Obama's Broadway Date Night Seen as Unseemly
According to Reuters, the RNC released a disapproving message about the dinner and Broadway show date for the Obamas. "As President Obama prepares to wing into Manhattan's theater district on Air Force One to take in a Broadway show, GM is preparing to file bankruptcy and families across America continue to struggle to pay their bills. Have a great Saturday evening -- even if you're not jetting off somewhere at taxpayer expense."
Not to mention the threat of war on the Korean Peninsula, Iranian nuclear proliferation, and a host of other problems that require the attention of the President of the United States.
On one level it is certainly understandable that the Obamas would want to keep the romance alive in their marriage by reserving a date night for just the two of them, away from the cares of office. The office of the President is occupied by men, with a man's needs. A little recreation now and again is not exactly uncalled for. It's also quite nice that a Democratic President is having a good time with his own wife for a change.
Of course, being the President of the United States, and a wealthy man in his own right, Barack Obama can easily jet himself and his wife over to the Big Apple for a night out on the town. If one has the means, one ought to do that sort of thing without fear of criticism.
And yet, Barack Obama has only himself to blame if the Republican National Committee applies a little class warfare rhetoric against him for having that night out on the town. Barack Obama became who he was by attacking the wealthy and the powerful, sometimes to ill effect, such as when he said that corporate executives should not fly to Los Vegas in private jets. The convention and hotel industry of Los Vegas has yet to recover from that admonishment.
Most people can't afford a dinner and a Broadway show too often even in the best of times. These are not the best of times. "Date Night" for too many people consists of hamburgers and a rented DVD. There is the sense that the Obamas are rubbing it in, doing a conspicuous display of their own wealth while attacking others for doing the same.
It may not be fair, but the President of the United States can set an example and show the long suffering American people that he understands what they are going through. Barbeque and a rented movie may not be as glamorous as dinner and Broadway, but it can be a wonderful evening just the same. And, the President would be readily available if-say-a North Korean missile is spotted en route to Alaska or California.
Source: RNC slams Obama Broadway date night, Reuters, May 30th, 2009
Published by Mark Whittington
Mark R. Whittington is a writer residing in Houston, Texas. He is the author of The Last Moonwalker, Children of Apollo, Dark Sanction, and Nocturne. He has written numerous articles, some for the Washington... View profile
Michelle Obama at EPA Talks About Importance of the Environment for Futu...Michelle Obama talks about the environment being one of the important issues for President Obama.- Obama's First 100 Days Aren't All About Him: Michelle Obama is Front and Center, TooMichelle Obama talks about the importance of believing in yourself as well as protecting the environment.
Oprah Winfrey Shares Cover of 'O' Magazine with Michelle Obama: A Beauti...Michelle Obama graces 'O' magazine cover and is stunning in orange and yellow.- Michelle Obama Visits Miriam's Kitchen; Helping Soup Kitchens and Homele...Michelle Obama continued her support of local non-profits by visiting soup kitchen, Miriam's Kitchen in Washington DC on Thursday.
- President and Michelle Obama Wow the G-20 Summit but was the Summit Worth It?President and Michelle Obama got rave reviews in London, but was the G-20 summit a waste of time?
- Barack & Michelle Obama Have "Date Night." Did We Taxpayers Foot the Bill?
- How to Have Date Night on a Budget
- Zane's Top Ten "Best Things About Michelle Obama"
- Best Barack Obama Jokes
- The Reasonable Barack Obama
- Laura Bush Defends Michelle Obama: Will it Be Enough to Dispel Controversy?
- Newsweek Magazine Cover Story on Michelle Obama
9 Comments
Post a CommentShanika from your response, your husband is obviously not spending his money on YOU.
You're kidding, right? This is a story? Besides the fact that Obama partially paid the trip (dinner and tickets at least) please figure out the cost of President Bush's 900 days on vacation and the cost of taking AF1 to Crawford every time (Obama did not take AF1 to NY) and then come back and try to justify it. This is AGAIN much ado about nothing.
I believe the Republicans would take offense to just about anything Obama would do, so this one didn't surprise me. However, I believe a majority of us did not think it was wrong. Actually, I found it refreshing that our President is a man who fulfilled his promise to his wife to take her to see a play. It was nice to see a husband showing his wife some attention and respect. Maybe more men should follow his example.
Obama made a promise to his wife during the ardous campaign that a reward would be a night at a Broadway show. It took him 7 months, but he kept the promise. And their romance sets a wonderful example for America. However, the billions the republicans spent on the Iraq war set a horrible example for America
Some people are just stupid. As president you have to be protected. Here is a man who is a good husband and father. Yes he should be allowed to go out. Sorry we have to protect our presidents, it does cost something. To compare youself going on a date is well sorry stupid! It was a nice jester to use a smaller plane but I am sure there had to be more air protection from the military. What if anything happened, we would have to have the President up in a 2 engine prop... lol.
I admire him wanting to be a normal as possible. Move on to the next thing you don't like him doing, like trying to get healthcare for all. We are going to be like Canada. We have friends in Canada and no there not standing in line to get healthcare as reported here by big insurance! Funny it is some of the very people who drink the kool-aid that are not rich, can't pay their bills and do not have insurance but they are all about whatever the nay-sayers say! A waste of a vote on things they need. It is not cool
Wow, bo and Susan - what lofty standards you have for cherishing a wife. Typically, an "I Love You" and a kiss is all I need to know my husband loves me. Must be nice to be so wealthy.
We now have a president who is not afraid to publicly display his love and affection for his wife. Our tax dollars have been spent for far worse i.e. former presidents' and legislators' extra marital affairs! This is money well spent, President Obama! Keeping his own house in order well help insure he will keep the "White house" in order!! Great job, Obamas!
Give me a break.. President Obama is leading by example, ON HOW TO CHERISH AND RESPECT YOUR WIFE! This a big change from what we're used to seeing with all of the marital affairs, Juliani, Spitzer and the like.
The RNC seem to have short term memories, it was President Obama and Michelle who vouched to use their own money to redcorate the white house. Not to mention President Obama was just seen last week ordering burgers at the local diner.
The RNC needs to focus on why they are becoming obsolete!!
I think this is ridiculous. How much does it cost every time we fire up Air Force One? Taxpayers paid for this rendezvous, and we didn't even mention that he shut down the whole Eastern half of Manhattan last night for his latest stunt. You can't do that to a little island with 8 million people piled on top of each other. Next time you on a date night buddy....pay for it yourself, drive there, and go to Dubuque, Iowa or something. We don't want you here - we want you in D.C. where you belong.