White House Health Care Summit at Blair House (FULL VIDEO)

Part One (Morning Session)



Part Two (Afternoon Session)



Video @ Whitehouse.gov

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Obama mops the GOP at their own retreat (Full Video, Link and Transcript)

The House Republicans invited President Obama to address their membership at their retreat in Baltimore, Maryland today. Well, where do I start? A mop is quite appropriate.

Today was political theatre.

Barack Obama stood there and made his statement with clarity, distiction and FACTS. Then he took their questions and the first was from Rep. Mike Pence from Indiana. It was a longgggg gotcha question and when he was done answering Pence, it was Pence who was got. (For me, they keep saying Pence is such a rising star, please after this people need to walk away from that thought.)

What happened today was Barack Obama refuting all the Republican talking points, TO THEIR FACES. He talked about them to their faces so good, they did not know what hit them and it was all done with FACT. When it was done, they were done. Luke Russert from MSNBC stated on television that one Republican told him that they never should have had cameras in the room but this was a political stroke of genius. Per Russert Tweet:

"GOP aides telling me it was a mistake to allow cameras into Obama's QA with GOP members. Allowed BO to refute GOP for 1.5 hours on TV"

The White House called the GOP leadership late last night and asked for the cameras in the room. The Republicans would have looked silly since they have been crying about transperancy to say no.

Such sessions are typically closed and Republicans said they initially assumed the White House would want to continue that practice. But after an exchange with the White House, Republicans decided to allow press coverage rather than be portrayed as trying to keep the meeting behind closed doors.

When this is all said and done, the dust settled, the only political gains was by Barack Obama. The Republicans? At this point, for them to continue to vote no on everything will be their demise in the end.

Oh, how effective was President Obama?

So effective was the president that Fox News cut away from the broadcast 20 minutes before it ended.

That is how effective he was.

Another good read: Cameras Roll As Obama Schools GOP


YouTube
C-SPAN Video
Transcript from Washington Post
Transcript

[UPDATE]

Luke Russert, MSNBC reporting on the GOP saying it was a mistake to let cameras in the room.



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President Obama's Full Remarks on the airline security report (Video)

Transcript

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The Obamas State Dinner for Prime Minister Singh of India (Video and Pictures)

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife to the White House Tuesday for the administration's first state dinner. (Nov. 24)



President and Mrs. Obama host Prime Minister Singh of the Republic of India at a State Dinner on November 24, 2009.


Vimeo Video





First Lady Mrs. O has debuted her ensemble for the state dinner, wearing a gown by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan. The strapless gown features hand cut sterling silver sequins sewn on nude silk chiffon, creating an abstract floral pattern. The dress is entirely handmade, requiring three weeks of work by 40 people, completed in Naeem Kahn's family workshop in India. The custom, one-of-a-kind gown was made specially by the designer for Mrs. O to wear to the state dinner, which honors Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and his wife, Gursharan Kaur.

Mrs. O accessorized her ensemble with oversize drop earrings, featuring a fleur de lis at each ear and tear drop shapes made of gold and purple stones. Mrs. O completed the look with a dramatic stack of bangle bracelets on her right arm, a nude wrap, and her hair swept into a loose, romantic updo.






Official List of Guests to the Obamas State Dinner
The Obamas china used for State Dinner
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomes Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and wife, Gursharan Kaur (Pictures)
President Obama and Prime Minister Singh's remarks to the press (Video)

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State Dinner Tuesday with the Obamas (a must read)

Maureen from East Wing Rules comes through again with full details on how these state dinners are put together and reminds you to watch C-SPAN as full coverage on this will be uninterrupted.

This was a plate (mid bites) prepared by White House Chef Sam Kass for the governor's formal dinner in February 2009. The presidential seal is on the dessert chocolate and notice not a smudge - each one is checked for perfection. This was Mrs. Obama's first formal dinner at the White House and she chose the Wilson China.

Watch C-SPAN for coverage that is uninterrupted and filled with salient tips from experts on everything from military protocol to the floral arrangements. A State Occasion, let a lone a dinner is lavish and meant to welcome a head of state with the finest of American hospitality at America's most famous address. First Ladies traditionally show off their arrangements and release details regarding floral arrangements, china selection, silverware settings and other details during the day. The room is already arranged and the menu selected. It is written by hand for each setting by the White House calligrapher's office. Each course is designed, pre-tasted by the first lady and a small group of insiders and every seat has a handwritten name above each plate. Mrs. Obama's press secretary Katie Lleyveld will be overwhelmed today as most microscopic minutiae will be fodder for the press and interested folks like me ... and you!

Read the full post, here.

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Obama addresses Radio and Television Correspondents Association Dinner (Video)

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Obama's interview on C-Span,, May 23, 2009 (Video)

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Eric Cantor blasting Obama on the Today Show and oh, where is the Republican plan? (Video)

Eric Cantor is an adequate dodge ball player. He can not answer any questions about the Republican Plan. He is now worried about the trillions of dollars on the backs of our children, but certainly was not concerned while giving the previous administration a blank check to spend us to where we are at. Remember he is the same individual that Lawrence O'Donnell expediently took down on morning joe or is it morning joke? Finally, it has got to be hard to go on these shows with absolutely NOTHING TO SAY. Cantor on C-Span, here. Why this is pointed out is that he allowed a caller to say atrocious things about President Obama, while sitting there smirking. Again, this is why people have walked away from the far right wing part of the Republican Party.

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Obama Evening Wrap Up. Cabinet Rollout Continues.

Obama, Biden and Ed. Sec. Designate Duncan at Dodge Renaissance Academy after presser.

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Arne Duncan named Education Secretary.

President-elect Obama announced Tuesday his pick for secretary of education, calling Chicago schools chief Arne Duncan a hands-on reformer with a proven record of success.

"For years, we've talked our education problems to death, but failed to act," Obama said, speaking at a news conference held in a school that he said has made remarkable progress under Duncan's leadership.

"We can't continue like this. It's morally unacceptable for our children," Obama said.

For the past seven years, Duncan, 44, has run the nation's third-largest school district. Duncan, a Harvard graduate, played professional basketball in Australia and later ran a nonprofit education organization on Chicago's South Side before going to work in the city's public schools.

I am not a fan of Duncan for many reasons. Of all the picks, this one is a bad one in my opinion.

Read, JJP and bokeen.

Kids question Obama.



Transcript

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The Obamas and Bidens Whistle Stop Tour to the White House

President-elect Barack Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and their families will hold a pre-inaugural event in Baltimore on Saturday, Jan. 17, as they travel to Washington by train for the swearing-in ceremony the next week, it was announced today.

The presidential inaugural committee said that the Baltimore appearance would be "in the tradition of past presidents-elect," who have staged a variety of events on their way to Washington to begin their administration.

According to the committee, the Jan. 17 events are in keeping with the theme of the inauguration --"Renewing America's Promise" -- and will feature cities with historic connections to that theme: Philadelphia, where the country's promise was realized in the signing of the Declaration of Independence; Baltimore, "where that promise was defended, then immortalized in our national anthem"; and Washington, the nation's capital, where four days of inaugural celebrations are to be held next month.

Obama and his family plan to begin the day with an event in Philadelphia. They will then board a special train that will stop in Biden's hometown of Wilmington, Del., where another event will be held.

The vice president and his family will then board the train for the remainder of the trip. Biden was famous for commuting via Amtrak to Wilmington during his years in the Senate.

The inaugural train is due to arrive in Washington that evening after the Baltimore event. Details of the day's events will be announced later, the committee said. continue

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Secret Service on Inauguration

Since we witnessed an Iraqi journalist throw both shoes at Bush and the slow security response, don't think or wonder if the Secret Service will not be on their game for The Obamas and Bidens during the whirlwind Inauguration. They will be.

The United States Secret Service, under the leadership of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and in cooperation with its local, state and federal security and public safety partners, has developed an overall security plan for the 56th Presidential Inaugural on Tuesday, January 20.

DHS has designated the Inaugural as a National Special Security Event (NSSE). When an event is designated an NSSE, the Secret Service assumes its role as the lead federal agency for the design and implementation of the operational security plan. The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the U.S. Capitol Police and the U.S. Park Police as well as a number of other federal and local agencies will play an active role in securing this event and resources will be deployed to maintain the level of security needed for the designated events.

A number of security measures will be in place for the 56th Presidential Inaugural. As details become available, this information will be updated. continue

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Caroline Kennedy wants Clinton's Senate Seat

There is some angst in New York State over Kennedy being appointed or anointed to the Clinton seat.

Kennedy has been working the phones, letting the NY political establishment know that she is serious and wants the seat. This includes contacting Hillary Clinton.

Kennedy is not a carpetbagger as Clinton was in 2000, she is a bonafide New Yorker and have worked on various charities, raising monies for the public school system in NYC, runs the Kennedy Library along with the Kennedy Center Honors and selecting the Profile in Courage Award recipient. Plus, Kennedy is a lawyer and writer of several constitutional law books.

Picking Kennedy will secure several things for Democrats. She has the name recognition of a powerhouse and beloved family and she can raise the much needed money to run for this seat in New York. Remember, after the appointment there will be a special election in 2010, then another election in 2012 for the expiration of this seat. That's two elections withing a 4 year period. This is why Kennedy will have the ups on anyone else.

Finally, there has been a Kennedy in the senate since 1953, with her father being the first. Many will think this is an imperial or dynasty pick, but I see it as a legacy pick. If Caroline Kennedy wants this, she will have it.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

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and................

The Obama Girls and Blacks at Sidwell - An Inside Perspective, Part II

Vilsack for Agriculture Secretary

That Minnesota Senate race will never end, Norm Coleman lawyers up

Dear Republicans: You Lost. Get Over It.

And watch the C-Span week long series on The White House. Truly fascinating.

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