“I want a list of the friends that went on the trip and that went with JJJ.”
There are few and conflicting reports about who is traveling with MO. AFAIK, the only staffer identified thus far is Melissa Winter.
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2010/08/michelle_obama_spain_trip_what.html
* I’ve seen reports that Mrs. Obama brought 40 friends on the trip. The East Wing has told me earlier in the week that is not true. On Saturday, the East Wing confirmed that Mrs. Obama is traveling with two female friends and four of their daughters.
(snip)
The East Wing told me Saturday, “They are not hosting or attending a charity event. There is an unrelated event taking place at their hotel with some big movie stars expected, but the first lady is not going, nor is she on any host committee.”
*Mrs. Obama’s total entourage is larger, with staff and security. The East Wing will not say how many staffers are with Mrs. Obama. I’ve seen deputy chief of staff Melissa Winter and another staffer in photos.
*Mrs. Obama always travels—domestic and international—with an around the clock security force—uniform and in plain clothes. Taxpayers pay their salary and travel expenses.
maggief! Now that you’re here, and freshly showered, (lol) I know I’m up way past my bed time!
ONLY TWO female friends and four of their daughters!!!!
The others are staff! How very intersting. Who’s staff? His or hers? Or a combo?
Melissa Winter....hmmmm. Too late for me to research her.
“They are not hosting or attending a charity event. There is an unrelated event taking place at their hotel with some big movie stars expected, but the first lady is not going, nor is she on any host committee.”
Michelle Obama To Attend Gala on Saturday
Fundraiser hosted by Eva Longoria Parker, Antonio Banderas
Aug 7, 2010, 05:27 PM ET
hr/photos/stylus/147489-hotel_padierna_341.jpg
Hotel Padierna
First lady Michelle Obama is expected to attend a charity fundraiser tonight in Spain hosted by Eva Longoria Parker and Antonio Banderas. The Starlite Gala is taking place at the lavish Hotel Villa Padierna in Marbella, where Obama has been vacationing since mid-week.
U.K. newspaper the Telegraph reports that Obama “received a personal invitation” to the party from Longoria, “who lent her support to Barack Obama during his presidential campaign.”
Obama and her travel companions, who include daughter Sasha, toured the picturesque city of Ronda Saturday afternoon. The historic town is home to Spain’s oldest bullring and was a favorite haunt of director Orson Welles author Ernest Hemingway.
Obama has been criticized by some for taking a lavish holiday while the nation is in a recession.”
Apparently, she did not attend the gala afterall...
Michelle Obama chooses quiet dinner over celebrity gala
Michelle Obama chose a quiet dinner with friends over a star-studded charity gala on the last night of her holiday in Spain, disappointing guests who had hoped to meet her.