President Obama waves as he departs the White House for Chattanooga, Tennessee, July 30
****
Today (all times Eastern):
10:45 AM: The President departs the White House
12:30: Arrives Chattanooga, Tennessee
1:35: Tours the Amazon Fulfillment Center
2:0: Delivers remarks
3:05: Departs Chattanooga
4:55: Arrives the White House
5:10: The President and VP Biden meet with Secretary of Defense Hagel
****
Morning/afternoon everyone, enooooooormous thanks again to the legend that is UT for all her completely wonderful work the last few days. I’m in the same middle-of-nowhere spot as last year, enjoying the rain – 😕 – so wasn’t able to be around while traveling and trying to sort out an internet connection. Still struggling on that front, I have a moody dongle thingie that only started working occasionally from this morning, but I should have a new gadget later today that will sort things out. So, I had to abandon today’s R&S efforts because the connection kept dropping, leading to me using exceedingly bad language.
Normal-ish service will – hopefully – be resumed later.
Endless thanks again to UT!
The Obama Diary 
Ready to go
BTW, what the heck is a “dongle thingie”?
Japa, there is a tiny possibility I’m not using the correct terminology, but it’s a thingie that once stuck in to the side of my laptop should give me a perfect internet connection. But, this one flippin’ DOESN’T!
Hola Chiparoo!
I thought it had something to do with Weiner.
That is indeed called a “dongle” however I use the term “USB Wireless Thingie” because I don’t want people to think I’m talking about Weiner. Or Clarence Thomas.
SOS Kerry now
http://video.state.gov/live/ So much for that RW talking point that PBO has been absent.. Kerry just put that to rest!
This is a great statement – thorough, thoughtful and full of resolve. I wish them the very best as they hammer out this fragile process over the next several months.
Yes…it was very hopeful on everyone’s part….great press conference that should be seen by all
AGREED!! You could see that Secretary Kerry has put his heart and soul into getting to this moment and it’s apparent that the other parties greatly appreciate it.
GM desertflower and meta. This was a great briefing on the progress of the talks. Desertflower, you are so right about putting the opposition’s talking points to the dustpan. I just heard Sec. Kerry say a few days ago that all of this would not be taking place if it had not been for President Barack Obama’s meeting in March with all parties involved. So it is good to again hear Sec. Kerry repeat it.HZ
Good morning, dear friend.
Good Morning special neighbor.
Meta, here is the site for that article about Boehner in the New York Magazine. I hope it works. I also just put it on twitter.
http://nymag.com/news/features/john-boehner-2
http://nymag.com/nymag/toc/20130722
“The Speaker is Mute But Not Unintelligible” Jennifer Senior
Interesting read.HZ
Ah, I see. Your second link works. Thanks.
Oh, great meta. HZ
Morning, HZ!!! Seems like Israelis are still basking in President Obama’s vision and kindness and steadfast support….I hope that this time a true and lasting peace and understanding comes from this. I wish them all the luck in these negotiations.
Yes, Df. I am hoping and putting forth good wishes for this moment in these negotiations. Good wishing, yes indeed.HZ
O/T How are you with the weather there, my dear one? Please take good care and do enjoy your summer. (((( Lots of cool hugs))))))HZ
I understand why the GOP seeks to diminish PBO (he is a Democratic President). But, if the MSM is not in fact the communications arm of the GOP, I don’t understand the MSM need to resort to death defying feats of ignorance and stupidity to depict PBO in a negative light. Kerry is PBO’s Secretary of State and as such implements foreign policy DICTATED by PBO. In other words, without PBO’s prior approval, Kerry would not be involved in these peace talks. Chain of command was a simple concept before PBO became President (I remember people panicking when PBO chose his first Chief of Staff. People on the left were acting as though he was going to be telling PBO what to do, instead of the other way around).
you said “People on the left were acting as though he (rahm) was going to be telling PBO what to do, instead of the other way around.”
basically the definition of racism right there. and from so-called liberals.
I think you are correct. The concept of an AA actualy leading and being in charge of people HE appoints to HIS cabinet seemed to blow some people’s minds. That Time article feeds this ignorance.
Great to have such a superb backup to help out.
Awww…you are so sweet. Thank you.
Good Morning TODers……
Hello TODville Villagers.
Ok, let’s see if I can post using Twitter.
I just love to see his smiling face. I have the feeling he really enjoys going to the people and seeing plants and factories where his policies are working. Amazon hiring 5,000 new workers is a BFD! I’m looking forward to his speech.
I’m going to see if I can embed a tweet. Never tried this before.
It didn’t work like I thought it would. I see full tweets in other comments. I’m going to try one other way.
Zero media is covering Kerry.
I see a lot of coverage online yesterday, but I’ve just seen this one so far today. It’s an AP article so it will be picked up by a lot of newspapers and is a pretty good discussion of why Kerry is pushing now. I never look at cable news so don’t know much about them.
US hosts Israel, Palestinians for peace talks
http://news.yahoo.com/us-hosts-israel-palestinians-peace-talks-072702533.html
It’s quite clear that this was put off because SoS Clinton couldn’t handle the bulk of the work putting it off on PBO when he had the Economy, healthcare, education, etc to deal with back in 2009 and 2010. Not to mention during the Arab Spring she was ready to send in troops to Egypt (oh yea real helphful). I’m sorry but Hillary was so overrated in her job. Kerry should have had this job back in 2009.
Agree.
I’m not being facetious. I’m really asking the question. What did she do as SoS?
I expect to hear the whisper campaign as 2016 draws closer that she would have been a Goddess of World Affairs except PBO did “x” instead of her sage “y”.
P M Carpenter said just the other day on his blog: he doesn’t know if he can take it. he doesn’t know if the RWNJ noise machine that will haul every woman whose hand Bill Clinton ever shook through the scandal mill. If Hillary honestly thinks she knows how bad it is, she is sorely mistaken. It went to an entirely new level under PBO and it will continue through the Clinton candidacy and Presidency. Carpenter said he might have to give up writing about politics – write about art or music or something. Because he honestly didn’t think he could go through that level of b.s.
I will vote enthusiastically for whomever our candidate is. I will help our candidate get elected. We must stop Republicans wherever and whenever we can. But I wish the dynasties would end.
Honestly the only thing I can think of is some clean stove initiative that is dangerous in developing countries. It’s equivalent to Let’s Move and Joining Forces but Clinton isn’t the First Lady anymore. It was lightweight and safe and she had high ratings because of her popularity.The Benghazi incident somehow became all Susan Rice and PBO’s fault when it’s her freakin’ deparment. She honestly was the weakest link and she had a major position, I may not agree with Condeleeza Rice but she is a heavyweight.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/09/147488.htm
It’s almost funny to me how Michelle was criticized for healthy eating causes when 1 in 3 kids are overweight or obese, they wanted her in the West Wing writing legislation. Now that’s she’s moved on to gun violence, safe communities and mentoring let’s see how much support she gets from the Clinton feminists.
It’s enough to make one’s head spin, isn’t it?
I liked your phrase, ‘lightweight and safe’.
Not that Americans have any attention span, but imagine if her last official image was from the 2008 campaign, if PBO hadn’t rehabilitated her image? Of course, the Clintons would have become emoprogs. Which is in itself laughable, since they only pay lip service to progressive causes when they’re campaigning. The notion that Hillary would have been some progressive lion while PBO was a DLC sell-out would be funny if it weren’t so ridiculous. Had PBO had the Congress he deserved, we’d be well on our way to an even better New Deal than the one established by FDR. That’s where is soul is. Bill Clinton was in a position to undo Reagan/Bush damage, and he was more than comfortable in the quite-far right of center position. Yeah, yeah, Hillary isn’t her husband. But what exactly has she done as Senator or SoS? What would she have done differently or would do differently than her husband? These are questions she must be compelled to answer.
She had a chance to show greatness in 2008 and chose instead to rush to the gutter with lightning speed. I’ll vote for her, I’ll support her. But I’ll never like her again.
Just looking back from her Senatorial record she isn’t the forward thinking President we need. A lot of bark no bite and will easily fall back into the same ole same ole. The only thing she could do better is promote what achievements she has. She has no major achievements as Senator or Secy of State except she was one. Not good enough in my opinion. PBO says he just doesn’t want to be President he wants to be a GREAT president. If she’s our first woman president that’s all she’ll be is our first woman president, nothing more.
Just getting back to comments, since I was MIA yesterday. I don’t know what her vision is. I am increasingly having serious problems with her as President.
I think Hillary has a lot of experience, just for being close to the center of power, in the White House 1993-2000.
But this also brings a lot of baggage – unnecessary load.
It might be that John Kerry is more successful because he would be perceived as “more close to Obama, with less of a ‘past'”.
Question, questions, with very few answers.
Kerry, in all fairness, was a terrible candidate. I never got the impression that he relished the process. I don’t think he was ever meant for national elective office. But as late as 2004, we naively believed that competence and quiet experience would be valued by the American people. After the debacle of the 2000 election, this country changed.
I feel that Kerry now has his dream job. He relishes and loves his position and has a serious vision for what he would like to accomplish, with an experience reality of the limitations. Even Hillary was shocked that PBO would tag her for SoS. Dept. of Labor, maybe, since her focus had always been domestic policy.
Kerry as SoS appears to be more interested in the lasting effects of the policies and positions he affects with little interest in how he is perceived politically. What the government should be filled with, what used to be traits that were valued by the electorate. Now it’s all show, an entertainment. Quiet, deep competence is not the thing for high-exposure politics. Sad.
WOW, what a tremendous beginning for SOS Kerry and the principal parties in the peace negotiations. I hope everyone has a chance to see the video of his briefing just now completed. I know the road ahead will be very difficult, but I feel hopeful!!
Me too. I feel hopeful. I love the lowkey approach. No frills, no bombast
YES. I think this is exactly how he’s managed to get to this place. I also love how Livni remarked about PBO’s visit to Israel last spring and how it’s left such a very positive and lasting impression on everyone and they carry it in their hearts still. BRAVO to all involved.
#FORWARD
TY, meta for saying it so beautifully. I was trying to bring out this very point, but you said it so on point. I too have great hope for this to be great negotiations and closer and closer to a peace agreement. HZ
meta,
I’m at work so I didn’t get to see it live.
Do you think it will be posted on the State Department website?
Do you think Chipsticks will be able to post it here?
Great must read….then pass it to the ” I hate govt” people you know:)
http://pleasecutthecrap.com/serfing-usa/
Thanks for this, DF. This piece is overflowing with common sense, which is so rare these days that it seems refreshing.
Thanks DF for sharing this great article. It’s indeed a must read for those who think that hating the govt. is constitutional.
This map shows what has happened to Palestine since 1947.
http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2011/09/24/palestine-israel-map-2011/
Wow. This explains a lot.
This is infuriating. Who does this clown think he is?
A slap in the face of all of us…esp…Blk Folks…
there seems to be no indignity that cannot be leveled at this President…yet PBO just lets it roll down his back…reminds me of Jackie Robinson…Branch Ricky said..i want a man who has the courage not to fight back…however PBO fights back by moving Forward>>>>>
stll it hurts and angers me to see my President…subjected to such disrespect…
Boehner has crossed every boundary of decency there is, 57, but not a lot of people know about it. This is where we have to get the world out to every member of the ‘Obama Coalition.’ The message has to be that when Boehner disrespects the president he disrespects the tens of millions of Americans for voter for PBO in 2008 and 2012. This is personal. He’s spitting in our eye and people have to know this. I wish we could afford some ads that would make this point: If you voted for President Obama, Speaker Boehner thinks you don’t count.’ We can’t let him get away with this.
What happened ????
Well, if you don’t believe he is POTUS as The TBGOPers have been acting since Nov 2008……and the media shows that daily with their disrespectful behavior……..and KOCH_Roaches can fund and startup Teabaggers with the media flaming their crap….when Birth Certificate is Required ONLY from the 1st POTUS who is of Color………Is there any wonder? Nope.
Can I just say I love Amazon. I use it all the time. Just yesterday I was looking at my daughter’s Buy Buy Baby registry—-expecting 1st baby in Oct., invited to baby shower. I noticed one item, a Fisher-Price playmat—–one of those things with musical animals turning about overhead etc.—-and it was $69.95 on that list, and I checked with Amazon and it was $52. And anyhoo—-I mentioned that to mr. dotster today when I said PBO was going to be in “Nooga” today (we call it that too, always our first night stop during drive from Illinois to Fl. to visit fam—–even have been to emergency room there when I smashed my finger in a heavy motel door once—-broke it—ungraceful—-sent us out searching for hospital at 11:00 p.m. one night—–but anyhoo—-said I loved Amazon and everyone I know orders from there whenever they need something etc.—–and so he calls me a bit ago and said he bought Amazon stock today—-yikes. He thinks I’m some sort of stock guru now—–(I’m not)—–because whenever I mention a company connected with my abundant Obama news, the stock does really well. More likely because all stocks have been doing well, but I’m letting him think I’m a financial expert, which is pretty funny in reality. (I dropped econ at the 6 weeks mark, the day of the first test—-bored to death)
Enjoy it, Dotster. Never hurts to have a reputation as a financial guru, particularly if no one’s livelihood depends on it. I like using Amazon, too, because I HATE to do store shopping. If it’s not on Amazon, no one in my family gets it as a Christmas gift.
Test
test
Jaysus, finally able to comment. WP decided to not like me.
Pictures promised soon by @NoogaNews
Manning not guilty of aiding the enemy.
Any Live Streams of POTUS’ event in Chattanooga now?
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/jul/30/live-coverage-pres-obama-visits-east-tennessee/
http://www.cspan.org
C-SPAN3 will be covering it Live.
Guilty on all charges except aiding the enemy. Could face 154 years in prison.
So Wikileaks is Not aiding to the enemy? Hmm?
154 years in prison (or anything close) will be a sufficient punishment for Manning and deterrent to any who want to follow in his footsteps.
http://www.wbir.com/news/article/282451/2/President-Obama-to-discuss-jobs-during-Chattanooga-visit
CSPAN is covering, Washington Post, WH Live
Also local
Then click on red button that says watch live now
Presidents visit blogging at WTVC
http://www.newschannel9.com/news/top-stories/stories/presidential-visit-blog-6414.shtml
These channel 3 news anchors can not quit talking about the TELEPROMPTERS! WTF? Should the President MEMORIZE every speech he gives? 20 minute soliloquy…30 minutes? In his SPARE TIME??? Honestly…the lack of critical thinking skills is scary…
Stupid is exactly what it is, df. Most anchors are completely unqualified to comment on the content of speeches because they’re really rather light weight thinkers and generally uninformed (unlike true journalists in other eras or other countries). Instead they comment on so-called optics. They’re completely worthless. You would not find one high level executive at an important event in any area of the country who did not use teleprompters. They’re incredibly ignorant.
Looks like a hugelo crowd at Amazon. Some of the local commentary is hilarious—–predicting Obama speech will be “controversial” and “highly partisan”. Ooooooh—–scary!
I just saw a FB posting from our local NBC station and guess what it was about: The Tea Party and its response to PO’s visit……had a couple of pictures and a short article. I don’t have time now since I have to leave for an appt. in 5 minutes, but you can be sure I will be calling the News Dept. and asking WHY are you focusing your coverage on the Tea Party instead of the President and his visit to our state?????? SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s killing me to miss this live but when I made this appt. I didn’t know he was coming to TN. UGH! As I said, I know I’ll be able to see it here. 🙂
So what if it is highly partison, should he get up there and lie and say how the Republicans have work with him from the time he walk into that Oval Office..
Took me awhile to find local raw live feed at WTVC. Go to
http://www.newschannel9.com/
And on the side of the TOP Video Stories you will see two live feed tabs. Click those to view
http://www.newschannel9.com/
I see Sticky Fingers bbq joint is bragging they are feeding the President today. Usually means a big uptick in biz. Not sure about Nooga.
I am ready to put some Sticky Fingers into the eyes of the “news” guy on KnoxNews—–all Repub talking points, talking about how it will be a pretty picture there at Amazon, giving PBO the VIP treatment etc. but the rest of the Tn. biz community has been so critical of Obamacare which has been foisted upon them, all the sacrifices that entails, preventing them from hiring blah blah blah blah blah—–and then the little lady chimes in with what Tn. Repubs are saying, all their deep thoughts, that they still will be trying to repeal Obamacare until the end of Obama’s term, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Ugh. Remind me not to move to Tennessee. I like Illinois a lot better. Sanity here.
There’s a raw live feed I mentioned above your comments, nice blog and other places I’ve commented that are positive. No need to listen to any RW at all.
I muted all of it:) The guy said PBO at about 11:00 my time…I’ll check back then
Ah hahahahahahaha—–now have a new guy who is saying PBO likes to give a speech that just activates his base, never one which tries to “build fences”, never will negotiate with Republicans. (who would just love to negotiate with the president) This is too crazy. I have to find somewhere else to watch.
Do what I did..MUTE! TN…this is why you don’t know what this President has done for you….Your newscasters are RW shills.
Knox News commentary is bias….
Ugh !
CBS Live Feed is up now – http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
The Chattanooga live feed is cool! Showing POTUS being shown around Amazon.
go here
http://www.newschannel9.com/
Click on bottom red tab on the left of TOP Video stories for the raw feed.
PBO, started before 2pm on
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
POTUS is on now
He’s giving the wingnut reporters a lot to talk about!
“Cutting Obamacare is not a jobs plan” (Pres. Obama)
PBO went there re repealing ACA is not a jobs plan.
Keystone = 40 permanent jobs.
What say you Harold Ford Jr ????
This is a wonderful speech. He is laying it out clearly and concisely. Wonderful, grounded, sane, imminently doable ideas. He is sayinng things people need to hear. He’s connecting the dots with the erosion of middle class in last 20-30 yrs and what we can do now.
This is a Chattanooga station. They are enthusiastic and supportive. You don’t have to listen to RW.
THIS. Really enjoyed this speech. It sounds better each time.
Their coverage after the speech is VERY positive too. http://www.newschannel9.com/ Top Video Stories, top red tab at the left side.
I love President Obama. (not shocking news) I love listening to him speak. I loved this speech, the ideas, the way he laid it out, his personality. The crowd was certainly with him, saw lots of nodding heads and smiles and applause. He’s so common sense in his ideas, delivery. It resonates with the public. And——given our discussion the other day—–I noticed he referred to himself as Obama—–cutely. “Obama” is your friend, someone familiar, someone you like—-a lot. He’s the best of all time.
If I just had one thing I would change/add to his speeches, it would be that he ask his audience to call their senators and reps to push for this. He shouldn’t HAVE to do that….but, we all he he does if he wants to see movement.
I do too, dotster3. I love our President. He works so hard. We keep putting forth our goodness of positive energy out there in his space, and he will thrive on it each and every time. He loves the people. We give him so much energy to move FORWARD. He is very happy when he is around his citizens.
President Obama mentioned several items that Amazon is packing and sending out. When he mentioned protein powder, I almost fell to the floor because I just came from the front door picking up my order of protein. Today. Can you believe it. Now I will make a protein shake and see how it taste. Lunch.HZ
The live positive coverage by Chattanooga Channel 9 continues. There were a lot of local officials at the speech and they are going to talk to them later. I think this is the best coverage I’ve ever seen. Friendly, factual, positive.
http://www.newschannel9.com/ Top Video Stories, top red tab at the left side.
Tar Sands Oil Has Been Leaking Into Alberta For 10 Weeks And No One Knows How To Stop It.
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/07/29/2283411/tar-sands-oil-has-been-leaking-into-alberta-for-10-weeks-and-no-one-knows-how-to-stop-it/
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/07/30/chat-away-208/
http://www.newschannel9.com/ Top Video Stories, top red tab at the left side.
They are saying “we are not lacking in ideas, just action” and are saying that it is up to the GOP in congress to act on it.’
I think it’s powerful for people because POTUS is saying he’s not running for office, he just wants to help the middle class. Makes a big impact.
I’m loving listening to these Chatanooga channel 9 folks. Will keep them as a favorite to see how they follow up.
CEO of Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce says it was very positive for POTUS to visit. Liked the manufacturing focus of the speech. He shook the President’s hand and told him welcome to Chattanooga. Says to POTUS, “Come on down.” to talk about jobs. Very positive for Chattanooga for him to visit. They are excited.
Okay Republicans if you have better plan to put Americans back to work, let’s hear those ideas.
Oh f**k the lot of ’em. We know any “idea” they have is the same old, repeatedly disproven, discredited cr*p. It’s ALWAYS something to take away average Americans’ rights and opportunities in the name of “FREEDOM!” and “MARKETS!” and….. No reflection on you anniebella just an outburst from me. Thank gawd they are an endangered species.