White House

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President Obama makes a opening statement during a press conference in the White House briefing room in Washington on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Recipients of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors -- including, from left, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey -- react to the President Obama's introduction of Mr. McCartney during a reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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Country singer Willie Nelson attends a reception for the recipients of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors in the East Room of the White House, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive at a reception for the recipients of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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Oprah Winfrey, a recipient of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors, arrives for a reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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Paul McCartney, a recipient of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors, is escorted to the East Room for a reception at the White House in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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Bill T. Jones, recipient of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors, is escorted into the East Room of the White House in Washington for a reception on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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Recipients of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors including, from left, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones and Paul McCartney, react as Jones is introduced during a reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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** FILE ** President Obama talks with Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. as they walk to the Blair House from the White House in Washington on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010, for a meeting with newly elected governors. (AP Photo/J. David Ake, File)

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** FILE ** Then Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott, center, attends a luncheon with White House administration officials, before President Barack Obama arrives, on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010, at the Blair House across from the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Rhode Island Gov.-elect Lincoln Chafee is seen at the Blair House across from the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010, before President Barack Obama spoke to newly elected governors. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Washington Mayor-elect Vincent Gray speaks to members of the media outside the White House in Washington on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, following his luncheon meeting with President Obama. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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ASSOCIATED PRESS D.C. Mayor-elect Vincent C. Gray speaks to the news media outside the White House on Wednesday after his luncheon meeting with President Obama. The president said, "I'm unequivocally in support of voting rights for the District of Columbia," according to Mr. Gray.

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A man dressed as a Maccabee takes part in the the National Menorah lighting ceremony in celebration of Hanukkah on the Ellipse near the White House on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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The official White House Christmas Tree is seen in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. The theme for the White House Christmas 2010 is "Simple Gifts". (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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The official White House Christmas Tree is seen in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. The theme for the White House Christmas 2010 is "Simple Gifts". (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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The Cross Hall, looking towards the East Room is seen as the State Floor of the White House is decorated for Christmas, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, in Washington. The theme for the White House Christmas 2010 is "Simple Gifts". (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Ornaments are seen on the official White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. The theme for the White House Christmas 2010 is "Simple Gifts". (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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The Obama family dog, Bo, and a marzipan replica of the White House Kitchen Garden is seen at left, as the 2010 White House Chocolate Gingerbread House is displayed in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. The theme for the White House Christmas 2010 is "Simple Gifts". (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)