Notice the order in the president’s schedule today:
DAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FOR
TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2011
In the morning, the President will meet with the AFL-CIO Executive Committee in the East Room to discuss issues important to working families, including how to continue growing our economy and putting Americans back to work. This meeting is closed press.
Later in the morning, the President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing and then meet with senior advisors in the Oval Office. These meetings are closed press.
I guess he has to reassure his preeminent political ally about negotiations with “terrorists”* before he hears the latest update on those guys who fit the old-fashioned definition of the word.
*Terrorist hobbits, technically.