Morning Express with Robin Meade

Did Jay Z get permission to visit Cuba from President Obama himself?

The rapper suggested so in a new song called "Open Letter."

You're not the only one doing some Christmas shopping. 

Vice President Joe Biden hit a Costco in Washington D.C. to advance the President's #My2K message, and pick up a few gifts.

President Obama got choked up as he thanked his campaign staff Wednesday night for how hard they worked for his re-election. 

"What you guys have done means that the work that I’m doing is important," he said, "and I’m really proud of that, I’m really proud of all of you."

In the key state of  Ohio on the east side of Cleveland there's a unique community that could make all the difference in this hotly contested presidential race. A large electorate that has decided the fate of many politicians. 

Cleveland's Slovenian community the largest outside of Slovenia itself. With roughly 80-thousand people it's a political powerhouse that's voted hometown boys like, Laushe, Voinovich and Kucinich to national political prominence.