Posts tagged 44

WHCD: President Obama, Jimmy Kimmel roast Secret Service, Washington elite, each other
The Ticket:


WASHINGTON, D.C.—Jimmy Kimmel and President Obama roasted the Secret Service, Washington’s political and media elite—and each other—at the 98th White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday night at the Washington Hilton.
And it seemed no one at the annual gathering of media, celebrities and politicians was off limits.
During his speech, Obama took a jab at the now-infamous Summit of the Americas that sparked the Secret Service sex scandal earlier this month. “Four years ago, I was locked in a primary battle with Hillary Clinton,” Obama said. “Four years later, she won’t stop drunk-texting me from Cartagena.”
“Jimmy got his start on ‘The Man Show,’” Obama noted of the evening’s host. “In Washington, that’s what we call a Congressional hearing on contraception.”
Last year’s dinner occurred on the eve of Osama bin Laden’s killing, and the anniversary proved to be fodder for several jokes.
“Who will it be this year?” Kimmel quipped. (The Navy SEALs, he said, should focus on the Kardashians.)
“We finally delivered justice to one of world’s most notorious individuals,” Obama recalled, as an image of Donald Trump appeared on a screen.
The president also made several jokes about his increasingly gray hair, predicting in four years he’ll look like Morgan Freeman. “That’s not even funny,” Obama said, laughing.
The president congratulated Arianna Huffington on the Huffington Post’s recent Pulitzer Prize. “There’s no one out there linking to the kinds of hard-hitting journalism that HuffPo is linking to every single day,” he said. “And you don’t pay them! It’s a great business model.” (“Yow,” Howard Kurtz, columnist for HuffPo rival Daily Beast, responded on Twitter.)

Obama then took a few mild swipes at his likely opponent in November. “It’s great to be here in the vast, magnificent Hilton ballroom,” Obama said. “Or what Mitt Romney would call ‘a little fixer upper.’” (“I was just relieved to learn this one wasn’t a GSA conference,” Obama said, pivoting briefly to the GSA controversy. “Unbelievable—not even the mind-reader knew what they were thinking.”)
“We both have degrees from Harvard,” he said of Romney. “I have one, he has two—what a snob.”
Obama also looked ahead to the next four years. “In the first term I sang Al Green,” he said. “In my second term, I’m going with Young Jeezy.” (First Lady Michelle Obama nodded in approval.)
“I have a lot of Secret Service jokes,” Kimmel said. “I told them for $800 I wouldn’t tell them, but they only offered 30.”
Kimmel pointed to Sofia Vergara, one of a swarm of celebrities in attendance.
“This is what women look like in Colombia,” Kimmel said. “What’s the Secret Service supposed to do?”
He continued: “If this had happened on President Clinton’s watch, those Secret Service agents would’ve been disciplined with a very serious high-five. Palms would be beet red.”

Kimmel, host of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” reflected on his path to entertaining the president: “If you told me as a kid I’d be standing on the dais with President Barack Obama, I would’ve said, ‘The president’s name is Barack Obama?’”
He also took a swipe at Obama’s weight. “You’re so skinny,” Kimmel said. “This is how you know how this country is in bad shape: Our president is starving. North Korea is sending him food aid.”
Speaking of weight, the comedian also skewered the other end of the spectrum.
“Look, it’s Chris Christie,” Kimmel told the first lady. “Get him!”
“Gov. Christie, you may be misunderstanding the [New Jersey] slogan,” he added. “It’s not the ‘Olive Garden State.’”
Kimmel defended fellow comedian Bill Maher in a bit about Rush Limbaugh.
“Is that slut Rush Limbaugh here?” Kimmel asked. “There’s a reason Rush Limbaugh said what he said: Percocet.”
“Just to clear things this up for the extreme right wingers, here’s the difference between Bill Maher and Rush Limbaugh,” Kimmel explained. “The people who watch Bill Maher know he’s an —-hole.”
Kimmel, though, threw a punches at Keith Olbermann.
“Under your seats, you’ll find a copy of Keith Olbermann’s résumé,” Kimmel said. “The thing about Keith Olbermann is, he’s so likeable. Olbermann’s burned more bridges than arsonists of Madison County.”
The former ESPN, MSNBC and Current TV host, who was not in attendance, fired back on Twitter.
“Funny that Jimmy Kimmel ripped me after his people desperately wanted me to fly to L.A, to be on his show this past Wednesday,” Olbermann wrote. “I’m not complaining about the Kimmel jokes—I’m fair game. I’m complaining about the revenge element. It reminds me of [Bill] O’Reilly.”

WHCD: President Obama, Jimmy Kimmel roast Secret Service, Washington elite, each other

The Ticket:

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Jimmy Kimmel and President Obama roasted the Secret Service, Washington’s political and media elite—and each other—at the 98th White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday night at the Washington Hilton.

And it seemed no one at the annual gathering of media, celebrities and politicians was off limits.

During his speech, Obama took a jab at the now-infamous Summit of the Americas that sparked the Secret Service sex scandal earlier this month. “Four years ago, I was locked in a primary battle with Hillary Clinton,” Obama said. “Four years later, she won’t stop drunk-texting me from Cartagena.”

“Jimmy got his start on ‘The Man Show,’” Obama noted of the evening’s host. “In Washington, that’s what we call a Congressional hearing on contraception.”

Last year’s dinner occurred on the eve of Osama bin Laden’s killing, and the anniversary proved to be fodder for several jokes.

“Who will it be this year?” Kimmel quipped. (The Navy SEALs, he said, should focus on the Kardashians.)

“We finally delivered justice to one of world’s most notorious individuals,” Obama recalled, as an image of Donald Trump appeared on a screen.

The president also made several jokes about his increasingly gray hair, predicting in four years he’ll look like Morgan Freeman. “That’s not even funny,” Obama said, laughing.

The president congratulated Arianna Huffington on the Huffington Post’s recent Pulitzer Prize. “There’s no one out there linking to the kinds of hard-hitting journalism that HuffPo is linking to every single day,” he said. “And you don’t pay them! It’s a great business model.” (“Yow,” Howard Kurtz, columnist for HuffPo rival Daily Beast, responded on Twitter.)

Obama then took a few mild swipes at his likely opponent in November. “It’s great to be here in the vast, magnificent Hilton ballroom,” Obama said. “Or what Mitt Romney would call ‘a little fixer upper.’” (“I was just relieved to learn this one wasn’t a GSA conference,” Obama said, pivoting briefly to the GSA controversy. “Unbelievable—not even the mind-reader knew what they were thinking.”)

“We both have degrees from Harvard,” he said of Romney. “I have one, he has two—what a snob.”

Obama also looked ahead to the next four years. “In the first term I sang Al Green,” he said. “In my second term, I’m going with Young Jeezy.” (First Lady Michelle Obama nodded in approval.)

“I have a lot of Secret Service jokes,” Kimmel said. “I told them for $800 I wouldn’t tell them, but they only offered 30.”

Kimmel pointed to Sofia Vergara, one of a swarm of celebrities in attendance.

“This is what women look like in Colombia,” Kimmel said. “What’s the Secret Service supposed to do?”

He continued: “If this had happened on President Clinton’s watch, those Secret Service agents would’ve been disciplined with a very serious high-five. Palms would be beet red.”

Kimmel, host of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” reflected on his path to entertaining the president: “If you told me as a kid I’d be standing on the dais with President Barack Obama, I would’ve said, ‘The president’s name is Barack Obama?’”

He also took a swipe at Obama’s weight. “You’re so skinny,” Kimmel said. “This is how you know how this country is in bad shape: Our president is starving. North Korea is sending him food aid.”

Speaking of weight, the comedian also skewered the other end of the spectrum.

“Look, it’s Chris Christie,” Kimmel told the first lady. “Get him!”

“Gov. Christie, you may be misunderstanding the [New Jersey] slogan,” he added. “It’s not the ‘Olive Garden State.’”

Kimmel defended fellow comedian Bill Maher in a bit about Rush Limbaugh.

“Is that slut Rush Limbaugh here?” Kimmel asked. “There’s a reason Rush Limbaugh said what he said: Percocet.”

“Just to clear things this up for the extreme right wingers, here’s the difference between Bill Maher and Rush Limbaugh,” Kimmel explained. “The people who watch Bill Maher know he’s an —-hole.”

Kimmel, though, threw a punches at Keith Olbermann.

“Under your seats, you’ll find a copy of Keith Olbermann’s résumé,” Kimmel said. “The thing about Keith Olbermann is, he’s so likeable. Olbermann’s burned more bridges than arsonists of Madison County.”

The former ESPN, MSNBC and Current TV host, who was not in attendance, fired back on Twitter.

“Funny that Jimmy Kimmel ripped me after his people desperately wanted me to fly to L.A, to be on his show this past Wednesday,” Olbermann wrote. “I’m not complaining about the Kimmel jokes—I’m fair game. I’m complaining about the revenge element. It reminds me of [Bill] O’Reilly.”

MSNBCtv:

Report: #Live Stream: #POTUS discussing the Economy and the Buffet Rule at @FlaAtlanticU http://on.msnbc.com/HGBTxp #politics #breaking 

positive-press-daily:

Photo Gallery: The 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll

After nearly 12 hours of fun and excitement, another successful Easter Egg Roll has come to a close. The day featured live music, a dance party, opportunities to participate in tennis, basketball and yoga, cooking demonstrations, and story time.
If you weren’t able to join us on the South Lawn this year, check out the gallery of images from the day and videos from many of the performances, readings, and demonstrations will be available on our YouTube channel.

positive-press-daily:

Photo Gallery: The 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll

After nearly 12 hours of fun and excitement, another successful Easter Egg Roll has come to a close. The day featured live music, a dance party, opportunities to participate in tennis, basketball and yoga, cooking demonstrations, and story time.

If you weren’t able to join us on the South Lawn this year, check out the gallery of images from the day and videos from many of the performances, readings, and demonstrations will be available on our YouTube channel.

State of the Union: Your Reaction



By Mike on January 25, 2012

After last night’s State of the Union address, supporters have been letting us know what they thought of President Obama’s speech:

“It made me proud. It reminded me (and hopefully others) that America is bigger than personal agendas, but if we pull together as a nation, we can continue to be a great nation. Very encouraging. Very hopeful.”—Nicole from Georgia


“I loved hearing the President speak about bringing jobs back to the United States. It’s so nice to hear that companies should be penalized for shipping jobs overseas instead of being rewarded. I loved his overall passion throughout the speech. I feel energized to help turn our country around!”—Matt from Michigan


“I am a senior in high school in Devon, Pennsylvania. The part of the speech on education and the importance of good teachers is completely true and there do need to be incentives for creative, hardworking, and inspirational teachers. The President’s stress on education inspired me to continue working hard to get a good education and eventually become a productive citizen boosting the economy.”—Charlotte from Pennsylvania


“I think the President’s State of the Union was a strong statement of how we, as a nation, need to come together, work for needed change, and get the job done. I appreciated the reference to the military. I have two sons and a daughter-in-law who proudly served our country in Iraq. Congress could take a lesson from the unity of our military!”—Kim from Ohio

What did you think of the President’s State of the Union? Take a minute to share your thoughts.

State of the Union: Your Reaction


By Mike on January 25, 2012

After last night’s State of the Union address, supporters have been letting us know what they thought of President Obama’s speech:

“It made me proud. It reminded me (and hopefully others) that America is bigger than personal agendas, but if we pull together as a nation, we can continue to be a great nation. Very encouraging. Very hopeful.”
—Nicole from Georgia

“I loved hearing the President speak about bringing jobs back to the United States. It’s so nice to hear that companies should be penalized for shipping jobs overseas instead of being rewarded. I loved his overall passion throughout the speech. I feel energized to help turn our country around!”
—Matt from Michigan

“I am a senior in high school in Devon, Pennsylvania. The part of the speech on education and the importance of good teachers is completely true and there do need to be incentives for creative, hardworking, and inspirational teachers. The President’s stress on education inspired me to continue working hard to get a good education and eventually become a productive citizen boosting the economy.”
—Charlotte from Pennsylvania

“I think the President’s State of the Union was a strong statement of how we, as a nation, need to come together, work for needed change, and get the job done. I appreciated the reference to the military. I have two sons and a daughter-in-law who proudly served our country in Iraq. Congress could take a lesson from the unity of our military!”
—Kim from Ohio

What did you think of the President’s State of the Union? Take a minute to share your thoughts.

Apparent Smoke Bomb Tossed Over White House Fence | NBC4 Washington

nbcwashington.com

Some­one threw what appeared to be a smoke bomb over the White House fence Tues­day night, accord­ing to the Secret Ser­vice.

The inci­dent took place dur­ing a rally out­side the White House.

About 1,000 pro­test­ers par­tic­i­pat­ed in the…

Secret Service: Apparent smoke bomb tossed over White House fence - @nbcwashington http://t.co/a8VM6pYK


Obama vs. Bush: Who’s the Bigger Tax Cutter? By Michael Linden, Michael Ettlinger
Different Cuts Reflect Different Philosophies
If you had to guess whether Pres­i­dent George W. Bush or Pres­i­dent Barack Obama cut taxes more in his first term, which one would you choose? Prob­a­bly Pres­i­dent Bush?

Obama vs. Bush: Who’s the Bigger Tax Cutter?
By Michael Linden, Michael Ettlinger

Different Cuts Reflect Different Philosophies

If you had to guess whether Pres­i­dent George W. Bush or Pres­i­dent Barack Obama cut taxes more in his first term, which one would you choose? Prob­a­bly Pres­i­dent Bush?

The readout of Obama's phone calls to Speaker Boehner:

  • The readout of Obama's phone calls:
  • Today, the President made separate calls to Speaker Boehner and Leader Reid.
  • In his call to Speaker Boehner, the President reiterated the need and his commitment to work with Congress to extend the payroll tax cut for the entire year, and the fact that the short-term bipartisan compromise passed by almost the entire Senate is the only option to ensure that middle-class families aren't hit with a tax hike in 10 days and gives both sides the time needed to work out a full-year solution.
  • The President urged the Speaker to take up the bipartisan compromise passed in the Senate with overwhelming Democratic and Republican support that would prevent 160 million working Americans from being hit with a holiday tax hike on January 1st.
  • The President also spoke with Leader Reid and again applauded him for the work he conducted with Minority Leader McConnell to achieve a successful bipartisan compromise that passed overwhelmingly in the Senate on Saturday, and Senator Reid reaffirmed his commitment to secure a bipartisan year-long tax cut after the House passes the two-month extension.
  • The President urged the Speaker to allow a vote on the one compromise that Democrats and Republicans passed together to give the American people the assurance they need during this holiday season that they won't see a significant tax hike in just 10 days.
  • The readout from Boehner's office:
  • Speaker Boehner spoke to President Obama this afternoon regarding the House's efforts to prevent a tax increase next year on 160 million working Americans.
  • The Speaker reminded the President that the House is the only body that had done what he asked for by providing a full year of payroll tax relief and extended unemployment benefits.
  • He urged the President to call on Senator Reid to appoint negotiators so that we can produce a full-year bill by the end of the year that provides a tax cut of $1,000 rather than only $166.
  • The Speaker told the President that his conference was elected to change the way Washington does business and that we should not waste the next ten days simply because it is an inconvenient time of year.
  • He said that our differences are not so great that we cannot pass a full-year bill by December 31st. Speaker reiterated to the President that Republican negotiators remain in Washington and ready to work.
  • "Let's get this done today," the Speaker said.
Obama to Boehner: Vote on Senate plan
usatoday:



President Obama asked Speaker John Boehner today for a House vote on the Senate plan to extend a payroll tax cut for two months, calling it the only realistic vehicle to avoid a tax hike at the start of next year, the White House said.
Obama also spoke with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and told him he continued to support the Senate plan for a two-month extension that would give lawmakers time to negotiate how to finance a extension for the full year.
“The President urged the Speaker to allow a (House) vote on the one compromise that Democrats and Republicans passed together to give the American people the assurance they need during this holiday season that they won’t see a significant tax hike in just 10 days,” said a White House readout of the Obama-Boehner conversation.
In its readout of the call with Obama, Boehner’s office said the speaker told the president that House Republicans want a year-long extension, and he urged Obama to tell Senate Democrats to reopen negotiations for such a plan.
“Let’s get this done today,” Boehner told Obama, according to the speaker’s office.
The conversations took place just hours after Boehner — whose House Republicans rejected the two-month extension yesterday — again called on Senate Democrats to reopen negotiations right now for a full-year extension.
“All we’re asking for is to get the Senate members over here to work with us to resolve our differences so we can do what everybody wants to do: extend the payroll tax credit for the next year,” Boehner said.
White House spokesman Jay Carney did not say how Boehner responded to Obama’s request that the House vote to approve the Senate plan, and resume negotiations first thing next year.
“The ball is in the House’s court,” Carney said.
Carney said the Senate’s two-month plan resulted from long negotiations over how to pay for the extended tax cut; the spokesman said he doubted there is enough time for the House and Senate to work out a new deal before the tax cut expires at the end of this year.
“We need to make sure that taxes do not go up on Jan. 1,” Carney said.

Obama to Boehner: Vote on Senate plan

usatoday:

President Obama asked Speaker John Boehner today for a House vote on the Senate plan to extend a payroll tax cut for two months, calling it the only realistic vehicle to avoid a tax hike at the start of next year, the White House said.

Obama also spoke with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and told him he continued to support the Senate plan for a two-month extension that would give lawmakers time to negotiate how to finance a extension for the full year.

“The President urged the Speaker to allow a (House) vote on the one compromise that Democrats and Republicans passed together to give the American people the assurance they need during this holiday season that they won’t see a significant tax hike in just 10 days,” said a White House readout of the Obama-Boehner conversation.

In its readout of the call with Obama, Boehner’s office said the speaker told the president that House Republicans want a year-long extension, and he urged Obama to tell Senate Democrats to reopen negotiations for such a plan.

“Let’s get this done today,” Boehner told Obama, according to the speaker’s office.

The conversations took place just hours after Boehner — whose House Republicans rejected the two-month extension yesterday — again called on Senate Democrats to reopen negotiations right now for a full-year extension.

“All we’re asking for is to get the Senate members over here to work with us to resolve our differences so we can do what everybody wants to do: extend the payroll tax credit for the next year,” Boehner said.

White House spokesman Jay Carney did not say how Boehner responded to Obama’s request that the House vote to approve the Senate plan, and resume negotiations first thing next year.

“The ball is in the House’s court,” Carney said.

Carney said the Senate’s two-month plan resulted from long negotiations over how to pay for the extended tax cut; the spokesman said he doubted there is enough time for the House and Senate to work out a new deal before the tax cut expires at the end of this year.

“We need to make sure that taxes do not go up on Jan. 1,” Carney said.

President Obama’s message this morning on Iraq

Early this morning, the last of our troops left Iraq.

As we honor and reflect on the sacrifices that millions of men and women made for this war, I wanted to make sure you heard the news.

Bringing this war to a responsible end was a cause that sparked many Americans to get involved in the political process for the first time. Today’s outcome is a reminder that we all have a stake in our country’s future, and a say in the direction we choose.

Thank you.

Barack

barackobama:

New First Family portrait!

barackobama:

New First Family portrait!

barackobama:

inothernews:

CASING THE COLORS   Eight years after it began, the United States military officially declared an end to its mission in  Iraq on Thursday.  Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was on hand for the handover ceremony, formally called “Casing the Colors,” in a fortified concrete courtyard at the airport in  Baghdad on Thursday.  More than one million U.S. soldiers have served in Iraq; 4,487 have died, with another 32,226 wounded in action.  The U.S. still has two bases in Iraq, comprising about 4,000 troops.  (Photo: Michael Kamber / The New York Times; caption via the Times)

What does the end of the war in Iraq mean to you?

barackobama:

inothernews:

CASING THE COLORS   Eight years after it began, the United States military officially declared an end to its mission in Iraq on Thursday.  Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was on hand for the handover ceremony, formally called “Casing the Colors,” in a fortified concrete courtyard at the airport in Baghdad on Thursday.  More than one million U.S. soldiers have served in Iraq; 4,487 have died, with another 32,226 wounded in action.  The U.S. still has two bases in Iraq, comprising about 4,000 troops.  (Photo: Michael Kamber / The New York Times; caption via the Times)

What does the end of the war in Iraq mean to you?

nationaljournal:


“Because of who he is and the hand dealt to him, Obama will find it much easier explaining America’s problems than solving them.”
  - The boss man, Ron Fournier, analyzes today’s address by President Obama. The Editor-in-Chief connects the dots between Teddy Roosevelt and our Commander-in-Chief.

nationaljournal:

“Because of who he is and the hand dealt to him, Obama will find it much easier explaining America’s problems than solving them.”

  - The boss man, Ron Fournier, analyzes today’s address by President Obama. The Editor-in-Chief connects the dots between Teddy Roosevelt and our Commander-in-Chief.

Check Out Michelle O.’s Custom Vera Wang dress

GlobalGrind:

Seriously, what country has a President and First Lady smoother than ours?

The First Couple stepped out looking stunning to celebrate the arts at the Kennedy Center Honors Gala last night, but it was First Lady Michelle Obama who stole the show.

VIDEO: Obama Gets Mic Checked By Occupy Wall Street Protesters

The First Lady was a sight to behold in her appropriately royal, royal blue custom Vera Wang strapless tulle gown. The dress hugged her upper body and cascaded into a show of tulle towards the floor.

President Barack Obama was standing near, looking extremely dapper in a classic black tux and bow tie.

PHOTOS: Light It Up! Barack And His Girls Flip The Switch On The White House Christmas Tree

Michelle accented her blue gown with attention grabbing blue rhinestone earrings and an elegant up-do.

Check out the gallery above to see just how handsome our First Family is. President Obama’s swag is untouchable!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PHOTO GALLERY

paid2see:

A protester handed President Barack Obama a note while shaking hands along a rope line in New Hampshire today.  AP photographer Charlie Dharapak smartly zoomed in so you can read the note for yourself.

For those of you who like to know (myself included) the technical information on how Charlie shot the pictures, here it is. Both frames were made with a Canon 1D Mark IV with a 70-200mm zoom lens. The exposure was 1/250 @ f2.8 rated at 1600iso. The first image was shot at 70mm and the close up was shot at 160mm.

Supreme Court will hear health care case

Case could be the court’s most significant and political undertaking in more than a decade

msnbc.com:

The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear arguments next March over President Barack Obama’s main domestic achievement, health care overhaul, setting up an election year showdown.

The decision to hear arguments in the spring allows plenty of time for a decision in late June, just over four months before Election Day.

“Earlier this year, the Obama Administration asked the Supreme Court to consider legal challenges to the health reform law and we are pleased the Court has agreed to hear this case,” White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer said in a statement reacting to the court’s decision. “Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, one million more young Americans have health insurance, women are getting mammograms and preventive services without paying an extra penny out of their own pocket and insurance companies have to spend more of your premiums on health care instead of advertising and bonuses. We know the Affordable Care Act is constitutional and are confident the Supreme Court will agree.”

High Court and health reform: A guide

The health care case could be the high court’s most significant and political undertaking since the 5-4 decision in Bush v. Gore nearly 11 years ago. That ruling effectively sealed George W. Bush’s 2000 presidential election victory.

Story: Appeals court upholds Obama health care law

Already, the court has scheduled a remarkable five and a half hours for oral arguments in the case, a date for which has not been set. Indications, though, point toward late February or early March for the historic arguments.

The court will hear two hours’ worth of arguments about the so-called “individual mandate,” a linchpin of the law which requires individuals to have health insurance or face a penalty. It’s this provision which conservatives find most odious; a similar provision was contained in the health care law Mitt Romney signed as governor of Massachusetts.

The court will also evaluate both the provision’s constitutionality and whether the overall health care law can still stand even if that provision doesn’t.

Other portions of the oral arguments will regard the law’s new Medicaid requirements for states, and whether it is even proper for courts to hear challenges to the law, considering its mandates do not take effect until 2014.Republicans have called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act unconstitutional since before Obama signed it into law in March 2010. But federal appeals courts have been split on their assessment.