NO ONE WILL FAULT A PRESIDEN T FOR NOT WANTING TO ATTEND THE THEATER IN DC...:

Obamas' trip to Paris raises some eyebrows (Joseph Williams, June 5, 2009, Boston Globe)

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.

...but wouldn't a domestic vacation play into his economic message a bit better? Why do our trade bills need to punish other nations but he gets to spend our tax dollars abroad?

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 5, 2009 2:49 PM