Evening Buzz: Michelle Obama's Bad Vacation?
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
First Lady Michelle Obama has returned from her five-day trip to a luxury Spanish resort. However, the controversy surrounding her overseas vacation with two of her friends, her younger daughter, Sasha, aides and Secret Service agents is far from over.
Critics said her lavish trip was tasteless in this time of economic turmoil. They point to Pres. Obama's push for Americans to make sacrifices and spend money more wisely. Some called Mrs. Obama a modern-day Marie Antoinette.
But keeping them honest, is the finger-pointing justified? Every first family takes vacations. Plus, plenty of first ladies have come under fire for how they spend money. We'll talk it all over with CNN Political Analyst Roland Martin and Eric Erickson, editor-in-chief of RedState.com.
We'll also give you the first-look at a documentary on the life and death of Army Ranger Pat Tillman. The former NFL safety was killed in Afghanistan by friendly fire in April 2004. But you'll remember that wasn't the story his family and the rest of the world heard at first. Far from it. Military officials initially made Tillman to be a hero. They said he was killed in a firefight with insurgents and he sacrificed his life to save his fellow Rangers. But what was really sacrificed the truth. His family demanded answers and wouldn't stop until they got them. Tonight in the 'Big 360° Interview' Anderson talks with Pat Tillman Sr. about what happened to his son. The truth is told in the new documentary "The Tillman Story", which paints a damning picture of top military brass.
Join us for these stories and much more starting at 10 p.m. ET. See you then.
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Filed under: Maureen Miller • The Buzz |
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The point is , would Michelle Obama have taken her daughter on a trip like this if she was spending her own money. Right now it sends the wrong message when most American can't afford to to take vacations because of the economy. A lot don't even have jobs. And here the 1st lady is spending our, taxpayers, money to take this trip. Whether or not she, Michelle Obama, realizes it her trip is not just her and her daughter. It is security people, media, planes, and hotels paid by us the taxpayers who can't even afford to take trips ourselves. The president and first lady should set examples not take advantage.
I personally can't believe this is a topic of conversation. President and Mrs. Obama are both citizens and have to enjoy their lives as well. Actually, I am at a lost for words on this and can't believe this is an issue. Get real!!
I think when we look at whats going in america we shouldn't be putting our focus on the first lady , really just keeping our focus on the real problems thats going. We need to be making effort to fix our government, economy, our education, and our future as a nation
Donna – You forget that before becoming First Lady, Michelle Obama was a successful attorney and Pres. Obama was also an attorney & best selling author of 2 successful books. Contrary to what some may think, they have the money to pay for their own vacation, which she DID. Plus, she used the vacation also to meet with the diplomats of Spain. Yes, it's conceivable that there are African Americans who ARE wealthy & who can afford to pay for their vacations. The whole thing was blown up courtesy of the media & the pundits who have shown TIME & TIME again their disdain for an AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT & FIRST FAMILY & at every opportunity disrespect and criticize their every move.
Lady Obama deserves a vacation like anyone else. Her family didn't make this economy and healthcare and the problems with the US the way it is today. Peolple in her business need to mind their business and stop smoking that botox...She has her own money!! Do your thing Lady Obama!
To be shocked at the tastelessness one would have to expect something different.
If Michelle Obama wants to take a "private" vacation, she should fly a commercial airline and hire her own body guards. Michelle is not a royalty and she is not entitled to anything. Also, what is she so busy with anyway that she is taking estimated 10 vacations this year???
It would have been a better example for her children to take them to the gulf coast and promote US tourism. The job of first lady never ends until the Administration leaves office. She and her team should be mindful of that fact and it shows her girls what public commitment means. She projects that being first lady can be a burden for her and her girls at times – that's not good. Otherwise, I admire her very much.
I think the trip needs to be put into context. Mrs. Obama et.al. have spent a week in LA staying at the Beverly Wilshire, have a huge country estate at Camp David available to them for weekends, flew to Maine for a weekend and the dog flew in his own plane, blew half a million on a weekend in Spain, and is now set to go to Martha's Vineyard for a week and half, staying at THE MOST EXPENSIVE RENTAL ON THE ISLAND.
The Spain trip in and of itself is pretty tone deaf or downright dumb. In context, it does have a certain"Let them eat Tapas" quality.
this is a non issue....lets deal with the real issues facing this economy and leave this alone...this moves the country forward how???
First Ladies have never been immune to public criticism – Jackie Kennedy for her spending and shopping, and for the amount of money in redoing the White House (an activity looked at in a very positive manner now); Hilary Clinton for everything and anything, including breathing at times; and now Michelle Obama. (Other First Ladies have been criticized too including Mary Todd Lincoln). One more thing to fuss about in any administration. Mrs. Obama with her trip probably improved our relationship with Spain and she at the very least gave her daughter a view of another country. If Mrs. Obama had waited for the economy to be recovered she might have a very long wait.
I'm looking forward to the segment on Tillman. See you then.