January 30
5:30 PM EST
Your Interview with the President
President Obama will join a special Google+ Hangout from the West Wing, moderated by Steve Grove, to answer the YouTube community’s questions about the 2012 State of the Union address.
To participate, visit http://www.youtube.com/whitehouse and submit your question. YouTube videos you submit will drive the interview and will be used to select a few lucky people to join a live Google+ Hangout with the President.
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Oregon 1st Congressional District Special Election
January 31, 2012
A special election in Oregon’s 1st congressional district for a replacement for David Wu
UPDATE:
Democrat Suzanne Bonamici wins Tuesday Oregon 1st Congressional District http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/01/suzanne_bonamici_wins_special.html
Monday,January 30, , 2012
All Times Eastern
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
8:30 AM
Vice President Biden delivers remarks at the Conference of Chief Justices in Wilmington, Del.
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
10:45 AM
President Obama receives the presidential daily briefing.
Oval Office
Closed Press
11:00 AM
11:15 AM
President Obama meets with senior advisers.
Oval Office
Closed Press
First Lady Michelle Obama joins Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to announce new proposed rules regarding health care for veterans and injured service members.
12:00 PM
12:15 PM
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press.
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
2:15 PM
President Obama welcomes President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia to the White House.
Oval Office
Pool Spray
3:00 PM
3:15 PM
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host the Diplomatic Corps Reception.
East Room
Closed Press
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
5:30 PM
Your Interview with the President
President Obama will join a special Google+ Hangout from the West Wing, moderated by Steve Grove, to answer the YouTube community’s questions about the 2012 State of the Union address.
The White House Roosevelt Room
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
9:00 PM
10:00 PM
January 30, 2012
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
8:30 AM EST
Vice President Biden delivers remarks at the Conference of Chief Justices in Wilmington, Del.
12:15 PM EST
White House briefing
Press Secretary Jay Carney holds a briefing with reporters. Topics expected to be discussed include spending and the presidential campaign
3:00 PM EST
White House Champions of Change: Trailblazers in American Diaspora Communities
On Monday, January 30th, the White House will honor Trailblazers in American Diaspora Communities as Champions of Change who are leaders in American Diaspora communities with roots in the Horn of Africa. These leaders are helping to build stronger neighborhoods in communities across the country, and are working to mobilize networks across borders to address global challenges.
The White House
5:30 PM EST
Your Interview with the President
President Obama will join a special Google+ Hangout from the West Wing, moderated by Steve Grove, to answer the YouTube community’s questions about the 2012 State of the Union address.
The White House
—-
CNN http://live.cnn.com
8:00 AN EST
Reserved Officers Association – National Security Symposium
12:15 PM EST
White House briefing
Press Secretary Jay Carney holds a briefing with reporters. Topics expected to be discussed include spending and the presidential campaign.
12:30 PM EST
State Department briefing
The State Department holds a briefing for reporters. Topics expected to be discussed include the situations in Syria and Nigeria.
1:30 PM EST
National Association of Secretary of States – Election Issues et al
5:30 PM EST
Your Interview with the President
President Obama will join a special Google+ Hangout from the West Wing, moderated by Steve Grove, to answer the YouTube community’s questions about the 2012 State of the Union address.
The White Houseb
—-
CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
8:00 AN EST
Reserved Officers Association – National Security Symposium http://www.c-span.org/Events/CIA-Director-Among-Speakers-at-Reserve-Officers-Assn/10737427724/
8:30 AM Commerce Dept releases personal income & spending Dec
12:15 PM EST
White House briefing
Press Secretary Jay Carney holds a briefing with reporters. Topics expected to be discussed include spending and the presidential campaign.
12:30 PM EST
State Department briefing
The State Department holds a briefing for reporters. Topics expected to be discussed include the situations in Syria and Nigeria.
1:00 AM EST
DHS Secretary Assesses the State of Homeland Security http://www.c-span.org/Events/DHS-Secretary-Assesses-the-State-of-Homeland-Security/10737427708/
1:30 PM EST
National Association of Secretary of States – Election Issues et al http://www.c-span.org/Events/State-Officials-Prepare-for-Campaign-2012/10737427732/
2:00 PM EST
Senate considers STOCK Act
Senators will take up legislation aimed at stopping lawmakers from cashing in on information not readily available to the public that they obtain in the course of their work. http://www.c-span.org/Events/Senate-Debates-Stock-Trading-by-Members-of-Congress/10737427705/
5:30 PM EST
Your Interview with the President
President Obama will join a special Google+ Hangout from the West Wing, moderated by Steve Grove, to answer the YouTube community’s questions about the 2012 State of the Union address.
The White House
State of the Union – White Housde Follow Up Events
Monday, January 30, 2012
5:30 PM EST
Your Interview with the President
President Obama will join a special Google+ Hangout from the West Wing, moderated by Steve Grove, to answer the YouTube community’s questions about the 2012 State of the Union address.
The White House
“Today, I was in Michigan. Yesterday, it was Colorado and Nevada. Before that, it was Iowa and Arizona. The day after I delivered my State of the Union Address to Congress, I took off to connect with ordinary Americans around the country, talk more about our Blueprint for an America Built to Last, and get some feedback,” Obama wrote in an email. “That’s why I’m writing you.”
“On Monday,” the president wrote. “I’ll walk into the Roosevelt Room across the hall from the Oval Office, take a seat, and kick-off the first-ever completely virtual town hall from the White House.”
The town hall is part of a new series of White House and Obama campaign outreaches on new digital media platforms.
White House Hispanic Community Action Summit in Tucson, Arizona
On Monday, January 30, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., please join us at the White House Hispanic Community Action Summit in Tucson, Arizona.
The summit will connect senior Obama Administration officials from diverse policy areas with community leaders, business owners, and other stakeholders to discuss issues critical to the Hispanic community, Tucson, and the nation.
Event information
Date: Monday, January 30, 2012
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Address: Sunnyside High School, 1725 East Bilby Road, Tucson, AZ 85706
Road funds at risk in some states over safety rule
APNewsBreak: One-third of states may miss truck driver rules deadline, risk losing road money
Jan 2, 2012 By David a. Lieb, Associated Press | Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Stuck in a financial pothole, Missouri’s highway department has been selling equipment and eliminating employees to scrounge up enough money to repair its roads. Unless it also changes state law, it could lose tens of millions of federal highway dollars as a penalty for not adopting new safety requirements for commercial truck drivers.
Though Missouri’s financial predicament may be extreme, it is far from unique. Approximately one-third of states have indicated they may not meet a Jan. 30 deadline for their drivers’ license offices to require interstate truck drivers to provide proof from a medical professional that they are healthy enough to drive, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
States that fail to comply with the federal mandate could lose 5 percent of their highway funds — about $30 million in Missouri’s case. If they remain out of compliance for a second year, that penalty doubles. But noncompliant states could receive a grace period; as long as they submit a plan to obey the mandate, federal officials have indicated they may not start deducting money until 2014.
The federal agency declined to provide a list of the states in jeopardy of missing the deadline. But Missouri’s plight was confirmed by state officials and documents obtained by The Associated Press through an open-records request. Officials in several other states, including Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma, also confirmed to the AP that they will not be able to fully implement the federal requirement by the deadline.
For the entire article: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/road-funds-risk-states-over-194653469.html
Physical qualifications for drivers
(Excerpt) fmcsa.dot.gov
Beginning January 30, 2012, a driver required to have a commercial driver’s license under part 383 of this chapter, and who submitted a current medical examiner’s certificate to the State in accordance with § 383.71(h) of this chapter documenting that he or she meets the physical qualification requirements of this part, no longer needs to carry on his or her person the medical examiner’s certificate specified at § 391.43(h), or a copy. If there is no medical certification information on that driver’s CDLIS motor vehicle record defined at 49 CFR 384.105, a current medical examiner’s certificate issued prior to January 30, 2012, will be accepted until January 30, 2014. After January 30, 2014, a driver may use a copy of the current medical examiner’s certificate that was submitted to the State for up to 15 days after the date it was issued as proof of medical certification.
For the entire article: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=391.41
Just dropped by to say hello to you CR and catch up on the news. Have a blessed night.
You too COS!
Hi CR and COS!
President Obama has the most responsive Administration ever, and ProPresidentObama is the place to get the news!
>^..^<
Hi Kat!
Good morning PPO Family. CR, great thread topic. HOPE you all have a terrific Monday.
Please join me in lighting a candle for our President, First Family and the Nation.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
Good Monday morning and thank you Jackie!
January 17, 2012
Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of President Saakashvili of Georgia
President Obama will host President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia for a meeting in the Oval Office on Monday, January 30th. This year marks the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Republic of Georgia and the two presidents will discuss further strengthening the U.S. – Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership by enhancing cooperation in the fields of trade, tourism, energy, science, education, culture, and security. President Obama will underscore the importance of our defense cooperation with Georgia, including Georgia’s substantial contributions to international security operations in Afghanistan. The President will reconfirm U.S. support for the integrity of Georgia’s territory within its internationally recognized borders. The President also looks forward to discussing upcoming elections in Georgia and the reforms that will ensure Georgia’s continuing transformation into a vibrant and stable democratic state.
Good Monday morning everyone! I HOPE that you have a good day!
Next Up…
8:30 AM EST
Vice President Biden delivers remarks at the Conference of Chief Justices in Wilmington, Del.
Remarks to follow
Good Monday Morning everyone! How exciting is this virtual with POTUS!! HOPE everyone has a good day!
Good Monday morning Sandy!
Incomes up strong 0.5 pct., consumer spending flat
1/30/12 By MARTIN CRUTSINGER | Associated Press – 12 mins ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans’ income rose last month by the most in nine months, a hopeful sign for the economy after a year of weak wage gains. But consumer spending was unchanged.
Income rose 0.5 percent, the Commerce Department said Monday. It was the strongest increase since a similar gain in March.
The flat spending in December followed weak gains of 0.1 percent in both October and November.
The report underscored the challenge facing the economy in 2012. For all of 2011, income barely rose, while consumers dipped into their savings to spend more.
Unless income grows more rapidly, consumers will be forced to cut back further on spending. That would slow growth and result in less hiring.
Still, economists noted that income rose largely because of a strong month of hiring. The economy added 200,000 net jobs in December.
The best hope for the economy is more job growth. On Friday, the government is expected to report another solid month of hiring for January.
“The pace of job growth in recent months, while still not satisfactory compared to most past cycles, at least seems sufficient to generate enough income growth to keep consumer spending moving ahead at a modest pace,” said Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist at MFR, Inc.
After-tax income adjusted for inflation rose 0.3 percent in December. For the year, inflation-adjusted income rose 0.9 percent, just half the rise in 2010.
Inflation-adjusted consumer spending rose just 2.2 percent last year — only slightly better than the increase in 2010.
The government reported Friday that the economy grew at an annual rate of 1.7 percent last year — roughly half the growth of 2010. It was the weakest showing since the economy contracted 3.5 percent in 2009.
Unemployment stands at 8.5 percent — its lowest level in nearly three years after a sixth straight month of solid hiring.
For the final three months of 2011, Americans spent more on vehicles, and companies restocked their supplies at a robust pace.
Consumer spending is closely watched because it accounts for 70 percent of economic activity.
Still, overall growth last quarter — and for all of last year — was slowed by the sharpest cuts in annual government spending in four decades. And many people are reluctant to spend more or buy homes, and many employers remain hesitant to hire, even though job growth has strengthened.
The outlook for 2012 is slightly better. The Federal Reserve has estimated economic growth of roughly 2.5 percent for the year, despite abundant risk factors: federal spending cuts, weak pay increases, cautious consumers and the risk of a European recession.
In December, spending on both durable and nondurable goods fell. Spending on services, a category that accounts for two-thirds of consumer spending, rose 0.2 percent.
The savings rate increased to 4 percent of after-tax incomes in December, up from 3.5 percent in November.
For the year, the savings rate dipped to 4.4 percent from 5.3 percent in 2010. The savings rate had fallen to 1.5 percent in 2005, reflecting a housing boom that made people feel like spending more and saving less.
The December report showed that prices tied to consumer spending edged up 0.1 percent in December and were up 2.4 percent compared to a year ago. This is the preferred inflation measure for the Federal Reserve.
The Fed last week established an annual inflation target of 2 percent.
11:15 AM EST
First Lady Michelle Obama joins Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to announce new proposed rules regarding health care for veterans and injured service members.
January 30, 2012
Remarks by the First Lady at Joining Forces Event — Department of Labor
Department of Labor
Washington, D.C.
11:34 A.M. EST
MRS. OBAMA: Thank you. (Applause.) Good morning, everyone. Please — thank you so much. Please be seated.
Well, this is good stuff, right? I want to start by thanking Secretary Solis for her outstanding leadership here at the Department of Labor. I also want to thank all of the DOL employees here today for all of your hard work and all of your dedication. I have had some wonderful visits here with all of you, and this is another great visit.
The fact is that without all of you, there wouldn’t be days like this. And my husband and I are so grateful for every single thing that you do. Congratulations on your work.
Today is a big day for our troops, our veterans, and for their families. And we have quite a group assembled here today to help celebrate. It just warms my heart, but it also shows just how important this issue is.
We have the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki, and his wife, Patty; the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter; the Secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force are here today. We have Representative Gwen Moore, I believe, who is here today. We have General Marty Dempsey, and all of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are here today. We have my dear friends, their spouses, the women who keep me up — and keep them up and keep them focused. They are all here.
And I’d like to give a special thanks to Deanie Dempsey for all of her leadership on behalf of military families. But all of these women do a great job, and they have been terrific partners.
We’ve got some of the nation’s businesses and nonprofit leaders here today, and we also have many of our troops, our veterans and our military families. And of course, we have brave, courageous caregivers like RyAnne, who is here today.
I want to thank you all for being here. And I also want to thank RyAnne for sharing her story. And although she was too modest to admit it, the degree she earned while caring for her husband was a PhD. (Laughter.) So that’s pretty amazing. (Applause.)
Over the past few years, one of my greatest privileges as First Lady has been spending time with families just like RyAnne’s all across the country. I’ve met wounded warriors who are facing challenges that none of us could even begin to imagine. Their lives have been flipped upside down. They’ve dealt with surgery after surgery, month after month of pain. Yet their spirits are always up, and that’s something that I say — I mean, if each of us could spend a moment with a wounded warrior, we would never complain about our own plight.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/30/remarks-first-lady-joining-forces-event-department-labor
First Lady Unveils Planned Changes to Family and Medical Leave Act
Uploaded by DODvClips on Feb 1, 2012
First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled proposed changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act designed to help wounded warriors’ caregivers.
Joining Forces for Caregivers
Brad Cooper January 30, 2012
Earlier today, I had the great privilege of joining First Lady Michelle Obama and many of the nation’s leaders in announcing proposed changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that recognize the unique circumstances faced by the caregivers of our country’s wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans.
The Joining Forces announcement reflects a collaborative, public-private effort between the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs, along with private sector business and non-profit organizations. Joining the First Lady were Secretaries from the Departments of Labor, Defense and Veterans Affairs; Secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as the Joint Chiefs Chairman, and all of the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The proposal announced today by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis continues this Administration’s commitment to our wounded warriors and their caregivers. The new language would extend the entitlement of military caregiver leave to qualifying family members of veterans who are dealing with a serious injury or illness for up to five years after leaving the military. At this time, the law only covers family members of “currently serving” service members. Additionally, the proposal expands the military family leave provisions of the FMLA by extending qualifying leave to employees whose family members serve in the regular armed forces. Currently, the law only covers families of National Guard members and reservists. These changes will ensure that our military families have peace of mind knowing that they won’t have to choose between keeping their jobs and caring for their loved ones.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/01/30/joining-forces-caregivers
This video is excellent!
Faces of Change: Lilly Ledbetter’s Equal Pay Story
Thant was great! Thanks Jackie!
2:15 PM EST
President Obama welcomes President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia to the White House.
January 30, 2012
Remarks by President Obama and President Saakashvili of Georgia After Bilateral Meeting
Oval Office
2:59 P.M. EST
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, I want to welcome President Saakashvili and his delegation here, and it’s a wonderful occasion to have him here as we’ll be celebrating this year 20 years of independence for Georgia and the eighth anniversary of the Rose Revolution.
I think Georgia should be extraordinarily proud of the progress that is made in building a sovereign and democratic country. And one of the first things that I did was express my appreciation for the institution-building that’s been taking place in Russia — in Georgia — the importance of making sure that minorities are respected; the importance of a police and system of rule of law that is being observed — the kinds of institution-building that is going to make an enormous difference in the future of not just this generation of Georgians but future generations of Georgians.
And so I want to express my appreciation for the work that’s been done in the past, but also anticipating fair and free elections here; the formal transfer of power that will be taking place in Georgia, which I think will solidify many of these reforms that have already taken place.
We discussed how we can continue to strengthen the strong bilateral relationship between our two countries. Part of this is economic. Obviously, Georgia has made strides in creating a effective free market system and more progress needs to be made. The United States wants to help in that progress.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/30/remarks-president-obama-and-president-saakashvili-georgia-after-bilatera
This is our country, too: Fred Korematsu’s daughter on her father’s civil rights legacy
01.26.12 sfbg
“One never knows after someone dies what happens to their legacy. Sometimes it becomes a part of history and sometimes it grows,” Karen Korematsu -remarked in a phone interview with the Guardian this week. Her father, civil rights activist Fred Korematsu, will be honored statewide with his own official day on Mon/30. You can celebrate his legacy locally at the Oakland Museum of California’s Lunar New Year event on Sun/29, where Karen will be speaking about her dad’s contribution to our cultural heritage.
“In the case of my father, his legacy seems to be growing,” Karen continued. “His story resonates and remains important to people.” Last year was the first time California celebrated the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution. This year, events from a photo exhibition in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, panel discussions, and teacher workshops in Humboldt, San Diego, Davis, San Francisco, and San Jose will commemorate his work.
The Oakland Museum of California’s celebration will be especially meaningful — Korematsu was born and raised in Oakland. The event will include remarks from Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, a talk by Karen, performances by students from the Korematsu Discovery Academy in Oakland, vocalist Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto, and koto player Brian Mitsuhiro, and a screening of the Emmy Award-winning Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: the Fred Korematsu Story.
The elder Korematsu was a civil rights hero who refused to be incarcerated in the Japanese internment camps during World War II. When President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942 requiring Japanese Americans to be placed in internment camps, the 23-year-old Korematsu refused to report. He attempted to continue his life as a normal American citizen, but was spotted and arrested in San Leandro three months later. Convicted for violating military orders, he lived for several months at the Tanforan assembly center in San Bruno and subsequently was transferred to Topaz, Utah — one of the 10 incarceration camps that were set up for Japanese Americans during WWII — where his family was also being held.
For the entire artilcle: http://www.sfbg.com/pixel_vision/2012/01/26/our-country-too-fred-korematsus-daughter-her-fathers-civil-rights-legacy
Next Up…
3:00 PM EST
White House Champions of Change: Trailblazers in American Diaspora Communities
On Monday, January 30th, the White House will honor Trailblazers in American Diaspora Communities as Champions of Change who are leaders in American Diaspora communities with roots in the Horn of Africa. These leaders are helping to build stronger neighborhoods in communities across the country, and are working to mobilize networks across borders to address global challenges.
The White House
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
Champions of Change: Trailblazers in American Diaspora Communities
Uploaded by whitehouse on Jan 30, 2012
The White House honors 14 leaders in American Diaspora communities with roots in the Horn of Africa as Champions of Change. These leaders are helping to build stronger neighborhoods in communities across the country, and are working to mobilize networks across borders to address global challenges. January 30, 2012.
3:15 PM EST
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host the Diplomatic Corps Reception.
Remarks to follow.
Next Up…
5:30 PM EST
Your Interview with the President
President Obama will join a special Google+ Hangout from the West Wing, moderated by Steve Grove, to answer the YouTube community’s questions about the 2012 State of the Union address.
The White House
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
CNN http://live.cnn.com
CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
Obama ‘hangs out’ on Google Plus, 1/30′
1/30/12 5:25 PM EST POLITICO44
President Obama is conducting his first ever Google Plus hangout. WATCH LIVE.
Google Plus hangout starts at 5:32.
Google moderator introduces the participants. Participants are in Texas, Chicago, California, Evanston, Ill., etc.
Q: ‘Will you promote a living wage for people like me?’
Obama: “First of all, I just want to commend you for working hard at school and at work. I think this is representative of the spirit that is out there in this country. … Everybody is working hard, trying to make ends meet, trying to get ahead” (5:35).
More: “We’re starting to see some signs that the economy is picking up … we saw the largest boost in manufacturing job”
More: “I have to keep this recovery going.” Obama pivots to the payroll tax cut, and what he can do for students.
More: “What we have to do is to make sure that as business grow, as we’re promoting new industries like manufacturing in this country, we’re also making sure that workers have a chance to benefit. I’m a strong believer in the minimum wage, but it also means that we are making sure that people like you who are working hard aren’t being disadvantaged by the tax code.”
Q: My husband has an engineering degree. He was laid off. Why does the government continue to issue and extend H1B visas when there are tons of Americans with no job.
Obama: “I can tell you that there’s a huge demand around the country for engineers. Obviously, there are different kinds of engineers. …” Says civil engineers are underused, our infrastructure is not being invested in.
More, says there is specialized demand in the high tech industry. “What industry tells me is that they don’t have enough”
Q: I understand that, but given the list that you’re getting, we’re not getting there.
Obama: What kind of engineer is your husband?
Questioner: Semiconductor engineer.
Obama repeats his offer to forward her husband’s resume.
Q: I really appreciate how you saved the auto industry. I think it was the right thing to do. But how do we make sure the auto industry is secure in the long term?
Obama: “The point about Detroit applies to all kinds of manufacturing industry and I try to highlight that in the State of the Union. I want us to be a country that is building and selling our products all across the world … The auto industry is a good example of what’s possible. … We started a restructuring where workers and” labor got together. “Started designing better products” (5:42).
Q: I voted for you. I’m paying my taxes. I’m unemployed. I need help. What am I going to do? Do you have a plan for me?
Obama: “The most important thing I can do for folks who are out of work is to grow the economy …” Says we should invest at home. “Making sure that we’re improving skills for all Americans, by for example, matching up community colleges and business…”
More: “There are models out there that work. … Making sure that we’ve got an American energy strategy.”
Q: Education question.
Obama says he’s talking about higher education, not necessarily a four year college.
Obama: “The point is that it’s very hard for somebody that just has a high school education to get a well paying job that allows you to support a family.”
More: “Now, what we’ve tried to do is to try to make college more affordable without putting more of a burden on taxpayers.”
Obama notes that they’ve saved money by cutting the middleman out of the student loan program.
More: “If congress doesn’t act, then the interest rates are going to go up on student loans” this summer.
Pivots to cost control.
More: “And making sure that we’ve got a rules of the road that are working everybody — so that our tax code is fair, everybody’s doing their fair share. … That’s the foundation for an economy that’s going to last in the long term.”
More: “Obviously for someone who’s laid off” in their 50s, it’s a lot tougher.
Q: A few weeks ago, you took steps to consolidate the various agencies and departments. … Do you think that instead of helping, this might dilute the focus on small business?
Obama: “The answer’s no … First of all, I elevated the SBA administration to a Cabinet level administration. … Secondly, the big problem we have right now when it comes to our various business program is that it’s really hard to navigate.”
More: “Our whole goal here is to set up a one-stop process for a small business. So a business goes on a website, instead of navigating 15 different agencies … I want them to go to one place and answer all their questions.”
Notes that small businesses can’t afford lawyers and accountants like big corporations can.
More: “That’s the kind of streamlined process that we want to set up. … I’m a strong believer that SBA is a huge help to small businesses across the country. But we’re also living in a time when our government has to be more efficient”
Obama says keeping small businesses at the table is a priority.
Q: Prior to your taking office, I was never politically active. Children see and hear more than they understand. What you would do to help create a new narrative for the children of our nation?
Obama: “I’ve got two girls at home … I’m having to have conversations with them all the time.”
More: “I think that one of the most important things I can do as president is just to remind this generation that previous generations have had tougher times.”
More: “We’ve always come out on top, as long as we work together to solve some of these problems. I think it’s very important for all of us to remember, whatever the challenges that are out there, we can work through this.” Says we have the best universities, best businesses, best workers. “We’re going to do fine if we make some good decisions.”
More: “What I’m trying to do, for kids and everyone else, is to try to remain hopeful.”
More: Says we’re trying to increase financial literacy among kids. “We have a whole panel that’s working with the department of education and school districts.”
More: Part of what’s important is empowering our kids to be smart consumers.
Q: I’m a homeless veteran. Why are we sending money to places like Pakistan and other places that are known to give money to terrorists.
Obama: “Well, first of all, my goal is to have no homeless veterans. Part of what I want to see happen … one of our key goals is eliminate veteran’s homelessness.”
More: “They’re handling million dollar pieces of equipment and leading their colleagues into incredibly dangerous situations. They can make a huge contribution in terms of rebuilding America. With respect to the general question of foreign aid … we only spend about 1 percent of our budget in foreign aid.”
More: “It pays off… that potentially saves us for having to deal with some military crisis somewhere down the road. Aside from it being the right to do … a very wealthy country … this is part of our overall security strategy.”
More: “I do agree that a country like Pakistan is one where our relations have gotten more strained.”
More: Extremists … “we’re always trying to find the right balance. … there are times when they disappoint us.”
Questioner: “When you see the number of people who don’t have jobs and you have a college educated husband, how are you supposed to tell your children … It’s just I guess hard for Americans and the middle class to grasp why we do give as much as we do.”
Obama: “it’s a very small portion … most of the foreign aid we provide is to countries that are also helping us with our national security.”
Q: Drone attacks. These attacks cause civilian casualties.
Obama: “That story, I think, was a little overwritten. We’re not engaging in a bunch of drone attacks inside of Iraq. …There’s some surveillance.”
More: “I want to make sure that people understand is that drones have not caused a huge number of civilian casualties. … We are very careful in terms of how it’s been applied … This is a targeted focused effort …”
More: “It is important for everybody to understand that this thing is kept on a very tight leash. … It is part and parcel of our overall authority when it comes to battling al-Qaeda.
Q: Do the drone strikes send the message that we’re interfering in other country’s affairs?
Obama: “I think that we have to be judicious in how we use drones. But understand that probably our ability to respect the sovereignty of other countries … is enhanced by the” ability to pin-point strike al-Qaeda.
Obama: “I want all of you guys to understand that you can’t stop at high school. … We’re going to need you.”
Q: What advice would you give to someone who comes from a middle class family who fears not being able to pay off the loans?
Obama: “You will probably take on some debt. Michelle and I took on some debt when we graduated from college and law school. … I think young people probably have a little more responsibility now to think ahead to make sure that when you make that investment” it’s in pursuing a career where you can find a job.
Obama doesn’t want students to just have four years of fun. “Your counselors and other adults can potentially help you to identify what are going to be some of the growth areas of the future.”
Q: I don’t believe that a lot of kids have seen their parents get laid off. No money. And because of the downturn, a lot of kids worry about entering college. Our kids are seeing what is happening with the economy and its affecting them.
Obama: “You’re right … the last three years have been tough … Here’s what’s really important to know … the unemployment rate for folks who only have a high school diploma is multiple times higher than for folks who have a college degree. … Even as tough as things have been, the odds that you are going to do much much better over your lifetime, over your career … is much better if you’ve gotten a higher education degree. You’re right that when times are tough, obviously people are a lot more concerned about taking on debt.”
More: “it’s important to remember that that investment is still the best thing” that a young person can do. “…Link up high school students that may have the capacity to become a really skilled worker … but they don’t necessarily need a B.A.”
Q: SOPA question. A lot of activity on YouTube on this question.
Obama: “One of the things that we’re doing is using the laws that we have to enforce and make sure that intellectual property is being protected.” Says DoJ just announced a big prosecution.
More: “All our knowledge based products … also do it in a way that’s not affecting the fundamental” free speech/internet architecture.
Q: Richard O’Dwyer question.
Obama: “First of all, I’m not personally doing anything. But I want to make sure that everybody understands. One of the ways that our system works is that the president doesn’t get involved in prosecution decisions … What I can say broadly is that we want to make sure that intellectual property is protected … but we want to do it in a way that’s consistent with Internet freedom. … When SOPA came up on the Hill, we expressed some concerns.”
Q: Do you believe that comedy can influence the outcome of an election, asked by an Obama impersonator?
Obama: “First of all, the only problem with that guy is that he doesn’t have any gray hair. he needs to update his act a little bit .. one of the great things .. I was with some ambassadors from some other countries today … they remarked that one of the things that makes America special” is that you don’t have the comedy and satire like America.
Obama “I don’t know that if any of this stuff affects an election … but it makes this country stronger … I work for you guys.”
Q: Obama is asked to dance.
Obama: “In some future Google Plus, I may sing another tune.”
Q: Can I be your doctor?
Obama: “I’ve got a terrific doctor. He’s in the military though. You’re going to have to sign up to serve.”
Q: If you’re ever looking for a technology expert…How do you feel about being in the bubble?
Obama: “it’s the toughest thing about being president. This is the greatest job on earth and it’s such an honor to serve…” Obama says he can’t go to the corner store. “one of the things I look forward to … is just going out and taking a walk.”
Q: Would you come visit our school? Play tennis with me?
Obama: “I know you can beat me at tennis … You may be the smallest school, but I don’t know how many other schools have the president talking to your student body.”
Q: Wedding anniversary. If you can talk about what you’re doing to celebrate?
Obama: “Our anniversary is on October 3rd. Sadly it’s a month before the election. I don’t know how romantic a weekend that we’re going to get … Without being corny … the fact that you guys put up with us for 20 year is pretty remarkable and I’m grateful for it every day.”
Questioner introduces her children.
Hangout ends.
Remarks and video to follow….
That was great! Thank you President Obama for your OPEN government!
Your Interview with the President – 2012
Uploaded by whitehouse on Jan 30, 2012
You asked the questions, and President Obama answered in the first-ever completely virtual interview from the White House, presented by YouTube and Google+.
Regulatory Reform Progress
Posted by Cass Sunstein on January 30, 2012 at 05:07 PM EST
To promote economic growth and job creation, we need cost-justified, evidence-based regulation. Which is why, almost exactly a year ago, President Obama issued an Executive Order calling for a government-wide review of regulations to reduce costs, to eliminate unnecessary burdens, and to get rid of what the President has called “absurd and unnecessary paperwork requirements that waste time and money.” Twenty-six executive agencies produced final plans, spanning over 800 pages and offering more than 500 proposals. Sixteen independent agencies followed suit, responding to a historic request from the President to eliminate unjustified costs on their own.
And today, agency updates on regulatory reform progress can be found here.
As these updates show, a great deal has happened in a short time. For example:
* HHS has finalized a rule that will facilitate and promote telemedicine, helping hospitals and patients in rural areas and saving around $65 million over the next five years.
* The Department of Transportation has proposed a rule to extend compliance dates on dozens on traffic control requirements imposed on states and local government, potentially saving millions of dollars in the process.
* The Department of Homeland Security has issued a new Global Entry rule that will allow many people to reduce their waiting time at airports.
* The Department of Labor will shortly finalize a rule to harmonize its hazards warning requirements with those of other nations, increasing safety and saving employers over $1.5 billion over the next five years.
* The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced a final rule that will remove over 1.9 million annual hours of redundant reporting burdens on employers and save more than $40 million in annual costs.
* To eliminate unjustified economic burdens on railroads, the Department of Transportation is reconsidering parts of a rule that requires railroads to install equipment on trains.
* The Department of Agriculture has proposed a rule to modernize and streamline poultry inspections, saving the private sector over $1 billion over the next five years while increasing safety in the process.
* EPA has proposed to eliminate the obligation for many states to require air pollution vapor recovery systems at local gas stations, on the ground that modern vehicles already have effective air pollution control technologies.
* The Departments of Commerce and State are undertaking a series of steps to eliminate unnecessary barriers to exports, including duplicative and unnecessary regulatory requirements, thus reducing the cumulative burden and uncertainty faced by American companies and their trading partners.
* To promote flexibility, the Department of Health and Human Services has proposed new rules to reduce burdensome regulatory requirements now placed on hospitals and doctors. These reforms are expected to save more than $5 billion over the next five years.
* The Federal Communications Commission has already eliminated over 190 regulations.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/01/30/regulatory-reform-progress
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
All Times Eastern
First Lady Michelle Obama appears on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
President Obama receives the presidential daily briefing.
Oval Office
Closed Press
10:45 AM
President Obama holds a cabinet meeting.
Cabinet Room
Pool Spray at the Top
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press.
2:00 PM
Vice President Biden attends a campaign event in Fort Worth, Texas.
Local Event Time: 1:00PM CST
Forth Worth, Texas
2:51 PM
President Obama delivers remarks at the Washington Auto Show
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
4:30 PM
President Obama meets with Secretary of Defense Panetta.
Oval Office
Closed Press
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
Vice President Biden attends a campaign event in DeKalb, Texas.
Local Event Time: 5:30 PM CST
DeKalb, Texas
7:00 PM
7:15 PM
President Obama delivers remarks at a campaign event.
St. Regis Hotel
Print Pool
8:00 PM
9:00 PM
9:10 PM
President Obama delivers remarks at a campaign event.
Private Residence
Print Pool
10:00 PM
11:00 PM
First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks at a Democratic National Committee reception in Los Angeles.
January 31, 2012
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
1:00 PM EST
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press.
—-
CNN http://live.cnn.com
5:18 AM ET
National Assn. of Secretaries of State
Election Issues
10:00 AM EST
Sen. Select Intel. Cmte: CIA Dir. Petraeus, FBI Dir. Mueller & Others Testify http://www.c-span.org/Events/Senate-Committee-Looks-at-Annual-US-Threat-Assessment/10737427718/
10:00 AM EST
House Committee Select Intelligence
U.S. Worldwide Security Threats
10:00 AM EST
Senate considers STOCK Act
Senators will take up legislation aimed at stopping lawmakers from cashing in on information not readily available to the public that they obtain in the course of their work.
10 AM EST
Consumer Finance Protection Bureau director Richard Cordray testifies before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee
10:00 AM EST
Video piracy hearing
A Senate judiciary subcommittee holds a hearing on legislation aimed at protecting viewer privacy.
11:00 AM EST
CBO Releases New Report on the Economy
1:00 PM EST
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press.
5:00 PM EST
UN briefing on Syria crisis
Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Al-Arabi and Qatar’s prime minister brief reporters at the United Nations on the situation in Syria.
—-
CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
5:18 AM ET
National Assn. of Secretaries of State
Election Issues
10:00 AM EST
Sen. Select Intel. Cmte: CIA Dir. Petraeus, FBI Dir. Mueller & Others Testify
10:00 AM EST
House Committee Select Intelligence
U.S. Worldwide Security Threats http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/49705-1
10:00 AM EST
Senate considers STOCK Act
Senators will take up legislation aimed at stopping lawmakers from cashing in on information not readily available to the public that they obtain in the course of their work.
10 AM EST
Consumer Finance Protection Bureau director Richard Cordray testifies before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee http://www.c-span.org/Events/Senate-Takes-Look-at-Consumer-Protection-Bureau/10737427756/
10:00 AM EST
Video piracy hearing
A Senate judiciary subcommittee holds a hearing on legislation aimed at protecting viewer privacy. http://www.c-span.org/Events/Senate-Judiciary-Committee-Discusses-Video-Privacy-Protection/10737427786/
11:00 AM EST
CBO Releases New Report on the Economy http://www.c-span.org/Events/CBO-Releases-New-Report-on-the-Economy/10737427785/
1:00 PM EST
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney briefs the press.
5:00 PM EST
UN briefing on Syria crisis
Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Al-Arabi and Qatar’s prime minister brief reporters at the United Nations on the situation in Syria.
January 31 – A special election in Oregon’s 1st congressional district for a replacement for David Wu
Democrat favored in Oregon congressional election
1/31/12 By Teresa Carson | Reuters – 1 hr 44 mins ago
PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) – Oregon voters dropped off last minute ballots on Tuesday in a special mail-in election that a former Democratic state lawmaker is favored to win, filling a seat vacated by disgraced Democrat David Wu, who resigned in a sex scandal.
Suzanne Bonamici, who most recently served as a state senator, is running against Republican businessman Rob Cornilles to represent a diverse district that includes part of Portland, Nike Inc.’s headquarters, much of Oregon’s high-tech industry, affluent suburbs and areas dependent on farming and fishing.
As in all Oregon elections, the race was being conducted by mail. Ballots for the special election were distributed on January 13, and voters had until 8 p.m. Pacific time on Tuesday to turn them in marked with the candidates of their choice.
Instead of polling places, drop-off boxes were set up for those who waited too long to mail their ballots on time.
The contest between Bonamici and Cornilles has attracted an unusual level of interest for a traditionally safe Democratic seat, drawing almost $2 million in independent expenditures since November.
The western Oregon district has sent only Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives since 1974, and Democrats hold a 12-percentage-point advantage in voter registration over Republicans.
President Barack Obama easily carried the district in 2008 and Wu fended off a challenge from Cornilles in a 2010 election year that heavily favored Republicans elsewhere in the country. Polls showed Bonamici with a considerable lead.
For the entire article: http://news.yahoo.com/democrat-favored-oregon-congressional-election-014357866.html
Suzanne Bonamici wins special election for Oregon’s 1st Congressional District
January 31, 2012, 8:03 PM – Jeff Mapes – oregonlive
Democrat Suzanne Bonamici swept to victory Tuesday in Oregon’s 1st Congressional District as her party continued its nearly four-decade-long hold on the seat covering the northwestern corner of the state.
Partial returns showed Bonamici defeated Republican Rob Cornilles as she carried over 50 percent of the vote in a special election to fill the seat left vacant following the resignation of Democrat David Wu in August.
A former state legislator, Bonamici becomes the only woman in the seven-member Oregon congressional delegation and her campaign expects that she will be sworn in within the next week.
Besides becoming accustomed to Congress, Bonamici also has to get ready for another election in just over four months. To earn a full two-year term starting next year, she needs to run in the May primary and November general election.
For the entire article: http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/01/suzanne_bonamici_wins_special.html
Vice president to attend two fundraisers in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Jan. 28, 2012 star-telegram
FORT WORTH — Vice President Joe Biden will be in downtown Cowtown on Tuesday, attending a pair of fundraisers that could net around $100,000 for President Barack Obama’s re-election bid.
Biden has been traveling around the country recently, collecting campaign contributions in cities such as San Francisco, Pasadena, Calif., and Columbus, Ohio, hoping to help restock the war chest for what is expected to be one of the most costly presidential campaigns.
For the entire article: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/01/28/3695287/vice-president-to-attend-two-fundraisers.html
First Lady’s “Tonight Show” Appearance Begins Promotional Efforts For New Gardening Book
JANUARY 23, 2012 obamafoodorama.blogspot
First Lady Michelle Obama will kick off a national media campaign to promote her forthcoming book about the White House Kitchen Garden with a visit to NBC’s Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Jan. 31. “American Grown,” Mrs. Obama’s first outing as an author, will be published in
AprilMay . NBC said when announcing Mrs. Obama’s appearance that she will discuss the book and the Let’s Move! campaign; Mrs. Obama will embark on a three-day national tour to celebrate the second anniversary of her childhood obesity initiative starting on Feb. 9, with a visit to Des Moines, Iowa.Mrs. Obama will also discuss life in the White House, according to the network, for her first appearance on The Tonight Show as First Lady. Mrs. Obama previously joined Leno in October of 2008 to discuss her husband’s election campaign. NBC said Mrs. Obama’s upcoming visit is the first for any First Lady on any late-night TV talk show, adding to her growing list of “firsts,” including the gardening book.
For the entire article: http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2012/01/first-ladys-tonight-show-appearance.html
Let’s Move! Success: Michelle Obama Gets Jay Leno To Eat Veggies On “Tonight Show”
JANUARY 31, 2012 obamafoodorama.blogspot
On Tuesday, First Lady Michelle Obama achieved her goal of getting Jay Leno to eat some vegetables during an appearance on The Tonight Show to promote her Let’s Move! campaign–and to talk Campaign 2012. During the taping of the NBC show in Burbank, Leno’s desk was turned into a buffet, complete with slices of veggie-topped pizza, a cone-shaped basket of baked sweet potato fries, and apples. The First Lady had run a mini campaign on Twitter to encourage Leno to try some veggies, and she sweetened the deal by bringing along a big jar of White House Honey, from the beehive that sits beside her Kitchen Garden.
Leno told Parade magazine in a 2006 interview that he hadn’t eaten a vegetable since 1969.
“I admit my diet is not good,” Leno said during his monologue. “My idea of fruit salad is a bowl of Skittles. The only fiber I get is when I eat a slice of pizza and the cardboard from the box gets stuck in the cheese.”
Mrs. Obama was all smiles as she encouraged Leno to try the healthy feast: “You are such a role model for millions, it would be wonderful,” she said. He started with the veggie pizza, which was topped with eggplant, green peppers and zucchini, and made with a whole-wheat crust.
“This a good way for people of your ilk, who don’t like vegetables, to incorporate them,” Mrs. Obama said.
For the entire article: http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2012/01/lets-move-success-michelle-obama-gets.html
First Lady Michelle Obama in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno January 31, 2012
Uploaded by 778bn on Feb 1, 2012
Michelle Obama and Jay Leno NBC Burbank California Jan 31 2012
Uploaded by TheCrudeTruthAboutIt on Jan 31, 2012
Senate moves forward with a 93-2 vote on insider-trading legislation
1/30/12 By Josiah Ryan – TheHill
The Senate on Monday voted 93-2 to move forward with the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act, legislation that would prevent members of Congress from making investments and trades based on non-public information.
The bill, originally sponsored by Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), would ensure that existing insider trading prohibitions apply to members of Congress and staff.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) scheduled the cloture vote on the motion to proceed on the bill Thursday after President Obama demanded action on the issue in his State of the Union speech.
Reid said the legislation would help restore confidence in Congress by stipulating that profiting from privileged political intelligence is illegal.
“Members of Congress and their staffers have the duty to the American people,” Reid said. “They may not use privileged information they get on the job to personally profit. [This bill] will end any confusion over whether members of Congress can be prosecuted for the serious crime. They can be.”
For the entire article: http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/207497-senate-advances-congressional-insider-trading-ban
Good Tuesday morning everyone! I HOPE that you have a good day!
Good morning CR and everyone. HOPE you all have a great Tuesday.
Please join me in lighting a candle for our President, First Family and the Nation.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
Good Tuesday morning and thank you Jackie!
Done! Not bad. 23 from 2 countries.
Embarrassment of Riches: What Mitt Romney Paid Compared To Past Presidential Candidates
http://media.talkingpointsmemo.com/slideshow/what-romney-paid-versus-past-presidential-candidates
“If Mitt Romney wins the GOP Presidential primary, his exceptionally low tax rate promises to loom large in the general election.”
“Barack Obama and John McCain, by contrast, were just about in Buffett Rule territory. ”
-Brian Beutler
Increasing number of ethics probes rattles House Republicans
1/30/12 By Jordy Yager – TheHill
An increasing number of House Republicans are getting wrapped up in allegations of ethics violations ahead of the November elections, handing Democrats easy campaign fodder and putting the GOP in an unexpected bind.
Republican leaders in the lower chamber pledged to run an ethically sound ship when they took control last year. But as the second session gets under way, nearly a dozen GOP lawmakers are being questions on a wide array of their financial dealings, and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has not publicly admonished them.
“The Speaker has always been clear that the American people expect members of Congress to be held to the highest ethical standards,” said Michael Steel, a spokesman for Boehner, when asked by The Hill whether the Speaker was concerned about ethics questions surrounding the Republicans.
By next Monday the House Ethics Committee is slated to decide whether to formally investigate Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.). Moreover, allegations arose over this past weekend that Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) might have accepted illegal campaign donations, according to The New York Times.
Additionally, there are the three Republicans — Reps. Pete Sessions (Texas), Buck McKeon (Calif.) and Elton Gallegly (Calif.) — who earlier this month were referred to the House Ethics Committee for taking part in Countrywide’s VIP mortgage program, aimed at gaining special favor from lawmakers.
Sessions serves as the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), while Buchanan serves as the GOP reelection arm’s finance chairman. Grimm is one of the NRCC’s regional chairs.
All of these lawmakers have denied any wrongdoing.
In the past, Boehner has been lauded by watchdogs for not tolerating ethics violations among House Republicans, as he was often seen to be the silent hand urging ethically challenged lawmakers such as former Reps. Chris Lee (N.Y.), Mark Souder (Ind.) and Vito Fossella (N.Y.) out of office.
Ahead of the 2010 elections, Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) acknowledged that the ethics troubles surrounding Republicans in 2006 had helped cost them the House, and pledged to maintain a “zero tolerance” policy for ethics violations if they took back control.
“As the Republicans emerge as the new governing majority, it is incumbent upon us to issue a zero tolerance policy that we understand there are reasons for us being fired in ’06 and ’08 [and] some of that had to do with ethics violations,” said Cantor in a 2010 interview with the National Review.
Ethics issues have typically played a strong role in election seasons as both parties attempt to paint the other as ethically bankrupt.
And with a mounting number of ethics issues surrounding House Republicans, Democrats — who are not without their own ethics troubles this Congress — are already trying to capitalize.
“House Republicans are standing idly by while federal investigations and scandals mount against leading members of their own caucus,” said Jesse Ferguson, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
For the entire article: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/207559-growing-number-of-ethics-probes-rattles-republicans
Obama expected at Washington Auto Show
1/31/12 10:46 AM EST POLITICO44
The AP reports: “Obama was expected to visit the Washington Auto Show on Tuesday, giving him another forum to talk about GM and Chrysler, along with the administration’s attention to manufacturers and efforts to boost fuel efficiency standards.”
———————-
Washington Auto Show 2012
Walter E. Washington Convention Center 801 Mount Vernon Place, N.W. Washington, DC
January 31, 2012
Remarks by the President at the Washington Auto Show
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Washington, D.C.
2:50 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Let me just say, when you look at all these cars, it is testimony to the outstanding work that’s been done by workers — American workers, American designers. The U.S. auto industry is back. The fact that GM is back, number one, I think shows the kind of turnaround that’s possible when it comes to American manufacturing.
And it’s good to remember that the fact that there were some folks who were willing to let this industry die, because of folks coming together, we are now back in a place where we can compete with any car company in the world. And these are not only selling here in the United States, they also serve as a platform for us to sell product all around the world.
So I’m just very proud of what we’re seeing here. That Camaro with the American Eagle and the American flag — that helps tell the story.
So thank you very much.
END
2:51 P.M. EST
US auto sales rise in January, led by Chrysler, VW
2/1/12By DEE-ANN DURBIN and TOM KRISHER | Associated Press – 31 mins ago
DETROIT (AP) — U.S. auto sales are off to a strong start this year, continuing their brisk pace from late 2011.
Sales of cars and trucks rose 11 percent to 913,287 in January, kicking off what is expected to be the strongest year for the industry since before the recession in 2007. New products, low interest rates and better loan availability helped overcome lingering worries about the economy and pushed the sales pace to its highest level since the Cash for Clunkers program in August 2009.
Chrysler had its best January in four years. Toyota and Honda were back in the game, getting boosts from important new vehicles. Volkswagen, which wants to aggressively expand in the U.S., reported big increases. The only loser among the major automakers was General Motors Co., whose sales fell 6 percent from a strong January last year.
“For the first time in several years, we are starting the year off with a warm and fuzzy feeling,” said Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends for TrueCar.com,
January’s sales pace was even faster than December’s, a relief for the industry after a bumpy 2011. Sales started at a healthy pace last year but plummeted after the Japanese earthquake in March caused car shortages and didn’t really recover until the last four months of the year.
If sales stay at the same pace as this January, they would reach 14.2 million, up from 12.8 million in 2011, according to Autodata Corp. While that’s below the 2000 peak of 17.3 million, it’s better than the 10.4 million trough in 2009.
One reason car sales are improving is that buyers need to replace aging vehicles. The average age of a vehicle in the U.S. is a record 10.8 years, nearly two years older than a decade ago.
Coverage of the glitzy Detroit auto show at the start of the month may have piqued buyers’ interest. Unseasonably warm weather may also have drawn some to dealerships, but Ford’s U.S. sales chief Ken Czubay said the weather effect was probably a wash. Frigid temperatures can also boost sales because older cars may not start during a cold snap, he said.
Chrysler’s January sales jumped 44 percent, led by surge in demand for Chrysler’s revamped 200 and 300 sedans. Chrysler sold 7,007 of the 200 midsize sedan last month, more than eight times the number it sold a year earlier. Sales of the Chrysler 300 large sedan almost quadrupled. Chrysler also reported its first full-year net income since 1997, helped its new lineup.
For the entire article: http://news.yahoo.com/us-auto-sales-rise-january-led-chrysler-vw-171343032.html
U.S. Intel Head James Clapper on Greatest Threats in 2012
1/31/12 ABC News – 1 hr 54 mins ago
The man in charge of all of America’s intelligence gathering testified today before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence for the annual Worldwide Threat Assessment. The following are excerpts from National Director of Intelligence James Clapper’s prepared remarks as provided to ABC News.
On Iran: We Don’t Know If They’ll Go for The Bomb, ‘Concerned’ About Attack on U.S.
“We assess Iran is keeping open the option to develop nuclear weapons, in part by developing various nuclear capabilities that better position it to produce such weapons, should it choose to do so.
We do not know, however, if Iran will eventually decide to build nuclear weapons. Iran nevertheless is expanding its uranium enrichment capabilities, which can be used for either civil or weapons purposes.”
“Iran’s technical advancement, particularly in uranium enrichment, strengthens our assessment that Iran has the scientific, technical, and industrial capacity to eventually produce nuclear weapons, making the central issue its political will to do so.
These advancements contribute to our judgment that Iran is technically capable of producing enough highly enriched uranium for a weapon, if it so chooses. We judge Iran would likely choose missile delivery as its preferred method of delivering a nuclear weapon… Elite infighting has reached new levels, as the rift grows between Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Ahmadinejad.”
“The 2011 plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States shows that some Iranian officials — probably including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei — have changed their calculus and are now more willing to conduct an attack in the United States in response to real or perceived U.S. actions that threaten the regime.
We are also concerned about Iranian plotting against U.S. or allied interests overseas. Iran’s willingness to sponsor future attacks in the United States or against our interests abroad probably will be shaped by Tehran’s evaluation of the costs it bears for the plot against the ambassador as well as Iranian leaders’ perceptions of U.S. threats against the regime.”
For the entire article: http://goo.gl/ZJCJN
“The Republican Party should not mistake his [Gingrich's] communication skills with evidence of real knowledge, or even of good reasoning. Gingrich may be a master of academic exercises—his ability to make bookish references and formulate long sentences demonstrate as much—but that does not mean he knows what he is talking about.
Gingrich’s patterns of speech are largely analytically acute, and sometimes aesthetically interesting, but substantively, they are very often lacking. Language is supposed to be a package that carries substance, but Gingrich is sometimes so pleased with his uninterrupted stream of words, that he mistakes it for an actual flow of ideas. This, sadly, is an affliction endemic in academia, where too many spend too long trying to score points in petty intellectual fights; the further the substance of the debate recedes, the faster the self-satisfaction of the participants grows.”
Source: Words, Mere Words: Newt Gingrich Speaks Well. But Is He Smart? http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/97429/newt-gingrich-smart
January 31, 2012
Remarks by the President Before Cabinet Meeting
Cabinet Room
10:48 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. This is our first Cabinet meeting after my State of the Union address, and it gives me an opportunity to share my ideas and initiatives with my Cabinet, but also to get some feedback from them.
One of the top priorities that I mentioned during the State of the Union was the need for us to promote small business. And I’m very pleased that we’ve got Karen Mills here, who has participated in our meetings before, but is now an official member of the Cabinet.
It is a symbol of how important it is for us to spur entrepreneurship, to help startups, to move aggressively so that we can assure more companies that create the most jobs in our economy are getting a leg up from the various programs that we have in our government.
I mentioned at the State of the Union that there have been discussions, bipartisan discussions between Republicans and Democrats, about a whole set of measures that can accelerate financing to startup companies; can provide tax breaks to startups and small businesses that are interested in either hiring more workers or increasing their wages; that looks at innovative ways for them to raise capital.
And my expectation and hope is, is that they will get a bill together quickly, that they will pass it and get it on my desk. I will sign it right away, and I would like to see that bill signed this year.
In addition, we’ve got all the Cabinet agencies, who are here represented. They are putting forward their own initiatives to enhance the ability of entrepreneurs to get up and running. So, for example, the Department of Homeland Security, my understanding is we’re going to be talking about how we can improve the visa process for those who are interested in investing in the United States and starting businesses here in the United States.
I know that the Department of Commerce, Energy, and Education, as well as the SBA, are all launching complementary initiatives to support entrepreneurship as well. And so what we want to do is to make sure that every single agency, even as they’re tending to their energy initiatives or providing homeland security or transportation or defense, that we’re also thinking about how are we advancing the cause of giving small businesses and entrepreneurs opportunities to start creating the next Google or the next Apple or the next innovative company that’s going to create jobs and improve our economy.
It’s that kind of all-hands-on-deck approach that is really going to make a difference. And we’re looking forward to hearing additional ideas from our business council and from those who are involved in startups that can help to promote this agenda.
So thank you all for participating. I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas, and I will see you guys later.
Q Will we get details on your housing plan tomorrow?
THE PRESIDENT: — I will talk to you then about it. I wouldn’t want to use up all my good stuff now. (Laughter.)
Q Thank you, sir.
END
10:53 A.M. EST
January 31, 2012
On One-Year Anniversary of Startup America Initiative President Obama Sends Startup America Legislative Agenda to Congress
Administration Takes Immediate Steps to Accelerate Startup and Small Business Growth
Today, on the one-year anniversary of both the White House Startup America Initiative and the private-sector Startup America Partnership, President Obama sent a Startup America Legislative Agenda to Congress which will expand tax relief and unlock capital for startups and small businesses that are creating jobs. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will take steps to attract and retain foreign-born entrepreneurs and highly-skilled immigrants so they can start up the next generation of small businesses and great American companies. The Administration also unveiled several new agency actions to accelerate the growth of young, job-creating companies, at the same time that new entrepreneur-led regional coalitions are launching throughout the nation.
“One year ago today, I called for an all hands on deck effort to ensure that America remains the best place on Earth to turn a great idea into a successful business. The private sector responded, with the Startup America Partnership launching new entrepreneurial networks all across the country. Today, we’re taking new steps that build on that progress, and I urge Congress to send me a common-sense bipartisan bill that does even more to expand access to capital and cut taxes for America’s entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said President Obama.
In last week’s State of the Union, the President said that “Most new jobs are created in start-ups and small businesses. So let’s pass an agenda that helps them succeed. Both parties agree on these ideas. So put them in a bill, and get it on my desk this year.” Building on this statement and proposals put forward in the Jobs Act in September, today the President delivered an agenda that outlines bipartisan ideas to help startups and small businesses succeed.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/31/one-year-anniversary-startup-america-initiative-president-obama-sends-st
Ask The Board: What Can Startup America Do For Me?
From: whitehouse | Jan 31, 2012
Board members from the Startup America Partnership discuss what’s in it for entrepreneurs across the country. http://www.whitehouse.gov/startupamerica
Startup America: Advice For Young Entrepreneurs
From: whitehouse | Jan 31, 2012
Board members from the Startup America Partnership share their advice on how to start and grow a business. http://www.whitehouse.gov/startupamerica
2:00 PM EST
Vice President Biden attends a campaign event in Fort Worth, Texas.
Local Event Time: 1:00PM CST
Forth Worth, Texas
Good and HOPEful Tuesday, CR and all friends!
>^..^<
Good and HOPEful Tuesday Kat! HOPE you feel better soon.
USA! Industrial Companies Are Confident In Obama And The Economy
In a shot across the bow of the Republicans’ attempt to deem President Obama ineffective, US industrial companies have increased confidence in the US economy.
Read More: http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-industry-economic-confidence
“best growth since Harry Truman was president”- Mike DeWalt, investor relations for Caterpillar
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“Many people would say their view of the American economy is a little better than it was three months ago,” he said. “Consumers are spending money, non-residential construction is starting to rise, the car market is picking up and exports and manufacturing capacity utilization are up, creating demand for trucks and factory automation equipment.”
- Sandy Cutler, Eaton’s chief executive of Eaton
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“In North America, the trend toward increased horizontal oil-directed activity continued in the fourth quarter with the United States oil-directed rig count up 8% sequentially compared to a natural gas rig count decline of 2%.
The improvement in the Gulf of Mexico in 2011 was encouraging. We saw increased rig count as the year progressed, particularly in deepwater, as our customers’ success with permitting improved and they resumed operations. Our strategy of keeping our infrastructure intact has paid off, with our fourth quarter revenue now above pre-moratorium levels. We expect continued activity increases in 2012.” – Dave Lesar, CEO Haliburton
A Cabinet Meeting Focused on Small Business
Matt Compton January 31, 2012
Today, President Obama convened a meeting of his Cabinet to discuss the ideas he laid out in the State of the Union. Joining the meeting was a new member of that Cabinet — Karen Mills, the head of the Small Business Administration.
The President elevated Mills to ensure that entrepreneurs always have a direct line to the Oval Office. He said:
I mentioned at the State of the Union that there have been discussions, bipartisan discussions between Republicans and Democrats, about a whole set of measures that can accelerate financing to startup companies; can provide tax breaks to startups and small businesses that are interested in either hiring more workers or increasing their wages; that looks at innovative ways for them to raise capital.
And my expectation and hope is, is that they will get a bill together quickly, that they will pass it and get it on my desk. I will sign it right away, and I would like to see that bill signed this year.
The President also ran through what agencies like the Departments of Commerce, Energy, and Education are doing to help American businesses as well. He said:
[What] we want to do is to make sure that every single agency, even as they’re tending to their energy initiatives or providing homeland security or transportation or defense, that we’re also thinking about how are we advancing the cause of giving small businesses and entrepreneurs opportunities to start creating the next Google or the next Apple or the next innovative company that’s going to create jobs and improve our economy.
Read the full remarks: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/31/remarks-president-cabinet-meeting
January 31, 2012
Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 3800
On Tuesday, January 31, 2012, the President signed into law:
H.R. 3800, the “Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2012,” which extends through February 17, 2012, authorities to collect taxes that fund the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, make expenditures from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and make grants to airports under the Airport Improvement Program.
6:30 PM EST
Vice President Biden attends a campaign event in DeKalb, Texas.
Local Event Time: 5:30 PM CST
DeKalb, Texas
7:15 PM EST
President Obama delivers remarks at a campaign event.
St. Regis Hotel
January 31, 2012
Remarks by the President at a Campaign Event
St. Regis Hotel
Washington, D.C.
7:05 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much, Rob, for the introduction. And it’s wonderful to see all of you. I’m going to be very brief at the top because I want to spend most of this time in a dialogue.
As Rob said, I see a lot of friends here, people who supported me since way back when before people could say my name. And as I look around the room, folks from all across the country, I am mindful of the fact that not only have you done so much to help me be in a position where I can make a difference in America, but separate and apart from my election, so many of you have supported good causes that are making a difference day in and day out. And so I just want to say thank you for that.
As Rob said, the last three years we’ve obviously gone through historic times, a set of historic challenges — the worst economic crisis and financial crisis since the Great Depression, two wars, a transformation of our geopolitics. And I couldn’t be prouder of the track record that we’ve been able to put together over the last three years — not only in preventing us from sliding into a Great Depression, not only shifting from a situation where we were losing 800,000 jobs per month to 22 consecutive months of job growth, the highest manufacturing job growth since the ’90s, the largest job growth, period, last year since 2005, passing historic health care legislation that we’re in the process now of implementing, tough Wall Street reform legislation that is going to make sure that we don’t see the same kind of reckless behavior that got us into this mess in the first place, along with a set of laws that are going to make sure that the values we care so deeply about are the law of the land –things like ending “don’t ask, don’t tell,” or making sure that people are actually getting equal pay for equal work, one of the strongest environmental records of any President in the modern era.
So, across the board, I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished. On the other hand, what I’m also mindful of is how much remains to be done.
What led me to run in 2008 was a sense that there had been a fundamental shift in the social compact, a fundamental shift in the American promise — the notion that if you worked hard, if you met your responsibilities, that you could get ahead, support a family, send your kid to college, avoid being bankrupted by an illness, retire with dignity and respect. That basic bargain felt like it was slipping away from far too many Americans.
And so in addition to dealing with crises, our goal since before I came into office was how do we restore that sense that any American, no matter where they’re from, no matter what they look like, that they’ve got a shot to succeed; how do we restore an America where everybody gets a fair shot, everybody is doing their fair share, and we’re all playing by the same set of rules.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/31/remarks-president-campaign-event
9:10 PM EST
President Obama delivers remarks at a campaign event.
Private Residence
January 31, 2012
Remarks by the President at a Campaign Event
Private Residence
Washington, D.C.
8:43 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: First of all, I just want to thank Stewart and Sandra for setting up this extraordinary event. It is true that this is now the third time I’ve been here. It’s been said by a friend of mine, Abner Mikva, former member of Congress, that being friends with a politician is like perpetually having a student in college. (Laughter.) But this is the last campaign. I’m about to graduate. (Laughter.) So those tuition checks will slowly diminish.
There was also suggestion that we might sing a duet together. (Applause.) And I have to tell you, though, you try to limit these appearances so that you leave them hungry for more. (Laughter.) So we may not hear me singing for quite some time.
I’m going to be very brief on the front end because I want to spend most of my time in a conversation with you guys and make sure that we have time for questions.
There he is. (Laughter.) She stole your thunder, man.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: I decided to show up. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: But, look, we’ve gone through three of the toughest years that we’ve seen in our lifetimes. And a lot of folks are still hurting out there. But as I said at the State of the Union last week, we’re beginning to see progress. We averted a great depression. The auto industry has come back and GM is number one again. I just went to the auto show today to see some of the terrific cars that Detroit is churning out.
We’ve had 3 million jobs created over the last 22 months and we had the highest job growth last year since 2005, the highest manufacturing job growth since the 1990s. There is a sense that although there’s still a lot of uncertainties out there — Europe, the price of oil — that America is slowly repairing from this extraordinary economic and financial crisis.
And during the last three years, even as we singularly focused on making sure that we were able to right the ship, we were also able to accomplish a lot of goals that we had set for ourselves in 2008 — whether it was passing health care reform so that already 2.5 million young people have insurance that wouldn’t have it otherwise and senior citizens are seeing discounts on their prescription drugs, and we’re now setting up exchanges all across the country so that never again would somebody with a preexisting condition finds themselves barred from being able to get health insurance.
We were able to end “don’t ask, don’t tell” so that it doesn’t matter who you love, you can serve the country that you love. We were able to take billions of dollars that were going to banks as middlemen for students loans and now it’s being channeled directly to students so that millions of young people across the country find college a little bit more affordable.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/31/remarks-president-campaign-event-0
7:00 PM EST
First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks at a Campaign Event in Los Angeles
February 01, 2012
Remarks by the First Lady at Campaign Event — Beverly Hills, CA
Beverly Hills, California
6:56 P.M. PST
MRS. OBAMA: Well, thank you so much. (Applause.) It’s always a pleasure to be here, and it’s an honor to be with all of you.
And I want to start by thanking my dear friend, Ambassador Avant — love saying that. And thank you for that kind introduction, but as I told her, she is a pretty phenomenal woman herself — taking one for the team, awesome; just being there, so steadfast. (Applause.) And, Ted, what a smart man. (Laughter.) It’s all I can say. You all have a beautiful family. You all have been just such terrific friends. I can’t thank you enough for your steadfast support and love.
And I also want to thank Joshua Radin for performing, and his crew. (Applause.) Thank you so much for being here.
And I want to thank all of the host committee, everybody. We have — this is a fabulous crew. Four years — three years ago — how long has it been? (Laughter.) You remember that first time? You all did a great job. (Laughter.) Remember that? We know you’re going to do it again. You all are just — become true friends, and we wouldn’t be able to do this without you. We truly couldn’t.
And I want to thank everybody else, all of you, for taking the time to be here this evening.
And I know that there’s a reason why you’re all here tonight, and it’s not just to see me — because it’s a little chilly out here and I know you Californians aren’t used to the cold air. (Laughter.)
But you’re here because you know that we stand at a fundamental crossroads for our country. You’re here because you know that in less than a year from now, we are going to make a choice that will impact our lives for decades to come.
And you’re here because you know that choice won’t just affect all of us; it will affect our children, it will affect our grandchildren, and it will affect the world that we leave for them long after we’re gone.
And that is why I am here tonight. That’s why I’m here tonight, that’s why I’m going to be out here for the next year, that’s why we’re ready for four more years. (Applause.)
As First Lady, I have had the privilege of traveling across this country, meeting folks from all different backgrounds, and hearing what’s going on in their lives.
And every day, I hear about how folks are struggling to keep it together — how they’re trying to pay the bills, how they’re trying to keep that business afloat. I hear about how they’re taking that extra shift, how they’re working that extra job; how they’re saving and sacrificing, never spending a dime on themselves because they desperately want something better for their kids.
And make no mistake about it, these struggles are not new. For decades now, middle-class folks have been squeezed from all sides. The cost of things — basic things: gas, groceries, tuition — have been continuously rising, but people’s paychecks just haven’t kept up.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/02/01/remarks-first-lady-campaign-event-beverly-hills-ca
11:00 PM EST
First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks at a Democratic National Committee reception in Los Angeles.
Remarks to follow-
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