Obama Watch: Week of Nov. 9

Photos: See what the President and First Lady are doing this week. Get schedule.

Weekend at Camp David - The Obamas, along with First Grandma Marian Robinson, spent the weekend at Camp David. They returned to Washington from the White House retreat late Sunday on Marine One.

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Weekend at Camp David - The Obamas, along with First Grandma Marian Robinson, spent the weekend at Camp David. They returned to Washington from the White House retreat late Sunday on Marine One.

On Monday - The President will receive his daily briefings in the Oval Office. Later, he will hold a one-on-one meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office. According to the Washington Post Gen. Charles Boldem, an African-American astronaut and hopeful to be the next NASA administrator, is also expected to meet with President Obama.

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Monday - President Obama will receive his usual daily briefing and meet with advisors in the Oval Office. Later, the president will sign an Executive Order dealing with the employment of veterans in federal agencies. The order will establish a Council on Veterans Employment and a Veterans Employment Program Office in most agencies. Obama will then meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office.

Tuesday - President Obama and First Lady Michelle will travel to Fort Hood, Texas for a memorial service. Last Thursday, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, killed 13 people when he opened fire on soldiers at the base. Hasan, who was wounded by policemen, remains hospitalized in stable condition.

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Tuesday - President Obama and First Lady Michelle will travel to Fort Hood, Texas for a memorial service. Last Thursday, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, killed 13 people when he opened fire on soldiers at the base. Hasan, who was wounded by policemen, remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Wednesday - The President had been scheduled to depart for his 10-day trip to Asia today, but it has been postponed due to the Fort Hood memorial service. He had originally been scheduled to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery (today marks Veteran’s Day) before going to Asia.

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Wednesday - The President had been scheduled to depart for his 10-day trip to Asia today, but it has been postponed due to the Fort Hood memorial service. He had originally been scheduled to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery (today marks Veteran’s Day) before going to Asia.

Thursday - President Obama will start his tour of Asian nations, beginning with Japan, then to Singapore, China and South Korea. President Obama has done his share of globetrotting this year. Since taking office in January, he has visited 20 countries, according to the White House. While in Singapore, he’ll go to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit and he’ll also meet with leaders of the Association of South-East Asian Nations.

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Thursday - President Obama will start his tour of Asian nations, beginning with Japan, then to Singapore, China and South Korea. President Obama has done his share of globetrotting this year. Since taking office in January, he has visited 20 countries, according to the White House. While in Singapore, he’ll go to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit and he’ll also meet with leaders of the Association of South-East Asian Nations.

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Health Care - The Obama administration took a major step toward health reform, when the House of Representatives narrowly voted to pass the $1.2 trillion historic legislation. The bill, “will provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality affordable options for those who don’t; and bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and the government,” the president said in a statement.

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Health Care - The Obama administration took a major step toward health reform, when the House of Representatives narrowly voted to pass the $1.2 trillion historic legislation. The bill, “will provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality affordable options for those who don’t; and bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and the government,” the president said in a statement.

Rival Republican Plan - President Obama and Democrats continue to face opposition on health care from the Republicans. The GOP even presented a rival health care bill that the House rejected by a vote of 176 to 258. Under their plan, almost no new Americans over the age of 10 would be insured and insurance companies would still be able to discriminate based on pre-existing conditions, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

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Rival Republican Plan - President Obama and Democrats continue to face opposition on health care from the Republicans. The GOP even presented a rival health care bill that the House rejected by a vote of 176 to 258. Under their plan, almost no new Americans over the age of 10 would be insured and insurance companies would still be able to discriminate based on pre-existing conditions, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

A Push for the Bill - President Obama and the Democrats get a push for Health Care from former President Bill Clinton this week. The 42nd President heads to Capitol Hill Tuesday to have lunch with Democratic Senators in an effort to move health care through the Senate after passing in the House last weekend.

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A Push for the Bill - President Obama and the Democrats get a push for Health Care from former President Bill Clinton this week. The 42nd President heads to Capitol Hill Tuesday to have lunch with Democratic Senators in an effort to move health care through the Senate after passing in the House last weekend.

Michelle Obama: January 17 - Our First Lady turns 48.

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In First Lady News... - On Wednesday, Mrs. Obama will attend a Veteran’s Day Breakfast at the White House and she will also join the president at a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Then, in the afternoon, she and Dr. Jill Biden will attend the “Be the Change Veterans Day Event” held at George Washington University. On Friday, Mrs. Obama will host a health care event at the White House, focused on older women.

"Iron Chef" at the White House - This photo courtesy of the Food Network shows chef Bobby Flay, from left, and White House chef Cristeta Comerford, Alton Brown, first lady Michelle Obama, chef Mario Batali and chef Emeril Lagasse. An episode of "Iron Chef America" will be taped at the White House pitting Flay and Comerford against Batali and Lagasse. The episode airs Jan. 3, 2010.

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"Iron Chef" at the White House - This photo courtesy of the Food Network shows chef Bobby Flay, from left, and White House chef Cristeta Comerford, Alton Brown, first lady Michelle Obama, chef Mario Batali and chef Emeril Lagasse. An episode of "Iron Chef America" will be taped at the White House pitting Flay and Comerford against Batali and Lagasse. The episode airs Jan. 3, 2010.

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Paying Tribute - On Monday, President Obama shocked crowds in Germany with his surprise videotaped tribute to the fall of the Berlin Wall at a 20th anniversary ceremony. The president delivered his words, via a video message that was played during the main event. “There could be no clearer rebuke of tyranny,” he said. He was introduced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was in Germany, and the crowd cheered the president’s remarks. The wall divided East and West Germany before it was torn down in 1989.

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Paying Tribute - On Monday, President Obama shocked crowds in Germany with his surprise videotaped tribute to the fall of the Berlin Wall at a 20th anniversary ceremony. The president delivered his words, via a video message that was played during the main event. “There could be no clearer rebuke of tyranny,” he said. He was introduced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was in Germany, and the crowd cheered the president’s remarks. The wall divided East and West Germany before it was torn down in 1989.

Afghanistan Troop Decision - The president will not make a decision about sending more troops to Afghanistan before leaving for Asia on Thursday, so we’ll have to wait until at least Nov. 20 when he returns. He will likely discuss the decision with leaders while abroad. “The president wants to ensure that he has all that he needs and has heard from all that have equities in this, in order to make a decision moving forward,” said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.

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Afghanistan Troop Decision - The president will not make a decision about sending more troops to Afghanistan before leaving for Asia on Thursday, so we’ll have to wait until at least Nov. 20 when he returns. He will likely discuss the decision with leaders while abroad. “The president wants to ensure that he has all that he needs and has heard from all that have equities in this, in order to make a decision moving forward,” said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.

First Lady Visits Sesame Street - As part of the 40th anniversary of the longstanding children's series, “Sesame Street,” First Lady Michelle Obama will appear on the show to promote gardening and healthy living. The show will air Nov. 10.

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Sesame Street<bR>40th Anniversary - A pre-taped segment on Sesame Street with First Lady Michelle Obama airs Tuesday. The First Lady joins Elmo, Big Bird and the crew to celebrate the children's favorite 40th anniversary.