West Wing Report: September 29, 2010

Waking up in a place he knows quite well - Des Moines, Iowa - a suddenly (or at least publicly) revitalized President Obama continues his backyard town hall road show today. He'll spend 10 minutes talking about the economy with a family at their home; after this a larger discussion with the neighbors.

Obama then moves on to Richmond, Virginia - a blue state two years ago but now returning to its traditional red-purpleish hue. He'll meet a local Richmond family, then chat with the neighbors. The President returns to Washington late this afternoon.

Obama last night signaled that although he and Democrats are down, they're not out. Speaking before tens of thousands of students at the University of Wisconsin/Madison, he said if Republicans win in November, they'll take the country back to the Bush-era - which Obama says led to the economic meltdown.

"You've got to stick with me," he implored. "You can't lose heart."

Obama's comments echoed those made in a Rolling Stone interview, in which he blasted what he sees as Democratic apathy. In that interview, the President indicated he has kept some 70% of his campaign promises - and says the biggest danger for Democrats now is voter apathy.

But will young voters - who helped sweep Obama into office two years ago - get the message? A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll says just 35% of voters aged 18-34 are interested in the midterm vote - far fewer than senior citizens. Look for the President to visit more college campuses between now and November.


The Schedule

CDT

10:05AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Des Moines family
Private Residence, Des Moines, Iowa

10:15AM THE PRESIDENT holds a discussion on the economy
Private Residence, Des Moines, Iowa

EDT

3:20PM THE PRESIDENT meets with a Richmond, Va. family
Southampton Recreation Association, Richmond, Virginia

3:35PM THE PRESIDENT holds a discussion on the economy
Southampton Recreation Association, Richmond, Virginia

PM: Returns to Washington


ON THIS DAY

...1789: President Washington appointed Thomas Jefferson to be the first
Secretary of State

...1907: With President Theodore Roosevelt watching, the foundation stone
for Washington National Cathedral was laid. The last finial was placed 83
years later in the presence of President George H. W. Bush.

QUOTE OF THE DAY


“Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work
worth doing.” - Theodore Roosevelt

West Wing Report: September 1, 2010

The President turns his attention towards the most elusive of goals - peace in the Middle East.

Good morning - it's West Wing Report - and the leaders of Israel, Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority are here today - they'll meet separately with President Obama and then all have dinner together - this ahead of tomorrow's peace talks.

The White House goal seems beyond ambitious: it wants a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians within 12 months.

The rough outlines are well known of course - the U.S. wants the so-called two-state solution - that will enable ISrael and the Palestinians to live side by side in peace - but the underlying dynamics are complex and, to some emotional - Secretary of State Clinton says the 12-month goal can be met - though she is lowering expectations by saying - if not understating - that there have been problems in the past and there will be in the future.

A Mideast peace deal is central to Obama's broader goal of, in his words, "lowering the temperature" in the region. He thinks that'll help with other Mideast messes - like Iran and the expanding U.S. war in Afghanistan.

- Paul Brandus at the White House