Monday: There are no public events scheduled for the president … he will hold his monthly meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan with his national security team.
Tuesday: The President and First Lady will host German Chancellor Angela Merkel for an official visit at the White House. Chancellor Merkel’s visit will include an official arrival ceremony, a bilateral meeting and a press conference with the two leaders.
In the evening, the Obamas will host a state dinner for Merkel and her husband, Dr Joachim Sauer. During the dinner ceremonies, President Obama will present Merkel with the 2010 Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Merkel was bestowed the award last year but was unable to attend the ceremony at the White House.
Wednesday: President Obama will attend an “event” – details to come – in the Washington area that the White House says will focus on “the importance of training and preparing our workforce to compete for manufacturing jobs across the nation”.
Later on Wednesday, the president will host the Auburn Tigers, Auburn University’s football team, winners of the 2010 BCS national championship.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan meets with President Obama at the White House.
Thursday: President Obama will welcome President Ali Bondo Ondimba of Gabon to the White House. Ondimba holds the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of June.
The White House has not released details of the president’s schedule for Friday.
Yayyyyy to the state dinner. Hope the girls attend like last time.
Would be a delight. The girls are growing up right before us like little ladies. Daddy has a BIG schedule.
Angela Merkel with the 2010 Medal of Freedom 🙄 🙄 😆
I dont know much about her. What’s with the eye-rolling?
I do not trust her. She plays nice with Iran for her oil issues. What does that say to us?
America does not necessairly have a good track record either when it comes to our politics & oil consumption…
I wlll not assume she’s undeserving but my first immediate thought was that why was she awarded the Medal of Freedom…I have not heard anything.
Phew!… big schedule for the week. Glad for the arrival ceremony and state dinner. Cannot wait for the outfits MO is going to be rocking. Oh yeah.. Can’t wait to see PBO looking dapper also. I’m glad he’s meeting with these varied leaders from different countries. Can’t wait for the outcomes of the meetings. It promises to be an interesting week indeed.
I will be the guest of The President and Mrs Obama for the arrival ceremony honoring Her Excellency Dr. Angela Merkel on Tuesday June 7, 2011 on the South Lawn of the White House. 🙂 : 🙂 🙂
Needless to say I am beyond THRILLED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope to get close enough to take some really good pictures. Stay tuned TOD’ers
CAN YOU TAKE US ALL WITH YOU TO HELP YOU TAKE PICTURES!!!!!! OH PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ!
OMG!!!! OMG!!!!!!!…. so jealous of you right now donna. 😆 I hope you have a great time, a great spot and a great view. I soo hope you can bring back pictures for us TOD’ers. Have fun fun fun! 🙂
I wish I could Sue. Can you imagine us all strutting onto the South Lawn to see the President and First Lady. That place would never be the same. They would be talking about the day the TOD’ers came to the WH for years to come. 🙂
YOU ALL WOULD BE STRUTTING…I WOULD BE PASSED OUT ON THE LAWN FROM EXCITEMENT!…LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! HAVE A SUPER TIME! WE KNOW YOU WILL…PROBABLY WON’T SLEEP FOR A WEEK AFTER THAT EXPERIENCE!
Donna that is fantastic! I am really looking forward to hearing back from you and viewing whatever pictures you are able to take.
The Day the TOD Came to Call. HAW!!
Oh My My!!! Donna you’re so lucky and blessed….Can’t wait to see pictures 🙂
Thanks Everyone!
The invitation says the gate opens at 6:45….I plan to be there at 6:00 tapping my foot waiting for that gate to open. 🙂
I want to be right on that rope line to get some good pics for you all.
Also, I need positive thoughts for good weather because it says in case of inclement weather the event will be cancelled. Heaven Forbid!!!!
Sending up “good weather” prayers for you Donna!
Thanks GGail!
Congrats, Donna!!!!! We know you will represent us all well. Can’t wait to see the pictures and hear the report. Praying for no cancellation.
I believe it will be clear skies, warm but not hot and tons of good picture taking opportunities for you!
But I am jealous 🙂 LOL
Whooooooooooo hooooooooooooo!! Fantastic news Donna, thrilled for you!!!! 😉
THANKS CHIPS!!!!!
Donna, GF, I know you will represent!! I can’t wait to hear your account and to see if you were able to capture any photos. Have fun and think about this AMAZING moment in history: POTUS, FLOTUS and the STATE. And you are there!!
Oh wow Donna! I am so excited for you!!!! ENJOY, you deserve it.
OMG Donna!!! That’s my dream right there!
Please do give us a ball by ball account of your experience.
So happy for you. 🙂
congratulations Donna 😀
Have a great time Donna. You are true blue…no pun intended, but you have been a fervent supporter, shaker and doer for PBO, and our constant cheerleader over at OFA. Love ya for it, so you deserve this special treat. Have a blast 😀 And give PBO my love…LOL!
What an amazing experience that’s going to be. I can’t wait for you to post those pictures. Now, color me jealous, but I am so thrilled for you. Have fun, donna.
Donna, I’m so thrilled and excited for you! Congratulations! Can’t wait to read all the details.
Donna – I, for one, will be staying tuned with baited breath to hear your report! I’m so glad you’re getting this honour. How lovely. 🙂
Donna D, enjoy EVERY moment of this affair!
P. S. Your palms are bound to sweat, and since no-one seems to have asked yet, I’m offering as a thoughtful TOD sister to come with you to hold your purse, with an old-fashioned handkerchief in case you need it. Pick me, as my request is selfless, [and my outfit can be readied in no time]!
Oh, you’re a clever one, VC. Very clever…
Hysterical and original! It reminds me of when kids call the front seat
Donna. that is amazing. What can I possibly say. Good for you girl. dr
Dear Donna –
I regret to inform you that I have already started the Vulcan mind meld process, it should not hurt a bit. I will be taking over your body for all of Tuesday and I will return it early Wednesday morning unless you have a smaller waist then I will be enjoying it until beach season is OVER. I will hob nob with political movers and shakers, I will throw my head back in witty laugh that I have praticed, I will drink white wine with a shiny glass….
YES!!!!!!!!! Hurry up Tuesday.
Seriously, have a grand time dahhhhhhhhhhhh-llllllllllllliiiiinnnnnggggggg
LOOKS LIKE THE PRESIDENT HAS HIS USUAL BUSY AND VERY DIPLOMATIC SCHEDULE. I WANT TO SEE WHAT’S ON THE STATE DINNER MENU! OF COURSE OUR FIRST COUPLE WILL LOOK AWESOME AS ALWAYS! HOPE THERE’S NO GERMAN SAURKRAUT ON THE MENU BECAUSE THE WINDOWS AT THE WHITE HOUSE ARE USUALLY CLOSED….UNLESS IT’S OUTSIDE…THEN IT’S FAIR GAME! JUST A THOUGHT!…:) I AM SOOOO ORNERY!
A very busy week indeed. Hopefully tonight he’s sitting back relaxing at the WH, maybe watching the NBA finals with some friends & family.
YOU KNOW DARNED GOOD AND WELL THAT WITH ALL THOSE POLITICIANS IN ONE ROOM…THERE IS PLENTY OF HOT AIR TO GO ROUND…THEY DON’T NEED ANY MORE HELP!LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!
Navy says Greenhouse gas rule is making a differnce:
A senior Navy official said Friday that a controversial 2007 law aimed at blocking military purchases of high-carbon fuels has been effective.
A provision in a sweeping 2007 energy bill barred federal agencies from buying alternative fuels if their production and use produces more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional oil-based fuels.
Tom Hicks, the Navy’s deputy assistant secretary for energy who was appointed under President Obama, called it an effective law at a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing Friday.
“We are comfortable with 526,” he said, referring to Section 526 of 2007’s Energy Independence and Security Act. “It is an effective policy tool, it is having an effect on the market that I think is one in the right direction.”
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/164665-navy-official-says-greenhouse-gas-rule-is-working
Here is the real reason the republicans are going after the EPA. The new greenhouse gas emmissions regs, are now effectively closing coal fired plants:
http://www.energyboom.com/emerging/dominion-closing-new-england-coal-fired-plant-due-pending-regulations
rahm emanuel defends POTUS with Op-ed, in the Wa Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/obamas-commitment-to-israel/2011/06/02/AGj0NZHH_story.html
With the close of each recipient reporting cycle, more and more Recovery funded projects are being completed. As of May 25, 2011 the total was 63,655. Many Department of Transportation projects funded by Recovery awards are long-term, but here are some that have been completed already:
http://www.recovery.gov/News/featured/Pages/Recovery-Transportation-Projects-Completed-Across-Country.aspx
Donna, so eleated for you. I will also send up prayers for a great evening. Take lots of photos of FLOTUS’s outfit.
First Lady and the girls going to South Africa 🙂
http://www.michelleobamawatch.com/michelle-obama-watch/2011/6/3/first-lady-obama-to-visit-south-africa-and-botswana-june-21.html#comments
I do so like the name of the President of Nigeria….Goodluck Jonathan…what a great name. Looks like a fabulously busy and productive week.
On another note, Chipsticks I don’t know if you have the entire ping pong exchange between the president, the uk prime minister and school kids in england.
I saw the whole thing here:
If you did then cool.
Congratulations Donna!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Do us proud girlfriend. Have a good time and take lots of pictures and send them to Chips for us to see. WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!! You go Girl!
Perhaps this belongs in the “a good sport” thread.
My bad.
http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0611/terrible_scourge_e8f69b4c-9f58-48c7-9d2d-bfa0e0ad6679.html
Clinton on Americas role on aids policies!
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2011/me_libya0682_06_05.asp
Another Oil minister defects Libya!
Did Chipsticks go to sleep without saying G’nite?
http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0611/biden_at_fords_theatre_a0b5bc60-f738-481c-ac79-13cb37637132.html
Biden honors celebrity’s!
Great, great, and great news about Afghanistan possible withdrawal news:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/world/asia/06gates.html?_r=1&ref=global-home
Really late checking in today….Donna I am thrilled for your opportunity. Will be anxious to get the 411 on your evening. Send the Obama’s are love!
thanks for all your hard work, Chipsticks! I love TOD!! Your coverage of Pres. Obama’s visit to Ireland in particular was amazing!! 😀
RE: Chancellor Angela Merkel’s official visit at the White House
I came across an Obama interview for a German outlet, where he talks a bit about Chancellor Merkel and US-German relations, and thought people might be interested in it…
“The story of Angela Merkel is an inspiration.” It is his first interview for a German outlet: President Obama replies to a mail from Tagesspiegel correspondent Christoph von Marschall.
http://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2011-06/obama-interview-merkel
Thank YOU Kiki! 😉
Many thanks for this article. It was very informative. The tone was very respectful towards the president. I have opted to write CNN and ask about the dearth of coverage for this State visit. Here’s the link in case anyone is interested….
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/dotcom/
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_PAKISTAN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-06-06-02-59-19
More drone strikes inside Pakistan!!
Sorry to cut in on the conversation, but could someone let me know how to email Chipsticks directly? I’ve tried Chipsticks@theobamadiary.com, but I guess that’s not it. 🙂
Thank you.
PS: Have a great time, Donna! 🙂
Hi AJ, you’ll get me at theobamadiary@gmail.com. I used to have the contact button in the sidebar but I’ve been playing around with it recently, will put it back soon!
http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0611/the_auto_show_c27543d8-30d4-435c-81ac-2f4f23a9d7c6.html
Lord I was born a rambling maan!