NBC's 'Today' Swoons Over Michelle Obama Shopping at Target
By Kyle Drennen | September 30, 2011 | 11:13
Update [12:59 ET]: Full transcript added.
Friday's NBC "Today" devoted an entire segment to photos of First Lady Michelle Obama stopping by a Target store in Alexandria, Virginia, as Capitol Hill correspondent Kelly O'Donnell – on location at the shopping center – gushed: "Check this out. Behind those dark glasses, tucked under that Nike cap, one of the world's most famous women. Yes, that is the First Lady of the United States at Target." [Audio available here]
A sound bite was featured of The Washington Post's Amy Argetsinger touting the "wow factor" of the First Lady going to the department store. Later, O'Donnell declared: "Doing ordinary things in tough economic times can be good for a public image." A sound bite followed from left-wing Huffington Post senior politics editor Howard Fineman: "It's great PR for them, because they can say, 'Look, on this trip and others, we know what's going on outside the gates of the White House.'"
View video after the jump
Teasing O'Donnell's report before the commercial break, co-host Matt Lauer announced: "First Lady Michelle Obama caught taking a trip to Target, which I think is a good thing."
During the segment, O'Donnell touted Michelle Obama's fashion sense: "Mrs. Obama's much-admired taste inspires trends....Her fondness for affordable clothes....And specific brands have been part of her appeal."
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Here is a full transcript of the September 30 segment:
7:47AM ET TEASE:
MATT LAUER: Speaking of shopping, the First Lady Michelle Obama caught taking a trip to Target, which I think is a good thing. We'll have the story behind the photos right after this.
7:50AM ET SEGMENT:
NATALIE MORALES: Back now at 7:50 with the unexpected guest who showed up to shop at a Target store in Virginia. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell is in Alexandria, Virginia, with the details. Kelly, good morning.
KELLY O'DONNELL: Good morning, Natalie. Well, Mrs. Obama has said she likes to do normal things that aren't a part of her White House life, but those trips have been pretty much a secret until now. It turns out the First Lady's to-do list included this Virginia shopping center. Check this out. Behind those dark glasses, tucked under that Nike cap, one of the world's most famous women. Yes, that is the First Lady of the United States at Target.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Michelle Goes Shopping; First Lady Makes Stealth Trip to Target]
AMY ARGETSINGER [THE WASHINGTON POST]: So when you have a photo of the First Lady out of context there's a bit of a wow factor.
KELLY O'DONNELL: Like any mom, except her aide was juggling not one, but two Blackberries. Secret Service agents were blending in, dressed down in casual clothes. Mrs. Obama spent 40 minutes in the store Thursday afternoon, apparently unnoticed by other shoppers. Sources say she was recognized only by the cashier and a photographer from the Associated Press who worked sources to find out she was there.
ARGETSINGER: And really the only way they can go out and shop is if it is incognito, if it's on the fly, if it's with no one paying attention.
O'DONNELL: Aides say Mrs. Obama likes to get out and run errands. On this trip, she bought dog food and treats for Bo. She has waxed nostalgic about going to Target before moving to the White House.
MICHELLE OBAMA: I drove my own car, I took my kids to school every day, I went to Target.
O'DONNELL: It hasn't always been bargain shopping. No disguise when she visited high-end stores in Europe. Mrs. Obama's much-admired taste inspires trends.
OBAMA: This is a Gap dress.
O'DONNELL: Her fondness for affordable clothes.
OBAMA: But he'll be happy to know that, like this is like a $30 dress.
O'DONNELL: And specific brands have been part of her appeal.
OBAMA: This is a J. Crew ensemble, thank you. You can get some good stuff online.
O'DONNELL: Another style icon, Kate Middleton, makes all the tabloids when she pushes her own grocery cart. Beyond a desire to break out of the bubble, doing ordinary things in tough economic times can be good for a public image.
HOWARD FINEMAN [NBC POLITICAL ANALYST]: It's great PR for them, because they can say, 'Look, on this trip and others, we know what's going on outside the gates of the White House.'
O'DONNELL: And other first ladies have had that same desire. We're told that Hillary Clinton was spotted wearing dark glasses taking walks outside the White House. Laura Bush was seen at a Pottery Barn shopping in Georgetown but there were no pictures. And because this wasn't an announced trip they didn't need all of the same security that they would have at a typical event, so she was able to hide behind those glasses. Natalie.
MORALES: Well, she likes a good bargain like all of us.
AL ROKER: Do you know what was in the basket?
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: I hear she bought some toys and food for Bo and some other items and walked around the store for about 30 minutes and really the cashier was the only person to recognize her.
AL ROKER: Mrs. Obama could I see some I.D.?
GUTHRIE: What about that disguise? Got to work on the disguise.
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Comments
Ahh, yes...
Submitted by DumbCanuck on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:19am.
The Obummer PR machine appears to be working overtime these days.
"There... Are... Four... Lights!"
yup
Submitted by dmacleo on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:43pm.
like everyone in that store wasn't either screen or planted.
flotus does not just stop off at a mall and walk in to a crowd.
What the Cameras didn't show
Submitted by sevans1956 on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:32pm.
After the items were rung up and the Obummer credit card was swipped, the cashier had to tell her: "Sorry, You're credit card was declined and I must confiscate it. It is WAY over the limit"
yeah,right
Submitted by creekrat on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 7:40pm.
and there just happens to be a camera right at the perfect time......heave !!
the empty parking lot
Submitted by Injest on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 10:22pm.
Oh please.
The POTUS, FLOTUS,VPOTUS, and down do not go anywhere with out a through screening by the Secret Service.
You would have to be a moron to believe any of this.
The white guy with the “BRIGHT white Tee shirt”, open “coke zero” in hand, “nondescript” ball cap, short hair and in better than average shape screams Secret Service.
The real story there was the empty parking lot (After the FLOTUS left).
incognito? glasses and a hat?
Submitted by sometimesright on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:21am.
incognito? glasses and a hat? maybe the 20+ ss agents, her personal entourage and press corps might give her away. any number of employees would have taken her cart away and offered to carry her bags. this is soooo staged it's sickening. after the bracelet fiasco, this is a weak attempt at trying to "relate".
Did any networks fall for this other than NBC????
Submitted by krendler on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 9:38pm.
Embarrassingly forced PR stunt - and a massive fail.
How much worse does it get than tipping off the AP photographer (which the white house didn't deny)?
Pathetic. Desperate.
I know why she went
Submitted by jpwcpa on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:33am.
The White House pastry chefs do an outstanding job cranking out rich, decadent desserts to accompany each breakfast, lunch, dinner, mid-morning snack, mid-afternoon snack, midnight snack, and all of the other occasions when FLOTUS wants to eat, but sometimes FLOTUS gets a hankering for a box of Twinkies or two, and only Twinkies will do.
Give me a break
Submitted by Marcus Porcius on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:39am.
What was she buying, paper plates to put the Wagyu beef on at the next party?
No sale, ya harpy.
"Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions." G.K. Chesterton
www.theconservativereview.com
Are you serious?
Submitted by indyeight on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:41am.
Great! Watching this made me puke all over my keyboard! They truly have NO SHAME!
Now we know where she gets
Submitted by ex buff e-dub on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:44am.
Now we know where she gets those goshawful clothes...the clearance rack that the regular Target customers rejected...
And I always thought they
Submitted by ricklail on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:37pm.
And I always thought they came from the Goodwill store.
Now Cmon
Submitted by KornKing on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:54pm.
Y'all gotta know Mooch is Soooo Coooool
Moochie at Target
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:46am.
Ah yes, the second coming of Jackie Kennedy, if one is to believe the media.
If you want to see the REAL compare and contrast, Must See MOTUS.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 109 (and Counting)
Some of the pictures at MOTUS
Submitted by ricklail on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:43pm.
Some of the pictures at MOTUS came from the people of Walmart.
http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/photos
OMO!
Submitted by Rukus on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:28pm.
I'm LOL so hard I'm crying! "butt nuggets" and "chesticles"! LOL!
Gary
A friend will visit you in jail. A good friend will bail you out. A true friend will be sitting next to you saying "Damn that was fun!"Yeah, Ruk....
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:37pm.
There are some pithy MOLs (mean old ladies) over at MOTUS.
It's one of my first-read sites every day....glad you are enjoying it.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 109 (and Counting)
kinda curious who the baking pan was for
Submitted by kata on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:48am.
..
Why push an empty shopping cart?
Submitted by AMR1960 on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:51am.
duplicate...
_____________________
Long Live...THE REPUBLIC !
Why push an empty shopping cart?
Submitted by AMR1960 on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:49am.
WTF ?
Michelle is so clueless she's pushing around an empty shopping cart while carrying the bags in her hand!
Felony Stupid...!!!
_____________________
Long Live...THE REPUBLIC !
Give me
Submitted by Brad90956 on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:52am.
a break. How much more staged can it get? What's next....pumping her own gas at Marathon? And of course the MSM buys it hook, line and sinker.
Here comes my breakfast.........!
Submitted by Herbster on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:58am.
Excuse me while I vomit!
she is no doubt using a
Submitted by jkwtrading on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:02pm.
she is no doubt using a credit with no limit titled, USA, spending card.
i want my ebt my ebt. swipe swipe my ebt yea
Submitted by antiObamunist on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 7:18pm.
Moooooooo children is just trying to promote their most successful government program.
Doesn't it kinda of
Submitted by ThePickle on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:18pm.
Doesn't it kinda of invalidate the message of "we know how bad things are out there if you ADMIT that you only do these kinds of things (staged shopping trip to Target) to send the message that you "know how bad things are out there".?
While the twin scandals are boiling...
Submitted by Mary Louise Turner on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:27pm.
The make believe media are too busy drooling over piffle such as this to have time for the important stuff, such as the twin scandals Solyndra and Fast & Furious. Both of those scandals are growing and growing, but the MBM (with a few exceptions)won't touch them with a ten-foot pole because they involve their idol Ears. If Mr. Bush were President and these scandals were brewing, we'd have 24/7 coverage...but of course, you know that by now.
Give this a try.
Submitted by Bobbygn on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:29pm.
The next time you are in Target or any store that has those large shopping carts try to push it with one hand while carrying three large bags in the other.
Staged picture? nawwww... LMAO. Photo Shop? nawwww...
I would have hoped the first lady of the USA would be smart enough to put the heavy bags she is carrying in the shopping cart instead of pushing it empty.
Unless the picture is a staged NBC event of course.
Of course the cart was empty
Submitted by Rukus on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:36pm.
It was having none of it either! Set up city.
Gary
A friend will visit you in jail. A good friend will bail you out. A true friend will be sitting next to you saying "Damn that was fun!"Will anyone give me odds?
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:40pm.
Will anyone give me odds that if we check the store's video cameras at the register that we might just see some footage of an EBT card getting swiped through the scanner? You don't have to be dirt poor to qualify for SNAP anymore. And it always helps to have a political connection somewhere.
Jimmy Hoffa ain't gonna like it...
Submitted by gopcongress on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:47pm.
Target is NOT a union shop, and their health benefits are worse than (gasp!!) Walmart's bennies. Oopsy...
Follow me on the silly bird thing-a-ma-jig: http://twitter.com/gopcongress
I thought that this was one
Submitted by jdhawk on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 1:21pm.
I thought that this was one of the best posted quotes on the web site that you referenced: "Yesterday's PR excursion was nothing short of cringeworthy. Evidently they want us to think of her as common folk, just like us. I've got news for them. We figured out she was common long ago."
quelle horreur!
Submitted by mom_rox on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 2:34pm.
As I noted on another thread, Michelle used PLASTIC bags instead of some 'save the earth' canvas bags.
OK, I get it. The media is
Submitted by Rusty Shackleford on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 2:38pm.
OK, I get it. The media is nothing but the marketing arm of the DNC.
OK, I get it. Journalists exist within such a tight echo chamber of ideology that they think the average American, someone skeptical of the holy socialist movement, will see a story like this and swallow it.
What I don't understand is how a journalist can partake in a PR stunt so pathetic and so desperate that they don't walk away feeling like a complete stooge. Even if you were a devout follower of the socialist philosophy and believe average Americans will buy this story, wouldn't you still feel like a complete tool partaking in it since you know how phony it is? How do you not feel completely exploited being expected to push something so pitiful?
Another thing, is this really the best PR stunt these self-proclaimed intellectuals who control the media can come up with? If these people weren't so vile I'd feel sad for them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Matthews: The Joy Behar of MSNBC.
Bill Maher: The Joy Behar of HBO.
Paul Krugman: The Joy Behar of The New York Times.
NBC Shameless
Submitted by greydawg on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 2:47pm.
What's really significant here is that none of the stooges at NBC showed any skepticism about this obviously phony, staged excursion into the world of the common man. The NBC clowns aren't reporters, they are tools of the lowest kind. "Use me, master. Use me. Please abase me." It isn't surprisingly that the WH would think this was a clever ploy. Desperate times call for desperate measures, y'know? But for the lap-sitters at NBC to act like this was another apparition of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes is sickening. Each of them will probably get a big wet kiss to go along with their next payoff.
exploited...
Submitted by kata on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 2:49pm.
given Charles Dharapak's (the photographer) previous work I'd have to say yes.
The media fawning continues
Submitted by Freedom Fannie on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:44pm.
This is so obviously contrived that it nauseates! After the millions Michelle "let them eat cake" Obama has spent on lavish travel and entertainment, this is a disgusting ploy to appeal to the little people.
I thought involving the wife was "trouble"?
Submitted by drsamherman on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:50pm.
ABC just said that involving a spouse was trouble: http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/scott-whitlock/2011/09/29/huh-abc-bizar... and now the mainstream idiots are trying a campaign to rehabilitate Michelle Antoinette?
Okay you mainstream media hypocrites: WHICH IS IT? There is no "nuance" to hypocrisy.
obamanation and mrs obamanation
Submitted by russedav on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 3:54pm.
know nothing outside of the anus up which the head is shoved.
www.obamanation.com www.blackgenocide.org
Which aisle are the diamond bracelets in?
Submitted by Radical1979 on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 4:01pm.
Cause when the press found out much they cost last week she had to give them back. This is just an attempt to cover up that faux paux.
I just got sick............
Submitted by Tomorama on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 6:21pm.
Hey, I always shop at target with a entourage and a camera crew filming it.
What's the big whoop people..................
So a Republican having his wife on the campaign trail - BAD and EVIL and a SIGN of weakness
The President's "wife" going icognito........................ with a camera crew to a Target, just swell and totally regular....
The real Target picture
Submitted by bkeyser on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 6:37pm.
This is fun.
LOL!
Submitted by Rukus on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 9:14pm.
Good one Bob! I always knew Barry was a basket case.
Gary
A friend will visit you in jail. A good friend will bail you out. A true friend will be sitting next to you saying "Damn that was fun!"Is she strapped?
Submitted by Injest on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:18pm.
BTW, someone with a better eye than mine, look at the SS agent just behind FLOTUS, her Shoe/Sock upper calf,........................ Is she strapped?
Stretching my neck......
Submitted by GregE on Sun, 10/02/2011 - 6:04pm.
I can't see around the hip.
Actually, that strap must be something else. No way it would be that open and obvious, unless it's something made to look like something it's not.
Political Correctness - the belief that one can pick up a turd by the clean end.
Michelle is inciting Violence
Submitted by AMR1960 on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 10:53pm.
Alright...When are all the media pundits going to denounce Michelle Obama for shopping at a store that features a "Target" as it's logo
Stop the Violence--Stop the Violence NOW!
_____________________
Long Live...THE REPUBLIC !
Moochelle
Submitted by NotFondOfLibs on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 10:55pm.
Is there anyone at NBC who doesn't gush over Moochelle Obama? Are we really ready to believe she went into a Target incognito to shop? What another fraud cooked up by the desperate Obama regime.
Why is this news?
Submitted by OxyCon on Fri, 09/30/2011 - 11:59pm.
It isn't...it's propaganda.
Well at she Looks thrilled to be there.
Submitted by TCinAZ on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 2:14am.
Well at she Looks thrilled to be there. right? I mean I'm sure that her wearing though shades in a department store (?) has nothing to do with her hiding the rage and tears of being amongst us downright mean common folk.
Gonna meet up with John Kerry
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 2:48am.
Gonna meet up with John Kerry later and buy a hunting license.
Lady Obama mixes with the masses
Submitted by bluecollarbytes on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 7:20am.
See? M. Obama is no different than the clingers and the 'uneducated' masses. She's just a normal mom looking for bargains, trying to scrape by. She might even be a redneck.
When was the last time
Submitted by motherbelt on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 10:34am.
When was the last time Michelle went shopping in Target?
She hasn't been near one since O was elected.
There you go.
Michelle told not to spend so much taxpayer money!
Submitted by billwhit1357 on Sun, 10/02/2011 - 10:39am.
Shopping at Target is fine, but the only reason this horrible 1st Skank is doing it is for political reasons, anyone with Common Sense can see right thru it! America was getting sick of her spending so much of our hard earned money for her luxurious vacations. It will be a breath of fresh air when we have a True Lady as America's 1st Lady again! In 2012 it will happpen!
Mission Accomplished.
Submitted by GregE on Sat, 10/01/2011 - 10:48am.
Mission Accomplished.
Political Correctness - the belief that one can pick up a turd by the clean end.