President-Elect Barack Obama
Appoints Peter Orszag OMB Chief
November 25, 2008 COL
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President Elect Obama appointed Peter Orszag as Director of Management and Budget and Robert Nabors as Deputy. Obama promised to go through the Federal budget line by line to eliminate unnecessary spending. This isn't about big government or small government it's about building a smarter government that focuses on what works. We cannot sustain a system that bleeds billions of taxpayer dollars on programs that have outlived their usefulness or exist solely because of a politician, lobbyist, or interest group.
President-Elect Barack Obama
News Conference
December 11, 2008 COL 25 min
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President Elect Obama held a news conference to comment on the health care and to introduced Tom Daschle as Secretary of Health and Human Services in his administration. However, prior to addressing health care he commented on the “bad economic news of jobless claims reaching a 26-year high”, his support for a short-term package to help the Automobile Industry, and Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's attempt to sell his Senate seat to the highest bidder.
Tom Daschle comments on health care and his appointment. After the Newser the questions asked Barack Obama about the Illinois political corruption scandal overshadowed his health care message and appointment of Tom Daschle.
President-Elect Barack Obama
News Conference
December 16, 2008 COL 14 min
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President Elect Barack Obama along with Vice-President Elect Joe Biden announced Arne Duncan as Secretary of Education in his administration. Duncan is currently Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools. Statements by Joe Biden and Arne Duncan.
President-Elect Barack Obama
News Conference
December 17, 2008 COL 17 min
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President Elect Barack Obama selected Ken Salazar as Secretary of Interior and Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture. Short addresses by Salazar and Vilsack.
President-Elect Barack Obama
News Conference
December 18, 2008 COL 24 min
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As part of his plan to prevent future crises, Barack Obama said he was naming Securities and Exchange Commission veteran Mary Schapiro as chairwoman of that agency, former Treasury official Gary Gensler to head the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and law professor Daniel Tarullo to fill an empty Federal Reserve seat. Remarks by Mary Schapiro, Gary Gensler, and Daniel Tarullo.
Barack Obama answers questions on the automobile industry financial rescue or bailout, social views of Pastor Rick warren, regulation of the nation's financial industry, and addressing the crisis in confidence of the American people in government and financial institutions.
President-Elect Barack Obama
Community Service Event
January 19, 2009 COL 32 min
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President Elect Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama attend a Community Service Event meeting and thank the volunteers that gave their time and efforts doing charity work in their community.
President Barack Obama
Prayer Service National Cathedral
January 21, 2009 COL 79 min
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President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden and their families attend a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington DC..
President Barack Obama
Formation Of Middle Class Task Force
January 30, 2009 COL 20 min
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President Barack Obama reaches out to the working and middle classes by re-introducing Vice President Joe Biden's task force focused on the middle class. President Obama also signs three executives orders reversing policies toward organized labor.
One order would prevent federal contractors from being reimbursed for expenses that were intended to influence workers' decisions to form unions or engage in collective bargaining. Another would require employers to post workers' rights under the National Labor Relations Act and the third order would require service contractors at federal buildings to offer jobs to qualified current employees when contracts changed.
Remarks by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
President Barack Obama
Pay Cap Placed On Executive Salaries
February 4, 2009 COL 10 min
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President Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner announce reform plans that will place a salary or compensation cap of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) on executives at firms that receive TARP or bailout funds from the U.S. Government.
President Barack Obama
Town Hall Meeting - Elkhardt, IN
February 9, 2009 COL 60 min
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President Obama traveled to Elkhart, Indiana a city with the highest unemployment rate in the nation, as he reached out to the nation asking for support of the pending Economic Recovery Stimulus Bill being debated in the Senate. After speaking, President Obama, took questions from the audience.
President Barack Obama
Town Hall Meeting - Fort Meyers, FL
February 10, 2009 COL 60 min
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President Barack Obama traveled to Fort Meyers, Florida taking his message of support for the Economic Stimulus Bill to the people in an area of high unemployment. At this meeting he announced the Senate had just passed the stimulus bill (the $838 billion bill passed on a vote of 61-36, one more than the 60 needed).
After his speech, which focused on the creation of jobs in all industries and assistance to the States, there was a question and answer session with the audience.
President Barack Obama
Signs Stimulus Bill - COMPLETE TITLE
February 17, 2009 COL 39 min
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On February, 17, 2009 President Barack Obama signed into law the $787-billion Stimulus Bill that was passed by Congress in an effort to lift America's economy out of recession. This stimulus package is the foundation of the Obama administration's economic recovery plan. Prior to the signing of the bill remarks made by Bill Ritter, Governor of Colorado, Vice President Joe Biden, Blake Jones of Namaste Solar Electric, and President Barack Obama.
President Barack Obama
Plan To Help Homeowners
February 18, 2009 COL 22 min
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President Barack Obama's plan to aid troubled homeowners. At the heart of the plan is an effort to make loans more affordable by providing a government subsidy to help mortgage companies modify certain troubled loans. The administration is expected to kick in $50 billion out of the bailout fund to help mortgage companies with the costs of such an effort.In addition, the administration is expected in the Wednesday announcement to detail a program that will allow homeowners who owe more than their homes are worth to refinance their mortgages, something that currently isn't possible. The administration is also expected to create national standards for loan modifications to be adopted by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The plan could include a mechanism to determine the value of homes facing foreclosure.
President Barack Obama
Trip To Canada
February 19, 2009 COL 49 min
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President Barack Obama chose to visit Canada on his first foreign trip as President. Shows the president's arrival in Ottowa deplaning from Air Force One, arriving at Parliament Hill and being greeted by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Obama and Harper held a joint media conference taking questions and discussing the economy, environmental issues and the situation and troop levels in Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama
Meets With City Mayors
February 20, 2009 COL 22 min
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President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meets with City Mayors from across the country to ask their help in supporting the stimulus plan. The economic plan will inject a sudden boost of cash into transportation, education, energy and health care. Beyond new spending, it aims to aid people through a package of tax cuts, extended unemployment benefits and short-term health insurance help. Invoking his own name-and-shame policy, President Barack Obama warned the nation's mayors on Friday that he will "call them out" if they waste the money from his massive economic stimulus plan. "The American people are watching," Obama told a gathering of mayors at the White House. "They need this plan to work. They expect to see the money that they've earned - they've worked so hard to earn - spent in its intended purposes without waste, without inefficiency, without fraud."
President Barack Obama
Transforming The Regulatory System
February 25, 2009 COL 7 min
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We’ve seen turmoil on Wall Street like we haven’t seen in decades, as major financial institutions have faltered. We can no longer sustain 21st century markets with 20th century regulations and must create a 21st century regulatory framework. First, financial institutions that pose serious risks, systemic risks, to our market should be subject to serious oversight by the government. Second, our regulatory system must be strong enough to withstand both system-wide stress and the failure of one or more large institutions. Third, we must rebuild trust in our markets, Fourth, we need strong and uniform supervision of financial products marketed to investors and consumers. Fifth, we must demand strict accountability, starting at the top. Sixth, we must make sure our system of regulations covers appropriate institutions and markets. Finally, we must recognize that the challenges we face are not just American challenges, they are global challenges...
President Barack Obama
Visit To Camp LeJuene
February 27, 2009 COL 36 min
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President Obama outlines his strategy to end the war in Iraq. The first part of this strategy is the responsible removal of our combat brigades from Iraq. I made clear my support for a timeline of 16 months to carry out this drawdown. I have now chosen a timeline that will remove our combat brigades over the next 18 months. I intend to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. We are refocusing on al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan; developing a strategy to use all elements of American power to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon; and actively seeking a lasting peace between Israel and the Arab world. I want you to know this: military families are a top priority for Michelle and me, and they will be a top priority for my administration. We’ll raise military pay, and continue providing quality child-care, job-training for spouses, and expanded counseling and outreach to families and implement a 21st century GI Bill to help our veterans live their dreams...
President Barack Obama
Nominates Kathleen Sebelius To Head Health Human Services
March 2, 2009 COL 14 min
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President Obama nominated Kathleen Seblius to head the Department of HHS. Obama also used the occasion to introduce Nancy-Ann DeParle, who will head the White House Office for Health Reform. Obama took the opportunity to announce he was releasing $155 million from the stimulus package that the White House said would support 126 new health centers, which would employ 5,500 health workers and help 750,000 low-income Americans get primary and preventive care.
President Barack Obama
Meets With British Prime Minister Gordon Brown
March 3, 2009 COL 22 min
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President Obama and Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Great Britain meet answer questions on various subjects March 3, 2009. Obama comments on: Planned U.S missile defense system in Central Europe, Russia's objections, and Iran nuclear threat, America's relationship with Great Britain, the current crisis in the world wide banking and financial systems, the sell-off or dramatic decline in the stock market, power of globalization, Afghanistan and Pakistan as safe havens for terrorist activity.
President Barack Obama
Government Contracting Reform
March 4, 2009 COL 9 min
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President Obama appearing with the Chairman and Ranking Republican of the Senate Armed Services Committee said he would take two steps to reform the procedure for government contracting that would save the taxpayers about $40 billion a year. Obama signed a presidential memo ordering his budget director, Peter Orszag, to work with Cabinet and agency chiefs to come up with a way to review existing contracts for waste or fraud. In addition, he would support Pentagon procurement reform legislation offered by Levin and McCain.
President Barack Obama
Remarks At Health Care Summit
March 5, 2009 COL 17 min
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President Obama makes remarks on the need for health care reform, calling it absolutely essential for the long term financial well being of our country, prior to the opening of the Health Care Summit he is hosting at the White House. Attending this summit are members of Congress, health care experts, Physicians, business owners, and insurers.
President Barack Obama
Attends Police Recruits Graduation
March 6, 2009 COL 37 min
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President Obama attended the graduation class of 25 police officers in Columbus, Ohio on March6, 2009. These officers owe their jobs to the stimulus spending as part of Obama's $787 billion economic recovery plan.
President Barack Obama
Signing Executive Order Concerning Stem Cell Research
March 9, 2009 COL 14 min
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President Barack Obama signed an executive Order that will allow federal funds to be used for embryonic stem cell research. Obama's action reverses Bush's stem cell policy by undoing his 2001 directive that banned federal funding for research into stem lines created after Aug. 9, 2001.
President Barack Obama
Addresses Hispanic Chamber Legislative Conference
March10, 2009 COL 35 min
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The desire to create jobs and provide opportunity to people who sometimes have been left out -- that's exactly what this administration is about. The source of America's prosperity has never been merely how ably we accumulate wealth, but how well we educate our people. Year after year, a stubborn gap persists between how well white students are doing compared to their African American and Latino classmates. For every dollar we invest in early childhood programs, we get nearly $10 back in reduced welfare rolls, fewer health care costs, and less crime.That's why the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that I signed into law invests $5 billion in growing Early Head Start and Head Start, Students take responsibility for their own education. That means showing up for school on time, paying attention in class, seeking out extra tutoring if it's needed, staying out of trouble. To any student who's watching, I say this: Don't even think about dropping out of school. Don't even think about it...
President Barack Obama
White House Council For Women And Girls
March 11, 2009 COL 17 min
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President Barack Obama signed an executive order creating a White House Council for Women and Girls to focus the federal government's efforts on advancing the interests of a group that has long done less well than men by a number of measures. His signing of the executive order was part of the president's marking of International Women's Month. "Its purpose is very simple," Obama said. "To ensure that each of the agencies in which they're charged takes into account the needs of women and girls in the policies they draft, the programs they create, the legislation they support. It's not enough to only have individual women's offices at individual agencies or only have one office in the White House. The council will be comprised of cabinet secretaries and cabinet-level officers. It will be chaired by Valerie Jarrett.
President Barack Obama
Makes Statement On Earmarks
March 11, 2009 COL 5 min
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In this 5-minute clip President Obama said "I am signing an imperfect omnibus bill because it's necessary for the ongoing functions of government.” This bill does include earmarks. He defended earmarks when done right allowing lawmakers to direct money to their districts for worthy causes, but acknowledged the practice of earmarks have been abused.
President Barack Obama
Dedication Of Lincoln Hall, National Defense University
March 12, 2009 COL 18 min
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Excerpts: Thank you, General Wilson, for the wonderful introduction and your hospitality. Thank you to Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen for the extraordinary service that they render to this country. You know, I think so highly of NDU that I picked one of your alumni, General Jim Jones, to be my National Security Advisor I want to acknowledge all of our troops now serving overseas. They have shouldered an awesome responsibility. Today, it is my privilege to join you in dedicating this building to the memory of President Abraham Lincoln...
President Barack Obama
Remarks At Anniversary Dept. Of Veterans Affairs
March 16, 2009 COL 12 min
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President Obama marks 20th anniversary of elevation of the Department of Veterans Affairs to a cabinet level agency. Retired Army General Eric Shinseki, the head of the VA, introduces the President. President Barack Obama says the homecoming for the troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will be a true test of the nation's commitment to its veterans. He pledges a 21st century G.I. Bill for our returning military veterans.
President Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner
Remarks Small Business Owners
March 16, 2009 COL 24 min
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President Obama and Treasury Secretary Geithner unveiled a $15 billion dollar plan to help small businessess. This plan is part of a broad package aimed at boosting credit available to small business owners. The measures includes $730 million from the stimulus plan to immediately reduce small-business lending fees and to increase the government guarantee on Small Business Administration loans to 90 percent. The government also is taking aggressive steps to boost bank liquidity with up to $15 billion aimed at unfreezing the secondary credit market...
President Barack Obama
Welcomes Prime Minister Of Ireland To White House
March 17, 2009 COL 13 min
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President Obama welcomed the Taoiseach of Ireland, Brian Cowen, to the White House. Obama took this opportunity, on St. Patrick's Day, to announce the appointment of Dan Rooney to be the next Ambassador to Ireland.
President Barack Obama
Makes Remarks On Budget
March 17, 2009 COL 8 min
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President Obama, flanked by House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-S.C.) and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), called on Republican critics of his $3.55 trillion budget plan to offer their own solutions instead of carping at his proposals. "If certain aspects of this budget people don't think work, provide us some ideas in terms of what you do think will work," Obama. “Just say no' is the right advice to give your teenagers about drugs; it is not an acceptable response to what our economic policies propose by the other party." He outlined what his budget proposal will do: Will cut deficit in half by end of my first term. Will make investments that are linked to our long term prosperity such as reducing cost of health care, education programs, energy jobs in America, investments in wind power, solar, advanced biofuels, clean coal, fuel efficient cars and trucks. This budget does not raise taxes for any family making less than $250,000 dollars per year by a single dime. In fact 95 per cent of all families will receive a tax cut.
President Barack Obama
Townhall Meeting, Costa Mesa CA
March 18, 2009 COL 68 min
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President Obama held a Town Hall Meeting at the Orange County Fair and Events Center in Costa Mesa on March 18, 2009. Without being asked President Obama addressed the AIG bonuses by stating these bonuses, outrageous as they are, are a symptom of a much larger problem. It´s a culture where people made enormous sums of money taking irresponsible risks that have now put the entire economy at risk. I know Washington´s all in a tizzy, and everybody´s pointing fingers at each other and saying, It´s their fault, the Democrats fault, the Republicans fault. Listen, I´m the president and I will take responsibility...
President Barack Obama
Remarks At SCE Electric Vehicle Tech Center
March 19, 2009 COL 12 min
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I want to thank the folks here at the Electric Vehicle Technical Center for the tour we just had. Yesterday, I was in Costa Mesa talking with folks about this economic downturn we're in - a downturn that's hitting this state as much as any. One in ten Californians are out of work and actively looking for jobs. Day by day, test by test, trial by painstaking trial; the scientists, engineers, and workers at this site are developing the ideas and innovations that our future depend upon. It is your ingenuity that will help create the new jobs and new industries of tomorrow...
President Barack Obama
2nd Prime Time News Conference
March 24, 2009 COL 57 min
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I want to give everyone who’s watching tonight an update on the steps we’re taking to move this economy from recession to recovery, and ultimately to prosperity. It will take many months and many different solutions to lead us out. We’re beginning to see signs of progress. The first step we took was to pass a recovery plan to jump-start job creation and put money in people’s pockets. And this plan’s already saved the jobs of teachers and police officers. It’s creating construction jobs to rebuild roads and bridges. And this plan will provide a tax cut to 95 percent of all working families that will appear in people’s paychecks by April 1st...
President Barack Obama
News Conference, London Summit 2009
April 2, 2009 COL 54 min
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Earlier today, we finished a very productive summit that will be, I believe, a turning point in our pursuit of global economic recovery. By any measure, the London summit was historic. It was historic because of the size and the scope of the challenges that we face, and because of the timeliness and magnitude of our response...
President Barack Obama
Healthcare For Veterans
April 9, 2009 COL 11 min
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Flanked by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, President Obama laid out his plans to improve the health care system for military veterans. The first step will be a computerized system that will allow the DOD (Department of Defense) and the VA (Veterans Administration) to share records. The two departments will develop one unified, computerized system to hold every veteran's administrative and medical record, from the first day of enlistment to death. It is time to give our Veterans a 21st century VA.
President Barack Obama
White House Easter Egg Roll
April 13, 2009 COL 11 min
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Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden appear with the Easter Bunny on the White House baloney. President Barack Obama and the Obama family including Michaell Obama's mother, Marian Robinson appeared and wave to the crowd. After a “switch” problem with the mic (solved by Malia Obama) President Obama spoke. Michaell Obama then greeted everyone. President Obama officiated an Easter Egg Roll.
President Barack Obama
Major Economic Address, Georgetown University
April 14, 2009 COL 46 min
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We have responded to an extraordinary set of economic challenges with extraordinary action – action that has been unprecedented in both its scale and its speed. I want to step back for a moment and explain our strategy as clearly as I can. I want to talk about what we’ve done, why we’ve done it, and what we have left to do. I want to update you on the progress we’ve made, and be honest about the pitfalls that may lie ahead. This recession is different. This recession was not caused by a normal downturn in the business cycle. It was caused by a perfect storm of irresponsibility and poor decision-making that stretched from Wall Street to Washington to Main Street...
President Barack Obama
Remarks On Tax Code And Tax Relief
April 15, 2009 COL 8 min
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President Barack Obama talks about restoring fairness to the tax code and providing tax relief to working families and said “ effective April 15, 2009 workers will see more money in their paychecks”. His main points were an immediate tax cut for working Americans, extend loss carry back for small business, simplifying the student loan process, providing a tax credit up to $8,000.00 for first time home buyers, and simplifying the tax code.
President Barack Obama
Welcome Ceremony In Mexico
April 16, 2009 COL 32 min
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Welcome ceremony in Los Pinos, Mexico on april 16, 2009 for American President Barack Obama. Mexican President Felipe Calderon and President Obama addressed the people in attendance.
President Barack Obama
Holocaust Days Of Remembrance
April 23, 2009 COL 81 min
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The United States Congress established the Days of Remembrance as our nation’s annual commemoration of the Holocaust and created the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a permanent living memorial to the victims. This year Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom Hashoah, is Tuesday, April 21. The remembrance ceremony was in the Rotunda in the U.S. Capitol. The Museum has designated Never Again: What You Do Matters as the theme for the 2009 observance.
Remarks by: Fred S. Zeidman, Chairman, United States Holocaust Memorial Council Sallai Meridor, Ambassador to the United States from Israel Elie Wiesel, Joel M. Geiderman, Vice Chairman, United States Holocaust Memorial Council Sara J. Bloomfield, Director, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum President Barack Obama, Partisan Song
President Barack Obama
Visits F.B.I. Headquarters
April 28, 2009 COL 15 min
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President Obama visited FBI Headquarters and was introduced by FBI Director Robert Mueller.
Excepts of President Obama Remarks:
I want to thank your outstanding Director, Robert Mueller, for that introduction. Bob has led the Bureau during incredibly challenging times. He became only the sixth director of the FBI just one week before the 9/11 attacks, and since then he has worked as hard as anyone to prevent additional attacks and to carry out the FBI’s enormous responsibilities. I appreciate him, and I appreciate all of you.
With the attacks of 9/11, your mission became focused more than ever before on prevention—so that we have the capacity to uncover terrorist plots before they take hold. With the spread of new technologies, you increasingly confront adversaries in unconventional areas—from transnational networks to cyber crimes and espionage. And through it all, you must continue to stay one step ahead of all who step outside of the law.
This is a tough business, but it is essential to protecting our country. Because in the end, it is your work that makes the difference—your decisions, your analysis, and your action. And because of the men and women of the FBI, the American people are safer and our country is stronger—and for that, you have my personal gratitude, and you have the thanks of a grateful nation.
In so many ways, the FBI is a unique institution. You are unique because the FBI is both an intelligence agency and a law enforcement agency. You must both prevent danger and help us pursue those who carry it out. You protect us and you protect the civil liberties that we cherish.
Behind me is the motto that you must carry forward—Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity. No matter what challenge comes our way, then you will look back years from now with the satisfaction that you advanced the cause of America’s security and America’s ideals in our time. Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America.
President Barack Obama
Third Prime Time News Conference
April 29, 2009 COL 57 min
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President Obama:
Before we begin tonight, I just want to provide everyone with a few brief updates on some of the challenges we're dealing with right now. First, we are continuing to closely monitor the emergency cases of the H1N1 flu virus throughout the United States. As I said this morning, this is obviously a very serious situation, and every American should know that their entire government is taking the utmost precautions and preparations. Our public health officials have recommended that schools with confirmed or suspected cases of this flu strongly consider temporarily closing. And if more schools are forced to close, we've recommended that both parents and businesses think about contingency plans if their children do have to stay home...
President Barack Obama
Remarks On Chrysler Bankruptcy
April 30, 2009 COL 12 min
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On April 30, 2009 President Obama announced Chrysler will enter into a surgical bankruptcy after which Chrysler and Fiat, an Italian automaker, will enter into a merger in exchange for as much as $3.5 billion in additional financing. The president said the restructuring gives Chrysler a chance "not only to survive but to thrive in a global economy” and will save more than 30,000 jobs at Chrysler and "tens of thousands" of jobs for suppliers and dealers. The president praised the stakeholders such as auto unions that made sacrifices to reach a compromise, but he harshly condemned investment banks and hedge funds that he said were holding out for an "unjustified" federal bailout. While many stakeholders made sacrifices and worked constructively, I have to tell you that some did not, Obama said. "I don't stand with them. I stand with Chrysler's employees, families, and communities ... I don't stand with those who held out while everyone else was making sacrifices." The Obama administration also announced Thursday that the administration would wind down Chrysler's financing arm, and instead provide support to GMAC, the traditional financing arm for General Motors. GMAC will now handle financing for Chrysler as well. Chrysler and GM are going to come back, Obama proclaimed.
President Barack Obama
Naturalization Ceremony For Military Veterans
May 1, 2009 COL 16 min
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President Obama hosted a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members on May 1, 2009. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano administered the oath of citizenship.
President Barack Obama
Reforming Health Care System
May 11, 2009 COL 11 min
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President Obama reported top representatives of the health care industry offered $2 trillion in cost reductions over a 10-year period in a bid to help the President pass a health care plan. The industry officials represented health insurers, hospitals, doctors, drug makers, and a major labor union. Obama's health care plan is not a detailed legislative proposal, but a set of goals. Obama will rely on Congress to write the detailed version.
President Barack Obama
Remarks On Health Care
May 13, 2009 COL 9 min
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President Obama and Speaker Pelosi made the following remarks in regards to health care reform. In attendance were Representatives Hoyer, Rangel, Waxman, and Miller. Pelosi said our goal is to have a healthier America. Our legislation will be on the floor by the end of July, I'm quite certain and Obama said the timetable Pelosi announced pleases him.
President Obama said our health care system is broken. The most significant driver by far is ever-escalating health care costs. We've got to get this done. We've got to get it done this year. We don't have any excuses. “The stars are aligned," said Obama. President Obama announced the three bedrock principles that any comprehensive health care reform must achieve: (1) reduce costs, (2) guarantee choice, and (3) ensure all Americans have quality, affordable health care and he set a hard goal for getting it done by the end of this year.
President Barack Obama
Town Hall Meeting On Credit Cards
Rio Rancho, NM
May 14, 2009 COL 50 min
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President Obama held a Town Hall Meeting in Rio Rancho, NM on May 14, 2009 addressing the abuses of credit card companies. His main purpose in appearing here was to lobby Congress to make it harder for credit card companies to hike interest rates precipitously, charge unfair late fees, or impose other impossible conditions on consumers. He also had a warning to shoppers and reminded them this was not free money and was a debt to be repaid. He is asking Congress to have a bill on his desk by Memorial Day.
The American Bankers Association has warned senators that the measure could backfire by restricting credit for consumers at a time when they need it the most. The industry also argues that new rules by the Federal Reserve, scheduled to take effect in July 2010, address many of the concerns expressed by Obama and members of Congress. Obama doesn’t believe those rules go far enough to fix the problem.
President Barack Obama
Signs Credit Card Bill
May 22, 2009 COL 11 min
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President Obama signed into law sweeping reforms that restrict credit card interest rates and fees. President Obama said “With this bill we are putting in place some common sense reforms designed to protect consumers”. He went on to say "We're not going to be giving people a free pass and we expect consumers to live within their means and pay what they owe. But we also expect financial institutions to act with the same sense of responsibility that the American people aspire to in their own lives."
President Barack Obama
Remarks On GM Bankruptcy
June 1, 2009 COL 13 min
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Speaking hours after General Motors (GM) filed bankruptcy President Obama made the following statements regarding GM, Chrysler, and the auto industry.
“A new stronger Chrysler is poised to complete its alliance with Fiat just thirty one days after filing bankruptcy”. "Working with my auto task force, GM and its stakeholders have produced a viable, achievable plan that will give this iconic American company a chance to rise again," "I instructed my auto task force to treat all of GM's stakeholders fairly and to ensure that this restructuring was carried out in a way that was consistent with past precedent. And it was,"
Obama said. The government will inject another $30 billion into GM to help it get through the bankruptcy process, an investment that will pump the government's ownership position in the company to 60%. "Understand we're making these investments not because I want to spend the American people's tax dollars, but because I want to protect them," Obama said.
Obama repeated that the government is a " reluctant shareholder" with no interest in running the company's day-to-day operations. "I will not pretend the hard times are over," he added. "Difficult days lie ahead. More jobs will be lost. More plants will close. More dealerships will shut their doors, and so will many parts suppliers."
President Barack Obama
News Conference with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
July 6, 2009 COL 54 min
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President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev appeared at a Kremlin news conference in Moscow on July 6, 2009 to announce a preliminary deal to reduce stockpiles of nuclear warheads of both nations. President Obama says he trusts the Russian President to follow through on the agreements. A White House statement said the new treaty will include effective verification measures and will enhance the security of both the U.S. and Russia, as well as provide predictability and stability in strategic offensive forces. The leaders also announced several other deals meant to show progress toward resetting badly damaged U.S.-Russian relations. Those included Moscow allowing the United States to transport arms across its land and airspace into Afghanistan for the war there. The White House says the deal will save the U.S. $133 million a year, by waiving transit fees and shortening flying time. Other side agreements include reviving a joint commission to try to account for missing service members of both countries dating back to World War II and new cooperation on public health issues.
President Barack Obama
Trilateral Meeting In Mexico
August 10, 2009 COL 56 min
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President Barack Obama, Mexico’s Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper discussed clean energy and climate change in Guadalajara, Mexico on August 10, 2009, but violence of the drug trade, immigration, and trade overshadowed the other subjects.
During an hour-long press conference at the conclusion of the meeting said he hopes a draft bill on immigration reform will be ready by year’s end and that Congress will begin debate on the matter early in 2010. He said the quest to provide a path to legalization for the country’s estimated 12 million undocumented persons, mostly Mexican, would have to wait until after health care, energy and financial regulation issues have been completed.
Obama said the “Buy American” mandate in Washington’s economic stimulus plan has done nothing to reduce trade among the three nations.
Regarding the war on drugs, Obama stressed his support for the $1.4 billion Merida Initiative aimed at bolstering the battle against drugs in Mexico and Central America.
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I have great conference Mexico will apply the law enforcement techniques that are necessary to curb the power of the cartels, but doing so in a way that’s consistent with human rights... "
President Barack Obama
Town Hall Meeting - Bozeman, Montana
August 14, 2009 COL 61 min
NTSC: $449 PAL: $549
President Obama held a Town Hall meeting in Bozeman, MT on August 14, 2009 to discuss health care reform. There was a Q&A session after Obama's speech.
Excerpts from Speech:
"There has been a lot of attention paid to some of the Town Hall Meetings going on around the country-especially those where tempers have flared. You know TV loves a ruckus."
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One member of the audience stated “the only way you're going to pay for health care reform is to raise taxes”. Obama said “ you are absolutely right. I can't cover another 47 million people for free. I can't do that. We're going to have to find money from somewhere... "
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