Obamas’ Marie-Antoinette faux pas

Being president of the United States has many enviable perks. But far be it from me to begrudge Barack Obama any of them. 

However, it smacks of the political tone-deafness that got Bush in trouble over Katrina that Obama sees nothing wrong with commissioning Air Force One (and all of the resources his presidential travel entails) just to fly him and his wife up to New York City for dinner and a play last night.

Frankly, given his lectures to CEOs about abusing corporate perks in these times of global recession and to ordinary Americans about limiting carbon footprints to help stave off global warming, this trip reeks of extravagant hypocrisy.  Not to mention the insult to DC restaurants and theatre companies that could have entertained them just as well….

Obama promised throughout his campaign that he would not lose touch with the common folk.  Of course it’s probably easy to lose that touch when one has the world at one’s feet.  Yet I suspect that even Bush – who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth – would have considered this too imperious a gesture … especially just to impress his wholesome wife!

NOTE: Obama reportedly did this to fulfill “a campaign promise to his most important supporter – his wife, Michelle.” But it should have occurred to them to arrange this “date” when they had other official business in NYC.  After all, Mrs. Obama had already made two official visits there this year….