Clinton ‘would be an excellent president’
During a press conference in Panama at the Summit of the Americas, Obama talks about Clinton as next President:
She was a formidable candidate in 2008, she was a great supporter of mine in the general election, she was an outstanding secretary of state, she is my friend, I think she would be an excellent president.
Asked whether he hopes she campaigns on his record:
I’m not on the ballot. So I’m not going to step on her lines. When she makes a decision to announce, I’m confident that she will be very clear about her vision for the country.
‘It is a good deal’
Obama claims that the framework agreement with Iran over nuclear issue is a ‘good deal’ and would prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
I am convinced that if this framework leads to a final deal, it will make our country and the world safer. [The deal would] cut off every pathway that Iran could take to develop a nuclear weapon.
Simon, Obama discussion
Obama and Simon discuss the war on drugs, prison reforms and The Wire.
I think it [The Wire] is one of the greatest — not just television shows but pieces of art — in the last couple of decades…I was a huge fan of it.
Accuses Obama of Israel election tampering
In an interview with AM 970 on The Cats Roundtable, McLaughlin says that President Obama’s role during the Israeli elections was bigger than has been reported. He noted that the effort to oust Netanyahu was led by a former Obama political operative and that V15 is linked to the Washington-based nonprofit OneVoice Movement, which reportedly received $350,000 in State Department grants.
What was not well reported in the American media is that President Obama and his allies were playing in the election to defeat Prime Minister Netanyahu…There was money moving that included taxpayer U.S. dollars, through non-profit organizations. And there were various liberal groups in the United States that were raising millions to fund a campaign called V15 against Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The State Department people in the end of January, early February, expedited visas for [Israeli] Arab leaders to come to the United States to learn how to vote…There were people in the United States that were organizing them to vote in one party so they would help the left-of-center candidate, Herzog, that the Obama administration favored.
Obama reacts to Netanyahu’s statement
President Obama states he will re-evaluate the relationship the U.S. has with Israel in light of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statement that he will never allow a two-state solution. Press Secretary:
The United States will re-evaluate our approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It has been the longstanding policy of the United States that a two-state solution is the best way to address this conflict. The president still holds that view. [Netanyahu’s statement] undermines the values of democratic ideals that have been important to our democracy and an important part of what binds the United States and Israel together.
Barack Obama interview
Jimmy Kimmel interviews Obama on his show Jimmy Kimmel Live. He talks about the shooting of two police officers in Ferguson, and the unrest there; Hillary Clinton’s email scandal; his administration’s new education initiative; and Kanye West.
I love his music … don’t think I have his home number.
Reads Mean Tweets
Obama participates on a popular segment of Jimmy Kimmel Live, where celebrities read mean tweets about themselves.
Is there any way we could fly Obama to some golf course halfway around the world and just leave him there?
Obama replies:
Well, RWSurferGirl, I think that’s a great idea
‘I loved Spock’
Obama pays tribute to Nimoy in a statement.
Long before being nerdy was cool, there was Leonard Nimoy. Leonard was a lifelong lover of the arts and humanities, a supporter of the sciences, generous with his talent and his time. And of course, Leonard was Spock. Cool, logical, big-eared and level-headed, the center of Star Trek’s optimistic, inclusive vision of humanity’s future. I loved Spock.
In 2007, I had the chance to meet Leonard in person. It was only logical to greet him with the Vulcan salute, the universal sign for “Live long and prosper.” And after 83 years on this planet – and on his visits to many others – it’s clear Leonard Nimoy did just that. Michelle and I join his family, friends, and countless fans who miss him so dearly today.
Named WH communications director
Psaki is named White House communications director. Obama:
Jen worked on both my campaigns, she’s served in the White House, and she’s traveled the world as an adviser to Secretary Kerry. I fully trust Jen — and I am thrilled she’s agreed to come back to the White House as communications director.
Named Secret Service director
Obama names interim director Clancy as permanent director of the Secret Service. Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Rep. Elijah Cummings:
Joe Clancy has taken strong action over the past several months to begin righting the ship at the Secret Service, he has been extremely responsive to Congress, and his decisive leadership has already resulted in major changes. I look forward to working with him closely over the next year to ensure that the Secret Service gets what it needs to fulfill its critical mission.
Immigration actions on hold
0 CommentsObama’s executive actions on Immigration, which were to go into effect on February 18, are temporarily halted following an order by federal judge Andrew Hanen, until the U.S. District Court in Brownsville, Texas, rules on the matter. With the constitutionality of his actions now to be investigated, Obama tells reporters that the White House will appeal.
My strong advice right now to Congress is, if they are seriously concerned about immigration, about our borders, about being able to keep criminals out of this country, then what they should be doing is working together and working with the administration for a comprehensive immigration policy that allows us to continue to be both a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.
Spend Valentine’s Day apart, again
President Obama and the First Lady spend Valentine’s Day apart for the second year in a row. President Obama spends his Valentines Day in Palm Springs playing golf with some high school buddies, as he did last year. Michelle Obama tweets a picture of the two kissing:
Love is all you need. Happy Valentine’s Day Barak Mo
North Korea sanctions
Obama issues an executive order allowing the Treasury Department to block 10 individuals and three agencies in North Korea from accessing the U.S. financial system and bans U.S. citizens from engaging in business with them in response to the Sony hack. White House press secretary Josh Earnest:
We take seriously North Korea’s attack that aimed to create destructive financial effects on a U.S. company and to threaten artists and other individuals with the goal of restricting their right to free expression. Today’s actions are the first aspect of our response.
Pays tribute
Obama pays tribute to the late Mario Cuomo in a statement.
Michelle and I were saddened to learn of the passing of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. An Italian Catholic kid from Queens, born to immigrant parents, Mario paired his faith in God and faith in America to live a life of public service – and we are all better for it. He rose to be chief executive of the state he loved, a determined champion of progressive values and an unflinching voice for tolerance, inclusiveness, fairness, dignity and opportunity.
Says Obama forced The Interview release
North Korea claims Obama is behind the release of The Interview. The country’s National Defense Commission releases a statement insulting Obama:
(Obama) is the chief culprit who forced the Sony Pictures Entertainment to indiscriminately distribute the movie, blackmailing cinemas in the US. Obama always goes reckless in words and deeds like a monkey in a tropical forest.
Leaves Obama personal chef position
Kass leaves the White House after six years as Obama’s personal chef and serving as senior advisor for nutrition policy to spend more time with his wife, MSNBC host Alex Wagner, who is based in New York.
I love this family and believe in everything the president and first lady are doing and this has been the greatest job of my life and I assume will be the greatest job of my life. But I’m going to be with my wife. Once you’re married you kind of need to be together.
Calls only on female reporters
0 CommentsPresident Obama makes history when he takes questions from female reporters only at a White House press conference. Additionally, the eight reporters were from print or radio outlets only; no television.
With 8th & last question, it's fact: Obama called only on women at press conf. Women long chafed at dominance of front-row male TV reporters
— Jackie Calmes (@jackiekcalmes) December 19, 2014
‘Go to the movies’
Obama urges Americans to “go to the movies” in spite of Sony Hackers threats, during an interview with ABC News.
Well, the cyber-attack is very serious. We’re investigating, we’re taking it seriously. We’ll be vigilant, if we see something that we think is serious and credible, then we’ll alert the public. But for now, my recommendation would be that people go to the movies.
The Colbert Report appearance
Obama takes over as host for Stephen Colbert during “The Word” segment of The Colbert Report.
You’ve been taking a lot of shots at my job, I’ve decided to take a shot at yours. How hard can this be? I am just going to say whatever you were about to say.
Wants to mend police-community relations
President Obama announces new actions aimed at boosting accountability of local law enforcement and improving policing policies in minority communities. The policies include: 50,000 Police Body Cameras, Task Force on Police Practices, White House Report on Police Militarization and Executive Order on Military-Style Equipment Acquisition. House officials:
We believe the cameras would also help improve trust between communities and their police forces. The program is one piece of a $263 million budget request that also includes money for training of law enforcement officers and more resources to reform police departments.