September Fundraisers, Golf, and Receptions Highlight the Obama Administration's Priorities

This week, President Obama attended two Democratic Fundraisers, played his 145th round of golf, and attended a Congressional Black Caucus event.

He also took to the air again and flew to Liberty Missouri to deliver a speech last Friday. While he was gone, Michelle Obama hosted a luncheon reception at the White House.

This week, the President is spending two days in New York City, attending meetings and dinners.

On the national level, President Obama's official schedule indicated he received two daily briefings and met with: members of his Business Roundtable and Export Council, Jack Lew, and John Kerry. Plus, he delivered a few remarks.

"Boy, I love this job"

Ironically, the President is meeting with the Palestinian President today while the Vice President is entertaining Jewish community leaders.

Meanwhile, Vice President Biden flew to Mexico City, Mexico; and this week he toured the flood damage in Colorado.

Weekly Air Force One and Helicopter flying time ( 24 hours total):

• President Obama : White House to New York City (round trip)  : 5 hours
• President Obama (and family): White House to New York City (round trip)  : 3 hours
• Vice President Biden: Washington DC to Mexico City, Mexico (round trip)  : 9 hours
• Vice President Biden: Washington DC to Greeley Colorado (round trip)  : 7 hours

Realizing the importance of travel and entertainment, we can understand why the President insists there is no more discretionary money to cut from the budget.
Below is a summary of President Obama's official schedule during the week of Wednesday September 18 through Tuesday September 24 2013.

Today, Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Mr. Obama, spoke to the United Nations General Assembly. Afterward, he will meet with John Ashe, Ba Ki-Moon, have lunch, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. At the end of the afternoon, he will meet with Bill Clinton and discuss the future of health care reform. Lastly, he will attend a DNC fundraising reception at 7:35 PM, before flying back to DC.
VP Biden and wife Jill hold a reception for Jewish community leaders at 6:45 PM.

Monday, September 23, 2013

• Mr. and Mrs. Obama left the White House at 11:25 AM and flew to New York City. Once there, he met with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, held a Civil Society Roundtable, and met with USUN employees. At night, the two attended a reception.
• Mr. Biden delivered remarks in Greeley Colorado along with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and Goverernor Hickenlooper.

The Obama's after arriving in New York City

Sunday, September 22, 2013

• President Obama delivered remarks at a Navy Yard shooting memorial service at 5 PM.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

• President Obama golfing with Sam Kass, Marvin Nicholson, and Mike Brush. In the evening, Mr. Obama spoke at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner at 9 PM (in the Washington Convention Center).

Friday, September 20, 2013

• President Obama left the White House a 9:45 AM ad flew to Kansas City, Missouri. There, he toured the Ford Stamping Plant in Liberty MO and delivered remarks. After that, he boarded Air Force One at 2:55 PM and flew back to DC, arriving shortly after 5 PM.
• - Michelle Obama hosted a luncheon honoring the 2013 National Design Awards winners at the White House.
• VP Biden met with Mexcian President Nieto, spoke of the beginning of a US/Mexican High Level Dialogue, and attended their first inaugural meeting.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10 AM. Then at 11 AM, he spoke at his Export Council meeting. At 11:35 AM, he met with his senior advisers. Lastly, he attended a DNC fundraising event at 4:25 PM.
• VP Biden met with King Abdullah II and Wang Yi. After, he flew to Mexico City Mexico.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

• Mr. Obama received a daily briefing at 9:45 AM. An hour later, he delivered remarks to members of the Business Roundtable. In the afternoon (3:30 PM), he met with Secretary of Treasury Lew; and then met with Secretary of State John Kerry at 4:15 PM.

Drink Up before 27 rounds of Golf, but no Musica Latina concert

President Obama planned on entertaining himself, his family, and inner circle on Monday evening by hosting another White House concert: Musica Latina. However, the tragic shooting at the Naval Yard forced him to postpone this evening event. Even so, his wife Michelle carried on with her previously scheduled Musica Latina Workshop in the State Dining Room and enjoyed speaking to and mingling with the attending celebrities. Since the President's schedule ended after an 11:40 AM speech, we are sure that he socialized with the visiting stars.

Although Monday's enjoyment was cancelled, the President did satisfy his pleasures by playing 27 holes of golf on Saturday and having lunch with Vice President Biden twice.

What a happy bunch.

As spending continued, the White House weekly travel was delegated to Mrs. Obama and Mr. Biden. Last Thursday, Michelle Obama flew Air Force One to Wisconsin where she attended a"Drink Up" Festival.  And, VP Biden, took Air Force Two and flew to Iowa where he attend two campaign fundraiser events.

But, the White House is still closed to the American public.

During the past week, President Obama received 4 daily briefings, held 1 cabinet meeting, met once with his senior advisers, Secretary of Defense Hagel, and the Amir of Kuwait. He also attended a 9/11 Observance Ceremony, participated in a service project and an ambassador credentialing ceremony, met with labor leaders unhappy with Obamacare, and spoke about the economy.


Weekly Air Force One and Helicopter flying time (9 hours total):

• VP Biden : Washington DC to Des Moines and Indianola, Iowa (round trip)  : 5 hours
• Michelle Obama : White House to Watertown Wisconsin (round trip)  : 4 hours

Below is a summary of President Obama's official schedule during the week of Wednesday September 21 through Tuesday September 17 2013.


Today, Tuesday, September 17, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10:45 AM. Next, he has lunch with VP Biden at 12:30 PM. In the afternoon, the President participates in an ambassador credentialing ceremony at 2:45 PM, and ends the day with a 3:30 PM meeting with Secretary of Defense Hagel.

Monday, September 16, 2013

• President Obama started the day with a 10 AM daily briefing. This was followed by a 10:45 AM meeting with his senior advisers. Lastly, he delivered remarks at 11:40 AM and spoke about the U.S. economy on the 5-year anniversary of the financial crisis.
• Michelle Obama held a Musica Latina Workshop in the State Dining Room.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

• VP Biden flew to Iowa and attended 2 campaign events for Senator Tom Harkin in Iowa. The first was at Principal Park in Des Moines, and the latter was at Harkin's 36th Annual Steak Fry at the Warren County Fairgrounds in Indianola, Iowa.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

• President Obama played 27 holes of golf with Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon, (ESPN’s "Pardon the Interruption”), and aide Marvin Nicholson

Friday, September 13, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10:45 AM. Then at 1:15 PM, he met with the Amir of Kuwait. At 3:35 PM, he and VP Biden met with labor leaders.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10:15 AM. At 11 AM, he held a Cabinet meeting. After that, he had lunch with VP Biden and was then done for the day.
• Michelle Obama flew to Watertown Wisconsin and spoke at the "Drink Up" Festival.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

• President Obama observed the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 WTC attack along with his wife Michelle, and the Biden's (at 8:45 AM). Next, Mr. Obama attended an Observance Ceremony at 9:30 AM. At 2:00 PM in the afternoon, he participated in a service project.

Neither Sweden, Russia, nor the United States stop Obama from thinking about Syria

Whether in Sweden, Russia, or the United States, President Obama was continuously preoccupied with his desire to enter the Syrian conflict. To that end, he tried to enlist support for his plans to attack that country. However, neither the international community nor the U.S. congress endorsed his objective to bomb that nation.

So, the President mobilized his small democratic leadership base and intended to force a vote in Congress. First, he needed to flood the news stations, and try to sell his hawkish ideas to the American public.

Yikes - Another Red Line

The President was so worried about the Syrian conflict that he cancelled a West Coast fundraising trip. He even planned meeting with several Republicans, met with Secretary of Defense Hagel, and received 2 daily briefings.

Luckily, Secretary of State Kerry found an out for the President by suggesting that if Syria would turn over their chemical weapons, Mr. Obama would delay the bombing. Russia jumped on board, an now the President is trying to convince the world that he was victorious.

However, it is far too early to determine what the outcome will be, but it appears that Mr. Obama feels he can spin this to his benefit. After all, "he never drew a red line", "the world drew the red line"!.


Weekly Air Force One and Helicopter flying time (10.5 hours total):

• President Obama: Stockholm Sweden to Saint Petersburg Russia : 1 hour
• President Obama: Saint Petersburg Russia to White House : 9.5 hours

Below is a summary of President Obama's official schedule during the week of Wednesday September 4 through Tuesday September 10 2013.


Today, Tuesday, September 10, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 11 AM. Then at 12:30 PM, he meets with the Senate Democratic Caucus. At 1:45 PM, he will meet with the Senate Republican Conference. Lastly, he will deliver a statement to the Nation about Syria at 9:01 PM.

Monday, September 9, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10:15 AM. His second appointment was at 2:15 PM when he met with Secretary of Defense Hagel. Additionally, he participated in 6 television news interviews to discuss Syria: Scott Pelley, (CBS’s "Evening News"); Savannah Guthrie, (NBC’s "Today Show"); Wolf Blitzer, (CNN’s "Situation Room"); Chris Wallace, ("Fox News Sunday"); Diane Sawyer, ("ABC World News"); and Gwen Ifill, ("PBS NewsHour").

Friday, September 6, 2013

• President Obama participated in a number of G-20 sessions and held several meetings. Susan Rice was also present. At the end of the day, the President flew back to Washington DC.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

• President Obama met with the King and Queen of Sweden. Afterward, he flew to Saint Petersburg Russia to attend the G-20 conference.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

• Mister Obama arrived in Stockholm Sweden. There, he held 3 meetings with Prime Minister Reinfeldt, participated in a celebration of Raoul Wallenberg; toured an Energy Expo event; had his picture taken, and finally attended an official dinner with Nordic leaders.

Syrian Red Line interrupts Obama's quiet week

The days surrounding Labor Day weekend was intended to be rather quiet for President Obama. His official schedule only had him attending the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington; meeting with 3 visiting Presidents; having lunch with VP Biden; receiving one daily briefing; and then golfing.

However, his undocumented calendar time was unexpectedly filled up by addressing the Syrian situation. Because the Administration concluded that chemical weapons were used, the President enlisted the UN allies to form a military coalition to bomb Syria. But, his plan was not welcomed by Great Briton or the United Nations, and so Mr. Obama was left scrambling to gain support from the Congress, whom he initially intended to circumvent.

Under pressure to gain approval, the President has held numerous meetings. And tonight, he is leaving on a trip to Sweden and Russia, so it is now in the hands of Congress.

Weekly Air Force One and Helicopter flying time (11 hours total):

• President Obama : White House to Stockholm, Sweden : 11 hours

Below is a summary of President Obama's official schedule during the week of Wednesday August 28 through Tuesday September 03 2013.


Today, Tuesday, September 3, 2013

• President Obama, along with VP Biden, met with members of Congress at 9:45 AM. Then, he has a 12:30 PM lunch with the Vice President. At 8 PM, Mr. Obama will leave the White House and fly to Stockholm, Sweden.

Saturday, August 31, 2013

• President Obama delivered a statement about Syria. After that, he went golfing with VP Biden, White House trip director Marvin Nicholson, and Walter Nicholson.

Friday, August 30, 2013

• President Obama met with President Toomas Hendrik Ilves of Estonia, Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania, and President Andris Berzinš of Latvia at 2:15 PM.
• VP Biden hosted a lunch meeting for the same 3 Presidents.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

• VP Biden swore in: Todd Jones as Director of the ATF; and later Dan Tangherlini as Administrator of the GSA.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10 AM. Then at 2:45 PM, he attended the Let Freedom Ring ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's March on Washington.