Obama's Remarks at Edward M. Kennedy Institute

Obama spoke yesterday at the Institute, named after Ted Kennedy, which educates the public, students, new Senators and staff about the Senate:

The First Puppy Bo

WaPo: The little guy is a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog given to the Obama girls as a gift by that Portuguese water dog-lovin' senator himself, Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts. The girls named it Bo -- and let it be noted that you learned that here first. Malia and Sasha chose the name, because their cousins have a cat named Bo and because first lady Michelle Obama's father was nicknamed Diddley, a source said. (Get it? Bo . . . Diddley?)

Bo's a handsome little guy. Well suited for formal occasions at the White House, he's got tuxedo-black fur, with a white chest, white paws and a rakish white goatee.

Bo didn't come from the shelter but the Obamas will make a donation to the Humane Society:

The choice of a Portie raised one complication. The Obamas have long said they wanted a rescue dog. But the carefully bred PWDs almost never end up in shelters. Bo had been living with another family, but it wasn't a good fit, so the Kennedys acquired him for the Obamas.

As for the rescue pledge, the Obamas came up with a solution intended to lend a serious symbolic note: They're going to make a donation to the D.C. Humane Society.

Read more about Bo and the story of the fierce competition to get the Bo scoop first here. 
Update: talk about the new pup on Meet the Press:

You have earned your new puppy:

AmeriCorps To Expand

Both the House and Senate have bills to expand AmeriCorps and Obama's ready to sign. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (stimulus) includes $201 million in funding to support an expansion of AmeriCorps State and National and AmeriCorps VISTA programs. See the breakdown of the funding here:

MSNBC: The Senate agreed Monday to take up legislation to triple the size of the AmeriCorps program and open up opportunities for more people to serve their communities.

Lawmakers voted 74-14 to move to the legislation that would expand AmeriCorps from its current 75,000 positions to 250,000 over the course of eight years. Sixty votes were needed to bring the bill to the floor. The measure is expected to come up for a final vote in the Senate sometime this week.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who is being treated for brain cancer, made a rare appearance on the Senate floor to vote for the bill that he co-sponsored with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

Another Obama promise fulfilled - money for college in exchange for service:

Both bills would set up a fund to help nonprofit organizations recruit more volunteers and establish a Summer of Service program for middle and high school students, who would earn a $500 education award. Each measure would also create fellowships for older people who get involved in public service. Both would also increase the education awards of AmeriCorps participants, whose work ranges from teaching young people to responding to disasters.

After completing their service, AmeriCorps participants can receive up to $4,725 to help pay for college or pay off student loans. The Senate and House bills would increase that award to $5,350 and require that it match any future increases in Pell Grant scholarships. Unlike the House bill, the Senate version would allow older AmeriCorps members to transfer their education awards to their children or grandchildren.

Robert De Niro Backs Obama Video

all around funny analysis.
Imagine President Obama
come on people, now you have a reason to vote obama

As the crowd at the Meadowlands awaited Mr. Obama’s arrival, Mr. De Niro made a surprise appearance and received a thunderous welcome. Mr. De Niro said he’d never before made a political speech, and the actor made a special appeal to the young people and first-time voters, saying that Mr. Obama gave them someone to gather behind.
“You wanted to vote, you just didn’t have anyone to vote for,” he said. ” Well you know what? I felt the same way. Until now.”
Mr. De Niro introduced Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts; his niece Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy; and Mr. Obama, who were greeted with raucous applause by the crowd, which had grown to about 3,000 by the time the candidate began his speech.

de niro uses sarcasm to make his point.