Spain Trip: Todd Senses 'Something More' Happening Behind Scenes With Michelle O

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

"Uncomfortable" was the word of the day at Morning Joe when it came to discussing Michelle Obama's decision to go on a luxurious vacation to Spain in the midst of a recession—and to miss celebrating her husband's birthday with him to boot.

Chuck Todd didn't go into details, but NBC's clearly ill-at-ease political director suggested: that this was a "private decision" by the First Lady; that it wouldn't have made any difference what the Pres. Obama's political advisors would have said; and that "you get the sense here that there was something more to this" than pure politics.

Joe Scarborough reinforced Todd's message: "this is part of a bigger narrative, isn't it, about Michelle Obama?"

View video here.

[NCC-1701]

“...Well, Jackie Kennedy used to go shopping big time when she and hubby were on the outs. So this could be part of the same thing....”

Did Jackie have the whole country underwrite her shopping forays like Michelle-my-belle did/does?

[Stentor]

which one of the obamas is a girl? Which one is a boy?

Ed Wood would have been best to do their movie but John Waters is still around.

[livius]

Actually, I read that this trip had actually been arranged (in Spain, at least) three months ago and that both Barry and his lovely wife were supposed to be there. The Spanish were disappointed when they found out that only Michelle Ma Belle was going to be there (particularly disappointed when even she stood them up at an evening reception where they had expected to meet her - poor fools). I wish I could remember where I had read it; possibly in the Spanish press.

I agree with the author, there’s something strange going on.

[Sacajaweau]

She went to camp....which makes no sense...She's young and belongs with her family not disrupting some camp.

The way things look right now...I'd say he's not going to run in 2012.

Could something be ready to hit the fan??

Is that why he's with Oprah and the view...

[RaceBannon]

more gooderer, thank you

[fightinJAG]

I’ve been saying all along the birthday angle is at least as important as the Marie Antoinette story line.

What spouse of a powerful public figure — especially one whose popularity is in freefall — goes on a lavish “poke him in the eye” vacation, which is sure to garnish global notice, on the birthday?

Celebrities, including politicians, know the power of trotting out the “happy family, loving couple” narrative — and it’s never more necessary than during a popularity downturn/ run-up to an important election. A sweet family birthday celebration can add a few important points in the “likeability” index.

So you wonder why M went out of her way to deny da man that likeability bump, plus double down on the damage by going to the Spanish Riviera.

[cameraeye]

If he hasn't yet, I'm sure he will ask the “O” to be his running mate in ‘12! H$ll, the slogan can be, “ You gotta go for the O’s”. I like it. NOT!

[Liz]

The WH cooked up the usual liberal sob story to bailout her figging ***. When in hot water, a liberal ALWAYS resorts to "tolerance and compassion." They gotta be sucking up something illegal if they think Americans will fall for this con.

ANALYSIS The danger for the Obamas is that the trip may feed perceptions they are out of touch with struggling American families. "This in and of itself doesn't hurt President Obama, but it plants a seed in voters' minds ... that 'they're not like me,' " said Chris Wilson, a Republican pollster.

UK TELEGRAPH REPORT Some estimated the cost to the American taxpayer of Mrs O's entourage and her trip at $375,000. Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, declined to comment on Mrs Obama's holiday, saying "she is a private citizen and is the mother of a daughter on a private trip."

Secret Service and the multiple WH govt employees Mrs O brought on the trip ("supposedly for her friend") occupied about 60 rooms in the posh five-star Villa Padierna hotel,and will be paid for by taxpayers. A 15-vehicle convoy shuttled Her Highness' entourage around.

=========================================

The opulence of the The five-star Villa Padierna in Marbella, Spain has drawn scrutiny. The Hotel Villa Padierna, a Ritz-Carlton resort in the mountains outside Marbella has two golf courses, a posh spa with Turkish baths, views of the Mediterranean Sea and a high-end restaurant specializing in avant-garde fare. Room rates start at $400 and rise to $6,500 for a two-bedroom villa with a private pool and 24-hour butler service.

[OilCanDan23]

millions starve and we eat caviar is the attitude.

they are disgusting.

[BigBobber]

I agree. This is part of something big. Like Obama’s October Surprise.

Obama attacks Iran - the only thing that can save his bacon in the coming election.

Saudis like this and agree to keep their oil flowing.

Obama promises to shut down domestic oil industry and pass cap and trade, keeping third world exempt.

Michelle’s little tête à tête with the Saudi princes is to seal the deal.

[fightinJAG]

Something has been wrong for quite a while. This was clear to me when M refused to accompany BO to the 9/11 service before the election — when she stayed in Chicago to do something such as help the girls with their homework. Uh-huh.

On this note, I’m not great at posting pics, but the rest of you are. I think we could come up with at least two dozen pics of the Obama family over the last 18 months where BO is walking ahead with one of the daughters and M is three steps behind with the other daughter and, often, the dog. Occasionally, I can see this; you tend to want a parent walking with each child. But I can’t remember the last time I saw a family pic with BO and M walking together.

[fightinJAG]

It was initially reported M was going to be at a fundraiser with Adnan Kashoggi. Now it appears she skipped that for whatever reason.

http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/66925,people,news,michelle-obama-avoids-adnan-khashoggi-and-mark-thatcher-in-marbella

[maggief]

“I’m guessing it has something to do with the green energy scam.”

ShoreBank? Where was JJJ? In Marbella with “Sis?”

Did BO meet with Fitz again while celebrating his birthday in Chicago?

Lot’s of questions, and no journ0lista asking any.

[fightinJAG]

All that said, you would think they would understand at least a little both the political downside of this trip and the political upside of trotting out the sweet family birthday celebration images — even if they celebrated a week early.

[toolman1401]

Someone wanted to get the ‘freak on’ for their birthday, so his wife took the daughter out of the country so she wouldn’t have to see the coverage. However, the plan backfired, so now the spinners are trying to provide cover.

[burroak]

MO has owned Barry from the early days in Chicago.

[fightinJAG]

She was a summer camp.

She usually seems to be the one MO takes vacations with. I recall her going on a trip to Hawaii with her mom.

But the older daughter being at camp makes it even more weird that the rest of the family would take off that week as well.

[flying_bullet]

No.

Frickin'.

Way.

[fightinJAG]

If this is the backstory, this makes it even more clear that these people are ridiculously incompetent as politicians, diplomats, even just as plain old V.I.P.s. They can’t do anything right and they have no clue how to manage things so that they get a coherent, plausible story out.

[DustyMoment]

what are the odds of Zero being impeached?

Slim and none. The 'Pubbies just don't have the spine for it.

Or, ANY spine, for that matter.