President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama leave the Blueduck Tavern restaurant after having dinner in Washington on their 17th anniversary. (Photo by Jewel Samad / AFP / Getty Images)
by Mark Silva
There's just one thing about being president that has really annoyed him, President Barack Obama says:
The flak he caught for taking his wife to New York City for a Broadway play and dinner, a campaign promise kept.
"People made it into a political issue," Obama tells the New York Times Magazine, in an interview about the first family's marriage featured in Sunday's magazine.
"If I weren't president, I would be happy to catch the shuttle with my wife to take her to a Broadway show,'' the president says, voicing dismay about the criticism he fielded for that Saturday night out with his wife, "as I had promised her during the campaign, and there would be no fuss and no muss and no photographers.''
The first couple's Broadway date -night included seats at August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone at the Belasco Theater on W. 44th Street,
When veteran actor Roger Robinson accepted a Tony Award a week later for his peformance in the revival of Wilson's play, he made a point of acknowledging the Broadway show's star ticket-buyer, Obama, which led the emcee of the Tony Awards show, Neil Patrick Harris, to suggest to producers in the audience at Radio City Music Hall that they might consider a presidential theme for shows: "Barack of Ages... or "Night at the Oprah'' or "Obama Mia'' - or, maybe not.
Presidents travel by motorcade - 15 vehicles long on most days - and when they fly they fly an Air Force jet. Now, Washington has a certain cultural aspect to it, but it has no Broadway - so keeping that promise of dinner and a play also meant a couple of motorcades and a flight. (On that particular Saturday night at the end of May, however, the president flew a smaller model of Air Force One to New York, leaving the jumbo jets at Andrews Air Force Base.)
Of course, the first couple created as much of a stir when they climbed into a car - and motorcade -- on a Saturday night earlier this month to celebrate their 17th anniversary, and first in the White House, at a nearby Washngton restaurant. They dined at the Blue Duck Tavern in the West End of Washington, between Dupont Circle and Georgetown.
"Taste cannot be controlled by law,'' Thomas Jefferson is said to have said -- it says so at the Blue Duck Tavern's Web-site. (See the flap it stirred here in the Swamp.)
"The notion that I just couldn't take my wife out on a date without it being a political issue was not something I was happy with,'' the president says about that earlier Saturday night on Broadway in the Times magazne interview.
These "date-nights'' are a tradition for the first couple. But First Lady Michelle Obama, who sat with her husband for the Oval Office interview, says that marriage does not necessarily become easier just because a couple moves into a mansion with servants and security at every turn.
"The strengths and challenges of our marriage don't change because we move to a different address," she says n the interview, allowing that everyone faces "bumps" along the way, and indeed "they are continuous..''
Comments
The dinner in DC was no big deal. They need to get out of the White House once in awhile. No problem with that. In many respects I don't even care about the date night to New York. But there are two main issues regarding that date night:
1. The economy is in the dumper and millions of people are hurting. Heck, the Tribune even had an article about a family living in a storage facility. Spending big bucks on a date night during hard times is a little insensitive.
2. If it were President Bush and Laura who did that, the media and the Dems would be having convulsions to the hilt. Somehow I don't see Mark Silva being all cozy and OK if it were Bush.
Also, while there may be no Broadway in DC, you're going to tell me there are no theaters that have plays? No entertainers that visit that town?
And there is another problem too: Since the Obamas have moved into the White House they have been throwing nearly weekly extravagant parties, parties with high-priced talent. Again, there are lots of people hurting, lots of people out of jobs and wondering whether they will have enough for food and shelter. When the folks have to make sacrifices, then so do the country's leaders. After all, they are living it up and whooping it up on the taxpayer's dime, aren't they?
Posted by: John D, still right, as usual | October 30, 2009 11:26 AM
That's what we get for electing a young couple who obviously love each other and would like to try and maintain somewhat of a "normal" relationship in the midst of extraordinary circumstances. Why do Americans criticize the President for not wanting to stay hidden inside the White House? He will be damned either way so he might as well do what he needs to do to keep his marriage intact.
Posted by: Karen | October 30, 2009 11:42 AM
Not really "nearly weekly." They have the fourth in a series of White House concerts coming up soon, with classical music. They had Stevie Wonder in for a tribute, a country singer and a Latino music night in the series -- just four in nine months. So that nearly weekly extravagence is an exaggeration. I;m not sure what the state dinner count is so far, but it seems fairly small. The place has been fairly quiet actually. They are trying to get some cultural events going, and if you want to criticize that, have at it. But it's not exactly party central.
Posted by: Mark Silva | October 30, 2009 11:44 AM
Date-night was one issue, but what concerned me was the absolute disgusting attacks on the First Lady. With Bozo posters calling her "yo momma". There certainly was more than anger over the issues.
Posted by: bill r. | October 30, 2009 11:46 AM
I want to be lead by a President who has a very good relationship with his family and wife.
You can't be mad at him for taking Michelle out on a date during their ANNIVERSARY, can you?
He's not a robot. He's a family man just like all good Americans.
Posted by: truth | October 30, 2009 11:51 AM
Whaaa He should have thought of that before he took the job. But everything seems to be all about him.... With current job, "date night" shuts down air traffic, freeways, etc.
Posted by: BDD | October 30, 2009 11:52 AM
My wife and I miss our date nights too, thanks to the tanking economy, job losses, investments in the gutter, increased taxes, decreased real estate values, rising prices, etc...
Posted by: Smittyp83 | October 30, 2009 11:55 AM
Whaaa He should have thought of that before he took the job. But everything seems to be all about him.... With current job, "date night" shuts down air traffic, freeways, etc. It is not as if Barry and My Belle Michelle have not made many over seas trips on their "We Suck 2009" tour.
Posted by: BDD | October 30, 2009 11:56 AM
Who cares!!!! This is just more state-run media publicity!!
Posted by: LT Bob | October 30, 2009 11:57 AM
"Obama misses date night." This is the sort of hard hitting journalism that leads to double digit declines in newspaper readership.
Posted by: Tea Party | October 30, 2009 11:59 AM
Mr. President, I love the fact that you are being an example to all married couples by making sure that your marriage is the most important thing in your life. I think those who criticize them for those nights out really don't understand that sometimes, even the leader of the free world and his adoring, loving and beautiful best friend do need to get away from the "House" and be with each other. There is a world out there that they need to continue to be in touch with.
Posted by: Kevin W | October 30, 2009 12:07 PM
Yes, John D,
People with money should stop spending money. That's the surest way to fix a consumer economy. Gosh! What would we do w/o the brilliant ideas given to us by the GOP? Do you wanna go out on a date?
Posted by: janet | October 30, 2009 12:07 PM
Of course, there's always the hypothetical that "if Bush did this, the liberal media would be all over him." But Bush did this; or did something exceptionally close if not worse by taking lengthy vacations to his home ranch. How often has President Obama been a recluse at his Chicago home?
And although the economy has changed, yes, everyone still wants to have a few days or nights to forget that the economy has changed; it is not insensitive, it is human.
President Obama is right--it isn't a political issue. It's the same with everyone saying "oh, those guys in Washington shouldn't be devoting their time to such and such." People tend to forget that legsilators, executives, etc. are working, but they cannot work 168 hours a week. Even if it is "tax payer money" funding Obama's excursion to New York, we are only paying the President of the United States $400,000 a year, while CEOs of major corporations that caused the economic downfall of late 2008 were making literally 10 times that amount.
Posted by: Grant OJ | October 30, 2009 12:15 PM
He misses date nights? Boo hoo hoo. What I miss is a good economy. I miss not worrying about finances as much as I am now. I miss not having to live in fear that my kids will get swine flu.
How about he take some active steps to fix these issues? It's not enough for him to simply talk. The time for talking is done. The time for action is NOW. There was a big deal made about Sashia and Malika getting the H1N1 shot. Why the big hubbub to make sure they got it? Why is there NO VACCINE available to the public in the Cook County suburbs? DO SOMETHING.
Posted by: Greg B | October 30, 2009 12:15 PM
So the President takes his wife out on dates, and its a waste of taxpayers money. Does anyone recall the number of days our most recent ex-pres took on vacation each year?
Posted by: carolyn w. | October 30, 2009 12:29 PM
Congressman said: Obama has something to Hide! http://www.70news.com/2009/10/04/breaking-news-congressman-obama-has-something-to-hide/
Posted by: Alex | October 30, 2009 12:33 PM
Well, Mark, what about the weekly cocktail parties on Wednesday? Politico reported on them earlier this year. Perhaps after a few months those things were discontinued. This article from AP earlier this month sort of backs up what you say, but it also seems like you may have downplayed their festitivities as well. Not that they can't have parties and such. Folks need to entertain and entertainment can be a part of White House activities. But then from what I've read, many presidents weren't big entertainers, including the Clintons. The Reagans were and it seems the press did come down on them, especially in the early 80s when the economy wasn't too good. Anyway, from AP:
WASHINGTON — Michelle and Barack Obama sat one table over from J. Lo and Marc Anthony, and all four of them were rocking in their seats as Sheila E. shook the house — well, really the tent.
The latest installment of the White House music series was too big for the East Room, so a high-wattage assortment of Latin musicians sent pulsating, can't-help-but-bob-along rhythms tumbling out of a giant tent on the mansion's South Lawn.
As it happens, music of all sorts — rock, jazz, country, classical — has been busting out of the White House all year long.
Presidents have long used the White House as a platform to showcase the best of music and the arts: Chester Arthur staged the first formal East Room concert in the late 1800s.
But the Obamas are demonstrating a commitment to use the White House to promote the arts in a huge way. And they're not just tapping safe, living legends: Fresh faces like bachata band Aventura and Mexican pop sensation Thalia (who lured Obama on to the dance floor briefly) shared a stage with gray eminence Jose Feliciano at last week's Fiesta Latina.
The Obamas' musical push started on Day One, when the Wynton Marsalis Quintet played for a private inaugural celebration party of 100 at the White House.
A month later, the White House brought in Earth, Wind and Fire to entertain visiting governors. And days later, the Obamas hosted an East Room tribute to Stevie Wonder that featured Tony Bennett, Martina McBride and Wonder himself. The president called it "the most accomplished Stevie Wonder cover band in history."
Since then, the lineup has zigzagged all over the musical spectrum.
The first installment of the Obamas' ongoing White House music series was a June day devoted to jazz that included daytime workshops for 150 young musicians and an evening concert headlined by Paquito D'Rivera.
That was when Michelle Obama let it be known she wants her daughters, Malia and Sasha, to be "aware of all kinds of music — other than hip-hop."
In July, self-proclaimed "city boy" Barack Obama presided over an evening of country music that brought together Alison Krauss and Union Station, Brad Paisley and veteran Charley Pride.
Joe Reinstein, the deputy social secretary who coordinates the White House music series, said the Obamas made it clear early on that they wanted to use their new home as a platform for the "best and the brightest that America has to offer." But he said the first couple has taken a hands-off approach when it comes to picking specific genres and artists.
"We knew that they loved jazz, so that was an easy one to start with," says Reinstein, whose musical background is limited to playing in the band as a kid and being an appreciative listener. "Now, we're trying to move through as many genres of music as we can and keep going."
Next up: classical music in November. And beyond that, the White House is exploring events to feature opera, dance and perhaps film.
Reinstein says it's a win-win deal when he calls artists with an invitation to perform at the White House.
"I am so excited to be talking to them, but they're just as excited to get a call from the White House," he said. "I'm giddy; they're giddy."
Posted by: John D, still right, as usual | October 30, 2009 12:40 PM
The president spending money is good for the economy, and date nights are good for his marriage. Helping the economy is good, and a happy First Family is good. People will always find something to criticize.
Posted by: Me | October 30, 2009 12:40 PM
Less we forget we have "Living Gods" living in the White House now, they can do no wrong including trying curb the media.
Posted by: inky | October 30, 2009 12:41 PM
Why is there NO VACCINE available to the public in the Cook County suburbs? DO SOMETHING.
Posted by: Greg B | October 30, 2009 12:15 PM
Since you must be at home all the time with no Date-night, why don't you investigate why the vaccine took so long. It's not hard to find out, but yes, it is easier to bang your fist and pass out blame. It has something to do with chicken eggs....but I don't want to spoil the surprise. Take your wife to a date-night to the computer and look it up.
Posted by: bill r. | October 30, 2009 12:49 PM
People with money should stop spending money. That's the surest way to fix a consumer economy. Gosh! What would we do w/o the brilliant ideas given to us by the GOP? Do you wanna go out on a date?
Posted by: janet | October 30, 2009 12:07 PM
...well janet...He is not spending "his" money -.....but "ours"....
Posted by: Whatadumiemie | October 30, 2009 12:50 PM
To those posters whining about the condition of the economy:
Boo freakin Hoo! You want to improve your economic situation? YOU control your destiny. YOU change it! Stop waiting for the President or any politician to give you a hand out!!!
Posted by: conservative words to live by | October 30, 2009 12:55 PM
He was elected nov. 4. He was sworn in on Jan. 20. That gives him 2 1/2 months, by my calculation, to visit NYC on his OWN dime, and not mine.
Come on. How clueless do you have to be to realize the costs of jetting off to NYC on the taxpayers' nickel. What was the final tab? $330,000 or more?
Promises? What about the promises he's broken to us -- don't sign bills until they're posted online for 5 days? Oh. Blew that one nearly right away, didn't he. No taxes on middle class earners? Hmmm -- check out the House health care bill -- taxes everywhere. Gitmo? No. Negotiate on CSpan? Hahahahahaha. And on and one. Biggest promise broken: not the same old partisanship. He's elevated it to an art form.
Posted by: Beth | October 30, 2009 1:02 PM
The same people wanting Obama impeached for going on a date with his wife are the folks who thought Jenna and Barbara's antics were charming, and that it was just wonderful that George Bush cleared brush for two months while the economy was imploding and soldiers were being killed in Iraq...
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | October 30, 2009 1:06 PM
Biggest promise broken: not the same old partisanship. He's elevated it to an art form.
Posted by: Beth | October 30, 2009 1:02 PM
You try working with rattlesnakes.
Posted by: bill r. | October 30, 2009 1:12 PM
Maybe Michelle should ask for the 40,000 additional troops in Afghanistan...obama doesn't seem to dither around when she wants something.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | October 30, 2009 1:22 PM
Grow up. Gives me heartburn that he got my vote.
Posted by: ChicagoAl2 | October 30, 2009 1:41 PM
No date night for George Bush. He took nearly 500 days of vacation at his ranch (at the taxpayers expense) during his presidency. This 'ranch' had no animals (Bush is phoebic of horses) and the brush and straw were shipped in from the outside. These glorified photo ops wanted to portray the worst President this country has ever had as a rough gruffy Texan cowboy type (even thought Bush is not a Texas native). The day after 9/11, Bush ran off to this 'ranch' where he remained for sometime and pretty much downplayed the events that he was warned about. Smarmy chickenhawk Cheney was hurried off to some super secret undisclosed location where he remained in hiding for months.
Posted by: Doug R. | October 30, 2009 1:43 PM
I have been married for ten years and have a very demanding job. But, I always remember that a job is just that - a job. A job is a means to support your family. Your family is not a means to support your job. I applaud The President for not forgetting his role as a husband and father. Those on this post who are critical of this either are not married or are horrible spouses!
Posted by: D-Man | October 30, 2009 1:49 PM
Any criticism bothers this guy. He has a glass jaw.
Posted by: T.K. | October 30, 2009 1:51 PM
"If I weren't president, I would be happy to catch the shuttle with my wife to take her to a Broadway show,''
One question - did he ever do it before? Did they jump on the shuttle and go to plays when it was HIS DIME? I don't have an issue with it but he is the one that claims WE need to suck it up and pay our share ... you did it, you ran your mouth deal with it big boy! Michelle had no issue running her mouth about being to POOR attorneys struggling to just make it on the campaign trail now ????
Posted by: bob | October 30, 2009 1:53 PM
Grant OJ,
Laura, like the rest of normal thinking Americans, hates W and would not go on a date with him; Condi wouldn't approve anyway...............
Posted by: Tim | October 30, 2009 2:10 PM
Atleast the man is still in Washington...and not spending a week or two at his ranch in Texas...
Good for him setting for others with his relationship.
Posted by: Joe | October 30, 2009 2:24 PM
Date night was yet another in a long line of photo ops like last week's family portrait and this week's middle of the night "private" visit to Dover. This is what a guy who has more style than substance needs to do to deflect attention away from his inaction and indecision.
Posted by: JB | October 30, 2009 3:08 PM
Complete joke if you ask me. If you want to be president then you give up certain things and this is one of them. How much money did the motorcade and flight cost? All in order to keep a promise to his wife? Perhaps I am jealous because I work in asset management and was lucky enough to maintain my job. However, it has meant giving up most nights and weekends with my young family. Yet when I recieve a bonus that looks outsized to most, I will be chastized by the likes of the this reporter. I am sick of hearing about their date nights and I am even sicker about Obama playing pickup basketball games each day. WTF? Get on the elliptical for a half hour each morning, have your aides in the room and keep working. Your the President, you should sleep no more than five hours a night and when you are up you should be working. Do people forget that his ultimate job is to sacrifice for the "greater good". Sorry bud that means no family time.
Posted by: shiphouse | October 30, 2009 4:08 PM
During WW II the Republicans came up with a story that Roosevelt's entourage accidentally left his dog Fala on an island in the Pacific and that FDR sent a destroyer back to pick up Fala.....
I think that particular story was proved to be a Republican canard.
Posted by: ornery | October 30, 2009 4:23 PM
The Right hates families.
Posted by: The Right | October 30, 2009 4:35 PM
Oh, that's a shame. It's like me, missing a president with some nuts!
Posted by: Blackwater01 | October 30, 2009 4:45 PM
I thought they looked adorable and everyone should have an anniversery dinner..Never understood what the big deal was and still don't..After being married for 17 years and still want to have a romantic night out is commendable and sure beats most people's statistics of divorce within first five years...Be happy!!!!...BRING OUR SOLDIERS HOME ALIVE NOW........
Posted by: kaye c. | October 30, 2009 4:45 PM
Oh, that's a shame. It's like me, missing a president with some nuts!
Posted by: Blackwater01 | October 30, 2009 4:46 PM
Oh, that's a shame. It's like me, missing a president with some nuts!
Posted by: Blackwater01 | October 30, 2009 4:47 PM
Biggest promise broken: not the same old partisanship. He's elevated it to an art form.
Posted by: Beth | October 30, 2009 1:02 PM
You try working with rattlesnakes.
Posted by: bill r. | October 30, 2009 1:12 PM
Bii\ll
Do you mean Nacy and Harry?
Posted by: Inky | October 30, 2009 6:11 PM
Just two points.
1 Republicans are mad because he went out with his own wife, it's not the GOP way.
1 You can count on some loser birthers to show up.
Posted by: WDRusswll | October 31, 2009 8:46 AM