Monday, February 26, 2007

Babs Snubs Bushes

New Mexico's first lady and FLOTUS contender Barabara Richardson just said NO to an invite to the place she hopes to call home come 2009.

From freerepublic.com:

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER: Richardson and other governors attending the National Governors Association's winter meeting are invited to the White House on Sunday night for a "black-tie evening with President and Mrs. Bush." A Richardson spokesman said the governor will be in attendance, but first lady Barbara Richardson is not making the trip.— J.J.

Bad move Babs. I know, I know, watching the Oscars at home in your pajamas was waaaayyyy more interesting. But you should have shown up looking spectacular - gotten some good pub...then bowed out early with a headache or something.

Friday, February 23, 2007

Vilsacks Say F!@# It

Alas, we must bid a fond farewell to Christie Vilsack. She and hubby, Iowa Governor Tom are saying the run for 1600 costs too much money so they're dropping out. Damn shame too. Christie was by far one of the most energetic and entertaining of the First Lady wanabees...the self described spider hit up everybody from atheists to people who can't even vote yet for support. But I'm sure she'll redirect all that crazed energy and zero-in like a laser to try to secure Tom a spot as V.P. on somebody's ticket. Obama-Vilsack anyone?

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Scooch Over Ladies, Ann Romney's Joining the Fray

The Boston Globe shows the Romney fam making their big announcement today. In the photo, Ann, wife of former Massachusetts Governor and newly announced Republican candidate for president Mitt, appears to be the family's center (like Michelle Obama). And she's already come out swinging to help her husband claim the party's family-values high ground. Take that Cindy and Judi.
From the National Journal's Hotline.

"The biggest difference between Mitt Romney and the other candidates," she said, is that Mitt has "only had one wife."

Ooo. Spunky. Like it. But as a Mormon with MS and five sons, I guess she'd have to be to even think about getting into this fight to the finish. Welcome!

Michelle Obama Nails It

During a 60 minutes interview Mrs. Senator BO showed again why she is at the center of the Obamaverse. She was relaxed, funny, smart, and looked great (good hair day). The campaign should keep her in motion. She hasn't got the silent waving spouse thing down yet - she's best when she talking and letting people see who she really is.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Obamas' Coming Out - Good....

But not great. Barack and Michelle took the show on the road Saturday. Announcing a for real for real run for the White House before the senator headed to Iowa. Obama gave good speech... it's about all of "us" - blahbity blabity. But these things, natch, are not solely about substance...they are orchestrated to capture the public's attention and imagination...and this one fell a little short. Like it or not Michelle you are part of a show, one that has to be exciting enough to make people want to get up off their asses and go vote. Your business: icon building and energizing "the base"...which means vivid royal blue, or orange, or red, or yellow coats. Not your somber black one (although I guess you get points for not breaking out the mink.)
Again, check out the masters below.
Newsday caught the Clintons in the classic pose - in colors that make people want to watch...and if they watch long enough, maybe they'll eventually listen - which is the point.
And look at the wave. (Michelle, you've got a lot of work to do on this one.)
Like European royals, Hill and Bill make the wrists do all the work...but they've added American bigness by throwing their arms high in the air.
Barack has worked out a version of the high-arm/wrist based wave but Michelle, you have some kinda whole body windshield-wiper wave going on that is tres unattractive.


Stop this immediately. Remember, you are a queen, a compassionate one yes, but still a queen who must float regally above all the dirty politics.

Michelle Obama Stars on BarackTV

barackobama.com unveiled a new look to go along with the junior senator from Illinois' OFFICIAL announcement that he's making the run for 1600...and wifey Michelle is one of the stars on "BarackTV."
The hair is a little crazy, but I'd spin that as busy mother/career woman with too much going on to obsess about hair. The pale blue turtleneck is just lovely...as are the stories about Barack whose idea of a date was to take her to one of his community organizer events to preach about how the world should be. Ah, young, buppie, want-to-run-for-president-one-day, love.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Judi, Judi, Judi

Sigh.
Rudy and Judith Giuliani serve up some soft porn on the cover of the New York friggin' Post. Who the hell thought this was good campaign strategy? I mean Judi, you've already got major home wrecker/ho problems in the Red States and now this.

Judi, 52, insisted that when her hubby takes the plunge, she won't mind playing second fiddle to his political ambitions - and she revealed the famously tough-as-nails former mayor's sensitive side.

"I've always liked strong, macho men, and Rudy - I'm not saying this because he's my husband - is one of the smartest people on the planet," gushed the former Judith Nathan to Harper's Bazaar in editions due out Feb. 20.

"What people don't know is that Rudy's a very, very romantic guy. We love watching 'Sleepless in Seattle.' Can you imagine my big testosterone-factor husband doing that?"

Is that what you guys were doing when he was bringing you to the home he still shared with his other-other wife? You just pissed away a whole truckload of Republican good will that they decided to let you walk away with recently in New Hampshire.
Fine, don't listen to me. Go ahead. Try to go campaign in Idaho, or how about Kansas? Brownback is gonna family-value your asses right back to the Upper East Side.

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Seriously, Michelle...Give Your Peeps a Raise

Now there's international fluff. Excelen-tay.
The London Telegraph calls Michelle, Obama's "secret weapon" and says his campaign is getting ready to "unveil" her. Of course the article doesn't bother to say when, where, how, or why...it's basically just a rehash of compliments heaped upon Mrs. Senator BO in other stories in U.S. publications. A p.r. flack's dream coverage. Enjoy. And well done you.

Christie Vilsack and the Athiest

Sounds like it could be a sitcom...but this is deliciously true. (or at least as true as anything in a blog can be)
It's just too good. In fact, far too good for me to try to paraphrase. So click here for the exchange in its entirety.
That Christie Vilsack. She'll hit up anybody for a vote. And we dig that about her.

Bush Name In Papers for Something Other Than Iraq

The New York Post has details on the First Lady's attendance at a show during NYC's fashion week. It was a charity event, natch. (Note to potential First Ladies: when you want to do something frivolous like look at pretty clothes make sure it's to raise "awareness" or funds for some charity or other.)
By the way Laura was decked out with the perfect accessories...secret service men. If Hillary's out of town, no chance anybody else is going to show up with those.

Friday, February 02, 2007

Italian First Lady Slams Skank Husband

O.K. I guess technically she's Italy's former first lady but that doesn't make this mess any less delicioso.
The papers in Rome are still FILLED with the news of an unprecedented move by Veronica Lario, wife of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. In a letter published on the front page of La Republicca newspaper - she demanded a PUBLIC apology from her husband for shamelessly and slimily flirting with women (and God only knows what else).

The U.S. media couldn't resist either.

From the NYT:

"It turns out that the 70-year-old former prime minister, whose own heart now beats with a pacemaker, attended an awards ceremony last week and was overly friendly with two young and beautiful guests.

“If I weren’t already married, I would marry you right now,” he told one, according to Italian news media accounts. To another, he said, “With you I would go anywhere.”

“These are statements I consider damaging to my dignity,” wrote Veronica Lario, 50, who has been with Mr. Berlusconi for 27 years. His remarks could not be “reduced to jokes,” she said.

“To my husband and to the public man, I therefore ask for a public apology, not having received one privately.”

In divining what this could mean, Italians barely knew where to start."

Whoo, and honey neither do I. More:

"Feminists called it an overdue rallying cry for Italian women like Ms. Lario, who has endured years of supposed infidelity (and no end of sexual remarks, like when Mr. Berlusconi opened a political conference by praising the legs of the women in the front row). Political analysts said Mr. Berlusconi, who wants a third turn as prime minister, could never again win the votes of women — and so was finished. "

But that didn't keep the bastard from trying to do some major spin control so that he can indeed try for another term as PM. Berlusconi wrote his own open letter to apologize to wifey...saying:

“Your dignity should not be an issue: I will guard it like a precious material in my heart even when thoughtless jokes come out of my mouth,” he wrote. “But marriage proposals, no, believe me, I have never made one to anyone.

Forgive me, however, I beg of you, and take this public testimony of private pride that submits to your anger as an act of love. One among many. A huge kiss. Silvio.”

Too little, too late. But for Mrs. B., mission accomplished. She finally stood up, spoke out, and reclaimed her pride for her sake and the sake of her daughters...and she put a major wrench in hubby's political plans to boot. Yipppeeeeeeee.

Note to those trying to be America's Next First Lady... don't try this at home. These are professionals operating on a closed course. Get to the East Wing first. Then if you think a public rebuke is necessary....BOMBS AWAY.