Secretary of Defense Leo Panetta, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden at an event to announce a new report outlining opportunities and best practices for states to better support military spouses serving in professions with state licensure requirements at the Pentagon in Washington
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Nate Silver: The last time I considered Barack Obama’s re-election chances in this magazine, in mid-November, things were looking pretty bleak for the president. The statistical model I used measured three key factors — a president’s approval rating, economic growth and the ideological orientation of his opponent — and taken together, they showed that Obama had become a slight underdog to win re-election.
Three months later, his position is much stronger……
Full article here
****
PPP: Michigan is looking more and more like it won’t be in the swing state column this fall. PPP’s newest poll there finds Barack Obama leading the entire Republican field by double digits.
The biggest surprise in the numbers might be how badly Obama is beating Mitt Romney- he leads him by 16 points at 54-38. That’s a major departure from PPP’s previous 3 Michigan President polls, which found Obama ahead by only 4-7 points. Romney’s seen a major decline in his personal favorability in the state over the last 6 months from 39/43 to now 29/58. His numbers have dropped across the board but the most striking shift is with independents. He’s gone from a +14 spread with them at 48/34 to a -20 one at 32/52.
More here
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Link – thanks Rikyrah
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USA Today: President Obama has outraised the top Republican presidential fundraiser in two-thirds of the country, including battleground states such as Pennsylvania and North Carolina considered crucial to his re-election prospects, a USA TODAY analysis shows.
In 19 states, Obama collected more than his four major GOP rivals combined… Obama also has a fundraising edge over Romney in all but two of a dozen swing states – Florida and Michigan, where Romney was born and his father served as governor in the 1960s.
More here
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Today:
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Thursday: PBO will attend campaign events in Corona del Mar, California before traveling to San Francisco, California to attend campaign events. He will spend the night in San Francisco.
Friday: PBO will travel to the Seattle where he will continue to discuss his blueprint for an economy built to last. He will also attend campaign events in the Seattle area before returning to Washington, D.C. later in the evening.
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BMG: The next big prize in the GOP primaries is Michigan, one of Mitt Romney’s five home states. He’s released an ad showing him driving around in a fancy Chrysler while he talks about how much he loves Michigan, and all…..
And here’s the problem: that Chrysler that he’s driving is a 300 model, and the 300 is made in Canada…..
More here
Thanks Loriah
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President Barack Obama greets people as he arrives at Los Angeles International Airport
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The Obama Diary 
Hi everyone.
Evening EWOK, evening everyone 😉
Hi Chips *waving* 😀
HelllllLLLLLLLLllllllooooooooo Tigerfists!!!!
Good evening Chips!
Here’s the video of the First Lady and Dr Biden http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2012/02/15/supporting-military-spouse-employment
Cheers!
Thank you Bob!
Congrats on 1st..!! 😀
Ah, so ewok2 is first! Well done!
Ewok of Endor! I wonder if I could find copies of those two episodes? The Forest Moon sounds especially wonderful. I think the episodes were written by Lucas?
Anyway, great user name
Uh huh, so it seems that the Asian actress who starred in that Hoekstra ad has apologized.
Star Of Hoekstra “Racist” Ad In Michigan Apologizes
I guessing she got an earful from her people about this ad.
Lamh35, I was wondering when this woman was going to come out and say anything about this. You can tell from the ad the actress was obviously an American-born Asian and I was offended as a black woman that she would have even considered doing such an ad. Living on sardines and cup-o-noodles for a week was a better option than for this young lady to denigrate her family and her heritage in that way. But, I’m glad she apologized. It sounds as if she really is sorry she sold her birthright for a bowl of pottage.
Xenophobic ad backfires on Michigan’s Hoekstra
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/15/10415351-xenophobic-ad-backfires-on-michigans-hoekstra
Really, what was that young woman thinking? I hope she learns a very deep lesson from this.
I got the impression that she was more than likely a hire from a stable of female actresses and didn’t know Hoekstra from Adam. So she apologized? I wonder — does that mean she did it for free? I can hardly believe that, cynic that I am. On the other hand, if she was paid, I hope she soaked him for it good.
Wish AF1 would land in BUR – too bad it’s not really big enough for Heavies.
Denise Bestman: 11-year-old becomes post-Grammy sensation by covering Adele
That is EPIC. 😀
MythRobney: dumbass.
Chips, you made my day with the first two pictures. I almost didn’t scroll any further, but my wife caught staring at the computer and drooling, so I had to quickly move on.
As usual, a day full of good news. And as to the Michigan poll, keep in mind this is with the good citizens of the great state of Michigan, home of the first land grant university and still the greatest, MSU, have been subjected to these clowns so they are probably at their ceiling.
Wait until the campaign begins in earnest.
Hahahaha. You’re funny Japa21. The ladies of TOD with Chips leading them, end up on the naughty mat so much we tend to forget the men of TOD also need their own naughty mats. 😆
Naw. Negative on the naughty mats. A quiet corner will do. Thank you very much. 😀
Japa, you make a good point about the people of Michican “being subject to these clowns,” because it’s true of voters in every one of the Republican held states right now. This is something Nate Silver just fails to “get” in his analysis. States like Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey know what’s it’s like to have a Republican takeover and it’s going to produce a big “ew” factor in the election. I don’t for one minute believe that the president’s populist message is going to turn off voters in these states, nor do I accept that Rick Santorum could carry a populist message with any credibility whatsoever. The guy is so visibly slimy, personally repellent and openly bigoted that he actually carries an anti-charisma gene. Nate is used to dealing with figures, but he sure doesn’t get people.
FIRED UP…!!
READY TO GO..!!! 😀
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Hey Rock!!!
#LandslideOBAMA2012
Yes We Must
Hiya Chipsticks!
You are doing a Barack-tastic day today 😀
Chrysler 300 – made in Canada (hahahahahahaha – Mittens just can’t seem to catch a break – hahahahahaha)
#PRESSON
(where universal health care is a well-established human right)
Helloooooooo GGail, way too much good news today, it’s impossible to keep up!!
Oh, oh. I think someone will get fired for this muck-up.
O Canada! 🙂
Arriving in LA:
http://www.ustream.tv/cbsnews
Chips-
I figured out that the President is, at least, to raise 10 million smackers, green back, squibs, dough, on this trip.
NOT bad, not bad!
I’m still amazed at how much of a production it is just for him to go somewhere.
It’s an extraordinary operation Jessica, isn’t it? It never fails to amaze me, no matter how many times I watch.
POTUS flew over my house about 15 minutes ago (I went outside when I heard the helicopter hum) and is on his way to his first shindig. It’s chilly, but the sun has come back out.
I ran outside when I saw all the helicopters lifting up from AF1, and I waved when three of them went over my home (even though I knew they couldn’t see me…). Very exciting! Glad I worked from home today.
Interesting documentaries on Discovery Channel – “Secret Service Secrets”
“The Home Front” re efforts to protect the president on US soil
“Campaign Nightmare” re protecting the president on the campaign trail
Each documentary includes incidents with past presidents as well as PBO but good bit on PBO especially in the campaign documentary – including the 400-fold increase in threats against PBO mostly racially based, the strategies and training for the SS protection. Aired 2/13 but the older SS documentaries had repeat airings and expect these will also
I wish they weren’t sharing so many details about security, but maybe it’s a good warning for any crazies out there.
Ok, yes, it’s Fox. But, on the other hand, IT’S FREAKING FOX. Even they can’t hide the news.
Yes, it’s early, yes, we need to keep our noses to the grindstone. But, the wind is at our backs. Obamanos!
Story here: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/fox-swing-state-poll-obamas-up
Tweety is such a sexist dingbat. He says: “I don’t watch tv like most regular people do. I mean…….Regular people come home, they’re tired, they go into the living room and watch tv while their wives in some cases are making dinner, or in some weirder cases, the husband is making dinner……..” {{{chuckle, chuckle}}}
——seriously?! WTF is wrong with this asscrack?!!! Did he sleep through the feminist movement? What? husbands don’t cook? mutherfracker! This reminds me of the time Weinershnitzle was unmasked as a grade a PERV and Tweety turned to Coward Fineman and asked if the wife was somehow at fault for her sleazy stinking husband being a perv. I’m telling you, some people just can’t evolve. 🙄
I’m the one usually making dinner because I’m the one who can cook. If Tweety were less wealthy and unmarried, he’d have Carl Jr’s every night.
he already looks like he has Carl’s Jr every night.
Point taken.
And for you non-Left Coasters, Carl’s Jr = Hardee’s.
Doesn’t Tweety have diabetes? Or am I thinking of someone else? If he does though, he’d better lay of Carl’s Jr!
And as far as husbands cooking, mine has taken over the job completely. Thank goodness.
Nothing sexier than a man who can cook.
Other than a man who can cook in a kilt, or a sarong.
😀
Well, I have never tried to cook in either, but I do most of the cooking and am pretty damn good if I do say so myself. My hot dogs and macaroni and cheese cannot be beat.
Just a random thought: The Romney campaign makes John McCain’s 2008 GE effort look like a model of military precision.
Ha, so true LL. I know it’s hardly his biggest problem (happily, he has lots to choose from), but the car thing just sums it up. Seriously, how could they make a mistake that comical?? Personally, I wouldn’t know a Chrysler 300 (or any car) from a spaceship, but I’ll trust the experts that it is indeed Canadian-built!
The 300 is a sweet looking ride. It has that Fiat influence.
This is the only car I want, a very long Mini (so I’ll have room for all my junk):
Chipsticks — how does it corner?
Well Joan, I’m guessing I might have to have a few buildings removed – eg:
– before I attempt to corner in my dream machine, but hey, that’s hardly a big deal?
Ha!
Can you really still call this crazy car a “mini”? 😕
😯 Well, a Maxi Mini, maybe?
A stretch mini.
Very stretchy Joan, very stretchy. If you ever want a spin, let me know.
Back in the DDR days, there were occasional ads in the papers there for the “Trabant Diplomat”, a six door version of the standard car-for-the-masses in Eastern Germany.
Not bad, considering there was no Photoshop yet to create the illusion ….
Trader Joe’s & Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Sign Fair Food Agreement
Good for the workers who organized and applied pressure, I am glad Trader Joes agreed
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/02/trader-joes-coalition-of-immokalee.html
Me too. Love TJ’s. We are FINALLY getting one in Knoxville.
I am waiting for one to come to Montana. I love them.
Using Potluck Dinners to Transform Lives
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/02/using-potluck-dinners-to-transform.html
Energy Department to Launch New Energy Innovation Hub Focused on Advanced Batteries and Energy Storage
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/02/energy-department-to-launch-new-energy.html
U.S. Construction Gains: Multifamily Buildings
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/02/us-construction-gains-multifamily.html
Bringing this over from the previous thread
This is a very cool chart
Obama’s Budget Health Care Savings In One Chart
http://www.whatisworking.com/2012/02/obamas-budget-health-care-savings-in.html
Hi TOD Family! Checked in on you during work so not too much to catch up on. Saw Scott Walker gave Pres.Obama a jersey with the #1 on it. It better not mean one-term president or I’m going to WI to kick Walker’s ass. Also read on TPM that he claims he has a stomach flu so can’t make a certain even with the Prez? 🙄 – YEAH RIGHT.
that jersey never made it off the tarmac. It was taken by the SS and promptly extinguished in a quiet corner……… much like what these recall elections will do to Scott’s political career.
Love it!!!! 😆
they should have Bo pee on it.
Hi gobrooklyn, welcome back! Someone suggested earlier the jersey signified that Walker represents the 1%. I liked that.
LOL…..sounds good.
Nate Silver: The last time I considered Barack Obama’s re-election chances in this magazine, in mid-November, things were looking pretty bleak for the president. The statistical model I used measured three key factors — a president’s approval rating, economic growth and the ideological orientation of his opponent — and taken together, they showed that Obama had become a slight underdog to win re-election.
Three months later, his position is much stronger.
Full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/nate-silver-obama-reelection-chances.html?_r=1
.
.
I’m always kind of puzzled by Nate Silver’s analysis of polls so far out from elections, even though I know there’s huge respect for him and his record.
In the previous article he refers to above, it was all doom about PBO’s 2012 chances, based on the polls and state of the economy at the time. Now he’s way more upbeat about his chances, based on current polls and the improvement in the economy.
But isn’t this kind of analysis, well, a bit pointless? It’s only February, who knows what might happen between now and November? I know he allows for that, but I’m still struggling to see the point in guessing how PBO will fare in November based on what’s happening in February.
Enough of my puzzlement, all I hope from the current waves of polls is that the msm will be forced – however much it might hurt – to change their ‘PBO is doooooooooooomed!’ narrative. And narratives matter, a lot.
I agree with you Chips that narratives do matter a lot. Feelings build based on narratives both positively and negatively and right now it’s undeniable that the narrative is more positive than it was 3-4 months ago. As far as Nate goes he’s a numbers geek and this is what he does; I gather it’s his passion. A lot can happen in nine months as we all know but it’s interesting to note I’ve heard several people speak about the period between September of the third term and March of the fourth term actually being the crucial period. Whatever the trajectory is during that period, many people start to lock in and make up their minds. If this is true POTUS trajectory is looking really good right now and the current narrative is reflective of that.
Ah, that’s interesting about the Sept-March period Melanie, and it makes makes perfect and obvious sense. The trajectory looks encouraging right now, and I’d guess the campaign can’t wait to get its ‘hands’ on Romney or Santorum – and, I’d imagine, PBO can’t wait to debate whichever one of the freaks emerges from the clown race. I’d like to think at that point the trajectory will go through the roof.
Chips..that is what I want to see happen to. The end of the narrative of the “doom” of Presidents Obama’s re-election chances. I want Americans to shift gears, re-think the possibilities, and feel that Yes not nly is the re-election of President Obama possible…but it’s what’s best for our country.
Hiya Carla, I’m with you. I’m always afraid to hope too much, but I get the feeling people are finally waking up and realizing that this fella is doing a pretty remarkable job. Let’s hope it stays that way.
I like Nate, but he’s slave to the numbers. Not everything is number. But the polls whore that is me feel much much batter now. I only pray for gas prices not to take us back, and for the war against Iran to start after the election….
I’m a complete polls junkie too BWD. I wish I wasn’t, it’s not good for the health (or sanity) – and I don’t know why I am. Because good (as they are now) or bad (as they have been) I know everything is likely to change, for the better or worse, between now and November. Yeah, I get the feeling Silver deals with it all like it’s science, or a mathematical equation. And when human beings are involved, it’s anything but scientific.
But damn that, the latest polls have made me a happy bunny – so I’ll take that, and stop puzzling.
The gas prices are infuriating, one step forward, one and a half steps back. Iran? I still reckon the biggest worry on that issue is Netanyahu, not Ahmadinejad. We’ll see.
Chips, it is what he gets paid to do. If he didn’t, he probably wouldn’t have a job.
Well, that’s true. I’m not criticizing him at all, I’m just always curious why these poll analysis pieces by him are regarded as almost gospel by his media colleagues – regardless of whether they’re good or bad for PBO – when we are so far away from the election. Even GOPolitico frat boy Byron Tau was linking him today! Unless you’re armed with a crystal ball I don’t know how you can make any solid 2012 predictions until we’re much closer to election time.
That’s what they get paid to do. After all, none of them have ever had an original or fact based thought in their lives. Silver at least works from concrete data.
I remember a lot of people questioning Nate Silver’s sanity back then, and having a lot of fun at his expense. He got raked over the coals and rightly so. I don’t pay attention to anything he says until two months prior to an election.
Chips, its just theatre at this point. Nate’s job is to project the outcome of these elections and he gets much more favorable views and followers when he gives these more positive outlooks for PBO. Our lazy, sloppy media has forced me to reluctantly become a narrative believer (I was hoping that the public was smarter than to be led by their noses but they proved me wrong with the mid-term election). If the media paints a positive narrative about this President the public tends to follow suite so I’ll take whatever we can get from these bozos.
Hi Donna, the narrative thing infuriates me, it’s a pathetic media’s way of saying ‘don’t bother me with facts, my mind’s made up’. And every piece of news that comes out, they try to fit it in to their narrative, even if the news smashes a very large hole in the story they’ve been trying to tell. Whether it’s their laziness, or personal agendas, I don’t know. But anyway, with all these latest polls and improving economic figures, they’ll really have no choice but to ‘tweak’ that narrative. I’ll take that too.
Nate gets on my nerves every now and then, especially since he left his own site. Remember the big “Obama is Toast” article he wrote? And his tweets about the prospects of Ron Paul and Santorum make me gag. I mean, I know he’s a data guy but sometimes it seems like a big game to him. His computational models may not hold up over time but I suppose he works on the theoretics behind them in his own fashion. Whatever.
Nate Silver’s analysis doesn’t take into account the alternative. It’s one thing to lament that the most severe economic disaster since the Great Depression is taking longer than five minutes to recover. It’s quite another to imply that the people who caused the most severe economic disaster since the Great Depression, who also haven’t lifted a finger to help the recovery and are actually advocating the exact same policies that caused the disaster – that they would somehow be better equipped to handle the recovery than the person who has consistently come up with idea after idea, and who’s been almost single-handedly and optimistically holding the country together. When you look at all the facts as they actually are, it’s impossible to conclude that the GOP should have even one finger on the levers of power.
Theo, Nate grossly underestimates personality, appeal and organization. Romney and Santorum have serious problems relating to actual human beings. Each of them grows more repellent the longer you know them. Neither can match the world class quality of the President’s Re-election campaign no matter how much SuperPac money they throw around. There is going to be good news and bad news in the months ahead, but you will see Romney and Santorum freaking out about the news and becoming hateful in their attacks while the president quietly goes about addressing problems and finding solutions. The contrast will be stark just as it was with McCain.
I totally agree with you, Jackie. The GOP and pundits think the President will run some expensive negative campaign, but I just think, based on what we’ve seen of him, that he’ll focus on his record, his policy proposals and contrasting them with the failed GOP policies. He’s got a stellar record and he’ll be touting it proudly.
Question: Ed or Star Trek the movie which I’ve never seen before but have always wanted to watch but missed last night because I had a late client?
stupid question. Of course Star Trek….. the dad is hot!!!
………. if I weren’t interested before, that alone would make me watch. 😀
Ed is in a swoon mood over PBO.
Nice!! I’m gonna catch it on the replay. 🙂 Ed in a good mood is always a plus!
Ed has been pretty good lately he is alright now so it seems.
Give Ed Schultz another shot….he is back in love with the President…loved his speech in Wisconsin as he spoke about Good Union Manufacturing jobs!!!
I was waiting for Ed Schultz to say that President Obama had missed an opportunity because he didn’t say (FILL IN THE BLANK). You know, something that Ed Schultz thinks he should have said. Spare me. As I said yesterday, I wish these gasbags on cable would stay out of President Obama’s head. He’s got this. He knows what he is doing. Thank you very much……
Has Ed come out and apologized for all that he has said against our Presidents? How he was part of the left that help cripple the perception of our President? I am always glad when I hear Ed say good things about our President, but the line between love and “disappointment” with these types makes me skeptical. I’m looking for a “mature” love, not the love of a 16 year old that changes based on “the next hot thing (ie issue).
Of course not. In fact on his show he said: “I don’t know why people didn’t vote in 2010, they just decided not too.”
he’s obviously got amnesia then. How can you forget that you told people not to vote if they don’t get what they want like truculent toddlers.
Lovely speech by FLOTUS. That’s why I love this site. We can see them both at work. Thanks Chips
I’m loving the heck outta this movie!! Wish I had surround sound!!!
Mrs. O will go down as one of our finest first ladies. She has really come into her own. Makes me so proud.
I agree with you June Cleaver 2.0, 100%.
This is what the GOP got in the tax cut deal-
Repeals key parts of ObamaCare and includes other health savings
—Cuts to ObamaCare pay for more than half ($11.6 billion) of the Medicare spending in the agreement.
—Cuts an ObamaCare slush fund (the Harkin Prevention Fund) by $5 billion.
—Eliminates an ObamaCare giveaway to Louisiana saving $2.5 billion.
—Reduces Medicaid spending (DSH rebase) by more than $4 billion.
—Other health savings total $9.6 billion and include reductions to Medicare “bad debt” and clinical laboratory payments
Wwwwhhhhhaaaaattttt?
I thought it was going to be a clean deal what happened?
WTF
this is attached to the payroll deal?
Not payroll. Doc fix and UI extension. Those were paid for by cuts elsewhere.
you lost me. so are payroll, doc fix and ui safe and this new proposal from repugs are about something else?
Jovie, what did the Dems get?
Jovie – where did you find this info? All sources I have found over the last hour have noted only one of these items, the $5b reduction to the $8b fund. I couldn’t find any other health care related changes.
There were trades related to inclusion of unemployment extension.
Do you have a source for the others? I’d be interested in seeing the context.
Talking points memo!
While Democrats will claim victory in the impending deal to extend the payroll tax cut through 2012, Republicans have also won some fodder for their base on a key issue: They’ve managed to slice off a piece of the health care reform law — albeit a fairly small piece.
A summary of the deal circulated to allies and insiders by House GOP leadership boasts that they’ve extracted concessions worth $11.6 billion from the Affordable Care Act in negotiations with Democrats. The cuts hit the prevention fund and provider reimbursements — it’s not a big chunk of the nearly $1 trillion law, but it’s a salient political win for Republicans after Democrats repeatedly resisted efforts to cut the ACA in the Super Committee and December deal……
…..Update: A Dem aide adds some context, emailing: “Democrats stopped Republicans efforts to cut benefits for Medicare beneficiaries and to undermine health coverage for millions of Americans and now the GOP is trying to spin that away.”
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/gop-snatches-obamacare-cuts-as-payroll-fight-wraps-up.php?ref=fpa
Thanks chip-
I guess it’s ok, but Harkin will be mad.
Hard to know what to make of this yet Jovie, both sides are spinning these leaks so much everyone’s dizzy.
I certainly hope that Democrats and pundits clearly paint what the GOP have taken away from Americans with their so-called “deal”. People need to know that the wealthy haven’t had to put a single dime into helping the recovery, because the GOP worked so hard to take away from elderly people, health care workers and the middle class, instead. Anything they take away from the ACA doesn’t harm President Obama one little bit – but it does harm the Americans who will have a little less health security. People need to know that.
Theo..agree. Not one dime from the top 1% put into helping the recovery. Just imagine where the economy would be today if we did not have to carry the recovery on the backs of the working middle class. I wish more rich people (like Buffet & Gates) would come out and say that the rich need to pay their fair share……..and it has not happened.
#LandslideOBAMA2012
#LandslideDEMS2012
Yes We Must
A senior Democratic aide downplayed the cuts, telling TPM that “these are mostly consensus items that don’t touch benefits.”
Dems just HAVE to retake te House and keep the Senate. And then, to overcome the filibuster, there needs to be an enormous grassroots effort to force republicans to finally agree to raise taxes on the wealthy.
Our Beloved President is in L.A.? I just left there Monday–darn it!! I would have stayed a couple more days for a chance to shake his hand. Ding dang it!
Atrocious timing vitaminlover!!
LOL! Very much so.
I am extremely worried that McKenna is going to be my states next governor. I’m seriously considering moving if this happens to Oregon as this guy really really bothers me.
I’m not in the least worried. He is going to be so easy to paint as a Scott Walker clone. The Seattle Times will endorse him, but evidence points to people not paying the least bit of attention to the Seattle Times endorsements the last two elections. High turnout in King County will put Inslee over the top.
Well, I’m off to Kenya again this weekend on the holy grail quest of “whares teh muslins burt sirt?” (Chip’s words). Anyone want anything else to go with that ?
Oh flip, I envy you amk! Kenya’s in my, oooooh, top five of places-I-must-visit-before-I-pop-my-clogs. **Jealous**
Sorry, man u fans are banned.
Say that again?
egg.sack.lee y u guyz are out. Opting to show man(u)liness off the field rather than on the the field. Hey rooney, go get a haircut. dood.
What’s that? Manliness only on the field? Here’s that ***cough*** again:
pfft, a wimoy tap when the poor goalie is helpless.
😆 You severely crack me up amk 😆
What ? I’m a severely serious person. seriously… severely.
I severely seriously believe you amk. Nando does too:
amk, have a good trip, pretty sure you will NEVER find it, simply as it does not originate there, hey what? 😉
holy grail quest never stops. Nevah. 🙂
Thanks, Pamela.
I know.. 😉 😉
BTW thanks for the Canadian flag. It was a treat to see it, even in the context of Moroney
My pleasure Alma – although I apologize for associating it with Willard, I hope you’ll forgive me? 😕
Of course it is not Canada’s fault he drives that car… My old Chevy Malibu was made in Canada, 1980, drove that baby for a long long time, broke my heart to let it go, but bought a Dodge Stratus ES 12 years ago, going strong!
I couldn’t stop smiling seeing the Canadian flag, either. Thanks! 🙂
Yew, saved the image to my photo album! Oh! Canada!
Fox News poll of battleground state voters:
Obama 47 — Romney 39
Obama 52 — Gingrich 32
Obama 48 — Santorum 38
Obama 48 — Paul 37
Fox?!
😆
so what gopolitico has been saying (aka concern trolling) is true then ? pox news is turning teh librul !!!
Looks like they’ve unleashed the Marxist tendencies we always knew were there.
me blamez it on that kenyan manchurian muslin
But the economy and Greece and…
Who in a million years would have thought that Romney and Paul would garner the same percentage versus the prez? It’s beyond sad how Romney cannot project a positive outlook on his candidacy. Rather, he tears down anyone he vaults above him. Notice that Gingrich and Santorum did not vault to the top by attacking Romney, but this is the only way Romney stays ahead. No wonder his favorability is upside down. The GOP Establishment must be tearing their hair out.
I so love that photo @ LA airport! Also the one with FLOTUS, Dr. Biden, & Sec Def Leon Panetta, the one where they’re cracking up. Chips, if I ever make “First” on a post again, could I request the latter? It just made me grin! Yep, you still owe me a “First” photo and I’m not giving up on asking for one! Persistant I am! 🙂 Seriously, though, I love the joy of the “Firsts” and your rapid response photos. Lovely joy! But most of all, I’m so loving the spirit that’s seriously back at TOD! The conversations at TOD are remarkable! Thank you & BLESSl!
xtine, you’re ALWAYS first!!!!
Awww! Chips! You just made my day yet again! Isn’t that a beaut? Damn I wish I was right there, but I’ll just imagine myself in their midst & crack up right along! 🙂
I was about to go off on a tangent & tell VA ladies to cross their legs at the knees in protest of Gov. McDonnell & his idiocy! OK, I guess I just said that! 🙂 What the heck, VA, stop this crap!
OK, back to my joyous photo! And CERB! Thanks Chips!
Speaking of knees–and I know this is so crass of me–but Michelle Obama has extraordinarily beautiful knees—so shapely, contoured, clear as opposed to most knees which look like piles of pebbles.
Okay, done and a bit shamefaced.
No “kneed” to feel bad about your observation. Why not give a compliment where it’s due? 🙂 Never thought of knees as “piles of pebbles!” Damn, Facieful!, that was funny Hah! I guess as long as the “pebbles” move the body (“Let’s Move”), it’s all good! Pebbles will become sand.
Her Majesty would like them to be sitting exactly as they are… They look terrific!
These Republican Governors have just gone crazy.
Did anyone hear tonight’s NPR piece – a long one – on the saga of Seamus the Romney family dog being transported on top of the car? They treated it as a very serious liability for him. Made the point that a huge percentage of Americans own dogs, that the pet business is a big money maker in the economy, that voters won’t like someone who mistreated their dog. Frankly I was surprised how seriously they made it sound for him with voters, but every part of a percentage point helps/hurts, right?
Yes, it’s a $51 billion dollar industry, but more importantly, people take their pets seriously. And every answer I’ve seen Romney give on this has been filled with him laughing it off. I don’t think he gets how much trouble he’s in on this one.
Don’t worry too much about this. Maybe there is a special coating on the stairs. Notice how clean they are, probably only used by him and other dignitaries.
I know, I know, in the world scheme of things this isn’t up there with the major issues of the day – but: I hope my mother doesn’t look at TOD tonight, another photo of PBO running-down-Air-Force-One-steps-without-holding-railings. You know how she is on this. 😕
I hold my breath every time he does that! I’m with your mom – I wish he’d stop running and hold on to the railings.
I’ll pass on the word Theo, she’ll be relieved to know others feel the same way (me too!)!
Tell her he just floats in the air.
I tried that amk. She told me I needed some fresh air.
LOL. An ‘earthy’ woman I guess.
She is earthy, certainly (and has been known to use Tally-like language when sufficiently riled). But she’s a woman of infinite good taste, a fan of:
and
Aaarrgghh. I see a a daughter’s ebil influence there.
(flashy gaudy logos ? really ?)
No, no, no: a mother’s magnificent influence!
Flashy?! Gaudy?! 😯
jeebus. my eyes, my eyes.
I know, John Terry’s face does that to me too.
LOL. You’re a terryble person.
She’s not alone. lol I hate when he does this 😆
Ah, we’re building up an army here – if my mother sets up a petition at WhiteHouse.gov she’ll expect you all to sign it!
😆 Tell Mama Chips not to fret. I have a feeling those steps are a lot deeper and more secure than they appear. Thanks for the continuing coverage, Chips. I’ve been crazy busy lately, but it’s always nice to be able to peep in on my favorite site on the internet. ♥ ♥ ♥
I’ll pass on your comforting message PJ!! Hope things get less crazy for you soon, look after yourself! 😉
I am certain he wouldn’t do it if he wasn’t so fit, balanced and confident. Don’t think for a minute FLOTUS and the SS would let him if they didn’t see he has it handled! Maybe he has a set of those in the fitness room, and besides, he is just wayyyyyyyy too cool to be hanging on a railing, it’s not who he is! He’s a hoops player… He knows where his feet and his center of gravity are, and didn’t he grow up surfing? I think he’s got it….
My heart skips a beat every time I see President Obama bouncing up or down the steps of AF1 without holding on, or running up on stage at an event. The mother in me wants to protect him and scoop him up in my arms for safe keeping. I’m crazy about him. Totally useless. But I really get a kick out of the fact that I am not alone. Apparently, there is a sizable number of us who are on the same page. The man is loved.
Oh Ladyhawke, there is a definite movement growing here. I’ll speak to my mother in the morning about starting up that ‘hold-the-railings’ petition, if she doesn’t get enough people to sign it I reckon she’ll chain herself to the White House railings. So long as Dan Choi has left one free.
Chips, you are cracking me up tonight. Hilarious. The “Hold-The-Railings” petition. I love it.
Well Ladyhawke, I would laugh too at the Hold-the-Railings petition idea, but part of me is afraid to check WH.gov anytime soon just in case I see my mother there drumming up support for her campaign. I will try to persuade her that there are bigger issues out there – world peace, and the like – but she’s pretty headstrong when she gets going. Wish me luck Ladyhawke.
Ladyhawke, I am right there with you, I just adore the man.
“Float like a butterfly ….”
😉
Be careful running down those stairs POTUS.
Holding on to the hand rails is for old men Presidents. 😆
Exactement! GGail, right on! 😉 he looks so hot and contented at the same time…. Besides, he knows the whole world is watching!
I know I watch and I get a tingle Pamela! It takes rhythm to be able to run up and down stairs.
When this photo opened, I simultaneously sucked in a WhoosH of air, and said Oh Wow! Tingle is exactly right, GGail, he has just got it mastered, he loves it! I love him!
Me too!
He’s 50. And he need to be careful, accidents can happen. Nothing sexy about POTUS running down stairs, my opinion.
Good evening, Family:
You know I don’t comment often because it seems like everything I want to say, has been said. I wish I had a lot of money so I could plan a retreat and invite everyone for a get together.
I have been watching Ed Schultz too. A majority of his shows have been better since he met with the White House a month or so ago. Sometimes, it’s hard for me to tolerate his faux anger when I know that this time last year; he was calling the president character in question and eventually told his viewers not to vote. Well, I have given him a second chance – at least this week. LOL
Rachel Maddow – I am sorry. I will never go back to watching her show. She pissed me off with her faux president speech during the Gulf Oil spill. I change even tolerate her commercials. I changed the channel immediately. Also, I just don’t like her.
Don’t forget: Mellisa Harris Perry will be on Saturday and Sunday @ 10AM. I have set my DVR because I hate getting up on the weekends.
BTW: The president will be in South Florida on next Thursday for a fundraiser in Coral Gables. I am off that week so I may go there and watch his motorcade. 🙂 🙂 Also, Cornel West is scheduled to speak at the University of Miami next week too. I am trying real hard to get tickets. I want to tell him how I feel about his comments about the President and his faux love for the poor in our community. Hope I dont get thrown out of the venue. I cant believe UM is paying such outrageous fees. Well, he better come correct!!
Gotta catch up. I have been away for two whole days and I need to get my TOD drug fix.
Hey Renegade! You should post more often. 🙂
I too have stopped watching Maddow. Nothing she says or does will ever make me tune into her show. If she says or does anything great I will get it from here. Same for all of them at MSNBC except for Rev.Al. Hope you get to go see Cornell. Tell him for me that his Afro needs trimming. Ugly man from the inside out. Thanks for posting, do it more often.
Ho ho!!! Uhura and Spock?!!!! hohoho!!!
—– nice!!! 😆
😯 Everything okay there Lisa?
sorry Chips, reading and watching Star Trek at the same time and feeling the need to drop my reactions on TOD……….. something tells me that I’m coming off slightly unhinged. 😦
Unhinged? Not at all Lisa. I mean, what’s strange about:
Ho ho!!! Uhura and Spock?!!!! hohoho!!!
—– nice!!! 😆
😕
hahahhahahhahahhahahhahahahhhahahahahhahahahahahhahahaha!!!! 😆 Chips, no one can get anything past you. You make me laugh all the time. 😉
She is watching star trek.
Ah, thanks Jovie! 😆 I just thought Lisa had, I dunno, bumped in to Spock and…. you know.
The Vulvan mind meld?
Is that what they call it these days?! In my day it was ‘hanky panky’.
Johnson writes: “When President Obama treks to Los Angeles — again — on Feb. 15, he’ll be looking to convey the sense of a winner: Improved poll numbers and a brightening economy, as well as the bandwagon effect of a smattering of stars coming out in support. The Foo Fighters will be playing for him, and Will Ferrell is among the co-hosts of a high-dollar event at a posh Beverly Hills estate.”
“…But even as the campaign tries to reignite enthusiasm of the last election cycle, there remains some dismay among the highest echelons of studio and media executives over the way the White House responded in mid-January to a pair of anti-piracy bills in Congress, stopped in their tracks after the administration criticized parts of the legislation amid an Internet-fueled e-mail storm of protest that flooded Capitol Hill to oppose the measures.
“…Last week, Barbra Streisand posted a statement bemoaning Republican rivals’ rhetoric and praising Obama’s progress on the economy. “Because of the President’s policies, our economy is on the road to recovery, and it’s time we start celebrating the truth,” she wrote. There was no mention of piracy or SOPA.
go Barbra!!! I love when celebs I like support PBO!!! It makes me feel connected. Like 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon…… but not really.
Like: “… it ‘s time we start celebrating the truth.” Right with you, Barbra!
Hello all!!
So much to read, I don’t know where to start. I am so behind.
SEVERELY supporting PBO.
Off to severely catch up.
SEVERELYObamaBiden2012
A severely warm welcome Africa!
This is all giving me a severe headache.
Just a gentle reminder for those who didn’t get to see the BET honors on Monday – it’s airing tonight at 10PM-12Midnight.
Thank you so much for the reminder. I decided to set the dvr so I wouldn’t miss it again! Was getting whiplash last round! 🙂
Thanks Hopefruit 😉
This is strange. I guess the President is staying at same Hotel that Whitney died!
That has to be a coincidence?
I saw that too. I guess they had already planned for PBO to stay there – it’s just that Whitney’s death wasn’t planned.
I think once they do their due diligence re: security measures, it’s really difficult to switch & then find that high level of security. Just my guess. I prefer that SS is tight and on top of things at this time & onwards. You might even find that the hotel was a decoy. Just saying.
And not strange as it’s one of the best hotels in Beverly Hills where his fundraiser is being held. Makes sense actually.
It’s where he stays when in LA
1:05 PM
Obama delivers remarks at a campaign event in Corona Del Mar, Calif.
2:45 PM
Obama departs Los Angeles, California en route San Francisco, Calif.
3:30 PM
Obama arrives San Francisco, Calif.
5:00 PM
Obama attends a campaign event.
5:30 PM
Biden attends a campaign event with local supporters in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
7:30 PM
Biden will attend a campaign event.
10:10 PM
Obama delivers remarks at a campaign event.
Thanks Jovie, I’m beginning to think PBO sends you his schedule every evening, you always seem to have it first!
His advisers call me for the ok!
Ha, as I suspected!!!!!
Jovie,
Please tell the advisers that TOD sends it’s love to our Peesident! 🙂
Alice Stewart, Lil Ricky’s press secretary is ridiculous. Atrociously fake blonde hair and big old scary eyes. Yikes……. at least he respects women’s rights enough to allow her to have such an important job in his campaign. That’s shocking.
On LOD. He’s being very respectful to her. Really humoring this Santorum surge. He says he wants Ricky to win the nomination. Ricky should come on his show. LOD said he’ll softball Ricky because he wants Lil Rick to face off with PBO.
Elie Wiesel will be on LOD later in the show. Can’t wait!
Elie Wiesel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The greatest human being God ever created that is not in those precious 66 books! He is on the Last Word!
He spoke at my college graduation.
Oh you are so blessed! I so love Mr. Wiesel. His book, “Night” is amazing. I have a first paperback edition, the audio version and a copy on my ipad! He is amazing.
Oh, how I love how Rachel is advertising the BO Obama gear on the Obama website. 🙂
the actress in that despicable hoekstra ad has a come-to-jesus moment.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/david-catanese/2012/02/actress-in-hoekstra-ad-apologizes-114643.html
riiiiiiiiight. Better late than never i guess. 😐
I’m sorry she’s going through a hard time, but she deserved it! what the hell was she thinking? She just ran over all asians with a semi truck!
She probably got a lot of pushback from the community – even from family and friends, perhaps.
Love how Ed is mocking Willard’s new commercial in his opening segment. 😆
Hmm, so Westboro Church has said they will pickett Whitney Houston’s funeral I guess outside New Hope Baptist Church.
I do NOT see that ending well for Westboro. Cause you know Jersey fans and any other will be outside that church to see the casket carried away.
My bet is that the fans of Whitney Houston will not take too kindly to Westboro.
And what exactly is their reason for picketing? I don’t get these religious fanatics. I just don’t.
The WBC never needs a reason. They were supposedly going to picket our local high school graduation. They had it on their web-site, but never showed. They try to antagonize people and then sue them. They make all their money that way. Sick
They better not. Whitney’s fans do not play. I remember they were gonna do the same with Michael Jackson but they backed off.
In Newark? These freaks are masochists. Major whoop ass on the way. Just stepped in to comment, saying good nite all. Peace !
They’d be a lot safer swimming in shark infested waters during a feeding frenzy. I would be surprised if some of them didn’t wind-up in a garbage can with one of their hateful signs stuck up their ass.
If ten of them show up only nine will be going back. Put that in thier pipe and smoke it. LOL
On Ed’s show, the Milwaukee mayor said he told PBO about Walker’s plans for the $25 million. He said PBO was surprised but that he would be following up with PBO’s staff. Fricking Scott Walker. 😡
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/feb/15/chu-visits-ornl-experiences-3d-nuclear/. Just found this in the Knoxville News Sentinel. Obviously, this was not announced beforehand. I always find it interesting all the Republicans in this area who bad-mouth government and government workers. Yet, thousands upon thousands of jobs in this whole area are supported by ORNL. Bet they never think of that. STUPID Republicans!!!
Christine Romer was interviewed on NPR today, and she is attempting to undermine the President.
We need to watch her, she has an ax to grind.
an ax to grind,..a book to sell…some money to make. Add all three and you get FAIL.
What was she saying. That makes me sad. I kinda liked her. She shouldn’t a done that!
Not a good move by Christine Romer. She’s the one who made the statement that unemployment wouldn’t go over 8% if the stimulus was passed, and as a member of the Economic Advisory Board,it’s interesting that she would now be throwing rocks from the sidelines. Tells us a lot about her character. I used to like her a lot.
Jovie, just like with that Kantor book, I have no need of Chrisine Romer book either. The only book I want to read is when FLOTUS and POTUS writes their in the future.
I’m not sure if this posted already…..this was a fuzzy photo taken inside the restaurant of PBO and FLOTUS having dinner on Valentine’s Day as well as an article of someone’s encounter with them. On one hand, I felt bad that someone took a photo but then again I think they must of known it could be a possibility since they chose to dine out in the open with others and not in a private dining room, like for FLOTUS’ birthday when they had a larger group. I think they like to feel normal sometimes and dine amongst others when it’s just the two of them.
http://www.wtvr.com/news/wtvr-obamas-enjoy-valentines-dinner-at-va-restaurant-20120215,0,400088.story
P.S. From the above article, “They looked like a really “cute happy couple,” said Stone. “Honestly,” he added. “They were so into one another. “What really struck me is that they looked like a very happy normal couple who were in love with one another,” said Stone, who called the night very interesting.
Thanks Janelle – I was wondering if there was any inside scoop on last night! 🙂
I would have never taken our President as a martini drinker. Hmmm interesting.
I heard he also had over 1000 bottles of wine in his wine cellar back in Chicago. I think he’s full of surprises.
I wonder if POTUS did alittle singing on Valentine’s night.
The U.S. and Afghan governments have begun secret three-way talks with the Taliban, Afghan President Hamid Karzai told the Wall Street Journal, in a move that could bolster U.S.-led efforts to convene fully fledged peace talks within months.
Karzai’s government had previously been excluded from early, exploratory contacts between the Taliban and the United States, with the insurgents seen as resisting the involvement of a administration they regard as a puppet of Washington.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/karzai-says-afghanistan-joins-taliban-peace-talks-with-united-states/2012/02/15/gIQAnmAsGR_story.html
And if he wraps up the Afghanistan war, by the election?
With global efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions stalled, the United States and five other countries are starting a new program to cut other pollutants — including methane, soot and hydrofluorocarbons — that contribute to global warming.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is set to announce the five-year initiative Thursday morning. Canada, Sweden, Mexico, Ghana and Bangladesh are also participating. The plan will be administered by the United Nations Environment Program, with a $12 million contribution from the United States for the first two years. Canada will add $3 million; contributions from the other countries are not known.
Carbon dioxide — from burning fossil fuels — plays the largest role in pushing up global temperatures, climate scientists say. But methane, soot and hydrofluorocarbons also contribute to global warming. Combined, those three pollutants are believed to account for 30 to 40 percent of the nearly one degree Celsius rise in global temperatures since the beginning of the 20th century.
http://mobile.washingtonpost.com/rss.jsp;jsessionid=4CCA644831C6470D610B45F1E3394B90?rssid=615&item=http%3a%2f%2fwww.washingtonpost.com%2fnational%2fhealth-science%2fus-will-lead-new-effort-to-cut-global-warming-from-methane-soot%2f2012%2f02%2f15%2fgIQAoYtUGR_mobile.mobile&cid=961405
But Van Jones…
I happened to notice I hit 4400 tweets 😀
hahahaha!
Congrats. Watch out tiger, here cometh pink bunny,
If you’ve been following what’s going on in Virginia by the legislature then you know women are under assault. I think this is a good damn idea for starters.
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2012/02/for-those-who-have-his-backliterally.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FlpjFg+%28Smartypants%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher
“For those who have his back – literally.
Rick Snyder just endorsed Robney!
LOL!
President Obama appeared at two star-studded Los Angeles fundraisers on Wednesday night and, as he spoke to a crowd that included actor George Clooney, acknowledged that governing hasn’t been easy.
Mentioning former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo’s quip that politicians campaign in poetry and govern in prose, Obama said he’s written more of the latter than the former in his first three years in office. “We’ve been slogging through prose for the last three years,” he said. “People, they like the poetry.”
At the Holmsby Hills home of Bradley Bell, the executive producer of “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and his wife Colleen, Obama said he still has plenty of campaign promises from his 2008 bid left to fulfill – including ending the war in Afghanistan and closing the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba – and understands the frustration that some of his supporters have. “I feel the same way sometimes,” he said.
http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/02/obama-weve-been-slogging-through-prose-114663.html
Yeah but…
Massachusetts officials reached a breakthrough deal with NStar and Northeast Utilities today that would allow the two electric companies to merge in exchange for freezing rates for four years, and a commitment from NStar to buy a significant amount of power from the offshore Cape Wind project.
Under the agreement the new utility would keep it its electric distribution rates steady through 2015, and providing customers with a one-time rebate of $21 million, or about $12 to $15 for the average ratepayer. NStar still must work out the details of its power purchase with Cape Wind, but the deal means the offshore wind project would soon have enough power under contract to attract the financing it needs to start construction.
The terms are a huge concession by the utilities to Governor Deval Patrick, who had insisted the merger should promote cleaner sources of energy, and to Attorney General Martha Coakley, who said it should result in cost savings and efficiencies that would benefit ratepayers.
http://mobile.boston.com/art/35/Boston/businessupdates/2012/02/nstar-agrees-buy-cape-wind-power-win-state-okay-merger/38TIb9N1uq7B8P3WHxfOOK/index
Morning everyone 😉
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/02/16/rise-and-shine-102/