Beltway Blurbs: Week of August 17

Take a look at what's on Obama's schedule this week.

Monday - While the First Family vacations out west, President Obama will speak at the VFW National Convention in Phoenix. According to White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, topics to be addressed include the nation’s responsibility to maintain the world’s best military and the United States’ debt to people who serve when they come home. The family will then fly back to Washington, D.C.

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Monday - While the First Family vacations out west, President Obama will speak at the VFW National Convention in Phoenix. According to White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, topics to be addressed include the nation’s responsibility to maintain the world’s best military and the United States’ debt to people who serve when they come home. The family will then fly back to Washington, D.C.

Tuesday - President Obama will meet with Egyptian President Mubarak at the White House. The two are expected to discuss relations between the Arab world and Israel. Obama had previously asked both sides to make certain concessions, but Mubarak is expected to let him know that he doesn’t believe Israel is doing its part.

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Tuesday - President Obama will meet with Egyptian President Mubarak at the White House. The two are expected to discuss relations between the Arab world and Israel. Obama had previously asked both sides to make certain concessions, but Mubarak is expected to let him know that he doesn’t believe Israel is doing its part.

Wednesday - Today, the president will welcome 2008 Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson to the White House. Johnson’s car (a Number 48 Chevy), other Sprint Cup drivers and past NASCAR champs will also be at the event.

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Wednesday - Today, the president will welcome 2008 Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson to the White House. Johnson’s car (a Number 48 Chevy), other Sprint Cup drivers and past NASCAR champs will also be at the event.

Thursday - President Obama will have meetings at the White House.

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Thursday - President Obama will have meetings at the White House.

Friday - The president will head out of Washington, D.C. and travel to Camp David to spend the weekend.

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Friday - The president will head out of Washington, D.C. and travel to Camp David to spend the weekend.

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On The Hill - Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), who also serves as the House Ways and Means chairman, lashed out against the U.S. Senate Sunday during a “Meet the Press” discussion on health care reform. “I don’t know what can prevail in the Senate. All I know is this: that people are trying to use hatred as a substitute for discussion…when people are paid to work up town hall meetings it’s clear they’re not looking for solutions; they’re looking for a political out of the serious questions."

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On The Hill - Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), who also serves as the House Ways and Means chairman, lashed out against the U.S. Senate Sunday during a “Meet the Press” discussion on health care reform. “I don’t know what can prevail in the Senate. All I know is this: that people are trying to use hatred as a substitute for discussion…when people are paid to work up town hall meetings it’s clear they’re not looking for solutions; they’re looking for a political out of the serious questions."

Democrats Opposed? - The administration could face some opposition within the Democratic Party for compromising on the public option in health care reform. Liberal Dems believe that the government-sponsored health care is needed to make sure private insurance companies have competition, The Hill reports. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) said it would be “very difficult” for her and some of her colleagues to support the health care legislation without the public option.

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Democrats Opposed? - The administration could face some opposition within the Democratic Party for compromising on the public option in health care reform. Liberal Dems believe that the government-sponsored health care is needed to make sure private insurance companies have competition, The Hill reports. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) said it would be “very difficult” for her and some of her colleagues to support the health care legislation without the public option.