Politics. On Point.

Incoming Mayor Vincent Gray has named five more appointments to the senior leadership of his new administration. De’Shawn A. Wright will be the Deputy Mayor for Education.  Wright worked previously as a senior advisor to Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, New Jersey, and has worked to develop a comprehensive reform agenda for the Newark Public Schools and has a strong background in policy, management, and classroom teaching. Hosanna Mahaley , will head the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.  Mahaley has worked the last few years developing innovative strategies for elevating teaching and assessing student progress. Rochelle L. Webb  will head the Department of Employment Services.  Dr. Webb has more than 20 years of leadership experience implementing state and federal initiatives related to employment and human services in Arizona and Texas. Gustavo F. Velasquez will continue serving as the Director of the Office of Human Rights, while Clarenc...

Today the president signed  Don't Ask, Don't Tell into law, allowing gay men and women to serve openly in the military.  The president said the signing was "the right thing to do for our security, and the right thing to do, period." Today's event was one of several events the president deemed "progress for the American people". "A lot of folks in this town predicted that after the midterm elections, Washington would be headed for more partisanship and more gridlock", said President Obama.  "And instead, this has been a season of progress for the American people.  That progress is a reflection of the message that voters sent in November; a message that said it’s time to find common ground on challenges facing our country.  That’s a message that I will take to heart in the New Year, and I hope my Democratic and Republican friends will do the same." The president met briefly in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building with report...

President Obama is expected to sign the Middle Class Tax Cut Bill today in a ceremony at the White House. The bill, with parts the president admits he his opposed to - but is satisfied with, nonetheness -  is expected to grow the economy, create jobs, and help middle class families across the country, ensuring that middle class families won't incur a tax hike at the end of the year. One report explains the measure like this: Tax rates will remain at their current levels -- 10%; 15%; 25%; 28%; 33%; and 35%, based on your income. It also maintains lower tax rates on your investments for the next two years. If you make less than $90,000 a year, the bill provides an extension of the $2,500 credit you've been receiving to help pay for college tuition, which was begun under last year's economic stimulus bill. It will be easier for you to provide for your children. Under the Bush bill, you got a child tax credit of $500. That has now increased to $1,000. ...

President Obama with Harriett Tubman Elementary student at signing of Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. It was a joyous occasion at Washington's Harriett Tubman Elementary School in Northwest DC on a cold and blustery school morning that saw many parents hurrying their kids off wrapped in scarfs, hats and gloves and plenty of backpacks. On this special day, the kids were in for a special treat.  Times two. President Obama is coming to their school for a special visit. "This is monumental", said the school's principal Harry Hughes.  It's monumental for the whole community to be a part of history.   The kids are boiling over with excitement." The president is there to sign the Hunger-Free Kids Act which means kids across the country, including the pre-K to fifth grade students at Tubman Elementary, will have better food menu choices during their busy days at school. Already, the school has made changes. "We're seeing less packaged foods...

President Obama and the Los Angeles Lakers helped kids from DC's Girls and Boys Club put together packages for U.S. service members and the homeless today at The ARC .   The President and the Lakers visited with the kids in partnership with  NBA Cares .  President Obama with 2010 NBA Champions, Los Angeles Lakers. Photo/CD Brown. For fifteen year-old Tylan, one of the youth from the Boys and Girls Club, called the visit from the Lakers and President Obama his best day ever.   "It was so exciting!  It was so amazing - my favorite team, my favorite player.   To see President Obama, Tylan said, "It was good." President Obama personally congratulated the Lakers for their achievements on and off the basketball court.  "Now, I have to say that there is a longstanding tradition of welcoming championship sports teams to the White House.  But here’s the thing:  These guys have been there so oft...

Christmas in Washington isn't official until the lighting of the national Christmas tree . The First Family helped bring in the occasion with a few friends like Jordan Sparks, BB King, Cheryl Crow, and actor/rapper Common, the evening's emcee. Mrs. Obama read 'Twas The Night Before Christmas . The Obamas continue to celebrate the season with the taping of the annual Christmas In Washington event, as we recently noted , this Sunday at the National Building Museum.    The show will air on December 17th on TNT. Related Watch the tree lighting ceremony here .

The same movie producer that bought us documentaries like Len Bias: Without Bias, and A Crack In The System is bringing a new film, Mayor For Life, which views on You Tube. I guess it's chronicling the life and times of the embattled former mayor of the Nation's Capital, turned Ward 8 Councilmember, Marion Barry.  Or is it about Barry's PR representative? See for yourself, and decide.

On Monday, the President will sign into law the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.  He will join the First Lady in delivering remarks. As a precursor to Monday's event, the White House had a background conference call today to discuss the bill signing and what the new legislation means for millions of school children across the country. On the call were Tom Vilsack of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Sam Kass, White House Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives, and Tim Cipriano, Executive Director of Food Services for New Haven public schools. The legislation means increased funding for schools to improve menu choices in vending machines, school lunch lines, and À la carte menu items. "Kids eating healthy equates to more kids learning, which equates to smarter kids down the line", said Cipriano. The legislation, in conjunction with the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative, strives to decrease (or rid) childhood obesity within...

Elizabeth Edwards endured a lot while dealing with her diagnoses with breast cancer.  Just Monday we learned that the cancer spread to her liver and that doctors had advised against seeking further treatment. She was resting comfortably at her home in North Carolina with family, and former husband John Edwards by her side earlier this week. Edwards helped propel her husband into the spotlight during his second bid - this time during the 2008 presidential campaign, only to find out that the man she revered had an affair with a campaign worker. The details were painted out in a book written by former Edwards campaign manager, Andrew Young titled, The Politician. Mrs. Edwards was also a writer, having authored two books:  Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers, and Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities.  She also shared   her story with this year's Kennedy Center...

Oprah Winfrey and Steadman Graham at the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors.  Photo/CD Brown. The Kennedy Center Honors came and went this past Sunday, and we were lucky enough to get a peek (literally, just a peek) at this year's honorees, and a few others. The star-studded event, that each year, honors five individuals for their lifetime achievement in the performing arts was nothing short of amazing and included the likes of former recipient Ms. Diana Ross . We saw a bevy of public figures, so mixed and assorted, ranging from politics (Congressman Charlie Rangel , General Colin Powell and wife Alma, and Newt Gingrich ), to comedy ( Chris Rock ) to super heroes (Wonder Woman - aka Linda Carter ). We even caught up with powerhouse couple and star of The Real Housewives of DC, Jason and Stacie Turner . John Travolta wowed fans just outside the Kennedy Center entrance by taking time to sign autographs and taking pictures. ...

The Obama administration has come to somewhat of a happy medium with Republicans on extending both tax cuts - and unemployment benefits - for millions of Americans. Tax Cuts And The Federal Budget The president said during his campaign that he originally planned tax cuts for the 'middle class' (a term that needs further defining in this current economic climate), but has since changed his stance. "It would be a grave injustice to let taxes increase for these Americans right now.  And it would deal a serious blow to our economic recovery", the president said yesterday in remarks to the press. Both parties voted to extend Bush-era tax cuts (for two years) while extending unemployment benefits for 13 months.  Without the tax cuts Americans could see their taxes rise beginning January 1, 2011. "I am not willing to let that happen.  I know there’s some people in my own party and in the other party who would rather prolong this battle...

ABC News (and now the White House) is reporting that President Obama, in a surprise visit, has just landed in Afghanistan to visit with U.S. troops. First Pool Report - Excerpted. (11:33 am EST) President Obama arrived in Afghanistan at 8:35 pm. Air Force One was wheels down at Bagram Air Base. POTUS stepped off the plane at 8:48 pm. He was greeted by Gen. David Petreaus and Amb. Eikenberry. POTUS is expected to be on the ground for 3 hours. The schedule has changed and continues to. POTUS was initially expected to helo to Kabul to meet with Karzai. Cancelled. Then they were to do secure videoconference from Bagram. That is also cancelled. From Robert Gibbs: Due to weather and technical problems, the secure videoteleconference is now a phone call. The President, most noteably, wanted to visit with the troops during the holidays, citing, "It's a particularly tough time of year." Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Ssecurity Advisor for Strategic Communications, no...

House Passes Child Nutrition Legislation With a vote of 264 yays, and 157 nays the House passed the $4.5 billion child nutrition legislation that will improve the quality of meals that children receive at school. We can't believe the 157 who voted against this bill.  Who doesn't want America's kids eating healthy food? We share in the First Lady's comments on the passage of the bill. "I am so thrilled that the House of Representatives has passed “The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act” – a groundbreaking piece of bipartisan legislation that will significantly improve the quality of meals that children receive at school and will play an integral role in our efforts to combat childhood obesity." The First Lady has been working feverishly to ensure that America's kids eat properly. "Over  the past two years, I have had the privilege of speaking with parents, educators, governors and mayors, medical professionals, community and business leaders, an...

The most wonderful time of the year is upon us, and The White House is checking its list.  On the list, a pre-holiday peep at holiday decorations for the media and many families of the military. "It’s Christmas!   It’s exciting!", the First Lady exclaimed. Decorations include 19 Christmas trees in every corner of the White House, a giant Bo (the family dog) made out of pipe cleaners, and a 350 pound gingerbread house. The White House is expecting more than 100,000 people to enjoy the White House decorations. The First Lady welcomed the White House Christmas tree on last Friday.  The 18 ½ foot Douglas-fir arrived from the Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Leighton, Pennsylvania. Having trouble viewing this video?  Click here . Related Christmas In Washington 2010 Simple Gifts

Another busy day for President Obama as his scheduled included meetings with two prominent D.C. area figures: Mayor-elect Vincent Gray , and General Colin Powell. Gray and President Obama discussed funding for infrastructure for Ward 8, D.C. license plates, the city's high unemployment rate, and voting rights.  The two spoke on the 55th anniversary of Rosa Parks' giving up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus - an act that sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and catapulted the Civil Rights movement. 'I'm unequivocally in support of voting rights for the District of Columbia", Obama told Gray. The District faces a $188 million gap in the Fiscal Year 2011 operating budget. Gray expects to have future meetings with the president. On meeting with General Powell the president explained, "Most of the discussion we had was around national security issues.  We talked about some of the challenges across the landscape, from North Korea to Iran to Afgha...

President Obama Repeals The Don't Ask, Dont Tell" Law.   Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, conduct a press briefing at the Pentagon discussing the public release of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Comprehensive Working Group report on Nov. 30, 2010. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer Specialist 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley  In a statement today, President Obama comments on  DOD's Don't Ask, Don't Tell  Report As Commander in Chief, I have pledged to repeal the “ don’t ask, don’t tell ” law because it weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness, and violates fundamental American principles of fairness and equality by preventing patriotic Americans who are gay from serving openly in our armed forces. At the same time, as Commander in Chief, I am committed to ensuring that we understand the implications of this transition, and maintain good order and discipli...

For America's Black farmers the tenth time is the charm. African American farmers will finally receive the $1.15 billion owed to them that was settled out of court over 11 years ago in a case that involved discrimination on the part of the U.S. Agricultural Department. Under a federal judge's terms, dated in 1999, qualified farmers could receive $50,000 each to settle the claims of racial bias. John Boyd, farmer and founder of the web site BlackFarmers.org , has been in the forefront of this battle, having been on many TV and radio shows, and on Capitol Hill (see our coverage here ) to bring the plight of America's Black farmers to the national stage. Boyd called the historic announcement "vindication and justice". "This case was about justice for Black farmers who waited for so very long."   Boyd pointed out that many African American farmers died and others lost land waiting for Congress, (specifically Tom...

The Thanksgiving break is over and President Obama says "it's time to get back to work."  Two days after he pardons Apple the Thanksgiving turkey, has a run in with the elbow of Rey Decerega, director of programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in a pick up basketball game at the Department of Interior, the President is rolling up his sleeves, and making waves. After the midterm elections that saw the Republicans regain control of the House, the president promised to  meet with both political parties in a lame duck session to discuss ways to move the country forward.  Most noticeably, the president plans to address growing the economy, securing the American people from the ongoing threat of terrorism, Bush-era tax cuts, and the ratification of the New START treaty. With Congress convening this week, the president will meet Tuesday with bipartisan Congressional leadership that include the likes of both Democrats and Republicans.   Sc...

Earlier today, President Obama visited the Chrysler Indiana Transmission Plant in Kokomo, Indiana. With money given to the auto industry last year, many are seeing what could be the fruit from the Obama administration's "anti-recession" bail out. There were more than 461,000 automobile-related job losses before President Obama took office. ''And now you see the result, said the president. "An old industry adapting to a whole new era, competing again, leading again, and most importantly, hiring again. Hiring again." Just last week GM announced its initial public offering of its stock.   The auto manufacturing raised its shares from 365 million to 478 million. "General Motors’ initial public offering (IPO) marks a major milestone in the turnaround of not just an iconic company but the entire American auto industry", said Obama. "Through the IPO, the government will cut its stake in GM by nearly half, continuing our disciplined co...

You've probably seen the video of a young boy being put through what the TSA says is them "just doing their job" to secure America.  The boy is practically stripped search (and left with his dignity on the floor) as he and his dad prepare to take flight. Some call it disturbing (we do too), and a total invasion of privacy.  TSA calls it protecting Americans from possible terrorist attacks.    What George Orville wrote about in Nineteen Eighty-Four , about a society that Orwell describes as everyone being under complete surveillance by the authorities, mainly by telescreens, is a system on the brink of violating our civil liberties.  (Or guilty of crossing the line altogether). Oddly enough the society of which Orville writes is called  Airstrip One .   The White House has responded on this issue and has said the following:  TSA searches woman before flight. Has the TSA gone too far? Press Secretary Robert Gibbs:  " W...

Photo/CBS. Vice President Joe Biden wrote an op-ed piece for the New York Times, published this weekend.   The piece discusses what Congress and the current administration must do to ensure a stabe, self-reliant nation for Iraq. Biden writes that in the six visits he's made the country's police and soldiers have made progress. "Iraq today is far safer and more stable than at any time since the outbreak of war in 2003", writes Biden. "In recent months, using their own intelligence, Iraqi forces have killed or captured dozens of senior leaders of Al Qaeda in Iraq and other terrorist groups. The weekly tally of violent incidents throughout Iraq has dropped to about 160, from nearly 1,600 in 2007." Notwithstanding those accomplishments Biden notes that more needs to be done and calls on Congress to  "fulfill the budget requests to support America’s continued engagement, including our broader diplomatic presence, a modernization plan for the Iraqi s...

Kristina Schake joins the staff as Special Assistant to the President and Communications Director to the First Lady. She will start in the East Wing in December, 2010. “I’m thrilled to welcome Kristina to the team. Kristina brings a wealth of expertise that I know will make her a tremendous asset in the East Wing,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “Kristina has done extensive work throughout her career on child nutrition and community health issues, and that paired with her experience as part of a military family will bring invaluable insight to our work on childhood obesity and our efforts to support military families. I look forward to working with Kristina on these efforts and more in the months and years ahead.” Kristina Schake is co-founder and principal of Griffin Schake , a California-based public affairs and strategic communications firm. She is a seasoned expert in helping major foundations, non-profit organizations and civic leaders bring about critical social change throu...

This Friday, November 19th, at 10:30 AM, Vice President Biden will hold a Middle Class Task Force event to announce new initiatives to help middle class and low income families secure their legal rights. Following the Vice President’s remarks, there will be a series of panel discussions on these initiatives. Panel participants will include Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis; Larry Tribe, Senior Counselor for Access to Justice at the Department of Justice; senior administration officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Housing and Urban Development; and representatives from the legal advocacy community. Attorney General Eric Holder will make remarks at the conclusion of the program. The event will also be streamed live on www.whitehouse.gov/live .

George Herbert Walker Bush is one of fifteen award recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom award. The Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. Bush was the 41st President of the United States. Prior to that, he was Vice President in the Reagan Administration, Director of Central Intelligence, Chief of the U.S. Liaison’s Office to the People’s Republic of China, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and a Member of the House of Representatives from the 7th District of Texas. He served in the Navy during World War II. President Bush and President Clinton worked together to encourage aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. Other named recipients include Boston Celtics' Bill Russell , Congressman ...

President Obama made remarks yesterday celebrating Veteran's Day at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul Korea, as he and the First Lady continue their G-20 Summit tour of Asia. On Veteran's Day, (and back home) Vice President Biden will host a Veteran's Day breakfast at the White House and will visit Arlington National Cemetery where he will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at 11AM. (See here ). The Vice President will then deliver remarks at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery. The President will participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul, South Korea. and will later attend the official G-20 welcome reception and dinner at the National Museum of Korea. The President's remarks, to a seemingly rousing crowd, in Seoul is below.    We are so proud to have with us U.S. and Republic of Korea vets of the Korean War who are here. And we are greatly honored by their presenc...