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There were so many outstanding moments in 2014.. it is very hard to choose…. but here are my top moments…
The President hosting the Young African Leaders summit town hall
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My Brother’s Keeper town hall
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Between Two Ferns
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Post midterm elections press conference
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In a community such as the one built and nurtured here, it is understandable that a sharing of memorable moments will overlap. My ‘personal’ top 2014 MMs have already been featured, repeatedly (yet primarily by Arapaho)! I’ve summarized my version to reflect two main facts …
a) In their ‘business’ travels The Obamas consistently meet with and listen to the future leaders of the WORLD! In 2014, this happened in Australia, Malaysia, China, Japan; Standing Rock Native youths, etc.
b) My Brother’s Keeper
“That’s what ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ is all about – Helping more of our young people stay on track. Providing the support they need to think more broadly about their future. Building on what works – when it works, in those critical life-changing moments.” ~ President Barack Obama: February 27, 2014
Get Involved
My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge
In September 2014, President Obama issued a challenge to cities, towns, counties and tribes across the country to become “MBK Communities.” This challenge represents a call to action for all members of our communities, and mayors in particular, as they often sit at the intersection of many of the vital forces and structural components needed to enact sustainable change through policy, programs, and partnerships.
More here
c) They bring young people to WH or to USA for leadership networking & training.
Examples: i) August’s African Nations Summit at White House + the Town Hall with young African leaders
ii) On October 30, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) held its first Young Leaders Dialogue (YLD) Google+ Hangout on Education. This is the first of four YLDs happening in conjunction with the E3! Ambassadors Program, comprised of 34 young leaders across the nation committed to increasing opportunity and improving the quality of life for AAPIs. These E3! Ambassadors aim to “Educate, Engage and Empower” young leaders, by highlighting federal programs and resources for AAPIs around the issues of education, mental health, pathways to public service and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
iii) Nov 20 2014 FL Michelle Obama & Pres Obama have lunch with members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Youth. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
For this latter, I will mention only the most recent example that many have already cited.
a) The rapprochement between the United States and Cuba – This one was particularly moving for me because even though we saw Castro unclenching his fist at Mandela’s memorial in 2013 (remember the media furor that caused), I was not expecting the announcement that both countries had started to move closer together so soon.
January 28, 2014
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“At the annual State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol, Chuck Kennedy captured this poignant moment between the First Lady and U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg. Cory first met the President in 2009 at a D-Day ceremony in Normandy. Four months later, Cory was badly injured in Afghanistan and in a coma for three months. In early 2010, shortly after Cory came out of his coma, the President happened to be visiting patients at Walter Reed Hospital. As he walked into one of the patient’s rooms, hanging on the wall was a photo I had taken of the President and Cory in Normandy. The President then realized that he had met this badly injured Army Ranger at Normandy. Two years later, we were visiting Arizona, where Cory had gone home to further recuperate. The President asked if Cory would be able to greet him backstage. Amazingly, Cory was able to salute the President and walk across the room aided by a walker to shake hands with the President.” (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
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February 4, 2014
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“Members of Congress vie for the President’s attention following a meeting with the House Democratic Caucus in the East Room of the White House.” (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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March 1, 2014
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“The President talks with some of his national security advisors before a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the situation in Ukraine. I’m sure there will be people quick to comment about his wearing casual clothes and having his feet on his coffee table. Let’s keep perspective in mind: it was a Saturday, and a President is the President whether he’s wearing a suit on a weekday or casual clothes on a weekend. And a President, any President, isn’t disrespecting the office if he puts his feet on a table or a desk; he’s just being relaxed.” (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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March 18, 2014
Mainly a smile or two – 50 to 11 in no particular order, but top 10 = top 10!
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Too many Memorable Moments to mention. The Muhammad Ali of bloggy people: The Greatest 🙂
(Although, Amk’s wimmin jokes float like a bee, and sting like a butterfly)
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Doug Mills’ photo prompted a gazillion captions, but some pics just say it all 🙂
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https://twitter.com/skollbuddy51/status/549194439428546561
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‘Welcome Mr. President – PS In Netherlands, we give three kisses’
😕
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President Obama greets patrons at Canter’s Delicatessen in Los Angeles, Calif., July 24, 2014 (Photo by Pete Souza)
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Still have no clue what Lily Tomlin said, but it must have been a complete hoot 🙂
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PBO announces NSA reforms, once again demonstrating the difference between actions and words
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FLOTUS’ gorgeous dress at the French State Dinner:
Stephen Colbert was seated next to FLOTUS, the place normally reserved for the First Lady of France:
PBO signs executive order raising minimum wage for federal contractors, leading the way for state and business leaders to do the same for workers around the country.
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PBO’s first of many chess moves as he announces financial sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for the Russian invasion of Ukraine
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PBO breaks the internet with Between Two Ferns – Healthcare.gov signups surge afterwards
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President Obama in Italia
With Pope Francis, President Giorgio Napolitano and, admirer of PBO, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi:
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Campaigning with PBO proves to be a winning strategy:
Running away from a successful, popular President? Not so much:
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U.S. and China jointly announce bold agreement on Climate Change and Clean Energy:
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President Obama visits the Colbert Report in Washington and delivers “The Decree”
Stephen ended the interview by asking the question,
“Barack Obama: Great President or The Greatest President?”
Stephen’s conservative character usually asks guests this question about GWB as satire, but this time, sitting across from the great President Barack Obama, he was able to ask it authentically
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PBO announces new Cuba policy:
Conservative Catholics’ belief in Papal Infallibility is tested:
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PBO trolls the men of the WHPC….
by calling on 8 women reporters and zero men:
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And finally, the moment Dudette posted this pic of PBO on a well-deserved Vacation…
Be still, my California-girl heart!
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Happy New Year!
Here’s to 2015, two more years of the Greatest President!
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Whenever I see, hear or read about President Obama I am reminded of the comment made by the First Lady (which I am not quoting exactly) which, in essence, seemed to posit that the Presidency does not make you but rather it reveals who you are.
The following ten instances/events reveal exactly who President Obama is, I think, and so, here are my 10 most memorable things/events of 2014:
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This is such a clear example of PBO’s willingness to innovate , explore all the available options and not be bound by others view of propriety and tradition if it prevents him from pursuing progress.
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….. embodied in the iconic photo taken at the G20 in Australia.
This shows his ability to out-strategise the rest in a chillingly intellectual manner.
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…. the now annual Science Fair at the WH, the My Brother’s Keeper Foundation and the initiatives implemented with Native American Youth.
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…. the return of Sergeant Bergdahl and other persons held in North Korea and most recently Cuba.
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….. which laid out all the policies which were implemented, worked and was a blueprint for the Democrats, if they had had the sense to use it. This showed PBO as both a policy and political giant.
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….. He did what great champions do – bring their best game when it matters most and it did with the GOP sweeping the mid-terms. They have been put on notice that they have to re-calibrate and deal with an engaged President who won’t roll over and limp to the finish line.
After losing the midterms – climate change deal, immigration executive order, nomination of Loretta Lynch and change in relationship with Cuba. Shows he is the big boss, he runs the road – yeah he continues to be just like Lord Nelson delivering the Waterloo result to those who who keep predicting his own.
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…. shows not only his important ability to take a hard look at himself but to be aware of the need for self examination and critique. His counter-punching skills were also visible as he used the superb comedic performance and interview to get his message out.
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….. a huge drop the mic moment and ultimate exposure of the views of a whole lot of the male members of the WHPC.
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9. His and his team’s smarts and tenacity that produced the 18,000 DOW, 5% GDP and all round great economic news in December 2014 BEFORE the crazy caucus takes up residence has rendered the GOP speechless – what a feat!
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PBO able to go on vacation on time with his family, enjoy a most deserved break and recharge for the new year.
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In chronological order:
Funny or Die “Between Two Ferns” skit with Zach Galifianakis – As only PBO could do, the WH went around the media to reach young people about signing up for the ACA. And what a moment that was! Digital and print media exploded; PBO’s appearance on the show went viral within a few hours – and in just one week, generating more hits than Justin Beiber’s appearance on the same program. The skit was just funny, clever, and entertaining to many of us TODers who were pretty well-informed about the ACA. But to millions of young people, it was a source of unfiltered info about an important quality-of-life decision. This was a success on all counts – saw a sharp uptick in referrals to healthcare.gov, and got thousands of young people to sign up. And later in the year, the skit went on to win not just an Emmy nomination, but the program’s first Emmy Award.
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ACA signups meet/exceed goal of 6M signups, with 7.1 million in initial enrollment period. This represented not just a psychological victory for PBO/ACA supporters after months of mockery of the website glitch and predictions of gloom by MSM pundiots and GOPers, but a tangible improvement in the lives of millions of ordinary Americans who for the first time could have affordable health insurance. Ezra Klein stopped waiting for hold music and at some point, the MSM and GOP grudgingly conceded that running to repeal Obamacare was a useless exercise.
More here
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I don’t think there was a single Obot, TODer, genuine Dem who didn’t feel deflated, demoralized, discouraged, depressed, the day after the Nov 2014 midterms. The voter turnout was abysmal; the GOP made gains in the house and had won the Senate – pretty much fulfilling the prophecy of the corrupt media and their year-long polling propaganda effort. The GOP and their MSM allies were damn near euphoric….So we were all prepared to see PBO come out and speak in somber, carefully calibrated words to put a reasonable spin on a catastrophic outcome. However, by the time PBO finished his press conference – many in the MSM/GOP were left scratching their heads, the RWNJ’s were having a monumental meltdown, and we TODers were damn near euphoric… I don’t need to give you all the details here – they’re all nicely summarized in this gem of a TOD post by Chips, tilted “the press conference: a tweet or two.” This presser was not just meant for the GOP and MSM, but for the stupid Dems who decided to run away from PBO, and paid a dear price for it. Not only did PBO not give a conciliatory “lame duck” presser as the MSM/GOP had hoped, he doubled down on his progressive agenda, signaled to us that he was just beginning, and gave us a reason to be hopeful, excited, inspired, and to look forward to the next couple years. And so far, our hope has NOT been dashed!
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“We were once Strangers Too.” As a naturalized US citizen, these poignant words from PBO resonated deeply with me, and as I can imagine, several TODers and other American citizens, residents and pending residents/citizens, who migrated to this country or whose parents, grand-parents and great-grand parents did the same at some point or another. This announcement had to have been a watershed moment for thousands of Latino, Asian, African and other immigrants who would now be able to apply for work permits and not face deportations and unnecessary separations from their family members. Again – in his PBO-esque manner, our President circumvented the corrupt media and made his announcement via Univision – where it effectively reached its target audience. And the rest is history in the making…
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What a day! What a team! Much thanks to PBO, Pope Francis, SOS Kerry, Raoul Castro and all who were involved in making this huge breakthrough a reality on December 17. Bells ringing in Havana, children squealing in excitement, young and mature Cubans in the US and abroad – celebrating in approval – of this eradication of a failed 50-year policy. And to top this off – the release of 5-yr detainee Alan Gross was something he will never forget. After his release, a jubilant and relieved Gross was quoted by media outlets as saying, among other things: “What a blessing it is to be a citizen of this country,” “It’s good to be home,” and “Thank you and I wish you all a happy holiday season.”
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(by Pete Souza)
This is really an expansion of a comment I made earlier. And it is representative of how I view the year 2014 and what truly will make it, in years to come, perhaps the most memorable year of President Obama’s two terms.
I had originally told Chips that I was going to come up with a memorable moment for each month. Then I was trying to look for a memorable moment for each day. The fact is, there were not many days that did not provide its own memorable moment and some days had more than one.
So then I tried to look at the entire year to see what all those possible memorable moments had in common and what the overall theme of this year was. And quite simply, as I was doing my considering I realized what our President reminded of…the old Timex commercials.
Basically, the commercials would show a Timex watch being subjected to all kinds of abuse, then there would be a close-up showing the watch still working. The tag line was “Timex, it takes a licking but keeps on ticking.”
And that is what this year has been like for the President. It started with all the abuse he was subjected to concerning Obamacare. Some of it was hangover from the initial website problems, but it kept building because of what supposed to be a failure of sufficient enrollment. Of course, President Obama kept his cool when all others were starting to panic (except those of us who knew better). He kept on ticking.
It continued on and on. Putin invaded Crimea and all we were subjected to, from the media and the right and the left, were how strong and leaderlike Putin was and how the President had obviously been outplayed by a master. Again, we knew better, even when the rest of the country was, in their hearts, laughing at him. But he kept on ticking.
Then came the ISIS crisis. Again, we were told he was too late and too little. Some of us knew better and he kept on ticking.
Then came election season. He was excoriated by the right, with all the GOP candidates trying to make the election about the evil socialist in the White House. And of course all the Dem candidates (though not all) trying to keep an arm’s distance, and sometimes even more, from him. But he kept on ticking.
Then came all the post election analysis and how the voters rejected his policies and how the right crowed and how the left complained that he hadn’t done enough or he had hurt them by doing too much. And the media declared his next two years to be the lamest of all lame ducks. But he kept on ticking, and ticking and ticking.
Sue Duvall Smith calls him the energizer President. He is so much more, though that is definitely a side to him. He is beyond the “Keep Calm and Carry On” slogan. He is something truly special and quite possibly, more than any other year, 2014 is emblematic of just what he is and what he means to the country and specially to us at TOD.
Yes, there have been many memorable moments in 2014 and I have truly enjoyed reliving them with my fellow TODvillians. Just like there have many other instances than those I have listed above.
But to me, looking back from some point in the future, I think I will consider 2014 as the memorable year of his Presidency. He has taken a licking but he keeps on ticking.
He is The Timex Man.
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1. The first New World Pope meets the first African-American President
2. President Obama receives a tip of the hat from a WWII veteran while celebrating the 70th anniversary of D-Day at “Democracy’s Beachhead.”
3. President Obama speaks at the newly-opened National September 11th Memorial & Museum, flanked by an eerie reminder of the brave lives lost.
4. A ray of light in an otherwise tough year for African-American youth, President Obama launches his My Brother’s Keeper initiative.
5. President Obama shuts down Boehner’s lawsuit against him in 7 words or less: “I’ve got a better idea: DO SOMETHING.”
6. President Obama “set the record straight” by giving Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris a long-overdue Medal Of Honor
7. President Obama makes a rare presidential visit to Dakota Indian Country
8. President Obama became the first president to wear a tan suit EVER
9. President Obama takes French President Hollande to the home of America’s greatest Francophile—Thomas Jefferson
10. President Obama becomes the first president to do his own birthday shopping in a thrift-store
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How can we form a memory
Of just one single day
When our lives in Obama’s time
Are enriched in every way.
The universe wakes up each morning
Looking for our President’s plan
And, lo, we’re never disappointed!
What.A.Man.
President Obama is his “brother’s keeper”
And he spotlights women at the mic
He calms down babies in a warm embrace
(Let’s face it) Everything he does, we like!
He leaps tall stock markets in a single bound
He’ll even work with Cuba and the Pope!
We’re in awe when he dazzles us with another act
So this is what he meant by Change and Hope!
Our precious First Lady
In all her grandeur and appeal
I think we’d agree is best described
In just one word: R-E-A-L.
The Obama daughters and their grandma
Are family members, also, to us all
Love all their winning ways and charm
And aren’t Malia and Sasha getting tall!
“They” call us Obots or Obamadons
Or what “they” think is a slur
I’d rather be on this side of history
Than live inside the right-wing blur.
One memorable yearly moment, Chips?
I.Think.Not.
Make that 365 days of APPRECIATION
From THIS Obamabot.
Happy 2015! Can’t Wait!
Obama White House.gov WH Tumblr The People’s View Smartypants Steve Benen
The Obama Diary 
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