It seems that the knives are out for Michelle Obama following Friday's Olympic bash, held at Buckingham Palace. Mrs Obama represented her country at the event and so it would only be fitting that she looked the part. Whilst many in her country struggle to make ends meet that may seem crass. However it is much the same with all countries and their leaders. When they attend such functions they aim to stand out from the crowd.
Of course Ms Obama could have toned down her garb and gone for a more simplistic outfit. We wonder then what the press would have said. No doubt she would have been criticised for dressing inappropriately, causing offence to the Queen and the UK, or shaming the USA. She was after all in a no win position, unless you are a Democrat and Obama supporter.
She was damned either way. Would wearing sackcloth and ashes have helped? No.
It is funny how so often it is the wives of leaders who are lambasted, when all they are is an unelected Presidential, or Prime Ministerial wife. If the roles were reversed would it be the same? We think not
How often do you hear Mr Clinton has got fat, Mitt Romney has a big chin, Mr Biden dresses in suits that are too expensive and more. You get the point by now we assume.
The fact that wives of leaders are singled out for personal attacks is sexist. If it does not happen to husbands, such as Bill Clinton or Dennis Thatcher it has to be.
The Olympic Banquet on Friday included a host of so called dignitaries. All were vying for media attention. None would court "bad press". Michelle Obama was also representing her husband and one assumes hoping to prove that both he and she are excellent ambassadors for the USA.
Perhaps if she wants to appease her critics she could auction said outfit, and others from the UK tour, for a charity back home. That of course would be up to her. It also depends who stumped up the cash for the clothes.
Banquets such as the one in question have no place in the 21st Century, really. However as long as they exist they will be used to bolster political campaigns and more. For the UK it was about showing our strengths.
In the US people such as Rush Limbaugh will continue to criticise Mrs Obama, not because she needs to be criticised but because she is seen as fair game. She is seen as a way to hit the President and his election campaign. Employing pathetic tactics though is cheap.
Perhaps some of the criticism however smacks of envy. After all Michelle Obama during her UK visit last week proved herself more of an American ambassador than Mitt Romney. He fell far short of the mark.
Of course Ms Obama could have toned down her garb and gone for a more simplistic outfit. We wonder then what the press would have said. No doubt she would have been criticised for dressing inappropriately, causing offence to the Queen and the UK, or shaming the USA. She was after all in a no win position, unless you are a Democrat and Obama supporter.
She was damned either way. Would wearing sackcloth and ashes have helped? No.
It is funny how so often it is the wives of leaders who are lambasted, when all they are is an unelected Presidential, or Prime Ministerial wife. If the roles were reversed would it be the same? We think not
How often do you hear Mr Clinton has got fat, Mitt Romney has a big chin, Mr Biden dresses in suits that are too expensive and more. You get the point by now we assume.
The fact that wives of leaders are singled out for personal attacks is sexist. If it does not happen to husbands, such as Bill Clinton or Dennis Thatcher it has to be.
The Olympic Banquet on Friday included a host of so called dignitaries. All were vying for media attention. None would court "bad press". Michelle Obama was also representing her husband and one assumes hoping to prove that both he and she are excellent ambassadors for the USA.
Perhaps if she wants to appease her critics she could auction said outfit, and others from the UK tour, for a charity back home. That of course would be up to her. It also depends who stumped up the cash for the clothes.
Banquets such as the one in question have no place in the 21st Century, really. However as long as they exist they will be used to bolster political campaigns and more. For the UK it was about showing our strengths.
In the US people such as Rush Limbaugh will continue to criticise Mrs Obama, not because she needs to be criticised but because she is seen as fair game. She is seen as a way to hit the President and his election campaign. Employing pathetic tactics though is cheap.
Perhaps some of the criticism however smacks of envy. After all Michelle Obama during her UK visit last week proved herself more of an American ambassador than Mitt Romney. He fell far short of the mark.
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