President Obama Today
EmailThey didn’t get home until 12:55 am ET last night, but the lights are already on in President and First Lady Obama’s quarters at the White House this morning.
The president will participate in a National Prayer Service at the National Cathedral at 10 am ET.
He is expected to be back at the White House by 11:45 am ET, after which members of the Washington, D.C., community will be able to join him and First Lady Michelle Obama (and possibly First Tweens Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10) at an Open House.
In the early afternoon he will hold an event at the White House in which he will issue presidential declarations and executive orders dealing with ethics and openness and the way he wants his White House and administration to operate.
In the afternoon he will meet with senior economic advisers to discuss the stimulus package currently making its way through Capitol Hill, as well as the $350 billion in Troubled Asset Relief Funds (TARP) to stabilize the financial markets.
In the late afternoon he will meet with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, either Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton or a high ranking State Department official, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, National Security Adviser Gen. Jim Jones (Ret.), White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, and Commander Gen. David Petraeus of U.S. Central Command, as well as — via teleconference from Iraq — U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, and Gen. Ray Odierno, the Commanding General, Multi-National Force—Iraq.
The president will be briefed on the status of military operations, and he will command the team to begin making plans to withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months.
– jpt
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First tweens???? Give me a break. This is what I mean by the obsession and almost cult like behavior the media has with Mr. Arrogant himself.
Sounds like you were up early with your binoculars waiting for the new president and his wife to wake up so you can report what time the lights went on.
Sickening… at best.
Posted by: mjl | January 21, 2009, 8:25 am 8:25 am
mjl: Wakeup. The Obama kids are Tweens. Other white house kids have been similarly described, such as Amy Carter, for example. Why don’t you leave the kids alone?
Posted by: William J. LePetomane | January 21, 2009, 8:41 am 8:41 am
Actually they are not “tweens” one is 10 the other 7. Those are little girls, leave them alone!
Posted by: try the truth | January 21, 2009, 8:49 am 8:49 am
mjl: did you object when the Bush girls were described as “the first daughters” or is it only the Democrats you have a problem with?
Posted by: William J. LePetomane | January 21, 2009, 9:05 am 9:05 am
I think it’s not only irresponsible but also culpable that tax payer money to the tune of $170 million plus was spent to throw Obama and his wife a wedding reception. This guy won a political election and has a job to do but the powers that be treat him as if he saved the earth from a rushing meteorite.
They also said that the majority of that money was for security and that security had never been tighter. I ask: why is the life of the leader of the free world in such grave danger? He represents the country that symbolizes freedom right? We elected a black man so there’s no more racism right? We’ve matured as a nation right? Phooey.
What a load of baloney! The whole thing is a farse: the exhorbenant pageantry for a civil servant, the PC attitude that because a black man was elected that somehow we’re a more sophisticated society.
In four years everyone will be yelling for change and we’ll waste another couple hundred million on another prom night.
Beam me up Scotty! I’ve seen enough to know I’ve seen too much.
BTW: for you polarized political puppets, I’m not red or blue. I’m commenting on the current situation. If it was McCain or anybody else ( except Ron Paul ) I’d have similar comments. And not Ron Paul because he’s a libertarian cuz I don’t consider myself a libertarian but simply because I trust him.
Posted by: don | January 21, 2009, 9:08 am 9:08 am
Don: you are absolutely wrong. The cost was largely born by the Obama campaign along with contributions from sponsors. You should be sure of your facts before you post lies.
Posted by: William J. LePetomane | January 21, 2009, 9:27 am 9:27 am
Obama’s first order should be to arrest Bush and have him tried for crimes against humanity.
Posted by: Gus | January 21, 2009, 9:31 am 9:31 am
Yesterday morning I thought: This is the day that the truth expressed in our Declaration of Independence finally works itself out in practice: “… that all men are created equal…” Like many, I think it’s about time!
Now, if only we can get the rest of it put back into practice or, at least, get it back on the national radar – get its thought back in the national consciousness.
After President Obama’s Inaugural address I thought: WOW!!
Not because of one liners or sound bites, but in the depth, wisdom and insight of its entire content.
We will now see what it all means to him who wrote it down.
Posted by: Jay Ferris | January 21, 2009, 9:34 am 9:34 am
Sasha is 7 years old. She is not a “tween”. Malia at 10 years old could possible be described as a “tween”. However, the term, IMO, is stupid. first daughters is fine. I think when Amy Carter was a child in the White House the term “tween” did not exist.
The Obama team raised about $41m to pay for the festivities. The most expensive parts, security and transportation, is paid by the taxpayer. The actual inauguration and the lunch are arranged by the Congressional Inauguration Committee and paid for by the taxpayer.
Posted by: Keith | January 21, 2009, 9:36 am 9:36 am
The costs for security are par for the course. Those are public costs. They are rightfully borne by the taxpayers.
Posted by: William J. LePetomane | January 21, 2009, 9:42 am 9:42 am
Mr. Obama sat there and smiled while aracist preacher said that if you are “yellow” you need to “mellow” – He had a smug look when this racist preacher said that if you are “brown” you can “hang around” – Mr. Obama was beaming when the preacher said if you are “white” that you can now “think right”
If this is what Mr. Obama believes then I for one will oppose him on every front. Racism is racism; it does not matter who speaks the words. Mr. Obama by accepting these words is also a racist bigot – he is not fit to lead a diverse nation.
Posted by: Curt | January 21, 2009, 9:50 am 9:50 am
I am in awe that we have a President who understands the civil rights issue which is at the core of the gay/lesbian community. I don’t care if it’s called “civil union”, “marriage”, or “civil partnership”….what is important is the interpersonal and society recognition and support of our families. I finally see the light at the end of the hard fought for tunnel. Thank you to President Obama!
Posted by: Jamie WIlder | January 21, 2009, 9:56 am 9:56 am
Wow the disinformation campaign extended even to kids.
I suppose if Change can mean a return of all the Clinton people, then Tween can mean a 7 yo.
Posted by: BertieW | January 21, 2009, 10:07 am 10:07 am
Jamie WIlder,
The civil rights issue of importance to gays and lesbians is not what name their unions have, but that they have equal protection under the law. Currently, the only way that happens is with marriage, not with one of the lesser, not-equal options. Obama does not only not get this, he doesn’t care.
Posted by: Keith | January 21, 2009, 10:19 am 10:19 am
Why is there such negativity when there is so much happiness at the inauguration. My! My! Satan never sleeps. MRG.
Posted by: moira reilly-gutridge | January 21, 2009, 10:31 am 10:31 am
Curt…then everyone in that audience was a racist, right?.
Posted by: sara wilson | January 21, 2009, 10:55 am 10:55 am
President Obama and our beautiful, strong first lady, Sasha and Malia. You are so awesome.
Posted by: sara wilson | January 21, 2009, 10:59 am 10:59 am
Curt-we all do have different skin coloring. I believe that one becomes a racist when people are judged on only that fact and not what kind of person they are. The preacher was obviously trying to rhyme words and wasn’t worried about being politically correct.
Have some fun and lighten up.
Posted by: Sheera | January 21, 2009, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
mjl sounds like you are part of why this is the first time a minority has gotten to be president. People are excited forchange and pray that life will get better. What’s wrong you wanted bush to stay???
Posted by: ali | January 21, 2009, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
George H. W. Bush once referred to his part-hispanic grandchildren as “the little brown ones.” There was some fuss made of it at the time, but not nearly as much as this red, yellow, brown, white thing. I don’t geddit.
Posted by: Geddit Straight | January 21, 2009, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
i can honestly say i’m looking forward to the next eight years…
Posted by: coffee | January 21, 2009, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
Instead of wasting your time,my time, and the nations time talking about what certain people said or how some people are referring to the President and First Ladies’ daughters. Why not post some ideas on how to solve problems in your neighborhood, your hometown,your state, or OUR nation. If you have a really good idea about to solve a probem, or how to help people in need put it out here. If people really want change then they should start by changing their ways. Start small…
But start.
Posted by: renee | January 21, 2009, 9:54 pm 9:54 pm
USA got a new president. I and my family wish the new president and usa a new growth in the right track.
God bless everyone in this world.
Posted by: rpkfam | January 22, 2009, 4:00 am 4:00 am
Does First Lady Michelle Obama have a baby bump? No one ever ask them if they want another baby? Ask? We want to know.
Posted by: TruB | January 22, 2009, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
mjl — stop being jealous that your guy erratic McCain didn’t win.
Posted by: Sly | January 22, 2009, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm
i am very happy .OBAMA………
Posted by: Semhar teklay | February 4, 2009, 2:42 am 2:42 am
President and Mrs. Obama are a sight to see. I believe the President will do an excellent job. For you folks who seem to feel he is inexperienced, we have all been inexperienced at one time or another. President Obama, keep up the good work and stay just the way you are. Before I exit, I have lost respect for Sen. McCain. He is behaving just like the 4 and 5 year olds I teach.
Posted by: natasha | February 17, 2009, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
Why don’t you all wake up from the sturpor inflicted by Obama and whose who financed him: Soros and Bilderberg and the Saudi king ( Obama’s king) this man is a fraud, he was born in Kenyan – there is proof and witness, ABC – shame on you for not going after the truth, did Soros tied your tongue, or was it the Kenyan in the WH?This country is in shambles, Thomas Jefferson would kick Barack Hussein Obama aka Barry Sotero out of Washington DC. There is no integrity left in the media nor in Washington.
Posted by: Rosangela | June 8, 2009, 11:10 am 11:10 am
you are the great presedantin the world
Posted by: tibebu woubet | July 16, 2009, 12:16 pm 12:16 pm