Politics. On Point.

A busy day for President Obama and France's president, Francois Hollande.  After the official welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday, the two presidents took questions from reporters during an afternoon joint press conference that saw talks on global security, enforcing existing sanctions, clean energy, and global trade. Said President Obama on the achievements of the US and France working in concert: "... we’re moving forward together on key global development initiatives:  food security and nutrition that can lift 50 million Africans out of poverty; our determination to replenish the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB, and malaria; and I’m pleased that we’re joining with partners around the world on a new global health security effort to combat infectious diseases and save lives."   During the evening's dinner and toast, president Hollande made these remarks about U.S. and France relations. " Mr. President, the relati...

Today, President Obama and president Hollande of France (French Republic) toured Monticello, the residence of Thomas Jefferson, one of the United States’ earliest envoys to France.  M onticello reflects Jefferson’s affection for the people of France, the long-standing relations between our two democracies, and the shared values we hold dear:  life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, writes the White House.   Jefferson's Monticello. The pair have an Op-ed piece in today's Washington Post where the two write about a renewed alliance between the two countries. " Today, American and French diplomats are preparing for talks with Iran that build on the agreement that has halted progress on and rolled back key elements of the Iranian nuclear program. French and American officials share information daily to combat terrorism around the world. Our development experts are helping farmers across Africa and on other continents boost their yields...

Just as Congress approved the  World Trade Agreement (WTA), which the president plans to sign later this week, President Obama joined Republic of Korea president, Lee Myung-bak, today during a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House were President Obama  where President Obama said the WTA  is "a win for both our countries". President Obama sits with President Lee in the Oval Office.  Photo/CD Brown. "For our farmers and ranchers here in the United States, it will increase exports of agricultural products", said Obama.  "From aerospace to electronics, it will increase American manufacturing exports, including those produced by our small businesses.  It will open Korea’s lucrative services market, and I’m very pleased that it will help level the playing field for American automakers." In summing up the benefits of the WTA, President Obama explained that it "will boost American exports by up to $11 billion and support some 70,00...

The President and Mrs. Obama welcomed Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Federal Republic of Germany to the White House yesterday with an official arrival ceremony to kick off her visit to Washington, the first ever for a female head of state. After lunches and meetings, the two leaders held a joint press conference in the East Room of the  White House where they remarked on the binding ties between the two nations. President Obama and Chancellor Merkel field questions from the media during a joint press conference. Photo/CD Brown. “We see our partnership in the courage of our service members who stand shoulder to shoulder in Afghanistan, where Germans serve under Americans and Americans serve under Germans” He thanked Chancellor Merkel and the Germans for what he called their “strong commitment” to their service, adding, “We remember and honor them all." Both the President and Chancellor expressed their agreement on Qaddafi being removed from his post....

Chinese President Hu Jintao  was given a welcome reception in Washington by the White House as he and President Obama talked trade, trust, and human rights issues.   President Obama and Chinese president Hu Jintao take a photo after their joint press conference. Photo/CD Brown. "Let’s also never forget that throughout our history our people have worked together for mutual progress.  We’ve traded together for more than 200 years.  We stood together in the Second World War.  Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans have helped to build America, including many who join us here tonight", said President Obama. While the White House was welcoming the foreign president (the eighth time the two presidents have met), those on Capitol Hill cited reasons why the U.S. should not be so diplomatic with the current Chinese president.  Rep. Christopher H. Smith , (R-NJ) touted president Hu as China's "iron fist in Tibet, referring to the Chinese leader's act...

On Saturday, the President and the First Lady will land in Mumbai, India.  Later in the afternoon, the President and the First Lady will view the 26/11 memorial at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel. The President will then deliver remarks commemorating the 26/11 attacks. The President and the First Lady will then visit the Mani Bhavan Ghandi Museum. The President and First Lady (arms covered) arrive in India. The President will then meet with entrepreneurs at the Trident Nariman Point Hotel. The President will then meet with CEO’s from India and the United States. Participants include Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathana (Workers and Peasants Strength Union - MKSS), Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS), Janaagraha a Bangalore-based NGO The Hunger Project (THP), and ASER the creator of the Annual Status of Education Report, which surveys literacy in 570 districts and 700,000 children of India with citizen participation. Other participants include PRS Legislative Research (PR...

Tariq and Michaele Salahi talk to Carol Joynt of the Q&A Cafe With Carol at the Georgetown Ritz Carlton.  Photo/CD Brown. After crashing the White House State Dinner (they still claim it never happened), and pleading the Fifth on Capitol Hill about crashing the White House State Dinner, the Salahis did talk about their upcoming roles in The Real Housewives of DC . The Salahis were guests on the DC 50 talk show, Q & A Cafe with Carol Joynt, the former Nathan's of Georgetown restaurant owner. Among other topics discussed were the status of the Oasis winery the couple owns in Fauquier County, the State Dinner, and of course Bravo's reality show. On the White House State Dinner ... "We've moved on from it.  The President and the Vice President laughed about it, and we're just ready to move on from it." Carol gently reminded the couple that the state's attorney has not "moved on from it" and they could still be prosecuted. ...

"To The Happiness Of Our People" Our First Lady (looking gorgeous, as usual) and President Obama (bow-tie a bit off center) with Mexican President Calderon and Mrs. Margarita Zavala. (More photos). Tonight’s State Dinner will be held in the East Room of the White House with State Dinner performances held under a tent on the South Lawn of the White House.  Performances are expected by Beyonce , Rodrigo y Gabriela and the United States Marine Band . The most recent State Dinner held at the White House was for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mrs. Gursharan Kaur of India hosted on November 24, 2009.  (Our coverage here ). A Message From President Calderon at the State Dinner President Calderon points out the similarities between he and President Obama, explaining the two want the same things - "Happiness of our people." "We both belong to the same generation, almost the same age. We both are lawyers, for a time we went to the same University; ...