Michelle Obama's Spain Trip --

[Anonymous]

A) $375,000 going to Spain's economy for gourmet dinners and a roped off strip of beach?

B) That one shoulder top and Jackie O glasses...

O-KAY, fashion is personal, but surely if you are going to take a lavish beach trip head to our own stricken coast... FL coasts are lovely (and hurting).

Well, at least she is taking a weekend visit to FL when she gets back, before heading off to a refreshing ten days on Martha's Vineyard. All that overseas travel must sure take it out of a lady!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1300852/Spanish-police-close-public-beach-Michelle-Obamas-250k-Spanish-holiday.html

[Anonymous]

Such a trip is definitely not the best PR move, but hand-wringing over such a paltry some in comparison to some of the far greater wastes of money we are currently ignoring seems to have our priorities a bit misplaced, no?

As for the fashion, I think she looks great, and find it weird that you use the term "Jackie O glasses" to disparage Michelle. Wasn't Jackie O renowned for her style? Does it only work for her and not Michelle for some reason?

[Anonymous]

As I said, fashion is personal. However, the 'Jackie O' style post- White House is what Michelle Obama seems to be emulating. As you know, after the White House Jackie O sought financial security for herself and children and embraced the billionaire lifestyle with mogul Onassis. That's when she would slink about in her fabulous sunglasses and point at cashmere sweaters and say, "One in each color" and sun herself on a yacht. Good for her--and perhaps in two years Michelle Obama can dedicate herself full-time to that lifestyle.

During our current times of American financial struggle--coupled with the double whammy the Gulf States have been dealt--one would think that Michelle Obama would, one shoulder blouse and humongous sunglasses and all, say "Let's head to the FL Gulf Coast and show tourists from America AND around the world that the sands are perfect and the beaches safe". Photos of a glamorous Michelle floating in the Gulf next to pristine beaches, not to mention what her entourage would pump into the local economy, could go a long long way PR wise for a struggling sector.

Speaking of times when it might be the moment to turn down the glamor dial--I'm sure you've seen the now-famous image of M. Obama doing charity work in her $500 Lanvin sneakers? Just seems a bit discordant, like this whole choice to take a major va-cay in the Spanish Riviera at the same time the WH is encouraging tourists to hit the Gulf...

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/05/michelle_obamas_mystery_man_id.html

[Anonymous]

She looks nothing like Jackie O in that picture. Frames like those are worn all over the place.

I think that your filter is so strong that anything she does is going to resemble something that you hate.

The persistent criticism on this site of the Obama vacations, whether it is back home or abroad, is tiresome. We have had Presidents who were practically AWOL with vacation. This does not compare.

[Anonymous]

I am now saying for the THIRD time that fashion is a personal choice, and my critique was tongue in cheek and secondary. I am not going to fret about her $500 dollar sneaks at a food kitchen too much either. I DO think her choice to take a 40+ entourage to the Spanish Riviera -- given the context of these financial times/devastated Gulf Economy--is beyond odd and completely open to critique.

[Anonymous]

Who knows how long ago this trip was planned? As you noted, she was traveling with 40 friends... maybe it was their decision to go to Spain? Why does her vacation have to be a statement? Why can't it just be a vacation?

[Anonymous]

Sure you can critique it all you want. It helps to let people know when to tune you out. You have crossed into the territory of being so unreasonable that you can't be taken seriously. So "critique" away but just realize the way you're going about isn't helping your cause.

[Anonymous]

I just want to know why anyone would think going away with 40 friends is relaxing or fun?!? Personally, I go away to take a break from fulfilling all my social obligations. Seems like she brought the circus with her.

[Anonymous]

Q: Why can't it just be a vacation?

A: Because we're subsidizing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Q: Why can't it just be a vacation?

A: Because we're subsidizing it.

are we?

I don't know why everyone is making a big deal about this. Everyone is entitled to a vacation and you can be sure that other presidents spent just as much doing it. It just so happens that anything the Obamas do is met by criticism and Fox News is just instigating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Q: Why can't it just be a vacation?

A: Because we're subsidizing it.

are we?

I don't know why everyone is making a big deal about this. Everyone is entitled to a vacation and you can be sure that other presidents spent just as much doing it. It just so happens that anything the Obamas do is met by criticism and Fox News is just instigating.

People are making such a big deal out of this because there are too many things wrong with it. First, it's one of several vacations this summer, which seems extravagant. Second, she is bringing 40 friends, hello unnecessary much?. Third, it is a foreign vacation, which does little to bolster our own economy.

It's not fair to point to other presidents as examples of this same behavior when most past presidents have vacationed at private residences and not 5-star hotels, and certainly without 40 friends + the mandatory entourage of secret service and staff. So if it was just one of the three things above it would be more forgivable. Unfortunately, all three are true in this case. On top of it, it's not super typical for a president to vacation in such a lavish style, certainly not overseas while our economy at home could use the $$.

[Anonymous]

Response
1.) This was a vacation by the first lady and her children. The first lady doesn't really have any official duties. She can vacation all she wants.
2.) Do we know how many friends she "brought" with her? Maybe they footed their own tab? Who knows. I bet you don't.
3.) Why is she obligated to bolster the economy with her trip? She can vacation how she sees fit.

Also, if she did as you say and stayed at private residences, that offers NOTHING to the economy. Whoops! Might want to be consistent from time to time.

[Anonymous]

I don't think there were any inconsistencies in my argument. I said that one of the aforementioned "problems" would be forgivable and not all 3 combined.

In response to the argument that other first families have taken vacations, I thought it would be only prudent to point out that they often stay at private residences. I, personally, feel that if one is going to stay at a luxury hotel with rooms from $500-$2500/night and have to reserve many rooms for security purposes, which would be the taxpayers expense, do it in the States. Especially, if the whole posse will be practically filling the hotel, I think reports are they have checked out 50-75% of the hotel.

I will try to stress, there are too many things wrong with this. Only one of these issues could have a blind eye turned to it. Not the whole kit and kaboodle.

[Anonymous]

New poster here...re #3, it is all a bout example, and in this case, she is not setting a good one.

The rest is fluff.

[Anonymous]

And the white house has been exhorting people to visit FL. But won't go themselves. O-Kay. During the bombardment of London the royal family stayed in London. That earned everlasting love and admiration. Michelle Obama is free to vacation in Marbella, but it's not going to earn much admiration.