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.

44 Hours of flying, Iftar Dinner, SF Giants, Lunch with Hillary, and a round of Golf

President Obama booked 13 hours on Air Force One this past week while VP Biden and family totaled 31 hours in the air. Between the two, they visited 3 countries and 7 different cities.

When not in the air, Mr. Obama hosted an Iftar Dinner, lunch with Hillary Clinton, and welcomed the San Francisco Giants to the White House. He also golfed his 22nd round this weekend.

Do you think they discussed what Anthony Weiner may know about Benghazi?

In between, the President received 2 daily briefings, met once with his senior advisers, and once with Secretary of Defense Hagel. He also spent one full day at Camp David with members of his cabinet and their families (and perhaps other invitees from the Iftar Dinner).

His most notable quotes this week were (President Obama Hosts Iftar Dinner at the White House):

• "Throughout our history, Islam has contributed to the character of our country, ..."
• "Every day, Muslim Americans are helping to shape the way that we think and the way that we work and the way that we do business ..."
• "But with this endless parade of distractions and political posturing and phony scandals,  ... " (Remarks by the President on the Economy -- Knox College, Galesburg, IL)

They were only 4 white Americans.

Weekly Air Force One and Helicopter flying time (44 hours total):

• President Obama : White House to Chattanooga TN  (round trip)  : 2 hours
• President Obama : White House to Jacksonville Florida  (round trip)  : 2 hours
• President Obama : White House to Galesburg Illinois to  Warrensburg Missouri to Washington DC ( 4+2.5+2.5): 9 hours
• Vice President Biden (and family): Honolulu Hawaii to Washington DC  : 10 hours
• Vice President Biden (and family): Sinagpore to Honolulu Hawaii : 15.5 hours
• Vice President Biden (and family): Mumbai India to Sinagpore : 5.5 hours

Below is a summary of President Obama's official schedule during the week of Wednesday July 24 through Tuesday July 30 2013.

Today, Tuesday, July 30, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10 AM. He then leave the White House at 10:45 AM and flies to Chattanooga TN where he will tour the Amazon Fulfillment Center and deliver remarks. He is back on Air Force One at 3:05 PM and returns to Washington DC where he will meet with Secretary of Defense Hagel. Additionally, Politico says he is meeting with the lead Israeli and Palestinian negotiators sometime during the day.
• VP Biden treated Hillary Clinton to breakfast at the Naval Observatory.

Monday, July 29, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 10:15 AM. After, he met with his senior advisers at 11 AM. Next, he hosts a lunch with Hillary Clinton at 12 noon. Then at 2:05 PM, it was sports time. Mr. Obama welcomed the 2012 World Series Champions San Franciso Giants to the White House. Shortly thereafter (2:455 PM), he met with civil rights leaders.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

• President Obama delivered remarks about the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. Afterward, he went golfing.
• VP Biden and his wife visited U.S. Service members and Defense Department employees at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam in Honolulu Hawaii.

Friday, July 26, 2013

• President Obama left the White House at 9:30 AM and spent the day at Camp David with cabinet members and their families. He returned back to the White House about 7 PM.
• VP Biden toured the Pratt & Whitney aircraft engine overhaul facility in Singapore.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

• President Obama held a bilateral meeting with President Truong Tan Sang of Vietnam at 10:15 AM. He then left the White House and flew to Jacksonville Florida where he toured the Jacksonville Port Authority and delivered remarks. He arrived back in the White House at at 5:35 PM. Then, at 8:45 PM, he hosted an Iftar dinner to select guests and honored several Muslims. He also attended a meeting with leaders who work with the disability community.
• VP Biden met with women at the India Institute of Technology in Mumbai. Afterward, he and Jill flew to Singapore.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

• President Obama left the White House at 10 AM and flew to Galesburg Illinois where he spoke at Knox College. He then flew to Warrensburg Missouri and delivered remarks at the University of Central Missouri. After 6 PM, he boarded Air Force One again and returned to the White House.
• VP Biden delivered remarks regarding the U.S./India partnership at the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Sequester scare fails, so Obama pardons prisoners, holds a Cabinet Meeting, and Michelle promotes Let's Move

This was a relatively quiet work week for President Obama. During the first half of the week, he pushed for raising taxes as his solution to avoid Friday's sequester. In preparation, he held a meeting with his senior advisers, some of whom later tried to spread the fear of governmental shutdowns. The blitz had little effect, and so the President held a brief meeting with Senate and Congressional leaders. But, his desire for increased revenue, rather than reduced spending did not sway the leaders. And thus, the sequester went into affect.

Ironically enough, the sun still shined and everyone in the government was still working on Saturday morning.

Mr. Obama was now left to live with the new spending rules. So, he continued to concentrate on filling his vacant staffing positions, pardoning prisoners, meeting with his advisers once again, and holding a Cabinet Meeting.

The President did attend to the country's defense by attending 4 daily briefings and meeting with the new Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel.

Concurrently, Mrs. Obama focused her spending efforts by making a two day trip promoting "Let's Move". She visited 3 cities and appeared with Rachael Ray.

Below is a summary of President Obama's official schedule during the week of Wednesday February 27 through Tuesday March 5, 2013.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

• President Obama receives a daily briefing at 10:15 AM. Next, at 11 AM, he meets with senior advisers. The President later leaves the White House at 2:05 PM and visits Walter Reed national Military Medical Center. He is back at the White House by 4:25 PM and will meet with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel at 5 PM.

Monday, March 4, 2013

• Mister Obama had an early daily briefing at 9:30 AM. He then made a personal announcement at the American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee. Lastly, he held a Cabinet Meeting at 1:00 PM. That was the 17th meeting he held since he was President. He also announce the nominations of Ernest Moniz as Energy Secretary, Gina McCarthy as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, and Sylvia Mathews Burwell as Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
• Mrs. Obama held a Google+ Hangout event live from the White House.

Friday, March 1, 2013

• President Obama hosted the  bipartisan, bicameral leadership of Congress at the White House at 10:05. Afterward, he delivered a statement at 11:35 AM. During the day, Mr. Obama granted pardons to 17 individuals and he also held a conference call with Russian President Putin.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

• President Obama received a daily briefing at 11:15 AM. Then he hosted a swearing in ceremony for the new Secretary of Treasury Jack Lew. Mr. Obama ended the day with a 12:40 PM lunch with VP Biden.
• Michelle Obama was in Chicago IL with Arne Duncan to promote "Let's Move! Active Schools".  Early in the day, she held a "Let's Move Cafeteria Cookoff" with Rachael Ray. 

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

• President Obama started the day early with a daily briefing at 9:30 AM which was over in less than 1/2 hour. He next met with senior advisers at 10:00 AM. Then, he delivered remarks at the unveiling of a Rosa Parks statue at 11:00 AM. Mr. Obama was then able to rest until 7:30 PM when he attended the Business Council dinner.
• Mrs. Obama visited schools in Clinton Mississippi as part of Let's Move and to celebrate National Nutrition Month. Later she visited a Springfield Missouri Walmart.

Is the country running on auto-pilot now?

Note: we modified this post to reflect the President's surprise visit  to Afghanistan.

During the past week, President Obama spent less than 6 3 hours attending to Official U.S. business and an additional 3 hours addressing international affairs. Much of the time, he has traveled the U.S. delivering campaign speeches disguised at legislative proposals and working on things that he has chosen to not publicly disclose.

We do know that he held 3 2 daily briefings, and met with Senior advisers, Panetta and Geithner once each. He met with Prime Minister Noda of Japan, students, and military personnel. He spoke at an AFL-CIO event and received their endorsement, and he hosted the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

In addition, the President attended 3 fundraisers. But, this was eclipsed by the 8 campaign events that his wife attended and the 5 that VP Biden attended. All together, the group was featured in 16 different campaign events located in various parts of the country.

Below is a summary of the Presidential and Vice Presidential activities during the week of Wednesday April 25th through Tuesday May 1st 2012.

Today, Tuesday, May 1, 2012

• Michelle Obama delivers remarks at a Las Vegas, NV fundraiser,. then, speaks to Obama campaign volunteers and supporters from the Las Vegas area.
• President Obama makes an unannounced visit to  Kabul, Afghanistan

Monday, April 30, 2012

• President Obama spoke at at the  AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department Legislative Conference who today (May 1st) announced their endorsement of Obama for re-election. Afterwards, he held a meeting, lunch, and a press conference with Prime Minister Noda of Japan. In the middle of the afternoon, he met with Geithner.
• Mrs. Obama spoke to Obama campaign volunteers and supporters in Colorado Springs Colorado. Next, she traveled to Albuquerque NM and was greeted by service members. She then delivered remarks at a fundraiser, and spoke at the opening  Ceremony for the 2012 Warrior Games. Lastly, she flew to Tucson NM and was greeted by youth volunteers at Tucson Village Farm before attending a campaign event in Tucson.
• VP Biden attended a campaign event in Kansas City, Missouri. Then, he flew to Munster, Indiana to attend another fundraiser.
• Jill Biden and U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary Jane Oates accompanied the VP. They visited Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City and later Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

• The Obama's hosted The White House Correspondents' Association dinner, which was an all day affair with parties and pre-parties.

Friday, April 27, 2012

• Both President and Mrs. Obama and flew to Georgia, where they spoke to troops and filmed campaign coverage material. Afterward, the President flew back to DC and attended 2 campaign events (one at Washington Convention Centeri, and the other at a private residence ).
• Michelle Obama left Georgia and flew to Naples Florida where she also attended 2 campaign events.
• Mr. Joe Biden attended a campaign event in Washington.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

• VP Biden spoke at a morning campaign event in New York City. Then, he flew back to Washington and met with Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Dr. Hussain Al-Shahristani of Iraq at the White House. In the evening, he attended an event for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in McLean, Virginia.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

• President Obama left Aurora Colorado and flew to Cedar Rapids Iowa where he participated in events with college students. When done, he returned to DC and attended a campaign event at the Jefferson  Hotel.

Mr. & Mrs. Obama attend 10 campaign events, but Biden only had 1

Last week's campaign fundraising total was 11 events.  Both the President and Mrs. Obama tied with 5 campaign events each, while VP Biden trailed with only one.

For real USA country business, Mr. Obama attended 4 daily briefings, and met once with his senior advisors, Geithner, Panetta, and Clinton.  He also completed 2 sessions with Mr. Netanyahu.

Interestingly enough, the President attended more campaign events than attending daily briefings.

This is where the traveling trio spent their working hours:

Today, Tuesday - March 6, 2012

• President Obama holds a news conference. In the afternoon, he will attend a campaign event at The Jefferson Hotel in DC. At night, he will participate in a Business Roundtable.
• VP Biden meets with Honduran President in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Monday - March 5, 2012

• Mr. Obama attended meetings at the White House.
• The campaign travel schedule was delegated to Mrs. Obama where she delivered remarks at 2 campaign events: one at the Peabody Opera House in St Louis, MO; and one at the  American Jazz Museum, Kansas City MO
• Mr. Biden was on a one-day visit to Mexico

Sunday - March 4, 2012

• Mr Obama attended the AIPAC Policy conference

Friday - March 2, 2012

• President Obama visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and attended a Conservation event. In between, he called Sandra Fluke and commended her for demanding free contraceptives.
• Michelle Obama attended 3 DNC Committe Events. The first was in Raleigh NC. Next, she attended a  CIAA Women's Basketball Turnament in Charlotte. She completed the fundraising by attending two more events held at the Ballantyne Hotel in Charlotte NC.

Thursday - March 1, 2012

• Mr. Obama flew to Nashua, NH to visit a community college and speak about energy. He then flew to NYC to attend 4 campaign events.
• Joe Biden flew to Iowa. He delivered remarks at Iowa State University, and then rushed off to a campaign event in Ames, Iowa.

Wednesday - February 29, 2012

• This day was all about food. Mr. Obama ate lunch with Congressional Leadership, and  he and his wife Michelle hosted a dinner honoring Armed Forces. The Biden's also attended.

Go'in to Kansas City

Kansas City, here I come.

They've got some crazy women there,

And I'm going to get me one!

While the President is taking the plane to this song famous city, the purpose of his trip is much more mundane. He's only going to a visit the Osawatomie High School to give an economic speech.

And while he is gone today, he will be missing a surprise White House visit by Lady Gaga.

Texas, Missouri, and Florida old people, kids & contributors hear about Jobs

Today the President is attending 4 different fundraising events in two states. The first two are in Dallas TX and are both in the Sheraton Hotel. Since they are in the same location, we save on inter-city transportation for the presidental entourage. The excuse for being in Texas is that the president will speak urge Congress to pass the American Jobs Act. Hmmm. That could have been done right in Washington if Mr. Obama just visited the Capital.

On the way back, the President will stop in St. Louis MO and appear in two more campaign events.

While he is out of DC, the Vice President is urging children in an Elementary school in Florida to pressure their Congressmen to pass the Jobs Act.

Boy, the Administration is sure getting a log of free mileage pushing this failed proposal. But, just imagine if Congress did indeed pass this Act. If it did: "What excuse would Obama and Biden have for using our expensive military airplanes to crisscross the country?"

Back in the USA and Off to Joplin

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Finishing up with various Polish meetings on Saturday, the President boarded Air Force One on Saturday afternoon, and flew back to Washington, arriving in the early evening.

After a night of rest, the President will fly to Joplin, Missouri today where he will inspect the damage to the tornado, speak to survivors, and attend a memorial service.

Related articles

• Tornado death toll in Joplin, Missouri, rises to 142 - BBC News (news.google.com)
• Tornado in the Heartland - Joplin Missouri (texasalleycat.wordpress.com)