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.

“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.

President Obama visited a solar power plant in Arcadia, Florida today, the largest of its kind in the United States. The plant provides electricity for the entire city.

To realize the full potential of solar plants, the United States needs to modernize its electrical grid, which “runs on century-old technology,” Obama said. He said it is “time to build a clean-energy superhighway” that can deliver power to people across the country in the most affordable and efficient way possible.”

The president said his administration is making the largest-ever investment in the electric grid, in the form of 100 grants totaling $3.4 billion. These grants will go to companies or cities to help them install smart-grid technologies. A fact sheet about this investment is available on the White House Web site.

Not very familiar with smart grid technologies? America.gov has a ton of material on the topic, you can check it out here.

The declaration enables health care facilities facing H1N1 outbreaks to more quickly implement new procedures or set up alternative care sites. These facilities will be able to submit waivers that will excuse them from certain regulations.

“H1N1 flu is moving rapidly throughout the country and the majority of states now have widespread influenza activity,” the White House says. More information about the emergency declaration is available on the White House Web site.

Michelle Obama showed off her hula-hooping skills October 21 at the White House, in an attempt to highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

The White House lawn hosted children for a “healthy kids fair” to talk about eating right and getting exercise. One in three American children is overweight, which could cause a serious health problem for the nation in years to come, Mrs. Obama said. “None of us wants that for our children and for our children’s futures,” she said.

The first lady also spoke about the Healthier U.S. School Challenge, a program designed to encourage schools to eliminate junk food, provide healthier food options and find ways to incorporate more physical activity into students’ days. Perhaps this will be an incentive for some of the schools – Michelle Obama promised to visit some of the challenge participants.

“I congratulate the Afghan people on the patience and resilience they have shown throughout this long election process,” Obama said. The second election will be held November 7.

For more information, see “Obama Lauds Afghan President’s Participation in Runoff Vote.”

A group of elementary school students eating lunch welcomed a surprise guest to their cafeteria – President Obama. The president stopped by October 19 to congratulate the students on their reading skills and test scores.

“I wanted to come by and introduce myself, to say I’m very proud of you,” the president said. “I am hoping that you guys will continue to read, read, read, and that all of you are going to be really working hard not just this year but all the way through high school and then all the way through college.”