Buena Vista Social Club Orquesta at the White House

The President’s Day

President Barack Obama welcomes South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye for their meeting in the Oval Office

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President Barack Obama and South Korean President Park Geun-hye hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House

Press Conference with President Park Geun-hye

1:40 EDT: The President holds a joint press conference with President Park Geun-hye

The Great Boehner Deflation

Politico reported yesterday that House Speaker John Boehner is laying the groundwork for that most elusive of all chimeras, the “grand bargain” with President Obama before he steps down. Barring that, he’ll push through a clean debt ceiling hike. Either way, this ends four years of constant hostage taking of the nation’s—and the world’s—economy for short term political gain.

It didn’t have to be like this. At his heart, I don’t believe Mr. Boehner is a bomb-throwing nihilist as are the members of the “Freedom Caucus”. He’s been in Congress since the 1990s, and has a concern for the institution. He could have easily followed in the time-honored tradition of seeking to build coalitions with those across the aisle and sideline the radicals in his own party. He wouldn’t have gotten everything he wanted, but he would have gotten some of it, and the country would have worked much more efficiently.

Early Bird Rise and Shine

On This Day: President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden link arms and sing “We Shall Overcome” during the dedication ceremony for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C., Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011. Joining them, from left, are: Harry Johnson, Sr.; Interior Secretary Ken Salazar; and Herman “Skip” Mason (Photo by Pete Souza)

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Today (all times Eastern)

11:55: The President holds a bilateral meeting with President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea; the Vice President also attends

12:30: Holds a working lunch with President Park Geun-hye; the Vice President also attends

1:40: Holds a joint press conference with President Park Geun-hye

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On This Day: President Barack Obama says goodbye to former President George H. W. Bush and former Secretary of State James A. Baker, prior to departure from Easterwood Field landing zone, in College Station, Texas, Oct. 16, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)

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MoooOOOooorning!