Politics. On Point.

It's not too often that you find a king and a president in the same room together, but on Monday at the White House, the East Room featured both. LeBron James and the 2012 NBA Champions, the Miami Heat, were honored by President Obama in a ceremony that saw the 'king' a bit overwhelmed.  The Miami Heat with President Obama.  Photo/CD Brown. "I mean, we're in the White House", James said to the laughter of the audience.  " So I mean, we're kids from Chicago and Dallas, Texas and Michigan and Ohio and South Dakota, Miami. And we're in the White House right now. This is like, hey, mama, I made it."  Not bad for a team the president called "a little up-and-coming basketball team". The 'up-and-coming basketball team' fended off Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma Thunder, 121-106 in Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals to which the president credited himself for their win. "Now, I’m not trying to take all the credit, ...

"We're So Strong" As the US military prepares to lift the ban preventing women from serving on the front lines of military combat, we're inspired by the words of Ms. Violet Palmer, the first female NBA referee who had these words to say about being a female in her own male-dominated profession. "I didn't know if they'd talk differently, look at me differently, or if they'd touch me", said Palmer who has been an NBA ref since 1997 of her fellow male referees. While the NBA and military operations are quite different animals, both surely were met with oppositionary reactions initially, but said Palmer, "I knew if I did my job well, they cynics would be quiet." Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta (who is slated to resign from his post this year) said in a statement yesterday, "The department's goal in rescinding the rule is to ensure that the mission is met with the best-qualified and most capable people, regardless of gen...

Republicans are pushing their 'No Budget. No Pay' agenda. In an email that went out yesterday House Republicans state: "Today the House passed No Budget, No Pay legislation with bi-partisan support. The bill will require the House and Senate each to pass a budget, and Member pay will be withheld if they fail. The principle is simple: no budget, no pay. It's time for the Senate to act. It has been almost four years since the Democratic-controlled Senate passed a budget, while our national debt has skyrocketed by over $5 trillion." Watch their new video "Earning It", about Senate Democrats' failure to do their jobs and pass a budget, says the email. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair, House Republican Conference encourages Americans to help them "keep the pressure on the Senate to follow the law and pass a budget".  She also asks her constituents to forward share the above video on their Facebook and Twitter accounts. She further wr...

Oh, the difference between Eric Holder testifying on Capitol Hill about his role in the 'Fast and Furious' debacle that saw hundreds of guns enter the pipe line of illegal guns being sold on the US streets from Mexican drug cartel seizures, and today's testimony by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton . While Holder was timid, evasive and subdued Clinton, during one portion of the questioning today on the Benghazi event that killed a US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans, decided she'd had enough of the fervent bombardment and line of questioning from the GOP. Clinton confessed that she takes full responsibility for not providing the protection needed in the area on the day of September 11, 2012, the anniversary of the 911 attack here in the U.S. She refuted any claims that the administration gave false Intel into why the American people were told several different versions of exactly what happened during the Benghazi attack. Initially, US Ambass...

President and Mrs. Obama dance the Inaugural Dance during the Commander in Chief Ball at the DC Convention Center to Jennifer Hudsons' rendition of Al Green's Let's Stay Together . The First Lady wore a Jason Wu ruby colored chiffon and velvet gown with a handmade diamond embellished ring by jewelry designer Kimberly McDonald. Mrs. Obama's shoes are by Jimmy Choo. At the end of the Inaugural festivities, the outfit and accompanying accessories will go to the National Archives as did her first inaugural gown and shoes . Side note: Although Jennifer did a fine and wonderful job singing, we still wonder why the Rev. Al Green himself wasn't asked to perform his hit single. We're sure he would have been more than happy to do so.

After having visited the Metro A.M.E. Church on Sunday, President Obama and family attend the St. John's Episcopal Church near the White House. On the day marking the birthday celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the president gave his Inaugual Address on the front steps of the Capital Building in front of Congressional members and what looked to be nearly a million American citizens. "Each time we gather to inaugurate a President we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. We affirm the promise of our democracy. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional, what makes us American is our allegiance to an idea articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among ...

President Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in today for a second term as President of the United States. The entire oath ceremony, which took place in the Blue Room of the White House, lasted about one minute. Chief Justice Roberts led the president in reciting the oath. President Barack Obama takes the oath of office, administered by Judge Roberts. The president used the Robinson Family Bible. Attending were: Mrs. Marian Robinson — the first lady's mother, Craig Robinson — the first lady's mother' brother, Leslie Robinson — the first lady's niece, Avery Robinson — the first lady's  nephew, Auma Obama — President Obama's sister, Akinyi Manners — Auma Obama's daughter & President Obama's niece, Maya Soetoro-Ng — President Obama's sister, Konrad Ng — President Obama's  brother-in-law married to Maya, Savita Ng — President Obama's niece, Suhaila Ng — the president's niece, Kaye Wilson — Godmother to Sasha &; Malia, a.k.a. ...

Now Is the Time . President Obama unveiled his plan plan to curb gun U.S. violence.  Speaking today from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB), the president offered the following conditions: closing background check loopholes to keep guns out of dangerous hands; banning military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and taking other common-sense steps to reduce gun violence; making schools safer; and increasing access to mental health services. Highlights of this comprehensive plan include:  Require criminal background checks for all gun sales.  Take four executive actions to ensure information on dangerous individuals is available to the background check system.  Reinstate and strengthen the assault weapons ban.  Restore the 10-round limit on ammunition magazines.  Protect police by finishing the job of getting rid of armor-piercing bullets.  Give law enforcement additional tools to prevent and prosecute gun crime.  End th...

As events continue to get underway for the second Inauguration of President Obama here's a list of additional Inaugural items you need to know. Chelsea Clinton will serve as Honorary Chair of the 2013 National Day of Service, which will kick off the Second Inaugural weekend of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. “We are thrilled that Chelsea Clinton will play such a critical role in mobilizing Americans across the country to take part in the National Day of Service,” said PIC President and CEO Steve Kerrigan. “Through her work with the Clinton Foundation and her recent efforts to help communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy, Chelsea sets a remarkable example for serving and strengthening our country. As Honorary Chair, she will be instrumental in helping lead the President’s call to service and growing this important tradition.” Inaugural Smartphone App First-ever Smartphone app will bring key information about official Inaugural events. App users will als...

On Sunday, January 20, 2013 President Obama will take the oath of office using the Robinson Family Bible. On Monday, January 21, the President will take the oath of office using two Bibles: the Bible used by President Lincoln at his first Inauguration in 2009, and a Bible used by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “President Obama is honored to use these Bibles at the swearing-in ceremonies,” said Steve Kerrigan, President and CEO of the PIC. “On the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, this historic moment is a reflection of the extraordinary progress we’ve made as a nation.”   The Robinson Family Bible was selected specifically for the occasion. The bible was a gift from the First Lady’s father, Fraser Robinson III, to his mother, LaVaughn Delores Robinson on Mother’s Day in 1958. Mrs. Robinson was the first African-American woman manager of a Moody Bible Institute’s bookstore and she used the Bible reg...

Washington, DC is inauguration central as the city welcomes the world for a week of festivities, from presidential exhibits and politically minded restaurant menus to impressive inaugural balls and a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. To that end, Madam Tussauds DC will host a special Kids’ Inauguration Day on Saturday, Jan. 19 with family friendly events and interactive activities. For this and more Inauguration fun visit www.washington.org/inauguration .   Also visit www.MadameTussaudsDC.com .

The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced that C hief Justice of the United States, John G. Roberts, Jr ., will administer the oath of office for President Barack Obama at the Inaugural swearing-in ceremonies on Sunday, January 20 and Monday, January 21, and Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor will administer the oath of office for Vice President Joseph Biden. “I will be honored to again stand on the Inaugural platform and take part in this important American tradition,” said President Obama. “I look forward to having Chief Justice John Roberts administer my oath of office as we gather to celebrate not just a president or vice president, but the strength and determination of the American people.” 2012 Swearing-in Ceremony. President Obama followed presidential precedent in choosing the Chief Justice to administer his oath of office. Vice President Biden personally selected Associate Justice Sotomayor, who will be the first Hispanic and fourth female judg...

Today, the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) launched its online store and announced the upcoming opening of a Washington, DC retail location offering official memorabilia to celebrate the second inauguration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. These official outlets, offering unique pieces from mugs to t-shirts to blankets, will ensure that every American can celebrate this historic event. “We are excited to announce the launch of the Presidential Inaugural Committee 2013 Official Store,” said Presidential Inaugural Committee spokeswoman Addie Whisenant. “This inauguration is an historic moment for all Americans to come together and celebrate. Whether it is a tote bag or a sweatshirt, this official memorabilia helps Americans across the country share in this special event.” In Washington, DC, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will open an official retail location for the local community and those traveling to the nation’s capital for inaugural even...

With a new presidential term comes new members of Congress. Vice President Biden swore in new members of the United States Senate at the U.S. Capitol in an official ceremony earlier today. At 7:00 PM this evening, the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden will attend an event with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute to welcome new Hispanic Members of Congress. The Vice President will deliver remarks and ceremonially swear in the Hispanic members of the 113th Congress. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus in today's swearing in ceremony Also today, members of the Congressional Black Caucus took their oath of office during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's swearing in ceremony. Representative Marcia L. Fudge is the new Chair of the CBC. House Speaker John Boehner was also sworn in for another term where he can continue to block efforts to move the country forward .

Democrats and Republicans struck a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff to start 2013 off in promising direction. The deal prevents rising taxes on the wealthiest two percent of Americans while preventing a middle-class tax hike that could have potential sent the economy in to free fall. With the current proposal more than 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses will not see their income taxes go up.  Millions of families will continue to receive tax credits and companies will continue to receive tax credits for the jobs that they create.  Said President Obama, "But I think we all recognize this law is just one step in the broader effort to strengthen our economy and broaden opportunity for everybody.  The fact is the deficit is still too high, and we're still investing too little in the things that we need for the economy to grow as fast as it should." As it currently stands the bill makes permanent the temporary rates on taxable income at or bel...