Obama backs Pelosi - sort ofMUMBAI, India (CNN) - It wasn't quite a presidential endorsement, but it was warm enough that outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will take it. White House aides are signaling late Friday that President Obama expects that Pelosi will probably win her bid for House Minority Leader and he's looking forward to working with her if she does win, even though the prospect of Pelosi staying front and center will cause heartburn among conservative Democrats and wild cheering by Republicans. First Impressions: Mumbai![]() Mumbai, India (CNN) - We made it - after only 17-plus hours in the air. The press corps took off from Andrews Air Force Base early Thursday evening and landed here in Mumbai, India Friday evening after a re-fueling stop in Hahn, Germany, for President Obama's 10-day trip to Asia. Such a long flight, but what an amazing time to be here. Besides the fact that this is the President's first official trip to India, locals here are celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. White House statement on House leadership raceFrom Deputy White House Press Secretary Bill Burton "The White House does not comment or get involved in leadership elections. But as the President has said before, he appreciates the work of the Speaker and the entire House Democratic leadership team who have been great partners in moving the country forward. He looks forward to working with them in the years to come." President's Schedule in India – Saturday, November 6, 2010![]() In the afternoon, the President and the First Lady will land in Mumbai, India. Later in the afternoon, the President and the First Lady will view the 26/11 memorial at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel. The President will then deliver remarks commemorating the 26/11 attacks. The President and the First Lady will then visit the Mani Bhavan Ghandi Museum. The President will then meet with entrepreneurs at the Trident Nariman Point Hotel. The President will then meet with CEO’s from India and the United States. In the late afternoon, the President will deliver remarks to the USIBC Business Summit at the Trident Nariman Point Hotel. Obama seeks new partnership with IndiaMUMBAI, India (CNN) - After a shellacking back home, what better way to get some peace and tranquility than for President Obama to visit this city's famed Gandhi Museum? The three-story home where Mahatma Gandhi once lived is a shrine to his peaceful resistance movement, with historic photos and posters as well as a library with about 50,000 Gandhi-related works. For the complete story, go to CNN Politics. The press has arrived in India![]() The most beautiful rangoli (made of fresh flower petals) at the entrance to our hotel – designed for the Diwali Festival. White House disputes cost of Asia tripWashington (CNN) Presidential travel overseas can be expensive, but $200 million dollars a day? Not quite. A report from the Press Trust of India citing an unnamed source inside the Indian government claimed President Obama's trip to India beginning Friday is costing American taxpayers $200 million dollars a day. The report was picked up Thursday by radio talk-show hosts, conservative blogs, and repeated by Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann on CNN, creating a wave of criticism about Mr. Obama's ten-day Asia trip, even before he crossed the Atlantic. Citing security concerns, the White House won’t tell us how much the trip is going cost but they said the report is flat wrong. |
![]() |
||
![]() |
![]() |