.S. and Official Mexican Delegations
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:50AM THE PRESIDENT and President Calderón hold a joint press conference
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 10:50AM – Final Gather 11:20AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
3:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Lou Susman
Oval Office
Closed Press
4:15PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
Closed Press
6:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY welcome President Calderón and Mrs. Zavala
North Portico
Open Press (Pre-set 5:00PM – Final Gather 5:30PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
6:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY take official photo with President Calderón and Mrs. Zavala
Grand Staircase
Pooled Press (No pre-set, Final Call 6:10PM--North Doors of the Palm Room)
7:10PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY attend the State Dinner with President Calderón and Mrs. Zavala; THE PRESIDENT and President Calderón will each deliver a toast
East Room
Pooled Press for toasts by President Obama and President Calderón (No pre-set, Final Call 6:40PM--North Doors of the Palm Room)
8:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY attend the State Dinner Reception with President Calderón and Mrs. Zavala
South Lawn
Pooled Press (No Pre-set, Final Call 8:05PM--North doors of the Palm Room)
*****
On This Day
1962 - Marilyn Monroe performed a sultry rendition of "Happy Birthday" for President Kennedy at New York's Madison Square Garden.
Presidential Quote
Nothing brings out the lower traits of human nature like office seeking." - Rutherford B. Hayes
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Today in the West Wing: May 18, 2010
The President hits the road today for another installment in his "White House to Main Street" tour. Today's destination: hard-hit Youngstown, Ohio (March unemployment rate: 14.0%). He'll tour one place that is actually doing well, the V&M factory, which makes steel pipes for the natural gas industry. Then it's back to Washington for a late afternoon meeting with Jewish lawmakers.
But behind the scenes, all eyes in the West Wing are on primaries in Arkansas, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. After Democrats lost the Governorships last year in New Jersey and Virginia - and the stunning loss of Ted Kennedy's Senate seat in Massachusetts - everyone wants to know what tomorrow means for November's mid-term vote, now less than six months away.
Pointing to the downfall of Utah's arch-conservative Republican Sen. Robert Bennett, the White House says the anti-incumbency mood is just as applicable to the GOP as it is to Democrats. True - but unfortunately for them, there are a lot more incumbent Democrats this year.
In Arkansas, the incumbent Senator Blanch Lincoln (D) is favored to win the Democratic primary race over Bill Halter. The winner will face the GOP Rep. John Boozman in November; polls show Boozman beating either one of them.
In Kentucky, political novice Rand Paul (the son of Texas Rep. Ron Paul) has a double-digit lead over Trey Grayson, the Republican Party establishment's choice in the GOP race for Senate. On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo holds a seven -point lead over Attorney General Jack Conway. The winners will face off in November for the seat beign vacated by Sen. Jim Bunning (R).
And in Pennsylvania, the Democratic Senate primary is going down to the wire with Rep. Joe Sestak and the longtime incumbent Arlen Specter running neck and neck. The winner will probably take on former GOP congressman Pat Toomey in November.
The Schedule
EDT
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
1:20PM THE PRESIDENT tours the facilities of V&M Star
Youngstown, Ohio
Travel Pool Coverage
1:45PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on jobs and the economy to workers
V&M Star
Open Press
5:15PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Jewish Members of the Democratic Caucuses
Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton will gaggle aboard Air Force One
*****
Presidential Quote
"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."
- John Adams
But behind the scenes, all eyes in the West Wing are on primaries in Arkansas, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. After Democrats lost the Governorships last year in New Jersey and Virginia - and the stunning loss of Ted Kennedy's Senate seat in Massachusetts - everyone wants to know what tomorrow means for November's mid-term vote, now less than six months away.
Pointing to the downfall of Utah's arch-conservative Republican Sen. Robert Bennett, the White House says the anti-incumbency mood is just as applicable to the GOP as it is to Democrats. True - but unfortunately for them, there are a lot more incumbent Democrats this year.
In Arkansas, the incumbent Senator Blanch Lincoln (D) is favored to win the Democratic primary race over Bill Halter. The winner will face the GOP Rep. John Boozman in November; polls show Boozman beating either one of them.
In Kentucky, political novice Rand Paul (the son of Texas Rep. Ron Paul) has a double-digit lead over Trey Grayson, the Republican Party establishment's choice in the GOP race for Senate. On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo holds a seven -point lead over Attorney General Jack Conway. The winners will face off in November for the seat beign vacated by Sen. Jim Bunning (R).
And in Pennsylvania, the Democratic Senate primary is going down to the wire with Rep. Joe Sestak and the longtime incumbent Arlen Specter running neck and neck. The winner will probably take on former GOP congressman Pat Toomey in November.
The Schedule
EDT
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
1:20PM THE PRESIDENT tours the facilities of V&M Star
Youngstown, Ohio
Travel Pool Coverage
1:45PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on jobs and the economy to workers
V&M Star
Open Press
5:15PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Jewish Members of the Democratic Caucuses
Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton will gaggle aboard Air Force One
*****
Presidential Quote
"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."
- John Adams
Monday, May 17, 2010
The West Wing Today: May 17, 2010
Obama's day begins with the Presidential Daily Briefing - the famous PDB. Later he'll sign the Freedom of Press Act in the Oval Office. The Freedom of the Press Act expands the examination of press freedom worldwide in the State Dept.’s annual human rights report. It is named for Daniel Pearl, the Wall St. Journal reporter who was decapitated by terrorists in 2002.
After lunch, Obama welcomes the NCAA champion University of Connecticut women’s basketball team to the White House to honor the Huskies for their second straight NCAA Championship and back-to-back undefeated seasons.
Looking ahead, Obama heads to hard-hit Youngstown, Ohio on Tuesday, for another installment in his "White House to Main Street" tour. He'll visit a manufacturing plant and talk with workers about the economy.
Wednesday, Mexican President Felipe Calderon pays a visit. There'll be a news conference and, in he evening, a Stat Dinner. It'll be the second State Dinner Obama has held and you can be sure there won't be any gate crashers this time.
The Schedule
EDT
9:00AM Pool Call Time
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:35AM THE PRESIDENT signs the Freedom of Press Act
Oval Office
Pooled Press (Gather Time 11:30AM – Briefing Room)
1:05PM THE PRESIDENT welcomes the NCAA champion University of Connecticut women’s basketball team to the White House
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 12:05PM – Final Gather 12:45PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
Briefing Schedule
1:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
On This Day
1973 - The Senate Watergate Committee began its hearings.
1996 - President Clinton signed "Megan's Law," a bill requiring neighborhood notification when sex offenders move in. Megan's Law was named for 7-year-old Megan Kanka, who was raped and killed in 1994.
Presidential Quote
"May God save the country, for it is evident that the people will not."
- Millard Fillmore
After lunch, Obama welcomes the NCAA champion University of Connecticut women’s basketball team to the White House to honor the Huskies for their second straight NCAA Championship and back-to-back undefeated seasons.
Looking ahead, Obama heads to hard-hit Youngstown, Ohio on Tuesday, for another installment in his "White House to Main Street" tour. He'll visit a manufacturing plant and talk with workers about the economy.
Wednesday, Mexican President Felipe Calderon pays a visit. There'll be a news conference and, in he evening, a Stat Dinner. It'll be the second State Dinner Obama has held and you can be sure there won't be any gate crashers this time.
The Schedule
EDT
9:00AM Pool Call Time
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:35AM THE PRESIDENT signs the Freedom of Press Act
Oval Office
Pooled Press (Gather Time 11:30AM – Briefing Room)
1:05PM THE PRESIDENT welcomes the NCAA champion University of Connecticut women’s basketball team to the White House
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 12:05PM – Final Gather 12:45PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
Briefing Schedule
1:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
On This Day
1973 - The Senate Watergate Committee began its hearings.
1996 - President Clinton signed "Megan's Law," a bill requiring neighborhood notification when sex offenders move in. Megan's Law was named for 7-year-old Megan Kanka, who was raped and killed in 1994.
Presidential Quote
"May God save the country, for it is evident that the people will not."
- Millard Fillmore
Friday, May 14, 2010
Today in the West Wing: Friday, May 14
A lot of extra security at the White House today. Nothing to be concerned about. President Obama is hosting a ceremony honoring the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) in the Rose Garden; he'll present awards to NAPO's "TOP COPS."
Later, Obama meets with members of his Cabinet and other senior administration officials to determine next steps in the ongoing effort to stop the BP oil spill, contain its spread, and help affected communities. After the meeting, he'll deliver remarks in the Rose Garden. The President is said to be "beyond livid" about the oil spill and BP's inability thus far, to stop it.
No plans, at least for now, for the President to go to Camp David this weekend. WWR suspects a little golf may be in the cards for tomorrow.
No formal press briefing today. There could be an informal briefing - known as a "gaggle" - in press secretary Robert Gibbs's office.
Next week: another State Dinner, this time for the President of Mexico. A big tent is on the South Lawn for the soiree. Pretty sure there won't be any gate crashers this time.
The Schedule
EDT
10:10AM THE PRESIDENT honors the TOP COPS award recipients in a ceremony
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 9:10AM – Final Gather 9:40AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
11:15AM THE PRESIDENT meets with members of his Cabinet and other administration officials to discuss the ongoing efforts to stop the BP oil spill and help affected communities
Roosevelt Room
Closed Press
11:50AM THE PRESIDENT makes a statement to the press about the meeting
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 10:50AM – Final Gather 11:30AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
*****
On This Day
1999: President Clinton apologizes directly to Chinese President Jiang Zemin on the phone for the accidental NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, that had taken place six days earlier. Clinton called the bombing an "isolated and tragic event" and insisted it was not deliberate, contrary to what Chinese officials were claiming. At the time, American forces were part of a U.N. effort to help end a bloody sectarian war in Yugoslavia. - from History.com
Presidential Quote
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
Later, Obama meets with members of his Cabinet and other senior administration officials to determine next steps in the ongoing effort to stop the BP oil spill, contain its spread, and help affected communities. After the meeting, he'll deliver remarks in the Rose Garden. The President is said to be "beyond livid" about the oil spill and BP's inability thus far, to stop it.
No plans, at least for now, for the President to go to Camp David this weekend. WWR suspects a little golf may be in the cards for tomorrow.
No formal press briefing today. There could be an informal briefing - known as a "gaggle" - in press secretary Robert Gibbs's office.
Next week: another State Dinner, this time for the President of Mexico. A big tent is on the South Lawn for the soiree. Pretty sure there won't be any gate crashers this time.
The Schedule
EDT
10:10AM THE PRESIDENT honors the TOP COPS award recipients in a ceremony
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 9:10AM – Final Gather 9:40AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
11:15AM THE PRESIDENT meets with members of his Cabinet and other administration officials to discuss the ongoing efforts to stop the BP oil spill and help affected communities
Roosevelt Room
Closed Press
11:50AM THE PRESIDENT makes a statement to the press about the meeting
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 10:50AM – Final Gather 11:30AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
*****
On This Day
1999: President Clinton apologizes directly to Chinese President Jiang Zemin on the phone for the accidental NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, that had taken place six days earlier. Clinton called the bombing an "isolated and tragic event" and insisted it was not deliberate, contrary to what Chinese officials were claiming. At the time, American forces were part of a U.N. effort to help end a bloody sectarian war in Yugoslavia. - from History.com
Presidential Quote
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Today in the West Wing: Thursday, May 13
Good morning...there are 87,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan today – there’ll be 100,000 by this summer.
But President Obama says they won’t be staying long:
"I am confident that we’re going to be able to reduce our troop strength in Afghanistan starting in July 2011."
Obama – insisting that after eight years in Afghanistan – now the longest active military conflict in American history – he needs just one more year to accomplish the military mission – and turn over more control of that war-torn country to the Afghans.
But the U.S. presence there in general? That’s open-ended. Economic development, cultural ties - the nation-building thing.
"But after July 2011, we are still going to have an interest in making sure that Afghanistan is secure, that economic development is taking place, that good governance is being promoted. And so we’re going to still be putting in resources and we’re still going to be a friend to the Afghan people in their efforts to stabilize. So that’s something I want to make absolutely clear."
There are plenty of analysts however, who say Obama’s military deadline is arbitrary, driven more by his 2012 re-election bid than the situation on the ground in Afghanistan.
The White House denies this and says one reason we’ve been in Afghanistan so long is that for most of the last eight years the war was largely ignored, largely under-resourced, and largely overshadowed by Iraq.
Hence the Obama surge: tripling the number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan – and between now and next summer. He's bracing the American people for more casualties:
"There are going to be ups and downs. And one thing that I’ve tried to emphasize is the fact that there’s going to be some hard fighting over the next several months."
*****
Kagan Watch
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan makes another round of Senate visits. On the schedule today: Kerry, Specter, Schumer, Collins, Cardin, Brown, and Klobuchar.
*****
The Schedule
EDT
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
1:35PM THE PRESIDENT tours the facilities of Industrial Support Inc.
Buffalo, New York
Travel Pool Coverage
1:50PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on the economy and take questions from workers and small businesses in the audience
Industrial Support Inc., Buffalo, New York
Open Press
7:05PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a DCCC fundraising dinner
St. Regis Hotel, New York, New York
Travel Pool Coverage
Briefing Schedule
Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton will gaggle aboard Air Force One
*****
On This Day
1846: Congress overwhelmingly votes in favor of President James K. Polk's request to declare war on Mexico in a dispute over Texas.
Presidential Quote
"Fondly do we hope--fervently do we pray--that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away."
- Abraham Lincoln.
But President Obama says they won’t be staying long:
"I am confident that we’re going to be able to reduce our troop strength in Afghanistan starting in July 2011."
Obama – insisting that after eight years in Afghanistan – now the longest active military conflict in American history – he needs just one more year to accomplish the military mission – and turn over more control of that war-torn country to the Afghans.
But the U.S. presence there in general? That’s open-ended. Economic development, cultural ties - the nation-building thing.
"But after July 2011, we are still going to have an interest in making sure that Afghanistan is secure, that economic development is taking place, that good governance is being promoted. And so we’re going to still be putting in resources and we’re still going to be a friend to the Afghan people in their efforts to stabilize. So that’s something I want to make absolutely clear."
There are plenty of analysts however, who say Obama’s military deadline is arbitrary, driven more by his 2012 re-election bid than the situation on the ground in Afghanistan.
The White House denies this and says one reason we’ve been in Afghanistan so long is that for most of the last eight years the war was largely ignored, largely under-resourced, and largely overshadowed by Iraq.
Hence the Obama surge: tripling the number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan – and between now and next summer. He's bracing the American people for more casualties:
"There are going to be ups and downs. And one thing that I’ve tried to emphasize is the fact that there’s going to be some hard fighting over the next several months."
*****
Kagan Watch
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan makes another round of Senate visits. On the schedule today: Kerry, Specter, Schumer, Collins, Cardin, Brown, and Klobuchar.
*****
The Schedule
EDT
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
1:35PM THE PRESIDENT tours the facilities of Industrial Support Inc.
Buffalo, New York
Travel Pool Coverage
1:50PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on the economy and take questions from workers and small businesses in the audience
Industrial Support Inc., Buffalo, New York
Open Press
7:05PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a DCCC fundraising dinner
St. Regis Hotel, New York, New York
Travel Pool Coverage
Briefing Schedule
Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton will gaggle aboard Air Force One
*****
On This Day
1846: Congress overwhelmingly votes in favor of President James K. Polk's request to declare war on Mexico in a dispute over Texas.
Presidential Quote
"Fondly do we hope--fervently do we pray--that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away."
- Abraham Lincoln.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The West Wing Today: May 12, 2010
200,000 gallons a day - the oil continues to spew from that sunken oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. BP's efforts to cap the rig so far have failed, much to the consternation of President Obama.
"I would say the President is deeply frustrated that we have not plugged this leak," says Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary.
In fact, Obama is "frustrated with everything (and) with everybody, in the sense that we still have an oil leak," Gibbs adds.
That frustration might include his own government - which appears to be stonewalling on the release of key documents in the matter.
The federal agency that oversees the safety of oil rigs -- the Mineral Management Service -- won't release inspection reports -- telling CBS they're quote - part of an ongoing investigation. A spokesman says they need to review the documents to to quote - make sure they meet legal standards for release."
And something that else that's not being released -- BP has some dramatic underwater video of the leak - but so far refuses to make it public -- probably not good for their already oil-stained image.
But the White House is overseeing cleanup efforts -- couldn't it force BP to release the tape?
Gibbs: Well, we've asked that to happen.
Q: Well, why hasn’t it happened?
Gibbs: You’d have to ask that of BP.
Meantime, the Minerals Management Service will be broken up, in an effort to split its apparently conflicting missions.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says one part of the agency that deals with safety and environmental laws, will soon be seperate from another that brings in billions in drilling royalties each year.
The move is to guarantee "no conflict, real or perceived, with respect to those functions," he said.
Karzai Visit
It's Afghan day at 1600 Pennsylvania. Hamid Karzai, the embattled President - often derided as the "Mayor of Kabul" because his authority seems rather limited - visits President Obama this morning. They'll meet privately in the Oval Office and then hold a news conference in the East Room. Tensions between the two leaders have flared in recent weeks, though everyone's playing nice now.
The U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan is still underway - but their withdrawal is already planned to begin in August, 2011. Afghan forces are gradually assume more control, but there are serious doubts about the timing and substance of this. The best the U.S. can say is that progress is "slow and steady."
In general, Washington's strategy now bypasses Karzai - focusing instead on regional and tribal leaders; this doesn't sit well with Karzai, who argues this weakens his authority as a leader - and his ability to help defeat the Taliban. But since 2001, the U.S. stratagy in Afghanistan had been nearly entirely on Kabul and Karzai - with limited results.
Kagan Nomination
Meantime, Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kegan, heads to Capitol Hill to make the Senate rounds. On today's agenda: Reid, McConnell, Leahy, Sessions, Durbin, Hatch, Kohl, and Feinstein.
*****
The Schedule
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:15AM THE PRESIDENT holds bilateral meeting with President Karzai
Oval Office
Pool spray at the bottom for still photographers (Gather Time 10:30AM – Briefing Room)
11:15AM THE PRESIDENT holds a joint press conference with President Karzai
East Room
Open Press (Pre-set 9:30AM – Final Gather 10:45AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
12:25PM THE PRESIDENT has lunch with President Karzai
Cabinet Room
Closed Press
2:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
*****
On This Day
1903: President Theodore Roosevelt's trip to San Francisco was captured on moving-picture film, making him the first president to have an official activity recorded in that medium. Presidents have been playing to the cameras ever since.
Presidential Quote
"Truth is the glue that holds governments together. Compromise is the oil that makes governments go." - Gerald Ford.
"I would say the President is deeply frustrated that we have not plugged this leak," says Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary.
In fact, Obama is "frustrated with everything (and) with everybody, in the sense that we still have an oil leak," Gibbs adds.
That frustration might include his own government - which appears to be stonewalling on the release of key documents in the matter.
The federal agency that oversees the safety of oil rigs -- the Mineral Management Service -- won't release inspection reports -- telling CBS they're quote - part of an ongoing investigation. A spokesman says they need to review the documents to to quote - make sure they meet legal standards for release."
And something that else that's not being released -- BP has some dramatic underwater video of the leak - but so far refuses to make it public -- probably not good for their already oil-stained image.
But the White House is overseeing cleanup efforts -- couldn't it force BP to release the tape?
Gibbs: Well, we've asked that to happen.
Q: Well, why hasn’t it happened?
Gibbs: You’d have to ask that of BP.
Meantime, the Minerals Management Service will be broken up, in an effort to split its apparently conflicting missions.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says one part of the agency that deals with safety and environmental laws, will soon be seperate from another that brings in billions in drilling royalties each year.
The move is to guarantee "no conflict, real or perceived, with respect to those functions," he said.
Karzai Visit
It's Afghan day at 1600 Pennsylvania. Hamid Karzai, the embattled President - often derided as the "Mayor of Kabul" because his authority seems rather limited - visits President Obama this morning. They'll meet privately in the Oval Office and then hold a news conference in the East Room. Tensions between the two leaders have flared in recent weeks, though everyone's playing nice now.
The U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan is still underway - but their withdrawal is already planned to begin in August, 2011. Afghan forces are gradually assume more control, but there are serious doubts about the timing and substance of this. The best the U.S. can say is that progress is "slow and steady."
In general, Washington's strategy now bypasses Karzai - focusing instead on regional and tribal leaders; this doesn't sit well with Karzai, who argues this weakens his authority as a leader - and his ability to help defeat the Taliban. But since 2001, the U.S. stratagy in Afghanistan had been nearly entirely on Kabul and Karzai - with limited results.
Kagan Nomination
Meantime, Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kegan, heads to Capitol Hill to make the Senate rounds. On today's agenda: Reid, McConnell, Leahy, Sessions, Durbin, Hatch, Kohl, and Feinstein.
*****
The Schedule
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:15AM THE PRESIDENT holds bilateral meeting with President Karzai
Oval Office
Pool spray at the bottom for still photographers (Gather Time 10:30AM – Briefing Room)
11:15AM THE PRESIDENT holds a joint press conference with President Karzai
East Room
Open Press (Pre-set 9:30AM – Final Gather 10:45AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
12:25PM THE PRESIDENT has lunch with President Karzai
Cabinet Room
Closed Press
2:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
*****
On This Day
1903: President Theodore Roosevelt's trip to San Francisco was captured on moving-picture film, making him the first president to have an official activity recorded in that medium. Presidents have been playing to the cameras ever since.
Presidential Quote
"Truth is the glue that holds governments together. Compromise is the oil that makes governments go." - Gerald Ford.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The West Wing Today: May 11, 2010
President Obama is out of the public eye today – as he gets ready for tomorrow’s visit by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. The U-S troop surge – and the mission – is far from complete – but Obama still insists American forces will start withdrawing in just 15 months. But the U-S worries that Afghan forces won’t be ready to take over – Obama’s also fed up with Afghanistan’s legendary and pervasive corruption. Meantime, Karzai’s angry and feels he’s being disrespected by the Americans.
But these differences are now being papered over – at least in public. U-S Ambassador to Kabul, Karl EIkenberry.
"President Obama has expressed his confidence in President Karzai and our work together. As you know, every relationship -- every bilateral relationship, especially one that’s as close as we have with Afghanistan, they experience ups and downs."
Meantime – Press secretary Robert Gibbs was asked: WILL the Afghans be able to take over in August 2011?
"Progress is steady but slow. And I think that is likely to continue."
Why August 2011, anyway? Because Obama thinks it’s a good re-election issue. So how’s that timetable working out?
"We're making progress on that."
The clock is ticking.
*****
The President's Schedule
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:20AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
12:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
Closed Press
1:25PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
Closed Press
1:45PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of State Clinton and Ambassador Eikenberry
Oval Office
Closed Press
2:15PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Leahy
Oval Office
Closed Press
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with General McChrystal and Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
2:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate
*****
On This Day
1960: After the U.S. was caught lying by the Soviets in the wake of a U-2 spy plane being shot down, President Eisenhower defended intelligence-gathering activities as "distasteful" but necessary, saying "no one wants another Pearl Harbor."
Presidential Quote
"Arms alone are not enough to keep the peace - it must be kept by men."
- U.S. President John F. Kennedy, 1962.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. The U-S troop surge – and the mission – is far from complete – but Obama still insists American forces will start withdrawing in just 15 months. But the U-S worries that Afghan forces won’t be ready to take over – Obama’s also fed up with Afghanistan’s legendary and pervasive corruption. Meantime, Karzai’s angry and feels he’s being disrespected by the Americans.
But these differences are now being papered over – at least in public. U-S Ambassador to Kabul, Karl EIkenberry.
"President Obama has expressed his confidence in President Karzai and our work together. As you know, every relationship -- every bilateral relationship, especially one that’s as close as we have with Afghanistan, they experience ups and downs."
Meantime – Press secretary Robert Gibbs was asked: WILL the Afghans be able to take over in August 2011?
"Progress is steady but slow. And I think that is likely to continue."
Why August 2011, anyway? Because Obama thinks it’s a good re-election issue. So how’s that timetable working out?
"We're making progress on that."
The clock is ticking.
*****
The President's Schedule
EDT
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:20AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
12:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
Closed Press
1:25PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
Closed Press
1:45PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of State Clinton and Ambassador Eikenberry
Oval Office
Closed Press
2:15PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Leahy
Oval Office
Closed Press
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with General McChrystal and Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
2:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate
*****
On This Day
1960: After the U.S. was caught lying by the Soviets in the wake of a U-2 spy plane being shot down, President Eisenhower defended intelligence-gathering activities as "distasteful" but necessary, saying "no one wants another Pearl Harbor."
Presidential Quote
"Arms alone are not enough to keep the peace - it must be kept by men."
- U.S. President John F. Kennedy, 1962.
Monday, May 10, 2010
The West Wing Today: May 10, 2010
President Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court appears to be Solicitor General Elena Kagan. We'll get an official announcement at 10:00.
Kagan, the former dean of Harvard Law School, would replace the retiring John Paul Stevens. If confirmed, she would be be the fourth woman to serve on the high court.
Kagan, 50, has never served in the judiciary. The last time a non-judge was appointed was in 1972, when President Richard M. Nixon nominated William H. Rehnquist and Lewis Powell in the same year.
Kagan is the government's top appellate lawyer and representative at the Supreme Court. She was confirmed last year by the Senate in a 61 to 31 vote.
Look for Senate hearings to begin within weeks. This will be Obama’s second Supreme Court pick.
Afghanistan
On the foreign policy front – you may remember Obama wants to start pulling U-S forces out of Afghanistan -- in 15 months. But that could depend on whether the Afghans can step up and keep terror groups like al-Qaeda from returning. That’s an issue between the President and Afghan President Hamid Karzai – who visits the White House on Wednesday.
We’ll get a briefing on all this today from the top American General and the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan.
*****
EDT
8:30AM Pool Call Time
10:00 THE PRESIDENT introduces his Supreme Court nominee
10:45AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
12:05PM THE PRESIDENT meets with the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board
Oval Office
Closed Press
1:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
2:30PM THE PRESIDENT holds a meeting to review BP efforts to stop the oil leak
Situation Room
Closed Press
4:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of the Treasury Geithner
Oval Office
Closed Press
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of Energy Chu
Oval Office
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
1:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, General Stanley McChrystal and Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry
*****
On This Day
1877: President Rutherford B. Hayes has the White House's first telephone installed in the mansion s telegraph room. President Hayes embraced the new technology, though he rarely received phone calls. In fact, the Treasury Department possessed the only other direct phone line to the White House at that time. The White House phone number was "1." Phone service throughout the country was in its infancy in 1877. It was not until a year later that the first telephone exchange was set up in Connecticut and it would be 50 more years until President Herbert Hoover had the first telephone line installed at the President's desk in the Oval Office. - from History.com
Presidential Quote
"All men having power ought to be mistrusted." - James Madison
Kagan, the former dean of Harvard Law School, would replace the retiring John Paul Stevens. If confirmed, she would be be the fourth woman to serve on the high court.
Kagan, 50, has never served in the judiciary. The last time a non-judge was appointed was in 1972, when President Richard M. Nixon nominated William H. Rehnquist and Lewis Powell in the same year.
Kagan is the government's top appellate lawyer and representative at the Supreme Court. She was confirmed last year by the Senate in a 61 to 31 vote.
Look for Senate hearings to begin within weeks. This will be Obama’s second Supreme Court pick.
Afghanistan
On the foreign policy front – you may remember Obama wants to start pulling U-S forces out of Afghanistan -- in 15 months. But that could depend on whether the Afghans can step up and keep terror groups like al-Qaeda from returning. That’s an issue between the President and Afghan President Hamid Karzai – who visits the White House on Wednesday.
We’ll get a briefing on all this today from the top American General and the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan.
*****
EDT
8:30AM Pool Call Time
10:00 THE PRESIDENT introduces his Supreme Court nominee
10:45AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
12:05PM THE PRESIDENT meets with the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board
Oval Office
Closed Press
1:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
2:30PM THE PRESIDENT holds a meeting to review BP efforts to stop the oil leak
Situation Room
Closed Press
4:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of the Treasury Geithner
Oval Office
Closed Press
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of Energy Chu
Oval Office
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
1:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, General Stanley McChrystal and Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry
*****
On This Day
1877: President Rutherford B. Hayes has the White House's first telephone installed in the mansion s telegraph room. President Hayes embraced the new technology, though he rarely received phone calls. In fact, the Treasury Department possessed the only other direct phone line to the White House at that time. The White House phone number was "1." Phone service throughout the country was in its infancy in 1877. It was not until a year later that the first telephone exchange was set up in Connecticut and it would be 50 more years until President Herbert Hoover had the first telephone line installed at the President's desk in the Oval Office. - from History.com
Presidential Quote
"All men having power ought to be mistrusted." - James Madison
Friday, May 7, 2010
The West Wing Today: May 7, 2010
Jobs, jobs, jobs.
The economy is growing again and creating jobs. Just not enough of them to make much of a dent in the unemployment rate.
Analysts surveyed for MarketWatch expect the economy to have grown by 185,000 jobs last month - but the unemployment rate holding steady at 9.7%.
Why the slow job growth? After all, the economy has been expanding for nine months now. It grew 2.2% in the third quarter of last year, 5.6% in the forth, and 3.2% in the first quarter of 2010.
"The bad news is that following recessions historically, it takes a long time for employment to come back ot pre-recession levels," says Charles Franklin, a professor at the University of Wisconsin and the co-creator of Pollster.com. "It's a very slow recovery on the jobs side even if GDP growth or consumer spending may go up a lot faster."
With November's mid-term election looming, this is fodder for Republicans who blame President Obama and his policies. As House Minority Leader John Boehner is find of saying: "Where are the jobs?"
But what we're seeing is very normal. Franklin compares it to the last bad recession three decades ago.
"The peak unemployment was 10.8% in 1982. It was still 7.4% in '84 when President Reagan was re-elected and it didn't drop below six percent until September of '87. That's fairly typical of how long it takes for jobs to fully come back."
But as even President Obama has said, all of this means nothing to the millions of Americans without a job. He says more of them need to hear the words "You're hired."
*****
The Schedule
Obama has just one public event on his schedule today: 11:00 remarks on the April unemployment figures. He'll be joined by Treasury Secretary Geithner, Secretary of Commerce Locke, Secretary of Labor Solis, Director of the Office of Management and Budget Orszag, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Romer and Director of the National Economic Council Summers.
EDT
11:00AM THE PRESIDENT makes a statement on the monthly jobs numbers
South Driveway
Pooled TV, Open to correspondents & still photographers (Pre-set 10:00AM – Final Gather 10:30AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
*****
On This Day
1789 - The first Inaugural Ball was held in New York City.
Presidential Quote
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." - Thomas Jefferson
The economy is growing again and creating jobs. Just not enough of them to make much of a dent in the unemployment rate.
Analysts surveyed for MarketWatch expect the economy to have grown by 185,000 jobs last month - but the unemployment rate holding steady at 9.7%.
Why the slow job growth? After all, the economy has been expanding for nine months now. It grew 2.2% in the third quarter of last year, 5.6% in the forth, and 3.2% in the first quarter of 2010.
"The bad news is that following recessions historically, it takes a long time for employment to come back ot pre-recession levels," says Charles Franklin, a professor at the University of Wisconsin and the co-creator of Pollster.com. "It's a very slow recovery on the jobs side even if GDP growth or consumer spending may go up a lot faster."
With November's mid-term election looming, this is fodder for Republicans who blame President Obama and his policies. As House Minority Leader John Boehner is find of saying: "Where are the jobs?"
But what we're seeing is very normal. Franklin compares it to the last bad recession three decades ago.
"The peak unemployment was 10.8% in 1982. It was still 7.4% in '84 when President Reagan was re-elected and it didn't drop below six percent until September of '87. That's fairly typical of how long it takes for jobs to fully come back."
But as even President Obama has said, all of this means nothing to the millions of Americans without a job. He says more of them need to hear the words "You're hired."
*****
The Schedule
Obama has just one public event on his schedule today: 11:00 remarks on the April unemployment figures. He'll be joined by Treasury Secretary Geithner, Secretary of Commerce Locke, Secretary of Labor Solis, Director of the Office of Management and Budget Orszag, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Romer and Director of the National Economic Council Summers.
EDT
11:00AM THE PRESIDENT makes a statement on the monthly jobs numbers
South Driveway
Pooled TV, Open to correspondents & still photographers (Pre-set 10:00AM – Final Gather 10:30AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
*****
On This Day
1789 - The first Inaugural Ball was held in New York City.
Presidential Quote
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." - Thomas Jefferson
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Today in the West Wing: Thursday, May 6
So the Times Square bomber failed. But only because he was incompetent - not because the U.S. knew who, or where, he was.
Good morning, and this question is haunting the U.S. government – plus millions of Americans: how could Faisal Shahzad come THAT close to pulling it off?
After all, we knew he’d been to Pakistan for months on end – here’s an exchange between press secretary Robert Gibbs and CBS Radio’s Peter Maer:
Q Well, if it wasn’t as grave, say, as a systemic failure, would you concede then there were some failures that allowed both the planning of the bomb and his ability to re-enter the U.S. and plant this bomb and almost get away -- there were a number of failures? What I’m getting at is, is the President going to --
MR. GIBBS: Well, I guess I would just ask you to be more specific about each one of your -- I don't want to try to parse what you’re saying, but I don't --
Q Okay, the guy left the United States. He came back from Pakistan, and he was interviewed when he came back, because that policy was allowed.
MR. GIBBS: Right.
Q They had certain details about him. He was able to drive into Times Square, plant this bomb --
MR. GIBBS: I guess I’m not entirely sure what would -- I’m not the police commissioner for New York. I’m not the mayor of New York. I honestly don't know what would prevent somebody from driving into Times Square.
Q Well, drive into Times Square, fine. But to -- this guy had a background.
*****
Today's Schedule
No public appearances for the President today. After his usual intelligence and economic briefings, he'll head downstairs to the Situation Room for a national security meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan. No doubt Saturday's attempted car bombing in Times Square will cast a shadow over the meeting.
Expected attendees include:
Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State
Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense
Rahm Emanuel, White House Chief of Staff
Ambassador Susan Rice, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations
General James L. Jones, National Security Advisor
Admiral Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence
Tom Donilon, Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor
John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
James Steinberg, Deputy Secretary of State
Michele Flournoy, Undersecretary of Defense Policy
Leon Panetta, CIA Director
Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator
Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (via videoconference)
General James E. Cartwright, USMC, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Richard Holbrooke, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan
Anne Patterson, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan (via videoconference)
Karl Eikenberry, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan (via videoconference)
General David Petraeus, Commander, USCENTCOM
General Stanley McChrystal, Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
Lieutenant General Douglas Lute, Special Assistant to the President for Afghanistan and Pakistan
In the afternoon, the President will meet with Secretary of State Clinton in the Oval Office. This meeting is closed press.
*****
EDT
9:15AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan
Situation Room
Closed Press
3:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
1:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
On This Day
1933: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs an executive order creating the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was just one of many Great Depression relief programs created under the auspices of the Emergency Relief Appropriations Act, which Roosevelt had signed the month before. The WPA, the Public Works Administration (PWA) and other federal assistance programs put unemployed Americans to work in return for temporary financial assistance. Out of the 10 million jobless men in the United States in 1935, 3 million were helped by WPA jobs alone.
While FDR believed in the "elementary principles of justice and fairness," he also expressed disdain for doling out welfare to otherwise able workers. So, in return for monetary aid, WPA workers built highways, schools, hospitals, airports and playgrounds. They restored theaters--such as the Dock Street Theater in Charleston, S.C.--and built the ski lodge at Oregon s Mt. Hood. The WPA also put actors, writers and other creative arts professionals back to work by sponsoring federally funded plays, art projects, such as murals on public buildings, and literary publications.
- from History.com
Presidential Quote
"I have never been hurt by anything I didn't say." - Calvin Coolidge
Good morning, and this question is haunting the U.S. government – plus millions of Americans: how could Faisal Shahzad come THAT close to pulling it off?
After all, we knew he’d been to Pakistan for months on end – here’s an exchange between press secretary Robert Gibbs and CBS Radio’s Peter Maer:
Q Well, if it wasn’t as grave, say, as a systemic failure, would you concede then there were some failures that allowed both the planning of the bomb and his ability to re-enter the U.S. and plant this bomb and almost get away -- there were a number of failures? What I’m getting at is, is the President going to --
MR. GIBBS: Well, I guess I would just ask you to be more specific about each one of your -- I don't want to try to parse what you’re saying, but I don't --
Q Okay, the guy left the United States. He came back from Pakistan, and he was interviewed when he came back, because that policy was allowed.
MR. GIBBS: Right.
Q They had certain details about him. He was able to drive into Times Square, plant this bomb --
MR. GIBBS: I guess I’m not entirely sure what would -- I’m not the police commissioner for New York. I’m not the mayor of New York. I honestly don't know what would prevent somebody from driving into Times Square.
Q Well, drive into Times Square, fine. But to -- this guy had a background.
*****
Today's Schedule
No public appearances for the President today. After his usual intelligence and economic briefings, he'll head downstairs to the Situation Room for a national security meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan. No doubt Saturday's attempted car bombing in Times Square will cast a shadow over the meeting.
Expected attendees include:
Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State
Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense
Rahm Emanuel, White House Chief of Staff
Ambassador Susan Rice, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations
General James L. Jones, National Security Advisor
Admiral Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence
Tom Donilon, Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor
John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
James Steinberg, Deputy Secretary of State
Michele Flournoy, Undersecretary of Defense Policy
Leon Panetta, CIA Director
Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator
Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (via videoconference)
General James E. Cartwright, USMC, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Richard Holbrooke, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan
Anne Patterson, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan (via videoconference)
Karl Eikenberry, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan (via videoconference)
General David Petraeus, Commander, USCENTCOM
General Stanley McChrystal, Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
Lieutenant General Douglas Lute, Special Assistant to the President for Afghanistan and Pakistan
In the afternoon, the President will meet with Secretary of State Clinton in the Oval Office. This meeting is closed press.
*****
EDT
9:15AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan
Situation Room
Closed Press
3:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
1:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
On This Day
1933: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs an executive order creating the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was just one of many Great Depression relief programs created under the auspices of the Emergency Relief Appropriations Act, which Roosevelt had signed the month before. The WPA, the Public Works Administration (PWA) and other federal assistance programs put unemployed Americans to work in return for temporary financial assistance. Out of the 10 million jobless men in the United States in 1935, 3 million were helped by WPA jobs alone.
While FDR believed in the "elementary principles of justice and fairness," he also expressed disdain for doling out welfare to otherwise able workers. So, in return for monetary aid, WPA workers built highways, schools, hospitals, airports and playgrounds. They restored theaters--such as the Dock Street Theater in Charleston, S.C.--and built the ski lodge at Oregon s Mt. Hood. The WPA also put actors, writers and other creative arts professionals back to work by sponsoring federally funded plays, art projects, such as murals on public buildings, and literary publications.
- from History.com
Presidential Quote
"I have never been hurt by anything I didn't say." - Calvin Coolidge
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Today in the West Wing: Wednesday, May 5
Hundreds may have been killed. That's what President Obama says about the failed car bombing attempt in New York's Times Square. The suspect in the case - Faisal Shahzad - is said to be cooperating, and there have been arrests in Pakistan, where the Faisal reportedly went to bomb-making school. Fortunately, he wasn't much of a student.
In an appearance before a group of CEOs, the President, appearing more subdued than usual, said the failed attack "is another sobering reminder of the times in which we live." And he added:
"As Americans, and as a nation, we will not be terrorized. We will not cower in fear. We will not be intimidated. We will be vigilant. We will work together. And we will protect and defend the country we love to ensure a safe and prosperous future for our people. That’s what I intend to do as President and that’s what we will do as a nation."
Oil Spill Latest
As WWR mentioned yesterday, there are doubts about just how much BP will have to pay to clean up that massive Gulf oil spill.
A federal law limits the company's liability to just $75 million. The White House says it wants to raise that limit significantly. Some lawmakers on Capitol Hill want it lifted 13-fold to $10 billion, but even that might not be enough: some damage estimates are already topping $14 billion.
Today's Schedule
It's May 5th, also known as Cinco de Mayo, and the President will hold a reception tonight in the Rose Garden. It has become quite the holiday in the U.S., thanks in no small part to the influx of Mexican immigrants over the years.
You may have heard that the state of Arizona has a problem with immigrants - of the illegal kind anyway - and a recent law allowing authorities there to ask anyone suspected of being an illegal may come up this afternoon when Obama meets in the Oval with Arizona's junior Senator, Jon Kyl (R).
But Obama also wants to talk with Kyl - a member of the Judiciary Committee - about the vacancy on the Supreme Court. The Committee is stop one on the confirmation process, and the President, we are told, is close to announcing who the nominee will be. Obama will also meet with another committee member, Utah Republican Orrin Hatch, on the same topic.
Obama also signs another healthcare bill - the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act - aimed at improving health care services and benefits for veterans.
*****
EDT
9:30AM Pool Call Time
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:15AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Kyl
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:45AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Hatch
Oval Office
Closed Press
1:30PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks and signs the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act
State Dining Room
Pooled Press (Pre-set 11:30AM – Final Gather 12:45PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
6:00PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a Cinco de Mayo reception; THE FIRST LADY also attends
Rose Garden
Pooled Press (Pre-set 5:00PM – Final Gather 5:40PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
*****
On This Day
1985: President Reagan angered Jewish leaders and Holocaust survivors by visiting the Bitburg war cemetery in Germany. Then-German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who suggested the visit, accompanied Reagan to the cemetery, where 2,000 German troops are buried. Reagan laid a wreath at the base of a monument to fallen German soldiers. What he did not know was that the cemetery included the graves of 49 of Hitler s infamous SS (Schutzstaffel), the paramilitary organization that planned and carried out the massacre of approximately 6 million people in death camps during World War II.
Before going to Bitburg, Reagan had visited the site of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, in which victims of Nazi persecution, mostly Jews, were exterminated. At Bergen-Belsen, Reagan stood by a marker identifying a mass grave of 50,000 bodies and said solemnly, ''here they lie. Never to hope. Never to pray. Never to love. Never to heal. Never to laugh. Never to cry.'' - from History.com
Presidential Quote
"Men may die, but the fabrics of our free institutions remain unshaken." - Chester Alan Arthur
In an appearance before a group of CEOs, the President, appearing more subdued than usual, said the failed attack "is another sobering reminder of the times in which we live." And he added:
"As Americans, and as a nation, we will not be terrorized. We will not cower in fear. We will not be intimidated. We will be vigilant. We will work together. And we will protect and defend the country we love to ensure a safe and prosperous future for our people. That’s what I intend to do as President and that’s what we will do as a nation."
Oil Spill Latest
As WWR mentioned yesterday, there are doubts about just how much BP will have to pay to clean up that massive Gulf oil spill.
A federal law limits the company's liability to just $75 million. The White House says it wants to raise that limit significantly. Some lawmakers on Capitol Hill want it lifted 13-fold to $10 billion, but even that might not be enough: some damage estimates are already topping $14 billion.
Today's Schedule
It's May 5th, also known as Cinco de Mayo, and the President will hold a reception tonight in the Rose Garden. It has become quite the holiday in the U.S., thanks in no small part to the influx of Mexican immigrants over the years.
You may have heard that the state of Arizona has a problem with immigrants - of the illegal kind anyway - and a recent law allowing authorities there to ask anyone suspected of being an illegal may come up this afternoon when Obama meets in the Oval with Arizona's junior Senator, Jon Kyl (R).
But Obama also wants to talk with Kyl - a member of the Judiciary Committee - about the vacancy on the Supreme Court. The Committee is stop one on the confirmation process, and the President, we are told, is close to announcing who the nominee will be. Obama will also meet with another committee member, Utah Republican Orrin Hatch, on the same topic.
Obama also signs another healthcare bill - the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act - aimed at improving health care services and benefits for veterans.
*****
EDT
9:30AM Pool Call Time
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:15AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Kyl
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:45AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Hatch
Oval Office
Closed Press
1:30PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks and signs the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act
State Dining Room
Pooled Press (Pre-set 11:30AM – Final Gather 12:45PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
6:00PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a Cinco de Mayo reception; THE FIRST LADY also attends
Rose Garden
Pooled Press (Pre-set 5:00PM – Final Gather 5:40PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
*****
On This Day
1985: President Reagan angered Jewish leaders and Holocaust survivors by visiting the Bitburg war cemetery in Germany. Then-German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who suggested the visit, accompanied Reagan to the cemetery, where 2,000 German troops are buried. Reagan laid a wreath at the base of a monument to fallen German soldiers. What he did not know was that the cemetery included the graves of 49 of Hitler s infamous SS (Schutzstaffel), the paramilitary organization that planned and carried out the massacre of approximately 6 million people in death camps during World War II.
Before going to Bitburg, Reagan had visited the site of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, in which victims of Nazi persecution, mostly Jews, were exterminated. At Bergen-Belsen, Reagan stood by a marker identifying a mass grave of 50,000 bodies and said solemnly, ''here they lie. Never to hope. Never to pray. Never to love. Never to heal. Never to laugh. Never to cry.'' - from History.com
Presidential Quote
"Men may die, but the fabrics of our free institutions remain unshaken." - Chester Alan Arthur
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Today in the West Wing: Tuesday, May 4
President Obama was told of an arrest in the New York car bomb case just after midnight; he has been briefed constantly on the security scare - six times yesterday alone - by his counterterrorism advisor, John Brennan.
The suspect - a 30-year old Pakistani-born U.S. citizen named Faisal Shahzada - will be accused today of driving a bomb-laden SUV into Times Square and attempting to blow it up.
Shahzada nearly got away. He was just minutes from boarding a New York-Dubai flight last night when authorities swooped in.
But Attorney General Eric Holder cautions this case is still unfolding, and that authorities "will not rest until we have brought everyone responsible to justice."
Oil Spill: Who'll Pay?
As for another crisis being juggled by the White House - that giant oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico - you’ve probably heard the government will make BP foot the entire bill for the damage – but is this really so?
BP says it’ll pay "all necessary and appropriate costs" - but what "necessary and appropriate" mean could be in the eye of the beholder. On top of that – a federal law caps – or limits -- BP’s liability to just 75 million dollars. That’s the law.
Judging by this exchange from yesterday's White House briefing, it appears press secretary Robert Gibbs isn’t sure what the deal is:
Q Can you say that the taxpayer, the American taxpayer will not face any cleanup costs?
MR. GIBBS: The commitment the President made yesterday is the responsible party will pay for this and that responsible party is BP.
Q And regardless of caps or anything, somehow, something --
MR. GIBBS: I will look into the notion of caps. I will look into that.
Some damage estimates already top 14-billion dollars. Who’s going to pay may not be clear – what IS clear: like the Exxon-Valdez disaster in Alaska two decades ago – fighting over the money will likely take years.
*****
President's Schedule
After his usual intelligence and economic briefings, the President will address the annual meeting of the Business Council at a local hotel. He'll tell the group - some 150 CEOs - of the administration's efforts to get the economy moving; Obama will also make another pitch for Wall Street reform.
Later, the President lunch with fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel. Mr. Wiesel, a holocaust survivor and world-renowned humanitarian, toured the Buchenwald concentration camp with Obama last year.
Obama's last appointment of the day is with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
In-Town Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: FOX
Print: CQ
Radio: FOX
EDT
9:30AM Pool Call Time
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:05AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks to the Business Council
12:05PM THE PRESIDENT has lunch with Elie Wiesel
Private Dining Room
Closed Press
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
12:45PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
On This Day
1865: Abraham Lincoln is laid to rest in his hometown of Springfield, Illinois.
Presidential Quote
"You can not stop the spread of an idea by passing a law against it." - Harry Truman.
The suspect - a 30-year old Pakistani-born U.S. citizen named Faisal Shahzada - will be accused today of driving a bomb-laden SUV into Times Square and attempting to blow it up.
Shahzada nearly got away. He was just minutes from boarding a New York-Dubai flight last night when authorities swooped in.
But Attorney General Eric Holder cautions this case is still unfolding, and that authorities "will not rest until we have brought everyone responsible to justice."
Oil Spill: Who'll Pay?
As for another crisis being juggled by the White House - that giant oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico - you’ve probably heard the government will make BP foot the entire bill for the damage – but is this really so?
BP says it’ll pay "all necessary and appropriate costs" - but what "necessary and appropriate" mean could be in the eye of the beholder. On top of that – a federal law caps – or limits -- BP’s liability to just 75 million dollars. That’s the law.
Judging by this exchange from yesterday's White House briefing, it appears press secretary Robert Gibbs isn’t sure what the deal is:
Q Can you say that the taxpayer, the American taxpayer will not face any cleanup costs?
MR. GIBBS: The commitment the President made yesterday is the responsible party will pay for this and that responsible party is BP.
Q And regardless of caps or anything, somehow, something --
MR. GIBBS: I will look into the notion of caps. I will look into that.
Some damage estimates already top 14-billion dollars. Who’s going to pay may not be clear – what IS clear: like the Exxon-Valdez disaster in Alaska two decades ago – fighting over the money will likely take years.
*****
President's Schedule
After his usual intelligence and economic briefings, the President will address the annual meeting of the Business Council at a local hotel. He'll tell the group - some 150 CEOs - of the administration's efforts to get the economy moving; Obama will also make another pitch for Wall Street reform.
Later, the President lunch with fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel. Mr. Wiesel, a holocaust survivor and world-renowned humanitarian, toured the Buchenwald concentration camp with Obama last year.
Obama's last appointment of the day is with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
In-Town Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: FOX
Print: CQ
Radio: FOX
EDT
9:30AM Pool Call Time
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:05AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks to the Business Council
12:05PM THE PRESIDENT has lunch with Elie Wiesel
Private Dining Room
Closed Press
4:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
12:45PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
On This Day
1865: Abraham Lincoln is laid to rest in his hometown of Springfield, Illinois.
Presidential Quote
"You can not stop the spread of an idea by passing a law against it." - Harry Truman.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Today in the West Wing: Monday, May 3
Good morning from rainy Washington, where the president is staying put for the day after a packed weekend. He gave a commencement address in Michigan, dropped one liners at the glitzy White House correspondents' dinner and traveled to Louisiana for a briefing on the oil spill - while staying plugged in on that failed New York car bombing.
The spill is getting worse by the hour, with officials now warning it could top even the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska. After a briefing on the Gulf spill and efforts to protect fragile coastal areas, Obama called it a "massive and potentially unprecedented environmental disaster," adding his administration will spare no effort to protect the region, which is still rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina.
Today, Obama keeps a lower profile. He'll present the Commander in Chief Trophy to the Naval Academy football team - the trophy goes to the winner of the annual Army-Navy game - and host a dinner tonight for the Business Council.
EDT
9:30AM Pool Call Time
12:00PM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
4:00PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at the Commander in Chief Trophy Presentation with the Naval Academy
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 3:00PM – Final Gather 3:45PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
6:45PM THE PRESIDENT hosts dinner for the Business Council
State Dining Room
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
1:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
"We Americans have no commission from God to police the world." - Benjamin Harrison
The spill is getting worse by the hour, with officials now warning it could top even the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska. After a briefing on the Gulf spill and efforts to protect fragile coastal areas, Obama called it a "massive and potentially unprecedented environmental disaster," adding his administration will spare no effort to protect the region, which is still rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina.
Today, Obama keeps a lower profile. He'll present the Commander in Chief Trophy to the Naval Academy football team - the trophy goes to the winner of the annual Army-Navy game - and host a dinner tonight for the Business Council.
EDT
9:30AM Pool Call Time
12:00PM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
4:00PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at the Commander in Chief Trophy Presentation with the Naval Academy
Rose Garden
Open Press (Pre-set 3:00PM – Final Gather 3:45PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
6:45PM THE PRESIDENT hosts dinner for the Business Council
State Dining Room
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
1:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
*****
"We Americans have no commission from God to police the world." - Benjamin Harrison
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