Obama Statement on Iraq Coming June 19, 2014

The White House has announced President Obama will make a statement on the situation in Iraq at 12:15 Kansas City time.
Original time was set as 11:30 local time.

Obama’s Routine at WH Correspondents Dinner April 28, 2013

Obama & Senate Push forFiscal Cliff Deal, House on the Sidelines December 29, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — The end game at hand, the White House and Senate leaders made a final stab at compromise Friday night to prevent middle-class tax increases from taking effect at the turn of the new year and possibly block sweeping spending cuts as well.
“I’m optimistic we may still be able to reach an agreement that can pass both houses in time,” President Barack Obama said at the White House after meeting for more than an hour with top lawmakers from both houses.

Surprisingly, after weeks of postelection gridlock, Senate leaders sounded even more bullish.

The Republican leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said he was “hopeful and optimistic” of a deal that could be presented to rank-and-file lawmakers as early as Sunday, a little more than 24 hours before the year-end deadline.

Said Majority Leader Harry Reid: “I’m going to do everything I can” to prevent the tax increases and spending cuts that threaten to send the economy into recession. He cautioned, “Whatever we come up with is going to be imperfect.”

House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican who has struggled recently with anti-tax rebels inside his own party, said through an aide he would await the results of the talks between the Senate and White House.

Under a timetable sketched by congressional aides, any agreement would first go to the Senate for a vote. The House would then be asked to assent, possibly as late as Jan. 2, the final full day before a new Congress takes office.

Officials said there was a general understanding that any agreement would block scheduled income tax increases for middle class earners while letting rates rise at upper income levels.

Democrats said Obama was sticking to his campaign call for increases above $250,000 in annual income, even though in recent negotiations he said he could accept $400,000.

The two sides also confronted a divide over estate taxes.

Obama favors a higher tax than is currently in effect, but one senior Republican, Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, said he’s “totally dead set” against it. Speaking of fellow GOP lawmakers, he said they harbor more opposition to an increase in the estate tax than to letting taxes on income and investments rise at upper levels.

Kansas Panel Wants More Information Before It Decides Whether or Not Barack Obama Can Appear on Kansas Ballot September 13, 2012

Kansas is still deciding whether or not Barack Obama can be on the Kansas ballot.
A Manhattan man is challenging Obama’s right to appear on the ballot. He says there is a question about whether or not Obama meeting the nation’s citizenship requirement. It’s a birther challenge.
The issue came up before a panel known as the ‘Board of Objections’, which settle ballot disputes in Kansas.
The Board is made of Kansas Lt .Governor, Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Attorney General Derek Schmidt. All three officials are Republicans.
The panel voted unanimously to postpone a decision at its Thursday meeting, where the item was on the agenda.
They’re waiting for more documents. The Board hopes to make a ruling on Monday.

Obama Praises Joplin Class of ’12 and Joplin for it’s “Spirit of Community” May 21, 2012

Politico:

President Obama on Monday told the graduates of tornado-ravaged Joplin High School that while commencement speakers are generally expected to be inspirational, it’s the people of the Missouri town who have inspired him.

"As I look out at this class, and across this city, what’s clear is that you’re the source of inspiration today. To me. To this state. To this country. And to people all over the world," Obama said at an evening ceremony just a day ahead of the anniversary of the tornado that destroyed the school, and killed seven students and one staff member of the school district.

"By now, most of you have probably relived those 32 minutes again and again," Obama told the graduates, who gathered in an auditorium at Missouri Southern State University. "Where you were. What you saw. When you knew for sure that it was over. The first contact, the first phone call you had with someone you love. The first day you woke up in a world that would never be the same."

But "the story of Joplin isn’t just what happened that day. It’s the story of what happened the next day. And the day after that. And all the days and weeks and months that followed," the president said. And, he said, that story "is part of you now. You’ve grown up quickly over the last year. You’ve learned at a younger age than most that we can’t always predict what life has in store. No matter how we might try to avoid it, surely can bring heartache. And life involves struggles. And life will at some point bring loss."

The heartache and struggles after the tornado have helped the students learn "we have the power to grow from these experiences," Obama said. "We can define our own lives not by what happens to us, but by how we respond. We can choose to carry on, and make a difference in the world. And in doing so, we can make true what’s written in Scripture – that ‘tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character, and character, hope.’"

"Of all that’s come from this tragedy, let this be the central lesson that guides you and sustains you through whatever challenges lie ahead," he said.

Obama also drew on some of the themes of his reelection campaign, stressing the importance of working together for a better future.

"My deepest hope for all of you is that as you begin this new chapter in your life, you will bring that spirit of Joplin to every place you travel and everything you do. You can serve as a reminder that we’re not meant to walk this road alone; that we’re not expected to face down adversity by ourselves. We need each other. We’re important to each other. We’re stronger together than we are on our own," he said.

"It is this spirit that’s allowing all of you to rebuild this city," he continued. " It’s the same spirit we need right now to help rebuild America. And you, class of 2012, will help lead this effort. You’re the ones who will help build an economy where every child can count on a good education; where everyone who is willing to put in the effort can find a job that supports a family; where we control our own energy future and we lead the world in science and technology and innovation. America will only succeed if we all pitch in and pull together – and I’m counting on you to be leaders in that effort. Because you’re from Joplin and you’ve already defied the odds."