Weekly remarks: GOP warns of new Obama taxes; Obama says reforms needed to help all

Remarks by Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, as provided by the Republican National Committee

This week, like most Americans, my family came together to break bread, give thanks and celebrate our blessings.

Even in these times of struggle and trial, we have much to be thankful for, beginning with our men and women in uniform, many of whom will spend this holiday season away from hearth and home. The tragic events at Fort Hood remind us that whether they serve at home or abroad, we owe our soldiers and their families a debt of gratitude we will never be able to repay.

This past Thursday, while empty chairs for America’s defenders were placed at Thanksgiving dinner tables in many homes, many other seats were filled with anxious Americans who are facing their own personal battles and struggles.  Millions of families have seen jobs and careers vanish in the midst of this recession.

Many are asking, ‘when will things get better?’ Many more are asking, ‘where are the jobs?’

President Obama told the American people that his last $787 billion ‘jobs bill,’ the so-called ‘stimulus’ package, would ensure that unemployment would not go above 8 percent.  And the Administration continues to insist their stimulus plan is working. But unemployment is now at a heartbreaking 10.2 percent.

In the city and on the farm, as millions of American families struggle to balance their checkbooks this holiday season, they watch in astonishment as Washington spends billions of dollars it doesn’t have.

And what is the White House’s answer to our struggles? Another meeting next week. A ‘jobs summit,’ and ...

Obama issues special Hajj message to world's Muslims

(UPDATE: A news video update on the Hajj has been added below.)

Statement by the President on Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha, as provided by the White House
Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to all those performing Hajj this year, and to Muslims in America and around the world who are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha. The rituals of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha both serve as reminders of the shared Abrahamic roots of three of the world’s major religions.

During Hajj, the world’s largest and most diverse gathering, three million Muslims from all walks of life – including thousands of American Muslims – will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat. The following day, Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha and distribute food to the less fortunate to commemorate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son out of obedience to God.

This year, I am pleased that the Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with the Saudi Health Ministry to prevent and limit the spread of H1N1 during Hajj. Cooperating on combating H1N1 is one of the ways we are implementing my administration's commitment to partnership in areas of mutual interest.

On behalf of the American people, we would like to extend our greetings during this Hajj season – Eid Mubarak.   ###

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Photo: Associated Press (Mecca)

Who Obama invited to his first White House state dinner instead of you

It took nearly 11 months, but tonight finally the not-so-new Obama administration had its first state dinner at the White House.

Well, actually it was outside the White House on the lawn in a tent.

A very exciting time. You can see in the official guest list below that the president invited some Chicago friends, a lot of celebrities, as we reported earlier today, some Congress people (even a couple of Republicans), a bunch of Guptas, a whole lot of people called Honorable and Katie Couric.

In case you might want to steal some of the lines for your own Thanksgiving toasts Thursday, here are the official words spoken by the two countries' leaders and the crowd of official diners, both as provided by the White House.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Toasts by President Obama and Prime Minister Singh

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good evening, everyone. On behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House. Aapka Swagat Hai. (You are all welcome in Hindi) (Applause.)

Many of you were here when I was honored to become the first president to help celebrate Diwali -- the Festival of Lights.  (Applause.)  Some of you were here for the first White House celebration of the birth of the founder of Sikhism -- Guru Nanak. (Applause.)  Tonight, we gather again, for the first state dinner of my presidency -- with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mrs. Gursharan Kaur, as we celebrate the great and growing partnership between the United States and India.

As we all know, in India some of life's most treasured moments are often celebrated under the cover of a beautiful tent. It's a little like tonight.  We have incredible food and music and are surrounded by great friends.  For it's been said that "the most beautiful things in the universe are the starry heavens above us and the feeling of duty within us." 

Mr. Prime Minister, today we worked to fulfill our duty -- bring our countries ...

Commander-in-Chief Obama shares stories with U.S. troops in Korea

The president spoke to about 1,500 American troops in South Korea, telling them at one point, "You guys make a pretty good photo op."

He also promised to increase military pay, which received more applause. Obama reassured South
Koreans that his country's commitment to their security would never waver. At one point he cited as evidence of that enduring commitment a soldier there, Skip Sharp, whose father fought in the Korean War during the Truman administration.

So, let's see, that puts us about 57 or 58 years into the 100 years that, during the 2008 presidential campaign, a campaigning Sen. John McCain was attacked so much for suggesting the U.S. troop commitment would last. Now, a President Obama says there is no end in sight.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Text of Pres. Obama's remarks to U.S. Troops at Osan Air Base, as provided by the White House

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, Osan!  (Applause.)  It is good to be here!  (Applause.) Thank you so much.
First of all, please give Staff Sergeant Randy Gray a big round of applause for the outstanding introduction.  (Applause.) I want to thank Randy for his service as one of the "Best Warriors" in the United States Army.  (Applause.)  Randy is a reminder that our noncommissioned officers are the strength of America's military.  So thanks to Randy and to all the NCOs.  (Applause.)

Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel Glover, for the invocation.  And please give a big round of applause to Katherine Dennison for singing our National Anthem.  (Applause.)  To the 8th Army Band  -- where you guys at?  There they are, up there.  (Applause.)  You look fantastic.  To all the airmen and soldiers behind me -- you guys make a pretty good photo op.  (Laughter.)  We are grateful for your service. 

I want to thank your local leaders at Osan for welcoming me here today, including Brigadier General Michael Keltz and Colonel Tom "Big" Deale. (Applause.) Your great senior enlisted leaders, including Command Sergeant Major Robert Winzenried and Chief Master Sergeant Michael Williams.  (Applause.) 

We are joined by America's outstanding representatives here in the Republic of Korea: I want you guys to give it up for Ambassador Kathleen Stephens and General "Skip" Sharp. Give them a big round of applause.  (Applause.) 

This is a wonderful story that I just heard -- that the day Skip Sharp was born in....

Palin to Biden: 'Drill, baby, drill' not that complicated

(UPDATE: 1:28 p.m. An additional quote from the program and a link to the full transcript has been added below.)

Rush Limbaugh has said of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's new book, "Going Rogue," that it is "truly one of the most substantive policy books I've read."

So the conservative icon was determined not to follow the media herd. In a half-hour interview with the Republican Party's hottest commodity, Limbaugh did not ask Palin about her quarrels with John McCain's presidential campaign, her interview with CBS' Katie Couric, her clothes, her husband or her ambitions.

Instead, he offered her a platform for policy, a chance to burnish her credentials, to add gravitas to the resume.

On the green revolution: "A lot of snake-oil science. ... Somebody's making an awful lot of money" from the fear of global warming.

On healthcare: "There are lots of common-sense solutions before we get the federal government involved."

And, finally, on the "drill, baby, drill" chant that defined her appearance before the Republican National Convention last summer: "What is complicated about tapping into safe supplies" of oil?

Responding to Vice President Biden's recent comment that addressing environmental issues is more complicated then just drilling, Palin said, "It's not that complicated, it's political."

(UPDATE: The full Limbaugh-Palin transcript is now available here. He also asked Palin about the loss of her endorsed Conservative Party candidate, Doug Hoffman, in New York's 23d District:

Well, I think what you saw there is -- and of course it's not just the Republican machine, it's the Democrat machine, too.  You know, if you're not the anointed one within the machine, sometimes you have a much tougher row to hoe and that's what Hoffman faced. He was the underdog. 

I think great timing for him, though, to stand strong on his conservative credentials and essentially come out of nowhere and prove that an American without that resume, without that machine backing can truly make a difference in an election like this.

RUSH:  Well, now, you used the term, "If you're not the anointed one by the party machine, you're the underdog and you have a tough row to hoe."  Based on things that I read, the Republican establishment would not anoint you to be a nominee of their party should you choose to go that way. 

Palin, who upset the entrenched GOP establishment in Alaska to win the gubernatorial primary, chuckled.

-- Johanna Neuman

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Text of Obama's town hall -- in China (Not a word on healthcare)

President Obama walked a tightrope during his unusual-for-China town hall meeting with university students in Shanghai.

As an official guest in the country, he didn't want to appear pushy while being pushy about human rights and Internet censorship. Pointing out the long ties between the two countries, dating back to a trading ship dispatched to China by President No. 1, President No. 44 acknowledged there had been some rough waters in the relationship.

But he declared the United States has no interest in containing a rapidly expanding China. He then said that although the United States had implemented its own founding human rights goals imperfectly at times, it would also not hesitate to speak out in favor of such rights and against oppression anywhere in the world.

He also appealed for Chinese help in combating global warming, saying that while the U.S. emitted the most greenhouse gases, China is the faster-growing. And nothing will get done, he maintained, without the two cooperating.

Obama said that while he didn't always appreciate the volume of criticism that comes his way due to modern technology, he opposed censorship in the United States, China (hint, hint) or anywhere. He said his two daughters could go on a computer in their White House rooms and learn about Shanghai.

In fact, although TV coverage of the town hall was restricted to Shanghai, the Obama girls -- and any Chinese with Internet access -- could have watched it live-streaming on the White House website.

In one shocking personal revelation, Obama, who was famed for his BlackBerry-ness and being so tech-savvy during the long presidential campaign (as opposed to you-know-who, the clumsy, unhip old-timer from Arizona), admitted publicly for the first time that he has never Twittered. Ever. Not once. Obama said he has too clumsy thumbs to do that on a phone.

Oops. Those keys on his famous and beloved BlackBerry aren't all that immense. (See photo below) And Twitter is not just a phone device.

You-know-who, on the other hand, sends regular Tweets several times a day to his nearly 1.6 million Twitter followers.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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President Obama at a Shanghai town hall with students, as provided by the White House
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good afternoon. It is a great honor for me to be here in Shanghai, and to have this opportunity to speak with all of you. I'd like to thank Fudan University's President Yang for his hospitality and his gracious welcome.  I'd also like to thank our outstanding Ambassador, Jon Huntsman, who exemplifies the deep ties and respect between our nations. I don't know what he said, but I hope it was good.  (Laughter.) 

What I'd like to do is to make some opening comments, and then what I'm really looking forward to doing is taking questions, not only from students who are in the audience, but also we've received questions online, which will be asked by some of the students who are here in the audience, as well as by Ambassador Huntsman.  And I am very sorry that my Chinese is not as good as your English, but I am looking forward to this chance to have a dialogue.

This is my first time traveling to China, and I'm excited to see this majestic country. Here, in Shanghai, we see the growth that has caught the attention of the world -- the soaring skyscrapers, the bustling streets and entrepreneurial activity.  And just as I'm impressed by these signs of China's journey to the 21st century, I'm eager to see those ancient places that speak to us from China's distant past. 

Tomorrow and the next day I hope to have a chance when I'm in Beijing to see the majesty.....

Weekly remarks: Mark Kirk says this healthcare bill raises costs, taxes; Obama vows full Fort Hood probe

Remarks by Rep. Mark Kirk of Illinois, as provided by Republican National Committee

Good morning, this is Congressman Mark Kirk of Illinois.

When I returned home from active duty in Afghanistan, I dedicated my congressional service to helping families with health care. We can lower health care costs and provide coverage for Americans who lack insurance by enacting key reforms that already help thousands of families in many states.

First, we could start lowering costs by reining in lawsuits in America. We are the most litigious country on earth. Lawsuit reforms can save billions in....

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Michelle Obama sells healthcare to the ladies

Lest anyone forget, while Michelle Obama's husband talks diplomatic niceties all over Asia for nine days and Todd Palin's wife pushes her book from Barnes & Nobles to Sam's Clubs all across this country, the first lady, stuffy nose and all, stays back home to continue the desperate political business of selling healthcare reform. Especially to seniors.

We said, ESPECIALLY TO US SENIORS. Because polls now show support for the president's plan the weakest and waning among older Americans, who as we saw in recent interim elections are unlike younger Americans in that they actually show up to vote two years in a row.

Obama tells seniors, NOT A DIME OF MEDICARE MONEY WILL BE USED TO PAY FOR THE $1.3-TRILLION HEALTHCARE REFORM PLAN. As you can see in the transcript below, she calls Medicare "a sacred part of America's social safety net."

However, the Democrats' recently-passed House healthcare version would cut $400 billion -- possibly up to $500 billion -- from Medicare and Medicaid.

Women are a crucial audience for the Obamas and Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to convince or re-convince about the Democratic healthcare plans because, as in many matters of the typical family, they play a disproportionate role in finding, arranging and obtaining medical care for everyone else, often at the expense of themselves.

So Obama was before a friendly, receptive audience today when she gave her pitch and, revealingly in the ongoing PR struggle, felt the need to correct what healthcare reformers call misinformation or false information "out there."

(BTW, although she's still doing way better than her husband deep down in the 40s now in favorability ratings among Americans, new Gallup numbers indicate the first lady's popularity has started to slide too, from a high of 72% last spring to a still-impressive 61% now.)

Keep scrolling for the entire Michelle Obama transcript, along with a news video down there, courtesy of Politico.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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First Lady Michelle Obama's Remarks on Healthcare Reform and Older Women, as provided by the White House

MRS. OBAMA: Thank you, everybody. Thank you so much. First of all, forgive me -- I’ve got children, and now I have a cold. (Laughter.) It goes along with the territory.

Let me begin by first thanking Tina Tchen, who’s doing an outstanding job as Director of the Office of Public Engagement by opening up this White House to the American people and....

What Pres. Obama told a wounded Fort Hood - text

President Obama's prepared remarks at Fort Hood Memorial Service, as provided by the White House

We come together filled with sorrow for the thirteen Americans that we have lost; with gratitude for the lives that they led; and with a determination to honor them through the work we carry on.

This is a time of war. And yet these Americans did not die on a foreign field of battle. They were killed here, on American soil, in the heart of this great American community. It is this fact that makes the tragedy even more painful and even more incomprehensible.

For those families who have lost a loved one, no words can fill the void that has been left. We knew these men and women as soldiers and caregivers. You knew them as mothers and fathers; sons and daughters; sisters and brothers.

But here is what you must also know: your loved ones endure through the life of our nation. Their memory will be honored in the places they lived and by the people they touched. Their life’s work is our security, and the freedom that we too often take for granted. Every evening that the sun sets on a tranquil town; every dawn that a flag is unfurled; every moment that an American enjoys life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – that is their legacy.

Neither this country – nor the values that we were founded upon – could exist without men and women like these thirteen Americans. And that is why we must pay tribute to their stories. 

Chief Warrant Officer Michael Cahill had served in the National Guard and worked as a....

You betcha! The Sarah Palin speech(es) we never heard one year ago tonight

This is Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin one year ago right now during the concession speech of her Republican running mate, Sen. John McCain, outside the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix.

Turns out Palin would have liked to give a little speech too, thanking some folks, graciously wishing the best to the Barack Obama winning ticket of Democrats and introducing with effusive praise the man who plucked her from the political obscurity of Anchorage and thrust her, unprepared but eager, onto the national stage.

Turns out now, we may be hearing more about her in coming years than the military hero who picked her.

Anyway, in their new book, "Sarah from Alaska," two journalists - Shushannah Walshe and Scott Conroy --  publish among other interesting information the two speeches the first female on a Republican national ticket was prepared to give, one a victory speech and one a concession. The Beast has published a story about the book over here.

The Ticket has independently confirmed that the speeches from the book are, indeed, the....