The Presidential Planner

From Sunlen Miller:

President Obama this morning will deliver what the White House is calling a "major education reform speech" at the National Urban League 100th Anniversary Convention at the Washington Convention Center.

In remarks made available in advance of the speech, the president acknowledges that there has been “controversy” about his Race to the Top initiative, particularly the idea of linking teacher pay to student performance.

He defends this, saying “So, for anyone who wants to use Race to the Top to blame or punish teachers – you’re missing the point. Our goal isn’t to fire or admonish teachers. Our goal is accountability. It’s to provide teachers with the support they need to be as effective as they can be.  It’s to create a better environment for teachers and students alike.”

In the late morning, Mr. Obama will hold his monthly meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan with his national security team in the Situation Room.

Per the White House, expected attendees include:

The Vice President

Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State

Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense

Rahm Emanuel, Chief of Staff

General James Jones, National Security Advisor

Tom Donilon, Deputy National Security Advisor

John Brennan, Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor

Ambassador Susan Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations

David Gompert, Acting Director of National Intelligence

Leon Panetta, Director, Central Intelligence Agency

Rajiv Shah, Administrator, USAID

James Steinberg, Deputy Secretary of State

Jack Lew, Deputy Secretary of State

Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

General James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Richard Holbrooke, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan

Doug Lute, Coordinator for Afghanistan and Pakistan

Mary DeRosa, Deputy White House Counsel and National Security Staff Legal Advisor

General David Petraeus (via videoconference)

Lt Gen John Allen (via videoconference)

Ambassador Karl Eikenberry (via videoconference)

Ambassador Anne Patterson (via videoconference)
 
Afterward the president and Vice President Biden will have their weekly closed-door lunch in the Private Dining Room. 

In the afternoon, the President will deliver remarks and sign and make remarks on the Tribal Law and Order Act in the East Room of the White House. Invited guests include Administration officials, members of Congress, tribal leaders and others.

In the evening, the President will attend a DNC finance event at a private residence in Washington, DC, the third such event just this week.

-Sunlen Miller