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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Late NIght Open Thread: Congratulations, Mr. President

Late NIght Open Thread: Congratulations, Mr. President

by Anne Laurie|  January 22, 201312:53 am| 63 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Readership Capture, All we want is life beyond the thunderdome

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(h/t commentor Mnemosyne)
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On a purely frivolous note, I’m glad Michelle chose Jason Wu to design her dress again — poor guy took so much hate about the first one, which I thought looked great on Mrs. Obama (as does this one). Neither one would have flattered Cindy McCain, or Ann Romney, but ain’t that kinda the point, guys? Michelle Obama is (still) our First Lady, and she looks just fine!

ETA: I wrote this before the Project Runway hoolee broke out in Cole’s post downstairs, and I stand by it. Consider yourselves blessed that I’m not forced to revive my pre-election essay on whether there is a deliberate sociological fuction by which extremely rich Mormon women are required to choose outfits that make them look like Walmart shoppers even while signalling ‘you & I know how expensive this crap really is’ to fellow country-clubbers.

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Reader Interactions

63Comments

  1. 1.

    Yutsano

    January 22, 2013 at 12:58 am

    I thought they both looked fantastic. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!

  2. 2.

    The prophet Nostradumbass

    January 22, 2013 at 1:04 am

    I just put on a recording of Maddow’s show, and she had a more extended version of a video mentioned earlier of the Obama family watching the parade, with the girls kidding around and all, and it was really fantastic.

  3. 3.

    Maude

    January 22, 2013 at 1:09 am

    @Yutsano:
    In international news, the word stunning was used for the red dress.

  4. 4.

    PurpleGirl

    January 22, 2013 at 1:10 am

    As I said in John’s post: I think the red dress is gorgeous. It flatters Michelle so much and she wears it well. It was appropriate to the occasion and to Michelle’s image. It is a rare item on her that I don’t like.

  5. 5.

    clayton

    January 22, 2013 at 1:14 am

    Where is all the outrage about not attending some ball or another like last time?

    Wingnuts are failing.

  6. 6.

    Jager

    January 22, 2013 at 1:26 am

    Good day and bad day, we said good bye to our old German Shepherd this afternoon. if you’re intersted here’s the story on my blog.
    http://youvegotalottolearn.blogspot.com/2013/01/jager_21.html

  7. 7.

    Hill Dweller

    January 22, 2013 at 1:35 am

    The fascists in the Republican party are going to continue trying to destroy Obama. They’re also going to continue laying the groundwork for stealing elections with further voter suppression, gerrymandering and reworking the electoral vote distribution in the states they control.

    The bullshit they pulled in Virginia yesterday is just a taste of what is to come. Republicans consider the will of the people quaint.

  8. 8.

    amk

    January 22, 2013 at 1:37 am

    Her dresses are fine. Also. Too. She can carry anything.

    I think it’s mostly other wimmin here who are being mean to her.

    We men are cool with her outfits.

  9. 9.

    Mnemosyne

    January 22, 2013 at 1:40 am

    Yay! At last, a hat tip!

    (Actually, I think I got one other one long ago.)

    As I said below, I was a bit “meh” on the dress when I saw the still photos of it, but when you see her walking and dancing in it, it’s obvious the designer created it to look good in motion, not just in still shots.

  10. 10.

    cckids

    January 22, 2013 at 1:41 am

    @Jager: I’m sorry your guy is gone, the story is lovely. Condolences on your loss.

  11. 11.

    FlipYrWhig

    January 22, 2013 at 1:42 am

    @Jager: Condolences. We’re two weeks past burying our old cat, who made it to 17 before the totality of her many ailments finally overcame her remarkable resilience.

  12. 12.

    karen

    January 22, 2013 at 2:02 am

    @Jager:

    I’m so sorry Jager. My heart goes out to you.

  13. 13.

    karen

    January 22, 2013 at 2:04 am

    @FlipYrWhig:

    My heart goes out to you too.

  14. 14.

    RM

    January 22, 2013 at 2:05 am

    Okay, now I really want to read this essay you mention in the ETA.

  15. 15.

    Steeplejack

    January 22, 2013 at 2:07 am

    @Jager:

    No picture?

    Sorry for your loss.

  16. 16.

    MikeJ

    January 22, 2013 at 2:07 am

    @amk:

    We men are cool with her outfits.

    I feel like I should see her without before I commit myself.

  17. 17.

    askew

    January 22, 2013 at 2:11 am

    I liked this dress much more than the one in 2009 and I loved, loved her coat and dress from earlier today. She has great fashion sense.

    And did W ever release a statement congratulating Obama? The elder Bush released a classy statement and he has a good excuse for missing it. W has no excuse for not showing up.

    It was weird that Gore seems to be the only major Dem dignitary who didn’t show up today.

    OT – Do we find out tomorrow if the Senate is going to change the filibuster rules?

  18. 18.

    Narcissus

    January 22, 2013 at 2:12 am

    @MikeJ: Yeah the first butt ain’t nothing to complain about

    Mrs. O has a high MILF quotient

  19. 19.

    askew

    January 22, 2013 at 2:14 am

    @clayton:

    Where is all the outrage about not attending some ball or another like last time?

    There are only 2 inaugural balls this year. Clinton had 14 in his 2nd term. I wonder if they couldn’t raise the money for more balls or if they intentionally wanted only 2 balls.

  20. 20.

    Redshift

    January 22, 2013 at 2:25 am

    I was there! It was pretty cool.

  21. 21.

    Aussiesmurf

    January 22, 2013 at 2:25 am

    Two balls is two more than Mittens.

  22. 22.

    YellowJournalism

    January 22, 2013 at 2:27 am

    Loved the first dress. It was just enough out of the ordinary to fit the occasion. This one is elegant, but it doesn’t beat that beautiful coat worn earlier, one that I suspect will be copied as much as possible very soon.

  23. 23.

    The prophet Nostradumbass

    January 22, 2013 at 2:30 am

    @Aussiesmurf:

    Two balls is two more than Mittens.

    Or Lance Armstrong.

  24. 24.

    Aussiesmurf

    January 22, 2013 at 2:53 am

    @The prophet Nostradumbass

    Technically one more than Lance…

  25. 25.

    magurakurin

    January 22, 2013 at 3:11 am

    Firebaggers around the ‘net are rallying the wagons around Lupe Fiasco who had his opinions suppressed by the back-stabbing Obambi. The outrage is bubbling over at various locales.

    Our trolls really need to keep up. I haven’t heard a peep from them about this. The least they can do is try to stay current.

  26. 26.

    Wag

    January 22, 2013 at 5:45 am

    @Aussiesmurf:

    FTW

  27. 27.

    geg6

    January 22, 2013 at 6:12 am

    Love, love, love that gown.

    But then, I love everything Michelle wears. She seems to like a lot of the same things I do, clothingwise. But she’s so much taller and fitter, they look much better on her. Wish I was that tall and could wear anything and look fab.

    Ann Romney must be gritting her teeth and have steam coming out of her ears. MO looks fantastic no matter what she has on while Lady Ann always looks like she’s been shopping at Walmart regardless of how many of her zillion $s she spends on her clothes.

  28. 28.

    hep kitty

    January 22, 2013 at 6:14 am

    Lamaar Alexander??

  29. 29.

    hep kitty

    January 22, 2013 at 6:16 am

    James Taylor is as bald as a potato!

    Ok, guess you can tell I’m watching the “rerun” on CSPAN.

  30. 30.

    hep kitty

    January 22, 2013 at 6:20 am

    Ok, white guy just not “getting down” on the First Dance but they seem to be chatting nicely which is sweet.

    “I-I-I-I, I’m soooo in looove with you”

    K, earworm! But a very nice one.

  31. 31.

    hep kitty

    January 22, 2013 at 6:28 am

    And, yes, IMO, the bangs look fine and she’s lovely always. I think it’s a more playful look. Perhaps this second terms she feels like “letting her hair down,” no pun intended. I think people really do expect a more business-like look from their First Lady which is why everybody got their panties in a twist when Hillary grew her hair out.

  32. 32.

    Patricia Kayden

    January 22, 2013 at 6:33 am

    @magurakurin: Who would invite someone who called Obama a terrorist in 2011 to an unofficial inaugural ball?
    Does that make sense?

  33. 33.

    MBL

    January 22, 2013 at 6:35 am

    Do we know anything about the military pair who joined them during this video? Because in the absence of other evidence I’m just going to assume that they had an interracial couple come join them on stage and groove on that for a little bit.

  34. 34.

    Schlemizel

    January 22, 2013 at 6:39 am

    @Aussiesmurf:

    Yes, I hear Lancie has managed to pick up a new sponsor:
    http://www.uniball-na.com/Pages/index.aspx

  35. 35.

    Schlemizel

    January 22, 2013 at 6:41 am

    @magurakurin:

    Its quiet possible they read the story in an earlier post, determined the guy was a major screw up and wouldn’t take his side.

    But it is always fun to try to start an unnecessary fight over something trivial so thanks for trying

    edit: BTW, I feel the same way when a firebagger drops a turd like that here in an attempt to troll the obots needlessly. The butthurt quotient around this place is off the charts.

  36. 36.

    bemused

    January 22, 2013 at 6:41 am

    Morning Joe panel question.

    Gee, now that Obama has finally revealed he really does have a liberal agenda, how do Republicans react?

    Joe: We can’t keep spending. We’ve got debt.

    Katty Kay: But we also can’t go down the European austerity road that has made economies worse, not better, and causing great income disparity.

    Joe: I’m not talking cutting programs to the bone (aren’t you?) but we don’t have to worry about long term debt right now but we do in the short term or vice versa.

  37. 37.

    Raven

    January 22, 2013 at 6:47 am

    @MBL: They were not a couple just 2 GI’s.

  38. 38.

    Raven

    January 22, 2013 at 6:49 am

    @MBL: Here is who they were.

    The service members were chosen by a selection board made up of senior enlisted leaders from the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, a task force of DOD military and civilian members brought together to support the 57th Presidential Inauguration.

    The board met with and reviewed the records and accomplishments of more than 50 individuals who were submitted by senior leadership within each service. Considering factors like combat experience and volunteer efforts, the board aimed to identify individuals who would best tell the story of their services.

  39. 39.

    coriolisification

    January 22, 2013 at 6:50 am

    @The prophet Nostradumbass: You know who else just had one ball.

  40. 40.

    NotMax

    January 22, 2013 at 6:58 am

    @bemusd

    The totality of what Joe S. does not know or does not understand about economics, monetary policy, finance and international fiscal relations would fill the Marianas Trench thrice over.

  41. 41.

    bemused

    January 22, 2013 at 7:10 am

    Read the fashion critic thread. Sheesh. I love that MO’s style is so different from previous, mostly boring first lady wardrobes. Her style is young, fresh and definitely not blah. I think it was Alison who linked to the photo of MO in that awesome black gown…hot damn indeed. It’s just a part of the picture of a first family that is not like any other first family in almost every way and I am grateful every day.

  42. 42.

    NotMax

    January 22, 2013 at 7:10 am

    Summed up for me so much of what’s wrong with big businesses:

    Was in the electric company office to pay a bill.

    They have one of those snaky stanchion and tape things set up for when there is a line.

    At the entrance to the line holding area, there was a sign atop the first stanchion, reading thusly (fingers crossed the code for the symbol below the words shows up here):

               Line
               Forms
               To The
               Right
               ←

  43. 43.

    mai naem

    January 22, 2013 at 7:11 am

    Jim Messina is getting the inaugural Italian American Democratic Club’s Machiavelli Award. Only Dems would name an award after Machiavelli.

    Also Phil Mickelson is whining about the federal and Cali tax hikes on the wealthy. There’s a piece on CBS.
    http://www.cbssports.com/golf/blog/eye-on-golf/21589838/phil-mickelson-might-be-considering-retirement with over a thousand comments. Reading the comments, it blows you away as to how stupid the average American can be. Just a few comments point out the caps on medicare/ss and cap gains/options etc. The vast majority talk about people being envious of Phil, Phil should be able to keep his money etc.

  44. 44.

    bemused

    January 22, 2013 at 7:14 am

    @NotMax:

    It was amusing to see how quickly he stumbled trying to respond to Kay’s austerity remark. I didn’t catch what Mika then said just before commercial break but Joe was saved by the bell.

  45. 45.

    Cassidy

    January 22, 2013 at 7:20 am

    @magurakurin: Don’t follow the link! The article was meh and the comments are a firebagger circlejerk of tears, conspiracy theories, and congratulatory purity handjobs.

  46. 46.

    Gindy51

    January 22, 2013 at 7:21 am

    @bemused: My favorite was of that white gown that looked like a wedding dress. Then again, she could wear sack cloth and ashes and look hotter than almost any other first lady.

  47. 47.

    Southern Beale

    January 22, 2013 at 7:25 am

    Just heard on the news about a U.S. pastor held in an Iranian jail for creating a network of Christian churches in private homes. WTF. These people behave in an irresponsible way and then expect us to bail their asses out? What the hell did he think would happen?

    Scratch that, this is exactly what he wanted to have happen. Now he plays a starring role in his religious persecution drama. When he gets home, and he will, he can write a book and do the tour of Huckabee/700 Club/Fox News/etc. and be a hero for preaching the word in the land of the Ayatollah. “Just like Paul!” Feh. I’m over it.

  48. 48.

    arguingwithsignposts

    January 22, 2013 at 7:26 am

    @NotMax: With Joe Scar, it’s all unknown unknowns, to borrow from Rumsfeld.

  49. 49.

    mai naem

    January 22, 2013 at 7:27 am

    I’m glad Jonathan Capehart is pushing back on Morning Ho. Heileman and Barnicle never push back on Ho’s crap even though they know better. Ofcourse, this means Capehart won’t get invited back on Ho.
    Jeezus, who would have thunk Senenca, Selma and Stonewall would be such a big deal. Wonder if Ho had anything to say when St. Ronald kicked off his 80 campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi where those three Freedom Riders were murdered?

  50. 50.

    bemused

    January 22, 2013 at 7:30 am

    @Gindy51:

    Definitely. She has worn some outfits I didn’t like at all but I am always struck by how great she looks. She’s got that certain something.

  51. 51.

    magurakurin

    January 22, 2013 at 8:28 am

    @Schlemizel:

    sorry about that. I saw lots of gnashing and wailing of teeth about this over at TPM by one of their resident trolls and just felt slighted.

  52. 52.

    Kristine

    January 22, 2013 at 8:47 am

    I thought the First Lady looked great. Loved her dress.

    Didn’t understand the hair-hate, either. I like it.

  53. 53.

    Yutsano

    January 22, 2013 at 8:54 am

    @magurakurin: You go to blog with the trolls you have, not the trolls you wish you had.

  54. 54.

    Pooh

    January 22, 2013 at 9:09 am

    @Redshift:

    Me too. She looked amazing in person. Loved LOVED the choice of “Let’s Stay Together” for their song, little Easter egg for the fans out there. The whole thing was pretty amazing (we didn’t really research who the perforners were so my wife almost lost her mind when FUN. started playing). Stevie Wonder has lost about 3 full steps but is still amazing.

    Also I literally ran into Jamie Hector (Marlo from The Wire) on our way out and was equal parts thrilled and terrified because, well, it’s Marlo fucking Stanfield.

  55. 55.

    Elizabelle

    January 22, 2013 at 9:44 am

    @Aussiesmurf:

    Two balls is two more than Mittens.

    True, in so many ways.

  56. 56.

    LAC

    January 22, 2013 at 10:02 am

    The First Lady looked lovely in red and it was sweet watching them dance together. I like what she did with her hair that evening. Red is a truly eye catching color and when you wear it with confidence, as she did, it is a winner.

  57. 57.

    AxelFoley

    January 22, 2013 at 10:07 am

    @Yutsano:

    @magurakurin: You go to blog with the trolls you have, not the trolls you wish you had.

    Your internets, Yutsano–where do you want them delivered?

  58. 58.

    Barbara

    January 22, 2013 at 10:41 am

    She looks way better than fine! IMHO, the only time Michelle Obama errs sartorially is when she thinks small — because she is tall and statuesque she can wear “big” dresses — indeed, she can wear them better than nearly anyone else, including Hollywood actresses and the women who model them because she is a NORMAL weight.

  59. 59.

    AxelFoley

    January 22, 2013 at 10:47 am

    Oh Sweet Jesus, I just saw the tag for this thread. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

  60. 60.

    MazeDancer

    January 22, 2013 at 11:07 am

    @Jager:

    You made your dog come alive with your beautiful words in that blog post. Misty-eyed, sending you many heartfelt condolences.

  61. 61.

    Betsy

    January 22, 2013 at 11:19 am

    Anne Laurie, please link to that essay; how I never tire of dissing Ann Romney (p’tooey)

  62. 62.

    weaselone

    January 22, 2013 at 12:21 pm

    @NotMax:

    There’s an obscenely large amount to know about those subjects. I’d probably focus on how little he actually knows as opposed to what he has yet to learn. Perhaps something along the lines of “What Joe Scarborough knows and understands about economics, finance and monetary policy could be scribed on a single standard-sized index card in 48 point font.”

  63. 63.

    Ruckus

    January 22, 2013 at 12:32 pm

    @weaselone:
    Wouldn’t that be a one word comment?

    Nothing.
    Or, if one needs to be a little wordy…

    Not a damn thing.

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