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.