White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

Archives for August 2011

Alan Krueger Nominated to Chair the Council of Economic Advisers

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Alan Krueger playing at the 2009 WTT Celebrity Tennis Match

President Obama nominated Alan Krueger as the Chair to the Council of Economic Advisers.  In his remarks given in the White House rose garden, Obama said,

“Alan brings a wealth of experience to the job.  He’s one of the nation’s leading economists.  For more than two decades, he’s studied and developed economic policy, both inside and outside of government.”

Krueger served as the chief economist at the Treasury Department until 2010 when he left to go to Princeton as a Bendheim Professor of Economics and Public Affairs.  He will be replacing Austan Goolsbee who left the White House to go back to Chicago.

Read the Washington Post story here.

Watch the President’s remarks below:

Van Susteren and Coale to attend Kardashian Wedding

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Kim Kardashian, Greta Van Susteren and John Coale at the 2010 WHC Garden Brunch

The White House Correspondent’s Dinner has a history of building relationships.  In 2010, Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren brought Kim Kardashian to the weekend full of festivities.  Having kept in touch,  Greta and her husband, John Coale received an invite to the upcoming wedding of Kardashian to NBA player Kris Humphries this weekend in California.

Coale told POLITICO “Should be a real hoot!”

Another famous DC duo are also reportedly in Cali to do some baking for the wedding.

The White House Leaves Tips on Foursquare

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While President Obama is travelling throughout the Midwest this week checking in on the American people, he’s also checking in via Foursquare, the location-based networking website. According to the official White House Blog the administration is “excited to launch” the president’s latest venture into social media as he kicks off his economic bus tour.

You can follow the President on the road through Cannon Falls, Minnesota; Decorah and Peosta, Iowa; and Atkinson and Alpha, Illinois. Through the new White House page on Foursquare, you can keep up with the President’s tour and check-in to let your friends know you’re there.

The administration already has a Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Flickr account where people can engage with officials.

CURE's Susan Axelrod on The Great Dr. Bernadine Healy

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Loss and a Legacy

Bernadine Healy at CURE DC Lunch - July, 2009

By CURE Founder, Susan Axelrod

I was stunned and saddened last night when I heard about the death of Bernadine Healy.

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Healy when I started spending time in Washington, DC a few years ago.  Our mutual friend Tammy Haddad introduced us, knowing we would have much in common and much to share.  We first met over cocktails, and then she graciously attended a CURE luncheon we hosted in DC. We exchanged a few emails, and then I lost touch.  I had no idea she was struggling with a recurrence of brain cancer.

I was in awe, and a bit nervous, when we got together that first time. Here I was sharing drinks with a former Director of the NIH (not to mention the first female Director!).  People like me were a dime a dozen–she’d likely met with way too many of us, and heard our sad stories.  I was just another patient advocate looking for  tips on how to advance my disease.

But, she immediately put me at ease, and made me feel as if epilepsy research was at the top of her agenda as well. It felt like we were long-time fellow crusaders, and she was full of wise suggestions and ample support and encouragement.

I dream of the day when we will have cured epilepsy, and that I can sit back and write down my reflections on all the amazing people I have met along this journey.  So many individuals from so many different walks of life. They have all motivated me, each in unique and special ways, sometimes with just a single nugget that resonated with me, motivating and fueling–or re-fueling–my energy to keep up this fight.

Here’s the nugget Bernadine left me with–words that I have thought of so often since she uttered them,and now will certainly never forget:

“There is no history of scientific progress in a disease state that has not been started and fueled by patient advocates.  Keep up this good work.”

I hope her words inspire you, as they did me, to strengthen your commitment to advancing epilepsy research. It began with us, and it will continue to grow–but not without us.

CNN's David Bohrman Named President at Current TV

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David Bohrman, CNN, ABC and NBC News veteran has been named president of Current TV, which is further proof that they want to be competitive with the cable news networks.  The news came only three days after Bohrman announced that he would be leaving CNN for a “fantastic new opportunity.”

Bohrman, one of the most innovative producers in news, moved to the West Coast this spring after taking on the role of Chief Innovation Officer at CNN.  Best known for his creative eye and his ability to make risks pay off – he was the driving force behind the first CNN/YouTube debate, hologram correspondents and John King’s “magic wall.”

Read the NY Times article by Brian Stetler who first predicted the news via Twitter here and the entire announcement from Current TV here.

Mark Halperin Back on Morning Joe

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Mark Halperin (far right) with the Game Change crew: director Jay Roach and writer Danny Strong at the WHCD BLoomberg|Vanity Fair Afterparty

Washington’s “Gang of 600” (500 + web crowd) watched the return of Mark Halperin on MSNBC who coined the phrase “Gang of 500,” to explain the movers and shakers in politics. Halperin was suspended earlier this year for his comments on the President.  MSNBC explained their decision to bring back Halperin after one month at the Television Association Critics summer tour.   Click here for The Washington Post’s coverage by Lisa DeMoraes and watch Halperin’s return in the video below:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Matthew Morrison Joins First Lady's Military Families Effort

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Matthew Morrison with FLOTUS COS Tina Tchen and daughter, Emma

One hundred lucky military family members will join Matthew Morrison “Back on Broadway” for his concert tonight at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.  Inspired by Joining Forces, the First Lady and Dr. Biden’s effort to support military families, the Glee star reached out and invited 100 service men and women in the NYC area to show his appreciation for their service and sacrifices.

Morrison is in the middle of his first tour with his self-titled debut album, which features duets with GRAMMY winners Elton John and Sting, and GRAMMY-nominated actress/singer Gwyneth Paltrow.  He most-recently opened for NKOTBSB on their nationwide tour.

Susan Sher Returns to The University of Chicago Medical Center

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Susan Sher with Vice President Biden and son, Graham Moore

Susan S. Sher, former FLOTUS Chief of Staff, is the new Executive Vice President for Corporate Strategy and Public Affairs at the Medical Center of the University of Chicago.  According to an official release, “she will coordinate the Medical Center’s external relations initiatives, develop and oversee corporate-relations strategy and represent the University of Chicago Medical Center to corporate and civic groups. She will also advise Medical Center leadership on a range of strategic and organizational issues, especially as they relate to governance, communications, community engagement and labor relations.  In her role as Senior Adviser, she will advise the President of the University of Chicago on national health care issues and on strengthening the University’s connections to corporate partners throughout Chicago.”

At the White House, Sher helped launch the “Let’s Move” initiative as well as working on health care reform, and other national issues, many of which she gained experience from her previous work at the Medical Center and in Chicago.  From 1993 to 1997 Sher was the first woman to serve as Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago, the city’s chief lawyer,responsible for representing the Mayor, city departments, boards and commissions on all legal matters. Prior to that she was the first Assistant Corporation Counsel, from 1989-93. From 1985 to 1989 she was Associate General Counsel and Director of Labor & Litigation for the University of Chicago.

Read the full release here.