Obama Watch: Week of July 12

LeBron makes a big announcement; Beyonce involved in London car crash. More top news.

Trip to Kansas City - Last Thursday, the president headed out to Kansas City, Mo. While there he visited Smith Electric Vehicles, an electric truck factory. During his speech in front of workers, he reassured his audience about the economy. “What is absolutely clear is we're moving in the right direction, we're headed in the right direction,” he said.

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Trip to Kansas City - Last Thursday, the president headed out to Kansas City, Mo. While there he visited Smith Electric Vehicles, an electric truck factory. During his speech in front of workers, he reassured his audience about the economy. “What is absolutely clear is we're moving in the right direction, we're headed in the right direction,” he said.

New Jersey Bound - Obama will head to New Jersey on Wednesday to talk about the economy in the Edison area. Later in the day, he’ll deliver a speech at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee in New York City. (Pictured: Obama talks to workers in Kansas City)

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Greeting Workers - After his speech, President Obama greets workers. Before his remarks, he also had a brief tour of the facility. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Campaigning for Carnahan - While in Missouri, Obama also took part in a campaign fundraiser for Democratic Senate hopeful Robin Carnahan. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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Campaigning for Carnahan - While in Missouri, Obama also took part in a campaign fundraiser for Democratic Senate hopeful Robin Carnahan. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

On to Nevada - On the same day, after his visit to Missouri, the president headed to Nevada to do some campaigning for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev), who is running to get re-elected in the fall. Obama waves to the crowd with Reid at a campaign rally at the Aria Resort at CityCenter Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Mark Damon)

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On to Nevada - On the same day, after his visit to Missouri, the president headed to Nevada to do some campaigning for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev), who is running to get re-elected in the fall. Obama waves to the crowd with Reid at a campaign rally at the Aria Resort at CityCenter Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Mark Damon)

Greeting Supporters - Obama greets supporters after speaking at the campaign fundraiser for Reid. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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Greeting Supporters - Obama greets supporters after speaking at the campaign fundraiser for Reid. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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NAACP Convention - On Monday, Michelle Obama spoke at the 101st annual NAACP convention in Kansas City, just days after her husband left the city. Here, she is introduced by NAACP Chair Roslyn Brock.

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NAACP Convention - On Monday, Michelle Obama spoke at the 101st annual NAACP convention in Kansas City, just days after her husband left the city. Here, she is introduced by NAACP Chair Roslyn Brock.

Obesity in the Black Community - During her speech, she talked about “Let’s Move,” her initiative to fight childhood obesity. She said that today’s lifestyle of high-calorie food coupled with an inactive lifestyle was destructive. “It's a lifestyle that's dooming too many of our children to a lifetime of poor health and undermining our best efforts to build them a better future," Mrs. Obama told the audience. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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Obesity in the Black Community - During her speech, she talked about “Let’s Move,” her initiative to fight childhood obesity. She said that today’s lifestyle of high-calorie food coupled with an inactive lifestyle was destructive. “It's a lifestyle that's dooming too many of our children to a lifetime of poor health and undermining our best efforts to build them a better future," Mrs. Obama told the audience. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Convention Crowd - After her remarks, convention attendees gave the first lady a round of applause. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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Convention Crowd - After her remarks, convention attendees gave the first lady a round of applause. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Destroying Our Community - "Surely the men and women of the NAACP haven't spent a century organizing and advocating and working day and night, only to raise the first generation in history that might be on track to live shorter lives than did their parents," Mrs. Obama said. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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Destroying Our Community - "Surely the men and women of the NAACP haven't spent a century organizing and advocating and working day and night, only to raise the first generation in history that might be on track to live shorter lives than did their parents," Mrs. Obama said. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Meeting Dominican Leader - On Monday, following his morning meetings, the president met with President Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic in the Oval Office. After their meeting, the two leaders held a press conference.

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Meeting Dominican Leader - On Monday, following his morning meetings, the president met with President Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic in the Oval Office. After their meeting, the two leaders held a press conference.

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Florida Visit - After speaking at the NAACP Convention, Mrs. Obama headed down to Panama City Beach, Fla. During her visit, she met with community members and business leaders to talk about the effects of the BP Oil Spill. Here she speaks to locals at the Boardwalk Beach Resort. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)

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Florida Visit - After speaking at the NAACP Convention, Mrs. Obama headed down to Panama City Beach, Fla. During her visit, she met with community members and business leaders to talk about the effects of the BP Oil Spill. Here she speaks to locals at the Boardwalk Beach Resort. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)

Roundtable - Mrs. Obama speaks at a roundtable discussion at the Panama City Beach Welcome Center in Panama City Beach, Fla. Yonnie Patronis, owner of Capt. Anderson's Restaurant (left) and Panama City Beach Mayor Gayle Oberst (center) look on. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)

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Roundtable - Mrs. Obama speaks at a roundtable discussion at the Panama City Beach Welcome Center in Panama City Beach, Fla. Yonnie Patronis, owner of Capt. Anderson's Restaurant (left) and Panama City Beach Mayor Gayle Oberst (center) look on. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)

Receiving a Gift - After receiving a book from a local business owner during the roundtable discussion, Mrs. Obama smiles.

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Receiving a Gift - After receiving a book from a local business owner during the roundtable discussion, Mrs. Obama smiles.

Ice Cream Stop - The first lady stops for ice cream at the Pink Pelican Ice Cream Bar. Dan Row, Bay County Tourist Development Council, is on her right. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)

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Ice Cream Stop - The first lady stops for ice cream at the Pink Pelican Ice Cream Bar. Dan Row, Bay County Tourist Development Council, is on her right. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)

Talking to Locals - Mrs. Obama talks with another patron at the Pink Pelican Ice Cream Bar. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)

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Talking to Locals - Mrs. Obama talks with another patron at the Pink Pelican Ice Cream Bar. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)

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Meeting with Republicans - Obama will host Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress on Tuesday morning to discuss the upcoming legislative agenda.

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Meeting with Republicans - Obama will host Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress on Tuesday morning to discuss the upcoming legislative agenda.

White House Meetings - On Thursday and Friday the president will attend meeting at the White House.

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White House Meetings - The president will attend meetings at the White House on Wednesday.

"60 Minutes" - Could cable news cycles be to blame for the angry outbursts at last month’s town hall meetings? In a “60 Minutes” interview that aired Sunday, the president said, “The truth of the matter is that there has been, I think, a coarsening of our political dialogue … I will also say that in the era of 24-hour cable news cycles, that the loudest, shrillest voices get the most attention. And so one of the things that I’m trying to figure out is: How can we make sure that civility is interesting?”

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Michigan Visit - Thursday, President Obama will travel to Holland, Mich. to deliver remarks at a groundbreaking ceremony for Compact Power. The company makes batteries for electric vehicles.

Warm Welcome - The First Family was greeted with cheers and waves as their motorcade drove to their vacation home. Valerie Jarrett, the president's senior adviser and Obama's sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, also came along for the trip.

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Maine Vacation - The Obama family will head to Maine on Friday to spend a quiet weekend on Mount Desert Island. There aren’t any public events scheduled during this visit.

Michelle Obama<bR>Launches Campaign - First Lady Michelle Obama brought together Cabinet members, mayors, sports and entertainment figures, business leaders and more to announce the launch of her national campaign against childhood obesity called “Let’s Move.” It will involve promoting healthier schools, increasing physical activity for kids, improving access to healthy foods and giving people more nutrition information.

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Let’s Move! - On Tuesday, the first lady will help launch a brand new Web site for Let’s Move! During the launch, she will host a web chat in the morning with a live online audience. The chat, facilitated by AOL Health, will be streamed live on www.LetsMove.gov.

South Lawn Games - Mrs. Obama will team up with tennis champ Serena Williams on Wednesday to host another South Lawn Series event, aimed at getting local youth active. The pair will welcome students to the White House to do interactive tennis activities.

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South Lawn Games - Mrs. Obama will team up with tennis champ Serena Williams on Wednesday to host another South Lawn Series event, aimed at getting local youth active. The pair will welcome students to the White House to do interactive tennis activities.