Obama Watch: Week of September 13

The president praises HBCUs; Mrs. Obama talks about fighting childhood obesity. Plus more!

Obama Upsets Vegas Politicos - After sparking a firestorm of criticism from Nevada's elected officials for suggesting that people saving money for college shouldn't blow it in Las Vegas, Obama told U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in a letter that he wasn't saying anything negative about Las Vegas. "I was making the simple point that families use vacation dollars, not college tuition money, to have fun," Obama said, according to the letter released by Reid's office. "There is no place better to have fun than Vegas."

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Obama Wants Black Voters “Fired Up” - In an interview with “The Tom Joyner Morning Show” that broadcast on Friday, the president called for Black voters to get “fired up” for Dems in elections this year. “Part of the thing I’ve got to remind people is that the policies that got us into this mess are the same policies that these Republicans are offering right now,” he said. “And so if African Americans aren’t fired up right now, you better be fired up.”

Remembering 9/11 - This past weekend, the president marked the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a moment of silence at 8:46 am, the exact time that the first plane struck the World Trade Center in New York in 2001. He then delivered remarks at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington. First Lady Michelle Obama attended an event in Pennsylvania, while Vice President Biden traveled to New York.

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Remembering 9/11 - This past weekend, the president marked the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a moment of silence at 8:46 am, the exact time that the first plane struck the World Trade Center in New York in 2001. He then delivered remarks at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington. First Lady Michelle Obama attended an event in Pennsylvania, while Vice President Biden traveled to New York.

Praising Black Colleges - Monday morning, the president recognized the contributions of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) at a reception with leaders of the schools in the White House’s Grand Foyer. President Obama also wants more monetary support for the schools. He’s pushing for $850 million in federal dollars for HBCUs over the next 10 years.

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Praising Black Colleges - Monday morning, the president recognized the contributions of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) at a reception with leaders of the schools in the White House’s Grand Foyer. President Obama also wants more monetary support for the schools. He’s pushing for $850 million in federal dollars for HBCUs over the next 10 years.

Home Visit - Later that day, the president visited the home of John Nicholas and Nicole Armstrong who live in Fairfax, Va., not far from Washington, D.C.

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Home Visit - Later that day, the president visited the home of John Nicholas and Nicole Armstrong who live in Fairfax, Va., not far from Washington, D.C.

Talking With the Family - President Obama sits with Nicholas, Armstrong and their twins Trevor and Olivia.

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Talking With the Family - President Obama sits with Nicholas, Armstrong and their twins Trevor and Olivia.

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Fielding Questions - Obama fields questions about the economy from local residents during the intimate gathering of about 30 people. “I have never been more confident about the future of our economy,” he said. “If we stay on track….there’s no reason we can’t succeed.”

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Fielding Questions - Obama fields questions about the economy from local residents during the intimate gathering of about 30 people. “I have never been more confident about the future of our economy,” he said. “If we stay on track….there’s no reason we can’t succeed.”

Let’s Move! Initiative - On Monday morning, the first lady addressed the National Restaurant Association’s Fall Board Meeting at the Hyatt Regency in D.C. During her speech, she implored the restaurant heads to help fight childhood obesity by providing healthy options and more info on healthy food choices. Earlier this year, Mrs. Obama launched the “Let’s Move” initiative to combat childhood obesity and has held several programs (from field days to supporting the White House garden) to support the initiative.

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Let’s Move! Initiative - On Monday morning, the first lady addressed the National Restaurant Association’s Fall Board Meeting at the Hyatt Regency in D.C. During her speech, she implored the restaurant heads to help fight childhood obesity by providing healthy options and more info on healthy food choices. Earlier this year, Mrs. Obama launched the “Let’s Move” initiative to combat childhood obesity and has held several programs (from field days to supporting the White House garden) to support the initiative.

Honoring Student Athletes - The president welcomed student athletes to the White House to honor their successes in their respective sports and in the classroom. Here, President Obama speaks to attendees of the event, which was held on the White House’s South Lawn.

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Honoring Student Athletes - The president welcomed student athletes to the White House to honor their successes in their respective sports and in the classroom. Here, President Obama speaks to attendees of the event, which was held on the White House’s South Lawn.

Shaking Hands - After his speech, President Obama greeted the crowd.

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Shaking Hands - After his speech, President Obama greeted the crowd.

Bi-partisan Meeting - The president will meet with a group of Republican and Democratic senators to discuss energy and climate legislation on Tuesday.

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Back to School Speech - On Tuesday, the president will deliver his annual Back-to-School address at Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia, Pa. The school received the National Blue Ribbon honor this year. "Nobody gets to write your destiny but you," Obama will say in the address (released to the media beforehand). The speech will be streamed live on WhiteHouse.gov.

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CHCI Gala - On Wednesday, the president and the first lady will attend the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 33rd Annual Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., where he is scheduled to deliver remarks.

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CHCI Gala - On Wednesday, the president and the first lady will attend the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 33rd Annual Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., where he is scheduled to deliver remarks.

Obama's Main Street Tour - President Obama hit the road Tuesday to resume his White House to Main Street tour. He started in Iowa, where he toured Siemens Energy Inc Facility before holding a town hall meeting at a community college. On Wednesday, he made stops in Missouri and spoke at the Oakley Lindsay Civic Center in Illinois.

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Fundraising in Connecticut - President Obama will travel to Connecticut on Thursday to attend fundraising events for Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and the Democratic National Committee.

Wednesday - Obama will attend meetings at the White House today.

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

Obamas Host State Dinner, Beyoncé Performs - The Obamas hosted their second state dinner Wednesday evening in honor of Mexican President Felipe Calderson and his wife Margarita Zavala. Unlike the first state dinner, the event was free of party crashers, mainly due to tightened security. The dinner guest list of 200 included Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria Parker, George Lopez and Olympic speedskater Shani Davis. Beyoncé, who came with hubby Jay-Z, also performed.

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Congressional Black Caucus Conference - On Saturday, President Obama and first lady Michelle are set to attend the CBC’s Annual Legislative Conference Phoenix Awards Dinner in D.C. Obama will also deliver remarks at the dinner.