The New York Times goes there

"She likes to take 'me time,' as she did during an extra vacation week this month without family in Hawaii, setting off a tabloid furor over the state of her marriage."

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/01/17/us/a-first-lady-at-50-finding-her-own-path.html

 

Article makes you realize that the typical life of a middle aged urban female has become
a cliche.

 

I'm sure a middle school girl enjoys having the details of her burgeoning interest in boys on the nation's front page.

 

I'd love to know who the "notable local columnists" are who are going to dinner parties at the White House.

 

The right wing media would have you think she has 1-800-EMPIRE on speed dial.

 

That certainly raised my eyebrow, as well.

 

I'd have to guess the smart money is on E.J. Dionne and/or Eugene Robinson.

Dionne, in particular, is a complete joke.

 

I would think that Mike Harris is on the short list as well.

 

Well played.

 

I'm guessing it's much rarer than the article implied.

The Obama's are known for their lack of entertaining. They socialize with a tight circle of friends. We know the President went to a party at George Will's house, and he's brought in columnists and cable/radio hosts for off the record talks in the Oval Office.

And, while members of the media have attended State Diners, I'd be shocked if a "notable local columnist" has attended an intimate dinner party at the White House on more than a couple of occasions.

 

This reminds me though, that when Giuliani was first Mayor, he would host dinner parties at Gracie Mansion on a regular basis. He would include people from the arts, sports, business, etc.

The dinners ended when he stopped sleeping with his wife, and started sleeping with his communications director.

 

YF, was this puff piece on the First Lady's 50th birthday just an excuse to get the tabloid rumors into the Times without having to actually write a story abotu the tabloid rumors?