A Tale of Two Headlines

Obama Signs 'Imperfect' Spending Bill Away From Cameras

Obama decries earmarks, signs law with 9,000 of them

I ran for president pledging to change the way business is done in Washington and to build a government that works for the people by opening it up to the people, and that means restoring responsibility and transparency and accountability to actions that the government takes. Working with the Congress over my first 50 days in office, we've made important progress towards that end.

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What you likely have heard about is that this bill does include earmarks. Now, let me be clear: done right, earmarks have -- have given legislators the opportunity to direct federal money to worthy projects that benefit people in their districts, and that's why I have opposed their outright elimination. And I also find it ironic that some of those who railed the loudest against this bill because of earmarks actually inserted earmarks of their own, and will tout them in their own states and their own districts.

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I am signing an imperfect omnibus bill because it's necessary for the ongoing functions of government, and we have a lot more work to do. We can't have Congress bogged down at this critical juncture in our economic recovery. But I also view this as a departure point for more far-reaching change.

The Obamas held their largest Wednesday night event to date at the White House, this week hosting a dinner for 200 guests.

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The menu included celery soup, mushroom crisps, steelhead salmon, saffron couscous, crispy spinach and greens, with milk chocolate velvet cake for dessert.

Michelle Obama Wears Pant Suit, Flats To Wednesday Night Dinner