Katie Couric's Notebook: Date Night

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric's Notebook

On their very first date, Barack and Michelle Obama walked, talked, and went to a museum.

They have obviously come a long way.

This weekend, as President and First Lady, it was a meal at a toney Manhattan restaurant and then a Broadway play.

It took three Gulfstream jets, three helicopters and a motorcade...to have an intimate night out on the town.

The White House hasn't reported how much the date cost taxpayers, but Republicans are crying foul already. Some are saying it may not have sent the right message...just a day before G-M announced bankruptcy filings.

Opponents tend to put down how president's spend their down time. Democrats bristled at President Bush's more than 70 trips to the Crawford ranch.

The Obamas say they wanted to just take the shuttle...but secret service wouldn't allow it.

That might be a good reason to keep that next date...a little closer to home.

That's a page from my notebook.

14 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment

See all 14 Comments


by ffaye June 4, 2009 3:52 PM EDT: to robertspencerknotts-WOW what a special couple. I have been married 30 years and have 3 teen age children. I can't afford to go on a fancy date. If they want my approval have them write a personal check to pay all of the expenses for the two dates or just stay home and have a special dinner like we do. Taking a vacation a couple of times a year is one thing most business offer paid vacations to their employees (I never had my boss pay for a date night) but taxpayers footing the bill for date nights no way. Oh and I am sure this is two dates of many to come. ya wanna bet. The White House needs to tighten their belt as well as Congress! I guess it's the little people who need to make all of the sacrfices.; Reply to this comment


by expatswiss June 3, 2009 8:38 AM EDT: The sad part is this isn't the first date that he has taken advantage of the taxpayers money. Michelle also was promised a valentines date to her favorite restaurant in Chicago. Less than a month in office, while spending 4x what a normal president would spend on his inaguration he jets off on the taxpayers money for dinner. I agree he deserves some time to recharge the batteries. However considering the number of individuals loosing their homes, struggling to make ends meet, loosing insurance, and shortly running out of unemployment with not great prospect of a job on the horizon I am just concerned he really isn't connected to what is happening to the American people. I just think they he needs to lead by example which is something he hasn't done from the beginning.; Reply to this comment


by sjm55 June 2, 2009 10:38 PM EDT: I totally agree with jstrong8, Katie. You seem a little judgmental. Did you complain about all of the Bush trips to his 3 vacation homes during his stay in the White House? Frankly, I find it refreshing to see a couple that in love and that family oriented. Every time I see them or the entire family, including Bo, I find myself smiling.; Reply to this comment


by cmwinter1 June 2, 2009 8:04 PM EDT: Date night is fine...but to jet off to NYC for dinner and a play for the evening at taxpayer's expense when The One (with The Gift) is demanding that ALL Americans tighten their belts, sacrifice, and redistribute their wealth for the benefit of everyone -- such hypocracy! Americans should drive dangerous little cars to save gas so the elite can fly 3 jets and 3 helicopters to go out to dinner for 1 evening. Makes me nauseous.; Reply to this comment


by phobson1 June 2, 2009 6:22 PM EDT: My goodness--HE'S THE PRESIDENT!!!! I'm sure he would have taken a Greyhound bus --BUT HE COULDN'T-HE'S THE PRESIDENT !!!!!! Get a grip people!!!! I don't see anyone counting up all of Bush's expenses and trips--he got us into this mess !!!!!!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by impeachbhb June 2, 2009 5:21 PM EDT: Obama thinks of himself as a dictator. After winning his slickly run campaign, he knows for sure we are a nation of idiots. Hope our government is not toppled anytime soon.; Reply to this comment


by laubritt June 2, 2009 9:17 AM EDT: It is dispicable that they did this. I have heard repeatedly for all americans to cut back. But not the Messiah and his ungrateful wife noooooooooo. And for you Catti Couric to defend this is again your bias reporting. You think you were so cute down there in Princeton this weekend with your speech to graduates. You are and will always be a disgrace to the journalists in this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by robertspencerknotts June 2, 2009 9:03 AM EDT: I believe we should all feel grateful to the Obamas. They are the embodiment of what the conservatives like to call "family values." They are a long-married couple, still clearly in love, taking care of two daughters but carving out time to renew their own relationship. It makes them a stronger, healthier couple and better parents. They are more likely to do their work well without distractions caused by problems at home. What is not to like about this?; Reply to this comment


by adrastean June 2, 2009 5:29 AM EDT: At the very least this exorbitantly expensive "date" shows really poor judgment and weak political savvy that is very disturbing in one who formerly had enough political savvy to overcome all odds in achieving the Presidency. What has happened to his brain? Is this the same Barack Obama who said during his campaign that we will need to sacrifice in the future, to "eat less," and to virtually stop driving? Those may not be the exact words, but I do remember that in one of his campaign speeches he was extolling the merits of cutting back and saving resources. If he is to maintain any credibility, the Obamas' next "date" should be in Washington D.C. A trip to a museum would be a more appropriate "date" for a President who wants to appear to be as sensitive to the plight of the common people as he says he is.; Reply to this comment