Last night First Lady Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance at the Oscars via streaming video from the White House. The First Lady praised all the nominees for best picture before opening the famous envelop to reveal “Argo” as the winner. Many people were happy to see the First Lady engaging in a bit of pop culture along with millions of other Americans were last night. However, not everyone was pleased to the First Lady. Breitbart.com writer Christian Toto took particular exception saying,
“Has a First Lady ever intruded on Oscar night in such fashion? My memory says no, but it's possible this isn't the first time. It is, however, typical of a White House operation that excels in glamour over substance, that feels compelled to enter every public space from sporting events to late night shows to even the biggest night of the year for Hollywood.”
Actually, the answer is yes. First Lady Laura Bush appeared in the 2002 Oscars without drawing the same kind of backlash from progressives at the time.
Nikki Finke of Deadline Hollywood called the First Lady’s appearance, “unnecessary and inappropriate.” Many other conservatives took to Twitter to express outrage that the First Lady would engage in such an appearance.
It is not entirely clear what makes a first lady’s appearance at the Oscars inappropriate. It is not as if either first lady was flashing any “sideboob” on the red carpet. The Oscars have become a prominent part of American culture. If a first lady represents America, one could say that it is more than appropriate for her to take part in the festivities in a dignified fashion.
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