We Will Rise: First Lady Michelle Obama’s #LetGirlsLearn Documentary

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The documentary airs tonight at 9PM EDT on CNN

The First Lady’s Day

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First Lady Michelle Obama is welcomed by Moroccan Princess Lalla Salma at the Marrakech International Airport

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Video Here

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First Lady Michelle Obama, actress Freida Pinto, actress Meryl Streep, and Moroccan student Karima Lokos participate in a Let Girls Learn discussion

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First Lady Michelle Obama speaks with Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco during a dinner

 

Rise and Shine

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Today

1:45 EDT: The President departs the White House

2:50 CT: Arrives Chicago

3:50 CT: Meets with community leaders to discuss immigration reform; Copernicus Community Center, Chicago

4:35 CT: Delivers remarks on immigration reform; Copernicus Community Center, Chicago

6:25 CT: Departs Chicago

9:20 EDT: Arrives White House

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Nerdy prepared a beautiful post yesterday on the President’s day, but we held off because of events in Ferguson. So, here it is:

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden applaud Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel for his years of service as he announces his resignation in the State Dining Room of the White House

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Stevie Wonder is greeted by President Barack Obama after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a White House ceremony. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors

Actress Marlo Thomas

 

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Golfer Charles Sifford

Ethel Kennedy

Journalist Tom Brokaw

Congressman John Dingell

Author Isabel Allende

Congressman Abner Mikva

Writer, curator, and activist Suzan Harjo

Robert Battle, the Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recieves a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama on behalf of dancer Alvin Ailey

Actress Meryl Streep

Stevie Wonder smiles while showing off his Presidential Medal of Freedom

Professor Mildred Dresselhaus

even more pete souza (and lawrence jackson) genius

President Obama plays with Bo aboard Air Force One during a flight to Hawaii, Dec. 23

….. making phone calls to 10 American service members stationed around the world, from his vacation rental home in Kailua, Hawaii, Dec. 24. WHCA Presidential Communications Officer CPT Mallory Fritz and Military Aide Lt. Col. Sam Price coordinate the calls in the background

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, along with Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, descend the Grand Staircase before delivering remarks at a Hanukkah reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Dec. 8

….. greeting Kennedy Center honoree Meryl Streep in the Blue Room of the White House, Dec. 4

…… taking a picture of guests Marilyn Arleen Nelson and Glen D. Nelson during the Kennedy Center Honors reception

….. greeting Elie Wiesel in the Oval Office, Dec. 5

….. arriving aboard Marine One at Osawatomie-Paola Municipal Airport in Osawatomie, Kan., Dec. 6

….. greeting U.S. Military Academy Cadets during the annual Army vs. Navy football game at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., Dec. 10

…… returning from a Christmas shopping trip, Dec. 21

All official White House Photos by Pete Souza and Lawrence Jackson

More photos here

rise and shine

Steve Benen: Six of the major Republican presidential candidates stopped by Fox News on Saturday night to field questions from Mike Huckabee and some GOP state attorneys general. The exchanges weren’t terribly newsworthy, but something transpired behind the scenes that spoke to a larger trend.

Fox News allowed a New York Times reporter to roam around before, during, after the interviews, covering how the candidates and their teams operated. One campaign “stood out by going into defensive mode immediately, insisting that the reporter stay far away”:

….. Spotting the reporter, Mr. Romney’s aides sprang into action, questioning where he worked and what he was doing there, and then insisting that he not physically approach Mr. Romney before or after he was questioned on television … The request was reiterated to executives at Fox News.

Romney’s aversion to media professionals is making the transition from an oddity to a problem. Indeed, the political press will put up with quite a bit, but it really doesn’t like being ignored, and Romney has apparently invited a backlash.

More here

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Thanks Amk

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11:10 The President meets with college presidents to discuss college affordability

USA Today: President Obama has invited the presidents of about 10 colleges and universities to a meeting at the White House on Monday to discuss affordability and productivity in higher education. While many White House events feature various presidents of colleges, a private meeting – called on short notice, with the president himself in attendance – is highly unusual.

The meeting, described as a roundtable discussion, will include Obama, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, White House advisers, and a small group of college presidents and “thought leaders” in higher education, according to an invitation sent by the White House. A list of those invited has not been released.

More here

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White House Live

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Morning everyone 😉

the kennedy honorees

L-R: Broadway actress Barbara Cook, singer and songwriter Neil Diamond, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, jazz musician Sonny Rollins and actress Meryl Streep

The Kennedy Center Honors reception at the White House, December 4

famous five

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and President Bill Clinton pose with the 2011 Kennedy Center Honorees, front row from left, Sonny Rollins, Barbara Cook, back row from left, Yo-Yo Ma, Meryl Streep and Neil Diamond at the State Department following a dinner and reception on Dec. 3

President Barack Obama will host the five recipients of the 34th Kennedy Center Honors at a White House reception before attending the evening gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

… with Yo-Yo Ma

…. with Sonny Rollins