****
Pool report: Presidential motorcade left a soggy South Lawn at 12:45 p.m. for shopping and lunch. Fourteen minutes later the motorcade arrived at Potomac Yards in Alexandria, where the President headed into the Pet Smart store. By the time the pool was allowed in a shirtsleeved POTUS was at a checkout counter with Bo, who appeared to be sizing up a small brown “standard poodle” named Cinnamon, according to the dog’s owner.
“Okay, Bo, don’t get too personal here,” POTUS admonished, holding tightly to Bo’s leash. He pulled out a $50 bill to pay for two items, one a large dog bone. Total was slightly more than $41.
After a quick stroll POTUS entered the nearby Best Buy at 1:10 p.m. “This (stop) for the girls now,” he said as he went in.
After a round of handshaking he headed straight to the Wii section, where he bought a Just Dance game for his daughters.
“The girls beat me every time on these dance games,” he said, “but you’ll never get a picture of me (playing) because I get graded F every time.”
He also bought a pair of $50 iTunes gift cards and an unidentified game. Tab came to 194.48. “Let’s see if my credit card still works,” he said. It did.
After more grip-and-grins outside, motorcade left at 1:21 p.m. Nine minutes later, POTUS arrived via side streets at intersection of East Del Ray and Mount Vernon to pick up some pies at the Del Ray Pizzeria. More handshakes, a little sports banter…
Pool ushered out. Minutes later POTUS emerged with three large pizzas. Then he worked the crowd on all four corners of the intersection plus a fifth cluster of squealing well-wishers a bit further down Del Ray.
Motorcade including Bo rolling at 1:48, arriving South Lawn 2:05 p.m.
President Obama and his dog Bo with a poodle named Cinnamon as they check out at PetSmart in Alexandria, Va. Obama bought the presidential pup a toy bone and a bag of food while Bo played in the store with Cinnamon.
President Barack Obama speaks with customers while picking up his pizza order at Del Ray Pizzeria in Alexandria after purchasing gifts
President Barack Obama greets people after stopping for pizza at Del Ray Pizzaria in Alexandria, Virginia
President Barack Obama shops for Christmas gifts at a Best Buy store on December 21, 2011 in Alexandria, Virginia
The Obama Diary 
Awesome! Love it!
Julie
Ha! To me the shopping trip had all kinds of subliminal meanings. The 9th pic with PBO holding the dog bone. That’s the Prez. telling Orange Boehner “hey fella, I got ya bone here, come get it” 😆 The picture with PBO holding the 3 pizza boxes? That’s ze Prez hitting a triple home run in the taxcut debate AND eating Repugs for lunch. 😆 😆 😆 😆
Bullseye! Prez Badaaaassssssssssssssssss!!! me loves the wink and a nod to us Obots. Whaat say you folks? 😆
Yeah, Chips. Thanks I could not reply at all on the other post.
HOW PRECIOUS…PBO AND ‘THE BO’ CHRISTMAS SHOPPING! I HOPE OUR FIRST FAMILY HAS AN AWESOME CHRISTMAS TOGETHER MINUS THE CAMERA LENSE AND NOSEY DYSFUNCTIONAL REPORTERS!
Amen!
Amen Sue. They’re like a pack of hyenas.
Hey, you can bet some of them cannot wait for the trip to HI, they get their grove on while there. You can believe they take their swimwear and money for drunk night. I wonder if they take a guest with them.
Welcome Back Chips, it just isn’t a party without you.
From the LA Times
Year in review: The lessons Congress didn’t learn in 2011
http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/12/the-lessons-congress-didnt-learn-in-2011.html
Health Reform: Great News for Seniors
Features a great video by the WH explaining how the doughnut hole is closing.
http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/12/health-reform-great-news-for-seniors.html
How cool it must be to see our Beloved President and Bo in person!!
And what a job the SS have keeping people “three steps back” so they don’t swamp our president! I love the way he goes out and wades in among his people! Love him, love him, love him.
Love him so much, too. Also like that he didn’t get Bo any “wimpy” gifts, like some of the Santa dolls hanging around!
I love my President and Bo is a riot trying to flirt with Cinnamon. But the win goes to the secret service. They are awesome and very very funny of course without intending to be. Thank you for posting these vids. They made my day 🙂
Wonderful letter from a PBO supporter- definitely speaks for me….
Dear President Obama :: I am not disappointed
http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/12/dear-president-obama-i-am-not.html
Thank you WIW for all the uplifting news and letters that you post for us.
X2!!!!!
That’s great Linda – Tweeted that!!
She’s baaaaaaaaack!!!!!! Yay!!! Hope you had a great and or productive day, Chips!! We missed you. Please never go away again. :pouty face:
Very encouraging story from ABC News
Schools Join ‘Made in America’ Movement
http://www.whatisworking.com/2011/12/schools-join-made-in-america-movement.html
that’s fabulous!
Must read.
http://emiliawahoo76.blogspot.com/2011/12/matt-damon-is-angry-because-president.html?spref=tw
Our4thEstate Bobfr
Hey @realmattdamon_ ‘Bagger Vance had the balls. Still does.’ http://emiliawahoo76.blogspot.com/2011/12/matt-damon-is-angry-because-president.html?spref=tw #OBAMA2012 #VOTE #YesWeCanDOMoreTogether #OutPerform1936
Matt is another one with his head in a dark place that has low visibility. That place is in a crevice 2 feet above the back of his knees! 🙂
“F” Matt Damon.
That what I said when I saw what he said in the interview.
Hopefully Shirley the Chihuahua does not see these photos of Bo and Cinnamon.
♥ ♥ ♥ Good Evening Chips! Good Evening TOD Family! ♥ ♥ ♥
Barack Obama Quote O’ The Day
Have a great evening, everyone! 😛
More videos soon
Poor SS. You gotta love ’em though. They are doing a fantastic job.
HOWDY, Chips!! Thanks for all these lovely treats!!
Love it
HE’S JUST GOOD INSIDE
Watching President Obama with Bo and interacting with the people is heartwarming. We are so lucky to have this amazing man as our leader during these challenging times.
I was waiting for chips to get back with all these mad videos
Thanks chipperoo.
Great pics, Chips!
I see you Cinnamon — batting your eyelashes at our Bo mmmmhmmmm. 😎
I’m so glad Bo stayed behind to keep the Prez company while the House goes off the rails. I’m even happier that PBO is out and about, still smiling, still full of swag, still not letting them see him sweat. Absolutely love it.
I’m with you, PJ.
Wow this is awesome Alexandra, VA must me a favorite place to shop for the Obama family. I remember when the First Lady went to target over there.
It’s right over the bridge from DC and MD and the stores in VA are more spacious than the malls close by in MD giving the SS more room to navigate and still allow the shoppers access to the stores.
Hey Donna,
Yeah. I know I’m actually from the DMV I don’t live to far from Fedex field. Secret service had the town practically shut down fir the Army Navy game. It was awesome.
Wow Ashley small world. I only live 15 minutes from Fedex field. We are practically neighbors 🙂
So cute—B.O. and BO go xmas shopping together. Love the photos of Bo looking over his selections. He was saying, “I just can’t decide. They all look so delicious.”
@whitehouse The White House
Everyone should see what #40dollars means to folks: groceries, daycare, gas, copays. Keep it going. I’ll talk abt this tmrw @ 12:15ET. –bo
Nice! Thank you, Mr. President.
That is soooo cool that he tweets. Love!
Okay….I suppose this is silly…..but….Cinnamon the poodle looks very much like ours, Chanel! Couldn’t believe it when I saw the picture…..Shopping with his dog…..how great is that!!!
Damn, he just keeps looking better and better.
Pool report: Presidential motorcade left a soggy South Lawn at 12:45 p.m. for shopping and lunch. Fourteen minutes later the motorcade arrived at Potomac Yards in Alexandria, where the President headed into the Pet Smart store. By the time the pool was allowed in a shirtsleeved POTUS was at a checkout counter with Bo, who appeared to be sizing up a small brown “standard poodle” named Cinnamon, according to the dog’s owner.
“Okay, Bo, don’t get too personal here,” POTUS admonished, holding tightly to Bo’s leash. He pulled out a $50 bill to pay for two items, one a large dog bone. Total was slightly more than $41.
After a quick stroll POTUS entered the nearby Best Buy at 1:10 p.m. “This (stop) for the girls now,” he said as he went in.
After a round of handshaking he headed straight to the Wii section, where he bought a Just Dance game for his daughters.
“The girls beat me every time on these dance games,” he said, “but you’ll never get a picture of me (playing) because I get graded F every time.”
He also bought a pair of $50 iTunes gift cards and an unidentified game. Tab came to 194.48. “Let’s see if my credit card still works,” he said. It did.
After more grip-and-grins outside, motorcade left at 1:21 p.m. Nine minutes later, POTUS arrived via side streets at intersection of East Del Ray and Mount Vernon to pick up some pies at the Del Ray Pizzeria. More handshakes, a little sports banter…
Pool ushered out. Minutes later POTUS emerged with three large pizzas. Then he worked the crowd on all four corners of the intersection plus a fifth cluster of squealing well-wishers a bit further down Del Ray.
Motorcade including Bo rolling at 1:48, arriving South Lawn 2:05 p.m.
more “grip-and-grins”…this media is so envious of our President. 🙂
I think I know what the unidentified games was, It was the Sims.
2012 Congressional Schedule. Note all the time off:
Click to access 110211calendar.pdf
The House is only their 6 days in January.
Pathetic, isn’t it?
So glad I’m not a Republican, on so many levels. We have our wonderful President Obama, to keep an eye on! Republicans have people like Tom Ridge on Hardball (watching because Tweety is not on), showing support for Jon Huntsman.
It’s all so boring that my only political analysis is that Ridge has the smallest mouth on such a gargantuan face I’ve ever seen, and Huntsman’s nose gets longer every time I see it.
Think I’ll snap out of it, and go get some ice cream!
I’m with you, JOB. I’ve often pitied Repubs. They mocked PBO’s charisma, brilliance, and connection with the people simply because they envy it so much. Can you imagine being a republican and having such uninspiring/crooked/dumb candidates? We may be on a roller coaster ride, but I’d much rather be riding with Obama and other stellar Democrats than anything they have to offer in the GOP.
We’re arm in arm on all that, PJ!
You can just imagine if the R’s had anyone with one one hundredth of our president’s charisma, they would be having nightly fireworks and declaring the election already won.
WTF! 22 weeks off! No working person (of course, most of them do not really work) gets this. Some idiots scream about the few days PBO TRIES to take off (there is always some last minute faux emergency; and, of course, the president is never really off) and the house and senate gets this?
THAT WAS AMAZING! THANKS CHIPS!
Laughing—-just saw a clip of Charles Barkley on Leno. Leno asked Barkley his opinion on the Repub candidates. Sir Charles said, “As a Democrat who loves our President, I am giddy! Ain’t no way he’s losing to any of those idiots!”
I know he loves PBO, but when did he become a Democrat? 😆
Charles Barkley: “I Was a Republican Until They Lost Their Minds”
2006-ish.
I know. I thought Barkley was a Republican.
This is what the President bought for the girls at best buy-
http://creative.admob.com/t1/ubisoft/JustDance3/
Ok this is like video gold!
Yaaasssss 😛
Thank ya, donna!
It’s amazing all the hustle and bustle that surrounds his every move — how does he do it? 😯
President Obama and Capitol Hill Republicans broke sharply Wednesday over new EPA power plant pollution rules, underscoring election-season divides about environmental regulation that have spilled onto the campaign trail.
The White House sought to put Obama’s stamp on the new mercury standards for coal-fired power plants while emphasizing that the administration is providing “flexibility” to industry.
In a video posted on the White House website Wednesday, Obama said his administration has had “enough” of efforts to delay clean air rules, noting that 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act mandated limits on mercury pollution from power plants.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/200873-obama-gop-split-on-power-plant-mercury-rules
Nice. But, where are the green groups praising this move?
Out to lunch.
Actually a number of them including Sierra Club praised the news to high heaven. Their tweets were abuzz.
BONUS FOR ME!!! I’m a FANatic about the President AND a dog nut too!!!! (Do y’all wanna see eleventy-three pictures of MY dogs?? Huh? Huh? Do ya!!!!???)
Down, boy!
🙂 🙂 🙂
lolololol
Go ahead Dave. show them.
Fortunately I have NOOO idea how to post a picture to TOD! But since EVERYONE is dying to know: a black, rescue standard poodle named Toby, a full-price bichon named Haley and…..drum roll…… a very strange but utterly lovable rescue POWDERPUFF CHINESE CRESTED named Darby!! I know, WTF? But I wish the President’s campaign would run a “Donate and your dogs meet and play with Bo” contest!!! WE MIGHT WIN!!!
So funny 😀 😀
As I look at these pictures, two things are obvious.
The first is that those people who say that President Obama can’t connect with everyday people are full of it. Sure, he isn’t at his ranch clearing brush, but could imagine King George II being willing to actually leave his hoity toity world to mingle with what to him were undoubtedly the peasants of the world?
Secondly, and this is far more subtle. Does anybody realize what an unbelievably brave man this is? Sure, he probably drives the SS crazy, but here is a man has received more death threats than any othr President in history, but being with the real people, the real Americans so to speak, is worth exposing himself like this.
I am in awe.
And he appears completely relaxed!
It’s soothing and inspirational to look at pictures like that. A much needed boost.
I agree with you. He has a kind heart and he’s truly brave. It’s amazing watching him move with such ease. it’s truly inspirational and sets the mood for the rest of us. I pray that God and all that is good in the universe protect him and his beautiful family.
Agree also. And the fact that he is a true believer, he knows that we are not to operate in fear in the world, but by faith and assurance. Of course, the SS is a big help, as well ….LOL!
He does not live in fear, even though all of us fear for him. And yes, he is the bravest person I’ve ever known.
The assertion that President Obama doesn’t connect with every day people was probably manufactured by Karl Rove. He knows fully well President Obama’s ability to connect with ordinary people is one of his strengths, but, in keeping with his dirty tactics, Rove sought to attack the President’s strength. Sadly, our lazy media unwittingly bought into this patently false assertion. They even ignore their own polls which have consistently shown President Obama scoring very high when it comes to being a likable person. I don’t think President Obama has ever scored less than 70% when it comes to likablity. Yet, people like Matthews perpetuate this myth that the President does not connect well with people. I’ve always wondered why people interviewed by Matthews don’t challenge him, and his side-kick, Howard Feinman, by citing the poll numbers that constantly show that the vast majority of Americans, even those who disagree with him on policy, personally like the President. On top of that I wish the media would show how he connects with people worldwide. I was so overwhelmed by the way President Obama was received, by ordinary people, in Ireland, Ghana, Brazil, India, Australia, Indonesia, France, U.K. Germany, and other foreign countries I’ve now forgotten.
This man is SO FRICKIN’ COOL! Now real, “oh, there’s the President of the United States, buying dog treats for Bo’s stocking”. How fabulous to be shopping there at that moment in time! I am so very glad Bo stayed behind to keep PBO company until that blessed day they both get on AF1 to Aloha a long- overdue and well deserved holiday with his family! Thanks for the awesome pics!
japa21…..often think of his courage in the face of all the threats….he is an amazing man. He is the real American, who loves to be with real Americans…..I, too, am in awe! I think we all are.
Can’t wait til the campaign starts. This is where he connects, and the media and Republucans know it.
Thanks Chips.
Haha…just watched the ~7 minute video above. Secret Service must go crazy with him wanting to meet the people. Moving from corner to corner to greet the crowds…that was a lot and unexpected.
I just love our President. Our Secret Service does an awesome job. These videos brought joy to my heart and they all took place on my birthday. What a delight to see them. I bet Dance 3 is a hot item.
Even George W. Bush’s top strategist Karl Rove thinks House Republicans overreached in reneging on the payroll tax cut deal. His advice: having lost the politics, Republicans should wait until (or to see if?) President Obama flies off to Hawaii on vacation, bash him and congressional Democrats for abdicating their duties, and then … pass the same Senate payroll tax cut compromise they could have passed on Tuesday.
“I think the Wall Street journal editorial today hit it on the nail,” Rove said Wednesday on Fox News.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/12/karl-rove-says-house-gop-should-throw-in-the-towel-on-payroll-tax-video.php?m=1
Even Karl now?
I hate saying this, but if Boehner stretches this to the limit, time-wise, I’d like to see President Obama stay in Washington and have his family come back for a White House Christmas, just to blow Republican minds. Now, of course, I hope that doesn’t happen because the Obama family doesn’t deserve it – and I also think Boehner will eventually pass the Senate bill – but this would be my pipe dream if this were “a game.” Sad part of all of this is that – as the President has said – it isn’t a game, and many, many Americans are sitting in their kitchens tonight wondering how they’re going to get along without that “$40.00” in their 2012 paychecks.
So he announces to the world that the Republicans are a bunch of hypocrites waiting for the president to join his family for Christmas so they can BASH him and do what they were supposed to do several days ago. If you were a half-normal person watching this (say, an accidental Fox viewer), you would think Rove and his Republican cohorts were true pond scum. Plus why not invite one of the most repulsive looking men around to deliver a lecture on optics. The R’s are one messed up party.
Unbelievable, isn’t it ? They just admit publicly that they only care about political games. Rove must be pretty pissed to be so “honest” lol.
That ditch the Republicans are digging are for themselves.
Bless and bless all those SS guys, they are more than awesome, I sure wouldn’t mess with any of them…. And they always look so serious, with the weight of the work they do. Bless them, and their families for their selflessness!
They are braver than brave, and true Americans, all. Which one of us would want that responsibility? Not I.
I’d do it in a heartbeat.
I see lots of new faces in his detail. Thank God for them all.
When they say get back on the curb, you get back on the curb.
Yes, Sir! (but WE wouldn’t need to be told that, certainly not more than once!)
I was close in, face to face with PBO’s lead SS man. I smiled and he just glared with that furrowed brow he has. He is very, very serious at all times!!
Our President does nothing but convince me every day that he is a gift to all of us…..and how lucky , damn lucky, we are to have him!
It’s been a crazy busy day, haven’t been able to even check anything out until now. Just in time to see the shopping trip. Love the way our President connects with the people! Love Bo!!! Now off to read all the posts. I know it’s been silly in Washington today!
I’m an NPR junkie but I was APALLED when one of their astute-sounding correspondents LED OFF a report on the payroll tax cut brinkmanship by saying (paraphrasing): “The House republicans are resisting the two month payroll tax holiday extension becuase they want to extend it for a year.” WHAT KIND OF FALSE CRAP IS THAT?? The President and the democrats tried and tried and TRIED to get a one year extension and could not get the remaggotians to do agree to anything reasonable. Really pisses me off to hear what is usually fairly competent reporting get SO FUXCKING TWISTED. (I didn’t say the f-word!)
I am surprised you are still an NPR junkie! For me, their reporting on Bush’s invasion of Iraq drove me away. I could no longer tell the difference between them and the mainstream media.
OMG…Romney was using a teleprompter in his newest lie/hate speech against the president!!!!
Here is the President talking about his new rules on power plants-
http://www.barackobama.com/news/entry/historic-new-standards-for-mercury-emissions
I think of the SS every once in awhile. It appears that they care about the First Family at a very deep level. When we see how the President treats folks, I imagaine the SS know full well how President Obama appreciates their work.
Does anyone know if PBO has made a decision on whether he’s going to Hawaii for Christmas?
Nope not yet. Maybe tomorrow since he’s having a presser at 12:15. But we’ll see.
Love it!
Hi everyone, new post here:
http://theobamadiary.com/2011/12/21/catching-up-13/
I do crack up when Maddow goes all in about Orange Julius being a horrible Speaker. She was the first one to point it out, and it’s so much fun when she does it.
Great pics. Loved it. Thanks Chips.
So, Fitch says it’s might downgrade the US
Just like that? Out of the blue?
President Obama is winning the tax-cut fight and his numbers are rising. I wonder….
I cannot recall the American public EVER seeming so happy and downright giddy when they saw GWB,
Never vicky, nevah.
Hi Chips and TOD Family. Happy Holidays to everyone. Be joyful, grateful for our Chipsticks and our beautiful site here. Be happy with your beloved families and friends. Eat lots of great meals, and sing and give thanks for all that you have before you.
I am so thankful for each of you here, especially our Chipsticks.
I love every photo of our beloved President and our well mannered Bo. He brings so much joy to the First Family and to others. I love that POB and Bo took time to shop and get an opportunity to be with the people which gives POB much joy. You can see it all over his face.
It is so awesome to see the world leader taking care of the business of the people and at the same time take a trip to shop, greet the people he serves, and take our First Dog out to shop for Christmas. How cool is that. I have never seen in in my decades of watching a POTUS.
Love all of this. It made me so happy. We are going to be just fine. We know we have our work cut out for us, but we will make it.HZ
I hope it won’t be long before POTUS join his family in Hawaii.
I love the pictures of President Obama and Bo.
This President is giving his SS detail heart attacks. I smiled all the way through this as he just sprints from crowd to crowd. Now maybe someone can call Peggy Noonan so she can remind us again how we never see people smiling around the President.
What fun videos these are.
I. Love. This. Man. That is all. And he really make the SS agents earn their money! He is incredibly brave and so grounded.
What a shame he has lost the support of the people! Ahahahahahahhahahaha! Ahahahahahahahahaha!
Occupy protesters take aim at Rose Parade
“Police got good news this week when a Pasadena-based “tea party” group dropped its plans to launch a counter-demonstration against the Occupy forces.
Michael Alexander, president and founder of TEAPAC, a Pasadena-based tea party group, said his members were outraged that Occupy would try to “politicize” the Rose Parade and began formulating a counter-protest. But after talking to police, his group decided to stand down.
“We have decided to not be part of this piece of drama and exercise in street theater,” he said. “Pasadena is entitled to one day without politics.”
Occupy activists said they were disappointed that the tea party won’t be on hand.
“We consider them our brothers and sisters in arms in our fight to take back control of our country,” Thottam said.”
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-occupy-rose-parade-20111222,0,7810364.story
When the Tea Party comes off as the voice of reason, that’s a sure sign that you’ve lost the plot. But I always thought OWS was suspect anyway.