The Presidential duties of the past two weeks have been primarily focused on meeting with leaders of other countries and fundraising. Very little time has been dedicated to the American public, leading the country, or working with any members of the Congress or Senate.
Having read the public schedule of the President over the past few months and summarizing it on this blog, we finally realized how little time Mr. Obama spends on U.S. domestic affairs versus meeting with and entertaining foreign leaders and diplomats. For example, whenever the President is abroad, his daily schedule appears to be filled with meetings and attending events.
However, when he is here in this country, his schedule typically accounts for only 2 to 3 hours of his time, unless he is on the campaign trail. In those cases, he will board Air Force One early in the morning and travel to various cities in order to attend campaign events.
For example, during the past few days that Obama has been in Seoul Korea, he has met with at least 6 world leaders and attended various work and ceremonial sessions. Before his trip, he spent 2 days with PM Cameron of the UK and met twice with PM Kenny of Ireland.
But by comparison, during the days he was in the White House, he only met with his senior advisers twice, had two Daily Briefings, and met once with Panetta, Clinton, and Geithner. At no time did he meet members of the Senate or Congress.
However, 12 campaign events were attended. Mr. Obama led the field with 6, VP Biden had 4, and Michelle Obama is credited with two.
Below is a summary of the travel events of President Obama, his wife Michelle, and Mr. and Mrs. Biden during the period of Wednesday March 14 through Tuesday March 27 2012.
Today, Tuesday - March 27, 2012
- Mr. Obama attended a plenary session and met with PM Yousaf Gillani. Afterward, he departed Seoul, Korea to fly back to the United States.
- Michelle Obama participated in the Cherry Blossom Festival Tree planting ceremony; and then she met with spouses of senior enlisted leaders
- VP Biden hosted a breakfast with Hillary Clinton
Monday - March 26, 2012
- Obama held bilateral meetings with President Hu Jintao of China and then President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan. Later, he participated in a Nuclear Security welcome ceremony, dinner, photos, working sessions and lunch
- Jill Biden spoke at 2012 National 4H Conference. In the evening, she and her VP husband hosted a reception honoring Women's History Month
Sunday - March 25, 2012
- President Obama held bilateral meetings with PM Erdogan of Turkey, President Lee Myung-bak of Korea, President Medvedev of Russia. He also attended a news conference, working dinner, and spoke at Hankuk University
- Mrs. Obama welcomed school children for White House Kitchen Garden spring planting
Friday - March 23, 2012
- Mr Obama made a personal announcement. Later, he departed DC and flew to Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Mr. Biden attended a campaign event in Coconut Creek FL
Thursday - March 22, 2012
- President Obama delivered remarks in Oklahoma City. He then left Cushing OK and flew to Columbus OH where he toured Center for Automotive Research before flying back to DC
Wednesday - March 21, 2012
- Obama left DC and flew to Las Vega, NV. There, he toured Copper Mountain Solar 1 Facility and flew to Roswell NM where he delivered remarks. Afterwards, he flew to Oklahoma City OK
- VP Biden delivered remarks at a service hosted by Bipartisan Policy Center
Tuesday - March 20, 2012
- Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden met with Irish PM Kenny. Next, they all had St. Patricks Day lunch. In the evening, President & Michelle Obama hosted a St Patricks Day reception and VP Biden attended.
- Michelle Obama attended a campaign event at Locanda Verde, New York City
Monday - March 19, 2012
- President Obama spent 1 hour receiving a daily briefing and meeting with senior advisers. In the middle of the afternoon, he met with Hillary Clinton. At dinnertime, he attended a campaign event at the W Hotel.
- Mr Biden attended a campaign event in Morristown NJ for Menendez.
- Michelle Obama held a campaign event at Chelsea Piers, New York City
Saturday - March 17, 2012
- Joe Biden traveled to Pittsburgh PA and attended the parade. After, he went to a campaign event.
Friday - March 16, 2012
- President Obama flew to Chicago IL and attended 2 campaign events. Afterwards, he flew to Atlanta GA and attended 3 more campaign events.
- VP Biden was in Wilmington DE, but no official reason was given.
Thursday - March 15, 2012
- Obama spoke at Prince George's Community College
- Mr. Biden attended a campaign event
Wednesday - March 14, 2012
- Mr. Obama, Michelle, Joe & Jill Biden welcome PM Cameron. Then, the President held 2 meetings with him and other delegations. He held a press conference the day. In the evening, the 4 first entertainers hosted an evening State Dinner for the Cameron's.
- The Biden's and Hillary Clinton hosted lunch for the PM.
