It appears the White House is circling the wagons in the midst of the release of Obama’s former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates’ book, which accused Vice President Joe Biden of “poisoning the well” against the military leadership among other claims. The White House press office released the president’s public schedule that shows President Obama and the rest of the administration is ready to defend Biden all day long today:
DAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2014
In the morning, the President and the Vice President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office. This meeting is closed press.
Later in the morning, the President and the Vice President will meet with the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board in the Situation Room. This meeting is closed press.
In the afternoon, the President and the Vice President will meet for lunch in the Private Dining Room. There will be a stills only pool spray of the lunch.
Afterward, the President and the Vice President will meet with leaders of the intelligence community in the Situation Room. This meeting is closed press.
Later in the afternoon, the President and the Vice President will meet with Secretary of State Kerry in the Oval Office. This meeting is closed press.
In-Town Travel Pool Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP TV Corr & Crew: FOX Print: Wall Street Journal Radio: NPR
EST
9:30AM In-Town Pool Call Time
9:45AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing Oval Office Closed Press
10:45AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board Situation Room Closed Press
12:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet for lunch Private Dining Room Stills Only Pool Spray (Final Gather 12:15PM – Brady Press Briefing Room)
2:15PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with leaders of the intelligence community Situation Room Closed Press
3:45PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of State Kerry Oval Office Closed Press
Briefing Schedule
1:30PM Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney
Republican National Committee Deputy Press Secretary Raffi Williams wondered, “This is pretty subtle, Biden joins Obama all day today after the White House rushed to defend him against charges in Secretary Gates’ book. Is Thursday Hillary’s day?
It should be noted Biden’s public appearances with Obama during the first half of 2013, as noted by Charlie Hurt, was seemingly seldom as shown by the White House’s official photo page, which instead focused on the president’s meetings with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.