Insert boot in mouth...

Addressing the troops...

The President addressing the 10th Mountain Division Thursday at Fort Drum:

"First time I saw 10th Mountain Division, you guys were in southern Iraq. When I went back to visit Afghanistan, you guys were the first ones there. I had the great honor of seeing some of you because a comrade of yours, Jared Monti, was the first person who I was able to award the Medal of Honor to who actually came back and wasn’t receiving it posthumously."

As we all know, SSG Sal Giunta, of the 173rd Airborne, was the first living recipient (2011) of the MOH who fought in Iraq/Afganistan. SFC Jared Monti, 10th Mountain Division, was KIA in Afghanistan in 2006. He was posthumously awarded the MOH by Obama in 2009. (See accompanying photos...)

How does the Commander-in-Chief mix these heroes up? He put that medal around Giunta's neck and he stood with Monti's parents as they grieved. These fallen heroes leave such a great legacy, and we should know all their names. The ironic part of the speech, and this comes after the announcement of the politically pressured drawdown of troops in Afghanistan, was Obama's closing remark, "Know that your Commander-in-Chief has your back."

(h/t: "Blackfive")

Update: From Jake Tapper at ABC News: "President Obama apologizes to family of fallen soldier SFC Jared Monti"...

Asleep at the Wheel?

Sleepy Joe...

Apparently, Joe Biden - already burdened with more responsibilities than any other vice president...evah - decided he would multi-task during today's budget/debt speech by President Barack Obama.

Not only was Vice President Biden attending and listening to his boss' address - and, no doubt, going over the countless tasks before him (in his mind) - he also was getting a few ZZZZs in.

ABC News' The Note adds, "Biden, at one point, could be seen apparently nodding off -- or at least deep in thought. The bug was catching, too. The woman in glasses directly behind Biden appears to close her eyes too."

Nap time!

Party on, Barry!

Despite the long war in Afghanistan; the faltering economy at home and abroad; the map-changing upheaval in the Middle East; and a disaster-beyond-imagination still unfolding in Japan, it's P-A-R-T-Y T-I-M-E for the prez.

According to the Associated Press, "President Barack Obama will speak at the 126th annual Gridiron Club dinner in Washington [tonight]. The white-tie event is an opportunity for journalists to poke fun at public figures and political themes of the day. This will be the first time Obama has appeared at the event. Last year, former President Bill Clinton stood in for the president who was preparing for a probable House vote on health care reform. Obama, however, did speak to the dinner via videotape. Vice President Joe Biden represented Obama in 2009."

But have no fear, even though the distractions and demands are many, the president has been working hard today.

On his golf game.

According to ABC News, "For the second week in a row, the most powerful man in the world stepped away from the White House to hit the golf course. Even as his administration and the U.S. military help Japan recover from a devastating earthquake, and as the world worries about Fukushima's nuclear reactor, the president could not resist taking advantage of the 48-degree weather in the Washington, D.C., area. The president left the White House Saturday afternoon for a short trip to Joint Andrews Base in Camp Springs, Md. With cloudy skies, it's not the best weather for golf, but Obama loves to spend his Saturdays on the greens. Last fall, Obama went golfing darn near every weekend. These are never quick "work on your swing" trips; usually the president plays 18 holes, as he did last week."

You stay focused, Mr. President...

Uncle Joe, the Dating Guru...

He is da man...

ABC News has compiled a video a Vice President Joe Biden giving dating advice to the daughters of U.S. Senators at yesterday's swearing-in photo-op.

Apparently, he was doing "the people's business"...

(h/t: Political Wire)

Bits & Pieces

Another short bit of blogging tonight. Deal with it…

It must be bad news if they’re already spinning the numbers.


Spin doc/"economist" Larry Summers...

The news biz is bad. How bad? This bad. Frankly, though, it’s tough all over.

So she’s giving herself an “A for effort,” eh? Let’s wait til “finals” are over.


Failed at self-grading...