Today With President Barack Obama

Friday, February 15, 2013

Obama Presents Presidential Citizens Medal Feb. 15

See a list of the recipients here. Newtown teachers also among the few receiving a medal.

Obama's Meeting with Italy's Napolitano Feb. 15

Obama Speaks in Chicago Feb. 15

West Wing Week Feb. 15

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Obama's Schedule Feb. 15

Times are eastern.

9:30 AM	The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing Oval Office Closed Press
10:00 AM	The President meets with President Giorgio Napolitano of Italy Oval Office Pool Spray at the Top
11:10 AM	The President welcomes the 18 recipients of the 2012 Presidential Citizens Medal East Room Open Press
12:10 PM	The President departs the White House en route Joint Base Andrews South Lawn Open Press
12:25 PM	The President departs Joint Base Andrews en route Chicago, Illinois Joint Base Andrews Travel Pool Coverage
2:10 PM	The President arrives Chicago, Illinois Local Event Time: 1:10 PM CT Chicago O’Hare International Airport Open Press
3:45 PM	The President delivers remarks to discuss proposals unveiled in the State of the Union Address that focus on strengthening the economy for the middle class and those striving to get there LIVE STREAM Local Event Time: 2:45 PM CT Chicago, Hyde Park Academy, Illinois Open Press
5:30 PM	The President departs Chicago, Illinois Local Event Time: 4:30 PM CT Chicago O’Hare International Airport Open Press
8:00 PM	The President arrives West Palm Beach, Florida Palm Beach International Airport Open Press

NRA's LaPierre Appears to Suffer Paranoia

Wayne LaPierre's defiant defense of guns is very unusual, extreme. He seems to think there is an apocalypse around every corner. Poor guy.

Writing Wednesday for the Daily Caller, LaPierre evoked a dystopian vision of a world without guns in the aftermath of last year’s Hurricane Sandy in New York.

“After Hurricane Sandy, we saw the hellish world that the gun prohibitionists see as their utopia,” LaPierre wrote. “Looters ran wild in south Brooklyn. There was no food, water or electricity. And if you wanted to walk several miles to get supplies, you better get back before dark, or you might not get home at all.”

However, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at the time there were no murders committed during the storm or its very immediate aftermath. NBC

Ha Ha. LaPierre married his gun on Valentine's Day.

Republicans Block Hagel

After republican shenanigans on Hagel today, the Senate will take this up again tomorrow. During a "fireside hangout" moments ago, Obama seemed hopeful Hagel would be confirmed.

If confirmed, Hagel, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and former Republican senator from Nebraska, would replace Leon Panetta, who is retiring. Panetta said he will not leave before his successor is in place, but has expressed eagerness to return to his home in California.

Democrats, who have united in support of Hagel, control 55 seats in the 100-member Senate and could confirm Hagel without any Republican backing. A Cabinet nominee requires the support of only a simple majority to be confirmed.

However, they need the support of 60 senators to clear the procedural hurdles and allow the vote. Reuters