West Wing Report: October 5, 2010

A month to go until election day and polls show the Republicans remain in the drivers seat - though their lead over the Democrats is eroding a bit. A Washington Post-ABC News poll says that among likely voters, the GOP holds a 49%-43% edge on congressional races. This time four years ago, Democrats led by 12 points. That being said, both parties remain in the voter doghouse. Disapproval of Congressional Dems. is 61%; Disapproval of Congressional GOP is even higher: 67%.

Meantime, polls show slight gains for President Obama. ABC-WashPost: 50% approve of the President, 47% don't (a month ago this was 46%-52%). Gallup: 46% approve, 48% don't (44%-48%); Rasmussen: 48%-51% (45%-55%)

As for the President's schedule today, he starts with the usual intelligence and economic briefings in the Oval Office.

Later, he'll sign S.1055, a bill to grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.

This afternoon, the President joins Dr. Jill Biden (a longtime teacher) at the first-ever White House Summit on Community Colleges. The White House says the event "will highlight the critical role that community colleges play in developing America’s workforce and reaching our educational goals." Obama said yesterday that he wants five million more Americans to get community college degrees - along with the job skills for the positions of tomorrow.

Later in the afternoon, the President and the First Lady will host the Diplomatic Corps Reception for the foreign diplomatic corps in the East Room.

Obama's evening wraps up with an address to the 2010 Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit. He'll talk about the impact of women in business on the economy and the steps we can take together to ensure that America remains competitive over the long term.


EDT

9:30AM Pool Call Time

9:45AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

10:15AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

10:45AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press

11:30AM THE PRESIDENT signs the Gold Medal Bill
Oval Office
Closed Press

12:15PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at the Community College Summit with Dr. Biden
East Room
Pooled TV, Open to correspondents & still photographers (Pre-set 11:15AM – Final Gather 11:45AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

4:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY host the Diplomatic Corps Reception
East Room
Pooled Press (Final Gather 4:00PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

7:50PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks to the 2010 Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit
Carnegie Mellon Auditorium
Pooled TV & still photographers, Open to correspondents (Travel Pool Gather Time 7:10PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)


Briefing Schedule

1:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

*****

A month to go until election day and polls show the Republicans remain in the drivers seat - though their lead over the Democrats is eroding a bit. A Washington Post-ABC News poll says that among likely voters, the GOP holds a 49%-43% edge on congressional races. This time four years ago, Democrats led by 12 points. That being said, both parties remain in the voter doghouse. Disapproval of Congressional Dems. is 61%; Disapproval of Congressional GOP is even higher: 67%.

Meantime, polls show slight gains for President Obama. ABC-WashPost: 50% approve of the President, 47% don't (a month ago this was 46%-52%). Gallup: 46% approve, 48% don't (44%-48%); Rasmussen: 48%-51% (45%-55%)