Pissed at China

Well, I'm back from my international tour of Chicago and ready to keep tabs on the President again. Hope you didn't miss me too much. Although I haven't been writing about Barack Obama, he certainly has been on mind. There's a LOT going on lately, and he's had a HUGE travel schedule, going to Copenhagen for a climate summit. Mega! This is a new opportunity for Barack to show progressives that he means business, and I think we're all looking forward to it. From the NY Times:

"Mr. Obama’s announcement came late in a day that began with his 11-minute address to world leaders shortly after noon, and that was filled with brinksmanship and 11th-hour negotiations. Mr. Obama, whose speech included remarks that appeared pointed at China’s resistance to mechanisms for monitoring emissions reductions, met privately with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao afterward. But Mr. Wen did not attend two smaller, impromptu meetings during the day that Mr. Obama and United States officials conducted with the leaders of other world powers, an apparent snub that infuriated administration officials and their European counterparts.

The deal eventually came together after a dramatic moment in which Mr. Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton burst into a meeting of the Chinese, Indian and Brazilian leaders, according to senior administration officials. Mr. Obama said he did not want them negotiating in secret.

The intrusion led to new talks that cemented central terms of the deal, American officials said."

Trouble Tracking Barack...

It's 10 a.m. and I don't know where Obama is. Congress is holding hearings today on the Afghan strategy outlined last night. Kicking off the discussion is the Senate Armed Services Committee, a panel comprised of Snooty Patootie, Thoughtful McGee and Sir Nerdlington. I think Obama won't be there; he's said his piece.

Some Splaining To Do

Right now, Barack Obama is doing aLOT of splaining. He is giving a speech announcing the addition of 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. This blog practically writes itself! I personally agree with the surge strategy in Afghanistan. Like a lot of Americans, I disagree with the notion that any kind of timeframe should be made public. I can only assume the decision is strategic. Obama is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Republicans, confused by Obama instituting their own policies, have retreated.

How Busy Is Barack?

It's Thanksgiving and I'm sure Barack is dining, spending quality time with his family. He had a major state dinner so he might be debriefing with the White House Social Department (which I didn't know existed until today.) I've been a cookie monster today and eaten everything in sight. I'm updating to pose the question: is the White House administration embracing a "policy of distraction", as one Salon.com commenter responded to Joan Walsch's excellent analysis of the presidency so far. Obama is ALL OVER THE PLACE!! I worry he's too busy to focus and manage his time.

Worrying about his half-brother's book

WHOA! Barack's half-brother Mark Ndesandjo (?!) who lives in China (??!!!) has "broken his media silence" to promote a SEMI-AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL about domestic violence.

The book references none other than Barack's abusive father and does not mention the President. WUT!!!! this is BEYOND CRAZY on the Obama-dar and you can bet Obama is discussing the new book over with close friends right now. He is looking forward to seeing his brother in China and really hashing out some of these hard issues. He is wondering what the heck the book says and he may even be making a few phone calls to obtain a copy immediately. Barack definitely looks like his half-brother (who looks kind of Chinese? Is he??).

The unveiling is similar to that of Barack's adorable white Nana at the Democratic National Convention. (RIP)

Honestly, it's MONDAY - where IS he??

Tracking Obama on a Monday should be as easy as pie, but where the heck is he? Did he spend the whole day crouched under his desk, muttering about New Jersey? I used to think I could just look in my heart, but he's not there either. Even soulfulvibes.net couldn't deliver the Obama news I need, not really. Let's put it this way: a Clean Energy Conference does not an Obama Spotting make. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden traveled to Yankee Stadium and the President was apparently content to stay behind, doors locked, catching up on some paperwork.

At a Rally in New Jersey

I don't know how he got there, but Obama drew 6,500 people at a rally in Camden and another 11,000 in Newark this afternoon.

People began lining up early in the morning - police officers said as early as 6 a.m.

After a little research, we learn that Obama arrived at Newark-Liberty International Airport aboard Air Force One just before 3 p.m. and emerged as the plane door opened on the tarmac a few minutes later. He was joined by NJ Gov. Jon Corzine (the only incumbent governor seeking re-election this year, actually.)

The pair walked down the steps and into the presidential limousine, where the motorcade departed for the Prudential Center. About two-dozen family members of Secret Service and Air Force One staff watched from a penned-in area nearby.

Corzine apparently had the crowd chanting, "Yes, We Can!" I would, too, if the President was hanging out with me for a few hours. FYI, Obama carried New Jersey in November 2008, with 57 percent of the vote. The president called Corzine "my good friend and your governor."

The President most likely will fly home tonight.