Tense Moments in the First Family's Living Room
Washington, DC, July 17: President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters Sasha and Malia watch the US Women play in the Women's World Cup Final. (via White House Photostream)
Michelle Obama Gets A Wonderful Birthday Surprise
[Washington, D.C., January 17: As the Obama family arrives at a community service event honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Michelle Obama is surprised by everyone singing Stevie Wonder's version of "Happy Birthday." She turns 47 today. Image via AP.]
Obamas Aren't Invited To William & Kate's Wedding
Palace sources say the Obamas aren't invited to Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding. Since it isn't a "state occasion" they aren't obliged to invite dignitaries they've never met. Just don't expect Americans to buy any more commemorative engagement china.
Vacationers Hungry To Meet Obamas, Settle For Cupcakes
After a Secret Service agent was spotted near Sweet E's Cupcakes shop on Martha's Vineyard, vacationers and news crews gathered, requiring police for crowd control. The Obamas missed the scene, as they were actually dining at Nancy's restaurant miles away.
Desiree Rogers Forced Out For Being A Grinch?
The latest explanation for the departure of White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers: she didn't send Christmas cards to some of Obama's major donors. Although given the flak the Obamas got for sending kids ornaments, who can blame her? [Politico]
What Does The White House Social Secretary Do Anyway?
Outgoing White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers will be replaced by Democratic fundraiser Julianna Smoot, and one strategist says the "social aspect of the job will be a little bit secondary for her." But what is the Social Secretary's job?
White House Crashers Say They've "Been Misrepresented By The Media"
White House party crashers Tareq and Michaele Salahi went on the Today Show this morning to claim they were actually invited to last week's state dinner. Unsurprisingly, the White House and Secret Service disagree.
Duke Publishes Book By Obama's Mom
Ann Durham Soetoro was probably best known as Barack Obama's mom, but she was also a dedicated economic anthropologist. Thanks to Duke University Press, her dissertation on metalworkers in Indonesia will soon be available as a book. [PublishersWeekly]
Art In America: Painting Gets Pulled From White House Following Furor
As soon as the list of art works requested for display in the White House was released, every political blogger suddenly turned into an art critic, and Watusi by Alma Thomas somehow made it to the center of the storm.
Edward Norton On His Behind-The-Scenes Obama Documentary
Today on Good Morning America, producer Edward Norton shared video of the Obama girls at home and Barack calling his grandmother from the HBO documentary By the People: The Election of Barack Obama, which premieres November 3. Clip at left.
The Window Treatment
[Rome, July 9. Image via Getty]
Barack Vs. Michelle? Everything's A Contest
The Associated Press asks who's more popular: Barack or Michelle? Answer: Michelle, unless you measure by Internet searches. Anna asks: "What's next, Sasha vs. Malia?" Michelle's left bicep vs. her right? [AP, via MSNBC]
Unsolved Mysteries: How Can The Obamas Eat Burgers, Still Be Healthy?
NY Times Op-Ed columnist Maureen Dowd and others in the media are all abuzz over the Obamas' mysterious and possibly subversive decision to eat both burgers and healthy foods.
The First Dog: Once More, With Feeling Springing
[Washington, D.C. April 14. Image via Getty]
Even First Kids Have To Make Their Beds • Writers Question Slumdog's Authenticity, Title
• We'll point it out again for those who missed it: The First Couple are strict parents. Sasha and Malia have to make their beds, scoop dog poop, and be in bed by eight. •
Jennifer Hudson Smiles… In Gap Ads
- Despite mourning her family tragedy, Jennifer Hudson is in the Gap's holiday ad campaign, wearing a bright red sweater and smiling. Gap gave J.Hud the option to back out, but she wanted to go ahead and have the ads run. [Yahoo News via E!]
- Jennifer Hudson writes on her MySpace blog: "I want to thank each and every one…

