Lobbyists Furiously Lobby White House to Preserve Lobbyist Power

Lobbyists have been furiously lobbying the Obama White House to oppose restrictions on their ability to lobby. The kafuffle began on September 23 when special counsel to the president for ethics and government reform Norm Eisen wrote that "the White...

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November 28, 2009 in White House | Permalink | User Comments (110)

Justice Department Questions Retroactive Ban on Federal Funds to ACORN

The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel this week posted a legal opinion saying that the Obama administration may continue paying the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) for contracts signed before Congress in September passed -- and...

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November 27, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (49)

White House Crashers Met the President

It turns out the couple who crashed the White House State Dinner got a lot more access than previously thought. Michaele and Tareq Salahi met with President Barack Obama in a receiving line before guests sat down to dinner.

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November 27, 2009 in Obama, Barack, White House | Permalink | User Comments (23)

White House Christmas Tree Arrives

The First Lady and First Tweens were on hand this afternoon to accept the White House Christmas tree. As is tradition on the day after Thanksgiving, the tree arrived via a horse-drawn carriage at the doors of the North Portico, as a band played “O Christmas Tree.” Mrs. Obama and her daughters walked outside to greet the 18½ foot Douglas-fir and the couple who grew it, Eric and Gloria Sundback.

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November 27, 2009 in White House | Permalink | User Comments (32)

White House Praises IAEA Rebuke Of Iran

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said today’s “overwhelming vote” by the International Atomic Energy Agency condemning Iran for its secret uranium enrichment plant reflects international resolve that Iran be more transparent in its nuclear pursuits.

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November 27, 2009 in Current Affairs, Iran, Obama, Barack, White House | Permalink | User Comments (18)

Oprah, Health Care Lobbyists, Among Recent Visitors to White House

ABC's Rachel Martin reports: Oprah Winfrey, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Texas oilman turned wind energy guru, T. Boone Pickens - those are just some of the hundreds of names included on a new batch of White House visitor...

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November 26, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (29)

An Obama Thanksgiving Menu, with an Extra Serving of Pie

ABC's Yunji de Nies and Sara Just report: New First Family, new Thanksgiving Day menu. The Bush Thanksgiving Day meal was nearly identical year to year, the family favorites no doubt returning annually to the table as they do for so many families.

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November 26, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (36)

White House Thanksgiving Traditions: Broken and Observed

ABC's Yunji de Nies and Sara Just report: The White House is breaking with tradition today. What tradition is that, you might ask? Is the First Family having meatloaf instead of turkey as the center piece of the Thanksgiving day meal?

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November 26, 2009 in Afghanistan, Iraq, Obama, Barack, White House | Permalink | User Comments (41)

Obama, GOP Air Differences Over Jobs, Economy In Thanksgiving Addresses

On this Thanksgiving, President Obama and top House Republican Mike Pence, R-Ind., each used his party’s weekly address in a bipartisan display of gratitude for U.S. servicemen and women serving abroad. But turning to the economic struggles facing Americans, they offered starkly different views on how to fix the problem.

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November 26, 2009 in Current Affairs, Obama, Barack, Stimulus | Permalink | User Comments (92)

White House State Dinner Party Crashers

ABC NEWS' Z. Byron Wolf reports: It’s one of the most secure places on earth, but two Washington area socialites and reality TV wannabes were apparently able to get behind the gates at the White House and mingle with the...

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November 25, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (73)

Obama to Lay Out Emissions Goals in Copenhagen

President Obama will travel to Copenhagen and address a UN Climate Change summit in December.

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November 25, 2009 in Afghanistan, congress, Obama, Barack | Permalink | User Comments (252)

Free Bird

President Obama is preparing to pardon a turkey today: Courage, a 20-week-old, 45-pound turkey from Princeton, NC, a state the president won in last year's presidential race.

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November 25, 2009 in Obama, Barack, White House | Permalink | User Comments (40)

The "Good" War

Watch three video reports from "World News with Charles Gibson"on the politics of President Obama's forthcoming decision on Afghanistan strategy.

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November 25, 2009 in Afghanistan, Current Affairs, Obama, Barack | Permalink | User Comments (42)

The Presidential Planner

From Sunlen Miller: As is tradition, President Obama today will pardon his first turkey in the Rose Garden. His first presidential pardon will go to Courage, a 20-week-old, 45-pound turkey from Princeton, N.C. Read more on Courage from ABC’s Karen...

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November 25, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (0)

Under the Stars, Obama Toasts India’s Prime Minister

From Sunlen Miller: Underneath a massive white tent, with a glass ceiling and eight chandeliers, President Obama noted during his first toast at his first state dinner that guests were celebrating the spirit of the U.S.-India partnership under the stars...

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November 24, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (9)

White House State Dinner – Who Made the Exclusive Guest List?

ABC News’ Karen Travers reports: The list is out – commence the scrutiny! The White House finally has released the highly anticipated guest for tonight’s state dinner in honor of Indian Prime Minister Singh and it features a wide range...

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November 24, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (24)

Admiral Mike Mullen To Geneva for START Talks

Word came on Tuesday that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen traveled to Geneva, Switzerland Monday night for an unannounced meeting with his Russian counterpart, General N.E. Makarov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, to discuss the START Treaty follow-on agreement.

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November 24, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (1)

VP Biden to Indian Prime Minister: “You’re the Hottest Ticket in Town”

Vice President Biden, ever the gracious host, told Indian Prime Minister Singh that he is the most popular man in Washington today.

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November 24, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (19)

FLOTUS on the State Dinner: Like a Swan, "Calm and Serene Above Water, But We're Paddling Like Mad, Going Crazy Underneath"

Seventeen high school girls got a special sneak preview of the White House state dinner arrangements this afternoon, shown by hostess First Lady Michelle Obama.

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November 24, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (6)

White House State Dinner: The Menu, Entertainment, and Decor

ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Tonight's guests at the White House's state dinner honoring India's Prime Minister Singh will be treated to a night – in food, decoration, and entertainment, that will include not only some Indian elements but also...

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November 24, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (31)