Category: Dec2013

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, good evening, everyone.  On behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House.  This is truly one of our favorite nights of the year, and not just because of everyone who visits the White House — this group also usually wins “best dressed” award.  (Laughter.)  All of you look spectacular.  I…

I am pleased to welcome the announcement from Bali, Indonesia, of the first fully multilateral trade agreement in the 20-year history of the World Trade Organization. This new deal, and particularly the new trade facilitation agreement, will eliminate red tape and bureaucratic delay for goods shipped around the globe.  Small businesses will be among the…

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello!  (Applause.) MR. SABAN:  How are you doing? THE PRESIDENT:  I’m good.  Hello, everybody. MR. SABAN:  One of your staffers said you are in a great mood this afternoon, so — THE PRESIDENT:  I am. MR. SABAN:  — we’re doubly blessed here.  So that’s terrific. I’d like to thank you very much for…

WASHINGTON, DC—In this week’s address, President Obama said that before Congress leaves for vacation, they should extend unemployment benefits for 1.3 million hardworking Americans who will lose this lifeline at the end of the year. For families, unemployment benefits can mean the difference between hardship and catastrophe, and it is also one of the most…

Seoul Grand Hyatt Seoul, Republic of Korea 9:30 A.M. KST SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL:  I just very briefly will cover the meetings yesterday that the Vice President had, particularly the meeting and lunch with President Park, and then take your questions, and then also maybe have a couple minutes off the record on two or three…

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Thank you very much.  (Applause.)  Thank you very much, Mr. President, for that generous introduction.  And what a great honor it is to be here at such a fine university. I was telling the president and the provost as I met them in the back when I walked in that, as a…

PRESIDENT PARK:  (As interpreted) Mr. Vice President, I sincerely welcome you to Korea. And indeed, your visit to Korea marks the first of its kind in 10 years by a U.S. Vice President, and I believe that this visit to Korea adds further significance to the 60th anniversary of our alliance partnership that we mark…

PRIME MINISTER CHUNG:  (As interpreted) Mr. Vice President, on behalf of all of the Korean people, I would like to welcome you to Korea. VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Well, on behalf of President Obama, thank you for welcoming me.  (Laughter.) PRIME MINISTER CHUNG:  This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance.  And as you…

THE PRESIDENT:  Merry Christmas, everybody!  Well, this show is always a great way to get in the holiday spirit.  Every year, I rehearse my own little act, just in case.  But it seems like, yet again, they couldn’t find space to squeeze me into the program.  (Laughter.)  You are lucky I’m not singing. First of…

This afternoon President Obama spoke by phone with Mrs. Graça Machel to express the condolences of the Obama family and the American people on the passing of her husband, Nelson Mandela.  The President thanked Mrs. Machel for the profound influence that Nelson Mandela has had on him, and underscored the power of President Mandela’s example…