Why Michelle went to Spain.

[Hamlette]

Mrs. Obama met two friends in Spain, who flew there on their own. The three women were joined by a total of four daughters. (Some news outlets reported Mrs. Obama was on vacation with 40 friends; that was not true.)

One of the women is a longtime Obama friend, Anita Blanchard, an obstetrician who delivered Sasha and big sister Malia, 12. Her husband is Marty Nesbitt, a close Obama friend and treasurer of Obama’s presidential campaign fund.

A White House source told me the Mrs. Obama was not able to attend the funeral for Blanchard’s father at the beginning of July. Blanchard, who was taking her daughter on a promised trip to Spain, asked the first lady and Sasha to come to Spain with her. (Malia is at overnight camp.) “She felt it was important as a dear friend to do this,” I was told.

Mrs. Obama and her friends paid for their hotel rooms and other personal expenses. All first ladies, however, get 24-hour security and transportation on military aircraft. When Mrs. Obama flies on personal business, she pays what amounts to a first-class fare, but taxpayers pick up most of the overhead costs for the plane and security.
<...>

The story has taken on a life of its own; on Monday morning, news shows and blogs were still debating the merits of the trip and Matt Drudge was featuring stories about it at the top of his page. Politics is about perception. For the record: Mrs. Obama did not attend a charity ball in Marbella hosted by Antonio Banderas and Eva Longoria on Saturday night.

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/08/09/why-michelle-obama-vacationed-in-spain-to-be-with-grieving-frie/

So, one of your best friend loses her father and the "liberal" media spends days trashing you for going on a trip with her.

[DesertFlower]

1. Jesus Hussein Christ. the

woman deserves a vacation. heard she's getting a lot of requests from dem candidates to campaign for them.

[otohara]

2. Damage Has Been Done

Sure would have been nice to know this before she got on the plane, so the 40 friends lie would have been nipped in the bud right away. The White House needs to play offense and outsmart the liars at FOX, Limbaugh...

[BurtWorm]

3. Who but wingnuts really gives a shit?

They've got nothing better to do than care about what Michele Obama does with her vacation? They're losers! Who cares what they care about?

[4lbs]

9. See a couple of posts below for your answer.

The same incessant whiners that nitpick everything that President Obama or someone remotely close to him does.

[JI7]

11. seriously

fuck them

[hfojvt]

4. I thought it was so Barack would stop taunting her with this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm6qw_yeo6o

[Zoeisright]

5. Yep. I can't believe that Democrats on this board are bashing this trip. How

incredibly short-sighted and stupid. And off-point.

Meanwhile, the repukes are doing everything they can to sink this country. THAT'S what everyone should be mad about.

[flyarm]

7. ya know alot of people in this country are..that is the real world..when people are suffering!!

real world..not on a damn board..real world people have lost jobs..and can't feed their kids ..real world people can't make the car payment..real world people are losing their fecking homes if they haven't already.

And many that are losing are democrats!

My sister's boss hasn't made payroll in 3 weeks..ya know what that means? it means my democratic sister hasn't gotten a paycheck in 3 weeks..single mom..can't pay her bills now and is delinquent on her bills now..like her mortgage..wake the fuck up!

And I will tell you when my sister was at my house this weekend ..because she had no food and needed to come to my home to eat and feed her daughter..she was incensed that the First Lady was in Spain..My sister wouldn't stop talking about it with unrational.. you might say..anger!

My sister can;t quit or turn in her employer , because she has one kidney and needs the health insurance and there are no other damn jobs around!..anywhere!

The compassion with people here anymore makes me ill!

Oh and my brother feels the same ..he went into the hospital today for his third round of Chemo and he still hasn't gotten disability..his employer is trying to keep him from getting disability...he worked for a school...he has a 16 yr old , and he can't work because he has cancer, he was diagnosed with in June! The two of my siblings were at my home over the wekeend and all they talked about was how this country has gone to hell in a handbasket for the American people..and yet the power folks can take vaccation after vacation, wen the working Joe can't even feed their families!

wake the fuck up!

[4lbs]

8. Did Obama go on vacation, or was it just Michelle and the kids?

As I recall, Obama was still working, in D.C. while Michelle was in Spain. It's not like he dropped everything, postponed Elena Kagan's swearing in, and said "well, sorry guys, I gotta jet over to Spain for a few days."

[flyarm]

10. Its called perception and much of the costs we taxpayers are paying for!

And those who are on the losing end in this country are noticing it big time and it is not just republicans saying this! I hear it daily by democrats..ignore it if you want..keep your head in the sand..if you want.

Its perception.

And when you are the one losing your job or not getting paid...and you can't pay your bills, or feed your kids...it is a lousey perception to have!

http://www.creators.com/opinion/susan-estrich/does-he-get-it.html

http://www.creators.com/opinion/susan-estrich.html?columnsName=ses

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/opinion/08dowd.html?_r=1&ref=maureendowd

oh and it is all over the net , on many many dem boards! Not just republican boards!

Just go start reading comments on dem boards..if you dare to!

[4lbs]

12. Maybe you need to take a step back from all your Obama bashing to realize that this is just a little

overreaction to something that the President didn't even do.

As I said, all these negative reactions might have some grounding if it was President Obama himself who decided to spend a few days in Europe on the taxpayer dime.

However, he stayed in the White House working, while it was Michelle and the kids that visited Michelle's friend. In addition, costs of the plane trip and hotel were paid for by Michelle, not the taxpayers. Yes, even all 30+ rooms or whatever it was.

[flyarm]

13. You see I think you are bashing..you are bashing the people of this country, for being upset when

they perceive they are getting fucked, when the first lady is spending their money when so many , millions in fact are hurting! Hurting some sever ly!

[4lbs]

20. It seems they are more upset about this than the Republicans trying to block unemployment bills

or other bills that would help small businesses create jobs.

So, really, where should the outrage be directed by the the people? At Michelle Obama, or the Repukes in Congress that try to block anything that would help create jobs or help the unemployed?

[flyarm]

31. ahh noo..they are pissed off at all of them..this just adds fuel to the fire! alot of fuel!

This just happens to get democrats who are out of work or out of unemployment or not getting paid at al because their bosses don't have the fucking money to pay them , pissed off at democrats!

People who are on the verge or have gone over the verge of losing everything or are seeing their world crumble , don't take lightly to a democratic first lady taking 8 vacations in a very short order of time!

If you don't understand that, you never will..seems this White House doen't get it either, when they tell people to tighten their belts, and yet they flaunt this shit in the people's faces!

wake the fuck up!

[avaistheone1]

15. Michelle's vacation to Spain cost taxpayers almost a half a million dollars!

That's after Michelle paying hew own portion of expenses.

Michelle Obama lives in the lap of luxury in the White House with 20 handmaidens. Why does she need to take a luxurious 5 star vacation when we as a country are at war, and are suffering record bankruptcies, joblessness, unemployment and hunger?

My understanding is that this is Michelle's seventh vacation since March. Is that true?

[4lbs]

21. Did she create all that strife?

It seems you and others are more upset about this and are harping on it more than on the Republicans in Congress that continually block everything that would help people.

You know, things like blocking that unemployment bill. Blocking the bill that would help small businesses get loans to help employ people.

I've seen much more haranguing on this Spain trip from the media and here on DU, than I have about those two things I mentioned above.

[flyarm]

32. that is not the point..when people can't feed their kids they don;'t give a fuck who caused the

strife, they just know what is being flaunted in their faces !

As my sister screamed at me this past weekend when I defended this show of stupidity..it wasn't pretty, I assure you of that.

Oh and by the way..my sister is her bosses bookeeper...( she is pretty damn good at balancing acts with money) ....when the banks cancel all of a businesses line of credit, for no damn reason, and the invoices are not paid by other businesses, and no money is coming into a business..it is all the employees that go without paychecks..

Ever try to buy groceries telling the grocery store , you boss hasn't paid you in three weeks, because he hasn't been paid by other businesses..and the banks that got your tax dollars have canceled your bosses line of credit..for no damn reason at all?????????? And consequently , you don't have the money today to pay for your groceries, but you are hungry!!!

Very humbling when one feels embarrassed to have to ask others to feed you and your family!

But don't worry be happy...the First Lady is on one of her numerous vacations at the 3-4th most expensive hotel in the world! And it is being flaunted in your face!

That is a reality and that is a perception!
You could probably play out that scenerio in every neighborhood throughout this country of ours!

Tell the people on the Gulf how wonderful it is the First Lady is in Spain..you might just get your head bitten off, by some very angry people!

But you just go ahead and live in your NON-reality based world!

Maybe we should hand out muffs and ear plugs so those that are distressed and losing everything can't hear what is going on with their tax money and the glorious vacationssssssssssss the First lady is taking while they can't feed their kids! Yeah thats the ticket!

Would you suggest the people losing everything wait until next week when the First lady goes on her 10 day jaunt to Martha's Vineyard to get angry and incensed? Would that suit you? That would be vacation number 8 or 9.

[4lbs]

38. Please explain in detail your rules that the President and First Lady must follow to appease you.

You complain that she's using taxpayer money to go to Spain to visit a friend.

Some said she should have had the friend come here.

So, again, it doesn't matter where Michelle Obama and/or her daughters go, she's going to have several dozen Secret Service agents protecting her. Yes, on taxpayer dime.

Should Michelle Obama be essentially a shut-in, and never, ever, leave the White House until President Obama is no longer President?

You know what, those agents get paid regardless. By the taxpayers. Whether they are in the White House, or somewhere in America, or Europe.

[Retrograde]

44. 20 Handmaidens???

Do you perhaps mean the people who work at the White House? The ones whose jobs are to maintain the building that belongs to the country, and who generally stay on from term to term?

Too bad Barack doesn't have a large ranch somewhere, like in Texas or California, so instead of taking a "luxurious 5 star vacation" she can join him for a real 'Murican family getaways for a month at a time.

[WolverineDG]

39. I am not about to ask anyone for permission to have fun

smile, or laugh. Why should Michelle Obama?

Sorry your family is having a suck time, but that doesn't give you the right to demand everyone cancel vacations & walk around in mourning with ashes smudged on their faces.

:eyes:

dg

[Starbucks Anarchist]

42. How dare you use a computer!

Don't you know how many people can't afford a computer? Billions of people worldwide! Why are you rubbing your wealth in their faces? Won't somebody think of the computer-less?

:cry: :eyes:

[malaise]

28. You really can't believe Dems would join the bashing

Have you been away from DU for a while?

[avaistheone1]

6. I am not buying it.

You support a dear friend, who is supposedly healing from the loss of her father, by running a high profile vacation around all the priciest tourist joints in Spain with 40-70 Secret Service in tow along with 4 kids?? This is supposed to be quality time with a friend? Sorry not buying it. Not buying it all.

Michelle should have been wise enough to say No to the Spain vacation extravaganza, and offered her friend an alternative to go somewhere where real quality time could be spent with a friend like Camp David, or dozens of other beautiful quiet places in the US where these two women could really enjoy each other and support each other as friends. Are none of these spots good enough for the First Lady and her friends?

[4lbs]

14. Well, you are one of the few. If you don't believe it, you are perfectly free to try to debunk it.

So, go ahead. Check and see if Michelle's friend's father died in the last couple of weeks. They gave you her name. Google it or hire a private investigator, or whatever.

[avaistheone1]

16. Not necessary.

The man may well have died. However, the whole premise is bogus - as if this would be an appropriate action for the first lady to take if a friend's father dies. It's absurd.

:eyes:

[4lbs]

17. Her friend asked her to come, and she did.

So, if a good friend of yours that you haven't seen for a while has their father die, you wouldn't go to see them to console them?

[flyarm]

33. oh come on..are you a child? are these women children? please..your excuses are just that..

blatant excuses.

Many people in this country of ours face death of family members daily, they aren't running to the 3-4th most expensive hotel and venues in the world, Costing tax payers the money to house and feed security people and fly them around on tax payer jets!

or fly their dog on seperate planes to their vacations!

In fact, many in this country have or are on the verge of dying for lack of food and medical care..or their loved ones are .

Seeing the First lady going on her 7th vacation with 2 more vacations planned in short order ..to go..doesn't leave many dems who are in dire straights all too happy!

Get fuckinng real! and wake the fuck up!

Somebody better wake somebody the fuck up! And pronto!

You think people aren't seeing this all play out on their TV's and reading about it?
My best friends husband owns a very large business ,in the NY area.. he has 300 employees, he is doing everything in his power to keep from laying people off, and trying his damnest to keep them with their health insurance. He has had to put people on 4 day weeks and a few times this summer 3 day weeks..just to keep his business open and peope employed, because he gives a damn about his employees, but when no work is coming in..it is damn tough to keep a business going and employees paid when no business is coming in! My friends husband hasn't taken a vacation now in 3 years, and he is the Boss! In fact, he has forgone his pay numerous times to be able to pay the employees! And you don't think these people are getting fucking pissed..

I don't know what world you live in..but it is not reality based!

Think again! From coast to coast...people are past distressed and they are noticing what is going on...they are not happy, they can't seem to put the happy face on, that you want them to put on ..and I am not talking about Republicans,..I am talking about die hard democrats!

Maybe you should start reading what others are and what their reactions are..maybe then, you might get a smidgeon of some reality!

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/08/what-was-michelle-obama-thinking/61118/

[4lbs]

37. So, again, how is Michelle Obama responsible for all that?

You know people that are struggling. How is Michelle Obama to blame for that again?

She doesn't have the right to see a close friend to comfort her in her time of grief? Or can she only do it in D.C. or the US?

Should she remain a shut-in in the White House, because no matter where she and/or her daughters go, be it a block outside of the White House, or to Europe, she's going to have several dozen Secret Service accompanying her?

Please explain your parameters, your rules that the President and his family must follow to appease you.

[geek tragedy]

43. You obviously buy Fox News propaganda. nt

[BlueCheese]

18. Personally...

I couldn't care less where Michelle Obama goes on vacation. The focus on trivialities like this in our politics is part of the reason our government is so dysfunctional.

[AtomicKitten]

19. The gnashing of teeth over this is nothing but white noise.

There's nothing out of line or unusual here.

The reaction and response by some here is also predictable.

[4lbs]

22. However, you'd think by the overreaction that it was the seventh sign of the apocalypse or something

I sure hope I'm not "Left Behind" or anything.

[AtomicKitten]

23. you can't be too prepared for the zombie apocalypse

[bherrera]

24. We're glad to see Mrs Obama come to Spain

but Americans are too self-absorbed to understand maybe these ladies just wanted to go to a nice beach and enjoy something different. I assure you, a visit to Spain is much nicer to a visit anywhere else. We have very little crime, the beaches are much better than any other beaches, and the food is better. So why not come visit us?

[BurtWorm]

27. I have and I agree. Spani is not be missed.

Especially Andalucia!

[jaxx]

25. I simply cannot believe some of the posts on this thread.

It makes no sense to berate someone for a vacation. This is the small minded crap that divides, intentionally.

Do what you want Michelle, they don't own you....contrary to their demanding wishes.

[Skittles]

26. I am not disturbed by her vacation

I find it extremely disconcerting, however, that the Obamas seem to be blind-sided when conservatives make stories "take a life on its own"

[bdamomma]

30. I am not either the woman can take a vacation with her daughter.

the media and those repugs can suck on it.

[Stinky The Clown]

29. That story, it seems to me, would not have been circulated were the White House not worried

[pipi_k]

34. She kinda likes the music? n/t

[Buns_of_Fire]

35. Problem is, they say the ladies are insane there

Whatchagonnado?:shrug:

[pipi_k]

36. They may be insane, but they sure know how to use it....

:evilgrin:

[4lbs]

40. No matter where the First Lady goes, and no matter the reason, there will always be those that

criticize it.

It doesn't seem to be just President Obama and Michelle either, although with the current state of 24/7 news, it just appears to be more vociferous.

Laura Bush was criticized about her trips.

Hillary was criticized wherever she went as First Lady.

Barbara Bush was criticized.

Nancy Reagan was criticized.

Rosalynn Carter was criticized.

Jacqueline Kennedy was criticized.

[shireen]

41. i hope she had a good time despite the circus atmosphere

it's her vacation, and she has a right to do whatever she wants. All this fuss over it is just petty and silly.

[roody]

45. I just went to Spain too. I am sorry that not everybody

can, but that will not stop me from enjoying what I am able to.