West Wing Report, July 29, 2010

Good morning from the White House, which is pleased with that big court ruling yesterday that effectively guts an Arizona crackdown on illegal immigrants. But the legal fight goes on, as the pressure on the White House and Congress to pass a national law grows.

Out goes the most controversial part of the law, which, starting today, would have required police to try and determine the immigration status of anyone they stop, detain or arrest, if they suspect that person is in the U.S. illegally.

The White House said from the get go that such a law was unconstitutional and would lead to racial profiling and harassment of American citizens, legal immigrants and foreign visitors.

U.S. District Judge Susan R. Bolton agreed, saying in a 36-page ruling that it was "not in the public interest" for Arizona to preempt federal enforcement of immigration law.

Also out are provisions in the Arizona law that would have required foreigners to apply for or carry certain documents and make it a crime for illegals "to solicit, apply for or perform work."

Although Judge Bolton upheld other parts of the law, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R), says she'll appeal, calling the ruling "A little bump in the road."

Sherrod Comments?

The President tackles another thorny issue today - race - when he makes a much anticipated speech to the National Urban League. We're told he'll make his first public comments on Shirley Sherrod - remember her? - that was last week's big story.

Wikileaks

And one of this week's big stories - the Wikileaks release of documents on the Afghan war - is certain to come up during a National Security meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The FBI is now helping the Pentagon identify the leaker of those 91,000 documents; Director Robert Mueller told a Senate panel yesterday the investigation could go in any direction.

But that direction appears headed straight for Army Pfc. Bradley E. Manning. The 22-year-old
intelligence specialist is already behind bars, charged earlier this month with passing classified information to an "unauthorized source" while stationed in Iraq. A former hacker in whom Manning has confided tells the Washington Post that Manning passed documents and videos to WikiLeaks. The former hacker, Adrian Lamo, said "the overwhelming probability" is that Manning was WikiLeaks' source for the documents.

Ups and Downs

Meantime, President Obama tells the ABC talk show "The View" that his 20 months in office have been a series of ups and downs> Barbara Walters asked him about the downs:

Obama: "Where do I begin?"

After the laughter died down, the President got serious:

"Look, the country has gone through a tough stretch. Since I took office when I was sworn in ... the last 20 months have been a nonstop effort to restart the economy, to stabilize the financial system, to make sure we are creating jobs and not losing them."

Obama also mentioned the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the oil spill and last winter's swine flu scare.

What about the ups?

"In the last month the rose has to be a couple of days we took in Maine with Michelle, Sasha and Malia," he said. "They're full of opinions and ideas and observations and it's just a great age ... Malia just turned 12 and Sasha 9. Couldn't been a better couple of days."

*****

President's Schedule

10:05AM THE PRESIDENT delivers a major education reform speech at the National Urban League 100th Anniversary Convention

Washington Convention Center

Open to pre-credentialed media (In-Town Travel Pool Gather Time 9:30AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)


11:10AM THE PRESIDENT meets with his national security team for his monthly meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan

Situation Room

Closed Press


12:35PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch

Private Dining Room

Closed Press


1:45PM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing

Oval Office

Closed Press


4:50PM THE PRESIDENT signs the Tribal Law and Order Act

East Room

Open Press (Pre-set 3:50PM – Final Gather 4:20PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)


7:05PM THE PRESIDENT attends a DNC finance event

Private Residence

Closed Press (In-Town Travel Pool Gather Time 6:30PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)


Briefing Schedule

2:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

- Paul Brandus at the White House

West Wing Report, July 28, 2010

The President hits the road today - he's visiting the Tastee Sub shop in Edison NJ - where he'll talk with small business owners. It's a common theme for Obama, and today he'll use the stop to renew his call for more tax cuts and loans for small businesses. The Senate is expected to vote this week on both; the White House accuses Republicans of holding both "hostage."

After the sub shop - maybe the President will get a foot-long to go - he hops across the Hudson River to tape "The View," the female chat fest on ABC. It's the first time a sitting President has appeared on a daytime talk show.

Obama also has two fundraisers in New York. One at the Four Seasons Hotel, the other at the home of fashion diva Anna Wintour. The President returns to the White House tonight.

The President's fundraisers come as the Fall campaign heats up. Mr. Obama will hit the trail selectively for Democrats this Fall, though some Democrats from vulnerable districts have quietly let the White House know they don't want Obama - whose slow but steady erosion in the polls is a source of growing concern - campaigning for them.

Also on the agenda today: the President meets Mass. Sen. John Kerry. Two things are on the agenda: Kerry is Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations, and wants to talk about Afghanistan and the Wikileaks documents mess; he is also the co-author of the energy/climate bill now before the Senate and will discuss legislative strategy with the President.


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

10:40AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Senator John Kerry
Oval Office
Closed Press

11:45AM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route Andrews Air Force Base
South Lawn
Open Press (Pre-set 11:15AM – Final Call 11:30AM - North Doors of the Palm Room)

12:00PM THE PRESIDENT departs Andrews Air Force Base en route Newark, New Jersey
Andrews Air Force Base
Out-of-Town Travel Pool (Call Time 10:45AM – Virginia Gate, Andrews Air Force Base)

12:50PM THE PRESIDENT arrives in Newark, New Jersey
Newark Liberty International Airport
Open Press

1:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with a group of small business owners to discuss the economy and urge Congress to pass support for small businesses
Tastee Sub Shop, Edison, New Jersey
Travel Pool Coverage

2:20PM THE PRESIDENT delivers a statement to the press
Tastee Sub Shop, Edison, New Jersey
Travel Pool Coverage

5:40PM THE PRESIDENT attends a DNC finance event
Four Seasons Hotel, New York City
Closed Press

7:20PM THE PRESIDENT attends a DNC finance event
Private Residence, New York City
Closed Press

8:50PM THE PRESIDENT departs Newark, New Jersey en route Andrews Air Force Base
Newark Liberty International Airport
Open Press

9:40PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at Andrews Air Force Base
Out-of-Town Travel Pool

9:55PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House
South Lawn
Open Press (Pre-set 9:30PM – Final Gather 9:45PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)


Briefing Schedule

Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton will gaggle aboard Air Force One

- Paul Brandus at the White House

Wikileaks: Big Deal - or Big Yawn?

The White House this morning is trying to downplay the significance of the nearly 92,000 page Wikileaks report on U.S. involvement in the Afghan war. But if it’s so insignificant, then why yesterday's angry statement by National Security Advisor Jim Jones? Here's what he said:

"The United States strongly condemns the disclosure of classified information by individuals and organizations which could put the lives of Americans and our partners at risk, and threaten our national security. Wikileaks made no effort to contact us about these documents – the United States government learned from news organizations that these documents would be posted. These irresponsible leaks will not impact our ongoing commitment to deepen our partnerships with Afghanistan and Pakistan; to defeat our common enemies; and to support the aspirations of the Afghan and Pakistani people."

Pretty strong stuff for something that others in the West Wing are spinning as "insignificant."

What does the President think? Mr. Obama so far has not ordered an investigation into who's behind the leaks - perhaps the largest of its kind in history. Wikileaks, not surprisingly, isn't saying. It may not even know for sure. Its founder, Julian Assange, has said the names of leakers are generally unknown, even to his organization.

Meantime, WWR isn't sure that we're learning much that is truly new. For example, the Wikileaks report says that elements within Pakistan’s spy service – the ISI – have been helping the Taliban for years. This has been widely known and reported for quite some time. Also: U.S. special ops have been targeting insurgent leaders and that civilians have been killed in such missions. There is fresh information on the number of civilians allegedly killed during such raids, however.

One thing that apparently is disclosed for the first time: the Taliban appears to have surface-to-air missiles capable of shooting down American helicopters, though not in large numbers.

Leaks related to the nearly decade-long U.S. war in Afghanistan are hardly new. Last year someone leaked a report from the former commander of the Afghan war – Gen. Stanley McChrystal – angering Obama and forcing a three-month review of the war, that culminated in the President's decision to double down on the conflict.

We'll get more from this afternoon's White House briefing, slated to begin at 1:00.

- Paul Brandus at the White House

West Wing Report: July 26, 2010

Good morning from the White House press room on what looks to be another hot sticky week in Washington. Bring on Autumn!

Here's what's in store for President Obama this week:

Today: the Wikileaks bombshell...92,000 pages of what is literally a blow-by-blow account of the Afghan war, covering Jan. 2004 to Dec. 2009. The White House is outraged, Congress is asking questions and the early take on all this is that it could change - or shortchange - America's nearly decade-long involvement in Afghanistan -Pakistan. There is a national security team meeting in the Situation Room on Thursday and this is sure to be a part of it. In a statement released yesterday, National Security advisor James Jones could barely contain his anger:

"The United States strongly condemns the disclosure of classified information by individuals and organizations which could put the lives of Americans and our partners at risk, and threaten our national security. Wikileaks made no effort to contact us about these documents – the United States government learned from news organizations that these documents would be posted. These irresponsible leaks will not impact our ongoing commitment to deepen our partnerships with Afghanistan and Pakistan; to defeat our common enemies; and to support the aspirations of the Afghan and Pakistani people."

How did Wikileaks obtain nearly 92,000 pages of documents anyway? It has, not surprisingly, declined to say. Its founder, Julian Assange has said the names of leakers are generally unknown, even to the organization.

Wednesday: Obama will hold a jobs/economy event in New Jersey, and attend two fundraisers in Manhattan. One's at the home of fashion diva Anna Wintour, the other at The Four Seasons. The president will also make an appearance on the ABC talk show "The View," which will air on Thursday - an attempt to reach out to the show's female viewers.

Thursday: After last week's racially-charged Shirley Sherrod matter, Obama speaks to the National Urban League Convention here in Washington. It'll be his first public comments on the incident - if he addresses it. Also the afore-mentioned national security team meeting in the Situation Room on Afghanistan-Pakistan.

Friday: Obama visits General Motors and Chrysler plants in Michigan. The automakers were bailed out in 2008-09 and are now doing better, in some cases hiring again. Next week, Obama also visits a Ford plant - Ford was the only one of the so-called "Big Three" that did not dip into the bailout trough.

Saturday: The White House denies it, but the President may attend Chelsea Clinton's wedding.

Quick Bytes

...it looks like BP's CEO Tony Hayward will get his life back. White House sources say he'll be given the boot today by the company's board.

...Vice President Biden has a god assignment: he's visiting the Grand Canyon today and Yellowstone tomorrow, to highlight $25 million in stimulus projects that are sprucing up the iconic National Parks. Biden's office says over 1,000 workers are involved.

- Paul Brandus at the White House

West Wing Report: July 23, 2010

A quiet day here at the White House. We won't be seeing the President - he has no public events on his schedule:


11:00 - Intelligence Briefing, Oval Office

11:30 - Senior Advisors, Oval Office

There's no press briefing, either - not uncommon in the summertime. A few items this sticky Friday morning:

Jobless Benefits

The President has signed a bill extending jobless benefits through the end of November - a desperately needed lifeline for some 2.5 million Americans. But the cost - 34-billon dollars - is now added to the government's already record deficit. And it runs counter to Obama's prior insistence that any new spending must be paid for. The White House says this is different - it's an emergency. This means, of course, the debate over benefits will be revived just after Thanksgiving.

Vacation Plans

We've also learned that the First Family will spend the weekend of Aug. 14th on the Gulf Coast - Florida, specifically. The trip is seen as blunting some of the criticism directed at the Obamas for encouraging Americans to vacation in the oil spill region - but going to Maine themselves last weekend. The Obamas will also take a longer breather on Martha's Vineyard, like they did last year.

Another Court Vacancy?

Looking ahead to next week: Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is expected to be confirmed by the Senate. This as speculation increases that yet another Justice may step down soon. It is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She is 77 and battling cancer; the Clinton appointee has been on the court since 1993.

- Paul Brandus at the White House

West Wing Report: July 21, 2010

President Obama savors another legislative win today: he'll sign the Wall Street reform bill. It's going to be such a big event, the White House has moved it a few blocks away so more people can attend.

It's the biggest overhaul of the nation's financial industry since the Great Depression. Obama hopes it'll prevent the kind of meltdown that nearly brought the economy to its knees just two years ago. It also creates a new consumer protection agency designed to safeguard individuals against everything from predatory lending to bank overdraft fees.

Unemployment Benefits, Kagan Confirmation

Obama has other reasons to celebrate today as well - the Senate is poised for a final vote on extending unemployment benefits for several million Americans. And his choice for the Supreme Court - Elena Kagan - has cleared the Senate Judiciary committee - her nomination now goes to the full Senate for a vote - her confirmation is not in doubt.

And even before a final vote on Kagan, there is buzz that another Justice - Ruth Bader Ginsburg - wants to retire soon. Ginsburg, 77, has been battling cancer, and her husband died recently. 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


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 receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

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

11:30AM THE PRESIDENT signs the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; THE VICE PRESIDENT also attends
Ronald Reagan Building
Pooled TV, Open to pre-credentialed correspondents (In-Town Travel Pool Gather Time 10:55AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

12:45PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch with House Members
Roosevelt Room
Closed Press

2:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press

3:45PM THE PRESIDENT receives a briefing on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Situation Room
Closed Press
Briefing Schedule

1:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

Unemployment Benefits: Round 4

The Senate votes on unemployment benefits for millions of Americans today - an issue that has become a political football in this election year.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with three citizens who are having trouble finding work, President Obama points out that the Senate has tried three times in recent weeks to extend jobless benefits - and come up short each time.

"Each time, a partisan minority in the Senate has used parliamentary maneuvers to block a vote, denying millions of people who are out of work much-needed relief. These leaders in the Senate who are advancing a misguided notion that emergency relief somehow discourages people from looking for a job should talk to these folks," he said.

Obama calls this misguided, but Republicans say it's a matter of dollars and cents. Their view: the cost of extending those benefits - about $35 billion - must be offset with spending cuts. Democrats call that hypocrisy, because Republicans also want to spend much more - $650 billion - to extend Bush-era tax cuts for the rich without any offsets.

Republicans say the tax cuts are needed to get the economy moving; Democrats say you had thse tax cuts for nearly a decade and there was a recession anyway.

But today's vote - the fourth attempt - is expected to pass - as is a package of tax cuts and small business lending.

BP - and the Pan Am 103 Bombing

On the President's schedule today: British Prime Minister David Cameron visits. They'll hold a news conference. Near the top of their agenda: Afghanistan, BP - and what role the British energy company played in helping free a Libyan man convicted in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Scotland - most of the victims in that that attack were Americans and the White House last year was outraged at the release.

BP claims it was not involved in discussions with the British government or Scottish government about the case (it was the latter which held and ultimately freed the Libyan convict, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi). But BP admits it was concerned "with the slow progress" being made with al-Megrahi's release, which it said could have a "negative impact" on business. Within weeks after the 2007 transfer agreement's signing, the Libyan government formally ratified a $900 million with BP to drill deep water wells off the Libyan coast. But BP experienced what the Wall Street Journal reports as "bureaucratic hurdles" until Megrahi was finally released in August 2009.

Of the 270 victims of Pan Am flight 103, 190 were Americans. It was the second worst terror attack on Americans prior to Sept. 11.

*****

President's Schedule

EDT

9:30AM Pool Call Time

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

10:15AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press

11:00AM THE PRESIDENT holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom
Oval Office
Pool spray at the top for still photographers (Gather Time 10:50AM – Brady Press Briefing Room)

12:20PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT host a working lunch with Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom
State Dining Room
Closed Press

2:00PM THE PRESIDENT holds a joint press conference with Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom
East Room
Open Press (Pre-set 1:00PM – Final Gather 1:30PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)



- Paul Brandus at the White House

West Wing Report: July 19, 2010

Front and center at the White House this week: the economy. President Obama will appear in the Rose Garden this morning to blast Republicans for refusing to spend $30 billion to extend unemployment benefits for 2.5 million Americans. The President will have "strong words" for the GOP, we're told.

A White House aide says one of those words could be "hypocrisy." That's because, the aide points out, Republicans say the U.S. simply can't afford that $30 billion, but can afford $650 billion to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy.

It's not that the U.S. can't afford $30 billion for the unemployed, says Sen. Jon Kyl, the #2 Republican in the Senate. But “You do need to offset the cost of increased spending. And that’s what Republicans object to."

Then shouldn't that $650 billion in tax cuts for the wealthy be offset too? No, says Kyl: "You should never have to offset the cost of a deliberate decision to reduce tax rates on Americans.”

Besides, Republicans say, these tax cuts will stimulate the economy. The Democrats answer: You had these tax cuts over the last decade and we fell into a nasty recession anyway.

Also on the President's agenda this week, he'll welcome British Prime Minister David Cameron to the White House tomorrow (they'll hold a news conference); and Wednesday he'll sign that big Wall Street reform bill. It's Obama's second big legislative win in just four months. The White House is now turning its sights on an energy/climate bill and an immigration reform bill. Nothing's going to happen on either front until after the November mid-terms.


*****

The President's Schedule

10:30: Rose Garden remarks on the economy

12:00-senior advisors

1:40: WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury

2:05: Sen. John Glenn (ret).

7:00: White House Music Series

West Wing Report: July 13, 2010

The Cap: Will It Work?

The White House is cautious, but hopeful, that the cap put in place last night by BP is a turning point in the 84-day crisis – the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history. Press secretary Robert Gibbs calls it a turning point:

"Well, I think obviously a turning point in the sense that our containment capacity is likely to be equal to what is coming out of the damaged blowout preventer. Obviously, I think - well, twofold; obviously, we still, at some point, believe the permanent solution to that well is to cap it. And obviously that's going to - I wouldn’t change the original time frame of intersecting the well and capping it by mid-August."

But the White House cautions that the long, dirty work of cleaning up the muck, restoring once pristine beaches and wetlands goes on – and will go on for the forseeable future.

Meantime, the administration has issued new rules for a six-month ban on deepwater drilling in the Gulf. Some rigs will be allowed to drill if they’re proven to be safe – meaning if they can shut down quickly in an emergency. A prior moratorium on drilling was struck down in court.

On the President’s schedule today: he’ll host Senate Democratic leaders – they’ll talk about the energy/climate bill, an immigration bill – and also the next big item that could be checked off Obama’s to-do-list within days – the landmark financial reform bill.

*****

President's Schedule

In the morning, the President and the Vice President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office. The President will then meet with senior advisors in the Oval Office. These meetings are closed press.

Later in the morning, the President and the Vice President will meet with the Senate Democratic Leadership Team in the Roosevelt Room to discuss legislative priorities before the August recess. This meeting is closed press. Expected attendees at the meeting include:


Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Majority Leader
Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), President pro tempore
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Majority Whip
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Vice Chairman of the Conference
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Secretary of the Conference
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Chairman of the Outreach Committee
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chief Deputy Whip
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), Deputy Whip
Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Chairman of the Policy Committee
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), Deputy Whip
Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Chair of Rural Outreach
Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Campaign Committee
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), Deputy Whip
Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), Vice Chairman of Committee Outreach
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chair of Steering and Outreach Committee

In the afternoon, the President and the Vice President will have lunch in the Private Dining Room. This lunch is closed press. Later in the afternoon, the President and the Vice President will meet with Secretary of Defense Gates in the Oval Office. This meeting is closed press.

In the evening, the President will discuss the National HIV/AIDS Strategy during remarks at a pooled-press reception to honor the work of the HIV/AIDS Community. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy is committed to making the United States a place where new HIV infections are rare, and when they do occur, every person, regardless of age, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socio-economic circumstance will have unfettered access to high-quality, life-extending care, free from stigma and discrimination. To make this vision a reality, the Obama Administration is launching a comprehensive plan for fighting HIV in our country.


In-Town Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: FOX
Print: BNA
Radio: AURN


EDT

9:30AM In-Town Travel Pool Call Time

9:45AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

10:15AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press

11:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with the Senate Democratic Leadership Team
Roosevelt Room
Closed Press

12:20PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
Closed Press

4:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
Closed Press

5:50PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on the National HIV/AIDS Strategy
East Room
Pooled Press (Pre-set 5:00PM – Final Gather 5:30PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)


Briefing Schedule

3:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

West Wing Report, July 12, 2010

Speaker Boehner?

Less than four months to go 'til election day and the White House now acknowledges the Republicans could take over the House of Representatives.

"I think there is no doubt there are enough seats in play - that could cause Republicans to gain control. There's no doubt about that," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told NBC's "Meet the Press." Gibbs then asked if Americans are really ready for House Speaker...John Boehner?

That frank admission could serve as a warning to Democratic voters that they'll have to fight harder than ever to fend off what appears to be a rising Republican tide. And it's not just the House that's in jeopardy: the GOP will also chip away at the Democrats' 59-seat Senate majority.

Meantime, the White House is still trying to work with Republicans. The President will host a bipartisan meeting of Congressional leaders tomorrow; Obama wants to chart a course for an energy/climate bill, and an immigration reform bill. Though at this point, those bills will most likely be dealt with in 2011 - certainly not this year.

Overall, it's looking like a quiet week for Obama. He'll host the leader of the Dominican Republic today, visit a battery plant in Michigan on Thursday and the First Family heads to Maine for some R & R this weekend.

*****

President's Schedule


11:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press


11:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press


12:00PM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press


2:10PM THE PRESIDENT holds a bilateral meeting with President Fernandez of the Dominican Republic
Oval Office
Closed Press


2:40PM THE PRESIDENT holds a joint press availability with President Fernandez of the Dominican Republic
Oval Office
Pooled Press (Gather Time 2:20PM – Brady Press Briefing Room)

Briefing Schedule
1:30PM Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

Headed for the Heartland - and Vegas, Baby

Wheels up this morning for Kansas City: President Obama will visit a factory there that makes electric trucks. The company - Smith Electric Vehicles – is an all-electric, zero emissions commercial truck manufacturer that received a $32 million Recovery Act grant last year. It hopes to open 20 manufacturing plants around the country. Jobs AND vehicles that don't use gas - that’s a two-for-one deal for Obama, who sees such projects as the key to rebuilding America’s economy.

He’ll also drop in on two fundraisers for Robin Carnahan, a Senate candidate in Missouri. Polls show her five or six points behind her GOP rival, longtime Congressman Roy Blunt.

The President then heads to Nevada for two more fundraisers – these for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Reid needs all the help he can get. Polls show him behind GOP candidate Sharron Angle by a three-to-seven point margin.

The President will spend the night in Las Vegas; don't look for him to show up in any casinos, we're told.

As for the President’s poll numbers – some slight erosion this week. A new Gallup survey puts his approval at 44%, but his disapproval at 46. And for the first time, the Real Clear Politics avg. of nine major polls puts Obama’s approval below his disapproval: not by much, just a tenth of a point at 46.3% approve vs. 46.4% disapproval. Still, troubling news for the White House.

*****

President's Thursday Schedule


CDT

11:55AM THE PRESIDENT arrives in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City International Airport
Open Press

12:10PM THE PRESIDENT tours Smith Electric Vehicles
Kansas City, Missouri
Travel Pool Coverage

12:30PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on the economy
Smith Electric Vehicles
Open Press

2:05PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a fundraiser for Senate candidate Robin Carnahan
Kansas City Marriot
Travel Pool Coverage

2:45PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a grass roots event for Senate candidate Robin Carnahan
Folly Theater
Open Press

4:25PM THE PRESIDENT departs Kansas City, Missouri en route Las Vegas, Nevada
Kansas City International Airport
Open Press

PDT

5:00PM THE PRESIDENT arrives Las Vegas, Nevada
McCarran International Airport
Open Press

6:15PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at a fundraiser event for Senator Harry Reid
Aria Resort and Casino
Open Press

7:30PM THE PRESIDENT attends a dinner fundraiser for Senator Harry Reid
Aria Resort and Casino
Closed Press


Briefing Schedule

Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton will gaggle aboard Air Force One

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

This could fix the ailing economy in a hurry: double American exports by 2015. The White House thinks it could create two million jobs - but that, of course, is easier said than done.

That ambitious goal was first outlined by Obama during his State of the Union address back in January. Since then, we haven't heard much about it. Today we'll get some details.

But experts say most of the ideas are either unrealistic or simply out of Obama's control. For example, China could allow its currency to rise 40%, which would make U.S. exports more competitive. China is moving in that direction - but but not that much and not that fast.

Obama could also lower taxes on American companies that do business abroad, but that contradicts his pledge to lower the deficit by ending tax breaks for big U.S. firms.

One thing Obama does get credit for so far: he has resisted efforts to ignite trade wars with countries that have unfair trade policies - the president thinks that would hurt Americans just as much as foreigners.

Looking ahead: Obama hits the road tomorrow and Friday. He'll talk jobs and the economy in Kansas City and Las Vegas - and also campaign for Democratic candidates - including struggling Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

*****

The Schedule


EDT

9:30AM In-Town Travel Pool Call Time

10:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

10:30AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press

11:25AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on the administration’s commitment to export promotion to grow the economy and support new American jobs
East Room
Open Press (Pre-set 10:30AM – Gather Time 10:55AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

12:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive a briefing on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Oval Office
Closed Press

12:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
Closed Press

2:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of the Treasury Geithner
Oval Office
Closed Press

3:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of State Clinton
Oval Office
Closed Press

Briefing Schedule

1:30PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

West Wing Report, July 6, 2010

Netanyahu Visit: Make Up Session?

The Mideast peace process, or lack thereof, is center stage today when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the White House.

Netanyahu and President Obama have a love-hate relationship: they need each other, and have to deal with each other, but agree to disagree on the big issues like Iran and the Mideast peace process.

Israel's top concern is the nuclear menace of Iran, and the Mideast peace process second. Israel sees itself as living in a bad neighborhood, with one neighbor - Tehran - threatening to destroy it with nuclear weapons most of the world is convinced it is rushing to construct.

The White House agrees that Iran is a threat; Obama is ratcheting up what the administration hopes will be tough new sanctions designed to weaken the Iranian regime and bring it to the negotiating table. Even so, the White House priority - for now - appears to be getting Israel to the negotiating table. Obama wants a two-state solution that would establish another Palestinian nation. This, the President feels, is the key to everything. It would, to use one of his favorite phrases, "lower the temperature" in the region, placate Israel's Arab neighbors and thus enhance regional security for all.

The tension between the two men is evident in the theatrics behind today's meeting. When recent world leaders have visited the White House - like France's Nicolas Sarkozy, Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai or, most recently, Russia's Dmitry Medvedev - there has been a full blown news conference in the East Room, with both leaders standing side by side before the cameras.

Today, there'll be just a short Oval Office statement and maybe a question or two from the press pool - a small group of reporters.

Chilly as that is, at least it's an improvement from May, when Obama left the Israeli leader alone for hours in the West Wing and allowed no photos of them together.

Obama is unhappy with continued construction of Israeli housing in territory claimed by Palestinians - and that recent raid on a ship carrying aid to Gaza aid ship didn't improve his mood either.

But Obama's displeasure has its limits. Republicans and Jewish groups are questioning the President's commitment to Israel and think it'll hurt already vulnerable Democrats in November.

The White House sees it differently, characterizing the rift as just a disagreement among friends. By pressuring Israeli to the negotiating table, Obama thinks he's acting in the best long-term interests of the Jewish state - making a peace deal, the President thinks - is essential to its survival.

President's Schedule


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 receives the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

11:00AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel
Oval Office
Closed Press

12:00PM THE PRESIDENT holds a joint press availability with Prime Minister Netanyahu
Oval Office
Pooled Press (Gather Time 11:50AM – Brady Press Briefing Room)

12:35PM THE PRESIDENT has a working lunch with Prime Minister Netanyahu
Cabinet Room
Closed Press

4:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
Closed Press

West Wing Report, July 2, 2010

June Unemployment: Mixed Bag

The June unemployment rate fell to 9.5% from May's 9.7%; on the surface that looks good. But the drop was driven largely by 652,000 Americans dropping out of the job market. Private-sector jobs grew by 83,000, but because census workers are now being laid off, total payrolls declined by 125,000.

The broader U6 measure of unemployment, which many analysts say better reflects the U.S. labor market, ticked down to 16.5% from May's 16.6%.

Slicing the data still further, June unemployment rates were: Men: 9.9%; Women: 7.8%; Whites: 8.6%; Blacks 15.4%; Hispanics: 12.4%, Teens 25.7%l Asians (unadjusted): 7.7% The number of long-term unemployed (jobless for 27+ weeks) was 6.8 million, or 45.5% of of unemployed persons, the government says.

The bottom line: the June report shows continued weakness in the labor market. It's a big worry for the White House, which now admits its concerned about a double-dip recession. But unemployment is, as they say on Wall Street, a lagging economic indicator.

President Obama is trying to win the Friday news cycle by announcing 66 more stimulus projects, that will create an estimated 5,000 jobs. They’re all broadband projects: the administration wants to bring high-speed internet to parts of the country that don’t have it now.

Services for Senator Byrd

The President and Vice-President this Morning head to West Virginia for a memorial service for Senator Robert Byrd. Obama will say how much Byrd helped him when he was a junior Senator from Illinois. Biden’s story is the eloquent one. He’ll talk about how Byrd was there for him during the darkest days of Biden’s life: Right after Biden was first elected to the Senate in 1972, his wife and daughter were killed by a drunk driver. Biden hadn’t even been sworn in yet, but Byrd came to the funeral, and, as Biden recalls, stood with him in the pouring freezing rain.

After the memorial service, President Obama and his family head to Camp David. They'll return to the White House Sunday evening – to catch the 4th of July fireworks.

- Paul Brandus at the White House