Welcome To The White House!

I was in Washington DC, and it is without a doubt inspiring to walk among the buildings that celebrate our country…and where you can ALWAYS find a duck…

As I was taking picture after picture, it got me in the mood to write about DC, politics, and Presidents…for example, here’s something I found out recently:

Obama M & M’s!

Yes, one of the many fascinating pieces of trivia about the presidency involves M&M’s! It turns out the company makes them with the Presidential seal – for each President to give out as a souvenir to White House visitors!

So when my wife, along with Steve Harvey, went to the White House to interview the President at the end of 2013, she came away with one of the coolest souvenirs ever!

Well, it was also pretty cool to interview the President, and that was just one of her interactions with Obama…

At Obama’s Re-Election Celebration!

Yes, Alex and I, along with our close friend Kareen, were in Chicago on election night 2012, and we got to be part of an incredible celebration!

You can see more pictures and read all about our magical night by clicking on here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/11/07/obamas-re-election-party-we-celebrate-with-the-president/

One of the most fun things I’ve posted in the past is a look at the tasty “White House Ale”!

Yes, there is an official White House beer, and you can see the recipe for “White House Ale” by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/09/07/ale-to-the-chief-president-obamas-beer-plus-classic-beer-ads/

I took a lot of pictures while I was in the nation’s capital, and I sent Alex this one with a note saying:

“I rang the bell, but he didn’t answer…”

So I headed down to the Capital building, which is always an imposing sight, although it now is in the midst of a major renovation, so it looks more like a building in a cast!

The Washington Monument was also being renovated, but it is now done and looks better than ever:

Walking around, it reminded me that politics is a rough and tumble sport, so it’s fun to see movies that look at this world with a sense of humor:

“Dave” is not only a funny movie, but also an insightful look at the world of politics. Here are some of my favorite comedies that look at the Presidency, and the colorful characters who live in this world:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/07/21/movie-politics-heat-up-candidates-comedy-and-cover-ups-mr-president-mr-president-the-camera-is-rolling/

And of course, the Vice Presidency has also had time in front of the camera:

Who can forget Julianne Moore’s spot-on performance as Sarah Palin and her disastrous 2008 campaign – read all about the fascinating films that look at the VP by clicking here:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/07/16/dirty-politics-movies-get-political-vp-orgies-president-dave-sarah-palins-game-changer/

There are also great books that look at the wacky world of politics:

“This Town” is just the latest great look at the inside world of politics – read all about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/12/02/dirty-sexy-politics-the-politics-of-brilliant-book-this-town-washington-dc-expose/

There is are so many fascinating stories about politics, as well as tragic ones, and you really feel it when you see the original Ford Theater:

Right across the street is this building, which has a sign proclaiming it is where a mortally wounded President Lincoln died that night:

The Lincoln Memorial!

One of the most beautiful buildings on “The Mall” is the memorial to President Abraham Lincoln:

I walked up close to see it, and a guy walks by and mutters:

“I thought it would be bigger.”

Um, WHAT?

Our country’s history is unfortunately filled with tragedies like this one, and I recently read a fascinating book about one of them:

The shocking story of the attempted assassination of President Garfield, and his subsequent death at the hands of the White House Doctors, is a terrifically written tale of tragedy and ineptitude – because after a mad man shot Garfield, he was taken to the White House:

It is here where things go horribly wrong, and this book tells a compelling and tragic story…read about it here:

https://johnrieber.com/2014/09/24/shocking-presidential-history-the-destiny-of-the-republic/

There are so many things to take away from a trip to Washington DC…let me know what you think!

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