Presidential Visits

President Obama at Ground Zero

Obama at Ground Zero

Barack Obama laid a reef wreath at Ground Zero a moment ago. In visits to a fire house and police station, the president was accompanied by former mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Obama took a moment to chat with Mayor Bloomberg, NY Governor Cuomo and NJ Governor Christie, at Ground Zero.

Fox 5′s Greg Kelly [fixed], live at Ground Zero, said it was “remarkable to see the president here.” His colleague, Dick Brennan, at one point said there has been “very little criticism of the president” for coming to the site today.

There’s great live-streaming happening over here, and comprehensive live-blogging here and here.

suggested reading

Exhibit from Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei, opened by Mayor Bloomberg.

Morning Read: Obama Visits Ground Zero, Cuomo Starts a Tour

Mayor Bloomberg opens world-renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s historic outdoor sculpture exhibition – Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads – with AW Asia Founder Larry Warsh, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Levin and members of New York City’s Arts and Cultural Community. May 4, 2011 (Photo Credit: Spencer T Tucker)

Bin Laden: How much credit does Bush get? [Tim Herrera]

Bin Laden: Fake photos fool Scott Brown, others. [Daily News]

Bin Laden: Questions about legality of killing were raised “outrageously.” [Errol Louis]

Bin Laden Photos: Editors support not releasing them. “What it boils down to is a matter of simple human decency.” [New York Post]

Ground Zero: Obama visits, with Bloomberg, Cuomo, Corzine, Christie, victims families. [Jennifer Fermino and Carl Campanile]

Ground Zero: President’s visit scares New Yorkers. “I don’t think it’s 100 percent safe,” says 22-year-old. [Emily Epstein]

Ground Zero: On Friday, Obama to Kentucky to honor Navy Seals. [Mark Landler]

Ground Zero: Victim families can press Obama for terrorism trials. [Devlin Barrett and Sophia Hollander]

2012: Bin Laden’s death doesn’t guarantee Obama’s re-election. [Andrea Tantaros]

2013: ” don’t expect there will be a runoff,” says Bill Thompson. [Page Six]

NY26: GOP Corwin agrees to first debate after questioned about it from Buffalo News. [Robert McCarthy]

Offending Israel: Former Pataki aide Jeffrey Weisenfeld gets CUNY to block honorary degree for Tony Kushner, for not supporting Israel. [Patrick Healy]

Cuomo’s Agenda: Statewide tour pushes same-sex marriage, ethics. [Ken Lovett]

Cuomo’s Agenda: Also pushing property tax cap. [Tom Precious]

Investigating Albany: Legislator complains Cuomo may get too much power to probe the legislature. [Jimmy Vielkind]

Subppoenas: Schneiderman goes after Sony for security breach with with PlayStation. [Karen Freifeld and Michael Riley]

Ticket Fixing: Bronx ADA who had DWI arrest erased still working probe of NYPD officials who made tickets disappear. [NY Post]

Nassau Finances: In budget squeeze, officials go after $16.2 million in unpaid tickets. [Robert Brodsky]

Pedestrian Plazas: Vacca raises questions. [Sally Goldenberg]

Casting Suggestions: Jeff Bridges as Bill Keller, Susan Sarandon as Maureen Dowd and Robert Downey Jr. as David Carr. [Page Six]

After Bin Laden

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Views From the Top: Local Pols Make Sense of Bin Laden’s Death

Minutes after President Barack Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden, the blocks surrounding the World Trade Center site were flooded with people. “It’s awesome,” said 22-year-old Laura Cunningham, holding a Budweiser can while perched on the shoulders of her 6-foot-tall friend, Greg. “It’s weird to celebrate someone’s death,” she added. “It’s not exactly what we’re here to celebrate, but it’s wonderful that people are happy.” Read More

media

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The Day 2 Bin Laden Stories

How do you follow up on yesterday’s historic news?

Some papers are (still?) covering the reaction while most are getting into the more newsy backstory to how we got there. And with Obama’s visit to Ground Zero set for Thursday, the rest of the week is pretty much dedicated to Osama bin Laden.

What I’ve Read More

Terrorism

World Reacts To Death Of Osama Bin Laden

Experts Weigh in on Threat of al Qaeda

In the wake of Osama bin Laden’s death yesterday in Pakistan, there are lingering questions about what remains of his Al Qaeda network, and whether the terrorist group maintains sufficient strength to retaliate against the United States.

The Observer spoke with a few national security and terrorism experts, who posited that while remaining Al Qaeda Read More