Category: 2012

On Thursday morning, the President spoke with President Sebastián Piñera of Chile. The President thanked President Piñera for his congratulatory message following his re-election to a second term in office. The Presidents discussed opportunities to strengthen the global economy through job creation and expanded trade, including by moving together expeditiously on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.  The President…

This afternoon, President Obama and Governor Romney visited for an hour over lunch in the Private Dining Room adjacent to the Oval Office.  Governor Romney congratulated the President for the success of his campaign and wished him well over the coming four years. The focus of their discussion was on America’s leadership in the world…

South Court Auditorium 12:01 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you so much. Thank you, everybody.  Please have a seat.  Thank you very much. Everybody, please have a seat — except you guys.  Don’t sit down.  (Laughter.) Well, good morning, everybody. AUDIENCE:  Good morning. THE PRESIDENT:  There’s been a lot of talk here in Washington about…

East Room 1:33 P.M. EST MRS. OBAMA:  Well, hi, everyone.  Welcome to the White House.  Pretty cool, huh?  Yes. Well, let me start by thanking Jennifer, first of all, for that very lovely introduction, and to welcome her family here as well, her father and her husband.  We are just so grateful for your service…

The Cabinet Room   3:11 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  Is that brighter than usual?  (Laughter.)  Yes, that’s serious. Well, listen, this is a wonderful opportunity for me to meet with my full Cabinet for the first time since the election took place.  The primary purpose from my perspective is to say thank you,…

Oval Office 4:00 P.M. EST PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Well, it is my great pleasure to welcome President-elect Peña Nieto to the Oval Office and to the White House.  This is a longstanding tradition where — almost unique I think in the relationship between countries — we meet early with the President-elect of Mexico because it symbolizes…

I send my best wishes to all those here in America and around the world who are observing the anniversary of birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru.  As always, this is a time to celebrate the principles of equality, respect, service and interfaith cooperation that are the core of the Sikh…

On Thursday, Governor Romney will have a private lunch at the White House with President Obama in the Private Dining Room.  It will be the first opportunity they have had to visit since the election.  There will be no press coverage of the meeting.

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of New Hampshire and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Hurricane Sandy during the period of October 26 to November 8, 2012. Federal funding is available for to state and eligible local governments and certain…

Vice President Biden welcomed the President of the European Parliament, the Honorable Martin Schulz, to the White House today.  The Vice President emphasized the importance the United States places on continued close engagement and cooperation with the European Parliament.  The Vice President and President Schulz discussed the economic challenges and opportunities facing the United States…