Posted on 08/09/2010 1:06:07 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
There’s a lot of talk about Michelle and Sasha Obama’s mother-daughter trip with 40 friends to a ritzy resort on the coast of Spain, and some of the commentary is a little harsh. Andrea Tantaros of the New York Daily News calls the first lady a “material girl” and a “modern-day Marie Antoinette”--but she also brings up a valid point about the cost to taxpayers of taking an estimated 70 Secret Service agents and Air Force Two on an overseas vacation. Ruth Marcus in the Washington Post writes that the attacks are unfair and that it’s not reasonable to expect the first family to have a “stay-cation” in Washington, cleaning out closets at the White House.
Maureen Dowd’s column on this in the Sunday New York Times quotes Obama adviser David Axelrod saying that “not everything is political theater.” Axelrod continued, “Folks in the public eye are also human beings ... If you have the ability to show your kid a part of the world and you can do that together before they get to the age where they don’t want to do anything with you, I don’t think it’s right that you have to defer it because of the politics.”
He makes a good point, and I’m a big fan of foreign travel for kids. I’m also all for mother-daughter trips together. But surely the Obamas have enough foreign travel coming up--to places other than five-star resorts--where the girls can see how people from other nations live and what it’s like for kids who aren’t as blessed as they are. The president’s canceled trip to Asia hasn’t been rescheduled yet, but why not take the girls along, even if they have to miss some school? The only time I ever got to travel to a far-off place when I was a kid was when I accompanied my dad on a business trip. I suspect kids who can do that learn a lot more than they would have in the classroom.
Part of the problem with the trip to Spain is that Mrs. Obama was photographed wearing clothes by Jean Paul Gaultier, an expensive haute-couture French designer. Glamour magazine’s coverage (with photos) calls her “an ambassador of total glam when she travels.” Of course we all want the first lady to look great, but choosing way-out-there expensive designers like Gaultier might be feeding the narrative that there’s a disconnect between the White House and the rest of the country. I think Mrs. Obama does a great thing when she chooses up-and-coming American designers--as she did when she asked Jason Wu to do her inaugural gown--or when she mixes edgy American designs with J. Crew standards.
[See photos of Michelle Obama.]
If I were first lady, I’d have two rules: When out in public, I’d only wear clothes by American designers, and when on vacation, I’d only go to towns inside the United States.
Think of the excitement if Mrs. Obama had convinced her 40 friends to stay at an expensive resort (and there are plenty) on the Gulf Coast or in Florida. Or if they’d gone to see the Tetons or the Grand Canyon or Santa Fe or Macinaw Island. How about taking over a luxury resort at Half Moon Bay? The California economy could certainly use the business. The Obamas are already scheduled to go to Martha’s Vineyard, which is great. They need to have more vacations like that: an opportunity to have fun with friends while also sending a strong message of support for America’s small businesses and small towns.
What could the daughter have learned on a five day trip to Spain.
How to say vanilla ice cream in espanol?
This was an outrageous abuse of taxpayer dollars.
If she wanted to spend time with a bereaved friend she could have invited the woman to the White House for a few days.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH. I am sure if Laura Bush had taken similar lavish vacations we’d STILL be hearing about them.
It sounds like Mary Cate Kelly is a racist. So many racists in the MSM these days. Its just like Selma!!!
Even their toadies in the Lamestream Media are jumping ship over this. Hubby’s already plummeting approval ratings are about to head through the basement floor.
Fixed it.
She’s prolly just tired of being Barry’s beard.
Sure. She could go to Vegas and rent the Bellagio for a week.
If it’s Tuesday, the Obamas MUST be on vacation!!
“If she wanted to spend time with a bereaved friend she could have invited the woman to the White House for a few days.”
Laura Bush went hiking in our beautiful Rocky Mountains when she wanted to be with her girlfriends. Such a down-to-earth trip.
Michellappalooza tour......
I’m sure she’s not proud of anything American except her flunky, community organizing, teleprompter hubbie.....
Well, the downtrodden looks on the people losing their homes and jobs and the oil gobs on the beaches kinda ruin it for her.
BUT MEEEESHELLS FRIENDS NO LIKE USA
BUT MEEEESHELLS FRIENDS NO LIKE USA
Mr. President: Forget Air Force One - think "Airstream One"
Yeah...Barack and Michelle will pay attention. They will tour county fairs, stay in WigWam motels, visit VFW halls and catch fireflies at night.
And "bitter small town" America, where people "cling to their guns and religion" will rise as one and declare, gosh darn, this is the bestest First Couple ever!
Also a little off topic but has anyone given any thought to how this clown and is sour puss wife would act should they loose the WH is 2012. Would she go after the future First Lady? Sit there seething with hatred? Endure the boos and cat calls like the Bushes did?
These people can’t get out quick enough for me.
hey Hillary took Chelsea on a trip...it seems to be an elitest Dem thing. to heck with the small people
bump
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