Blogger rains on Michelle Obama's trip to Spain
First Lady Michelle Obama is taking heat for her private trip to Spain this week, most notably from a New York blogger slamming her as the “Material Girl” and comparing her to Marie Antoinette, the late former queen of France.
Andrea Tantaros, writing on NYDailyNews.com, took issue with the first lady’s pricey five-star hotel and her “estimated 70 Secret Service agents.”ma
Tantaros, a former congressional staffer for Republican lawmakers, chided Obama for living large while “most of the country is pinching pennies and downsizing summer sojourns — or forgoing them altogether.”
Obama is in Spain with nine-year-old daughter Sasha and many longtime family friends. The White House had no comment on the blog post and would not specify how many pals — or security personnel — were along for the trip.
But one White House official said Obama had a “small” group of friends and “minimal” staff on the trip, and said personal expenses, such as hotel rooms and meals, were being paid for by the Obamas.
“Any additional footprint, including rooms needed for security support and transportation, falls under the same rules as have applied to any previous first family travel,” the official said. That is, private expenses are paid for privately and government expenses are picked up by Uncle Sam.
On tap for Michelle and Sasha Obama: a visit with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain.
Antoinette went to her death at the guillotine. So far, only slings and arrows for the first lady and her older daughter while big sister Malia Obama, 12, is away at summer camp — and, perhaps, practicing archery.
-- Katherine Skiba
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Photos: Spaniards greet Michelle Obama in Granada. Credit: AFP/Getty Images. Obama tours Marabella. Credit: Associated Press.
Michelle Obama is going to use us for every penny she can. And what's with leaving her husband before his birthday? Oh and by the way, you would think, by the way they take vacations that our Country has no need of our president's presence, which we don't. At the end of the month, they are headed of for a 2 week vacation to Martha's Vineyard. Hmmm, I don't trust either one of them.
Posted by: Kathryn Hale | August 05, 2010 at 09:35 PM
Michelle Obama is finally pround to be an American, and even more proud to spend our money
Posted by: Lwood | August 05, 2010 at 09:46 PM
2012, McChrystal for President!
Posted by: ined | August 05, 2010 at 09:59 PM
If I were Malia, I'd be a bit ticked that little sister got to go to Spain while I had to stay at a camp in the US. What's up with that?
Unless Michele has promised her daughter that next time she takes a trip to a foreign country, Malia will get to go and little sister will have to stay behind?
In any event, I don't want to have President Obama, or the First Lady, ever mention again that we Americans have to reduce our carbon footprint or cut back on our expenses because we're using up too much of the world's resources. They've lost the right - if they ever had it - to preach to us.
Posted by: Caroline Miniscule | August 05, 2010 at 10:47 PM
The doltish readers on the NYdailynews site applauded Michelle for her lavish spending and traveling spree, saying it promotes the American dream and a positive image. Actually, it comes off as elitist and out of touch - costing the taxpayers money at a time when many are unemployed, working hard to make ends meet, and can't afford such vacations at another's expense.
I'll believe the Obama's paid for the private expenses such as hotel rooms (there were 30), etc when I see the bill. The cost to the taxpayer for her entourage and security force of 70+ is ridiculous and inappropriately timed.
Posted by: xracerx | August 05, 2010 at 10:55 PM
PEOPLE NEED TO MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS. THE OBAMAS WERE NOT POOR BEFORE THEY WENT TO THE WHITEHOUSE. THEY COULD HAVE WENT ON VACATION TO SPAIN BEFORE NOW. WERE ANY ONE QUESTIONING WHEN ANY OTHER FIRST LADY WENT ON VACATION? I DON'T THINK SO.
Posted by: MICHELLE WILLIAMS | August 06, 2010 at 04:47 AM
Michelle Antoinette Obama better get back to the Palace of Versailles... er I mean the White House before the next party begins.
Posted by: Shomeir | August 06, 2010 at 05:54 AM
Utterly sickening behavior. Reminds me of the former Kenyan ruler Jomo Kenyata's wife from the 1980's who systematically looted Kenya while her inept husband lived the high life.
Posted by: Matt | August 06, 2010 at 06:21 AM
Elephant has different sets of teeth for eating and showing. Obama family and the state owned media projected them as frugal middle-class who buys from Target, Walmart and enjoy food from McDonalds. However, it seems that this family is hell bent loose on bankrupting this country. to see the clear pattern, we must be reminded of millions that are already spent on Mrs. Obama’s designer wardrobe, exotic food tastes, flying chefs from Chicago to satisfy the palette of this family, separately flying the dog “BO” on a plane to unit it with the first family while they were vacationing in Maine, eight vacations so far... list goes on and on. Afterall, what great work or heavy lifting these folks do in white house that they need or deserve these luxuries? If they were in private sector, they would have been fired long time ago. May be that is why they hate private sector so much.
To keep the balance, Mr. Obama has hired 17,000 more IRS agents to suck money out of small businesses. So, you need not worry. ENJOY !
Posted by: abhishek sharma | August 06, 2010 at 08:50 AM
"falls under the same rules as have applied to any previous first family travel ..."
This is all that matters. Anything beyond this is just Obama Derangement Syndrome. People really need to get out more and get some air, including this complaining "blogger."
Posted by: Myron | August 06, 2010 at 09:46 AM
This is just the type of cheap "red neck " politics that has no place in the politcs the President has been trying to cultivate. The First Lady is entitled to any vacation as long as her pocket can provide. She is our First Lady (I know most people do not see her as such, because she is black), and before she became one, she had a very high paying job. Remember Mrs.Obama is Harvart Law graduate and has worked for many years after school.As First Lady she is entitled to security and transportation like any First Lady.Peace
Posted by: Elvis Tanyi | August 06, 2010 at 09:59 AM
Are we surprised by elitist democrats. Michelle Antoinette is no different since they know better than we little people(or "small" people astheir BP cronies call us). Ever since the worst crooks, the Kennedys and their ostentatious snootiness when they were in the White House, we've allowed these democrat elitists to wine and dine on our dimes.
Posted by: Al | August 06, 2010 at 10:26 AM
The problem with Mrs. Obama's current vacation is that it is just one of EIGHT planned for the three months of summer. While people of good will do not begrudge her some downtime, the problem has, I believe, become that so much of her downtime is so expensive for the rest of us. All of the concerts, famous chefs, flashy trips here, there and everywhere become a bit overwhelming in such a short period of time.
Posted by: Garl | August 06, 2010 at 11:06 AM
"Let them eat cake, but only in government approved portions"--
Aunt Esther
Posted by: Roger | August 06, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Michelle Obama is hot, and always has been. I have always followed Miss o
Posted by: StoolsBoy | August 06, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Did Michelle Antoinette have First Dog Bo flown to Spain on a separate Air Force jet?
Posted by: Susan Gorgo | August 06, 2010 at 11:37 AM
I think there is alot of racism from you people. President Obama is the bestest president that this country has ever had. There are alot of jelus white people that just want to make themselves feel beter about themselves by saying racist things about the president. Wake up to the fact that Obama is doing great things.
Posted by: George | August 06, 2010 at 11:54 AM
If the current clean-up crew is doing such a great job ...when wil I see an increase to my paycheck bottom line and a decrease in the amount federal taxes taken from me?
I don't have an issue with the 1st family taken a trip @ their expense and the US Government picking up the security tab, but I do have an issue of being excessive in their destinations for such trips and all the logistical cost that is included (how many military cargo planes did it take to bring those security team vehicles to Spain?). With the US economy so slow to recover, wouldn't it been wiser for them to spend their money and our money at a US desitination for their vacation? You have to wonder about this team and their thought processes!
Posted by: Mike | August 06, 2010 at 12:45 PM
please stop writting non -sense whenever the obamas are doing something ou going somewhere.they deserved it as first family.
Posted by: joedalton | August 06, 2010 at 02:04 PM
Hmm...well I suppose it keeps secret service agents employed
Posted by: Nick | August 06, 2010 at 02:11 PM
I wonder if the Obama White House is concerned with it's image of the First Lady's Material GIrl fashion style. With the economy deteriorating & people out of work or losing their jobs, I thought that the Obama's would take great pains in distancing themselves from the fasionista / cover boy / cover girl / material / glamorous world of high society
Posted by: Stephen Pollard | August 06, 2010 at 02:57 PM
I wish Michelle could have taken some unemployed Americans with her also, with 131,000 (net) jobs lost this month.
Posted by: lilo623 | August 06, 2010 at 03:43 PM
"she had a very high paying job"
Wrong ....she gave up her law degree and had a high paying job as a hospital administrator in Chicago. Oh and after she left for Washington they eliminated the position.It was a political favor job.
"THE OBAMAS WERE NOT POOR BEFORE THEY WENT TO THE WHITEHOUSE. THEY COULD HAVE WENT ON VACATION TO SPAIN BEFORE NOW"
Bringing 60 friends with is a bit much based on the current economy. You must think this is somewhat out of touch or your are ideologically blind.
Posted by: teleprompter | August 06, 2010 at 05:35 PM
Why can't you leave the first family alone? You all act like children WANTING TO GET THE OTHER KIDS IN TROUBLE. You people are making the US look like fools in front of the whole world and it doesn't bother you one bit.
s the old saying goes "Don't it make your mama proud?" Or better yet, Since those people from "The Party of NO" are suppose to be so religious, "What would Jesus DO?
You need to stop watching Glenn Beck and FOX NEWS and come in out of the rain! Did you ever stop and think..Maybe Fox news is WRONG, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONLY NEWS THAT HATES THE PRESIDENT??????????
Posted by: Eddy | August 06, 2010 at 05:45 PM
If the US isn't paying for their vacation, why do you care where they go or do? The secret service is paid the same if in the US or abroad. The Obama's pay for everything themselves AS IS THE US LAW. They also pay for all food, clothing and etc, for their family(even)in the White House.
Next you'll be calling them Nazis LIKE BECK DOES for doing nothing but wanting to help the US get this country moving out of this recession. I'm ashamed knowing my own country lets you slander the POTUS.
Posted by: Eddy | August 06, 2010 at 06:15 PM