Obama: No Regrets About Mosque Comments

Following an event today in Columbus, Ohio, President Barack Obama told reporters that he has no qualms about remarks he made last Friday in support of a mosque being built two blocks from where the World Trade Center used to stand.

“The answer is — no regrets,” he said.

White House Condemns Baghdad Bombing

Deputy White House Press Secretary Bill Burton told reporters aboard Air Force One today that President Barack Obama condemmned yesterday’s bombing in Iraq that took the lives of dozens of Iraqi army recruits.

There are “obviously still people who want to derail the advances that the Iraqi people have made towards democracy, but they are firmly on track and we’re confident that we’re moving towards the end of our combat mission there,” he added.

Burton told reporters that the attack does not change the President’s commitment to removing all U.S. combat forces from Iraq by the end of the month.

“We’re obviously helping the Iraqi forces to keep that country secure. Our combat mission ends at the end of the month, but we will still have troops there who are helping to support them as necessary.”

Obama To Hit The Campaign Trail

The journey will not end for President Barack Obama after he and the rest of the First Family visit the Gulf Coast this weekend. Following the trip to Panama City, Fla., Obama will headline events for Democratic candidates in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Los Angeles on Monday. Then on Tuesday, the President will travel to Seattle, Washington to help raise money for Sen. Patty Murray (D). The White House has announced that the President will make open remarks during his visits to Wisconsin and Seattle…

Obama Will Sign Border Bill On Friday

The White House released the following statement from President Barack Obama today following the Senate’s vote to pass a $600 million bill aimed at beefing up security along the nation’s southwest border:

“I have made securing our Southwest Border a top priority since I came to office.  That is why my administration has dedicated unprecedented resources and personnel to combating the transnational criminal organizations that traffic in drugs, weapons, and money, and smuggle people across the border with Mexico.  Today’s action by Congress answers my call to bolster the essential work of federal law enforcement officials and improve their ability to partner with state, local, and tribal law enforcement.  The resources made available through this legislation will build upon our successful efforts to protect communities along the Southwest border and across the country.  And this new law will also strengthen our partnership with Mexico in targeting the gangs and criminal organizations that operate on both sides of our shared border. So these steps will make an important difference as my administration continues to work with Congress toward bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform to secure our borders, and restore responsibility and accountability to our broken immigration system.”

A White House spokesman said that the President will sign the measure into law sometime tomorrow.

Unemployment Benefits Claims Increase

According to statistics released this morning by the U.S. Department of Labor, applications for jobless benefits increased by 2,000 last week. In total, 484,000 Americans filed first-time claims, the highest number since February. Click here for the full report…