****
10:20: The President departs the White House
11:30: Arrives New York City
12:15: Views storm damage, talks with citizens who are recovering from the storm and thanks first responders who put their lives at risk to protect their communities
2:55: Departs New York City
4:05: Arrives the White House
4:35: Hosts cast and crew members of the film Lincoln for a screening at the White House
****
****
****
****
****
All times ET
11:50: President Obama departs Williamsburg, Va.
12:00: VP Biden travels to Penn Valley, Pa., to attend the funeral services for Senator Arlen Specter
12:55: President Obama arrives in New York
2:50: Michelle Obama speaks to grassroots supporters in Chapel Hill, N.C.
9:00: The Debate
11:05: President Obama departs New York
12:15: Arrives at the White House
****
****
Greatest website ever:
Thank you Bill!
****
Washington Post: Romney’s 12-million job promise has garnered a lot of attention. We became interested in this ad after a reader asked whether the campaign had provided much detail on how he would reach this total …
…. the candidate’s personal accounting for this figure in this campaign ad is based on different figures and long-range timelines stretching as long as a decade — which in two cases are based on studies that did not even evaluate Romney’s economic plan. The numbers may still add up to 12 million, but they aren’t the same thing — not by a long shot.
… Clearly, some clever campaign staffer thought it would be nice to match up poll-tested themes such as “energy independence,” “tax reform” and “cracking down on China” with actual job numbers. We just find it puzzling that Romney agreed to personally utter these words without asking more questions about the math behind them.
Read the full article here
Greg Sargent: …. Let’s recap what Kessler has discovered here. The plan that is central to Romney’s candidacy on the most important issue of this election — jobs — is a complete sham. This is every bit as bad — or worse — than Romney’s claim to have created 100,000 jobs at Bain, or his vow to cut spending by eliminating whole agencies without saying which ones, or his refusal to say how he’ll pay for his tax cuts.
This could not have come at a better time for Obama. Here is the evidence he needs to spell out as clearly as possible that Romney is peddling economic hokum to the American people. Any fair reading of the backup the Romney campaign itself supplied for his plan reveals that it is nothing but a bill of goods. Obama needs to seize on this in a big way. This should be a big story.
Oh, and by the way: Economists have evaluated Obama’s jobs plan. And they concluded it would create one to two million jobs. The bottom line is simple: One candidate has a jobs plan, and the other doesn’t.
More here
****
Ohio State University, Oct 9 (Larry Downing/Reuters)
(Larry Downing/Reuters)
(Brendan Smialowski/Getty)
****
****
****
OFA: Just before stepping on stage in Fairfax, Virginia, President Obama takes a minute to read a thank you letter from Lori, Ian’s mom
****
(Zee News)
You can see video of Michelle Obama’s Loudoun County speech here
****
1:05 (approx): President Obama delivers remarks at Bowling Green State University, Ohio
****
Enthusiasm gap? 
****
Later:
5:30: President Obama delivers remarks at Kent State University, Ohio
****
Email from Jeremy Bird, National Field Director, Obama for America:
If you think your $5 isn’t enough to make a difference in this campaign, take a minute to read the letter below – it’s officially gone viral among campaign staff (with the sender’s permission).
The most powerful thing about making a donation is that you’re joining more than 3 million other Americans who believe ordinary people should decide this election.
It adds up. And it depends on each of us doing our part:
https://donate.barackobama.com/Sandy
Thanks, Jeremy
————–
Dear President Obama,
I’m writing to tell you about the $15 my family just donated to your 2012 campaign.
It was $15. That’s really all we could give.
My husband Steve is currently a student at Temple University. Since starting his degree, three years ago, we’ve been living considerably below the poverty level (I keep forgetting which percent … does it matter?). But we aren’t complaining. Two healthy daughters; dusty, well-travelled backpacks in the basement; a house full of memories — a future full of hope. We’re the lucky ones.
So — we’re currently “poor on money — rich in life” (as we like to say). It hasn’t always been like this. My husband spent most of his life doing what he loved — playing or coaching basketball. Born in SE Iowa, he was an Academic All-American and once-upon-two-good-knees-ago, the “local town hero” of his small town — after bringing home the State Championship during high school, followed by NJCAA National Championship years later as a coach. He’s a big a fan of yours by the way … as a player, father and president … not necessarily in that order.
But this really wasn’t supposed to be a letter about him.
It’s about this year’s campaign. It’s about wanting to say that $15 means something these days and deserves a moment of pause (and some words on paper) for this girl and her family of Obama fans.
– $15 is a special pizza dinner at our local pizza stop (Poppi’s in Wynnewood).
– It’s 1 1/2 tickets to see the newest film at the old-school cinema we walk our daughters to.
– It’s getting fresh fruit, instead of frozen; fresh veg, instead of canned.
– It’s tickets to the Franklin Institute in the heart of Philly. (We’ve never been.)
It’s all these things to a family like ours.
I’ve listened with curiosity, mostly frustration, as the nation debates Citizens’ United and the string of new laws that now allow the bellowing voices of private interest to drown out the sounds of tiny voices (like ours/mine). Our pebble-in-the-ocean support feels almost pointless. “Leave the campaigns to the rich,” I think to myself, “Get your daughters a pizza instead.”
But I refuse to allow new laws to stop us/me from being A PART of this campaign. After all, I will never be a “player” (in the political sense), but I still want to believe I can play a part.
Then, out of the blue, there you are — shooting a jumpshot on my (Facebook) wall — and asking for “players” to join you on your home court. I had to smile, and then I couldn’t resist. And so, I have relinquished those $15.
Please know that they count. To us. Please stay in Washington. Do, in this second term, what you were not assisted/supported to do during your first term. Get this country moving/working/hoping again.
Please continue being a champion for the middle class — I’m hoping the next pizza will be on you.
Wishes to your brave wife and beautiful daughters from another brave wife with two beautiful daughters.
All good things,
Sandy & Family, PA
(Thank you BWD)
****
While you’re waiting….
Thanks Bob!
