A year ago: “The President hugs Stephanie Davies, who helped her friend, Allie Young, left, stay alive after she was shot during the movie theater shootings in Aurora, Colo. The President visited patients and family members affected by the shootings at the University of Colorado Hospital. Photo by Pete Souza, July 22, 2012
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The Week Ahead:
Today:
3:0: The President meets with Secretary of State Kerry
7:25: Delivers remarks at an Organizing for Action event, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Washington, DC (Open Press)
8:10: Delivers remarks and answers questions at an Organizing for Action dinner, Mandarin Oriental Hotel (Print Pool for Remarks Only)
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Tuesday: The President will welcome NCAA Champion Louisville Cardinals to the White House to honor the team and their 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship
Wednesday: He will travel to Galesburg, Illinois and Warrensburg, Missouri for events on the economy
Thursday: He will welcome President Truong Tan Sang of Vietnam to the White House. In the afternoon, the President will travel to Jacksonville, Florida for an event on the economy. On Thursday evening, he will host an Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan at the White House
Friday: The President will attend meetings at the White House.
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Time: Drawing renewed attention to the economy, President Barack Obama will return this week to an Illinois college where he once spelled out a vision for an expanded and strengthened middle class as a freshman U.S. senator, long before the Great Recession would test his presidency.
The address Wednesday at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill., will be the first in a new series of economic speeches that White House aides say Obama intends to deliver over the next several weeks ahead of key budget deadlines in the fall. A new fiscal year begins in October, and the government will soon hit its borrowing limit.
…. The president will also speak Wednesday at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo.
More here – and more at the NYT
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You’re Going to Want to Watch This Speech: I just finished reading the draft of a speech the President plans t… http://t.co/RhLratJJHO
— White House Blog (@WhiteHouse_Blog) July 22, 2013
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AP: Survey: Brighter U.S. Economic Outlook Boosts Hiring
Companies are increasingly confident the economy will grow at a modest pace over the next year and are hiring more, according to a survey of business economists.
Nearly one-third of the economists surveyed said their companies added jobs in the April-June quarter …. That’s the highest percentage in nearly two years. And 39 percent expect their firms will hire more in the next six months. That’s near the two-year high of 40 percent reached in the January-March quarter.
…. Optimism about future economic growth increased. Nearly three-quarters of the survey respondents forecast growth of 2.1 percent or more over the next 12 months. That’s up from two-thirds in the first quarter survey, released in April, and the most in a year.
More here
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ThinkProgress: No, Obamacare Won’t Raise Insurance Premiums In Indiana By 72 Percent
On Friday, the Indiana Department of Insurance announced that initial rates submitted by individual health plan providers for the state’s Obamacare insurance marketplace would cost 72 percent more than currently available plans …. Gov. Mike Pence’s (R) administration was quick to use the figures to criticize the health law….
The problem is, the Department of Insurance didn’t really release “data” in the plural — it released a single data point. The $570 per month figure is the average of all of the submitted rates, including cheaper plans with less benefits (so-called “Bronze” and “Silver” level plans) as well as the more generous and expensive “Gold” and “Platinum” level plans. That’s like saying the average cost of a car in an Indiana dealership is $100,000 because it sells $20,000 Fords, $60,000 BMWs, and $220,000 Lamborghinis — technically true, but highly misleading.
More here
And see Jonathan Cohn – ‘Hoosier Hustle? Another Dubious Attack on Obamacare’
Also too – ThinkProgress: Tea Party Senator Concedes Defeat: We Won’t Be Able To Fully Repeal Obamacare
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USA Today: Vice President Biden is off on a six-day trade and diplomatic trip to India and Singapore.
…. The vice president and his wife Dr Jill Biden land Monday in New Dehli; they will travel to Mumbai later this week …. they arrive Thursday in Singapore…
… The Bidens will stop in Hawaii on their way back to the United States; they return to Washington on Sunday.
More here
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Steve Benen: This Congress is generally perceived as failing miserably when it comes to governing, and a few weeks ago, we learned this perception is quantifiably true: the 113th Congress is on track to pass fewer bills than any since the clerk’s office started keeping track in the mid-1940s.
When a reporter asked House Speaker John Boehner late last week about the institution’s “historically unproductive” nature, the Republican balked. “That’s just total nonsense,” he snapped, before the question was even finished.
Over the weekend, however, Boehner reversed course, deciding that his unproductive tenure isn’t something to be denied; it’s something to be celebrated:
House Speaker John Boehner says Congress “ought to be judged on how many laws we repeal.”
More here
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So, @tavissmiley – you want a list of what the president has done on race? Here is your list http://t.co/KU18r3iXCj @meetthepress #mtp
— The People’s View (@thepeoplesview) July 21, 2013
It’s a must-read too:
Spandan C (The People’s View): …. Tavis Smiley – the race-baiting cohort of Cornel West – appeared on Meet The Press to drag down the president after his stirring address on Friday…
…. as much as Tavis Smiley would like for the president to speechify until he’s blue in the mouth – much like Smiley himself does without making any real difference – President Obama, despite his impressive oratory, is more of a doer than a talker. So let’s have a look at the policies that the president has codified or pushed, and what difference they make in the American promise to equal opportunity and equal justice for all….
More here
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#TavisWeeps because auto-correct knows Obama but not Tavis.
— allanbrauer (@allanbrauer) July 21, 2013
BWAHAHAHAHAHAH…….Ed called him Travis Smiley……..Travis……BWAHAHAHAHAHAHa #EdShow #TavisWeeps
— Arrogant Demon (@ArrogantDemon) July 21, 2013
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Paul Krugman: …. by all means let’s have a serious discussion about how cities can best manage the transition when their traditional sources of competitive advantage go away. And let’s also have a serious discussion about our obligations, as a nation, to those of our fellow citizens who have the bad luck of finding themselves living and working in the wrong place at the wrong time — because, as I said, decline happens, and some regional economies will end up shrinking, perhaps drastically, no matter what we do.
The important thing is not to let the discussion get hijacked, Greek-style. There are influential people out there who would like you to believe that Detroit’s demise is fundamentally a tale of fiscal irresponsibility and/or greedy public employees. It isn’t. For the most part, it’s just one of those things that happens now and then in an ever-changing economy.
Full column here
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On this day…
July 22, 2010: “It’s always fun to observe how the President interacts with little kids, in this case the very shy daughter of Sen. Jack Reed who had brought his family by for an Oval Office visit.” (Photo by Pete Souza)
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MooooOOOOoooorning!
The Obama Diary 
GM! LOVED MHP tampons
Mooooooooooorning DF, moooooooorning everyone!
Good morning to YOU, Chips! Thank you for this:) And just letting you know, if you have some “extra” time on your hands today…it’s Betsy’s birthday, and you know how much we all love cake for breakfast!!
Thanks df for the heads up.
Before I run out the door…HAPPY BIRTHDAY Betsy!!
🙂 Morning, GGail…have a good one
Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh, thank you for the heads up DF!!!!
Have a perfect day Betsy!!!
OH! She’ll love this! Thanks, Chipster
Oh good, chips, you’re still here. I was hoping you would still be a presence here. You can’t desert me now! I am completely dependent on your saucy, balanced posts and delicious sense of humor. So you have to remain visible or I would be forced to do something drastic—–like clean my closet or drink (more) wine. Save me!
Ha, I’m still here Dotster, so no need AT ALL to clean your closet – but you are MORE than welcome to sip some wine!!!
I like this ^^
It’s morning!
Good West Coast morning Chipsticks & TOD family!
Great round-up reading material Chiparoo!
NSA! NSA! NSA! Oh wait. Bet there won’t be the same level of outrage.
Moooooooorning UT! That Chevron story is just extraordinary…
Good to see both *cheesy-puff-dusted* blogtresses here this morning.
It is so hard to believe that Native Americans *are* treated differently than other “Americans” (think VAWA).
This would be an antidote, but I think Dr. Alvord is one of many candidates:
Dr. Alvord would be an interesting pick. She could have a lot of influence.
Gooooood moorrnnnninggggg, Chips and TODville. Monday, no less.
Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Betsy!!
Still good news.
Per Jackie’s comment on the last thread……
Tweeted!
TY and good morning, prettyfoot!!
GM!
WOOOOTT!!
I had no idea the White House grounds were so expansive. I thought it was 18 acres and the House and the front seem to cover a large part.
Don’t mind me I’m lost. . .
Sorry if already posted.
meta, I’m going to email Anderson Cooper and send this question to him and tell him to be sure to ask juror B-37 this question. And see if that woman would be responsible for her losing her life. As B-37 said Trayvon was for Zimmerman killing him. Don’t anyone tell me that race had nothing to do with what Zimmerman did or what that jury did.
Great idea, anniebella. This is a stark contrast for those who refuse to see the difference.
Tell us what he says, Anniebella. We know the truth of the racial implications of this case.
His vision is clear. Always has been. He just needs a few sensible republicans (if any left) to get on board with progress and stop obstructing.
New Souza ‘behind the scenes’—may be some we haven’t seen
I think my favorite thing about President Obama is that he is so unabashedly goofy with small children to make them feel comfortable. He knows just what will appeal to them (think of the tiny Spiderman last Halloween).
Love these pictures. Thanks, Chips!
This picture got to me. That he would take time to do this shows the measure of the man. He’s the best!
Tell me what other world leader would take the time to stop and speak to house keepers. I am not trying to make like POTUS is something great, I know he is human being like us all. But in this picture I see someone who put all people on the same level. The Queen, or any other world leader, or millionaire, big time actor, sports figure, CEO, is no better than those housekeepers. And this President and First Lady treats people that way.
Indeed. And you can tell that they fully appreciate his taking the time to have a conversation with them. 🙂
What I love about this picture is how these people have the comfort of being across the pond, away from the craziness that is the repub party, and their faces with their big smiles tell me all I need to know.
It reminds me of the picture where he’s dapping a White House custodian.
Hundreds of inmates have escaped from two Iraqi prisons after gunmen stormed two jails near Baghdad.
Fighting raged for several hours after the jails – Abu Ghraib to the west of the capital and Taji to the north – came under attack.
Mortar fire and suicide bombs were used to gain access to the jails, whose inmates include al-Qaeda prisoners.
At least 20 members of the security forces were killed as they struggled to regain control.
A senior Iraqi MP, Hakim Al-Zamili, said that about 500 prisoners had escaped from the notorious Abu Ghraib prison.
Most of them were senior members of al-Qaeda who had been sentenced to death, he told Reuters news agency.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23403564
and dubya & darth’s legacy lives on.
Sorry about this, new post already! Wanted to put the new WH photos in their own post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/07/22/pictures-perfect/
Happy Birthday to you Betsy! (whatcha gonna do wif all dose cupcakes???) 🙂
Good Monday Morning Gatekeepers of the TOD Community – Chipsticks and UT, TOD Citizens…Everyone!
I came across a video that I found to be very inspirational. And even though this happened over twenty years ago, I find that it is still relevant. It still teaches the rewards of persistence and determination. It still shows the impact of a parent’s love and support. Derek Redmond did not win the gold. In fact, he finished last. But his reward was the respect he earned on that day from the over 65,000 who were present at the event and those who viewed it from afar. He was also given the reward of experiencing the love and support of his father put into action.
And for those who have the opportunity to revisit this event, be inspired and motivated by his heart and determination. Persistence pays off.
So TODers, whatever you do, do it with heart and determination. When you don’t give up, you cannot fail.
G’morning Chips, TOD, lurkers, everyone, and congrats to df on #1! 🙂
Great R & S roundup and LOVE those pics, esp. PBO with the littlest ones – thanks Chips!
The only thing I would also add to the wonderful rallies, is at all these rallies people should be encouraging people to vote in 2014 and not take it off.
That is all!
Good Morning Chips and my TOD family.
Great to know that POB is our President of these United States.
Enjoy your summer vacations and get ready for our work to have the win we will need in 2014. Be positive and do not give up.
Turn your goodness within your spirits into every step on your path during your journey today. Make your journey one that will give grace to another human being in honor of your core spirit. Be loveable and patient with each other. ()HZ
Betsy, have a ‘Wonderful Birthday’, doing the things you love!