Obama hosts NCAA winning Wildcats
May 4th, 2012
05:46 PM ET
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Obama hosts NCAA winning Wildcats

UK coach John Calipari and the entire NCAA championship winning WIldcats were congratulated by President Obama at the White House Friday. The team defeated Kansas to claim the victory one month ago.


Topics: President Obama
Chen timeline, senior administration official pushes back on criticism
In this handout photograph provided by the U.S. Embassy Beijing press office, Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng (L) talks with U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke (R) May 2, 2012 in Beijing, China.(Photo credit: Getty Images)
May 4th, 2012
08:33 AM ET
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Chen timeline, senior administration official pushes back on criticism

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CNN White House correspondent Dan Lothian reports a senior administration official answers criticism that officials initially rushed Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng out of the U.S. Embassy and didn't stay in touch.
Below is a timeline provided by the official.

Wednesday, May 2nd
-U.S. Officials meet with Chen's wife and family at train station and then accompany them to hospital.
-US officials connect them with Chen twice by phone.
-3pm: Ambassador Locke accompanies Chen to the hospital then departs.
-Other US officials remain with him at the hospital until 6:30pm.
-US officials (several but no exact number) speak with him twice more that evening by phone.
-In all they spend 3.5 hours with him.

Thursday, May 3rd
-US officials speak with Chen twice in the morning by phone.
-Calls happened before 9:45am.
-At 9:45am US officials go to the hospital and meet with wife and family for 1 1/2 hours.
-Chen's lawyer speaks with Chen's wife on phone for 20 minutes.
-That afternoon Embassy Doctor discusses health issues with Chen's doctor.
-US officials depart at 7:15pm.
-They try to speak with Chen by phone later that night but are unable to reach him.
Topics: China • Chinese dissident: Chen • Hillary Clinton
Morning Briefing
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May 4th, 2012
07:40 AM ET
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Morning Briefing

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The 1600 Report's daily roundup of what the White House is reading this morning online and in the papers:

Chen is another human rights issue for Obama (CNN.com)

Romney assails Obama on handling of Chen (NY Times)

Obama campaign tailors message for key states and voters (LA Times)

Job Watch: Investors hold their bets (CNN Money.com)

Two U.S. agencies object to Obama proposal to ease gun exports (Bloomberg)

Gay-rights leaders press Obama for futher moves on workplace bias (WashPost)
Topics: Morning Briefing
Student loan interest rates and KY Basketball on POTUS Friday schedule
May 4th, 2012
07:16 AM ET
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Student loan interest rates and KY Basketball on POTUS Friday schedule

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10:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential/ Daily Briefing/ Oval Office/ Closed Press

11:25AM THE PRESIDENT holds a roundtable discussion with a group of seniors and their parents/Washington-LeeHigh School/ In-Town Travel Pool Spray

11:50AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks about the importance of having a fair shot at an affordable higher education /Washington-LeeHigh School/ Open to Pre-Credentialed Media

4:55PM THE PRESIDENT welcomes theUniversityofKentuckymen's basketball team to the White House / Rose Garden/ Open Press
Topics: Daily Schedule