Politics. On Point.

Author of The First Family Detail: Secret Service Agents Reveal the Hidden Lives of the Presidents,  Ron Kessler went on CSPAN's Washington Journal today to discuss the lapse, and lack of, security at the White House -- calling it a "corrupt" and "mismanaged" culture. As news of yet another security breach at the White House, potentially putting the lives of the the President of the United States and the First Family in jeopardy is revealed, Kessler says that "an assassination could happen pretty easily." Earlier this summer, Secret Service (SS) came under fire for being too lax when a broken window was found by a staff member, that later revealed the White House had been shot at several times by one Oscar Ortega  -- (see also Michelle Obama furious over Ortega event).   The latest security lapse came when it was revealed that a knife-wielding Omar J. Gonzalez   jumped the White House fence, in broad day light, bolted up the front lawn, i...

President Obama and family are vacationing at Martha's Vineyard this week. We're told the First Daughters are, of course, joining their parents. The president is using this time as Congress recesses for their own five week vacation. President and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive at Martha's Vineyard. The president, with plans of golfing and rest on his agenda, will continue to be briefed daily on world affairs while on vacation. From today's pool report : Greetings from the island. It’s a sparkling, sunny day for the Obamas’ first full day of vacation. The sky is blue. The breeze is light. The pool is chipper and well rested. The president is going golfing. The pool started the day with a visit to Alley’s farm stand (great peaches), followed by some hanging and waiting in a field near the estate where the president is stay. We began to roll at 11:15 am, but got no sign of the president. The trip along South Road was easy and uneventful. For those...

The president spoke by telephone with the wife of Mandela, Mrs. Graça Machel, who remained by her husband's side in the hospital in Pretoria. Out of deference to Nelson Mandela’s peace and comfort and the family’s wishes, they did not visit the hospital where the 94 year old icon is still in critical condition. Instead, the Obamas met with the Mandela family at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa where he expressed his heartfelt support for the entire family. "It is my hope that Madiba draws peace and comfort from the time that he is spending with loved ones", said Obama. The president also reaffirmed the profound impact that  Nelson Mandela's legacy has had in building a free South Africa, and in inspiring people around the world. "Including me", the president said. "That's a legacy that we must all honor in our own lives, including this July on Mandela Day." Members of the Mandela family meeting with...

  Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will travel to India and Singapore in late July 2013.  In India, the Vice President will meet with key leaders to discuss the full range of bilateral, regional and global issues, with a focus on advancing the prosperity, security, and shared values of our two countries.    The Vice President and Dr. Biden look forward to opportunities to engage with India’s people, including leaders in business and civil society.  In Singapore, the Vice President will consult with leaders on a range of shared priorities, including implementing the Asia-Pacific rebalance, and highlight America’s continued engagement with a key partner in Southeast Asia.   The First Family will begin their travel to South Africa, visiting Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania later this week.   Per the White House, this is the President’s second trip to sub-Saharan Africa .  He previously went to Ghana in his first term....

The First Family returned to the White House last evening around 6:45 pm. Earlier in the day, media was invited to witness the historic return to the White House, but due to weather concerns the president arrived via motor cade and not the usual return on the South Lawn by helo. The arrival was downgraded to pool reporters only. Major disappointment for the press.  You'd think that the return of the president (after having just won RE- ELECTION ) that 'open press' would be still be the order of the evening (there certainly were enough press there, including Politics. On Point.). To quote Vice President Joe Biden, "this is a big f---ing deal". But no cigar. Even world leaders were calling President Obama to congratulate him on his re-election, the likes of which included: P rime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia, President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada, President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, President Moham...

The First Family participated in the annual Christmas In Washington taping last evening at the National Building Museum that included the likes of artist Jennifer Hudson, Victoria Justice and Justin Bieber.    The Band Perry , who also performed at this year's White House Country Music Series that aired last month, made a return visit to Washington for the cause. However, speaking of Hudson and Bieber, Hudson writes on her Facebook page, " Yes he got me. I have bieber fever too. He is the sweetest n cutest ever! Melted my heart n his lovely mother too. " Conan O'Brian was the host on the evening.  True to form for the late night talk show host, O'Brian, in comedic fashion made a few jokes - Holiday style. "At Christmas, thoughts turn to a miracle child, worshipped by millions around the world. "I'm speaking of course, of Justin Bieber." Other O'Brian banter included him poking fun at the First Lady's healthy eating initiative. ...

Sixteen hundred Pennsylvania Avenue narrowly came under siege last weekend when 21-year-old Oscar Ramiro Ortega fired shots at the White House. Oscar Ortega wanted for firing shots at White House. Photo collage/Politics. On Point. Further examination revealed a bullet smashed a White House glass window, but didn't not penetrate due to its anti-ballistic properties. It is believed that Ortega fired the shots last Friday night around 9pm using an AK-47-style rifle.  The rifle was later recovered from an abandoned car Friday thought to belong to Ortega.  Additional rounds of weaponry were also found. Ortega is described as a 5'11" tall, 160 pound Hispanic man with a medium build. He has brown eyes and black hair. Officers obtained an arrest warrant for Ortega on a felony charge of carrying a dangerous weapon. This charge should be increased from 'carrying a dangerous weapon' to 'firing a dangerous weapon' into a residence, and other relate...

Attendees Speak on the Signficance of the Day President Obama spoke during Saturday's momentous dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication on the National Mall. "For this day, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s return to the National Mall.  In this place, he will stand for all time, among monuments to those who fathered this nation and those who defended it; a black preacher with no official rank or title who somehow gave voice to our deepest dreams and our most lasting ideals, a man who stirred our conscience and thereby helped make our union more perfect. And Dr. King would be the first to remind us that this memorial is not for him alone.  The movement of which he was a part depended on an entire generation of leaders.  Many are here today, and for their service and their sacrifice, we owe them our everlasting gratitude.  This is a monument to your collective achievement." The president placed signed copies of his Inauguration s...

I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed today's White House Fall Garden Tour. Not only did the weather cooperate, (unlike the weather for last week's Korean State Visit), the grounds were meticulously manicured and flowers were freshly planted, seemingly for the occasion.  Fall hues of purple, orange, yellow and white permeated the Rose and Jacqueline Kennedy gardens of roses and chrysanthemums. First Lady Michelle Obama's vegetable garden was brimming with heart-healthy, good-for-you, vegetable products including red chili peppers, budding egg plant, onion, tomato and delightful garden herbs. Our tour guide, 'Will', was very accommodating, allowing us to take lots of pictures as he ushered us around the grounds where about 8-10 members of the media got an exclusive, first peek of the garden and the fall foliage.  Also along the way were several photographs of former U.S. presidents that were placed at various points along the route indi...

First Lady Michelle Obama visited the headquarters of the agency that protects her and her family, the United States Secret Service . The First Lady thanked the agents for their service. "You all have really made us feel at home and safe, and there is no amount of thanks that I could convey that would give you a sense of how important you all are to us", she expressed. After seeing how much goes into their work Mrs. Obama said, "So often the rest of the country, they don’t know what you do, they don’t know how the Secret Service works. How many people are behind what happens, whether it’s filing or looking at terrorists." Apparently the visit into the work of the Secret Service was a bit intimidating, and overwhelming, even for the First Lady. "I mean, the work you do here is pretty scary, let’s just say that. All I can say is, after my little tour is, ignorance is bliss. I just don’t want to know. You all can handle all that; just tell me whe...

We love this! The First Family strolling hand-in-hand as they walk to St. John's Episcopal Church today. Here are the raw details from White House pool reporter John Stanton of Roll Call . The first fam left St Johns at 1135, and after a short stroll through Lafayette Park, returned to the White House. The homily was based on the story of Jacobs Ladder and a meditation on finding God in places you would not expect to. "The First Family were delighted to worship with the St. John's Episcopal Church congregation today as they have in the past, and look forward to visiting again," a White House official said. St. Johns is an Episcopal Church, which dates back to 1815, and since James Madison every sitting president has worshipped there ( www.stjohns-dc.org is their site). Churches in the DC area the Obamas have attended include: the 19th Street Baptist Church, Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, Shiloh Baptis...

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 ...

Today, the White House is announcing an Easter Egg Roll Poster Contest for local school children. The First Lady will be selecting the winning design, which will serve as the official 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll poster. The White House invites all elementary and middle school students in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia to submit poster designs by Monday, April 4th at 11:59pm EST for consideration. The poster design selected by the First Lady will be used as part of the White House 2011 Easter Egg Roll program. The winning student artist will be invited to attend the event, along with his or her class. Students from the Washington, D.C. area have had a special relationship with the White House Easter Egg Roll for generations. In the early 1800s, local children rolled eggs on the Capitol Steps the day after Easter. In 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes invited D.C. area children to roll their Easter eggs on the White House lawn and a tradition was born, growi...

Receive Warm Welcome   "The presence amongst us of Michelle Obama, Malia and Sasha, and of an important delegation with the authorities of the Cabinet, politicians and businessmen and women reinforce the spirit of friendship that we gather here. "  -   President Rousseff of Brazil  at Official toast and luncheon. President Rousseff points out many 'firsts', and similarities, during the Obama's visit to Brazil. "As I said today in the morning, it is a fact that we should celebrate that the first woman President of Brazil will receive today and host the first President Afro descent of the United States of America. (Applause.) And this is even more important and has a greater significance when we remember that the U.S. and Brazil are the two countries that has the largest black population outside Africa. Our countries have common traits to deepen our affinities amongst our peoples, to make our friendship ties even closer and more meaningful and everlast...

President Obama Gets Back To Work. The First Family returned to Washington this morning amid chilly, but sunny Washington, DC skies.   The First Family returns to Washington after vacationing in Hawaii over the Christmas Holiday.  Photo/CD Brown.  President Obama, after spending a lengthy, but much needed vacation in Hawaii with his family (where he golfed and played basketball), returns to work this week expecting first to sign into law the Food Safety bill.  The legislation represents a critical step forward in making sure America's food supply is safer by giving the Food and Drug Administration important new tools to protect our food supply and keep consumers safe.  While on vacation President Obama signed into law H.R. 847, the “James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act,” which establishes the World Trade Center Health Program and extends and expands eligibility for compensation under the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of ...

Wants Congress To "Help Our Small Businesses" Before the president left for Martha's Vineyard on a ten day family vacation, he urged the small minority bi-partisan groups of individuals (again) to stop playing politics, calling their action an "obstruction that defies common sense." "For the last several months, I have been urging Congress to pass a jobs bill that will do two big things for small businesses -- cut their taxes and make loans more available. I have been adamant about this because small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create two out of every three new jobs in this country. And while a lot of big businesses and big banks have started recovering from this recession, small businesses and community banks that loan to small businesses have been lagging behind. They need help. And if we want this economy to create more jobs more quickly, we need to help them."

The First Family Vacationing In Maine The First Family on a much needed and deserving vacation on Mount Desert Island, ME. I thought I'd share this 'pool report' with you as it has been the most descriptive one describing the First Family's vacation in Maine this weekend. Politico pooler, (one of many covering the 1st Fam's weekend vacation) Carol Lee, wrote Friday the following from Witch Hole Pond at Cadillac Mountain: No sighting of the first family after their roughly 90-minute bike ride. The motorcade was rolling from Witch Hole Pond at 2:22 p.m. It snaked up the moutainside, with beautiful views of the sun-drenched blue water and cloud covered pine trees coming in and out of sight along the way. President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Sasha and Malia arrived at the top of Cadillac Mountain at 2:36 p.m. Cadillac Mountain is highest elevation point in Acadia National Park and the highest elevation point on the Atlantic Coast at 1,500 feet, accordi...