Michelle Obama's extravagant Spanish vacation is challenging the accepted wisdom that the Obamas are normal folks who can relate to America's middle class. For a presidency based largely on symbolism and misdirection, this is a huge development. Let's recap some of the backlash:
- The Seattle Times is calling the First Lady "tone deaf" to economic struggles of many Americans.
- Australia's The Age points out that while President Obama preaches sacrifice to American citizens, Michelle Obama is living it up in Spain... not the best way to reinforce a message.
- A blogger points out that Michelle's vacation budget could feed a family of four for 57 years.
- The Atlantic calls the trip "unbelievably politically stupid."
- Even Michel Martin of NPR - who can't help herself from accusing Obama's detractors of racism - admits that the glitzy vacation was a horrible idea.
- Even Maureen Dowd of The New York Times is critical of the First Lady's vacation.
- Predictably, Media Matters is scrambling to deflect all criticism from America's own Marie Antoinette.
Some argue that Michelle should be able to travel wherever she wants if she's paying for it herself. This is naive. She is the first lady at a time when Americans are experiencing great economic pain. There are endless great locations here at home that she could put on the map with a visit -- American hotels and restaurants that would be grateful for the business generated by such a high-profile visitor.
If it's a huge sacrifice for her, so be it. Sacrifice is actually a noble trait, last I checked.
Plus, if she keeps this up, she will be able to vacation anywhere she wants in about two years.
