White House

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Blocked From White House, Shaq Loses Bet

Guessed he could get in just by turning up

(Newser) - Shaquille O’Neal bet a friend he’d be let in the White House if he simply showed up—and he lost the wager, the Washington Post reports. “The rule was I couldn't use any of my political connections," Shaq said. "Couldn't show a badge. I couldn't...

A President, a Prof, and a Cop Walk Into the White House ...

Trio will have that beer Thursday evening

(Newser) - President Obama has set a date for a conciliatory beer with a Cambridge police sergeant and the Harvard professor he arrested, ABC News reports. James Crowley and Henry Louis Gates will visit the White House Thursday for a frosty brew and some racial reconciliation. On the menu, according to CNN,...

He Can't Say It Like He Wants to Anymore
 He Can't Say It 
 Like He Wants to Anymore
ANALYSIS
Jul 27, 2009 2:00 PM CDT

He Can't Say It Like He Wants to Anymore

(Newser) - President Obama has backed off a bit on his “acted stupidly” comments concerning the arrest of black scholar Henry Louis Gates, saying they were not properly “calibrated.” But, aides say, it “was not a slip of the tongue,” Peter Baker writes in the New York ...

Michelle O. Goes Jackie O. With New 'Do

(Newser) - Is Michelle O. the new Jackie O. when it comes to fashion? While some eyes were on President Obama last night at a White House concert, perhaps many more were checking out the first lady’s new bob, a haircut that “should serve Michelle Obama better through the hot...

Obama Hosts White House Hoedown

(Newser) - The grand East Room of the White House felt more like the Grand Ole Opry last night as the Obamas hosted a celebration of country music, the Tennessean reports. The elites of DC and Nashville packed the room as Charley Pride, Brad Paisley, and Alison Krauss took to the stage...

When Going Gets Tough, Obama Loses His Cool
When Going Gets Tough, Obama Loses His Cool
ANALYSIS
Jul 19, 2009 3:27 PM CDT

When Going Gets Tough, Obama Loses His Cool

Prez changes tactics, dials up the heat

(Newser) - Here's some change you might not believe: President Obama, he of the unflappable political cool, is starting to sweat. And he's also learning to adjust his strategies, writes Politico. Faced with a stagnating economy, troubled foreign relations, and a bogged-down health care bill, the president has (sometimes literally) rolled...

White House Gets Tough on Congress' Critics, Skeptics

Obama defends stimulus, pushes health reform

(Newser) - The White House is cracking down on its critics—and on laggards within the Democratic Party, too. Republican naysayers on the economic stimulus and health care are getting the roughest treatment, Politico reports. After Kentucky Sen. Jon Kyl railed against the efficacy of stimulus spending, four Cabinet secretaries wrote to...

'Kumar' Begins White House Outreach Gig

Thespian won't accept acting gigs for a year or two while he focuses on politics

(Newser) - Kal Penn began work at the White House today, the Washington Post reports. The Harold and Kumar star, who later appeared on House, is the new associate director of the White House's Office of Public Engagement. Penn, 31, has committed to the job for a year or two, meaning he...

Michelle Obama's Garden: Policy Move or Photo Op?

(Newser) - Michelle Obama’s vegetable garden had its first big harvest recently, and so far, it’s the most tangible food policy move the Obama administration has delivered, Salon reports. President Obama came to office promising real reform that so far hasn’t materialized. The more patient  in the progressive food...

Work-Life Balance Elusive at 'Family-Friendly' White House

Long hours thwart efforts to make life easier for White House's working parents

(Newser) - President Obama says he wants to make the White House a family-friendly place for his staffers, but he can't change the simple reality: It's just not a great place to work if you've got kids. The New York Times takes a look at the struggles of Obama aides, from Rahm...

Helen Thomas: Nixon Didn't Try to Control Press Like This

(Newser) - Helen Thomas has covered a lot of presidents, and she’s not much of a fan of how the current one manages the press. The 89-year-old reporter tells CNS that Obama’s White House tries to stage-manage news conferences and other media events like no other. “Nixon didn’t...

Dems Put Pragmatism Before Policy
Dems Put Pragmatism Before Policy
OPINION
Jun 30, 2009 8:56 AM CDT

Dems Put Pragmatism Before Policy

Desperate to pass bills, Congress quick to forgo ideals: Brooks

(Newser) - The Democrats learned lasting lessons from the Clinton health care battle: Let Congress, not the White House, write the bills; don’t try to fight the corporations; and avoid failure at all costs. As a consequence, writes David Brooks in the New York Times. the party has taken a “...

Obamas Treat Lawmakers to White House Luau

Gibbs, Emanuel dunked as guests sip Mai Tais

(Newser) - America's first Hawaiian-born president gave the annual congressional picnic yesterday a decidedly Pacific flavor, the AP reports. Tiki torches lined the White House grounds as lawmakers and their families sipped drinks under potted palm trees. "I wish I could give you all trips to Hawaii," the president said....

Emanuel's Media Blitz Goes 'Relentlessly' 24/7

'Aggressive,' 'relentless' Rahm 'in constant touch'

(Newser) - Rahm Emanuel is “in constant touch” with journalists, offering a “round-the-clock offensive” on behalf of the White House, writes Howard Kurtz in the Washington Post. “He calls, drops a few F-bombs, makes his point and hangs up,” says one commentator. Brief he may be, but “...

Obama: World 'Appalled' by Iran Violence

(Newser) - President Obama today declared the United States and the entire world are "appalled and outraged" by Iran's violent efforts to crush dissent, a clear toughening of his rhetoric as Republican critics at home pound him for being too passive. Obama condemned the "threats, beatings, and imprisonments of the...

Obama Invites Gay Advocates to White House

But angered rights campaigners want more than just talk

(Newser) - President Obama has invited gay rights leaders to the White House next Monday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, the New York protests seen as the start of gay liberation. It's unclear whether Obama will address the strong criticism he's recently faced from gay and lesbian advocates....

Collect Him! Trade Him! Bo Stars on Baseball Card

(Newser) - Do you—or does someone you love—have Bo fever? Are you one of the apparently considerable number of people who have bombarded the White House with requests for info about him? Michelle Obama's press staff has heard your call. Send a request (and preferably an SASE), and your new...

Super Fly No Match for Obama Death Slap

Lightning-fast prez pulverizes persistent fly during White House interview

(Newser) - A fly that invaded a CNBC White House interview yesterday was no match for the leader of the free world, the Christian Science Monitor reports. After repeatedly warning the fly to get out of there and let him discuss financial regulation in peace, President Obama delivered a surgical strike, dispatching...

Italy to Take 3 Gitmo Detainees
 Italy to Take 3 Gitmo Detainees 
Jun 16, 2009 8:54 AM CDT

Italy to Take 3 Gitmo Detainees

Obama, Berlusconi discuss range of issues

(Newser) - Silvio Berlusconi, seeking to restore some shine to his tattered international image, yesterday agreed to take three detainees from Guantanamo Bay. The Italian PM praised President Obama for his "deep knowledge" after a 2-hour-plus meeting at the White House, the AP reports. The leaders discussed topics ranging from...

Obama's Cell Phone Plea Helps Clear War Funds

Last-minute tensions healed; measure set to pass next week

(Newser) - Congressional leaders settled on a $106 billion spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan last night, but it took a last-minute intervention by President Obama via Rahm Emanuel's cell phone. When talks got bogged down over the release of detainee photos, Emanuel rushed to the Capitol and had...

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