FLOTUS, shopping incognito at Target, "gets caught" by an AP photographer.

[Pirate Smile]

Michelle Obama photographed shopping at D.C.-area Target


First Lady Michelle Obama, wearing a hat and sunglasses, leaves a Target store in Alexandria, Va., after doing some shopping. (Charles Dharapak / Associated Press / September 29, 2011)

The first lady shops at Target -- just like us!

An Associated Press photographer on Thursday snapped some choice photos of Michelle Obama in the checkout line of a Target store just outside Washington for what her office says was a "routine errand," the likes of which she does often.

The first lady appears to have been trying to pick up some items incognito. She is seen sporting a Nike cap and large, dark sunglasses.

"It is not uncommon for the first lady to slip out to run an errand, eat at a local restaurant or otherwise enjoy the city outside the White House gates," said Kristina Schake, communications director for the first lady.

It's unclear how the photo came about; her office said the photographer, Charles Dharapak, "caught her" at the store.




http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-first-lady-target-20110929,0,6273132.story

[lunatica]

1. I think her height is the first clue that gives her away

Her voice is very distinct and people might suspect when the two are put together.

But I'm glad she can go incognito.

[LonePirate]

3. Wouldn't there be a Secret Service detail with eyes on her at all times?

I think it's great that she strives to live the life of a typical American despite the security concerns.

[jberryhill]

4. Yes

But they are not wearing suits.

There are things like kitchen knives and so forth in Target.

It is a safe bet that there are agents in place in the store long before she walks in, and they are keeping an eye on every person in the perimeter.

[Nay]

24. Yep, that they are. And they're all dressed like everyday folks.

[ClassWarrior]

34. Yeah, dig the socks on the one behind her in the first photo.

Michelle, :yourock:

NGU.

[lunatica]

6. Maybe she gets them all to dress down and look like shoppers

I'm pretty sure there's no way in hell they let her out of their sight. That woman in the photos with her is probably Secret Service, as is the man behind her.

[TheWraith]

12. Actually, they would probably do that as standard procedure.

Whether she asked them to or not. A bunch of people in dark suits clustered around her would attract attention.

[jwirr]

20. That is what I was thinking.

[Pirate Smile]

9. Kelly O'Donnell tweeted this:

"Mrs. Obama had her Secret Service detail but dressed down plus an aide. By not announcing a visit, it often does not require full sweep."

[BeyondGeography]

2. Good for her

The getting out of the House part, not to mention looking good while she's at it.

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. I love it! I wonder if the guy behind her is security?

:kick:

[CakeGrrl]

14. Yes, I'm pretty sure that's her assigned agent.

Cool - she's been wanting to go for a while. Glad they got her out there!

[jberryhill]

28. Notice he is looking directly at the camera

Understand that the photographer took out an object and pointed it at her to get the photograph.

He is caught in the end of the act of getting a very good look at what the photographer is doing.

[rury]

15. The guy behind her is probably Secret Service

I wonder if the cashier or any customers recognized her.

[izquierdista]

21. He does look rather formidable

Whereas most adult males in a Target in the middle of the day are older, retired types.

[EffieBlack]

7. Michelle Obama caught in the act of being elitist and out-of-touch

Shopping at tar-JAY

[abelenkpe]

8. Wow!

She makes running errands look good. :)

[ellisonz]

10. Look at her face. Lips pursed.

You got me AP photographer...now leave me the hell alone.

[msanthrope]

11. Jeebus--can't the woman buy tampons in peace???

"Routine errand?"

Let her shop for her personals without a fuss.

[warrior1]

13. probably

last time she's able to do this.

[Hutzpa]

17. Whats that suppose to mean?? n/t

[warrior1]

19. only that

she won't be able to just be herself out in public. Being a public figure is hard is all.

[KoKo]

16. That's VERY COOL...I LOVE Michelle. She "ESCAPED" from the BUBBLE!

I would love to hear the "pillow talk" in the WH these days. I think she's giving "hubby" an EAR FULL!

[KoKo]

18. K&R....I love this Post! Thanks!

[Kingofalldems]

22. Hmmm. North Bethesda maybe?

[PragmaticLiberal]

25. Alexandria, VA...according to Lawrence O'Donnell.

[GentryDixon]

23. I unrec because I

am a strong union supporter. Does she not know, or
care, about their anti Dem policies?

Sorry Michelle , you look lovely.

[boppers]

29. Anti-gay donations, too.

F Target.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20011983-503544.html

[vaberella]

30. Who knows...this might make them change sides....

They never had a repub photo-op promoting their shop before.

[FSogol]

37. None of the stores have unions in VA. n/t

[elleng]

26. BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

[jenmito]

27. They showed that pic of her on MSNBC tonight with a very short story about it! n/t

[Kind of Blue]

31. Yes, saw the pic at Mrs.-O.com.

Thanks and KnR!

[Raine1967]

32. I shop at this Target! location!

So you will understand I think this is extra cool!

Bummer is, I didn't go yesterday! :P

[Blue_Tires]

33. So who tipped off the press?

And who is even going to think she isn't some random woman who sort of looks like Michelle O.? Unless the secret service was a little too obvious??

[Evergreen Emerald]

35. Perhaps it was a staged event

designed to show the Obama family as one of us. The theme for the election seems to be protecting the middle class.

It just seems a bit odd that an AP photographer would just happen to be there at the same time.

[pecwae]

36. Very obviously it was.

[laugle]

44. Of course it was!

It's political season and you can expect more of this.........

[sybylla]

40. Don't necessarily need a tip off.

People who work for the press are real people too and go shopping just like you and me. He/she might have recognized the first lady as they crossed paths in the store, went to their car and snatched the camera out of the trunk.

I have two journalist friends who pick up stories just this way on occasion.

[sybylla]

38. Target - I love it. No Bush would have ever set foot in there.

Definitely a "real people" moment.

[Fuddnik]

39. Was she wearing the $1,000 Jimmy Choo boots she gardens in?

Shopping Target my ass.

[MaeScott]

41. Tsk,tsk...

Jealous much?

[lunatica]

42. Are you sure you want to be on this forum?

Bitter much?

[uponit7771]

45. So much hate, so lil time no?

[jaysunb]

43. I sure would like to meet that clerk.

:evilgrin: