Obama Date Night: May 2, 2009

UPDATE: Obama Date Night: Paris, June 6, 2009
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UPDATE: Gibbs: Obama Date Night Cost
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UPDATE: Obama Date Night: May 30, 2009
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Isn't it romantic?

Obamas take a walk, holding hands in the evening

The first couple took full advantage of the cool spring night.

In one of their date nights in the District, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dined out for nearly two hours at a posh Georgetown restaurant.

Then they took an evening walk.

After their motorcade arrived back at the White House, the first couple wanted a private stroll. Below an overcast sky Saturday, the Obamas clasped hands and made their way down the driveway of the White House South Lawn. They came back the same way, rounding out their 8-minute walk.

It was a quiet contrast to their dinner outing. The Obamas' visit to Georgetown attracted crowds of onlookers who were held back by police tape, while sirens wailed and a protester chanted outside the restaurant.

From the Chicago Tribune:

The first couple slipped out of the White House tonight for dinner at Citronelle, one of Washington's premier restaurants, the production of a prize-winning chef, Michel Richard, with a wine cellar holding about 8,000 bottles.

The president wore a dark suit but no tie, the first lady a white sleeves-rolled blouse tied in the back, with black capri pants, her hair pulled tight in a pony tail.

A crowd assembled on M Street outside the restaurant, with one woman pacing and shouting into a bullhorn: "This is so great that you are here... Create fear and terror."

The crowd appeared to ignore her.

The Obamas, who had left the White House by motorcade just before 6 pm EDT, left the restaurant for the return home just before 8.

They strolled the South Lawn a bit.

I wasn't aware that patrons at one of Washington's "premier restaurants," on a Saturday night, would dress like they're going out to eat at the Olive Garden.

I guess it's premier, yet casual.

After dinner, the Obamas took a "private stroll"?

Not really.

Here's video.



The Obama date nights don't seem like the couple are truly interested in private time. They seem like photo ops. They're circuses.

A motorcade, sirens wailing, police tape... Sure. Just a normal couple going out for the evening.

If they really want time together, perhaps they should take a cue from George and Laura Bush. Go to Camp David. Have an intimate evening at home.