Leadership Is Action

Smartypants: Why President Obama Wants A Grand Bargain

A couple of weeks ago at his press conference, President Obama called the sequester cuts that just went into effect – providing an additional $1.2 trillion in savings – “dumb.” The reason he said that is because they don’t tackle the one thing that is driving those upward spikes…health care costs.

While the Affordable Care Act was an historic step toward getting health care costs under control, there is still more that we can do to realize efficiencies, cut waste, and improve Federal health care programs. Most importantly, we can make modest adjustments to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid in a way that does not undermine the fundamental compact they represent to our nation’s seniors, children, people with disabilities, and low-income families. For this reason, the President’s Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction included proposals to save approximately $320 billion in federal health spending over the next decade. As these reforms save money, they also will strengthen these vital programs so that they are robust and healthy to serve Americans for years to come…

Read more here: http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/03/why-president-obama-wants-grand-bargain.html

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Steve Benen: Boehner Still Waiting For Others To Lead.

When it comes to power in Washington, John Boehner isn’t exactly a hapless schlub, at least not on paper. He’s the Speaker of the House, second in the presidential line of succession, and ostensibly the most powerful member of the legislative branch of government. He has a powerful megaphone, a sizable House majority, and the capacity to have an enormous impact on policymaking.

Left unsaid: John Boehner, despite his power and authority, isn’t leading, doesn’t want to lead, has no intention of leading, and doesn’t even know how to lead — which is precisely why he keeps waiting for the White House and Senate to do the real work while Boehner waits patiently (or as evidenced by this op-ed, perhaps not so patiently) on the sidelines.

Let’s make this easy for the Speaker: (1) Name one budget issue on which you and your party are prepared to compromise; (2) Name one concession you and your party are willing to accept in exchange for a related Democratic concession.

Read more here: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/03/14/17314069-boehner-still-waiting-for-others-to-lead?lite

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Levitating Kenyan !!! … Chat away.

How does he do it ?

Mebbe this dood is about to tell it?

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Chat away.

Also. Too. #OFA.

@BarackObama

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Never forget who ended this illegal war.

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Michelle Obama: A Woman Of Substance

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One morning in late January, I am standing at one end of the grand red-carpeted corridor that runs through the center of the White House, when suddenly the First Lady appears at the other. “Heeeee’s comin’,” she says of her husband’s imminent arrival. “He’s coming down the stairs now.” The president is on his way from the residence above, and just a split second before he appears, the First Lady, in a midnight-blue Reed Krakoff sleeveless dress and a black kitten heel, slips into the tiniest bit of a surprisingly good soft-shoe, and then the two of them walk arm in arm into the Red Room to sit for a portrait by Annie Leibovitz. The photographer has her iPod playing the Black Eyed Peas song “Where Is the Love?” It is a mid-tempo hip-hop lament about the problematic state of the world. As the First Lady and an aide laugh together over some inside joke, the president starts nodding his head to the beat: “Who picked the music? I love this song.”

A few minutes later, Leibovitz has the president sit in a comfortable chair and then directs the First Lady to perch on the arm. At one point, the First Lady puts her hand on top of his and, instinctively, he wraps his fingers around her thumb. “There’s a lot of huggin’ going on,” says Leibovitz, and everyone laughs. “You’re a very different kind of president and First Lady.”

Read more here:   http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/michelle-obama-leading-by-example/#1

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Rise and Shine

Video of interview also available here

Transcript of interview here

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VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN ADDRESSES #VAWA EVENT WITH LAW & ORDER’S MARISKA HARGITAY’S FOUNDATION THAT HEALS, EDUCATES AND EMPOWERS SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT    FOUNDATION INFO: https://twitter.com/TheJHF

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FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA ADDRESSES THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE ON WAYS TO HIRE VETERANS: WH BLOG

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PRESIDENT OBAMA’S UPCOMING MIDDLE EAST TRIP

See CBS

Obama hoping to reach out to Israelis, but only one lucky TV station will get an interview – Channel 2

PM Netenyahu has formed a coalition. Israel’s next government 4 parties, 68 members Yair Lapid will be Finance Min. His #2 Will be Education Minister – Times of Israel

Yityish Aynaw, first Ethiopian-born woman to win Miss Israel, invited to dine at Peres’s house w/ President Obama: cites as hero Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

See Jerusalem Post here

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REMARKS FROM LAST NITE’S ORGANIZING FOR ACTION SUMMIT BY PRESIDENT OBAMA

AP write-up here

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PRESIDENT GETS STANDING OVATIONS FROM HOUSE REPUBLICANS http://abcn.ws/WdDJPF

The President informed the group that there was white smoke at the Vatican, and Rep. Billy Long of Missouri yelled out, “Does that mean the White House is open for tours?” President Obama responded: “No, but the Vatican is.”

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SCOTT PROUTY – THE BARTENDER WHO FILMED THE ROMNEY FUNDRAISER

See interview here

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12:45PM    THE PRESIDENT meets with the Senate Republican Conference

United States Capitol

2:15PM      THE PRESIDENT meets with the House Democratic Caucus

United States Capitol

4:15PM      THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing

Oval Office

Briefing Schedule

12:30PM    Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney

Good Morning TOD.  This is your flight attendant for the morning once again, LovelyPlains.  I tried to put a nice round-up together for everyone……hopefully some things you missed and wanted to see and some new items that may peak your interest.