The Obama Diary

by Pete Souza

by Pete Souza

On This Day: The Obamas meet Bo for the first time on his initial visit to the White House, March 15, 2009. Bo came back to live at the White House in April (Photo by Pete Souza)

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The Week Ahead

Monday

The President will host a meeting with the Council of the Great City Schools Leadership to discuss efforts to strengthen educational opportunities for students in city schools.

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Tuesday

The President will welcome Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny of Ireland to the White House. In the morning, the President and the Vice President will meet with the Taoiseach in the Oval Office to discuss issues of mutual concern. In the evening, the President will host a reception to celebrate his seventh St. Patrick’s Day at the White House.

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Wednesday

The President will travel to Cleveland, Ohio to deliver remarks on the importance of middle class economics to the City Club of Cleveland.

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Thursday

The President will host The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall for a meeting in the Oval Office; the Vice President will also attend.

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Friday

The President will host the second-annual White House Student Film Festival. As part of the event the President will deliver remarks on the goal of his My Brother’s Keeper initiative to ensure all young Americans can reach their full potential.

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On This Day

Bo on his first visit to the White House, 2009

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President Obama listens during a meeting with Members of Congress aboard Air Force One during a flight from Cleveland, Ohio, to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, March 15, 2025 (Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama welcomes Make-A-Wish child Kennedy Alexander to the Oval Office, March 15, 2025 (Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama holds a meeting on Libya in the Situation Room of the White House, March 15, 2025 (Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama talks with Sgt. Jonny J. Jones, USMC, during the Combatant Commanders Dinner in the Blue Room of the White House, March 15, 2025 (Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama meets with, from left: John Prendergast, activist and Enough Project co-founder; Ambassador Princeton N. Lyman, the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan; and George Clooney, in the Oval Office, March 15, 2025 (Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama throws a football with Chief of Staff Denis McDonough on the Colonnade of the White House, March 15, 2025 (Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama talks with Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and Senior Advisor Dan Pfeiffer in the Oval Office, March 15, 2025 (Photo by Pete Souza)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you! (Applause.) Thank you so much. Thank you. Please have a seat. Thank you so much. What a beautiful evening. Everybody looks wonderful. It’s like Downton Abbey, except less funny. (Laughter.) This is my third appearance at this dinner as President. And I predict you will laugh harder than ever. I’m not saying I’m any funnier. I’m saying weed is now legal in D.C. (Laughter and applause.) I know that’s how you guys are getting through this dinner. That’s why you ate the food. (Laughter.)

This is also my first gridiron with a new press secretary, Josh Earnest, who’s doing a great job. (Applause.) The other day, Josh came into the Oval and he said, “I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is that people are finally rallying around their charismatic African-American president. The bad news — it’s Clarence Page.” (Laughter.)

Clarence and I go way back.

MR. PAGE: Way back.

THE PRESIDENT: Way back. Before he took office, he felt comfortable asking me for tips on a being a successful black president. (Laughter.) And I told him, you want to keep your birth certificate handy. (Laughter and applause.)

Now, let’s face it, being President does age you. I mean, look at me. (Laughter.) I was hoping Fred Thompson would be the Republican speaker so I could buy a reverse mortgage. (Laughter and applause.) You start getting crankier as you get older. Next week, I’m signing an executive order to get off my lawn. (Laughter.) And getting older changes you. For example, coffee really disagrees with me these days — which is why John Boehner just invited coffee to address the joint House. (Laughter.)

It is amazing, though, how time flies. Just a few years ago, I could never imagine ever being in my fifties. And when it comes to my approval ratings, I still can’t. (Laughter.) I mean, think about how things have changed since 2008. Back then, I was the young, tech-savvy candidate of the future. Now I’m yesterday’s news and Hillary has got a server in her house. (Laughter.) I didn’t even know you could have one of those in your house. (Laughter and applause.) I am so far behind. Did you know that? I would have gotten one.

On the bright side, by the time I’m done with this job, I will finally have enough life experience for a memoir. (Laughter.)

My Vice President isn’t here tonight. He told me, “If I want to hear people talking for five hours straight, I’ll just stay home alone.” (Laughter.) And, by the way, this is just a quick aside — Joe rubs my shoulders too. (Laughter.) I just wanted everybody to know. He does. It’s not bad, it feels pretty good. I don’t let him give me a pedicure, but — (laughter.)

Continue reading ‘President Obama at the Gridiron Club Dinner’