White House Statement on Romanoff

The press is selling the idea that Obama is engaged in "backroom politics." I think it's just politics. It's also a distraction. Because Obama is expected to walk on water, and because he has vehement opposition (republicans), he needs to stay above the fray, more so than any other president. The White House's statement:

Andrew Romanoff applied for a position at USAID during the Presidential transition. He filed this application through the Transition on-line process. After the new administration took office, he followed up by phone with White House personnel.

Jim Messina called and emailed Romanoff last September to see if he was still interested in a position at USAID, or if, as had been reported, he was running for the US Senate. Months earlier, the President had endorsed Senator Michael Bennet for the Colorado seat, and Messina wanted to determine if it was possible to avoid a costly battle between two supporters.

But Romanoff said that he was committed to the Senate race and no longer interested in working for the Administration, and that ended the discussion. As Mr. Romanoff has stated, there was no offer of a job.

Health Care Town Hall Mobs Turn Violent

People ought to be ashamed of themselves. What a bunch of low lifes. Republican leadership needs to be speaking out, taming their people, not inciting violence. But they never spoke out against the racist birthers, so I imagine the violence at these meetings will get worse before it gets better.

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Apparently, representative Kathy Castor and other democrats will be holding the next town hall by phone. They ought to just do online town halls.
AFL-CIO to the rescue and White House advice to democrats:

Also Thursday, the AFL-CIO announced plans to mobilize labor activists to attend town hall meetings in 50 congressional districts this month to counter the conservative protesters.

White House aides David Axelrod and Jim Messina traveled to the Capitol for their presentation to Democratic senators. Senators saw videos of disruptions at events held by House members, and were told to organize their events more carefully as well as work with labor unions and other friendly groups to generate enthusiasm.

They also were urged to use these events to stress insurance reforms such as a limit on out-of-pocket expenses for those covered by insurance, a ban on coverage cancellation for the seriously ill and protections for small businesses.

Messina, the deputy White House chief of staff, also said any advertising attack would be met with a bigger response, these officials said. MSNBC

Choice White House Photos June 5

Michelle and Nancy Reagan:

Michelle at the Met in NY

Michelle visits Ferebee-Hope Elementary school

Michelle Obama and the Congressional lunch bunch:

Michelle and Bancroft elementary school kids in the garden:

Katie Johnson, White House secretary, tries on helmet:

Valerie Jarrett and David Axelrod:

Robert Gibbs and Axelrod:

Jon Favreau, Jim Messina, Patrick Gaspard:

Cell phones outside a meeting. Check out the Shepard Fairey "history" sticker:

Biden, Obama and Sotomayor wait for the big announcement:

All of these photos are by Pete Souza, White House photographer.
Video montage of Obama in Egypt:

Greg Craig White House Counsel

In addition to Craig, Obama chooses three more: Peter Rouse will be a presidential advisor; Mona Sutphen and Jim Messina will both be deputy chiefs of staff;

Politico: Gregory B. Craig, a well-known Washington lawyer who quarterbacked President Bill Clinton’s impeachment defense, has been chosen White House counsel by President-elect Barack Obama, according to Democratic officials.

Craig is intimately familiar with the president-elect’s record because he played the role of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in debate preparations.

The officials said Obama has settled on Craig but were not sure when the appointment would be announced. more