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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama await Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and his wife, Gursharan Kaur (Pete Souza/White House)
Last night, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama held their first state dinner at the White House. According to Politico, the "first couple applied their formal-but-comfortable style to a social event with international implications," with the President toasting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a giant tent on the White House lawn, "Mr. Prime Minister, today we worked to fulfill our duty — bring our countries closer together than ever before. Tonight, under the stars, we celebrate the spirit that will sustain our partnership — the bonds of friendship between our people."
The NY Times reports the Obamas "made sure to infuse the glittering gala with distinctive touches," such as hiring a new florist who "bedecked the tented outdoor dining room with locally grown, sustainably harvested magnolia branches and ivy" and selecting "a guest chef, Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit in New York, an American citizen who was born in Ethiopia, reared in Sweden and cooks up melting pots of flavors and cuisines." The menu was meatless (with the exception of a curry prawn dish), a nod to the Prime Minister, who is a vegetarian.
The china was a mix of china services from George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Dwight Eisenhower, and the guests spanned Hollywood (Steven Spielberg, David Geffen) to New York (Mayor Bloomberg). And the Washington Post found the procession of guests—around 400, hence the tent since the White House's dining room only holds 130—"the sweet but awkward quality of teens dressing up for prom: posing for pictures, rushing along (Louisiana's Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal, Kalpen Modi), afraid of making any mistakes of etiquette."
Of course, the biggest news may have been Michelle Obama's glittering strapless dress by New York-based designer Naeem Khan, who told People, "I feel so happy to be a part of this historical event between the two countries where my heart lies. I am relieved to have a job well done and am so honored to have been chosen. This is a Thanksgiving in its truest form for me and one that I will never forget — an American dream coming true."
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I saw some news story describe Michelle Obama's dress as being "flesh-colored."
Can you post the link where you read that?
"flesh-colored"?? jesus christ.
It was an AP story, and apparently others noticed as well:
http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=11&year=2009&base_name=what_color_was_that_again
The camera really hates Bloomberg, he consistently looks so awkward when photographed.
It's condescending to make the Indian Prime Minister singh for his supper.
Blair Underwood? I acted in my school play once, where's my invitation?
WTF is that red bowtie that Bloomie has on. I must be missing something cultural here.
I heard Kal split a bowl with Singh in the Nixon bathroom.
when is obama going to stop partying & get to work & do some of the things i voted him into office to do?
This was his first State Dinner since he took office. He's been working. Cool it man, this is the hand he's been dealt.
Did they invite every remotely notable Indian person in America? Why weren't Kelly Kapoor or Tom Haverford there?
how much did this cost us?
why did the president invite bloomberg??
did he bring any goodwill or anything but his spiteful bitter self? what did he do that warrant such an invite?
perhaps BO wanted to get some tips on how to persuade congress to let him run for a third run, despite what the constitution says.
Forget who they invited, check out this story about a couple who was NOT invited, but managed to sneak in to the state dinner. U can haz sekurity wif cheezburger? kthx. And I love the fact that it's another "reality show" family. Is there like an underground network for these people?