Politics. On Point.

President Obama nominated Kenneth Magidson, Sarah Ruth Saldaña, Robert Lee Pitman, and John Malcolm Bales to serve as United States Attorneys. John Malcolm Bales : Nominee for United States Attorney, Eastern District of Texas. Malcolm Bales is the interim United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas,a position he has held since 2009. Over the course of his career, Mr. Bales served within the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas as the Chief and Deputy Criminal Chief for the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (2009; 1992-1995), Assistant U.S Attorney for Special Prosecutions (2006-2008), Chief of the Criminal Division(2003-2006), Attorney-in-Charge (1995-2003), and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney(1989-1992). Mr. Bales also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado in 1995. From 1982 to 1989, Mr. Bales was a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Bales was an attorney for Hancock, Piedf...

She's Not Who She Says She Is Most folks know that if you can't trust the words of a potential presidential candidate before an election begins, you'd be hard pressed to find people who believe you during a presidential campaign; and even if they won, they’d still be considered questionable. Some would-be politicians think that given a mic, a podium, a few hundred folks to listen, and a national spotlight, they can say anything, as though it were truth.                                                                                                   Rep. Michele Bachmann ap...

President Obama spoke tonight at the Broadway Theatre in New York, his third fundraiser of the evening in the Big Apple. He delivered remarks at the 1,400-plus seat theatre, where the full house had just finished watching Whoopi Goldberg’s musical “Sister Act”, to which the president joked that the movie helped him decide which convent to send Sasha and Malia, who he described as "getting a little too old and a little too cute." Patting himself on the back, the president made mention, again, of his accomplishments the last two years. "And so I had to make a series of decisions very quickly.  And they were big and often tough decisions.  We had to make sure that we yanked the economy back from the brink of a Great Depression.  We had to make sure that we stabilized the financial system so that we didn’t have a full meltdown, and so that businesses could get financing and keep their doors open and keep their employ...

The First Lady continues her exercise regime, and her Let's Move! message, while in South Africa, this time including one of the world's most beloved diplomatic figure, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The First Lady, at a youth soccer camp, does pushups with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In her remarks to youth at a youth soccer camp at Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, the First Lady said, "But I want to just make sure that we acknowledge all of the organizations who are responsible for supporting and educating and inspiring these young people, because in order to be a VSP (Very Special Person, how Tutu described the First Lady), you’ve got to be, what?, a VHP, a Very Healthy Person, right? Which means you’ve got to have the knowledge and the internal wisdom to make sure you’re taking care of yourself and that you’re making good choices so that you’re healthy and you grow up strong, because it’s hard to have an impact if you’re not in the best condition possible...

Bringing the Boys Home Two major announcements by the White House included the president's plan to deploy 10,000 troops from Afghanistan, beginning this summer. In keeping with his commitment to draw down U.S forces this July, President Obama addressed the nation last evening to explain: "Tonight, I can tell you that we are fulfilling that commitment. Thanks to our extraordinary men and women in uniform, our civilian personnel, and our many coalition partners, we are meeting our goals", the president said. "As a result, starting next month, we will be able to remove 10,000 of our troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year, and we will bring home a total of 33,000 troops by next summer, fully recovering the surge I announced at West Point. After this initial reduction, our troops will continue coming home at a steady pace as Afghan security forces move into the lead. Our mission will change from combat to support. By 2014, this process of transition will be com...

This week, the First Lady, daughters Sasha and Malia, First Mom Mrs. Robinson, and family members and friends are in South Africa for the First Lady's mission to inspire, educate and uplift the young people of South Africa.  First Lady Michelle Obama with daughters Malia and Sasha at the home of former South African president Nelson Mandela. The president remarked earlier this year that Africa "is a fundamental part of our interconnected world.  And when it comes to the defining challenges of our times: creating jobs in our global economy, promoting democracy and development, confronting climate change, extremism, poverty and disease -- for all this, the world is looking to Africa as a vital partner". The First Lady met Tuesday with former South African president Nelson Mandela at his home.  The meeting is being called historic as it represents Mr. Mandela, 92, an iconic symbol of the country's fight against apartheid, and First Lady Michelle Obama, wif...

Last week was the official Juneteenth observance day. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. The state of Texas is widely considered the first U.S. state to begin Juneteenth celebrations with informal observances taking place for over a century; it has been an official state holiday since 1980. Imagine that. The state that jails more African American people than any other; the state where James Byrd was dragged from the rear of a pickup truck - body parts strewn along the highway by a white hate group, was the first state to recognize the emancipation of its slaves. Last Friday, The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation held a prayer breakfast and discussion at the National Press Club.    Among the panelists was Reverend Ronald Myers of the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council.  In our video interview with him, Dr. Myers explains the need for a national Juneteenth holiday . Kem Lam...

With this Sunday being Father's Day, the Administration is getting involved with a message about responsible fatherhood. “Father’s Day reminds us parents that we have no more solemn obligation than to care for our children.  But far too many young people in America grow up without their dads, and our families and communities are challenged as a result,” said President Obama.  “Through my administration’s fatherhood initiative and the year of Strong Fathers, Strong Families, we’re taking steps to offer men who want to be good fathers a little extra help, while working with partners around the country to encourage personal responsibility and help fathers connect with kids.” The administration is hosting military fathers and their children at the White House today for a picnic, along with a screening of Disney's movie, Cars 2. Over the past two years, the President’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative has helped fathers nation-wide engage with their families by ...

In order to support private-sector job creation and enhance economic growth by encouraging and supporting business investment in the United States, President Obama signed into law today Select USA. Here is an excerpt: There is established the SelectUSA Initiative (Initiative), a Government-wide initiative to attract and retain investment in the American economy. The Initiative is to be housed in the Department of Commerce. The mission of this Initiative shall be to facilitate business investment in the United States in order to create jobs, spur economic growth, and promote American competitiveness. The Initiative will provide enhanced coordination of Federal activities in order to increase the impact of Federal resources that support both domestic and foreign investment in the United States. In providing assistance, the Initiative shall work to maximize impact on business investment, job creation, and economic growth. The Initiative shall work on behalf of the entire Nation and...

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony includes tennis great Billie Jean King It's official when you have the Mayor and an all-time tennis great in your corner.   D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and tennis great Billie Jean King were present at today's Washington Kastles' dedication, marking the completion of the newly renovated Kastles Stadium at the Wharf located at 600 Water Street in SW, DC. Workers add the finishing touches to the court at Kastles Stadium on the Wharf.  Photo/CD Brown. The new Kastles home is set against a backdrop of the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial and the Potomac River. "We are excited to bring the Kastles and lots of other entertaining events to our spectacular new home in Southwest Washington and are thrilled to be part of the rebirth of that part of town", said team owner Mark Ein. The Kastles season begins July 4th and will feature returning profession tennis icon Serena Williams , followed on July 5th with sister Venus. John M...

President Obama appointed Vice President Biden to look into areas of "unacceptable" government spending. In an email that went out to supporters yesterday titled, There's A New Sheriff In Town , Vice President Biden writes... Did you know that the government spends millions to maintain buildings that have sat vacant for years? Or that your tax dollars pay to needlessly ship copies of the Federal Register to thousands of government offices across the country even though the same information is available online? And I bet you didn't know that your tax dollars pay for a website dedicated to the Desert Tortoise. I'm sure it's a wonderful species, but we can't afford to have a standalone site devoted to every member of the animal kingdom. It's just one of hundreds of government websites that should be consolidated or eliminated. This kind of waste is just unacceptable. Particularly at a time when we’re facing tough decisions about reducing our defic...

President Obama made a stop in Puerto Rico today.  He is the first U.S. president to do so since John F. Kennedy in 1961. "At that time I was four months old", joked the president, who while campaigning promised the people of  Puerto Rico that he'd return. Part of the president's agenda for the region includes ensuring that people on the island can find work and make a living and provide for their children.  "That’s why we’re increasing access to broadband and investing in education", the president said.  "That's why we’re helping to grow local tourism and health care and clean-energy industries.  We’re giving Puerto Ricans the tools they need to build their own economic futures.That’s why our economic plan and our health care reform included help for Puerto Rico". The president made mention of the contributions of Puerto Ricans, citing that singer Mark Anthony (husband of Jennifer Lopez) was in attendance, and thanked the Puerto Rican s...

Today's conference presented by Center for Social Cohesion addressed how Americans can live together harmoniously. Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor summed it up like this: "Just cook Mexican food". "I'd get everybody together and cook mexican food and we'd sit around outside and drink beer and make friends with each other, said O'Connor while addressing a Center for Social Cohesion event at the National Press Club today. "That works", said O'Connor. Suffice it say, she'd have to buy a lot of 'beer', and cook a lot of 'Mexican food'.  Luckily she said she was open to other suggestions. O'Connor's home state of Arizona is one of many implementing tough immigration laws towards its Latina residents. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed the nation’s toughest bill on illegal immigration into law, aimed at identifying, prosecuting and deporting illegal immigrants. She made the comment when...

With the 2012 election less than a year away, voter suppression efforts are already in high gear across the nation. That’s a direct quote from the web site of Lawyers Committee For Civil Rights , just one of several civil rights organizations bringing awareness to the current unethical voter registration practices taking place. There is a persistent and well-coordinated effort in state legislatures to deter minority, low-income, elderly, disabled and student voters from access to the ballot. In short, the right to vote which is fundamental to our democracy is under attack, the website continues. Several  members of the civil rights community joined Lawyers Committee today for a press conference at the National Press Club to bring awareness to improper voter registration tactics being implemented across the country. Lawyers Committee for Civil and Human Rights join Jesse Jackson, Sr and other civil rights groups at the National Press Club to address the issue of vot...

Law enforcement officers say "Enough!" LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) is planning an event Tuesday, June 14th at the National Press Club to mark the 40th year anniversary of the war against drugs. The group's website states:  On June 17, 1971 President Richard Nixon declared a “war on drugs.” Looking back at the damage done over the past 40 years, it is clear that drug prohibition has failed. Click here to read more about how LEAP will mark the 40th anniversary of the drug war this week and find out how YOU can stand with our cops in saying “40 years is enough!” In an 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em-like video , Neil Franklin, a veteran officer in the state of MD, and Executive Director of LEAP, along with other law enforcement officers remark that drugs should be legalized. Listen to his message below. For some odd reason they're blaming President Obama for the war on drugs, calling their 10:00 am Tuesday event, Police an...

First photos of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords have surfaced since she was shot in the head in a mass shooting in Tucson about five months ago. The photos appeared on her Facebook page (search Rep. Gabrielle Giffords) and were taken May 17th at TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital, the day after the launch of Endeavour and the day before she had her cranioplasty. This photo collage with Giffords before (r) and after her incident (l) was created by CD Brown for Politics.OnPoint. A statement from the photograher, P.K. Weis, says: “Any photographer in the country would have loved the opportunity to take these pictures and I was delighted to be asked. I’ve known Gabby for more than a decade and her staff asked me to do it because she wanted someone who was not a stranger – someone she would be comfortable around...." Giffords photo by photographer P.K. Weis.

Here's a pool report from providing details on the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden's event at the Naval Observatory for breast cancer survivors. Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden hosted an event honoring breast cancer survivors and the work of the Komen Foundation Friday evening at the Vice President's residence. About 200 guests--including survivors and supporters-- gathered at the event inside a tent decked out in pink to honor the cause. VPOTUS wearing a cotton candy-colored pink shirt, discussed how "We all have a serious, serious investment" to finding a cure for breast cancer. "We all know how much work is left to be done," he said. " I'm very hopeful that it's going to get done...We have a simple straight forward goal and that is to make reality the cure for breast cancer." In his remarks, Biden quoted his mother who once told him, "Out of everything terrible something good will happen if you look hard ...

In an eleven minute speech, President Obama was quick and to the point on how he envisions putting Americans back to work, via manufacturing jobs. Speaking in Alexandria, Virginiato to about 100 attendees in the ‘body shop’ of Northern Virginia Community College’s Engineering building, the president talked about ‘lighting a spark’ to create American jobs. “We’ve got to light more sparks all across America”, said the president. Sparks in manufacturing.  Sparks in education. By the end of the decade the president wants to also lead the world in college graduates. He also wants to make going to college more affordable, and pledges that graduates will find a job once they graduate. “So, I’ve set a goal that by the end of this decade, we are going to once again lead the world in producing college graduates. To achieve that, we’re making college more affordable and we’re investing in community colleges.” Not only that, the president wants to ensure college grads can find j...

The president met today with Nigeria's president Goodluck Jonathan where the two discussed the Nigeria's latest regional and global developments.  The two also discussed U.S. and Nigerian bilateral partnership. President Obama met in the Oval Office today with Nigeria's President, Goodluck Jonathan. Photo/CD Brown. Goodluck became Nigeria's 14th president last month. He was Governor of Bayelsa State from 9 December 2005 to 28 May 2007, and was sworn in as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29 May 2007. Jonathan is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP). On 13 January 2010, a federal court handed him the power to carry out state affairs while President Umaru Yar'Adua received medical treatment in a Saudi Arabian hospital. A motion from the Nigerian Senate on 9 February 2010 confirmed these powers to act as President, in recognition of her opinion. On 24 February 2010, Yar'Adua returned to Nigeria, but Jonathan continued a...