Times have changed. Namcy Reagan was raked over the coals for spending $200,000 in privately-donated funds for new White House china service.
http://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/13/us/first-lady-tells-critics-i-am-just-being-myself.html
But Queen Michelle gets a pass, as always.
> But Queen Michelle gets a pass, as always.
You must be racist. Any criticism of the Obama’s is racist.
When Mrs. Reagan ordered new china it was the first set since the Eisenhower administration and one of the reasons for it was that state dinners had grown so large the White House didn't have matching place settings for everyone. But since then Clinton, George Bush, and now Obama have all ordered china sets.
Yes, I remember the left getting all wee-wee'd up over that. But that was when we were at war with Eastasia...or was it Eurasia?
“Times have changed. Namcy Reagan was raked over the coals for spending $200,000 in privately-donated funds for new White House china service.”
I have heard, but can’t corroberate, that Mrs. Reagan only did this by request of the White House Butler (or caterer, or appropriate position.) Evidently, she asked that person if there was anything that he needed to better execute his job responsibilities.
He requested new china, to be used at state dinners. Evidently, the china in use at the time was mismatched and in great need of replacement. Mrs. Reagan agreed and started raising private funds, as you pointed out. Eventually, they privately funded a new set of china for use at state dinners.
Yes, the result was an all out attack by the media. Yet, Mrs. Reagan never mentioned the original request. The gentleman that originally made the request begged her to let the media know that he had made the request. She refused, telling him that it was her job to take the heat for managing the White House and that he should not have to face such attacks.
She was a wonderful, classy First Lady....