It is August 31. After 7 years, 5 months and 11 days -- and 4,416 American lives -- the official U.S. combat mission in Iraq is over.
Good morning from West Wing Report, and President Obama will address the nation from the Oval Office tonight about Iraq. He'll outline the situation to the American people and also pay tribute to the men and women who served. Today he'll visit the troops in Ft. Bliss, Texas.
Yesterday, he pinned Purple Hearts on 11 wounded vets at Walter Reed hospital here in Washington.
One thing you won't hear from the President tonight are the words -- "Mission Accomplished" -- that phrase, of course, used prematurely by the Bush White House back in 2003. But Obama will call his predecessor to brief him on the speech.
But keep in mind just because the White House says the combat role is over, it's really not. There are still 50,000 American troops there - including special forces and intelligence units -- who will remain for another 16 months to support the final transition to Iraqi authorities. And they will go into harm's way from time to time.
So even if the official combat role comes to and end today - the fighting -- and the dying -- probably will not.
In addition to the 4,416 American lives lost since 2003, another 31,882 servicemen and women were wounded. Then there are the countless number of Iraqis who have been killed and wounded. Also among the dead: an estimated 135 journalists.
- Paul Brandus at the White House
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
West Wing Report: August 30, 2010
The President's vacation is over -- and it's back to work -- with a long to do list.
Good morning from West Wing Report - and the White House is bracing for what's expected to be another poor unemployment report this week.
The economy has to create at least 125,000 jobs each month just to keep up with population growth, but the August report, which comes out Friday, is expected to show about 10,000 private sector jobs were created, with the unemployment report inching up to 9.6% from July's 9.5%.
The President will comment on the economy this morning when the press pool is allowed into the Oval Office for a few minutes after Obama's economic briefing.
In New Orleans last night, where he spoke at events marking the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the President told NBC there's no question the economy isn't growing fast enough - this as election day looms ever nearer, now just nine weeks away.
Obama also has some big foreign policy items on his plate this week. Tomorrow night: an Oval Office address to the nation on the end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq - even though 50,000 troops remain and will continue to go into harm's way for another 16 months.
And on Thursday: peace talks with leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The White House has an ambitious goal here - a peace deal within 12 months.
Have a question for the President? Send it to WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com and we'll try and get an answer.
- Paul Brandus at the White House
Good morning from West Wing Report - and the White House is bracing for what's expected to be another poor unemployment report this week.
The economy has to create at least 125,000 jobs each month just to keep up with population growth, but the August report, which comes out Friday, is expected to show about 10,000 private sector jobs were created, with the unemployment report inching up to 9.6% from July's 9.5%.
The President will comment on the economy this morning when the press pool is allowed into the Oval Office for a few minutes after Obama's economic briefing.
In New Orleans last night, where he spoke at events marking the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the President told NBC there's no question the economy isn't growing fast enough - this as election day looms ever nearer, now just nine weeks away.
Obama also has some big foreign policy items on his plate this week. Tomorrow night: an Oval Office address to the nation on the end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq - even though 50,000 troops remain and will continue to go into harm's way for another 16 months.
And on Thursday: peace talks with leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The White House has an ambitious goal here - a peace deal within 12 months.
Have a question for the President? Send it to WWR: westwingrpt@gmail.com and we'll try and get an answer.
- Paul Brandus at the White House
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Vacation? What Vacation?
When President Obama boards Marine One this afternoon for a ten-day vacation with his family on Martha’s Vineyard, a military officer will board as well. He’ll be carrying two thick briefcases and, like everyone but the First Family, will slip on board via the steps towards the rear of the aircraft. Because all eyes are on the President, few will even notice the officer or the bulky bags he’s lugging in each hand.
Those bags are known as “the football” – and inside are the top-secret nuclear codes the President needs to launch a nuclear attack. For decades, an officer has gone everywhere with the Commander-in-Chief and is always available instantly, should it come to Armageddon.
Martha’s Vineyard for Obama, Crawford for George W. Bush, Rancho del Cielo for Reagan, Hyannisport for JFK. The football goes along – a symbol that no matter where the President is, the crushing burden of the job is always – and – literally – present.
“Presidents don’t get vacations,” Nancy Reagan once said. “They just get a change of scenery. The job goes with you.”
The criticism goes with them too. With two wars, unemployment stubbornly hovering near 10%, Iran, the oil spill and all the rest, many of President Obama’s detractors have made fodder of his frequent golf outings – nearly every weekend – and mini-getaways to places like Maine, Florida and Chicago, where he spent a bachelor weekend with his buddies.
But some Obama opponents like Ari Fleischer, once George W. Bush’s spokesman, say give the man a break.
“Presidencies wear people out,’’ Fleischer told the Boston Globe. “And they just simply deserve a break, especially a president with a couple little kids.’’
And even on Martha's Vineyard, Obama will still be working, says deputy White House spokesman Bill Burton.
“Whenever you talk about a presidential vacation you ought to put the word “vacation” in quotes because you can bet that there will still be work that he’s doing every day,” Burton says. “He'll continue to get his daily intelligence brief from (counterterrorism advisor) John Brennan, who will be there. He'll be getting constant updates on what’s happening in the economy and other issues.”
But what about all the golf Obama plays? The President has come under criticism for spending what some feel is too much time on the links – practically every weekend.
“This question has come up since the Eisenhower era,” points out pollster Charles Franklin of Pollster.com, who says any criticism is usually linked to how Americans think the nation is doing.
“For the most part, people, on balance, say ‘the president isn’t spending too much time on vacation,’” Franklin says. “But if a president becomes a little less popular, as the current president is, voters become a little more critical of their vacation or golf outings.”
Take Eisenhower, for instance, who played golf every chance he got.
“Early in his term, in 1953, 17% of Americans said he was playing too much. But by the late part of his presidency, 1958, that number more than doubled, to 36%. Interestingly, his popularity had fallen during the same time from 74% to 52%. So the issue here is people criticize the golf when they also don’t feel good about the president.”
And given the pressures of the job, the unimaginable stress that goes with it, it is necessary for any president to clear his head. Herbert Hoover fished. Ronald Reagan cleared brush. Barack Obama plays golf.
“The idea that a president is somehow permanently chained to the desk in the Oval Office 24/7 really is a wrong notion of how human beings cope with that kind of pressure,” Franklin says.
It’s not necessary for the president to be chained to that desk anyway, Franklin points out.
“The president doesn’t run the government; he delegates the running of it to others. Where we really need the president is on momentous decisions whether it’s foreign policy or legislative approaches or regulation. Only on the big calls does the president really have to make those decisions, and that’s really not every moment of every day.”
- Paul Brandus at the White House
Those bags are known as “the football” – and inside are the top-secret nuclear codes the President needs to launch a nuclear attack. For decades, an officer has gone everywhere with the Commander-in-Chief and is always available instantly, should it come to Armageddon.
Martha’s Vineyard for Obama, Crawford for George W. Bush, Rancho del Cielo for Reagan, Hyannisport for JFK. The football goes along – a symbol that no matter where the President is, the crushing burden of the job is always – and – literally – present.
“Presidents don’t get vacations,” Nancy Reagan once said. “They just get a change of scenery. The job goes with you.”
The criticism goes with them too. With two wars, unemployment stubbornly hovering near 10%, Iran, the oil spill and all the rest, many of President Obama’s detractors have made fodder of his frequent golf outings – nearly every weekend – and mini-getaways to places like Maine, Florida and Chicago, where he spent a bachelor weekend with his buddies.
But some Obama opponents like Ari Fleischer, once George W. Bush’s spokesman, say give the man a break.
“Presidencies wear people out,’’ Fleischer told the Boston Globe. “And they just simply deserve a break, especially a president with a couple little kids.’’
And even on Martha's Vineyard, Obama will still be working, says deputy White House spokesman Bill Burton.
“Whenever you talk about a presidential vacation you ought to put the word “vacation” in quotes because you can bet that there will still be work that he’s doing every day,” Burton says. “He'll continue to get his daily intelligence brief from (counterterrorism advisor) John Brennan, who will be there. He'll be getting constant updates on what’s happening in the economy and other issues.”
But what about all the golf Obama plays? The President has come under criticism for spending what some feel is too much time on the links – practically every weekend.
“This question has come up since the Eisenhower era,” points out pollster Charles Franklin of Pollster.com, who says any criticism is usually linked to how Americans think the nation is doing.
“For the most part, people, on balance, say ‘the president isn’t spending too much time on vacation,’” Franklin says. “But if a president becomes a little less popular, as the current president is, voters become a little more critical of their vacation or golf outings.”
Take Eisenhower, for instance, who played golf every chance he got.
“Early in his term, in 1953, 17% of Americans said he was playing too much. But by the late part of his presidency, 1958, that number more than doubled, to 36%. Interestingly, his popularity had fallen during the same time from 74% to 52%. So the issue here is people criticize the golf when they also don’t feel good about the president.”
And given the pressures of the job, the unimaginable stress that goes with it, it is necessary for any president to clear his head. Herbert Hoover fished. Ronald Reagan cleared brush. Barack Obama plays golf.
“The idea that a president is somehow permanently chained to the desk in the Oval Office 24/7 really is a wrong notion of how human beings cope with that kind of pressure,” Franklin says.
It’s not necessary for the president to be chained to that desk anyway, Franklin points out.
“The president doesn’t run the government; he delegates the running of it to others. Where we really need the president is on momentous decisions whether it’s foreign policy or legislative approaches or regulation. Only on the big calls does the president really have to make those decisions, and that’s really not every moment of every day.”
- Paul Brandus at the White House
Monday, August 16, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
West Wing Report, August 6, 2010
The President is back in Washington this morning after a birthday trip to Chicago - he'll comment today on the July unemployment report - which shows the economy creating more private sector jobs, but not enough to bring down the unemployment rate itself.
The expectation of most analysts is that some 100,000 private sector jobs were created in July, with the unemployment rate inching up to 9.6% from 9.5%. This is the narrow U3 rate; the broader U6 rate which many economists say is a more accurate snapshot of the U.S. labor market, is 16.5%.
While Obama talks jobs, his top economic advisor is leaving hers. Christina Romer, chairman of the council of economic advisors, is said to be frustrated about her access - or lack thereof - to the President. Obama ignored questions about Romer's resignation last night.
One person who does have access to the President, at least for today: Elena Kagan. She's the guest of honor at an East Room reception this afternoon - before she is sworn in as the newest member of the Supreme Court tomorrow.
Meantime, there has been buzz that another Justice - Ruth Bader Ginsburg - may retire soon. Ginsburg, 77, has been battling cancer, and her husband died recently. Ginsburg denies the rumors, but if she were to leave, President Obama would get his third opportunity to appoint a Justice to the high court. After Ginsburg, the oldest Supreme Court Justices are Antonin Scalia, 74; Anthony Kennedy, 73; Stephen Breyer, 71; Clarence Thomas, 62; Samuel Alito, 60; Sonia Sotomayor, 56 and the baby of the group, Chief Justice John Roberts, 55.
President's Schedule
9:00AM Pool Call Time
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:20AM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route landing zone near Gelberg Signs
South Lawn
Open Press (Pre-set 10:50AM – Final Gather 11:05AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
11:40AM THE PRESIDENT tours Gelberg Signs
Gelberg Signs, Washington, DC
Travel Pool Coverage (Travel Pool Gather Time 10:00AM – Stakeout Location)
11:55AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at Gelberg Signs
Gelberg Signs, Washington, DC
Travel Pool Coverage
12:35PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House
South Lawn
Open Press (Pre-set 12:05PM – Final Gather 12:20PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
1:10PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
Closed Press
2:35PM THE PRESIDENT hosts a reception marking the Senate confirmation of Elena Kagan’s nomination to the Supreme Court
East Room
Open Press (Pre-set 1:35PM – Final Gather 2:05PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
The expectation of most analysts is that some 100,000 private sector jobs were created in July, with the unemployment rate inching up to 9.6% from 9.5%. This is the narrow U3 rate; the broader U6 rate which many economists say is a more accurate snapshot of the U.S. labor market, is 16.5%.
While Obama talks jobs, his top economic advisor is leaving hers. Christina Romer, chairman of the council of economic advisors, is said to be frustrated about her access - or lack thereof - to the President. Obama ignored questions about Romer's resignation last night.
One person who does have access to the President, at least for today: Elena Kagan. She's the guest of honor at an East Room reception this afternoon - before she is sworn in as the newest member of the Supreme Court tomorrow.
Meantime, there has been buzz that another Justice - Ruth Bader Ginsburg - may retire soon. Ginsburg, 77, has been battling cancer, and her husband died recently. Ginsburg denies the rumors, but if she were to leave, President Obama would get his third opportunity to appoint a Justice to the high court. After Ginsburg, the oldest Supreme Court Justices are Antonin Scalia, 74; Anthony Kennedy, 73; Stephen Breyer, 71; Clarence Thomas, 62; Samuel Alito, 60; Sonia Sotomayor, 56 and the baby of the group, Chief Justice John Roberts, 55.
President's Schedule
9:00AM Pool Call Time
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:20AM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route landing zone near Gelberg Signs
South Lawn
Open Press (Pre-set 10:50AM – Final Gather 11:05AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
11:40AM THE PRESIDENT tours Gelberg Signs
Gelberg Signs, Washington, DC
Travel Pool Coverage (Travel Pool Gather Time 10:00AM – Stakeout Location)
11:55AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at Gelberg Signs
Gelberg Signs, Washington, DC
Travel Pool Coverage
12:35PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House
South Lawn
Open Press (Pre-set 12:05PM – Final Gather 12:20PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
1:10PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
Closed Press
2:35PM THE PRESIDENT hosts a reception marking the Senate confirmation of Elena Kagan’s nomination to the Supreme Court
East Room
Open Press (Pre-set 1:35PM – Final Gather 2:05PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
Thursday, August 5, 2010
West Wing Report, August 5, 2010
There's no mission accomplished banner, no boasting - just a sober announcement hat the oil leak has stopped and the worst is over.
Good morning - it's West Wing Report - and after 107 days, the worst environmental disaster in American history finally appears to be over. But the clean up continues and the White House expects BP to make good on its obligations to the people of the Gulf.
The sense of relief throughout the West Wing was evident - as a major crisis for the President eased. It was, perhaps, the best birthday present Obama could ask for. He celebrated by having dinner with Oprah at a trendy Chicago restaurant and then visiting a friend's home. The President today visits a Ford factory and holds two fundraisers, then it's back to Washington. He may also comment today on the big legal ruling in California striking down a ban on same-sex marriage. Legal experts say the case will probably go to the Supreme Court.
By the way, Obama's a bachelor President for the next few days, since Mrs. Obama and youngest daughter Sasha are in Spain and Malia's at summer camp. Mrs. Obama. by the way, has provoked criticism for choosing Spain as a vacation spot. Spanish media says the First Lady's party booked 30 rooms at a five-star resort.
The Schedule
CDT
9:55AM THE PRESIDENT tours the Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant
Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant
Travel Pool Coverage
10:15AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at the Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant
Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant
Open Press
12:45PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on behalf of Senate Candidate Giannoulias
Palmer House Hilton
Travel Pool Coverage
5:15PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a DNC finance event
Chicago Cultural Center
Travel Pool Coverage
6:00PM THE PRESIDENT attends a DNC finance event
Private Residence
Closed Press
7:50PM THE PRESIDENT departs Chicago, Illinois en route Andrews Air Force Base
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Open Press
EDT
9:00PM In-Town Travel Pool Call Time
10:25PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at Andrews Air Force Base
Out-of-Town Travel Pool
10:40PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House
South Lawn
Open Press (Pre-set 10:10PM – Final Call 10:25PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
Good morning - it's West Wing Report - and after 107 days, the worst environmental disaster in American history finally appears to be over. But the clean up continues and the White House expects BP to make good on its obligations to the people of the Gulf.
The sense of relief throughout the West Wing was evident - as a major crisis for the President eased. It was, perhaps, the best birthday present Obama could ask for. He celebrated by having dinner with Oprah at a trendy Chicago restaurant and then visiting a friend's home. The President today visits a Ford factory and holds two fundraisers, then it's back to Washington. He may also comment today on the big legal ruling in California striking down a ban on same-sex marriage. Legal experts say the case will probably go to the Supreme Court.
By the way, Obama's a bachelor President for the next few days, since Mrs. Obama and youngest daughter Sasha are in Spain and Malia's at summer camp. Mrs. Obama. by the way, has provoked criticism for choosing Spain as a vacation spot. Spanish media says the First Lady's party booked 30 rooms at a five-star resort.
The Schedule
CDT
9:55AM THE PRESIDENT tours the Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant
Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant
Travel Pool Coverage
10:15AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at the Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant
Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant
Open Press
12:45PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on behalf of Senate Candidate Giannoulias
Palmer House Hilton
Travel Pool Coverage
5:15PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a DNC finance event
Chicago Cultural Center
Travel Pool Coverage
6:00PM THE PRESIDENT attends a DNC finance event
Private Residence
Closed Press
7:50PM THE PRESIDENT departs Chicago, Illinois en route Andrews Air Force Base
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Open Press
EDT
9:00PM In-Town Travel Pool Call Time
10:25PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at Andrews Air Force Base
Out-of-Town Travel Pool
10:40PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House
South Lawn
Open Press (Pre-set 10:10PM – Final Call 10:25PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
West Wing Report, August 4, 2010
It's the President's 49th birthday, and he'll celebrate with a trip home.
Good morning from the White House - it's West Wing Report - and while the 49-year old Obama complains about all his new gray hair, aides say he's enjoying the job despite the enormous and never-ending pressure.
The President will celebrate with friends tonight in Chicago - but not with his family. Michelle Obama and younger daughter Sasha will be in Spain, while older daughter Malia is away at camp.
Before leaving, the President speaks to the executive committee of the AFL-CIO and later awards 13 Americans the Civilian Medal - it's the second highest civilian honor - given to those who've done good deeds in their community.
He'll also have lunch with Senators - and has a one-on-one meeting with the top Senate Republican, Mitch McConnell - upcoming legislation tops their agenda. Obama also says he expects the Senate to confirm Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court before it goes on August recess.
*****
EDT
9:30AM In-Town Travel Pool Call Time
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:05AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at the AFL-CIO Executive Council Meeting
Washington Convention Center
Pooled Press (Gather Time 10:35AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
12:00PM THE PRESIDENT has lunch with Senators
Roosevelt Room
Closed Press
2:15PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks and present the 2010 Citizens Medal to 13 winners from across the country
East Room
Open Press (Pre-set 1:15PM – Final Gather 1:45PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
3:10PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Mitch McConnell
Oval Office
Closed Press
4:00PM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route Andrews Air Force Base
South Lawn
Open Press (Pre-set 3:30PM – Final Call 3:45PM - North Doors of the Palm Room)
4:15PM THE PRESIDENT departs Andrews Air Force Base en route Chicago, Illinois
Andrews Air Force Base
Out-of-Town Travel Pool (Call Time 3:00PM – Virginia Gate, Andrews Air Force Base)
CDT
5:00PM THE PRESIDENT arrives in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Open Press
Briefing Schedule
1:00PM Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
Good morning from the White House - it's West Wing Report - and while the 49-year old Obama complains about all his new gray hair, aides say he's enjoying the job despite the enormous and never-ending pressure.
The President will celebrate with friends tonight in Chicago - but not with his family. Michelle Obama and younger daughter Sasha will be in Spain, while older daughter Malia is away at camp.
Before leaving, the President speaks to the executive committee of the AFL-CIO and later awards 13 Americans the Civilian Medal - it's the second highest civilian honor - given to those who've done good deeds in their community.
He'll also have lunch with Senators - and has a one-on-one meeting with the top Senate Republican, Mitch McConnell - upcoming legislation tops their agenda. Obama also says he expects the Senate to confirm Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court before it goes on August recess.
*****
EDT
9:30AM In-Town Travel Pool Call Time
9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:05AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at the AFL-CIO Executive Council Meeting
Washington Convention Center
Pooled Press (Gather Time 10:35AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
12:00PM THE PRESIDENT has lunch with Senators
Roosevelt Room
Closed Press
2:15PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks and present the 2010 Citizens Medal to 13 winners from across the country
East Room
Open Press (Pre-set 1:15PM – Final Gather 1:45PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)
3:10PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator Mitch McConnell
Oval Office
Closed Press
4:00PM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route Andrews Air Force Base
South Lawn
Open Press (Pre-set 3:30PM – Final Call 3:45PM - North Doors of the Palm Room)
4:15PM THE PRESIDENT departs Andrews Air Force Base en route Chicago, Illinois
Andrews Air Force Base
Out-of-Town Travel Pool (Call Time 3:00PM – Virginia Gate, Andrews Air Force Base)
CDT
5:00PM THE PRESIDENT arrives in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Open Press
Briefing Schedule
1:00PM Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
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