2012 Presidential Election

President Barack Obama is shown the American Pride Chevrolet Camaro, as Ed Welburn, Vice President of Global Design for General Motors, explains design and manufacturing details of the car during a visit to the Washington Auto Show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., Jan. 31, 2012. Gerard Murphy, President of the Washington New Automobile Dealers Association, is at left. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

This afternoon, President Obama made the trip across town to the Washington Auto Show to look at some of the incredible new vehicles being built by Detroit.

There, he told reporters:

Let me just say, when you look at all these cars, it is testimony to the outstanding work that's been done by workers — American workers, American designers.  The U.S. auto industry is back.  The fact that GM is back, number one, I think shows the kind of turnaround that's possible when it comes to American manufacturing.

Check out the video.

Click here to see the video.

AMERICAN HEART MONTH, 2012

- – - – - – -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

     Every year, heart disease takes the lives of over half a million Americans, and it remains the leading cause of death in the United States.  This devastating epidemic leaves no one untouched; its victims are fathers and daughters, grandparents and siblings, cherished friends and community members across our country.  This month, we remember the steps each of us can take to reduce the risk of heart disease and recommit to better heart health for all Americans.

     While genetic or hereditary factors play a part in many instances of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity, tobacco use, and alcohol abuse are major risk factors that can be prevented or controlled.  To take action against heart disease, I encourage all Americans to make balanced and nutritious meal choices, maintain a healthy weight, and get active.  Avoiding tobacco, moderating alcohol consumption, and working with a health care provider can also help prevent or treat conditions that can lead to heart disease.  Additional resources on how to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease are available at:  www.CDC.gov/HeartDisease.

     To help win the fight against heart disease, my Administration is working to ensure individuals and communities have the tools they need to make real gains in this critical effort.  Last September, we launched the Million Hearts initiative, which is coordinating programs across Federal agencies and forging new public-private partnerships to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over the next 5 years.  Resources on how to join the initiative are available at:  MillionHearts.HHS.gov.  To secure our children's heart health and end childhood obesity within a generation, First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative is encouraging healthy eating habits and promoting physical activity among families and young people.  The National Institutes of Health is pursuing cutting-edge research to unlock new treatments for cardiovascular disease.  And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working in communities across our country to help reduce risk factors and prevent heart disease.

     During American Heart Month, we also highlight The Heart Truth, a national awareness campaign that urges women of all ages to know their risk for heart disease.  In recognition of this vital task, I encourage men and women across America to observe National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 3, and to show their support by wearing red or the campaign's Red Dress Pin. 2

     To learn more about The Heart Truth or National Wear Red Day, visit:  www.HeartTruth.gov.

     In acknowledgement of the importance of the ongoing fight against cardiovascular disease, the Congress, by Joint Resolution approved December 30, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 843; 36 U.S.C. 101), has requested that the President issue an annual proclamation designating February as "American Heart Month."

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim February 2012 as American Heart Month, and I invite all Americans to participate in National Wear Red Day on February 3, 2012.  I also invite the Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the

     United States, and the American people to join me in recognizing and reaffirming our commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

Ed note: In honor of the one year anniversary of Startup America, we invited Mike Krieger, the co-founder of Instagram, to contribute a post to WhiteHouse.gov. Instagram is the fastest growing social mobile startup in the U.S. today, and exemplifies President Obama's belief that "entrepreneurs embody the promise of America: the idea that if you have a good idea and are willing to work hard and see it through, you can succeed in this country. And in fulfilling this promise, entrepreneurs also play a critical role in expanding our economy and creating jobs." Mr. Krieger moved from Brazil to California to attend Stanford University, where he studied computer science and cognitive science. In 2010, he and a partner founded Instagram, which now employs a talented, growing team of designers and engineers. After graduation, Mr. Krieger worked for a year on his student F-1 visa, later applying for and receiving an H-1B visa as a high-skill worker. Mr. Krieger wants to permanently stay in the U.S. and has applied for a green card.

I was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and from an early age was interested in technology and engineering. When I came to the United States in 2004 to attend university at Stanford, I was instantly inspired by the stories and advice from startup leaders in Silicon Valley and beyond, who had endeavoured to create new opportunities and improve lives around the world. I was drawn to the idea of one day helping to create a startup, and last year, I was fortunate to be given the chance. In May of 2010, I joined Kevin Systrom, my co-founder, and we created Instagram, a mobile social network that today has over 15 million users. What began as a small, two-person startup working out of a pier in San Francisco has grown to a dozen employees, and our plan is to at least double that this year. There are few better sights than walking into an office full of talented, hard-working folks, working together to build a great company from the ground up.

Last Tuesday, I was given a special opportunity–I was invited to attend President Obama's State of the Union speech, sitting with the First Lady to watch the address. Throughout the day, I met with people working on encouraging entrepreneurship in the United States, led by Aneesh Chopra, the Chief Technology Officer of the United States. In the evening, not only did I get to meet the First Lady and the President, but I also was given the chance to meet the First Lady's other guests. Their backgrounds ranged from immigrant entrepreneurs like myself, to citizens who had overcome great obstacles to get to where they are today. The common thread was simple, but powerful: a desire to roll up our sleeves and get to work on tackling some of the toughest issues facing us today. 

Since I was born and raised in Brazil, the steps to becoming an entrepreneur in the United States have not always been easy. In the last few years, I've been encouraged by some positive moves: the Obama Administration has added more degrees (including Symbolic Systems, the engineering degree I majored in at Stanford) to the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) category that qualifies more foreign-born engineering and math graduates toreceive work training in the United States during and after their studies. Also, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency is taking a page from Silicon Valley and is recruiting a set of Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs), who will work on-site with USCIS to clarify the options available to immigrant entrepreneurs who want to start companies and create jobs in the United States. And in the State of the Union address itself, President Obama called on Congress to help grant permament status to immigrantswho want to "staff our labs, start new businesses, and defend this country." 

Every year, thousands of startups are founded — not only in technology, but increasingly also in health care, education, and energy. Innovation happens best when people of different backgrounds come together to solve the world's toughest challenges, and in the process can create new jobs and opportunities. I'm hopeful that updated immigration policies will encourage entrepreneurs from around the world to help tackle these opportunities in the US.

Watch as Mike Krieger meets First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House:

This weekend, on the fourth anniversary of her Uncle Teddy’s endorsement of then-Senator Obama, Caroline Kennedy wrote to folks to ask, “What first inspired you to support President Obama?” Here’s what some of you had to say:

“As a registered nurse with over 20 years in bedside experience, I was looking for a candidate who could inspire change in our health care system. President Obama was successful in making significant changes. I believe strongly that he is the leader we need to correct the inequities in our health care.”
—Susan, Montana

“The thought of a level playing field between ordinary citizens and corporate America and special interest groups.”
—Ed, California

“What inspired me to vote for the President was his community organizing. To think he had the opportunity to become a civil rights lawyer and make a very good living but chose a life of public service inspired me and created a new hope that all wasn’t lost in America.”
—Anderson, New York

“His passion took me back to 1960 when I voted for the first time, when I could believe in something bigger and greater than myself.”
—Diane, New York

“As a college student with little income, Pell Grants have made it possible for me to go to school and better myself. I know that there are many who wish to cut grants for students like me, and that’s why I have an infinite appreciation for this administration. They are the only ones who have my back, and that’s why I gladly have theirs.”
—Dakota, Oklahoma

“His vision of a country not beset by partisan strife, but instead unified by a sense of shared sacrifice and national values.”
—Jonathon, Washington, D.C.

So—what inspires you to support this campaign?

President Barack Obama participates in an interview with YouTube and Google+ to discuss his State of the Union Address, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Jan. 30, 2012. The interview is held through a Google+ Hangout, making it the first completely virtual interview from the White House. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Just after 5:30 PM ET today, President Obama sat down for a discussion with a group of Americans from across the country in a Google+ Hangout. It was the first online conversation to happen at the White House in real time — ever.

Even before the event, more than 227,000 people had taken time to participate — submitting questions for the President to answer or voting for their favorite.

If you missed any of the action, check over the full video here:

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Today, President Obama will participate in the first completely virtual interview from the White House to talk about his State of the Union Address. During the live interview, which will be held through a Google+ Hangout, the President will answer questions submitted by people from across the country. In fact, more than 227,000 people have participated already, submitting over 133,000 questions and casting more than 1.6 million votes on the questions they would like to hear President Obama address. In the Hangout, the President will be joined by a selection of citizens who will engage in the conversation live.

Don't miss your chance to Hangout with the President. Watch live at 5:30 EST on Monday, January 30, 2012. Your interview with President Obama will be streamed live on WhiteHouse.gov, YouTube.com/WhiteHouse and on the White House Google+ page.

Three years after President Obama signed the historic fair pay legislation bearing her name, Lilly Ledbetter tells the story of why she stepped up to fight for equal pay for equal work. Watch the video to hear from the inspiration behind the first bill the President signed into law, then share her story with your friends.

Vice President Biden spoke on the phone today with Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Osama Nujaifi and yesterday with Dr. Ayad Allawi, a leader of the Iraqiyya political bloc. The two Iraqi leaders described deliberations underway among all Iraqi political factions and parties in the run-up to a proposed national conference led by President Jalal Talabani. The Vice President discussed with both leaders the importance of resolving outstanding issues through the political process. The Vice President and Iraqi leaders agreed to stay in close touch as events unfold.

Caroline Kennedy sent an email to supporters earlier today, remembering the moment her uncle Ted Kennedy lent his voice to President Obama’s campaign:

Four years ago today, I joined my Uncle Teddy and thousands of excited students at American University to endorse Barack Obama as the next president of the United States.

Barack Obama had stirred something in young people and the young at heart. I saw the passion in my own teenage children, and I heard it from a different generation of people who said they felt like they did when my father ran for president.

We felt strongly that we needed to elect a President who urged us to believe in ourselves, who could tie that belief to our highest ideals, and who understood that together we can do great things.

Four years later, as I think about what first inspired me to support Barack Obama, I’m proud we have a president who has fought hard for the values Teddy held dear, and stood up on issues that matter, regardless of the consequences.

Will you join me by saying what first inspired you to stand with Barack Obama?

Teddy understood that the challenges of health care aren’t political—they are personal. That’s why Teddy fought for 40 years to make health care a right and not a privilege for American families.

How proud he would have been to see his candidate sign the Affordable Care Act into law as president, giving all Americans the security of knowing that their health care will be there when they need it most.

In his speech four years ago today, Teddy reminded us all of that bright light of hope and possibility that shines even in the darkest hours. He knew that with Barack Obama as president, America would shine again. I don’t think he would be surprised to know that four years later, this president would have ended the war in Iraq, repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and guaranteed women the right to equal pay for equal work.

The 2012 election will be harder than the last. And as you think about what role you can play this time, I want you to remember that when Teddy joined this campaign, it wasn’t just Barack Obama who drew him in.

It was you.

The possibility of a campaign run by ordinary people who are determined to change our country for the better and who are willing to work as hard as necessary inspired him then, and it’s what inspires me today.

Thanks for all you do. I’ll see you out there,

Caroline

P.S.—If you’d like to take some time to watch that speech, it’s here.

In his weekly address, President Obama discusses the blueprint he put forward this week in the State of the Union Address for creating an economy built to last.  After focusing on American manufacturing, American energy, and skills for American workers during each of the last three days, he used his weekly address to highlight his commitment to a renewal of American values. The President is challenging leaders in Washington, DC to follow the model set by our men and women in the military, end the gridlock and start tackling the issues that matter – without regard for personal ambition.

Transcript | Download mp4 | Download mp3

Learn more

• Watch the enhanced version of the 2012 State of the Union Address
• Read President Obama's Blueprint for an America Built to Last
• Take a deep dive into the data behind the President’s plan
• Find out how you can talk to Obama Administration officials about the President's plan
• Everything you need to know about President Obama's Blueprint for American-made energy
• Everything you need to know about President Obama's Blueprint for manufacturing