Goolsbee leaving White House
June 6th, 2011
08:16 PM ET
Comments (49 comments)

Goolsbee leaving White House

Posted by:

The White House is losing one of its most public faces when it comes to issues related to the economy. Dr. Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, announced he is returning to teaching at the University of Chicago later this summer.

Goolsbee has served as President Obama's economic advisor since the presidential campaign and has become the White House's point man to explain the administration's interpretation of economic reports to the American public.

In a statement, Goolsbee praised Obama's handling of the economy:

“Working each day on behalf of the American people has been a rare privilege, particularly at such a historic time. While I am looking forward to returning home to Chicago, I will always be proud of the years I have spent working for this President. I believe that his judgment, his courage in confronting the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes, and his commitment to the American people have made a tremendous difference for the nation.”

Full statement after the jump:
FULL POST
Topics: Austan Goolsbee
Obama deciding on size of initial Afghanistan troop withdrawal
U.S. troops walk through Camp Hansen, in Marjah, Afghanistan.
June 6th, 2011
04:15 PM ET
Comments (3 comments)

Obama deciding on size of initial Afghanistan troop withdrawal

Posted by:

President Obama has yet to make a decision about troop levels in Afghanistan going forward, but a big meeting with Hamid Karzai on Wednesday is likely to lead him closer to one. From the CNN Wire Staff:

Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama will hold a video conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday, but has yet to reach a decision on the size and scope of the U.S. troop withdrawal that will begin next month, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Monday.

Carney told reporters that the troop withdrawal will begin in July, as planned. What remains undecided are the number and kinds of U.S. force members coming home, he said.

Meanwhile, the president met with several members of his national security team earlier Monday, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Gates, on his final visit to Afghanistan before stepping down at the end of June, said over the weekend that he believes as many combat forces as possible should remain in Afghanistan for as long as possible.

More details about Obama's meeting, as provided by the White House:
FULL POST
Topics: Afghanistan • President Obama • The News
How Obama makes his case for a second term
June 6th, 2011
04:06 PM ET
Comments (3 comments)

How Obama makes his case for a second term

Posted by:

Julian E. Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, lays down the case Obama can make for a second term as president:

President Obama must make the difficult transition from being the candidate who once ran as the maverick - the agent of change - to the candidate who now represents the political establishment. There is no way to escape this.

Rather than seeking to change the status quo, to some extent he must defend it to voters. The new message that he must craft for them is important, not just for re-election, but because it could help shape how he's perceived in the next four years, should he win.

More HERE
Topics: President Obama
Carney blasts Republicans over nominee's withdrawal
June 6th, 2011
10:56 AM ET
Comments (4 comments)

Carney blasts Republicans over nominee's withdrawal

Posted by:

White House spokesman Jay Carney is blasting Republicans for blocking one of President Obama’s nominee’s to the Federal Reserve Board:

“Peter Diamond, a Nobel laureate and one of the nation’s top economists, would have brought extraordinary expertise and knowledge of the economy to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. We are deeply disappointed that this candidate, who had initially seen bipartisan support, fell victim to partisan obstructionism at this important time for our economic recovery. The President will nominate an individual for this position as soon as possible and continues to urge the Senate to act on the numerous nominees awaiting confirmation. The President wishes Professor Diamond the very best in the future.”

Diamond, an MIT professor and Nobel Prize winner, withdrew his name on Sunday after Republicans on the Senate Banking committee blocked the nomination from moving forward for more than a year.

Sen. Richard Shelby, the top Republican on the committee, has said Diamond does not have a sufficient background dealing with monetary policy.
Topics: Jay Carney • The News
June 6th, 2011
10:22 AM ET
Comments (Add comment)

Pfeiffer headed to Netroots Nation

Posted by:

White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer is set to address a conference of grassroots Democratic activists next week, the group Netroots Nation announced.

Pfeiffer will also participate in a Q&A sessions with the expected 2,000 attendees.

Release from Netroots after the jump:
FULL POST
Topics: Dan Pfieffer
POTUS schedule Monday June 6, 2011
June 6th, 2011
08:23 AM ET
Comments (Add comment)

POTUS schedule Monday June 6, 2011

Posted by:

The president is schedule to make his decision on U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan later this month.  Today he will meet in the Situation Room with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan

The full schedule is after the jump.
FULL POST
Topics: Afghanistan • Daily Schedule