“There’s no greater honor but also no greater responsibility for me than to make sure that the extraordinary men and women in uniform are properly cared for and that their safety and security when they are at home is provided for,” Obama said today.

The president was speaking about a shooting at the Fort Hood military base in Texas that killed at least 12 people.

“These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk and, at times, give their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis,” Obama said. “It’s difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas; it is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil.”

Obama said he has spoken with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and top military, security and investigative officials to ensure Fort Hood is secure.

Thirty years ago today, the American embassy in Tehran, Iran, was seized. Americans were held hostage in the embassy for more than a year. “This event helped set the United States and Iran on a path of sustained suspicion, mistrust and confrontation,” Obama said in a statement issued by the White House.

The United States wants to move past this, Obama said, and seeks a relationship based on mutual interests and respect. “Iran must choose,” Obama said. “It is time for the Iranian government to decide whether it wants to focus on the past, or whether it will make the choices that will open the door to greater opportunity, prosperity, and justice for its people.”

The text of the president’s statement is available on America.gov.

President Obama congratulated Afghan President Hamid Karzai on his re-election after his opponent Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from the race. The two candidates were to face each other November 7 in a run-off after no presidential candidate received a majority of the vote in an August contest.

“Although the process was messy, I’m pleased to say that the final outcome was determined in accordance with Afghan law, which I think is very important, not only for the international community that has so much invested in Afghan success, but most importantly, is important for the Afghan people that the results were in accordance with and followed the rules laid down by the Afghan constitution,” Obama said.

Obama said the American people are committed to helping Afghanistan achieve prosperity and security, but that the Afghan government must play its part to fight corruption and strengthen governance. A text of the president’s remarks is available on America.gov.

The White House was lit in orange as the Obamas welcomed 2,000 children to celebrate Halloween. The White House marked the occasion as it is traditionally celebrated in America, with costume-clad children asking for candy. The president and first lady distributed both candy and dried fruit.

President Obama did not put on costume, but Michelle Obama wore a cat woman outfit for the event. Speaking about the children’s costumes, the president said, “they’re adorable … as is, by the way, my wife, a very nice-looking cat woman.”

In the early morning hours today as most Americans slept, President Obama made an unannounced visit to Dover Air Force base in Delaware to pay respects to the families of 18 Americans who died in Afghanistan earlier this week. Dover base is typically the first point of entry for bodies of those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to the New York Times, Obama had a private discussion with family members and saluted as the bodies were transferred. Very little information about the event was made public.

By the way, an image like the one used in this blog entry is still pretty rare. Earlier this year the Pentagon ended an 18-year ban on media covering the return of Americans killed in war. Today these returns can be photographed with the permission of the victim’s family.

For Democratic politicians, many consider President Obama to be a great political asset. That may be why Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate Creigh Deeds held a campaign rally with Obama and current Virginia Governor Tim Kaine October 27.

“Again and again, Creigh has been there for the people of Virginia, and now he needs you to be there for them,” Obama told the audience. He said the state needs a governor who will worry less about politics and more about the people of the state. “That’s the kind of person Creigh Deeds is.”

Obama’s support may not be enough for Deeds – recent polls like this one (PDF) have him trailing by quite a bit ahead of the November 3 election.