Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama Head to Europe
EmailABC News’ Yunji de Nies Reports: Michelle Obama and her daughters head to France tomorrow to meet up with the President. The First Lady will join her husband for a public event in Normandy, but the rest of the mother/daughters’ schedule is private. Aides to the First Lady say she decided to bring Malia and Sasha because the trip falls at the end of the school year, so the timing was right.
“It’s an opportunity to show the girls the sights and sounds of Europe,” an aide said.
Because they are going to a fully private schedule after the Normandy event, the White House would not disclose how long they will be staying in France, or where they may travel – saying only that they would be abroad with the President over the weekend, and then continue their trip for “a few more days.”
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How lovely for the girls. And while the president is a public figure whose schedule should be public, I have no problem with the desire for privacy where the girls are concerned. Their travel plans with their mom, once they leave dad’s side, is not the public’s business.
Posted by: moderate | June 4, 2009, 7:19 pm 7:19 pm
“I have no problem with the desire for privacy where the girls are concerned.”
Ditto!
Posted by: WhereWasThePress? | June 4, 2009, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
I hope they have a wonderful time!
Posted by: MayBee | June 4, 2009, 7:44 pm 7:44 pm
I can only imagine how wonderful a time they will all have! The First Family has been under the microscope for over 2 years now. They need this R & R. I hope the First Lady and the girls have a wonderful time. They deserve it! If only the President could stay longer and take some much needed down time! Oh, by the way, I’LL WATCH BO!
Posted by: Try the truth | June 4, 2009, 8:19 pm 8:19 pm
“I can only imagine how wonderful a time they will all have! The First Family has been under the microscope for over 2 years now. They need this R & R. I hope the First Lady and the girls have a wonderful time. They deserve it! If only the President could stay longer and take some much needed down time! Oh, by the way, I’LL WATCH BO!”
Fawn much? Well at least we’ve figured out who will play the Elisabeth Hasselbeck role in this administration.
Posted by: paul | June 4, 2009, 9:05 pm 9:05 pm
It must be nice to have a vacation paid by the taxpayers of America. Wow!! Even Grandma gets to go.
We must all sacrifice and work extra hours so that our taxes cover all future trips and dates for the Obamas.
Posted by: Jill | June 4, 2009, 10:02 pm 10:02 pm
How wonderful they can enjoy a vacation paid for by US the taxpayers and the protection the shield over the favored children until they want to show them off.
Posted by: Robert Fredericks | June 4, 2009, 10:30 pm 10:30 pm
To those that think this is taxpayer costs I think you are wrong and the president & his family have to reimburse for personal travel.
Posted by: S Velsor IV | June 4, 2009, 10:51 pm 10:51 pm
It’s refreshing and encouraging to see there are thoughtful, fair-minded Republicans who respect the office of the presidency and don’t view this story as an opportunity to take away from the first family travelling abroad together.
Posted by: Danny | June 4, 2009, 11:47 pm 11:47 pm
I’m glad the country is doing so well financially that we can fly the entire family to Europe. I guess I heard wrong about the country having a deficit which has tripled since Obama’s election. It would be nice to have his frequent flyer miles!
Posted by: Charlie C | June 5, 2009, 12:17 am 12:17 am
If there schedule is private..I assume they used family cash to fund the trip?
Posted by: Obama=Socialism | June 5, 2009, 12:19 am 12:19 am
Please put things into perspective. Why are you people so consumed with jealousy? Bush squandered two billion dollars a week on the Iraq war, which has taken the lives of hundreds of Dads and husbands. Bush took vacations and none of you said a word. Lots of corporate CEOs are taking vacations at any given point. The worst players in the NFL receive millions of dollars a year, more than the president, and hundreds of times more than the best teachers who pay for school supplies out of their own pockets. Presidents enjoying vacations, that’s nothing new. Obama’s job is more stressful than you can imagine. What upsets me is “friendly fire” and multibillion-dollar military helicopters crashing into each other. Now that is a waste of taxpayer money. Look at Cindy McCain. If John had won, and he took a vacation, would you be complaining? Or do you actually believe John would not take vacations? Yeah right! That superstitious gambler who can barely count his houses would have taken vacations, just as surely as he celebrated his best pal Dubya’s birthday while hundreds died in hurricane Katrina!
Posted by: Robert | June 5, 2009, 12:22 am 12:22 am
McCain didnt win. Obama did. You know, the guy who is limiting the income of CEO’s because they could be taking advantage in time of crisis. I have a problem with a personal sight seeing vacation after a couple of months on the job, paid for by a country in financial crisis.
Posted by: Obama=Socialism | June 5, 2009, 12:27 am 12:27 am
Bush did it. McCain would’ve done it. I thought you voted for change. The fact that NFL players are overpaid, a fact I strongly agree with, doesn’t excuse a taxpayer funded family sight seeing vacation after a “stressfilled” 100 days. I think he may have known this was a stressful job, you think?
Posted by: Obama=Socialism | June 5, 2009, 12:32 am 12:32 am
An ever-increasing number of Americans simply do not trust Barack Obama. Why? Because he proved during the campaign that he was a liar. The last five months have further demonstrated that he is a liar. The number of people who expect him to commit a blatantly impeachable offense fairly soon grows each and every day. That number probably exceeds 85,000,000 today. Democrats know this. Obama knows this.
Posted by: tanarg | June 5, 2009, 12:33 am 12:33 am
“The last five months have further demonstrated that he is a liar. ”
**********************
What has he “lied” about exactly?
Posted by: Padma | June 5, 2009, 12:36 am 12:36 am
Credit Don Surber’s blog at Daily Mail:
The USA is not “one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.”
While President Obama is busy embracing his Muslim identity (see the Jake Tapper piece), he is telling outrageous whoppers about the United States and its Muslim roots.
“And one of the points I want to make is, is that if you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we’d be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world,” Obama told reporters.
With an estimated 5 million to 8 million Muslims, obviously he does not mean by percentage; Muslims are less than 3% of the U.S. population.
By sheer number, the United States is far behind Indonesia (213 million), Pakistan (156 million), Bangladesh (127 million) and so on. At least 23 nations have more Muslims.
The USA in fact has less than 1% of the world’s Muslim population of an estimated 1 billion people.
So why would a president make such an outrageous lie?
Because no one will fact check him.
Posted by: tanarg | June 5, 2009, 12:43 am 12:43 am
tanarg, I think he was confusing the US with his childhood home..Indonesia!
Posted by: Charlie C | June 5, 2009, 12:44 am 12:44 am
To those that think this is taxpayer costs I think you are wrong and the president & his family have to reimburse for personal travel.
****************************
“the family’s schedule while in Paris will be private. Under government rules, the spokeswoman said, Obama will personally pay for any non-official expenses he and his family incur on the trip”
(WashPo)
Posted by: Padma | June 5, 2009, 12:45 am 12:45 am
Lies:
He didn’t bow to the king of Saudi Arabia.
He’ll change Washington and we’ll see it by the kind of people he selects for his administration.
Posted by: tanarg | June 5, 2009, 12:46 am 12:46 am
Padma,
If that is true..I hope they enjoy the trip. I don’t want to pay for his family vacation when I can’t afford to treat my own family because of the economy.
Posted by: Obama=Socialism | June 5, 2009, 12:48 am 12:48 am
Why should I have to pay for them to go on vacation? They have money. They should pay for their own vacations.
Oh, and can he please stop bowing to that King? He’s done it twice now. I have never in my life until now seen a US President bow to anybody. Sad…
Posted by: boogie | June 5, 2009, 1:02 am 1:02 am
just wondering why Michelle didn’t go with Barack to Egypt?
Does it have to do with Sharia law?
Posted by: justin | June 5, 2009, 1:20 am 1:20 am
BO has incorperated a luncheon with the French Presidents wife with Michelle. Therefore he can slide her trip with the girls in as business..BIG BUCKS to fly them privately over to Paris and have all the security..He’s not a stupid man and knows all the angles. Also, he did state that the USA was not a Christian country which is wrong, very wrong. All you BO fans are going to realize why his initials are B-O long before you see all the harm he’s doing. He may not increase income tax but that’s not going to sway him from imposing the carbon tax where every family will see an increase of 50 to 100 dollars a month on their electric bill, 1.00 a pack already on cigaretts, now comes the sugar and caffine tax as well as a beer and wine tax..I really feel the poor have been railroaded by believing he was going to help them with the giving them an extra 7 dollars in their pay..That won’t do anything for them with all the other taxes he’s getting put through…It’s like dangling a piece of candy in front of a child so they can be taken advantage of..God Bless America and pray we make it to 2010 before he destrys us.
Posted by: big texas | June 5, 2009, 2:04 am 2:04 am
Since this would be my last comment regarding the President and all that he is trying to do.I felt the need to write and mention that for those who still can’t see the wisdom of his approach to policy making that they would need to defer thier needs or views for a period – this moment in time being one of those periods and concentrate more on voluntereering and helping their neighbours – For me he has presented a clear policy on loving your neighbour as yourself, you don’t have to like them put please love them.
And on Michelle and daughters visit to Paris – I have been there, lovely place would recommend that they visit Milan, Tuscany, Lido, Pompey, Capri as well. I hope they all have a marvelous and lovely time
Posted by: Pammy | June 5, 2009, 3:49 am 3:49 am
As President Obama fullfills one campaign promise after another the 29% of Americans who make up the Conservative Wacko party call him a liar. In fact the only positions he has changed policy on should make the right happy and concern the left. This being said your complaints are simply politics as you mimic the un-American drug addict Rush, and sleezebag Hannity.
Posted by: jim | June 5, 2009, 6:17 am 6:17 am
Oh no, On your ticker this morning you called President Obama Mr. Obama. I don’t ever recall you all calling Bush anything but President Bush. I love Good Morning America, but please, please don’t join the likes of FOX News.
Posted by: Leslie Miller | June 5, 2009, 8:12 am 8:12 am
Because no one will fact check him.
Posted by: tanarg | Jun 5, 2009 12:43:10 AM
************************
May I suggest this reading right here on the ABC Blog by our very own Jake Tapper.?.?
“From the Fact Check Desk: President Obama and Muslims in America”
Posted by: Padma | June 5, 2009, 8:47 am 8:47 am
He probably used the sign and travel option on his platinum card.. this is like paying forward with goodwill..
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | June 5, 2009, 9:31 am 9:31 am
Thank God for Charlie Rose. Without his in-depth reporting on the issues of today I would be forced to depend on either the ultra-biased, low brow reporting on Fox or the “headline-only”, uni-pandering on CNN. Or, the zzzzzzzzzzzz..broadcast networks non-news tidbits.
It’s clear that some folks just can’t stand the idea of an African-American being president. The Civil War is over. The South LOST. Get over it. Re-join America. Support the President. Embrace his family as the face America presents to the world.
Oh, and save the “he’s 1/2 white” comments about the President. The rest of the world doesn’t see it in through the “master/slave” lens that still haunts our public discourse. Those who do only betray their racist leanings for advantage based on tribal affiliations.
The rest of the world sees him as the BLACK, brilliant, large and In-Charge. …(wait for it)..PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Get a clue…!!!
Posted by: Domino49 | June 5, 2009, 10:35 am 10:35 am
Domino49, what is your obsession with the president’s race? Of course he is our first black president. His race has absolutely nothing to do with any serious criticism of his leadership or decisions that I have seen on this website. There are plenty of us here who are not “fans” of the president, but I think I can speak for at least 95% of us when I say his race is a non-issue. You kept shouting that people need to “get over it.” To whom are you speaking? No one on this thread made any reference to race.
Posted by: moderate | June 5, 2009, 11:07 am 11:07 am
This is a lovely family. The girls are so precious. Michelle did not go to Cairo because the girls were still involved in school and she wanted the 4 (his uncle is coming too) of them to travel together.
Posted by: Flander Annapolis | June 5, 2009, 11:19 am 11:19 am
“The number of people who expect him to commit a blatantly impeachable offense fairly soon grows each and every day. That number probably exceeds 85,000,000 today.”
ROFLMAO!
Posted by: Ryan C | June 5, 2009, 11:47 am 11:47 am
Domino49
If we cant refer to his being half white then can we come to the plate with him being “half American”?
Posted by: American Infidel | June 5, 2009, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm
The job numbers coming out today is the worse in 25 years and here we have people coming on here trying to justify Obama lavish spending on a trip to France at a time like this.
What ever happened to the line we will all have to sacrifice to make things work? Guess Obama meant us not him.
Some of you people are getting more ridiculous as the days go by pretending that Obama is the best thing since slice bread, time to take your heads out of the sand before its too late.
Posted by: SJ | June 5, 2009, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
boogie – Why should I have to pay for them to go on vacation? They have money. They should pay for their own vacations.
Oh, and can he please stop bowing to that King? He’s done it twice now. I have never in my life until now seen a US President bow to anybody. Sad…
————————————-
Well we paid for Bush to take more vacation than any other President! Don’t give me the he was at his ranch, the number of times he flew AF1 back and forth also cost the taxpayers more than any other Pres.
As for the bow, Bush bowed! Once again the double standard alive and well in Repub world!
Posted by: Try the tuth | June 5, 2009, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
Whatever happened to “The Era of Reponsibility”? or “restraint”? “sacrifice”? “CHANGE”? I guess President Obama meant these for everyone but himself. Who said the Commander in Chief leads by example?
Posted by: Santi Ricky | June 5, 2009, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm
In the eyes of every suffering American the President has lost the moral authority to pronounce the words “we must practice restraint in these difficult times”
Posted by: Santi Ricky | June 5, 2009, 6:52 pm 6:52 pm
What is sad to read here is just how far the Right is willing to drag this country down just because they’re sore losers. EVERYTHING the president does gets scrutinized and criticized and mulled over like he’s SATAN himself. Meanwhile Bush got away with an unjust war; taking us into nearly unprecedented debt (with the exception of the GREAT DEPRESSION); torture; failure to respond to intel prior to 9/11; incompetence in managing the war in Iraq; hiring cronies to manage important gov’t organizations like FEMA; and all kinds of madness. I mean, how many times did Bush go to Crawford TX by this point in his presidency? How many days did he miss? WHERE WERE YOU THEN? You people claim to be fiscally conservative but your presidents do nothing but spend–JUST NOT ON THE PEOPLE! do you realize Reagan spent billions of dollars we didn’t have to build up a nuclear arsenal while unemployment was soaring? And now we’re wondering what to do with them. HE LEAD THE MARCH TO DEREGULATION!! Father and Son Bush presided over ENRON which was an omen of what was to come. You and your fat cat entertainers Boss Limbaugh and Elisabeth hasselbeck and Hannity and Fox. You’re too stupid to realize those people are paid good money to rep your side but the minute this country goes down they’re off to Switzerland…WHERE ALL THEIR MONEY IS ALREADY!!
You people know nothing of history, nothing of politics nor government and you HATE this country and the principles of the CONSTITUTION and want nothing more than to see it destroyed so that your TEAM can have a comeback. You need to take a look at yourself. Leave the team rivalry for the sports arena where it belongs. This is serious stuff.
Posted by: Vanessa Carmichael | June 5, 2009, 8:59 pm 8:59 pm
I knew this would happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As soon as a Black man becomes president, people suddenly want to know which family members get to go where, etc. It really is sad.In the past, I always thought trips together served as a good representation of the country by the first family. From my perspective, it’s great that they can get some time to see some of the world together.
It also amazes me that so many out there have become experts on who pays for what. In the past, I really don’t remember such scrutiny when first families traveled. I accepted it as something necessary to fulfill obligations or a well deserved respite.
Let’s face it !!! Unfortunately , there are still people who can not accept the fact that there is a Black man with a wonderful intact family living in the White House. They should spend some time embracing this reality instead of trying to tear them down every time they get a chance.
I have never seen a president work so hard. He is trying to fulfill all of his promises while trying to deal with all the inherited problems. I wish him nothing but the best and look forward to each day of his administration. God bless President Obama and his beautiful family.
Posted by: Gwen Day-Fuller | June 6, 2009, 2:50 am 2:50 am
Talking about Bush and his unjust war as a reason for president Obama to need a vacation, why is it the media is so silent on the increase in deaths of US troops in Afghanistan as compared to last year this time?
Since we have to give our first black president a pass on most things, is it that since he is black it will make the loss of our service men/women easier so no need to highlight the war anymore?
Should we also ignore the 20 billion loss to GM, or the fact that unemployment is raising together with inflation, exactly where are all the jobs Obama said we were getting?
How many more passes should we give Obama before we all start to say its enough?
Posted by: SJ | June 6, 2009, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
So glad to have them represent us to the rest of the world. They are a fine family and will help restore the awful image that the Bush years gave the rest of the world.
I’m glad I can hold my head high in the rest of the world now. 8 years of shame was difficult to take.
And to the 25% who do not like Obama. Why don’t you use your energy to suggest some policy changes instead of just spewing your nonsense from faux news.
Posted by: mary | June 6, 2009, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
Great great great!!!Good for the girls to see Europe!
We adore the Obamas,we couldn’t care less whwt other people are saying about it but mr.President,you’ve got CLASS,and we are now experiencing it everyday,proud to be an American(Fil-American).
Posted by: Miss caroline bautista | June 7, 2009, 11:07 am 11:07 am
fact check for you big texas! My republican employer has not increased my check not one damn dime. So thank GOD for your seven dollars. That would atleast buy another $28.00 of gas for my car.
All you fools do is gripe and complain abour our President. When Dumbo was in office he got away with murder, and not one damn peep came out of your mouth.
Leave My President alone and get the Hell out of his way and allow him to do his job.
He and his family deserve a break. No one has ever campaigned as hard or worked as hard as he has ever before and never ever will.
Posted by: obamacratic | June 9, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
Hearing about the Obama girls touring Paris is so much more refreshing than hearing about the Bush girls driving drunk again.
All first families have travelled. That is part of their role as unofficial ambassadors for the country. This is only an issue because it is Obama and the right is determined to heap as much scorn on him as Bush earned and received over the years, and have no intention of waiting until he deserves it. Because that day may never come.
Posted by: George Shaw | May 22, 2010, 10:32 am 10:32 am