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NPR Reporter Oozes Over Mrs. Obama at State Dinner, a 'Perfect Mix' of 'Poise and Personality'

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Tuesday night’s state dinner was yet another occasion for the media to fumble around in the basket of superlatives for the Obamas. In a typically unctuous passage on Wednesday, Washington Post writers Robin Givhan and Roxanne Roberts declared the First Lady had brought sexy glamour back to the capital:

The first lady, however, was the star of the show. She glittered in a strapless silver, embroidered gown by the Indian-born designer Naeem Khan. She wore her hair swept back and had piles of sparkling "churis," traditional Indian bracelets, on her wrist. Her ensemble announced that no-holds-barred, Hollywood-style sexy glamour had arrived in Washington.

Left unsaid (but implied): Laura Bush was a sexless, paint-by-numbers wallflower. NPR reporter Andrea Seabrook filed a giddy story on her personal feelings for Wednesday’s Morning Edition that delved into Shakespeare for inspiration: ‘The whole room had a kind of ‘Midsummer Night's Dream’ feeling." Seabrook also thought Mrs. Obama was just perfect:

By now, Mrs. Obama is expected to be the perfect mix of personable and formal, poise and personality, and she did not disappoint. She looked stunning in a glittering strapless dress, the color of champagne, her arm lined with dozens of Indian bangle bracelets twinkling in the camera flashes. It was a detail that reminded you that this dinner was an international affair and that while by now Americans are used to saying President Obama, the rest of the world is still impressed by his election to the nation's highest office.

Even NPR knew this was a rave review. The headline on its website was "State Dinner Perfect Mix Of Personable, Formal." Note the dazzled "best party ever" tone Seabrook uses, as if she was on the guest list, not in the press pool:

ANDREA SEABROOK: It may have some of the trappings of a Hollywood red carpet event, but nothing tops a state dinner's guest list.

WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCER: Ladies and Gentleman, the president of the United States and Mrs. Michelle Obama accompanied by his Excellency the Prime Minister of the Republic of India and Mrs. Kaur. (Soundbite of "Hail to the Chief")

SEABROOK: The two couples glided into the darkened room and began greeting guests. Director Steven Spielberg, entrepreneur David Geffen, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. There were also many prominent Indian Americans: Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, physician and author Deepak Chopra, and many more.

President OBAMA: Good evening, everyone. On behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House. (Hindi spoken)

SEABROOK: In Hindi, you are welcome here. The tables, draped in apple green linens with vibrant purple centerpieces and flickering candles, were spread throughout a tent on the south lawn of the White House. The ceiling was vaulted and transparent, and 12 enormous chandeliers hovered below, their arms wrapped in ivy. The whole room had a kind of "Midsummer Night's Dream" feeling, and the president seemed to echo that in his toast.

OBAMA: For it's been said that the most beautiful things in the universe are the starry heavens above us and the feeling of duty within us. Mr. Prime Minister, today we work to fulfill our duty, bring our countries closer together than ever before.

SEABROOK: Mr. Obama spoke of the more than two million Indian-Americans in this country, with leaders in science, history, art, and government. He likened the two country's great moral leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi, and he toasted to the future of the United States and India. Prime Minister Singh responded.

SINGH: We are overwhelmed by the warmth of your hospitality, the courtesy you have extended to us personally, and the grace and charm of the first lady. Mr. President... (Soundbite of applause)

SEABROOK: Singh tried to go on, but -- spontaneous applause from the dinner guests praising First Lady Michelle Obama. By now, Mrs. Obama is expected to be the perfect mix of personable and formal, poise and personality, and she did not disappoint. She looked stunning in a glittering strapless dress, the color of champagne, her arm lined with dozens of Indian bangle bracelets twinkling in the camera flashes. It was a detail that reminded you that this dinner was an international affair and that while by now Americans are used to saying "President Obama," the rest of the world is still impressed by his election to the nation's highest office. Singh said it best.

SINGH: Mr. President, your journey to the White House has captured the imagination of millions and millions of people in India. You are an inspiration to all those who cherish the values of democracy, diversity, and equal opportunity. (Applause)

Amazing. An NPR reporter is sitting at a state dinner pinching herself that Obama was elected president, and that the world is still oh so impressed -- like she is.  She doesn't suggest skepticism for a second, that perhaps a savvy politician knows that flattering Obama as a world-class inspiration is the best way to get what you want. No, the Indian prime minister "said it best" for her, that Obama inspires the globe.

This is where you laugh at the idea that National Public Radio is daringly independent, and wouldn't sound like an obsequious state-run publicity service for our leaders.

(Hat tip: Michael B.)

—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.

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Oh, for crying out loud!!!

Does this twit really think that Indians are oh, so impressed that a black man is President of the US?  Does she really think they care about his color????

Singh was simply following the age-old graciousness of flattering one's host (country and man).  And he knows in the US that is the big deal.

And she ignores his line about those who cherish opportunity and equal opportunity....don't they still have a caste system in India? Is the Indian PM so impressed that he's going to go home and do away with it?

But let's not quibble while she's gushing over the Indian Prime Minister gushing over Obama.

 

"Radiobabe"?

http://wp.andreaseabrook.com/

This is who I'm going to get upset about?  Nope.  Not going to do it.  If she were seen in public I'd tell the kids not to stare and quietly walk by. 

Obamas....

The Empress has no sleeves. I don't get it. Not to say anything too negative, but I get the feeling people are propping up Michelle Obama as something she's not-glamorous and gorgeous. If she looked like Halle Berry it'd be one thing, but she really is like the First Wookie, without sleeves...Anyway......

I thought

the dress looked "like K-Mart curtains" and that Meeshell had dried her hair by standing in the sunroof of the limo and driving around town.  Sorry, nothing glamorous or even appealing here folks. 

Brown Noses

My God, will the fawning over these people never end? NPR , like the Networks and the rest of the msm have completely prostituted themselves in the most embarrassing way possible. The msm tell us endlessly how toned Michelle Obama's arms are as the ignore Climategate, and the socialist policies that are destroying our country. Presstitutes all.

Will the fawning end!?

It's just getting worse.  Did you see the photograph of Obama in socks and sandals getting on Marine One helicopter carrying GQ MAGAZINE WITH HIS FACE ON THE COVER?  Imagine.  Consider world and national events and the economy and he has GQ Magazine with his face on the cover to occupy his time.  And I'm sure the GQ staff that wonder at the end of each work day whether they will be told to come in or not tomorrow couldn't be more pleased.  Bailout!  Obamamoney, pa-lease!

not news

I hope NPR doesn't file this as a news story. It's simply this woman's observation and opinion of how Michelle looked.

NPR is the State-Run Press

And this is the latest round of information that the peasant-drones must believe; stay hip, stay current, stay PC. NPR will tell you all that you need to believe.

And that's a good point -- I think the praise of Michelle is a bit over-the-top which makes me also doubt its sincerity. When someone praises you overmuch, it feels fake, and this, like everything else about Michelle, just screams fake. 

-----
www.Random-jumbled-thoughts.blogspot.com

All of the unemployed

All of the unemployed persons can take heart in the fact that Queen Michelle has brought sexy glamour back to Washington.  That is wonderful.

When the left raves about something or someone it usually means they have a serious problem and they have to compensate.  They know Michelle Obama is a partisan, angry person who is not noteworthy in any way.  They can't live with that so everyone must be convinced she is the most awesomest First Lady ever.

 

If he had been honest....

He would have pointed out that it was Gandhi who inspired King and it was Henry David Thoreau that inspired Gandhi.  Thoreau's writings on Civil Disobedience were the only possessions that both men shared at the time of their murders.

Jack

"If at age 20 you are a conservative then you have no heart.  If at age 30 you are a liberal then you have no brains."   Sir Winston Churchill

Damn! You know? It's

Damn! You know? It's TRUE..... When I was scurrying about, trying to overcome 4 1/2 months of unemployment and nail down some kind of job, the news about Michelle's arms was so f*cking comforting! I was faced with not being able to feed my family for the first time in my life...but knowing the first lady had upper arms to die for was heart warming as I sat in waiting room after waiting room, readying myself for my next job interview.

Oh, and did ya' hear? Disney studios is working on a remake of one or more of their classics in honor of Michelle..... I think they're calling it "Booty and the Beast".... or was it "Sleeping Booty" .... I can't recall. 

 

 

We retort, you decide!

 

 

 

 

 

I would like to see Michelle critiqued in Sports Illustrated...

 She looks more like a linebacker than fashion model.

Side note; the saggy triceps are known as "bingo wings"!

"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."~David St. Hubbins

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defund

Conservative candidates running in 2010 and 2012 need to have the total defunding of NPR and PBS as part of their platform.  This position will attract support from moderates as well as conservatives.  People are tired of government wasting their money and these two institutions are obvious examples that people understand as big rat holes.

Once again, as in

Once again, as in over-praising the performance of a special needs child, in condescendingly over-praising the Obamas, the media shows it's racism. 

The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.

Hmmm, the way I got it

By the time this Fairyland was explained all the way out here in AZ, it was raining, the tent was drafty and two morons crashed the party. Gosh, we never really got the silver v champagne dress controversy and diplomacy by bracelet.

 

No Comparison

President George W. Bush and his wife have more class when dressed in jeans and teeshirts than the Obamas dressed to the nines ever will. Class and character can't be put on like a suit.

Sexy glamor???

Geez gimme a break, about half the time she looks like " miz  Beulah, the old hooker from down the hall dressed her with her hand me downs!!" 

MEchelle and King O throw

MEchelle and King O throw yet another Versailles-style party at the White House and in between the King visits the golf coure more in his first nine months of office than Bush did in three years. 

The rest of us are broke, unemployed or on the battlefield. 

I heard that "report"

I heard that "report" and just about fell out of bed laughing.  The thought of any media outlet who took itself seriously as a news organization running with that commentary is truly laughable!

Of course, I am sure that Saturday morning, Dan Schorr will top this!  His observation that Obama's trip to Asia showed he was "getting serious about the unemployement problem" will be tough to beat, I know, but Dan can be incredibly resourceful when a Democrat needs boosting!

Enormous Boobs

Enormous boobs on display:

http://www.redstate.com

When you feed at the trough, you oink on cue...

Sigh!

Just one word:

BAAAARRRFFFFAARRRAMMAA!!!!!!

-Jon

MSM gushing

The more these people in the so called Mainstream Media gush over the obamas, the less credibility they have.  Now cnn is trying to pass itself off as independent/non partisan but they continue to lavish praise on obama.  It is definitely time for the American taxpayer to stop having to pay for the funding of PBS and NPR when these 2 organizations are so blatantly favoring the democrat party.

Sorry, but the current

Sorry, but the current First Lady has all the sex appeal of my sofa.

And anyone who knows the mechanics of a Chesterfield knows what an uncomfortable experience that is.

Oh -- and seen any pictures of her recently? The lady is for growing.  I half expected to see her wafting past Macy's yesterday.

Now as a gentleman, I would never initiate such a comment, but seeing these two styltards bring up the subject, then all is fair.

The state controlled leftist media are just a bunch of DOUCHE BAGGERS (D-BAGGERS)

Well, Jack, this might go a little....

...into ungentlemanly territory....a float? Really? I agree she is sort of broad-shouldered...and walks determinedly, shall we say.

 

walking....or.....(not feeling gentlemanly in this)

You say walking determinedly, I say waddle happen next?

-Jon

MeShell

  what,no belt?

 

 

 

 

           Proud HillBilly from NNY

Women in the White House---

I never much cared for Rons' wife Nancy, thought she seemed a bit shrewish.

Bush 41s' Barbara; nice lady.

GWBs' Laura; attractive and a class act all the way.

Skirtchasers' Hillary; mean, nasty, threw sh*t at sweet William (not that he did'nt deserve it), condescending, suspicious, nasty (yeah, that's twice), unattractive lying twit.  All the makings of a superb politician.

Posprezs' choice;   appears:   mean,  nasty,  sour-a**ed most of the time (except when she grins,  -not smiles-,  grins, and then she looks terrifying), capable of throwing world-class hissy fits, most certainly NOT attractive, insincere, and ungrateful for what affirmative action has given BOTH her and her lying rat bas**rd husband

Ever see a picture of Eleanor Roosevelt?

I'm sure she was a nice lady, but dai-yum, these Lib-Dem females are not high on the glamour list,  IMO.

Oh, I mentioned Rons' wife Nancy so I could'nt be accused of being prejudiced against only Lib-Dem females.

Cheers.

MD

"There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress."

Mark Twain (1835-1910)    

 

 

matthewdean, both Eleanor and Meeeshell

remind me of the saying, she could eat corn on the cob through a picket fence.  I could say more, but I'll go with that, and the remark upthread about Meeeshell's hair drying methods.   

It is obvious to all,

It is obvious to all, Michelle Obama has shoulders wider than linebacker Ray Lewis and a HUGE booty. Of course it's inconsequential until the media starts forcing down our throats how graced, poised, and beautiful she is. One tip to the White House: DON'T EVER again allow Michelle to be photographed next to Carla Bruni. The wife of the French President is TRUELY beautiful, poised and graceful. Compared to Bruni, Michele looks like a Ford F-250 truck next to a Ferrari. WITH DUALIES.

I thought Mee-chelle looked

I thought Mee-chelle looked like Sasquatch in a Sari.

Yeah,

I'll applaud Michelle's fashion sense when she shows up in a burkha.  That's a garment that was tailor made for her.

I hope he fails, too.

 

 

INEPT AT EVERYTHING

 

INEPT EVEN AT WH PROTECTION!

***Ronald Kessler, author of a book on the Secret Service, said, “While the couple did pass through a magnetometer to detect weapons, they could have assassinated the president or vice president using other means - anthrax, for example.” He added the Secret Service would not detect secreted biological weapons.
Kessler, a journalist, wrote “In the President’s Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect.”
The author added that it’s unlikely the Secret Service performed the usual background check to ensure that the crashers were not possible threats.
“The party crashers could have had o utstanding arrest warrants for murder. They could have been involved with terrorists. They could have been agents of Iran or North Korea. The Secret Service would never have known,” he said.
Donovan said the officers at the checkpoint did not follow proper procedure when the Salahis arrived and it was determined they had not been invited.
But he declined to reveal anything the Secret Service knows about what happened next.
During President George W. Bush’s administration, it was standard procedure to have someone from the White House social office at the gate for state dinners and other events with large groups of visitors, according to a former senior Bush aide who spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to be seen as criticizing the Obama White House.
The social office is most knowledgeable about the guest list and could have been called in case of any uncertainty, this official said.
White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers, asked by the AP on Thursday whether personnel from her office were at the checkpoint said, “We were not.”***…an e mail from a brother Nov 27, 2009…

Too bad no grownups work in The White House now….what a dufus.

http://conservablogs.com/theconservativecrawfish

Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish

Reporting?

That tripe reads more like excerpts from a  cheap, syrupy romance novel than reporting.

This road apple journalism is driving me up a wall.

Michelle Obama

Going Vogue

The safety of the Indian Prime Minister is all but forgotten

in this story of the party crashers.

The Indian Prime Minister is the man who needs to worry about assassins.

He was ill-served by our Secret service.

Terrorist Attack on the
Parliament of India, December 13, 2001

http://www.indianembassy.org/new/parliament_dec_13_01.htm

A very good

point, ekslib.  But then, he wasn't wearing a "champagne gown" so he doesn't count.  What the h*** do they expect when they throw a party with so many guests, and the people who made up the guest list not being anywhere near check-in to vette their guests?  That's not to excuse whoever was at the first check-in, they didn't do their job, but some(most?) of the blame should also fall on the social butterflies in the 0 administration.  

But then, vetting seems to be a real problem with this administration, so it's certainly no surprise.  

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