President Obama shakes hands with fans at the Georgetown-Duke college basketball game at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., Jan. 30, 2010 (Photo by Pete Souza)
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Presidential Daily Schedule (All Times Eastern):
8:50AM: President Obama Departs White House
11:00AM: President Obama arrives in Milwaukee
11:40AM: Tours General Electric’s Waukesha Gas Engines; Waukesha, Wisconsin
12:20PM: President Obama delivers remarks
2:55PM: President Obama departs Milwaukee
4:15 PM: President Obama arrives in Nashville
5:2oPM: President Obama delivers remarks at McGavock High School
6:05PM: Departs Nashville
7:45PM: President Obama arrives at the White House
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Bruce Japsen: Wellpoint Says ObamaCare Enrollment Ahead Of Expectations
Despite problems with the rollout of insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act, Wellpoint (WLP) Inc., one of the nation’s largest insurers, said enrollment in health plans it operates under the new health law is ahead of expectations. Wellpoint, which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans across the country, said it expects to add more than one million new customers this year from across its private health plan business as well as insurance it offers to Americans covered by government programs like the expanded Medicaid insurance for the poor.
“We are encouraged by the sizable growth opportunities,” said Wellpoint chief executive Joe Swedish in an hour-long conference call with Wall Street analysts and investors. Of the half million new members Wellpoint said that have applied for coverage so far, more than 80 percent came through public exchanges and two-thirds of those were “subsidy eligible.” Under the law, those eligible can get subsidies of up to $5,000 to buy coverage on government run marketplaces known as exchanges.
More here
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Over two years out, Hillary holds huge lead over all other challengers, including lesser known liberal newcomer. Sound familiar?
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Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) January 30, 2014****
Rebecca Shabad: More Uninsured Plan To Get Health Insurance Through Exchanges
More than half of people who lack health insurance in the United States say they plan to get it through a government exchange, a Gallup poll released Thursday found. According to the poll, 56 percent of the uninsured plan to get health insurance through ObamaCare.
Among the entire public, 53 percent also plan to get health insurance. Thirty-eight percent, on the other hand, say they’re willing to pay a tax penalty. Uninsured people who fail to enroll in ObamaCare by the end of March will have to face that fine.
More here
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NYT: Ukrainian President Goes On Sick Leave
Viktor F. Yanukovych, the president of Ukraine, went on sick leave on Thursday, leaving negotiated efforts to resolve the country’s political crisis uncompleted. A statement on the president’s website said Mr. Yanukovych is taking time off because of a respiratory illness and fever, and offered no indication of how long he was expected to be absent. The statement cited a deputy director of the presidential administration responsible for medical affairs. Mr. Yanukovych has faced pressure from Russia to take a harder line with protesters opposing his government rather than continue negotiations that could cede power to pro-Western members of the opposition.
To understand #Ukraine, you don't need much more than these two charts. (+ some history ot the W/E differences). http://t.co/lyyzpKKIJw
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Branko Milanovic (@BrankoMilan) January 30, 2014Mr. Yanukovych went on sick leave before signing into law the repeal of harsh new rules against freedom of assembly and freedom of speech that was passed in Parliament with support from the pro-government party on Tuesday in a significant concession to the opposition but means little unless it is signed. Overnight Wednesday, two protesters were brought to a hospital with gunshot wounds and one died, Aleksei Davidenko, an opposition member of the Kiev City Council, told Ukrainian news websites. The death brings to four the number of protesters shot to death in recent days, all on Hrushevskovo Street, the site of a standoff with police.
More here
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New! President Obama calls CA @JerryBrownGov for drought update -- here's the full White House readout blog.sfgate.com/nov05election/…
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Carla Marinucci (@cmarinucci) January 30, 2014****
Justice Department says it is launching an effort to commute sentences of low-level drug offenders - @Reuters
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Breaking Politics (@breakingpol) January 30, 2014****
Carolyn Edgar: The Right’s Single-Mom Mistake: Why Their Latest Attacks Are Clueless And Doomed
Conservatives are now attempting to discredit Davis’s up-by-her-bootstraps story by questioning the period Davis spent as a single mother between her first and second marriages, and by casting her as a bad mother for supposedly putting her career before her children. These efforts rightly have been derided as sexist. But while the broadsides at Davis are rapidly approaching the point of parody, they also illustrate why Republicans have had such a hard time attracting unmarried women voters in recent elections. Given the GOP’s growing unpopularity with this group, attacking Davis’ single mother story looks like a losing strategy.
That Davis has made single motherhood such a prominent part of her story is significant because Davis doesn’t fit the conservative stereotype of a single mother. Conservatives often use “single mothers” as code for the more noxious term “welfare queen,” to evoke the specter of young, uneducated black women dependent on handouts from their “Uncle Sugar.” Davis puts a different face on single motherhood – a face that more closely resembles what single motherhood in America actually looks like.
Republicans maintain strong support among married white women, but unmarried women voters of all races and married women of color tend to vote Democrat. The reelection of President Obama in 2012 and the election of Terry McAuliffe as governor of Virginia in 2013 both were fueled by strong support among unmarried women and women of color, married and unmarried. Demonizing unmarried women and single mothers as sluts who want handouts may keep the GOP’s conservative base happy, but it is not a viable strategy for attracting them to the Republican Party.
More here
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The People’s View: Dear Professional Left, Attacking The NSA While Giving Corporate Big Data A Pass Is NOT Progressive
I want to focus on a rather dumbfounding notion that the Left keeps convincing itself is true: that it is more dangerous for the government to have metadata than for private companies to have it because only the government is empowered to strip one of one’s liberty. Not only is this patently and provably false in today’s interconnected world, the reverse is closer to the truth. Let me explain. The same liberals who argue that Google having your information and the NSA having your information isn’t the same because Google doesn’t have the ability to physically harm you will turn right around and and walk picket lines against coal mines owned by private corporations that do physically harm people.
And by people, we aren’t even talking about just their employees but communities. Liberals protest fracking because of the possibility of corporations harming people, not the government. Liberals stand up for Americans’ right to be able to sue corporations for physical harm they have caused – whether through medical malpractice, unsafe food or water, mistreatment of employees or even mistreatment of prisoners. That corporations cannot do physical harm to people or rob them of their liberties has always been a bad joke. Health insurance companies, banks, credit card companies, payday lenders all have (or until recently have had) the power to strip an individual of their dignity, freedom and even life with zero consequence.
More here
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The White House pushed to get more people to watch State of Union on its web site. They did; 30% increase. on.wsj.com/1d8DiJ6 via @WSJ
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Gerald F Seib (@GeraldFSeib) January 30, 2014****
The U.S. economy grew 3.2% in the fourth quarter as consumer spending picked up | bloom.bg/1dQx0Oj
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Bloomberg News (@BloombergNews) January 30, 2014****
Reuters: Households, Trade Keep U.S. Economy Humming In Fourth Quarter
Robust household spending and strong exports kept the U.S. economy on solid ground in the fourth quarter, but stagnant wages could chip away some of the momentum in early 2014. Gross domestic product grew at a 3.2 percent annual rate, the Commerce Department said on Thursday, in line with economists’ expectations. While that was a slowdown from the third-quarter’s brisk 4.1 percent pace, it was a far stronger performance than anticipated earlier in the quarter.
Earlier in the quarter many economists were expecting a growth pace below 2 percent given that an inventory surge accounted for much of the increase in the July-September period. Growth over the second half of the year come in at a 3.7 percent pace, up sharply from 1.8 percent in the first six months of the year. It was the biggest half-year increase since the second half of 2003.
More here
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Insurance companies denied Eric for 8 years due to a brain tumor. On Jan. 1st, 2014, #ObamaCare came to the rescue. ivpressonline.com/news/local/aff…
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Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 30, 2014****
Krista Daly: Affordable Care Act Makes Impact On Imperial County Residents, Hospitals And Clinics
A brain tumor, a pre-existing medical condition to insurance companies, had prevented El Centro resident Eric Villanueva from qualifying for health coverage. Thirty-three-year-old Villanueva had been without health insurance for about eight years until the Affordable Care Act took effect for him Jan. 1. “I’m so happy now that I have insurance,” he said. “I can finally look at my family and tell them everything will be all right. I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to pay. That cloud is gone and there’s no more ‘what ifs.’ I’m covered.”
The Affordable Care Act, a plan for universal health care in the United States, is being implemented through Covered California for Imperial Valley residents and all Californians. The health plan, also known as Obamacare, has expanded coverage to people like Villanueva who were not previously eligible. This includes someone with a pre-existing medical condition, low-income individuals and families whose incomes are between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level, plus an expansion of Medi-Cal- and Medicaid-eligible persons.
More here
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Pete Souza’s State of the Union photos:
President Obama reviews his speech one last time while waiting in a room at the U.S. Capitol prior to delivering the State of the Union address
President Obama waits with Sergeants at Arms and Members of Congress before entering the House Chamber to deliver the State of the Union address
President Obama signs copies of his speech for Members of Congress as he departs the House Chamber after he delivers the State of the Union address
President Obama kisses First Lady Michelle Obama following his State of the Union address
President Obama signs a copy of his speech for Rep. Frederica Wilson, (D-Fla.), in a hallway outside the House Chamber
More here
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Executive Orders: Obama 168 G H.W.B 170. Ford 169 JFK 214 GWB 291 Carter 320 Johnson 325. Clinton:364 Reagan:381 Eisenhower 484 Truman 907
— Jorie (@MmedeSevigne) January 30, 2014
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On This Day:
President Obama meets with labor leaders in the Blue Room of the White House following a signing of an Executive Order for a White House Task Force on Middle Class Working Families, Jan. 30, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama meets with labor leaders in the Blue Room of the White House and shows that his suit is made in the U.S.A., Jan. 30, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
First Lady Michelle Obama, Jill Biden and Michelle Fenty, wife of D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, leave Georgia Brown’s Restaurant in Northwest after having lunch, January 30, 2009
President Obama tries out different desk chairs in the Oval Office, Jan. 30, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama makes a phone call in the Oval Office, Jan. 30, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama welcomes Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) to the Oval Office, Jan. 30, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama meets with former President George H.W. Bush in the Oval Office, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010 (Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama surprises a tour group outside the Oval Office, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 (Photo by Pete Souza)
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First Lady Michelle Obama shows NFL PLAY 60 Super Kid James Gale, 11, historical photos from previous administrations on display in the Booksellers Area during a NFL taping in the East Wing of the White House, Jan. 30, 2012. At right is James’ mother Lisa Gale. (Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Jan. 30, 2012 – Pete Souza: “This is one of those rare instances where my presence indirectly became a part of this reaction from those pictured in the photograph. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had just accidentally dropped all of her briefing papers onto the Oval Office rug and she, the President and Vice President all reacted in a way that indicated that surely I wouldn’t get a photo of that to embarrass her.”
President Obama participates in an interview with YouTube and Google+ to discuss his State of the Union address, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Jan. 30, 2012 (Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama greets former Rep. Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, in the Oval Office after they testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence, Jan. 30, 2013 (Photo by Pete Souza)
The Obama Diary 
Mornin’.
Tryin’ to shine!
GM and congrats on 1st Jacqueline.
We were all first! GM!
Cheats.
Ha!
Hi vc. Bye vc.
HEADS UP: Pres. Obama is speaking at 12:20PM ET / 11:20AM CT so be aware.
good morning.
Me!
Grr. Mooooorning everyone – Nerdy, yet another exceptional R&S, you lady are a treasure. Thank you sooooooooooo much!
You’re welcome, Chips.
No.
Everybody’s #1 today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bringing over.
Co-sign!
Morning Nerdy Wonka, Great Rise and Shine. Thank you. Listen, I followed your link to “The Peoples View” post re NSA and cannot find the comments? Is it me?
Click on ” Read More” …. but here’s the link with comments:)
http://www.thepeoplesview.net/2014/01/attacking-nsa-while-giving-corporate.html
Thanks for your response, desertflower. I clicked on “Read More” and used your link: nothing happened! I guess it means the problem is with me but thanks again for your time and effort. Hopefully, I’ll get this sorted out.
Same with me. I clicked on the link but no comments, and I’m not seeing the comments for any of the previous posts either. I think it may be a browser/compatibility issue with some users that needs to be resolved.
It’s not you Pamela -I’m having the same problem and alerted Spandan about it.
Oh, goodness! I had no problem at all. Must be all those private corporations spying on us all at once:) Spying Overload!!! When you can get over there to see the comments, Churchlady laid down the truth. Must read.
It may also be a browser issue – I’m using Chrome.
Whew! What a relief! I use Firefox, if that helps.
I no longer think it’s a browser issue – I tried it on both Chrome and IE, and got the same problem. I will reboot my PC and see if that helps. Perhaps there are some updates that need to be installed.
I’ll reboot too, hopefruit. Let me know if it works. Hopefully, you’ll hear back from spandan.
My reboot did not solve the problem. It may be an issue with disqus as Spandan noted. Where the disqus link (and comments) should be, I see “atom” with no comments or comments that are in gibberish. I guess we will just have to wait this one out.
The comments came up for me, hopefruit2. I’m on firefox.
I’m on firefox too and no comments to be found anywhere. Also, too, don’t know if there’s a connection but getting comments only sporadically at Steve Benen’s “The Maddow Blog”.
🙂 .
Good morning TOD.
hi chips and TOD family
Moooooorning Okey, moooooorning everyone!
G’morning UT, Chps, TOD, lurkers, everyone, and congrats JO’B, amk, COS and Chips for a 4-way tie on #1 🙂
JO’B, amk and COS cheated Hopefruit, so yet again I’m the moral winner. 😎
Talkin’ trash, Chips? Oh, well! “We” forgive ya! 🙂
😆 Mooooooooorning Jacqueline!!
Good morning right back atcha, Chips! Can’t wait to hear the Prez later … Yeehaw!
Good Morning TODers.
Mark Knoller impersonator here…… 😉 Correction, 5 Gold Medals 😉 NW was one of the Medalists. Sochi has Nothing on these TODable TODVille Citizens.
Great R&S.
Loads of information. Thank you.
GDP is Up and thanks to the TBGOPers of their Gov’t Shut Down……US could have had 3.2% + .98% = 4.18% GDP for the Q4 in 2013.
“Republicans maintain strong support among married white women”
complete disconnect.
RELIGION, and racial insecurity. Very strong obstacles to overcome in order to convince them to change their vote. And frankly, those two items are probably the strongest factors in the white men vote too.
What doesn’t help is that a great portion of voters don’t know a lot about the different economic policies of the two parties. They’re not aware of the charts demonstrating that republicans are the ones who create more debt. They don’t know that red states are the ones with the worst economic indicators. And on and on…
No, they vote on their feelings, their emotions, their fears, their prejudices. And this is hard to counter. President Obama knows this. I’m convinced it’s the main reason he is so careful in his rhetoric. Why he always tries to unite people, and to reassure them.
The President hasn’t succeeded much in “switching votes” , but he’s succeeding in something more important: he is changing the conversations. Health care, income inequality, clean energy, diplomacy over war, etc.
Polls on party preference don’t tell the whole story. Polls about ISSUES are saying a lot.
Why is C-Span not included in the Nielson ratings of the SOTU address? http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/newswire/2014/33-3-million-tune-in-to-watch-pres-obamas-state-of-the-union-address.html
I once read somewhere that C-SPAN is traditionally omitted from Nielsen ratings for all events because it’s a public broadcast network. Because of this, the Nielsen ratings can be rather misleading – particularly for events like SOTU which are also aired and viewed on CSPAN in by millions. For sitcoms and other events like the Superbowl, Grammys, Oscars, etc., which are only showed on one cable TV station, they are more accurate.
Thanks HF2 I didn’t know this. I always watch on C-Span because I cannot stand the commentary on any of those other stations. I guess in the future I’ll have to mute the sound. It would be interesting to know just how many of the President’s supporters watched it like I did??
I wouldn’t be surprised if many people watched it on CSPAN solely to avoid the ridiculous punditry on the other stations. I certainly did!
I watched on C-SPAN. I didn’t know that they aren’t included.
Me either!!
Good Morning Everybody.
What a breath-taking image!
FACTS ARE STUBBORN THINGS.
President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address
—————————————————
Tonight, this chamber speaks with one voice to the people we represent: it is you, our citizens, who make the state of our union strong.
Here are the results of your efforts: The lowest unemployment rate in over five years. A rebounding housing market. A manufacturing sector that’s adding jobs for the first time since the 1990s. More oil produced at home than we buy from the rest of the world – the first time that’s happened in nearly twenty years. Our deficits – cut by more than half. And for the first time in over a decade, business leaders around the world have declared that China is no longer the world’s number one place to invest; America is.
That’s why I believe this can be a breakthrough year for America. After five years of grit and determined effort, the United States is better-positioned for the 21st century than any other nation on Earth.
The question for everyone in this chamber, running through every decision we make this year, is whether we are going to help or hinder this progress.
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http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/01/28/president-barack-obamas-state-union-address
Quite the exceptional post, this morning. Thank you UT! 🙂
Thanks, Dudette.
LIVE STREAM: Awaiting President Obama’s arrival in Wisconsin – http://livewire.wisn.com/Event/President_Obama_visits_Wisconsin?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=wisn%2B12%2Bnews
and
Air Force One landing NOW1 – Streaming coverage here: http://on.wisn.com/1dQAvUX
Thanks again, JER, for the landing link! It’s become a two-day ritual for my great grandson and I to watch AF1’s arrival with President Obama on it. Our little darlin’ keeps saying, “I want that airplane!” (Actually, he’s more into helicopters, so can’t wait to show him Marine One.) 🙂
Maybe you can get him a model of Air Force One and one of Marine One. He would probably like them.
Great idea! 🙂
Take the PBO-detractors 🙂
https://twitter.com/Burt_Northfield/status/428908856098312193
GOP shutdown steps on economic growth
By Steve Benen
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The congressional Republicans’ government shutdown, for example, shaved about 0.3% from the overall total. That’s a difference, in other words, between 3.2% growth and 3.5% growth. It’s still not clear exactly why GOP lawmakers did this, or what they hoped to accomplish, but there’s evidence now that the gambit took a toll on the economy.
.
.
And yet, GOP lawmakers continue to insist that it’s the White House’s policies that are standing in the way of a more robust economy.
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http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/gop-shutdown-steps-economic-growth
This R & S is a news that matters round-up and I am so grateful for it. If only the MSM did 1/2 the job Chips and Nerdy Wonka do here we would have a saner smarter country.
Like a lot of posters here I find the attempt to minimize POTUS maddening. Maybe TV viewing of the SOTU was down a fraction, but I am pretty sure that actual viewership on all the available platforms is way way UP!!
MFs are using the same tactics in NYC with Mayor deBlasio mainly by claiming his 73% victory wasn’t really so great because voting numbers fell. Give me a break.
This is what victory looks like. There’s always a losing side that can’t give it up. I’m with you: Give me a break!
And anyone who doesn’t believe that needs to check out Sarah Palin & Mitt Romney. They also show how dangerous it is to put your complete future into something that is not a “sure thing”. Whereas McCain and Ryan had something to fall back on – Palin and Romney could not get over losing. They have turned very bitter.
Yes, and the fools started out bitter. She along with the dumbass complex; he along with the daddy complex!
Make them go away.
GM from my world JoB – as you can see – I’m trying to catch up 🙂
Early bird!
Thank you, Vicki.
Rep. Waxman will retire from Congress.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/politicsnow/la-pn-henry-waxman-retire-congress-20140130,0,369837,full.story#axzz2rtmWbIdN
Sad News,
I’ll miss him!
When we hear about good members of Congress planning to retire, my thoughts turn to “who will replace him/her”?
I believe CA Rep.Diane Watson took Karen Bass under her tutelage. And I feel (IMO) that CA Rep. Karen Bass is doing a great job representing the best interest for her district (where I live) and supporting the President.
Who’s grooming our next generation of leaders?
Good point!
Bummer, Congressman Henry Waxman is brilliant. He is one of my favorites — a real pit bull. He does not play. I used to love to watch his hearings when he was head of the Government Oversight and Reform Committee. It is a tragedy that Darryl Issa is now the chairman. Issa has made a mockery of the committee by essentially conducting witch hunts and holding partisan show trials around the country. Waxman will be sorely missed.
Oh. So Sad. This is one smart Rep. He does great work.
I stopped short of writing “would be more like his dad, a real thinker,” but I’m thinking it.
Exactly JO. I was thinking Luke Russert’s tweet could have easily come from Speaker Boehner’s press office. Talk about carrying water for the GOP. Amazing….
His dad Tim used to ask rough questions of BOTH sides. Too bad he didn’t pass that little nugget down to Lukie, about how it’s supposed to be done. Now – as you intimated – they’re just corporate shills carrying water for the GOP.
You two (Donna & Jacqueline) are a force to reckon with when you team up! I Love It!!! 😉
Ha! Thanks. I’ve been followin’ Donna’s trail of smoke since the OFA bloggin’ days!
Yeah but I’m the baby girl who learned well from her ummm more mature sista’s 🙂 😆 🙂
Well, that’s a New Jersey (my homestate; I oughta know) compliment if I ever saw one … ya gave a little and took a little! You do us all proud!
Go, Baby O’Donna!
Oh Lord! What did I start???
Each wants to blame/give credit to the other!!!
I’m going back to work!
Don’t even try it J’OB, you do some leading sometimes too!
I C U 😀
You’re no slackard, either, GGail! 🙂
Luke Russert is a mouthpiece for John Boehner. He is just like Chuck Todd.
Hi, Dudette!!!! How ya feeling? {{{{{{{Dudette}}}}}}}
Parties Target Campaigns for Secretary of State
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/parties-target-campaigns-secretary-state-22293960
Catch ya later. Have a good day everyone!
Enjoy your day, Dudette!
January 30, 2014 at 9:54 am
Dear Ms. Chipsticks, I have been lurking here for a few years. I have never ever commented on anybody’s blog before, but I have to add my sincere thanks for this space, for your fellow bts and the community you have grown. The number of hits on this blog is reassuring that the love and fellowship initially inspired by our President and his family is shared and encouraged here and around the world. You have made a home in cyberspace where even lurkers feel at home. I also lit a candle (first time) for GoBrooklyn and share in the prayers for my family here.
President Obama is God’s gift to us for these times, and this site is proof that God really wants us to get this point. Thank you, all who comment here, for being the confirmation of His presence in our daily lives. I love you more than words can say.
Enjoy, Paulita. Chipsticks and crew have touched many lives and given freely of their time and research. I, too, would be lost without the peace of mind this site has shared.
She so beautiful. Inside and Out!!
Good West Coast morning Chipsticks, NW & TOD family.
I fear I’m gonna be running behind all day today oh well 🙂
My thoughts and hugs are still going out for our TOD Sick & Shut-Ins.
The President’s little traveling desk will end up in the Smithsonian some day, I’m thinkin’!
HA! I looked at that desk and thought to myself….”another Obama treasure” 🙂
I could see it sitting in my house! 🙂
LONG OVER DUE!
Thanks J’OB for alerting us that it’s finally coming.
Someone explain to me her point??
Wait…..I thought the media claimed the Insurance Lobby wrote the ACA…….
I am getting dizzy
They’re a mess Linda. I’ve never seen anything like it. I better get back to work while my blood pressure is still normal 🙂
Later Everyone!
We have video. Woot. Woot.
Good Morning TOD family
I wanted to report in on the SOTU events in our Sonoma Chapter. We had 4 events, it went really well. We all loved the President’s speech.
After the speech, I had a very special honor. SOTU hosts had a call with Jon Carson, Executive Director of OFA. He gave a briefing on what we would be doing in the months ahead and then he spoke to several Chapter Leaders. I was fortunate enough to be interviewed. Here is a summary of my remarks.
“Jon our team is so energized by the President’s remarks. For the past few months we have been spreading the word about the Health Care Law and it has been amazing. After working for years to see health care reform we are finally at the “fun part” where we get to give folks information about signing up. This is a truly life changing event for our neighbors who have ended up crying with relief and telling us “God Bless”.
The other exciting part of our organizing has involved the Spring Fellows who have held SOTU parties in Arcata, Fort Bragg, Santa Rosa and Petaluma. Thanks to their energy we will be able to expand our effectiveness.
At the speech tonight the President described the young soldier who refused to quit after being injured in Afghanistan, he said America doesn’t quit. Well that is our team mantra, as long as the President keeps fighting our Sonoma OFA will keep fighting to.”
The only reason I was asked to speak last night is the dedication of our team and the willingness of our Fellows to jump right in and start organizing their communities. I am very lucky to be working with such a great group.
Here is a video made by the volunteer from Fort Bragg – he is amazing
Please give it a watch, he only has 4 views to date
They also tweeted about the fact that I was on the phone. I will try and post that tweet below (fingers crossed)
Overall it was a very successful day. We now have the potential to have teams in 4 new towns near Santa Rosa.
I am constantly inspired by the folks at this blog. Thanks to you all
Excellent Linda.
I’ve shared it on Twitter
I have dreamed of strangling Thom Hartmann the last two days ( he does a segment on FSTV, which I only watch for Stephanie Miller in the mornings): yesterday it was the evil NSA spying through Google games. He even said that you are giving Google tons of personal information to play these games, but it’s not YOUR fault or Google’s fault for demanding this info – just the evil NSA for ‘spying’. Explain to me how it’s spying if you freely give up this information to a corporation?!?!
And today – let’s just say we’re lucky I didn’t throw the tee vee out the window. “The President said ‘x’ about climate change in the SOTU but didn’t say THIS. The President said ‘x’ about income inequality but didn’t say THIS”. On and on and on…..
Literally his next ‘report’ was on how much money wind energy has saved us in this terrible winter. But any credit to PBO? NONE!!!!!! PBO, in a dizzingly short period of time, turned that industry around.
We don’t need Repubs to destroy us. The whiny left is doing their damnedest on their very own.
So I have a technical question. There is a video in the tweet I added in the post above. What code do I use to make the picture show up in the post. If you click on pic.twitter.com/Rj2rJ6FOj0 it shows the picture, but all of you guys have spiffy tweets that have images embedded in the tweet.
thanks
I meant image not video.
Hey Linda, for your tweet to appear whether with picture, video or just a stand alone tweet. You have to click on the time stamp of the tweet and copy the URL it gives you and then paste it on TOD and it will appear.
Here’s the tweet you wanted to post.
Thanks so much. giving it a try
It worked – tanks so much Nerdy Wonka
OOPS – not a video but an image.
LIVE NOW: POTUS’ Motorcade arriving: http://livewire.wisn.com/Event/President_Obama_visits_Wisconsin?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=wisn%2B12%2Bnews
Heads up!
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/01/30/president-obama-speaks-in-wisconsin/
Up to the minute: New Moon, today. 1/30/2014 – 4:38pm EST. 10.55 Aquarius! Yes. Thus, tomorrow (as you all know) we celebrate the Lunar New year ~ Year of the Horse. Now we shall see the energy starting to pick up as we streak towards the Equinox!