Michelle and Sasha have lunch with Spanish King.

[elleng]

Lunch was Andalusian-style chilled gazpacho soup, chargrilled turbot, veal escalopes with mustard, Oriental rice with sauteed mushrooms, a Mallorca-style vegetable ratatouille and sliced fruit with ice cream, accompanied by wines from the northern regions of Rueda and Rioja, the palace said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/08/AR2010080800928.html?hpid=artslot

[mediaman007]

1. Oh, no! Did Sasha drink the wine?

Here comes another investigation from the "small government" GOP!

[elleng]

2. Yea, the 'small government' GOP, which has NEVER been to Europe!!

(And no, I bet she didn't!!!)

[Schema Thing]

7. they better come investigate Texas then

because she could drink the wine legally here.

[jaxx]

3. The King gave her seeds for her garden.

I like that. Sounds like a nice visit.

K&R but somebody unrec'd on top of me. Why would someone unrec a positive visit to another country by our FLOTUS and her adorable daughter? Michelle is a wonderful representative for the USA.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Part of me believes it's b/c Michelle and Sasha Obama are being compared to their

predecessors and favorably at that. Their detractors compensated for their "leader's" (and his family) lack of praise by criticizing his critics with any given failing.

Whether standing alone or by comparison, mother and daughter make a striking example of how I'd like our country to be viewed.

[Obamanaut]

5. I've read in other threads posts that say Michelle is traveling as a

'private citizen.'

I guess with the security, the plane, and now lunch with the king that rumor can be put behind us.

I like Michelle. But I think the 'private citizen' meme is wrong. The FLOTUS is anything but.

[elleng]

6. It is correct, the trip is as private citizen, and she and her husband are paying for it,

but for security. Visit with King only 'official' feature.

[Obamanaut]

9. Again - the plane, the security, the king - nothing about this is like a

private citizen.

[tammywammy]

14. The plane and security aren't her choices.

The visit with the King is the only official part of the trip, the rest is as a private citizen being paid for by themselves.

[Obamanaut]

16. Regardless of who is footing the bill - FLOTUS is not just a private

citizen on a lark in Europe.

'Private citizen' can be used until the letters on the keyboard are completely eradicated, but it doesn't make it so.

The plane and security became their choice when the couple decided to run for office.

[elleng]

20. In fact FLOTUS, EVERY FLOTUS is a private citizen.

She/they have no official government role, are not paid.

When she's 'lobbying' for things she and POTUS are interested in, like food for kids in schools, she is more 'public,' but any trip she and the girls take, w/o POTUS, are 'private/personal' matters.

[Gecko6400]

18. Self deleted

[bluestateguy]

8. Delete

[Parker CA]

10. Yum and yum! Sounds delicious. Spanish wines are fantastic. What an amazing experience. nt.

[elleng]

25. AGREE! And Spanish food/cooking is fab! Doesn't get enough credit!

One of my family's favorite restaurants, when we were in 'The City' for concert/show or such, was small Spanish place in The Village, 'Granados,' closed many years ago, I think. Can still see/taste our special favorites, even now, 50? years later! Then learned about Rioja wines!

[lunatica]

11. There she goes making us look

good again. There is no better Ambassador for the US right now than Michelle. And the reception she gets wherever she goes is wonderful.

[avaistheone1]

12. It's hard work staying at 5 star resorts and dining with kings.

Nice timing too - given the raging wars and stinking economy here too.

I am so inspired my soul has been lifted immeasurably.

[lunatica]

13. Your bitterness oozes

But have at it if you must.

[avaistheone1]

19. Your cluelessness floweth over

[Paladin]

15. Get That Phone. It's Maureen Dowd, Asking You For A Date.... (n/t)

[Obamanaut]

17. You don't understand. They are simple, private citizens on a lark. I know

they are, because I read it here.

Disregard the plane, the security, the king - nothing to see here.

ETA Might as well disregard the media as well. They are quite often seen in large numbers around other private citizens.

[elleng]

22. I surely haven't said they are 'simple' private citizens, on a 'lark.'

I would hope that well-informed DUers would be able to distinguish such from wife and mother of a President from 'simples' w/o making a 'federal case' out of it!

slight :sarcasm:

[elleng]

21. and you never take/took summer vacations with your family, I guess.

[suffragette]

23. Taxpayers would have had to foot the entire bill

in the previous administration.

This event alone would have been used (and likely have been added just for that purpose) to justify this as an official visit from Laura and their daughters and the entire amount for the trip would have been paid by taxpayers.

And the media coverage would have been praising the official visit by them to promote further good relations with an ally.

But the Obamas took the scrupulous route here of calling this vacation what it is - a vacation - and publicly noting they are paying for the parts they should.

They're being vilified and held to a double standard. The creation of a Marie Antoinette meme surrounding this is a clear indicator of the collaboration in some parts of the media to do this. If anyone deserved that comparison it was Barbara Bush, but mainstream media never associated that with her to my knowledge.

I've been clear about my differences with the Administration in areas of policy.

This is a time when I will be equally clear in my view that they are being unfairly bashed.

[struggle4progress]

24. Gonna start tellin the palinoids that Michelle'd be a good President, I am!

That'll knot their knickers :)