April D. Ryan

Salahis sought gala access through a Pentagon door
Couple asked Defense official for entree to state dinner via e-mail
By Michael D. Shear and Jason Horowitz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
E-mails turned over to the Secret Service show that Tareq and Michaele Salahi had sought a top Defense Department official’s help to gain access to last week’s White House state dinner.

 
People familiar with the inquiry into how the Salahis were able to attend Tuesday’s gala, even though they weren’t on the official guest list, said the Salahis exchanged e-mails with Michele S. Jones, special assistant to the secretary of defense and the Pentagon-based liaison to the White House. It was unclear how well the Salahis know Jones, but Jones includes the Salahis’ lawyer, Paul W. Gardner, as one of her 50 friends on Facebook.

Several people familiar with the Jones-Salahi correspondence, including some who requested anonymity because it’s part of an ongoing investigation, said the e-mails support the Salahis’ case that they were cleared to attend Tuesday night’s gala.
“There was e-mail correspondence confirming they were legitimately supposed to be there,” said Casey Margenau, a close friend of the couple. “They understood they were invited.”

 
“I did not state at any time, or imply that I had tickets for ANY portion of the evening’s events,” Jones said in a statement released by the White House late Monday. “I specifically stated that they did not have tickets and in fact that I did not have the authority to authorize attendance, admittance or access to any part of the evening’s activities. Even though I informed them of this, they still decided to come.”
Reached by phone at her office at the Pentagon early in the day and asked about the e-mails, Jones said: “I am not going to say anything at this point at all. Oh, my goodness.”
Asked how she knows the Salahis and why she would have tried to get them into the White House, she said: “I am not going to say anything at this point at all. In fact, I am going to terminate the call right now because I am not sure what in the world is going on here.”

 
White House and Secret Service officials have insisted that the Salahis did not receive an invitation to the dinner honoring the Indian prime minister, and were never officially cleared by anyone in the White House to be there. A White House aide added that Jones had no authority to grant such access in the first place. The Secret Service has apologized for lax procedures that allowed the Virginia couple to get through two checkpoints.
The e-mails apparently do not contradict that version of events, but are described as having given the Salahis the confidence to get dressed up, mingle with some of the most powerful Washington players and post snapshots of their presence at the party on their Facebook page.

 
The e-mail exchange is said to include assurances from Jones that she was trying to score an official invitation, complete with seats at the dinner, for the couple. By the time they arrived in line, the couple believed that Jones had succeeded in getting them approved only for the cocktail reception and a handshake with the president, sources said.
The House Homeland Security Committee on Monday invited the Salahis and the Secret Service to testify for a Thursday hearing about the security lapse. Neither the Salahis nor the investigators have confirmed they will attend. “The investigation is ongoing,” said Malcolm Wiley, a spokesman for the Secret Service. “We don’t have anything we are ready to release. We hope to have some additional information soon.” The Salahis have declined to comment through their publicist and attorney, amid reports that they had been seeking payments from media organizations to tell their story.
The publicist, Mahogany Jones, denied that in a statement Monday, saying the couple is not seeking to make money from the incident.

 
“There’s a possible criminal investigation on the Salahis,” Gardner said when reached Monday by phone. “I can’t comment.”

Other than the apparent online link to Gardner, it is unclear exactly how Michele Jones, a decorated career military officer and army trailblazer, is connected to two Virginia socialites best known for their polo events, troubled Fauquier County vineyard and reality-TV aspirations.

Jones, a top sergeant major in the Army Reserve who endorsed President Obama and was a featured speaker at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, was appointed to her government post in July.

According to GoArmy.com, Jones entered the service in 1982 and was the first woman to serve as a class president at the U.S. Sergeants Major Academy. As the ninth command sergeant major of the Army Reserve, a position she held between 2002 and 2006, she visited soldiers throughout the country and at bases around the world and relayed concerns to leaders in the Army, Department of Defense and Congress.

In an interview this month with the Old Town Crier, a local Virginia publication, Jones described herself as a “salsaholic” and discussed her active-duty service in Operation Desert Shield/Storm and work in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar and Uzbekistan. She held the highest noncommissioned officer position of any woman in the Army and retired from the military in March 2007.

 
A little over a year after her retirement, Jones addressed the Democratic National Convention on August 2008, saying: “Senator Obama truly exemplifies what a commander in chief should be: a leader who understands the threats we face and who cares for every young man and woman under his command.” On Sept. 15, the Obama campaign’s Web site, Organizing for America, listed Michele S. Jones, first female command sergeant major of the Army Reserve (retired), in a post titled “Hundreds of National Women Leaders Throw Support Behind Barack.”

 
On the eve of the president’s major speech on Afghanistan policy, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs on Monday was inundated by reporters’ questions about the Salahis and the security breach at the state dinner.

“Look, the reason there’s an investigation is the president and the White House has asked for that to happen,” Gibbs told reporters before news of the e-mails became public. “So I think, suffice to say, the president is rightly concerned about what happened last week.”

President and Mrs. Obama did meet the State Dinner Crashers. The pair went through the receiving line in the Blue Room of the White House. With the pictures to prove their meeting, there is a call for hearings on the breach of security.

Statement from House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Ed Towns on the White House Security Breach
“I am deeply disturbed by the apparent failure of the Secret Service to follow basic security protocols at the White House during the state dinner. This incident compromised the safety and security of the President and undermined our confidence in the protection we expect of the Secret Service. We need an immediate investigation into the facts of this case, and a review of the Secret Service’s security practices. I have asked for a preliminary briefing next week and will follow the investigation until we understand what actually happened.”

Former national security advisor to President George W. Bush, Fran Townsend, told CNN that the couple could face felony charges if it is determined that they lied to White House security about whether or not they were invited.

 
Some are also blaming the Social Secretary’s office too for the breach. The Secret Service investigation is ongoing, but sources tell CNN the security breakdown appears to have taken place at the level of uniformed officers, rather than the White House Social Secretary’s office or the State Department, which helped coordinate the visiting Indian delegation.

 
In the past all parties: Secret Service, The Social Office and the State Department work together at the entrance gates to admit the guests into the White House for this high profile and well attended event.

Politico is reporting, The N.Y. Times says Bravo was filming the State-Dinner crashers the day of the breach: “The channel confirmed that Michaele Salahi was being seriously considered for the coming series ‘The Real Housewives of D.C.’” Bravo said in a statement that Half Yard Productions, producers of the series, “were filming the Salahis on that day.” L.A. Times: “Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said initial results of the investigation showed that ‘our procedure wasn’t followed’ at one security checkpoint, allowing the uninvited guests to enter. An administration official said the gate-crashing was apparently a breakdown in Secret Service screening and not the work of the White House social office

I have been an invited guest by two Presidents at two State Dinners. It is a big deal and security is always a big deal before getting in and and when pushing you out the door literally.  Have the crashers put a mark on the dinner and its importance or is it just a funny prank that should be dismissed?

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
______________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 25, 2009

Support for President’s Copenhagen Announcement Receives Immediate Support
Diverse Group Praises President’s Leadership 

Today, the White House announced President Obama will travel to Copenhagen on Dec. 9 to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference, where he is eager to work with the international community to drive progress toward a comprehensive and operational Copenhagen accord. The White House also announced that, in the context of an overall deal in Copenhagen that includes robust mitigation contributions from China and the other emerging economies, the President is prepared to put on the table a U.S. emissions reduction target in the range of 17% below 2005 levels in 2020 and ultimately in line with final U.S. energy and climate legislation.

This announcement was promptly met with strong support from a diverse group of leaders, representing Congress, business and environmental organizations.

Key quotes are highlighted below:

Former Vice President Al Gore:
“President Obama took an important step today with the announcement that he will attend the global warming treaty talks in Copenhagen.

This action is another example of the significant change in policy on the climate crisis….Those who feared that the United States had abdicated its global responsibility should take hope from these actions and work towards completing a strong operational agreement next month in Copenhagen and guidelines for negotiators to complete their work next year on a comprehensive treaty.
It is my hope that the Senate will support the President and move quickly to pass climate and energy legislation early next year in order to ensure that the world moves toward speedy solutions for the climate crisis.”

Senator John Kerry:
“This could be one hell of a global game changer with big reverberations here at home. For the first time, an American Administration has proposed an emissions reduction target and when President Obama lands in Copenhagen it will emphasize that the United States is in it to win it. This announcement matches words with action. The Obama Administration is now undeniably mustering bona fide leadership on climate change, not merely departing from Bush Administration intransigence and ideology,” Kerry said. “By announcing a provisional target, contingent on the support of Congress, the President has defined a path to an international agreement that challenges the developed and developing nations to fulfill their obligations. It lays the groundwork for a broad political consensus at Copenhagen that will strip climate obstructionists here at home of their most persistent charge, that the United States shouldn’t act if other countries won’t join with us. It is an enormous shot in the arm for those of us working overtime to get a comprehensive bill passed in the Senate. And the fact that the President will attend the Copenhagen talks underscores that the Administration is putting its money where its mouth is, putting the President’s prestige on the line.”‪‪

Senator Barbara Boxer:
“I am so pleased that the President is going to Copenhagen to address one of the most pressing issues of our time - global warming. The goal he announced today, in the range of 17 percent, reflects the work that was done in the House of Representatives and in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. It is realistic, it’s smart, and it’s credible.”

Senator Joe Lieberman:
“Obama’s announcement of an emissions goal “has laid the groundwork for productive negotiations in Copenhagen, including a significant commitment by China to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions.”

Representative Ed Markey:
“By putting a serious number for U.S. emission reductions on the table, the President just called the world’s bet and then raised it for our negotiating partners. The President’s attendance in Copenhagen demonstrates his personal commitment to getting a deal that is good for the U.S. and good for our clean energy future. It’s a powerful statement that the U.S. is back, ready to lead the world….In the effort to protect the planet from climate change, these are the most significant travel reservations ever made. With one trip to Copenhagen, President Obama will put U.S. leadership back on the map in the fight against carbon pollution.”

 
Lew Hay, Chairman and CEO of Florida Power & Light:
“We commend the president for his efforts and leadership as the world strives for agreement on reducing greenhouse gases. Here at home, it’s critical that Congress act to cap and price carbon emissions while providing financial protection to energy consumers,” said Lew Hay. “The U.S. energy sector is ready to lead the world into a low-carbon future, but we need the right price signals to point the way.”

 
Jim Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy:
“I applaud President Obama’s travel to Copenhagen, demonstrating the United States’ commitment to action on climate change. His presence will help ensure a successful outcome at the global climate talks, driving new investment, strengthening our global economic recovery, and moving us forward in building a productive, competitive economy here at home. The rules that Congress is developing will complement Copenhagen’s global road map, supporting our business objectives to provide clean, efficient, affordable, and reliable energy to our customers.”

Frances Beinecke, President of NRDC:
“President Obama is taking the full power and prestige of the highest office in the land to Copenhagen. He goes with a serious climate protection proposal from the United States that shows we mean business. It shows we’re ready to lead. And it will help advance efforts to secure commitments for action from other countries around the world. We urge Congress to support the President and pass clean energy and climate protection legislation that will put millions of Americans back to work, reduce our reliance on foreign oil and create a healthier future for our country and the world.”

Jonathan Lash, President of the World Resources Institute:
“President Obama’s willingness to go to Copenhagen and put numbers on the table are two necessary pieces to make a binding global agreement possible. The 17 percent number is consistent with what Congress has been debating and we hope legislation eventually reaches an even higher target. The President’s leadership in Copenhagen will have an even greater impact if he is able to give the world a timetable for when he expects a bill on his desk.”

###

September 28, 2009 the day President Obama was leaving to travel to Copenhagen supporting Chicago’s Olympic bid, a group of young men and women wearing Obama masks held their own sports warm up session. Their hope was to get President Obama to make another trip in December to Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

After 10 months in office, President Barack Obama granted his first pardon Wednesday to Courage, a 45-pound turkey spared from a carving knife and fork and the Thanksgiving table.

President Barack Obama pardons Courage the turkey at a ceremony with Walter Pelletier of the National Turkey Federation, and daughters Sasha, 8, and Malia, 11 under the North Portico of the White House to honor a holiday tradition that dates to 1947.

POLITICO

Nia-Malika Henderson

Pooler stood patiently for two hours and saw State Dinner arrivals in booksellers area, and there was too much fabulousness to describe in detail here. So here are the greatest moments and a few broad details.

 
Lots of saris tonight (and probably one too many pantsuits according to some witnesses who will not be named here), and lots of people who didn’t quite get the “stand here and pose” thing down.

Best Sari goes to Semonti Stephens who wore one of the dresses from her Spring wedding. A red number with gold jewelry from Calcutta.

 
Best Wardrobe malfunction goes to Bob Casey whose cumberband slithered from his waist to the floor.

 
Best Look goes to Speaker Nancy Pelosi who when Robin Givhan asked her “Is your gown Armani?”…Pelosi shot her a disapproving stare and rolled her eyes a bit–i.e. Pelosi to Givhan: Drop Dead. (No answer to Givhan’s follow up question which was “What was that look?!”)

 
Biggest Celebs: Steven Spielberg, Alfre Woodard and Blair Underwood (together but not an item). Also, fyi, some stars are shorter, more wrinkled, not as hot in person. Underwood. Hotter.

 
Honorable mention for biggest star: Gayle King, sans bff Oprah Winfrey.

 
Best Dressed Billionaire: Mayor Michael Bloomberg sporting red bow tie.

Best attempt at self-deprecation goes to NBC’s Brian Williams who strolled in before movie mogul David Geffen, said “hello press,” and then: “I grew up a busboy in New Jersey so I have to resist the urge to clean up.”

Best random uttering about a guest: Oh my god, a real housewife! (See Real Housewives of DC for more info)….

Best shout out to colleague: Helene Cooper “Tom Friedman you better stop!”

 
Finally a big thank you to my colleagues and honorary poolers, Amie Parnes and Kendra Marr. And shameless promotion for POLITICO..see this link for more details on the bookstore arrivals…

 
http://www.politico.com/click/stories/0911/obama_red_carpet.html

The missing Obama
The Washington Post
By Richard Cohen
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 

In my set, I am known as the guy who always had some reservations about Barack Obama. Sure, I supported him in the primaries against Hillary Clinton and I voted for him, with both glee and enthusiasm, especially after John McCain uttered the most shocking words in American politics — “Sarah Palin.” But I had such qualms about Obama that I even disparaged his famous speech on race, which almost everyone else thought was just about the greatest ever given on the subject. I just reread it — and I was a bit chastened (I was too severe), but mostly I was saddened. Where is the man who once gave that speech?

The speech, delivered in Philadelphia in March 2008, was compelled by the rantings of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who had been Obama’s pastor and spiritual adviser. Wright, a man of a certain age with the emotional scar tissue that comes from a life in a harshly racist society, had let loose his anger — and it had been caught on tape and YouTubed around the world. A sermon that had a context and an appreciative audience looked like sheer demagoguery and madness on the small screen. Obama had to kiss off Wright.

He did so with style and with dignity. But more than that, to reread the speech is to be impressed once again with the fluidity of Obama’s mind — his logic, his reasoning and his immense writing talent, which made a great impression on the impressionable people in my profession.

But to reread the speech is also to come face to face with an Obama of keen moral clarity. Here was a man who knew why he was running for president and knew, also precisely, what he personified. He could talk to America as a black man and a white man — having lived in both worlds. He could — and he did — explain to America what it is like to have been a black man of Wright’s age and what it is like even now to be a black man of any age.

Somehow, though, that moral clarity has dissipated. The Obama who was leading a movement of professed political purity is the very same person who as president would not meet with the Dalai Lama, lest he annoy the very sensitive Chinese. He is the same man who bowed to the emperor of Japan when, in my estimation, the president of the United States should bow to no man. He is the same president who in China played the mannequin for the Chinese government, appearing at stage-managed news conferences and events — and having his remarks sometimes censored. When I saw him in that picture alone on the Great Wall, he seemed to be thinking, “What the hell am I doing here?” If so, it was a good question.

The Barack Obama of that Philadelphia speech would not have let his attorney general, Eric Holder, announce the new policy for trying Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four other Sept. 11 defendants in criminal court, as if this were a mere departmental issue and not one of momentous policy. And the Barack Obama of the speech would have enunciated a principle of law and not an ad hoc system in which some alleged terrorists are tried in civilian courts and some before military tribunals. What is the principle in that: What works, works? Try putting that one on the Liberty Bell.

Of course, there’s a difference between campaigning and governing. There is no reality to campaigning. You want Guantanamo closed, you say you’ll close it. You want to close it as president, and all of a sudden it becomes a political crisis that costs you your White House counsel, an experienced and principled man named Gregory Craig. Governing is hard.

But governing has to be informed by moral clarity, by the sense that we always know the president’s interior life — his bottom lines. Obama’s political career has been too brief for us to know his bottom lines by votes cast in any legislative body or decisions made as an administrator. He had little record but lots of rhetoric — much of it morally stirring and beautifully written.

As president, though, he has tried so hard to be the un-George Bush that the former president’s overweening moralism — his insistence on seeing things as either black or white — has become an Obama gray. Human rights in general has been treated as if it’s a Republican idea. Obama should reread his Philadelphia speech. He’ll find a good man there.

cohenr@washpost.com

As the nation takes time to remember the war dead on this day, President Obama traveled to Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath laying ceremony.  A White House reporter traveling with the President to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia filed a pool report, “Small knot of dozen protesters at Arlington gates. Signs: “God Sent the Shooter”. “Pray for More Dead Soldiers”. Dunno who these folks are.”   The reporter says President Obama’s car drove by the protesters.  The signs are believed to be in support of the recent massacre at Ft. Hood Texas where 13 Americans were killed and 29 were wounded at the hands of an Army Major.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
ON VETERANS DAY

Memorial Amphitheater
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much. Thank you. Please, be seated.

Thank you, Secretary Shinseki, for the generous introduction — more importantly, the extraordinary bravery in service to our country, both on and off the battlefield. I want to thank our outstanding Vice President, Joe Biden, and his wonderful wife, Dr. Jill Biden, for being here today. We want to thank the Bidens for their son, Beau’s, service as well; we’re glad he just got back from Iraq.

We want to say a special word of thanks to Brigadier General Karl Horst, who’s the Commander of the Military District of Washington, for being here, and for your lifetime of distinguished service to our nation. To Gene Crayton, president of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, thank you for being here. And to all the veterans’ service organizations for the extraordinary work, day in, day out on behalf of our nation’s heroes.
To the members of our armed forces and the veterans who are here today: I am deeply honored and humbled to spend Veterans Day with you in this sacred place where generations of heroes have come to rest — and generations of Americans have come to show their gratitude.

There are many honors and responsibilities that come with this job. But none is more profound than serving as Commander-in-Chief. Yesterday, I visited the troops at Fort Hood. We gathered in remembrance of those we recently lost. We paid tribute to the lives they led. And there was something that I saw in them; something that I see in the eyes of every soldier and sailor, airman, Marine and Coast Guardsman that I have had the privilege to meet in this country and around the world — and that thing is determination.
In this time of war, we gather here mindful that the generation serving today already deserves a place alongside previous generations for the courage they have shown and the sacrifices that they have made. In an era where so many acted only in pursuit of narrow self-interest, they’ve chosen the opposite. They chose to serve the cause that is greater than self; many even after they knew they’d be sent into harm’s way. And for the better part of a decade, they have endured tour after tour in distant and difficult places; they have protected us from danger; and they have given others the opportunity for a better life.

So to all of them — to our veterans, to the fallen, and to their families — there is no tribute, no commemoration, no praise that can truly match the magnitude of your service and your sacrifice.

This is a place where it is impossible not to be moved by that sacrifice. But even as we gather here this morning, people are gathering all across America, not only to express thanks of a grateful nation, but to tell stories that demand to be told. They’re stories of wars whose names have come to define eras; battles that echo throughout history. They’re stories of patriots who sacrificed in pursuit of a more perfect union: of a grandfather who marched across Europe; of a friend who fought in Vietnam; of a sister who served in Iraq. They’re the stories of generations of Americans who left home barely more than boys and girls, became men and women, and returned home heroes.

And when these Americans who had dedicated their lives to defending this country came home, many settled on a life of service, choosing to make their entire lives a tour of duty. Many chose to live a quiet life, trading one uniform and set of responsibilities for another — doctor, engineer, teacher, mom, dad. They bought homes, raised families, built businesses. They built the greatest middle class that the world has ever known. Some put away their medals, stayed humble about their service, and moved on. Some, carrying shrapnel and scars, found that they couldn’t.

We call this a holiday. But for many veterans, it’s another day of memories that drive them to live their lives each day as best as they possibly can. For our troops, it is another day in harm’s way. For their families, it is another day to feel the absence of a loved one, and the concern for their safety. For our wounded warriors, it is another day of slow and arduous recovery. And in this national cemetery, it is another day when grief remains fresh. So while it is important and proper that we mark this day, it is far more important we spend all our days determined to keep the promises that we’ve made to all who answer this country’s call.

Carved into the marble behind me are the words of our first Commander-in-Chief: “When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen.” Just as the contributions that our servicemen and women make to this nation don’t end when they take off their uniform, neither do our obligations to them. And when we fulfill those obligations, we aren’t just keeping faith with our veterans; we are keeping faith with the ideals of service and sacrifice upon which this republic was founded.

If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that there have been times where we as a nation have betrayed that sacred trust. Our Vietnam veterans served with great honor. They often came home greeted not with gratitude or support, but with condemnation and neglect. That’s something that will never happen again. To them and to all who have served, in every battle, in every war, we say that it’s never too late to say thank you. We honor your service. We are forever grateful. And just as you have not forgotten your missing comrades, neither, ever, will we. Our servicemen and women have been doing right by America for generations. And as long as I am Commander-in-Chief, America’s going to do right by them.
That is my message to all veterans today. That is my message to all who serve in harm’s way. To the husbands and wives back home doing the parenting of two. To the parents who watch their sons and daughters go off to war, and the children who wonder when mom and dad is coming home. To all our wounded warriors, and to the families who laid a loved one to rest. America will not let you down. We will take care of our own.

And to those who are serving in far-flung places today, when your tour ends, when you see our flag, when you touch our soil, you will be home in an America that is forever here for you just as you’ve been there for us. That is my promise — our nation’s promise — to you.

Ninety-one years ago today, the battlefields of Europe fell quiet as World War I came to a close. But we don’t mark this day each year as a celebration of victory, as proud of that victory as we are. We mark this day as a celebration of those who made victory possible. It’s a day we keep in our minds the brave men and women of this young nation — generations of them — who above all else believed in and fought for a set of ideals. Because they did, our country still stands; our founding principles still shine; nations around the world that once knew nothing but fear now know the blessings of freedom.

That is why we fight — in hopes of a day when we no longer need to. And that is why we gather at these solemn remembrances and reminders of war — to recommit ourselves to the hard work of peace.

There will be a day before long when this generation of servicemen and women step out of uniform. They will build families and lives of their own. God willing, they will grow old. And someday, their children, and their children’s children, will gather here to honor them.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)

WASHINGTON - The unemployment rate has hit double digits for the first time since 1983 - and is likely to go higher.

The 10.2 percent jobless rate for October shows how weak the economy remains even though it is growing. The rising jobless rate could threaten the recovery if it saps consumers’ confidence and makes them more cautious about spending as the holiday season approaches.

The October unemployment rate - reflecting nearly 16 million jobless people - jumped from 9.8 percent in September, the Labor Department said Friday. The job losses occurred across most industries, from manufacturing and construction to retail and financial.

The jump in the unemployment rate was driven up by a large drop in the number of people who describe themselves as self-employed, as well as the number of teenagers who have jobs. The unemployment rate for teenagers in the labor force soared to 27.6%, up 1.8 percentage points and hitting a third straight record high.

Total overall for October, 10.2%   compared to September 2009, 9.8%

Black overall numbers, 15.7% compared to September 2009, 15.4%

Hispanic overall, 13.1%

Total overall teen number, 27.6%

Black teen number, male and female, 16-19, 41.3 %

Black women 20 and over, 12.4%

Black men 20 and over, 17.1%

Christina Romer the head White House Council of Economic Advisors was asked about the latest numbers outside of the West Wing of the White House.

A year ago November 4, 2009 the nation elected the change the Obama Campaign stumped for.

Democrats are promoting what the president has accomplished Since January 20, 2009.  President Obama is credited with:

-Passing the Stimulus package credited with turning the economy around

-Reauthorizing the Ryan White Act

_Making the Hate Crimes bill law

-GI Bill expansion for kids of fallen troops to get college tuition

-Executive Compensation reform

-Oversight of tarp

-Anti Predatory Lending Act

-Credit Card Reform

-S-Chip health care for millions of the nations children

-Foreclosure mitigation, Fraud enforcement

-Lilly Ledbetter Fair pay act

_Tobacco regulation

-Food Safety

-Cash for Clunkers

-Lands Act, Land conservation

-Green School modernization, 140 thousand jobs

Critics are pushing hard against the president saying he has not done anything or little of what he promised while stumping for the Oval Office. Is this Saturday night skit correct?