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.

Going to Church?

Updates were scant today and I didn't want to go on the record on the day of rest unless I was sure the President was getting his religion on, but we can play it pretty safe to assume the Obamas are attending church right now. Rumor has it they attended Episcopal St. Johns, two blocks from the White House and complete with a "Presidential Pew", last week. They could be there again.

On an unrelated note, I have been digging into the DELICIOUS visitor logs for the White House, newly released . Transparency like you've never seen before, says the official White House blog. Accept no imitations.

I'm sure Barack's publicity team was squeamish -- One "William Ayers" topped the visitors list! but please note! Barack Obama is NOT that stupid! This was not the Weather Underground co-founder and elementary education theorist who once threw Barack a fundraiser but a DIFFERENT William Ayers.

Other false positives include Not Michael Jordan, Not Michael Moore, Not Jeremiah Wright, and Certainly Not Robert (R.) Kelly.

While you're decompressing, enjoy Barack's Halloween photostream.

Halloween 2.0

It took awhile, but I finally tracked him down. Right now, the Obamas are chilling at the White House porch -- the North Portico. Some 2,000 children from D.C., Maryland, and VA will be stopping back in crazy costumes to receive bags of treats.

LUCKY!!! Those 2,000 kids are so lucky they remind me of the story about my friend's boyfriend who had his mustache touched by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, who said, "Mustache." The President has no plans to dress up, according to the AP. However, SURELY Sasha and Malia will dress up?? I'm going to a party but I'll try to keep everyone posted.

The White House is lit orange for the occasion. Before the event is under way, a big, stuffed, black spider will dangle in a web of string from the top of the portico; pumpkins will sprout up around the famous columns.

Later, in the East Room, the first couple will be hanging out with the Bidens and hosting a Halloween reception for military families and White House staff and kids. Very classy!

Signing A Law

At 5:39 p.m., Barack signed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009. The President also announced today the elimination of the HIV entry ban. This is a big deal because it represents a major policy step away from discrimination toward gays. I'm assuming he was in D.C. when this happened -- I'll find out where he was and let you know.

Barack on Halloween

This blog has gotten off to a GREAT start! Please - if anyone knows what Barack will be for Halloween (or is he trick-or-treating with his daughters?) please let me know ASAP. It's a Saturday, so we'll need to be vigilant. Don't let Barack get lost among the other black presidents trick-or-treating that night.

Barack Obama Documentary Arrives (By The People)

I'm no critic, but Barack Obama's movie documentary behind-the-scenes of his historic victory premiered TODAY! (October 30, 2009). CONGRATULATIONS to the filmmakers who had such vision to shoot this stuff. I think it showed in Chicago, where I am. Anyway, Barack is not at this premiere HOWEVER, it is safe to say that he knows about it. Therefore, Barack Obama is: Thinking About That Movie About Him ... right now. He may even be talking it over with Michelle.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Dear Audience,
Thank you for visiting. This is but the very first in an historic blog cataloging not what Barack Obama is doing in terms of policy, but what he is eating for lunch, how the dog is, etc... We're excited to bring you this up-to-the-minute coverage on what Barack Obama is doing right now. Sometimes, during normal work hours, Barack will be working. This is a bore. I like my Barack go-karting, walking the dog, hanging out with his friends playing b-ball, eating lunch. Barack doesn't need to be trapped behind a desk. Check back frequently for as many updates as I can glean on What Barack Obama Is Doing Right Now. Word on the street from my friend Seren is that Jon Favreau, his young and dynamic speechwriter, was once at a party with my friend Seren (who used to work on Capitol Hill but now is at University of Chicago obtaining a graduate degree and finding a wife); I thought Seren would be my eyes and ears for this blog, which has been a dream of mine for as long as Obama has been president and as soon as Obama spoke at my graduation (Northwestern, 2006, B.A. in Sociology, no honors). I WELCOME you!

Kristin Bird