Posts Tagged ‘michelle obama’

President Barack Obama addressed the Senate before the nation in his State of the Union address.  The President urged bipartisanship to help the country focus on creating jobs.

In a State of the Union address with a Clintonesque range of policy initiatives, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in Congress found moments to cheer:

“Jobs must be our number one focus in 2010.” Check. “We will double our exports over the next five year.” Check. “I do not accept second place for the United States of America.” Check. “In the 21st century, one of the best anti-poverty programs is a world-class education.” Check.

Republicans also leapt to their feet at President Obama’s call to build “a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country” and make “tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development.”

But the key to moving policy on Capitol Hill, especially after Massachusetts voters last week gave Senate Republicans the 41st vote to sustain a filibuster, is breaking partisan gridlock.

“What the American people hope – what they deserve – is for all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to work through our differences; to overcome the numbing weight of our politics,” the president said.

But he offered no new template for achieving that outcome, beyond the promise of monthly meetings with leaders of both parties and more common sense. “Rather than fight the same tired battles that have dominated Washington for decades, it’s time to try something new. Let’s try common sense,” he said.

Republicans countered that it’s not common sense to ask for bipartisanship, then lambast the opposition. “He did not help himself with Republicans,” said Sen. Jon Kyl (R) of Arizona, the minority whip. “You don’t bash the opposition and then expect cooperation.”

Republicans bristled at references to the Bush years as “the lost decade,” especially soaring federal budget deficits and an economy in crisis. “Every third reference was to President Bush. After more than a year, the president should take ownership,” Senator Kyl added.

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• Chris Brown takes an interesting photo with Jean-Paul Gaultier during Men’s Paris Fashion week. What was he thinking after the Rihanna assault fallout? 
• Bristol Palin vowed never to have sex again until she is married. The 19-year-old mom told Oprah Winfrey on Friday she’s been depressed since the birth of her 13-month-old son, Tripp, and she won’t make the same mistake twice.”I just think it’s a goal to have, and other women should have that goal,” Palin said of her chastity oath.Oprah said she “bristled” when she heard Palin would go without sex until marriage.”Don’t you think you are setting yourself up?,” Oprah asked. “No, I don’t,” she responded.Palin has been on her own with Tripp since his birth. Her former lover and baby daddy Levi Johnston isn’t buying it. Watch his reaction to her Oprah interview. Bristol Palin just sued Levi Johnston for child support.
• Andy Dick was arrested for sexual abuse.
• Scott Baio has been getting death threats for dissing Michelle Obama.
• Heidi Montag’s album flopped. Is anyone surprised she only sold $1,000 copies?
• Drea de Matteo shows off her bikini bod.

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted their first White House State dinner on Tuesday.  Michelle Obama looked beautiful in a shimmering gold Naeem Khan gown.  There was speculation that the First Lady was going to  wear an Indian American designer to the dinner in honor of India’s Prime Minister.

The White House invited celebrated NY chef Marcus Sammuelsson to prepare the vegetarian menu.

President Obama opened his first state dinner in the White House on Tuesday with a toast for India’s prime minister in which he called the United States’ relationship with India a “great and growing partnership.”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned the praise.

“We are embarking on a new phase of our partnership. We should build on common values and interests to realize the enormous potential and promise of our partnership,” Singh said.

After greeting Singh and his wife, Gursharan Kaur, at the North Portico, the Obamas and their guests, including prominent Indian Americans and a sprinkling of Hollywood moguls, went to dinner under a white tent on the South Lawn.

They dined on vegetarian fare prepared with the help of a top New York chef at tables decorated in gold, apple green and purple colors, with a mix of tableware from three presidential china collections.

It was a glittery assembly, a total of 339 guests; black-tie mingled with turbans, sparkly evening gowns mixed with bright saris.

The first lady wore a strapless, champagne-colored gown, embellished with silver accents and with a matching shawl by Indian-American fashion designer Naeem Khan. She wore large dangling earrings and an armful of churis, traditional sparkly Indian bangle bracelets.

Prior to the dinner, Michelle Obama previewed the table settings and menu. She compared the preparation work to that of a gliding swan. “We’re kind of calm and serene above water — but we’re paddling like mad, going crazy underneath, trying to look smooth,” she said.

The mostly vegetarian meal (Singh is a vegetarian) of potato dumplings with tomato chutney and green-curry prawns was served on gold-flecked china. Michelle Obama invited a guest chef, award-winning Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit in New York City, to help with the menu.

After-dinner entertainment was to include performances by the National Symphony Orchestra and Oscar winners Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls), A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire.

Those invited included Hollywood directors Steven Spielberg and M. Night Shyamalan; CBS News anchor Katie Couric and NBC News anchor Brian Williams; novelist Jhumpa Lahiri and Louisiana’s Republican governor, Bobby Jindal.  

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Last night Glamour Magazine held their annual Woman of the Year Awards ceremony at Carnegie Hall.  Rihanna received a special award and looked beautiful in a clingy ivory mermaid dress.

The 21 year old singer has had a tough year which included a brutal assault from her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.  Over the weekend Rihanna returned to the stage with surprise performance of Run This Town with Jay-Z during his LA concert. Justin Timberlake and his soon to be ex-girlfriend Jessica Biel were among the fans in the audience who watched the show.

Rihanna gave a wonderful heartfelt acceptance speech at the show after she was nervous to be presented with the honor of Woman of the Year by supermodel Iman.

The evening also included a live musical performance by Estelle who is  one of our favorite singers.

THIS YEAR’S HONOREES:

· DR. MAYA ANGELOU (Lifetime Achievement) – Memoirist, poet, educator and civil rights activist.  Presented by Bill Clinton.
· DR. JANE ARONSON – Adoption doctor and founder of Worldwide Orphans Foundation. Presented by
Katie Couric.
· LAURA LING & EUNA LEE – Imprisoned journalists captured in North Korea while reporting for Current TV. Presented by Catherine Zeta-Jones.
· MARISSA MAYER – Google’s vice president for search and user experience champions women in tech fields. Presented by Matt Lauer.

· STELLA MCCARTNEY – Eco-friendly fashion designer and life-long animal rights activist.  Presented by
Cindi Leive.
· ONE MILLION SIGNATURES CAMPAIGN – A group of Iranian women working to improve women’s rights in Iran. Presented by Christiane Amanpour.
· AMY POEHLER – Comedic actress and producer inspires young girls with Nickelodeon’s The Mighty B! and web teen web show, Smart Girls at the Party.  Presented by Lorne Michaels.
· RIHANNA – Grammy-winning pop star, fashion icon and Founder of The Believe Foundation, a fund that provides educational and medical supplies to children.  Presented by Iman.
· SUSAN RICE – U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. puts women’s needs at the forefront of the American agenda at the United Nations. Presented by Michael Douglas.
· MARIA SHRIVER – California’s First Lady, author, producer and leader of “A Woman’s Nation” study. Presented by Diane Von Furstenberg.
· SERENA WILLIAMS – Record-setting tennis powerhouse and founder of the Serena Williams Foundation, which gives grants to college students.  Presented by Tyra Banks.

Additional guests included Katharine McPhee, Liya Kebede, Padma Lakshmi, Zoe Kravitz, Lisa Ling, Stephanie March & Bobby Flay, Andie MacDowell, Ana Ortiz, Holly Robinson Peete, Malaak Compton Rock, Gabourey Sidibe, Steven Tyler, Kerry Washington.

Michelle Obama is Glamour Magazine’s Woman of the Year. Congrats to the beautiful Mrs. O who graces the magazine’s cover wearing her dress which was literally picked from her closet.  The First Lady made a special appearance in New York City at the opening game of the  Yankees vs. Phillies World Series game. The Yankees lost the first game to the Phillies with a final score of 6 to 1. Bummer… The Yankees have to step up their game!!

First lady Michelle Obama is fashion’s star, but that’s not why she’s one of Glamour’s December cover models.

Mrs. Obama’s work in mentoring earned her the spot, which will be rotated with four other covers. She’ll receive a special recognition in the annual Women of the Year issue that goes on newsstands Nov. 10.

In an interview with new Glamour columnist and CBS anchor Katie Couric, Mrs. Obama said being a role model is one of the most potentially powerful things she can do at the White House.

“I see how little bits of exposure and big bits of exposure really change my girls significantly, and I want that for more girls around the country and the world,” she said.

When it comes to her relationship with President Barack Obama, he helps her feel “whole,” she said. “Cute’s good. But cute only lasts for so long, and then it’s, Who are you as a person? Don’t look at the bankbook or the title,” she said. “Look at the heart. Look at the soul.”

Mrs. Obama does know people are always looking at her, though, especially her fashion choices. “I can’t be surprised that people are interested. But I’ve tried to be at peace with the choices that I make first, and then be open to everyone else’s reflection,” she said.

On the Glamour cover she’s in her own drop-waist, red cocktail dress with a modified ballskirt and a chunky, bow-inspired necklace. The outfit was from her own closet, and no designer will be credited in the magazine.

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Beautiful First Lady, Michelle Obama, made an appearance on Jay Leno via satellite.  Michelle Obama was witty and entertaining as she joked about President Barack Obama’s bad habits. Watch Mrs. O.’s segment if you missed it.

What’s President Barack Obama’s most annoying habit?

Practicing his speeches for hours in front of the bathroom mirror? Talking too much foreign policy at the dinner table?

No — first lady Michelle Obama said Friday it’s his tennis game. When they play, the president usually wins.

“He beats me quite often,” she said on NBC’s “The Jay Leno Show,” appearing via satellite hookup from the White House. “That gets to be pretty annoying.”

The show was taped for airing later Friday evening.

In a brief skit, Leno pushed her to talk about her husband’s flaws. At first, she sarcastically said he has none.

“He’s perfect,” she quipped.

Then she let it out: It’s their battles on the tennis court that get her peeved.

It also looks like Bo — the Obamas’ dog — is living like a king. The first lady said the presidential pooch celebrated his first birthday earlier this month with a Rose Garden party.

Bo, a Portuguese water dog, feasted on a cake shaped like a dog house that was made out of veal.

“We had a really sweet celebration,” the first lady told Leno. “We had party hats.”

The first lady told Leno there are White House secrets she will never reveal — she refused to divulge what daughters Malia and Sasha are wearing for Halloween.

“You need security clearance for that,” she said.

Leno also wanted to know what she whispers to her husband after his speeches.

“I usually ask him did he take out the garbage,” she said.

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