April D. Ryan

POLITICAL ICON AND OBAMA SUPPORTER, TED KENNEDY DIES AT 77 OF BRAIN CANCER

 (CNN) — Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, the patriarch of the first family of Democratic politics, died late Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. He was 77.

 
Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, known as the “Lion of the Senate,” died Tuesday at 77.

“We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever,” a family statement said. “We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice.”

President Obama learned about Kennedy’s death at 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to a senior administration official. Obama later called Kennedy’s widow to offer condolences.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 26, 2009

 
Statement from President Obama:

 
Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.

 
For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.

 
I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I’ve profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.

 
An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.

 
 
Our hearts and prayers go out to them today–to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family.

Achmat Dangor, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation in South Africa, said Kennedy had been “a champion of democracy and civil rights.”

“He made his voice heard in the struggle against apartheid at a time when the freedom struggle was not widely supported in the West. We remain grateful for his role,” the foundation said.

news reports Nelson Mandela spoke on Kennedy’s death saying,”he [Kennedy] made his voice heard in the struggle against Apartheid at a time when it wasnt widely supported.”

 ONE YEAR AGO, SENATOR KENNEDY ADDRESSED THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN DENVER.

Under the Hood of #48
Posted by Jesse Lee
Some behind-the-scenes footage of 2008 Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson giving the President a look under the hood of his Chevy, and cracking a few jokes about what it’s like to be inside during a race:

Politico

There’s a friendly wager going on today between W.H. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and Urban Radio Network’s April Ryan over this question on the president’s push for health care reform: Did Gibbs ever say Obama wouldn’t personally go somewhere (like Capitol Hill) because he didn’t have a home field advantage?

“I never insinuated the President wouldn’t go somewhere because he didn’t have an advantage,” Gibbs told Ryan in the morning gaggle on Wednesday.

“No you did…in the briefing you said that,” Ryan hastily replied.

” I will — I’ll give you $20 if you can find that in the transcript,” Gibbs said.
“Make it $50,” Ryan snapped back.
“Okay, you’re on,” Gibbs said. “I’d like three $20s and a $10, please.”
And so, this morning the White House pulled the transcript from a Gibbs briefing in July that backed up their claim.
“Let’s just say this,” Gibbs said in the briefing last month. “I don’t know that a member of Congress with the President is going to bring up a different set of causes or concerns based on where exactly that meeting is held. I do think that people that come here are serious about talking to the president about health reform, just as they would be if we were sitting in their office. I don’t think there’s necessarily a home field advantage on any of that.”
Both Gibbs and Ryan are claiming victory. And a panel of journalists is now convening to choose who gets the 50 bucks. Congress Daily’s George Condon, Bloomberg’s Ed Chen and Helen Thomas are the judges. — Amie Parnes (12:02 p.m.)

The White House  prefers a public plan for Health care reform.  That plan is the Public option, anticipated to cover most Americans with health insurance.    Currently, 46 million Americans are uninsured. Robert Gibbs White House Press Secretary conveys the main focus for health care and insurance reform is choice and competition. Liberals are expressing their concerns with reports President Obama was bowing to Republican pressure and leaning closer to the co-op plan that would leave millions upon millions uninsured. Recently, the NAACP chimed in on the debate. Hillary Shelton of the rights groups has been involved in some White House reform strategy sessions.

U.S. President Barack Obama has awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to 16 people who have made a difference in the nation and the world. They come from diverse backgrounds, but have one trait in common.

The list of recipients includes activists, scientists, actors, humanitarians and athletes

President Obama says they are all agents of change. “They remind us that we each have it within our power to fulfill dreams, to advance the dreams of others, and to remake the world for our children,” he said.

The healthcare and insurance reform debate continues with more protests and raucous confrontations at town hall meetings around the country . The White House says misinformation from grassroots organizations is the problem.The keys to healthcare reform according to Democratic lawmakers on the Hill.

- no discrimination for pre-existing conditions like diabetes or heart condition
- no dropping or refusing to renew coverage if you get sick
- no more job or life decisions made because of loss of coverage
- no need to change doctors or plans–if you like them, keep them. Choice!!!
- no co-pays for preventive care
- no excessive out-of-pocket costs
- yearly caps on what you pay
- but no yearly or lifetime caps on what insurance companies cover

Hate crimes are now a part of the melee of the healthcare reform debates. A swastika was spray painted on black Georgia Congressman David Scott’s Congressional office sign. He contends the perpetrator was aiming at the president not him. Presidential Spokesman Robert Gibbs address the matter in very strong words at the White House Press briefing.

The White House has a mixed assessment for the July jobless numbers. Officials are “pleased but not satisfied” with the rate. Yet, presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs contends the numbers are “more evidence we have pulled back from the edge and away from the brink of a depression…the pace of job loss is declining that is positive.” 
The July figures dropped to 9.4 percent overall compared to 9.5 percent in June. In July, total employment fell by 247, 000, a much lower job loss than months prior.

The White House still believes the unemployment rate will hit 10 percent before the end of 2009.

In describing the scenario, Gibbs uses the analogy of a person in critical condition whose fever spikes several times before it stabilizes. Gibbs says, “two-thirds of the medicine has yet to be taken”. That medicine Gibbs is speaking of , the Recovery Act. they believe it is still working.

A breakdown of unemployment numbers for July: adult men (9.8 percent), adult women (7.5 percent), teenagers (23.8 percent), whites (8.6 percent), blacks (14.5 percent), and Hispanics (12.3 percent), the rate for Asians was 8.3percent.

President Barack Obama is hailing the return to America of two journalists held by North Korea. Speaking on the White House lawn just before leaving on a trip to Indiana, Obama said the administration is “extraordinarily relieved” that the pair has been set free.

There was an emotional reunion with family members in Burbank, Calif., after Euna Lee and Laura Ling walked off the plane that had carried them home. The women spent more than four months detained in North Korea.

President Obama made an unannounced visit to the White House briefing room to share a birthday wish with Helen Thomas.  Ironic, they both share the same birthday.

And many around Washington sang Happy Birthday to President Obama.  He is 48! If you see him belt it out loud!  Happy Birthday!

Today is President Barack Obama’s 48th birthday.  The president is working in the Oval Office, but he has no public schedule today.   Also, Helen Thomas, dean of the White House Press Corps turns 89 today.   Like most birthdays in the past, she is at work at the White House.   Presidents Nixon and Clinton were among a long list of Presidents to give her a birthday cake in the past on her birthday.    On his birthday, should President Obama repeat the Thomas Birthday cake tradition?