Obama: No time for America when meeting with foreign leaders and attending fundraisers

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.

High cost of fuel doesn't stop Obama from jetting to NCAA tournament at taxpayer expense

In this past week, President Obama's public schedule has been very relaxing. He held 4 daily briefings and met with Senior Advisers twice. He made an announcement about China and expressed sympathy for the Afghan civilians.  He toured 2 manufacturing facilities, sat for a series of TV interviews, and told the American public that he couldn't do anything that would affect the high gasoline prices we are forced to pay.

Perhaps the most important duties he performed related to his own personal agenda. Mr. Obama met with representatives of the National League of Cities, a non-profit advocacy group whose purpose is to influence federal policy; and he had lunch with Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York. He only attended two fundraisers but treated winners of his democratic fundraising contest to dinner.

Saving the best for last, he now flying off  to Dayton Ohio to watch a first round NCAA Basketball tournament game.

Michelle Obama appeased the Arab and Muslim communities by attending the 2012 International Women of Courage Awards ceremony before taking to the skies and speaking at a New Hampshire Community College and a Boston Fundraiser. Today, she's hosting her own mini-Olympics.

Vice President Biden's schedule has been secretive. They stopped posting his schedule on White House website for the past 2 weeks, so we only know about his steak and truffle dinner last night.

Here is a summary of their major weekly activities for the week of March 7 through March 13, 2012.


Today, Tuesday - March 13, 2012

• President Obama expresses sympathy for Afghan civilians and meets with 2012 Intel Science Talent Search finalists. Then, he takes Air Force One to Dayton OH with Prime Minister Cameron to watch an NCAA Tournament Game.
• Mrs. Obama hosts a mini-Olympics competition

Monday - March 12, 2012

• Mr. Obama was interviewed by several TV anchors and met with leaders representing National League of Cities. Off the public schedule, he ate lunch with Mayor Bloomberg at the White House.
• Vice President Biden attended a fundraiser at John Kerry's Georgetown home, where they ate grass-fed NY strip steaks and white truffle mashed potatoes. (Obviously, this is not the type of diet that Michelle wants everyone the common American public to eat).

Friday - March 9, 2012

• President Obama toured the Rolls-Royce Crosspointe plant in Richmond VA before flying to Houston TX and attended 2 campaign events.
• Mrs. Obama spoke at Penacook Community College in NH regarding Let's Move. Afterwards, she jetted off to a campaign event in Boston MA.

Thursday - March 8, 2012

• Mr. Obama met with the President of Ghana. For dinner, the President and wife Michelle hosted a dinner for the most recent winners of their ongoing re-election campaign contest
• Earlier in the day, Mrs. Obama attended the 2012 International Women of Courage Awards hosted by Hillary Clinton

Wednesday - March 7, 2012

• President Obama left the White House at 10:15AM. He then toured and spoke at a manufacturing plant in Charlotte NC. He returned to the White House 3:15PM. During that time, the President's White House Staff hosted a meeting to organize protests in front of Supreme Court when the Justices begin hearing arguments regarding constitutionality of the Obama health care mandate.

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.

Obama's 4 weekly fundraisers beat Biden and Michelle who only held 2 each

After hosting a Blues Concert at the White House last Tuesday night, the President spent the majority of his time making public appearances. Jetting across the eastern corners of the United States for campaign purposes, Mr. Obama covered the Florida region while the Vice President blitzed New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and North Carolina.  Michelle Obama's role was to push the campaign in Ohio. These one day junkets not only raised cash, but the VP pledged another $500 million to community colleges contingent on his reelection.

By Friday, the President was back in DC, conferring with and entertaining Democratic Governors. During those 7 days, he did manage to spend 2 one-half hour sessions being briefed, and meeting with his senior advisers. Additionally, he found time to hold meetings with Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt of Denmark, Mr. Geithner, and Mr. Panetta.

Below is a summary of the activities of the President, Vice President, and their spouses during the past week.

Today, Tuesday - February 26, 2012

• Obama delivers remarks at United Auto Workers conference in Washington Marriott Wardman Park.
• Biden meets representatives of the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land.

Monday - February 25, 2012

• Obama, Biden, Michelle and Jill speak at the National Governors Association. President Obama attended a campaign event at the end of the afternoon in the Jefferson Hotel, in DC.
• The Bidens hosted a Black History Month reception at the Naval Observatory

Sunday - February 24, 2012

• The Obama's and Biden's hosted the annual White House black-tie Governors dinner.

Friday - February 22, 2012

• Obama attends the Democratic Governors' Association meeting.
• VP Biden and wife Jill deliver remarks at Davidson County Community College in North Carolina as part of a bus tour, and pledge $500 million of taxpayer dollars in spending.

Thursday - February 21, 2012

• Obama flies to Miami, tours the Industrial Assessment Center and delivers remarks to University of Miami students and faculty. After, Obama delivered remarks at a campaign event at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. and then spoke at another campaign event. Next, he flew to Orlando and attended a third campaign event with Vince Carter.
• Michelle flew to Cincinnati Ohio and held her own set of fundraisers. She held one in the ballroom, and one at a private reception.
• Biden flew to Manchester, NH and attended a campaign event. When done, he traveled to Providence RI and attended another campaign event.

Wednesday - February 20, 2012

• Obama, with wife watching, spoke at the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Later that afternoon, he and his wife hosted a reception honoring the groundbreaking of this new museum.

Here is a CNN video of Mrs. Obama's arrival in Cincinnati.



And, just for fun, here is a video of the Education Secretary Arne Duncan who played in an NBA Charity game last week. This must have really broken President Obama's heart!

8 Fundraisers for Obama, 2 for Biden, skiing in Aspen, and swinging with the blues

The activities of the traveling trio were rather strange last week. Vice President Biden was given the responsibility of entertaining Chinese Vice President Xi. He did this by starting the week in DC and ended it in California. In between, Biden attended two mid-west campaign events. The whereabouts of VP Xi during the campaign events were not made public, which leaves us to wonder if our U.S. Vice President was fundraising for the Chinese government as well.

To divert attention, the President very openly took to the skies on Air Force One and devoted his week to attending 8 separate campaign events. On the way back, he stopped in Everett Washington and toured a Boeing Production Facility. Do you think he was placing an order for a new Air Force One? Or perhaps arraigning to have one delivered to China?

The activities of Michelle Obama were directed at greeting guests at the White House. However, we know know that she spent the holiday weekend in Aspen Colorado skiing with the girls, and is the featured guest at a luncheon fundraiser today.

However, both Mr. and Mrs. Obama coordinated their travels in order to host a Black History Month music celebration tonight. Here is a summary of their weekly activities.

Today, Tuesday - February 21, 2012

• President and Michelle host a celebration of blues music for Black History Month. Attending will be music legends and contemporary major artists.
• Michelle is featured guest at The Obama Victory Fund fundraising luncheon at the Mayflower Hotel.

Monday - February 20, 2012

• Michelle and daughters return from Aspen

Sunday - February 19, 2012

• Michelle and daughters skiing in Aspen.

Saturday - February 18, 2012

• Michelle and daughters on an Aspen ski vacation.

Friday - February 17, 2012

• Obama speaks at campaign event at Nob Hill Masonic Center, San Francisco. Then he flies to Everett Washington, tours & speaks at the Boeing Everett Production Facility. Next he attends two campaign events (one at Westin Bellevue Hotel). Lastly, he flies back to DC
• Michelle and daughters depart DC and flew to Aspen Colorado for a ski vacation.
• Biden entertains Vice President Xi in California

Thursday - February 16. 2012

• Obama delivers remarks at campaign event in Corona Del Mar, CA. After, he flew to San Francisco, and attended two campaign events
• Biden attends two campaign events in Albuquerque New Mexico

Wednesday - February 15, 2012

• Pres leaves DC and flew to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Toured and spoke at Master Lock. Then flew to Los Angeles CA and appeared at 2 campaign events

Let's pay our fair share for carrots, contraception, and campaigning

The highlight of the past two weeks is that President Obama remained in the Washington DC area. He spent much of his time working the the 2013 Budget, attacking religious freedom by trying to force Catholics to create moral sins, ignoring Syria, and degrading Republicans.  He has also refrained from speaking about Fast and Furious or why he and Holder have failed to proceed with Guantanamo trials. Nor did President Obama explain to the country why he must increase the national debt by $1.6 trillion dollars and how that jeopardizes our economic stability.

However, during these 14 days, he has only attended 3 campaign events and VP Biden attended 3 as well. The White House travel tasks were delegated to both Michelle Obama and VP Biden who were jetting across the country pretending not to be campaigning as they spoke at various affairs. Here's a look at the trio's major activities during this period.


Today Tuesday - February 14, 2012

• Obama & Biden meet with and Chinese VP Xi. Later, Obama will be interviewed by regional television outlets.
• VP Biden & Clinton have lunch honoring VP Xi and Chinese officials. At night, the Biden's host a dinner for Xi and his delegation.

Monday - February 13, 2012

• Obama delivered his FY 2013 Budget to students at Northern Virginia Community College.
• Michelle & President Obama award 2011 National Medals of Arts and National Humanities Medal

Saturday - February 11, 2012

• Michelle "Lets Move" Tour ends in Orlando Florida. First she's at Northland Church in Longwood, then at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Walt Disney World.

Friday - February 10, 2012

• President Obama attends campaign event, and announces revised contraception coverage.
• Michelle was in Dallas TX where she taped a "Top Chef" appearance in which she was a judge.

Thursday - February 9, 2012

• Biden spoke at Ohio Newspaper Association Convention in Columbus OH
• Mr. Obama welcomes Prime Minister Mario Monti of Italy. Afterward, he delivered remarks at a campaign event.
• Michelle began a 3 day, 4 state "Lets Move" tour. Her first stop in Des Moines Iowa. Then, she flew off to Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. For dinner, she appeared at the Olive Garden in Fort Worth TX.

Wednesday - February 8, 2012

• Obama attended the Democratic Senate Caucus Retreat

Tuesday - February 7, 2012

• Obama viewed science projects and delivered remarks at the White House Science Fair

Monday - February 6, 2012

• Biden and Under Secretary of Education Martha Kanter appeared at Florida State University. After,  Biden then attended 2 campaign events in the afternoon.

Friday - February 3, 2012

• Mr. Obama talks about the economy at Fire Station 5 in Arlington VA. Once done, he attended an afternoon campaign event.

Thursday - February 2, 2012

• Obama delivered remarks at National Prayer Breakfast where wife Michelle and  VP Biden attended

Wednesday - February 1, 2012

• Michelle Obama appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Next, she spoke at a Democratic National Committee luncheon in Los Angeles.
• VP Biden delivered remarks at American Seating Company factory in Grand Rapids MI. Then he's was off to a campaign event.
• Obama talked about the economy at James Lee Community Center in Falls Church VA.

10 Campaign Fundraisers are the focus of President Obama, VP Biden, and Mrs. Obama the week after the State of the Union 2012

After the State of the Union was delivered last Tuesday, the President, Vice President, and First Lady took to the skies, blitzing the country in 3 different directions.

Mr. Obama went to the middle and western part of the country, hitting Iowa, Arizona, Colorado and Michigan.

VP Biden took the northeast, fundraising in New Hampshire, New York City. This week he relocated to the south west Texas.

Mrs. Obama covered the south and far west. First, it was off to Florida last week. This week, she's covering California, appearing on television and fundraising as well.

Here is a brief summary of their campaign fundraising journeys.

Today, Tuesday - January 31, 2012

• President Obama attends 2 campaign events, one at St Regis Hotel, and the other at a Private Residence in DC
• VP Biden speaks at 2 campaign events: Fort Worth TX, and DeKalb TX
• Michelle Obama appears on Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and is a guest on Ellen DeGeneres. Then she ends the day with a Beverly Hills fundraiser costing up to $71,600 per couple.

Monday, January 30, 2012

• Both Mr. Obama and Michelle host reception for the Diplomatic Corps
• Then, Mr. Obama campaigns on YouTube & Google+

Saturday, January 28, 2012

• Obama & Wife are entertained at the Alfalfa Club Dinner

Friday, January 27, 2012

• President Obama speaks at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Upon returning to DC, he speaks at the Democratic Issues Conference, and later attends a campaign event at Mandarin Oriental Hotel
• Biden spent the day at House Democratic Issues Conference

Thusday, January 26, 2012

• Mr. Obama appears at  UPS Las Vegas South, delivers remarks in Buckley Air Force Base Colorado, and then flies off to Detroit Michigan
• Michelle Obama stars in 2 Florida DNC fundraising events, one in Palm Beach and the other in Sarasota
• VP Biden travels up north and speaks in Rochester, Hew Hampshire. Next he hits the internet for a  Twitter interview. The day is capped with two campaign events, the first in Portsmouth, NH, and the second an evening appearance in NYC.

Wednesday,- January 25, 2012

• Mr. Obama lands in Cedar Rapids Iowa, tours Conveyor Engineering & Manufacturing, flies to Phoenix Arizona and speaks at Intel Ocotillo Campus. Afterwards, its back on the plane and off to Las Vegas.

Aside from pushing his new State of the Union theme, it is difficult to see any governing or leadership duties being performed by this wandering trio.