Rich Man, Poi Man, the Commander in Chief
EmailABC News' Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller: With the unemployment rate creeping up towards 10%, Americans are worried about losing their jobs. But at the White House tonight the focus will be on lei's, not lay-offs. This year’s annual White House picnic for members of Congress and their families is getting a Hawaiian punch.
"We’ve got a great picnic planned — a luau — some great hula dancers," First Lady Michelle Obama said this morning previewing the event.
The First Lady then demonstrated a little hula dance.
"Try that again," The President quipped, laughing.
On the South Lawn the preparations for tonight's luau are well underway for attendees to party til they uke — 10 tiki huts are being constructed, tiki torches are being driven into the ground, and large multi-colored lanterns are being hung from the ceiling of a large tent.
The grills are getting fired up and two thousand colorful plastic lei's are ready to go.
Realizing that a lot of the children of congressional members are actually adults, the First Lady's office says they'll have events targeted at all age groups.
Of most note: a dunk tank will allow guests to take shots at top White House staff including Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, and Legislative Affairs Director Phil Schiliro.
Polynesian dancers and fire blowers will perform as well as Hula lessons offered. A disc jockey will spin Hawaiian tunes and favorites like the Beach Boys and Elvis
Chef Wong – one of the Obamas' favorite chefs in Honolulu – was flown in to make Hawaiian delicacies.
And hula pay for it?
You, essentially. The annual picnic is paid for by the White House.
- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller
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Plastic leis??? Obama’s favorite chefs being flown in from Hawaii??? On the very day pushing his Energy Policy…Please someone tell me I am not the only one to feel the hypocrisy here…
Posted by: Parallex View | June 25, 2009, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm
“Please someone tell me I am not the only one to feel the hypocrisy here”
Be patient.
I am sure plenty of right wingers will join in your fake outrage.
Posted by: Ryan C | June 25, 2009, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm
Fake outrage? My leaky roof is getting by with a patch job when I really need a new roof. I am wearing last year’s summer sandals and they are worse for the wear. Meanwhile, my tax dollars will support the nouveau riche Obamas fancy lifestyle.
It would be one thing if the country were prospering and people were employed. And I read today that Meechelle wants to be more strategically “substantive.” Maybe some leadership on her part would be appropos at this time. She could easily turn down the party planning a few notches, but now she is a Real Housewife of DC. I think she is Marie Antoinette. Let them eat cake while their bills get paid over months and months, while they go without vacations or anything new, and while they cut coupons to let the paycheck last two weeks. So substantive, Michelle? No, I think you are as lightweight and phony as your husband.
Enjoy the limbo contest.
Posted by: Former democrat | June 25, 2009, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
Another fine example of the many important things Obama is so busy with that he can’t address gay rights. Keep up the good…work?
Posted by: paul | June 25, 2009, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm
You know, I really don’t have a problem with carrying on a tradition. I think it looks bad to fly in chefs. Surely there are chefs in DC that could handle the Hawaiian delicacies. Anyway, party on dude!
Posted by: Axey | June 25, 2009, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm
Ryan_c,
You want fake outrage…go pray at the alter of Barney Frank!!!
This is a foolish an idea as the auto execs flying to Congress in their corp jets. I am not saying that the Pres. should not do things like this, but like so many things in politics, its also about symbolism & appearances. Dont be telling the American people how much they need to give up when hundreds of thousands lose their jobs each month, then turn around and do this.
Nothing was harmed by what the auto execs did, but it was still stupid under the circumstances.
Posted by: Mike_c | June 25, 2009, 8:59 pm 8:59 pm
I doubt Wong is being paid very much to cook at this event, think about it, the publicity alone is probably worth it for him even if they weren’t paying him at all. Not to mention, Obama probably has the toughest job in the world at this time in history, give the guy a break, he deserves a day off now and then just like anyone else does.
As for Paul’s comment, since when is it the government’s job to fix your roof or buy you new sandals? This isn’t a communist country, either find a way to make some extra money, or learn to deal with it! does. We got far bigger problems in the world than your shoes or your roof…
Posted by: Alex | June 25, 2009, 11:09 pm 11:09 pm
alex…Since when is the Governmemt’s job to spend tax payers hard earned money foolishly on plastic leis and high priced chefs being flown in from Hawaii??? Where is your compassion to people who are finding it exceedingly difficult to buy something as simple as shoes for their feet….Geez just who is the liberal here anyway…
Posted by: Parallex View | June 26, 2009, 12:06 am 12:06 am
Ryan, I have no fake outrage. I have no problem with the White House hosting a picnic for Congress. What I do have a problem with is this President, who has spent 5 months saying anyone receiving taxpayer dollars CANNOT just spend it on extravagant parties and trips, having just such a party – on the taxpayer dime!
That my friend, is hypocrisy.
Wouldn’t know it from Michelle’s fun little speech that (according to her husband) our country is in the worst financial shape since the Great Depression and that he also said we should all “scale back”. Hmmm….
Posted by: Kat | June 26, 2009, 12:09 am 12:09 am
Certainly the president must maintain traditions, just because the country is suffering does not mean no one can ever have fun or parties again. What is unbelievable is how the Obamas and their progressive followers can preach global warming sacrifices and then try to shove this horrendous energy bill on us, the stimulus’ failure to save or create jobs, and laughably as per the Washington Post, Michelle’s “demand for substance” and THEN they party as if they don’t even listen to their own publicity and expect the rest of us to ignore the disconnect. Meanwhile, they enjoy themselves while, by their own alarmist rhetoric, the country is in desperate shape. Sooner or later the victim class that they have cultivated, supported and encouraged will notice too. Those of us that have been paying the bills have given up “HOPE” that these phonies will get a clue long ago. The “CHANGE” will happen when the independents that bought into the hype realizes that only a select few are living the high life, and for everyone else, we are not invited to the party.
Posted by: Michelle | June 26, 2009, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm
Obama is nothing more than a teenager, doesn’t care that the family is suffering to make ends meet, he wants the money to party and have fun.
This complete waste of money when the country is in deep trouble and will probably crash next year tellingly shows the “Won” to not only be stupid (and yes, one can be intelligent and still totally stupid), but also so arrogant to spend money on this picnic. The man is totally tone deaf.
And by the way, I bet the chef flew first class and that the ticket cost was close to 10 grand.
Not only is Obama and his apologists stupid, they either are tone deaf, or worse yet (which I believe to be true), they don’t care about leading by example. Their philosophy is: All for me. none for thee. Disgusting.
Hey Libs, how’s that change and hope working for you? I “hope” enough independents get screwed by him so we can “change” leadership in four years.
Posted by: dan | June 26, 2009, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
Posted by: Alex
As for Paul’s comment, since when is it the government’s job to fix your roof or buy you new sandals? This isn’t a communist country, either find a way to make some extra money, or learn to deal with it! does. We got far bigger problems in the world than your shoes or your roof…
That is the point that many fiscal conservatives are trying to make! It is NOT the federal government’s job to fix roofs or to pay for most of what caused budgets to escalate. Bankrupt governments in California, Michigan, New Jersey, New York etc. are the result when unfettered spending and nanny state do-gooders insert themselves and try to control everything. The cradle to grave mentality has bankrupted this country emotionally, financially and ethically. Nobody has to take responsibility for their actions.
Posted by: Michelle | June 26, 2009, 10:13 pm 10:13 pm