Michelle Obama has been overseeing preparations for the state banquet down to the finest details
Posted on 11/22/2009 2:08:02 AM PST by bruinbirdman
The first dinner party in a new house is a test for every hostess and an awkward eater is the last thing she needs. In Michelle Obama’s case, not only is her first guest of honour an abstemious vegetarian, but the whole world will be watching.
Michelle Obama has been overseeing preparations for the state banquet down to the finest details
On Tuesday the Obamas host their first state banquet since taking office in January. After the staid years of President George W Bush, who liked to be in bed by 9pm, Washington is desperate for some glamour.
“Official Washington is hungry for this — it’s an important moment,” said Robert Watson, author of American First Ladies and associate professor of American studies at Lynn University, Florida. “It’s a test for Michelle. Every detail will be looked at, from the menu to the guest list, to who’s sitting next to whom. One faux pas and the critics will pounce.”
As the youngest White House family since the Kennedys, the Obamas draw inevitable comparisons. Everyone will be watching to see how Michelle ranks against Jackie.
Their dinner will be for 130 in the state dining room, followed by dancing in a marquee on the lawn to which a further 200 guests are invited.
“You can definitely expect vegetables from the first lady’s garden to make a star appearance on the menu,” said Barry Landau, author of The President’s Table, who has been a historical adviser to the White House for 43 years. The goodie bag will include a jar of honey from Michelle’s beehive.
The banquet comes at a time when her popularity has taken a sudden dip. The latest Gallup poll shows it has fallen from 72% to 61%. Although all previous first ladies
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
Wasn't Nancy Reagan crucified for buying new dishes while we had high unemployment?
LOL Oh, that evil Bush, not spending taxpayer money so the rich DC elites can par-tay!
This woman is a kook. She should be able to pull it off with all the help she has.
Many years ago, I served a homemade dinner for 75 people; at that time I also had a huge garden. NO WAY did I have enough green beans for 75 people! Unless M's garden was the size of the whole WH lawn, it can't be done.
The Obamas host formal dinners...
...WHILE...
...the troops in Afghanistan wait for reinforcements, or even a decision on such.
Poisoned food....poisoned government....
If a Republican first lady spent all her time and energy on something as superficial as food, gardens, menus, farmer's markets, etc. they would skewer her.
How swell. THESE guys...
... are desperate for relief!
TAKE A BREAK FROM THE FUN, BARRY, AND SERVE YOUR TROOPS!!!!!
(Eh, I just realized the picture is of our British allies, not U.S. troops. Still, the same principle applies.)
this is the first party the Bummers have thrown? bullswoggle! what about that big pizza party he had several months ago?
For crying out loud, now Michelle has beehives at the WH? What's next, chickens on the front lawn, pigs in the WH swimming pool or water fountains? I wonder what she considers to be vegetables from her garden, oats and hay? They probably finished the watermelon by now.
She obviously chooses her wardrobe while drunk. Maybe she’ll do this like that as well-?
She’s the only woman in DC who thinks the Washington “belt”way leads to the outlet mall.
First state dinner. This is more of an official duty (work).It requires knowledge of protocall, customs and manners. I doubt they have learned any, but they have lowered expectations enough that it doesn’t matter.
What-is she going to being chewing on her cud during the dinner?
Too bad Michael Jackson and the DC sniper are dead—they would have made the guest list.....
Really? Oh well, they forgot to include the 'LOL' here; but guess we can add them or just 'hear' them ourselves. What a joke!
They will eat cake. . .
Washington is desperate for some glamour.
I know when I need some glam, I look to whirled peas.
Fiddles. Rome.
Fire.
No, you don't.
Obama's "old lady" probably does not know the difference between lettuce leaves and oleander leaves. Would you like to eat some oleander leaves? ;-)
They must be using the same mathematics to feed the multitude with Michelles Green Beans, that they used in announcing how many jobs Obama’s policies have saved.
“You can definitely expect vegetables from the first lady’s garden to make a star appearance on the menu,”
I wonder if they'll be canned or frozen. I look around at local gardens and don't see much in the way of living veggies. The season is over.
Yep - hungry for glamour!
Party until late. Wake up around 10 AM, eat a leisurely breakfast and skip the security briefing. Make the noon tee time. It doesn’t matter what time he shows up - he’s POTUS. Spend the rest of the day laughing and joking with supporters.
I can't wait for the third volume of his autobiographical saga--"Lonely At The Top--How Tough It Is Being The Only Black President, And My Dad Ain't There To Help Choose The Wine To Go With The Fish Course" or whatever the hell he's gonna call it.
Only if the secretary of state is in town.
Correct. No way is that garden still producing green beans.
Well, We, the People (most of anyway) voted for change. We got it.
I challenge the whole idea of “Michelle’s Garden.” She might have made a big show of establishing it, but no way in Hell is she tending it.
The stupid whitehouse garden has produced literally truckloads of vegetables if you believe all the pictures of tons of produce coming from it. It is truly a miracle. The nobamas think we are all idiots (yes, about 30% appear to be) who believe the garden is so prolific and that michelle and the prez go and weed the damn garden. the nobamas are beyond contempt. their supporters ARE idiots. have a great Thanksgiving.
I think Michelle might be gardening on FARMVILLE on Facebook, that might explain her pretend garden.........
With crabapple pie for dessert.
Interestingly, humble pie is not on the menu.
Washington is desperate for some glamour.LOL with the Obama’? how hollywood can one get.
What about the superbowl party with $100/oz wagyu steak?
It’s amazing that they’ve avoided a state dinner for so long, considering visits this year from Gordon Brown, Netanyahu, etc. Were none of our sworn enemies available?
More bread and circuses - Obama insulted India, the largest democracy in Asia and the world, last week when he said it was up to China to police South Asia (intentional or not, he “acted stupidly”); our foggy bottom rumpswabs have been beavering away since, trying to make amends. Ah, to be a fly on the wall at the dinner!
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