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December 30th, 2011
06:47 PM ET
The work of Pres. Obama's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham Tonight on CNN's The Situation Room, Brianna Keilar took a look at an exhibit currently on display at Honolulu's East-West Center of the anthropological work of Stanley Ann Dunham, President Obama's mother. 
December 30th, 2011
02:17 PM ET
White House delays debt ceiling increase requestThe White House announced today that a planned request for Congress to approve an increase in the nation’s debt ceiling would be delayed by several days in order to prevent Congressional leaders from being forced to call members back early from their holiday recess. According to Deputy White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, the Budget Control Act passed earlier this year allows the President to “submit a written certification to Congress when the debt subject to limit is within $100 billion of the debt limit” and request an increase in the nation’s borrowing limit. After that certification is submitted, Congress has 15 days to vote on a resolution of disapproval – if they so choose. If the White House was to submit its certification today, Congress would be required to come back early to voice its objections to the debt limit increase, as both the House and Senate are not due back in session for several weeks.
December 30th, 2011
11:45 AM ET
Obama campaign: President will address Iowa supporters Tuesday via web chat As Republican presidential hopefuls continue whirlwind campaign events inIowain advance of next week’s caucuses, the Obama campaign is planning for the president to speak to hisIowasupporters via the web Tuesday night—as the GOP caucus results come in. A Democratic campaign official tells CNN the technology is new and is a version of the web chat feature "Skype" but on a much larger scale. The president is expected to return toWashington,DCfrom his Hawaiian holiday early next week. The campaign official, who did not want to be identified by name, says the president will speak fromWashingtonto his supporters gathered in various locations inIowavia a web chat called Adobe-connect. Four years ago, Mr. Obama's surprising eight-point win in theIowacaucuses gave him the initial momentum that eventually allowed him to surge past Hillary Clinton in a long nomination fight. 
December 29th, 2011
05:43 PM ET
Fun in the sun Working out, spending time with the kids, dinner out with family and friends, golfing with your buddies… does this sound like your last vacation? Mine either. If you add a beautiful rental house on a lush Hawaiian island you’ve just described President Obama’s Christmas vacation on the island of Oahu. Tuesday was family day. In the afternoon the Obamas went to Hanuma Bay, a famous snorkeling spot. The park is closed to the public on Tuesdays so they had the place to themselves. According to CNN affiliate KITV the president and his family and while there they released 4 green turtles into the ocean. The 18 month old turtles were born and raised at Sea Life Park, and are tagged with microchips in their fins so if they can be identified if the come ashore again. Later the President and his girls continued the aquatic theme and headed to Sea Life Park in Waimanlo, the former home of the recently released turtles. Wednesday was a round of golf with friends at Ko'olau Golf Club in Kaneohe then dinner at one of the toniest restaurants in town. The first couple dined at Alan Wong’s with 8 other friends and family. Wong greeted both of the Obamas with a hug then fed them and the rest of their party a special tasting menu. Alas, it’s not all play when you’re President of the United States on vacation. President Obama still receives his National Security Briefing everyday. But for a few more days he enjoy that briefing in the warm Hawaiian weather before returning to the cold reality of Washington, D.C. 
December 29th, 2011
11:52 AM ET
U.S to sell F-15 fighter jets to Saudis– worth $30 BillionThe U.S. government is selling Saudi Arabia approximately $30 billion worth of F-15 combat jets, according to a statement from the Obama administration. Here's the announcement from the White House: The United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a government-to-government agreement under the Foreign Military Sales program to provide advanced F-15SA combat aircraft to the Royal Saudi Air Force. Valued at $29.4 billion, this agreement includes production of 84 new aircraft and the modernization of 70 existing aircraft as well as munitions, spare parts, training, maintenance and logistics. These F-15SA aircraft, manufactured by The Boeing Company, are among the most sophisticated and capable aircraft in the world. This agreement will positively impact the U.S. economy and further advances the president's commitment to create jobs by increasing exports. According to industry experts, this agreement will support more than 50,000 American jobs, engaging 600 suppliers in 44 states, and providing $3.5 billion in annual economic impact to theU.S.economy. This agreement reinforces the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, and demonstrates theU.S.commitment to a strong Saudi defense capability as a key component to regional security. Statement by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Joshua Earnest  Security forces guard a canal President Obama's motorcade returns to his vacation compound Monday in Kailua, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura-Pool/Getty Images)
December 27th, 2011
02:07 PM ET
The Obamas' low key Hawaiian vacationAs his Republican rivals criss-cross a chillyIowa landscape this week, President Obama is in vacation mode –spending time with his family including hiking, golfing with friends and visiting troops in his native Hawaii. But he is keeping a noticeably low profile. The White House reminds this is a working vacation as the president each day receives his daily briefing and advisors follow domestic and world developments. The administration is also presumably preparing the president's State of the Union address to Congress which is set for January 24th. The president's holiday vacation was delayed just days before Christmas in his last interaction with Congress when House Republicans "blinked" and voted to extend the payroll tax cut another two months ending a stalemate with the White House. But we are seeing very few photo opportunities of the president enjoying the balmy Hawaiian breezes. FULL POST 
December 27th, 2011
01:55 PM ET
Obama administration to seek $1.2 trillion debt ceiling increase (CNN) – The Obama administration will formally ask Congress later this week to raise the nation’s debt ceiling by $1.2 trillion, a Treasury Department official tells CNN. The latest request is the third of three requests authorized by the contentious debt ceiling agreement reached last August and is expected to come on December 30 – the day the debt is projected to fall within $100 billion of the current $15.194 trillion ceiling. The new request asks the ceiling be raised to $16.39 trillion. According to the terms of the debt ceiling agreement, Congress has 15 days to pass a joint resolution disapproving of an increase which President Obama is authorized to veto. The new debt ceiling is expected to satisfy U.S. debts until the end of next year, according to the Treasury Department official.
December 26th, 2011
07:10 PM ET
December 25th, 2011
08:57 PM ET
Christmas in HawaiiPresident Obama and his family are spending Christmas on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. According to information provided by the White House the first family opened presents and sang carols before heading to Christmas services at the Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay chapel. Later in the day President Obama and the first lady will head back to the base to visit with service members and their families.
December 25th, 2011
08:32 PM ET
Obama calls the troopsStatement from Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest: "On Christmas Eve, the President made phone calls to 10 service members, two from each Service, to wish them a happy holiday and thank them for their service." See the photo here |
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