 US President Barack Obama speaks during a dinner in the East Room of the White House for members of the US armed forces who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
February 29th, 2012
09:32 PM ET
Details from the armed forces dinner President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a special dinner at the White House tonight to honor those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn and to honor their families. President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary of Defense Panetta and Jt. Chiefs Chairman Dempsey addressed the guests in the East Room of the White House. The president told those gathered just "as the war wounds last a lifetime, so does our gratitude and commitment." Over 100 service men, women, Gold Star family members and representatives from veterans groups were invited along with a guest. Many chose to bring a fellow service member. The lucky guests seated with the President:  US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walk through the Cross Hall to the East Room of the White House en route a dinner for members of the US armed forces who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
February 29th, 2012
09:17 PM ET
Guess who came to dinner?Attendees at tonight's White House dinner, “A Nation’s Gratitude: Honoring those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn”: The President and Mrs. Obama The Vice President and Dr. Biden SGT Sarah M. Adams, Killeen, TX, and Captain William Messick, Belton, TX Mr. Eric Alva, San Antonio, TX and Dustin L. Jones, Arlington, VA Chaplain (Colonel) Daniel Ames, Joint Staff Chaplain, Alexandria, VA T.H. Brooke Anderson, DAP & NSS Chief of Staff & Counselor, NSS, Washington, DC, and COL Steven Miska, Washington, DC Major General Vaughn Ary, Alexandria, VA, and Mrs. Jennifer Lynn Ary, Alexandria, VA General Lloyd J. Austin III, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Washington, DC, and Mrs. Charlene D Austin, Washington, DC 
February 29th, 2012
07:01 PM ET
High octane fundraising events in the Big Apple President Barack Obama is set to highlight his energy vision during a speech at Nashua Community College in New Hampshire on Thursday. It's a whirlwind visit to the college. In fact the president will only be on the ground in New Hampshire fewer than 3 hours. Soon thereafter he heads to the Big Apple for the real focus of his trip – fundraising. Like his other recent forays outside of Washington, DC, the president’s "message" event in New Hampshire will be but a prelude to some heavy duty fundraising efforts. Even as he continues to posture himself as the champion for the middle class, the president will be hob-nobbing with celebrities and industry leaders including big wigs from Wall Street and hedge funds. A Democratic campaign official tells CNN Ralph Schlosstein, president and CEO of Evercore Partners, the big Wall Street investment firm is in fact a host of Thursday's dinner in Manhatten that itself will net the campaign and party at least 2.8 million dollars. In total, the evening's events in New York City will further fill the president's campaign war chest and that of the Democratic National Committee by adding about five and a half million dollars. FULL POST  Angela May and her daughter, Eleanore, 5, of Chardon place flowers on the sign outside Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio on February 28, 2012. Gunman and student TJ Lane opened fire inside the Chardon High School cafeteria that left 3 students dead and two injured. (Jeff Swensen / Getty)
February 29th, 2012
06:36 PM ET
President Calls Chardon Principal Two days after a student walked into Chardon High School and started shooting at his fellow classmates, President Obama called CHS Principal Andy Fetchik on Wednesday afternoon to express his condolences. Three teenagers have died as a result of the incident and two others were injured. CNN's justice team has the latest details on the story. Here’s a readout of the president’s call with Principal Fetchik from a White House official:
February 29th, 2012
02:33 PM ET
DNC defends Obama on Israel ahead of AIPAC Washington (CNN) – This may be a first. Ahead of the AIPAC meeting in Washington this weekend, the Democratic National Committee is pre-butting any Republican attacks on the President's position on Israel. They're doing so by sending the Jewish press, activists and the general media a video featuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying in May of 2011, "President Obama spoke about his ironclad commitment to Israel's security. He rightly said that our security cooperation is unprecedented and he has backed those words with deeds." It would seem the video is intended to buffer the President from Republican accusations that his policy on Iran has been too weak. In the course of the campaign Mitt Romney has said that if the President is re-elected Iran will have a nuclear bomb and Rick Santorum accused the President of actively allowing Iran to get a nuclear weapon. In a statement DNC Communications Director Brad Woodhouse claims "never have more Republicans been as nakedly political about the US-Israeli relationship and not surprisingly they are deliberately lying about the President's record for nothing than more than pure politics." He calls it "reprehensible" and adds "it's going to backfire." 
February 29th, 2012
10:35 AM ET
White House dinner tribute to Iraq vets WASHINGTON (CNN) –The war in Iraq ended without much fanfare, but months later President Obama and the first lady are hosting a dinner to pay tribute to the troops who served and the families who supported them. Two hundred people are expected to attend the Wednesday night gala at the White House, including former Marine Eric Alva who in 2003 became the first service member wounded in the Iraq war. This won't be Alva's first trip to the White House. He also attended the president's signing ceremony of the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in December 2010. Other highly decorated Iraq veterans will also be honored. Army Col. Peter Newell served two tours and was awarded Silver and Bronze Stars, a Joint Service Achievement Medal and Presidential Unit Citation. Army Sgt. 1st Class Sebastian Ellis was awarded a Bronze star with Valor and Army Commendation Medal with Valor in his three tours of duty. And Chief Warrant Officer 4 Nelson Visaya received the Distinguish Flying Cross and Air Medal with Valor awards during his two tours. 
February 29th, 2012
09:57 AM ET
NFL changes fall scedule for Obama speech(CNN) – The National Football League announced Tuesday it will move its season-opening game in September in order to avoid a conflict with President Barack Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention. Obama is scheduled to make his speech at the convention in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, September 6, the same night the NFL was originally set to hold its kickoff game. 
February 29th, 2012
09:18 AM ET
Franklin Graham apologizes for questioning Obama's faith commitment(CNN) – The Rev. Franklin Graham on Tuesday apologized for publicly raising questions about President Barack Obama’s Christian faith, saying “I regret any comments I have ever made which may have cast any doubt on the personal faith of our president, Mr. Obama.” The statement from Graham came in response to a letter from faith leaders associated with the NAACP that said Graham’s statements “have enormous negative effects for America and are especially harmful to the Christian witness.” 
February 29th, 2012
09:10 AM ET
Morning Briefing February 29 The 1600 Report's daily roundup of what the White House is reading this morning online and in the papers: * Sen Snowe is outta here (WashPost) * BP 'close to deal' on gulf oil spill (BBC) * U.S. sees Iran attacks as likely if Israel strikes (NYT) * Portion of 9/11 remains dumped in landfill (CNN) * Fed turns $2.8 billion profit on AIG bonds (CNNMoney) 
February 29th, 2012
07:58 AM ET
Leap day at the White House February 29, 201210:00AM Pool Call Time 11:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing Oval Office / Closed Press 12:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet for lunch with Congressional Leadership Private Dining Room / Closed Press 8:20PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY host a dinner in honor of the Armed Forces who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn and their families; THE VICE PRESIDENT and DR. BIDEN also attend East Room / Pooled Press for Remarks Only Briefing Schedule 1:30PM Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney |
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