Obama Pda on The Huffington Post

The First Family's Cutest Holiday Moments (PHOTOS,POLL)

2009-11-30T15:50:52Z

It was the Obamas' first major holiday at the White House, which meant great picture opportunities for America's most photogenic family. See some of their sweeter Thanksgiving weekend moments below, and vote for your favorite.

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The Obamas' 16 Sweetest Family Photos Since The Election (PICTURES, POLL)

2009-11-03T17:25:05Z

As many photographers can attest, the Obamas are unusually photogenic first family. Below, one year after Barack Obama was elected president, here's a look at their sixteen sweetest moments. Tweet your thoughts (our Twitter hashtag is #OneYearLater) on Obama's first year in office.

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Obamas' Presidential PDA: One Year As A Cute First Couple (PHOTOS, POLL)

2009-11-02T17:59:15Z

In this weekend's New York Times Magazine's story on the Obamas' marriage, reporter Jodi Kantor writes, "[F]riends who visit the White House describe occasionally turning corners to find the first couple mid-embrace." And we don't doubt it! Barack and Michelle are frequently photographed holding hands, and sometimes seen sneaking a kiss or making eyes at each other. We've rounded up our favorite post-inauguration Obama PDA pics. Which moments are sweet...and which are the sweetest? Take a look and vote. And for more lovey-dovey snapshots, check out our Obama PDA Big News Page.

Photos from AP, Getty, and White House.

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Presidential PDA Past And Present: The Kissing Couples Who Came Before The Obamas (PHOTOS, POLL)

2009-10-31T05:25:15Z

Sunday's New York Times Magazine cover story "The First Marriage" takes a close look at the Obama union. Washington correspondent Jodi Kantor writes:

[T]he Obamas mix politics and romance in a way that no first couple quite have before. Almost 10 months ago, they swept into Washington with inauguration festivities that struck distinctly wedding-like notes: he strode down an aisle and took a vow, she wore a long white dress, the youthful-looking couple swayed to a love song in a ceremonial first dance and then settled into a new house. Since then, photograph after official White House photograph has shown the Obamas gazing into each other's eyes while performing one or another official function.

And you can see all of that lovey dovey-ness HERE, on our Obama Big News page. But how do other presidential marriages stack up? Check out a slideshow we originally posted last Valentine's Day, and tell us which first marriage seemed to have crazy amounts of chemistry, and who looked pretty tame.

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Obama's "Intricate" Indonesian Wedding Band: A CLOSE-UP (PHOTOS)

2009-10-29T16:19:20Z

We always thought President Obama's wedding ring was just a plain old gold band: the same style that many men wear. But then we read this interesting tidbit in the New York Times Magazine's cover story "First Marriage."

Just before the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. pronounced Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson man and wife on the evening of Oct. 3, 1992, he held their wedding rings -- signifying their new, enduring bonds -- before the guests at Trinity United Church of Christ. Michelle's was traditional, but Barack's was an intricate gold design from Indonesia, where he had lived as a boy.

Nevermind the Reverend Wright part--that's been covered, to say the least--but what jumped out was that the president's band is actually "an intricate gold design from Indonesia." Well, that's a little more stylish than we thought! So we took a closer look, and you can too:

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Obamas Discuss Marriage "Bumps," Date Nights, And Counseling In NYT Magazine : UPDATED With New Details (VIDEO)

2009-10-28T17:40:58Z

10/29 UPDATE:

The "Today Show"'s Norah O'Donnell covered the story this morning.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

10/28 UPDATE:The New York Times has posted the November 1st cover story "The First Marriage," by Washington correspondent Jodi Kantor online.

Here are a few highlights from the story:

*President Obama's wedding ring is an intricate Indonesian gold design. See a CLOSE-UP of it here.

*Mrs. Obama is the second woman he took home to meet his family in Hawaii.

*A friend described Michelle's warmth by saying "She is really Bill, and he is really Hillary."

*Kantor reports that "friends who visit the White House describe occasionally turning corners to find the first couple mid-embrace."

*The president reads aloud with his children in the evenings, and he and Sasha are currently reading "The Life Of Pi."

*Mrs. Obama won't allow the girls to have cell phones.

*Weekend activities entail movies, Scrabble games, and children's talent shows.

*Relatives will take Sasha and Malia to the bookstore or multiplex, since their parents can't move around freely.

*The family recently finished redecorating the White House. The first lady requested an outdoor rocking chair for her husband to read in.

On the downside to "date nights":

"I would say the one time during our stay here in the White House so far that has. . . ." He paused so long in choosing his words that Michelle Obama, sitting alongside him, prompted him. "Has what?"

"Annoyed me," the president answered.

"Don't say it!" the first lady mock-warned. "Uh-oh."

"Was when I took Michelle to New York and people made it into a political issue," he continued, recalling the evening last spring when they flew to New York for dinner and a show, eliciting Republican gibes for spending federal money on their own entertainment.

On whether they ever considered divorce:

"That's overreading it," the president said. "But I wouldn't gloss over the fact that that was a tough time for us."

Did you ever seek counseling? I asked.

The first lady looked solemnly at the president. He said: "You know, I mean, I think that it was important for us to work this through. . . . There was no point where I was fearful for our marriage. There were points in time where I was fearful that Michelle just really didn't -- that she would be unhappy."

On what they're saying when they're photographed whispering to each other:

In September, as they waited to greet a long, slow procession of foreign dignitaries and their spouses at the Group of 20 Summit in Pittsburgh, the first lady whispered in her husband's ear about things "that I probably shouldn't repeat," he said.

"She can puncture the balloon of this," he added, making him feel like the same person he was 5 or 10 years ago.

10/27:

The Obamas sat down to discuss their union in the New York Times Magazine's November 1st cover story "The First Marriage," by Washington correspondent Jodi Kantor.

According to the NYT press release:

"Clearly, the Obamas prefer to think of themselves as largely unaltered. 'The strengths and challenges of our marriage don't change because we move to a different address,' the first lady said, the president studying the carpet as she answered. But even as they serve as sources of continuity for each other, their own partnership is undergoing significant change, not just in outward circumstance -- the city, the exposure, the security, the staff, the house and so on -- but far more fundamentally. Michelle Obama has gone from political skeptic to political partner to a woman with a White House agenda of her own, and an approval rating higher than the president's." - "The First Marriage" by Jodi Kantor

COVER STORY - New York Times Washington correspondent Jodi Kantor sat with the President and First Lady in an Oval Office interview about the effects of the presidency on their marriage. The Obamas have recast the rules for how a politician and spouse are supposed to behave, primarily by speaking frankly about their marriage - "The bumps happen to everybody..." says Michelle Obama.

One secret to the first couple's success is maintaining a regular date night. See a slideshow of their "Sexy Saturdays" here. They're also famous for their public displays of affection, so much so that we've made an Obama PDA Big News page.

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More Sexy Saturdays! Obamas Keep The Date Nights Coming (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

2009-10-24T12:30:03Z

The Obamas were vigilant about date night before they moved to Washington, and thankfully they haven't let the tradition slip since moving to Washington. Whether they're flying to New York to take in a Broadway show or stepping out in D.C. to toast 17 years of marriage, this first couple clearly knows how to keep the fire alive. See the photos below and scroll down to see Michelle speak about date nights.

Read the Obama PDA Big News Page.

In January Michelle spoke with CNN's Roland Martin about date night as "part of the reminder that this family is not just two folks raising kids, but it's two people building a life together." She then put a message out to "All the parents out there, have your date nights. It's important for kids to know that their parents are connecting."

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First Daddy Lift-Offs: Obama's Olympic, Acrobatic Greetings (PHOTOS, POLL)

2009-10-21T15:51:04Z

If picking up Sasha were an Olympic sport, then President Obama would be a gold medalist: his 8-year-old daughter has perfected the acrobatic 'run and leap' greet.

Rate the the lifts on a scale of 1 to 10 (being a perfect score), as though you were an Olympic judge. Maybe the sport should be considered for the Sao Palo 2016 Olympics.

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Obamas' Anniversary (PICTURES): President, First Lady Celebrate 17th Wedding Anniversary At Blue Duck Tavern

2009-10-03T23:24:08Z

WASHINGTON (AP)- There was no trip to New York and no fancy outing as the Obamas celebrated their first wedding anniversary since they moved to the White House.

Instead they kept it simple, with a dinner out Saturday night at an elegant, American-fare restaurant near Georgetown. The evening was balmy and the moon almost full.

President Barack Obama stayed in all day before taking a motorcade with Michelle Obama to the Blue Duck Tavern to mark their 17th wedding anniversary.

Mrs. Obama stepped into the restaurant wearing a backless knee-length dress while the president wore a dark suit.

Last year, the Obamas also had an understated anniversary with a simple dinner out in downtown Chicago. The Obamas were married Oct. 3, 1992 in a ceremony at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

The anniversary dinner came after a whirlwind week that saw the Obamas fly to Copenhagen to make an unsuccessful pitch for their hometown of Chicago to host the 2016 Olympics.

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Read more: President, Michelle Obama, Slideshow, 17th Wedding Anniversary, Washington, First Lady, Georgetown, Blue Duck Tavern, Obamas' Anniversary, D.C., Michelle Obama Style, Barack Obama, Photos, 17 Years, Pictures, Obama PDA, Blueduck Tavern, Pictures of Obama's Anniversary Dinner in Washington, Blue Duck Tavern Restaurant, President Wedding Anniversary, Style News

The Obamas Get Cozy In Copenhagen: Did Absence Make The Heart Grow Fonder? (PHOTOS, POLL)

2009-10-02T08:42:52Z
After spending two days nearly 4,000 miles apart, the president and first lady (dressed in yellow Michael Kors) engaged in PDA of Olympic proportions during the Chicago 2016 bid presentation at the International Olympic Committee session on Friday. See photographic evidence below or read the president's speech.

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Read more: Michelle Obama Copenhagen, Obama in Copenhagen Photos, Obama PDA, Slidepoll, Obama Copenhagen, Michael Kors, Obama PDA Copenhagen, Slideshow, Style News

Michelle Obama Welcomes G-20 Spouses, Hosts Dinner At Teresa Heinz Kerry's Rosemont Farm (PHOTOS)

2009-09-25T08:49:35Z
*PHOTOS BELOW*

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press Writer

PITTSBURGH - First lady Michelle Obama shared her passion for eating fresh, healthy and locally grown food with the spouses of world leaders at a dinner Thursday on a working farm.

Rosemont Farm, just outside the city in Fox Chapel, belongs to Teresa Heinz Kerry, a local philanthropist and wife of Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. She is the widow of Sen. John Heinz, R-Pa., of the ketchup family.

The farm grows produce and raises chicken and cows. Some of that was on the menu for the private affair, which marks the first time the spouses of leaders of the world's 20 largest and emerging economies have met on U.S. soil.

It's also Mrs. Obama's first turn in the role of international hostess.

White House social secretary Desiree Rogers greeted each guest at the door of the home, then led them to a patio where Mrs. Obama and Heinz Kerry also greeted them.

The ladies ate at a long, rectangular table and were joined by Heinz Kerry, Rogers and Susan Sher, Mrs. Obama's chief of staff. Mrs. Obama sat between the spouses from Indonesia and Brazil.

Salad greens and apples from the farm were served during the dinner, although a detailed menu could not be immediately released for security reasons.

Mrs. Obama wore a sleeveless cocktail dress by Thakoon, one of her favorite designers, and patterned in taupe, pink and green. She accented it with a long strand of pearls, pearl earrings and pink patent leather heels. She swept her hair up into a fluffy ponytail.

In remarks before the group, Mrs. Obama complimented Heinz Kerry for providing friendship and mentoring during the long presidential campaign. Heinz Kerry was in the same position during the 2004 election cycle when her husband was the Democratic presidential nominee. He fell short of being elected.

Musicians from the Pittsburgh Philharmonic Orchestra's Jazz Trio performed throughout the dinner, exposing Mrs. Obama's guests to another of her passions, jazz music.

Mrs. Obama has been promoting locally grown food and healthier eating through a popular produce garden she planted on the White House lawn. Last week, she helped open a farmers' market near the Executive Mansion.

Mrs. Obama and her counterparts dined after she and President Barack Obama greeted their guests during a reception at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden in Pittsburgh.

Dinner could provide the ladies with some sustenance for a more hands-on day of events on Friday.

The schedule includes a tour of the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School, where the group will visit classrooms to watch student rehearsals and take in a star-studded show featuring performances by students and such notable artists as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, country superstar Trisha Yearwood and singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles.

There's also a visit to the Andy Warhol Museum for a private tour and luncheon.

The spouses will get to try the silk-screen printing technique popularized by the late 20th century pop artist and Pittsburgh native, and peruse items pulled from one of more than 600 cardboard "time-capsule" boxes Warhol -- who threw away little -- used to store all kinds of papers, documents and other items.

Archivists already have found $17,000 in cash in one box, and, in another, a crusty piece of cake from Caroline Kennedy's 1986 wedding to Edwin Schlossberg.

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Read more: G-20 Spouses Dinner, Slideshow, Fox Chapel, Thakoon, Slidehuge, Rosemont Farm, G-20, Michelle Obama Style, Teresa Heinz Kerry, Michelle Obama G-20 Style, G-20 Style, Obama PDA, Carla Bruni, Miyuki Hatoyama, Michelle Obama, Michelle Obama Dress, Michelle Obama News, Obama Heinza Kerry Farm, Style News

Pennsylvania Avenue Pairs: Obamas Not The Only White House Couple (PHOTOS)

2009-08-11T15:45:03Z
WASHINGTON — Barack Obama has more than one way of bringing people together: Just ask Cass and Samantha. Or Anita and Bob. Or Tommy and Katie.

It turns out there are power couples all over the White House, united both in marriage and by policy.
Read more: Sarah Feinberg, Samantha Power, Anita Dunn, Obama PDA, Tommy Vietor, Bob Bauer, Dan Pfeiffer, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, Cass Sunstein, Slideshow, Style News

Double Date! Obamas And Medvedevs Dine At Gorki Residence, Russian President Wears Jeans (PHOTOS, POLL)

2009-07-06T17:41:32Z
After a day of tourism, the first couple left Sasha and Malia behind (possibly with First Granny Marian Robinson, who accompanied the family on the trip) and visited Moscow's Gorki residence for dinner with President Dmitry Medvedev and his wife Svetlana. The dress code appeared to be casual, as President Medvedev paired jeans with his jacket. Is that appropriate? See the photos and vote in the poll below.

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Read more: Slidepoll, Michelle Obama Style, Obama Medvedev Double Date, Michelle Obama Russia, Obama PDA, Michelle Obama Moscow, Michelle Obama in Moscow, Gorki Residence, President of Russia the Gorkiy Moscow Home, Style News

Obamas' Fourth Of July Fashion, Family PDA (PHOTOS)

2009-07-06T10:42:33Z
Michelle Obama traded the traditional red, white, and blue for Saturday's 4th of July festivities in favor of black and white. The first lady paired the Narciso Rodriguez dress with her favorite silver flats. Daughters Malia, who was celebrating her 11th birthday, and Sasha both wore their hair in 'mini-Michelle' buns.

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Read more: Slidepoll, Obama PDA, Malia Obama, Obama Fourth of July, Obamas Fourth of July Photos, Michelle Obama Narciso Rodriguez, Michelle Obama Style, Sasha Obama, Style News

Is Obama Ruining Your Game?

2009-06-10T14:47:56Z
They've been married sixteen years. They have two kids, a puppy, and they recently picked up and moved to a new city. Her mother lives with them and he's got a country to run. But the Obamas still manage to make time for date night.
Read more: Obama Marriage, Obama PDA, Style News

The Obamas' Post-Inauguration PDA: Hand-Holding, Hugs, And The Occasional Kiss (PHOTOS)

2009-06-10T09:02:21Z
During the presidential campaign, the Obamas became known for their public displays of affection. But since the inauguration, the first couple has taken it down a notch. As we assembled an album of their post-inauguration PDA, we noticed a trend: harmless hand-holding and sneaked smooches are the new making out.

Check out the Obamas' pre-inauguration displays of affection on the Obama PDA Big News page.

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Read more: Michelle Obama, Slideshow, Relationships, Obama PDA, Romance, Barack Obama, Style News

Date Night: How The Obamas Brought 'Sexy Saturdays' Back

2009-06-08T08:02:12Z
While some commentators were grousing about the presidential date's undisclosed cost to the taxpayers, news of the romantic evening prompted many wives to glare across the breakfast table, trying to remember the last time their husbands made a fuss over them.
Read more: Obama Date Night, Obama PDA, Style News

Obamas' Marriage Was Strained During 2000 House Race: Book

2009-06-03T09:11:29Z
WASHINGTON — For all the smiling photos of Barack and Michelle Obama, the couple went through a tough time in their marriage in earlier years, according to a new book.

"Renegade," by journalist Richard Wolffe, says the couple's marriage was strained by Barack Obama's unsuccessful 2000 run for Congress.
Read more: Obama Marriage, Obama PDA, Style News

National Fist Bump Day: The Next Great American Holiday?

2009-05-27T15:02:34Z
One year after the legendary Obama fist bump rocked the world, a new holiday will hit the mainstream: National Fist Bump Day. On June 3rd, get ready to knock knuckles with your neighbor as the pound becomes a new American pastime.

From the official National Fist Bump Day website:

For one day we are calling for Americans, and perhaps even all global citizens, to put aside their differences -- be they class, race, religion or values -- and show their respect with a little bump.
Sometimes all the world needs is a little human touch, a little flesh on flesh action, and a little understanding.

As of right now it's unclear what the day's festivities will entail, if anything other than some knuckle rubbing. Remember to mark your calendar and get ready to greet others in the updated American way.

Check out Michelle Obama and her fist-bumping on The View. Or make your salutation statements with a high-five.
Read more: Michelle Obama, Obama, Fist Bump, Pound, Obama PDA, National Fist Bump Day, Obama Fist Bump, Fist Bump Day, National First Bump Day, Bump Day, June 3rd Is National Day, Nation First Bump Day, Fist Bump Day President, National Pound Fist Day, National Bump Day, National Fist Bump, June 3 Holiday, Style News

Obama: Dating My Daughters Will Be "An Issue"

2009-05-18T17:29:48Z
At ages 10 and 7, Malia and Sasha Obama are daddy's girls. The president is already preparing for what might be his biggest challenge: the dating scene. In a recent Newsweek Q&A, President Obama mentioned his dating policy, with an emphasis on the inherent advantage of armed Secret Service guards. One thing is for sure, the Obama daughters won't be sneaking out of any White House windows when they get to a dating age.

For more on the First Family see a slideshow of Obama's sweetest parenting moments.

Were you surprised at how quickly your family became part of the cultural iconography?
You know, the nice thing is that, partly because of temperament, partly because of Michelle's unbelievable parenting skills, I've just got some happy, normal kids. And all that stuff that's going on around them, they just kind of miss. We have not seen any effects, any fishbowl effects, yet on them. Now, I worry about them when they're teenagers where, you know, you're already embarrassed about your parents and even more embarrassed on TV all the time. And dating I think will be an issue because I have men with guns surrounding them at all times [laughter], which I'm perfectly happy with, but they may feel differently about it.

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Read more: Malia Obama, Obama PDA, Dating, Sasha and Malia Obama, Barack Obama, Sasha Obama, Style News

Jan Phillips: Reframing the Crisis: A Wildfire of Opportunity

2009-05-15T14:00:11Z
Imagine what it would feel like if when you turned on CNN, MSNBC, or Fox News, instead of seeing interviews with politicians, political pundits and economic analysts, you watched interviews with poets, visionaries, and philosophers who helped us make sense of these tumultuous times. Imagine hearing people address the spiritual nature of this crisis, speak to the emotions such times trigger and provide us with a new lens for understanding the vast complexities this systemic collapse is bringing to light.

It is not simply a material crisis we are weathering. It is not only about money; in fact, that is the least of it, really. We're facing the biggest decisions we've ever faced as co-creators of Western civilization and American culture: will we take care of each other? As a so-called Judeo-Christian society, will we actually embody the tenets of our faith that ask us to care for others as we care for our own, to share our wealth, to empower the poor? If so, then this very upheaval is a first step in that direction.

Russian philosopher Nikolai Berdyaev once wrote, "The question of bread for myself is a material question, but the question of bread for my neighbor is a spiritual question." And it's really the spiritual questions that are on the table now, though one would never know it listening to the daily news. We are going through a dark night of the soul akin to September 11, but without the kinship, without the expression of our soul-disturbing grief, without a resounding public acknowledgment that the twin towers of capitalism and globalization as we have known it have collapsed in a rubble all around us.

We are at a threshold, a turning point -- many of us fearful, jobless, steps away from homelessness. And weary as we are, it is our time to be creative, to be vocal, to imagine together the kind of world we want to live in. None of us were educated for this task. We were taught what to think, not how. We were taught to be suspect of anything foreign, un-American, non-religious but this is the very moment when we need to transcend those fears and entertain every new idea that points to fairness and opportunity for everyone.

A huge opportunity for breakthrough right now is in the business environment where there is a collective force, a compelling question and a sense of urgency. This is a defining moment for leaders, an opportunity to tap into the spiritual energy and creative potential of the workforce. It is a time for collective engagement, community inquiry and company-wide involvement in the search for new solutions. It is a time to address the spiritual nature of our crisis, to appeal to the souls and imaginations of the people gathered, and to ask the questions that cause people to rise up in all their glory and bring their whole hearts to the table; not how can we be the best in the world, but how can we be the best for the world?
How can we reframe our questions in such a way that people are inspired by the inquiry?
How do we get our teams to embody the idea that waste is food and to conjure up new ideas for sustainable practices? How do we transform ourselves into a triple-bottom line entity?

These are spiritual questions because they involve the whole being, the whole planet, the whole human family. We're in a crisis because we failed to address the whole when all our attention was on profit alone. That world is over. That paradigm will never be resurrected. We have evolved beyond that thinking as a human organism as it does not take into account the entire human body, the whole group of us. The questions now are bigger than profit, bigger than returns on investment, bigger than individual success. When the finger is cut, even the toe cells respond. As the neural cells of this planet, we are reorganizing ourselves for the benefit of every cell. It's how nature works.

Think of wildfires, which are a natural part of terrestrial ecosystems. Wildfire eliminates dead and decayed plant and tree matter, enriching the soil and ensuring that healthier trees have less competition for limited nutrients. What looks like a disaster to us is actually an organic win/win to the forest. So these are our wildfire times. Yes, it's frightening, disconcerting, heated and punishing, but what an opportunity for new growth!

Jan Phillips, author of The Art of Original Thinking: The Making of a Thought Leader, is a consultant to businesses and organizations who are committed to bringing some heart and soul into the workplace. http://www.janphillips.com

Read more: Spirit in Business, Spirituality and Politics, Obama PDA, Economic Crisis, Nature, Wildfires, Paradigm Shift, Business News

Sexy Saturdays! A Look Back At The Obamas' Date Nights (SLIDESHOW, VIDEO)

2009-04-11T08:16:31Z
Michelle and Barack Obama have stated many times that they make date night a priority (see Michelle speak to this below).

True to their word, the couple steps out for dinner on a regular basis, and were rumored to have had a little quality time in Prague last Saturday.

See more Obama PDA here.

Michelle spoke with CNN's Roland Martin about date night as "part of the reminder that this family is not just two folks raising kids, but it's two people building a life together." She then put a message out to "All the parents out there, have your date nights. It's important for kids to know that their parents are connecting."

WATCH:

Read more: Obama Date Night, Obama Slideshow, Video, Slideshow, Obama PDA, Style News

Strasbourg Is For Lovers? Sarkozy-Obama Meeting Puts First Couples In The Mood For Love (SLIDESHOW)

2009-04-03T19:52:25Z
There was something in the air in Strasbourg today as first couples Sarkozy and Obama got a little more cuddly than usual.

See the slideshow below.

See a slideshow of more Sarkozy PDA here.

See more Obama PDA here.
Read more: Slideshow, Sarkozy PDA, Obama PDA, Sarkozy Obama, Photos Des Couples Sarkozy Obama Strasbourg, Carla Bruni Strasbourg, Strasbourg, Sarkozy Obama Brief, Style News

First 70 Days Of First Coupledom (SLIDESHOW)

2009-03-30T00:00:18Z
On this, President Obama's 70th day in office, let's check in with our favorite first couple. Since January 20th, Barack and Michelle have been canoodling around Washington, Camp David, and, of course, they didn't miss date night in Chicago.

See the Obamas out and about below.

And if you want some more, visit the Obama PDA big news page.

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Read more: Michelle Obama, Slideshow, Obama PDA, Barack Obama, First 70 Days, Obama Slideshow, Style News

John Wellington Ennis: Obamas Keep St. Pat's Alive and Well (Public Access, Not So Much)

2009-03-18T18:33:48Z
Nobody does St. Patrick's Day like Chicago.

Thanks to the Obamas' full-on display Tuesday, now the rest of the world knows it, too.

A St. Patty's bash at the White House is one thing I'm sure Irish presidents have held in the past. But green water in the White House fountain? Chicago's time-honored tradition of dying the river green (at least a brighter green) has finally reached the Beltway.

How many knock offs are already in the works of the green suede boots Michelle Obama wore to mark the occasion?

That a black couple from the South Side promotes St. Patrick's Day with such pride is truly reflective of how Chicago celebrates the holiday. Unlike the endless phalanxes of cops, firemen, and marching bands that make up the St. Pat's parades in the other traditionally Irish capitals of Boston and New York, Chicago goes carnival for this shit. Floats. Dancers. Groups from far-flung suburbs, or neighboring states, with vague ties to something Irish. Trolleys or buses with everybody and their new best friend on them -- Jews, blacks, gays, whatever. (Just no Michigan fans.) And that's not even talking about the real Irish parade on the South Side.

I produced the video below at the Chicago St. Pat's parade over a decade ago in hopes of doing justice to this sacred (and supposedly religious?) holiday by showing New Yorkers how it's done in my hometown for my Manhattan cable access show, Toolz of the New School. Now that the public access era of Manhattan will officially be over soon upon the transition to digital television, I humbly submit this piece for posterity of a soon to be forgotten era of independent media.

My favorite bit is when we work the St. Pat's parade route Downtown with a sign that says "Support the I.R.A." In very small letters, the sign clarifies "Illinois Restaurant Association." The reactions we got spoke volumes.

Read more: Digital Television Conversion, Cable Access, The Obamas, Public-Access-Tv, St. Patrick's Day, Obama PDA, Chicago St. Patrick's Day, Obama St. Patrick's Day, Chicago News