Politics. On Point.

White House Launches Entrepreneur Initiative and Partnership (Watch Live here ) “ Startup America ,” a national campaign to help America achieve these goals by promoting high-growth entrepreneurship across the country with new initiatives to help encourage private sector investment in job-creating startups and small firms, accelerate research, and address barriers to success for entrepreneurs and small businesses. “Entrepreneurs embody the promise of America: the belief that if you have a good idea and are willing to work hard and see it through, you can succeed in this country. And in fulfilling this promise, entrepreneurs also play a critical role in expanding our economy and creating jobs. That’s why we're launching Startup America, a national campaign to help win the future by knocking down barriers in the path of men and women in every corner of this country hoping to take a chance, follow a dream, and start a business”, said President Obama.   A few promising features i...

[Having trouble watching the President'sSOTU address?  Click here .] --- As President Obama prepares to make his second State of the Union address, many can expect the president to cover a myriad of issues ranging from gun control laws to partisanship. The lamb and the lion will sit side-by-side in the U.S. Capitol during tonight's scheduled 9 pm address, as for the first time Republicans and Democrats - at least for an hour - will have to tolerate one another for the good of the country. Following the President's Address, senior White House officials will take your questions on the president's speech, live from the White House. The panel will include Brian Deese , Deputy Director, National Economic Council; Roberto Rodriguez , Special Assistant to the President for Education Policy; David Simas , Director and Aide to the Senior Advisor; and Ben Rhodes , Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications. People can send their questions via...

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will announce the new 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). USDA and HHS DGA policy document, is the federal government's evidence-based nutritional guidance to promote health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and reduce prevalence of overweight and obesity through improved nutrition and physical activity. The policy document assists policy makers, nutrition professionals, food assistance program administrators, food industry, scientists and academics, and the nutrition-focused media with a consistent, science-based foundation for their nutrition efforts. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are reviewed and updated every five years by USDA and HHS as mandated by law . Consumer materials which support and reflect the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans will be released at a later date. The announcement will be made at GWU on Monday, January 31st.  It wi...

Not even the title of Vice President can prevent one from getting out of jury duty. Vice President Biden was called to his home town of Wilmington Delaware where he participated as a private citizen in a jury selection at the Superior Court of Delaware at the New Castle County Courthouse. President Biden outside a Delaware court house today. President Obama was called to duty last year, but did not participate.  Coincidently, Biden who said he didn't "consider myself different than any other person" , said he hopes the president will participate this year. "I hope the president serves in Chicago if he is called", said Biden. Biden and the other selected jurymen and women, actually ended up being dismissed. --- In other VPOTUS news, Vice President Biden, Chair of the White House Middle Class Task Force, will travel to Greenfield, Indiana on Wednesday of this week where he will visit  Ener1 , Inc., a leading manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion batt...

Rahm Emanuel was thrown off the ballot for mayor of Chicago today by an appellate court panel, ruling 2-1 he did not meet the residency standard to run for mayor. Following the ruling, Emanuel said he is confident he will win an appeal and be on the Feb. 22 mayoral ballot. “I have no doubt at the end we will prevail,” he said. “As my father has said, ‘Nothing is ever easy.’” Read entire article here . Emanuel served as White House Chief of Staff in President Obama's administration, and served as president Clinton's advisor from 1993 to 1998. On Emanuel's FaceBook page he invites viewers to review a recent press conference , held earlier today, where he he claims to owe a home in Chicago, and pays taxes there. His website ChicagoforRahm.com  does not appear to be functioning.

“Every American benefits from the profound sacrifices made by our military men and women. As a veteran, I was honored to attend the release of the Obama Administration’s report on support for military families. When a service member who has dedicated their life to protecting this country suffers from physical, mental health, or substance abuse problems, they do not suffer alone, and we owe these patriots and their families more than gratitude – we owe them our support. ONDCP is committed to providing that support through expanded access to drug treatment for active duty military and veterans, extending our support for veterans courts and through comprehensive efforts to reduce drug use and its consequences.”· According to a survey conducted by the Department of Defense, one in eight active duty military personnel are current users of illicit drugs . This is largely driven by prescription drug abuse, reported by one in nine service members—more than double the rate compared to the civ...

Today marks the 38th anniversary of that historic period that suggested a woman had the right to have an abortion. Norma Nelson McCorvey , aka Jane Doe, a teenage dropout, and drug user from a blue collar background, did not have an abortion, but instead put her child up for adoption.   McCorvey had two other children before the infamous March, 1970 case.  The first child was raised by McCorvey's mother.  The second by the child's father.  By the third pregnancy McCorvey claimed she was raped.   It was letter found to be a lie.   McCorvey has since taken a different stance on abortion since becoming a 'Christain' in 1994. McCorvey sued the state of Texas in a lawsuit that suggested that government does not have the right to intrude on private family matters. Said president Obama on the occasion of the anniversary, " I am committed to protecting this constitutional right.  I also remain committed to policies, initiatives, and programs ...

Todd Palin, Sarah Palin's husband, involved in sex scandal with massage therapist. What is it with the Palin women and their men?   And just weeks before Valentine's Day, too. First, daughter Crystal's boyfriend/soon-to-be-hubby/no that's off/wait, it's on-again/no, off-again relationship with Levin Johnson, the father of her child, embarrasses the nation, now this. (Didn't he pose for Playgirl?) According to reports, The National Enquirer (to be fair, known for its ludacris scandals), reports that Sarah Palin's husband, Todd, is involved in a sex scandal involving an extramarital affair with a massage therapist who has been "busted for prostitution." Shailey Tripp, 36, was arrested in March of this year for running a brothel.  Police may have evidence from the raid of the house that could prove Sarah Palin's husband was, if nothing else, cheating.   The Palins, have denied previous allegations that either spo...

The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today that the new House Republican majority has launched its first attack on the District of Columbia’s right to home rule, only two weeks after stripping the taxpaying residents of the District of Columbia of their vote on the House floor in the Committee of the Whole. Representative Christopher Smith (R-NJ) yesterday introduced radical anti-choice legislation (H.R. 3) that would expand existing prohibitions on federal funding for abortion, and would re-impose the prohibition on the District’s use of its local taxpayer-raised funds for abortion for low-income women. During the past four years, Norton succeeded in removing all the bans on the District’s use of its local funds, including for needle exchange, abortion for low-income women and medical marijuana. “The new Republican majority has spent its first three weeks preaching about the need to reduce the federal government’s power,” Norton said. “Yet the third ...

Chinese President Hu Jintao  was given a welcome reception in Washington by the White House as he and President Obama talked trade, trust, and human rights issues.   President Obama and Chinese president Hu Jintao take a photo after their joint press conference. Photo/CD Brown. "Let’s also never forget that throughout our history our people have worked together for mutual progress.  We’ve traded together for more than 200 years.  We stood together in the Second World War.  Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans have helped to build America, including many who join us here tonight", said President Obama. While the White House was welcoming the foreign president (the eighth time the two presidents have met), those on Capitol Hill cited reasons why the U.S. should not be so diplomatic with the current Chinese president.  Rep. Christopher H. Smith , (R-NJ) touted president Hu as China's "iron fist in Tibet, referring to the Chinese leader's act...

Our fabulous First Lady shows no signs of slowing down this week. After hosting Chinese president,  Hu Jintao at the second State Dinner of her husband, President Barack Obama; speaking to students at Howard University about studying abroad in China; and surprising tour groups during the visit to the White House, the First Lady, in partnership with Walmart, announced the company’s Nutrition Charter initiative , a groundbreaking new initiative designed to help families across America put healthier, more affordable food on their tables.   "We can do this", said the First Lady who admitted she had doubts when she first launched her Let's Move campaign designed to rid childhood obesity in U.S. children.  With a conglomerate like Walmart behind her, Mrs. Obama's initiative is even more realized. "When I see a company like Walmart launch an initiative like this, I feel more hopeful than ever before that the answer to these questions is yes ", said the Fir...

Wednesday at Howard University First Lady Michelle Obama spoke to the nation's future leaders about the benefits of studying abroad, especially in China. On the heels of Chinese president Hu Jintao  visiting Washington, Mrs. Obama told students at Howard's Cramton Auditorium, "The fact is, with every friendship you make, and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world.  That is so important.  So when you study abroad, you’re actually helping to make America stronger." The event was highlighted by a panel of students who have experienced Chinese culture and language.  One former Howard a lumni called the initiative "exciting".  As a Howard University graduate that studied in Beijing during the spring of 2005, she said writes, "I know just how spectacular the RJB center is. Best experience of my entire life." Mrs. Obama was joined at Howard by Madame Chen Naiqing, the wife of Chi...

Dear Parents, Like so many Americans all across the country, Barack and I were shocked and heartbroken by the horrific act of violence committed in Arizona this past weekend.  Yesterday, we had the chance to attend a memorial service and meet with some of the families of those who lost their lives, and both of us were deeply moved by their strength and resilience in the face of such unspeakable tragedy. As parents, an event like this hits home especially hard.  It makes our hearts ache for those who lost loved ones.  It makes us want to hug our own families a little tighter.  And it makes us think about what an event like this says about the world we live in – and the world in which our children will grow up. In the days and weeks ahead, as we struggle with these issues ourselves, many of us will find that our children are struggling with them as well.  The questions my daughters have asked are the same ones that many of your children will have...

President and Mrs. Obama along with several administration staff members participated in several MLK, Jr. community service projects around the country. The First Family participated in a service event at Stuart Hobson Middle School earlier this morning while the Vice President and  Dr. Biden are participating in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in Wilmington, DE.  "This is just an outstanding program, an example of what Martin Luther King’s birthday should be all about", said President Obama.   " Michelle and I the girls are extraordinarily proud that each year on Martin Luther King’s birthday this is how we celebrate, is making sure that we're giving a little something back to the community.  And I hope that all the projects that are taking place all across the country on this day are getting similar attention, because this is part of what America is all about.  And after a painful week where so many of us were focused on tragedy, it’s go...

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all."  —Jackie Kennedy On Jan 29 - Feb 6, 2011 at the Kennedy Center's Family Theater poetry written and compiled by Caroline Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, will be featured during the world premiere Kennedy Center commission that uses spoken word and music to explore the touchstones of the life of one of America's most heralded families. The production of 'A Celebration of Verse' moves audiences to the words of Kennedy family favorites by Robert Frost , Carl Sandburg, Langston Hughes , Edgar Allan Poe , Gwendolyn Brooks , E.E. Cummings, and others.  J. Kennedy Facts : Jacqueline Kennedy, a lifelong lover of poetry, also wrote poems from an early age, some of which were published in the local newspaper. Her poem, "Sea Joy," is just one of her poems that will be read during the American Scrapbook performances.

  Vice President Joe Biden awards a Bronze Star to Staff Sgt. Workman at Forward Operating Base Airborne in Wardak Province, Afghanistan.   Vice President Biden visited Afghanistan earlier this week to meet with  the country's president Hamid Karzai. He traveled also to the Wardak Province for a meeting with local Afghan officials, service members, civilian personnel, Afghan community leaders and US personnel to discuss counter-insurgency operations in the region. The Vice President was briefed on efforts made by U.S. and Afghan forces to clear and hold surrounding areas that will eventually be transferred to Afghan security control. The United States ended its combat mission in Iraq on August 31, 2010, having drawn down to fewer than 50,000 troops from approximately 144,000 in January 2009. The remaining troops are advising and assisting Iraq’s security forces, conducting partnered counter-terrorism operations, and protecting U.S. civilians. The vi...

  **Update**  Beyond Our Greatest Hopes During remarks at Arizona University last evening President Obama gave the nation good news that Congresswoman Giffords opened her eyes. "I have just come from the University Medical Center, just a mile from here, where our friend Gabby courageously fights to recover even as we speak.  And I want to tell you, her husband, Mark is here and he allows me to share this with you: right after we went to visit, a few minutes after we left her room and some of her colleagues in Congress were in the room, Gabby opened her eyes for the first time. Gabby opened her eyes for the first time", exclaimed the president.   Giffords was last Saturday afternoon at a Safeway supermarket in Tucson, Arizona during one of her 'Congress on the Corner' events where she met with the community to discuss political issues of concern. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz recall their visit wit...

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Redskin Lorenzo Alexander at NFL Play60 event at Fred Lynn Middle School in Woodbridge, VA.  Photo/ Courtesy Redskins. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and First Lady Maureen McDonnell, along with Tanya Snyder, wife of Redskins team owner Daniel M. Snyder, Washington Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen, Redskins Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, debuted a Redskins Youth Fitness Zone last Thursday at Fred Lynn Middle School in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Redskins Youth Fitness Zone is part of the Redskins’ and GlaxoSmithKline’s commitment to Play 60 which encourages youth to be active for 60 minutes every day as a way to combat childhood obesity. According to the Prince William Health Partnership: · 28.2% of children and adolescents in the greater Prince William area are overweight or at risk for becoming overweight, · 54% of middle school students did not meet the federal recommendations for physical activity for a seven day period, ...

Friday morning the President was at Thompson Creek Manufacturing in Landover, Maryland to see an example of a company that is beginning to thrive, and to hear what role his Administration's actions have had.  For Thompson Creek, it wasn't just the 16 tax cuts for small business, as it turned out they manufacture energy-saving windows that help other businesses cut costs; and so the President's incentives for that have given them a huge boost. According to a statement by David Axelrod, Senior Advisor to the President, roughly 113,000 new private sector jobs were created by America’s businesses in December, the twelfth consecutive month of positive job growth in this country. In 2010, 1.3 million private sector jobs were added, the strongest job growth since 2006. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the unemployment rate dropped .4 percentage points to 9.4%.  (Although higher in some individual states). Even with those encouraging figures, there are still too m...

A busy day in Washington today as the 112th Congress is sworn in, press secretary Robert Gibbs talks about leaving; and the First Lady gains a new Chief of Staff. The 112th Congress Rep. John Dingell , D-Mich., administered the oath today during the noon-time ceremony that saw the Democratic party relinquishing its reign to their rival Repbulican party. Republicans hold a 242-193 majority in the House and plan to make their voices heard, promising to challenge the president on all fronts (as they have been doing), especially on the president's Health Reform bill.  Outgoing Democratic Housespeaker Nancy Pelosi transfers the gavel of power over to Republic HouseSpeaker John Boehner.   A/P photo.  "The people voted to end business as usual, and today we begin carrying out their instructions" , said Boehner.   The 112 Congress consists of House of RepresentativesSpeaker: John Boehner (R) / Majority (Republican) LeadershipMajority Leader: Eric Cantor /...