First Lady Michelle Obama and First Daughters Receive the WH Christmas Tree

The First Lady and First Daughters received what will be the WH Christmas Tree this year. The First Daughters are growing into beautiful young ladies.


The First Lady Receives the 2011 White House Christmas Tree






U.S. first lady Michelle Obama waves as she walks out with daughters Sasha and Malia (R) to receive the 2011 White House Christmas Tree at the White House in Washington, November 25, 2011.
---- REUTERS/Yuri Gripas





US First Lady Michelle Obama (L), daughters Sasha (C) and Malia arrive to receive the White House Christmas tree at the White House in Washington on November 25, 2011.
---NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

The President Continues His Trip Abroad

hat tip-The Obama Diary:

The President continues his overseas trip.


US President Barack Obama (L) and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (C) wearing Indonesian traditional clothes attend the gala dinner during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and East Asia Summit in Nusa Dua in Indonesia's resort island of Bali on November 18, 2011.
---- JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images






U.S. President Barack Obama addresses the Australian Parliament 17-11-2011


Barack Obama Visits



Boeing, Lion Air Strike Deal

The President is in Australia- Day Two

hat tip-The Obama Diary:


The President Continues his State Visit in Australia.



(L-R) Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, U.S. President Barack Obama, Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce and War Memorial Chairman Peter Cosgrove visit the Australian War Memorial in Canberra November 17, 2011.
----REUTERS/Lukas Coch

The President is in Australia on a State Visit-Day One

hat tips-The Obama Diary, 3CHICSPOLITICO



U.S. President Barack Obama arrives in Canberra, Australia, November 16, 2011.
--- REUTERS/Jason Reed



U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard (C) as Australia's Governor-General Quentin Bryce (R) looks on in Canberra, Australia, November 16, 2011.
---REUTERS/Jason Reed

The President and First Lady Host APEC 2011 in Hawaii

hat tips-The Obama Diary, 3CHICSPOLITICO.COM:



President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the countries of APEC in Hawaii. Here are some pictures and videos:









Dinner in Honor of APEC Leaders and Spouses




President Obama Toasts Leaders at APEC Summit Dinner




President Obama Hosts a Cultural Performance at APEC Summit




President Obama at the APEC Business Summit

The President and First Lady on Veterans Day

hat tip-The Obama Diary:

The President and First Lady spent part of Veterans Day in San Diego, aboard the USS Carl Vinson, at the Carrier Classic.

















The tip off of an NCAA Men’s Basketball game between the University of North Carolina and Michigan State University on board the USS Carl Vinson at North Island Naval Station in San Diego, Calif., Nov. 11.
----Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

Yesterday Was Election Day, and Some Positive Signs

hat tip-The Obama Diary


Well, yesterday was voting day. Here are the results:

From OHIO:







From TPM.Com

TPMDC
Ohio Voters Emphatically Reject Kasich’s Anti-Union Law

Eric Kleefeld November 8, 2011, 9:21 PM

Ohio Democrats, who got absolutely creamed in the 2010 elections, have now won a major victory over Republican Gov. John Kasich — massively winning a referendum to repeal Kasich’s anti-public employee union law.

With 19% of precincts reporting — which includes a significant chunk of the total ballots, due to early-votes being counted quickly — the bill known as SB 5 is losing by a margin of 63%-37%, and the “No” position has been projected as the winner by the Associated Press.

Pre-election polling showed the No campaign winning by over 20 points — and it seemed possible at time of writing that the final margin might even surpass this.

As TPM has documented, SB 5 has become a political poster child for Democrats pushing against Republicans, following the 2010 GOP wave, with the Dems and labor unions mobilizing while at the same time Kasich’s popularity tanked in the polls.

From Maine - this is good news against Voter Suppression 2012

1-08-2011 9:44 PM
AP: Maine Voters Say Yes To Same Day Registration

Voters in Maine have approved a ballot measure on allowing same day voter registration. The state had previously moved to require voters register no later than two days before an election. It was defeated 59 - 41 %.The state Republican Party had run ads urging the issue’s defeat, by suggesting that pro-gay rights groups supported it.

Herman Cain: Nothing but a Modern Day Minstrel, and a Crooked One at That.

hat tips-Angelar, 3CHICSPOLITICO:

When I saw the video of Herman Cain-SINGING- at the National Press Club, I had a visceral reaction. I wracked my brain trying to come up with the exact word to name what I was feeling when I watched Cain BREAK INTO SONG. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I woke up and realized what he reminded me of:

A MINSTREL.

A GODDAMN MINSTREL.

I've said from the beginning that Herman Cain was never a serious candidate. I knew he wasn't a serious candidate when, on Fox, one of the anchors tried to lob him what they THOUGHT was going to be a softball question: about the 'right of return' question for Palestinians.

Cain's answer?

I don't know about that issue.

HUH?

You're saying that you're running for the Presidency of the United States, and you don't have an opinion on 'right of return' for Palestinians?

My reaction to that was HELL NO. I know this Black man isn't going to try and go around giving Sarah Palin-esque answers and believes he should be taken seriously.

'Right of Return' is NOT a PhD level question when it comes to the Israel/Palestine issue.

It's an ELEMENTARY SCHOOL level question, and someone who says they are running for PRESIDENT should be able to answer the question. On the spot. They should have already thought about it, and have an answer at the tip of their tongue, because Israel/Palestine is one of the major issues of the Middle East, and the Middle East being one of the major regions for FOREIGN POLICY - one should know it.

But, there he was, saying ' I dunno'.

Asked about the policy in Iraq and Afghanistan, and what he would do differently than President Obama, there it came again, ' I dunno'.

This week?

In an interview with PBS, Cain appears to suggest that Americans should consider China dangerous in part because they’re pursuing “nuclear capability.” In fact, China tested its first nuclear device in 1964 and has had a stockpile of warheads for decades.

He really was going to do it. He really was going to go onto the political stage with Sarah Palin-esque answers to foreign policy, and other issues.

Some videos about the GOP Clown Car

There's been a lot of craziness going around with the GOP Clown Car. But, Youtube is always there.

Here's Governor Good Hair. IF you can tell me what the hell he's talking about, good for you. I'll only ask..

Riddle me this, ladies and gentlemen...what would have happened to then-Senator Barack Obama if he had given a speech like this during the 2008 campaign season? You know the answer.



From Rachel Maddow:

Rachel Maddow shares video clips of a Rick Perry speech in New Hampshire in which the Texas governor and Republican presidential hopeful displayed bizarre and inexplicable speech patterns and mannerisms. This is a twofer-slamming Good Hair AND she sneaks in a slam of WILLARD as a bonus.

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This is one of Rev. Al's best segments -EVER.

I've said it before, I LOVE it when Rev. Al calls Mittens ' WILLARD'.

Cracks me up everytime.

Here's his segment - using himself as a double - on WILLARD, THE HUMAN PRETZEL.

BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA AH

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Mini Mix: O'Jays, Staton, Mayfield, Scaggs & Hawthorne

What I have been spinning of late...

A Prayer


Mayfield - Cannot Find a Way