Tagged: Barack Obama

Gov. Pat McCrory gave a national audience a glimpse into reforms he wants to implement in North Carolina.  He delivered this past weekend's GOP response to President Obama's weekly address. 

McCrory criticized what he called Washington's "weak leadership" and urged national lawmakers to give more flexibility and accountability to states.  He says he needs that kind of freedom to implement a different approach to Medicaid reform.

The White House is continuing to take its effort to raise the nation's minimum wage on the road.  The proposed change was part of President Obama's message during his stop at an Asheville plant in February. He said it's time for an increase in the minimum wage "because if you work full time, you shouldn't be in poverty."

President Obama made Asheville the first stop of a three-day trip to push economic proposals he made in his State of the Union address this week.  The president got a tour yesterday of the Linamar machine parts plant before making some remarks.  Canada-based Linamar moved to Asheville after a Volvo plant left taking hundreds of jobs with it.  The president says he'd like to see the federal government help make Linamar's example more common in cities that have been hit hard economically.

At the ceremonial inauguration of President Barack Obama on Monday, January 21, James Taylor took to the stage to strum and sing an acoustic rendition of “America the Beautiful.” His performance was greeted by cheers from the crowd and a hug  from President Obama. Other musical guests at the inauguration included Kelly Clarkson and Beyoncé.  In 2011, President Obama awarded James Taylor the National Medal of Arts in a ceremony at the White House.  Taylor grew up in Chapel Hill.