We get to grade President Barack Obama!

The CNN National Report Card: First 100 Days premieres tonight Wednesday, April 29 (8pm ET). This show is for viewers where WE get to rate President Barack Obama on his first 100 days.
Led by anchors Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, John King and Soledad O’Brien, the show will gauge the public’s opinion on how President Obama and other elected officials have handled their first 100 days in office, as well as how the country is progressing on significant issues.

Video below:

Grade The President's First 100 Days on CNN this Wednesday
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Bo'Bama!

Everyone, say hello to Bo'Bama!

Bo, a Portuguese water dog, moved into the White House this past weekend, but he will officially be presented to the First Family today. The Obamas will get their picture taken with Bo, as well.

Oh, if Bo pees on someone during this welcome ceremony, he gets an automatic WIN FOR LIFE award.

And he wears a lei!

Kal Penn Takes Sabbatical from Acting to Serve Obama Administration

Kal Penn, star of House on Fox network is taking a sabbatical from acting to work for the President. Yes, the real President. To free him up from his role on the show House, the producers had his character, uncharacteristically shoot himself. And why? They couldn't have given him a little more respect?

Instead Kal will earn more respect serving the nation as Associate Director to the White House Office of Public Liason. Where Kal easily earned over 40,000.00 per episode on House, he'll be lucky if he earns more than 40,000.00 in his position at the White House. But for Kal, it's not about the money. "There's not a lot of financial reward in these jobs. But, obviously, the opportunity to serve in a capacity like this is an incredible honor."

Penn, has been silently making a name for himself as a serious actor despite his comedic roles by strangly enough becoming a political speaker. Although Penn defines himself as neither a Democrat or Republican he has solidly thrown his hat into the ring of political activism in respect to helping his own constiuents, that of the Asian-Pacific community.

It all started with one of Kal's own friends. Penn tells the story of a friend in Texas earning minimum wage at a trucking company. Back in 2004, his friend got a call from Halliburton and was offered $90,000 to drive a truck in Iraq for one year. "I remember thinking that it was really sad that in the world’s richest, most powerful country, the only two options we could offer our friend for a college education is minimum wage or 90 grand in a war zone," said Penn. "So the cynical independent side of me got even more cynical. I looked at why politics operate the way they do and how politicians operate the way they do."

Penn's job will be as a liason to the working Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, and since he is an actor by trade he will focus on the groups related to the arts, so don't expect to see Kal at a podium near you. Kal has the background for it, despite what he may appear. Films like Harold and Kumar don't exactly underscore his education. Political Science was a favorite of his in High School and he studied international affairs at Stanford University. Kal has also taught (Images of Asian Americans in the Media) at the University of Pennyslvania.

President Obama Scheduled To Appear On Leno

Holy presidents! In a rare move, President Obama will appear on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" this Thursday as part of his larger tour through Southern California. Bet Jay Leno is screaming with joy, his ratings will probably be through the roof. There has never been a president in office that has appeared on a late night show before this scheduled appearance. Interesting. Obama is hitting the late-night comedy circuit to pitch his economic recovery plan.

According to the New York Times, the Leno appearance is unusual but not totally unprecedented: "Presidential candidates often appear on television shows when they're trying to get elected, but once successful, it is rare to find a commander in chief appearing on TV shows except as joke fodder." The president, who remains personally popular despite growing questions about his policies, is banking on the chance to broaden his audience beyond cable news junkies and political elites. Will you tune in? Tell us how you're being affected by this economy of ours. Leave a comment.

Bad News For Beyonce (AND Obama!)

How can we say this delicately? We can't. Singing icon Etta James, 71, has made it officially known that she hates Beyonce ... and President Obama. James is steaming mad over Beyonce's performance of 'At Last,' her signature tune, at Obama's first inauguration party. The President and First Lady Michelle Obama danced to the legendary ballad.

"You guys know your president, right? You know the one with the big ears?" she said to a crowd in Seattle. "Wait a minute, he ain't my president, he might be yours, he ain't my president. You know that woman he had singing for him, singing my song -- she's going to get her a** whipped."

LOL! What?! Etta James and Beyonce are the latest celeb feud?! Where is this coming from?! Beyonce played James on the big screen recently, in 'Cadillac Records.' The movie didn't do super well at the box office, it had average reviews. However, now we know that James isn't a fan of Beyonce at all!

"The great Beyonce. I can't stand Beyonce. She has no business up there, singing up there on a big ol' president day, gonna be singing my song that I've been singing forever." Ouch, that must really hurt. I'd be embarrassed if I was Beyonce! Wouldn't you think if she was playing James in a movie that she would have talked to her about her portrayal, character, etc? Did the two women never even speak? Why is this just coming out now?

They WHAT?!?!?!

Watch. Just...watch.
(not necessarily NSFW, but may require some, uh, creativity in explaining it to younglings...)



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I sort of have to wonder how many Detroiters spit out their morning coffee when they heard this. And shouldn't a "love doctor" have heard of the act in question? (Guess she never saw Chasing Amy...)

So, Doc, THAT'S the secret to a lasting relationship? No wonder mine never worked out...oy.

An Open Letter to Beyonce

(Hey, if it worked for Lindsay Lohan...)



Dear Beyonce:

It's obvious that the organizers of the Presidential Inaugural Ball wanted someone who could generate publicity instead of someone who had genuine talent. You might be oblivious to that fact, since -- despite the assertions of Copernicus several centuries ago -- you genuinely believe the Earth revolves around you and the sun shines out of your buttcrack, but it makes it no less a fact.

So, with that in mind, yesterday evening was about BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA, not your attention-whoring, sorry self.

No, I don't think "At Last" should have been the first song of the night -- I don't care if Etta herself sang it -- because this wasn't a wedding.

That said, the first choice for the performance was Jennifer Hudson, in case you didn't know, but she couldn't make it because the poor dear is in mourning over her recent family tragedy. (Not entirely un-coincidentally, around the same time that Hudson's tragedy happened, there was a Blind Item posted by Gatecrasher, mentioning something about how "someone" didn't call their former co-star with their condolences in the wake of a recent tragedy...something about still being bitter about the Oscar snub. Yeah, Ray Charles -- blind AND dead -- could see who THAT was referring to. Petty, much?)

While Hudson may not have been the best choice -- Aretha Franklin, the Reigning Queen, who sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" earlier that day, would have blown EVERYONE away -- it was certainly a better option than your warbling, caterwauling, borderline-disrespectful version.

Frankly, when I first heard it, I thought it was a joke. I thought you were just demonstrating what my iPod would sound like if it were playing Etta James while being dropped in a wood chipper. Then I saw this interview:


...and I realized that you were dead serious. And I thought, "now, if only someone would drop YOU into a wood chipper."

More to the point, there were TEN other celebrations in DC yesterday, and they ALL played "At Last" so you wouldn't ride on that thunder. Guess you ate that memo, too.

Maybe some of my colleagues appreciate lazy, gold-digging, vapid broodmares, but I for one find them sickening, who go against all that REAL women stand for, and who ultimately make me ashamed to be female.

And, Beyonce, dear, you certainly qualify as a lazy, gold-digging, vapid broodmare.

You are no more 25 than I am (nothing wrong with being in your 30's, but at this point it's so obvious that Helen Keller, blind AND deaf AND dead, could figure it out). You are the queen of the ghetto p***y popping dances, yet you are somehow under the delusion that you are the greatest singer to ever grace the world with your class and elegance (you must've been too busy looking in the mirror when Aretha Franklin was performing). You are illiterate and unintelligent, and it's apparent to anyone with a pair of ears any time you give an interview. See above. (And to those who make the comment that I'm "elitist"...BEING INTELLIGENT IS NOT A BAD THING. I am REALLY sorry that a third-grade reading level is a challenge to you, but you'd better catch up to the rest of us, because the intelligent people are running things now. Get used to it.)

In fact, I will go so far as to say that this performance was THE most audacious, ego-driven, attention-seeking moment in the history of all performances ever done since the beginning of time. Why? Because in several interviews, you have stated your your lack of support for President Obama, and your support for the Republican Party and its ticket. While you're certainly entitled to vote for whom you want to -- contrary to the erroneous opinion of some, I have no problem inherently with Republicans, but I DO have a problem with unintelligent idiots of any political stripe who think that an "argument" entails ad hominem attacks and slander -- and while voting Republican wasn't necessarily a bad thing, I can't help but feel like you wanted to have your cake and eat it too with this performance.

In other words, had McCain won, you'd have done the exact same performance, and given the same exact interview to Nightline...it's like you just wanted to be on the side that was winning. How much more opportunistic can you get?

(My conspiracy theory mind is going down a much more sinister road, but it's one that I won't entertain at the moment...)

And while I'm certainly not feeling any love for Mariah Carey, who had the audacity to sing into a diamond microphone while the rest of the country is spiraling into a recession, there's something about Mariah that is somewhat likable (like, say, her nine octave range). Unfortunately, Beyonce, with your oversized ego and little talent to back it up, you are the FURTHEST thing from likable.

Please let me know when you finally figure out that this historical moment was not about you. Your expedience in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance for your time, I remain,

The Most Important Piece of Information Today

Earlier I was watching the Today show, and when Michelle Obama stepped out wearing this outfit, everyone started dissecting it from top to bottom.

It was like an episode of What Not To Wear on crack and with Matt Lauer rolling his eyes in the background.

Some fine journalist also asked if the color of her dress matched the carpet in one of the rooms in the White House. WTF. I'm surprised they didn't ponder what color underwear she had on. When she shows up to the ball tonight, everyone's going to spontaneously combust. I hope she shows up in a blinding hot pink pantsuit with exquisite lucite heels on. That would seriously kill some people.

Anyway, if you care, she's wearing a Toledo! That's the designer. Toledo! It's a dress. And I bring you this news because it's the most important piece of information today. IMPORTANT.

And now, we can all go back to watching Big Brother: DC. Seriously, they are following the Obamas around everywhere.

Why So Classy?

For those who think our President is getting the "classy" treatment because THIS marble-mouthed trainwreck is going to be there...

Beyonce will sing the first dance between Barack and Michelle Obama on inaugural night. The head of the Presidential Inaugural Committee said they were trying to keep it a secret. Well, Beyonce must have ate the memo on accident or something, because she let the secret out.

She issued a statement about it to Entertainment Tonight: "I am so honored that I will be performing for President Obama and the First Lady. To sing 'At Last' while they have their first dance is a dream come true. I could not be more honored and excited that they have asked me to be part of this moment in history."

Beyonce sang the song at the Kennedy Honors and in that Cadillac Records flop. It sort of sounds like Etta James' version...if Etta had laryngitis and sang it while sitting on a shaky dryer with a six pack of hot dogs in her throat.

And you know Beyonce is going to release another statement that says, "I didn't release that statement! Sasha Fierce did! She can't keep a secret!"

Hey, Beyonce...WHY SO CLASSY?

Barack Obama Writes to His Daughters

In the midst of the chaotic preparations for Inauguration Day, President-elect Barack Obama has written a letter to his daughters that will be published this Sunday in Parade magazine.

He apologizes to his girls for not being able to spend as much time with them during the campaign as he would have liked, saying, "I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two year on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart."

He thanks them for their support and then goes on to tell them, "I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey."

In his explanation, he elucidates, "I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours... In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation."

After much more explanation, he end his letter with praise for the girls. "I am so proud of both of you," he says, "I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House."

Obama's Inauguration Packed With Celebs

Geez, the upcoming Jan. 20th Inauguration is really getting out of control! Not only is it a hugely historial moment for The United States, but it sure is getting A-List celeb appearances left and right! Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder and Garth Brooks have joined a diverse lineup of musicians who will perform at Obama's Jan. 18 welcome concert on the National Mall. Bruce and Beyonce?! We'll take it.

Also set to appear are Bono, Josh Groban, Mary J. Blige, will.i.am, John Mellencamp and Shakira, while Queen Latifah, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx and Martin Luther King III will read historic passages. Wowza, we told you it's pretty packed with celebs!

Barack Loves His BlackBerry

No He Can't. Keep his BlackBerry, that is.

"I'm still clinging to my BlackBerry," says the President-elect in an interview with CNBC and the New York Times when asked about being forced to surrender his old cell phone upon taking office.

Although a new phone is necessary for security reasons, Barack is not thrilled about the idea. "They're going to pry it out of my hands," he jokes.

They say talk is cheap, but his remarks could have earned him a pretty penny. Should Barack have charged the company for his endorsements, he could have made over 25 million dollars according to advrtising experts. Doug Shabelman, the president of a company that arranges such celebrity endorsements says, "This would be almost the biggest endorsement deal in the history of endorsements."

Spidey Owns The Secret Service

Come January 14, President-elect Barack Obama may find himself in a "web" of trouble. Lucky for him Spider-Man is on the prowl.

The new issue of the Amazing Spider-Man, issue no. 583, will feature the costumed Peter Parker making sure that everything goes well on Inauguration Day. In the issue Spidey fights some baddies to protect the comic book Obama.

Though Obama was not consulted about the comic, he is a big fan of Spider-Man. I'm sure he's glad to share the cover with the beloved webslinger.

Presidential Limo Revealed

At least General Motors sold one car. The car, codename "Stagecoach," is President-elect Barack Obama's official limousine. The Secret Service and GM are not saying much about the president's ride, but thanks to the Detroit News we have some details about the first car.

The limo is equipt with five inch thick bullet-proof armor and bullet-proof glass. When all the doors are closed, the limo is sealed tight like an airplane cabin, though not pressurized. The seal is meant to protect the president in the event of a biological or chemical attack.

In addition to the security features the limo is fitted with phone and internet service. It features a hand-stitched leather interior. While the car looks ugly in this picture, the finished product will have a sleek black finish. The presidential limo will make its first appearance on inauguration day.

Not Even President Yet And Trouble Brews

I'm sorry, I don't know the guy, I don't know what you are talking about... I misspoke...

Dance baby, dance!

It appears that President Elect Obama has not even taken office yet and the list of shady characters in his life just grows. To date we have Tony Rezko (jailed), William Ayers (proud and unrepentant Weather Underground leader that bombed White House), Reverend Jeremiah Wright (anti-white racist) and now Governer Sunshine, Blagojevich...

I'm sure it's all a coincidence. But one thing is certain. It's going to be a fun ride for the next four years. One of us... one of us... one of us...

Malia and Sasha Obama: Normal Kids

Something tells me we won't have to worry about these two girls being involved in a "teen pregnancy scandal" in eight years...

The Times reports that Barack Obama has promised that he will help his daughters to “keep it real” after they move to the White House, making them clean their own rooms, make their beds and even “scoop the poop” left on the grass by their new puppy.

The strict regime outlined by the Obamas is a huge departure from that followed by the previous first daughters, Barbara and Jenna Bush - once described by White House staffers as “all noblesse and no oblige."

Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, have been making their own beds since they were 4, the President-elect told the ABC television presenter Barbara Walters. The White House’s domestic staff have been told not to carry out chores that the Obamas want their girls to do. “That was the first thing I said to some of the staff when I did my visit,” Michelle Obama said. “I said, ‘You know, we’re going to have to set up some boundaries’.”

Obama said that the girls would bear responsibility for looking after the new puppy that he promised them as a reward for their patience during his election campaign. It would be the girls’ duty to “scoop the poop” left in the grounds. “We don’t want litter on the White House lawns,” Obama said. “They are going to have to do their job.”

The girls have already been assigned their bedrooms, the same ones that the Bush twins first occupied eight years ago. Obama added that his elder daughter had her eye on a special place to do her homework.

Back from a familiarization visit with her mother and sister, Malia told her father that she planned to work at the desk in the fabled Lincoln bedroom because “I’m thinking that will inspire big thoughts”.

GQ Men Of The Year 2008 (Sizzle, Sizzle!)

GQ magazine has published the list of GQ Men of the Year 2008. The four magazine covers are available on newsstands now and feature President-elect Barack Obama, Mad Men star Jon Hamm, leading man Leonardo DiCaprio and Olympic athlete Michael Phelps. We think these are some pretty impressive choices! Who is on your favorite cover?

I wish Michelle Obama would beat this woman with one of her EasySpirit pumps...

First of all, Obama Girl, put that away. Seriously -- cellulite and silicone is not sexy by any warped standard. Second, leave that poor puppy alone. Thanks. Third, have you considered some form of therapy for your obsession? I'm just as yellow dog Dem as any other self-respecting New Yorker, but come on now...

"Obama Girl," possibly angling for an invite to the Inaugural Ball (and in that classy outfit, who could resist?), continues to show her irrelevance with her latest photo shoot.

My grandmother, may she rest in peace, used to say that the Gods look out for babies and idiots. And clearly, this one isn't a baby...

Pop Politic Madness

I don't usually discuss politics. But I feel I don't need a PHD to discuss this subject...

Ever wonder if the polls are accurate? We got a hot link for you.

Check out how the polls measure up to the outcome.

Oh yeah ...Obama won. They got that right.

Whip It Out Wednesday: Barack Obama

On this, the first ever Whip it out Wednesday, I'm proud to feature our new President, Barack Obama.

Our new President will be a great leader...because he is all the things other people claim to be. He doesn't have to tell the world he's a good father...he simply is. He doesn't have to tell the world he's an intelligent man...he simply is.

Barack Obama symbolizes so many things to so many people, both here and around the world: this country (such as we know it; we could have a very lengthy discussion about the legitimacy of our occupation of the Native American lands, but for purposes of this conversation we'll simply accept that we're Americans) brought Africans here in chains, denied them the right to vote until 150 years ago, and still -- to this day -- has Ku Klux Klan members squealing about "white power." With Obama's election, we finally took the first step to putting all these embarrassing people on the road to extinction. In the eyes of the world, the United States has finally grown up. And though that may not mean anything to the wife-beating, cross-burning racists currently living in this country, in their double-wide trailers, I take comfort in knowing that they're a dying breed and a very small minority of the population.

To Michael Moore, Barack Obama symbolizes the triumph of intelligence. (Yeah, imagine that: a President who went to an Ivy League school...ON HIS OWN INTELLIGENCE, NOT ON HIS DADDY'S COAT-TAILS. A President who graduated said school in the TOP five percent of his class...NOT FIFTH FROM THE BOTTOM. Hell, a President who can actually SAY "nuclear" and "strategy" and won't hold My Pet Goat upside down while reading to kids!)

"Today, we celebrate this triumph of decency over personal attack, of peace over war, of intelligence over a belief that Adam and Eve rode around on dinosaurs just 6,000 years ago," said Moore. "What will it be like to have a smart president? Science, banished for eight years, will return. Imagine supporting our country's greatest minds as they seek to cure illness, discover new forms of energy, and work to save the planet."

Moses Avalon, the respected music industry mogul, thinks that the election of Barack Obama signals the rebirth of the impossible dream. "Forget all the opinion polls of the last four years, skewed and spun for a nation hemorrhaging in so many ways. This is the only poll that matters. The People have spoken. "Enough" is the word. "Get out" is the word," said Avalon. "Tomorrow we will wake up in a world with a new kind of President. One who beat the odds and beat the prejudice. It gives me pause to think what will be possible in the coming years. No idea will be too crazy or too idealistic. We will need to be careful, but as of tomorrow we once again live in the world of dreams."


For me, the election of Barack Obama is a lot like the ending of Return of the Jedi: a small, understated group of rebels, with nothing to back them but their belief in the goodness of people and the wrongness of their quasi-fascist war machine and all its evil constructs (including its evil leader (Cheney) and his patsy (Bush)), toppled a seemingly-limitless regime. Hell, even the celebrations in the streets were remarkably similar (and judging from the feedback on sci-fi boards, I'm not the only one who thinks so).

Clip below:


Regardless of who you voted for -- and though I voted for Obama, I have to say that McCain gave a truly classy concession speech (would it be that his supporters showed that same dignity. The Obama supporters CHEERED McCain, while the McCain supporters BOOED Obama. Even McCain, for all that he ran a dirty campaign, seemed embarrassed by, and for, them) -- you have to admit this was truly a monumental, historic moment. And that, alone, makes Barack Obama worthy of today's ogling.