The audio of the address and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, December 31, 2011.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
Honolulu, HI
Saturday, December 31, 2011

Hello, everybody.  As 2011 comes to an end and we look ahead to 2012, I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year.

The last year has been a time of great challenge and great progress for our country.  We ended one war and began to wind down another.  We dealt a crippling blow to al-Qaeda and made America more secure.  We stood by our friends and allies around the world through natural disasters and revolutions.  And we began to see signs of economic recovery here at home, even as too many Americans are still struggling to get ahead.

There’s no doubt that 2012 will bring even more change.  And as we head into the New Year, I’m hopeful that we have what it takes to face that change and come out even stronger – to grow our economy, create more jobs, and strengthen the middle class.

I’m hopeful because of what we saw right before Christmas, when Members of Congress came together to prevent a tax hike for 160 million Americans – saving a typical family about $40 in every paycheck.  They also made sure Americans looking for work won’t see their unemployment insurance cut off.  And I expect Congress to finish the job by extending these provisions through the end of 2012.

It was good to see Members of Congress do the right thing for millions of working Americans.  But it was only possible because you added your voices to the debate.  Through email and Twitter and over the phone, you let your representatives know what was at stake.  Your lives.  Your families.  Your well-being.  You had the courage to believe that your voices could make a difference.  And at the end of the day, they made all the difference.

More than anything else, you are the ones who make me hopeful about 2012.  Because we’ve got some difficult debates and some tough fights to come.  As I’ve said before, we are at a make-or-break moment for the middle class.  And in many ways, the actions we take in the months ahead will help determine what kind of country we want to be, and what kind of world we want our children and grandchildren to grow up in.

As President, I promise to do everything I can to make America a place where hard work and responsibility are rewarded – one where everyone has a fair shot and everyone does their fair share.  That’s the America I believe in.  That’s the America we’ve always known.  And I’m confident that if we work together, and if you keep reminding folks in Washington what’s at stake, then we will move this country forward and guarantee every American the opportunities they deserve.

Thanks for watching, and from Michelle, Malia, Sasha, Bo and myself, Happy New Year.

The fact that I support this bill as a whole does not mean I agree with everything in it. In particular, I have signed this bill despite having serious reservations with certain provisions that regulate the detention, interrogation, and prosecution of suspected terrorists. Over the last several years, my Administration has developed an effective, sustainable framework for the detention, interrogation and trial of suspected terrorists that allows us to maximize both our ability to collect intelligence and to incapacitate dangerous individuals in rapidly developing situations, and the results we have achieved are undeniable. Our success against al-Qa’ida and its affiliates and adherents has derived in significant measure from providing our counterterrorism professionals with the clarity and flexibility they need to adapt to changing circumstances and to utilize whichever authorities best protect the American people, and our accomplishments have respected the values that make our country an example for the world.

Against that record of success, some in Congress continue to insist upon restricting the options available to our counterterrorism professionals and interfering with the very operations that have kept us safe. My Administration has consistently opposed such measures. Ultimately, I decided to sign this bill not only because of the critically important services it provides for our forces and their families and the national security programs it authorizes, but also because the Congress revised provisions that otherwise would have jeopardized the safety, security, and liberty of the American people. Moving forward, my Administration will interpret and implement the provisions described below in a manner that best preserves the flexibility on which our safety depends and upholds the values on which this country was founded.

Section 1021 affirms the executive branch’s authority to detain persons covered by the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) (Public Law 107-40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note). This section breaks no new ground and is unnecessary. The authority it describes was included in the 2001 AUMF, as recognized by the Supreme Court and confirmed through lower court decisions since then. Two critical limitations in section 1021 confirm that it solely codifies established authorities. First, under section 1021(d), the bill does not “limit or expand the authority of the President or the scope of the Authorization for Use of Military Force.” Second, under section 1021(e), the bill may not be construed to affect any “existing law or authorities relating to the detention of United States citizens, lawful resident aliens of the United States, or any other persons who are captured or arrested in the United States.” My Administration strongly supported the inclusion of these limitations in order to make clear beyond doubt that the legislation does nothing more than confirm authorities that the Federal courts have recognized as lawful under the 2001 AUMF. Moreover, I want to clarify that my Administration will not authorize the indefinite military detention without trial of American citizens. Indeed, I believe that doing so would break with our most important traditions and values as a Nation. My Administration will interpret section 1021 in a manner that ensures that any detention it authorizes complies with the Constitution, the laws of war, and all other applicable law.

Section 1022 seeks to require military custody for a narrow category of non-citizen detainees who are “captured in the course of hostilities authorized by the Authorization for Use of Military Force.” This section is ill-conceived and will do nothing to improve the security of the United States. The executive branch already has the authority to detain in military custody those members of al-Qa’ida who are captured in the course of hostilities authorized by the AUMF, and as Commander in Chief I have directed the military to do so where appropriate. I reject any approach that would mandate military custody where law enforcement provides the best method of incapacitating a terrorist threat. While section 1022 is unnecessary and has the potential to create uncertainty, I have signed the bill because I believe that this section can be interpreted and applied in a manner that avoids undue harm to our current operations.

I have concluded that section 1022 provides the minimally acceptable amount of flexibility to protect national security. Specifically, I have signed this bill on the understanding that section 1022 provides the executive branch with broad authority to determine how best to implement it, and with the full and unencumbered ability to waive any military custody requirement, including the option of waiving appropriate categories of cases when doing so is in the national security interests of the United States. As my Administration has made clear, the only responsible way to combat the threat al-Qa’ida poses is to remain relentlessly practical, guided by the factual and legal complexities of each case and the relative strengths and weaknesses of each system. Otherwise, investigations could be compromised, our authorities to hold dangerous individuals could be jeopardized, and intelligence could be lost. I will not tolerate that result, and under no circumstances will my Administration accept or adhere to a rigid across-the-board requirement for military detention. I will therefore interpret and implement section 1022 in the manner that best preserves the same flexible approach that has served us so well for the past 3 years and that protects the ability of law enforcement professionals to obtain the evidence and cooperation they need to protect the Nation.

My Administration will design the implementation procedures authorized by section 1022(c) to provide the maximum measure of flexibility and clarity to our counterterrorism professionals permissible under law. And I will exercise all of my constitutional authorities as Chief Executive and Commander in Chief if those procedures fall short, including but not limited to seeking the revision or repeal of provisions should they prove to be unworkable.

Sections 1023-1025 needlessly interfere with the executive branch’s processes for reviewing the status of detainees. Going forward, consistent with congressional intent as detailed in the Conference Report, my Administration will interpret section 1024 as granting the Secretary of Defense broad discretion to determine what detainee status determinations in Afghanistan are subject to the requirements of this section.

Sections 1026-1028 continue unwise funding restrictions that curtail options available to the executive branch. Section 1027 renews the bar against using appropriated funds for fiscal year 2012 to transfer Guantanamo detainees into the United States for any purpose. I continue to oppose this provision, which intrudes upon critical executive branch authority to determine when and where to prosecute Guantanamo detainees, based on the facts and the circumstances of each case and our national security interests. For decades, Republican and Democratic administrations have successfully prosecuted hundreds of terrorists in Federal court. Those prosecutions are a legitimate, effective, and powerful tool in our efforts to protect the Nation. Removing that tool from the executive branch does not serve our national security. Moreover, this intrusion would, under certain circumstances, violate constitutional separation of powers principles.

Section 1028 modifies but fundamentally maintains unwarranted restrictions on the executive branch’s authority to transfer detainees to a foreign country. This hinders the executive’s ability to carry out its military, national security, and foreign relations activities and like section 1027, would, under certain circumstances, violate constitutional separation of powers principles. The executive branch must have the flexibility to act swiftly in conducting negotiations with foreign countries regarding the circumstances of detainee transfers. In the event that the statutory restrictions in sections 1027 and 1028 operate in a manner that violates constitutional separation of powers principles, my Administration will interpret them to avoid the constitutional conflict.

Section 1029 requires that the Attorney General consult with the Director of National Intelligence and Secretary of Defense prior to filing criminal charges against or seeking an indictment of certain individuals. I sign this based on the understanding that apart from detainees held by the military outside of the United States under the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, the provision applies only to those individuals who have been determined to be covered persons under section 1022 before the Justice Department files charges or seeks an indictment. Notwithstanding that limitation, this provision represents an intrusion into the functions and prerogatives of the Department of Justice and offends the longstanding legal tradition that decisions regarding criminal prosecutions should be vested with the Attorney General free from outside interference. Moreover, section 1029 could impede flexibility and hinder exigent operational judgments in a manner that damages our security. My Administration will interpret and implement section 1029 in a manner that preserves the operational flexibility of our counterterrorism and law enforcement professionals, limits delays in the investigative process, ensures that critical executive branch functions are not inhibited, and preserves the integrity and independence of the Department of Justice.

Other provisions in this bill above could interfere with my constitutional foreign affairs powers. Section 1244 requires the President to submit a report to the Congress 60 days prior to sharing any U.S. classified ballistic missile defense information with Russia. Section 1244 further specifies that this report include a detailed description of the classified information to be provided. While my Administration intends to keep the Congress fully informed of the status of U.S. efforts to cooperate with the Russian Federation on ballistic missile defense, my Administration will also interpret and implement section 1244 in a manner that does not interfere with the President’s constitutional authority to conduct foreign affairs and avoids the undue disclosure of sensitive diplomatic communications. Other sections pose similar problems. Sections 1231, 1240, 1241, and 1242 could be read to require the disclosure of sensitive diplomatic communications and national security secrets; and sections 1235, 1242, and 1245 would interfere with my constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations by directing the Executive to take certain positions in negotiations or discussions with foreign governments. Like section 1244, should any application of these provisions conflict with my constitutional authorities, I will treat the provisions as non-binding.

My Administration has worked tirelessly to reform or remove the provisions described above in order to facilitate the enactment of this vital legislation, but certain provisions remain concerning. My Administration will aggressively seek to mitigate those concerns through the design of implementation procedures and other authorities available to me as Chief Executive and Commander in Chief, will oppose any attempt to extend or expand them in the future, and will seek the repeal of any provisions that undermine the policies and values that have guided my Administration throughout my time in office.

BARACK OBAMA
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 31, 2011.

Valued at $29.4 billion, this agreement includes production of 84 new aircraft and the modernization of 70 existing aircraft as well as munitions, spare parts, training, maintenance and logistics.  These F-15SA aircraft, manufactured by The Boeing Company, are among the most sophisticated and capable aircraft in the world.

This agreement will positively impact the U.S. economy and further advances the president’s commitment to create jobs by increasing exports.  According to industry experts, this agreement will support more than 50,000 American jobs, engaging 600 suppliers in 44 states, and providing $3.5 billion in annual economic impact to the U.S. economy.

This agreement reinforces the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, and demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a strong Saudi defense capability as a key component to regional security.

• Jerome H. (Jay) Powell, Governor, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
• Jeremy C. Stein, Governor, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

President Obama said, “I am grateful that these individuals have agreed to serve their nation at this important time for our economy.  Their distinguished backgrounds and experience coupled with their impressive knowledge of economic and monetary policy make them tremendously qualified to serve in these important roles.”

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System:

Jerome H. (Jay) Powell is a visiting scholar at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C., where he focuses on federal and state fiscal issues.  Powell previously served as Undersecretary of the Treasury for Finance under President George H.W. Bush, with responsibility for policy on financial institutions, the treasury debt market, and related areas.  From 1997 through 2005, Powell was a partner at The Carlyle Group, where he founded and led the Industrial Group within the U.S. Buyout Fund.  He worked for many years prior to that as a lawyer and investment banker in New York City.  In addition to service on corporate boards, Powell has served on the boards of charitable and educational institutions.  He is currently a member of the board of directors of D.C. Prep, a charter school operator in Washington, D.C.; the Bendheim Center for Finance at Princeton University; and The Nature Conservancy of Washington D.C. and Maryland.  He served as founding chair of the Center City Consortium, a group of 16 parochial schools in the poorest areas of Washington D.C.  Powell graduated from Princeton University in 1975 and Georgetown University Law Center in 1979.

Jeremy C. Stein is the Moise Y. Safra Professor of Economics at Harvard University, where he teaches courses in finance in the undergraduate and PhD programs.  Before coming to Harvard in 2000, Stein was on the finance faculty of M.I.T.’s Sloan School of Management for ten years, most recently as the J.C. Penney Professor of Management.  Prior to that, he was an assistant professor of finance at the Harvard Business School from 1987-1990.  Stein’s research has covered such topics as: the behavior of stock prices; corporate investment and financing decisions; risk management; capital allocation inside firms; banking; financial regulation; and monetary policy.  He is currently a coeditor of the Quarterly Journal of Economics, and was previously a coeditor of the Journal of Economic Perspectives.  He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Financial Advisory Roundtable.  In 2008, he was president of the American Finance Association.  From February-July of 2009, he served in the Obama Administration, as a senior advisor to the Treasury Secretary and on the staff of the National Economic Council.  He received his AB in economics summa cum laude from Princeton University in 1983 and his PhD in economics from M.I.T. in 1986.

We celebrate Kwanzaa at a time when many African Americans and all Americans reflect on our many blessings and memories over the past year and our aspirations for the year to come. And even as there is much to be thankful for, we know that there are still too many Americans going through enormous challenges and trying to make ends meet. But we also know that in the spirit of unity, or Umoja, we can overcome those challenges together.

As families across America and around the world light the red, black, and green candles of the Kinara this week, our family sends our well wishes and blessings for a happy and healthy new year.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, this is the First Lady, Michelle Obama.  How may I help you?

MRS. HARRIS:  Hi, I have my daughter right here.  She’d like to speak to you.

MRS. OBAMA:  I would love to speak to her.  Is her name Summer?

MRS. HARRIS:  It sure is.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, I’m ready for Summer.

MRS. HARRIS:  Here she is.

SUMMER:  Hello.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, Summer?  Is this Summer?

SUMMER:  Can you tell me where Santa is?

MRS. OBAMA:  I can.  Right now, I am looking at the tracker and I can see a dot on the satellite screen.  It says that Santa, right now, is flying over Finland.  So right now –

SUMMER:  Wow.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah, he is over Finland.  And I can see a glowing light, and it looks like, from the satellite, that he’s got all nine reindeer with him, and it looks like his sleigh is pretty full.  It looks like a full sleigh of toys.  So I hope you’ve been good this year.  Summer, have you been?

SUMMER:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  What are some of the things you want from Santa?

SUMMER:  A Clawdeen Monster High Doll.

MRS. OBAMA:  Uh-huh.  Sounds exciting.

SUMMER:  With a pair of shoes.

MRS. OBAMA:  With the shoes?  Excellent.  Well, it looks like Santa has got a lot of toys ready for good little boys and girls, so — but Santa only comes to your house after he knows you’re asleep.  So no matter where he is in the world, you’ve got to be asleep, okay?

SUMMER:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  I know it’s an exciting night, but you’ve got to settle in, cuddle up, and in the morning, Santa will arrive, okay?

SUMMER:  Uh-huh.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.  Well, merry Christmas, Summer.  Thanks for calling.

SUMMER:  Thank you, First Lady.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  Bye-bye, sweetie.

SUMMER:  Bye.

OPERATOR:  Okay.  Hi, ma’am.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes.

OPERATOR:  We have Owen and Kaelyn Brayden on the line.  I’m going to patch them through.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, sounds good.

OPERATOR:  Thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello?

MRS. BRAYDEN:  Hi, is this Mrs. Obama?

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, it is.  This is Mrs. Obama.  How may I help you?

MRS. BRAYDEN:  Well, we were just calling to see where Santa is at right now.

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, well, let me check the tracker, because — do I have some callers on the line who are interested in finding out where Santa is?

MRS. BRAYDEN:  You do.

MRS. OBAMA:  Who’s there?

MRS. BRAYDEN:  (Inaudible.)

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, my goodness.  Have they been good all year?

MRS. BRAYDEN:  They have this year.

MRS. OBAMA:  That’s excellent.  Well, it looks like, from the tracker, that — I see a little dot flashing, and it looks like Santa is just flying over Estonia.

MRS. BRAYDEN:  Oh, okay.  Well, my kids wanted to ask you a question; so did my brother, if you don’t mind.

MRS. OBAMA:  Sure.

MRS. BRAYDEN:  Well, thank you.

KAELYN:  Hi, Mrs. Obama.

MRS. OBAMA:  How are you, sweetie?

KAELYN:  I’m good.  How are you?

MRS. OBAMA:  Good.  What’s your question?

KAELYN:  I would like to know, how many fireplaces do you guys have in the White House?

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, gosh, that’s a very good question, and I should know.  There’s almost a fireplace in every single room, and there are dozens and dozens of rooms.

KAELYN:  Oh, my gosh.  That’s really cool.

MRS. OBAMA:  But the fireplace that we — that Santa usually comes down in our — in the White House is in the Yellow Oval Room.  Yeah, that’s where we put our Santa tree.  And he usually comes down that one, and that’s where Malia and Sasha get their gifts.  What about you?  Where’s your Christmas tree?

KAELYN:  It’s in our family room or our living room.

MRS. OBAMA:  That’s exciting.  Isn’t this, like, the best night of the whole year?

KAELYN:  Yeah, I’m really excited.  (Laughter.)  If you don’t mind, my little brother would like to ask you one more question.

MRS. OBAMA:  Sure.

KAELYN:  Okay, have a merry Christmas.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, you, too.

OWEN:  Hi, Mrs. Obama.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, sweetie.  How are you?

OWEN:  Good.  How about you?

MRS. OBAMA:  I’m doing great.  Just excited that it’s Christmas Eve.  Aren’t you?

OWEN:  Yes, so am I.  I was wondering, when will Santa be in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania?

MRS. OBAMA:  He kind of moves — right now, he’s over Estonia.  But generally, he can hop all across the globe at any time, because he doesn’t get to your house until you’re asleep, and kids go to sleep at different times.  So right now he’s in Estonia, according to the NORAD tracker.  But he will be at your house as soon as every child in the house is asleep.

OWEN:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah, so you want to make sure you get to bed early, and the sooner you go to sleep, the sooner he’ll be there.

MR. BRAYDEN:  Well, thank you for the advice.  What do you want for Christmas this year from Santa?

MRS. OBAMA:  Who, me?

MR. BRAYDEN:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, my goodness.  I have what I wanted for Christmas:  the President is here with us, and we’re all together as a family.  I think we were all praying and praying, and asking Santa, and the Tooth Fairy, and every fairy that they could think of — that’s what Malia and Sasha were doing — that he would be able to be with us on Christmas.

MR. BRAYDEN:  So cool.  How nice to talk to you, Mrs. Obama.  We really appreciate it.

MRS. OBAMA:  Thanks so much.  You all have a merry, merry Christmas.

MR. BRAYDEN:  You, too.  Have a great Christmas, Mrs. Obama.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, we will.  Bye-bye.

KAELYN AND OWEN:  Bye.

OPERATOR:  Hello, ma’am, I’m going to connect you with Victoria, Tenabrie, and Victor.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, sounds good.  Hello, this is the First Lady.  Who’s on the line, and how may I help you?

MRS. BATTLE:  Say, “Victoria.”

VICTORIA:  Victoria.

MRS. OBAMA:  Is it Victoria?  Are there some other kids on the line as well?

MRS. BATTLE:  Tenabrie, Victor –

MRS. OBAMA:  Sounds great.  How are you guys doing on Christmas Eve?

VICTORIA:  We’re doing good.

MRS. OBAMA:  Are you excited?

VICTORIA, TENABRIE AND VICTOR:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  So, we’ve got a house full of excited kids over here.  (Laughter.)  How can I help you?  Are you looking for Santa?

VICTORIA, TENABRIE AND VICTOR:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, let me look on the radar tracker.  So, okay, I’ve spotted a little dot, flashing dot that is over — right now, Santa’s sleigh is over the country of Latvia.  And he’s delivering toys there.  It looks like he’s got all nine reindeer with him.  And it looks like that sleigh is pretty full — yep, that’s what the experts here are saying.  We’re getting a close-up shot, and it looks like he’s got a lot of toys in his sleigh.  Pretty exciting, huh?

VICTORIA, TENABRIE AND VICTOR:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  So, he’s out there — he’s out there working hard; his busiest night of the year.  So right now he’s delivering toys to the good little boys and girls in Latvia.  Have you guys been good this year?

VICTORIA, TENABRIE AND VICTOR:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah?  What are some of the things you want for Christmas?

VICTORIA:  I want an iPad.

MRS. OBAMA:  You want an iPad?  What else?

TENABRIE:  An Xbox.

MRS. OBAMA:  Xbox — (laugter.)  Sounds good.  Sounds very exciting.  Isn’t this the best night of the year?

VICTORIA, TENABRIE AND VICTOR:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah.  Well, we’re very excited.  And I know — it sounds like you guys have been good kids, right?

MRS. BATTLE:  Mrs. Obama?

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes?

MRS. BATTLE:  Victoria has a question for you, please.

MRS. OBAMA:  Absolutely.

VICTORIA:  Is Rudolph on the — with the reindeers?

MRS. OBAMA:  It looks like the — because there’s a little flashing light on this tracker, and the experts think that it is probably Rudolph who’s leading the sleigh this year.  So he’s out there.  (Laughter.)

MRS. BATTLE:  Good to hear.  We called earlier, and he was over China.

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, well, he’s moving fast.  But now he just passed — he comes to your house after you’ve gone to sleep.  So he can pop all over the world, so as soon as you guys are asleep he’ll be in your neighborhood, okay?

VICTORIA:  Okay.

MRS. BATTLE:  We’re going to bed early tonight.

MRS. OBAMA:  That sounds like a great idea.  I think we’re going to have an early bedtime, too.

MRS. BATTLE:  Well, thank you for taking the time to –

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, this is one of the best things I get to do every year.  You all have a very merry Christmas, okay?

VICTORIA, TENABRIE AND VICTOR:  You, too.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.

MRS. BATTLE:  Merry Christmas.

MRS. OBAMA:  Bye-bye.

OPERATOR:  Ma’am, we’re connecting you to Jared Smith, from Wichita, Kansas.  And his mother just wanted to let you know that he is special needs.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, absolutely.

OPERATOR:  All right, and here you go.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, this is Mrs. Obama.  How can I help you?

MRS. SMITH:  Hi, my name is Annie Smith, and my son, Jared Smith, he’s special needs, and I’m sure he’d like to talk to you.  And he wants to know where Santa is.

MRS. OBAMA:  Absolutely, I would love to talk to him.

MRS. SMITH:  All right, here he is.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  Hi, Jared?

JARED:  Hi.

MRS. OBAMA:  This is the First Lady, Michelle Obama.  How are you?

JARED:  Good.

MRS. OBAMA:  Are you looking for Santa?

JARED:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  Let me take a look at the satellite tracker.  I’m here with all of the experts; they’ve got all this special equipment.  Wait a second, I see a flashing light — I see one, and it looks like — yep, yep, the light is Santa.  They’re closing in on it, and they see his sleigh.  There are nine reindeer pulling it, and it looks like it’s full of toys.  He’s over the country of Lithuania right now.  Wow, he’s all the way in Lithuania.  But he’s moving pretty fast — lightning speed.  But this super-special equipment here can track him at any speed; they can track missiles and satellites, and they can track Santa as well.

So he’s out there, working hard.  Are you ready for him to come to your house?

JARED:  Yeah, ready to come to my house.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  Well, he only comes after you’ve gone to sleep, okay?

JARED:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.  I know you’ve been very good this year, right?

JARED:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah, well, then he’s going to come — he’s going to come.  He’s got your name on the list.  Okay?

JARED:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, thanks so much for calling, Jared.  I know you’re going to have a merry Christmas, okay?

JARED:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.  Take care, sweetie.

JARED:  I will.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, bye-bye.

JARED:  Bye.

MRS. SMITH:  Thank you so much.

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, my goodness.  Thank you all, and have a very, very merry Christmas.

MRS. SMITH:  You, too.  Be blessed, and have a good year.

MRS. OBAMA:  You, too.  Take care.

MRS. SMITH:  All right.  Thank you very much.  Bye-bye.

MRS. OBAMA:  Bye-bye.

OPERATOR:  Hi, ma’am.  Yes, we have — we’ve got Taylor and Logan on the line.

MRS. OBAMA:  Taylor and Logan, all right.

OPERATOR:  Okay, we’re connected.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi.  Taylor, Logan, are you there?  This is the First Lady, Michelle Obama.  How can I help you?

TAYLOR:  I see you watching TV.

MRS. OBAMA:  Are you watching TV?  Are you waiting for Santa to come?

TAYLOR:  Uh-huh.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah?  Have you been good this year?

TAYLOR:  Uh-huh.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah?  Tell me one of the best things you’ve done this year.

TAYLOR:  Help my mom out with Logan.

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, awesome, awesome.  Well, that’s exactly the kind of good little helper that Santa brings toys to.  Do you want me to tell you where he is?

TAYLOR:  Mm-hmm.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, I’m going to look at the satellite.  They have a lot of cool machines here that track Santa.  Oh, look — oh, I can see a dot.  I can see a dot.  It’s Santa — it’s definitely Santa.  And he’s over the country of Belarus.  He’s all the way on the other side of the planet, but Santa is fast, and he can get to any house in seconds.  And he’s going to come to your house after you’ve gone to bed, okay?

TAYLOR:  Uh-huh.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.  You’ve got to make sure you’re fast asleep though.    Are you going to leave Santa some cookies and milk — maybe some vegetables for the reindeer?

TAYLOR:  Uh-huh.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, awesome.  Well, you keep being a good boy, okay?  Keep helping your mom out, all right?

TAYLOR:  Uh-huh.

MRS. OBAMA:  And have a very merry Christmas, sweetie, okay?

TAYLOR:  Uh-huh.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.  Bye-bye.

TAYLOR:  Bye.

OPERATOR:  Hi, ma’am, I have Samantha and Patrick on the line for you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Samantha and Patrick, okay.

OPERATOR:  Okay.  I’m conferencing you in.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello?  This is the First Lady, Michelle Obama.  Are Samantha and Patrick there?

SAMANTHA:  Hi.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi.  How old are you guys?

SAMANTHA:  My brother is five, and I’m seven.

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, great.  Are you excited about tomorrow?

SAMANTHA:  No, I’m already seven.

MRS. HANDRIZAN:  No, are you excited about tomorrow?  (Laughter.)

SAMANTHA:  Yes.  I’m very excited about tomorrow, because I want presents so bad.

MRS. OBAMA:  It’s so exciting, I know, I know.  Well, I can tell you where Santa is right now — you want to know?

SAMANTHA:  Yes!

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, I’m looking at the satellite screen, and he is over the country of Ukraine.  Wow, that’s a far, far away place.  But I can see from the Santa tracker that he’s got his sleigh full of toys, and — oh!  He’s got all nine reindeer pulling the sleigh.  He looks very busy.  But they are — they’re out and about.  Santa is delivering toys as we speak.  Have you been a — have you guys been good boys and girls this year?

SAMANTHA:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah?  What’s one thing you want for Christmas?

SAMANTHA:  I always wanted a (inaudible) and a (inaudible).

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, that sounds good.  Great.

MRS. HANDRIZAN:  What else would you like for Christmas?

SAMANTHA:  And a snow ball with reindeer.

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, wow.  That sounds great.  Well, I know that you are going to have a very exciting Christmas.  But you know what?

SAMANTHA:  What?

MRS. OBAMA:  Before Santa comes to your house you have to be fast asleep, okay?

SAMANTHA:  No, I’m always asleep.  I always snore.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, that’s good.  That’s great.  Well, if you do the same thing he’s going to be there in the morning when you wake up, and it’s going to be great!

SAMANTHA:  Yeah, but can I say something?

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes, please.

SAMANTHA:  Once, when I was downstairs, I ran up the stairs and then I turned on the light and I saw Santa.

MRS. OBAMA:  Did you see Santa?  What did Santa say when you saw him?

MRS. HANDRIZAN:  What did he say?

SAMANTHA:  He said, merry Christmas, and put me to bed.  (Laughter.)

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, you are a lucky little person, because not many people get to see Santa delivering toys.

SAMANTHA:  And I didn’t even get to see (inaudible).  (Laughter.)

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, you all have a very, very merry Christmas, okay?

SAMANTHA:  Okay.  Merry Christmas.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  Take care, you guys, and happy New Year.

MRS. HANDRIZAN:  Merry Christmas.  Happy New Year to you, too.  Thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.

SAMANTHA:  Wait, wait — can I — I want a (inaudible) that I can put everything to get.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.

SAMANTHA:  But most — we both wanted a humongous slide so he can zoom all over the house and stuff, where we want it.

MRS. OBAMA:  Wow, that sounds cool.  You guys are some lucky kids.

MRS. HANDRIZAN:  Do you want to say merry Christmas, too?

SAMANTHA:  Merry Christmas!

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you, guys.  Merry Christmas.

SAMANTHA:  Thank you.

MRS. HANDRIZAN:  Thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, bye-bye.

SAMANTHA:  Merry Christmas!

MRS. OBAMA:  Merry Christmas.

OPERATOR:  Okay.  Ma’am, I have little Isabella, from Indiana.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.

OPERATOR:  Too cute.  Okay, here we go, patching you through right now.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello?

MRS. STEIN:  Hello?

MRS. OBAMA:  This is the First Lady, Michelle Obama.  How can I help you?

MRS. STEIN:  Okay, I’m going to let you talk to Isabella here.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.

ISABELLA:  Hi.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, Isabella?

ISABELLA:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  How are you, sweetie?

ISABELLA:  Good.

MRS. OBAMA:  Good.  Are you excited that it’s Christmas Eve?

ISABELLA:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah, this is a very exciting night, isn’t it?

ISABELLA:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  What can I do for you?

ISABELLA:  Nothing.  (Laughter.)

MRS. OBAMA:  Do you want to know where Santa is?  I can help you with that.

ISABELLA:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  All right, let me look on the satellite tracker.  We’ve got some really great equipment here, and it tracks everything in the sky, so — oh, look, I see a flashing light.  Oh, my goodness — oh, my goodness, it looks like it’s Rudolph pulling Santa’s sleigh.  And it’s full of toys.  And right now, the sleigh is over the country of Romania.  Wow.  Isn’t that cool?

ISABELLA:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah.  Well, it looks like Santa is out and about, and he’s busy this year delivering toys to all the good little boys and girls.  Have you been good this year?

ISABELLA:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yes?  What is one of — tell me a good thing that you’ve done this year.

ISABELLA:  Clean my room.

MRS. OBAMA:  You cleaned your room?  That’s awesome.  I mean, that’s just the kind of good little helper that Santa loves to bring toys to.  So it sounds like you’re going to have a very merry Christmas, right?

ISABELLA:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, thanks for calling, sweetie.  Is there any — do you have any other questions?

ISABELLA:  No.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  Well, you have a merry Christmas, sweetie, okay?

ISABELLA:  Merry Christmas.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.  Now, you’ve got to be asleep before Santa comes to your house, okay?

ISABELLA:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, so have a good night’s sleep.  And when you wake up, it’s going to be an exciting morning!  Have fun, okay?

ISABELLA:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.  Bye-bye.

ISABELLA:  Bye.

OPERATOR:  Hi, I have a Bella Mertz — M-E-R-T-Z — calling from North Carolina.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.

OPERTOR:  All right, here you go.

MRS. MERTZ:  This is Michelle Obama — it’s President Obama’s wife.  That’s so exciting.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, this is the First Lady, Michelle Obama.  I hear that Bella is looking for — has some questions.

MRS. MERTZ:  She does.  Hold on one second.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.

MRS. MERTZ:  It’s really nice talking to you.  Hold on.

MRS. OBAMA:  It was great to talk to you.

BELLA:  Hi.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hey, is this Bella?

BELLA:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  How are you?

BELLA:  Good.

MRS. OBAMA:  How old are you?

BELLA:  Six.

MRS. OBAMA:  Six?  Wow, you’re a big girl this year, huh?

BELLA:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah.  Well, you want to know where Santa is right now?

BELLA:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  I’m looking at the radar screen, and it looks like — oh, Bella, this is so cool.  I can see Santa.  They’re closing in on him.  He’s in the sky.  He’s got a sleigh full of toys, and right now he’s over the country of Romania.  And it looks like — oh, Bella, it looks like Rudolph is pulling the sleigh!  Oh, my goodness, this is so exciting.  Santa is busy this year.  He’s coming to all the houses of good little boys and girls.  Have you been a good girl this year?

BELLA:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah?  Have you helped out with mom?

BELLA:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah?  What’s one of the biggest helper things you’ve done this year?

BELLA:  Folded the laundry.

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, wow!  That’s a lot of work for a six-year-old.  That sounds like just the kind of helping that Santa is looking for, and I know you’re going to have a great Christmas tomorrow, okay?

BELLA:  Mm-hmm.

MRS. OBAMA:  Uh-huh.  Do you have any other questions?

BELLA:  We went to the White House this year.

MRS. OBAMA:  Did you?  What did you see when you went to the White House?

BELLA:  Lots of pretty rooms.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah?  Did you see the Red Room?

BELLA:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah?  That’s one of my favorite rooms, the Red Room.  Did you see the Blue oval Room?

BELLA:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah.  Did you see the South Lawn?  Did you see the garden?  Did you look out the windows?

BELLA:  Mm-hmm.

MRS. OBAMA:  That’s very exciting.  Well, we’re so excited.  Malia and Sasha are excited about Christmas, too.  So — but the one thing that we know is that Santa only comes to your house after you’re fast asleep — you know that, right?

BELLA:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  Anywhere he is in the world, the minute you close your eyes and you’re fast asleep, he pops to your house and delivers toys.  So you’ve got to make sure to get a good night’s sleep tonight, okay?

BELLA:  Mm-hmm — that might not work so well.

MRS. OBAMA:  Why, is it — it gets a little tough going to sleep when you’re so excited?

BELLA:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, even if you get a moment’s sleep, Santa knows.  Because when I was little, I used to have a hard time going to sleep on Christmas Eve, too.  It was just too exciting.  But you know what you do, is you just close your eyes, and think good thoughts, and count to 100 really slowly — sometimes you just fall asleep.  You want to try that tonight?

BELLA:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  Well, you have a very merry Christmas, sweetie, okay?

BELLA:  Merry Christmas.  Bye.

MRS. OBAMA:  Bye.  All right, thanks for calling.  Bye-bye.

BELLA:  You’re welcome.

MRS. MERTZ:  Hello?

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah?

MRS. MERTZ:  Hello.

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you so much.

MRS. MERTZ:  Thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  You all have a great Christmas and happy New Year.

MRS. MERTZ:  You, too.  Merry Christmas.  Thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right, take care.  Bye-bye.

OPERATOR:  Ma’am, I have Liam on the line for you.  Just one second and I’ll conference him in.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, thank you.  Hello, this is the First Lady, Michelle Obama.  How can I –

LIAM:  Hello.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hi, is this Liam?

LIAM:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, how may I help you?  This is the First Lady, Michelle Obama.  What can I do for you?

LIAM:  I would like to know where Santa is.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, I’m going to look on the satellite tracker right now, and — oh, Liam, you know what I see?

LIAM:  What?

MRS. OBAMA:  I see a flashing light, and they’re pulling in closer.  Oh, my goodness — it’s Rudolph; his nose is blinking and he’s pulling a sleigh!  Oh, my goodness — it’s Santa; he’s right here — he’s flying right now, Liam.  Santa is flying over the country of Turkey — right now, as we speak.  He is delivering toys, and it looks like his sleigh is full.  He’s got all nine reindeer with him.  He’s laughing, so he — Santa is in a very good mood tonight, Liam.  It looks like he’s got a lot of toys for good boys and girls.  Have you been good this year?

LIAM:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Tell me one of the good things you’ve done this year.

LIAM:  I helped my parents.

MRS. OBAMA:  That’s awesome.  That is so awesome.  Well, you’re going to have a great Christmas tomorrow, right?

LIAM:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Are you excited?

LIAM:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  It’s very exciting.  This is the most exciting night of the whole year, isn’t it?

LIAM:  Yeah.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah.  Well, you’ve got to have a — get a good night’s sleep, because no matter where Santa is in the world, he only comes to your house after you’re fast asleep.  And he can get anywhere in the world in seconds, okay?

LIAM:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  So you’ve got to get a good night’s sleep, okay?

LIAM:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  I know it’s going to be hard when you’re this excited, but just close your eyes, and when you wake up it’ll be Christmas morning, okay?

LIAM:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.  Well, you have a very merry Christmas, sweetie, okay?

LIAM:  Okay.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.  Bye-bye.  Thanks for calling.

LIAM:  Okay.  Thank you.

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you.  Bye-bye.

OPERATOR:  Go ahead, ma’am.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, this is Mrs. Obama.

MRS. CASELLA:  Hi, ma’am, this is Joyce.  I’ve got Anthony and Gianna on the line.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay, terrific.

MRS. CASELLA:  One moment.

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello?

GIANNA:  Hello.

MRS. OBAMA:  This is the First Lady.  Who am I speaking to?

MRS. CASELLA:  Anthony and Gianna.

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, my goodness.  How old are Anthony and Gianna?

MRS. CASELLA:  Gianna is five; Anthony is nine.

MRS. OBAMA:  Wow.  Two excited little people tonight, huh?

MRS. CASELLA:  Exactly.  And sure I am yours are as well.

MRS. OBAMA:  Yeah.  (Laughter.)  Oh, it’s one of the most exciting nights of the year.  So how can I help?

MRS. CASELLA:  We want to know where Santa was.

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, I happen to be looking at the NORAD tracker as we speak, and I — I do see a flashing light.  And it looks like, if we pull closer in — I’m going to ask the guys to pull closer in — it does — it is Santa.  It is Santa, and he has nine reindeer pulling his sleigh, and there’s also a flashing light — they believe that that light is Rudolph.  He is pulling.  He’s leading the sleigh.  Santa is looking very happy.  He is over the country of Turkey right now.

MRS. CASELLA:  Wow.  He’s on his way!

MRS. OBAMA:  He is on his way.  Have those two little people over there been good this year?

MRS. CASELLA:  Oh, yes they have.

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, I am sure Santa is going to rush to get there as soon as he can, as soon as they’re fast asleep.  All right?

MRS. CASELLA:  Exactly.  Well, thank you so much, Mrs. Obama, and we wish you a very merry Christmas.

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you so much.  It is my pleasure.  This is one of the best things I do every year.  And you all have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

MRS. CASELLA:  It’s absolutely heartwarming.  Thank you so much.

MRS. OBAMA:  All right.  You guys be safe, okay?

MRS. CASELLA:  Thank you.  You, too.

MRS. OBAMA:  Okay.  Bye-bye.

END

Remarks of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
December 24, 2011

THE PRESIDENT: Hi everyone. As you gather with family and friends this weekend, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I – and of course Bo – want to wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

THE FIRST LADY:  This is such a wonderful time of year.

It’s a time to honor the story of love and redemption that began 2,000 years ago … a time to see the world through a child’s eyes and rediscover the magic all around us … and a time to give thanks for the gifts that bless us every single day.

This holiday season at the White House, we wanted to show our thanks with a special holiday tribute to some of the strongest, bravest, and most resilient members of our American family – the men and women who wear our country’s uniform and the families who support them.

THE PRESIDENT: For many military families, the best gift this year is a simple one – welcoming a loved one back for the holidays. You see, after nearly nine years, our war in Iraq is over.  Our troops are coming home.  And across America, military families are being reunited.

So let’s take a moment to give thanks for their service; for their families’ service; for our veterans’ service.  And let’s say a prayer for all our troops standing post all over the world, especially our brave men and women in Afghanistan who are serving, even as we speak, in harm’s way to protect the freedoms and security we hold dear.

THE FIRST LADY: Our veterans, troops, and military families sacrifice so much for us.

So this holiday season, let’s make sure that all of them know just how much we appreciate everything they do.

Let’s ask ourselves, “How can I give back? How can my family serve them as well as they’ve served us”

One way you can get started is to visit JoiningForces.gov to find out how you can get involved in your community.

THE PRESIDENT: Giving of ourselves; service to others – that’s what this season is all about. For my family and millions of Americans, that’s what Christmas is all about. It reminds us that part of what it means to love God is to love one another, to be our brother’s keeper and our sister’s keeper. But that belief is not just at the center of our Christian faith, it’s shared by Americans of all faiths and backgrounds. It’s why so many of us, every year, volunteer our time to help those most in need; especially our hungry and our homeless.

So whatever you believe, wherever you’re from, let’s remember the spirit of service that connects us all this season – as Americans.  Each of us can do our part to serve our communities and our country, not just today, but every day.

THE FIRST LADY: So from our family to yours, Merry Christmas.

THE PRESIDENT:  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everybody.