White House: Mark Halperin's Comment Was 'Inappropriate'
WASHINGTON – The White House says an off-color remark about President Barack Obama by MSNBC analyst Mark Halperin was inappropriate.
Barack Obama News
Video: Barack and Michelle Obama's First Dance at Inaugural Ball
WASHINGTON, D.C. — It was a busy day for Barack Obama after being sworn in Tuesday morning as the 44th president of the United States.
The nation's first black president and his wife, Michelle, sped their way around to 10 inaugural balls before joining their two daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, for the family's first night at the White House.
The couple began the evening at the Neighborhood Ball, where the president and first lady swayed to their first dance.
Celebs React to Barack Obama's Historic Presidential Inauguration
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A large contingent of celebrities were among the crowd of more than one million who descended on Washington for Tuesday's historic inauguration of Barack Obama.
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey, a strong supporter of the nation's first black president during his campaign, spoke of the day's special meaning.
"This is the place to be. There's no other place on earth," Winfrey told Access Hollywood. "I've got lots of Kleenex in my pocket."
Winfrey, who attended the festivities with partner Stedman Graham and best friend Gayle King, said witnessing the moment first-hand was worth braving the chilly outdoor temperatures.
"I'm front and center and frozen and happy," she said. "I'm layered and I'm wearing something called men's pantyhose. I got hot chilies in my hand and hot chilies in my boots!"
R&B star Usher was also on hand, and like Winfrey, he didn't mind getting the chills both inside and outside.
"Incredible," he told Access of the historic day. "My tears turned to ice!"
Several other music stars also made the trip to the nation's capital, including Sean "Diddy" Combs and superstar couple Beyoncé Knowles and Jay-Z.
"Me and my man Barack. Love you baby," Diddy told Access as he blew kisses towards the podium. "It's a new day."
"An incredible feeling. Never thought this day would come," added a proud Jay-Z. "It's a beautiful step for America."
More Celebrity Reactions
"I've never been more proud to be an American in my whole life." — actress Jamie Lee Curtis
"We're part of the world community again." — actor Samuel L. Jackson
"I'm speechless." — actor Denzel Washington
"While watching the events of today's inauguration all morning, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with tears of excitement at the prospect of change!!! I have never been more proud to be a young, American adult." — Reality TV star Whitney Port
"I... climbed a tree and watched it on the Jumbotron. "It's awesome we were all there for such a bigger purpose. A true moment in history I will remember. It just felt good." — Musician Pete Wentz
Barack Obama Named Time Magazine’s 2008 Person of the Year
NEW YORK — President-elect Barack Obama is adding to his trophy case, having been named Time magazine's "Person of the Year" for 2008.
The magazine's managing editor, Rick Stengel, made the announcement on Wednesday's "Today" show.
Time also singled out five others who were in the running for the honor: Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Chinese director Zhang Yimou, the man behind the opening ceremony at last summer's Beijing Olympics.
"In many, many ways, the person of the year was in effect invented for Barack Obama," Stengel told "Today" co-hosts Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira. "He's a transformational figure; he's done something extraordinary; he made some promises that he's actually kept already.
"Ultimately, he's the quissential person of the year," added Stengel.
In the Person of the Year issue, which hits newsstands Friday, the first black president of the United States speaks about how he took America by storm.
"I don't think that Americans want hubris from their next president," says the 47-year-old Obama. "[But] I do think that we received a strong mandate for change. And I know that people have said, 'Well, what does this change mean?' ... It means a government that is not ideologically driven. It means a government that is competent. It means a government, most importantly, that is focused day in, day out on the needs and struggles, the hopes and dreams of ordinary people."
Barack Obama Aims to End Lauren and Heidi Feud
NEW YORK — While many Americans are worried about inflation and the war in Iraq, Barack Obama has a few other concerns on his mind.
Appearing on the "Late Show with David Letterman," the Democratic presidential candidate revealed his Top Ten "Surprising Facts" about himself, including his wishes to stop a war — on MTV.
"My first act as President will be to stop the fighting between Lauren and Heidi on 'The Hills,' " the 46-year-old revealed on the CBS talk show, which airs Thursday night.
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