All Blog Posts from Political Hotsheet

In the morning, President Obama will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing and meet with senior advisers in the Oval Office. Later, he will deliver remarks at an event highlighting several initiatives designed to boost science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

Mr. Obama and Vice President Biden will then have lunch in the Private Dining Room.

In the afternoon, Mr. Obama will hold a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room. Later, he will then meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Oval Office.

In the evening, the president will deliver remarks and present the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award to Magodonga Mahlangu and her organization, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), in an East Room ceremony.

Here's the full schedule from the White House (all times Eastern):

10:20AM: President Obama receives the Presidential Daily Briefing

10:50AM: President Obama meets with senior advisers

11:40AM: President Obama delivers remarks at event highlighting several initiatives designed to boost science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education

12:35PM: President Obama and Vice President Biden have lunch

1:45PM: President Obama meets with his Cabinet

4:50PM: President Obama meets with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

5:50PM: President Obama delivers remarks and presents the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award

President Obama has no scheduled public events on Friday, after returning home Thursday afternoon from an 8-day trip to four countries in Asia.

Coverage of Obama's Visit to Asia:

Photo Essays
Photo Essay: Obama at the Great Wall of China
Photo Essay: Obama in China
Photo Essay: Obama in South Korea
Photo Essay: Obama in Japan

Stories and Blog Posts
CBS News Interview with Obama in China
Obama Returns Home After 4-Nation, 20,898-Mile Trip
Obama's Trip Lacked Notable Achievements
Obama, Lee Seek Nuke Bargain with N. Korea
In Asia, Obama Talks Tough on Iran
Obama Calls Great Wall "Magical"
Obama Reunites with Half-Brother in China
Obama Stresses Cooperation With Hu, China
Obama Takes in the Sights of Beijing
U.S., China Fuel Each Other's Bad Habits

On "Washington Unplugged" Thursday, CBS News' Marc Ambinder said that while Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has an uphill battle getting the health care he bill introduced last night passed, not all hope is lost

He noted how important the votes of Democratic Sens. Mary Landrieu (La.) , Ben Nelson (Neb.) and Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), as well Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.), are to the bill's chance of passage. "Their biggest stated concern is that the bill will add to the deficit over ten years," Ambinder explained, adding that the White House and Democratic leaders are encouraged because the Reid plan was estimated to decrease the deficit.

"It removes a major obstacle to moderates supporting it," he said. And the White House may have reason to rejoice.

"The White House strategy amounts to three words," CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller said. "Get it passed."

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President Obama is in Korea where his Thursday will begin on Wednesday night in the U.S. On Thursday morning in Seoul, he will begin his day by visiting United States Embassy staff and their families.

He then participates in an arrival ceremony at the Blue House, the presidential compound in Northern Seoul. Following the ceremony, the president will meet with President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea. In the afternoon, the leaders will hold a joint press conference at the Blue House. Following the joint press conference, they will participate in a working lunch.

Mr. Obama will also deliver remarks at event with service members while in South Korea. He then departs Seoul on route back to Washington, with a stopover in Alaska.

Here's the full schedule from the White House (all times Eastern):

Wednesday, Nov. 18

8:10PM: President Obama visits United States Embassy staff and their families

9:00PM: President Obama arrives at the Blue House and participates in an arrival ceremony.

9:15PM: President Obama and President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea hold a bilateral meeting.

9:50PM: President Obama and President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea hold an expanded bilateral meeting.

10:30PM: President Obama and President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea hold a joint press conference.

11:10PM: President Obama and President Lee Myung-bak participate in a working lunch.

Thursday, Nov. 19

1:20AM: President Obama delivers remarks at event with service members.

2:05AM: President Obama departs South Korea en route Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska.

9:40AM: President Obama arrives in Anchorage, Alaska.

11:40AM: President Obama departs Anchorage, Alaska en route Washington, DC.

6:05PM: President Obama arrives at Andrews Air Force Base

6:25PM: President Obama departs Fort McNair en route The White House

She may be among the biggest names in politics at the moment, but former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is not exactly America's sweetheart.

Just 23 percent of those surveyed in a new CBS News poll have a favorable view of the former Alaska governor. That matches her favorable rating in July, when Palin announced she was resigning from her job as governor.

Thirty-eight percent, meanwhile, have an unfavorable view of Palin -- also roughly matching her July rating. Another 37 percent say they are undecided or haven't heard enough, despite the spotlight on Palin in recent days tied to the imminent publication of her memoir, "Going Rogue."

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On Tuesday morning in China, President Obama will participate in a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People. He will then hold a bilateral meeting and an expanded bilateral meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao in the Great Hall of the People. Following the meetings, the presidents will deliver joint statements to the press.

In the afternoon, the president will tour the Forbidden City. Upon conclusion of the tour, Mr. Obama will sign the guest book at the Gate of Loyal Obedience.

Later, Mr. Obama will visit United States Embassy employees and their families in the atrium of the U.S. Embassy. He will then hold a bilateral meeting with Chairman Wu Bangguo.

In the evening, Mr. Obama will attend a State Dinner in the Great Hall of the People.

Here's a full schedule from the White House (all times Eastern):

Monday, November 16

8:45PM: President Obama participates in welcome ceremony

9:00PM: President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China hold a bilateral meeting

9:45PM: President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China hold an expanded bilateral meeting

11:15PM: President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China make joint press statements

Tuesday, November 17

12:20AM: President Obama tours the Forbidden City

1:55AM: President Obama visits United States Embassy employees and their families

4:55AM: President Obama and Chairman Wu Bangguo hold a bilateral meeting

5:30AM: President Obama attends State Dinner

On Thursday morning, President Obama will make a brief statement to the press on the economy in the Diplomatic Reception Room. The president will then depart Washington and travel to Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage, Alaska, where he will meet with service members and deliver remarks.

The president will then depart Elmendorf Air Force Base and travel to Tokyo, Japan. He will arrive at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Friday afternoon. In the evening, the president and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will hold a bilateral meeting and an expanded bilateral meeting at the Kantei, the principal workplace of the Prime Minister of Japan. The president and the prime minister will then hold a joint press conference before having dinner.

Mr. Obama will spend the night in Tokyo.

Here's the full schedule from the White House (all times Eastern):

9:15AM: President Obama makes a brief statement to the press on the economy

9:30AM: President Obama departs The White House en route Andrews Air Force Base

9:50AM: President Obama departs Andrews Air Force Base en route Anchorage, Alaska


4:50PM: President Obama arrives in Anchorage, Alaska

5:10PM: President Obama meets with service members

5:30PM: President Obama delivers remarks at event with service members

6:55PM: President Obama departs Anchorage, Alaska en route Tokyo, Japan

Friday, November 13, 2009

2:15AM: President Obama arrives in Tokyo, Japan

4:50AM: President Obama and Prime Minister Hatoyama of Japan hold bilateral meeting

5:10AM: President Obama and Prime Minister Hatoyama hold expanded bilateral meeting

6:20AM: President Obama and Prime Minister Hatoyama hold joint press conference

6:45AM: President Obama and Prime Minister Hatoyama have dinner

In the morning, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will host a Veterans Day breakfast in the East Room. The Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden will also attend. Later, the president and the first lady will visit Arlington National Cemetery where Mr. Obama will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns and then deliver remarks at the Memorial Amphitheater.

In the afternoon, the president will meet with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Situation Room. Expected attendees include:

Vice President Biden
Secretary of State Clinton
Secretary of Defense Gates
Ambassador Susan Rice, Permanent U.S. Representative to the United Nations
Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan
Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
General James E. Cartwright, USMC, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
General David Petraeus, U.S. Central Command
General Stanley McChrystal, U.S. Commander in Afghanistan
Lieutenant General Karl Eikenberry, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan
General James Jones, National Security Advisory
Tom Donilon, Deputy National Security Advisor
John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security
Lieutenant General Douglas Lute, Special Assistant to the President for Afghanistan and Pakistan

Here's the full schedule from the White House (all times Eastern):

9:05AM: President Obama and Michelle Obama host Veterans Day breakfast

11:00AM: President Obama participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns

11:25AM: President Obama delivers remarks

2:30PM: President Obama meets with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan

American presidents often face their greatest speaking challenges when called upon to serve as consoler-in-chief to a nation grieving a collective loss.

But national calamities also give U.S. leaders an unequaled chance to inspire and provide solace.

Remember President Reagan's evening address to the nation on the day America suffered through the Challenger disaster that claimed the lives of 7 astronauts:

"Today is a day for mourning and remembering. Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger. We know we share this pain with all of the people of our country. This is truly a national loss."

That speech is remembered as one of Ronald Reagan's finest and most moving – especially its ending.

"The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.'"

In 1995, President Clinton found himself in a similar situation, trying to comfort the nation after the worst episode of terrorism to hit the U.S. to that time: the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City.

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In the morning, the president and the first lady will travel to Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. Mr. Obama and Michelle Obama will meet with families of those killed last week and also with wounded soldiers and their families at III Corps Headquarters, Fort Hood.

In the afternoon, Mr. Obama will address the Fort Hood community during a memorial service for the soldiers and civilians killed on November 5th. The president and the first lady will then meet with wounded soldiers at Darnall Army Medical Center before returning to the White House in the evening.

Here's the full schedule from the White House (all times Eastern):

9:05AM: President Obama and Michelle Obama depart The White House en route Andrews Air Force Base

9:20AM: President Obama and Michelle Obama depart Andrews Air Force Base en route Killeen, Texas

12:25PM: President Obama and Michelle Obama arrive in Killeen, Texas

12:50PM: President Obama and Michelle Obama meet with families of the fallen

1:20PM: President Obama and Michelle Obama meet with wounded soldiers and their families

2:00PM: President Obama addresses the Fort Hood community

3:25PM: President Obama and Michelle Obama meet with wounded soldiers

4:20PM: President Obama and Michelle Obama depart Killeen, Texas en route Andrews Air Force Base

7:20PM: President Obama and Michelle Obama arrive at Andrews Air Force Base

7:35PM: President Obama and Michelle Obama arrive at The White House