Obama Reveals Anniversary Plans For Today

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Barack Obama would like one simple thing for his 16th wedding anniversary _ a quiet date with his wife.

It's unlikely, given that the Democratic presidential candidate doesn't go anywhere without drawing attention these days. He's putting his campaign on hold Friday night to fly back to Chicago and take his wife, Michelle, out to an Italian restaurant.

"I've got this whole romantic dinner planned," Obama told a rally in Grand Rapids. "I think it should go pretty well. That's my hope any ways. I've got a gift all picked out."

The campaign has kept the couple apart for much of the last two years. Even on Thursday when both were campaigning in Michigan, they were in different parts of the state and didn't plan to see each other.

Obama told reporters aboard his campaign plane that he never forgets their anniversary, after it slipped his wife's mind their first year. Asked for his thoughts on how to maintain a marriage for 16 years, he suggested a sense of humor, listening and "never get so mad that you forget why you love them."

"You know what you guys could give us for our anniversary?" he said, turning to the television reporters. "Not have a camera pool outside of the restaurant, so that everybody knows that we're there."

Related: The Obamas' Greatest PDA Moments (SLIDESHOW)

Comments

[claylandg]

Awww Another fluff piece from the media. i guess they should have asked a tuff question like did he buy the gift hiself, what did he give her, what will he order for dinner boy all those hard questions i wonder if he need a promter??

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

Oh come on. They are damned if they do or damned if they don't. If they didn't mention anything about their anniversary then folks similarly situated to you would scream about how secretive they are.

My guess is that you were just as vocal about the coverage of McCain's Birthday? Palin's Eyelashes?

[GiannaX]

A little jealous, are we, or just a grouch?

[dare2tryobama]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! I pray you are blessed with many more to come.

[skooby]

Barack and Michelle are the New Camelot

[obamanation31]

Happy Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. O.

[Territc]

Happy Anniversary Mrs and Mrs O.

[uclafan]

Happy Anniversary!! Many many blessings until your 50th!

[Banji81]

Lovely, lovely, lovely picture. Two optimistic kids, ready to take on the world together..­. and look at them now. They really do inspire. Hope y'all! :-)

[Barbie40]

I'm going to donate $16 in honor of their 16th wedding anniversary. :)

[TedB]

Me too, nice idea! Anyone want to join us?

https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/standardvidbottom?source=mainnav

[mistlesuede]

This is just another part of Senator Obama that endears me more to him. They obviously have a great marriage and respect and love each other very much. What he said shows a sweet side to a man who is very strong, intelligent and good.
I love the Obama's. Can't wait to see them in the White House!

[GayGrandpa]

TO THE PRESS: Leave the kids alone! Take a night off to be with your spouses.

[OpinionsRMine]

May God continue to bless their union...Ha­ppy anniversary to the Obamas!!

[asmabintmarwan]

So "honest" Obe(honest Abe) wants a quiet dinner with Michelle on his anniversary, and he does not want a bunch of photographers clicking away outside the restaurant. So why is he announcing to the press corps that its going to be at an Italian restaurant in Chicago? Wanna bet Barry and Michelle are going to get a table near the window?

[harriscrl3]

Makes perfect sense to me after all there is only ONE Italian Resturant in the ENTIRE CITY of Chicago. *rolls eyes*

Carol

[asmabintmarwan]

Any wet behind the ears cub reporter would be able to find out the "one" Italian restaurant, even if there are a 100 Italian restaurants. *roll eyes* *shakes head*

[Ojamas]

I bet I know what Barack got Michelle for their anniversary. It's got to be something that keeps her warm and reminds of him on those nights when he's away campaigning or in some far away place negotiating world peace or tough business deals for the US. It would have to be something really special after 16 years of marriage and two beautiful children. After all they've gone through campaigning for the Presidency, the perfect gift has to capture the spirit of the election as well as the humor and intelligence of the man himself. There's only one gift he could possibly be springing on her in that romantic Italian restaurant that meets all of those criteria..­.... it's gotta be his and hers matching Ojamas! http://www.ojamas.uss)

[adrianinflorida]

Or maybe he'll buy her something nice to put in their new home that they'll be moving into on January 20th of next year.

[wadahoot]

I just sent my $16 donation - Happy Anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. President!

[GolfingDevil05]

I'll make it easier for those who haven't:

https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/splashtshirt?source=splashpage_exp3

[MarcInCA]

I don't believe them anymore with those promo product bribes. I made a donation in exchange for the Obama/Biden first edition car magnet 5 weeks ago and still haven't received it.

That Democratic Stuff company that handles their products is AWFUL!!! The first order I placed with them took 2 months for them to fulfill. You're telling me they can't find enough people to hire to step up production after being behind stock for well over a year now in this economy?

[123dee]

In honor of the Obama's Anniversary many have already donated
$16.00 to the campaign. How about you?

[Jojotwins]

Yep! But I donated $50, because I would like to see them reach that milestone too. Happy Anniversary to the Obamas! Can't wait to see you in the White House.