January 9th, 2012
07:55 PM ET
Why is Daley leaving the White House? When Bill Daley departs the White House, President Obama will have had either three or four chiefs of staff in his first term – depending how you count: Rahm Emanuel, interim Chief of Staff Pete Rouse (who served briefly), Bill Daley and now Jack Lew. It’s a lot of turnover for one term, though it probably doesn’t impact his image – voters might not really care about internal staff changes in the West Wing. The President and multiple administration officials say it was Daley’s decision to go. Multiple Democratic sources say he has been unhappy. So why didn’t it work for Daley? According to many Democratic sources:
Finally, Jack Lew is well liked, low key, and has years-long good relations with the Hill. Think of him as a chief financial officer-type, one who can manage the White House while others worry about the campaign. 
January 9th, 2012
02:33 PM ET
A Maverick moment President Obama celebrated his favorite sport today when he hosted the Dallas Mavericks in an East Room ceremony. Due to the shortened NBA season, the team wasn't scheduled to be in Washington to play the Wizards so they made a special trip to DC to see the president. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat last June, taking four out of six games in the finals, to win the NBA Championship. It was only their second title in franchise history. "This is a special group. Last season they called themselves the Bad News Bears because from the very beginning nobody gave them much of a chance. People said that Jason Kidd was too old, and I will say that this is the first time I've been with some world champions who are my contemporaries," the President said. Jason Kidd is 38 years old compared to the president, who is 50. President Obama also predicted that next year the Chicago Bulls would be the guests of honor. "I told them that, you know, it's too bad that next year it'll be the Chicago Bulls here, but they said I shouldn't be so confident." All but one member of the Mavericks were present. Guard Delonte West told reporters after the Mavericks victory on Saturday night that he was being "banned from the White House." West had a high-profile arrest with a weapons charge in 2009. "I'm going home to D.C., I'm just not allowed to go to the White House," West said. "That's what happens when you make bad decisions in your life. You can't go to the White House." United States Secret Service spokesman Max Milien says that West was never denied access to the White House. In fact, his name was on the list with the rest of the team members to be at the White House. "I'm not sure who advised him to not come, but it was certainly not the Secret Service," Milien told CNN. 
January 9th, 2012
09:00 AM ET
Morning Briefing for Monday January 9, 2012The 1600 Report's daily roundup of what the White House is reading this morning online and in the papers: As he takes aim at Congress, Obama risks hitting Democrats [New York Times blog] Obama should not get carried away with jobless fall [Financial Times (ft.com)] Iran court sentences American to death [Washington Post] Chris Christie turns Romney protests against Obama in New Hampshire [LA Times] New Hampshire Primary: The land of make-believe [POLITICO.com]
And we know this has been out there but just in case you missed it: Michelle Obama's Evolution as First Lady [New York Times] 
January 9th, 2012
08:11 AM ET
POTUS's schedule for Monday, January 9, 2012President Obama will have a treat for his Monday when he welcomes the champions of his favorite sport to the White House. The Dallas Mavericks who won the NBA championship last June. The team will be in the East Room of the White House today for a ceremony where President Obama will highlight their victory but also their work with military families off the court. Tonight he turns his attention back to his re-election and has two campaign events here in DC. One will be closed to the press but the other one will have travel pool coverage. Also, Vice President Biden and the president will sit down for their weekly lunch but we won't have any way of knowing what they discuss since it is closed to the press. For the full guidance from the White House, click below. FULL POST |
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