Jimmy Carter Did His Bit
[Editorial note: Rather than read the post below, try this wonderful article by journalist James Fallows, a Carter speechwriter in the 1970s: An Unlucky President, And A Lucky Man. And …..
Posts tagged: Barack Obama
Bo the Dog Has Crossed the Rainbow Bridge
Bo in 2009. (Official White House photo by Chuck Kennedy) Bo the Dog has died, sad to say. The former First Dog passed away at age 12 after a bout …..
Re-upping: Barack Obama’s Apartment from Harvard Days
Future president Barack Obama lived in a basement apartment in Somerville, Massachusetts while he attended Harvard Law School — living in a not-so-fancy part of town to save money, as …..
NY Daily News on Trump: ‘Three Men and a Baby’
Now, there’s a headline writer who went home with a sense of a job well done. Noted the article: Trump was the lone living president to play no official role in …..
John Lewis Biography and Photos
Congressman John Lewis has died at age 80. A towering civil rights figure who survived having his skull fractured by Alabama state police on “Bloody Sunday” in 1965, Lewis had …..
Black History Month: How African-American GIs of WWII Fought for Democracy Abroad and Then at Home
When war broke out, black Americans fought in segregated units to serve their country. The breath of freedom they experienced in Europe flamed the fight for equality when they returned home.
Medal of Honor Winner Florent Groberg Is Married
Vows — the weekly wedding section of The New York Times — is always good for an unusual courtship story, a meet-cute or even a few tears. This week it …..
Anthony Bourdain is Dead at Age 61
Anthony Bourdain is dead. The chef, author and superstar host of the cooking show Parts Unknown committed suicide in a Paris hotel this morning, according to a report from the show’s network, …..
The Obama Official Portraits: One Strange, One Wonderful
The new portraits of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were unveiled today at the National Gallery. Here they are: Barack Obama’s portrait is by Kehinde Wiley, and …..
Queen Elizabeth II Hits 65 Years and 75 Days in Office
Queen Elizabeth II turns 91 today, April 21st. That means she’s been ruling the United Kingdom for 65 years and 75 days. With many more days to come, it seems, …..
Joe Biden Given Presidential Medal of Freedom in Surprise Ceremony
Vice President Joe Biden was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom today by President Barack Obama in a surprise White House ceremony. Always emotional, Joe Biden cried openly during much of …..
A Coastal Elitist Votes for the Heartland
Coastal elites have been voting for the heartland for 50 years. The problem is that the heartland has been voting the other way.
President Obama Meets President-Elect Trump
President Barack Obama met president-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office this week, two days after Trump’s surprise election as America’s next president. Another great photo by ace White House …..
Donald Trump Elected President
Donald Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States on Tuesday night. He will succeed Barack Obama on January 20, 2017. While final totals are not yet in, …..
Lin-Manuel Miranda Biography: New!
Our Lin-Manuel Miranda biography is now live. Who is Lin-Manuel Miranda? Only the certified genius who created, wrote and stars in the Broadway mega-show Hamilton. And also the Tony-winning writer …..
Sasha Obama’s Real Name is Natasha
Natasha Obama is a search we see a lot of, so we’d like to clarify for our readers: Natasha Obama is the real name of Sasha Obama, the second daughter of …..
The White House Easter Egg Roll Used to Get a Little Crazy
Photos of the White House Easter Egg Roll show that it was a little less educational and more freewheeling in the old days.
Just a Nice Photo: Barack Obama in Cuba
President Barack Obama is in Cuba for a goodwill visit. This was shot on Sunday night, March 20, as he had dinner with his (unseen) wife Michelle Obama and daughters …..
Merrick Garland Biography – New!
Our Merrick Garland biography is now live. Merrick Garland is the U.S. Court of Appeals judge nominated to the Supreme Court by President Barack Obama on March 16, 2016. Here …..
Sri Srinivasan Biography: New!
Our Sri Srinivasan biography is now live. Sri Srinivasan is the U.S. Court of Appeals judge who seems to be one of the leading candidates to fill the Supreme Court …..
Lin-Manuel Miranda Rhymes ‘POTUS’ with ‘You Know This’
This was part of a day of Hamilton at the White House, with the cast (and First Lady) working and sharing with a group of high school kids. Would you give your left arm to be there? I would.
Just a Nice Photo: The Obamas in the White House
President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle share a moment in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, as former President George Washington looks on. Just a nice photo, that’s all. …..
Justin Trudeau Wore Brown Shoes with a Blue Suit at the White House
We’re not saying it’s wrong, mind you, but we are rather fascinated by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s choice of shoes while meeting President Barack Obama yesterday at the White House. …..
Obama’s Presidents’ Day Gift
[Michelle hands Barack a single gift] This is for Valentine's Day AND Presidents' Day. — OhNoSheTwitnt (@OhNoSheTwitnt) February 15, 2016 Heh! Happy Presidents’ Day, everyone!
Just a Nice Photo: Michelle Obama’s Birthday
Michelle Obama turns 52 years old today, and the White House has been circulating this photo on social media. It’s a great shot. Michelle Obama was born on January 17, …..
President Obama’s Remarks on Guns: The Complete Transcript
Here’s the complete transcript of President Barack Obama‘s remarks on gun safety reform at the White House on January 5th. This is the part that stuck out most forcefully to me: …..
The White House Situation Room Clocks are Rather Interesting
As we were prowling the White House Flickr photo feed recently, this photo of the White House situation room caught our eye. It’s from December 5 of 2015; President Barack Obama is …..
Aretha Franklin Sings for Carole King at the Kennedy Center Honors
Aretha Franklin proves she’s still the Queen of Soul, singing “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman” for Carole King at the Kennedy Center Honors last night. If Carole King’s reactions …..
Is This the Saddest Presidential Dog Photo Ever?
The story of Feller, the unwanted White House dog.
Loretta Lynch Biography: New!
Meet President Barack Obama’s nominee to be the next U.S. Attorney General.
Pete Seeger Is Dead at 94. Did You Sing His Songs at Church Camp?
Pete Seeger packed plenty into 94 years, from riding the rails to folk stardom to cleaning up the Hudson River.
Is Sasha Obama Taller Than an Elf?
Yes, the president’s daughter is definitely gaining on the elves.
Garish Photos of a Dozen Famous Weddings
Just-slightly-weird wedding shots of the DiMaggios, the Presleys, the Obamas and more.
Michelle Obama in Vogue
Well, she looks great. Let’s just admit she looks great.
Jack Lew Biography: New!
The new Secretary of the Treasury is “exceedingly meticulous” and “the most unassuming power broker in Washington.”
Valentine’s Day Special: Esperanza Spalding Plays ‘Overjoyed’
The super-bassist plays one of Stevie Wonder’s most hopeful love songs at the White House.
John Kerry is Your New Secretary of State
After 28 years in the Senate, he’s now America’s point man for foreign affairs.
‘Good Job, Dad. You Didn’t Mess Up.’
With his hand on the family Bible, President Barack Obama has taken the oath of office for his second term.
Pete Souza’s Favorite White House Photos of 2012
The ace White House photographer releases his favorite shots of Barack Obama and family.
Barack Obama and Mitt Romney: The Handshake
The challenger and the president have had a post-election chat.
Obama Does the McKayla Maroney ‘Not Impressed’ Face
The unhappy Olympic silver medalist takes her face to the White House.
Barack Obama’s Number-Crunchers
Google-style testing and measuring helped win the president his second term.
Barack Obama: Re-Elected
Barack Obama has been re-elected as president of the United States.
Inside Barack Obama’s Old Harvard Law Apartment!
Barbells, beige carpet and a beat-up couch — still a student apartment, all right!
Randy Newman is ‘Dreaming of a White President’
The Toy Story composer goes back to his cynical roots with a song for Campaign 2012.
Nicki Minaj Did Not Endorse Mitt Romney
Thank goodness we know who Nicki Minaj is endorsing for the U.S. presidency. I mean that.
Bill Clinton’s Democratic Convention Speech: Text
The former president delivered a crowd-pleaser in Charlotte.
Just a Nice Photo: The Father In Chief
The First Family watches as the First Lady gives her speech to the Democratic convention.
Paul Ryan is Mitt Romney’s Choice for Vice President
The Wisconsin Congressman and fiscal hawk will be #2 on the Republican ticket on November 6th.
Happy Birrrrthday, Mister President!
President Barack Obama is now 51 years old.
Mike Lupica on Dick Cheney: “Bully, Phony, Self-Important”
The NY Daily News columnist has a few choice words for the former vice-president.
Is Choking on Crow Covered Under the New Health Care Act?
Chief Justice John Roberts surprises nearly everyone by voting to uphold the Affordable Care Act.
Betty White Poses With Presidents and Elephants
“Mister President, how about you be JFK and I’ll be Marlene Dietrich?”
Secretary of Commerce Bryson Takes Medical Leave After Seizures
John Bryson will get a full health workup and treatment for the seizures said to have caused his hit-and-run crashes this weekend.
Secretary of Commerce John Bryson Biography and Photo
The U.S. Secretary of Commerce has been cited on felony hit-and-run charges after two bizarre car crashes on Saturday.
Five Photos of John Glenn Getting Older
He isn’t getting any younger, but he is wearing the Presidential Medal of Freedom. What are you wearing?
Just a Nice Photo: Women Submariners
The U.S. Navy’s first class of women submariners visits the White House.
2005: Barack Obama Sizes Up Chief Justice John Roberts
Obama had the future Chief Justice figured out in 2005.
The White House Inserts Obama Into Bios
The White House has added Obama-flavored icing to several of the official biographies of former presidents. Doesn’t that make you furious?
Bob Dylan Will Jam With Madeleine Albright at the White House
Both are rock stars, and both are getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Obama Spotted Alone on Park Bench, Eating Giant Sub Sandwich
A bad sign for his reelection hopes.
Barack Obama on Jimmy Fallon: What Song for His Walk-On?
Will it be an obscure salute to Harry Truman and 1948?
D.C. Hockey Fans Harass Tim Thomas with Obama Photos
A new one: Washington Capitals fans use the president to taunt a goalie.
Oval Office Photo of the Day: Biden and Barack
Joe Biden and Barack Obama talk it over, as seen through a doorway at the executive mansion.
President Eisenhower Had His Own Cool Cabin at Augusta National
If you were the Supreme Commander during World War II and president, you get your own cabin at the site of The Masters.
Letters to the Dallas Morning News, 1963
“A truly socialistic regime.” “Free enterprise is finished. States’ rights have vanished. We now have taxation without representation.” Gee, they’re talking about Barack Obama, right? Not quite.
An Interview with Mikhail Gorbachev
Got a spare hour? Watch (or listen) to an interview with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at the LBJ Library and Museum.
Just a Nice Photo: Bo the Dog
If you’re the First Dog, you can lie on the furniture all you want.
What Happened to Barack Obama?
“When he wants to be, the president is a brilliant and moving speaker, but his stories virtually always lack one element: the villain who caused the problem, who is always left out, described in impersonal terms, or described in passive voice, as if the cause of others’ misery has no agency and hence no culpability.”
How Many Other Presidents Turned 50 in Office?
Barack Obama turns 50 years old on this very day. Question: How many other U.S. presidents have turned 50 while in office? Take a guess, and we’ll give you the answer after this roll call.
Barack Obama: A Birthday Timeline
Ever think to yourself as a kid, “Gee, I wonder where I’ll be when I’m 50?”If you’re Barack Obama, the answer to that question turned out to be: “In the White House, at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as the duly-elected President of the United States.”
“This Is the Stuff of Which Heroes Are Made”
Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry received the Congressional Medal of Honor today from President Barack Obama. From the official citation: “Instantly realizing the danger, Staff Sergeant Petry, unhesitatingly and with …..
President Obama Uses Twitter
In a long-overdue show of “I can do the modern world, too,” President Barack Obama has apparently *tweeted* — asking for your opinion:
Michelle Bachmann is Running for President
Michelle Bachmann announced today that she’s running for the 2012 Republican nomination for president.
It’s Going To Be A Long Presidential Campaign
It’s hard to keep track of who is running for president in 2012 among the Republicans. In part because there seem to be so many of them, but also because these days there are a dozen stages of announcing your candidacy before you actually announce your candidacy.
And to think we have 19 months to go! Just this week, the slate of candidates and maybe-candidates have been in the news more for their wacky ideas and missteps than for any policy proposals. Let’s take a look:
The Pope, The Queen, and Nelson Mandela Walk Into a Bar…
“I have known few greater honours than the opportunity to address the Mother of Parliaments at Westminster Hall. I am told the last three speakers here have been the Pope, Her Majesty the Queen, and Nelson Mandela, which is either a very high bar or the beginning of a very funny joke.”President Barack Obama, opening his speech to Parliament today with a little joke. Heh!
Oprah’s Last Show: 14 Ways It Might End
Oprah Winfrey’s producers say they won’t reveal the details of her very last show on May 25th. Here are 14 guesses for how that final episode will end:
The Day They Got Bin Laden: Photos
The White House has released a remarkable series of photos from Sunday, as President Barack Obama and his national security team followed the attack on Osama bin Laden’s compound.
Osama bin Laden is Dead
Osama bin Laden is dead.
Barack Obama’s Long-Form Birth Certificate
Remarkable. The White House today published a copy of President Barack Obama’s long-form birth certificate. Here it is:
Just a Nice Photo: Barack Obama and His Cardboard Wife
President Barack Obama poses with a photo cutout of his wife, Michelle, during a visit to Miami Central High School in Florida last month. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza.)See photos of the real Michelle Obama >>
Startling Outbreak of Sanity in Arizona
Arizona Govenor Jan Brewer vetoes bills putting guns on campus and requiring proof of citizenship from Obama in 2012.”I never imagined being presented with a bill that could require candidates for president of the greatest and most powerful nation on Earth to submit their early baptismal circumcisi
Barack Obama: “This Will Be My Final Campaign”
“This will be my final campaign, at least as a candidate.”So said Barack Obama in an email to supporters this morning, announcing that he’s filing the paperwork to run for president in 2012.
Presidential Candidates 2012: Tim Pawlenty Gets Things Rolling
Tim Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota, declared today that he is forming a presidential exploratory committee for 2012. “Declared” isn’t quite right: he announced it via this video on his Facebook page:
The History of Black History Month
February of 2011 will be National African American History Month, as proclaimed by the president. President Barack Obama issued the proclamation yesterday, following a tradition started in 1976 by President …..
David Axelrod Reflects
For political wonks (and Chicagoans) only: David Axelrod talks about Obama’s first two years.
Sarah Palin Uses Naughty Internet Slang
Over at Media Matters, they’re featuring a video clip from Fox News — in which former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin uses naughty internet slang — on national tee-vee! — to harp on President Barack Obama’s recent State of the Union address (hint: it’s not SOTU).
Barack Obama’s 2011 State of the Union Address: the Transcript
Here’s the text.Or try this clever video-with-highlighted-text feature from The NY Times.
Did Kwilliam Snub Marack?
A new email rumor has Prince William and Kate Middleton snubbing President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle with a pointed non-invitation to their royal wedding in April.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and the White House’s Awkward Embrace
Here’s a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr., one said to be the last before he was killed:
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is 60!
Grab a bushel of corn and raise a toast: Tom Vilsack was born on this day in 1950. He has been America’s Secretary of Agriculture since January of 2009.
The Tax Deal: A Stroke of Obama Genius?
Andrew Sullivan puts the best possible face on the deal for Democrats.
Barack Obama: The Rolling Stone Interview
Where has this sharp, feisty, straight-talking guy been for the last two years? He’s been so far offstage, I wasn’t sure he was even still in the theater.Here’s the Rolling Stone Barack Obama cover, by Mark Seliger.
“The American Combat Mission in Iraq Has Ended”
How beautiful to hear those words — spoken by President Barack Obama from the Oval Office on Tuesday night. We’re not out of Iraq by a long shot: 50,000 U.S. troops are still there. They’re all supposed to be home by the end of 2011. In the meantime, what a great step in the right direction.
Barack and Michelle Obama: Helicopter Parents
President Barack Obama, with his wife Michelle (at top) and daughters Malia (right) and Sasha, returned to the White House yesterday after the family’s 10-day vacation in Martha’s Vineyard. All four made a stopo
Barack Obama With an NFL Jersey
Because we just like photos of presidents getting sports jerseys. That’s Super Bowl-winning quarterback Drew Brees on the left, with other members of the New Orleans Saints in the background. Barack Obama is the 44th U.S. president.
Barack Obama is ‘Charming’ on ‘The View’
Barack Obama is “charming as usual” on his pre-taped appearance on The View this morning. That’s according to Joy Behar — or so says CNN. “The president was at ease, Behar said, and did not appear nervous during the taping.”That’s a relief.
Mama Grizzly Sarah Palin Sees Pink Elephants
Here’s a new video from Sarah Palin, called “Mama Grizzlies.”
Not because a mother grizzly bear raises her offspring without the help of the father, who is off roaming the wilds of Alaska in search of another mate. And certainly not because a grizzly’s diet is 90% vegetarian. No, “Mama Grizzlies” because mother bears are protective of their cubs, and according to former governor and part-time biologist Sarah Palin, “‘cuz moms just kinda know when somethin’ is wrong.”
General Petraeus to Replace General McChrystal
Those nasty things said in Rolling Stone magazine by U.S. General Stanley McChrystal have cost him his job.
President Barack Obama met with General McChrystal this morning, then announced that the general was being replaced by General David Petraeus as the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
White House Gate Crashers in TV Series
Remember Tareq Salahi and his wife Michaela Salahi? Last November they were busted for making it into a White House state dinner without an invitation. They mingled with Barack Obama and Joe Biden, then they had a long talk with the Secret Service about how they managed to get past security. The Salahis said it was a mix-up, and so far there have been no repercussions from the long arm of the law.
Paul McCartney Gives Republicans Fits
Republican and House Minority Leader John Boehner wants an apology from Sir Paul McCartney. Stop the presses.
The story is here.
Cash for Canines: Bo Worth 1600 Bucks
The First Dog is valued at $1600 — as revealed in President Obama’s financial forms. He’s listed as a gift to the Obamas from the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.
Wings, Medium; Obama, Smokin’ Hot
President Barack Obama got medium wings and hot chat yesterday on his trip through Buffalo, New York.Obama stopped for lunch at Duff’s Famous Chicken Wings, ordering 10 medium wings (five extra crispy) plus fries and onion rings. Then the president got some extra-spicy banter from local resident Luann Haley, who told him: “You’re a hottie with a smokin’ little body.”
Elena Kagan is the Next William Rehnquist
Neither one had judicial experience before being nominated to the Supreme Court.William Rehnquist was nominated to the court (and then became Chief Justice) after serving as a lawyer in the Richard Nixon administration. Elena Kagan was nominated after serving as a lawyer in the Bill Clinton administration, and as Solicitor General under Barack Obama.
They Say Faisal Shahzad Tried to Bomb Times Square
Below are several links on the man accused of trying to set off a car bomb in Times Square in New York City. His name is Faisal Shahzad, and he was arrested before he could make his flight to Dubai. Authorities say he is cooperating with the investigation, and there are still quite a lot of unknowns.First, here’s President Barack Obama’s first public statement about the incident:
Barack Obama at the White House Correspondents Dinner: TRANSCRIPT
President Barack Obama did the usual presidential joking last night at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner — though his jokes were maybe better than most. The Chicago Sun-Times has the full transcript, god bless ’em. A few zingers:
Occupation: Alpha Dog
One perk of being President of the United States: When filling out your tax return, under Your occupation you get to write “U.S. President.”It’s the little things that count.
Barack Obama IS the Six Million Dollar President
Barack Obama and Michelle Obama paid $1.8 million in taxes this year on a gross adjusted income of $5.5 million. (Most of the dough came from book sales, and it boiled down to $4.98 million in final taxable income.)Toss in the $1.4 million he earned for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and Barack Obama is your first Six Million Dollar President!
SCROTUS Update: John Paul Stevens
Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens is your newest Supreme Court Retiree Of The United States.
One Shining Moment: Obama Takes Down Clark Kellogg
President Barack Obama played former NBA first-round draft pick Clark Kellogg in a game of P-O-T-U-S (standing in for H-O-R-S-E) yesterday at the White House. And Obama took him down!
No You Can’t (featuring John Boehner)
Heh! Congressional grump John Boehner gets the viral video treatment.
Barack Obama Signs Historic Health Care Bill: Transcript
(Secretary of State Hillary Clinton congratulates President Barack Obama prior to a meeting in the Situation Room of the White House, March 22, 2010. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Shepard Fairey Draws a Crowd
Shepard Fairey has a new exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati. Called “Supply and Demand,” it runs through August 22nd and shows about 250 of his works.
C.J. Chivers, War Reporter on the Job
Amazing piece of reporting on Afghanistan in The New York Times this morning by C.J. Chivers.Marines Do Heavy Lifting as Afghan Army Lags in BattleA taste:
Roger Ebert Horsewhips Rush Limbaugh
Film reviewer and internet jockey Roger Ebert came out swinging today, in an open letter to Rush Limbaugh that starts with “You should be horse-whipped for the insult you have paid to the highest office of the nation.””You should be horse-whipped for the insult you have paid to the highest office of the nation.”
Thanks for Nothing, Ted Sorensen
Here’s a belated book review of my most frustrating read of 2009: Ted Sorensen’s book Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History.The book came out in 2008 and it’s billed as Ted Sorensen’s frank personal memoir of his 11 years as John Kennedy’s speechwriter and right-hand advisor.
Barack Obama Accepts the Nobel Peace Prize – TRANSCRIPT
President Barack Obama has accepted the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009. The LA Times has the full transcript. A few highlights:
The Wisecracker Suite
An annual tradition: The President lights the national Christmas tree, and reporters bring on the nyuks.I count at least eight wisecracks in that LA Times post (“allegedly green”… “BlackBerry loving”… “aging Vice President”… “Watson, come here”… “unable to resist”… “Warning”… “obese, seasonally employed”… “wasting precious electrical energy”). Not bad for eight short paragraphs.
Obama, Sherlock Holmes, and Afghanistan
Today’s Mike Lupica column expresses exactly how I feel about sending more troops to Afghanistan.You know when we are going to be out of Afghanistan, where the United States has become just one more losing road team? Sometime around the 12th of Never. The more who die there, the more we send over.
Book Review: ‘Road Dogs’ by Elmore Leonard
Here’s a funny moment from Road Dogs, the latest novel by veteran crime writer Elmore Leonard.The setup: Road Dogs brings back Jack Foley, the charming bank robber from Leonard’s 1996 book Out of Sight. This time Foley is on Venice Beach, hanging out in the mansion of a former prison buddy. Page 233:
Barack Obama Wins the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize
“The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.”From the official announcement from the Nobel Peace Prize committee.
“For Bushies Only”
According to a report in The Raw Story, former staffers from the administration of President George W. Bush plan to create a social network, Facebook-style, specifically for fans and ex-employees of the former president.
Happy 48th Birthday, Mr. President
U.S. President Barack Obama turns 48 today.He was born the same year as hockey star Wayne Gretzky. And he’s exactly two weeks older than Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
Barack Obama Didn’t Insult Special Olympics Kids in Quite the Way You May Have Heard He Did
This week the New York Times repeated a common error about the bad Special Olympics joke Barack Obama made to Jay Leno on The Tonight Show in March of 2009.
“Why Do You Hate Budweiser?”
Analyzing the beer selection for this week’s Obama-Crowley-Gates drinking session.
Transcript of President Obama’s Press Conference
So let me be clear: This isn’t about me. I have great health insurance, and so does every member of Congress.President Barack Obama, talking about health care reform on Wednesday night. Full transcript here.
Obama: “This is the hope of all humanity”
I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum.President Barack Obama has given his much-anticipted speech at Cairo University on the relations between the U.S. and the Islamic world. (“Assalaamu alaykum” is a traditional greeting which means, roughly, “Peace be upon you.”)
The New First Dog is a Puppy Named Bo
He’s named Bo.The identity of the first puppy — the one that the Washington press corps has been yelping about for months, the one President Obama has seemed to delight in dropping hints about — leaked out Saturday.
Bob Dylan Analyzes the Presidents
BF: Do you remember any particular battle that [Ulysses] Grant fought?
Our First Couple Is Taller Than Your First Couple
Barack and Michelle Obama visit Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip yesterday at Buckingham Palace.
Baby Photos of Obama
The Chicago Tribune has ’em.
Joe Lieberman Now Pro-Bama
After campaigning across the country for Republican John McCain in 2008 and attacking Obama as naive, untested and unwilling to take on powerful special interests, Lieberman now showers praise on the popular new Democratic president.
Stevie Wonder! Yeah!
“I think it’s fair to say that had I not been a Stevie Wonder fan, Michelle might not have dated me. We might not have married.” Stevie Wonder received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song last night at the White House, after handsome remarks by both President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.
Some (Presidents) Like It Hot
“He’s from Hawaii, O.K.? He likes it warm. You could grow orchids in there.”Obama advisor David Axelrod on his boss’s Oval Office habits.
An Inside Peek at Air Force One
National Geographic does the honors.No photos, but still a cool look at the plane. Who knew the president’s suite was in the nose?
Behind the Scenes at the Obama Inauguration
Time has some fascinating shots of the man himself and of the First Daughters.
President Obama Begins His Day With Darth Vader
What is Barack Obama’s calendar for his first full day in office?Here’s a basic schedule. He starts with a 10 am worship service at National Cathedral — the one with the Darth Vader gargoyle.Then Obama hosts an open house at the White House while also meeting with military leaders, economic experts, etc, etc.
The Text of Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address
Delivered on 20 January 2009.
The New White House Website
Barack Obama has been sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.And the White House website has formally been flipped to the new administration.
The Lincoln Bible Is Not Exactly the Lincoln Bible
At least, not the family Bible. It’s a helpful impostor from 1861.Still: Good enough for Lincoln, good enough for Obama.
Bush Leaves a Note for Obama
During his last moments at the White House, former President Ronald Reagan scribbled a note for his successor on a notepad with a turkey insignia that said, “Don’t let the turkeys get you down.”Thus starting a tradition that George W. Bush apparently carried on today, leaving a note for Barack Obama. No word on whether it included a sketch of a turkey.
The Order of Business
The step-by-step schedule for Barack Obama’s inaugural ceremony.
The Improbability of Obama
“The essence of Barack Obama has been his capacity to avert life’s roadblocks and disappointments during his journey. The first could have been his unusual family biography, with the challenges it presented in terms of stability and psychology. The second could have been the sociology of race in America, with its likelihood of rejection and cynicism. And the final was the geography of elective politics, with all the variables of ideology and luck.
Arne Duncan, the Hoop-Shooting Secretary of Education
Here’s a great 10-minute interview with Arne Duncan, the new Secretary of Education-to-be. (Courtesy of the education site Edutopia.)Duncan’s a fascinating guy. His basketball history has gotten quite a bit of coverage, and rightfully so: After starring at Harvard, he went to Australia and played pro ball from 1987-91.
Greatest Inaugural Story Lede So Far
“Thank God that Doris Kearns Goodwin didn’t write a profile of Montezuma’s cabinet. Otherwise they’d be eating human flesh at Barack Obama’s inauguration!”Political Machine chuckling about the Lincoln-oriented menu for Inauguration Day.
Obama’s New Limo is an Armored “Cocoon”
Made by Cadillac.”One news agency, noting its 8-inch-thick doors, says the limo can withstand a ‘direct hit from an asteroid.’ But GM spokeswoman Joanne K. Krell laughed off the comments. ‘And it will fix you a latte if you ask,’ she jokes.”A $25 billion latte, if you include the cost of the GM buyout.
“India,” First Cat, Dies at White House
It’s been quite a month for White House pet news.First the hubbub about a new dog for the Obama family.Then the poor health of Socks, the former First Cat favored by Chelsea Clinton.
Bill Richardson Out as Commerce Secretary
Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico has withdrawn his name as nominee for Secretary of Commerce, says NBC News.NBC says Richardson cited “a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state” as the reason. The network also says that president-elect Barack Obama accepted the withdrawal with “deep regret.”
Obama Arrives for Haunted Honeymoon
The Obamas are now staying at the historic Hay-Adams Hotel. Supposedly it’s haunted:”Staff housekeepers have reported someone unseen calling their names and the sensation of invisible arms around them.
Cavalcade of Shirtless Presidents!
Perhaps you’ve seen the remarkable photo of president-elect Barack Ab-ama, shirtless in Hawaii.The Huffington Post has now created a lovely slideshow of Other Shirtless Presidents.
Time Person of the Year 2008
It’s Barack Obama.
Photos of Obama in Hawaii
Unexpected photos from The Honolulu Advertiser.Barack Obama, in jeans and flip-flops, takes a brief stroll through the alleys of his old neighborhood. He looks, for a brief moment, like an unknown local. (Notes the story, “Obama appeared solemn when he spotted his traveling press running toward him.”)
The Tricky Birthdays of the Obama Girls
We’ve posted new profiles of Sasha and Malia Obama, the daughters of presidential candidate Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.Both girls gave us a bit of trouble with their birthdays.
The Comedy Stylings of John McCain and ‘Steve’ Obama
The full transcript of last night’s Alfred E. Smith dinner, with jokes by both John McCain and Barack Obama.Whaddya know: Both men came out looking like real human beings.