Singer James Taylor performs for President Barack Obama and the First Family during the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, in Washington.
First lady Michelle Obama, left, and Rico Rodriguez, read “The Night Before Christmas” to children during the 90th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse south of the White House, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 in Washington.
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha, second from left, and Malia react as the girls flip the switch to light the National Christmas Tree during the 90th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, in Washington.
President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia, along with mother-in-law Marian Robinson, far left, and actors Neil Patrick Harris and Rico Rodriguez, right, are on stage during the annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, in Washington
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk along the Colonnade of the White House, Dec. 6, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
National Christmas Tree Lighting 2012 With the Obama Family
Published on Dec 6, 2012
National Christmas Tree Lighting 2012 With the Obama Family
The Obama family illuminated the National Christmas Tree Thursday night during a celebration on the White House’s Ellipse.
The first family and Marian Robinson, the first lady’s mother, were on stage to count down to the lighting and flip the switch. They stayed for the entertainment, which included The Fray, James Taylor, Ledisi, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat.
President Obama said in his remarks that the tree – which has been replaced twice after the long-standing National Christmas Tree was felled by high winds in February 2011 – was a symbol of rebuilding and strength as much of the East Coast continues to recover from Sandy.
“In times of war and peace, triumph and tragedy, we’ve always come together to rejoice in the Christmas miracle,” Obama said. “But our tree has been having a hard time recently. … Just goes to show, nobody’s job is safe here in Washington.”
Obama told a story from Midland Beach, NY, still devastated by Sandy. Despite the lingering damage, a group of friends who grew up in the neighborhood created a community Christmas tree.
“One local nursery donated the tree,” Obama said. “Another chipped in for the lights and a star. And 70-year-old Tom Killeen and his longtime buddies from the area planted it at the end of the street overlooking the town beach.
“As Tom says, ‘The tree has one message. It’s Christmas time, not disaster time,’ ” Obama said.
Obama recognized service members, as did Taylor, who dedicated a poignant “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” to them. Michelle Obama joined with “Modern Family” star Rico Rodriguez to read “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
And the first family joined the performers, host Neil Patrick Harris and Santa on stage at the end of the show to sing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
Changes to the annual celebration this year included a new stage location to better showcase the White House behind it, a new color scheme for the tree, as well as the tree itself.
After the National Christmas Tree was felled in February 2011, its replacement, a Colorado blue spruce, died of complications from “transplant shock,” the National Park Service said.
More than 17,000 guests were on hand to see the new tree illuminated for the season on the Ellipse.
Neil Patrick Harris, left, watches as the first family lights the National Christmas Tree.(Photo: Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images)
So Mr. DeMint is gone so he can make around $1 million bucks as President of The Heritage Foundation. So?
The words of Ms. Jennifer Rubin ring so true…..”Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) is leaving the Senate to take over the Heritage Foundation. He will replace Ed Feulner as the conservative think tank’s president. He expressed no qualms about leaving the Senate before his term is up, nor did he reflect on his legislative achievements, of which none come to mind.”
I couldn’t have said that any better or different.
The foundation took a leading role in the conservative movement during the presidency of Ronald Reagan, whose policies drew significantly from Heritage’s policy study Mandate for Leadership. Heritage has since continued to have a significant influence in U.S. public policy making, and is considered to be one of the most influential conservative research organizations in the United States
Like I said….whatever this foundation does.
Sen. Mitch McConnell had this to say about DeMint taking his ball and going home:
“I thank Senator DeMint for his uncompromising service to South Carolina and our country in the United States Senate. Jim helped provide a powerful voice for conservative ideals in a town where those principles are too often hidden beneath business as usual. There is no question in my mind that he raised the profile of important issues like spending and debt and helped galvanize the American people against a big government agenda. I am confident that he will continue to advocate for conservative principles in the next chapter of his service to the American people.”
If we’re lucky, in the near future, those names I mentioned above will also be leaving the Houses of Congress for greener (more profitable) pastures.
The TeaTardedRepubliCANTS are losing representation and power in Congress, faster than a dried out used up tea bag loses flavor.
Money for Nothing: how racial bias destroyed six lives, stymied a Black owned business and outraged a congregation wp.me/p23Jg3-7QiStill A MilitantNegro 19 minutes ago
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Jueseppi B.
