My Two Favorite Men (A Reminiscent Daily O)

A little Daily O like the good ol' times. Did you see Barack on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart last night? I may be out of touch and living in Berlin, but this I would never miss. It made me feel a bit of the intensity that I did during election time, the intensity that made me start this blog a few years ago — no it was not for the love of fashion.

Both men (I love them each so dearly) stood his ground and made the people laugh as they are supposed to on such a show, but were valid, intelligent and direct and made me think and question, as usual, all the ridiculousness in the American government. Did you watch it? What did you think?

Obamas, Men in Suits and My Dad

Wow. I am not usually a fan of red but Michelle and her man certainly stunned at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards dinner. They seem to be glowing, no?

And just because Obama looks so dashing in that tux, I have included a couple other pics (sorry I forget where I found them) of dressed up dudes for you. I mean there is truly something breathtaking that occurs when a man puts on a suit, whether he is Marc Jacobs or just something fine on the street.

And speaking of dapper gents, my pops just arrived in Berlin and I couldn't be happier. I just got back from a lovely dinner on the river with him and my stepmom and I am feeling engulfed in the warmth of missed loved ones, which is all I could ask for on this chilly Berlin night.

My Daily Not So Daily O

My blog has certainly taken a much less Obama-centric approach as of late, but this is just too good to pass up, even if it did happen a year ago. Look at this pic of Barack and Michelle with the prime minister of Spain and his Goth teen daughters. Yes, Goth teen daughters — some of us were them and one day many of us will have them and now we can all feel a little more amazing about that. I wonder if they are still into it or if the faze is over. Anyone know?

Thanks for the flashback VenaCava blog.

Good News for People Who Love Good News!

This is giving the shining sun a run for it's money in making this day a great one!

WASHINGTON — House Democrats approved a far-reaching overhaul of the nation’s health system on Sunday, voting over unanimous Republican opposition to provide medical coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans after an epic political battle that could define the differences between the parties for years.

...

Inside, Democrats hailed the votes as a historic advance in social justice, comparable to the establishment of Medicare and Social Security. hey said the bill would also put pressure on rising health care costs and rein in federal budget deficits.

“This is the Civil Rights Act of the 21st century,” said Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 Democrat in the House.

Mr. Obama celebrated the House action in remarks at the White House.

“We pushed back on the undue influence of special interests,” Mr. Obama said. “We didn’t give in to mistrust or to cynicism or to fear. Instead, we proved that we are still a people capable of doing big things.”

“This isn’t radical reform,” he added, “but it is major reform.”

Read the rest of the monumental story here.

My No Longer Daily O (State of the Union)

It was a confident performance, more defiant than contrite, more conversational than soaring. He appealed to and scolded both parties, threatened vetoes, blamed his predecessor and poked fun at lawmakers. The agenda was largely the same, dressed up in fresh packaging, as he offered point-by-point rebuttals to the litany of critiques he hears with increasing frequency. He acknowledged only a failure to explain his policies without retreating an inch on the policies themselves. His main message: “I don’t quit.

I thought it was an effective and emotional speech, the kind that I was so accustomed to during election fever, goose bumps and all. I especially thought he did a great job addressing health care (even though he didn't even bring it up until the 11th page of his speech), the insane costs of higher education, and the extreme divide between Democrats and Republicans in congress (and the media) that ultimately results in not much getting done. I am sure the haters will still hate (and most of them didn't even clap when he discussed the tax cuts he had given to working families) but there is no denying that Obama is a good man who truly wants the best for his country, and not simply for his own gain like some other politicians we know.

Read more analysis from the New York Times here.

My Daily O

A year ago today Barack Obama became the president elect. God, I do miss the intensity of that time and the passion I had for it all from watching the debates to canvassing in Philly. I mean, the election inspired me to start this blog!

So how has Barack actually done as Prez? The New York Times assesses it here. What do you think? How do you feel?

My Daily O

The Jewish Musuem, Berlin

My Daily O

Happy Birthday Barack!

My Daily O

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have a beer with Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr., second from left, and Cambridge, Mass., police Sgt. James Crowley at the White House on Thursday, July 30, 2009.

Been listening to a lot of NPR lately, and this story has gotten so much airplay. Read more here.

My Daily O

My Daily O

I know, I know, it's been way too long to call it that. But I just couldn't resist - I love this image from the Rebranding America spread in this month's Paper mag. It was a good issue all around, especially because my boyfriend Gael was on the cover.

A Racist? I Think Not

"Our gender and national origins may and will make a difference in our judging. Justice O'Connor has often been cited as saying that a wise old man and wise old woman will reach the same conclusion in deciding cases. I am also not so sure that I agree with the statement. First, as Professor [Martha] Minnow has noted, there can never be a universal definition of wise. Second, I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experience would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life." [U.C. Berkeley School of Law, 10/26/2001]

I couldn’t agree more with Judge Sonia Sotomayor, Obama’s Supreme Court pick . Rush Limbaugh is a dick.

Read more here.

My Daily O

Great man, great book.

My Daily (B)O

Looks like over the weekend the Obama fam finally got their puppy. The Portuguese water dog was a present from Ted Kennedy and although he was originally named Charlie, the Obama’s decided to change his name to Bo, after Bo Diddley. Very cute.

If you care about knowing where exactly this dog came from click here.

My Daily O

President Obama at a Roosevelt Room budget meeting in January.

Makes my day seem a little less stressful. But broccoli rabe was in the healthy meal in the cafeteria today, so I actually feel fine.

Read the story here.

My (Every Other) Daily O

Last night on 20/20... Cheney is the devil.

My Daily O

Hee hee.

My Daily O

I found a(nother) grey hair today, but thank God I am not the only one. Those little friendly age/stress reminders seem be rapid firing into Barack’s locks as well. Now I don’t feel so bad that I spent twenty minutes in my work bathroom this morning extricating my new friend and searching for stragglers in my bangs. (The beauty of getting booted to the IT floor is the lack of ladies for the ladies room).

Being Pres sure is stressful, and it turns out that Presidents age two years for every year that they're in office. Pretty nuts. But Barack really isn’t the one graying prematurely. What is my excuse? I blame Bob Cahn and a few other things.

Read more here.

My Daily O

I had a dream that I went to the Obama's house last night. It was not the White House, but in fact a tree house looking place that you would probably find in the hills of Fairfax. Everything was chill until my dad and brother Michael showed up unannounced and ruined it all. Michelle then proceeded to kick us out. What does all this mean?

My Daily O

His administration will attempt to close the large fiscal gap even while starting a major health-care initiative intended to substantially extend coverage; to do so, it foresees increasing taxes on the wealthiest Americans and using revenue from a new program: selling carbon credits to manufacturers as part of a cap-and-trade plan meant to slow climate change.

Sounds like a plan.

Read more here.