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