Barack Obama, Jay Carney

December 26, 2013/by Dr. Richard M. Swier, LTC U.S. Army (Ret.)

President Barack Obama speaks during his end-of-the-year news conference in the Brady Press Room at the White House in Washington, Friday, Dec. 20, 2013. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney is seated at left. Obama is scheduled to depart later for his home state of Hawaii for his annual Christmas vacation trip. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)