Obama: ‘No Intention’ To Send Troops To Yemen
In an interview with People, President Obama said that he is focusing on Afghanistan and Pakistan in the fight against Al Qaida, and has no plans to send U.S. troops to Yemen. “I never rule out any possibility in a world that is this complex,” said Obama, also adding: “in countries like Yemen, in countries like Somalia, I think working with international partners is most effective at this point.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET, and meet at 10:30 a.m. ET with senior advisers. He will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET with labor leaders. He will at 5:30 p.m. ET with U.S. Combatant Commanders. At 7 p.m. ET, the President and First Lady will host a dinner with the Combatant Commanders and their spouses.
Biden Attending His Mother’s Wake
Vice President Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden will be spending the day in Wilmington, Delaware, attending services for Biden’s late mother Jean Biden, who passed away on Friday. A wake will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. ET.
CBC Chair: Reid’s Record ‘Provides A Stark Contrast To Actions Of Republicans’
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, released a statement Sunday evening accepting Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s controversial private remarks about Barack Obama’s race during the 2008 election cycle. In response to to Republican calls for Reid to step down as leader Lee cited Reid’s positive record: “Over the years, I have had an opportunity to work with Majority Leader Reid. Senator Reid’s record provides a stark contrast to actions of Republicans to block legislation that would benefit poor and minority communities – most recently reflected in Republican opposition to the Health Bill now under consideration. I look forward to Senator Reid continuing to serve as Majority Leader to guide this important agenda through the Senate.”
‘Hillary Effect’ Cited For Increase In Female Ambassadors To U.S.
The Washington Post reports that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s high public visibility has resulted in an increase in the number of ambassadors sent by other countries to Washington, which has reached a record 25. “The pictures of U.S. diplomacy have been strongly dominated by photos of women recently,” said Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar. “That helps to broaden the acceptance of women in the field of diplomacy.”
Hillary Clinton Embarking On Pacific Tour
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is departing today on a tour of the Pacific, a ten-day trip that will take her to Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Tomorrow, she will begin her tour with a speech in Hawaii, on Pan-Asian diplomatic organizations.
Blagojevich: ‘I’m Blacker Than Barack Obama’
Impeached former Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-IL) had some tough things to say about President Obama in an upcoming interview with Esquire. “What the (expletive)? Everything he’s saying’s on the teleprompter,” said Blagojevich. He also said: “I’m blacker than Barack Obama. I shined shoes. I grew up in a five-room apartment. My father had a little laundromat in a black community not far from where we lived. I saw it all growing up.”
