Consider that this was reported by the Boston Globe, owned by the New York Times. When these guys start criticizing Obama it's something to talk about!
Obamas' trip to Paris raises some eyebrowsWow! At least one reporter has discovered what elitists the Obama's really are? Maybe there is hope for the Republic after all.
By Joseph Williams
Boston Globe
June 5, 2009
WASHINGTON - So much for the Obama common touch.
After whisking his wife to Manhattan for dinner and a Broadway show last weekend, President Obama is treating his family to a Paris vacation - paid for, in part, by taxpayers.
The White House confirmed yesterday that first lady Michelle Obama, their two daughters, and his mother-in-law will fly today to the City of Lights to join the president, who has scheduled meetings with French officials and will appear at a ceremony tomorrow in Normandy marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day.
Last year on the campaign trail, the Obamas prided themselves on staying close to the people. Much was made of Michelle Obama's down-to-earth J.Crew wardrobe, candidate Obama's off-the-rack suits, and the family's search for a "shelter dog" to satisfy the wishes of 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha for a puppy.
Now, the French press is buzzing about whether the first family will dine at a posh restaurant atop the Eiffel Tower, what fashions the first lady will wear, and whether she'll outshine Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, her glamorous French counterpart.
But the trip has raised eyebrows among government watchdog groups, particularly since it comes so soon after the Obama's pricey "date night" jaunt to New York - the president called it fulfilling a campaign promise - and in the midst of what Obama himself has called the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
One public interest group notes that the White House still hasn't disclosed expenses from the Manhattan trip - estimated to be about $30,000 - and argues that the public should get a full accounting of a "flashy" European vacation.
Leslie Paige, a spokeswoman for Citizens Against Government Waste, said that because Obama has such a demanding job, few would begrudge him some presidential perks - as long as he doesn't completely indulge himself on the taxpayer's dime. The problem, she said, is that Obama has not made his expenses public, and thus is failing to keep his pledge to run an open, transparent government.
"I doubt we'll see the true cost of the trip to Paris," Paige said. Not keeping his promise "has been a disappointment, to say the least," she added.
A White House spokeswoman said Michelle Obama will accompany her husband to the Normandy tribute, but otherwise the family's schedule while in Paris will be private. Under government rules, the spokeswoman said, Obama will personally pay for any non-official expenses he and his family incur on the trip, but their expense report will not be released. The president plans to return to Washington on Sunday, but his family plans to stay longer in Paris.
Meanwhile, millions of Americans have lost their jobs during the months since Obama took office. No five star +++ vacations for them. But they'll be paying for Obama's trips!
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