Actually, it seems to be Michelle's vacations that are the talking point with the other side these days.

Wrong line of attack. What most of my Republican and Independent friends find especially objectionable is the fondness for pop-cult detritus.

Good grief, I guess this is what passes for journalism these days, A non report about a party hosted for military families in 2009 halloween. Is this the national inquirer, must be a slow news day.

If you really wanted to know who was invited it's not that hard to find pictures of it for crying out loud. jeez louise ..........Hey it's the new year overdue for silly season outrage

http://theobamadiary.com/

Why would the WH have tried to keep it out of the news?

I looked at the photo. I know it wasn't secret because I remember what Michelle and her mother wore. Lynn Sweet (Chicago Sun-Times) may have covered it, or perhaps the WH news feed. I so remember seeing it back then, though. I expect the Washington Post et al thought a party for the local kids wasn't all that newsworthy. Newsflash: there have been plenty such "local events" hosted by the various occupants of the WH for years.

imo someone (and publisher) are simply trying to drum up attention on their new book. Which is the only place the party was ever described as "secret".

Did your "Republican and independent friends" think this was some private Halloween party for adults?!

... the juxtaposition of lavish party/bad economy puts another brick in the argument that Obama isn't just out of touch with Americans, but arrogant about his detachment.

I'll try to keep that in mind next time my daughter needs medical care whilst at uni.

It was Obama's health reform bill that made it possible.

So where was the "Sex Drugs N Rock N' Roll" ??? - STOP PRESS! - JOHNNY DEPP DRESSED UP AS THE 'MAD HATTER' FILM ROLE CHARACTER TO ENTERTAIN CHILDREN AT THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!

Do you want to crucify the man for dressing up as Captain Jack Sparrow visiting kids on hospital children's wards! too?

Haven't you got BETTER things to report on in POLITICS, ...than what Johnny Depp and Tim Burton do? They are BOTH more respected and admired than any politician you can name "ANAMARIECOX"

Actually, it seems to be Michelle's vacations that are the talking point with the other side these days.

We don't need to. The New York Times is doing that. But this is rather shocking:

That summer, in exchange for a key vote on an energy bill, Mr. Emanuel, without asking the first lady’s permission, promised Allen Boyd, a Florida congressman, that she (Mrs Obama) would appear at an event. Annoyed, she attended the event, but registered her broader disapproval by refusing to commit to campaigning for the midterms. She eventually withheld agreement for nearly a year, according to former East and West Wing advisers. Instead she focused on an agenda of her own.

Her reluctance to campaign left Mr. Emanuel incredulous, according to two aides: The elections were already looking like a potential bloodbath, and the White House was going to face them without the president’s popular spouse?

She wouldn't campaign for congressional Democrats who crashed and burned supporting her husband.

As for Depp, I can't imagine Bush getting away with an extravagent party, held during a financial panic, for two years.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/us/politics/michelle-obamas-evolution-as-first-lady.html?pagewanted=4&sq=michelle obama&st=cse&scp=2

It was Obama's health reform bill that made it possible

Is Obama paying the premiums? How thoughtful.

Of course not. It's not even the insurance companies. It's the other policyholders. And I'm oaky with coillege students as dependents, but really, are 26 year olds actually children?

Good point. Millions of college students had health insurance before Obamacare.

This article reads like a math major's final for a mandatory English class: the intense boredom with the subject-matter, the agony of having to churn out a set number of words which is so exasperating you feel like collapsing mentally by the time you finally meet that mark. Powerfully evocative piece, I feel more bored now for having read it.

Reporters and Republicans making the minor fuss about this party don't have bad instincts, though. To the extent that the event can stick to the president, it's because the juxtaposition of lavish party/bad economy puts another brick in the argument that Obama isn't just out of touch with Americans, but arrogant about his detachment.

And again kudos to AMC for not completely biased editorialzing.

Am I in America or the United Kingdom on this blog?
And Is the content of the article about Johnny Depp and Tim Burton offending certain political groups by having a party? Or just politics in general?

Didn't say. We're actually not that close. Probably should have used "acquaintances."

I keep telling myself to do something else, but the good news keeps coming. The 76 year old guy could beat Obama. That Johnny Depp party is having quite an impact.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney holds a two-point lead against President Obama in a potential general election matchup, according to a new CBS News poll.

The survey found that Romney is the only GOP candidate to hold a lead over the president in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup, though Texas Rep. Ron Paul trails by just one point.

Both Romney's lead over Mr. Obama - 47 percent to 45 percent - and Mr. Obama's lead over Paul - 46 percent to 45 percent - are within the survey's three percentage point margin of error.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57355518-503544/poll-among-gop-hopefuls-romney-fares-best-against-obama/

To bimballace - Tell 'ICouldntPossiblySay - About Obama's Easter Party...Depp, Burton, Jackson, Spielberg's party plans of - ET AT THE SHIRE WITH EDWARD SCISSOR HANDS IN THE CARIBBEAN ! It's going to cost the country BILLIONS because Johnny Depp says so.

STUPID STUPID PIECE OF JOURNALISM.

Am I in America or the United Kingdom on this blog?
And Is the content of the article about Johnny Depp and Tim Burton offending certain political groups by having a party?

No, that isn't at all what the article is about. It's about the Obama's.

Oh, for fuck's sake. They hosted a halloween party for military families. Military families. Johnny Depp, Tim Burton and some Star Wars characters were there, apparently as a treat for the kids. How the hell is a gesture of hospitality to military families elitist or out of touch?

If the man blew his nose in public, there are people who'd use that as an excuse to go off on one about him.

I think that Ms. Cox is just putting one on.

Is Obama paying the premiums? How thoughtful.

He made it possible for me to pay a very reasonable premium, through my employer's healthcare plan.

Got a problem with that?

Of course not. It's not even the insurance companies. It's the other policyholders.

I'm paying a very reasonable premium, and yes, so are other policyholders. That's the way insurance pools work. Sometimes I pay for their needs, sometimes they pay for mine (and with my daughter being a healthy 20-year old, I'd say I'm paying more in than I'm taking out - right now).

The larger the pool, the greater the risk mitigation. That's a powerful economic argument for universal coverage.

And I'm oaky with coillege students as dependents, but really, are 26 year olds actually children?

If you've been paying attention at all, the economy has been struggling for nearly five years now. It affect the young the most. That means there are a lot of 20-somethings who are unemployed or underemployed, have little or no medical benefits through their work, and may be living with mum and dad.

Really, if you're an example of a typical Romney supporter, I'll have to write another cheque for Obama's re-election campaign. Where's your compassion, common sense, and much-touted business acumen?

That's one poll, and you're within the margin of error on Romney and Paul.

Try an average of polls instead (Jesus H you-know-who, aren't you Republicans supposed to understand numbers and statistics?).

Looks a little different now, don't it?

"Newt is an anger-bomb, Ron Paul is an irritable isolationist, Rick Santorum is a dweeby bedroom-policeman, Mitt Romney is a computer from the future sent to eliminate the need for humans. "

This is the most concise and accurate description of the Republican front-runners I've read to date.

Mitt Romney is an android from the future sent to eliminate the need for humans

It isn't the function of government to tell private companies what they can and cannot sell. Simple really. And then there's the presumption that 26 year olds are still children. Let's make 27 the voting age, shall we?

It isn't the function of government to tell private companies what they can and cannot sell.

Oh, really? Regulation bad, snake oil good?

And then there's the presumption that 26 year olds are still children.

It's a presumption that some of them might need a little help in a very bad Bush-whacked economy. Try re-reading what I wrote on the matter. Then take it to heart.

You do have a heart, right?

That's right, Montana - a halloween party - halloween. And why would Obama (of all people) throw one of those? Why, indeed!

The October 31st holiday that we today know as Halloween has strong roots in paganism and is closely connected with worship of the Enemy of this world, Satan. It is a holiday that generally glorifies the dark things of this world, rather than the light of Jesus Christ, The Truth... We have found that Halloween provides an excellent time to remind our children that, as Christians, we are different, and not of this world (Heb. 11:13-16; 1 Pet. 2:11).

The Enemy of this world, Montana, the Enemy of this world! Not convinced? Ask the Christian Broadcasting Network, then...

Christians should be teaching their children (age appropriately) that:

--there is a spiritual world filled with goodness from God and evil from Satan (Eph. 2:1-10);
--life with Christ has power over darkness (I John 4:4); and
--those who celebrate Halloween either are unaware of its roots, or are intentionally promoting a world where evil is lauded and viewed as an ultimate power.

Is it beginning to make sense now, Montana?

Whoa. You were the guy who said, a couple of days ago, that Obama was winning every poll, except the Rasmssen outliers. This is a CBS poll, of registered voters. The collapse is accelerating. My posts are paying off.

This is not a huge deal, but it continues the party/vacation optics issue with the Obama's.

The White House is under fire for reportedly trying to downplay the role that two Hollywood stars played at a 2009 Halloween party, with press secretary Jay Carney today calling the media's reporting on the incident "irresponsible" and denying reports of an attempted cover-up. But no record of the two stars, Johnny Depp and Tim Burton, appears in the official White House visitors logs.

Other stars — even when they are the entertainment — have appeared in the logs.

http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/01/depp-burton-not-in-wh-visitor-logs-110227.html

George Lucas, the book says, sent over the original Chewbacca costume for the occasion. Kantor also writes that the President and First Lady's daughters, Malia and Sasha, and their friends were entertained with a magic show in the East Room.

Local children and military families were also invited.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/08/obamas-alice-in-wonderland-white-house-party_n_1192884.html

But really, isn't anybody bothered that the first lady wouldn't campaign in 2010, as all those Democrats crashed and burned?

These blowhards are joking, right? We are talking about the man in blue and ContinentalDivide, two of the many who worship at the Reagan altar? The same Reagan whose wife spent $209,50 for a set of China (1981 dollars)?

And Ngavc should keep up the good Rovian work, keep trashing young people he'll need to pay his retirement.

Go for it babe!

Whoa. You were the guy who said, a couple of days ago, that Obama was winning every poll, except the Rasmssen outliers. This is a CBS poll, of registered voters.

So what? It's a two point difference - within the poll's margin of error. The Rasmussen poll had a seven point difference, well outside the error margin.

That's called an outlier for a reason - because it's an out-and-out liar.

The collapse is accelerating. My posts are paying off.

Hoo, boy. I wonder who's paying you off for your posts?

As you know, health insurance is typically paid at some level by a third party. It really isn't the place of government to direct a third party, typically an employer, to subsidize the health care of young adults, compassionate as it may be.

As for a weak economy, we keep the economy weak, and employment high, by raising the costs of hiring and maintaining employees. Adding dependents to employer health care expenses increases the expense of hiring. While this initially appears compassionate, it actually may reduce employment, not very compasionate. .

And if this was a weak economy issue, it would be temporary. That is not the case. Obama is buying votes on the backs of employers. And still could lose to the kooky old guy.

All right, must practise the French horn for an upcoming concert, before it gets too late and I frighten the neighbours.

ngavc, we'll be playing Ravel's Bolero. You'd probably recognise the piece - it repeats itself over and over, getting louder each time.

The Rasmussen poll had a seven point difference, well outside the error margin

.

Rasmussen pioneered the use of the polling of "likely voters", and Republicans tend to be more likely to vote. Other pollsters only use LV's close to elections, beause it's more predictive.

Would you please stop banging on about religious stuff for a mo', and help me tackle ngavc instead?

I gotta practise the horn, and someone's got to mind the shop in the meantime. It might as well be you.

Thanks.

G'night, I've a recollection Torvill/Dean won an ice dancing gold for England skating/dancing to Bolera.

G'night, I've a recollection Torvill/Dean won an ice dancing gold for England skating/dancing to Bolera.

Thanks, and that's Bolero. With an O.

As in Obama.

I'm having a dichotomy meltdown.

Actually, private donors, bought the china, and the most vicious media in history gave Nancy hell. Jackie Kennedy was a bit of a spender too, and the media loved her.

As for the kids, get 'em out of the house and working to pay my social security; not hanging out in their parents basements playing video games, only to leave the house for carpal tunnel surgeries.

As for religion, how about God's favorite quarterback? Highest rated wild card game in decades. Bet Tebow's a Republican.

I'm done.

Thanks, and that's Bolero. With an O

I knew that. I didn't know it was ObomO, thO. Go play with your instrument.

I don't care if God payed for the china, Ngavc and others are still hypocrites.

As for religion, how about God's favorite quarterback? Highest rated wild card game in decades. Bet Tebow's a Republican.

But Jesus was a Democrat.

I'm paying a very reasonable premium, and yes, so are other policyholders. That's the way insurance pools work. Sometimes I pay for their needs, sometimes they pay for mine (and with my daughter being a healthy 20-year old, I'd say I'm paying more in than I'm taking out - right now).

Sounds positively socialist, doesn't it?

:-)

Ana Marie: I am the founding chair of "Leftists Who Wanna Puke When that Slimy Creep O'Bomber Starts Talking" -- and proud of our great organization.

But, honestly, a 2009 party for military families? Really?

I'd be happy to pay for those all day, every day, if he'd stop sending the soldiers in those families to get their legs blown off, and bomb villagers from afar, stop extrajudicial killings, and end the brain-dead game of chicken with Iran.

If he does that, I don't give a shit who comes to his parties and how much he pays them. Let's have some sense of priority.

Sorry, Natasha. What was I thinking? I keep forgetting that the man is an elitist Socialist Satan-worshipping Muslim Kenyan.

Would you please stop banging on about religious stuff for a mo', and help me tackle ngavc instead?

Uh, you think we have some kind of duty to help trolls do their job? Go toot your horn and let the poor benighted soul toot his.

But really, isn't anybody bothered that the first lady wouldn't campaign in 2010, as all those Democrats crashed and burned?

Why the hell should she? She isn't an elected official and "First Lady" isn't actually a job. She isn't under any obligation to campaign for her husband, let alone any other Democratic candidates. And it's hilarious how people like you are trying to make something of the notion that she didn't do enough to help re-elect Democrats, since you'd all be squealing like stuck pigs about her overstepping her position if she'd done a lot of campaigning.

Yes, that's true, Montana - but that's not all there was to this particular atrocity, was it? Think, Montana - what else was going on that night besides the Black Mass of the Glitterati? Who, in particular, was in the Unholy Congregation?

That's right, Montana, soldiers, sailors and, especially, their children - the very kids most likely to grow up and become the next generation of soldiers and sailors! Who better to infect with the pagan values of Hollywood? And where are they now, only two years later? Dispersed across the country, that's where. Showing off their Satanic party favors and demonic paper hats to their innocent little playmates on military bases everywhere... Oooo, it makes me so mad.....

Oh, lawd, you're right! We're DOOMED!