By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer
Dec. 20, 2009 – It looks like the Democrats in the Senate will muster the 60 votes needed to get the health care reform bill through the Senate, but at what cost?   The key word used during the Sunday talk shows on health care reform was “compromise”; and it appears that’s what gained the support of the last Democratic hold out Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson.

Nelson appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” program, and said, that if he will only support a final bill from House-Senate negotiations that does not include a public option.  The public option has been the litmus test for this reform bill and has been the key issue keeping Republicans from signing on.  So it will be interesting to see if the public option is dropped and if any other moderate Republican’s like Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)and Susan Collins (R-Maine) will support the bill.

The White House will need to defend the health care legislation without the public option to the liberal members of Congress who have vowed not support to bill without it.  Senior presidential adviser David Axelrod maintains the legislation Dems are working toward matches the goals that Obama has set even without the government insurance plan.  Axelrod told “Meet the Press,” it includes affordable choices for people without health insurance and more protections for people who already have coverage.

Compromise is the key to getting any bill passed, and now that the Dems are all on board, as well as two Senate independents, Republicans continue to fight the measure, even though they Senate has the 60 votes to move the legislation forward.

The president may get an additional item under the tree on Christmas Eve.  Health care reform is the president’s top legislative priority, and it’s predicted to win final congressional passage this week.  Vice President Joe Bide wrote in an op-ed in the New York Times, “While it is not perfect, the bill pending in the Senate today is not just good enough — it is very good.”

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

Senior Advisor to President Obama David Axelrod told me a year ago today the team was getting ready for the move to Pennsylvania Avenue.

Dec. 15, 2009 – President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were gracious host to hundreds of journalist attending the White House Christmas party Tuesday night.  I was fortunate enough to get one of the coveted tickets for this year’s soiree, and it was not disappointing.

I’ve attended the holiday party at the White House for several years and some things are marked by tradition and don’t change; but there were a few changes this year.  First, we entered a different White House gate, my name was triple checked against “the list,” the buffet included sushi and the ticket distribution process was handled oddley.

But the food, the atmosphere and a photo with the first couple found members of the media pleasant and primed for conversations with White House notables, David Axelrod, Valerie Jarrett, Robert Gibbs and others who mingled throughout the evening.

Desiree Rogers (center) following the event with Lois Dyer of CBS News and Pamela Gentry.

I enjoyed the evening of fine dining and a few “off the record” conversations with White House staffers.  But I must admit the highlight was speaking with White House social secretary Desiree Rogers.  She ran a tight ship for the night’s events and was clearly “managing” every detail. 

As the evening was winding down I was able to chat with Rogers.  We exchanged pleasantries and discovered mutual acquaintances.  It only goes to show; in Washington six-degrees of separation can be cut in half.

I did stop to place a wish on the White House “Wishing Tree.”   I won’t disclose the wish I made and secured on the nine foot , slotted tree. 

One other memoriable moment of the evening was walking through the public halls of the  White House and seeing its walls filled with photographs of the first family;  it was surreal.

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

June 29, 2009 – President Barack Obama sent a handwritten, private letter to the family of Michael Jackson over the weekend, expressing his condolences. 

Following the announcement Thursday of Jackson’s unexpected death, reporters pressed for a reaction from the commander-in-chief.  During Friday’s briefing,  White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters:  “I talked to him about it this morning.  Look, he said to me that obviously, Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer, a music icon.  I think everybody remembers hearing his songs, watching him moonwalk on television during Motown’s 25th anniversary.”

“But the President also said, look, he had — aspects of his life were sad and tragic.  And his condolences went out to the Jackson family and to fans that mourned his loss,” Gibbs added.

On Sunday, David Axelrod, senior adviser to the president told NBC’s Meet the Press; “the president has written the family and has shared his feelings with the family.”  

“The president obviously believes that he was an important and magnificent performer,” Axelrod said.  “Obviously, he led a sad life in many ways as well, but his impact is undeniable,” he said.

There are no plans for the president’s “private” letter of condolences to be released to the public.

While the investigation into the “King of Pop’s” death continues, Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson’s personal physician and the last man to see him alive, was interviewed by homicide detectives over the weekend.  While he has hired a high-powered attorney to represent him, investigators said he has been helpful filling in the last  hours of the singer’s life. 

Murray, a cardiologist, was living at Jackson’s home in Los Angeles when he suffered cardiac arrest.  The family has requested a second autopsy and is awaiting those results.   

The Jackson family has gathered at the family home in Encino, Calif., to start plans for MJ’s memorial and decide if it will be public or private.   The Jackson family patriarch Joseph released a statement saying, “In one of the darkest moments of our lives we find it hard to find the words appropriate to this sudden tragedy we all had to encounter.

“Our beloved son, brother and father of three children has gone so unexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon. It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times.”

Tribute celebrations are already planned in Detroit and New York and more are expected around the world in addition to the family’s memorial in Los Angeles.