President Obama and Sen. Edward Kennedy enter the East Room of the White House to attend a Health Care Summit with Members of Congress, March 5, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
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Today (all times Eastern):
10:45: President Obama departs the White House
12:05: Arrives Hartford, Connecticut
More than 150 CCSU students already lined up for Pres. Obama’s visit. It’s cold and they’ll be there for hours. pic.twitter.com/GDjWdCpQyJ
— Kent Pierce (@kentonpierce) March 5, 2014
2:30: Delivers remarks on raising the minimum wage, Central Connecticut State University
3:45: Departs Hartford
4:25: Arrives Boston
4:50: Attends a DNC fundraiser, Charles Hotel, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Closed press)
7:20: Delivers remarks and answers questions at a DNC fundraiser, Artists for Humanity EpiCenter, Boston (Print Pool for Remarks Only)
8:25: Departs Boston
10:0: Arrives White House
* First Lady Michelle Obama will participate in a conversation with Robin Roberts at the Leading Women Defined Summit, hosted by BET Networks. The discussion will be around the Affordable Care Act and a personal reflection on health and wellness. The First Lady will also visit a health center to highlight the work that hospitals, doctors and clinics are doing to educate their patients about the Affordable Care Act and how patients can get insurance.
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Later This Week:
Thursday: The President will hold an event on the economy and healthcare in Washington, DC.
Friday: The President and the First Lady will travel to the Miami area for an event on expanding opportunity for all.
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Like all right-thinking Americans, I’m grateful that Lindsey Graham is coaching Barack Obama on how to look tough and macho.
— M.S. Bellows, Jr. (@msbellows) March 5, 2014
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BBC: Ukraine crisis: Diplomacy gathers pace ahead of talks
Diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in Ukraine are gathering pace as US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov prepare to hold crucial talks in Paris.
The US wants independent observers in the flashpoint region of Crimea and direct talks between Kiev and Moscow.
Russia is likely to call for greater representation for Ukraine’s Russian-speaking areas in the Kiev government.
Meanwhile, the EU has offered 11bn euro ($15bn; £9bn) in aid to Ukraine.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the package of loans and grants over the next couple of years is “designed to assist a committed, inclusive and reforms-oriented government” in Kiev.
More here
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Little-known fact: Hitler invaded Poland because of Benghazi.
— Matt O’Brien (@ObsoleteDogma) March 4, 2014
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Stonekettle Station: Bad Reputation
Face.
That’s the concern.
Prestige. Standing. Reputation. Face.
The conflict in Ukraine teeters dangerously on the razor’s edge of self immolation.
Vladimir Putin regards his neighbors with pale icy blue eyes and toys with the idea of a reborn Russian hegemony…..
The European Union holds its collective breath and cups a trembling hand protectively over its genitals and hopes that sanity and reason will prevail – they won’t, of course, prevail, they never do, not until enough people have died, not until enough blood runs in the streets, not until enough cities have burned and enough rage has been spent … but perhaps this time it will be different. Perhaps.
Meanwhile, in America, it’s all about face.
More here
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This President actually appreciates the cost of war, and we should all be endlessly grateful for that. pic.twitter.com/BQ1JK57Zb7
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) March 5, 2014
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Forbes: How The Western Press Is Getting It Terribly Wrong In Ukraine
When the pundits talk about Vladimir Putin’s offensive in Ukraine, they usually mean troops and tanks, but his greatest weapons are ,in fact, his propaganda machine and the gullible western media.
So far, he has been winning stunning victories without firing a shot. Make no mistake, Vladimir Putin cares deeply what the western public thinks and has an army of PR professionals and lobbyists to wage informational warfare, along with a network of sites including “Russia Today” and a variety of “strategy” blogs.
Amazingly, the western press in its desire to adopt what NYU Journalism professor Jay Rosen calls the view from nowhere, has been repeating many of the false assertions that Putin has promoted. Here’s a quick guide to the most egregious errors….
More here
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Yup, black President, this is what you get – Gawd Bless Amurika! pic.twitter.com/dKAIgn8QI2
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) March 5, 2014
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David Ignatius: Robert Gates tells Republicans to cut back on criticizing Obama’s Ukraine policy
As the Ukraine crisis deepened, Sen. John McCain responded by criticizing President Obama’s “feckless” foreign policy, while Sen. Lindsey Graham called Obama “a weak and indecisive president [who] invites aggression.”
These sharp comments brought to mind a different time and crisis — and a different tone in foreign policy debates. This prompted me to call another prominent Republican who takes a quite different view.
…. In addition to having run the Pentagon under Republican and Democratic administrations, Gates worked at the CIA for 26 years and was one of its leading Soviet analysts. He wrote his doctoral dissertation on Kremlin decision-making.
What does Gates think about the Ukraine crisis? Distilled to its essence, his message would be the same as Jackson’s: Cool it, especially when it comes to public comments.
More here
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What’s happening in #Ukraine, explained in four maps http://t.co/d3UaMgWtEf via @nytimes #Euromaidan pic.twitter.com/NR3q1KAYgE
— The Lovely Plains (@DaRiverZkind) March 4, 2014
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Reuters: President Obama’s 2015 budget: Everything you need to know
In a year where many lawmakers seem more concerned with preparing for the midterm elections, much of the focus of the president’s budget is on helping the less fortunate — particularly the expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit. Here’s Reuters:
The budget signals a shift away from last year’s emphasis on deficit cutting to a more pronounced focus on poverty reduction, a legacy-oriented goal the president is highlighting as he faces less than three years left in office.
More here
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Yeah, I Know, Republicans…Facts, Schmacts. #p2 #tcot pic.twitter.com/Y561Yk2BTe
— Terrell Lewis (@SgBz) March 5, 2014
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Jonathan Cohn: Washington is Ignoring Obama’s Budget. You Shouldn’t.
Mere hours after the White House released President Obama’s budget, Washington had reached a consensus about it: It’s “irrelevant.”
As this argument goes, the House and Senate have already agreed on a fiscal policy plan—the agreement from House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan and Senate Budget Chairman Patty Murray that Congress passed in the fall. Ryan-Murray lays out the basic parameters of what the government will take in and spend, not just for 2014 but also for 2015. Neither party wants to revisit that pact. And to the extent Obama is proposing new ideas for the long term, like pouring money into early childhood education, the Republicans simply aren’t interested in passing them. That would seem to render Obama’s new budget an exercise in pure political symbolism, and maybe empty symbolism at that.
I take a different view—and not simply because I’m nerdy enough to think of reading 200-plus pages of figures and charts as an opportunity, rather than a burden….
More here
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Washington state has the highest min wage in the country & their job growth beats the national average: http://t.co/7O8uCmmUpz #RaiseTheWage
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 5, 2014
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Washington Post: Arkansas compromise Medicaid expansion stays alive
Arkansas’ first-in-the-nation plan that uses Medicaid funds to buy private insurance for the poor survived an effort to defund it Tuesday, as lawmakers gave final approval to continue a program that has extended health coverage to nearly 94,000 people.
The House voted 76-24 to reauthorize funding for the “private option” program that was approved last year as an alternative to expanding Medicaid under the federal health law. Arkansas was the first state to win federal approval for such an approach, touted as a compromise for Republican-leaning states.
The measure now heads to Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe, who plans to sign it into law. The measure needed at least 75 votes in the 100-member House.
More here
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It’s #WomensHistoryMonth. Show your support and #StandWithWomen. pic.twitter.com/R9bEUt61fk
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 4, 2014
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On This Day:
First Lady Michelle Obama at Miriam’s Kitchen, March 5, 2009
President Obama talks with Sen. Edward Kennedy in the Green Room of the White House March 5, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama reads the newspaper in the Outer Oval Office, March 5, 2009 Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama walks towards the Oval Office, March 5, 2010, after returning to the White House from a clean energy event in Arlington, Va (Photo by Pete Souza)
First Lady Michelle Obama runs in a race as she promotes the “Let’s Move!” program, during an event with local kids and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, at City Center in Washington, D.C., March 5, 2010 (Photo by Samantha Appleton)
President Obama talks with Mona Sutphen, deputy chief of staff for policy, in the Oval Office, March 5, 2010. A bust of Abraham Lincoln is in the foreground (Photo by Pete Souza)
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President Obama talks with Vice President Biden in the Oval Office, March 5, 2013 (Photo by Pete Souza)
President Obama arriving at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, March 5 (Photo by Pete Souza)
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Morning again everyone – a gazillion thanks to Nerdy for lots of this morning’s newsie links, and thanks to LP for links to so many of the beautiful photos in the International Women of Courage Awards post. And to LL for those Gloria Estefan videos – in time I will forgive you. /runs
The Obama Diary 
Good Morning, Everyone 🙂
Moooooooorning rikyrah, moooooooorning everyone!
Thank you Ms Chips – and congrats rikyrah
Good morning everyone – hope the weather is warming up for those queuing to see PBO – and being 1.21 am – I’ll be back to read the good news in my morning time – enjoy your day
Sleep well 99ts, see ya in a bit!
Just 1.21 am. What’s the hurry? #piker
good Morning and Congrats rikyrah! 🙂
Congrats on 1st, rikyrah! I’m late to the parade.
That picture of President Obama and Senator Ted Kennedy is priceless.
I agree, Annibella.
Truly what friendship looks like.
He’s right! If we want to call ourselves the greatest democracy in the world, we should show it!
G’morning Chips, TOD, lurkers, everyone and congrats rikyrah on #1 🙂
What a fabulous Wednesday R & S feast! Thanks as always Chips!! 🙂
Thank you Hopefruit, gooooooood morning to ya!!
Good morning TODville! So thankful to wake up to another great morning that Barack Obama is our President!!!! For a party that talks about patriotism they must really hate America to so openly criticize all that is going on. I do believe they have lost it. Maybe some of the msm is waking up to all this blame Obama.
This drastic weather everywhere is really something. Last night our low was 35. Today we may get close to 50. This is not normal. All those climate change deniers are having a hard time explaining our weather.
Have a great day everyone.
Hope you’re sending some of that warm weather to Chicago! Shoveling again today. Can’t go to work because I refuse to drive the ancient tin can car, and the decent car is in the shop for a new radiator and other repairs. Another grand to come up with.
Some 50-degree weather would distract me from this lurching from crisis-to-crisis winter.
Hang in there. I feel you in NY.
Before you know it we will be asking for cooler weather.
I started baking cookie and give them to neighbor on my floor……..chili is next.
But, Of course, it is easier when you do not have to drive anywhere.
I think they are tired of me or think I have loss my mind…..(not Putin loss your mind)
At least they open their doors. Some NY-ers will not.
I have to stay busy since I am not able to safely walk in Central Park because of the ice and too cold!
We’re all hanging in there as best we can. What I wouldn’t give for a neighbor like you!
My young neighbor must measure his property line with a laser – he won’t shovel a flake of snow past that line, while Mr. 57 is helping push cars out of the alley. 74 years old.
I’m sounding old, aren’t I?
And they are forced to do this…
Craigslist.org has always represented something of a virtual yard sale, but for many unemployed Americans it’s become something of a fire sale.
You name it, they are selling it. Someone in Springfield, Ore., is selling a men’s watch for $100. “Unemployment is running out need money will sell for $100.00. Call before 8pm and after 8amplease be respectful. We can meet anywhere in public.”
And they are asking for it. Another worker in Kissimmee, Fla., whose post says lost benefits when Congress didn’t extend jobless payments Dec. 28, is asking for dog and cat food. “My dogs & cats are not picky,” the person wrote.
Republicans SUCK!
Just a reminder: Yes, you’re getting old! [But that’s a GOOD thing!] 😀
Morning, I am still on Christie Watch. Don’t want my slippery Governor to worm his way out of his troubles.
I’m with you edwina – no doubt Christie is pleased about Putin putting pressure on issues outside of the US!
Can you believe this crap!
Rep. Issa signals for staff to cutoff Rep. Cumming’s mic this morning. 🙄
http://twitpic.com/dxf3j1
I could think of something else we could cut off, of Issa’s, but I’ll leave it at that.
I’m late this am – but did enjoy this comment 🙂
Yep!
Couldn’t they afford to hire a couple more actresses——-instead of using the same one in every propaganda piece? Dumb squared.
They had a couple of people lined up but her agent has connections. Literally. BTW loved her in Doctor Zhivago.
I remember that hat. 🙂
Dudette I think this woman stole Geraldine Chaplin’s hat. Or was it Julie Christie’s?
Well I was thinking of Julie’s but ya never know. 🙂
I think you’re right. IProbably stole it when Julie was doing retakes.
Same woman we see in Republican anti-Obamacare ads on FOX. Well, not that I watch FOX.
They’re coming every few days now…
That might be a domestic quarrel near the school; they say it is not on school property, but it could spill over. Better safe than sorry! Hope all it ok.
Ah, so the other kind of shooting incident.
I do hope everything’s okay too.
Good Morning!
Good Morning GB. Good to see you.
((waves hello)))
“morning GB – nice to see you. 🙂 How have you been feeling since last week? Not too bad?
Felt better starting yesterday. Nighttime still an issue. I feel feverish and achy so I just take my pills and head to bead earlier.
Okay – glad to hear it’s easing up a bit. Hope you continue to feel better. 🙂
Moooooooooorning GB!!!
Hiya GB! Good to see you this fine morning!
Hiya Duddette!
They can’t handle the truth!!!!!!!!
Does anyone know if they actually did cut off his mic?
Who the hell are the folks who keep re-electing a con like Darrell issa? What a disgrace.
I didn’t see it myself, but there’s this:
Ha!
The Lebanese Commander that went in to Syria and because killing the citizens is named Issa.
oops….* began….not because
Listening to the video, it does sound like he was cut off. OUTRAGEOUS. Issa needs to be condemned.
This is hilarious.
VP Biden in the Senate for possible tie breaker on Civil Rights attorney for the DOJ.
Good Morning Ms. Chips and TODers.
Congrats on #1 rikyrah.
Great R&S as usual. I read Stonekettle Station last night. As one commenter summed it up: It’s a righteous rant. If you read it, I think you’ll be glad you did.
Okay, what’d I miss? Anybody know what this is about?
Never mind, I see what happened now.
Erin Stewart (R) is Mayor of New Britain, CT.
LOL!!
Okay then….
Cute!
GM all. Have I mentioned yet how much I hate this winter?
Another 3-4 inches of snow today which will bring us within 12 inches of the one winter record. Some years I would say there was no way we could hit that, but not this year.
Although officially this is neither the coldest or snowiest winter in Chicago’s hsitroy (although in top 3-4 of each category, it has set two significant records.
The first is the most days with measurable snow durign a winter season. This is actually more important than total snowfall as it is a major factor in the amount spent on snow removal and road salt usage.
The second is most sub zero days in one winter.
And we can still add to both of those records (and almost certainly will the first one).
And the tragic thing is, we are not the only ones in the country dealing with record winters. It is virtually nationawide.
We are the ‘coldest and snowiest’ if measured by the number of days we had measurable snowfall and days below zero.
Yippee.
There will be a lot of t-shirts embalzoned with “I Survived the Winter of 2013-14” sold in a couple months. Of clurse, that is assuming it ever ends.
My fear is we will go from horrendous winter to horrendous tornadoes to baking heat.
WHAT!! He is.
🙂
Motorcade is waiting:
😆 Noooooooo way!!
Ok, how about this cutie pie?
It took me a minute before realizing I needed to turn my computer upside down 😆
“turn my computer upside down”
You don’t do yoga, duya?
Not yet, I’m going to start. Any day now. Ish.
Ha…that is how my chickens Houdini and Copperfield get out of their pen.
Houdini was out again this morning.
Martin !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!……Where are you ?
Darrell Issa must be censured! He has no ethics or respect for his colleagues whatsoever!
The plows threw the snow onto our sidewalk – almost knee deep. Now we have to lift it over the huge mounds to even try to clear the sidewalk.
I’m letting Mr. 57 do it. I really hurt my back on Sunday and even though the back is much better, I’m gun-shy.
This winter has been a chiropractor’s dream. That and the people who make money plowing out private parking lots.
I just heard a huge CRASH! The dogs went insane. Mr. 57 didn’t allow for the damned ice underneath the “1-3 inches” (1-3 inches my ass – there’s a good 5 inches of snow in my yard, not counting the huge mounds in front of the house from the plows), and he crashed into the house.
Making sure he’s okay…..
How’s everyone’s day going?
CNN is just throwing so called experts at their monitors to see what sticks about Ukraine.
I expect them to go outside and start grabbing strangers for their opinions . I doubt any of them could find Ukraine on a map.
I see a deer in the bushes….
???
Ha, I know, first time I saw that in a photo I went “huh?”, until I realized it’s a statue. I have no clue why it’s there!
Where is POTUS coat? He know he is not as young as he used to be.
Mark Murray of NBC just said , ( about Issa ) that he held hearing for 3 months last year.
June
July
August.
Someone tweet Mark and ask him when Congress was in session for those hearing in August of 2013……( no one works in August of any year )
Some notes from New York:
Very worrying days for Mayor Bill deBlasio fans like me.
There is all-out war going on between Governor Cuomo, DINO, joining with the entire Press Corps and 1% Business Interests—-against our progressive Mayor. I can’t say how this war is going much less how it will play out but for now there is a relentless negative pounding in All media of anything and everything concerning deBlasio.
Just like the ugly relentless attacks on PBO.
The Mayor has had his successes but they are downplayed, if not smothered. Expanded sick days has been signed sealed and delivered, for example.
The underlying Gigantic battle is in the New York Senate where Cuomo has contrived to keep the Senate in GOP hands even though the Democrats won more seats in the last 2 elections.
DeBlasio is attempting to get the 5 “breakaway” democratic traitors back into democratic mode and wrest control away from Cuomo!
As I said I have no idea what will happen next.
Vicki, As a former NYer, I appreciate your updates. By the way, there is something about Cuomo that I simply don’t trust him.
Glad to see Rep. Cummings not taking Issa’s BS. I interned for him last year. You could not have a better fighter on the Oversight Committee than Rep. Cummings.
I am glad he is not either collegekay.
What an honor to serve Rep Cummings! Thank you, CK.
Co-sign! I have so much admiration for Rep Cummings.
I remember this from 2009
—
After GOP members of the House oversight committee shot footage for a “campaign style video” in the committee room, Democrats responded by changing the lock on a private door leading in from the Republican suite of offices.
Committee Chairman Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) ordered the lock changed after complaining that Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) used an unauthorized camera inside the hearing room during a recess. Issa set the footage to “Hit the Road, Jack” and accused Democrats of avoiding a vote to authorize subpoenas in the Countrywide sweetheart mortgage program.
Republicans refused to take the video down from the GOP oversight web site despite repeated requests from Democrats. So the Democrats decided to change the door lock.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/21/house-oversight-dems-chan_n_329189.html
If she doesn’t get pardoned, then I’m done. Such a miscarriage of justice – right before our eyes – as to (almost) be unbelievable.
From Florida, the Sunshine State
Where I lived for 17 years, before moving to the Midwest. Yuck.
LIVE NOW: President Obama Arrives in Connecticut:
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/President-Obama-to-Speak-at-Central-Conn-State-University-Today-248529171.html?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_CTBrand
http://wtnh.com/on-air/watch-us-live/
WATCH LIVE: http://foxct.com/live/
…and thus, with bated breath and clasped hands, they await their President….
Thank you, JER. Always great to see PBO warmly greeted.
HEADS UP
Here he is – meeting & greeting everyone in line. 🙂
See y’all later! Enjoy the rest of your day!
😀
Civil Rights nominee just blocked by Dems.
What next. It’s like an alternate universe.
This is insane. Democrats killed his nomination.
http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/the-stream/the-stream-officialblog/2014/3/4/doj-nominee-facesoppositionfordefendingmumiaabujamal.html
Chat away:
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/03/05/chat-away-335/