reuters:

President Barack Obama revealed the strategy he and First Lady Michelle Obama use to keep their daughters away from tattoos: 

“What we’ve said to the girls is, ‘If you guys ever decide you’re going to get a tattoo, then mommy and me will get the exact same tattoo, in the same place, and we’ll go on YouTube and show it off as a family tattoo,’” Obama said.

“Our thinking is that might dissuade them from thinking that somehow that’s a good way to rebel.”

If the Obama daughters were thinking about getting tattoos, they may want to reconsider.

breakingnews:

Obama speaks out against GOP threats to filibuster gun control

TPM: US President Obama was in Connecticut Monday to deliver an speech aimed at mobilizing public support for gun control — and speaking out against Republican senators who are on record threatening to filibuster legislation to address gun violence.

“This is not about me. This is not not about politics,” he said to the crowd, which included families of victims of the Sandy Hook shooting. “This is about doing the right thing for families like yours that have been torn apart by gun violence, and families going forward.”

Photo credit: Charles Dharapak/AP

nbcnews:

Obama apologizes to Kamala Harris for ‘best-looking attorney general’ comment

(Photo: Eric Risberg / AP file)

After remarking that California’s Kamala Harris would be the “best-looking attorney general in the country,” Obama apologized for what some said was sexist, and others argued was a harmless compliment.

Read the complete story.

nbcnews:

‘Amazing’: Obama turns tourist in ancient city of Petra

(Photo: Larry Downing / Reuters)

PETRA, Jordan — President Barack Obama marveled at the sights of Jordan’s ancient city of Petra on Saturday as he wrapped up a four-day Middle East tour by setting aside weighty diplomatic matters and playing tourist for a day.

Read the complete story.

globalpost:

JERUSALEM — President Barack Obama’s address to the Israeli people, delivered a mere two months after starting his second term in office, may herald a new direction for American foreign policy.

Clearly aware of first term missed opportunities in the relationship with America’s closest Mideast ally, Obama chose to crown his two day trip to Israel and the Palestinian Authority with a passionate, forceful speech addressed to a group of more than 2,000 Israelis.

Obama in Israel: A new direction for American foreign policy?

Photo by AFP/Getty Images

More of our coverage:

Why it matters that Obama visited the Dead Sea Scrolls

Israel apologizes to Turkey over Gaza flotilla deaths

Obama announces an additional $200 million to help Jordan with Syrian refugees

yahoopolitics:

We sat down with the First Lady to discuss the “Let’s Move” program. Our favorite revelation? The Obamas are a “brocoli household”: 

It is the one vegetable that my children will eat without creating chaos and havoc. There’s never quite clear harmony at the dinner table over the vegetables, but broccoli is a unifier in our household.

The whole interview is worth your 7 minutes.

nbcnightlynews:

Rosa Parks statue unveiled in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol

nbcnews:

NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll: GOP in need of makeover, as Obama gains edge

(Photo: J. Scott Applewhite / AP)

As the nation’s political actors quarrel over sequester cuts, a new poll shows the president finds himself in a much stronger position than his Republican adversaries.

Read the complete story.

yahoonews:

Four months after Mitt Romney famously pledged to cut funding for the large yellow Muppet, Big Bird is dancing in the White House to promote the first lady’s healthy living initiative. 

The Sesame Street character and Mrs. Obama have teamed up in two new public service announcements to encourage kids to eat healthy and get active. 

nbcnews:

Obama recognizes Sandy Hook educators with second-highest civilian honor

(Photo: Jewel Samad / AFP - Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — Family members of the six adults killed in the Newtown, Conn., school shooting were at the White House Friday as President Barack Obama bestowed the nation’s second-highest civilian honor on their fallen relatives.

Read the complete story.