President Barack Obama announced his nominee to the US Supreme Court to replace Justice David Souter who announced at the start of this month that he is retiring from the Supreme Court. There was much speculation as to who Obama would select to join the court in Souter’s place and today that announcement was made. Federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor is Obama’s pick and if approved by the US Senate, she would be the Supreme Court’s first Hispanic Justice and the the third female Justice (after Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsberg). Here are a couple pics from the President’s announcement in the East Room of the White House earlier today:

President Obama on Tuesday nominated federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic and third female U.S. Supreme Court justice if confirmed. Obama announced the nomination Tuesday morning in the East Room of the White House. “Thank you, Mr. President, for the most humbling honor of my life,” Sotomayor said. “My heart is bursting with gratitude,” she said. She gave special recognition to her mother, who was sitting in the audience. “I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences,” Sotomayor said. Obama called Sotomayor “an inspiring woman who I believe will make a great justice.” She “has worked at almost every level of our judicial system, providing her with a depth of experience and a breath of perspective that will be invaluable as a Supreme Court justice,” he added. Obama said Sotomayor “would bring more experience on the bench and more varied experience on the bench than anyone currently serving on the United States Supreme Court had when they were appointed.” The president met with Sotomayor at the White House for an hour on Thursday, according to senior administration officials. He was impressed with Sotomayor’s personal story and professional qualifications after meeting her, but he did not immediately offer her the job, two senior administration sources added. Obama made his final decision Monday, the sources said.

It was pretty much assumed by all that Obama would be selecting a woman as his nominee but there was much speculation about which woman he would pick. As a Hispanic myself, it thrills me that there is a strong possibility that Sotomayor will join the US Supreme Court. I cannot for the life of me imagine what it must be like to get the call from the President informing you that you have been selected to join the Supreme Court. I am not familiar at all with Sotomayor’s record as a judge so I had to do some reading up on her credentials. If you, too, would like more information on Sotomayor’s legal experience you can read more about it after the jump …

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This past Sunday morn, we got our first look at Bo Obama, the new First Dog, and today we get to see Bo running and frolicking with the First Family on the White House lawn … which is now his new home. Yesterday was Bo’s official coming out party as members of the US and worldwide press corp came out to the White House to get the first official look at the newly expanded First Family:

He may be the leader of the free world, but he still has to walk the dog. “We all have to take turns walking the dog,’’ President Obama declared Tuesday, as Bo Obama, the newest – and only four-legged — occupant of the White House, made his much-anticipated Washington debut. Then again, the president had his two young daughters with him. What else could any self-respecting father and new dog owner say? “We’re trying to be responsible dog owners,’’ he later confessed. In this city of jaded journalists, about 100 members of the Fourth Estate turned out to watch the Obamas — President Barack, First Lady Michelle and First Daughters Malia and Sasha – scamper around the South Lawn with Bo and entertain dog-related questions. This we now know as a result: Bo has not yet had any accidents in the presidential mansion. “We’re trying to keep her from having accidents,’’ Mrs. Obama said, mistakenly using the female pronoun even though Bo is a boy. (No offense intended, Bo, but with your curly black hair, white front paws and carefully-groomed tail, you do kind of look like a girl.) Bo, a gift to the Obamas from Senator Edward M. Kennedy Jr., is a Portuguese Water Dog. The president allowed that Porties, as they are called, like to eat tomatoes. “Michelle’s garden is in danger,’’ Mr. Obama declared. Not to worry, Mrs. Obama said – the garden doesn’t have any tomatoes. Here, Sasha Obama, 7, weighed in, changing the subject. “He doesn’t know how to swim!’’ she exclaimed. (Water dog or not, Bo will apparently require swimming lessons.) Bo joins a long line of presidential pooches, the most recent being Barney, President George W. Bush’s dog, who once bit a reporter. (For the record, some say Barney was provoked.) Barney was allowed in the Oval Office. Will Bo have similar privileges? “Of course,’’ Mr. Obama replied. Will he sleep in a bed? “Not in my bed,’’ the president said.

It is really nice to see that we can focus on something this whimsical and happy during a time of some strife. Of course, the acquisition of a new dog isn’t and shouldn’t be front page news but sometimes I think a story like this is a welcome one. Seeing the First Family in a more “normal” light makes us all feel closer to them. I’m sure having Bo come home to live with them is the best news ever for Sasha and Malia Obama. After the jump, check out video of Bo’s introduction to the press yesterday afternoon …

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The US has a new First Pet, a dog named Bo, and everyone is a-twitter about his arrival. Late Friday, TMZ scooped the DC media with all the deets about the new First Dog days ahead of a supposed exclusive that was to come from the Washington Post. Here is our first look at Bo Obama (named after Bo Diddly) and the First Family Barack, Michelle, Sasha and Malia Obama welcoming him into the fold:

Forget about hunting for Easter eggs. The president’s daughters have a much better treat in store this holiday weekend: a new dog! After months of anticipation, a 6-month-old Portuguese Water Dog named Bo is now calling the White House home. First, the name. According to the Washington Post, which published confirmation of the White House dog news Sunday, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, chose the name because their cousins have a cat named Bo and because Mrs. Obama’s father was nicknamed Diddley, as in Bo Diddley. The dog is a gift from Sen. Ted Kennedy, who owns three dogs of the same breed, known for high spirits and said to be a good fit for kids with allergies (such as Malia). Kennedy had been lobbying the Obamas to get a Portuguese Water Dog (or PWD) for months. The newspaper reports that the Obama girls are delighted – they’ve been waiting anxiously since their dad promised them a dog during his presidential campaign – and that the family, first-time dog owners, are still deciding where Bo will sleep and who will walk and feed him. Under a veil of secrecy, the Post reports, Bo actually made a trip to the White House earlier to meet the family. “The Meeting,” as it was called by staffers, was a success. But the highly-orchestrated canine delivery procedure didn’t go without a few hitches. First, news began to circulate that a Portuguese Water Dog by the name of Charlie had been selected for the First Family after a Web site called firstdogcharlie.com posted the information, and a photo, Saturday. The White House called the photo “bogus” and told news organizations (including PEOPLE) that the First Dog would make its debut Tuesday – although Bo, it is now apparent, was already at the White House over the weekend. Then there are the questions about the dog’s origins that are sure to bedevil the Administration. The Obamas originally discussed rescuing a dog from a shelter. But valuable and highly-bred PWDs rarely show up at shelters. Bo is said to have lived with a family that decided not to keep him, but that won’t likely satisfy animal rescue advocates who wanted the Obamas to take in a stray. To help ease disappointment, according to the Washington Post, the family will make a donation to the District of Columbia Humane Society.

So much drama over such a little guy. While I understand that the new Presidential pooch had to be allergen-free so that the Obama girls (who are allergic) could live with him, all of the hoopla about his pedigree and where he came from is a bit ridiculous. All of the “top secrecy” of his procurement is equally ridic. But, at last, Bo has joined the First Family and now, hopefully, we can move on. Welcome to the White House, Bo!

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President Barack Obama made his first visit to late night TV since becoming our nation’s 44th Commander in Chief by appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night. In a mostly spirited and jovial appearance, President Obama talked about the impending arrival of the First Dog to the White House, he touched upon the current economic troubles that our country is dealing with and, IMHO, made a pretty insensitive remark at the expense of the mentally disabled in order to crack a joke about his bowling game. Here are a couple photos from his appearance on The Tonight Show last night and some deets about his interview with Jay Leno:

President Obama mixed jokes with serious discussion Thursday during an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” While presidential candidates have used comedy shows for campaigning as far back as Richard Nixon’s performance on “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” in 1968, Obama became the first sitting president to appear before a late-night talk show studio audience. Obama complimented guitarist Kevin Eubanks on his suit, and he cracked jokes about the Secret Service and “American Idol” host Simon Cowell. Obama also remarked on his poor bowling skills, which were evident during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania. He told Leno that he bowled 129 in the White House bowling alley and said his bowling skills are “like Special Olympics or something.” Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton said the president’s remarks were not meant to poke fun of the Special Olympics. “The president made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics,” Burton said. “He thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world.” Obama later moved on to topical discussions of the economic crisis and the AIG bonus scandal. “The problem with AIG was that it owed so much and was tangled up with so many banks and institutions that if you had allowed it to just liquidate, to go into bankruptcy, it could have brought the whole financial system down. So it was the right thing to do to intervene in AIG,” Obama said. Obama said earlier this week that he’ll “take responsibility” for AIG executives receiving those controversial bonuses — roughly $165 million — while the company took $173 billion in government bailouts. Congress is looking for ways to recoup all or some of that money. “The larger problem is we’ve got to get back to an attitude where people know enough is enough, and people have a sense of responsibility and they understand that their actions are going to have an impact on everybody,” he said. “If we can get back to those values that built America, then I think we’re going to be OK.” Obama also said he was confident in his embattled Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. “I think Geithner is doing an outstanding job. I think that we have a big mess on our hands,” he said. “It’s not going to be solved immediately, but it is going to get solved.” Obama taped the show Thursday afternoon during a two-day swing through the Los Angeles area for town hall meetings focusing on the economy. Obama also discussed the “life in the bubble,” musing over how Secret Service agents would not let him walk 750 yards from Air Force One to the Costa Mesa fairgrounds, where some of the day’s activities were to take place. Obama said flying in Air Force One is “pretty cool,” especially because “they give you the jacket with the [presidential] seal on it,” he said. The only time Leno appeared to stop Obama in his tracks was when he asked the president whether he thought people intentionally lose basketball games when they play with him. “I don’t see why they would throw the game, except for all those Secret Service guys with guns around,” he said. There’s some political risk for Obama, according to Washington Post media columnist Howard Kurtz, who also hosts CNN’s “Reliable Sources.” “He has to be very careful about his tone, because if he yuks it up too much and seems to be having too good a time, it will be quite a contrast there with the pain the people are feeling with the crumbling economy,” Kurtz said.

While I love me some Barack, I was not at all pleased with his Special Olympics “joke”. I absolutely understand that he meant no harm by making the crack but it really goes to show that our culture is so ingrained with the notion that the mentally disabled are easy fodder for humor. Nothing irks me more than the misuse of the word “retarded” as an insult or as a dig toward someone else. Again, I’m sure that 99% of the people who freely use that word “jokingly” don’t mean to offend others but, invariably, they do. In his official apology, I wish the President would’ve said more than just that he respects the Special Olympics. It would’ve been much better, in my opinion, if he had apologized for making the joke at the expense of the mentally disabled and urged others to consider what they are really saying when they do the same. Ack, I don’t mean to get all soap boxy but this sort of “humor” really pisses me off.

Moving on, I thought the whole appearance (absent the insensitive joke) was pretty great tho. Leno didn’t offer any tough questions and it was a general lovefest. President Obama is great on camera and his personality really shows thru in interviews like this. Even with the gaffe (or maybe because of it), he shows just how much of a pretty regular guy he really is. In case you missed it, you can read the full transcript of President Obama’s appearance HERE or watch the full video interview after the jump …

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President Barack Obama is featured on the cover and in pages of the new issue of Vanity Fair magazine, which is all well and good …

… but, the mag used a photo (that was shot by Annie Leibovitz) that has already been published on a previous issue of VF that went to press back in 2007 — clearly they do not believe in Change:

Barack Obama is on the cover of the new Vanity Fair as part of the magazine’s photo portfolio of his team and supporters taken by Annie Leibovitz. (Not to be confused with The New York Times Magazine’s photo portfolio by Nadav Kander from earlier this month.) If President Obama’s sideways position and stern expression look a little familiar, they should: It’s the same photo that ran on the cover in July 2007 as part of a 20-part celebrity-filled spread devoted to Africa, albeit with some small differences. A call to the magazine’s spokesperson confirmed that the two covers use the same photo and that the credit inside the new issue acknowledges that Ms. Leibovitz took the portrait of then-Senator Obama in 2007. We’re just excited to play “Check… and Double Check,” which we hadn’t done since our subscription to Highlights ran out in the fourth grade.

LOL! Clearly the new president didn’t have the time to sit for a photoshoot with Leibovitz since taking office … must be all that runnin’ the country that he’s real bizzy with these days. While I think it might’ve been more prudent to wait for a time when the president could pose for a new photo, I guess VF didn’t want to wait. In any regard, it’s a nice photo … I liked it the first time I saw it. At least we now know that Vanity Fair magazine is into recycling.

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Aretha Franklin’s now world-famous Inauguration hat, created by Detroit milliner Luke Song, is on the verge of making US history. The Smithsonian Museum is requesting that Aretha donate her amazingly fabulous hat so that it will be enshrined for all time as an artifact in a new exhibit to immortalize President Barack Obama’s historic inauguration. If Aretha complies, it will be showcased alongside First Lady Michelle Obama’s Inaugruation dress in the Smithsonian exhibit:

Michelle Obama’s now-famous Jason Wu gown isn’t the only piece of Inaugural fashion that is headed for the Smithsonian. The museum is also requesting the now-iconic hat that Aretha Franklin wore while singing at the swearing-in. Aretha, however, is still undecided about parting with her Luke Song-designed hat. “I am considering it. It would be hard to part with my chapeau since it was such a crowning moment in history,” says the Queen of Soul. “I would like to smile every time I look back at it and remember what a great moment it was in American and African-American history. Ten cheers for President Obama.” Aretha’s hat has already inspired a line of toppers, recreating her custom version in different colors and bow size. If Franklin decides to donate the hat to the museum, it will become part of an exhibit of President Obama’s Inaugural display along with Michelle’s gown.

I think y’all know that I am a HUGE fan of this hat and I would LOVE to see it enshrined in the Smithsonian … and I bet I’m not the only one, either:

I haven’t been to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC since my 10th grade school trip back in the day. If this hat goes on display, I would make the pilgrimage to our Nation’s Capitol to see it in person. I doubt the museum would allow visitor to try on the hat but I’m hoping one day to place this hallowed piece of fabulosity on my head. If not the real thing, I’d settle for a reproduction. That is one photo I hope to share with the world one day.

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One of the unsung stars from President Barack Obama’s Inauguration this past Tuesday is gettin’ some love from the world of Fashion this week. Aretha Franklin, my Detroit homegirl, sang a powerful rendition of My Country Tis Of Thee just before Obama was sworn into office (the first time, not the second time) but it was her auspicious headwear that kinda stole the show. It turns out that Aretha went to milliner Luke Song, who bases his company in Detroit, MI, for a hat to wear to the inauguration and was provided with the flamboyant hat that had everyone talking (er, Twittering) as soon as she took center stage. Women’s Wear Daily reports on how Aretha met her hat and just who is Luke Song:

Aretha Franklin might have garnered lots of attention singing “My Country This of Thee” at the inauguration, but it wasn’t only for her voice. One question was on the minds of millions – what was she wearing on her head? Turns out a collaboration between the artist and Detroit-based milliner Luke Song. According to Song, Franklin came in to his Detroit showroom last week looking for a special hat for the big day. “She’s our regular customer and comes to us often,” Song said. “She actually had three to choose from for that day, but went with her second choice. It probably looked better on camera.” Franklin donned a heather gray wool piece that Song had hand-molded to give it some serious shape. The trim and ribbon were decorated with Swarovski crystals and would run in the regular collection for $179. For those who don’t get up to Detroit too often, Song wholesales under the label Mr. Song Millinery throughout New York, California and much of the South. “We’re big in Southern states but being in Detroit is good for us,” Song said. “There are a lot of big stars that come through to this town – gospel singers, lots of big-name church people who want to wear big hats. Some big names come through Detroit.”

As much as I like Justin Gaston’s new choice in headwear, I really have to give props to Luke Song on this masterpiece. At first, I was a little WTF? about the hat but it has since grown on me. Aretha rocked it right (tho, President Obama looks pretty slick in it as well) and I’m very happy to know that Aretha chose to wear a Detroit designer to the Inauguration. Click HERE to check out Luke Song’s official website to see the other wares available from his Detroit-based Millinery. Don’t be surprised if I dress up as Aretha Franklin for Halloween this year ;) After the jump, because it was such a stirring rendition, check out video of Aretha Franklin performing My Country Tis of Thee at this week’s Inauguration …

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