Night Owl Chat – Classic Hip Hop Edition

So, I grew up in NYC in the late 70s / early 80s, when rap was roaring out of the hood to take the US by storm. And this is the music I grew up on. So, a bit of old school to carry you through the night.

The one and only Afrika Bambaataa – “Planet Rock”

Run-DMC – “It’s Like That”

“The health care law is about people like me. It’s AlyciaCare”

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“Alycia is the mother of Avey, who is a beautiful, sweet, 3-year-old girl who also happens to have Leukemia.  Imagine what that’s like for a parent. While you’re just figuring out how to take care of a baby, you’ve got to figure out how you’re going to pay for expensive treatment that could save your baby’s life.

Any parent knows that there is nothing we won’t do to take care of our kids.  And it’s nice to have somebody getting your back. And that’s why the Affordable Care Act made it illegal for bad actors in the insurance industry to discriminate against kids like Avey.  And today, Avey is doing just great. She was here just a second ago, where is she?  There’s Avey — hey, sweetie! So Alycia wrote in — she said, “The health care law is about people like me. It’s AlyciaCare.”

Text of the President’s remarks here

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Health Reform Benefits Women – see here

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West Wing Week: “I Dare You to Do Better”

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Next up:

2:40: The President delivers a statement on the Affordable Care Act

3:15 (changed from 1:45): Jay Carney briefs the press

White House live

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Chat away!

Rise and Shine

Three years ago today: President Obama, Vice President Biden and Solicitor General Elena Kagan wait in the Blue Room of the White House, May 10, 2010, prior to the President’s announcement of Kagan as his choice to replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens in the Supreme Court (Photo by Pete Souza)

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Today:

12:30: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney

2:40: The President delivers a statement on the Affordable Care Act

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USA Today: President Obama turns his attention back Friday to one of his signature issues, health care. A White House event this afternoon ties implementation of the massive 2010 health care law to Mother’s Day on Sunday.

Obama will discuss the benefits of the law for women, and also ask mothers to encourage young people to sign up when insurance exchanges go on line in October.

More here

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Sun Times: President Barack Obama returns to Berlin in June – the city where he staged a triumphic speech during the 2008 election – with First Lady Michelle, the White House announced on Friday.

The June 17-19 swing will start in Belfast and move to Lough Erne in Northern Ireland for the G-8 Summit. After that the First Couple head to Berlin.

More here

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Obama Pays Down Debt, Smashes Republican House of Cards nblo.gs/L2fGK

— The People’s View (@thepeoplesview) May 8, 2013

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The percentage of young adults without health insurance has declined from 31% to 21% thanks to Obamacare. twitter.com/keithboykin/st…

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) May 10, 2013

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Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Austin, May 9

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Norm Ornstein (National Journal): ….. Bob Woodward has pushed the idea that Obama has failed in his fundamental leadership task – not building relationships with key congressional leaders the way Bill Clinton did….

…. No one schmoozed more or better with legislators in both parties than Clinton. How many Republican votes did it get him on his signature initial priority, an economic plan? Zero in both houses. And it took eight months to get enough Democrats to limp over the finish line. How did things work out on his health care plan? How about his impeachment in the House?

…. For Obama, we knew from the get-go that he had no Republicans willing to work with him ….. schmoozing was not going to change that.

…. it is past time to abandon selective history and wishful thinking, and realize the inherent limits of presidential power, and the very different tribal politics that Obama faces compared with his predecessors.

Full article here

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Joe Biden: The Rolling Stone Interview

The vice president on guns, global warming and why he’s “the last guy in the room” on every decision Obama makes……

“Remember, I got criticized for saying I support gay marriage …. I just decided I couldn’t be quiet about it anymore, and everybody was stunned that that’s where the public is. And I’m not stunned; it’s where the public’s been for a while. Talk to any of your kids, for God’s sake.”

Did you get blowback from the president or people in general?

“I got blowback from everybody but the president. I walked in that Monday, he had a big grin on his face, he put his arms around me and said, “Well, Joe, God love you, you say what you think.” I knew he agreed with me. It wasn’t like he was in a different place…..”

Read the interview here

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