Posts Tagged ‘governors
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pay their respects to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, in front of his casket, in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court
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President Barack Obama speaks during a meeting of the Democratic Governors Association while Vice President Joe Biden and Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett listen, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House
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Carrying a binder containing material on potential Supreme Court nominees, President Barack Obama walks toward the residence of the White House
05
Dec
14
The President’s Day
President Barack Obama shares a laugh with Ashton Carter, his nominee for defense secretary, during the announcement in the Roosevelt Room of the White House
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President Barack Obama greets former National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft
President Barack Obama meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan in the Oval Office at the White House. President Obama and King Abdullah II discussed regional issues and the ongoing fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
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President Barack Obama delivers brief remarks to reporters before meeting with a group of newly elected governors in the Oval Office at the White House and said the group would talk about issues where the states and the White House have common ground.
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(L-R): Governor-elect Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, Governor-elect Bruce Rauner of Illinois, Governor-elect Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, Governor-elect Greg Abbott of Texas, Governor-elect Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island, Governor-elect Larry Hogan of Maryland and Gov. Bill Walker
First Lady Michelle Obama announces proposed guidelines for local school wellness policies during an event in the East Room at the White House
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https://twitter.com/NerdyWonka/status/438428953288536064
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NYT: Obesity Rate For Young Children Plummets 43% In A Decade
Federal health authorities on Tuesday reported a stunning 43 percent drop in the obesity rate among 2- to 5-year-old children over the past decade, the first broad decline in an epidemic that often leads to lifelong struggles with weight and higher risks for cancer, heart disease and stroke. The drop emerged from a major federal health survey that experts say is the gold standard for evidence on what Americans weigh. The trend came as a welcome surprise to researchers. New evidence has shown that obesity takes hold young: Children who are overweight or obese between age 3 and 5 are five times as likely to be overweight or obese as adults.
“This is the first time we’ve seen any indication of any significant decrease in any group,” said Cynthia Ogden, a researcher for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the author of the report, which will be published in JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association, on Wednesday. “It was exciting.” Another explanation is that some combination of state, local and federal policies aimed at reducing obesity is starting to have an effect. Michelle Obama has led a push to change young children’s eating and exercise habits and 10,000 child care centers across the country have signed on. The news announcement from the C.D.C. included a remark from Mrs. Obama: “I am thrilled at the progress we’ve made over the last few years in obesity rates among our youngest Americans.”
More here
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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, introduces JoAnne Hammermaster, from Vienna, Va., who is co-founder and president of Real Food For Kids, and her son Sam Hammermaster, before First Lady Michelle Obama announced proposed guidelines for local school wellness policies
First Lady Michelle Obama recites a “wrap” song written by students from George C. Marshall High School in Falls Church, Va., about healthy eating
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First Lady Michelle Obama helps Naeem Khan make history!
This handout photo provided by the Smithsonian shows a dress designed by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan for First Lady Michelle Obama. It was worn to the 2012 Governors Dinner and is now on display at the Smithsonian’s first major exhibit: “Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation” on Indian-American influences in U.S. history. Khan has designed several dresses for Mrs. Obama. The exhibit opens Thursday.
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*Ahem* Ladies? You’re welcome
Sam Kass, Executive Director of Let’s Move! and Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition Policy speaks to guests before First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announce proposed guidelines for local school wellness policies
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Great workout & interview with @FLOTUS ! Fun time bustin a move with the First Lady… #LetsMove pic.twitter.com/aOoYbE285b
— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) February 25, 2014
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Who’s got the best moves: The First Lady, @MarioLopezExtra, or Alonzo Mourning? http://t.co/6R4zznRjDu #LetsMove
— FLOTUS (@FLOTUS) February 25, 2014
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First lady Michelle Obama gives a hug at a Miami parks and recreation center during a visit to promote her “Let’s Move” campaign
23
Feb
14
Cheers!
President Barack Obama makes a toast before the 2014 Governors’ Dinner in the State Dining Room of the White House
President Barack Obama and Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin (R) toast after their remarks
President Barack Obama toasts Washington Governor Jay Inslee (D) and Inslee’s wife Trudi Inslee
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Indiana Governor Mike Pence react to remarks by President Barack Obama
21
Feb
14
Pictures Of The Day
White House: These two.
Pete Souza: POTUS meets today w Dalai Lama
VP: PHOTO: The VP dropped by a meeting with governors at the WH today to discuss the President’s call to #RaiseTheWage
Pete Souza: Pres Obama talks w NH Gov Maggie Hassan, following today’s mtg w Democratic Govs at the WH
22
Aug
13
Rise and Shine
Random old pic, because, well, it’s Education Day – Occidental College, 1981
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Today (all times Eastern):
9:0 AM: President Obama departs the White House
10:20: Arrives in Buffalo, N.Y.
11:05: Delivers remarks at the University of Buffalo
5:55: Delivers remarks at Henninger High School, Syracuse
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Michelle & I finally repaid our student loans 9 yrs ago—so we know paying for college is tough. More Thursday to #MakeCollegeAffordable. –bo
— The White House (@whitehouse) August 20, 2013
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USA Today: President Obama is back on the road Thursday, starting a two-day bus trip to promote plans to cut college costs.
First up is a flight to upstate New York, where Obama will speak at the University of Buffalo, the State University of New York. The president and his bus then travel to Henninger High School in Syracuse.
“At these two schools, the President will discuss his plan to make college more affordable, tackle rising costs, and improve value for students and their families,” says the White House schedule.
…. After discussing college costs in Buffalo and Syracuse, Obama spends the night in Auburn, N.Y. The president wraps up his bus tour on Friday with stops in Binghamton, N.Y., and Scranton, Penn.
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Too many here in Washington believe education is an expense that can be cut in tough economic times. I believe education is an investment.
— Arne Duncan (@arneduncan) August 21, 2013
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Matthew Yglesias: Obama’s Radical Agenda on Higher Education
The White House is tackling the status quo that’s sent college costs out of control.
For decades now, America’s approach to higher-education policy has been a delightful synthesis of left-wing and right-wing ideas. In stark contrast to the K–12 universe, college is a playground for individual choice and market competition …. In a speech Thursday morning in Buffalo, N.Y., on ways to enhance college affordability, President Obama will likely lay out policy measures that, while relatively modest on their own terms, propose to radically subvert that bargain on a conceptual level.
The president has decided, essentially, that the old bargain has failed …. he wants to find ways for the federal government to put its muscle behind an idea that’s both modest and radical: that public money should pay for outcomes, not just more stuff. Attempting to nudge the health care system in that direction was a key element of the Affordable Care Act. Nudging K–12 education in that direction has been the centerpiece of the Obama education agenda. Bringing it to the realm of higher education in a serious way would be extremely difficult but also an extraordinary achievement if we can be sent down that path.
More here
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. @BarackObama speaks with @ChrisCuomo Friday, August 23. Tune in 6 – 9 a.m. ET #NewDay #Collegecosts
— New Day (@NewDay) August 22, 2013
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NYT: Obama’s Plan Aims to Lower Cost of College
President Obama plans to announce a set of ambitious proposals on Thursday aimed at making colleges more accountable and affordable by rating them and ultimately linking those ratings to financial aid.
A draft of the proposal, obtained by The New York Times and likely to cause some consternation among colleges, shows a plan to rate colleges before the 2015 school year based on measures like tuition, graduation rates, debt and earnings of graduates, and the percentage of lower-income students who attend. The ratings would compare colleges against their peer institutions. If the plan can win Congressional approval, the idea is to base federal financial aid to students attending the colleges partly on those rankings.
“All the things we’re measuring are important for students choosing a college,” a senior administration official said. “It’s important to us that colleges offer good value for their tuition dollars, and that higher education offer families a degree of security so students aren’t left with debt they can’t pay back.”
More here
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Obama checks in personally with health exchanges: http://t.co/XLT8Cduq3r
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) August 22, 2013
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USA Today: Small-business jobs rise as economy improves
Small-business hiring and confidence about the future are rising, a signal of the economy’s growing strength and diminishing concerns about employee insurance coverage required by the new health care law.
Job creation at small companies has almost doubled in the last six months, reaching 82,000 jobs at firms with 49 or fewer employees in July, according to payroll processor ADP. Borrowing by small businesses and sales of new franchises have also climbed, indicating business owners are willing to take on new expenses and risk.
More here
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Erica’s mom was a hero. #WhatWillItTake for Congress to honor her memory by passing common-sense gun reform? pic.twitter.com/spMlzZSmnF
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 21, 2013
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The Atlantic: Immigration Reformers Are Winning August
Opponents of a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants had a plan to apply grassroots pressure on congressional Republicans in their home districts. Why did it fizzle?
Activists opposed to immigration reform were all set to spend this month putting pressure on lawmakers to kill the legislation. But it hasn’t exactly been a show of force.
Last week, the Tea Party Patriots and NumbersUSA, two groups opposed to “amnesty” legislation, heavily publicized a rally in Richmond, Virginia, featuring Steve King … but only a few dozen people showed up – far short of the hundreds organizers had planned for.
…. as August winds down, the Richmond event seems indicative of the overall trend. Hundreds of immigrant advocates have appeared at rallies and town halls across the country. But the other side, the opponents, have been mostly absent.
More here
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Steve Benen: The nation’s full faith and credit is not a ‘leverage point’
About a week ago, National Review’s Robert Costa reported that congressional Republicans are considering an incredibly dangerous new plan: they’re prepared to hold the nation’s debt limit hostage again, creating a crisis comparable to the one we saw in the summer of 2011, unless Democrats agree to take health care benefits away from millions of Americans.
Earlier this week, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a prominent member of the House Democratic leadership, said he now sees this scenario as likely. And overnight, Reuters reported (see here) that another GOP debt-ceiling crisis appears to be on the way…..
… In other words, GOP leaders are effectively prepared to swap one hostage for another …. this is nothing short of madness. As Ezra Klein recently put it, “Trading a government shutdown for a debt-ceiling breach is like trading the flu for septic shock”….
More here
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TPM: Republican Governors: Shhh, Don’t Call Our Obamacare Money Obamacare!
A variety of Republican governors have sought federal funds under Obamacare, many of them to expand Medicaid eligibility for more residents, a centerpiece of the law that the Supreme Court made optional for states last year.
But shhh! Don’t call it Obamacare, they say, for they despise that law.
In the latest example, vociferous Obamacare critic and Texas Gov. Rick Perry is seeking roughly $100 million in federal funds under a program set up under Obamacare, called Community First Choice … “The bottom line is it has nothing to do with Obamacare,” said Perry spokeswoman Allison Castle.
Only it has everything to do with Obamacare …
Perry is in good company among Republican governors, many of whom want billions of federal funds under the law’s Medicaid expansion, but don’t want to call it Obamacare …. One example is Arizona’s Jan Brewer …. another is Florida’s Rick Scott….
More here
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NBC: Even Republican young adults want health insurance, poll finds
Obamacare may have become a partisan issue, but more Republicans than Democrats have signed up for one of its most popular provisions, according to a survey published Wednesday.
The survey also pokes holes in the idea that most 20-somethings act like “Young Invincibles” who believe they don’t need health insurance.
A team at the Commonwealth Fund, which strongly supports healthcare reform, looked at one of the main target groups of the 2010 Affordable Care Act – young adults who have been going without health insurance. One of the most popular provisions of the law lets people age 26 and younger stay on their parents’ health insurance.
…. They found that by last March, 63 percent of young adults identifying as Republicans had enrolled in a parent’s health plan in the last 12 months, compared to 45 percent of those who considered themselves Democrats….
More here
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A #Louisiana poll shows 29% of #GOP-ers blame #Obama for the Katrina response. The other 61% blame him for Vietnam. http://t.co/UYeJzAzHiU
— Eric Wolfson (@ericwolfson) August 21, 2013
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Texas Tribune: Voter ID Debate Heats Up as Dallas County Joins Fight
A fight against the state’s contentious voter ID laws escalated this week when Dallas County became the first Texas county to claim that the requirements would disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters.
In a 3-2 vote on Tuesday, the Dallas County Commissioners Court voted to join U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, in a lawsuit urging a federal district court to issue an injunction against the voter ID law. The law requires voters to present one of seven forms of state or federal identification or a so-called election identification certificate, which can be obtained from the state’s Department of Public Safety.
On Wednesday in an appearance on MSNBC, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins applauded the commissioners’ decision. Jenkins said 220,000 of 1.1 million total registered voters in Dallas County indicated they did not have the required forms of ID to vote.
More here
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Hey @OFA_PA volunteers, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, Thank YOU for your #PassionForOrganizing pic.twitter.com/q0Vzw4pqs2
— Aquiles Damiron (@amdamiron) August 22, 2013
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On this day:
Pete Souza: “On vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, the President was golfing at the Vineyard Golf Club. I switched my digital camera to the black-and-white setting to capture the ominous clouds.” Aug. 22, 2010
First Lady Michelle Obama greets attendees during a Joining Forces event at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Fla., Aug. 22, 2012 (Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
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MooooOOOOoooorning!
WE. HAVE. TO. WIN. IN. 2014!!!
Nothing. Else. Matters.
That is the North star we must follow no matter what fake scandals are strewn in our path. Apathy and Complacency taught us a huge lesson in 2010, whose ramifications stall our progress now. Many of us failed to appreciate how recalcitrant entrenched plutocratic power is. So we have to defeat the GOP and their brand of UNAMERICAN callousness toward the 99% of this country’s population. When someone shows you who they are, believe them. Republicans do NOT care about this country’s welfare, only to grab for their monied friends. Period.
As President Obama said on election night 2008 “the road will be long, our climb will be steep, but America, we will get there.” Every one of those predictions has been borne out. Good news is we conquered them in 2012. But we have more fight on our hands. Today’s 37th repeal Obamacare vote should remind us that Republicans never give up on eroding our rights. They keep gnawing and gnawing and gnawing at our rights until they can wear us down and chip away till we have only empty shells left.
25
Feb
13
Monday: A Video and Image or Two
President Obama takes questions during a meeting with the National Governors Association
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President Barack Obama talks with Gov. Peter Shumlin, D-Vt., center, chair of the Democratic Governors Association, and Gov. Mike Spence, R-Ind., after a meeting with the NGA in the State Dining Room of the White House, Feb. 25, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Official portrait of Vice President Joe Biden in his West Wing Office at the White House, Jan. 10, 2013. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
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Grrrr, got no newsie bits posted today, will try to make up for it in the morning – I have a seriously monster huuuuuge amount of catching up to do. 😕
White House Live * Not sure about CBS & CNN (not listed in schedules)
A year ago, I remember arming myself with popcorn and settling in for the night to watch this ….. and the coverage lasted about three minutes. 😕
So, I’m guessing we’ll only get to hear very brief remarks again?
If so, just keep chatting when it’s done!
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Oi everyone, behave!
Bob Woodward – “Obama visibly tense at Governors’ dinner tonight”:
Bob Woodward – “Obama uses left hand to toast Governors at dinner tonight”:
The Obama Diary 
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