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Well, this is what one would call bad political optics. With the dual breaking news events surrounding potential terrorism and a foreign diplomat being shot to death, White House pool reports showed that President Barack Obama headed to a country club in Hawaii near his rental house, where he is vacationing. The first email shows that Obama has directed his staff to keep him updated on the situation in Turkey regarding the assassination of the Russian Ambassador. From the White House, per Principal Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz: “This morning the President was briefed by his National Security Team on...

…a choice that breaks from a modern tradition of featuring images of the White House on the card. . . . Malia and Sasha “dazzle” in elegant, embroidered gowns designed by Naeem Khan, that are worth nearly $20,000. Each. There’s not much of a Christmas-y feel to the card, other than being framed by Christmas holly clipart. Fittingly, Bill Clinton was the first modern president to use a family photo on a White House Christmas card in 1993. You have to go back to Franklin D. Roosevelt — another Democrat — to find another family portrait in use.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama delivered a videotaped Christmas message to the nation yesterday. In this message, the president said: "Today, like millions of Americans and Christians around the world, our family celebrates the birth of Jesus and the values He lived in his own life." The president and his family are on vacation in Hawaii. The last piece of legislation he signed was on Dec. 18. It was the omnibus spending bill, which permits funding of Planned Parenthood. ...

Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and their two daughters did not go to church on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, according to press pool reports. The Obamas are in Kailua, Hawaii for a 17-day Christmas vacation. Although the Obamas did not go to church for Christmas, President Obama did play golf

For first lady Michelle Obama, a joyous Christmas Eve tradition briefly ran up against the harsh realities of a world where all is not calm and bright. -snip- Obama hit the links at the Kaneohe Klipper golf course at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. It's the third golf outing since he arrived on Friday. The president's golfing partners included childhood friends Bobby Titcomb and Mike Ramos, aide Marvin Nicholson; former aide Reggie Love; White House Chef Sam Kass; and Chicago friend Eric Whitaker.

Here is the heart of President Obama's official Christmas message: "This is a season for millions of Americans to be together with family, to continue long-held holiday traditions, and to show our gratitude to those we love. And along the way, some of us might even watch a little basketball or eat some Christmas cookies, too." Ah yes, cookies and basketball: that's what Christmas is about for the President. Oh, and yes, those "long-held holiday traditions." More here.

Obama spent part of her Christmas Eve chatting on the phone with children as part of the U.S. military's Santa Claus tracking program. Obama talked for about a half-hour Tuesday morning with nine children, ages 3-9, in communities across North America, from Kansas City to Canada's Ontario province, the White House said. It was the fourth year the first lady has participated in the North American Aerospace Defense Command's NORAD Tracks Santa program.

If Michelle Obama's greige nail polish she wore during her Democratic National Convention speech was enough to spark discussion from Pulitzer prize-winning authors, then her Christmas Day polish is sure to cause fireworks. The First Lady, visiting a military base in Hawaii with President Barack Obama, celebrated December 25th in summery style, wearing a sleeveless cotton dress, sandals and a neon yellow pedicure. While she kept her hands bare, the pop of yellow on her toes was a simple way to liven up and add some colour to her black and white ensemble. The president and his family spent the...

President Obama will return to Washington from Hawaii Thursday while First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters plan to continue their vacation, adding at least $100,000 and probably more than $200,000 to taxpayer costs for the excursion. Instead of accompanying her husband home on Air Force One, Mrs. Obama will fly on her own Air Force jet at a later date and require security and staff to remain in place in Hawaii for the length of her stay, which reportedly could extend until January 6. The White House does not reveal the price tag for the Obamas’ vacations. But an...

full title...Turkey, mac and cheese: Michelle reveals she's throwing out 'Let's Move' campaign to give her family a good stuffing on Christmas DayMichelle Obama put her campaign to end childhood obesity on hold as she helped cook up some turkey, stuffing and mac and cheese. The First Lady dubbed herself ‘hostess in chief’ as she welcomed the country into her family’s home for the holidays. ‘This is the time when I throw “Let's Move” out the window for a moment, and get that mac and cheese. Everybody deserves their mac and cheese,’ she told The Today Show this week.

Another Christmas card from the White House that has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. No mention whatsoever on this 'Holiday' card. Compare that to the card sent out by the Bush White House

Misfit Politics has put together a video with a very astute observation about how Obama looks at Christmas vs Ramadan: Surprised? Me neither.

WASHINGTON— In this week’s address, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama came together to wish the American people a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and thanked our troops, military families, and veterans for their service and sacrifice. President Obama and Michelle Obama encouraged everyone to visit JoiningForces.gov to find ways to give back to our brave men and women in uniform and their families during the holiday season as we work together in the spirit of service. Remarks of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama Weekly Address The White House December 24, 2011 THE PRESIDENT: Hi everyone....

Their politically correct holiday card was ridiculed for avoiding the Christmas theme altogether. But the President and First Lady have finally acknowledged the religious origins of the festival. Giving his weekly address from Hawaii where the first family are on holiday, the President was joined by Michelle Obama, as the couple wished America a Happy Christmas. The Obamas were last week mocked for having sent out a Christmas card, featuring their dog Bo, containing no discernible mention of Christmas itself. They also sent out a secular card in 2009. But sitting next to her husband the

Bo Obama was supposed to be in Hawaii. Instead, he showed up at President Obama’s side Wednesday shopping for treats at Pet Smart According to Michelle Obama’s press office, the first dog was planning to go to Hawaii with the first lady and the Obama daughters. The Associated Press reported that he in fact had made it there. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser quoted an eyewitness who said he had seen the Portuguese Water Dog having his walk. So what is Bo doing back in Washington shopping at PetSmart? Either all these reports are mistaken, or Bo was told his vacation was...

*snip* The image, seen above, places Bo in front of the fireplace in the White House library with a poinsettia and other decorations. The inside of the card features the presidential seal along with a holiday greeting: "From our family to yours, may your holidays shine with the light of the season." The card is signed by the President and first lady, their daughters, Malia and Sasha, as well as Bo, the family's Portuguese water dog.

US President Barack Obama is getting "sports stuff" for Christmas. But the president, an avid golfer and basketball player, will have to wait until December 25 to find out exactly what it is. First lady Michelle Obama gave the hint on Tuesday during a trip to the Children's National Medical Centre. She visited privately with young patients in the heart and kidney unit, then came downstairs to the atrium to read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas to dozens more. Daughters Malia, 11, and Sasha, 8, helped their mother deliver that dose of holiday cheer, along with family dog Bo, who...

(Bush vs. Obama Christmas Card): The Bush card: "multitudes of heaven worship you" Obama: "Have a joyous holiday season" (Photos)

A new Obama Christmas song along with an old one and an animated Obama. What could go wrong?