That orchestra is excellent! I used to live in Northern Virginia and visited — they had reindeer, too. The first time I’d seen them up close and personal. This should be fun.
I can’t compare Rick Perry to anyone with any intelligence. He is just a dumbass country redneck clown who think people are going to be crazy enough to elect him President. No way! Never will happen. When I listen to Perry I have to ask myself what the HELL is wrong with the folks in Texas?
The GOP says your lights will go Out if you allow the EPA to do this—
The Energy Department said Thursday that upcoming air pollution regulations will not threaten the reliability of the country’s electric grid, the latest effort by the Obama administration to counter claims by Republicans and industry officials that the rules could cause power outages.
You’ll be exhausted if you worry about the GOP. I don’t pay any attention to them anymore. President Obama and his administration are taking care of things. We honor him when we spread the word of all of the good that he is doing. I live in a very red district in Indiana and I hear it a lot — lots of misinformation. They listen to Fox and they truly don’t know what is going on.
President Obama is just saying, “we are one. We are family.” Right on, Mr. President!
I definitely pay Republicans no mind. They really are too negative and have turned out to be too exhausting to even contemplate. Simply put they are, a lost, hostile, radical set of misfits not fit to govern.
I loved his introduction too- made me choke up a little bit when he talked about ‘someone who never rests’ etc.—-because that is exactly what I believe about President Obama—just working every minute to try to ease the lives of the people in this country—-trying so hard to make a difference.
They all looked beautiful but I just loved Michelle’s coat and scarf! Those Chicagoans sure know how to look chic and sleek in the cold weather. I always look like a bulky little marshmallow!
Drat…I just missed it. But I know Chips will have it here posted before long. In other news…Elizabeth Warren is ahead in the polls against Scott Brown. I know it’s a ways off until Nov. 2012, but still!
Aww the tree is beautiful. I get so excited every year about going to see the “pageant of peace”. We plan to go down to see it on Saturday night. The main tree is surrounded by 56 smaller trees that represent all 50 states, 5 territories and the District of Columbia. It really is a beautiful sight to see.
Michelle doesn’t seem to be there in the live broadcast. Does anyone know where she is. The kids look beautiful as does Mrs. Robinson, but the family seems incomplete without Mama.
I missed it. I MISSED it!! Grrrrr! That’s what I get for going out to work for a full day! Grrr! O-kay… I’ll calm down. There’s sure to be a replay somewhere. **put your smile on VC and go see what the others are saying, or said, today. Grr..smi…smil..smille…**
But but but, Wolfe blitz had Kermit on the situation room and I saw him at the same time he was at the WH and so now their must be 2 Kermit the frogs and…
The fact is CNN does not seem to care one jot that they are failing/trailing in the ratings, Same old formats,witht the same negativity all day long. Life is too short for all the gloom and doom they dispense. Thanks,but no thanks!
I too love and adore my magnificent President and spectacular First lady!!! They ROCK!!!
America, we MUST keep this amazing family in that White House through 2017!!! We MUST!!!
Donna, I love the video, which has some of my favorite photos. I am almost computer illiterate; I really admire you and the other posters who join Chips in making this the best site ever.
Donna, I know you’re one of the video queens. So, I want to beg you to please make one of these videos set to “The Truth” by India Arie. Pretty please with sugar on top! You know whenever you have the time. Or maybe you can tell me how to do it. I love that song and I think it reflects their lives and love so accurately. I will understqnd if you can’t though.
I’m sure this is every Republicans fantasy about how to teach the poor a lesson. They disgust me. I’ve worked hard all my life and provided for my own education and taken care of business. But I would never ever begrudge helping children who are less fortunate. It’s just revolting how the RWNJ talk about people who are not wealthy. I hope with every fiber of my being that we vote them all out when we have the chance.
‘Fear not,’ said he ……repugs cannot come to grips that they are into the 21st century with a different generation and a different slant. The boys in the club are trying to hold on to what they know and have done, but they don’t seem to realise that what worked then,certainly does not apply now.
Yes….I saw that . He is also claiming that millionaires receive food stamps. Rep Cleaver was on and said he is going to persue that with the Justice Dept and make Newt back it up .
Yeah I heard the stupid. He just totally disrespected ALL poor people. He said kids who live in poor neighborhoods never see anyone go to work. The only cash the see people get is from illegal activity. This jackass has never heard of the working poor. He didn’t say black neighborhoods but the dog whistle was pretty loud. However, poor white people should be pissed too. He didn’t make a distinction about which kids should be cleaning those bathrooms. As others have said go to any poor urban area at 6:00am and watch all the people waiting for buses or walking to the subway. I would love to bitchslap the bloated sob.
This man scares the hell out of me. He’s so divisive, so devoid of empathy. Amoral, corrupted. He’s an idiot when it comes to governance yet he’s a very clever manipulator. Deadly combination.
Can you believe that in the most powerful country on Earth, such a despicable human being is a serious contender for the Presidency??.
I see former Repub Sen. Danforth (Mo.) has noticed what the rest of the world has noticed. He called the Republican slate of candidates “embarrassing”. He said he’s watched some of the debates and it has been “terrible, just terrible”. You are correct, Sen. Danforth. It is terrible and embarrassing.
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/12/01/380148/john-danforth-slams-gop-field/
Good for Danforth. Trouble is, nobody in the embarrassing field of candidates is listening to him, and nobody donating toward the nomination of those fools is, either.
Resolution honoring slain Giffords staffer approved by House
By Pete Kasperowicz - 12/01/11 06:07 PM ET
The House on Thursday evening approved a bipartisan resolution that names room HVC 215 of the Capitol Visitor Center after Gabe Zimmerman, the House staffer slain in the attack that almost took the life of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.).
Members approved the resolution, H.Res. 364, by a unanimous 419-0 vote.
Several House members honored Zimmerman during Wednesday’s debate. The vote was held for a day to accommodate Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), a close friend of Giffords who was not able to attend a late vote on Wednesday.
Almost half the cost of installing solar panels onto your home or business isn’t related to technology at all, but rather due to complications from “soft costs,” like permitting, zoning, and land use. In fact, according to a report released earlier this year by SunRun, local permitting and inspection processes alone add more than $2,500 per residential installation nationwide. To add to the problem, permitting and other processes are often complicated and vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
In order to make solar energy competitive with other types of energy, it will be critical to reduce these barriers. To spur change, Secretary Chu announced today $12 million in funding for 22 regional teams competing in the Energy Department’s “Rooftop Solar Challenge.”
Using President Obama’s “Race to the Top” model, each of the teams will cut red tape to make it easier for Americans to go solar. Teams will implement step-by-step actions throughout the next year to standardize permit processes, update planning and zoning codes, improve standards for connecting solar power to the electric grid, and increase access to financing.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk today announced a Tribal Consultation Policy for the Department of the Interior, launching a new era of enhanced communication with American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. The new policy emphasizes trust, respect and shared responsibility in providing tribal governments an expanded role in informing federal policy that impacts Indian Country.
“This comprehensive initiative reflects President Obama’s commitment to strengthening the government-to-government relationship between the United States and tribal nations and recognizing their fundamental right to self-governance,” Secretary Salazar said in signing a Secretarial Order implementing the departmental policy. “The new framework institutionalizes meaningful consultation so that tribal leaders are at the table and engaged when it comes to the matters that affect them.”
“Under this policy, consultation will be an open, transparent and deliberative process,” said Assistant Secretary Echo Hawk. “Forging a strong role for American Indian and Alaska Native tribes at all stages in the government’s decision-making process will benefit Indian Country and federal policy for generations to come.”
In honor of holiday season and the Christmas tree lighting in Washington, I’m having myself a slice of leftover Thanksgiving pumpkin pie BEFORE supper. I will diet later (meaning in Jan 2012).
I love seeing PBO with his girls. He dotes on them so much and they are like flowers growing so beautifully in the glow of his love and attention. Even though they are growing up so fast in some ways, they are still Daddy’s Girls; holding his hands in public, leaning on him and always ready to give or to receive a kiss. Too many girls in our country do not have this and they are suffering because of the lack.
Total co-sign! Those girls KNOW their daddy loves them. Sasha is especially still a daddy’s girl. And even though Malia is a teen now and she isn’t so much in awe of her father since she’s shaping her own identity, you can tell she loves him. I remember when they were entering during the Thanksgiving Turkey pardon he held her hand right until they came out of into public view.
He really does show the female members of his family-including Mrs. Robinson-that he loves and respects them.
Obama’s daughters are just beautiful. My prediction is when Obama’s oldest daughter is a teenager, the model agencies (who are probably already eyeing her) will come begging. She’s very pretty, extremely photogenic, statuesque, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s the President’s daughter. But having said that, I can’t see Obama going along with any of that. But my gosh, the Obama daughters are just precious!
Michelle Obama ramping up for 2012: Allyson Laackman campaign chief of staff
First Lady Michelle Obama is ramping up the 2012 re-election drive with Allyson Laackman, a Chicagoan who is the chief financial officer for the president’s office, tapped to be her campaign chief of staff.
The building of a political team comes as Mrs. Obama campaign schedule is still a work in progress-as is President Obama’s, with the timing to be determined in part when a GOP nominee emerges from the crowded primary field.
The Chicago-based campaign also is adding Department of Transportation press secretary Olivia Alair to serve as Mrs. Obama’s campaign press secretary.
Full story here:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2011/12/michelle_obama_ramping_up_for_.html
I think Sasha looks like some mixture of her maternal grandmother (1st grandma also pictured above) and her paternal great-grandmother (Madelyn Dunham known aka Toot)
Sasha looks just like Michelle when she was that age. I saw pictures of Michelle and her brother when they were young and Malia looks like Stanley Anne Dunham, the same eyes. If you get a chance to read the book on PBO’s mom, A Singular Woman, great book, a lot of pictures of his mom when she was young. I can’t wait when the president writes a book about his mom and grandparents and Michelle on her life and experiences in the white house, I will buy every book they write.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-01/raise-taxes-on-rich-to-reward-true-job-creators-nick-hanauer. He says:
Even so, I’ve never been a “job creator.” I can start a business based on a great idea, and initially hire dozens or hundreds of people. But if no one can afford to buy what I have to sell, my business will soon fail and all those jobs will evaporate.
That’s why I can say with confidence that rich people don’t create jobs, nor do businesses, large or small. What does lead to more employment is the feedback loop between customers and businesses. And only consumers can set in motion a virtuous cycle that allows companies to survive and thrive and business owners to hire. An ordinary middle-class consumer is far more of a job creator than I ever have been or ever will be.
I live in a windy city and have lots of scarves. But I have one just like PBO’s that’s my go-to scarf when it’s not just about looking good but also staying very warm.
Tweety is an SOB. He decided to pay homage to the World Aids Day event by quoting some words from Bono about the various presidents and Hillary Clinton. Tweety conspicuously (and I believe deliberately) left out Bono’s very emphatic words of praise for President Obama, while highlighting what he said about GWB, Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Matthews definitely needs to be called out on this. That was not accidental AT ALL.
I’d be very curious to know what the hell happened in the past few months for Matthews to be so blatantly unfair. He’s always been all over the place, but it’s worse now. He’s playing games. It seems personal.
I think he doesn’t like the fact he has not been able to interview PBO for his show. Tweety thinks that PBO should bow to the so called “liberal” media & socialites.
I see Newtie has declared he will be the nominee. So that’s a wrap, I guess, no need for any voting stuff. And I see Jonathan Capehart is rightfully disgusted by Newt’s disgusting comments about “really poor children”. Newt has no common sense. No sense and sensibility.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/newt-gingrichs-disgusting-remarks-about-really-poor-children/2011/03/04/gIQASoLpHO_blog.html
I don’t know if anyone has already posted this here tonight. MUST READ!
The US Republican race is dominated by ignorance, lies and scandals. The current crop of candidates have shown such a basic lack of knowledge that they make George W. Bush look like Einstein. The Grand Old Party is ruining the entire country’s reputation.
Tough times demand tough and smart minds. But all these dopes have to offer are ramblings that insult the intelligence of all Americans — no matter if they are Democrats, Republicans or neither of the above. Yet just like any freakshow, this one would be unthinkable without a stage (in this case, the media, strangling itself with all its misunderstood “political correctness” and “objectivity”) and an audience (the party base, which this year seems to have suffered a political lobotomy).
Interesting whose features the Obama girls took. Malia took her father’s facial features except the eyes and eyebrows which are the same shape as her mother’s. Sasha on the other hand takes her mother’s facial features but her eyes and eyebrows are a spitting image of her father’s. All the family is truly beautiful
There is a photo in Donna’s new video where President Obama is at a summit either in Hawaii or Australia or Indonesia and he is walking towards a group around the table but looks back at the camera. He looks just like Sasha in that picture and it immediately brings back the image of that old video of the Obama family at home in the kitchen and little Sasha standing by the kitchen sink looking mischieviously at the camera!!!
I love that family! They are a treasure. Yes, those girls are fortunate to have a father who loves them and is not shy about showing it! A father’s love helps a girl develop happy and healthy. If a girl is a “daddy’s girl” she always is a daddy’s girl, no matter how old. I watch my husband and daughter and their special relationship is a wonder to behold. She is 40 and now married, but dad lights up her eyes every time she sees him, and he does the same when he sees her. They are fortunate girls.
I noticed someone said how chic Michelle looks in cold weather, and she does. I remember reading what a Chicagoa fashionista said about looking good in the winter: “First, get a good looking coat. Invest in the best. It will cover everything and you will look good.” I think that’s the key in the winter. Her coats always fit lightly, just skimming her body. She looks positively elegant. A good looking coat, a beautiful scarf, and elegant gloves, and you are good to go anywhere….oh yes, also, her boots.
About 20 years ago I went to Chicago for a conference and visited a good friend who lived there. On Saturday night we went to the Opera. I had a new white wool coat I was very proud of. At the intermission she wanted to get refreshments. I asked her if I could safely leave my coat on my chair. She said, “Carolyn……have you seen all the sables going by? I don’t think anyone is going to bother your white wool coat!” She was right. I had never seen so many sable coats in one place, but I still loved my white wool coat. (This was before PETA started spraying red paint)
FLOTUS would never wear fur, but she has mastered the art of looking sleek and elegant in winter.
Hello TODer. Sorry i didn’t tel y’all that i was heading for the WI Dells for Thanksgiving. i just got spanked by Alycee so here i am. The Wii isn’t too cool up here and am not sure if this will go out . i should be back with the program on Saturday. 4More44.
Chips, thanks a lot for the update of the occasion and the beautiful fantastic First Family. Now I can proceed with other stuff since I am now in a great mood!!!!!
noticed that Grandma-in-Chief, Mrs Robinson is sport a set of “them boots”!!! A challenge for us dowdy types and a good representation of the senior citizen!!
White House.gov
Thanks for the reminder Chips.
Beautiful picture of our wonderful First Family.
Yes, that is a very beautiful picture! Can’t wait until tonight’s !
Oh my, what a nice looking First Family
Thanks for the heads up Chips. What would we ever do without you and your daily shot of Obamaespresso!
Can I get a vowel (Obamaespresso)???
Gracias Ms. Chips!
That orchestra is excellent! I used to live in Northern Virginia and visited — they had reindeer, too. The first time I’d seen them up close and personal. This should be fun.
Love the roar of the crowd when they are introduced. I’d love to be there!!
CNN camera is focused on the tree and the White House, not the stage. I just switched to
http://www.thenationaltree.org/tree-lighting/
much better.
Perry compares the President to Jimmy Carter in new ad.
Lame! Yawn! And so forth!
Does he really want comparison tests with former Presidents. Really Ricky, do you KNOW who you remind people of?
Cause it DAMN sure isn’t Ronald Reagan.
Bush was a genius compared to that tool.
BorowitzReport Andy Borowitz
FDA Declares Rick Perry a Vegetable
Perry doesn’t matter, he’s an idiot. Only the die hard Fox watchers will pay attention to him.
Is that supposed to be negative ?
Ha !
Exactly.
Good Grief….someone should ask Perry to name ONE Republican that has been a Statesman that would compare to President Carter.
I can’t compare Rick Perry to anyone with any intelligence. He is just a dumbass country redneck clown who think people are going to be crazy enough to elect him President. No way! Never will happen. When I listen to Perry I have to ask myself what the HELL is wrong with the folks in Texas?
The First Family look gorgeous! Love the colorful coats and scarves.
missed their entrance. curses!
I love this First Family so very much! Grandmother-in-Chief! Fantastic, he is so kind and lovely a man!
I’m right with you Pamela.
WTF? So, what band didn’t grant the air rights?
ok - This link is working;
http://www.thenationaltree.org/tree-lighting/
I cant believe its XMAS time already.
I love Ken Salazar. !
The GOP says your lights will go Out if you allow the EPA to do this—
The Energy Department said Thursday that upcoming air pollution regulations will not threaten the reliability of the country’s electric grid, the latest effort by the Obama administration to counter claims by Republicans and industry officials that the rules could cause power outages.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/196593-energy-department-defends-epa-rules-against-power-reliability-concerns
Really? My lights will go out?
You’ll be exhausted if you worry about the GOP. I don’t pay any attention to them anymore. President Obama and his administration are taking care of things. We honor him when we spread the word of all of the good that he is doing. I live in a very red district in Indiana and I hear it a lot — lots of misinformation. They listen to Fox and they truly don’t know what is going on.
President Obama is just saying, “we are one. We are family.” Right on, Mr. President!
True! Time to inform independents! Republicans are a lost hope, they don’t want to listen.
I definitely pay Republicans no mind. They really are too negative and have turned out to be too exhausting to even contemplate. Simply put they are, a lost, hostile, radical set of misfits not fit to govern.
Love Ken Salazar. Everytime he introduces PBO, you can sense the deep respect and admiration he has for PBO.
I totally agree…. I love the way he says ” Obama “.
YUP!
I loved his introduction too- made me choke up a little bit when he talked about ‘someone who never rests’ etc.—-because that is exactly what I believe about President Obama—just working every minute to try to ease the lives of the people in this country—-trying so hard to make a difference.
I thought so too, especially at the MLK memorial. I was moved to tears.
So very true!!
They all looked beautiful but I just loved Michelle’s coat and scarf! Those Chicagoans sure know how to look chic and sleek in the cold weather. I always look like a bulky little marshmallow!
Me too, itgurl_29…a friend girl’s mother used to say, “you can’t be cute and warm at the same time”…FLOTUS is definitely is an exception to the rule!!
Drat…I just missed it. But I know Chips will have it here posted before long. In other news…Elizabeth Warren is ahead in the polls against Scott Brown. I know it’s a ways off until Nov. 2012, but still!
Hey AJ you can always go to http://www.thenationaltree.org after the live show and they’ll have the video up.
Thanks UT. I missed the tree lighting, but I will be looking forward to seeing the video later
I like everything except the musical acts are kinda weak so far. Sorry. Maybe it gets better.
It’s all about Christmas. We don’t need superstars to celebrate Christmas. I enjoy the musical acts, and this group One Republic sound nice.
It’s all about sharing the spirit of Christmas.
Aww the tree is beautiful. I get so excited every year about going to see the “pageant of peace”. We plan to go down to see it on Saturday night. The main tree is surrounded by 56 smaller trees that represent all 50 states, 5 territories and the District of Columbia. It really is a beautiful sight to see.
However, that Yule log stinks near the WH x mas tree smells and is very smoky! Just saying!
???!!!
So envious of your proximity to these wonderful and historic treasures. Enjoy for all of us!!
Michelle doesn’t seem to be there in the live broadcast. Does anyone know where she is. The kids look beautiful as does Mrs. Robinson, but the family seems incomplete without Mama.
She was definitely there. She had on a beautiful tweed coat and a orange scarf.
Jackie, FLOTUS was preparing to read the story to to little kids, she is doing that now.
I missed it. I MISSED it!! Grrrrr! That’s what I get for going out to work for a full day! Grrr! O-kay… I’ll calm down. There’s sure to be a replay somewhere. **put your smile on VC and go see what the others are saying, or said, today. Grr..smi…smil..smille…**
http://www.thenationaltree.org/tree-lighting/
it’s still on. you can watch
FLOTUS and Kermit were too cute reading together. I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
hahahahahahaha! Loved it! Did you see PBO’s face as he was watching them? too darned cute!!
But but but, Wolfe blitz had Kermit on the situation room and I saw him at the same time he was at the WH and so now their must be 2 Kermit the frogs and…
CNN has two feeds, both of which are focused on the WH and/or the tree. CNN what the stupid?
there is no hope for TeaNN
The fact is CNN does not seem to care one jot that they are failing/trailing in the ratings, Same old formats,witht the same negativity all day long. Life is too short for all the gloom and doom they dispense. Thanks,but no thanks!
Looking forward to seeing the video. Oh to be independently wealthy so I could see everything our President does on first run.
Michelle and Kermit were too adorable. PBO was so engaged when she was reading.
He was really into it. His mouth was open with that big smile.
COS, he was proud of his honey.
Exactly, anniebella.
I too love and adore my magnificent President and spectacular First lady!!! They ROCK!!!
America, we MUST keep this amazing family in that White House through 2017!!! We MUST!!!
One Republic sounds good.
Lisa, I like that group too, it was a good show.
They are good. I did an obama video just a few days ago to one of their songs:
Donna, I love the video, which has some of my favorite photos. I am almost computer illiterate; I really admire you and the other posters who join Chips in making this the best site ever.
Just beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeautiful Donna!!!! Not only do you find the best videos, you make them too!
Being able to find them AND make them seem to go hand in hand for the two of you! Thanks to both of you!
Perfection!!! Thank you Donna!!! I just put it on my facebook page and in minutes i already had like 20 likes!!!
That is now my favorite video…..period! Thanks for the tears of joy.
Donna, I know you’re one of the video queens. So, I want to beg you to please make one of these videos set to “The Truth” by India Arie. Pretty please with sugar on top! You know whenever you have the time. Or maybe you can tell me how to do it. I love that song and I think it reflects their lives and love so accurately. I will understqnd if you can’t though.
Oh, my Lord, this video made me cry..thank you so much for the beauty of truth and love….thanks or all your nice work and please be blessed!
PBO was singing. you could hear him clearly on the mic! Soooooo cute!!!
Yesss! He is adorable.
I really enjoyed the show. I think PBO really enjoyed it also.
I heard. Really adorable. And he kept putting the mic by Santa. LOL
Yet another career option for PBO. Is there anything he’s not good at? He sound good to me
He has a great voice and is beyond smooth!!
Michelle Obama previews WH x mas-
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2011/12/michelle_obama_previews_white_.html
With video…
This is off topic but did anyone hear the horrible things Gingrich said about poor children mopping floors and cleaning toilets in school.
i think Rev Al was doing a segment on it, but I didn’t really hear it cause I was watching the Tree Lighting Show.
I just heard Rev. Al. He is reporting on this now, of course I am watching my recording. Newt doubled down on what he said before. This is shameful.
I’m sure this is every Republicans fantasy about how to teach the poor a lesson. They disgust me. I’ve worked hard all my life and provided for my own education and taken care of business. But I would never ever begrudge helping children who are less fortunate. It’s just revolting how the RWNJ talk about people who are not wealthy. I hope with every fiber of my being that we vote them all out when we have the chance.
‘Fear not,’ said he ……repugs cannot come to grips that they are into the 21st century with a different generation and a different slant. The boys in the club are trying to hold on to what they know and have done, but they don’t seem to realise that what worked then,certainly does not apply now.
Yes….I saw that . He is also claiming that millionaires receive food stamps. Rep Cleaver was on and said he is going to persue that with the Justice Dept and make Newt back it up .
Yeah I heard the stupid. He just totally disrespected ALL poor people. He said kids who live in poor neighborhoods never see anyone go to work. The only cash the see people get is from illegal activity. This jackass has never heard of the working poor. He didn’t say black neighborhoods but the dog whistle was pretty loud. However, poor white people should be pissed too. He didn’t make a distinction about which kids should be cleaning those bathrooms. As others have said go to any poor urban area at 6:00am and watch all the people waiting for buses or walking to the subway. I would love to bitchslap the bloated sob.
This man scares the hell out of me. He’s so divisive, so devoid of empathy. Amoral, corrupted. He’s an idiot when it comes to governance yet he’s a very clever manipulator. Deadly combination.
Can you believe that in the most powerful country on Earth, such a despicable human being is a serious contender for the Presidency??.
The Senate is about to vote on the payroll tax extension.
Wonder if I have any wine.
For real.
The one where it’s paid for by millionaires.
Neither version will pass!
The difference in the girls in just a year is amazing. How they have grown!
They sure have grown and yet there is still that close family love among all of them .
I see former Repub Sen. Danforth (Mo.) has noticed what the rest of the world has noticed. He called the Republican slate of candidates “embarrassing”. He said he’s watched some of the debates and it has been “terrible, just terrible”. You are correct, Sen. Danforth. It is terrible and embarrassing.
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/12/01/380148/john-danforth-slams-gop-field/
Good for Danforth. Trouble is, nobody in the embarrassing field of candidates is listening to him, and nobody donating toward the nomination of those fools is, either.
Beautiful.
OMG The Kids look absolutely beautiful plus Daddy. I missed the lighting ceremony but reading your comments I can’t wait to see the clips.
Sasha is going through her own growth spurt. Absolutely gorgeous family
FOX News: President Obama tries to stiffle daughter, Sasha. He’s not only killing American children but even his own!
I agree, what a beautiful first family. All the pics makes my heart smile. PBO and his ladies
.
LOL….
hahahahahahahahahhahahaha. For a minute there I almost asked you for the link to that story!
Ahhh. Faux news 
Hahahahaha. Too funny.
I agree Me4obama, it was so sweet. A Dad with a special moment with his little girl. I love this family.
Someone put a hold on a package of “70″ amendments to the Defense Authorization Bill.
I wonder who….
That thing is doomed because of the sequester, everybody is adding to it.
Good news-//
Resolution honoring slain Giffords staffer approved by House
By Pete Kasperowicz - 12/01/11 06:07 PM ET
The House on Thursday evening approved a bipartisan resolution that names room HVC 215 of the Capitol Visitor Center after Gabe Zimmerman, the House staffer slain in the attack that almost took the life of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.).
Members approved the resolution, H.Res. 364, by a unanimous 419-0 vote.
Several House members honored Zimmerman during Wednesday’s debate. The vote was held for a day to accommodate Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), a close friend of Giffords who was not able to attend a late vote on Wednesday.
Almost half the cost of installing solar panels onto your home or business isn’t related to technology at all, but rather due to complications from “soft costs,” like permitting, zoning, and land use. In fact, according to a report released earlier this year by SunRun, local permitting and inspection processes alone add more than $2,500 per residential installation nationwide. To add to the problem, permitting and other processes are often complicated and vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
In order to make solar energy competitive with other types of energy, it will be critical to reduce these barriers. To spur change, Secretary Chu announced today $12 million in funding for 22 regional teams competing in the Energy Department’s “Rooftop Solar Challenge.”
Using President Obama’s “Race to the Top” model, each of the teams will cut red tape to make it easier for Americans to go solar. Teams will implement step-by-step actions throughout the next year to standardize permit processes, update planning and zoning codes, improve standards for connecting solar power to the electric grid, and increase access to financing.
http://energy.gov/articles/rooftop-solar-challenge-cut-solars-red-tape
In the first pic, Sasha and PBO almost have the same smile!
Yeah, they do!!
Yes mys sis pointed that out to me a few days ago. They smile the same
awww.
and the same eyes
Hiya everyone, I’ve added a video clip and a few more photos …. what a lovely night. Will add more as soon as I find them.
Sorry I wasn’t able to be around much today, I presume you were all good in my absence?
I kept watch Chips and not one person was sent to the Naughty Mat but the day is not over with yet…
Donna, you’re a legend, really appreciate you keeping an eye on the naughty brigade - I know it’s not an easy job.
Such a labor of love sigh!!!
OMG I LOVE THIS PIC!!!!!!
Awwwwwwww Daddy and baby girl 
Cute, Cute, Cute.
That is my fave pic of the night!
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk today announced a Tribal Consultation Policy for the Department of the Interior, launching a new era of enhanced communication with American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. The new policy emphasizes trust, respect and shared responsibility in providing tribal governments an expanded role in informing federal policy that impacts Indian Country.
“This comprehensive initiative reflects President Obama’s commitment to strengthening the government-to-government relationship between the United States and tribal nations and recognizing their fundamental right to self-governance,” Secretary Salazar said in signing a Secretarial Order implementing the departmental policy. “The new framework institutionalizes meaningful consultation so that tribal leaders are at the table and engaged when it comes to the matters that affect them.”
“Under this policy, consultation will be an open, transparent and deliberative process,” said Assistant Secretary Echo Hawk. “Forging a strong role for American Indian and Alaska Native tribes at all stages in the government’s decision-making process will benefit Indian Country and federal policy for generations to come.”
http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Secretary-Salazar-Assistant-Secretary-Echo-Hawk-Launch-Comprehensive-Tribal-Consultation-Policy.cfm
I love to hear this kind of stuff, of benefit to our tribal nations in moving forward. Another promise kept, Mr. President, not to forget them!
Love Ken Salazar!
In honor of holiday season and the Christmas tree lighting in Washington, I’m having myself a slice of leftover Thanksgiving pumpkin pie BEFORE supper. I will diet later (meaning in Jan 2012).
Go 4 It
Hope it’s been a week. Is that Pie still good?
I will hold you accountable to your pledge to start your diet in 2012.
I had frozen slices and heated them up as needed throughout the week and this evening. However, I will not have any more pie until Christmas.
I love seeing PBO with his girls. He dotes on them so much and they are like flowers growing so beautifully in the glow of his love and attention. Even though they are growing up so fast in some ways, they are still Daddy’s Girls; holding his hands in public, leaning on him and always ready to give or to receive a kiss. Too many girls in our country do not have this and they are suffering because of the lack.
Total co-sign! Those girls KNOW their daddy loves them. Sasha is especially still a daddy’s girl. And even though Malia is a teen now and she isn’t so much in awe of her father since she’s shaping her own identity, you can tell she loves him. I remember when they were entering during the Thanksgiving Turkey pardon he held her hand right until they came out of into public view.
He really does show the female members of his family-including Mrs. Robinson-that he loves and respects them.
What a lovely sentiment, Ceb!
Tweeters - I need your help - please go follow:
https://twitter.com/#!/Waterkeeper
important stuff!
Now following!
Obama’s daughters are just beautiful. My prediction is when Obama’s oldest daughter is a teenager, the model agencies (who are probably already eyeing her) will come begging. She’s very pretty, extremely photogenic, statuesque, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s the President’s daughter. But having said that, I can’t see Obama going along with any of that. But my gosh, the Obama daughters are just precious!
TNT’s Christmas in Washington will air December 16, 2025 8:00PM EST So Mark Your Calendars
Here is a reminder of last years event
Cute!!
Love it!!
What’s so funny Obamas? Chips I’m loving these pics keep ‘em coming.
LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!
Love the pictures! Love Obamadiary
Some great FLOTUS news:
Michelle Obama ramping up for 2012: Allyson Laackman campaign chief of staff
First Lady Michelle Obama is ramping up the 2012 re-election drive with Allyson Laackman, a Chicagoan who is the chief financial officer for the president’s office, tapped to be her campaign chief of staff.
The building of a political team comes as Mrs. Obama campaign schedule is still a work in progress-as is President Obama’s, with the timing to be determined in part when a GOP nominee emerges from the crowded primary field.
The Chicago-based campaign also is adding Department of Transportation press secretary Olivia Alair to serve as Mrs. Obama’s campaign press secretary.
Full story here:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2011/12/michelle_obama_ramping_up_for_.html
Awesome news. When the Obamas are fired up and ready to go; they take no prisoners! Love it.
Okay…after long watching…Sasha looks like POTUS father. Malia is beautiful like her father with a touch of mom
They really are a beautiful family and they seem to really enjoy each other.
I think Sasha looks like some mixture of her maternal grandmother (1st grandma also pictured above) and her paternal great-grandmother (Madelyn Dunham known aka Toot)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ea/MadelynDunham.jpg
Hopefruit, you’re onto something, I can see POTUS and Sasha get the low brows from Toot and those are Toot’s ears!
Sasha looks just like Michelle when she was that age. I saw pictures of Michelle and her brother when they were young and Malia looks like Stanley Anne Dunham, the same eyes. If you get a chance to read the book on PBO’s mom, A Singular Woman, great book, a lot of pictures of his mom when she was young. I can’t wait when the president writes a book about his mom and grandparents and Michelle on her life and experiences in the white house, I will buy every book they write.
Three cheers for this wealthy 1% er……
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-01/raise-taxes-on-rich-to-reward-true-job-creators-nick-hanauer. He says:
Even so, I’ve never been a “job creator.” I can start a business based on a great idea, and initially hire dozens or hundreds of people. But if no one can afford to buy what I have to sell, my business will soon fail and all those jobs will evaporate.
That’s why I can say with confidence that rich people don’t create jobs, nor do businesses, large or small. What does lead to more employment is the feedback loop between customers and businesses. And only consumers can set in motion a virtuous cycle that allows companies to survive and thrive and business owners to hire. An ordinary middle-class consumer is far more of a job creator than I ever have been or ever will be.
Is it possible to give a link for the above story that I can access? Bloomberg News? Subscribe only???
Like she did?
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/12/01/bachmann-gays-can-marry-a-woman-if-they%E2%80%99re-a-man/
Ok. Michelle needs to get PBO a new scarf!
But I love that scarf!!
I think that’s his favorite holiday scarf.
I live in a windy city and have lots of scarves. But I have one just like PBO’s that’s my go-to scarf when it’s not just about looking good but also staying very warm.
PBO doesn’t care about things.
halo, maybe Christmas.
Tweety is an SOB. He decided to pay homage to the World Aids Day event by quoting some words from Bono about the various presidents and Hillary Clinton. Tweety conspicuously (and I believe deliberately) left out Bono’s very emphatic words of praise for President Obama, while highlighting what he said about GWB, Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Matthews definitely needs to be called out on this. That was not accidental AT ALL.
I’d be very curious to know what the hell happened in the past few months for Matthews to be so blatantly unfair. He’s always been all over the place, but it’s worse now. He’s playing games. It seems personal.
I think he doesn’t like the fact he has not been able to interview PBO for his show. Tweety thinks that PBO should bow to the so called “liberal” media & socialites.
It is plain to see that Chris Matthews is a sick bastard. That’s all I have to say.
Ed Schultz is blowing a gasket as usual.
I see Newtie has declared he will be the nominee. So that’s a wrap, I guess, no need for any voting stuff. And I see Jonathan Capehart is rightfully disgusted by Newt’s disgusting comments about “really poor children”. Newt has no common sense. No sense and sensibility.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/newt-gingrichs-disgusting-remarks-about-really-poor-children/2011/03/04/gIQASoLpHO_blog.html
I love the picture of PBO and Sasha laughing so hard. It just makes you smile.
Grandma Robinson is looking very sassy and divalicious. Checkout that leather number on her. Me wants it.
I don’t know if anyone has already posted this here tonight. MUST READ!
The US Republican race is dominated by ignorance, lies and scandals. The current crop of candidates have shown such a basic lack of knowledge that they make George W. Bush look like Einstein. The Grand Old Party is ruining the entire country’s reputation.
Tough times demand tough and smart minds. But all these dopes have to offer are ramblings that insult the intelligence of all Americans — no matter if they are Democrats, Republicans or neither of the above. Yet just like any freakshow, this one would be unthinkable without a stage (in this case, the media, strangling itself with all its misunderstood “political correctness” and “objectivity”) and an audience (the party base, which this year seems to have suffered a political lobotomy).
Hi everyone, new post here:
http://theobamadiary.com/2011/12/01/catching-up-9/
Wish I could have seen it. Guess I will have to wait.
We have a Fierce First Family. They are simply beautiful.
Obama/Biden2012
Interesting whose features the Obama girls took. Malia took her father’s facial features except the eyes and eyebrows which are the same shape as her mother’s. Sasha on the other hand takes her mother’s facial features but her eyes and eyebrows are a spitting image of her father’s. All the family is truly beautiful
There is a photo in Donna’s new video where President Obama is at a summit either in Hawaii or Australia or Indonesia and he is walking towards a group around the table but looks back at the camera. He looks just like Sasha in that picture and it immediately brings back the image of that old video of the Obama family at home in the kitchen and little Sasha standing by the kitchen sink looking mischieviously at the camera!!!
Same look!!! It’s uncanny!!!
I love that family! They are a treasure. Yes, those girls are fortunate to have a father who loves them and is not shy about showing it! A father’s love helps a girl develop happy and healthy. If a girl is a “daddy’s girl” she always is a daddy’s girl, no matter how old. I watch my husband and daughter and their special relationship is a wonder to behold. She is 40 and now married, but dad lights up her eyes every time she sees him, and he does the same when he sees her. They are fortunate girls.
I noticed someone said how chic Michelle looks in cold weather, and she does. I remember reading what a Chicagoa fashionista said about looking good in the winter: “First, get a good looking coat. Invest in the best. It will cover everything and you will look good.” I think that’s the key in the winter. Her coats always fit lightly, just skimming her body. She looks positively elegant. A good looking coat, a beautiful scarf, and elegant gloves, and you are good to go anywhere….oh yes, also, her boots.
About 20 years ago I went to Chicago for a conference and visited a good friend who lived there. On Saturday night we went to the Opera. I had a new white wool coat I was very proud of. At the intermission she wanted to get refreshments. I asked her if I could safely leave my coat on my chair. She said, “Carolyn……have you seen all the sables going by? I don’t think anyone is going to bother your white wool coat!” She was right. I had never seen so many sable coats in one place, but I still loved my white wool coat. (This was before PETA started spraying red paint)
FLOTUS would never wear fur, but she has mastered the art of looking sleek and elegant in winter.
These pictures warm my heart. What a glorious, gorgeous family this is. I love to see the President being “Dad”. Thank you for these.
Hello TODer. Sorry i didn’t tel y’all that i was heading for the WI Dells for Thanksgiving. i just got spanked by Alycee so here i am. The Wii isn’t too cool up here and am not sure if this will go out . i should be back with the program on Saturday. 4More44.
Good to hear from you! Hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving.
Yay! Thanks for checking in Yardarm. Have fun and stay safe.
Thank you for checking in. Was about to send the Marines out looking for ya!
Woot, you’re back! We missed you, don’t EVER go away again
Chips, thanks a lot for the update of the occasion and the beautiful fantastic First Family. Now I can proceed with other stuff since I am now in a great mood!!!!!
noticed that Grandma-in-Chief, Mrs Robinson is sport a set of “them boots”!!! A challenge for us dowdy types and a good representation of the senior citizen!!
This is MY First Family!!!
vitaminlover, Mines too. And I’m darn proud to have them as my First Family.