rise and shine

President Barack Obama stands with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife Kristiani Herawati during a family photo before the East Asia Summit Gala dinner in Nusa Dua, on the island of Bali

President Obama and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono talk as Balinese dancers perform on stage at the East Asia Summit dinner

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What a beautiful difference five years makes. Just sayin’:

President George W. Bush chats with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of the Asian-Pacific leaders meeting in Hanoi, 19 November 2006.

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President Obama speaks after announcing a commercial deal between Boeing and Indonesia’s Lion Air at a signing ceremony in Nusa Dua, on the island of Bali, Indonesia.

Boeing and Lion Air have reached agreement on the purchase of 201 Boeing 737MAX and 29 Next Generation 737ER aircraft. The order will support over 110,000 U.S. jobs at Boeing and at suppliers in 43 states. This represents one of the largest trade deals between the United States and Indonesia in history….

Boeing and Singapore Airlines have reached agreement on the purchase of eight Boeing 777-300ER widebody aircraft with a total list price value of $2.4 billion, $2 billion in U.S. export content and supporting an estimated 11,000 U.S. jobs….

More here

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THIS:

The Hill: A senior military official says U.S. forces soon will begin winding down counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan, signaling a major shift in the decade-old conflict.

U.S. forces are working to “set the conditions” for Afghan government officials and security forces to assume control of key provinces by next fall as American troops begin to exit, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos told The Hill.

More here

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NYT: Chrysler said Wednesday that it would add 1,100 jobs at a sport utility vehicle plant here as it spends $1.7 billion developing new models for its Jeep brand.

…. Chrysler is one of several carmakers adding large numbers of jobs in the United States after years of steep employment declines in the auto industry. On Thursday, Toyota is scheduled to begin production at a new plant in Mississippi that will employ about 2,000 people.

The mayor of Toledo, Mike Bell, described Chrysler’s announcement as “the equivalent of a blood transfusion” for this heavily industrial city along the Michigan border.

More here

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FactCheck: Republican presidential candidates Rick Perry and Mitt Romney both claim President Barack Obama said that “Americans are lazy.” He didn’t. To the contrary, Obama has consistently and repeatedly praised American workers as the “most productive in the world,” a bit of boosterism he has repeated dozens of times. His recent words — “we’ve been a little bit lazy, I think, over the last couple of decades” – actually referred to collective efforts to promote foreign investment in the U.S., and not to American workers or voters as individuals. Perry and Romney simply rip those words out of their context in order to mislead.

More here

Wow, some proper journalism from CBS:

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Washington Post: A think tank founded by GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich collected at least $37 million over the past eight years from major health-care companies and industry groups, offering special access to the former House speaker and other perks, according to records and interviews.

Full article here

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President Barack Obama greets soldiers following his remarks at the Royal Army Air Force Base in Darwin. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

More photos from Australia at the White House site

Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!

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And thanks to our video Queen for this, the President’s speech to the troops in Darwin:

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Morning everyone 😉

australia, day two

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Darwin, Northern Territory:

President Obama talks to Margaret Heron after laying a wreath at the memorial of the USS Peary in Darwin. Margaret Heron was 11 at the time of the Darwin bombing by Japanese aircraft which resulted in the sinking of the Peary, a Clemson-class destroyer, on February 19, 1942

President Obama hugs survivor Mary Lee who was 9 at the time of the Darwin bombing by Japanese aircraft which also resulted in the sinking of the Peary

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At the Royal Army Air Force Base in Darwin

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Arriving in Bali, Indonesia:

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President Barack Obama waves to people in the gallery after addressing the Australian Parliament in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Nov.17, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

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All Australia posts here

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Meanwhile…..

Reuters: New U.S. claims for jobless benefits hit a seven-month low last week, while permits for future home construction rebounded strongly last month, bolstering views the economy was gaining traction.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 388,000, the Labor Department said on Thursday, from 393,000 the prior week. Economists had forecast claims rising to 395,000.

Separately, permits for residential construction rose 10.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 653,000 last month, the Commerce Department said. However, new home construction fell 0.3 percent to annual rate of 628,000 units.

….. “The U.S. economy continues to show signs of strong momentum. The improvement in claims underscores that the gains in labor market activity over the past few months are being sustained,” said Millan Mulraine, a senior macro strategist at TD Securities in New York.

More here

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….. On the margins of the President’s trip, trade transactions were announced or showcased, exceeding $25 billion in total value (and an additional $14 billion in potential value) and supporting an estimated 127,000 U.S. jobs ….. Notable examples include:

• Boeing 737s to Indonesia: The Boeing Company and Lion Air have reached agreement on the purchase of 201 Boeing 737MAX and 29 Next Generation 737ER aircraft. The President will join a signing ceremony between the representatives of Boeing and Lion Air on November 18 ….  The order will support over 110,000 U.S. jobs at Boeing and at suppliers in 43 states. This represents one of the largest trade deals between the United States and Indonesia in history….

• Boeing 777s to Singapore: The Boeing Company and Singapore Airlines have reached agreement on the purchase of eight Boeing 777-300ER widebody aircraft with a total list price value of $2.4 billion, $2 billion in U.S. export content and supporting an estimated 11,000 U.S. jobs…..

• GE Engines to Indonesia: GE is signing a contract to sell 50 CFM56 engines to Garuda Airlines of Indonesia, for $1.3 billion. This deal will represent $650 million in U.S. export content and support close to an estimated 5,000 U.S. jobs at GE’s plants in Ohio and North Carolina and at suppliers across the nation.

• Sikorsky Helicopters to Brunei: Sikorsky has been selected by the Brunei Ministry of Defense to supply 12 Blackhawk S-70i helicopters …. The value of the deal is $325 million, with $200 million in U.S. export content supporting an estimated 1,100 U.S jobs……

Read the full WH release here

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LA Times

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For some reason, this video isn’t working – except for me 😳 Will try to fix it!

BBC Newsnight, November 16 – “Bobble-headed giggle twits” 😆

next stop: darwin

Live coverage:

Australian Sky News

NT News

White House Live (at 2:0 AM ET)

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Herald Sun: At one of her first face-to-face meetings with Barack Obama soon after becoming PM, Julia Gillard said to the leader of the free world: “Are you nuts?”.

It could have been a monumental diplomatic blunder from the woman who admitted foreign policy was not her passion. But Obama didn’t see it as an insult. He considered her disregard for foreign affairs double-speak refreshing.

The two leaders have discovered they share a similar sense of humour and political outlook, and a surprisingly strong personal relationship has blossomed between the Australian Prime Minister and the President of the United States.

They are like-minded left-of-centre politicians both facing difficult domestic challenges, with Obama battling a hostile Congress and Gillard juggling minority government. And both are trail-blazers – the first black President and first female PM.

… Gillard sent Obama a 50th birthday card in August, purchased from the Parliament House florist, with pictures of a kangaroo, the Parliament building, native flowers and the Captain Cook water-jet on Lake Burley Griffin. Inside she wrote a personal note, including the line, “Your life has been remarkable to date but I’m sure the best is yet to come”.

… Gillard told me about their chat in an interview: “I had a discussion in the margins of one of the summits with President Obama who said, ‘You know your Question Time is a good way of speaking to the nation and getting your message out’, to which I said, “Are you nuts? We have this for an hour and half, four days a week’.

“He did laugh. He was not insulted by the ‘are you nuts?’. He thought I was pretty funny,” Gillard recalled.

Full article here

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President Obama at a tree dedication ceremony at the U.S. embassy compound in Canberra – photos from Flickr – thank you Hopefruit

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** All Australia posts here **

chelsea’s day

Original video here

The Herald: IT was that unforgettable moment when a prime minister meets the US President in Parliament House, Canberra.

But it was not the nation’s leader, Julia Gillard, who embraced Barack Obama. She had to settle for a kiss and back pat.

Instead it was Chelsea Gallagher, the 12-year-old ‘prime minister’ of Dungog Public School, who wrapped her arms around the world’s most powerful man yesterday.

“I said ‘hello’ and then I asked him if I could have a hug and he gave me one,” said Chelsea, whose school voted her ‘prime minister’ (rather than captain) this year.

…. “He was really cool, and had the biggest smile on his face when he walked into the foyer and saw us all,” she told the Newcastle Herald.

Mr Obama spotted the children and said “Whoa. Hello everyone,” then exclaimed “G’day”….

More here

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President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Julia Gillard toast during the Parliamentary Dinner at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Nov. 16, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

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Steve Benen: President Obama spoke to American business leaders at the APEC summit, and said policymakers haven’t been aggressive enough in attracting businesses to American soil….

…. Mitt Romney, either because he’s not terribly bright or because he’s hoping voters aren’t terribly bright, launched a new attack based on Obama’s comments. As he sees it, the president “said that Americans are lazy.” That’s not true, but Romney isn’t exactly fact-oriented….

As it turns out, there is a presidential candidate who’s argued that Americans “avoid the hard work” that’s needed for the country to get ahead. The candidate is Mitt Romney, who put the argument in his book:

“We have been accustomed to being the world’s leading nation for so long, enjoying the freedom, security, and prosperity that comes with that leadership, that we have tended to avoid the hard work that overcoming challenges requires.”

…. The former governor said yesterday the president doesn’t “understand” Americans. It seems like Romney has this backwards.

Full post here

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More soon

australia, day one

President Obama and Australian PM Julia Gillard greet students gathered at Parliament House in Canberra

australian arrival

3:30 PM Canberra time (11:30 PM DC): The President arrives in Canberra

4:15 PM (12:15 AM DC): Ceremonial welcome at Parliament House

4:30 PM (12:30 AM DC): Meeting with PM Julia Gillard

6:0 PM (2:0 AM DC): Joint press conference with PM Gillard

7:30 PM (3:30 AM DC): Parliamentary dinner, speeches from both leaders

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Live coverage:

Herald Sun * Yahoo Australia * Sydney Morning Herald * ABC Australia

White House live (2:0 AM ET press conference)

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News.com: As the Occupy camps in Melbourne and Adelaide rage against the ills of Western capitalism, young Australians have given their backing to the man who leads the world’s biggest economy.

A news.com.au survey can reveal that under-35-year-olds are happiest about Barack Obama’s visit, with more than 50 per cent saying they were happy or ecstatic.

…. The feelings of good-will and warmth for Mr Obama are in stark contrast to those George W. Bush aroused when he visited Australia in 2003 and 2007.

… A Gallup poll shows that approval of US leadership nearly tripled among Australians between 2008 and 2010, jumping from 25 per cent to 69 per cent. It was the biggest increase Gallup measured worldwide pre- and post-Obama.

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….. greeted by Australia’s Governor-General Quentin Bryce

… greeting Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard

coming up …. down under

Okay, we are about to enter time-zone befuddlement …..

The President will visit two Australian cities…. Canberra is 16 hours ahead of Washington DC ….. Darwin is 14 and a half hours ahead of DC …. so, it’s already tomorrow in Australia 😯

Julia Gillard

3:30 PM local time (11:30 PM DC): The President arrives in Canberra

4:15 PM (12:15 AM DC): Ceremonial welcome at Parliament House

4:30 PM (12:30 AM DC): Meeting with PM Julia Gillard

6:0 PM (2:0 AM DC): Joint press conference with PM Gillard

7:30 PM (3:30 AM DC): Parliamentary dinner, speeches from both leaders

Canberra Times

Thursday (in Australia!): The President begins his day by laying a wreath at an Australian war memorial; meets with opposition leader Tony Abbott; addresses the Australian Parliament; visits a local primary school with PM Gillard; visits the US embassy. Leaves Canberra for Darwin. Visits a memorial to the USS Peary and lays a wreath. The President and PM Gillard together address Australian troops. That concludes the Australia portion of the visit. The President flies that night to Bali, Indonesia.

Friday: Attends a number of bilateral meetings. Meets with the Prime Minister of India and the leaders of Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia. Meets with the ASEAN nations, the 10 Southeast Asian nations. Meets with President Yudhoyono of Indonesia; attends an East Asia dinner that night.

Saturday: The East Asian Summit takes place through the day. At its conclusion the President returns to the United States.

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Original video here – thanks Donna and VC

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Australian Newspaper Links: The Canberra Times * The Age * Sydney Morning Herald

Warning: these are owned by Rupert ‘fair and balanced’ Murdoch: The Australian * Herald Sun * Northern Territory News (Darwin) * The Daily Telegraph

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TV/Video: ABC * Special Broadcasting Service * News.com * Sky News Australia * Yahoo Australia

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Any links to add? Leave them in the comments 😉

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Live coverage:

The Herald Sun will have live coverage of the President’s arrival – but seeing as it’s Murdoch-owned, its commentators will probably be wearing Romney t-shirts.

Live coverage of the President’s arrival for the official dinner and speeches at Parliament House here (ABC Australia) – thank you JER

More live streaming at Yahoo Australia and the Sydney Morning Herald – thanks Meta and COS

And:

White House live

down under

NT News: President Barack Obama has been insured against crocodile attack for his visit to the Northern Territory. TIO issued him the standard policy – a cover note carrying a photograph of a saltie with the promise to pay $50,000 in the event of a fatal attack.

Chief executive Richard Harding said the insurance policy had been framed and would be presented to the president during his visit to Darwin on Thursday. … “We’re excited to be issuing one of these policies for President Obama as a memento of his time in the Territory.”

TIO has been selling the $10 cover for 23 years – but President Obama will get his for free.

😕

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Canberra Times

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CNN: A new poll shows Mitt Romney leading the GOP presidential field by a wide margin in New York, but a majority of voters statewide said they would choose to re-elect President Barack Obama if the election were held today.

Romney was the choice of 32% of Republican voters in the state, double the support of businessman Herman Cain, who was second at 15%, according to a Siena College Research Institute poll released Tuesday.

….. Fifty-seven percent of registered voters said they hold a favorable view of the president … He also carries a wide lead over Romney in a hypothetical matchup, 59%-34%.

Full article here

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MSNBC: In light of Herman Cain’s moment yesterday …. it’s worth noting that he wrote a book in 1999 titled “Speak as a Leader: Develop the Better Speaker in You.” In that book, he offers advice about public speaking, particularly on how to handle media interviews.

….. “First, if you know the topic ahead of time,” he writes, “plan the key points you want to make during the interview and be able to state those points in a variety of ways. If you will be doing frequent interviews with the press, then a media training course would be advisable in order to learn effective communication techniques. Second, there is no such thing as off the record. If you say it, then assume it might be used at some point. Third, expect the unexpected and be prepared to remain calm and professional.”

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Bloomberg: Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich said during a Nov. 9 debate that he earned a $300,000 fee to advise Freddie Mac as a “historian” who warned that the mortgage company’s business model was “insane.”

Former Freddie Mac officials familiar with the consulting work Gingrich was hired to perform for the company in 2006 tell a different story. They say the former House speaker was asked to build bridges to Capitol Hill Republicans and develop an argument on behalf of the company’s public-private structure that would resonate with conservatives seeking to dismantle it.

Full article here

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