Today, more than ever before, women are a driving force behind the success of the American economy. Expanding economic opportunities for women and ending discriminatory practices is critical to building an economy that restores security for middle class families, one where hard work and responsibility are rewarded, and where everyone who wants to can find a good job.
On April 6th, the White House Council on Women and Girls is hosting a Forum on Women and the Economy. President Obama will deliver remarks at the Forum to highlight ways the Administration has helped create economic security for women and recognizes that women are key to economic growth and competitiveness. Starting at 8:30 AM EDT, the half-day forum will also include a panel discussion with Senior Administration officials, followed by breakout sessions on: Women at Work, Education, Health, Women’s Entrepreneurship, and Violence Against Women and Girls.
People from across the country can watch the event live at www.wh.gov/live. During the Forum, Administration officials will answer questions from a live audience and also take questions submitted through a form on WhiteHouse.gov and via Twitter with the hashtag #WomenEconForum.
As part of today’s Forum the White House released a new report entitled Keeping America’s Women Moving Forward, The Key to an Economy Built to Last, which examines the ways in which the Administration has worked to ensure women’s economic security through all stages of life – from young women furthering their education and beginning their careers, to working women who create jobs and provide for their families, to seniors in retirement or getting ready for retirement. View the report HERE.
Here’s how you can participate:
- Right now, you can ask the White House your questions about women and the economy through a web form or on Twitter with the hashtag #WomenEconForum
- 8:45 AM EDT 12:30 PM EDT watch the forum live at wh.gov/live.
- 10:15 AM EDT President Obama will deliver remarks.
- Join the discussion live on Twitter and follow what others are saying with the hashtag #WomenEconForum
- If you miss the live event, the full video will be posted on WhiteHouse.gov
Friday, April 6 , 2012
All Times Eastern
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
10:20 AM
President Obama delivers remarks on “Women and The Economy”
South Court Auditorium
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
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6:30 PM
President Obama and the First Lady Michelle mark the beginning of Passover with a Seder at the White House
Old Family Dining Room
Closed Press
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
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10:00 PM
April 6, 2012
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
8:45 EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Opening Session
The White House
10:20 AM EDT
President Obama Speaks at the White House Forum on Women and the Economy
The White House
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Education
The White House
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Violence Against Women and Girls
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Women at Work
The White House
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Women’s Entrepreneurship
The White House
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Healthcare
The White House
12:00 PM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Closing Session
The White House
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CNN http://live.cnn.com
10:20 AM EDT
President Obama delivers remarks on “Women and The Economy”
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CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
10:00 AM EDT
Center for Strategic & International Studies: Trade Representatives on China http://www.c-span.org/Events/Six-Former-US-Trade-Representatives-Assess-Current-Policies/10737429690/
10:00 AM EDT
U.S. Institute of Peace: Afghanistan Security http://www.c-span.org/Events/Afghanistan39s-Neighbors-Play-Role-In-Securing-Peace/10737429700/
10:00 AM EDT
National Press Club Hosts Panel on Nuclear Terrorism http://www.c-span.org/Events/National-Press-Club-Hosts-Panel-on-Nuclear-Terrorism/10737429697/
10:20 AM EDT
President Obama delivers remarks on “Women and The Economy” http://www.c-span.org/Events/Obama-Speaks-at-White-House-Forum-on-Women-and-the-Economy/10737429696/
White House Forum on Women and the Economy
White House to host forum on women and the economy
4/4/12 5:19 PM EDT POLITICO44
President Obama will host a forum on women and the economy at the White House on Friday. He will deliver remarks at the event, which is designed “to highlight ways the Administration has helped create economic security for women and recognizes that women are key to economic growth and competitiveness,” the White House announced.
. More from the White House:
“As part of the Forum, the White House will release a report on women and the economy which will examine the ways in which the Administration has worked to ensure women’s economic security and create jobs for women, through all stages of life. From access to affordable education for young women to supporting women at work and at home, to ensuring security for women in retirement, the Administration is committed, across all agencies and departments, to do everything it can to create an economy built to last for America’s women.
On Friday, Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls Valerie Jarrett will deliver opening remarks and introduce a panel, moderated by Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC’s Morning Joe with Senior Administration Officials, private sector and academic leaders participating. Following the opening panel, the President will deliver remarks to an audience of entrepreneurs, academics, stakeholders, business leaders. Following the President’s remarks, Senior Administration Officials including Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Attorney General Eric Holder, as well as the Director of the Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Munoz, Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls Tina Tchen and Katharine Abraham, Member of the Council of Economic Advisors, will lead a series of breakout sessions on a range of topics including: Women at Work, Education, Health , Women’s Entrepreneurship, and Violence Against Women and Girls.”
An Economy Built to Last and Security for Women
We now face a make-or-break moment for the middle class and those trying to reach it. After decades of eroding middle-class security as those at the very top saw their incomes rise as never before and after a historic recession that plunged our economy into a crisis from which we are still fighting to recover, it is time to construct an economy that is built to last. The President’s 2013 Budget is built around the idea that our country does best when everyone gets a fair shot, does their fair share, and plays by the same rules. We must transform our economy from one focused on speculating, spending, and borrowing to one constructed on the solid foundation of educating, innovating, and building. That begins with putting the Nation on a path to living within our means – by cutting wasteful spending, asking all Americans to shoulder their fair share, and making tough choices on some things we cannot afford, while keeping the investments we need to grow the economy and create jobs. The Budget targets scarce federal resources to the areas critical to growing the economy and restoring middle-class security: education and skills for American workers, innovation and manufacturing, clean energy, and infrastructure. The Budget is a blueprint for how we can rebuild an economy where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded.
Strengthen Efforts to Combat Violence Against Women
Strengthen Anti-Discrimination Enforcement
Improve Health Care Services for Women Veterans
Take Immediate Action to Support Growth and Job Creation
Expand Access to College
Support Women-Owned Businesses
Help States Provide Paid Family Leave to Workers
Ensure that Workers Receive the Pay and Benefits to which they are Entitled
Ensure that Workers Receive the Pay and Benefits to which they are Entitled
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/factsheet/an-economy-built-to-last-and-security-for-women-and-girls
White House Forum on Women and the Economy
Posted by Tina Tchen on April 04, 2012 at 07:17 PM EDT
Today, more than ever before, women are a driving force behind the success of the American economy. Expanding economic opportunities for women and ending discriminatory practices is critical to building an economy that restores security for middle class families, one where hard work and responsibility are rewarded, and where everyone who wants to can find a good job.
On April 6th, the White House Council on Women and Girls is hosting a Forum on Women and the Economy. President Obama will deliver remarks at the Forum to highlight ways the Administration has helped create economic security for women and recognizes that women are key to economic growth and competitiveness. Starting at 8:30 AM EDT, the half-day forum will also include a panel discussion with Senior Administration officials, followed by breakout sessions on: Women at Work, Education, Health, Women’s Entrepreneurship, and Violence Against Women and Girls.
People from across the country can watch the event live at http://www.wh.gov/live. During the Forum, Administration officials will answer questions from a live audience and also take questions submitted through a form on WhiteHouse.gov and via Twitter with the hashtag #WomenEconForum.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/04/04/watch-and-engage-white-house-forum-women-and-economyhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/04/04/watch-and-engage-white-house-forum-women-and-economy
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Friday, April 6, 2012 White House Forum on Women and the Economy Schedule:
10:20 AM EDT
President Obama Speaks at the White House Forum on Women and the Economy
The White House
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Education
The White House
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Violence Against Women and Girls
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Women at Work
The White House
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Women’s Entrepreneurship
The White House
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Healthcare
The White House
12:00 PM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Closing Session
The White House
April 06, 2012
White House Releases Report on Women and the Economy
Today, at the White House Forum on Women and the Economy, the President will discuss the importance of restoring the economic security for the middle class and creating an economy that’s built to last for America’s women. The President believes we must build an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone pays their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. As part of today’s Forum the White House released a new report entitled Keeping America’s Women Moving Forward, The Key to an Economy Built to Last, which examines the ways in which the Administration has worked to ensure women’s economic security through all stages of life – from young women furthering their education and beginning their careers, to working women who create jobs and provide for their families, to seniors in retirement or getting ready for retirement. View the report HERE.
“As a father, one of the highlights of my day is asking my daughters about theirs. Their hopes and their futures are what drive me every day I step into the Oval Office,” said President Obama. “Every decision I make is all about making sure they and all our daughters and all our sons grow up in a country that gives them the chance to be anything they set their minds to; a country where more doors are open to them than were ever open to us.”
Today, more than ever, women are essential breadwinners in most American families. Yet women in our economy and our work force still aren’t getting a fair shake, earning just 77 cents on every dollar paid to men. Women now make up nearly 50% of our workforce, are a growing number of breadwinners in their families, and are the majority of students in our colleges and graduate schools. The President believes that expanding economic opportunities for women and ending discriminatory practices is critical to building an economy that restores security for middle class families, where hard work and responsibility are rewarded, and everyone who wants one can find a good job.
Highlights from the Keeping America’s Women Moving Forward report include an overview of how Administration policies impact women at every stage of their lives:
Yong Women Obtaining Higher Education and Beginning their Careers
Of the additional 3.4 million students who have received Pell grants since the President took office, approximately 2.3 million are women.
9.4 million students and families have benefitted from the American Opportunity Tax Credit to help pay for college.
1.1 million women between the ages of 19 and 25 who would have been uninsured currently receive health coverage under a parent’s health insurance plan or through an individually purchased health insurance plan.
Women and girls across America are benefiting from efforts to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, (STEM) degrees and careers because women who hold STEM degrees and jobs earn 30% more, on average, than women in non-STEM jobs.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/06/white-house-releases-report-women-and-economy
“Equal Pay App Challenge” to Help Close the Gender Pay Gap
Posted by Hilda Solis and Aneesh Chopra on February 01, 2012
Yesterday, we celebrated the launch of an open innovation initiative to eliminate the gender gap in pay. Working together with the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force, we commenced the “Equal Pay App Challenge” – a national competition to develop software applications, or “apps,” that leverage public data to promote equal pay for men and women.
Last Tuesday in his State of the Union address, President Obama recognized that “an economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country.” “That,” the President emphasized, “means women should earn equal pay for equal work.”
In America, women make up half of the workforce and two-thirds of our families rely on a mother’s wages for a significant portion of their income. Yet, women, on average, make less on the dollar than men, and the gap is even greater for women of color and women with disabilities. Lower pay not only means less economic security for women, but also for the families that depend on them.
The President is committed to closing the pay gap once and for all. The first bill he signed into law, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, helps women who were victims of pay discrimination recover their wages. The President then created an inter-agency Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to crack down on equal pay law violations. And yesterday’s announcement is yet another way the administration is working to accomplish this goal.
The Equal Pay App Challenge calls on developers to incorporate publicly available data and resources to create innovative, easy-to-use apps that educate users about the pay gap and provide tools to combat it. By encouraging developers to help us solve this problem, we’re leveraging the unique ability of the federal government to provide mountains of valuable data as well as the innovation power of the private sector.
We’ve successfully done this before – to help veterans transition to civilian employment, we celebrated “Apps for Heroes”; to empower women we celebrated “Apps Against Abuse”; and to improve childhood nutrition, we celebrated “Apps for Healthy Kids.”
Now, for The Equal Pay App Challenge, we’ve designed it to:
* Increase access to pay data aggregated by gender, race, and ethnicity through tools that can help women throughout their careers as they negotiate starting pay, request a promotion or a raise, or consider switching fields to a more lucrative career path.
* Provide interactive tools for early career coaching to educate young women on the pay gap and enable informed decision-making when selecting a career path.
* Help inform negotiations by providing feedback and tips that guide women through the process of negotiating starting salary, pay rate, job level, or requesting a promotion or raise.
* Promote online mentoring by providing a means to connect with others in broader communities.
Achieving equal pay for women is not just the right thing to do – it is vital to strengthening our country’s economic forecast. In launching the app challenge, we are proud to enlist new partners in this critical effort and take a significant step forward in closing the gender pay gap.
Additional information and submission guidelines for the Equal Pay App Challenge are available at http://equalpay.challenge.gov. The winner of the challenge will be announced in April.
Faces of Change: Lilly Ledbetter’s Equal Pay Story
Uploaded by BarackObamadotcom on Jan 29, 2012
Share Lilly’s story and recruit your friends: https://my.barackobama.com/lillyvid
President Obama knows that when women do better, America does better. That’s why he kept his promise to fight for equal pay for an equal work and affordable health care—and won.
No one knows that better than Lilly Ledbetter.
Lilly stood up for equal pay for equal work and she stands by President Obama as he continues the fight for fair pay for all workers.
Take a moment to share the video featuring Lilly’s story and ask your friends to join this movement: https://my.barackobama.com/lillyvid
Love. This. Topic. Thank you, CR!
YES WOMEN CAN!
Obama: It’s time for Augusta golf club to admit women members
4/05/12 By Alicia M. Cohn – TheHill
President Obama thinks women should be allowed membership in the Georgia golf club that is hosting the Masters tournament this week, according to the White House.
“His personal opinion is women should be admitted,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said in a press briefing on Thursday .
The Augusta National Golf Club, where the Master’s golf tournament began on Thursday morning, only accepts male members, and is considered sacred ground in the world of professional golf.
Carney said he spoke to Obama, an avid golfer, about the club’s controversial rule and the president expressed his opinion that women should be allowed to join.
“It’s obviously up to the club to decide,” Carney noted. “But his personal opinion is that women should be admitted to the club.”
The debate over the club’s exclusive membership has recurred numerous times since the club’s founding in 1933. This year, technology company IBM, one of the tournament’s corporate sponsors, appointed a woman, Virginia M. Rometty, as new chief executive. The CEOs of the tournament’s corporate sponsors have traditionally been offered a complimentary membership in the club, but that tradition was waived for Rometty because of her gender.
“We’ve kind of passed the time that women should be excluded from anything,” Carney said.
President Obama Talks Title IX
Matt Compton March 26, 2012 03:48 PM EDT
In June, Title IX, the federal law that mandates gender equality in school sports, will celebrate its 40th anniversary. There’s no denying its impact: Since 1972, the number of female athletes in college has climbed by more than 450 percent.
In a discussion with ESPN’s Andy Katz, President Obama talks about why that’s so important:
Studies show that girls who are involved in athletics often do better in school; they are more confident in terms of dealing with boys. And, so, for those of us who grew up just as Title IX was taking off, to see the development of women’s role models in sports, and for girls to know they excelled in something, there would be a spot for them in college where they weren’t second-class, I think has helped to make our society more equal in general.
The President also discussed one of his favorite weekend responsibilities — helping to coach his daughter Sasha’s basketball team.
The whole interview is worth a watch. Take some time to check it out.
By the Numbers: 20.4
Megan Slack March 20, 2012 09:00 AM EDT
President Obama’s health reform law requires that new health insurance plans cover preventive services with no co-pay or deductible. In the last 18 months, approximately 20.4 million women with private health insurance have received preventive health services such as mammograms and pap smears at no additional cost because of this provision in the Affordable Care Act.
Besides improving access to services that help women stay healthy and detect health problems early on, health reform helps women in many other ways. For example, health insurance companies can no longer discriminate against women by charging them higher premiums than they charge men. Insurance companies are banned from imposing a limit on the amount of care they’ll cover over a woman’s lifetime, and are now required to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on care—not overhead.
Women who have been unable to purchase health insurance because of a pre-existing condition such as cancer or having been pregnant now have an option to obtain the insurance they need through the new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.
Beginning in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will be fully implemented and offer even greater protection for women and their health care, including a ban on denying care based on pre-existing conditions, and the removal of annual limits on care.
Read more:
How health reform helps women
Tell us your story: How is the Affordable Care Act improving your care?
Being a woman is not a pre-existing condition
March 20, 2012 Posted by Elizabeth Chan – democrats.org
Tell Republicans like Mitt Romney who want to repeal health reform and let insurance companies discriminate: Being a woman is NOT a pre-existing condition here.
As GOP alienates women, Obama reaches out
Mar 30, 2012 By Steve Benen – maddowblog
The New York Times reported a few weeks ago that President Obama and his re-election team are making “an intensified effort … to build support among women, using the debate over the new health care law to amplify an appeal that already appears to be benefiting from partisan clashes over birth control and abortion.”
As a simple electoral matter, this makes a lot of sense. Not only does Obama have a record on women’s issues worth bragging about, but it takes advantage of a “Republican war on women,” which alienates 53% of the voting population in an election year, in addition to being offensive on policy grounds.
To that end, Planned Parenthood Action Fund President Cecile Richards sent a letter to supporters this week, directing them to an interesting new video.
The clip, of course, is of President Obama, explaining, “Women are not an interest group. They are mothers and daughters and sisters and wives. They are half of this country, and are perfectly capable of making their own choices about their health.”
The political subtext wasn’t exactly subtle. The president added, “When some professional politicians casually say they’ll ‘get rid of’ Planned Parenthood, don’t forget what they’re really talking about: eliminating the funding for preventive care that millions of women rely on, and leaving them to fend for themselves.”
For the entire article: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/30/10941061-as-gop-alienates-women-obama-reaches-out
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A message to Planned Parenthood Supporters from President Obama
Uploaded by PPVotes on Mar 27, 2012
President Obama knows how important women’s health is, and he respects the right of every woman to make her own medical decisions. Watch the video to see his special message to Planned Parenthood Action Fund supporters — and then sign our letter thanking him for standing strong for women’s health:
http://bit.ly/GU7tG4
Already, 20 million women have received preventive care without a co-pay because of the health care reform law. When the health care reform law is fully implemented, women will no longer be discriminated against by insurance companies, and essential services including cancer screenings, birth control, and HIV testing and counseling will be covered with no co-pays.
Toward a More Inclusive America: Telling the Story of Women in America
by Ken Salazar
…. As Secretary of the Interior, where I have responsibility for the stewardship of our nation’s history and culture, I am keenly aware of how much of women’s history remains untold. In fact, just 12 of our 397 national parks focus solely on the lives and accomplishments of women, and just 4 percent of our National Historic Sites and National Historic Landmarks….
As our nation’s storyteller, the National Park Service will play a central role in expanding our understanding and preservation of the sites that tell the story of women in America.
Over the coming months, the National Park Service will broaden a successful partnership with the National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites, through which they interpret women’s history in the northeastern region of the country. We want to take that successful model to a national scale.
The National Park Service will also be launching a new study on the identification, preservation and education of women’s suffrage and women’s rights historic sites across the country.
These steps are part of a broader effort under President Obama’s leadership to ensure that we are telling all of America’s story. In the last year alone, we have created the Fort Monroe National Monument, celebrated the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial to the National Mall, dedicated the Cesar Chavez “Forty Acres” site as a National Historic Landmark, taken steps to protect the sites of Japanese internment camps from world War II, and many other things….
http://www.doi.gov/news/editorials/Toward-a-More-Inclusive-America-Telling-the-Story-of-Women-in-America.cfm
The GOP War on Women’s Health is Real
Published on Jul 30, 2012 by NewLeftMedia
The Republican Party continues to pass harsh laws restricting access to women’s healthcare across the country, but the mainstream press has stopped paying attention.
That’s why we’ve produced a short documentary that cogently explains the state and national efforts by Republicans–including Mitt Romney–to limit access to birth control and other basic women’s health services.
Featured interviews include Rep. Lois Capps (CA-23), who as a former nurse has long been a leader on women’s health issues; Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List; and Dr. Kimberly Shepherd, an OB/GYN who provides medical authority on issues that never should’ve been politicized in the first place.
With the lives of millions of women potentially impacted by the dangerous proposals of Mitt Romney and Republican lawmakers, it’s vital that this issue isn’t forgotten this election season. Help us spread the word.
TAKE ACTION
Visit StopTheWarOnWomen.com, and SHARE THIS VIDEO!
RNC chairman reflects on women, caterpillars
Apr 5, 2012 By Steve Benen – maddowblog
There’s ample evidence that the Republican policy campaign known as the “war on women” has taken a toll on the GOP’s standing with more than half the electorate. Republican leaders, however, still seem unsure how to talk about their problem.
The leaders of the two political parties clashed over the role of gender in U.S. elections, with the Democrat saying her opponents have been “shockingly out of touch” on women’s issues and the Republican saying Democrats and the media have created a phony conflict.
“If the Democrats said we had a war on caterpillars and every mainstream media outlet talked about the fact that Republicans have a war on caterpillars, then we’d have problems with caterpillars,” Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in an interview on Bloomberg Television’s “Political Capital with Al Hunt” airing this weekend. “It’s a fiction.”
This is becoming a popular defense — denial. War on women? What war on women? Democrats and the media just made this whole story up. It’s what South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) argued this week, and it’s the line Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), the only woman in the Republican leadership in either chamber, adopted two weeks ago.
It’s also wrong.
As we’ve reported on the show many times, the effort on the part of GOP policymakers at the federal and state level to undermine women’s health care is as severe as anything we’ve seen from a major party in many years. Unlike the war on caterpillars, Republican efforts are real.
I’ll spare you the full list of every bill in every state, but the policy offensive is, well, offensive. Restricting contraception; cutting off Planned Parenthood; state-mandated, medically-unnecessary transvaginal ultrasounds; forcing physicians to lie to patients about abortion and breast cancer; abortion taxes; abortion waiting periods; forcing women to tell their employers why they want birth control, going after prenatal care, possible abortion permission slips … this is no minor policy initiative.
For the chairman of the Republican National Committee to dismiss concerns as “fiction” only adds insult to injury.
For the entire article: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/05/11035818-rnc-chairman-reflects-on-women-caterpillars?lite
White House: GOP budget bad for women
By KIM HART | 4/5/12 10:22 PM EDT
The White House is highlighting how it has helped women gain economic security over the past three years — and how the GOP budget proposal would roll back the progress.
Deep cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security in Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget plan would be disproportionately harmful to women, senior administration officials said Thursday. About one-third of babies born in the U.S. are now delivered with Medicaid assistance and nearly 70 percent of Medicare beneficiaries over the age of 85 are women.
The GOP proposal to slash discretionary spending would also negatively impact other federal programs that benefit women, including support for housing, education and domestic violence shelters, according to one official.
For the entire article: http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/04/white-house-gop-budget-bad-for-women-119787.html
The GOP’s War on Women
Uploaded by dscclive on Feb 29, 2012
If you don’t like what Republicans are doing, send a Democratic woman to the Senate. In fact, send them all.
Romney campaign can’t say if he supports equal-pay law
4/11/12 11:29 AM ET By Josh Lederman – TheHill
Mitt Romney’s economic and policy aides were caught off guard on Wednesday when asked whether the former Massachusetts governor supports equal-pay legislation signed into law by President Obama.
Fresh off of a great day for Mitt Romney on Tuesday, when his main rival for the GOP nomination dropped out, the Romney campaign dispatched surrogates to knock Obama’s proposed “Buffet Rule” and to double down on their arguments that Obama’s policies have led to massive job losses for women.
On a conference call with reporters Wednesday was Romney’s policy director, Lanhee Chen, and Kevin Hassett, one of his economic policy advisers. The aides accused Obama of setting women back 20 years and promoting policies that led to the hemorrhaging of women in the workforce.
But asked by a reporter whether Romney supported the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which Obama signed in 2009 barely a week after taking office, the aides weren’t so sure.
“We’ll get back to you on that,” said one of the Romney surrogates.
The campaign had no immediate response to The Hill’s inquiry seeking clarification on Romney’s position on the law, which expands workers’ ability to sue over equal-pay discrimination claims.
Ledbetter, in a statement released by Obama’s reelection campaign, criticized Romney for not having an answer.
“I was shocked and disappointed to hear that Mitt Romney is not willing to stand up for women and their families. If he is truly concerned about women in this economy, he wouldn’t have to take time to ‘think’ about whether he supports the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act,” she said. “Anyone who wants to be President of the United States shouldn’t have to think about whether they support pursuing every possible avenue to ensuring women get the same pay for the same work as men.”
Both campaigns have made a priority of winning female voters, with polls showing a significant gender gap between Obama and Romney.
Source; http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/220971-romney-aides-on-equal-pay-law-well-get-back-to-you
Mitt Romney’s ‘women problem’: 4 theories
4/2/12 By The Week’s Editorial Staff | The Week
A new poll shows President Obama surging ahead in swing states, thanks largely to Romney’s falling support among women
A month ago, Mitt Romney had a two-point edge over President Obama among voters in 12 potentially crucial swing states. Now Romney has fallen dangerously behind, with 42 percent support to Obama’s 51 percent, according to a USA Today/Gallup poll . The biggest factor in the shift? A sharp drop in support for Romney among women. Only 30 percent of women under 50 back Romney — down from 44 percent in mid-February — while Obama’s number with that demographic jumped from just under 50 percent to more than 60 percent. What accounts for Romney’s “women problem”? Here, four theories:
1. The GOP’s war on contraception is killing him
Romney’s women problem started in February, says Steve Kornacki at Salon , “when Republicans revolted against the Obama administration’s efforts to make birth control a mandatory component of health insurance coverage.” House Republicans held a “committee hearing made up entirely of male witnesses,” Rush Limbaugh called Sandra Fluke a “slut,” and top Republicans were reluctant to condemn him for it. It’s suddenly easy for Democrats to claim the GOP is “engaged in a ‘war on women,’” and Romney is paying the price.
2. Romney hasn’t found the right message
If contraception is behind this, says Molly Ball at The Atlantic , why does Romney’s main GOP rival, hardline social conservative Rick Santorum, do better among swing-state women than Romney? Maybe the real problem is that “Romney’s economic message is leaving women cold.” Mitt has been deploying his “charming wife Ann to do women’s outreach; her pitch revolves around how concerned women are about the deficit.” But the swing-state poll found that women’s No. 1 concern is health care — the deficit is fourth. If Romney hopes to make inroads, he’ll have to find a better message.
3. He just doesn’t get women
When Romney needs to counter Democrats’ claims that the GOP is at war with women, Romney relies on Ann to make his defense, says Amy Davidson at New Yorker. “It is a symptom of Romney’s women problem that he thinks his wife might be an answer to his women problem.” Apparently, Romney imagines “the electorate as a cocktail party or a company barbecue, where his wife can be relied on to talk to the spouses and then report back to him.” Really, Mitt, “you don’t need to be a woman to listen” to women.
4. It’s a reflection of Romney’s lackluster support overall
Romney was always fighting an uphill battle with women, says William McGurn in The Wall Street Journal . After all, Obama won handily among women in 2008. And yet, Romney’s women problem is symptomatic of a larger issue: “His inability to generate much excitement among women appears related to a general inability to generate much excitement among anyone.”
All of the above, plus people are focusing more on the choice they will make in November, and PBO has an actual (and impressive) track record of working for issues that women care about.
What Romney will take away from women
March 01, 2012 Posted by Elizabeth Chan – democrats.org
After yet another flip-flop—this one in record time—Mitt Romney definitively went on the record to say that “of course” he supports one of the most controversial, extreme pieces of legislation we’ve seen in generations: the amendment proposed by Republican Senators Marco Rubio and Roy Blunt to place the decision over access to contraception and preventive care squarely in the hands of a woman’s employer.
To put it simply: Romney officially signed on to the GOP’s latest attack against women’s health.
What’s at stake here?
It’s not just birth control. More than 20 million American women could lose access to mammograms, pre-natal screenings, cervical cancer screenings, vaccines, domestic violence counseling, and a host of preventive services that shouldn’t be up for debate in 2012.
The President’s Affordable Care Act gives millions of women control over their own health care. By endorsing the extreme Blunt-Rubio amendment, Romney would take it away.
President Obama Will Host Seder On First Night Of Passover 2012
MARCH 30, 2012 obamafoodorama.blogspot
President Obama will join Jewish Americans across the nation in marking the start of Passover next Friday, April 6th, the White House announced today. Joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, the President will host the fourth Seder of his Administration.
On Wednesday April 4, President Obama will host an Easter Prayer Breakfast at the White House, his third such event. Also on Wednesday, Mrs. Obama will visit the Fisher House at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a pre-Easter celebration with military families and children. Mrs. Obama “will join them for craft activities and bring them Easter treats from the White House Pastry Shop,” the East Wing said. On Monday, April 9th the First Family will host the largest event on the Presidential social calendar: The annual White House Easter Egg Roll. This year’s theme is “Let’s Go! Let’s Play! Let’s Move!”
For the entire article: http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2012/03/president-obama-will-host-seder-on.html
A Passover Message from the Obama Family
Jarrod Bernstein April 05, 2012 10:19 AM EDT
Starting tomorrow night, the Jewish community in the United States, Israel, and throughout the world will come together to celebrate the holiday of Passover.
President and Mrs. Obama will join them, continuing their tradition of hosting a small Seder at the White House. By now, the story of how that tradition began has been told and retold, but in the spirit of Passover, I’ll tell it again: In April of 2008, the President and his staff were on the trail in Pennsylvania in the midst of a long primary campaign. Weary from a long day of work and away from their families, a small group of staffers came together to hold an impromptu Seder. When then-Senator Obama got wind of the Seder, he gathered some other staff and friends and decided to join. At the end of the Seder, the President followed the traditional “Next year in Jerusalem” declaration with a pledge of his own – “Next year in the White House.” Each year since, he has followed through on that promise. This year, he also added a new touch, a video message to Jews everywhere wishing them Chag Sameach as they continue their own traditions or start new ones this Passover.
3 Day Startup
The idea of 3 Day Startup is simple: start a technology company over the course of three days. We rent work space for an entire weekend, recruit 40 students with a wide range of backgrounds, cater food and drinks, invite top-notch entrepreneurs and investors, pick the best idea for a software startup during the Friday brainstorming session, and release a minimal prototype by Sunday night. The goal is to build enough momentum among a network of motivated people to sustain the company beyond the weekend. Sponsored by StartUp America
Participants: Passionate students with an entrepreneurial drive, including Computer Science (PhD, MS, undergraduate), MBAs, law students, graphic designers, PR, business undergraduates, etc.
Apr. 6, 2012 at 2pm until Sunday Apr. 8, 2012 at 10pm
Duncan Hall at Rice University
Houston, TX
For more information: http://www.s.co/event/3-day-startup-rice-university
Time to catch up. Missing work all day yesterday and half the day today, I am just able to catch my breathe. We have a reply brief due in the US Court of Appeals, DC Circuit tomorrow.
Love the thread CR.
I took my brother in for his post-op doctor visit early this morning. They removed his eye patch and his vision is much improved and they expect more improvement as the inflamation goes down. I cannot tell you how pleased I am for him. He has had horrible vision for many years. His glasses look like the bottoms of coke bottles and he tells me his vision is like looking through mayonaise. On the way home, he was noticing how clear the air was and how yellow the signs were and how green our grass is. Very exciting.
Thanks CR and Kat for asking.
Thank you for the update Jackie!
I am so glad that your brother’s surgery was a success! It is wonderful to hear that even the air seemed cleaner and that the colors were much more viberant; his experience has made me feel that I should be more appreciative of the things around me that I take for granted.
Me too. I couldn’t be happier for him. I have been very blessed with good health and should be more appreciative.
YAY! *happy for you both*
West Wing Week: 4/6/2012 or “The Annual Spring Break Edition!”
Uploaded by whitehouse on Apr 5, 2012
Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.This week, the President hosted a summit with North American leaders, addressed the Associated Press, signed his economic report, the STOCK Act, and the JOBS Act, and held an Easter Prayer Breakfast.
Next Up…
8:45 EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Opening Session
The White House
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
Good morning.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to our White House Forum on Women and the Economy. I am delighted to see so many familiar faces in the audience. We have an extraordinary array of accomplished women and a few good and brave men. You represent a wide range of stakeholders from all across our country. You are the trailblazers and innovators that drive our country, and you hav
e the insight and vision that we need to create an economy that’s built to last. A number of you have worked closely with us throughout the last few years and deserve a lot of credit for many of our accomplishments. I’d also like to thank members of the President’s Cabinet for joining us today, and for your exceptional service. And finally, welcome to those of you who are watching online. We will stream today’s whole forum, including breakout sessions.
I am so proud to be the chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls and to join Tina in leading this important initiative.
When President Obama created the Council in early 2009, he said, and I quote, “It is up to us to ensure that our daughters and grand-daughters have no limits on their dreams, and no obstacles to their achievements.” His executive order ensured that the Council would include representatives of every single government agency. A first for any president. I’d like to ask all of the members of the Council who are here to stand and be recognized.
By creating the White House Council on Women and Girls, the President set a tone from the top ensuring that the advancement of women and girls is a top priority of his administration. At the same time, President Obama has taken historic steps to appoint more women to the highest levels of public service, reflecting the diversity of this country. Not only has he appointed women to key positions, but also empowered them to drive critical policy, promoting the interests of women and girls both at home and abroad.
You will hear during today’s forum how these policies have significantly improved the lives of women and girls and helped grow our economy.
Now, we all understand that so-called “women’s issues” do not only affect women. Women make up a majority of students in our colleges and an even larger percentage in graduates schools, are nearly half of the workforce, and are breadwinners for a growing number of families. So, it is clear that the success of American women is critical to the success and sustainability of our families, communities, and the national economy. However, challenges still remain. For example, women still only earn 77 cents on the dollar compared to men. And women of color face an even larger discrepancy.
Today, we are releasing a report that illustrates the Obama Administration’s commitment to tearing down barriers that women face in the workplace, and the marketplace, in order to drive America forward. And for those of you watching online, you can find the report at whitehouse.gov
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/04/06/white-house-forum-women-and-economy
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Opening Session
Uploaded by whitehouse on Apr 6, 2012
In the opening session of the White House Forum on Women and the Economy, Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC’s Morning Joe moderates a panel discussion with Director of the National Economic Council Gene Sperling; Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Karen Mills; CEO of Deloitte Joe Echevarria; Princeton University Lawrence and Shirley Katzman and Lewis and Anna Ernst Professor in the Economics of Education and Professor of Economics and Public Affairs, Cecilia Rouse.
Good Friday everyone! I HOPE that you have a good day!
US economy adds 120K jobs, jobless rate at 8.2 pct
4/6/12 By PAUL WISEMAN | Associated Press – 23 mins ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — The job market slowed in March as companies hit the brakes on hiring amid uncertainty about the economy’s growth prospects. The unemployment rate dipped, but mostly because more Americans stopped looking for work.
The Labor Department says the economy added 120,000 jobs in March, down from more than 200,000 in each of the previous three months.
The unemployment rate fell to 8.2 percent, the lowest since January 2009. But the rate dropped because fewer people searched for jobs. The official unemployment tally only includes those seeking work.
For the entire article: http://news.yahoo.com/us-economy-adds-120k-jobs-jobless-rate-8-123735541.html
The Employment Situation in March
Alan Krueger April 06, 2012 09:30 AM EDT
There is more work to be done, but today’s employment report provides further evidence that the economy is continuing to recover from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. It is critical that we continue to make smart investments that strengthen our economy and lay a foundation for long-term middle class job growth so we can continue to dig our way out of the deep hole that was caused by the severe recession that began at the end of 2007.
Employer payrolls increased by 121,000 jobs in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ establishment survey. The unemployment rate ticked down to 8.2% in March, according to the household survey. However, employment was virtually unchanged in the household survey.
Both surveys indicate the continuing challenges facing construction workers, as a result of the collapse in homebuilding following the bursting of the housing bubble. The unemployment rate for construction workers stands at 17.2%, more than double the national average. Because of weak private sector demand for construction investment and the nation’s continuing need for improved infrastructure, including maintenance of existing highways, bridges, and ports, the President’s Budget proposal to increase and modernize the nation’s infrastructure is well targeted to support the economy today and in the future.
Despite adverse shocks that have created headwinds for economic growth, including weak construction investment, the economy has added private sector jobs for 25 straight months, for a total of 4.1 million jobs over that period.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/04/06/employment-situation-march
Next Up…
10:20 AM EDT
President Obama Speaks at the White House Forum on Women and the Economy
The White House
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
CNN http://live.cnn.com
CSPAN http://www.c-span.org/Events/Obama-Speaks-at-White-House-Forum-on-Women-and-the-Economy/10737429696/
April 06, 2012
Remarks by the President at the White House Forum on Women and the Economy
South Court Auditorium
10:30 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much. (Applause.) Thank you, everybody. Everybody, please, please have a seat. (Applause.) Everybody, sit down, sit down. I was going to head over here earlier and they said, no, no, this place is full of women and they’re still settling down. (Laughter.) I said, what do you mean settling down? What are they doing over there? Just creating havoc.
Welcome to the White House, everybody. It is a pleasure to be surrounded by so many talented, accomplished women. It makes me feel right at home. Although usually, I’ve got my wingman Bo with me. (Laughter.)
I want to thank everybody who’s made this Forum on Women and the Economy possible. I thank Mika for helping moderate today and proving that, on your show every morning, that women really are the better half. (Laughter and applause.) Joe is not denying it. (Laughter.) He’s not denying it.
I want to thank the members of my Cabinet and administration who are participating today. And I want to thank all of you who’ve come today lending your time and your energy to the critical cause of broadening opportunity for America’s women.
Right now, no issue is more important than restoring economic security for all our families in the wake of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. And that begins with making sure everyone who wants a job has one. So we welcome today’s news — (applause) — we welcome today’s news that our businesses created another 121,000 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate ticked down. Our economy has now created more than 4 million private sector jobs over the past two years, and more than 600,000 in the past three months alone. But it’s clear to every American that there will still be ups and downs along the way, and that we’ve got a lot more work to do.
And that includes addressing challenges that are unique to women’s economic security — challenges that have been around since long before the recession hit. And that’s why one of the first things I did after taking office was to create a White House Council on Women and Girls. I wanted to make sure that every agency across my administration considers the needs of women and girls in every decision we make. And today, we’re releasing a report on women and the economy that looks at women’s economic security through all stages of life — from young women furthering their education and beginning their careers, to working women who create jobs and provide for their families, to seniors in retirement or getting ready for retirement.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/06/remarks-president-white-house-forum-women-and-economy
Next Up…
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Education
The White House
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
Forum on Women and the Economy: Education Breakout Session
Uploaded by whitehouse on Apr 6, 2012
Director of the Domestic Policy Council Cecilia Munoz, and President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Shirley Ann Jackson moderate a discussion on education as part of the White House Forum on Women and the Economy
Next Up…
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Violence Against Women and Girls
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
Forum on Women and the Economy: Violence Against Women and Girls Breakout Session
Uploaded by whitehouse on Apr 6, 2012
Attorney General Eric Holder and White House Advisor on Domestic Violence Lynn Rosenthal moderate a discussion about violence against women and girls as part of the White House Forum on Women and the Economy.
Next Up…
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Women at Work
The White House
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
Forum on Women and the Economy: Women at Work Breakout Session
Uploaded by whitehouse on Apr 6, 2012
Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Katharine Abraham, a member of the Council of Economic Advisors, moderate a discussion about working women as part of the White House Forum on Women and the Economy.
Next Up…
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Women’s Entrepreneurship
The White House
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
Forum on Women and the Economy: Women’s Entrepreneurship Breakout Session
Uploaded by whitehouse on Apr 6, 2012
Treasury Under Secretary for Domestic Finance Mary Miller and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls Tina Tchen moderate a discussion about women entrepreneurs as part of the White House Forum on Women and the Economy.
Next Up…
10:45 AM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Healthcare
The White House
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
Forum on Women and the Economy: Health Care Breakout Session
Uploaded by whitehouse on Apr 6, 2012′
Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Deputy Assistant to the President on Health Policy Jeanne Lambrew moderate a discussion about women and health care as part of the White House Forum on Women and the Economy.
Good and HOPEful Friday, CR and all friends!
>^..^<
Good and HOPEful Friday Kat!
Good morning CR and PPO Family. HOPE you all have an enjoyable Good Friday or Passover.
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 Friday morning and thank you Jackie!
Done! 29 now.
White House releases report on women
By DONOVAN SLACK | 4/6/12 8:18 AM EDT POLITICO44
The White House has done some serious number crunching on women ahead of Friday’s forum on women and the economy.The administration released a 70-page report counting up estimates of exactly how many women are reaping benefits under the Obama administration. Among the highlights:
Of the additional 3.4 million students who have received Pell grants since the president took office, approximately 2.3 million are women.
1.1 million women between the ages of 19 and 25 who would have been uninsured currently receive health coverage under a parent’s health insurance plan or through an individually purchased health insurance plan.
An estimated 20.4 million women are benefiting from expanded access to preventive services such as mammograms, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and prenatal care at no additional cost
More than 16,000 Small Business Administration loans totaling more than $4.5 billion were granted to women-owned small businesses.
“As a father, one of the highlights of my day is asking my daughters about theirs. Their hopes and their futures are what drive me every day I step into the Oval Office,” President Obama said in a statement accompanying the report’s release. “Every decision I make is all about making sure they and all our daughters and all our sons grow up in a country that gives them the chance to be anything they set their minds to; a country where more doors are open to them than were ever open to us.”
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THE WH REPORT HAS BEE POSTED AT THE UPPER PORTION OF THIS THREAD
12:00 PM EDT
White House Forum on Women and the Economy: Closing Session
The White House
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
Forum on Women and the Economy: Closing Session
Uploaded by whitehouse on Apr 6, 2012
The closing plenary of the White House Forum on Women and the Economy, including an online Q&A featuring questions asked on Twitter or through whitehouse.gov.
President Obama Wants You to Know How Your Tax Dollars Are Spent
Megan Slack 06, 2012 10:58 AM EDT
On Wednesday, we released the updated Federal Taxpayer Receipt, which lets you enter a few pieces of information about the taxes you paid last year and calculates how much of your money went toward different national priorities like education, defense, and health care.
President Obama spoke about the receipt earlier this week as a “terrific way for people to be able to get information about where their tax dollars are actually going.”
The breakdown below shows the different categories of spending in the 2011 Federal Budget. To find out how much of the federal taxes you paid went to each slice of the pie, get your Federal Taxpayer Receipt.
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/04/06/president-obama-wants-you-know-how-your-tax-dollars-are-spent
Getting at the Facts
Jay Carney April 06, 2012 01:57 PM EDT
On Tuesday, the President gave a speech in which he contrasted his vision for our economy – one where everyone pays their fair share and everyone plays by the same set of rules – with the Republican approach of giving massive tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires paid for by cuts to programs that the middle class and seniors depend on.
Congressman Ryan and his staff has since taken issue with some of the critiques the President made about the Republican approach. We believe in backing up our facts – so here’s some further explanation of some of the core problems with the Ryan Republican Budget.
1. The Republican budget enacts a drastic, unspecified 19 percent cut in non-defense discretionary programs that help the middle class and help our economy grow.
2. The Republican approach would end Medicare as we know it.
3. The Republican budget would mean 19 million Americans lose the health coverage they are already getting under current Medicaid
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/04/06/getting-facts
April 06, 2012
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden Announce “Joining Forces Community Challenge” Winners
From more than 300 submissions, five winners and “The People’s Choice Winner” are recognized for displaying exemplary support to military families
Winners selected based on input from Tom Brokaw, J.R. Martinez, Sloan D. Gibson, Mayor Julian Castro and Deanie Dempsey
WASHINGTON — First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden today announced the five winners and “The People’s Choice Winner” of the Joining Forces Community Challenge, an effort to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of citizens and organizations across the country that are working to improve the lives of military families. The announcement comes in advance of the one-year anniversary of the launch of Joining Forces, the national initiative started by the First Lady and Dr. Biden to support and honor America’s service members and their families.
The Joining Forces Community Challenge, launched last July, captured the innovative ways Americans have stepped up to support and honor our military families. The Joining Forces Community Challenge winners include:
The People’s Choice Winner: Our Family for Families First Foundation
Armed Forces Service Center
Defending the Blue Line
Give an Hour
Project Sanctuary
City of Richfield, Utah
For the entire article: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/06/first-lady-michelle-obama-and-dr-jill-biden-announce-joining-forces-comm
Consumer credit growth slows in February
4/6/12 Reporting by Glenn Somervill – Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Consumer credit expanded more slowly than expected in February though people still were borrowing money to buy cars and go to school, Federal Reserve figures issued on Friday showed.
Total consumer installment credit expanded by $8.73 billion, less than half the revised $18.60 billion increase posted in January and below estimates by Wall Street economists for a $12 billion rise.
Revolving credit, which mostly measures credit-card use, shrank for a second straight month. It was down $2.21 billion in February after a $2.95 billion decrease in January.
But non-revolving credit, which includes auto loans as well as student loans made by the government, climbed by $10.94 billion in February. That followed a $21.56 billion surge in outstanding non-revolving credit during January.
Romney camp’s claims about female job loss under Obama not so clear cut
By JOSH BOAK | 4/6/12 4:25 PM EDT POLITICO44
The Romney camp would have you believe that, under President Obama, women have suffered the most economically—claiming that 92.3 percent of the jobs lost on his watch belonged to women.
Romney press secretary Andrea Saul tweeted the stat with the label “FACT” around the time Obama spoke to a White House forum on women and the economy. But that’s a statistical sleight of hand.
There’s a simple reason why job losses look worse for women during Obama’s presidency: Almost 3.3 million men were fired during the George W. Bush’s last year in office, while the losses for women were more drawn out over time.
Romney spokesman Ryan Williams said their data came from the Current Employment Statistics survey, directing POLITICO to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ website.
The claim looks accurate at first blush. From January 2009 through the release of the March numbers on Friday, women lost 683,000 jobs and men 57,000. That’s the sources of the 92.3 percent.
But let’s dig deeper and go back to January 2008. During the last year of the Bush administration, employment for men plunged by 3.29 million jobs but just 1.17 million for women. That’s a huge difference and explains the full extent of what happened.
Hey CR, hope you and everyone had a nice day. I see Romney is still lying. We do not need a dishonest lying person to lead the free world. I can’t imagine any leaders of other countries trusting him. Everyone have a Happy Easter. BTW, this is a great thread.
Hey COS! Yes, the GOP candidates have a knack for lying.
The Women’s Forum really shows how valueable PBO thinks women are to the success of our nation. HOPE you and your family have a Happy Easter as well!
6:30 PM EDT
President Obama and the First Lady Michelle mark the beginning of Passover with a Seder at the White House
Old Family Dining Room
More Americans win mortgage loan modifications
4/6/12 Glenn Somerville – Reuters – 7 hrs ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Treasury Department said on Friday that the number of active permanent mortgage loan modifications agreed to by banks rose 13,836 during February to 782,609 by the end of the month.
The modifications, which aim to lower monthly payments so that distressed homeowners can avoid foreclosure, were made under the Home Affordable Mortgage Program, or HARP.
It offers incentives to mortgage servicers to rework loans and is one of multiple programs the Obama administration has initiated to try to take some of the pressure of the hard-hit housing sector that continues to be a drag on recovery.
Originally, HAMP was targeted to help 3 million to 4 million homeowners but it has reached only a fraction of that number. It has been widely criticized by Republican lawmakers for not being effective but the administration said earlier this year that it was being extended for one year through 2013.
US borrowing up but consumers resist credit cards
4/6/12 By DEREK KRAVITZ | Associated Press – 6 hrs ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans took out more loans to buy cars and attend school in February but used their credit cards less frequently for the second straight month.
The Federal Reserve said Friday that consumers increased borrowing by $8.7 billion, the sixth straight monthly increase.
The jump in borrowing was driven by $11 billion increase in the category that mostly measures demand for auto and student loans. Borrowing on credit cards fell by $2 billion after a $3 billion decline in January.
Total consumer borrowing rose to seasonally adjusted $2.52 trillion. That’s nearly at pre-recession levels and up from a post-recession low point of $2.39 trillion reached in September 2010. Borrowing had tumbled for more than two years during and immediately after the recession.
Consumer borrowing rose by $18.6 billion in January, following similar gains in December and November. The gains for those three months were the largest in a decade.
A rise in borrowing could suggest that consumers are feeling more confident about the economy.
For the entire article: http://news.yahoo.com/us-borrowing-consumers-resist-credit-cards-211634993.html
Saturday, April 7 , 2012
All Times Eastern
President Obama receives the presidential briefing
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
9:00 PM
10:00 PM
April 7, 2012
WhiteHouse.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
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CNN http://live.cnn.com
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CSPAN http://www.cspan.org/
April 07, 2012
WEEKLY ADDRESS: Easter and Passover Greetings from President Obama
WASHINGTON, DC—President Obama used this week’s address to offer his warmest greetings to all who are celebrating Easter and Passover this weekend, and to reflect on the common thread of humanity that binds us together. President Obama wishes all Americans a joyful weekend focused on the wonders of our individual traditions as well as the values that unite us all.
Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
April 7, 2012
For millions of Americans, this weekend is a time to celebrate redemption at God’s hand. Tonight, Jews will gather for a second Seder, where they will retell the story of the Exodus. And tomorrow, my family will join Christians around the world as we thank God for the all-important gift of grace through the resurrection of His son, and experience the wonder of Easter morning.
These holidays have their roots in miracles that took place thousands of years ago. They connect us to our past and give us strength as we face the future. And they remind us of the common thread of humanity that connects us all.
For me, and for countless other Christians, Easter weekend is a time to reflect and rejoice. Yesterday, many of us took a few quiet moments to try and fathom the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made for all of us.
Tomorrow, we will celebrate the resurrection of a savior who died so that we might live.
And throughout these sacred days, we recommit ourselves to following His example. We rededicate our time on Earth to selflessness, and to loving our neighbors. We remind ourselves that no matter who we are, or how much we achieve, we each stand humbled before an almighty God.
Christ’s triumph over death holds special meaning for Christians. But all of us, no matter how or whether we believe, can identify with elements of His story. The triumph of hope over despair. Of faith over doubt.
The notion that there is something out there that is bigger than ourselves.
These beliefs help unite Americans of all faiths and backgrounds. They shape our values and guide our work. They put our lives in perspective.
So to all Christians celebrating the Resurrection with us, Michelle and I want to wish you a blessed and Happy Easter. And to all Americans, I hope you have a weekend filled with joy and reflection, focused on the things that matter most. God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.
Women for Obama! – Your voice powers our movement.
Join Barack Obama’s campaign now.
http://www.barackobama.com/
Get Involved
Donate Now
Volunteer for Obama 2012
The Democratic Party is a strong advocate for
Being good a stewart of the air, water, land and wildlife
Protecting women’s rights
Protecing worker’s rights
Protecting LGBT rights
Protecting minorities rights
Protecting the defenseless poor and disabled
Protecting children’s welfare
Protecting pet’s welfare
If any of the above are important to you then
VOTE DEMOCRATS 2012!
Good Saturday morning everyone! I HOPE that you have a good day!
Good and HOPEful Saturday, CR and all friends!
>^..^<
Good and HOPEful Saturday Kat!
Finally able to log on. What is up with WordPress?
Good morning CR and PPO Fam. HOPE you all have a great Saturday.
Please join me in lighting a candle for pir President, First Family and the Nation.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=PBO
Good Saturday morning and thank you Jackie!
WordPress must have been updating the site or something.
April 07, 2012
Statement by NSC Spokesman Tommy Vietor on Malawi
The United States extends its condolences to the people of Malawi and the family of President Bingu wa Mutharika following his recent passing, and we welcome today’s announcement that Vice President Joyce Banda was sworn in as President. By following constitutional procedures for this transition, the government and people of Malawi have reaffirmed their commitment to democratic principles and demonstrated the critical importance of sound democratic institutions. We stand with the people of Malawi during their time of mourning, and look forward to deepening the partnership between our nations.
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THIS POST IS NOW CLOSED
NBLB Come on over to my newest post
titled: “ White House Easter Egg Roll 2012”
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