Via LATimes.com

First Lady Michelle Obama is taking heat for her private trip to Spain this week, most notably from a New York blogger slamming her as the “Material Girl” and comparing her to Marie Antoinette, former queen of France.

Andrea Tantaros, writing on NYDailyNews.com, took issue with the first lady’s pricey five-star hotel and her “estimated 70 Secret Service agents.”

Tantaros, a former congressional staffer for Republican lawmakers, chided Obama for living large while “most of the country is pinching pennies and downsizing summer sojourns — or forgoing them altogether.”

Obama is in Spain with daughter Sasha, 9, and longtime family friends. The White House had no comment on the blog post and would not specify how many pals — or security personnel — were along for the trip.

But one White House official said Obama had a “small” group of friends and “minimal” staff on the trip, and said personal expenses, such as hotel rooms and meals, were being paid for by the Obamas.

“Any additional footprint, including rooms needed for security support and transportation, falls under the same rules as have applied to any previous first family travel,” the official said. That is, private expenses are paid for privately and government expenses are picked up by Uncle Sam.

Read more…

Filed under: Michelle Obama

via usatoday.com

First lady Michelle Obama unveiled a plan today to "reverse the epidemic of childhood obesity," and called on help from governments, schools, and businesses as well as the families themselves.

"We're setting really clear goals and benchmarks and measurable outcomes that will help tackle this challenge one step, one family and one child at a time," Mrs. Obama said during a White House ceremony.

 Mrs. Obama and her aides released a task force report entitled Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation. The goal, she said, is to "ensure that our children can have the healthy lives and the bright futures that they deserve."

Currently, one in three children are considered overweight or obese, Mrs. Obama said. "If we meet the goals we set, we will reverse a 30-year trend," she added.

(READ MORE)

Filed under: Health • Michelle Obama • White House

The week in politics began in a frenzy, with the focus on Times Square in NYC after an attempted car bombing plot was thwarted and the suspect arrested. Meanwhile, in the Gulf of Mexico, oil continues to spew out with hopes it will be under control early next week.

While you may have been paying close attention to these 2 big political stories, we're here to make sure you don't miss out on these other ones.

Also – heads-up – Mother's Day is this Sunday so don't forget to call Mom!

1. One famous mother had her first tweet this week – and her office says it could possibly be her last.  CHECK OUT WHO IT WAS! (Politico)

2. Another famous mama is heading to DC this Saturday night to attend the annual 'Ball on the Mall.'  Are you more curious about WHO THIS WOMAN is, or what the 'Ball on the Mall' is? (The Hill)

3. Domestic sex trafficking of children was on the mind of THIS HOLLYWOOD MOM when she came to DC this week, meeting with members of congress. (The Hill)

4. If you wanted to meet THIS FORMER FIRST LADY, you had to show your Costco card. (Yeas & Nays)

5. What should President Obama give Mrs. Obama for Mother's Day?  60% of America THINKS THIS, while 9% thinks the best gift he can give her would be to weed the garden. (US News)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY FROM LKL!

Posted by: LKL Producer Eleanor McManus, LKL Producer Hunter Waters
Filed under: Demi Moore • Laura Bush • Michelle Obama • Politics is King • President Obama • Whitney Houston

Via MSNBC.com

Brother writes that family ‘auditioned’ future president.

Most Americans first met Craig Robinson when he introduced his sister, Michelle Obama, at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Within minutes, he won the hearts of the nation by sharing highlights of their childhood on Chicago’s Southside. In “A Game of Character,” Robinson takes readers behind the scenes to meet his family and the other important influences in his life who have contributed to his success both on and off the basketball court.

Click here to read an excerpt from the book!

CRAIG ROBINSON WILL BE LARRY'S GUEST TUESDAY NIGHT!

Filed under: Michelle Obama

Programming note:  Tune in tonight at 9pm ET / 6pm PT when Ryan Seacrest and chef Jamie Oliver speak to Larry about their new show, “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution” and how they are trying to help one of the unhealthiest cities in America. 

Below, Ryan shares his thoughts on First Lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to take on childhood obesity.   It's a Larry King Live web exclusive...

By Ryan Seacrest

I think it is so fantastic that First Lady Michelle Obama has launched a campaign against childhood obesity. Countless statistics have shown that childhood obesity is a national epidemic and demonstrate that today’s kids need to eat a healthier diet and live a more active lifestyle.   It’s shocking that the current generation of U.S. children could be the first to live a shorter lifespan than their parents. 

I hear concerns from parents everyday through my radio and television shows.  I believe that if you want to be successful in life, you have to give yourself the proper fuel, which means eating well and exercising. This is how I keep up my pace. I support and applaud all of Mrs. Obama’s efforts on this issue and the 'Let's Move' campaign, which aims to educate both parents and kids about the importance of exercise.

I recently teamed up with U.K. Chef Jamie Oliver, who is a champion of health and nutrition programs, including improving community school lunches in his home country, in an effort to further the dialogue on this issue. I stand behind Mrs. Obama and will do my part through my platforms to help further the national conversation.

Editor's note: "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" premieres Friday March 26 on ABC.  Click here to view a clip of the new show...

Filed under: Jamie Oliver • Larry King Live • LKL Web Exclusive • Michelle Obama

Filed under: Larry King Live • Michelle Obama

First Lady Michelle Obama is Larry's guest tonight at 9ET/6PT. Don't miss it!

Washington (CNN) - Michelle Obama is telling America that it's time to get moving.

In a news conference at noon Tuesday at the White House, the first lady introduced a national effort to combat childhood obesity.

"We're determined to take on one of the most serious threats - and that's the epidemic of childhood obesity today," she said.

Called The Let's Move campaign, the program focuses on what families, communities and the public and private sectors can do to help fight childhood obesity, which she and health experts have termed an epidemic in the United States. The campaign aims to take steps to reduce childhood obesity within a generation.

Mayors, doctors, members of the Cabinet, and leaders in sports, entertainment and business joined the first lady.

Former NFL player Tiki Barber introduced several speakers including a pediatrician, an urban farmer, and mayors from Mississippi and Massachusetts.

President Obama signed a memorandum earlier Tuesday morning establishing a federal task force to tackle childhood obesity, calling it "one of the most urgent health issues that we face in this country."

"We think that this has enormous promise in improving the health of our children, in giving support to parents to make the kinds of healthy choices that oftentimes are very difficult."

(READ MORE)

Filed under: Larry King Live • Michelle Obama

Filed under: International • Michelle Obama

By Mark Preston

Washington (CNN) – Michelle Obama's stock is on the rise as more Americans approve of how she is handling her role as first lady now than they did 10 months ago, according to a new Marist College Poll.

The survey shows that 57 percent of registered voters approve of Obama's performance as first lady, up 7 points from a Marist poll conducted in March. Twenty-four percent said it has been fair, while 10 percent thought she is doing a poor job.

But Obama is not viewed as a transformative first lady. Only 37 percent said she has changed the role for the better, while 46 responded she has done nothing to change it. Another 10 percent said Obama has changed it for the worse, while 7 percent were unsure.

The poll of 858 registered voters was conducted on December 2, 3 and 7. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.

Filed under: Michelle Obama • Politics • Polls

First Lady Michelle Obama, along with daughters Sasha and Malia Obama, accepted delivery of the official White House Christmas tree this afternoon.  The 18 ½ foot tree, which comes this year from Shepherdstown, West Virginia, will be on display in the Blue Room throughout the holiday season.

Filed under: Michelle Obama