Lunch at the White House
EmailCharlie Gibson and I had the chance to lunch with the president at the White House today — a traditional part of the rollout before a presidential speech to a Joint Session of Congress.
As always, the food was terrific (Maine Lobster Bisque with Chive Truffle Beignets. Seared Virginia Striped Bass, with Porcini Espuma, Crushed Potatoes, Braised Leeks and Swiss Chard. Vanilla Fresh Fruit Confetti, with Toasted Pound Cake and Lemon Sorbet) and the conversation was enlightening.
Even though much of the conversation was off the record, we can summarize it like this, with quotes attributed to a senior administration official.
Here’s the analogy for how the White House is thinking about the economy and the speech: "the patient is sick" and the president is the doctor. Tonight he’ll explain to the country "what’s going on, what we’re doing about it, and assure everyone we’re going to be fine."
He’ll be explainer-in-chief on the economy. The president believes his biggest job is to make sure that everyone "understands the links" between the credit crises and their lives.
He has "no interest in helping bankers who made $50-million bonuses," but has to explain that "we need the credit system to work." People have to come away from the speech understanding the link between their laid off neighbor and the rescue plan for the banks.
The speech will also address energy, health care, and education — and how they fit Obama’s overall strategy for the economy. A little foreign policy too, but President conscious of not trying to do too much in 45 minutes.
Most of the discussion about how to deal with the banks and the chances of nationalization was off the record.
The White House mantra is that the president will do whatever is required, and it’s clear from the conversation that the president thinks his team has come up with the best approach possible among a series of uncertain and difficult options.
In this context, Obama often thinks of the person (a former president, I think) who reminded him: "by the time a decision reaches your desk, it’s really hard."
Obama clearly relishing that part of the job, "the day to day work of figuring it all out." Also loves living above the store. (We also learned that he stretched out on the Oval Office sofa one day for his first official nap). He gets up every morning at 630am, works out and has breakfast with Michelle.
He’s in the office from 9 to 6:15, then back to work in his Old Treaty Room study. Lots of paperwork most nights, but he did make time last night to see the movie Gran Torino. Also checked out Slumdog Millionaire a couple of weeks ago, but relied on us to fill him in on Hugh Jackman’s performance at the Oscars.
The only part of the job that still chafes is the "bubble." Seems like it was especially frustrating at Sasha’s basketball game last Saturday. But overall he approaches the job with "profound gratitude" and immense confidence.
–George Stephanopoulos
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So now I am curious about these delicious lunches. Who flips the bill for all of this wonderful food? I know Ron Paul packs a sack lunch because he is a fiscal conservative, but seriously who pays for this stuff?
Posted by: Huh | February 24, 2009, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
After the hatchet job Charlie did on Obamas opponent Palin, The least he can do is buy him lunch.
Posted by: Steve Haag | February 24, 2009, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
I can assume that this also took place in the Bush Admin?????
Posted by: Willie | February 24, 2009, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
George,this lunch of course, was after your daily conference call with Carville, Begala, and Rahm Emanuel; to discuss how best to spin the day and speech in the Obamamedia?
Liberalism is a malignancy, a cancer on this entire nation. Ayn Rand was a prophet. Can’t wait to see how much the market drops tomorrow, after this speech. Glad you enjoyed your lobster bisque George; when are you and the rest of the big news anchors going to drop your salaries below the $500,000 that you in the democrat media and the democrat congress are demanding from all persons employed in real, honest, businesses that you seek to control?
Posted by: JD | February 24, 2009, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm
No wonder 0bama had to pass an extra $800 billion “stimulus” bill; look at that menu!!
Couldn’t he have just sent out to Domino’s for pizza ($5 bucks apiece for 3 or more), like we “regular folks” do? Or Pizza Hut with the “Penny Pizza” deal? And he talks about “fiscal responsibility”.
No mention if anyone pulled a Larry Summers and nodded off during the luncheon.
Posted by: Nick in Virginia | February 24, 2009, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm
It’s amazing how an administration that can destroy the stock market, tank the economy, and give our tax dollars to the enemy, can be applauded as such a success. I, for one, and extremely sad that our country is no longer one to be proud of. But George, keep trying to convince us how great the Big O is. You don’t deserve to be calld a journalist, more like a lap dog.
Posted by: pat | February 24, 2009, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
George did you tell him how much you love him. You and Charles Gibson should be fired, and now, I think you both are quite pathetic. You liberals stink – get ABC off the air and quick.
Posted by: Jane | February 24, 2009, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm
Seriously, who pays for the White House dining room? I heard that the Obama’s have to pay. Wouldn’t the bill equal his salary? Tweet reply?
Posted by: molly | February 24, 2009, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
When do you think the press is going to wake up and realize that this guy is just playing them all??
Posted by: June | February 24, 2009, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
Geez, cut the lace off your panties George. You swoon like a teenage girl.
Posted by: Rick | February 24, 2009, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm
Umm, love the menu, all you class warriors that are going after the hospitality industry and any company that dares to have a party, hire a decorator or pilots or drivers for their business to serve their THEIR CLIENTS, check out this menu Per George S. “As always, the food was terrific (Maine Lobster Bisque with Chive Truffle Beignets. Seared Virginia Striped Bass, with Porcini Espuma, Crushed Potatoes, Braised Leeks and Swiss Chard. Vanilla Fresh Fruit Confetti, with Toasted Pound Cake and Lemon Sorbet) Guess what, Paid for by your tax dollars to influence the easy “reporters?”
Posted by: EJ | February 24, 2009, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
“It’s amazing how an administration that can destroy the stock market, tank the economy, and give our tax dollars to the enemy, can be applauded as such a success.” Oh, Nick in Virginia, you’re adorable with your comments. And yes JD, in tough economic times, Presidents should eat Dominos pizza and drink tap water. And in the event that a President sends troops to war without adequate armor on vehicles or on their person, the President’s Secret Service detail should also have to forgo protections of their own or for the President and his vehicles. I mean, it’s only fair.
Posted by: Tiffany | February 24, 2009, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
Why is it that Right-Wingnuts LOVE to hang out on sites that they despise? If it’s too “liberal” for you, then go suck Fox Noise’s teatt. THAT “news” should be tilted Right enough for you.
Wingnuts — goofy as all get-out – but VERY entertaining!!
Posted by: Ray | February 24, 2009, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
JD – CONSERVATISM is a PROVEN MALIGNANCY on this nation. Eight years of conservatism almost destroyed this nation – that’s a historical fact.
Posted by: Ray | February 24, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
Had the good fortune to work as a Dukakis press aide at the 1988 Democratic Convention, with George. He is a straight shooter who knows what he’s doing and won’t be conned by anybody. The biggest con in recent years was attempted by conservatives, who tried to sell Palin as being intelligent after thinking Bush was such a good deal for America. I will NEVER vote Republican after they insulted the intelligence of the electorate by putting forth such a bunch of total morons…but then again, they’ve done that for years.
Posted by: Jeff Berger | February 24, 2009, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm
Yeah baby! The White House should never support farmers and fishermen! They should definitely support their local pizza delivery place! Of course, the right wing conservative hero ate pretzels from the local Dollar Store, right? Isn’t amnesia a wonderful thing?
Posted by: Lily | February 24, 2009, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm
Note to Republicans: Americans voted Obama to be our president in 2008. He has only been in office for about 40 days and most of us are satisfied with the job he is doing. He has kept many of his campaign promises and is working hard to fix our economy. We did not vote for Jindal. Your party had eight years to fix things. Yet you screwed up. I am not listening to Jindal’s address and don’t appreciate you trying to push him upon us.
Obama is our president. NOT Bobby Jindal
Posted by: Proud American | February 24, 2009, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm
Half of the country has a Kool-Aid mustache!
Posted by: R Garcia | February 24, 2009, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
The Bush administration left us with this mess. There was such a lack of brainpower. Guess Paulson’s idea to give hundreds of billions to the banks (no strings attached) wasn’t such a good idea. Duh!
Posted by: keiththeklam | February 24, 2009, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm
Here we go again someone else who is falling head over heels for someone who
spent $650 million to buy the office and
can’t or hasn’t yet come up with a birth
certificate. Kudos to the ones who want
to get ABC off the air, I understand that no ABC employee yet will wear the
american flag on their lapel. That says
enough for me.
Posted by: DonM75 | February 24, 2009, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm
Ray – This country was built on conservative values – not liberalism. You guys love to blame Bush for the deficit, completely ignoring the fact that we went to war after 9/11 and that costs big $$$. If Clinton had a spine he would have confronted this enemy and that tab would have fallen on his administration. And you guys all need to shut up about no WMD’s being found – what do you call 800 metric tons of yellowcake uranium and the other biological weapons that were found? Oh that’s right you never heard about that from the Obama press. Let me ask you a question – if you gave a drug dealer 6 months notice that you were coming in to bust him – do you think he’d get rid of the drugs or keep them in his house?
Posted by: Laurie | February 24, 2009, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
Hmmmm, funny how people seem to forget what Bush did compared to food. Have you Repub idiots have anything else better? Then again, look who you footed for the VP……
Posted by: Nick | February 24, 2009, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
Tune in tonight. It’s gonna be good. Now that he’s fixed (meaning ruined) the economy, he’ll probably see if he can complicate the health care industry even more. He’ll tell us how our confidence has been shaken, but not mention that he the one doing the shaking. Then after a few more lies and blaming others for the fix we’re in, he’ll tell us it’s still going to cost a little more money.
Posted by: AmericanPie | February 24, 2009, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
Amen Ray – JD, Nick in VA, Jane, Pat – you should all really stop visiting this site if you don’t like the content. Who gives a crap what the President and his guests had for lunch today? I could care less. The President’s eating habits aren’t what bankrupted this country. It’s the attitude of idiots like you. Yes, I just called you an idiot.
Let’s look at facts:
- Fact: Our country’s economy is getting worse by the day, and only one thing helps a troubled economy, job creation.
- Fact: The New Stimulus, although large, will spend 95% of the money in the Private Sector, offering Government Contracts and saving or creating jobs with Private Companies.
- Fact: It doesn’t matter if you allocate $25 Million to build a bird sanctuary or a new Missile. In the end, it has to be something of value, something that can stand on its own and generate revenue.
- Fact: No matter what you build, you have to employ someone to do the building. That either saves or creates jobs for a designated period of time (no different than a Tradesmen). And it puts money back into the system (people with jobs pay taxes), vs. taking money out of the system (people on unemployment don’t really pay taxes – sure they file at the end of the year, but what they give back is only a very small portion of what the Tax Payer gave them while they were on unemployment – in the end we lose).
- Fact: Our economy was destroyed by 3 things: 9/11, the War in Iraq, and Energy (and all three can be linked). All of these things happened under Bush’s watch.
- Fact: 9/11 exposed and destroyed the Airline Industry (if you fly with any regularity, you see it first hand)
- Fact: The War in Iraq wasn’t necessary and costs this country over $30 Billion every month we’re there.
- Fact: The gas prices we faced this past summer destroyed a lot of Americans – it hurt the Automobile Industry (too many SUV’s sitting around unsold) – it hurt the average American Family (who the heck can afford to pay $700 a month for a working mother and father to gas up their cars?) – It hurt the Trucking industry (which ultimately affects most of the retail and food services industries).
FACT – The Stimulus can temporarily support the economy while the private sector gets its act together.
FACT – The average American doesn’t “play” the stock market outside of their 401k investment, therefore the market is being destroyed by the wealthy who are bailing out every day (and I consider you wealthy if your family makes a combined $250k a year or more).
So if you can’t handle these facts or this Administration’s methods to handle the challenges we face as a nation, stop reading this message, log off of this site, and find your happy place where you and others like you can waste your time picking at straws and looking for a fight. The rest of us will work to clean up your party’s crap.
And the answer is no, I’m not a Democrat. I’m an Independent, I vote for the “correct” person, not the Right or the Left.
Posted by: WeaponX | February 24, 2009, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
Is Obama also going to explain why we are giving 900 million to Gaza? You know it will end up in the hands of Hamas. So we supply Israel with weapons and then pay the area of Israel they had to destroy because of terrorism. What a deal! It would be nice if Obama actually admitted that not all people being helped by mortgage bailouts were tricked by unscrupulous lenders. It would also be nice to hear that this does seem to give the lesson that if you fail through stupidy, the government will bail out some of you. It would be nice to hear that like Rick Santelli said, that the mortgage bailout may be rewarding bad behavior. Of course, I will not hold my breath as Democrats seem to think a bailout is an entitlement.
Posted by: jschmidt | February 24, 2009, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
Lauren,
Tell me how in the **** the war in Iraq had ANYTHING to do with 9/11, other than WMD.
Posted by: Nick | February 24, 2009, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
Now Obama wants to do the unthinkable! Tax even more on small businesses! Where does he think we get our JOBS from? He should be cutting their tax. This guy has got to stop being a turkey brain. Please pray for him, seriously. I am!
Posted by: Jim | February 24, 2009, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm
Is he going to say anything about the democrats proposed bill (2/23) of $410B in new spending? More pet projects favored by lawmakers but often criticized by the public in opinion polls. PIGS feeding at the public trough.
Posted by: nomomoney | February 24, 2009, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
Nick – Connections to Al Quada and a threat to the world as stated by both Democrats & Republican before they voted to invade. I suppose you’d like to make nice with that moron in Iran too. When you get rid of a murdering, lying dictator who commits genocide against his own people and ignores UN resolutions and won’t let inspectors in I’d say that’s reason enough. You know there is evil in this world that liberalism slowly but surely is indoctrinating as main stream into our society by giving them equal footing as if there were a respectable gov’t. God help us all with you guys at the helm.
Posted by: Laurie | February 24, 2009, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm
How much do you make George?And why hasn’t Obama knocked that down a few pegs?? Nothing like having a crony or two in the press who will “press ” for your agenda….Does anyone listen to this fool. Notice the food…I’m sure George or Obama won’t be touched by any recession which is why they don’t mind shoving debt on millions of American “peasants”.
Posted by: Mary | February 24, 2009, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm
Georgie Girl induces me to vomit. So Barry Soetoro fed you a gourmet lunch at taxpayers expense, wow, now that is hard news. Hey Georgie Girl, cut the lace off your skirt.
Hell, I had lunch today too, was a can of sardines, crackers and a Sam’s Choice diet cola. Difference is, I paid for mine you effeminate freak.
Posted by: Travis | February 24, 2009, 7:56 pm 7:56 pm
While that lunch sounds pleasant, let’s not forget about those that go hungry every night. All too often we forget that one-fifth of the world’s population lives on less than a dollar a day. The Borgen Project (www.borgenproject.org) has some interesting insight into addressing the issues of global poverty, something we can remedy easily and sustainably.
Some interesting figures to ponder:
$30 billion USD: The annual shortfall to end global poverty.
$550 billion USD: The annual US defense budget.
Posted by: Jon Lilly | February 24, 2009, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm
So people who disagree with the administration and their ADMITTED media friends should not comment? No wonder Obama has been so “successful”, only adoration is allowed. If Obama was such an effective senator, why does he keep saying he inherited the disaster of an economy? He was there in Washington. The stock market and unemployment were in good shape until 2006 when the democrats took over Congress.
Posted by: Sarah | February 24, 2009, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm
So people who disagree are not allowed to express an opinion? No wonder his positives are so high, only adoration allowed. What I would like to know is if Obama “inherited” such a bad economy what was he doing in the Senate? He was there in Washington, so he was also part of the problem. The economy was in decent shape until the democrats took over in 2006, low unemployment and stocks high.
Posted by: Sarah | February 24, 2009, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch that I brought from home, but them I am only a working tax payer.
Obama and his loyal comrades live and dine lavishly at taxpayer expense. It matters not to them that the economy is horrible and people are suffering.
Posted by: Sacha | February 24, 2009, 9:01 pm 9:01 pm
It’s a good thing GS put the state of the economy and gov’t in plain English so all of us dumb Americans can understand what is going on. Seriously, doctor/patient – come on!! We are a bit smarter than that – most of us anyway! And yes, so glad the reporters enjoyed a luxurious lunch on all of us tax payers! Where’s the belt tightening on Penn Ave!!
Posted by: Lisa | February 25, 2009, 8:53 am 8:53 am
Posted by: Jim | Feb 24, 2009 6:49:20 PM – Where did you come up with the idea that Obama wants to “tax even more on small businesses!”? And as for “pray for him, seriously,” – another example of the parallel universe populated by Religious Conservatives. It’s OK to post fear mongering misinformation and call our President a “Turkey Brain”, but then feel righteous by praying. Did you know over the past 8 years our country wasted $1 Billion on failed “Abstinence Only” sex education programs? Where have you outraged fiscal conservatives been hiding?
Posted by: BuyAmerican | February 25, 2009, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
I enjoy listening to George. He is one of the only optimists left in the news media. If we had more of his kind reporting maybe people and business would be more optimistic and things would start to turn aroud. Ever think of that?
Posted by: BA | February 25, 2009, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm
I still don’t know what he has said, I fell asleep during his speech. But what I did hear didn’t seem to answere my questions or explain how this is going to happen.
Can you explain what the explainer-in-chief said?
Posted by: from Ohio | February 25, 2009, 8:41 pm 8:41 pm
It is interesting that Bush never said a word about Clinton and all we hear from Obama and the left is one more reason to throw Bush under the bus. I rather like the President and think he can be a very classy guy. Why stoop to these trailer park tactics? It cheapens the office and frankly makes him look like a baby. I can’t tell him how to act – that is a personal choice – I can tell you that this constant Bush bashing is weak and trivial. After 9/11 Bush could have blasted Clinton on a number of issues relating to terrorism and chose not to do so. Very classy in comparison. Then again Bush senior has never weighed in on and commented on Clinton or Bush junior. I think Obama is capable of being a very classy guy – he starts out OK and then lets the pettiness of the left drag him into their fray. Its too bad – he is a good speaker and would be better if he didn’t feed this pastime that has become the hallmark of the left: Bash Bush.
Posted by: Lone Star Rules | February 25, 2009, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm
BuyAmerican may wanting to use a new name soon, Bye Bye America.
Posted by: AmericanPie | February 25, 2009, 10:06 pm 10:06 pm
When I was growing up there was more emphasis on the Soviets and the Nazis than on the Fascists. But a glance at the Fascists reveals some similarities with course of events under Obama. Senator Byrd has reason to be concerned.
Posted by: merchantilist | February 25, 2009, 10:07 pm 10:07 pm
George Stephanopoulos and Charlie Gibson must have had a time at the luncheon,I’m wondering which one got to sit near Obama.The fact is George is in love with Obama and it appears Charlie is smitten too. This is more of the same hard hitting journalism we have come to expect from ABC news.Report the news and quit gushing over Obama,and you call yourself a news journalist.
Posted by: Johnny L | March 5, 2009, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
Did they at least send the leftover cake to Flint Michigan?? Where is Michael Moore when you need him?
Posted by: tirekicker | March 6, 2009, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
DonM75 is, for some reason, offended because the ABC reporters were not seen wearing American flag pins on their lapels.
Yet Rush Limbaugh, in his highly-touted “first address to the nation”, during CPAC, wasn’t wearing one either. Thus the wearing of Ye Olde Glory lapel pins does not truly reflect how much one *loves* one’s country, as Rush insists that no one loves the USA more than he does.
So please pay attention ABC. The new required dress code for *really* patriotic people is now black shirt (with a black jacket) just like Rush… no reference intended, I’m sure, to the Blackshirts worn by the fascists during WWII. Rush was apparently trying for the “Saturday Night Fever” look with his shirt open halfway to his navel and a turned up collar, like Elvis in Las Vegas. No pins (flag-shaped or otherwise) to detract from the chest hair.
I hope to see both George Stephanopoulos and Charlie Gibson adopting this attire soon. Anything less, or more, would, I’m afraid, be un-American.
Posted by: KH | March 10, 2009, 3:28 am 3:28 am