White House

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Valerie Jarrett: Obama's Consigliere

Senior adviser and family friend speaks softly, carries big clout

(Newser) - Among the strong-willed Beltway rockstars that make up President Obama's White House, senior adviser Valerie Jarrett's style is strikingly low key. But while Jarrett lacks the Washington experience of Rahm Emanuel or David Axelrod, she makes up for it with a deft ability to manage big egos and keep outside...

Bushies Work to Salvage Boss' Rep
Bushies Work
to Salvage
Boss' Rep

Bushies Work to Salvage Boss' Rep

Rove, Fleischer, Perino look to set the record straight, combat spin

(Newser) - Two months out of office, President Bush rarely warrants mention these days, but his old aides quietly work at rebuilding his reputation, reports Politico. “We’re invited to comment on the events of the day and along the way, we remind people that there was, indeed, good news under...

First Lady Pushes Fresh Food
 First Lady Pushes Fresh Food 

First Lady Pushes Fresh Food

From White House to food banks, Michelle Obama advocates nutrition

(Newser) - When Michelle Obama served lunch to the homeless last week in Washington, she didn't just praise the soup kitchen; she praised the menu. "We can provide this kind of healthy food for communities across the country," the first lady said of the mushroom risotto and apple-carrot muffins at...

Obama Creates White House Women's Council

Panel will help coordinate Cabinet-level policy on women's issues

(Newser) - President Obama will sign an executive order today creating a White House panel to advise on women's issues, the Washington Post reports. Senior adviser Valerie Jarrett will head the White House Council on Women and Girls, which will be tasked with coordinating government policy regarding women and families. A similar...

Photo May Be Last Taken of Lincoln

Grant descendant found pic in private album of Ulysses S.

(Newser) - A photograph from a private album of Ulysses S. Grant may show Abraham Lincoln in front of the White House and could be the last image taken of him before he was assassinated, a collector believes. If it is indeed Lincoln, it would be the only known photo of the...

Axelrod Still Obama's Guardian, Attack Dog

Strategist turned senior adviser enjoys unparalleled access

(Newser) - Barack Obama’s coterie has grown substantially since taking office, but nobody has as much access as David Axelrod, campaign strategist turned special adviser. Though he spends his days fine-tuning every speech, poring over polls, and orchestrating political battles, the New York Times reports, Axelrod is wary of any comparison...

White House Responds, With Civility
White House Responds,
With Civility
OPINION

White House Responds, With Civility

Brooks still hates the budget, but he applauds new tone

(Newser) - In the Bush years, publishing a New York Times op-ed criticizing the White House could get your wife outed as an undercover CIA agent. But when David Brooks wrote earlier this week that the 2010 budget was too liberal, the Obama administration was much gentler—he got calls from four...

Obama Open to Compromise on Health Care

He tells summit: 'I just want to figure out what works'

(Newser) - President Barack Obama said today's health care summit at the White House made clear the immediate need for reform, and he signaled he's open to compromise. Obama told participants at the end of the summit that although he offered a plan during last year's campaign, he isn't wedded to that...

Kennedy Plans Stop at Health Summit

Would be the senator's first public appearance since inauguration

(Newser) - Ill health hasn’t stopped Ted Kennedy from planning a surprise visit to today’s White House health-care reform summit, the Washington Post reports. The senator will appear with President Obama if his health permits, said administration insiders. Kennedy, a strong advocate for universal health care, is suffering from brain...

White House Health Forum Convenes Today

Forum will give the floor to ranging viewpoints

(Newser) - President Barack Obama has invited to the White House more than 120 people with wide-ranging views on how to fix the US health-care system, one that still leaves millions uninsured despite being the world's costliest. The group of doctors, patients, business owners, and insurers is to gather for a forum...

Prez Loves to Work the Phone

Obama loves to get info and connect with people, voice-to-voice

(Newser) - President Obama might love his Blackberry for the email, but the new commander-in-chief also spends a sizable amount of time working the phones with people ranging from close advisers to world leaders, reports the New York Times. Obama often makes more than two dozen calls a day in order to...

Obama Shrewdly Opens Up White House, Boogies Down

(Newser) - When Barack Obama invited Stevie Wonder and 150 music lovers to the White House for a concert, it wasn’t just an excuse to hang out with a favorite musician. It was part of a carefully crafted political strategy to open up the White House, the New York Times reports....

Official Portrait of Michelle: Gun Show

First Lady's first formal photo highlights famous arms

(Newser) - The White House released the first official portrait of Michelle Obama today, People reports, and it calls attention to her most famous accessory. No, not the Kennedy-esque double strand of pearls—her rock-solid arms. In the photo, snapped in the Blue Room, the first lady also sports a sleek black...

Labradoodle Fans, Relax: Obamas Still Undecided

First Lady's dog vote just one of four: rep

(Newser) - It seems Michelle Obama was using the media to influence household politics when she announced her dog choice, the Los Angeles Times reports. “They have not selected a breed,” her press secretary insists. “Mrs. Obama likes the Portuguese water dog, but she is only one of four...

Michelle Digs Newfound Family Time

They haven't had 'this kind of time together' in years, pleased mom tells People

(Newser) - Barack Obama's incredibly short commute means that he has more time than usual to spend with his wife and daughters, Reuters reports in a look at Michelle Obama's interview with People. The family has dinner together each night, and the president tucks Sasha and Malia into bed. "We haven't...

Obamas Honor Stevie Wonder
 Obamas Honor Stevie Wonder 

Obamas Honor Stevie Wonder

Soul legend gets lifetime achievement award, White House concert

(Newser) - The First Couple last night honored Stevie Wonder with an award, a White House concert and an acknowledgment of the role his music has played in their relationship, reports ABC News. The president presented the Motown legend with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song lifetime achievement award. Guests, including Paul...

White House Nabs Masked Bandit

Raccoon was one of several on premises

(Newser) - Mission accomplished. National Parks workers have caught a wily raccoon that's been roaming the White House grounds for weeks, notes the Washington Post. After vegetarian fare failed to entice the masked critter, trappers successfully employed salmon. "They're a finicky bunch," says press chief Robert Gibbs. The good...

And the Winner Is ... Portuguese Water Dog

(Newser) - After a wait that felt almost as long as the presidential campaign, the Obamas have decided to adopt a Portuguese water dog, People reports. Her daughters can hardly wait, Michelle Obama said. “So Sasha says, 'April 1st.' I said, 'April.' She says, 'April 1st.' It's, like,...

Oops! NYT Posts Obama Hottie's Number

But photo containing Favreau's digits quickly taken down

(Newser) - It wasn't next to "For a good time, call," but the New York Times inadvertently published the digits of hot young Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau last night in a slideshow devoted to the president's speech. The photo, a closeup of Obama's hand next to his speech, appears to...

Bush Ready for New Gig: Speeches

(Newser) - George Bush is officially ready for his new job: speech-maker. Now signed up with the Washington Speakers Bureau, Bush plans to make at least 10 speeches around the world in the next year. The first—"A Conversation With George Bush"—will be March 17 in Calgary to business...

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