http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/appt/2012/03/187010.htm
SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
10:15 a.m. Secretary Clinton joins a meeting with Chen Zhili, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, at the Department of State.
(POOLED CAMERA SPRAY)
1:45 p.m. Secretary Clinton participates in the promotion ceremony for Lieutenant Paul Matier, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
2:00 p.m. Secretary Clinton meets with Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
2:30 p.m. Secretary Clinton meets with Counselor Mills and Administrator Shah, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
DEPUTY SECRETARY BILL BURNS
2:30 p.m. Deputy Secretary Burns attends a meeting at the White House.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY WHITE HOUSE)
3:45 p.m. Deputy Secretary Burns meets with Peruvian Defense Minister Alberto Otárola, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
USAID ADMINISTRATOR RAJ SHAH
8:00 a.m. Administrator Shah attends a meeting at the White House.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY WHITE HOUSE)
2:30 p.m. Administrator Shah meets with Secretary Clinton and Counselor Mills, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
US FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS WENDY SHERMAN
11:00 a.m. Under Secretary Sherman delivers remarks, “The New Decade: Seizing Opportunities from a Transforming Africa,” at the U.S. Institute of Peace, in Washington, DC.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)
US FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT ROBERT HORMATS
3:30 p.m. Under Secretary Hormats meets with Brazilian Under Secretary for the Environment, Energy, Science and Technology Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
5:30 p.m. Under Secretary Hormats meets with representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia and Ambassador Gilbert Robinson, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
7:00 p.m. Under Secretary Hormats attends an event in honor of Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG with German Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Ammon, in Washington, DC.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
US FOR CIVILIAN SECURITY, DEMOCRACY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS MARIA OTERO
Under Secretary Otero is on foreign travel to El Salvador and Belize through March 29.
ACTING US FOR ARMS CONTROL ROSE GOTTEMOELLER
Acting Under Secretary Gottemoeller is on foreign travel to Vienna, Moscow, Tallinn and London through April 5.
6:00 p.m. LOCAL Acting Under Secretary Gottemoeller participates in a roundtable discussion at the Carnegie Moscow Center, in Moscow, Russia.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)
ACTING US FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS KATHLEEN STEPHENS
Acting Under Secretary Stephens is on foreign travel to Algiers, Doha, Amman, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv through April 5.
AS FOR SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIAN AFFAIRS ROBERT BLAKE
Assistant Secretary Blake is on foreign travel to Dushanbe, Tajikistan; New Delhi, India; and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
AS FOR INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS WILLIAM BROWNFIELD
Assistant Secretary Brownfield is on foreign travel in Guatemala to highlight ongoing bilateral efforts to stem crime and violence and to visit communities that have embraced police-community partnerships.
AS FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS JOHNNIE CARSON
11:00 a.m. Assistant Secretary Carson joins Under Secretary Sherman at the U.S. Institute of Peace for her remarks, “The New Decade: Seizing Opportunities from a Transforming Africa,” at the U.S. Institute of Peace, in Washington, DC.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)
12:15 a.m. Assistant Secretary Carson meets with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, in Washington, DC.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
AS FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND NONPROLIFERATION TOM COUNTRYMAN
Assistant Secretary Countryman is on foreign travel in Tokyo, Japan through March 29.
AS FOR NEAR EASTERN AFFAIRS JEFF FELTMAN
Assistant Secretary Feltman is on travel to Yemen through March 28 to meet with senior government officials, youth leaders, women activists, and members of the media.
AS FOR ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS JOSE FERNANDEZ
10:00 a.m. Assistant Secretary Fernandez meets with Mary Ott and Eric Postel of USAID on Global Engagement Funds, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
2:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Fernandez participates in a panel discussion, “Partnership for Growth: A New Model for USG Engagement on Development” at the Center for Global Development, in Washington, DC.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)
AS FOR EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS PHILIP GORDON
Assistant Secretary Gordon is on foreign travel to France, Italy, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
ACTING AS FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS MIKE HAMMER
Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Mike Hammer is on travel to South Dakota to do outreach to universities, civic groups, and media.
9:00 a.m. LOCAL Acting Assistant Secretary Hammer meets with the South Dakota Board of Regents to discuss the Bureau of Public Affairs Campus Connections Initiative, in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
10:30 a.m. LOCAL Acting Assistant Secretary Hammer addresses the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce on economic statecraft and other foreign policy priorities, in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
12:00 p.m. LOCAL Acting Assistant Secretary Hammer delivers remarks to students and faculty at Northern State University on U.S. foreign policy priorities, in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
ACTING AS FOR WESTERN HEMISPHERE AFFAIRS ROBERTA JACOBSON
3:30 p.m. Acting Assistant Secretary Jacobson meets with Mark Schneider and Javier Ciurlizza of the International Crisis Group, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
7:00 p.m. Acting Assistant Secretary Jacobson attends a reception in honor of Peruvian Defense Minister Alberto Otárola, in Washington, DC.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)
AS FOR OCEANS AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS KERRI-ANN JONES
9:30 a.m. Assistant Secretary Jones participates in a seminar on sustainable development, at the Brookings Institution, in Washington, DC.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
2:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Jones participates in a Senior Coordinating Body teleconference on the North American Plan for Animal and Pandemic Influenza, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
AS FOR DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR MICHAEL POSNER
Assistant Secretary Posner and Deputy Assistant Secretary Daniel Baer are on foreign travel in Ottawa, Canada, to lead the U.S. Delegation for the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs) Initiative Annual Plenary Meeting.
ACTING AS FOR POPULATION, REFUGEES, AND MIGRATION DAVID ROBINSON
12:30 p.m. Acting Assistant Secretary Robinson meets with Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, in Washington, DC
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
AS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ANN STOCK
Assistant Secretary Stock in on foreign travel in Spain through March 30.
4:30 p.m. LOCAL Assistant Secretary Stock delivers remarks at the Service Innovation Summit, hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Spain, the Rafael del Pino Foundation, and Meridian International’s Global Service Leaders Initiative, in Madrid, Spain.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)
7:00 p.m. LOCAL Assistant Secretary Stock tours the Art in Embassies Exhibit at the El Museo de arte Thyssen-Bornemisza with U.S. Ambassador to Spain Alan Solomont, in Madrid, Spain.
8:00 p.m. LOCAL Assistant Secretary Stock attends a welcome reception for the Service Innovation Summit, hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Spain Alan Solomont, in Madrid, Spain.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)
AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE AND U.S. GLOBAL AIDS COORDINATOR ERIC GOOSBY
Ambassador Goosby leads the U.S. delegation at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria board retreat in Geneva, Switzerland, to review new General Manager Gabriel Jaramillo’s initial progress in reforming the Fund.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)
AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR GLOBAL WOMEN’S ISSUES MELANNE VERVEER
10:00 a.m. Ambassador Verveer meets with the Chinese delegation to the Third U.S.-China Women’s Leadership Exchange and Dialogue (Women LEAD), including Chen Zhili, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
12:30 p.m. Ambassador Verveer meets with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Policy William Lietzau, at the Department of Defense.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
6:30 p.m. Ambassador Verveer attends a dinner in honor of Chen Zhili, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, at the Embassy of China, in Washington, DC.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)
SR FOR GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS KRIS BALDERSTON
Special Representative Balderston is on foreign travel to London, UK to meet with representatives from the private sector to discuss support for the Secretary’s Global Impact Economy Forum and the International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA) among other partnership opportunities.
SR FOR GLOBAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS RETA JO LEWIS
Special Representative Lewis is on foreign travel in Brazil through April 3 to promote sub-national engagement.
8:30 a.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis meets with Brazilian women executives and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Transportation Susan Kurland to discuss how major sporting events, like the World Cup, can be used to promote sub-national development opportunities, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
10:30 a.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Transportation Susan Kurland participate in the Infrastructure and Transportation Roundtable at the American Chamber of Commerce, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
12:30 p.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis meets with Luciano Almeida, President of Investe Sao Paulo, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR AND COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM HANNAH ROSENTHAL
10:30 a.m. Special Envoy Rosenthal and Deputy Special Representative to Muslim Communities Adnan Kifayat participate in the first Mission of Muslim and Jewish Leaders from Latin America to Washington, DC, organized by the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, in Washington, DC.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
PRESS BRIEFING SCHEDULE
12:30 p.m. Daily Press Briefing with Spokesperson Victoria Nuland
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Obama says he's not 'hiding the ball' on Russia
From Google News: Obama says he's not 'hiding the ball' on Russia
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Speaking to the microphones intentionally this time, President Barack Obama on Tuesday assured he had no hidden agenda with Russia for a second term, seeking to contain a controversial gaffe that bounded all the way to the campaign trail at home and back again.
Obama got caught on tape Monday telling Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that he would have more room to negotiate on missile defense after getting through a November election, presumably expecting to win and not have to face voters again.
Obama's Republican rivals back home pounced, accusing him of secretive plotting and dealing over American national security. So one day later, with Medvedev at his side again, Obama tried some on-the-record candor and humor to put it all to rest.
The president's explanation: He wants to work with Russia on the deeply divisive issue of a missile defense shield in Europe, knowing only by building trust first on that matter can he make gains on another goal of nuclear arms reductions. And there's no way to expect progress during the politics of this election year, so he is already looking to 2013.
"This is not a matter of hiding the ball," Obama said, well aware of criticism erupting at home. "I'm on record."
Still, Obama had not meant for his initial political assessment to be heard. It was picked up by live microphones during a meeting with Medvedev and soon shot around the world. "This is my last election," Obama was heard telling Medvedev, Russia's outgoing president. "After my election, I have more flexibility."
Seizing on the comments, 43 Republican senators sent a letter to the president saying any concessions to the Russians would run counter to U.S. safety and security, and contradict assurances Obama gave the Senate when he secured ratification of the New START treaty in December 2010.
"We will oppose any efforts by your administration to arbitrarily limit our missile defense capabilities or pursue ill-advised nuclear arms reductions," wrote the senators, led by Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona.
Obama showed up at a nuclear security summit ready to clarify his caught-on-tape words even at the risk of overshadowing his message for a second day. He fielded a question but failed to address the presumptuousness of plotting 2013 strategy with Russia when, in fact, he must win election again for any of that to matter.
For Russia, the issues of nuclear weapons reduction and the proposed missile shield are related. Russian fears of new U.S. missiles at its doorstep in Europe have helped to stymie further progress on nuclear arms reductions after a breakthrough agreement two years ago.
Obama said he wants to spend the rest of this year working through technical issues with the Russians, and said it was not surprising that a deal couldn't be completed quickly.
"I don't think it's any surprise that you can't start that a few months before presidential and congressional elections in the United States, and at a time when they just completed elections in Russia, and they're in the process of a presidential transition," Obama told reporters. He spoke after making a separate announcement on nuclear security.
The president also sought twice to use humor to dispense with the controversy.
Before taking his seat at the nuclear summit, he caught Medvedev's eyes and said "Wait, wait, wait, wait." Obama then covered up his microphone in jest, enjoying a hearty laugh and handshake with the Russian leader.
And when he decided to offer his explanation about the flap, Obama said, "First of all, are the mics on?"
Obama's candid remarks Monday illustrated the political constraints that hem in any president who is running for re-election and dealing with a congressional chamber — in this case, the House — controlled by the rival party.
Republicans have fought Obama fiercely on health care, taxes and other issues. They are eager to deny him any political victories in a season in which they feel the White House is within reach.
Mitt Romney, the leading Republican contender to face Obama this fall, told a San Diego audience the unguarded comments were "an alarming and troubling development."
"This is no time for our president to be pulling his punches with the American people, and not telling us what he's intending to do with regards to our missile defense system, with regards to our military might and with regards to our commitment to Israel," said Romney, a former Massachusetts governor who often faces charges of having been flexible on his own policies over the years.
Rick Santorum, who is Romney's chief rival, said Tuesday that Obama's comments suggested he is willing to sacrifice U.S. security and the security of its allies.
"This isn't about politics. This is about the president's real agenda," Santorum said in Beaver Dam, Wis. "The president's real agenda is to withdraw, to allow — whether it's the Russians or the Chinese or whoever it is, the Iranians — let them have their run of the table because America's no longer in the business of protecting ourselves and our allies."
Republican candidate Newt Gingrich also questioned Obama's motives.
"I'm curious, how many other countries has the president promised that he'd have a lot more flexibility the morning he doesn't have to answer to the American people?" Gingrich said Monday on CNN.
Neither Obama nor Medvedev knew they were being heard when they conferred quietly at what was billed as their last meeting of Medvedev's presidency. He leaves office in May, to be replaced by the incoming Vladimir Putin.
According to ABC News, Medvedev replied in English: "I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir."
Obama said the way the Republicans seized on his comments only made his point that the atmosphere is too politicized right now to advance arms control with Russia.
"The only way I get this stuff done is if I'm consulting with the Pentagon, if I'm consulting with Congress, if I've got bipartisan support, and the current environment is not conducive to those kinds of thoughtful consultations," Obama said. "I think we'll do better in 2013."
There, again, Obama's remarks suggested he feels good about his re-election prospects.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Speaking to the microphones intentionally this time, President Barack Obama on Tuesday assured he had no hidden agenda with Russia for a second term, seeking to contain a controversial gaffe that bounded all the way to the campaign trail at home and back again.
Obama got caught on tape Monday telling Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that he would have more room to negotiate on missile defense after getting through a November election, presumably expecting to win and not have to face voters again.
Obama's Republican rivals back home pounced, accusing him of secretive plotting and dealing over American national security. So one day later, with Medvedev at his side again, Obama tried some on-the-record candor and humor to put it all to rest.
The president's explanation: He wants to work with Russia on the deeply divisive issue of a missile defense shield in Europe, knowing only by building trust first on that matter can he make gains on another goal of nuclear arms reductions. And there's no way to expect progress during the politics of this election year, so he is already looking to 2013.
"This is not a matter of hiding the ball," Obama said, well aware of criticism erupting at home. "I'm on record."
Still, Obama had not meant for his initial political assessment to be heard. It was picked up by live microphones during a meeting with Medvedev and soon shot around the world. "This is my last election," Obama was heard telling Medvedev, Russia's outgoing president. "After my election, I have more flexibility."
Seizing on the comments, 43 Republican senators sent a letter to the president saying any concessions to the Russians would run counter to U.S. safety and security, and contradict assurances Obama gave the Senate when he secured ratification of the New START treaty in December 2010.
"We will oppose any efforts by your administration to arbitrarily limit our missile defense capabilities or pursue ill-advised nuclear arms reductions," wrote the senators, led by Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona.
Obama showed up at a nuclear security summit ready to clarify his caught-on-tape words even at the risk of overshadowing his message for a second day. He fielded a question but failed to address the presumptuousness of plotting 2013 strategy with Russia when, in fact, he must win election again for any of that to matter.
For Russia, the issues of nuclear weapons reduction and the proposed missile shield are related. Russian fears of new U.S. missiles at its doorstep in Europe have helped to stymie further progress on nuclear arms reductions after a breakthrough agreement two years ago.
Obama said he wants to spend the rest of this year working through technical issues with the Russians, and said it was not surprising that a deal couldn't be completed quickly.
"I don't think it's any surprise that you can't start that a few months before presidential and congressional elections in the United States, and at a time when they just completed elections in Russia, and they're in the process of a presidential transition," Obama told reporters. He spoke after making a separate announcement on nuclear security.
The president also sought twice to use humor to dispense with the controversy.
Before taking his seat at the nuclear summit, he caught Medvedev's eyes and said "Wait, wait, wait, wait." Obama then covered up his microphone in jest, enjoying a hearty laugh and handshake with the Russian leader.
And when he decided to offer his explanation about the flap, Obama said, "First of all, are the mics on?"
Obama's candid remarks Monday illustrated the political constraints that hem in any president who is running for re-election and dealing with a congressional chamber — in this case, the House — controlled by the rival party.
Republicans have fought Obama fiercely on health care, taxes and other issues. They are eager to deny him any political victories in a season in which they feel the White House is within reach.
Mitt Romney, the leading Republican contender to face Obama this fall, told a San Diego audience the unguarded comments were "an alarming and troubling development."
"This is no time for our president to be pulling his punches with the American people, and not telling us what he's intending to do with regards to our missile defense system, with regards to our military might and with regards to our commitment to Israel," said Romney, a former Massachusetts governor who often faces charges of having been flexible on his own policies over the years.
Rick Santorum, who is Romney's chief rival, said Tuesday that Obama's comments suggested he is willing to sacrifice U.S. security and the security of its allies.
"This isn't about politics. This is about the president's real agenda," Santorum said in Beaver Dam, Wis. "The president's real agenda is to withdraw, to allow — whether it's the Russians or the Chinese or whoever it is, the Iranians — let them have their run of the table because America's no longer in the business of protecting ourselves and our allies."
Republican candidate Newt Gingrich also questioned Obama's motives.
"I'm curious, how many other countries has the president promised that he'd have a lot more flexibility the morning he doesn't have to answer to the American people?" Gingrich said Monday on CNN.
Neither Obama nor Medvedev knew they were being heard when they conferred quietly at what was billed as their last meeting of Medvedev's presidency. He leaves office in May, to be replaced by the incoming Vladimir Putin.
According to ABC News, Medvedev replied in English: "I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir."
Obama said the way the Republicans seized on his comments only made his point that the atmosphere is too politicized right now to advance arms control with Russia.
"The only way I get this stuff done is if I'm consulting with the Pentagon, if I'm consulting with Congress, if I've got bipartisan support, and the current environment is not conducive to those kinds of thoughtful consultations," Obama said. "I think we'll do better in 2013."
There, again, Obama's remarks suggested he feels good about his re-election prospects.
The Hoody Thing
Rush is accusing Obama of being tasteless because his campaign is selling hoodies after the death of Martin (and I for one have to say that I hate hoodies, and for aesthetic reasons alone they should be banned, as well as baggy pants belted under one's butt, skintight tops that make girls and women look like prostitutes, etc.) but apparently Romney's campaign is also selling hoodies.
Unfortunately, hoodies are teen wear these days, and they wear them all year round, just as they - boys mainly, I think - wear these wool caps pulled down over their foreheads and ears, also in 90 degree weather, which has got to be so uncomfortable. But the grunge look is in, sadly.
Unfortunately, hoodies are teen wear these days, and they wear them all year round, just as they - boys mainly, I think - wear these wool caps pulled down over their foreheads and ears, also in 90 degree weather, which has got to be so uncomfortable. But the grunge look is in, sadly.
Where's Obama in regard to George Zimmerman?
The Trayvon Martin family is certainly capitalizing on their son's death. It's one thing to mourn him and to attend rallies to demand "justice" for him, it's quite another to start copyrighting various phrases - such that if anyone wants to use that phrase they have to pay the Martin family royalties.
As a matter of fact...why is there all this angst? Instead of spinning their wheels for four weeks or however long its been, while the police apparently decided Zimmerman shot in self defense, why not just file a suit for wrongful death against the guy?
Instead, all of a sudden it's a federal case and Zimmerman is in hiding and who knows how many Black Panther wannabes and gang members are out there looking to win a cool $10,000 for his death? (Having said that, since there hasn't been an explosion of deaths of Zimmerman look-alikes, perhaps no one is really going after the bounty?)
But as Rush mentioned yesterday, it's interesting that Obama hasn't gone on record as denouncing that bounty, saying a bounty on Zimmerman circumvents justice and sets a bad precedent and so on. If Zimmerman or someone who looks like him does die, what will Obama say then?
As a matter of fact...why is there all this angst? Instead of spinning their wheels for four weeks or however long its been, while the police apparently decided Zimmerman shot in self defense, why not just file a suit for wrongful death against the guy?
Instead, all of a sudden it's a federal case and Zimmerman is in hiding and who knows how many Black Panther wannabes and gang members are out there looking to win a cool $10,000 for his death? (Having said that, since there hasn't been an explosion of deaths of Zimmerman look-alikes, perhaps no one is really going after the bounty?)
But as Rush mentioned yesterday, it's interesting that Obama hasn't gone on record as denouncing that bounty, saying a bounty on Zimmerman circumvents justice and sets a bad precedent and so on. If Zimmerman or someone who looks like him does die, what will Obama say then?
27 Mar 2012, Rush Limbaugh headlines
--Obamacare Oral Arguments Don't Appear to be Going Well for the Regime
--Left Shocked by Court Developments
--Liberal Wishful Thinking: No Matter What Happens with Obamacare, Obama Wins
--SCOTUS Audio: Ginsburg, Scalia, Kennedy
--Callers React to the Obamacare Case
--Out of Whack: We're More Upset by NFL Bounties Than the Bounty on the Life of George Zimmerman, Registered Democrat
--Tasteless: Obama 2012 Sells Hoodies to Exploit Death of Trayvon Martin
--Everyone Just Has to Wait for the Facts to Come Out in the Trayvon Martin Shooting
--Reuters: Consumer Confidence "Eases"
Stack of Stuff
--Gas Prices Expected to Continue Rising this Spring
--Obama Relies on Debt Collectors Profiting from Student Loan Woe
--"Stock Act" Sticks Taxpayers with $1.7 Million Tab
--Romney's Fundraisers are Quietly Amassing Millions
--House Dems Introduce $3.6T Budget Plan
--Obamacare Faces Crucial Hearing
--Left Shocked by Court Developments
--Liberal Wishful Thinking: No Matter What Happens with Obamacare, Obama Wins
--SCOTUS Audio: Ginsburg, Scalia, Kennedy
--Callers React to the Obamacare Case
--Out of Whack: We're More Upset by NFL Bounties Than the Bounty on the Life of George Zimmerman, Registered Democrat
--Tasteless: Obama 2012 Sells Hoodies to Exploit Death of Trayvon Martin
--Everyone Just Has to Wait for the Facts to Come Out in the Trayvon Martin Shooting
--Reuters: Consumer Confidence "Eases"
Stack of Stuff
--Gas Prices Expected to Continue Rising this Spring
--Obama Relies on Debt Collectors Profiting from Student Loan Woe
--"Stock Act" Sticks Taxpayers with $1.7 Million Tab
--Romney's Fundraisers are Quietly Amassing Millions
--House Dems Introduce $3.6T Budget Plan
--Obamacare Faces Crucial Hearing
27 Mar 2012, Tue, SoS Clinton and Staff Schedule
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/appt/2012/03/186853.htm
SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
7:45 a.m. Secretary Clinton meets with Vice President Biden, at the Vice President’s residence.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
9:15 a.m. Secretary Clinton meets with the assistant secretaries, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
2:00 p.m. Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, at the Department of State.
4:00 p.m. Secretary Clinton meets with Luis Moreno, President of the Inter-American Development Bank, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
DEPUTY SECRETARY BILL BURNS
Deputy Secretary Burns accompanies President Obama’s delegation to the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, Korea.
US FOR CIVILIAN SECURITY, DEMOCRACY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS MARIA OTERO
Under Secretary Otero is on foreign travel to El Salvador and Belize through March 29.
ACTING US FOR ARMS CONTROL ROSE GOTTEMOELLER
Acting Under Secretary Gottemoeller is on foreign travel to Vienna, Moscow, Tallinn and London through April 5.
1:00 p.m. LOCAL Acting Under Secretary Gottemoeller delivers remarks on the 20th Anniversary of the Open Skies Treaty at the Hungarian Embassy in Vienna, Austria.
US FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT ROBERT HORMATS
10:30 a.m. Under Secretary Hormats meets with Ambassador Patrick Theros, US-Qatar Business Council, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
2:00 p.m. Under Secretary Hormats appears before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia, on Capitol Hill.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)
4:00 p.m. Under Secretary Hormats meets with Tunisian Ministry for Foreign Affairs Secretary of State Hedi Ben Abbes, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
ACTING US FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS KATHLEEN STEPHENS
Acting Under Secretary Stephens is on foreign travel through April 5 to Algiers, Doha, Amman, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
AS FOR SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIAN AFFAIRS ROBERT BLAKE
Assistant Secretary Blake is on foreign travel to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, New Delhi, India and Bishkek, Kyrgygz.
AS FOR INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS WILLIAM BROWNFIELD
Assistant Secretary Brownfield is on foreign travel in Guatemala to highlight ongoing bilateral efforts to stem crime and violence and visit communities that have embraced police-community partnerships.
(media determined by host)
AS FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND NONPROLIFERATION TOM COUNTRYMAN
Assistant Secretary Countryman accompanies President Obama’s delegation to the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, Korea.
AS FOR NEAR EASTERN AFFAIRS JEFF FELTMAN
Assistant Secretary Feltman is on travel to Yemen through March 28 to meet with senior government officials, youth leaders, women activists, and members of the media.
AS FOR ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS JOSE FERNANDEZ
2:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Fernandez participates in a panel discussion sponsored by the East-West Center entitled “Affordable Security: Financial and Economic Realities.” This panel, part of a larger conference on affordable world security, will take place at the Newseum.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)
AS FOR EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS PHILIP GORDON
Assistant Secretary Gordon is on foreign travel to France, Italy, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Please click here for more information.
ACTING AS FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS MIKE HAMMER
Acting Assistant Secretary Hammer is on travel in South Dakota to do outreach to universities, civic groups and media.
11:15 a.m. Acting Assistant Secretary Hammer delivers remarks on U.S. foreign policy priorities to students and faculty of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, in Rapid City, South Dakota.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
12:15 p.m. Acting Assistant Secretary Hammer addresses the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) Annual Student Conference, in Rapid City, South Dakota.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
ACTING AS FOR WESTERN HEMISPHERE AFFAIRS ROBERTA JACOBSON
2:30 p.m. Acting Assistant Secretary Jacobson meets with Panamanian Ambassador to the U.S. Mario Jaramillo, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
COORDINATOR FOR INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAMS DAWN MCCALL
Coordinator McCall participates in an “Ambassadors Roundtable” at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce consisting of influential women from all sectors of society who will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women around the world.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)
ACTING AS FOR POPULATION, REFUGEES, AND MIGRATION DAVID ROBINSON
4:15 p.m. Acting Assistant Secretary Robinson meets with Barbara Hintermann, International Committee of the Red Cross Head of Operations for Europe and North America, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
AS FOR POLITICAL-MILITARY AFFAIRS ANDREW SHAPIRO
11:30 a.m. Assistant Secretary Shapiro delivers remarks on U.S. efforts to counter piracy off the Horn of Africa, at the Center for American Progress.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)
AS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ANN STOCK
Assistant Secretary Stock in on foreign travel in Spain through March 30.
6:00 p.m. LOCAL Assistant Secretary Stock attends a dinner hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Spain Alan Solomont, at the Ambassador’s residence, in Madrid, Spain.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE AND COORDINATOR FOR COUNTERTERRORISM DANIEL BENJAMIN
3:30 p.m. Ambassador Benjamin meets with Netherlands Ambassador to the U.S. Renée Jones-Bos, at the Department of State.
SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS KRIS BALDERSTON
Special Representative Balderston is on foreign travel to London, UK to meet with representatives from the private sector to discuss support for the Secretary’s Global Impact Economy Forum and the International diaspora Engagement Alliance among other partnership opportunities.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR GLOBAL WOMEN’S ISSUES MELANNE VERVEER
4:00 p.m. Ambassador Verveer meets with Michelle Bachelet, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
7:00 p.m. Ambassador Verveer attends a dinner in honor of Chen Zhili, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, in Washington, DC.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GLOBAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS RETA JO LEWIS
3:00 p.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis and Sao Paulo's Afro-Brazilian Community Leaders discuss social strategies linked to the World Cup and Olympic Games during the “Future of Brazil Roundtable Series”, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
5:30 p.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis meets with the Director of the Fundacao Getulio Vargas Center for International Relations (FGV) Oliver Stuenkel, at FGV in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
6:00 p.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis delivers remarks on the growing role of state and municipal governments in foreign relations, at the Fundacao Getulio Vargas Center for International Relations, in Sao Paul, Brazil.
SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR AND COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM HANNAH ROSENTHAL
Special Envoy Rosenthal meets with Ertan Tezgör head of the Turkish delegation to the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research, at the Department of State.
PRESS BRIEFING SCHEDULE
12:30 p.m. Daily Press Briefing with Spokesperson Victoria Nuland
SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
7:45 a.m. Secretary Clinton meets with Vice President Biden, at the Vice President’s residence.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
9:15 a.m. Secretary Clinton meets with the assistant secretaries, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
2:00 p.m. Secretary Clinton holds a bilateral meeting with Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, at the Department of State.
4:00 p.m. Secretary Clinton meets with Luis Moreno, President of the Inter-American Development Bank, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
DEPUTY SECRETARY BILL BURNS
Deputy Secretary Burns accompanies President Obama’s delegation to the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, Korea.
US FOR CIVILIAN SECURITY, DEMOCRACY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS MARIA OTERO
Under Secretary Otero is on foreign travel to El Salvador and Belize through March 29.
ACTING US FOR ARMS CONTROL ROSE GOTTEMOELLER
Acting Under Secretary Gottemoeller is on foreign travel to Vienna, Moscow, Tallinn and London through April 5.
1:00 p.m. LOCAL Acting Under Secretary Gottemoeller delivers remarks on the 20th Anniversary of the Open Skies Treaty at the Hungarian Embassy in Vienna, Austria.
US FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT ROBERT HORMATS
10:30 a.m. Under Secretary Hormats meets with Ambassador Patrick Theros, US-Qatar Business Council, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
2:00 p.m. Under Secretary Hormats appears before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia, on Capitol Hill.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)
4:00 p.m. Under Secretary Hormats meets with Tunisian Ministry for Foreign Affairs Secretary of State Hedi Ben Abbes, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
ACTING US FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS KATHLEEN STEPHENS
Acting Under Secretary Stephens is on foreign travel through April 5 to Algiers, Doha, Amman, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
AS FOR SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIAN AFFAIRS ROBERT BLAKE
Assistant Secretary Blake is on foreign travel to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, New Delhi, India and Bishkek, Kyrgygz.
AS FOR INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS WILLIAM BROWNFIELD
Assistant Secretary Brownfield is on foreign travel in Guatemala to highlight ongoing bilateral efforts to stem crime and violence and visit communities that have embraced police-community partnerships.
(media determined by host)
AS FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND NONPROLIFERATION TOM COUNTRYMAN
Assistant Secretary Countryman accompanies President Obama’s delegation to the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, Korea.
AS FOR NEAR EASTERN AFFAIRS JEFF FELTMAN
Assistant Secretary Feltman is on travel to Yemen through March 28 to meet with senior government officials, youth leaders, women activists, and members of the media.
AS FOR ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS JOSE FERNANDEZ
2:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Fernandez participates in a panel discussion sponsored by the East-West Center entitled “Affordable Security: Financial and Economic Realities.” This panel, part of a larger conference on affordable world security, will take place at the Newseum.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)
AS FOR EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS PHILIP GORDON
Assistant Secretary Gordon is on foreign travel to France, Italy, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Please click here for more information.
ACTING AS FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS MIKE HAMMER
Acting Assistant Secretary Hammer is on travel in South Dakota to do outreach to universities, civic groups and media.
11:15 a.m. Acting Assistant Secretary Hammer delivers remarks on U.S. foreign policy priorities to students and faculty of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, in Rapid City, South Dakota.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
12:15 p.m. Acting Assistant Secretary Hammer addresses the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) Annual Student Conference, in Rapid City, South Dakota.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
ACTING AS FOR WESTERN HEMISPHERE AFFAIRS ROBERTA JACOBSON
2:30 p.m. Acting Assistant Secretary Jacobson meets with Panamanian Ambassador to the U.S. Mario Jaramillo, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
COORDINATOR FOR INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAMS DAWN MCCALL
Coordinator McCall participates in an “Ambassadors Roundtable” at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce consisting of influential women from all sectors of society who will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women around the world.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY HOST)
ACTING AS FOR POPULATION, REFUGEES, AND MIGRATION DAVID ROBINSON
4:15 p.m. Acting Assistant Secretary Robinson meets with Barbara Hintermann, International Committee of the Red Cross Head of Operations for Europe and North America, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
AS FOR POLITICAL-MILITARY AFFAIRS ANDREW SHAPIRO
11:30 a.m. Assistant Secretary Shapiro delivers remarks on U.S. efforts to counter piracy off the Horn of Africa, at the Center for American Progress.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)
AS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ANN STOCK
Assistant Secretary Stock in on foreign travel in Spain through March 30.
6:00 p.m. LOCAL Assistant Secretary Stock attends a dinner hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Spain Alan Solomont, at the Ambassador’s residence, in Madrid, Spain.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE AND COORDINATOR FOR COUNTERTERRORISM DANIEL BENJAMIN
3:30 p.m. Ambassador Benjamin meets with Netherlands Ambassador to the U.S. Renée Jones-Bos, at the Department of State.
SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS KRIS BALDERSTON
Special Representative Balderston is on foreign travel to London, UK to meet with representatives from the private sector to discuss support for the Secretary’s Global Impact Economy Forum and the International diaspora Engagement Alliance among other partnership opportunities.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR GLOBAL WOMEN’S ISSUES MELANNE VERVEER
4:00 p.m. Ambassador Verveer meets with Michelle Bachelet, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
7:00 p.m. Ambassador Verveer attends a dinner in honor of Chen Zhili, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, in Washington, DC.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GLOBAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS RETA JO LEWIS
3:00 p.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis and Sao Paulo's Afro-Brazilian Community Leaders discuss social strategies linked to the World Cup and Olympic Games during the “Future of Brazil Roundtable Series”, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
5:30 p.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis meets with the Director of the Fundacao Getulio Vargas Center for International Relations (FGV) Oliver Stuenkel, at FGV in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
6:00 p.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis delivers remarks on the growing role of state and municipal governments in foreign relations, at the Fundacao Getulio Vargas Center for International Relations, in Sao Paul, Brazil.
SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR AND COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM HANNAH ROSENTHAL
Special Envoy Rosenthal meets with Ertan Tezgör head of the Turkish delegation to the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research, at the Department of State.
PRESS BRIEFING SCHEDULE
12:30 p.m. Daily Press Briefing with Spokesperson Victoria Nuland
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