April D. Ryan

The President talks about his Administration’s focus on moving the economy forward and urges Congress to pass legislation that will benefit small businesses in remarks to the press after meeting with his economic team at the White House.

President Obama speaks about the efforts New Orleans and the Gulf Coast have made to recover in the five years since Hurricane Katrina and talks of his Administration’s commitment to restore the area in the wake of Katrina and the BP Oil Spill.

POLITICO

EXCLUSIVE: Vilsack offered to resign
By: Roger Simon
August 25, 2010 04:43 AM EDT

Tom Vilsack is a guy who lives for his job, but that did not stop him from telling President Obama a few weeks ago that he was willing to hand in his resignation.Having stepped on the true third rail of American politics - - race - - Vilsack was willing to throw himself from the sled before somebody else did it for him.

In a 75-minute, exclusive interview Tuesday, Vilsack, the secretary of agriculture, told me about his suspension of Shirley Sherrod and his subsequent meetings with President Obama about it. Vilsack also spoke frankly about how without the labor of illegal immigrants, the price of food in the United States would cost “three, four, or five times more than it does now.” 

More quiet than shy, he even talked about the mosque near ground zero in New York. 

As Vilsack has gone from job to job - - from mayor to state legislator to governor of Iowa and now secretary of agriculture - - he has kept a framed quotation on his wall, a famous one by Teddy Roosevelt that talks about the man who struggles in the arena and how “if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

Tom Vilsack is neither cold nor timid. He also hates to be late. Which is how he got in so much trouble.

On July 19, Vilsack was hurrying to address a meeting with a group of constituents of an Ohio congressman. As he was about to enter the room, an aide stopped him and held up a BlackBerry with a few sentences from a speech by Shirley Sherrod, the Georgia state director for rural development at the USDA. In the excerpts, Sherrod, who is black, seemed to indicate she had denied help to a white farmer because of his race.

Few members of the public know it, but the Agriculture Department is obsessed by race, having discriminated against minorities and women for decades and now being involved in multibillion-dollar settlements and suits.

On his first day as secretary, Vilsack had told his employees he was determined to improve the civil rights record of the department and hung a large picture on the wall behind his desk of Henry Agard Wallace, the last agriculture secretary from Iowa, shaking the hand of George Washington Carver.

“I had a heightened sense of sensitivity to civil rights in the department,” Vilsack told me. “We were working so hard, and then [the edited Sherrod speech] comes out and I thought: ‘Good Lord, this is not going to help the department.’ ”

With a room full of Ohioans waiting for him and without consulting anybody, Vilsack decided to become someone who “at least fails while daring greatly.”

 
“I made the decision to place Shirley on administrative leave,” he said. “I was concerned and upset. By the time I got out of the meeting, she had indicated a willingness to resign. Only later did we learn there was a whole lot more to the story.”

It turned out that far from denying aid to the white farmer, Sherrod had helped him and was using the story as a lesson on the evils of racism.

Uh-oh. Rewind.

Did you think of resigning? I asked Vilsack.

“Sure,” he said. And he talked to Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Obama senior counselor David Axelrod and then he “indicated to the president I would do whatever I needed to do.” 

And?

“And there was no appetite for resignation at the White House,” Vilsack said.

Appetites do grow, however, and Vilsack abjectly apologized to Sherrod. “I made a very hasty decision which I deeply regret,” Vilsack said. “This is a good woman. She’s been put through hell. And I could have done and should have done a better job.”

Obama took a public whack at Vilsack, saying “he jumped the gun,” which Vilsack told me was true and proper. (Neither man mentioned Obama’s jumping of the gun over the matter of the Cambridge, Mass., police department and Henry Louis Gates Jr.) 

Sherrod has accepted Vilsack’s apology, but she did not accept a new job with the USDA even after meeting with Vilsack on Tuesday, a few hours before I interviewed him.

Once again, at a news conference, Vilsack apologized. “I disappointed this administration,” he said. “I disappointed the country. And I disappointed Shirley. And I have to live with that.”

The word “disappointed” was an important one. When, after Obama’s victory, Vilsack was summoned to Chicago - - taking a flight from Des Moines to the Windy City four hours early because he was so worried he would be late - - he found a Starbucks and had nine cups of coffee. He was a little nervous. “I hadn’t spent that much time with him,” Vilsack said.

Finally, it was time for the meeting, and Vilsack entered the room to see Obama sitting on a couch with his suit jacket off and his arms spread on the back of the couch. “He looked like a poster for Air Jordan,” Vilsack said. “He has a real wingspread.”

They talked about agriculture, of course, and Obama seemed surprised at Vilsack’s intensity. “You’re pretty passionate about this,” Obama said.

 
And Vilsack told him about a farm family with seven sons, six of whom had grown up to become doctors or lawyers. But the seventh son became a farmer and got too deeply in debt during the farm crisis of the 1980s, and one day he walked into his barn and hanged himself from a rafter. He was in his late 20s, and his young son found him there. 

Then Vilsack talked about devoting his life to helping other farm families.

Obama slapped his knee. “You’re my guy,” he said.

“You won’t be disappointed,” Vilsack replied.

But here it was Tuesday morning with Vilsack saying how he had disappointed the administration, the country and Sherrod.

And you used that word on purpose? I asked Vilsack. Because it harkened back to what you promised the president?

Vilsack nodded. “That came to my mind,” he said. And then he straightened up in his chair and said, “And that is why I am working doubly hard.”

And it seems to be working, at least regarding his relationship with the president.

“He has talked to me twice,” Vilsack said. “Once was at his birthday party, and he put his arm around me and he said, ‘How are you doing? You have had a lousy couple of weeks.’ ” (The president actually used a word other than “lousy.”)

Vilsack said he was concentrating on his job. “Just hang in there,” the president told him.

And Vilsack is. Though the Sherrod incident has hardly made him gun-shy to speak his mind.

When I asked him about the “100 percent border security” that some people dream about to keep illegal immigrants out of the country, Vilsack said: “Somewhere between 50 to 60 percent of the food you eat has been touched by immigrant hands, and it is fair to say some of them are not here as they should be here.

“But if you didn’t have these folks, you would be spending a lot more- - three, four or five times more - - for food, or we would have to import food and have all the food security risks. Neither is what Americans want. What they want is what we have. Which is why we need comprehensive immigration reform.”

Then we talked about that part of America that doesn’t get written about a lot. “People don’t understand rural America,” he said. “Sixteen percent of our population is rural, but 40 percent of our military is rural. I don’t believe that’s because of a lack of opportunity in rural America. I believe that’s because if you grow up in rural America, you know you can’t just keep taking from the land. You’ve got to give something back.”

On Vilsack’s desk is an iron hand grenade in the shape of an ear of corn. It is to remind him that “sometimes you have to blow up the place.”

So I asked him a question so completely explosive that no ordinary agriculture secretary would go anyplace near it.

What do you think of building a mosque near ground zero? I asked.

“You know, I haven’t really thought about it a great deal,” Vilsack said. “I just hope wherever they build it, they have a garden. With lots of trees.”

The Jobs Bill, H.R. 1586, passed in the House providing $10 billion to school districts to rehire laid-off teachers or to ensure that more teachers won’t be let go before the new school year begins. The Education Department estimates that could save 160,000 jobs. Also included in the legislation is funding for the retention of more than 150,000 police officers and other public workers. The Jobs Bill is viewed as aid for the cash strapped states. Payments to states will be enacted by closing a tax loophole used by multinational corporations and by reducing food stamp benefits for the poor. Some welfare advocates estimate 40 million food stamp recipients will be affected and the payment cuts go into affect in four years.  The legislation was approved mainly along party lines by a vote of 247-161. 

 
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities contend states continue to be hit hard by the recession and budget gaps. The organization anticipates this year and next, states will encounter a total of 350 billion dollars in budget shortfalls. The Center also says 48 states are currently addressing budget shortfalls in this recession. 44 states are addressing the shortfall for FY 2011.

Critics contend the President Obama’s job approval numbers are directly tied to the middle class pocketbook. President Obama’s approval and disapproval numbers are running neck and neck. 47 percent of Americans disapprove of the job President Obama is doing while 46 percent approve. The numbers were compiled during august 7th and 9th from 1500 adults in a national Gallup poll before the approval of the 26 billion dollar jobs bill.

The New Orleans Saints were celebrated in the East Room of the White House by President Obama for their Super Bowl win.   But after that event, Some of the Saints along with a White House Chef marched West to the White House Briefing room to spread the flavor of the Big Easy to the reporters who were surprised by the gesture of the delicious shrimp and sausage Kabobs all from New Orleans.

Some of President Obama’s quotes from the address to the Saints:
So this was an unbelievable season. After decades of frustration, the Saints finally won the big one. The “ain’ts” and the “sad sacks” gave way to the “Who Dats.” Local musicians even gave a jazz funeral to retire the “ain’ts” nickname. But I think we all know that this season meant far more than that to the City of New Orleans — and to all Americans, really.

Look, I’m a Bears fan. I’m not going to lie. (Laughter.) But this was a big win for the country — not just for New Orleans — because five years ago, this team played its entire season on the road. It didn’t have a home field. The Superdome had been ruined by Hurricane Katrina. The heartbreaking tragedies that unfolded there when it was used as a shelter from that terrible storm lingered all too fresh in a lot of people’s minds.

And back then, people didn’t even know if the team was coming back. People didn’t know if the city was coming back. Not only did the team come back — it took its city’s hands and helped its city back on its feet. This team took the hopes and the dreams of a shattered city and placed them squarely on its shoulders.

And so these guys became more than leaders in the locker room — they became leaders of an entire region. And the victory parade that we saw earlier this year made one thing perfectly clear, that New Orleans and the New Orleans Saints are here to stay. 

So plenty of cities carry their sports teams through a tough season. It’s a rare thing when a sports team carries a city through tough times. And that’s why there’s such a deep bond between this organization and the city. I’m not sure there’s any other city that feels that same way right now. And that’s not just for what the Saints have done on the field, but what they’ve done off it to see that the city keeps rising.

In fact, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently said that every team in professional sports should use the Saints as a model for how to interact with their community.

This entire team has worked with Habitat for Humanity to rebuild neighborhoods in New Orleans. Many of these guys and the coaches and the players run foundations to help children in need. All of them are off to Walter Reed later this morning to spend some time with wounded warriors who served our country.

And obviously the Gulf region has spent the last few months besieged by yet another crisis. But last week we received the news that we had hoped for. Yesterday, we learned that a procedure to prevent any more oil from spilling with a cement plug appears to have succeeded. And the final steps will be taken later in August when the relief well is completed. But what is clear is that the battle to stop the oil from flowing into the Gulf is just about over.

Our work goes on, though. I made a commitment to the people of the Gulf Coast that I would stand by them not just until the well was closed but until they recovered from the damage that’s been done. And that’s a commitment my administration is going to keep.

So with the ongoing reopening of Gulf fisheries, we’re excited that fishermen can go back to work and Americans can confidently and safely enjoy Gulf seafood once again. We’re certainly going to enjoy it here at the White House. In fact, we had some yesterday. 

While they’re here today, several Saints players are going to spend some time teaching our staff their favorite Gulf seafood recipes. So who’s cooking? (Laughter.) Which one — it’s you back there? All right. (Laughter and applause.) And Sam Kass, the White House — he’s very excited, he’s very excited. And after weeks of hearing about food from our response teams down in the Gulf, I can tell you that our staff is excited about the 30-foot po’ boy we’re serving at lunch today. (Laughter.)

But let me just say in closing, we are very proud of this team, and we are very proud of the owner of this team, because it required a great commitment on your part to help pull this team and this city along. And so there is a heartfelt congratulations not just from those of us here in the White House, but I think all across America. These are big guys with big hearts, and shoulders big enough to carry the hopes and dreams of an entire city with them.

So with that, congratulations to all of you — the New Orleans Saints, 2009 Super Bowl Champions. Congratulations. (Applause.)

Education Sec. Arnie Duncan played on President Obama’s basketball team over the weekend and tells me he was not intimidated but tried to “kill them” yesterday.  Duncan says the President has ” got game” at 49.

Obama shoots hoops with NBA greats

Posted August 8, 2010 3:50 PM

President Obama jokes with Chicago Bulls players Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose.
The Swamp

by Mike Memoli

Talk about a “Dream Team.”

President Obama shot hoops Sunday with some NBA superstars, a combination late birthday present and a showcase for some wounded warriors and participants in the White House mentoring project.

The guest list included some of pro basketball’s greatest players, both past and present: LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Magic Johnson and Bill Russell, to name a few. One woman, Maya Moore of the UConn Huskies, was on the list released to the press today as well.

According to pool reporter, no press was allowed in to see the game, so we can’t be sure whether the pros took it easy on their commander in chief. But a White House photographer was likely on hand for the game, which took place at Fort McNair.

Obama, who marked his 49th birthday in Chicago on Wednesday at a dinner that included Oprah Winfrey, was set for yet another celebration today at the White House — a barbecue with family, friends and staff.

The full guest list is after the jump.

(Photo Credit: White House / Peter Souza)

*Carmelo Anthony
*Shane Battier
*Chauncey Billups
*Kobe Bryant (not playing)
*Derek Fisher
*Grant Hill
*LeBron James
*Earvin “Magic” Johnson
*Maya Moore
*Alonzo Mourning
*Chris Paul
*Derrick Rose
*Bill Russell
*Etan Thomas
*Dwyane Wade
*David West
*Joakim Noah
*Pau Gasol

President Barack Obama, a black man of Kenyan descent hosted the first White House Young African Leaders forum. The goal of the forum is for the Obama administration to help the young leaders reach their goals. The President contends half of the population of Sub- Saharan Africa is under 30. 

During the forum, President Obama says Africa’s future belongs to entrepreneurs with emerging markets in Sub-Saharan Africa showing growth rates of 9 percent. President Obama says the young entrepreneurs have a better chance of success in Africa than risking efforts to start a business in America.

This week, the President also took part in African Growth and opportunity meetings on issues of American and African trade expansion.

President Barack Obama signed sweeping reforms to federal crack cocaine sentencing laws , reducing harsh sentences for crack violations and repealing the five-year mandatory minimum for simple possession of crack cocaine. The bipartisan bill received support from Sens. Richard Durbin, Jeff Sessions, Tom Coburn, and Reps. James E. Clyburn, Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, Dan Lungren and F. James Sensenbrenner. 

Meanwhile, the new law drops the crack cocaine verses powder cocaine disparity from 100 to 1 to 18 to 1. Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott contends there is still a Congressional push to bring the sentencing disparity down to a “one to one” ratio. That as Congressman Scott says there is “no pharmacological” difference in crack cocaine verses powder cocaine.

 
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked about the legislation in his daily press briefing and responded:

 
MR. GIBBS: Well, let me see if there’s any guidance on it. I will say this, April, I think the signing of today’s bill into law represents the hard work of Democrats and Republicans coming — this is a good example — of coming together and making progress on something that people had identified as a glaring blight on the law.

Look, I think if you look at the people that were there at that signing, they’re not of the political persuasions that either always or even part of the time agree. I think that demonstrates the, as I said, the glaring nature of what these penalties had — the glaring nature of what these penalties had done to people and how unfair they were. And I think the President was proud to sign that into law.

THE SWAMPby Mike Memoli

There’s big news in Washington today about the news.

Okay, it’s mainly just big news for those of us in the news business. But given the fight that developed about which news organization would inherit Helen Thomas’s former seat in the White House briefing room, what usually is an internal battle played out a bit more publicly this year.

Today, the White House Correspondents Association unveiled new seating assignments for news organizations who cover the White House on a regular basis. The headline is that Fox News will now take a front row perch — but not the Thomas seat it publicly angled for.

The Associated Press will take the center position in front of the podium, with Fox obtaining the AP’s former seat. You can see the new layout map after the jump.

Other moves:

* NPR moves from the third row to take Fox’s former seat. Bloomberg, which also vied for the front row perch, remains in the second row.
* America Urban Radio Networks’ April Ryan moves from the fourth row to the middle of the third row. To their right is Politico, which also moves up from fourth to third.
* Moving back from third to fourth is the Washington Times, an outlet with an editorial page very unfriendly to this White House.
* Also moving further from the podium: Hearst/Houston Chronicle, Roll Call (which now will share a seat with the Boston Globe), and Scripps Howard. Moving closer: Congress Daily (which had shared with U.S. News), The Hill, BNA, and the Washington Examiner.
* New outlets with coveted seats include the Financial Times, and a rotating seat for the foreign press pool reporter.
* Tribune, for the record, moves over two seats to the right from its previous spot in the third row.