Politics. On Point.

James Brady, the press secretary who was shot as he tried to shield President Ronald Reagan from an assassin's bullet has died.    Brady was left paralyzed after the 1981 incident. President Reagan survived the attack by John Hinkley, Jr. outside the Washington Hilton hotel.  The hotel serves as the present venue for the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner.   The assassination attempt would later spawn the Brady handgun control bill (signed by President Bill Clinton ) which, under law, meant prospective gun purchasers must wait at least five days while a background check was done before they could legally purchase a handgun.  The bill gave way to backlash by those who say the bill trampled upon a person's Second Amendment rights. James Brady gives reporters a thumbs up sign, circa 2005.   Photo/Reuters. That was thirty-three years ago, and the same gun control debate prevails today even in the midst of school, neighborhoo...

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...

President Obama was busy at the podium in the James Brady briefing room Friday. Earlier in the day he announced the resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shisenki amid allegations of nationwide misconduct within the Veteran Administration's (VA) hospitals. Before that, he announced that Shinseki would be firing a few officials within the VA hierarchy.  Said the president to reporters in the briefing room, "Secretary Shinseki has now begun the process of firing many of the people responsible, including senior leaders at the Phoenix VA.  He’s canceled any possible performance bonuses this year for VHA senior executives.  And he has ordered the VA to personally contact every veteran in Phoenix waiting for appointments to get them the care that they need and that they deserve.  The president said he would hold accountable those responsible, and it looks like Shinseki  also made that list. "Last week, I said that if we found misconduct, it would be punishe...

In 2013, Still Two Worlds: One Black. One White. Today's White House press briefing started out with press secretary Jay Carney telling reporters how he spent his weekend.   After telling reporters he hoped their weekend was good, he offered an unsolicited take on his own. "Since you asked", joked Carney who described his weekend as "great" and "unbelievable", "I had a great weekend". "I took my son to see Paul McCartney Friday night", Carney said, calling the experience "fantastic". "It’s just a fantastic experience because he’s amazing and his songs are amazing, but to be there with an 11-year-old who also knew all the words is pretty special." Good for you, Mr. Carney. Good for all fathers who still have their sons in their lives and can take them to baseball parks, basketball games, the movies, and Paul McCartney concerts. For one father, and for one family, those events will never happen agai...

Lew To Take The Reins President Obama announced today that White House Chief of Staff William Daley is moving on to 'different' pastures. The COS has resigned citing he will 'spend more time with family', but reports indicate Daley will also serve as co-chair of president's Chicago-based re-election efforts.  He will be replaced later this month by former OMB director, Jack Lew. Said President Obama in a late afternoon announcement in the State Dining Room, "Obviously this was not easy news to hear.  And I didn’t accept Bill’s decision right away.  In fact, I asked him to take a couple of days to make sure that he was sure about this.  But in the end, the pull of the hometown we both love; a city that’s been synonymous with the Daley family for generations, was too great.  Bill told me that he wanted to spend more time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and he felt it was the right decision." Daley replaced former chief of staff Ra...

If you recall the 1980s Arsenio Hall Show, you're probably familiar with his popular show segment titled, 'Things That Make You Go Hmmm', Arsenio's attempt at bringing to light things in society that just don't seem right, or make any sense. We had that moment during today's White House briefing where further discussion - with different answers - had us all saying Hall's catch phrase.  Add in a 'But, I thought you said yesterday that....', and fill in the blanks. What we were told yesterday from John Brennan , Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, on the capture and killing of one Osama Bin Laden as he spoke during a White House press briefing went something like this:  MR. BRENNAN: Bin Laden died; the two al Qaeda facilitators -- the brothers, who were -- the courier and his brother in the compound; bin Laden’s son Hamza; and the woman, presumed to be his wife, who was shielding bin Laden. Q...

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...