Barack Obama – Page 2

Christmas musical celebration in Washington

Mary J. Blige and Usher are some of the performers scheduled to join President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle at the annual “Christmas in Washington” celebration Sunday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m central time on the TNT network. The event will benefit the National Children’s Medical Center. Host George Lopez, Neil Diamond, Sugarland, Justin Bieber and Rob Thomas will also be there to ring in the holidays. The show will be taped Sunday, Dec. 13 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

“We take pride in presenting CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON each year as we bring together musical artists from a variety of genres for a fantastic holiday concert,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president/head of programming for TNT, TBS and TCM. “This year, we’re especially thrilled to welcome a lineup of top-name performers and an equally amazing host, George Lopez. Together, they will make this a holiday celebration to remember.”

The Obamas host first state dinner

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle honored Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his wife Mrs. Gursharan Kaur Tuesday night during the first state dinner of the Obama administration. Besides political insiders, the 338- guest list included Hollywood stars such as Alfre Woodard, who is a member of the president’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, and Blair Underwood.

The First Lady wore a sleeveless, gold and cream-colored sheath dress with an overlay of silver and matching shawl by Indian-born designer Naeem Khan. The designer has also dressed Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Queen Noor of Jordan. Academy Award winning actor and singer Jennifer Hudson performed at the event.

Obama meets with half-brother in China

While visiting China, President Obama met Monday with his half-brother, Mark Ndesandjo, who lives in China with his wife, a native of the country. Ndesandjo recently wrote a semiautobiographical novel about their abusive Kenyan father.

“I don’t know him well. I met him for the first time a couple of years ago,” Obama told CNN. “He stopped by with his wife for about five minutes during the trip.”

President Obama celebrates 48th birthday

Forty-eight years ago today, President Barack Obama was born in Honolulu. He will spend his birthday at the White House having lunch with the Senate Democratic Caucus.

“Chuck E. Cheese was booked,” Press Secretary Robert Gibbs joked yesterday.

Obama says “mom jeans” are comfortable

In a “Today Show” interview, President Barack Obama responded to critics who called his choice of denim worn while throwing out the first pitch at the All-Star game in St. Louis last week “mom jeans.” Obama said the jeans were comfortable.

“Michelle she looks fabulous,” Obama said. “I’m a little frumpy. Up until a few years ago I only had four suits. She used to tease me… I hate to shop.”

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Obama speaks out about Michael Jackson’s death

President Barack Obama, who sent a private condolence letter to the Jackson family, spoke publicly about the death of Michael Jackson Thursday.

“I’m glad to see that he is being remembered primarily for the great joy that he brought to a lot of people through his extraordinary gifts as an entertainer,” Obama said in an AP interview.

The president said he grew up on Jackson’s music and “I still have all his stuff on my iPod.”

“I think that Michael Jackson will go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers,” Obama said. “His brilliance as a performance also was paired with a tragic and in many ways, sad personal life.”

Obama barbecues for Father’s Day

President Barack Obama was joined by celebrities such as NBA stars Dwayne Wade and Alonzo Mourning as he barbecued for Father’s Day at the White House.

A Father’s Day Message from Barack Obama

This week, Parade magazine asked President Barack Obama to share his thoughts on fatherhood. He encouraged fathers to step up:

In many ways, I came to understand the importance of fatherhood through its absence—both in my life and in the lives of others. I came to understand that the hole a man leaves when he abandons his responsibility to his children is one that no government can fill. We can do everything possible to provide good jobs and good schools and safe streets for our kids, but it will never be enough to fully make up the difference.

That is why we need fathers to step up, to realize that their job does not end at conception; that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child but the courage to raise one.

As fathers, we need to be involved in our children’s lives not just when it’s convenient or easy, and not just when they’re doing well—but when it’s difficult and thankless, and they’re struggling. That is when they need us most.

Click here to see more of the President’s letter.

Obama’s Paris Vacation

School is out and the Obamas are taking a family vacation. President Barack Obama arrived in Paris Friday to meet his family that earlier in the day made a stop at the Eiffel Tower. The presidential family stayed at the U.S. Embassy, reports the New York Daily News.

After a trip to Normandy to attend the 65th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings today, they will continue their Parisian vacation by visiting the Notre Dame cathedral. The President will return to Washington Sunday while Michelle and the girls stay in Paris until Monday and celebrate daughter, Sasha’s eighth birthday.

Michelle Obama lunches with Nancy Reagan

Michelle Obama had lunch with former First Lady Nancy Reagan Wednesday. This is the first time Obama has invited a predecessor to the White House, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. She called Reagan for advice during the Obamas’ move to Washington.