Carol Browner to leave the White HouseWashington (CNN) - Two senior officials confirm to CNN that Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner is planning to step down. Democratic sources said Browner's move makes it more likely Nancy DeParle, the president's well-respected health care czar, is in a strong position to broaden her portfolio and get the deputy chief of staff post. What is most significant about this move is that Browner had been under consideration for a powerful deputy chief of staff job focused on policy issues. A senior administration official also tells CNN’s Dan Lothian Carol Browner will be leaving. Guess who will sit in the First Lady's box at the State of the Union?![]() The White House released the guest list for the first lady's box at the State of the Union address. In addition to Dr. Jill Biden and Phil Schiliro, Assistant to the President and Director, Office of Legislative Affairs, Michelle Obama invited 24 others. No deal yet on White House press secretary jobWASHINGTON (CNN) – While the guessing game continues over who will take the podium after White House spokesman Robert Gibbs officially steps down, Gibbs told CNN a replacement has "not yet [been] picked." Names in the mix for press secretary range from current White House deputy press secretaries Bill Burton and Josh Earnest, to Vice President Biden spokesman Jay Carney and Stephanie Cutter, a trusted Obama adviser. Biden reports for jury dutyWASHINGTON (CNN) - When Vice President Biden received his Summons for Jury Service in the mail, he could have tried to get excused citing undue hardship, extreme inconvenience or public necessity. He didn't. Biden is fulfilling his civic duty reporting for jury duty in Delaware today. He arrived at the Superior Court of Delaware at the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington Monday morning. The vice president's office said he will participate in the standard jury selection process in his capacity as a private citizen. There is no word yet on whether he'll be selected to sit in on a trial. Jurors are not paid but if they serve more than one day in New Castle County, there is a reimbursement rate of $20 a day for expenses incurred, according to the Delaware State Courts Web site. Tucson shooting hero to be to honored at State of the UnionWashington (CNN) – It is a Washington ritual at the State of the Union address. The president honors special guests by inviting them to sit alongside the first lady in her reserved box in the House chamber. This year the special guests will include at least one of the heroes from the tragic Tucson shooting. White House spokesman Nick Shapiro tells CNN Daniel Hernandez, the intern who assisted Rep. Gabrielle Giffords after she was shot in the Safeway parking lot, will join first lady Michelle Obama for the speech. According to a senior White House official, Capt. Mark Kelly, husband of Rep. Giffords, was also invited but is unlikely to attend because of the Congresswoman’s ongoing treatment and rehabilitation at a Houston, Texas hospital. The rest of the guest list has not yet been announced. Traditionally, the special guest list can include about two dozen people, ranging from guests who exemplify extreme valor and courage to those who represent the president’s political agenda. Check out the complete story on CNN's Political Ticker. POTUS schedule for Monday January 24, 2010![]() 11:00AM THE PRESIDENT, THE FIRST LADY and DR. BIDEN deliver remarks at an event highlighting the Federal government’s support for military families East Room 4:30PM THE PRESIDENT meets with Secretary of Defense Gates Oval Office Closed Press 7:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY host a reception for new Members of Congress; THE VICE PRESIDENT and DR. BIDEN also attend State Floor Closed Press Briefing Schedule 12:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Obama's speech will expose partisan divide on spendingBy the CNN Wire Staff Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech will emphasize "winning the future" for America by strengthening the nation's ability to compete in a changing world, according to White House talking points provided Monday by a Democratic source. Tuesday night's annual speech to Congress, a nationally televised event considered the president's biggest address of the year, brings together the three branches of government for an assessment of where America stands and where it is heading. "The president will lay out a plan to win the future by out-innovating, out-educating and out-building the rest of the world," said the White House talking points. "He will talk about the need to take responsibility for our deficits, by investing only in what makes America stronger and cutting what doesn't, and reforming our government so that it's leaner and smarter for the 21st century." Check out the complete story on CNNPolitics. |
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