The win tonight soundly goes to President Obama who laid out a clear vision to create more jobs on top of the 5.2 million jobs created in the last 31 months. Tonight we also saw the real Mitt Romney-not the phony 'moderate Mitt' we've seen in recent days, spewing lies that Americans with pre-existing conditions will be covered after he repeals Obamacare, pretending he has a plan to pay for $5 trillion in new tax breaks slanted towards millionaires and outsourcers, or pretending he won't raise taxes on middle-class families by $2,000.
"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the President no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what... These are people who pay no income tax...
"My job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."
Response by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Daily Show video after the jump.
Senator Arlen and Joan Specter admired the Barnes Foundation galleries which are exact replicas of the galleries on Latch's Lane in Merion.
Gala celebrates inauguration of New Philadelphia Campus designed by Tod William Billie Tsien Architects
Star-studded event raises more than $3.7 million. Proceeds support the care and preservation of the world-renowned Barnes Collection.
— by Bonnie Squires
Among the hundreds of movers and shakers who delighted in the Barnes Foundation Gala and celebrated the opening of the museum's move to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway were many Jewish philanthropists who donated to the $200 million project.
Bonnie Squires greeted Brian Williams as he arrived for the cocktail reception.
Brian Williams, who anchors the NBC network nightly news, served as master of ceremonies for the dinner, following a lavish cocktail reception inside the museum. The galleries with hundreds of fabulous Impressionist paintings collected by Albert Barnes were open for the gala guests.
The Walter and Leonore Annenberg Court also included an additional set of galleries for visiting exhibits. The first exhibit is dedicated to the life and times of Albert Barnes, including letters to Barnes from some of the artists whose works he collected.
Last week, the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces began a new tradition here in Philadelphia with their first annual Gala. Everyone enjoyed the music under the direction of Udi Bar as well as the drinks and fine food.
However, the real reason everyone came out was to show their support for the soldiers of the IDF. Their jobs is to look after Israel, and it is the job for the Friends of the IDF to look after them.
Keynote speaker former Governor Ed Rendell explained that he and his brother Robert were not raised in a religious home, but his father told them to remember that they are Jews, to remember how Jews have been treated over the years, and to support Jewish causes like FIDF whenever they could.
Although Rendell has had many titles: Governor of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Mayor of Philadelphia and Philadelphia District Attorney, he said the title of which he is most proud is that of 2nd Lieutenant from his service in the reserve from 1968 to 1974.
The Friends of the IDF supports Israeli soldiers in many ways:
The IMPACT! program grants full scholarships to soldiers who come from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background and seek a higher education. Each scholarship recipient is required to complete 130 hours of community service annually. IMPACT! Student Maru Gete, an Ethiopian Jewish immigrant, came to tell us how the FIDF allowed him to realize his dream of going to medical school.
The Legacy Program supports thousands of widows, orphans and other family members who have suffered the devastating loss of a loved-one fallen during military service. Galit Cochva was on hand to speak courageous of her husband Ron who died when his helicopter crashed in Lebanon.
The Lone Soldier Program supports the 2,800 determined young men and women from all over the world who choose to leave the comfort of their homes and families to travel to Israel, become proud IDF soldiers and make Israel their home. Friends of the IDF is a family to Lone Soldiers who have no family of their own in Israel.
Wynnewood native Shoval Dorani returned to Philadlephia to tell us about her life as a lone soldier and the support she received from the Friends of the IDF.
Here is what she had to say:
Good evening. My name is Shoval Dorani and for the past year I have been serving as a proud lone soldier in Oketz, the independent canine special forces unit of the Israel defense force.
I was born in North Miami Beach, Florida and raised in beautiful Wynnewood, Pennsylvania along with my brother Omri and my sister Liat. I had the privilege of receiving a Jewish Day School education and was raised in a home where the state of Israel was constantly in our hearts and in our minds. My father was born in Israel and my mother has always considered Israel her second home, so we traveled to Israel often. Each time I stepped onto Israel soil, I felt a sense of belonging. I was home.
The remainder of Shoval's remarks follow the jump.
Liberty Medal award-winner Secretary Robert Gates and David Eisner, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center
Presenting the Liberty Medal to former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates were SFC Dana Graham of the Liberty USO, Anthony Odierno, representing the Wounded Warrior Project, and David Eisner, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center.
After a lifetme of public service, in the CIA, and ending with serving as Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Robert Gates was awarded the Liberty Medal on September 22 at the National Constitution Center. The word "liberty" took on added meaning as David Eisner, the president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, had invited Iraq war veteran Anthony Odierno, representing the Wounded Warrior Project, and SFC Dana Graham of the Pennsyvalnia Army National Guard, representing the USO of Pennslvania and Southern New Jersey (Liberty USO), to present the actual Liberty Medal to Dr. Gates.
(left to right) Ken Kaiserman, long-time Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) board member and past president, was congratulated on his being honored at the 35th anniversary gala by Mayor Michael Nutter and CBS3's Pat Ciarrocchi, who served as auction host.
-- by Bonnie Squires
The Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) dazzled hundreds of supporters with its 35th Anniversary celebration Gala, honoring long-time board member Kenneth S. Kaiserman of Kaiserman Company, Inc., and PTC Producing Artistic Director Sara Garonzik on Monday, June 6 at 6PM in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt at the Bellevue. Governor Ed Rendell served as master of ceremonies, and his son Jesse beamed approvingly from the first table down front.
In addition to the honorees, Rendell praised Suzanne and Ralph Roberts, and Carl Dranoff, the developer of Symphony House, which houses the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, the permanent home of the Philadelphia Theatre Company.
The evening featured appearances by multiple Tony- and Emmy-award-winner Tyne Daly, star of the upcoming revival of Terrence McNally's Master Class on Broadway; Broadway and film star Kathleen Turner, who starred in PTC's world premiere of Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins; Tony Award-winner and frequent PTC performer John Glover; Quentin Darrington, star of the recent revival of Ragtime; and the glorious voice of Alexandra Silber.
Philadelphia Israeli Consul General Daniel Kutner held a celebration of Israel's 63rd anniversary at the National Museum of American Jewish History, and hundreds of area residents and VIPs turned out.
Mayor Michael A. Nutter (left) joined Consul General Daniel Kutner (right) for the celebration.
Sam Katz, Rabbi Aaron Landis, Councilman Jim Kenney, and Joseph Zuritsky (left to right) were among the people who came to the National Museum of American Jewish History to celebrate Israel's 63rd anniversary.
President Barak Obama points to Joe Sestak and praises him for his decades of service to the country.
Convention Center Democratic fundraiser
President Barack Obama is getting his groove back, and Joe Sestak, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, was the beneficiary last night. Hundreds of party faithfuls bought $250 tickets to see Obama and Sestak at a huge reception in the Convention center, while well-heeled supporters were escorted into the $1000 VIP reception. Then there was a private dinner for the very highest-priced tickets. While waiting for Obama to land in Philly, a string of luminaries spoke to the crowd, reiterating what has become a disciplined Democratic theme: get out the vote, hold onto the House and the Senate, support Obama's initiatives, and make certain that Pennsylvania ends up with two Democratic Senators after this November's election. Making the point and leading the crowd in energetic chants of "Go, Joe!" were Pat Croce, the ultimate cheerleader; Governor Ed Rendell; Senator Bob Casey; Congressman Bob Brady; and Mayor Michael Nutter.
The Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School was established in September 1958 for elementary school students in grades 5 and 6. A junior high school program was initiated in 1959, and a senior high school was added in 1976. In 1990 Masterman was re-organized as a middle school (grades 5-8) and a high school (grades 9-12). Students are admitted from all areas of Philadelphia based on academic performance, and staff members are selected based on professional expertise. The school was named for Julia Reynolds Masterman, who was instrumental in establishing the Philadelphia Home and School Council and served as its first president.
The school's expressed vision includes helping students to think critically, communicate effectively, demonstrate integrity and personal responsibility, understand and apply mathematical and scientific concepts, use an understanding of history to interpret daily events, and "become active citizens in a participatory democracy." It's mission, to "provide a rigorous, enriched curriculum to each student in grades 5-12" is demonstrated through outstanding results achieved with a student body that is ethnically diverse (44% White, 28% African American, 18% Asian American, 6% Latino), and that includes a significant proportion of economically disadvantaged students (44%).
There are approximately 1,150 students enrolled in grades 5 through 12 and 100% of the senior class attends college.
Tuesday, September 13 at 1pm, President Barack Obama will visit the Masterman School in Philadelphia to deliver his second annual Back-to-School speech.
The audience will be composed of approximately 600 Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School students and faculty. Students from classrooms across the country will also tune in to watch on CNN or via the internet. The President's first annual national address directly to students across the country took place last fall on September 8, 2009 at Wake High School in Arlington, Virginia.
The President will be accompanied by Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Rep. Bob Brady (PA-1), Rep. Chaka Fattah (PA-2) and Rep. Allyson Schwartz (PA-13).
Prepared Text
Hello Philadelphia! It's wonderful to be here. Today is about welcoming all of you and all of America's students back to school - and I can't think of a better place to do it than Masterman. You're one of the best schools in Philadelphia - a leader in helping students succeed in the classroom. And just last week, you were recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for your record of achievement. That's a testament to everyone here - students and parents, teachers and school leaders. And it's an example of excellence I hope communities across America embrace.
Over the past few weeks, Michelle and I have been getting Sasha and Malia ready for school. And I bet a lot of you are feeling the same way they're feeling. You're a little sad to see the summer go, but you're also excited about the possibilities of a new year. The possibilities of building new friendships and strengthening old ones. Of joining a school club, or trying out for a team. The possibilities of growing into a better student, and a better person, and making your family proud.
But I know some of you may also be nervous about starting a new school year. Maybe you're making the jump from elementary to middle school, or from middle to high school, and worried about what that'll be like. Maybe you're starting a new school, and not sure how you'll like it. Or maybe you're a senior who's feeling anxious about the whole college process; about where to apply and whether you can afford to go.
And beyond all these concerns, I know a lot of you are also feeling the strain of these difficult times. You know what's going on in the news and your own family's lives. You read about the war in Afghanistan. You hear about the recession we've been through. You see it in your parents' faces and sense it in their voice.
The rest of the President's speech follows the jump.
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The Legacy Program supports thousands of widows, orphans and other family members who have suffered the devastating loss of a loved-one fallen during military service. Galit Cochva was on hand to speak courageous of her husband Ron who died when his helicopter crashed in Lebanon.
Wynnewood native 
