Politics. On Point.

Press Secretary Josh Earnest, in his last press briefing under the Obama administration, received some kind words from the Commander-in- Chief during Tuesday's press briefing. The president praised Earnest for his "integrity", for being a "straight-shooter" and having an "All-American" look "going for him." "That's helpful", said the president. Earnest has been ridiculed for being "too vanilla" and had been ridiculed by incoming president Trump as being "foolish." Said Trump during one of his campaign rallies, "This foolish guy, Josh Earnest, I don't know," Trump told the crowd. "You know, having the right press secretary is so important because he's so bad the way he delivers a message. He can deliver a positive message and it sounds bad. He could say ladies and gentlemen, today we have totally defeated ISIS, and it wouldn't sound good, OK?" During today's pre...

Sob. Sob.   Another press secretary has descended from the White House briefing room podium, into the welcoming arms of 'family'. Today, White House reporters saw the last briefing - facilitated by one Mr. James "Jay" Carney, the 29th press secretary, and the second to President Obama after he replaced Robert Gibb s nearly four years ago. President Obama and White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, aboard Air Force One, one last time. Just as his predecessor before him, Carney told reporters how much he loved his job, and how much of a "pleasure" it was. I could never understand how the PS could claim, at least on camera, to have have "the best job in the world", "loving every moment", and then just walk away. How could you no longer want to talk about every issue happening in the world, every day - for an hour -  to relentless, grilling, reporters who act like they're out for blood on every single issue? Take a read a...

The Vice President announced today that Shailagh Murray will serve as his Communications Director, starting in April. Murray succeeds Jay Carney, who was appointed by the President to be the White House Press Secretary. Murray comes to the Vice President’s office as a veteran journalist, most recently at the Washington Post. “Shailagh’s years of experience covering a broad array of issues ranging from domestic policy to foreign affairs make her uniquely positioned to lead our communications team", Vice President Biden said. "She is as well-respected among her peers as she is versed in the serious issues facing our nation and the world. Her leadership and counsel will be invaluable to me, and to the entire administration.” Shailagh Murray became a Capitol Hill correspondent for the Washington Post in 2005. She has written extensively about fiscal policy, health care reform, and national security issues, including the Iraq war debate, while also covering the 2006, 2008 and...

Gary Locke, former White House Secretary of Commerce, has been nominated by the President as U.S. ambassador to China. Locke replaces former Utah governor  Jon Huntsman, who has stepped down to (wait for it) possibly challenge President Obama in the 2012 presidential race. Locke was the first Chinese-American governor and should the Senate approve his nomination, would the be first Chinese-American ambassador to China.  He is a partner in the Seattle office of the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine which lists China as one of its specialties. "Gary has distinguished himself as one of our nation’s most respected and admired public servants.  As our country’s first Chinese-American governor, he worked tirelessly to attract jobs and businesses to Washington State, and he doubled exports to China", said President Obama during this morning's announcement. "He’s been a point person for my National Export Initiative, and last year, Gary’s depa...