Politics. On Point.

Not even the President of the United States could escape 'the force' of Star Wars. "Clearly this is not the most pressing event at the White House", the president said as he began his traditional year-end press conference with the media. "There's a screening of Star Wars taking place in the White House for Gold Star families and their children, so I'll try to be relatively succinct." Star Wars storm troopers join White House staffers outside the White House on Friday. The president gave his review of his administration's accomplishments where he lauded health care, criminal justice reform, and decreased unemployment. President Obama, speaking during his year-end media presser, appears to be giving a 'thumbs up' while speaking on the accomplishments of his administration. Photo/CD Brown "As I look back on this year, one thing I see so much of is that our steady, persistent work over the years is paying off for the Amer...

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                 November 16, 2015          President Obama Names Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama named seventeen recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Presidential 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. Th...

(Politics. On Point) - Vice President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that he will not run in the 2016 presidential campaign. Said Biden, "As my family and I have worked through the grieving process, I’ve said all along what I've said time and again to others, that it may very well be that that process, by the time we get through it, closes the window on mounting a realistic campaign for President, that it might close.  I've concluded it has closed", he said. Vice President Biden, along with President Obama and wife Dr. Jill Biden, in the Rose Garden of the White House Wednesday as Biden announces he is not running for president. Photo/CD Brown The Bidens lost their son Beau earlier this year, an event that some said would be reason the vice president would run for president, but the vice president made his position, and decison, clear. "Unfortunately, I believe we're out of time -- the time necessary to mount a winning campaign for the nomination...

(Politics. On Point) - In support of her Let Girls Learn initiative, the First Lady will welcome to the White House Mrs. Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif, spouse of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and Mrs. Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the daughter of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the press office of the first lady has announced. At this event in the Blue Room, the First Lady will deliver brief remarks announcing a new partnership to further adolescent girls’ education in Pakistan. In addition, there will be a performance by students from the Washington Performing Arts Society Children’s Choir.  Mrs. Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif, spouse of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and Mrs. Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the daughter of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.  The visit of Mrs. Sharif comes as her husband Prime Minister Sharif  meets with President Obama for a bilateral meeting that will highlight the "enduring nature of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and provide an opportunity ...

(Politics. On Point) - President Obama honored the Duke Blue Devils at the White House on Tuesday. Duke won the NCAA title in a come-from-behind contest against Wisconsin, 66-63. The Blue Devils and their coach, Mike Krzyzewski, know a few things about winning national titles. The president said of Kryzyewski, "We think he's got potential", calling him an "up-and-coming" coach. Watch below to see how Kryzyewski responds.   Politics. On Point.     ©  2015 All rights reserved. Grow your business.   Advertise   on  Politics. On Point.  

From the White Press Office NEW YORK, NY – Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch today announced $41 million in grant awards to 20 jurisdictions to eliminate or reduce the number of untested sexual assault kits across the country.  Today’s announcement is being announced as part of an unprecedented partnership with the New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY) – whose own grant program is contributing $38 million to the cause for a total of $79 million to eliminate the backlog reaching 43 jurisdictions in 27 states across the country. “Rape kits are an essential tool in modern crime fighting — not only for the victim, but, for the entire community. Studies show we solve up to 50 percent of previously unsolved rapes when these kits are tested. When we solve these cases, we get rapists off the streets. For most survivors, seeing their rapists brought to justice, and knowing that they will not return, brings peace of mind and a sense of clos...

As part of her  Let’s Move!  initiative, the First Lady will welcome 63 local elected officials and representatives from across the country on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 to celebrate their commitment to building healthier communities. At the event, the First Lady will commemorate  Let’s Move!  Cities, Towns and Counties , reaching 500 communities, resulting in nearly 80 million Americans impacted by the program.  Let’s Move!  Cities, Towns and Counties, led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National League of Cities, calls upon local elected officials to adopt long-term, sustainable and holistic approaches to addressing childhood obesity.  Each local elected official has pledged to achieve the following five goals to promote healthy living throughout the community: 1)        Helping early care and education providers incorporate best practices for nutrition and physical activity ...

President Obama praises New Orleans' comeback; says "more to do." "We must honor their memory each day by rebuilding, and improving, the piece of America they called home."  -  President Obama Honor Katrina's victims by continuing to rebuild a stronger community: President Barack Obama By Barack Obama on August 29, 2015 at 6:45 AM President Obama chats with a young girl during his visit in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans. Credit: White House photo/Pete Souza. On Thursday (Aug. 27), I traveled to New Orleans to mark 10 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated communities across the Gulf Coast and shook America. A visit to the Lower Ninth Ward would have seemed unimaginable in the storm's immediate aftermath, but today the waters have receded — replaced by a region that is moving forward. Over the past 10 years, folks across the Gulf Coast have displayed the spirit of resilience that our country was founded on— building back stronger and...

Eric Cantor endorsed Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush Thursday evening. Cantor tweeted earlier Thursday that he was "AllinforJeb." Cantor is the former Republican majority leader who lost to David Brat, a Virginia professor - and tea-party backer - in the 2014 Virginia House primaries. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump tweeted of the Cantor endorsement, "Who wants the endorsement of a guy (@EricCantor) who lost in perhaps the greatest upset in the history of Congress?” The two presidential candidates have sparred on the issue of immigration. Bush, who is married to a Mexican-American, used the term ' anchor babies ' when speaking about illegal immigrants giving birth in America so their children can become citizens.   He tried 'defending' himself by saying the term didn't apply to Mexicans, but rather Asians (another group who will probably not vote for him, further limiting his chances to become president of t...

Civil rights activist Julian Bond died Saturday in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Reports indicate that Bond died from vascular disease. Julian Bond.   Getty photo. Bond was Chairman Emeritus of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).    “From his days as a young activist to his years as both an elder statesman and NAACP Chairman Emeritus, Julian Bond inspired a generation of civil rights leaders", wrote  current NAACP chairman  Roslyn M. Brock  in a statement Sunday.  “From my days as a youth board member of the NAACP to my present tenure as NAACP Chairman, like so many of my generation and before, I am yet inspired by the depth and breadth of Chairman Emeritus Bond’s exemplary service: activist, writer, historian, professor, public intellectual, public servant and an unrelentingly eloquent voice for the voiceless. The grateful citizen heirs of the civil and human rights legacy of Julian Bond can neither be co...

The White House issued the following pool report as the Obamas continue their vacation on Martha's Vineyard -- helping close friend, Vernon Jordan, celebrate his 80th birthday. From the White House: "Tonight, the First Family attended the 80th birthday celebration for Vernon Jordan, Jr.  at the Farm Neck Golf Club. There were approximately 200 guests in attendance. "The President and First Lady have known the Jordans for over twenty years, and were grateful to have sat with Ann and other guests this evening. "Toasts were offered between courses. Ann Jordan offered the first toast, welcoming guests and honoring her husband. President Obama then toasted Vernon extolling his kindness and generosity. The President told attendees that Vernon's wisdom and enthusiasm are rare qualities. "Third and fourth toasts were offered by President Clinton and Vickee Jordan, respectively. "Other guests tonight included Morgan Freeman,   Brian Roberts , Henry...

The president commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA).   "There are laws across this country designed to make it harder for people to vote."   A candid conversation on the VRA

Demo Day is normally done in the presence of wealthy Venture Capitalists (VCs) where entrepreneurs pitch (or demonstrate) their product or service idea in hopes of receiving funding (and recognition) to take their business idea to the next level.   On Tuesday, in the first ever Demo Day, entrepreneurs pitched their ideas to the president of the United States. President Obama with Demo Day entrepreneurs.  Photos/CD Brown. The event brought together minority and women-owned businesses, a demographic that often faces more barriers receiving funding. A study revealed that fewer than 3 percent of venture capital-backed companies have a woman as their CEO, while yet another study revealed that fewer than 1 percent have an African American founder.  "We’ve got to make sure that everybody is getting a fair shot", said President Obama, "not leave more than half the team on the bench." The president has received commitments from nearly 50 businesses t...